Let's hope this is not a typical New York response. First of all Mr. Granata, the contest was completely fair and at no time did any CC staffer attempt to bias the contest to ensure that any car won, much less the GTO. Clearly, you didn't read the story very carefully. The guy who won had the best car. The whole idea of Real Street is a "run whatcha brung" contest that intentionally compares apples to oranges. It's very easy to second guess this procedure from the safety of arrogant correspondence. Tell you what-you show up to next year's RSE event, and we'll make you the keeper of the point totals. That way, when someone's favorite car doesn't win, you can respond to all the nasty letters (like yours).
I have read Car Craft off and on for years, but the RSE competition has really piqued my interest! Talk about a close and diverse competition. I am building a car that is hopefully worthy of entry into RSE. It's painted right now, but little else. The car is a '67 Chevelle with a suspension setup similar to Andrew Borodin's GTO. The engine will hopefully be a small-block with as yet undetermined size. I'd really like to build a screaming 327! The excellent mix of RSE, your informative tech articles, and your interest in all marques is the best on the newsstands. Thanks for staying true to the roots of real hot rodding, keeping it affordable and realistic in scope.
Greg Nelson
Via e-mail
Ultima
I was glad to see you break the barrier and run something truly different in your Feb. '04 issue. The first indication that this would not be the normal issue was that bright yellow Ultima GTR on the front cover. To my surprise and delight, I found a feature on the car and coverage of the Real Street Eliminator. I thought it was really cool that you invited last year's winner back with his new "Ultimate" street machine.
I saw this car on the Power Tour this year. Anyone who has seen an Ultima up close will understand why this car is the ultimate Car you can Craft in your garage! And as such, it truly belongs in Car Craft magazine. For those who will moan and groan that it does not belong, I have one thing to say: Seek out one of these cars, take a close look, take a ride, and I am sure you will be as impressed as the Car Craft staff was to give it the coverage they did and it deserves.
Congratulations to Jeff Schwartz on another stunning creation. Boy, would I like to have a garage like his-a killer Caddy and an Ultima! Can't wait to see what he comes up with next! If anyone is looking for me, I will be in the garage dreaming I am visiting Mr. Schwartz. Very cool.
Ed Ingalls
Evanston, WY
Readers' In And Out List
In: Joining the Marine Corps to do something with my life.
Out: Being gone so much of the time.
In: Restoring a musclecar in your free time.
Out: You're gone all the time, and the time that you're not gone isn't your time.
In: Buying parts so when you do have time you can work on your project.
Out: Having to wait till all the bills are paid on the 1st and the 15th before you can buy the parts, then realizing that you don't have the money for the parts afterwards.
In: Buying them anyway.
Out: More bills because you bought them anyway.
In: Going to war for your country.
In: Saving a boatload of money cause you're in a tax-exempt location: You can't spend it while getting shot at.
Out: Coming back to the U.S. and the only people to greet you are U.S. Customs and the bill collectors.
Out: All the money you saved is spent paying the bills and still not being able to pay 'em off.
In: Expecting to come back to a pile of Car Craft magazines to read up on.
Out: Finding out that the subscription service you went through to get Car Craft in the first place canceled it and sent you 50 million issues of Sports Illustrated.
In: SI is great for wood-burning stoves.
Out: I don't have a wood-burning stove.