What's everyone's background?

[GBld]

I work at our local Community Shelter. Studied engineering right out of high school before going into ministry. Still love science and had fun increasing my Kia Rio from 37 to 44 mpg (I have patent pending on the idea... haven't seen anything like it on ecomodder yet).

[Frank Lee]

(I have patent pending on the idea... haven't seen anything like it on ecomodder yet).

1) Pfft.
2) You haven't looked:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tion-9591.html

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...icle-83-9.html

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...y-11592-3.html

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...over-5622.html

Actually it looks similar to this: http://www.sparebumper.com

except this is much sturdier and fitted to the rear.

[GBld]

In one fell swoop you have given me several good references, thank you for that. "Looked" I have, in many places, and there is a lot to see here. Again, thanks for getting me to the point quick.
The reference to the rear rack doesn't apply except for the sturdiness issue. Point taken.
As to "Pfft"... I'll just let that one sit there.
Thanks for the welcome to a newbie, you have a lot I can learn from.
-GBld

[plasticuser]

I worked in accident investigation, then moved into engineering. My business did fine limit machine work and extrusion honing.

Things went downhill when the recession started, and my wife had a near fatal accident in 2007.

Since then, it's been rough.

Getting better every day, though

[CRXellent]

I am currently a CNC machinist for a local aerospace company.
Perma gear head, always have loved the eclectic and weird stuff, if its vehicular in nature. At one point I had 17 cars, two of which ran, I have trimmed the fleet down to 7. before trading the bug away it was 8.
2010 Tiguan 4motion SUV thinger ( Fiancee's )
1975 24' Airstream Argosy
1984 Suzuki Carry
1935 Chevy Master Coupe
1991 Honna Hatch! <== daily
1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC <== needs a lot of restoring
1967 Honda N600 <== needs a lot as well

In the past.. man so many cars

1966 Land Rover 109
1971? Austin America
19__ aston martin GTV6
Early rotted out MGB
1977 cvcc civic <== 1800cc swap autocross critter
1980 accord
1981 porsche 928
1991 audi s4 <== I hate you audi electrics
1962 mercedes diesel 4 door somethingorother
19__ Triumph spitfire
Volvo 740 I stuffed a 350 chev into. .bad idea by the way.
1997 ZX-11 Kawasaki
1982 Kawasaki 750

...this is really sad I cannot remember em all.. I made a list once and it was over 50 weird stupid cars (ask my ex )

[PressEnter[]]

I was an English major in college, certainly not mechanically inclined, however I currently work as a courier for a bank, so improving fuel efficiency is a practical matter (as my mileage is reimbursed at a flat rate).

[RedDevil]

I'm a software designer, but have a physics background and am dedicated to building the perfect car since I was 5.

My dad bought a Morris 1100 after 2 carless years since a horrible accident that we only survived due to our Daf's 750's safety cage (not common in those days) and the aftermarket seat belts my parents installed in it. That Daf slipped off the road and went over sideways 5 times, bouncing several meters high. All 5 in the tiny car survived, including me. I was just 3 years old then, these are my very first childhood memories.

I was dead scared of cars afterwards. When my dad bought that wonky Morris, he made clear to me that is was a safe and stable car, very unlike the Daf. And I believed him. And thought the world needed to know, at least anyone who dared wash their car in our neghborhood got my lecture on why they bought the wrong car and the Morris would be so much better.

As my father got wary of our complaining neighbors he tried to tell me that although he had good reason to buy the Morris, is was not the best car in the world and I should not say so.
This 5 year old was shocked to the bone but not giving in lightly. So, I asked him what then would be the best car in the world if the Morris 1100 wasn't?
He hesitated and said; Well maybe the Rolls Royce is.
I would not take it. I asked: So, what is its turning circle? And its fuel economy(!)? Is it cheap?

Ever since then, I never let down on my plan to one day build the best car in the world.
Seats 5, better FE than average, less weight than average, 5 stars in collision safety, cheap to build, good turning cycle, etc.
I got that plan, I have a design.
Now just wait till I get lots of time and money.

