#re-installing the old dash theme did though

[where-fading-princesses-live]

for some reason my dash on firefox went back to the 'GO PREMIUM' button covering all my access to my likes and queue and drafts so i had to update the stylus extension (which the old version recently expired on firefox for some reason???) and re-install this old tumblr dashboard theme, in case anyone had the same issue on the firefox browser like i did or maybe it was just me

ugh so aggravating 😔

Old Tumblr Dashboard (Userstyle)!!

I created a Userstyle for the Chrome/Firefox Stylus Extension that reverts the new dashboard to the old format. This took a lot of tweaking and it's not perfect at all, but if anyone wants it I'll be uploading it soonish now!

You need to have Stylus installed. So if you don't have it:

Install the Stylus Firefox Addon or the Manifest V2 Chrome Extension (You can install Chrome Extensions on Edge as well)

Once it's installed into Firefox/Chrome/Edge you can proceed with adding this style or any other.

To add the style (Stylus), follow the instructions:

Go to this link: https://userstyles.world/style/11286/old-tumblr-dashboard-july-2023

Click on "install".

Style will open a tag with it and in the left side you'll have a button that says "install style", click there. (Step-by-step copied from the lovely dorothyoz39 who wrote this in a reply!) If you don't want the sticky header you can remove the labelled script at the top of the css below /* Sticky Header*/

For Manifest V3 only Chrome Or Stylus incompatible browsers:

For Chrome Manifest V3 install the Tampermonkey Extension

Then add the Tampermonkey Backup Script instead of the Stylus version

https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/492279-old-tumblr-dasboard-backup I highly recommend you switch to Firefox or stop all Chrome updates for continued use of good extensions! Stylus does not have a V3 update yet; however, the tamermonkey script works just as good.

Be sure to check for updates regularly and if you'd like, consider supporting me on Ko-Fi https://ko-fi.com/pixiel !

I'm currently taking donations so I can afford a much-needed wheelchair, so please check out my GoFundMe for more details! Any Ko-Fi donations will be added manually to the GoFundMe

..::::HOW TO UPDATE::::..

click the Manage button on Stylus and click the check for update button next to the userstyle, then click again to install!

Make sure to check the Userstyle and see if the version number matches the one below if you don't see any changes!

NEW UPDATE: 25/10/24 (D/M/Y) 03:11AM BST v15.6

v14.11: Made Premium Perks button available in the bottom left corner for all premium users v15.2: Fixed the Tumblr fuckup AND added a cool new feature that allows you to customise the look of your header & hide the reply-to-replies button if you like, here's how to customise this. Set to "Block" if you want the button/icon visible, Set to "None" if you want it hidden! V15.5: Given labels to options for clarity - now says 'show' or 'hide'! You can also fix the positioning of the Communities button and subnav from this menu as well - it should remember your settings when you update!

Tumblr Post Width & More (OTD+ Userstyle) Is now available!!

OTD+ is an add on for Old Tumblr dashboard that you can use to edit the Post Width, Content Positioning & More - It must be used with Old Tumblr Dashboard installed as well on the latest update!

THE CREATOR OF THIS USERSTYLE SUPPORTS THEIR TRANS SISTERS. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

Check the readmore for the changelog, custom code & known issues! This style might be merged with OTD in the future.

----- Known issues:

Only two columns in Masonry view. Unfixable, Tumblr creates columns based on monitor size, if I try adding another column (because it doesn't exist) it just perpetually loads on screen. Tempfix: Zoom out in chrome/firefox and it adds more columns

Search bar doesn't appear on some pages (like viewing a post), this is because Tumblr removed the search bar on those pages completely. Unfixable!

Tumblr has ONCE AGAIN CHANGED THE ACCOUNTS MENU. The menus are now shorter and have less information on them. This is unfortunately permanent. I do not see any way to fix this. Unfixable.

If you want people's icons to stay fixed in place, instead of scrolling with the dashboard add;

.FtjPK .AD_w7 .JZ10N, .RYkKH > .nZ9l5 { top: 0px !important; position: relative !important; }

to the top of the code! You can also create a second userstyle by clicking the 'tumblr.com' part of the link in 'Write new Style' and adding the code in there! That way you don't have to worry about re-adding it when you update.

