For many years, while sat in front of the TV on a Saturday afternoon, something invaded my life. That something of course was a car, a black sleek slightly sarcastic, back talking car, a car so mighty, it was only ever referred to with a four letter name, K.I.T.T.
The seeds were sewn, I knew I loved that car, but I didn't know what it was. Another push in the right direction came in the form of a toy car, not just any toy car, but the coolest toy car in the world, it was red and silver, sleek like kit, but a little different front and rear. Under the belly of the car was a battery, and when you switched it on, the head and tail lights lit up. I still didn't know what it was, but I knew it was cool, and as I proudly told everyone, "I'm going to have one of these when I grow up!"
Fast forward about 15 years, to me, aged 23. I am at this time a proud owner of an Oldsmobile Cutlass, a car I loved to bits, however, I was also now aware that the car I drooled over all those years ago was a Chevrolet Camaro third gen.
The Thirdgen was firmly etched into my mind as a car I wanted, and wanted badly, but they were just too expensive. Then fate threw a curve ball.
One sunny September morning, I decided that I'd leave the daily driver at home, and take the Cutlass to work. On the way there, I realised something was wrong, the Cutlass was running on 7 cylinders.
Many attempts were made to rectify the situation, but after replacing the coil, spark plugs, HT leads, rotor arm, Distributor cap, and many other ignition related parts, the misfire remained. I was finally able to identify he misfire was on no7 cylinder, and seemed to defy all attempts to rectify.
At this point, I decided that as the small block in the cutlass had over 250 000 miles on it, and there was a possibility that the misfire was due to a burned or dropped valve, the time had come for a new engine.
Realising a Goodwrench crate engine was going to need a fresh trans behind it, I priced up all the parts needed, and found that I was looking at spending £2000
After a quick discussion with the bank manager, a trip to Dave Eady was on the cards. When I arrived there, and asked about the engine, I was told that due to the September 11th tragedy there was very little in the way of container freight coming 'across the pond'
This was a problem, but one that was about to present itself with a very agreeable solution.
Several times before, I had been spotted drooling over the thirdgens in Eadys' and had mentioned to Rod about the possibility of selling the Cutlass, and buying a V6 thirdgen Camaro, and just having the one car, rather than a V8 toy and a Daily driver.
On the forecourt at Eady's, there was a rather sorry looking thirdgen Camaro, all flat paint and green scuz in the rubbers.
Rod pointed it out to me, and started the beast up. It was at this point that I realised just how knackered the Oldsmobile's small block was, the Camaro ran utterly silently!
One quick test drive later, and I was in the Volvo and heading for the bank! I returned about two hours later with a carrier bag of money (yes, really, that's how the bank gave it to me!) and drove away in my dream, a V8 thirdgen Camaro.
 Many hours of buffing and cleaning ensued, and the car shone like a new pin, under the thin veil of neglect sat a great car. Now, nearly three years into the ownership experience, I can honestly say its been the best car I have ever owned, very little has gone wrong, and 34 000 miles later (now 124 000) the engine is still silent, and running strong and smooth.
Am I pleased with my car? Absolutely, I couldn't be happier. Do I plan to sell it? No, absolutely not, the only thing I'd want to replace it with at the moment would be another thirdgen, but why risk buying something I don't know, that potentially could be trouble.
Better the devil you know... Phil Harrison
Philoldsmobile (AACI Forum name)
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