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“I have a sixth-generation Ford Mustang GT and an old Dodge Dakota,” explains Jeff M. “The Dakota is there to haul supplies and the Mustang is used to haul...” His picture above was taken at the Shelby Automotive Museum during a trip he made last summer to Las Vegas. “Ironically, this was before I bought my Mustang GT. Many car enthusiasts know of Shelby, but it was great to be able to visit the factory established in his name, where modern metal gets modified in only a way that we can appreciate. Each crew builds one car; it is not an assembly line, which gives each Shelby a nice hand-crafted touch. There’s nothing better than visiting this museum and production facility with a bunch of car-crazies!” He’s currently working on plans to add a supercharger to the Mustang. However, he admits to being a Mopar fan as of late.
When the SEMA Action Network (SAN) alerts him to a legislative issue, he weighs in. “Our hobby is heavily regulated and is often the target of legislation that removes current freedoms—in many cases unintentionally,” he says. “We live in a great country with direct access to our legislators. Never has it been easier to voice our concern or compliment the fine individuals that represent us. They are charged with making the best decisions for all of us. But without us knowing and voicing our opinion, they have no choice but to assume that a proposed bill is a non-issue.”
Additional background:
What vehicle tops your wish list?
I honestly can't even decide. I am a big fan of the original Shelby Cobra (or any of the fine replicas), as well as the modern interpretations, the former Dodge Viper. I also greatly appreciate the Saleen S7 being that it is perhaps the most recent example of an American supercar. I am addicted to the exhaust sound of Lamborghini engines, and who cannot love the engine in the Lexus LFA? I love Koenigseggs simply because they are on the cutting edge of automotive technology. I have a triangle-shaped hole in my heart than can only be filled with a Wankel engine from the RX7. I love the McLarens because they tend to focus on improving performance by weight, instead of adding more power. And while not a fan of hybrid supercars, the engine and rear-vertical exit exhaust of the Porsche 918 is pristine. Anything with a mid-engine is welcome, adding the Audi R8 and its delightful interior to the club. The Flat-plane Shelby GT350 for the great accomplishment of being a new domestic flat-plane engine (and the melodic symphony at 8200 RPM).
Your #1 fantasy powerplant?
If I designed one, the block, crank, and rods would all be made from titanium. There is nothing that a forged piece of billet titanium cannot solve. I am a fan of flat-plane engines, and individual throttle bodies per cylinder to achieve the amazing throttle response that the Lexus LFA has.
Many years ago, I would have chosen anything with a Coates valvetrain—simply because of the beauty in the design. However, Koenigsegg has now taken the crown with their Freevalve pneumatic valves. From an engineering perspective, one could go from a "muscle car" virtual-cam (lots of idle chop/overlap) to an Atkinson Cycle during around-town low-load cruising, and everything in-between. Variable valve technology gets us as close to this as possible, but we are still limited by the cam, and the limits of valve float; pneumatic valves remove this completely.
Who is your automotive hero?
Besides Bob Lutz, I would have to say Jay Leno. Although I have never met him, I know he is down to earth and loves cars to the fullest. His collections bring tears to one's eyes and he is an equal-opportunity-collector. If there is something quirky or unusual, he probably has it. Chip Foose is also an amazing person for custom projects. I have not met him either. He seems to be a very humble person and has an amazing eye for detail.
When the SEMA Action Network (SAN) alerts him to a legislative issue, he weighs in. “Our hobby is heavily regulated and is often the target of legislation that removes current freedoms—in many cases unintentionally,” he says. “We live in a great country with direct access to our legislators. Never has it been easier to voice our concern or compliment the fine individuals that represent us. They are charged with making the best decisions for all of us. But without us knowing and voicing our opinion, they have no choice but to assume that a proposed bill is a non-issue.”
Additional background:
What vehicle tops your wish list?
I honestly can't even decide. I am a big fan of the original Shelby Cobra (or any of the fine replicas), as well as the modern interpretations, the former Dodge Viper. I also greatly appreciate the Saleen S7 being that it is perhaps the most recent example of an American supercar. I am addicted to the exhaust sound of Lamborghini engines, and who cannot love the engine in the Lexus LFA? I love Koenigseggs simply because they are on the cutting edge of automotive technology. I have a triangle-shaped hole in my heart than can only be filled with a Wankel engine from the RX7. I love the McLarens because they tend to focus on improving performance by weight, instead of adding more power. And while not a fan of hybrid supercars, the engine and rear-vertical exit exhaust of the Porsche 918 is pristine. Anything with a mid-engine is welcome, adding the Audi R8 and its delightful interior to the club. The Flat-plane Shelby GT350 for the great accomplishment of being a new domestic flat-plane engine (and the melodic symphony at 8200 RPM).
Your #1 fantasy powerplant?
If I designed one, the block, crank, and rods would all be made from titanium. There is nothing that a forged piece of billet titanium cannot solve. I am a fan of flat-plane engines, and individual throttle bodies per cylinder to achieve the amazing throttle response that the Lexus LFA has.
Many years ago, I would have chosen anything with a Coates valvetrain—simply because of the beauty in the design. However, Koenigsegg has now taken the crown with their Freevalve pneumatic valves. From an engineering perspective, one could go from a "muscle car" virtual-cam (lots of idle chop/overlap) to an Atkinson Cycle during around-town low-load cruising, and everything in-between. Variable valve technology gets us as close to this as possible, but we are still limited by the cam, and the limits of valve float; pneumatic valves remove this completely.
Who is your automotive hero?
Besides Bob Lutz, I would have to say Jay Leno. Although I have never met him, I know he is down to earth and loves cars to the fullest. His collections bring tears to one's eyes and he is an equal-opportunity-collector. If there is something quirky or unusual, he probably has it. Chip Foose is also an amazing person for custom projects. I have not met him either. He seems to be a very humble person and has an amazing eye for detail.