Solved issues: (Update)

Menus need to be manually closed SOLVED! in V.4 and updated in V.5! The menu & icon WILL scroll with you if you have removed the sticky header CSS, however, clicking anywhere on screen will make the Menu disappear still.

Masonry view in searches is now fixed!

Resized Messenger Chat Box!

NEW UPDATE 16/08/23, 23:55 BST v6.5: Figured out how to reorganise the icons in the header. Let me know if you have any problems with it and make sure to update your Userstyle! Some icons are hidden with Display: Block; you can hide more icons with this method!

Solved issues p2

Brought back SOME of the icons for Tumblrs latest update - Unfortunately, this does not bring back user icons for Reblogged posts! Make sure to yell at Tumblr for removing the icons as well as the horrible dashboard update here! v7.5 Fixed icons for all posts and put them back where they came from!

v6.9.6.9 (I promise this is the last funny number): Fuck Off Buggy The Clown Update + All languages support for the old header design!

v7.0: Fixed the search bar for tumblrs new collections feature, so it looks like the original search bar!

v8.0: Fixed masonry view icons, hidden the reblog icon on dashboard icons, fixed icons in blog viewport

V8.1: Fixed issue with icons not working on soft-refresh & with endless scrolling disabled - be sure to complain to staff!

v9.3: Changed a few things with the search feature, I also made the posts less round.

UPDATE2 11/04/2024: SO We mighhtttt have overrun their servers. 😅 I'm getting a 500 Internal Server Error every time I try to fix it or upload it as a new style - the massive influx of people downloading the userstyle was probably too much. The Tampermonkey backup on Greasyfork works just fine though! Probably easier for a lot of people migrating anyway! UPDATE 11/04/2024:: My code has broken on Userstyles.world, (it is now fixed as of 12/04/24) until this is fixed I have created a Tampermonkey Backup Version of the Userstyle so feel free to use this version if you've broken yours!

https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/492279-old-tumblr-dasboard-backup

v9.6: Moved the Following | For you | Your Tags to below the create a post panel. Fixed the Accounts Menu! + Bugfixes V10.3: Patio compatibility. Added a way to hide the Patio button & "patio feedback?" button, just search for patio in the code and follow the instructions! v11.0: Temporary Chat feature fix after Tumblr broke it, fixed some positioning issues and j/k scrolling!

v12.3: Fixed a text issue (my bad!), I undid the changes to the replies function and added a way to fix icons order for when you get the communities update!

v12.5: Update to make compatible with the Content Positioning using Tumblr Post Width & More (OTD+ Userstyle) v12.6: Post buttons fixed, icons unable to be fixed yet as I haven't got the tumblr changes just yet - but I will fix them asap!

v11.7: Communities Update, changed the new search bar on communities page to resemble the old one. The search bar still doesn't work on these pages yet for some reason. Blog view icons fixed. v13.0: The icons change should now have a working patchfix! BIG THANK YOU to arcadian-asgardian for sending me the screenshots I needed and testing if it worked. + Minor tweak, communities button resized to fit the rest of the icons better v13.2: Mini fixes now that I have better access to the new changes! Communities icon re-centered, usernames nudged back into place.

V13.5 & v13.7: Nuked the Go Premium button - Re-positioned the search bar on search pages v13.10: Changed a lot of the new look for replies - it's not perfect yet mind. Small bug with the "..." menu moving to the left with shorter replies. Looks a lot more like the old replies section though! Made it possible to remove the reply to reply button just search for "NEW Replies UI" in the userstyle and remove the /* */ around "display: none" OR use Ublock to block the element! v14.1: Reverted the "Original Poster" border + text to look like old version. Edit: Whoops, fixed an issue with showing the timestamps

v13.4: Added a way to fix the communities icon position if you don't have the New Xkit button or have hidden any of the icons. Just remove the highlighted /* */ pair in the code for what you need.

