The future of the Beast

	The Future of the Beast By Jim Griffin Why does this car exist? How far will it be developed? What projects will be done next? Why choose the MR2 for modification? Will anyone get their money out of a modified car? Good questions. People I meet on the internet are always asking for the answers. Most of these people own MR2's and are looking for information and justification for their own projects. The Beast was never started as a money making project, but one for personal enjoyment. Like most of you, our "special" cars fill a need we have, and it's not always transportation. My need centers around fantasy, based on historically significant cars. I have a desire to pick and choose the best technical and artistic features from the world's best sports cars. Add to those features affordability, dependability, performance, and beauty and the field narrows to a few existing cars. Years ago, my wife and I owned an import car business. True, it was a side business to our regular work, but succeeded in allowing me to sample many of the world's great machines. We imported Ferrari's, Masaratti's, Lamborghini's, Porsche's, BMW's, and others for resale here in the U.S. Most of these cars were "Gray Market" cars. We owned them long enough to appreciate their finer points. Some of the cars that passed through our hands, that lead to a decision to choose the MR2, were the Porsche 904, Ferrari Dino, Fiat Abarth Scorpioni, and several of the Lotus cars. The Dino was a prime example. When you put the Dino next to the 91-95 MR2, it is obvious where many of the Mk 2's styling cues came from. The reverse curve of the rear window is a good example. Having owned a 246 GTS Dino for more than a year, appreciating it's beautiful body while cursing it's mechanical design, fueled the fire for a "quality" Dino substitute. The Porsche 904, Porsche's first Fiberglas racer and street car, was a dream to own and drive. It was a beautiful, mid engine, quick, 2 liter, 4 cam engine(200 HP), fun to drive car, but had no AC, no stereo, was loud, and parts were expensive. It was a race car which had limited street use. While each of these wonderful machines was special in its own way, none of them had the blend of qualities that the MR2 possesses. The MR2 is a near perfect canvas for development. It reminds me of the Dino in its looks and the Porsche 904 in handling. All three being mid engine design, the basic layout is similar. So, there you go. It's a personal quest to develop my dream car and fulfill my automotive fantasy. The Beast is far from the end of its development. It's been a rolling "test" vehicle for ideas. There are a number of projects on the drawing board. Making the car lighter is one of them. The distributor will be replaced with individual coils next year when the newer Haltech unit is developed. The refrigerated air/water intercooler is now up and running on the car with excellent results. A front mounted heat exchanger is mounted and awaiting testing. I have purchased the new Border hood with the reverse hood scoop. It's a beautiful piece of work and will be installed soon. The car will show off two new aero looks this next year. The Phoenix Power "Wild" look will be displayed at meets and car shows, while a more sedate "around town" look will include the Toyota 98 rear wing, Border hood, Phoenix Power front bumper and stock engine lid. The wilder Full Phoenix front and rear winged Beast is an acquired taste, but one designed to gain more points in competition. New Sparco Milano black leather seats and five point harnesses will be installed soon. What is The Beast worth? It's worth a lot to me. I got out all the receipts for every part that I have bought, all the hours of labor that I have paid for, every machine shop bill, custom part I designed and had made, welding, fabrication, etc. Not to mention the 3000 plus hours that I have put into the car. I could have bought a new NSX with what I have spent! If I had done that, bought the NSX, I would have had someone else's dreams sitting in my garage. The Beast represents my work, dreams and vision. It's worth a lot! Back to the Beast Page The Beast Web ///\|\|\|\\\ Copyright © 2000 Jim Griffin. All rights reserved. E-mail: Ace123Jim@aol.com Web site: http://www.MR2Beast.com Last revised October 22, 2002.

The Future of the Beast

By Jim Griffin

Why does this car exist? How far will it be developed? What projects will be done next? Why choose the MR2 for modification? Will anyone get their money out of a modified car?

Good questions. People I meet on the internet are always asking for the answers. Most of these people own MR2's and are looking for information and justification for their own projects. The Beast was never started as a money making project, but one for personal enjoyment. Like most of you, our "special" cars fill a need we have, and it's not always transportation. My need centers around fantasy, based on historically significant cars. I have a desire to pick and choose the best technical and artistic features from the world's best sports cars. Add to those features affordability, dependability, performance, and beauty and the field narrows to a few existing cars.

Years ago, my wife and I owned an import car business. True, it was a side business to our regular work, but succeeded in allowing me to sample many of the world's great machines. We imported Ferrari's, Masaratti's, Lamborghini's, Porsche's, BMW's, and others for resale here in the U.S. Most of these cars were "Gray Market" cars. We owned them long enough to appreciate their finer points. Some of the cars that passed through our hands, that lead to a decision to choose the MR2, were the Porsche 904, Ferrari Dino, Fiat Abarth Scorpioni, and several of the Lotus cars.

The Dino was a prime example. When you put the Dino next to the 91-95 MR2, it is obvious where many of the Mk 2's styling cues came from. The reverse curve of the rear window is a good example. Having owned a 246 GTS Dino for more than a year, appreciating it's beautiful body while cursing it's mechanical design, fueled the fire for a "quality" Dino substitute.

The Porsche 904, Porsche's first Fiberglas racer and street car, was a dream to own and drive. It was a beautiful, mid engine, quick, 2 liter, 4 cam engine(200 HP), fun to drive car, but had no AC, no stereo, was loud, and parts were expensive. It was a race car which had limited street use.

While each of these wonderful machines was special in its own way, none of them had the blend of qualities that the MR2 possesses. The MR2 is a near perfect canvas for development. It reminds me of the Dino in its looks and the Porsche 904 in handling. All three being mid engine design, the basic layout is similar.

So, there you go. It's a personal quest to develop my dream car and fulfill my automotive fantasy.

The Beast is far from the end of its development. It's been a rolling "test" vehicle for ideas. There are a number of projects on the drawing board. Making the car lighter is one of them. The distributor will be replaced with individual coils next year when the newer Haltech unit is developed. The refrigerated air/water intercooler is now up and running on the car with excellent results. A front mounted heat exchanger is mounted and awaiting testing. I have purchased the new Border hood with the reverse hood scoop. It's a beautiful piece of work and will be installed soon. The car will show off two new aero looks this next year. The Phoenix Power "Wild" look will be displayed at meets and car shows, while a more sedate "around town" look will include the Toyota 98 rear wing, Border hood, Phoenix Power front bumper and stock engine lid. The wilder Full Phoenix front and rear winged Beast is an acquired taste, but one designed to gain more points in competition. New Sparco Milano black leather seats and five point harnesses will be installed soon.

What is The Beast worth? It's worth a lot to me. I got out all the receipts for every part that I have bought, all the hours of labor that I have paid for, every machine shop bill, custom part I designed and had made, welding, fabrication, etc. Not to mention the 3000 plus hours that I have put into the car. I could have bought a new NSX with what I have spent! If I had done that, bought the NSX, I would have had someone else's dreams sitting in my garage. The Beast represents my work, dreams and vision. It's worth a lot!

Back to the Beast Page