Friday, April 12th, 2013

• So this last weekend I made a trip out to visit my car and shake it down to find any last issues before I finally take it home. All I can say is...

WOW

• It all became real as I was driving down the main street and saw her reflection in a shop window. Here I was finally driving her after all this time, and she was incredible. This weekend alone made any and all headaches and fears that I had during the last seven years worth it. Despite the final few issues that remain, I was honestly ready to take her home right then and there because she was so much fun and working so well.

• It was 100% different from my last visit this previous November, when it just didn't feel right: the steering wheel felt too big, the stickshift felt out of place, the exhaust was too loud, and it was nearly painful to drive. This time, though, the work done on it since made all the difference. The modified steering wheel is incredible (props to Ryan from Suba Performance for finding it!) and fits the car perfectly, not to mention it makes the car feel like a go cart. The body still looks incredible, despite it only being washed right before I showed up (thanks so much, Steve!). The exhaust works very well, and despite still being somewhat loud, it fits the nature of the car; I realized that I don't have as much problem with a sports car being loud as I do a sedan.

• It got looks from so many people. Walking out of Autozone after picking up some supplies, I was greeted with a crowd around the car wondering what it was. One of the girls even insisted on getting a picture of the car with me in it. On the road, I had people in modified 350Zs, GT-Rs, Porsches, and AMGs staring, circling me, and asking what it was. Kids pressed their faces against their car windows, an older guy stopped us at a stoplight eager to know what the car was, and a gentleman did a U-turn in the road to follow me into the gas station to get the lowdown on the car (it probably didn't help that there currently isn't any badging on the car). I'm told this might get old, but for now, I'm enjoying it; it was a great experience meeting each and every one of these people.

• As for remaining issues, the biggest thing is tightening up the shifter: it's currently fairly loose and the reverse lockout is disabled, all of which made it really hard to cleanly shift and find gears.

• The second biggest issue would probably be the fact that the current two-piece driveshaft can torque and actually bend enough to hit the monocoque.

• Third issue is the Prosport A/F gauge beeping every time I let off the gas because it temporarily reads an extreme ratio. Hopefully this can be turned off, but I had thought that we had tried several times...

• Those are the big issues. The rest includes stuff like fixing seals and fine tuning components. This is all good, because I'm heading back to pick up the car in three weeks.

• I made sure to get more pics this time, but still, it never seems like I get enough when I get back from visiting. Regardless, check them out on the My Murtaya Pictures Volume #41 page.

• Once again, the biggest thanks and shout outs to Steve Bruns who has done a beautiful job on the body and interior fabrication and engineering so many fixes, Troy and the Suba Performance guys who have gotten the heart beating and running so well, Chris Monaco who continues to earn good comments on the interior and materials, and Scott and the rest of MoFab who built and installed the fantastic exhaust.

• Stay tuned for the next few weeks to see what happens.....

• Reminder #1: Murtaya Sports Cars is offering to sell the moulds for the Murtaya as well as other stuff. According to them: 'Murtaya Sports Cars is now up for sale as a going concern. Offers are being sought, all serious proposals will be discussed. Guide price I.T.R.O £20,000.' Contact: murtaya@hotmail.co.uk

• Reminder #2: Will Corry is still looking to sell the US Demo Murtaya. According to Will: 'It is 99% finished and will register as it sits.' If you want to know more, etc., go ahead and contact me and I can get you in touch with Will: murtaya@live.com

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As always, thanks for visiting, and come back soon...
   -Mike