Emiel

I will.👍🏼

Last months we’ve been very busy at Johann’s workshop, aka Area 34. Cleaning, sorting, checking the cars, etc. Status update on Johann’s heritage: - SDM (the OG N/A racecar ☝🏼); runs and drives. Needs a belt (16 years old, but still looks brand new😅). Needs a seat swap, lots of tiny details and a good cleanup. Had a backfire at first start so it became a 2 cylinder while the Jenveys switched in a save mode. Took us a few headaches to find out. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s nuts. - SD11; 855 with 4T4, M66, VST; sold - 850 Carrier (6 wheeler); failed inspections two years ago. Couple of days work and then it should be good to go. Needs calipers, front axle…Runs and drive. Finding a good place for inspections is hard, it’s a odd size vehicle. Datsun 180b; first run in 12ish years yesterday. Fitted with a new battery and found out that the ignition didn’t work, as we later found out Johann stated that fault in a old topic in 2012. Needs inspection and a new rms. Square tires, limited interior. When the 18t starts to spool at 3000tpm, the earth stops rotating. Crazy little car. D2 (n/a 10v in Porsche green); might become a parts car of the carrier. 850 ERC (CY rallycar) ME7 N/A, to be determined. Opel Blitz with the T5 will be sold without the engine. Really nice to work with Johanns sons and his dear long time friend Zippo (Maarten) on his old projects. ❤️

MPRE.se sells the spherical bushings. They’re the Ben of Europe 😉 Think I might grab a set of those. Local 850 enthusiast has a extra set for me. if you need a shipping address in Europe just let me know, happy to help.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-BRASS-SHIFTER-CABLE-BUSHINGS-850-S70-V70-C70-/250730473309 they were listed for a MR2 before but can’t find them 18 years later😂 I can find the spherical and somebody offered me those, but they’re 50€ The delrin/brass works perfect. Its for Johanns 850 btw, needs a bit of attention.

Cables onto the gearbox. 😉 totally worn out…

Years ago I bought brass shifter bushings for my 850 and it was such a great improved. If i remember correctly they’re of a Toyota but now…18 years later I can’t find them anymore🤓 I do find delrin-like bushings but the brass version was waaaaay cheaper (need them for 3 850’s)

It’s a huge loss. I enjoyed reading his topics on the different forums over the last weeks, his legacy to the Volvo community. His sickbed was short and heavy, he didnt even have the energy and time for a currywurst, sending his GT3RS nor a stroll through his beloved Area 34. Happy to have met him years ago, he became one of my closest friends. Still a surreal idea him not being there…he was always there.

When I see the line ‘2 years later’, my brain says it with the SpongeBob voice over… anyone else? 🫣

toilet looks comfy, can't wait to give it a try. j/k, congrats on the beautiful house and S60.

Another testbike...Banshee Rune, from Canada. A enduro so a bit extreme for the Netherlands. Cornerspeed is insane (grip!!) as is the way it goes downhill, it makes it looks so easy. 1*11 is something which i could get used to. Sold the Santa Cruz and the Idworx is in for service.

Little voice in the back of my head...' don't wreck it, don't wreck it...' I do think it's worth it, high end parts, craftsmanship, etc. But yes, a lot of money.

A good friend of mine bought one of the first 11ants Mantis', it's a bike that has been displayed at a few bike shows in Europe, hence the 29" and 27,5"+ wheels. Took it to a trail for it's first ride out in the cold last Saturday. The rear shock needs some adjustment and the different sized wheels aren't ideal, but it was good fun. The Rohloff hub in combination with the Gates Beltdrive is awesome, it works flawless, no matter how muddy it gets. Very stable and the amount of grip is astonishing. A great experience. Would love to try it on my home trail with equal sized wheels one day. Oh...the price..; 10000 usd...

Nice progress Johann.

Owned by PON holding, its a interesting company. Owns Cervelo, BBB (bike parts) and Gazelle (mostly roadbike's). Has a big share in the VAG group. It's Dutch btw. It's extremely wet in the Netherlands, a lot of trails are damaged due to the rain which is a shame. Did my home trail last Friday (two dry days in a row...) with the Idworx and it was a blast, it doesn't mind mud, the Santa Cruz on the other hand, everything rattles and squeaks in a few miles...and...fully's are a pita to clean! This is a big thing in my country; https://11antsbikes.com/mantis-2/ The attention to detail is amazing, but so is the price.

It's that time of year again...

Just like the old days. Looks great Johann, time to get rid of those wiper holes under the headlights.

Best. Trackday. Ever. I enjoyed it very much, as a co-driver and driver. Eau Rouge is something special. The compression on the car, the lack of visible racetrack, the forces on your body. Its awesome. The Nordschleife does have corners that come close, but I think Eau Rouge wins in awesomeness. Not many cars attended the trackday, like 6 E36's, few GT3's and 968's, and a Viper ACR, which fast very fast.

Fall; and the g/f confiscated the Santa Cruz...

Good times, lots of laughs :D

Nice trails Travis.

I'll be back...in the passenger seat. Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm 'mature' enough to say that it was my fault, I decided that I wanted to do a lap in these conditions and I was well aware of the risk. I just ran out of road...and talent. I consider myself lucky. I still got to drive the car home, with damage but in one piece. We where unhurt, that's the most important thing!

That would be me. Did a lot of laps on the Ring, and number 104 was probably the last lap I ever did on the Ring. Never say never but the way the Nurburgring charges the people who crash is absolutely insane. Had a massive slide after 2 kilometers, maybe less, went with 2 wheels in the wet grass, 2 on the slippery tarmac, got it back in line and the car kicked back and went for another spin. Crossed the track (which isn't wide at that point) and ended up wrecking the whole right hand side of the car. The marshall/safety car (Streckensicherung...try pronounce that..) was quick on scene, took my license and insurance papers. Few minutes later he told me to go to the office, asked the guy how much the would charge for the minor damage on the guardrail...$540. Ok. Drove back with Johann on the backseat since the passenger side door wouldn't open. They charged me $790 for the cratches on the Armco, one hour labour and some other b/s. They kept the ' damaged' armco btw. Then the car. It's fixable, steering is a bit off, a tierod got bent. Needs a new front fender and a lot of body work. Doors a repairable (is that a word? ), rear quarter panel needs a tiny bit of work. Thank god that the rear panel only has a small ding, and that my xenon headlight (took me 5 years to find them, really rare in NL) is in one piece. Got back the car back to Area 55, with 60mph max. Local body shop is going to take care of it in a few months time. No rush. There's a white old sedan as a winterbeater...and that winter comes early. Will post pictures later. There is footage on the GoPro, but I'm not ready to share my flaw.

My new favorite track, few kilometers long, long 10 minute climb to the top but then the fun part begins.. It's located next to a MX track, which you can see in this video and in the long version of this video on my YT channel, enjoy!

It's dangerous. Every bump is a jump. Good fun but I'm a bit over-ambitious sometimes .