The Lone Wolf
(If you just want the car stuff, scroll down a little ways)
Name: James Carhard
Age: 26
Car: Modified 1968 AEA Barracuda GT
Born in the middle of the United States, James grew up perpetually bored. And his boredom lead to mischief and petty theft. This got him in trouble often, and he learned street smarts quite quickly. By 12, he had more street smarts than most 30 something adults, and it was around this time his family moved to a quiet farming community, 20 minutes away from the large cities. His Father had to move away from the cities due to the divorce with his wife, and due to James’ own troubled ways.
This amplified James’ boredom, and mischievous ways, until he met the local teen daredevils. Motor bikes and dirt track racing satisfied James’ boredom for a few years.
One day in 1985, James’ Father was driving the family sedan, running some errands on the outside skirts of town with James. James recognized that part of town, asking why they needed to be there. He never got an answer, as a stray bullet from a Drive-By shooting went through the driver window, striking his father in the jugular. His father slumped down, James covered in the splatter. His Father left his inheritance, or what was left of it, to James, and that included Grandpa Mack’s 2 classic cars. One of those cars was a beat-up 1968 Barracuda GT.
From there James had to move in with an uncle, an uncle with contacts. His uncle saw the potential to use James as a driver for, well… deliveries.
Once James turned 18, he left, chasing an ever growing adrenaline rush… And a slowly growing bitter anger toward the people responsible for his father’s death.
In March of 1988, James found the gang responsible for the stray bullet that killed his father. He basically stalked the 2 remaining gang members who were left from the drive-by shooting. And he did it using the Barracuda GT in it’s tired, unrestored state. In the end, he used the Barracuda to run the 2 gang members off the road, killing them while heavily damaging the car.
His Uncle caught wind of James’ exploits, and persuaded him to come back and work for him. James had very little say in the matter. His uncle asked about James’ vehicles, and upon hearing about the damage done to the Barracuda, his uncle proposed restoring the Other Car James had inherited way back when.
1993
James’ wild streak has grown. His Adrenaline Exploits have made him infamous among the general public. But that’s part of his cover for his, er… delivery business among other things. And the “underground scene” is heating up rapidly, too rapidly even for James. So he starts banking on his “reckless driving” as the papers are putting it. More illegal street racing, more wild cop chases, and more merchandise heists. To keep up the appearances, he starts working on the Barracuda again, rebuilding it for “safety” reasons to keep up with the current influx of what would be known later as tuners.
The Great Automation Run
Wanting to expand his reputation, James heard about the GAR, and decided that’s exactly what he’s been craving. And with it taking place in Europe, it was a perfect opportunity.
The Car: 1968 AEA Barracuda GT
Starting with a well abused Barracuda inherited from his Father, James stripped it down for a full restoration.
Rebuilt front-end with slightly better springs and shocks, Stiffer sway bars
Bigger, vented brakes on all 4 corners with modern, sticky, wide rubber.
A rare set of Magnesium rims he won in some illegal drag race.
James stripped the rear seats from the interior to make room for “packages” and 2 spare tires for this race.
He got a cassette player too.
The engine is a fully rebuilt AEA big block 455ci V8 with a healthy cam and twin 4bbl carbs.
For the GAR, James decided to increase the timing slightly, and tuned the carbs a little leaner so he could get at least a little fuel economy (don’t mind the engine still makes 1hp per cubic inch)
Also has full length exhaust headers running into a 2.5" dual exhaust system with glasspacks.
And all James changed about the body work was some slightly larger fender flares to fit the meaty tires.
Now James is ready to race, itching for the adrenaline rush ahead.