"xxxxxx" Delete
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
Nice,
- i dont have heater in my 81
- i removed air conditioning (but i live in Canada, doubt our summers would impress those in FLA)
- Alarm system pisses me off.
- Still trying to get decent sound out of sterio but, exhaust now so loud,, doubt it matters.
What did you put in place of Radio ?
- i dont have heater in my 81
- i removed air conditioning (but i live in Canada, doubt our summers would impress those in FLA)
- Alarm system pisses me off.
- Still trying to get decent sound out of sterio but, exhaust now so loud,, doubt it matters.
What did you put in place of Radio ?
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,805
Likes: 706
From: Feverish All Over
Agree with the idea that it's your car and you should set it up as you like. Just a comment that with your manual lights system, the car would probably not pass a "safety inspection".
But motor on and enjoy
But motor on and enjoy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Inspection
From a common sense standpoint, what makes a car unsafe that the headlights cannot be opened from sitting in the car? Mine open just fine, and I open them when I need headlights. I could actually leave them open ALL the time, since most cars have them "open" all the time, but again, what would be unsafe about it?
Just because a government has rules, does not mean they make sense......! Some countries have more nonsense rules than others. That's why I like the U.S., and the direction it is going starting January 20th.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Jan 3, 2017 at 07:10 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Heat
Where in Canada do you live? I won't drive a car w/o AC. mid June - late August it's 30-45 Celsius with bonkers humidity in S.Ont. (I want to live in Canada but the heat kills me in the summer - Winter is just ridiculously fun (especially with 4WD or a RWD!!!! (never the vette though))
As for folks who live in places like Florida.....there is no escaping 100 degrees and humidity comfortably without AC,....I know, I lived in Orlando for four years. Glad I am not there any more....its nothing but a oppressive heat infested swamp for five months out of the year. Anyways, I don't need AC in Pennsylvania. Again, windows and T-tops off, I was comfy all summer long.
I didn't know Canada was hotter than Pennsylvania in the summer.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Dec 31, 2016 at 09:40 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
regarding leaving the lights on all the time i would have to admit that our cars look goofy with the lights up,not to mention the increased coefficient of drag it would create when we are cruising above 140mph.as far as the looks i have gotten the one i remember the most,and will never forget, was when i was exercising the light assembly and an elderly gent at a bus stop smiled and looked in amazement.we all enjoy our cars but it is very special when someone else sees what we see.Happy New Year to all!
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,805
Likes: 706
From: Feverish All Over
Might not pass it, but I don't have the requirement. Don't be confused, all my lights illuminate when I pull the switch to on, and the passing lights work as well. I just have to open them manually.
From a common sense standpoint, what makes a car unsafe that the headlights cannot be opened from sitting in the car? Mine open just fine, and I open them when I need headlights. I could actually leave them open ALL the time, since most cars have them "open" all the time, but again, what would be unsafe about it?
Just because a government has rules, does not mean they make sense......! Some countries have more nonsense rules than others. That's why I like the U.S., and the direction it is going starting January 20th.
From a common sense standpoint, what makes a car unsafe that the headlights cannot be opened from sitting in the car? Mine open just fine, and I open them when I need headlights. I could actually leave them open ALL the time, since most cars have them "open" all the time, but again, what would be unsafe about it?
Just because a government has rules, does not mean they make sense......! Some countries have more nonsense rules than others. That's why I like the U.S., and the direction it is going starting January 20th.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
And obviously, I certainly don't need seat buzzers, delay boxes for courtesy lights, seatbelt warnings, or low fuel warning lights. I really don't need a clock that works, but it does, so it fills that hole. If it quits, I guess it can stay or what would be way more useful than that clock is the 80 & up oil temperature gauge....but then I have to run more wires and have another sensor??
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 454
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati Ohio
emergency hidden Defroster
For emergency you could always wire in a 12v cigarette outlet and purchase a travel hair dryer in the rare case you stay to late to a function. These would work way superior to factory unit and be instant heat when needed. So in a sense, you can have your cake and eat it to.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 107
Likes: 12
From: New York
Sounds like a simplified style of ownership. Sounds like you have enough knowledge of cars too. Everything i learned about cars came from having to diagnose and repair them. And that was before the youtube era! I'll bet all the knowledge on this forum comes from mechanical, electrical and definitely vacuum failures.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 52
From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Great post! I didn't think bout it that way. While I may eventually add some of the systems you decided to delete, I will draw a line for when the car is "Done" at a much earlier time. You are right, the damn things are meant to be driven, and short of three pedals and a steering wheel, you don't need a whole lot to drive them.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 454
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati Ohio
minimalism
I think the over riding point is minimalism. Pure sports cars of the past such as the Cobra, GT350R, L88, ZR1 etc were all modeled on this. The cars were mechanical and let you know that you were driving them. I have always been drawn to this minimalism out of my own personal culture and all of the simplicity that it brings. I think modern conveniences are nice in certain situations but have dominated our living in many anxiety inducing ways. The youtube video I posted is of Bugatti's Chief designer and his minimalistic 911 project. Now here is a person that probably could afford a Bugatti yet chooses to strip his 911 down to form follows function. I think this idea is a response to "noise" in our lives and the desire to live simplified in a crazy iPhone, Facebook and twitter age. Also to people who think this is "Bubba" well you can do minimalism with care and attention to detail as well. Also, Zora was of this mindset and stripped the Heater out of his test Mule ZL1 1968 to bring weight down to 2996, in order to increase power to weight ratio. Isn't this what sports cars are supposed to be?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 17
From: South Shore Massachusetts
I am sure many may not agree, and some may call it Bubba, but I have made decisions on my car because when it came down to it, I really asked the question.. why? So just to throw it out there for comment, and maybe to pass on an idea or two, I made the list below. Just FYI - I drive 4000-6000 miles a year, i.e. my car is no garage queen, so keep that in mind when you read below and start commenting:
- Heater AC Delete - I have driven my car for several years now, before and after restoration, for eight months out of 12 in Western PA.......have no need for a heater or AC, so no heavy and ugly AC system under hood to deal with, no heater hoses, controls, valves, vacuums lines, etc....No loss. No problem.
