A couple of weeks ago, I trotted the Rambler out for a few test passes at Los Angeles County Raceway after a nine-month dry spell. I usually feel comfortable in the staging lanes and take the time to look around for feature cars or good ideas. For some reason, I had a case of the jitters I hadn't had in a long time. It was first timer's nerves for sure, and I wondered if it was going to make me do something stupid at the Tree, like some kind of newbie. I managed to get off the line, and the feeling went away, but not before it reminded me that I was here because drag racing is fun. It also made me nostalgic for other newbie experiences I've had. Here they are in no particular order.
The New Street Machine
Remember the moment you bought someone else's forlorn project car with the monster tach and the sawed-off exhaust? Even though you paid for the thing, it still didn't seem like yours. You weren't worried about what was about to fall off as you were seeing if the differential was really a limited-slip while your friends were hanging out the windows during the power brake stand, either. That is a good feeling, especially if the car is yellow.
First Hoodscoop
Just sitting behind the wheel making engine noises with the scoop lying on the hood is fun, so double that when the scoop is installed. Triple that when there is a gleaming carb or two filling the hole.
Firing The First Engine
If you are a CC reader, you've been here a zillion times, so it might be hard to remember the first time an engine you built made noise then immediately caught the carb on fire because the distributor was one tooth off. To get this feeling back, find a nephew or someone and teach him how to rering a junkyard small-block, then be there when it runs for the first time.
First Trip Around The Block
A close cousin to the first engine startup is the first trip around the block in the newly assembled street machine. Close your eyes and remember the new-paint smell, the greasy smoke from the fingerprints burning off the headers, and how the attitude of the entire car changed with the addition of horsepower.
First View Of Finished Paint
I think seeing the car come out of a professional paint booth or driving up and seeing it baking in the sunshine is equivalent to stepping back and looking at a paint job you've just finished yourself. The sensation is so infrequent that it slaps me anew whenever I smell fresh paint. Then a big bug lands in the middle of the hood and kills the buzz.
First Cruise Night
I can't remember my very first night at a cruise because I was likely not old enough to drive. What I do know is the feeling returns in force after the first engine build and the first trip around the block. Guys know when there is a fresh machine at the cruise, and they will immediately flock and quiz you. Know your cam specs.
Dumbass Riding Shotgun
Yes, I would like to ride in your vintage automobile. Halfway through his protracted thesis about how his grandfather had a car just like this one, you whack open the throttle and get the car sideways for about 1,000 feet and show him what wild, smoky oversteer means. That always shuts him up.
First Shot Of Nitrous
Foo ya! I remember this one and probably will forever. There is that spot on the throttle where the foot switch clicks on and the car gets a whole new attitude. There is some glee associated with seeing that quarter-mile time drop by a second and a half just because you hooked up the bottle. Maybe the car smokes the tires in a gear it couldn't have before, or maybe it spins 'em really hard for the first time ever; all these things are good.
First Car With A Blower
The first blower is different from the first nitrous experience because the tone of the idle changes and there is mucho torque under shoe for the first time. Shrieking blower whine and impressive underhood trinkets also provide some Prozac.
Parts In The Mail
There is a box from Summit! What's inside? Is it new valve covers or gaskets to fix that oil leak? If I were going to rate car-guy experiences, the box of toys in the mail would be close to number one. You should see how many times I get up and go to the mail room during the day. -Douglas R. Glad