... how about this ...
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/post--equus-bass-770-the-dollar250000-restomod

I just heard about that best today! What a monster.

I want one ..... in red.

I assume (ass-u-me) you meant beAst ... did you mean the car or the price tag ???

The most "super" car I ever owned was a 1970 Ford Mustang convertible...it had a 351 "Cleveland" V-8 engine, with the "shaker" hood scoop and a heavy duty C-6 Cruise-o-matic auto transmission with a posi-trac rear end.

I bought it second hand and it had very few miles on it. It was ordered with radio delete, and had no power anything (just the top)...steering, drum brakes were standard non-power, and it was a beast to drive. But, it went like stink, and I'm very lucky I didn't kill myself in it.

I swapped it for a freshly restored 1949 Cadillac Coup DeVille which, although much slower, was a great car for "shooting the drag" as we called driving up and down the main street.

Fran had way more muscle cars than me...I switched to Honda Accords quite some time ago....boring but dependable.

Ian

I wish I had them all now in the same condition as when I owned them.

I had so many..some I purchased new, some a year or two old..

From 1964 - 1971 models,, Mostly General Motors ( and yes I was a big block fan).I had a couple pre 1964 so called muscle cars..namely wedgehead chevys...but they weren't in the same class..I remember 2 1961 chevy convertiblesa..One I bought new, 348 wedgehead.. The other a few years later ..283 ci and 283 horsepower...Originally dual quads and I changed up to fuel injection (It was a sled compared to the rest I would own).


Pontiac s with 389 ci with trips (2 barrel type).
A couple Gran national Buicks and an earlier 1969 with 455 engine..
SS Chevelles ..every year starting with 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971(This one was a small block dog)..Most were Hard tops , except for 2 70 convertibles..

I had nearly as many Ford.. My favorites besides the Mustangs I mentioned 67 Shelby, Boss 429, and a 69 Mach (428). Mustang..My Favorite was a sleeper 428 CobraJet Fairlane .
Although the Fords could not run with the Chevys...you weren't expected to win with the Ford...where as the Chevy..you better win..

The scariest, unsafe car was a cutomized 427 Chevy powered 71 Vega..It had to be aimed and it would not stop

I owned a couple MoPars Hemis, but never liked them..they felt like they were doing it..throwing back in the seat ...while those Chevy's went by you.

Here is a pic of the 69 SS that was my favorite and ran in the low eleven's..I bought it in 69 and sold it in 70...The fellow that owns it kept it as a show car..He didn't know how special the car ran...with my little tricks..

BORING ?!?

BTW ... I had a 2000 Accord - whatever the 'big' model was ... it was great until it needed front end work and I switched to a Cad CTS4

Wish I had all the vehicles I owned back. . . . 57 Chevy 2-door hardtop, 58 Vette with removable hardtop, two 66 Vettes, 66 Mustang, Datsun 240Z, Mazda RX7. . . many more. I'd sell 'em all and buy something foolish.
My pride and joy was an Ariel 500 cc single cylinder customized bike. Mine was gold metal-flake with leather seats.

It seems like a Mustang crossed with a Camaro Z28 ( which has always had the same engine as the Corvette ). I think I would just get a Camaro Z28 for much less than that price tag ... oh wait on I do already drive a Camaro Z28 ... and it has a hatch back that lets me load a full keyboard rig and guitar rig at the same time for the gigs I play with the back seat folded down. It always surprises people how much music gear I can pack into that muscle car.

But I love that 69 SS Fran ... wow what a car !!!!

But you cant fit a 76 key arranger across the seat

LOL! I was never concerned with fitting an arranger across the back seat. More 'youthful' pursuits, I'd say.

Years ago I cut my Leslie 147 in half horizontally and put a plywood bottom on it so I would have two pieces to fit in my vehicle.....plus cut the legs off my Hammond B-3 for the same reasons to get it in the van lol...

Current project: a 1985 Buick Rivera with 22,000 miles. Has not been started since 206. Not worth much, but if I can get it running, I would participate in the antique car rallies and shows my youngest son loves so much.

He's the hard-liner, at 32, having owned more cars than me. Currently, he has a Miata for one kind of race, a 55 Chevy, a 72 El Camino, and an old Firebird. Our old Cushmans and a kit bike or two stay at his house.

I can't change a light bulb, but, maybe, with his help, I'll be able to keep the Riviera running and have a little fun in the process.


Russ

Russ ... stand on a ladder and have your sons and grandson keep turning it until the bulb comes out of the socket ...

Russ, take care of MY Cushman!

Yeah, it's amazing the things we did. We took a circular saw to my old Hammond for ease of portability. So it became a two-man job to lift it, not a four-man job - there's efficiency for ya. It took about a dozen 8-pin connectors to connect the wiring between the two halves.

