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I have been building a garage over the last several weeks. It is going very well, just need to finish the electrical and paint. It is 30' by 36' - makes the car look really small when it is inside. I just finished staining the floor, it is a tan stain with epoxy coating on top. I think it turned out pretty darn good. The car still does not run, it has the same electrical problems that I have not solved yet - one of these days it will be done. Ok, so I'm trying to post pictures but can't seem to do it. My posting rules say I MAY NOT post attachments????? I guess if you want to see the pics you will have to do it the hard way and look in member pics.

I used to work for a health insurance company and spent a lot of time talking to the actuary. The actuary told me that IF the government did not loot the SS fund, and it was allowed to receive an interest rate of about 10% (not an unheard of rate) it would eventually grow to the point that it would be self sustaining and no one would have to contribute to it any more. The actuary also said the same thing of health insurance premiums. I have mentioned this to a few people and they scoff at the idea but I think there is something to it.

Wow....you made me get out my dictionary!!! Opprobrium.....that's a good one....1: something that brings disgrace 2: INFAMY I hope the infamy definition was the one intended but can see where the disgrace definition would be some people's choice.....all in the point of view.

Some Questions. What were the poverty levels of seniors prior to Social Security??? IF we never started Social Security what would poverty among seniors be like today??? IF Social Security were to end today what would poverty levels be??? When did 401k's, IRA's and other retirement plans start??? IF you could start with a clean sheet of paper - what type of plan could the governmtent start that would work for retirement??? There will always be complaints about just about everything the government does - it is really hard to make 250+ million people happy. It must really be a PIA to try and keep track of each person, how much they contributed, how much to pay out, disabled people, dependants and on and on...... and making sure that the money is not given out incorrectly. Even with all the warts and blemishes, count it as an entitlement-welfare-socialism or earned, I'm content that the government steps in to make people put money in for thier retirement because without it a HUGE chunk of that 250+ million people would retire with NOTHING. There needs to be some kind of plan for those that don't know how to save, don't have the discipline, or don't think they will live that long or whatever reason....or maybe there will be a market crash and you will lose everything.... who knows... but there are too many people that do - and will- need it for very valid reasons to throw the whole thing out. That said, I understand that there needs to be A Lot of fixing for it to continue working. I am not sure individuals investing portions of their SS tax is going to work because some people will invest better than others or be luckier than others and will have more money at retirement time. Those that don't do as well will feel "cheated" and will want to sue for thier "fair" share. The plan does not seem people (fool) proof enough. Anyway, sorry for the long ramble. Interesting topic.

I have the Miller and really like it. I also bought a Lincoln, I gave it to my father-in-law for helping me build a garage. When we went to buy the Lincoln we went to several welding shops and in talking with the people that sell both brands the Lincoln edges out the Miller in favorability with the welding shop employees. Their opinion was that both are good machines but the Lincoln has more flexability. I don't weld well enough to know what that means but all the welding shops had the same opinion. We were also able to get some freebies thrown in - some wire and welding pliers. Another thing, get a large tank of gas. The small ones run out of gas too soon IMO.

I've never driven a 911 but drove a couple of 928's and a 944. The 928 would make a wonderful car to cruise on the highway- but did not feel very quick. They had a very solid feel. Visibility was not the great. The 944 was unimpressive, the clutch felt mushy and the car was a little dodgy. It also felt small and cramped. I'll have to reserve judgement until I can drive a better example.

Got a JC Whitney catalog in the mail and they have a super clearance on front fenders for 79-83 zx's. Looks like they only have the drivers side available but they are going for $39.95. I don't know what the quality is but can't beat the price. Its part number WB950115BF.

