Project Elephant - Pictures (lots) and a quiz

[Chuck Moreland]

Projects like this one are never complete. There is always another go-fast part, another suspension tweek, and that twin plug motor I have my eye on.

But this project has developed to a point of reasonable completion. It's been drivable (albeit intermitantly) since August '03. It's made appearances at German Auto Fest, Dunkels, and a handfull of Rgruppe get togethers. It's already seen 6 track days including CA Festival of Speed last weekend.

The car is pretty well sorted and the suspension is getting dialed in. It's ready for some serious track time this year.

Before I trash it entirely, I figured some pictures would be in order while it's still pretty. So today I took it out for a spin and a bunch of glamour shots.

So here is the quiz; I'm going to post a bunch of pictures, a few at a time. First one to guess the location wins. Winner gets the respect and admiration of his peers.







That's all for now, more to follow.

[RSBob]

Chuck,

That's a stunner. Gotta love the Gulf blue color combo.

[tomt]

Nice Chuck... love the color.

I'm from a little farther up north, but I'm guessing an old Nike Missile site? Palos Verdes maybe?

[campbellcj]

Very nice Chuck! It looks like all your hard work has definitely paid off with a stunning result.

As a SoCal native I have no clue on the location, unless it's the old army base outside of Laguna Seca (Fort Ord?)

[TerryH]

beauty!

Alcatraz? Thought I saw Clint Eastwood...

[GrindingGears]

Presidio gun batterys...SF

[Chuck Moreland]

Thanks for the comments. As for the guesses; No, no and well - no.

Maybe a few more pics will help......




These wheels are freshly finished by Wiedman's in the coarse RSR finish.

[Chuck Moreland]

Philip, be more specific.

[DavidI]

It looks as if it is fortified like a military armory or something. It also has carports............am I on the right track?

[ted]

Hi Chuck,
The lowered look and slight rake look very nice.
I have no idea where you took the photo, looks good for sure.

On Saturday or Sunday did the CFoS annoucer stop by your booth? I reminded him early in the weekend to check in with you guys.

How was your time trial? With the ducktail did you (almost?) manage not to lift going into the bank?

I'll be in Vegas and will miss the R Gruppe gathering, have a cold one(s) for me.

Did you get your free CFoS photos from norm@headonphotos.net
Mine are here www.headonphotos.net/69
See ya at the track!
Mike

[GrindingGears]

The gun battery is obvious, but the tree in the third picture is classic bay area foliage...so...

last guesses...

Ft. Cronkhite

or

Ft. Baker

[Jack Olsen]

That car is beautiful, Chuck!

Not that it was too hard on the eyes, back in June of 2002:



But it's gone from just another pretty early car to an absolute head turner.

My only nit-pick is the windshield banner. I think you need to either get a two-color scheme up there, or put a Shell-style Elephant Racing decal on the hood, and go with a black visor decal.

[DanTheCat]

Definitely one of the forts along the coast near SF, but I don't know that area very well. The places I've been I can't remember the names, so...

But that's a beautiful car. The Gulf color scheme is my favorite.

Dan

[Chuck Moreland]

Fort Baker it is. Marin headlands. Philip got it

This is a WWII armory that is just north of the Golden Gate bridge and overlooks the bay.




Here are few more gratuitous photos:











Mike

I never did see the announcer. I couldn't hear anything over the PA anyway.

By Saturday afternoon I was flat out into the bank without lifting, no real drama. I have a few less ponies than you though. Sunday things got a little skittish with the strong cross winds. A bigger tail would have been nice. I am going to get an IROC tail.

In the TT I turned a 2.06. Technically I am V4 because I have lexan windows. But I am leaving a lot of points on the table, with skinny tires and a stock S motor. Cal Speedway is a horsepower track and my 2.4 S just can't keep up with the true V4 cars. If it wasn't for the lexan, my car would still be HP class.

Still, I was pleased with my times and I had a great weekend. I'll be back to Cal Speedway for the Tribute to Lemans, great track.

I didn't know about the free pics, I'll send an email.

[bob tilton]

some great shots chuck. much nicer in person. glad i get to see your car on saturday at easy.

[Chuck Moreland]

Originally posted by JackOlsen


My only nit-pick is the windshield banner. I think you need to either get a two-color scheme up there, or put a Shell-style Elephant Racing decal on the hood, and go with a black visor decal.

I'm not sure what you mean by shell style.

The badging / stickers really need to be sorted out. I'm open to ideas. My concern with a black banner is that it would get lost and be hard to read.

[Sonic dB]

Beautiful car.

Q) How are you guys able to track a car such as that? Are you freaking millionaires?

I make good money, but could never afford to track and repair such a vehicle.

Arent you always repairing things?

Dont mean to sound stupid here. Looks like Chuck is in this as a business....but the other guys here that race, must be fronting things from their own pockets.

[GrindingGears]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
Fort Baker it is. Marin headlands. Philip got it

This is a WWII armory that is just north of the Golden Gate bridge and overlooks the bay.

Stunning picture...

In my high school years my friends and I would make regular trips to the Headlands to camp out and drink beers. I tell you, there is nothing like waking up, rolling out of your tent, taking a deep breath of that frigid pacific air, and seeing views like that.

Looks like you had a good day and a nice little drive from San Hoe.

[Chuck Moreland]

The view from that location is spectacular, 360'. Sorta feels like the top of the world. Hard to imagine it was used as an armory.

I thought the contrast between the armory ruins and the car was pretty cool.

For those not familiar with the area, that's the golden gate bridge. With the fog it doesn't look so golden, but it is. That bulge on the other side of the bridge on the left is alcatraz island. On the right is San Francisco.

[Victor]

Looks better than BB2.