As Justin was kind enough to explain, real life obligations have continued to interfere. Unlike the last cycle, though, it's been Volvo projects that have kept me from updating the site -- from March through December, all my spare time went to 1) working on our Amazon restoration, and 2) building the MPPE motor project.

Quick status update:

Amazon exterior needs only a set of good bumpers. The ones I have are not up to the level of the rest of the car. Interior needs completion of the carpet installation, headliner, windlace, dashpad. Transmission is ready (not the one that came out), B20E still needs painting, D-jet components need sorting through and wiring harness rebuilt. The car is outside with a cover over it, and weather forced a stop to work in October.

MPPE motor is past the break-in phase, as is the driver (equally important). It's down for a few days for tuning revisions; will be up again by the end of the week. It's not just the motor that changed -- new ignition, new fuel system, new intake system, new exhaust system, electric radiator fan, Autometer tach, different tranny, progressive springs, urethane bushings, rebuilt the brakes... That was my spare time for October through January.

Along the way, last August we flew back east and drove the flame-painted 245 back home - interesting trip which went without a hitch.

Current project is non-Volvo -- we bought land in a forest four hours from where we live, and we're putting up a house. Well, I'm not, but contractors are. We're still in the midst of organizing all that. Once that settles down, I expect to have time to do a new issue of VClassics. For now, all I can do is service the classifieds.

We'll be back. There's no lack of stuff to write up, that's for sure.