Beretta.net

Pulled the front plate brackets off of the Yellow Indy, GTU, and T-Type 'Retta today. The GTU looks weird without it, maybe because of the more aggressive headlights, maybe just because the car is white and the plate frame was such a contrast on it. The other cars look fine, especially the (dark blue) 'Retta. They aren't needed anymore -30+ year-old cars here qualify for classic plates and don't require the front plate anymore.

Also installed the GT Mustang hood-scoop onto the Yellow Indy. Still need to paint it though, but the whole hood needs a repaint anyway. Probably later this summer....

Front plates are the devil. I don't run them on the hot rods...only been pulled over for it a few times. Haven't put one on the new truck yet, either. The stock holes in the bumper will cover my front hitch with the plate. I bought a relocation bracket but haven't done anything. It looks better without, and I figure the front hitch excuse is probably good enough for the cops, anyway. haha

woody90gtz wrote:Front plates are the devil. I don't run them on the hot rods...only been pulled over for it a few times. Haven't put one on the new truck yet, either. The stock holes in the bumper will cover my front hitch with the plate. I bought a relocation bracket but haven't done anything. It looks better without, and I figure the front hitch excuse is probably good enough for the cops, anyway. haha

My 'Old' Camaro had no front plate bracket (originally a Pennsylvania car) and never got one. I used to put the plate in the windshield -got stopped for it once I think as a 'I don't see a front plate, oh there it is, you are fine' sort of thing. I recall it was mentioned on a couple of other stops (I used to get pulled over in that thing constantly, for reasons ranging from 'you didn't stop at that light' -it wasn't red, 'your window tint is too dark' -it was but who cares?, to 'where is your door?' -hey I needed bolts from the hardware store to finish installing the new glass/regulator and haven't you seen Jeeps running around without doors? Basically, I kept getting stopped because it was a beat-up '80s Camaro in some shade of red. The front plate placement (or lack thereof) never made much difference. And, they are pointless -a study was done that PROVED a front plate made no measurable difference in law-enforcement identification or 'capture' of a vehicle, yet cost the state in the millions of tax dollars. Yeah, ugly AND stupid...

NY has some automatic plate-scanners in the cop cars that will flag you as you drive by a cop if you're past due for inspection or registration, warrant for your arrest, etc...so that law will never go away. Might even bring in more revenue than they cost. But they're hideous looking. No thank you.

woody90gtz wrote:NY has some automatic plate-scanners in the cop cars

I should install that plate and see how long before I get pulled over.

Nice day, took the Yellow Indy out for a stroll. Realized just how bad the digi-dash display has gotten again. Car still runs great, but needs a lot of cosmetic help (still/again) and the cluster pulled and internal contacts cleaned. Sigh, so much to do...

Yesterday -Drove the Yellow Indy to a friend's house. Talked to their neighbor who asked, "Ooo, what is that car, it is cool!" Maybe today, I'll drive the GTU out there...

Oil-change on the GTU, and a fun drive out to the friend's house... When this car gets left parked for a while, I forget what it is like to drive it. Crisp, clean shifts that feel positive without being notchy, faint whine of the Super Charger, almost too much deep rumble of the exhaust whipping up in pitch as the RPMs quickly climb -too fast to think about it-, the pull of the engine reminding me where the back of the seat is... Ahh, I love this car! She needs paint (and thus decals) really bad though... Almost as much primer now as GM White.

It's not technically a ride yet, but I figured out accessories etc to make a truck engine fit under a Beretta hood.

woody90gtz wrote:It's not technically a ride yet, but I figured out accessories etc to make a truck engine fit under a Beretta hood.

You are going to push me into doing the swap I have tentatively planned for the 'old' Z-26, aren't you?? Hey, I have to do SOMETHING different to step beyond the 3800SC/6-speed swap, the 3.4 DOHC V-6 Turbo, and the FWD V-8 Indy, right? And no, it isn't a RWD swap.. Exactly. I REALLY want to finish the T/A first though... I'll be watching for the new build-thread, Woody. I think you are going to beat me to it...

You thinking along the lines of the HotRod Garage Twinpala? I was thinking an LS with TBSS oil pan and tcase with a corvette T56 would be a nice way to make an AWD Beretta...but that front driveshaft would be a problem...

Had some fun with my brother in law. He's got that POS disco wagon and the 6.0 lives now. https://youtu.be/YX3SzYn63c0

woody90gtz wrote:You thinking along the lines of the HotRod Garage Twinpala? I was thinking an LS with TBSS oil pan and tcase with a corvette T56 would be a nice way to make an AWD Beretta...but that front driveshaft would be a problem...

I hadn't seen that one before, but yes, scaled-down to an "L"-Body platform, and that is my idea. I am starting to think we have been around here too long -I don't think we can surprise each other very much anymore. Oh well. It will be a surprise to me if I ever actually build that thing! I have everything here I would need for it, turbos, engines (twin 3100s with J-code intakes or 3400 intakes (same thing -much better breathers than the M-code 3100s), rear sub-frame, strut-towers and framework, drive-axles, brakes... Everything but time and lately motivation. It would be fun to build though, and probably fun to drive too.

I actually drove mine today, hehe.. Just around few blocks like every year to make sure stuff wont get stuck.

There seems to be something loose on the right front strut, some clunking very audible with the bad roads here. Adding that to the list of things to take care some other day.. year, or decade..