Worst that ever happened was when my Hammond was in this 'mickey mouse' box trailer I'd 'built'. Turning a corner one day, the car and loaded trailer parted company. Somehow the trailer stayed upright with the hitch grooved into the tarmac. The organ? Not a scratch.

Makes you think that all the storm in a teacup stuff we go through here about arranger prices is a drop in the ocean compared to what we have dropped on autos...

Maybe with the exception of Donny, LOL

I used to have a Hyundai that wouldn't fit my Ensoniq 76 in its case in the back. So it went in the passenger seat folded flat as possible and stretched into the back. And my wife rode behind me!

You make it work, whatever you have. Never bought a keyboard to fit a car yet...!

Oh the Horror, destroying a B3 !!! Moved mine in and out of the van and in and out of the basement using the Roll or Carry dollies. I can't believe I did it so many times !! Lat time I picked up just the dollies I couldn't believe how heavy they were. Sold it all with my last B3

One of the happiest days of my life was the day I sold my last big Yamaha organ (FS500 I think), leslies, dollies, etc. Went from a thousand pounds to a hundred!
That Yamaha outweighed all the Hammonds I ever had!

Tony, this is a picture of the kind of car I have now...a 2002 Accord SE...all options (sunroof, power everything) except leather upholstery, and it's equipped with the VTEC high-performance 4-cylinder with 4-speed automatic. It also has the optional HD suspension with sway bars front and rear so it handles great regardless of any gear weight.

The rear seat folds down and allows access to the trunk. Very reliable car with close to 90,000 miles on it. A bit of luxury with lots of economy. It's my 5th Honda and my next car will be one as well.

Performance is pretty good...I'm a much more laid back driver than I was back in my younger years.

Honda make great cars, for sure.

I'm jealous. Never had a Muscle car or a new car. Just family hand me downs. First new vehicle I got was when I was finishing college. Chevy van to move the B3 and band stuff.
Got the fever as a kid when all my friends were going to Reedmans in PA and getting cars, no money down, 6 months till first payment. Lots of fun in that 6 months till they reppossed it !!! I figured what the heck, in 6 months I'd make the payment somehow. I went down there to get my dream car. GTX Hemi. Got there and they just sold the last one, no more to be built.
Favorite car all time is the Plymouth Hemi Cuda. Girl at college I went to in Kentucky got one, drove in front of the dorm to show it off and we immediately jumped in it, pushed her over to the passenger seat ( I believe today they call that car jacking ) and went like He** two hours to Virginia to get beer. That car today would buy a LOT of beer !

Don't feel too bad, Bill...most of the cars I bought were all second hand. Low mileage, but second hand nonetheless.

It's difficult to buy rather expensive gear, own a home, and still have a new car, especially if your main job is as a working musician.

It certainly forces you to be "financially creative"...

Ian

Ian ... I bought my 2000 Honda in 2002 with 40,000 mi on it and had 149,500 when I 'traded it in' ... my 1980 Cadillac had 204,000+ on it when I traded that one in ...

PS ... changed the oil every year whether it needed it or not ...

Tony, I had a 1994 Accord EX-R sedan that had over 480,000 km (298,000 miles) on it when I traded it for the 2002 I have now.

It's still on the road, and still looks very good.

Back then, besides regular personal gigs, I was doing Yamaha clinics in all eastern provinces; Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, and I mainly used my car for travel, with only the occasional air travel.

I changed the oil and filter per factory recommendations, and but for needing new tires and brakes every so often, the car was mostly problem free.

I hope the one I have now proves to be just as reliable.

That Cadillac you bought sure looks sharp! GM has always had great styling.

Ian

Ian

What you need is a proper truck LOL

Col

Toyota Rules!!

Donny

Two more I used to own in a previous life !

Pity the Jag wasn't a drop-head but you can't have everything.

Col

Great vehicles, Rovers, but they are a little pricey and second hand ones can end up costing a lot on maintenance if they hadn't been properly kept up.

My only real "truck" I had was a 1957 restored Chevy Suburban Carry-All which i owned for about three years, back in the days of using my B-3 and two Leslies. The only second hand vans at that time were the ones with the flat front and the engine between the seats and they were horrible in snow, unless they were full of gear. The Chevy had a V-8, with a 4-speed Hydramatic and the former owner added power steering. Other than being a bit hard on fuel it was a nice rig to drive. I sold it to buy an old ('73) Dodge Coronet Police Special with a 440 in it, but that's a whole other story.

Toyota rules what exactly ?

...my 'gig' mobile is a 2002 GMC pick up with a cap, and the 'fun' mobile is a 2003


I am very fortunate ...