[aion-rsa]

Resident Evil Village Easter Eggs and References Explained

https://ift.tt/33mKVQj

This article contains RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE spoilers.

Resident Evil Village may be one of the year’s biggest and scariest games, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t have a little fun from time to time. In fact, Village is packed with easter eggs and references that keep things light, even as you’re running away from the giant vampire ladies of its world.

While you’d expect the eighth major installment in the Resident Evil series to include a few nods to the previous games in the franchise, one of the most surprising things about Resident Evil Village is how it not only references some of the older games in the series (as well as a couple of horror movies) but how some of those callbacks have deeper meanings that expand this game’s lore and even set up future installments.

From the village’s familiar merchant to a brand of beer that shouldn’t be there, here are the easter eggs and references that we’ve found in Resident Evil Village so far.:

Joseph Kendo’s Self Defense Book (Likely a Gift From Chris)

Ethan and Mia’s house contains a few notable easter eggs, but one of the more interesting ones that’s easy to miss is a self-defense book found on the upstairs bookshelf written by someone named Joseph Kendo. 

Does that name sound familiar? That’s probably because Joseph Kendo is the brother of Robert Kendo: the gun shop owner from Resident Evil 2. Joseph Kendo is also a former S.T.A.R.S. weapon instructor who made the pistol that Leon uses at the start of Resident Evil 4. It seems Ethan went to the best.

Covered Mirrors in Ethan and Mia’s House

Take a walk through Ethan and Mia’s house, and you may notice that most of the mirrors seem to be covered by sheets and blankets. The only mirror that isn’t covered (the bathroom mirror) appears to be fogged up. What’s the deal?

The game doesn’t outright explain this design choice, but it’s either part of an effort to prevent you from seeing Ethan’s face, who remains a faceless protagonist in his second outing, or it’s something Mother Miranda did when she assumed Mia’s form. Mirrors sometimes reveal true identities in horror fiction, such as in vampire stories, and it’s possible that Miranda covered them to prevent anyone from seeing the real her. That, or she didn’t want to look at her new face. 

Ethan Winters’ Bobblehead Collection

Head upstairs in Ethan and Mia’s home and you’ll find a stack of boxes near the office area in the back. At the top of one of those boxes is a football player bobblehead that Ethan says he really should get rid of.

Considering that it’s the same kind of bobblehead found throughout the Baker house in Resident Evil 7, it’s not hard to see why the toy bothers him so much. It certainly seems like a strange keepsake from a dark time.

Ethan’s Hand Can’t Catch a Break

This one is less of an easter egg and more of a running joke, but it’s not long into Resident Evil Village before Ethan’s left hand is mutilated by a wolf. A little later on, one of his hands is even chopped off.

This is callback to Resident Evil 7 where Ethan loses his hand early on only to have it reattached later. For whatever reason, Ethan’s hands just can’t catch a break in these games. Like in the last installment, our hero also pours first aid med on his hand to heal.

Resident Evil 4’s Opening Sequence

You may have spotted this reference in some of Village‘s trailers and demos, but an early scene in Resident Evil Village’s…umm…village sees Ethan fight off a small army of werewolves and other unnamed horrors. From the way Ethan blocks doors to the staging of specific sections, this whole area feels like an elaborate callback to Resident Evil 4’s famous early scene in which Leon must evade waves of crazed villagers in a similar fashion. 

Salvatore Moreau Turns into a Very Familiar Giant Fish

The battle against the otherwise timid Salvatore Moreau takes a dangerous turn when the lord of his house jumps into the water and transforms into a massive fish.��This shocking moment will be a little less surprising to Resident Evil 4 fans who remember doing battle with a very similar giant fish in that game. The designs aren’t exactly the same, but given how many RE4 references are spread throughout Village, there’s no doubt this was an intentional callback.

Read more

Games

Resident Evil DASH: Canceled Sequel or Urban Legend?

By Matthew Byrd

Games

Resident Evil: The Many Ways the PlayStation Game Was Changed

By Matthew Byrd

The Duke References Resident Evil 4’s Merchant

Linger for a little while on the Duke’s shopping screen, and you might hear him say “What are you buying?” He’ll then laugh and mention that it’s just something an old friend of his used to say. 

