A BITTER SWEET GOODBYE...
October 12, 2010; the day I started my *PowerPlentySR20* album on Facebook that would show the build process from beginning to end for what has been dubbed, 'The Ljuba-ru'.
That's her!...nope...not the clean one, but the multi-colored, tonka-truck rivaling one in the back! The build process for this car was long, grueling, and impacted my pockets heavily, but in the end I learned a great deal and can now carry the knowledge onto my other car builds.
Many of you only know the Ljuba-ru to have a Ford 302 under the hood, but it actually started off with a SR20DET swap. The dented SR20 oil pan was overlooked (by me), and would result in me starving the head of oil on the initial startup. This was the straw that broke the camel's back, and would lead me to purchasing the V8.
Once the SR20 was out, big adjustments had to be made to get that V8 in. The biggest change was cutting the firewall and building the transmission tunnel. (all fabrication and install work was done by my good friend Crick Filippi). After it was in and running; I wanted Crick, who has 6+ years competitive driving experience to test the car out at Sonoma Raceway. The car handled flawlessly through the 4hr abusive testing.
Time to hit the street! With the car functioning as it should it was time to enjoy it. I drove the car for a couple years on the street; to car shows, meets, and to work occasionally. It was a blast to drive and I couldn't get enough (thumbs up) from people on the road. I wanted to close the chapter of this car in a big way, that is when I approached Super Street magazine. After back and forth emails, scheduling with a photographer (Patrick Lauder), and the patient waiting game...it finally came to fruition! I couldn't be more proud and appreciative to those who made this build possible.
On 3/1/18 the Ljuba-ru would be officially sold on eBay to a buyer in Texas. At first I thought it would be easy to load it up and see her go onto another owner, but I'll be honest...it wasn't.
The last view I'd see out of this windshield.
I will miss this car dearly, but I know the choice I made was for the better as my desire to drift is no more. The money gained from this car will be dispersed and help my girlfriend and I purchase our first home and also give me a little jump start on my Datsun 510 project, which can be viewed in my blog as well.