I finished la Bala. (well almost... You know they are never finished.) I worked into the early morning hours all last week to prepare for the annual
National Kit Car show in Southern California. This has been my target reveal date for quite some time so I really wanted the car to be as complete as
possible. I wasn't able to finish the headlamp covers or some interior trim pieces, but mostly she was complete. It turned out to be a great
show. I won the editors choice award, which the editors of the magazines vote for the most significant new product... (nice), and the response to the
shape and the car itself was overwhelmingly postive! All in all a good weekend, except for the horrible sunburn on my neck and shoulders...
Here is a link to a video walkaround of the car that I posted on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZC0lDfQLBs
And here are a few piccies for your enjoyment.
In the trailer:
Down the side:
High noon on Saturday:
Overhead across the rear quarter panel:
Anyone recognize this car? 
That is one 'king cool motor..!!!!!!
I am in aw. Well done is such an understatement it should not even be said.
Dale
That is just fabulous. Not only that, but its the only car I've seen that looks good in orange.
Now that DOES look good!
You should be proud, especially when the mag editors give you their prize for your efforts.
Well done,
David
That is one fantastic looking car, And it suits the colour so well.
john.
OH YESSS, now that is cool!!!!
Just like too agree with all the sentiments above, and those that will follow....
That is one achievement too be proud of and an inspiration too all.
Simply astounding!!!!! 
Phil
That looks great, very well done,
its been alot of work but well worth it.
Its the mutts nuts ! an Old English expression first used by Bill Shakespear !
Simply superb
Some words....
outstanding
inspirational
marvellous
...and finally
Hats off to you Steve you must be one happy man every time you see it, get in it, drive it, get out of it, say goodnight to it.
What they said ^^^^!!
I would insert a we are not worthy smily, but I can't remember how! Excellent work that man, good to see her in the flesh.
Well, thank you mates. Not only for the compliments, but for the support of this community of builders. Those of you that know the complete history of
this car will realize that I started building it around the very time that this forum was created as a spin-off to TOL. This is a scratch built self
design that was built mostly in 1/2 of a two car garage and it was only the mold making and parts pulling that help was hired and a company used to
ensure a good final product.
What I mean to say is that with enough dedication, time and yes, money... this type of thing is possible to accomplish as an amateur.
Now I am turning it into a business. If you are interested in knowing more about that, I would like you to contact me off-list as I am not a
registered trader.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......
that is dammed sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow its stunning!!!!
wow, I want one!!!
I was mid-conversation on the phone to my girlfriend when opening this link.
My genuine reaction was stopping halfway through a sentence with an open-mouthed "wow"!
That is fantastic! 
Sorry Smart 51, you're wrong.... there's the Mclaren F1 LM- that's orange.... and the Mclaren is good in *any* colour!
Cheers,
James
she looks stunning 
I am just glad you shared it with us, well done.
You should be very proud of a fantastic car - is the handling fully sorted now?
[Edited on 30/4/07 by Ivan]
SWEET !
A lot of the little problems I discovered during the run out at Phoenix International Raceway have been solved. The rear suspension was binding at the
bellcranks and basically making the rear so stiff it was virtually a solid axle! That will screw up the handling right? so I fixed that problem and
the binding is gone. The missfire was traced to a grounding problem and the fuel smell under lateral g's was traced to a vent hose that was
siphoning in left turns. Solved. The front suspension has some geometry issues that have solutions but these still need to be implemented. A reduction
in KPI, an increase in castor and camber. We will also reduce tire pressures significantly. All of these changes will be done in steps to understand
what makes improvement.
The brakes are another issue all together. Still very soft. And hard to get any heat into them. New pads first. Then the next cars are already
designed to use Wilwood calipers and rotors. I
haven't been back to the track to retest, but I am really looking forward to that day!
This is Fun!
One reall ynice and enjoyable project to follow...........
An inspiration to many other 'scratch' builders.
Blood, sweat and tears............. well worth every ounce of all 3 i say.
ooooooooowwww real coooool
Ditch
Most excellent car!
You should be very proud!
ATB Fozzie 
Please don't take it around Phoenix International Raceway when the NASCAR boys are there!
[Edited on 1/5/07 by Fozzie]
I take my hat off to you and wish you every success in your business.
It's just stunning.
Paul G
utterly superb, what more can i say!
You deserve all the praise you get for that one - vision, design and execution!
That looks smart, I can nearly taste that paint
That looks the absolute dog's cahoona's.
I must also say good luck in your venture and no doubt that it will be seen in a car mag over here at some stage
ATB and VWD
Bob
FANBLOODYTASTIC Steve, and congrats on the editors choice award.
Those taillights are an inspired detail.
Seeing yours and Kurt's cars looking so good out in the sun really helps me with my motivation....
Cheers
Fred W B
Words fail me. Everything said so far doesnt go far enough. The resultant car is a real credit to you and i hope it makes you a wealthy man.
Wow guys, thank you very much. I do admit that I think it looks great. Now my goal is to get this car, #1 - street legal and #2 back on the track so as to extract all the available performance out of the design. #3 improve the design when required, to increase the performance without compromising greatly on my goal of keeping it affordable. #4 generate enough public awareness of the product to kick start my little grassroots company!
Steve - I take it you are going to get decals on the car with your web address ASAP?
Cheers
Fred W B
[Edited on 2/5/07 by Fred W B]
Now that makes sense... I do believe I will have some made up asap.
thx.
quote:
Originally posted by Fred W B
Steve - I take it you are going to get decals on the car with your web address ASAP?
Cheers
Fred W B
[Edited on 2/5/07 by Fred W B]
Steve, well done! Thats a superb job!
What a fantastic achievement! It's a stunning looking car.
Very nice car, but if it the car were in argentina the name was a problem, in spanish La Bala , that means, Im a homosexual or Im a buterfly.
no shit?!
That's pretty funny.
Oh well... I suppose if I named it something else, another country would find whatever word I came up with to be an insult...
This word game happens all the time:
The word 'Hummer' means to perform something sexual on another person, and 'NoVa' means doesn't go. I read somewhere that
the word Bora meant something, so VW changed it to Jetta... I am sure there are many more.
Rolls Royce Silver Mist was renamed Silver Shadow in Germany (Mist means Sh*t)
Buick LaCrosse was renamed for Canada (LaCrosse means w*nk in Quebec)
Honda Fitta was renamed Jazz in Europe (In Sweden/Norwegian/Denmark Fitta means c*nt)
this thing is amazing good work!