This is obviously a nod to Resident Evil 4. The friend that the Duke references is none other than Resi 4’s legendary merchant. It’s not entirely clear how those two characters know each other, but we suppose that it’s not unreasonable to suggest they could have met at the annual merchant trade show. 

The P.T. Hallway and Giant Baby Monster in Donna Beneviento’s House

Dollmaker Donna Bneviento’s house is one of the scariest locations in Resident Evil Village. Then again, it should be scary considering that it’s clearly designed to resemble the house in one of the scariest games of all-time, P.T.

The house’s main hallway is nearly a 1:1 replica of the P.T. hallway. There’s even a phone in the corner of the hall that rings when you’re least expecting it. Incredibly, this area also features a clear nod to P.T.’s “baby in the sink,” although Village ups the ante in that regard with a giant baby monster that will truly haunt you. 

Umbrella Symbols and Oswell E. Spencer

Some fans noticed early on that Village’s trailers featured a strange symbol that resembled the Umbrella logo. Well, that logo actually appears several times throughout the main game and even has a starring role in some of the story’s most important cutscenes. 

As we discussed elsewhere, it turns out that the logo’s appearances are much more than a nod to the original RE games. In fact, a letter we find towards the end of Village reveals that Umbrella’s founder, Oswell E. Spencer, spent quite a bit of time with Mother Miranda and used that ancient design as the basis for his company’s logo.

Dulvey Beer From Resident Evil 7

One of the villagers in Village is drinking heavily from a bottle that’s kind of hard to see. If you zoom in on it, though, you’ll discover that it’s actually a bottle of Dulvey Beer: the Louisiana craft beer seen throughout Resident Evil 7.

How did this bottle of craft beer make it all the way to a small village in Europe? Given that this is likely just a cute nod to the previous game, it’s best not to ask those kinds of questions. 

The Black Goat from The Witch

The Witch is one of the best horror movies of the last 10 years and among the genre’s most influential recent films as well. The Witch may have even influenced the design of Village in ways both big and small. 

One of the animals you’ll find in Village is a large black goat that seems to boast a more distinct look than some of the other killable creatures you encounter. That may be because this black goat appears to be a clear reference to Black Phillip from The Witch. Their designs are incredibly similar, and considering how Village‘s vibe and themes are generally reminiscent of The Witch, it’s likely that Capcom decided to include a more obvious wink to that movie as well.

The Shining Scarecrows

Resident Evil Village’s title screen, and a couple of sections of the game’s actual village area, prominently feature creepy-looking scarecrows who seem to be frozen. Take a closer look at the scarecrow and you’ll discover that they might actually be dead villagers whose bodies were repurposed.

More importantly, the design of these scarecrows appears to be a subtle nod to the end of The Shining. At the very least, their upward-looking dead eyes and mischievous grins recall the look that Jack Torrance had on his face when he was frozen in the snow at the end of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film. 

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Eveline Returns

The main villain of Resident Evil 7 reappears in Village, this time as a figment of Ethan’s imagination who needs to remind him of his true nature. We also learn that Mother Miranda provided the mold and Eva’s DNA to The Connections, the bio-terrorist group behind the events of the last game, who created Eveline.

Chris Redfield and the BSAA

Chris Redfield plays a major role in Village, effectively becoming the second protagonist of the story towards the final act of the game. In an installment that basically tells the origin story of the Umbrella Corporation, it makes sense that the series’ original hero is back, too. And just in time for the franchise’s 25th anniversary!

Meanwhile, the counter-terrorism organization Chris works for in the later games, the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, also returns, but this time to muck things up for Chris and his team towards the end of the game.

Mother Miranda’s Name

The neopagan cult leader main villain of the game is Mother Miranda. While there’s a very literal reason why she’s referred to as “mother” in Village, this may also be a reference to Italian filmmaker Dario Argento’s Three Mothers Trilogy of witchcraft movies. In that cycle of interconnected horror stories, each witch is named “Mother”: Mother Suspiriorum (Mother of Sighs), Mother Tenebrarum (Mother of Darkness), and Mother Lachrymarum (Mother of Tears).