- Radio Delete - no need for radio....love the sound of the car. Uncluttered behind the panel, no speakers, no antenna, no wiring, all gone.....No loss. If I needed to hear music, there are many modern options that don't require the car.
- Headlight Open / Close System Delete - No Vacuum or Electric - All vacuum hoses, actuators and controls...gone. No electrical motors added. Once you remove the actuators, it takes 15 seconds to get out of the car, reach under the front of the car, and push up the headlights!! They lock open. Same time to pull them down. I drove three times after dark last year.....No loss. Its called Manual headlights, simplest and cheapest system out there. Never will have a problem again. Night time does not sneak up on you, so you just pull over, and push them up, pull the light switch and your done. Simple, cheap and reliable.
- Windshield Washer Delete - no plans on driving in the rain, so no need for pump, reservoir or tubing. No need to spray fluid on the window and all over my hood. I do have the wipers installed, but have never needed them. If its raining hard, I am not driving the car and getting crap all over the bottom of the car, unless I have no choice. Hasn't happened yet.
- Spare Tire Delete - I might install my spare tire carrier, just cause I don't like the empty look, but not planning on installing a big heavy tire / wheel assembly to haul around. Might regret it, but cell phones have changed things. And after 40 years of driving, never had a flat,......until now that I said that.!! I will risk it. I have read all about the theoretical crash protection it offers.....I call B.S. on it. This car is so unsafe compared to modern vehicles it is ridiculous.
- Factory Option Delete - I don't need electric windows - all they create is problems with wiring, switches, motors etc.....all because I can't wind a crank?? I have never needed the windshield defroster, so its not hooked up, in fact none of the heater controls are hooked up. Electric rear window defroster....really?, Why?
- Alarm Delete - don't need it....it certainly won't stop anyone from stealing it.
Not even going to talk about emissions equipment....but you can imagine what I think about those components and whether any of it is on my car.
I love how simple this car is, and how much simpler I have made it. You open my hood, and it is as clean as it can get of hoses, wiring, etc......! I like it. Beyond that, its a car.....nothing more than a person needs and has everything I need to enjoy myself and drive. I would drive it to California tomorrow if I had time. No fear.
- Heater AC Delete - I have driven my car for several years now, before and after restoration, for eight months out of 12 in Western PA.......have no need for a heater or AC, so no heavy and ugly AC system under hood to deal with, no heater hoses, controls, valves, vacuums lines, etc....No loss. No problem.
- Radio Delete - no need for radio....love the sound of the car. Uncluttered behind the panel, no speakers, no antenna, no wiring, all gone.....No loss. If I needed to hear music, there are many modern options that don't require the car.
- Headlight Open / Close System Delete - No Vacuum or Electric - All vacuum hoses, actuators and controls...gone. No electrical motors added. Once you remove the actuators, it takes 15 seconds to get out of the car, reach under the front of the car, and push up the headlights!! They lock open. Same time to pull them down. I drove three times after dark last year.....No loss. Its called Manual headlights, simplest and cheapest system out there. Never will have a problem again. Night time does not sneak up on you, so you just pull over, and push them up, pull the light switch and your done. Simple, cheap and reliable.
- Windshield Washer Delete - no plans on driving in the rain, so no need for pump, reservoir or tubing. No need to spray fluid on the window and all over my hood. I do have the wipers installed, but have never needed them. If its raining hard, I am not driving the car and getting crap all over the bottom of the car, unless I have no choice. Hasn't happened yet.
- Spare Tire Delete - I might install my spare tire carrier, just cause I don't like the empty look, but not planning on installing a big heavy tire / wheel assembly to haul around. Might regret it, but cell phones have changed things. And after 40 years of driving, never had a flat,......until now that I said that.!! I will risk it. I have read all about the theoretical crash protection it offers.....I call B.S. on it. This car is so unsafe compared to modern vehicles it is ridiculous.
- Factory Option Delete - I don't need electric windows - all they create is problems with wiring, switches, motors etc.....all because I can't wind a crank?? I have never needed the windshield defroster, so its not hooked up, in fact none of the heater controls are hooked up. Electric rear window defroster....really?, Why?
- Alarm Delete - don't need it....it certainly won't stop anyone from stealing it.
Not even going to talk about emissions equipment....but you can imagine what I think about those components and whether any of it is on my car.
I love how simple this car is, and how much simpler I have made it. You open my hood, and it is as clean as it can get of hoses, wiring, etc......! I like it. Beyond that, its a car.....nothing more than a person needs and has everything I need to enjoy myself and drive. I would drive it to California tomorrow if I had time. No fear.