I've probably owned 30 to 40 vehicles. Only new one was a Datsun 240Z. I drove it for two years and sold it for a thousand more than I paid for it. Something to do with value of the Yen back then.
My Scion XB was technically new, but had been damaged on the dealer's lot when a car crashed through the fence and hit it requiring pretty extensive body work on front fender.

Nice, Donny, but you'd be nabbed for driving without due care and attention.

http://youtu.be/B5B-4ISwcrM

My friend, Danny sold his house and all his belongings a few years back to "bring the music to the people" He just drives till he feels like stopping - sits at the piano and plays for strangers ... for free. He teaches anyone who's interested a few little techniques and he lets everyone play ... the dog sits on top and follows him around the world. Interesting stories ..... check it out!

Sign on the back of a Motorhome:

DON'T TAILGATE OR I'LL FLUSH.

That's his vehicle, his home, his playroom, his doghouse, his stage .... it's literally all he has. I admire him for his conviction. I couldn't do it.

Dave, your friend Danny kinda reminds me of an old man sailing down the easy coast of the U.S. Intra-Coastal Waterway with a sailboat loaded with music gear, stopping along the way to play at the marinas and tiki bars. And, we probably spent about the same amount to do this.

Cheers,

Gary

Current toy in progress: a 1985 Buick Rivera, with 20 thousand miles on it. Not worth much, but pristine and easy to get someone to work on. Hasn't been started since 2006 (the year the owner, my long-time friend passed away).

I'll take it to car shows and charity drives with my youngest, a real "car guy". His garage is bigger than his house. Currently, it houses an old modified Miata for racing, a 55 Chevy "Rat Rod", some old restored Cushman scooters, and a kit bike or two.

Also picked up a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4,312 miles on it...loaded with GPS, leather, full-time 4WD, back-up camera, etc. 12.9 mpg (UGH). Belonged to the widow of my friend, the former owner of the Rivera. She was recently placed under guardianship.

The Rivera gets new tires, all new belts, battery, converted air and a polish. should be gorgeous. Been garaged for the last 7 years.

R.

Fran......no matter how you slice the pie, that is one gorgeous car. I'd rather own that than a G70 and and Audya combined. Thank goodness for the "car shows" that keep these vehicles alive!

Mark

Made in the UK like so many good things

No too certain that was the model that Ian was talking about Tony

Why buy a car anymore when SUV models offer so many roomy options I say,....love Toyota Rav4 & Jeep Liberty LTD..

Small SUV fan myself. At some point I'll be looking around to replacle 'Ol' Reliable', my 1997 Jimmy. You know what's entered my considerations now? Tailgate floor height.

Probably my 06 Scion XB is the ultimate gig rig. Plenty of head room, seats fold flat to hold all gear, 34 mpg, totally reliable.
However, I now use a Ford Exhibition, or I did before lightening hit it in early December. I'm supposed to get it back possibly tomorrow. Meantime I haul my gear in the back of my "fishing truck", a 97 Silverado with tonneau cover. I don't drive it much because it is in nearly showroom condition, with lots of custom stuff. I have a sound system in it that will rattle windows for blocks around, with Johnny Cash music of course.
Trivia--they didn't make the XB in 07, then changed it a lot for 08. Bigger Camry motor, less room, less gas mileage, less box-like. Too bad!

I love your SCion Don when I was down south with you ...kool little suv !!!btw Toyota makes it...just sayin!!

... can't ride along the beach on a beautiful summer day with the top down in an SUV ... my CTS4 provides room for 5 with a very big trunk, and my GMC pick up has all the room I need for gigs ...

The best all around vehicle to me...a mini van (extended )It can haul all your gear, tools, people etc..

The worst for me..an SUV..gas hog, misleading space (actually small)..expensive repairs..Loading up, terrible ..too high..The minivan is economic, lower to load, twice the room, and it will go on any snow covered road too..

hahaha I've had many mini vans.....aside from looking like a freakin' soccer mom riding around and too low in snow,.......it's alot of wasted space to use once in a while to haul stuff..they make a few AWD vans if needed.....but for me 4x4/AWD/SUV all the way....that is all.

Don M, Expedition?

You use an S950 and a Mackie 150...use a bike (the pedal kind)..

I agree, Fran. That's why I drive a Grand Caravan.

Gary

Fran is that why you have TWO Suv's? just sayin

Did you know Lexus had this motor built by Yamaha?

The Nissan GTR is an awesome piece of kit...especially for the money! It was actually faster off the line up to 60 mph, and the Lexus just managed to squeak by in the 1/4 mile.

Yamaha have been doing the woodwork in Lexus and a few other high end luxury cars...things like wood door trim, dashboards, consoles...this is due to their many years of wood working experience in making guitars and pianos.

Ian

And what if the road is not a straight line?