Guys/Gals-

When you see an amazing car at a show, track, or magazine what key pieces of info do you want to know about the car?
I'm trying to see what key elements people want to know about upon looking at the car for the first time- ie Engine type, displacement, year of car, model, trans type, color of paint, suspension options, builder, etc.

If you took at look at Stielow's Camaro X what would you ask about first?

I will revel why I'm looking for this info after we get a few responses.

Tyler

i'd ask 'how did it start out?' or 'how was it to begin with?'

What engine and trans?
What is the suspension set up for, street or track? what spring rates and bars, -shocks?
What tires, are they the "Good" sticky tires or junky street stuff just for looks?
Are the brakes serious and matched to the engine power and suspension? or is it a mis-match?
Who built it? extra points for self-built car in my book, over a purchased package.
what are those wheels?
Any unusual neat features?
Who made the special parts?

Who built it? extra points for self-built car in my book, over a purchased package.

would be my first question

First question? Can I drive it!

I'll ditto Dave's questions as well.

One thing that I believe sets Steilow cars apart is systems integration. It's a bit difficult to define and ask a question about, but it is what sets his type of build apart.

I think the stance has to be right. That will draw me to the car for further inspection.
Homebuilt?:yes: or checkbooked?

craftmanship,

one off pieces and detail (i.e. engine compartment neatness, nice wire and hose routing),

suspension info,

wheels and tires,

driver or is it hauled?(bugs and minor paint chips in the front are ok)

carbed motor ok with me, prefer big cubes,

modern brake and steering system,

creature comforts...hey, if it's pro touring, I think you should be able to jump in and "tour" for several hundred miles or so, and that means keeping me cool or warm. Especially at my age.

I will normally walk on by the bygone era of pro streeters sporting gobs of underhood chrome and blowers and other top end pieces sticking out of the hood, but occasionally will stop and look at the craftmanship of anything thats done nice.

What suspension set up and what wheel size..
I guess that is because that is the part of my car I am into right now..

Like others said somthing has to catch my eye to stop and look especially at a big show.. SO what ever that was I would probably ask about or just check it out and make a mental note..


So what are you doing??

Tyler

Usually the first words spoken to me regarding my car is a compliment regarding fit and finish and the stance. And then engine size and who built it. Come to think about it, thats usually how I approach some one. And as you know when you go to cruise nights or shows theres always a couple stand outs that just WOW! you. I had the pro-street 540 ragtop for 15 years and I notice the difference in people who are really interested in the PT cars get pretty technical about suspensions/brakes/injection with there line of questioning. With the ragtop one of the first thing they would ask is 1/4 mile time,whats it run?. Many of them are building there own and trying to find out what work and what dosent. I get a lot of questions about the fuel injection as well, at my local cruise night in over 100 cars below 1978 I may be the only one running fuel rails, injection is still a minority. No doubt extra Kudos for the home built rodder.

Rich

The only thing important to me is whether or not it's driven. Don't get me wrong, I like show cars too, but a car outfitted with neat parts and driven all over the place is more impressive. I almost prefer paint scratches and brake dust, that's a sign of a car that gets used.

I look for overall balance of systems. To me, a 1000HP car equipped with all the handling goodies is as good as dirt...that's not a balanced setup. Or a four-link setup with 33x22.50-15's and a stock big block...that says to me that the owner is just trying to fit an image. Just like a set of bling-bling 20" wheels and stock discs...or drums!

for a pt car its suspension only !! anyone can put in an engine & tranny but only a few can make it ride well.

Great responses.

What we are working on is a customized trim tag for car builders and owners. we are going to have them water jet cut out of aluminum and stainless steel and then we will laser etch all the new info about the car on the tag. We plan to include the following options:

VIN
Engine size/type/displacement
Trans type
Chassis type/mods
Wheel brand/size
Builder/build date
Paint color
Vehicle make/model/year
Performance specs/HP/TQ/Quarter Mile/skid pad/lateral-g
Small area for logo or graphic

We might even leave it up to each client to let us know which fields they want added or subtracted.

The plan is to have most done in an aluminum plate with black anodizing, but we will also do stainless steel with black laser etch, and different anodized colors upon request (red, blue, green etc)

We are going for the modernized look of a Ferrari or Aston Martin serial plate, but people have already requested a vintage style made of brass or similar material.

So now that you guys are armed with that info, how many of you will change your answers?

Tyler

Sounds neat, Tyler. I would like to see the finished product. Keep us updated.

I mainly ask about chassis, as it's the part that can be so many different parts, systems, builders or products put together and it's hard to see.

Looking at Camaro X or the Red Witch bring this to mind. They are very sub duded looking Camaros and you would never guess they handle like they do by just looking and then if you do know the cars it's still hard to really see how they are built chassis wise. I was very lucky to see both of these cars parked next to each other on the power tour (Thanks Charley!!).

I think you might need a book to explain suspension but then again that's just me. I don't have the cash to do the suspension the way I want but after she is back on the road and I am enjoying her all the savings goes there and brakes first. I want to use your spindles so bad!!! Along with C5 brakes!!!

All the other info you have listed would be very cool to see though and would answer loads of questions at shows and cruises.