- Adam Administrator
There's no doubt that this week's Goblin of the Week turns heads with its striking wrap. It's #364 built by Kevin of Poplar Grove, IL.
What is your name?
Kevin Lock
Where are you located?
Poplar Grove, IL
What is your forum screen name?
Sluggonaut
Please share a link to your build log on the forum.
Sluggonaut's Extended Track #364 - 2007 SS/SC (Turbo) Donor
What is your chassis number?
364
When did you buy your Goblin?
2021
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a married father of 3 boys who are now grown allowing more time for me to pursue my many hobbies. I've worked in IT for over 20 years and my hobbies provide an opportunity to exercise my creativity. One of the things I enjoy most about Goblin ownership is the blank canvas DF created for owners to build something with its own personality. There's nothing better than heading out to the garage to either drive or modify my Goblin after a challenging day at work.
How did you become interested in cars?
Ever since before I could ride a bicycle, I was intrigued by anything on wheels, especially if it had an engine. I was wrenching on and driving go karts in grade school, RC cars by middle school, and eventually cars in high school. I wasn't a master mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but I was handy enough to be dangerous with tools. I always found more joy in modifying perfectly good, working stuff than fixing broken stuff.
What drew you to the Goblin?
I always wanted to build a kit car and in my research I stumbled across the Goblin. I always thought it would be nice to build one some day and when the stars, life, and budget aligned, I bought a kit.
Visit to Goblin HQ:
How does the Goblin fit into your lifestyle?
Weekend Warrior
Tell us about your build. (who did you build it with? where did you build it?)
After visiting Goblin HQ and securing the last kit of 2021, I set out to find a donor. I found one fairly local and then rented a storage unit for donor tear down. My youngest son helped strip the donor in that 10' x 20' stall (no heat/power/air/electric) in December. In northern Illinois.
I was on my own after that, completing the wiring harness in my living room with a wife-imposed Christmas deadline since my wiring table took up the space where the tree was supposed to go. I was originally going to send in my harness but Lonny convinced me I could do it myself and he was right. I received my kit in early February, 2022, and finished the build in my garage by May. I sold off the rest of my donor parts from the storage unit and was able to get the shell hauled off a few weeks before my lease expired. The storage unit rental was probably one of my best build decisions as it allowed for plenty of space for the build in my garage without tripping over unused donor parts.
What, if anything, have you modified on your Goblin that sets it apart from others?
I've seen quite a few Goblins in person and no two are alike, but I didn't make any significant modifications from the kit. Most of my deviations were in the finishing details. As a turbo'd LSJ donor, my kit was a hybrid between the SC and TC offerings, but it's the little things I did on my own like headlights, turn signals, front splitter, custom 3D printed mounts for gauges and boost controller, and choices in powder coating/wrap/wheels/tires that gives each Goblin its own personality.
Do you have any memorable road trips, races or events you've attended in your Goblin?
My most memorable road trip/event was Goblinfest 2022.
Is there a particular aspect of the Goblin—be it the design, performance, or community—that you appreciate the most?
All of the above. The unique design sets it apart form all other kit cars. Growing up I wanted a Cobra like everyone else and while they are beautiful cars they don't make everyone that sees it feel the need to approach you and strike up a conversation. Even people who aren't car people have to know more about the Goblin when they see it. The performance is the best bang for the buck on four wheels. Period. The community is what makes the Goblin a kit car for even the most novice of builders. I didn't get stuck on the things I thought I would and did get stuck on things I never thought would be a problem. For most of those things, I relied heavily on Lonny/Adam and the forum to get me through.
Finally, do you have any future plans for your Goblin—any upcoming modifications, trips, or events?
I am just going to keep enjoying the Goblin experience, which includes constant tinkering and improving the car. I don't have any major plans for the build itself, but I do have a tentative Tail of the Dragon trip for 2024 and hopefully Goblinfest 2024 next Fall.
What is your name?
Kevin Lock
Where are you located?
Poplar Grove, IL
What is your forum screen name?
Sluggonaut
Please share a link to your build log on the forum.
Sluggonaut's Extended Track #364 - 2007 SS/SC (Turbo) Donor
What is your chassis number?
364
When did you buy your Goblin?
2021
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a married father of 3 boys who are now grown allowing more time for me to pursue my many hobbies. I've worked in IT for over 20 years and my hobbies provide an opportunity to exercise my creativity. One of the things I enjoy most about Goblin ownership is the blank canvas DF created for owners to build something with its own personality. There's nothing better than heading out to the garage to either drive or modify my Goblin after a challenging day at work.
How did you become interested in cars?
Ever since before I could ride a bicycle, I was intrigued by anything on wheels, especially if it had an engine. I was wrenching on and driving go karts in grade school, RC cars by middle school, and eventually cars in high school. I wasn't a master mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but I was handy enough to be dangerous with tools. I always found more joy in modifying perfectly good, working stuff than fixing broken stuff.
What drew you to the Goblin?
I always wanted to build a kit car and in my research I stumbled across the Goblin. I always thought it would be nice to build one some day and when the stars, life, and budget aligned, I bought a kit.
Visit to Goblin HQ:
How does the Goblin fit into your lifestyle?
Weekend Warrior
Tell us about your build. (who did you build it with? where did you build it?)
After visiting Goblin HQ and securing the last kit of 2021, I set out to find a donor. I found one fairly local and then rented a storage unit for donor tear down. My youngest son helped strip the donor in that 10' x 20' stall (no heat/power/air/electric) in December. In northern Illinois.
I was on my own after that, completing the wiring harness in my living room with a wife-imposed Christmas deadline since my wiring table took up the space where the tree was supposed to go. I was originally going to send in my harness but Lonny convinced me I could do it myself and he was right. I received my kit in early February, 2022, and finished the build in my garage by May. I sold off the rest of my donor parts from the storage unit and was able to get the shell hauled off a few weeks before my lease expired. The storage unit rental was probably one of my best build decisions as it allowed for plenty of space for the build in my garage without tripping over unused donor parts.
What, if anything, have you modified on your Goblin that sets it apart from others?
I've seen quite a few Goblins in person and no two are alike, but I didn't make any significant modifications from the kit. Most of my deviations were in the finishing details. As a turbo'd LSJ donor, my kit was a hybrid between the SC and TC offerings, but it's the little things I did on my own like headlights, turn signals, front splitter, custom 3D printed mounts for gauges and boost controller, and choices in powder coating/wrap/wheels/tires that gives each Goblin its own personality.
Do you have any memorable road trips, races or events you've attended in your Goblin?
My most memorable road trip/event was Goblinfest 2022.
Is there a particular aspect of the Goblin—be it the design, performance, or community—that you appreciate the most?
All of the above. The unique design sets it apart form all other kit cars. Growing up I wanted a Cobra like everyone else and while they are beautiful cars they don't make everyone that sees it feel the need to approach you and strike up a conversation. Even people who aren't car people have to know more about the Goblin when they see it. The performance is the best bang for the buck on four wheels. Period. The community is what makes the Goblin a kit car for even the most novice of builders. I didn't get stuck on the things I thought I would and did get stuck on things I never thought would be a problem. For most of those things, I relied heavily on Lonny/Adam and the forum to get me through.
Finally, do you have any future plans for your Goblin—any upcoming modifications, trips, or events?
I am just going to keep enjoying the Goblin experience, which includes constant tinkering and improving the car. I don't have any major plans for the build itself, but I do have a tentative Tail of the Dragon trip for 2024 and hopefully Goblinfest 2024 next Fall.
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