Like those witches, Mother Miranda’s name also has a translation in Latin: “Mother to Admire,” which is very fitting considering she is worshipped by those she rules over. The way she could fit into that trio may also be why Village seems to be obsessed with the number four.

Cadou and Las Plagas

Mother Miranda uses a parasite called Cadou on the villagers in her search for a vessel for Eva. All Cadou seems to do to her unfortunate subjects is turn them into lycans, though.

While the early Resident Evil games focuse on the highly contagious viruses created by the Umbrella Corporation, Resident Evil 4 introduced the idea that a parasite could infect people and turn them into bloodthirsty killers, too. In that game’s case, the parasite was called Plagas.

Ada Wong Cameo?

As revealed by IGN, the Trauma Pack DLC features some behind-the-scenes artwork that reveals Capcom considered including fan-favorite spy Ada Wong in the game.

“Early plans had a mysterious masked person that saves Ethan,” reads the caption for the concept art. “This was going to be Ada Wong investigating the village, but this was cut due to a number of conflicting scenarios…An early plot point was to have Ada, disguising herself with a mask, help Ethan escape from his trial.”

Interestingly, Ada’s proposed costume in the game would not have been unlike Jill Valentine’s plague doctor-inspired costume in Resident Evil 5.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

The post Resident Evil Village Easter Eggs and References Explained appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3xVsxMj

[itsworn]

Overbuilt: Pure Vision Design Builds a Better GTO

When you first see it, you think, “Now that right there is a really nice car…”

It’s a simple compliment, but one that means so much in the sea of over-customized offerings that we’re usually privy to.

You then stop for a moment, let your eyes refocus, and in doing so, begin to take in the amount of detail and care that’s gone into Pure Vision’s latest creation: a 1971 Pontiac GTO convertible. It was thankfully pulled from a field where it was left for dead, and upon doing a bit of research, was found to be one of only 653 drop-top GTO’s built for the ‘71 model year as well as being the last year for the convertible GTO – ever.

Pure Vision Design is located in Simi Valley, CA and has been producing beautifully reimagined muscle cars for more than twenty years. It’s headed by Ring Master Steve Strope whose calm exterior fools you into thinking that there’s not actually a full-blown circus happening inside his head. That’s why, when a client asks Steve for ideas in regards to a build, he puts on his top hat and gets all giddy. A man of principle, he never builds the same car twice, and when asked to do so he simply states, “Somebody paid a lot of money for version 1.0 and I’m not going to insult them by making 2.0 for somebody else. I’ll just design them their own car.”

Not only does this guarantee exclusivity for the client, but it also ensures that every vehicle that comes out of Pure Vision must stand on its own merit.

If you’re a fan of Steve’s work, then you know that almost every car that comes out of Pure Vision’s rollup door has a theme to it (see Martini Mustang or the Black Ops Fairlane). When it came to the GTO, however, the client had a request that was in no way theme based. He instead, wanted the build to be focused on daily usability- a moderate but not over-the-top blend of performance and comfort.

“The customer wanted to take it out on date night and cruise around with his girlfriend, thus the goal was to get in it, turn the key. drive it, and enjoy it. So, the parts and pieces that were ordered for this car follow in line to that mindset,” says Steve.

Okay, so what does that actually mean?

For starters it means turning the dial down from 11, to a more moderate 8. This in no way means that any less attention was given to the GTO, but instead, there was a re-focus of ideas that culminated into what is perhaps the best driving ’71 GTO convertible in existence.

Upon arrival to the shop, the GTO was bugged-bombed, stripped of its parts, and a new chassis was ordered from Schwartz Performance. The unit came complete with an AGR steering rack built to Schwartz’s own specific valving, JRi shocks, and a torsional rigidity that’s 200% stiffer than a stock A-Body frame. Pure Vision then reinforced it further to quell any additional body flex that may have occurred due to the GTO’s convertible configuration. Out back, a full-floater 9-inch with a 3.50 or so rear gear helps with motivation. Stopping is accomplished via a Wilwood braking system that employs two-piece rotors with beefy 4-piston calipers up front and smaller 4-piston units in the rear. The chassis itself is a beautiful piece and serves as the perfect underpinning for a car of this caliber.

