"Huh. You're joking, of course! She's going to love it!" "Well, this will be a good first 'real' car for her. It has the 'retro hot-rod' look she wanted, but that's only skin deep. The car has a V-6 turbo charged diesel that is computer controlled, and a six speed automatic transmission that makes it pretty spunky--but not enough for her to really get in trouble with. It will NOT spin the wheels on dry pavement. It has all of the modern safety stuff, like anti-lock brakes, anti-skid system that takes control of the the brakes and steering if the car starts to spin. Steering feels normal, but is actually fly-by wire. That's how the anti-skid works. It's also got the anti-collision system like Ca'n'dy's big sedan." "Good grief! I had no idea you were this far along!" "I cheated. I bought a 'rolling chassis' with motor mounts already in it. The engine and trans were 'crate' components. The computer for the engine came with the engine, and just had to be told what transmission and rear end was attached. The anti-lock, anti-skid system were part of the chassis. The body came in pieces, and bolted right up, no sweat. There's an outfit on Halta that builds the bodies. I just bought the bench seat option, since I figure she's a lot more likely to have a car full of friends where bucket seats just don't make much sense. Anyway, that's a battlesteel body that won't dent easily. I did the paint. Pearl white with a red tint. And that glow under the car is a pair of neon tubes. The one on the left seems to have stopped working. I may have accidentally unplugged it when I put the car on the rack yesterday. I was putting in the last of the electronic goodies: the required-ID system that wants her driver's license and insurance card before the engine will start. And for now, it's programmed so only Julianne, you, me, and Gail can drive it. If she wants to let her little friends to drive it, she'll have to clear it with one of us. Oh, and the top speed is 85 miles an hour--five over the maximum limit on the planet." "Great. Well, I think this will be enough for her to cut the little dune buggy loose. I had no idea you had this project so far along! How much do we owe you?" "Nothing, man... Stuff like this keeps me busy. And my enjoyment comes from building things." "Nuts. I'll pay you for the 'hardware' at least...." *********** The 39 coupe is from DreamlandModels, the wheels and tires were freebies from ShareCG. Gary