November « 2006 « southern california X1/9

Monthly Archives: November 2006

Mr. Ross Perot

Posted on November 29, 2006 by rmmj

Ok, this has absolutely NOTHING to do with X1/9′s but I met Mr. Ross Perot today. I’m working on a project in conjunction with Perot Systems and this week I flew to Plano, Texas to the headquarters of Perot to participate in the first round of integrated testing of the new system. I was told that Mr. Perot eats lunch with the rest of the employees in the cafeteria, but saw it first hand when I sat across from his table during lunch yesterday. Today, I was able to catch up with in the corridor as he was walking back to his office from lunch as asked if we may have a photo together. He was more than happy to. Afterwards, we shook hands and parted ways.

Mr. Perot is currently ranked 57 on Forbes Richest Americans at $4.3B. After meeting him in person, you wouldn’t know it. He’s a really nice, talkative gentleman.

Categories: BS, Fiat

Las Vegas Italian Auto Club Meet

Posted on November 25, 2006 by rmmj

No comments

Met with the fine people who make up the Las Vegas Italian Auto Club. The club meets regularly on the last Saturday of each month for lunch and sometimes a drive. Greg’s X1/9 was under repair so he rode shotgun with me so he was able to partake. We would find out later that evening that his car was only 15 minutes from completion tho….But in our haste to check out this club, those repairs were not made until then. No worries….we were well received upon arrival and welcomed warmly by the group.

Ray from Albuquerque, New Mexico was also in town and had his 1987 Shelby Lancer with him:

After lunch, our afternoon cruise took us to Pioneer Saloon…and old Wild Wild West bar out in the southwest edge of Las Vegas.

Categories: Fiat, Gatherings

Relocated

Posted on November 15, 2006 by rmmj

No comments

The FIAT (and myself) is now relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. It has so far made 2 trouble-free treks to Orange County and back. I’ve found a local car club; theÂ Las Vegas Italian Auto Club. I’ve summoned Greg Silver about their existence and we’re going to check them out on the 25th at their regularly scheduled meeting at Bootlegger Restaurant on The Strip.

Categories: BS, Fiat, Trip Report

Trip Report – LV to OC

Posted on November 15, 2006 by rmmj

No comments

I’m begining to love this commute, Las Vegas to OC. This is the perfect time of the year to do it in the X1/9 with the top down as well. With desert temps in the 70′s and 80′s, it’s mandatory to go top down with sunscreen. Last Friday I drove back in to OC. Unfortunately, southbound interstate 15 was shut down at the Cajon Pass and there I sat for 2 hours until I inched all the way up from Victorville to Route 138. Initially I was worried about overheating of course, but the cooling system performed up to par never causing concern. Finally reaching route 138, had to detour up to Palmdale, passed Tony’s in Santa Clarita down the 14, then hooking up to the 405 crusing down to OC. Tony, before you get mad…you should see a missed call from me on Friday! Was looking for alternate routes when I saw the freeway closure signs. All-in-all 403 miles, 16.5 gallons…guessing around 24-25mpg? I’m happy and I gather my X is too, now finally being driven regularly again. Mind you – I’m not amazed at the superb reliability I’m experiencing, just happy with the amazing ride itself!