Automobiles
Honcho 2
I own a classic Jeep J-10 pickup, which is in the process of being restored and rebuilt by Hardcore Hot Rods in Sterling, Virginia. When complete, it will be a reliable workhorse, not a show-car. It’ll be cruising the highways, back-roads, and trails around Virginia. It will be spectacular.
- Model: 1977 Jeep Pickup (J-10)
- Trim: Model 25 401-4V, ‘Honcho’
- Color: Classic black
- Purchased: Used in 2016
- Mechanical:
- AMC Tall-Deck 401 (6.6L V8)
- GM Turbo-Hydramatic THM400 3-speed automatic
- Borg-Warner Quadra-Trac all-wheel drive
- Manufacture:
- Manufactured by American Motors Corporation
- Assembled by Jeep Corporation in Toledo, Ohio, USA
- Restoration by Hardcore Hot Rods in Sterling, Virginia, USA
- Ratings:
- Estimated at 390 hp, 420 lb-ft torque
- 10 MPG city, 12 MPG highway (EPA estimates for 1984 model)
- Curb weight: 3,800 lbs (9.7 lbs/hp)
- Customization: (restoration and rebuild in progress)
- Interior
- Bestop Trailmax II Pro driver and passenger seats
- Rampage Locking Center Console
- Utility
- Class 3 trailer hitch
- Dealer-installed auxiliary fuel tank
- Jeep OEM roll bar
- Jeep OEM brush guard
- Modernized air conditioning
- Lighting and horns
- Ecco 5800 Series amber rotating beacon
- Hella Twin Supertone horns
- KC HiLiTES Apollo Pro 6″ driving lights
- KC HiLiTES Apollo Pro 5″ fog lights
- Unity 330 Series 6″ aimable spotlight
- Performance
- Tune for premium fuel (and E10 compatibility)
- Modernized four-wheel disc brakes
- Modernized emissions equipment
- Audio
- JVC KD-R840BT receiver head unit
- Kenwood KFC-1395PS 5.25″ 3-way front speakers (door mount)
- Kenwood KFC-6985PS 6×9″ 4-way rear speakers (behind-seat box mount)
- Electronic and radio equipment
- Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS navigator
- MicTuning accessory switches
- (Scanner and amateur radio equipment following completion of restoration project)
- Interior
The Big Mini
We retired the Honda Civic, the first car we ever bought new, and replaced it with the moderately versatile (and very fun to drive) Mini Countryman. It’s a fun little car and, unlike most of the rest of the Mini product line, it has all-wheel drive and enough space for four human beings.
- Model: 2012 Mini Countryman (R60)
- Trim: Cooper S All4
- Color: Cosmic blue metallic
- Purchased: New in 2012
- Mechanical:
- PSA Powertrain Prince N18 (1.6L I4 turbo)
- Aisin TF-60SN 6-speed automatic
- GKN Driveline All4 all-wheel drive
- Manufacture:
- Manufactured by Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW)
- Assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Styria, Austria
- Ratings:
- Rated at 181 hp, 192 lb-ft torque
- 23 MPG city, 30 MPG highway (EPA estimates)
- Curb weight: 3,208 lbs (17.7 lbs/hp)
- Customization:
- Utility
- Draw-Tite Sportframe 24934 class 1 trailer hitch
- Mini OEM roof rack base support system
- Performance
- Burger Motorsports JB+ piggyback tuning device
- M7 Speed MAXX-G 19mm rear sway bar and adjustable end links
- M7 Speed Monster front strut tower brace
- Electronic and radio equipment
- Garmin Nuvi 57LM GPS navigator
- Linear Logic ScanGauge II vehicle monitor
- Uniden BCD436HP scanner with Uniden BC23A speaker and Austin Spectra antenna
- Yaesu FT-7900R dual-band mobile transceiver with Uniden BC20 speaker and Browning BR-180 antenna
- Software tweaks
- Improved daytime running lights
- Improved automatic moonroof and window functions
- Double-flash hazard lights
- Improved speedometer accuracy
- Utility
Bicycles
2008 Trek 7100
This ‘hybrid’ is designed for road and paved trail but is more upright and comfortable than a traditional road bike. At a glance it looks basically like a mountain bike, but it has narrower/smoother road-style 700c tires and a more road-oriented geometry.
- Model: 2008 Trek 7100 Hybrid
- Frame: Alpha White Aluminum, 17.5″
- Color: Blue and Silver
- Tires: Bontrager Select Invert 700x35c
- Drivetrain:
- SRAM 3.0 Comp 7 speed Shifters
- Shimano C102 front dérailleur
- SRAM ESP 3.0 rear dérailleur
- SR Suntour NEX-208 48/38/28 crank
- Sun Race 13-34 cassette
- Assembly: Spokes, Etc. in Ashburn, Virginia
2007 Schwinn Mesa
My Trek hybrid has served me very, very well, but it’s not designed for unpaved trails like the C&O Canal trail, Cross County Trail, or other unpaved paths in the D.C. metropolitan area. I decided, so I would have access to those trails, to pick up a decent, inexpensive mountain bike as a secondary bike for rougher riding.
- Model: 2007 Schwinn Mesa
- Frame: Schwinn Aluminum, Medium
- Color: Navy Blue
- Tires: Kenda Klaw XT, 26″ x 2.1″
- Drivetrain:
- SRAM SX-4 Dual Trigger control shifters
- SRAM 3.0 front dérailleur
- SRAM SX-4 rear dérailleur
- TruVativ X-Flow 42/32/22T crank
- Shimano CS-HG30, 11/32T, 8-speed cassette
- Assembly: Performance Bicycle in Fairfax, Virginia
Vehicle History
Automobiles
- Daily Drivers
- The Runabout
- 2008 Subaru Outback 2.5i in white (photo)
- Purchased new in 2008; donated in 2017
- The Civic
- 2006 Honda Civic EX in white (photo)
- Purchased new in 2006; sold in 2012
- Daily driver: 2006-2008; family/secondary: 2008-2012
- The Cirrus
- 1998 Chrysler Cirrus LXi in red (photo)
- Purchased used in 2003; sold in 2007
- Daily driver: 2003-2006; family/secondary: 2006-2007
- The Black Sable
- 1994 Mercury Sable GS in black (photo)
- Parents purchased used in 2001; totaled in 2003
- The Sable
- 1988 Mercury Sable LS in blue
- Parents purchased used in 1999; totaled in 2001
- The Honcho
- 1978 Jeep Pickup J-10 ‘Honcho’ in black & gold (photo)
- Gift from uncle in 1998; transferred to parents in 1999
- The Runabout
- Family/Secondary
- The Flyer
- 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX in silver (photo)
- Purchased used in 2013; sold in 2017
- The Tribute
- 2002 Mazda Tribute ES in silver (photo)
- Purchased used in 2007; sold in 2008
- The Oldsmobile
- 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera S Sedan in white
- Inherited by marriage in 2005; sold in 2006
- The Flyer
Bicycles
- Cheap big-box store bicycles.