The 325ish was definitely a learning experience. There are so many things I would do different if I teleported back a year (like not buying this car), but I had a lot of fun during the process. But what do we do with the car now?
Photography by Dave Green
More exciting than seeing your favorite comic book superhero come to life on the silver screen? Your favorite build on the GRM forum appearing in real life–and at speed.
Here are five such forum builds that succeeded in competing in our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, Powered by AutoBidMaster and Built by Carlyle Tools:
Michael Crawford (Dusterbd13) began the build thread simply, if not a bit vaguely: “When a man's got money in his pocket, he begins to appreciate peace”–a quote from the 1964 spaghetti western “A Fistful of Dollars”–followed by a picture of … a fistful of dollars.
That wad of cash was soon exchanged for a 2014 Ford Fiesta ST with a mystery engine noise, purchased from another longtime forum member, tb.
A little elbow grease and vinyl strips later, and the Fiesta rounded out our $2000 Challenge’s top 10 while also placing second in its class.
How could you say no to a free Camaro Z28? Jonathan Whitaker (surfshibby07) certainly did not.
Couple that with a turbocharged, 4.8-liter V8, and you have a recipe fast enough to place third overall and third in class.
Whitaker won’t be resting on his laurels, however, as he plans to tweak a few things and return next year to content for the top prize.
Double the engines, double the fun? Believe it or not, that wasn’t the original intention behind Daniel Cummings’ (noncones) latest wild build, a dual-engine Mazda5.
While the idea was to use it as a mobile test platform for an LS planned to be swapped into the LMP360, it was apparently too interesting not to try and run the vehicle in our $2000 Challenge.
Despite having to overcome complexity challenges, the Mazda5 still managed a seventh overall finish, plus second in its class.
Yes, Patrick Caherty’s (AngryCorvair) “Monzora” is, essentially, a Corvette-powered Corvair, but calling it that is a little bit of a disservice to one of the wildest returning builds we’ve seen compete in our $2000 Challenge.
The original build thread dates back to 2018, with the most recent updates found in the redux thread, now containing over 150 pages.
Final result? Sixth overall and fifth in class–but we’re certain we’ll be seeing more of this build in future installments of our $2000 Challenge.
Few things are as powerful a motivator than a deadline. How do we know? Just look to our own BMW 325i project–better known as the “325ish.”
A learning experience in ways more than one, the 325ish sparkled its way to a mid-pack finish.
As always, stay tuned for more from this GRM project car.
The 325ish was definitely a learning experience. There are so many things I would do different if I teleported back a year (like not buying this car), but I had a lot of fun during the process. But what do we do with the car now?
In reply to Austin Cannon :
Refine, improve, return
In reply to QuasiMofo (John Brown) :
Unfortunately I have less than $200 left in the budget, and less than $50 remaining in recoup possibility, so there isn't a ton of wiggle room for this car to bring it back.
In reply to Austin Cannon :
You got a snail yet?
In reply to Mr_Asa :
It certainly will not handle one of those lol
Austin Cannon said:In reply to Mr_Asa :
It certainly will not handle one of those lol
Prove it. I dare you.
Austin Cannon said:In reply to Mr_Asa :
It certainly will not handle one of those lol
Not with that attitude it won't!
Austin Cannon said:In reply to QuasiMofo (John Brown) :
Unfortunately I have less than $200 left in the budget, and less than $50 remaining in recoup possibility, so there isn't a ton of wiggle room for this car to bring it back.
Have someone audit your budget. There's always room. Moreover, so much improvement can be done with $0 investments.
Weight removal is free.
Driver experience is free.
You made it yo the dance, I can't wait to see you return.
QuasiMofo (John Brown) said:Austin Cannon said:In reply to QuasiMofo (John Brown) :
Unfortunately I have less than $200 left in the budget, and less than $50 remaining in recoup possibility, so there isn't a ton of wiggle room for this car to bring it back.
Have someone audit your budget. There's always room. Moreover, so much improvement can be done with $0 investments.
Weight removal is free.
Driver experience is free.
You made it yo the dance, I can't wait to see you return.
That is true: Driver experience is free.
in surfshibby07‘s blurb it says:
Whitaker won’t be resting on his laurels, however, as he plans to tweak a few things and return next year to content for the top prize.
should be “contend for the prize”?
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