The body is standard ‘71 GTO, which in reality, was a facelift year for the car. Changes included a beautiful wire-mesh grille, dual-snorkel hood and a revised lower front fascia with round marker lights. There were other slight changes incorporated as well, but for you non-GTO buffs, those are the most prevalent. Dismantling any old car is an exercise in patience, and the GTO was no exception. During our conversations, Steve mentioned that preserving all the trim and interior pieces was extremely important due to the rarity of the car, and unlike many of his other builds, reusing those parts was integral, as he wanted to keep the integrity of the car intact.

Once apart, extreme care was paid to the exterior body panels in regards to getting them straight along with making sure that every seam and body line matched perfectly. At this time, the inner wheel tubs were increased by 1-inch on each side to accommodate a 305-series rear tire. This modification required caution, as ample room was still required to allow for the convertible top to retract into the rear cowl.

Based on renderings done in conjunction with Eric Brockmeyer Design, Steve and the GTO’s owner determined that the car was to be painted Celine Bronze, a color Steve first viewed while doing some in-person research at a local Aston Martin dealership. It was then sent to Mick Jenkins of Pomona, CA who made sure the final paint and body was flawless.

Thankfully, Steve also believes in the philosophy that bigger is not always better, and as such he was careful when choosing his wheel and tire package. HRE RS101 wheels with a clear powder coat and dark bronze centers were chosen in sizes 18×9-inch for the front and 19×11-inch in the rear. Tires come in the form of sticky Pirelli P-Zero’s in sizes 255/40R-18, front and 305/35R-19, rear. Running a staggered stance gives the car just enough rake to look sinister, with the upper lips residing just inside the fender wells. Not only does this make for a spot-on stance, but there’s an air of built-in aggression that works beautifully with the overall design.

From the start, the GTO was to be focused around drivability, which is why selecting the correct power plant was of the utmost importance. To achieve this, Steve took full advantage of the millions of dollars spent by General Motors on R&D, and opted for a supercharged LSA crate engine and a 4L80e 4-speed overdrive transmission. These two items, combined with the factory computer, harness, and ancillary items such as the intercooler, intercooler pump, and the air intake system, all insured that reliability would be a non-issue. Well-built and well-designed components rarely fail.

When asked what he thought about the hot rodders of today utilizing modern technology Steve mentioned something that rang very true, “Most of the time, the OEM plug-n-play stuff is better than our aftermarket stuff. Why? It’s not because we’re stupid, it’s because that stuff is built together as a unit and they have millions and millions of dollars of R&D, so taking advantage of that when it works for your project is a great thing. Guys have been taking stuff from junkyards, redoing it, and putting it back on the street since at least the 1920’s and 30’s. Hot rodders have been stealing from what the OEMs made to make their junk go faster and look better, and as such, we hot rodders are some of the first recyclers of automotive components.”

When you break it down, his train of thought makes perfect sense. What lives under the hood of this GTO is essentially what’s powering a 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, and that my friends, is a very good thing.

Looking inside the car, the first thing you notice is that much like the exterior, the cabin of the GTO is not overly complicated. Instead it represents a beautiful combination of materials and forethought that brings the physicality of the interior up to the standard of a modern luxury coupe. The stock dash for instance was removed and recovered with beautiful chocolate brown leather with contrasting white stitching. Black-faced VHX gauges from Dakota Digital were then installed to cope with the new engine harness. And then, by keeping and refinishing the original knobs and bezels, Steve managed to keep the dash’s overall feel authentic without being over the top.

While the dash is beautifully crafted, it will be the treatment given to the seats and door panels that will set this build apart. With decades of experience, the team over at Gabe’s procured some buttery soft leather to be used for the seating surfaces, along with a stylish mesh that I’ve yet to see utilized in another build. Walking up to this car, top down, is a feast for the eyes and the attention given here helps the GTO come together in a wonderfully cohesive package.

