I spent 5 years in Gainesville as a student at UF. I went to spectate at the Challenge each year and had a blast, longing for the chance to enter my own car. I've been able to enter the event the last 3 years. Spectating is nearly as much fun as competing!
Although last night at our awards banquet, we were discussing plans for the trip. Out of the blue, SWMBO reminded me about that black VW bug with the 5sp manual that's still sitting at the fly-by-night lot near my work that I had told her about. Been there at least a year, $2500 tag now has a zero over the 5, and I'll bet I could offer $1500 cash simply because it's a manual. Dammit woman. 
What's going on with this '02 Turbo Manual with a bad headlight/dented hood and a broken window, asking $800?
In reply to JohnRW1621:
Fix window, sell stereo and other interior, add used grippy tires, profit!
Fix light.
Maybe fix dent, maybe not. Best to just find another used, black panel.
I think the window is a bad regulator or bad tracks. Cheap to self repair, just unfun to work on.
First 4 tires are "free" to budget so get some RE71's. Try to buy them in a size you can use in the future even if this means selling off the current Turbo rims and replacing with used stock VW rims. IE: sell off 17" in favor of some 15" so you can use the rubber on another autox'er you already own.
Or, maybe you own something already that will fit.
Maybe put some money into updated struts.
Spend a little on some vinyl graphics to "make a statement"
Try to find two "drag tires/wheels" for the front.
Put all other dollars into just making sure it "runs" and turn up boost.
Keep all the interior/radio so you can re-install after the event.
Drive to and from the event. Compete. Sell upon your return for a profit.
Or, something more radical...
JohnRW1621 wrote: Spend a little on some vinyl graphics to "make a statement"
I was already thinking this, or the Evil Herbie.
Rockstar is good!.
My thoughts went more this direction. Less vinyl but still a lot of impact.
Actually, at $34. I would be happy with just these off the shelf.
link
Jerry wrote: I was already thinking this, or the Evil Herbie.
What's Evil Herbie? Reverse the stripe location and change the number to 35?
It's definitely good to have an idea what you are going to do with it after the challenge. That's why I was rejecting your and wae's graphics ideas at the banquet. I have a very specific idea of what I want the truck to look like after the challenge, and don't want to have to undo a bunch of work. I just wish I was a good enough artist to draw up what I want it to look like.
adapt this livery to the new beetle design and I'll approve highly
Jerry wrote: This is the magical year I turn half a century in June, and I'm trying to come up/accomplish as many bucket-list items as possible. Reading the newest issue with last year's results, and previous years, I think I want to join in the fun/madness. No car to enter, just want to "be there". Only very basic mechanical skills, hand me a wrench and say "take that apart", or a can of spray paint and say "go to town", I'm in. Swap tires even, I'm your guy. Now what? Anyone coming down from Ohio? Not a big fan of flying but never say never...
I'll be heading down to see the mouse with the wife and kids in tow on our 2nd family road trip of '17, leaving Illinois October 14th. We'll be in Florida until the 21st so the plan is a couple of days at Disney then zip over to the challenge.
Looking forward to meeting lots of GRMers! :)
The_Jed wrote:Jerry wrote: This is the magical year I turn half a century in June, and I'm trying to come up/accomplish as many bucket-list items as possible. Reading the newest issue with last year's results, and previous years, I think I want to join in the fun/madness. No car to enter, just want to "be there". Only very basic mechanical skills, hand me a wrench and say "take that apart", or a can of spray paint and say "go to town", I'm in. Swap tires even, I'm your guy. Now what? Anyone coming down from Ohio? Not a big fan of flying but never say never...I'll be heading down to see the mouse with the wife and kids in tow on our 2nd family road trip of '17, leaving Illinois October 14th. We'll be in Florida until the 21st so the plan is a couple of days at Disney then zip over to the challenge. Looking forward to meeting lots of GRMers! :)
Cool, will be gad to see you. Just a warning - the challenge is highly addictive, either as a spectator or competitor 
And I'll reiterate, if at all possible, stay at the host hotel.
In reply to The_Jed:
I am glad you are coming. It now looks like there will be a Parking Lot Build too!
This a great way to get your hands dirty and dig into a project as much as you want. Sort of think of The Parking Lot Build (PLB) as adult baseball camp. You want the Pro Baseball experience but you also want some guidance and less than full commitment to a whole program.
Also think of it as, "The typical Forum type interaction goes live."
All are welcome, you need no formal invitation but if you would like one then by all means we hope you can make it!
Weds: the PLB car arrives late to the hotel. There is some looking, talking and planning done but no real work.
Thurs: early, the PLB work begins. It usually ends with things being painted, in the dark, after midnight.
Friday:
Tech from 9am - 11am
Autox about 11am - 3pm
Catered BBQ dinner on site about 5pm
Drags about 6pm -9pm
Saturday:
10am - 3pm Concourse
6pm Awards banquet at hotel
Till the wee hours you can hear, "if only I had..." "Next year I'll..."
Sunday: everyone checks out and heads home.
Rain contingency: They will autox in the rain but not drag so if it rains then Friday Autox monring and Concourse evening. Drags then on Saturday morning.
Here you go Jerry, pick up this caddy, cruise to the challenge in comfort, pick up a cheap nitrous kit, and if you can keep from scattering the drivetrain over the drag strip, you'll have the most comfortable ride back up to Ohio.
Sadly, fueleconomy.gov shows that the only engine offered in the '87 Brougham was a 5.0L which make it a GM 305.
No 429 power in this year 
JohnRW1621 wrote: Sadly, fueleconomy.gov shows that the only engine offered in the '87 Brougham was a 5.0L which make it a GM 305. No 429 power in this year
Could be an Olds 307, too? If its a 305, though, easy engine swap options abound
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