West coast contributor to The Garage, Gary Faules has been waiting almost a year to hear the small block for his GT-350 clone Lucky. The engine has finally been completed and began dyno breaking and testing yesterday.

The numbers are incredible. 503 ponies and 385.2 foot pounds of torque at a little over 6800 rpm. From a 289!!! You can visit Lucky’s build blog to get the full stats on the engine.

Follow the jump & crank up the speakers to hear the beast on the dyno.
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There comes a point in every race car build when the project actually starts to feel like a race car. For many of us, that time is when you can actually sit in it. Well, in a racing seat and not a milk crate!

Gary Faules and his crew have been hard at work getting Lucky ready for the 2007 edition of La Carrera Pananmerica. You can follow their progress at Gary’s build blog.

Yesterday’s post about Alain Raymond’s Fiat Abarth 850 TC has brought out a few more pics. Firstly, it seems that Raymond has another cool toy at home. This is a real 1968 Fiat Abarth 595 SS, perhaps the hottest evolution of the Fiat 500. This car was restored in France in 1988 and then found it’s way to Quebec and eventually into the hands of Mr. Raymond.
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Hello and thank you for the warm welcome. If there’s one thing automotive that I do know a thing or two about it’s quality auto blogs that truly have something worthwhile reading. Having said that I must say it is an honor to be included in The Garage.

It seems everyone has his or her own feeling as to what they personally find appealing when talking cars. On the other hand I have found that those who truly have a love affair for all things automotive find everything and anything to do with cars fascinating and interesting. After all, if it were not for the likes of Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet how interesting would the history and rivalry of the automobile be? Oh sure, there used to be a day when you wouldn’t dare tell someone his Chevrolet couldn’t beat your Ford or vise versa and if you did you had better be ready to draw a line in the sand because you were about to get it on. Fortunately, today I find more and more of that way of thinking taking a back seat to those who truly love the heritage of all makes and brands. Today it’s not uncommon at all to see two gentleman standing side by side admiring the late model cars that have the flavor of older vintage rides but with late model technology under the hoods and suspension to match. It’s great to reminisce with others without fear of someone being offended and at the same time being able to share stories… “Hey, Let me tell ya about the time I was running down Highway 101 when this Chevy tried to pass me…”
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And Fords and Chevy’s and tons more, but really, there seems to be more Volvos than usual at a vintage event. Coop over at Positive Ape Index has some incredible parking lot shots of the La Carrera Panamerica field, like the P1800 above and a few stories to boot.

Thanks for taking the effort to post Coop. I’m very jealous sitting up here in The Great White North.

The racers at La Carrera Panamerica seem to be having some great times down in Mexico. Qualifying saw a few spctacular moments, like this shark that went looking for water. The crowds of spectators look like they are massive. I can’t believe the way the Mexican community seems to be reacting to this event. It looks incredible.

Most of the racers are just too busy racing to get their stories & pics posted, but you can keep tabs on things at the Unlimited Class Blog. Be sure to look for the shots of the flying Mini.

Pic above taken by JD Merryweather

Our team resembles this!

Spotted by Coop

A few days ago I glossed over a post somewhere about a lady named Rachel, taking her Lotus Elise to La Carrera Panamerica. It didn’t occur to me that this is Shannon’s partner. It seems the gene that causes people to love cool cars runs deep with this crowd.
Rachel Larrat is blogging about her travels, and has also posted some killer pics of cars they’ve seen along the way. The event starts today and runs for 7 fun filled days. You can be sure we’ll be watching this one from up here in chilly Ontario. I can only imagine how much fun this would be. Maybe even better than Targa Newfoundland.
Coop is another La Carrera competitor who has a blog that is filled with dozens on incredible images, and they event is only just starting today. The contrast between the colorful Mexican buildings and the vintage racers is stunning.