I looked over this car for the better part of eight hours, examining just about every part of it. However, it was when Steve asked me if I wanted to drive it that truly got me excited. Climb in, turn the key, and the GTO fires to life in the same fashion as any modern vehicle. There’s no pumping of the pedal, no fumes, and absolutely no drama. The original Pontiac shifter feels perfect in the hand and dropping the car into gear is as simple as pressing down on the PMD button and sliding the stick back a few clicks.

For comparison, stock GM convertibles from the late 1960s and early 70’s were awful. Yes, they provided an enjoyable driving experience, but good wow did they squeak, rattle and flex! With the GTO, there was none of that. Closing the door was met with a solid “THUNK” and once underway, there wasn’t a hint of a squeak or rattle. In fact, driving the GTO at speed had me forgetting about how terrible these things were from the factory. This partly comes down to the door linings, additional sound deadening materials and obtaining great door latches and strikers, not to mention the ultra-rigid chassis. In the end though it comes down to a theme of quality that can be seen throughout the car. From the builder, to the body and interior shops, to the detailed inspection of every part used before they’re installed, the attention to detail here is something others should use as a benchmark.

Here was a classic convertible that let you have a conversation without raising your voice. It is composed and planted with the on-road confidence of a modern performance vehicle. There was brute force power when you wanted it, loads of brake when you needed it, and luxury that made you feel as if you were driving anything but a 1971 GTO. If there was a downside, it was only that the Goat drove so damn good that it made you forget you were piloting one of the coolest things on the road.

In the end, I’ll say this – if you’ve got the means for your dream car, then talking to Steve Strope at Pure Vision Design wouldn’t be a bad idea as this reimagined GTO is one of the few customs that exceeded every one of my expectations.

The post Overbuilt: Pure Vision Design Builds a Better GTO appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network https://www.hotrod.com/articles/overbuilt-pure-vision-design-builds-better-gto/ via IFTTT

[itsworn]

1956 Chevy Corvette Possesses Deceiving Looks & Potent Performance

Every great project starts with a plan. Savvy car builders know the importance of evaluating their time, tools, talent, and temperament as well as creating a theme that justifies squandering the children’s inheritance. If the goal is a showroom-correct restoration, the approach is relatively straightforward since you are returning the car to its original appearance.

The dilemma arises when the plan calls for personalizing a ride to your own tastes since every classic icon has its own band of followers who believe original lines are sacred. Corvette owners have favorites and meddling with the design will arouse their ire. Redefining those lines is like drawing eyebrows on the Mona Lisa. She does quite well without them. There is, however, an equally vocal group that says the end of the assembly line is the beginning of the personalizing process. When it’s finally time to do your Corvette your way, what’s the best approach that blends respect for its iconic looks with infusion of new technology, power, handling, safety and comfort?

Ronnie Edge from Jacksonville, Florida, has the answer. He’s been a Corvette enthusiast since high school when he took his girlfriend Pam to the dance in his 1956 convertible. That connection blossomed, Ronnie and Pam have enjoyed owning, driving and building Corvettes for the last 50 years. Currently, there are four pristine NCRS-level Corvette restorations in the Edge garage and while driving stock is nice, it was time for something new. Enter Black Ice, their stunning 1956 restomod. As you would expect, transforming a 60-year-old car into a new millennium ride had to begin with detailed research and a careful plan. Since the couple wanted to re-create the Corvette that started it all, Pam and Ronnie located another 1956 convertible not far from home in Ormond Beach, Florida. The paint had already been stripped from the body, happily revealing unmolested fiberglass in great condition. Just as important, the drag racing chassis had been modified many times over the years, making it the right choice for a restomod. The exterior could retain its classic lines while everything underneath could be scrapped.

Ronnie had worked with J&M Enterprises in Brooksville, Florida, on past projects and knew they had the talent to achieve his goal. Although they have done dozens of NCRS restorations in the past, this would be their very first C1 restomod and they were excited at the prospect. Ronnie’s guidance was simple; no drastic modifications to the body, dash or interior, but everything underneath was fair game. Pam’s request was equally simple; she wanted an all-black engine compartment to amplify the sinister look of the new powerplant.

