Bling give away

[Lotrat]

http://www.wombatcar.com/index.html

They're still around. From that notice at the bottom of the page, sounds like they were forced to change the look.

GM should have been happy that their look is so popular that others want to duplicate it. Big business always seems to forget about the endeavors of the little guy.

You can get a Manx kit for less. Not really that unique looking as a Hummer clone. I just haven't seen the VW version on the streets.

[DeMinimis]

It takes a big dog to crap a ton.....and an even bigger cat to scare it.


Chicken and egg are in bed together. Egg rolls over and says, "well, I guess we answered that question."

[CopperBaja]

You can get a Manx kit for less. Not really that unique looking as a Hummer clone. I just haven't seen the VW version on the streets.

Never seen them either.
If time ever allows, I would like to do a kit car after the baja.

Good father/son project some day.

[bugman742002]

i thought this wa interesting, http://www.wombatcar.com/articles/electricwombat.html

[fortyeye]

Anyone that attended the Sand Sports Super Show this past weekend noticed a "changing of the guard"

The usual Blingmobiles were well represented


Rancho had their customary display

If you kept your eyes open, you noticed the absence of aircooled buggies. At entry level prices (in the complete "turnkey" category) one would be hard pressed to find anything but side-by-sides, knock-offs from China, and quads. The reason for this? California Air Resources Board.

C.A.R.B. compliance

The current restrictions on engine choice rules out our favorite engine. There are only a few engines that have been blessed by CARB. LS series V8s and Ecotech 4s (both GM) have made it through the ringer, but only by a few engine suppliers. Subies, VWs, etc. haven't been certified. What this means is ... turnkey cars can't be sold in California without compliant engines. These rules only apply to complete car manufacturers (not home builts). Which brings us to the point ... the aftermarket.

One of the most crowded booths at the show

Pete's a-arm conversions hit the proverbial nail on the head. Here in Ca. a lot of buggies (and Bajas) are just waiting for such an upgrade. With the market for high end buggies shrinking at an alarming rate, it just makes good sense to improve what you have in the garage. The aftermarket for suspension, and all of the things that go into improving Bajas, beam cars, and pan based buggies will thrive. Improving what we have is how it's been done since I first got hooked back in '69. Sure there will always be a segment that can't build their own cars (and will pay through the nose to have someone else build them) ... but the backbone of off-roading is what we see in the build threads in this very forum.

All hail the mighty aircooled wonder

[david58]

If you kept your eyes open,

nice post.

[fortyeye]

Thanks David

[khaney01]

I wasn't aware that C.A.R.B. regulations applied to products intended for offroad use. I thought the only parts (or vehicles) that needed a CARB number were for highway use. Seems kinda silly that they would regulate the complete offroad vehicle manufacturers which represent a microscopic amount of offroaders while allowing homebuilders to go unnoticed.

How long do you think it will be before Cali is stopping offroaders to spot check emissions compliance?

[fortyeye]

As it stands, right now, they don't have the resources to do any individual vehicle inspections. They took the bargain route and wrote the law to target the "complete" vehicle manufacturers. Currently ... there is nothing that keeps the owner of a newly purchased "completed" car from changing the engine or parts of the engine to suit whatever performance dream comes to mind. The manufacturers, however, face stiff fines if they get caught selling a complete car (new) with a non-compliant engine. Think of this as the first step in an endless cycle of fees to maintain the machine that is expanding state control. This brings back the memories of the '60s and the demise of the muscle car. Remember the early smog controls? Here in Ca. they were followed by roadside inspections (compliance checks), and finally by mandatory inspections prior to re-registration. So far (fingers crossed), our older aircooled car based off-roaders and existing buggies (as well as home-build off-roaders) are exempt from these regs. Keep in mind though ... CARB's regulations for off-road engines (again, on new "manufactured" cars) are based on guidelines set up by the EPA (Federal). As everyone knows ... California has traditionally been the point man for "smog laws" ... so the handwriting is clearly on the wall (look out everyone else).

[david58]

Thanks to Dan Hecker at http://www.heckermachine.com/ we have some new bling. Here is the deal this will last 3 days, you have ten posts you can make and I will have my wife pick two posts not one but two posts (can't be same person) and those two will each win a STF ORF bling. As I said earlier you will have to pay shipping, sorry bout that. 72 hours from now it will end and the two posts will be given. Make the post somewhat usefull also, please!



Post in this thread for the bling.

I wonder how much it is going to cost Mrs. Leatherneck to ship one of these to Mr. Leatherneck?

[CopperBaja]

So far (fingers crossed), our older aircooled car based off-roaders and existing buggies (as well as home-build off-roaders) are exempt from these regs. Keep in mind though ... CARB's regulations for off-road engines (again, on new "manufactured" cars) are based on guidelines set up by the EPA (Federal). As everyone knows ... California has traditionally been the point man for "smog laws" ... so the handwriting is clearly on the wall (look out everyone else).

Give them time... I joined the fight to continue the "rolling 30" for smog exempt status. We lost. Biggest backer of that bill was CA auto manufacturers. Lot's of info on the web. SEMA was even fighting it...the aftermarket auto parts industry really took a hit when that bill was passed. Jay Leno, like most Californians, thought his buddy Schwarz was going to veto it. Word is he was pretty pissed at Gov. Schriver for passing it.

Like 40I said....everyone else, watch your back. People tend to look at CA law and say "only in la-la land", then one day their laws are the same and they're heads are spinning. Just look at the anti-smoking laws. 1st passed in CA. Smog laws are getting stricter each passing day all over the country.

Good posts 40I!

[khaney01]

Sometimes I listen to the legislation coming out of Cali and think to myself how crazy someone must be to think it up. I then realize, "They had to have broad support in order to pass it into law, the flippin state is crazy!"

I look for offroaders to face some serious legislation in the next few years regarding emissions. The off road community is small enough to be pushed around and visible enough for legislators to claim a major victory against "purveyors of global warming". What was the weed that shut down thousands of acres of dunes a few years ago? All that for a weed, imagine having broad support for "fighting global warming."

[CopperBaja]

What was the weed that shut down thousands of acres of dunes a few years ago?

Diane Feinstein?

[fortyeye]

What was the weed that shut down thousands of acres of dunes a few years ago?

Diane Feinstein?

Well done
(to answer the question ... Pierson's milkvetch)

[khaney01]

What was the weed that shut down thousands of acres of dunes a few years ago?

Diane Feinstein?

Well done
(to answer the question ... Pierson's milkvetch)

I was thinking milk vetch but wasn't sure.