Chris Cockburn

Getting on a bit but still young and daft (allegedly). Employed as a Conservation Engineer, If it's old, decrepit or broken - I'll fix it

Been into American cars since to 70's, that's the 1970's not the 1870's as Jim might say. Bought first 'yank' in 1980 out of bike accident compensation, 1975 Pontiac Firebird with 6cyl. 4.2litre engine and run it for 2 years despite being unemployed/student for most of the time.

This was followed on by a 69 Plymouth Barracuda with 318 v8 while still unemployed. Bought from a man in a pub. Sold on when gearbox packed up. Next up was a 1972 6cyl Plymouth Scamp bought for £170 one Saturday afternoon when stuck for something to do. This wasn't kept for very long as I was finally back working and thought it was time for something better.

Phoned up Billy Alexander at Alexander Autos in Glasgow and bought a 72 Ford Gran Torino, 351 Cleveland 4v, Cobra Jet for that year, this was the car I had when talked into joining the Ill-Eagles in 1981. Kept this for 3 years then traded it back to Billy Alexander for an 85 Chevy CamaroZ28 with a 305TPI motor. Used it every day for a couple of years, despite being fast and economical (relatively mid 20's on unleaded) sold it after begging letters from the bank manager. Decided to run a sensible car for a while and not buy any more 'yanks' until better off financially.

This only lasted until a drunken club skittles resulted in buying a non running 76 v8 Firebird. This was put on the road for £1000 despite discovering the engine block was split along the oil pan rail, thanks to Alistair Horn for supplying a redundant long block from his Pontiac Le Mans. This resulted in the infamous flamed and pro-stock scooped newspaper appearing car, now owned by our webmistress Gail and soon to reappear terrorising the streets of Inverness along with her partners purple 73 455 Trans-Am.

While the Firebird ended up abandoned in my garage I bought a 76 6cyl Dodge pickup and run this every day for 3 years before punting it onto Ray (3 in a bed) Thompson,

Finally got what I really wanted, some Mopar muscle in the shape of a 67 Dodge Coronet with 383 v8. When bought it was running with a 750 Holley D.P. carb. Couldn't live with 8mpg, so now running a 750 v.s. carb and this appears to have doubled the consumption. Watch out for this car terrorising the roads of Scotland and maybe even the Mopar Nationals this year.