Everything starts with a firm foundation. In this case it’s a custom-built chassis, lighter and stronger than the original, using 4x2x0.120-inch rectangular tube framerails. The experts at Street Shop in Athens, Alabama, designed the powdercoated frame to accommodate 1988 or newer Corvette suspension components, ensuring that body mounts, engine mounts, and bumpers matched the stock locations, although the engine is positioned slightly lower than stock to improve handling. Pam says, “The chassis was so pretty, it was almost a shame to cover it up.”

Ronnie’s research lead to a hot rodders dream sheet of upgrades, combining the latest products from the aftermarket with original Corvette parts. Up front, C4 suspension components guaranteed the ’56 would have autocross-level handling, running Hyperco springs and damped with QA1 Ultra Ride adjustable coilovers. Out back, a custom-built C4-style Trac-Lok independent rear from Street Shop was fitted with QA1s and 3.73 gears. The rear tire well was modified to clear the chunk.

Addressing the stopping issues began with Baer PBR calipers on C4 cross-drilled and slotted rotors, 13-inches up front and 12-inches in the rear. A Wilwood tandem master cylinder, Hydraboost, and pushbutton E-Stopp emergency brake system completed the brake package. A Detroit Speed Inc., power rack-and-pinion optimized the steering.

It’s always a milestone whenever you finally get the chassis rolling. Accomplishing the task and filling the wheelwells was a set of 17×8 American Racing VF481 two-piece forged rims wrapped in 235/45R17 Toyo Extensa HP redline rubber. Of course, no restomod is complete without a modern powerplant. The choice was easy with Ronnie opting for a 430hp LS3 paired with a Chevrolet Performance 4L70E four-speed automatic. More than quick enough straight out of the crate, the only engine mod was a set of MagnaFlow mufflers on the 2 1/2-inch aluminized exhaust, complete with X-pipe. A DeWitts HP series radiator and electric fan keeps engine temps in the green.

Cognizant of that admonition about eyebrows and the Mona Lisa, Ronnie kept body mods to a minimum, adding a linear-actuated hood, running the larger exhaust pipes through the rear pan, installing auxiliary brake lights in the rear bumper where the pipes use to be and finishing with LED headlights and taillights. John Ames of J&M Enterprises completed the exterior, block-sanding the vintage body to perfection and spraying the rich Axalta ChromaBase Black with Inca Silver in the cove.

Moving inside, HushMat Ultra was added everywhere for heat and noise abatement. Pam chose bright-red leather for the seats, doors and dash with the trunk upholstered to match. Although air-conditioning was not available when this car rolled off the line, Vintage Air now keeps Ronnie and Pam cool throughout Florida’s hot summer nights. Subtle A/C vents were built into the dash and covered in matching red leather. Classic Instruments gauges with shining silver faces and red pointers replace the originals. To ensure it matched, the original Corvette speedometer face was removed and redesigned by Classic Instruments. For another subtle touch, J&M incorporated the E-Stopp brake button in the center of the dash where the original emergency brake indicator light use to be. The modern AM/FM/CD radio from Antique Audio Radio imitates a vintage Wonder Bar radio and a Flaming River column holds the red leather-wrapped wheel, providing the perfect haptic connection. J&M uses Blevins Auto in Brooksville, Florida, for their interior work and they did an amazing job. The black Stayfast three-ply canvas top wrapped up the 19-month build, completed just in time for the 2017 Jacksonville Corvette Club car show. It was held at St. Augustine, Florida’s World Golf Village, the site of our photo shoot.

How is the car to drive? Ronnie says “it is unbelievable! It has late-model get up and go, even though you’re in a nostalgic, old classic.” Pam says, “We love it and it’s amazing how much attention it attracts when we drive it.” This high-performance restomod has become the perfect addition to an already amazing Corvette collection. Vette

The post 1956 Chevy Corvette Possesses Deceiving Looks & Potent Performance appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1956-chevy-corvette-possesses-deceiving-looks-potent-performance/ via IFTTT