[Davinator61]

Automotive Technology geared towards Vehicle Repairs, Upgrades, and Modifications, and Industrial/Computer Electronics Assembler/Technician for Yours Truly...also Spare-Time Bodge-Meister

[War_Wagon]

Originally Posted by PressEnter[]

I was an English major in college, certainly not mechanically inclined, however I currently work as a courier for a bank, so improving fuel efficiency is a practical matter (as my mileage is reimbursed at a flat rate).

Me too ha ha. Sadly, standing on the corner holding out my degree never made me any money! I bought my first car (1968 VW Beetle) two weeks after my 13th birthday, and sold it a few months later for a $200 profit. At the time I worked part time 8 hours on the weekends for $4.25 an hour. That $200 was a lot of dough to have burning a hole in your pocket at 13! I thought a university education would be the path to success, and while it is for a lot of people, I can honestly say that for me car stuff has always paid my bills. And the only job I ever turned down that required my degree was paying less than the totally unskilled job I was working at the time. I would have been better off putting that four years of university into becoming a journeyman mechanic, then at least I would have something that you can go anywhere and make a living with!

[xecute]

Self employed contractor, self funded entrepreneur since 2009.

1.State Highway Engineering inspector for the Government, Local Authorities and Roading Contractors
2. Laser Profilometer Calibrated International Roughness Index machine builder and operator
3. Automotive Performance upgrades for Toyota and Ford I-4, V-6, I-6, and rear suspensions, FAZER Performance I6 engine builder

I support the lean times with

4.Contruction/logistics/container truck laboring with AWF Group (3rd year)
5.Rest Home night and evening shift work (2005 to date)
6.Commerical cleaning (6 th year)

I'm a veteren of 8 years materials laboratory Quality Assurance work (steels, soils, agreegate, cement, carbon fibre)

and 11 years of other Quality Assurance work with two leading infrastructure and mineral exploration companies.

Cars? 21 in the last 28 years since starting driving as 15 year old
'58 Vauxhall Velox, 68 hp SAE net , 6.8:1 c/r, 4 spd, 3.45:1 axle, 21 Imp mpg
'76 Ford Escort 45cwt Van, 1.3 HC Kent, 28 Imp mpg, 4.44 axle
'75 TD Ford Cortina 2.0/C3 auto, 3.75:1 axle, 24 Imp mpg
'77 Morris Marina HL 1800/BW 35 auto, 3.9:1 axle, 21 Imp mpg city
'74 Mini Clubman 1100, 3.44:1 axle, 35 IMP mpg hwy
'74 Min Clubman 1000 (Vizard project)
'74 Mini 850 (Vizard project)
'69 Morris 1100 Twin Carb with Cooper cylinder head (Vizard project)
'82 Mitsubishi Sigma RWD 2.0 Sirius, 5spd, 3.44, 40 Imp mpg hwy
'84 Ford Falcon 131 HP 4.1 BW35, Impco LPgas 2.77:1 axle 22 imp mpg hwy
'88 Toyota Corolla 1.6 GL 96 hp AE92, 22.3° 4AFC Twin Cam, 42 imp mpg hwy
'76 TE Cortina 2.0/C3/3.75:1 DIFF parts car
'82 TF Cortina Cologne V6 2.3 114 LPG/IHI Turbo C3/C4, 3.45 Atlas
'78 XC Falcon 500 96 hp JIS net LD28 diesel, 3.23:1 axle
'80 XD Ford Falcon 4.1 126 DIN net hp S pac Panel Van, 2.92:1 axle, 4.1 3spd
'87 XE Ford Fairmont 4.1 164 DIN net hp EFI Station Wagon, 2.77:1, BW40
'80 TE Ford Cortina Station Wagon 2.0/4spd 3.70:1 Aussie
'95 RAV 4.1 J spec with G spec 170 PS engine Green 16.2/28.2/22.2 US MPG
'95 RAV 4.1 J spec with G spec 170 PS engine Red 16.2/28.2/22.2 US MPG
'98 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC 5 spd auto, 3.73:1 15.2/22.6/18.9 US MPG
'81 JDM Ford Mustang 3.3 L/GL Hatch, C3, 2.73:1 10.3/17.0/13.7 US MPG
Plus service attendent for my sons last four vehicles 84, 88, 89 FWD Toyotas and 92 Mitsubishi Galant 4G32