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More Assembly Required
Some automobile enthusiasts love stylish imports. Other drivers demand domestic models. Auto expert Edward Jacod (B.S. '65) doesn't quite fit either category.
Rather than buy a car off the assembly line, Jacod prefers to modify older models to his personal liking. "I can't find cars built to my personal specifications," says Jacod. "I like four-door sedans with large engines, manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive. The BMW 540i is the only car that approaches those specifications in the U.S. but my wife already drives that model. Besides, I like an even bigger engine and some other special modifications."
Eager to create a car that was just right for him, Jacod gathered chassis parts for Chevy Chevelles manufactured from 1968 through 1972. After completing the chassis, he added an independent suspension from a late-model Corvette, a racing engine, a customized exhaust system, cruise control and a six-disc CD changer in the dashboard.
The car even has a laptop-programmable fuel-injection system.
Still, Jacod admits that he's a bit of "an antique" when it comes to technology. "I don't even have an e-mail address and I'm not computer literate," he says with a hint of defiant pride. "But I am machine-literate and I've always been around cars. I started playing under the hood in the 1950s and really started to explore customization and fabrication methods in the late 1980s."
These days, Jacod is director of manufacturing at Ronco Machine and Rigging, located northwest of Scranton, Pa. He oversees manufacturing plans in Pennsylvania, Florida and Brazil. If you ever need to track him down, just look for the customized car in Ronco's parking lot or look him up in the phone book.
Just don't try to reach him on the Net.
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