[Jack21]

One of the concerns I had when installing this coil-over front suspension was the lower shock mount. It's a nylon or urethane bushing with a steel sleeve. A 7/16", Grade 8 bolt goes through it from the lower control arm. There is no provision for lubricating/greasing this joint. The arm is from RCC. The Carerra coil-over is from Carerra.

Standard fare for a shock bushing that only has to resist the suspension oscillations. But now it, along with the lower ball joint, is supporting the weight of the front of the car as well, 600 or so pounds per side. The car has a little over 100 miles on it. I haven't taken them apart yet for a closer look but they don't look like they're doing too well.

What has been your experience with coil-over lower joints as load bearing joints on street driven cars? Is there a better/right way to do this? Coil overs seem a little too popular to have frequent bushing replacement as a common problem.

On a more positive note, I've had this thing out on the highway, and back and forth to work a couple of times. Am amazed and pleased at how well this thing runs and handles. And it's comfortable too. These CR seats are really well done. It's a new car and a fresh engine, so I'm not testing its limits yet. Haven't broken these 17" tires loose yet in acceleration, braking, or cornering. Corners like it's on rails.

Other than possibly a Lambroghini Countach, this has got to be the most Gawked at car in the world. I was unprepared for this. Co-workers refused to believe I'd built this car. It does look like a factory built car. Everybody wants to see the engine, listen to it idle, and a few dare a ride. The "Car guys" know exactly what it is and are most complementary on my efforts. But the non car guys are another matter. ("What year is this?" "A '66." "Geez, I wasn't even born in '66.")

Ok you old pros, help me out with snappy comebacks to the idiotic questions I get.

"Isn't this a Corvette? Why does it say Ford on it?"

"Is it real?" (Those of you with bustier spouses may have borrowed some unique/original responses to "Are they real?")

Speaking of spouses, mine has been most helpful in this project. She assisted in installing the engine & trans, seats, a lot of the testing, and installed the carpet & padding herself.