JKDGabe - good post. Maybe the Founders of the US were so unique that they are the only ones in history that could have formed a good government, maybe they were only ones that had religious convictions. I am glad they were so dedicated and able in what they did, but I hope they were not the only ones that could do it. I suppose an argument could be made that the US Constitution was also painting over rust since many of its ideas came from very old ideas. I also suppose that one could argue that our paint is faded and rust is begining to show again - but thank God that we have had the opportunity do develope this country. Does Iraq have anyone with the ability to paint over rust and make it last? I guess we will see. At least they now have the opportunity, democracy or not, it is their choice. quote: "When the country does what is right I'll support it, when it does wrong I'll oppose." Thank you for that statement. That is exactly what I was trying to point out. It sounds like you look at the issue, think about it, study it based on the merits etc.. then make a decision. That is how it should be done. But, as I was trying to say, all too often disent (and support) is based on political loyalties. Also,there can be a lot said about the way the disenting is done. No attempt was being made to try and be Hitler like. (no offense taken by the way). One last point on the idea of freedom being taken not given. I am not that good at history but was Germany given freedom, or did it take it, after WWII? Same for Japan and many other countries? Are we giving Iraq freedom or are we helping them take it??? This is an honest question - not trying to be sacrastic. Sorry for the long post.

I have high hopes for Iraq and wish them success as their efforts toward democracy unfold. We live in interesting times and the the birth of a new democracy is very interesting to watch. Our country went through this process a couple hundred years ago, but we did not have anyone to guide us through the work. Wonder if the outside help we are giving Irag will help or hurt in the long run????? I also wish the US citizens could be more cohesive and supportive of what our country does. It is a great privilage to be able to have a disenting view, but it seems too often the disent is because of political viewpoints and which party is in power rather than what is a good or bad policy.

I picked up my 260z for $300. It had sat for 6 years, but the doors opened and had almost all of the parts with it. The interior was pretty thrashed and I have replaced everything except the dash and seats. The exterior was stripped and left outside unprotected, it had surface rust over the whole car but is still very solid. The frame rails and floors look very good. The best part was that we were able to get it started and drive it onto a trailer to get it home. I think it turned out to be a pretty good deal. If the weather would warm up a bit I would work on it more often and be driving it. It is getting close.

I liked his comment about the juvenile owners that drive the cars hard and then restore them to thier own "taste". Here and I have it all backwards, I'm restoring mine to my "taste" first and them I'm going to drive it hard!?!?!? I kind of like being called juvenile though- it makes me feel young again.

Maybe this will be better. I am technelogically challenged you know!! There are a couple more pictures in my album.

Phase one in nearing completion. Maybe I will be able to drive it soon.

I was there with my first z. I drove it until it would not drive anymore - had big plans to restore it and on and on. Never had any money, time, garage etc...I hung onto the car for years thinking I would work on it. Never happened. Tried to sell the car a few time but it was so bad that I eventually gave it away. This time around I am a little better off. The kids are mostly grown and I have a little cash and time. So far this z looks way better than the first one ever did, but I have only driven this one about 100 yards. The v8 is still on the back burner but I should be able to drive it this year.

I had my '48 Willys CJ2A sandblasted and it cost $200. I thought that was a bit expensive. I came out very rough, sandblasting is very hard on metal. It is a good thing that the bodies on those old jeeps is thicker than modern stuff. You should look into having it blasted with some other material....glass beads, walnut shells, baking soda ???? anything but sand. I live in a small town and my only choice was sand blasting for my jeep - I would never take my car there to have it done, the metal on the car is too thin.

Used to have an 81 Honda CB 900 Custom. It was fun when it worked!!!! Sold it. Wouldn't mind having another bike.

I paid a guy $200 to paint my car in his garage. I am happy with how the paint turned out - not bad for a garage job. It cost about $200 for materials, including tape and laquer thinner for clean up, etc. . . I plan on painting it again after installing a wide body kit ( a couple years down the line) and I will probably paint it myself.

"Old racer trick. They tech your ride height with the wood in the springs, then during the race the wood falls out and your car gets lower, handles better." I like that one!!! Maybe my car was a race car once. Now I wonder if it ever won!!!!