At the time of writing this column I have been in Florida for less than a week, and already it is hard to imagine enduring everything that your typical Northeasterner does in the wintertime. While I was driving through a few rainstorms on the way down, New Jersey was getting pummeled with a blizzard that produced over a foot of snow in some areas (to say nothing of the single-digit temperatures). It wasn't long before I was realizing how unnecessary my winter beater is, and how your typical Floridian doesn't even understand the concept. It wasn't long before I was thinking about trading my front-wheel-driver for any one of the six G8s taunting me at the dealership down the street.
Unfortunately, prudence won out, and I decided instead to build another project car that the little devil on my shoulder has been screaming about for some time. He's a feisty little guy, and much louder than the angel on the other shoulder at most times. In fact, he's even been known to silence the angel with a stiff right hook and take over full control on occasion. I've been dreaming of a big-cube, naturally aspirated LS-based hot rod, and at long last there is no more resisting. Other than a small-cube turbo combo, there is nothing that turns my crank more than keeping it au natural. Not only that, but driving said combo on the street, too. A feat that could only be accomplished in my previous Garden State residence about seven or eight months a year. Between this new project car and the Formula, which should hopefully be shipped down to FLA soon enough, hot rods will always be in season-this has me really excited.
Like any gearhead, the thought of having a dyno and a lift 50 paces from my office also has me smiling. Thankfully, over the years we have developed some great relationships with quality individuals and shops such as TT Performance (Little Falls, NJ) that were always happy to take in our project cars, and do a thorough install. It is connections like this, both personal and professional, that make saying goodbye difficult. It has truly been a pleasure, but at the same time my recent experience installing the Race Krafters LT1 in Werner's garage also had me realizing the value of getting my own hands dirty. And without a lift and the right tools, working on our beloved, cramped fourth-gens can be impossible.
As much upside as I find living closer to our neglected Southern readers and shops, the departure from Jersey is bittersweet. Anyone who has ever made such a move I'm sure knows exactly what I mean, but I do feel confident that both the magazine and myself will be better for the experience. Some things you can expect out of this change will be more in-house installs and dyno tests, improved photography, and greater coverage of Florida and the surrounding area. We still plan to burn up Raceway Park whenever possible, not to mention our ever-expanding stable of freelance staff covering the area for us-so our Northeastern readers and shops don't have to feel like we are abandoning them. If anything, I'm hoping this relocation will help make all of you feel closer to the magazine, so that no one gets left out in the cold.