- Adam Administrator
This week's Goblin of the Week was a father-son project. Jonathan and Daniel from Hunstville, AL built it together and have enjoyed driving it whenever and wherever they can.
What is your name?
Jonathan
Where are you located?
Huntsville, AL
What is your forum screen name?
Robinjo
Please share a link to your build log on the forum.
Robinjo #405 Full Cage - 2006 SS/SC Build "Drago"
What is your chassis number?
405
When did you buy your Goblin?
2021
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a Quality Manager at Mazda North American Operations for the CX-50. Grew up in and around north Alabama. I possess a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering. Married with two children, 13 and 6 (as of now). I've loved automobiles for as long as I can remember, so building a car in my garage has always been a dream.
How did you become interested in cars?
Just always have been. As a kid playing with Matchbox cars, racing RC cars or building models. My first vehicle was a 1985 Ranger that I proceeded to blow the engine on. After fixing that up and driving I moved into Honda's and that's where the modification bug really got me. I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together just to see how it all worked out. That was 1999 and I've always had something to tinker with.
What drew you to the Goblin?
I watched a video on Donut Media about kit cars and the Goblin was in it. It drew me to other build videos at which point my wife asked 'would you and your son want to build that?' Of course the answer was 'YES'.
I also read a bunch on the forum and saw how much information was available and how extremely helpful ever was, so knew my son and I could get it. The only part that had me nervous was wiring harness which wasn't that bad looking back.
How does the Goblin fit into your lifestyle?
Daily driver and weekend warrior.
Tell us about your build. (who did you build it with? where did you build it?)
My son Daniel and I built this in our garage. I'm hoping it sparks his mechanical fires. He already loves building models and Kiki Co kits.
What, if anything, have you modified on your Goblin that sets it apart from others?
Just minor things. Front splitter, custom floor matts from an old Paw Patrol playmat, front grill among other smaller things. Most of my add on items have been things others have already worked out. I'm not great with CAD but working on it. I'm a bit envious of the members who can design and weld in all these fantastic bars or parts.
To be fair, even though all the Goblin are essentially the same no two are identical. All the little tweaks or items we choose set them apart. Wheels, wraps, rear wing, splitter and all just make each one unique.
Do you have any memorable road trips, races or events you've attended in your Goblin?
Goblinfest 2023! Also, we take it various places when we can. Smokey Mountains, local events, when we visit relatives. Anywhere we can take it and drive it, we're up for it. My first Autocross in February was an adventure! It was 30 degrees (F) that day and I spent more time spinning than going straight. Apparently worn out 200 TW Conti Extreme tires, cold pavement and too hard of rear damper settings makes for an easy to spin vehicle.
Is there a particular aspect of the Goblin—be it the design, performance, or community—that you appreciate the most?
Community has to be #1. The forum members are always there to help, not matter how mad you get about something. DF also is great! They always come through with help when needed. The performance is mind bending. My kit handles extremely well and accelerates like nothing I've been in or on. Lastly, it's a head turner. At car meets there can be high end exotics and people gravitate towards Drago. It did take a bit getting used to having photos or videos taken every time I drive it.
Finally, do you have any future plans for your Goblin—any upcoming modifications, trips, or events?
I feel like these things are never fully 'done'. We'll tinker with the vehicle and possible go to a smaller SC pulley at some point. Engine out to replace the timing set and just miscellaneous items in the near future. I do need to pull the transmission and install our freshly rebuilt LSD transmission and re-solder the harness. Plus, just enjoying it on the road! As a builder/owner I forget that many people have never seen anything like this so I really enjoy the looks you get. We're already planning on Goblinfest 2024, too.
What is your name?
Jonathan
Where are you located?
Huntsville, AL
What is your forum screen name?
Robinjo
Please share a link to your build log on the forum.
Robinjo #405 Full Cage - 2006 SS/SC Build "Drago"
What is your chassis number?
405
When did you buy your Goblin?
2021
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a Quality Manager at Mazda North American Operations for the CX-50. Grew up in and around north Alabama. I possess a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering. Married with two children, 13 and 6 (as of now). I've loved automobiles for as long as I can remember, so building a car in my garage has always been a dream.
How did you become interested in cars?
Just always have been. As a kid playing with Matchbox cars, racing RC cars or building models. My first vehicle was a 1985 Ranger that I proceeded to blow the engine on. After fixing that up and driving I moved into Honda's and that's where the modification bug really got me. I enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together just to see how it all worked out. That was 1999 and I've always had something to tinker with.
What drew you to the Goblin?
I watched a video on Donut Media about kit cars and the Goblin was in it. It drew me to other build videos at which point my wife asked 'would you and your son want to build that?' Of course the answer was 'YES'.
I also read a bunch on the forum and saw how much information was available and how extremely helpful ever was, so knew my son and I could get it. The only part that had me nervous was wiring harness which wasn't that bad looking back.
How does the Goblin fit into your lifestyle?
Daily driver and weekend warrior.
Tell us about your build. (who did you build it with? where did you build it?)
My son Daniel and I built this in our garage. I'm hoping it sparks his mechanical fires. He already loves building models and Kiki Co kits.
What, if anything, have you modified on your Goblin that sets it apart from others?
Just minor things. Front splitter, custom floor matts from an old Paw Patrol playmat, front grill among other smaller things. Most of my add on items have been things others have already worked out. I'm not great with CAD but working on it. I'm a bit envious of the members who can design and weld in all these fantastic bars or parts.
To be fair, even though all the Goblin are essentially the same no two are identical. All the little tweaks or items we choose set them apart. Wheels, wraps, rear wing, splitter and all just make each one unique.
Do you have any memorable road trips, races or events you've attended in your Goblin?
Goblinfest 2023! Also, we take it various places when we can. Smokey Mountains, local events, when we visit relatives. Anywhere we can take it and drive it, we're up for it. My first Autocross in February was an adventure! It was 30 degrees (F) that day and I spent more time spinning than going straight. Apparently worn out 200 TW Conti Extreme tires, cold pavement and too hard of rear damper settings makes for an easy to spin vehicle.
Is there a particular aspect of the Goblin—be it the design, performance, or community—that you appreciate the most?
Community has to be #1. The forum members are always there to help, not matter how mad you get about something. DF also is great! They always come through with help when needed. The performance is mind bending. My kit handles extremely well and accelerates like nothing I've been in or on. Lastly, it's a head turner. At car meets there can be high end exotics and people gravitate towards Drago. It did take a bit getting used to having photos or videos taken every time I drive it.
Finally, do you have any future plans for your Goblin—any upcoming modifications, trips, or events?
I feel like these things are never fully 'done'. We'll tinker with the vehicle and possible go to a smaller SC pulley at some point. Engine out to replace the timing set and just miscellaneous items in the near future. I do need to pull the transmission and install our freshly rebuilt LSD transmission and re-solder the harness. Plus, just enjoying it on the road! As a builder/owner I forget that many people have never seen anything like this so I really enjoy the looks you get. We're already planning on Goblinfest 2024, too.
Now you'll have to think about that next project with your younger child - maybe Goblin #2?
