Subj: A Miled Makeover
Date: 1/5/01

Happy New Year!!

A recap of recent events:

Miled has been coming to my house for social events and NSX makeovers. The last get together involved my son's Civil Air Patrol (CAP) banquet. Now to back track a little bit. Miled, as you may have seen or heard, is in the process of Japanizing (I also make up words in Scrabble) his NSX. This part of an NSX makeover involves ridding those unwanted Acura emblems and replacing them with "H" emblems. To date, I have..........excuse me Miled. We have......, changed at least 4 areas of his car. I think we should have a contest at our next get together. It would be like the section in the newspaper comic section that wants you to find the differences between the two pictures. Some changes are obvious. While others, only the true purist would be able to spot. The changes he makes are usually not performance upgrades, but visual upgrades using OEM parts. OEM does not mean Original Equipment Parts that were installed on a 91 NSX Coupe, but Original NSX Equipment Parts from various years and models (American and Japanese) installed on his 91 NSX Coupe. I am even making up a new VIN number for Miled's NSX. Instead of starting with a "J" it will start with a "P" (Obviously the "P" stands for, assembled in Pennsylvania).
Now back to the social event. Miled has been a good friend and has shown support not just to me, but also to my son. When he heard that Craig would be receiving awards for his achievements at CAP, he took time off in the middle of the week to attend the banquet. Not only did he arrive, but he also arrived ahead of schedule. How many of you out there in cyber land can say, "When Miled and I set a time to meet, he arrived ahead of schedule." Huh?, Huh? We also arrived at the banquet before it started!! What do you think of that!
While at the banquet, the MC had a few words to say before we ate. Then he chose which set of tables would start first. It wasn't ours. Miled is starting to get powerful hungry. As you know, this boy can hoof down the vittles. I tried to tied him over with the chips on the table. This did not quell his animalistic instinct. With the focus of a tiger stalking his pray, he only moved his head when someone blocked his view of the buffet table. As beads of sweat were about to break out of his forehead, it was our turn to go. I knew I would have to be in front of him (no matter how dangerous that might be) if I expected to have anything to eat. For like a tornado, there would be nothing left in the path of destruction. Miled put his plate on the table and went back for drinks and other fixens. The other people at the table were staring at his plate like a deer in headlights. I said, "Whatdaya think? Want to take bets whether he can eat it all?" (no movements from their heads) But I guess Miled and I seem closer than we are. One of Craig's friends came over and told him that someone had asked her if Craig's dad was gay. Sorry Miled, guess they thought I should have brought a female guest........or do you mind going out in drag? :-))
Miled has been very appreciative of the work I've done for him on his NSX. Sure the price is right, but the price isn't the reason why he comes down. I know that; because of the amount of money he spends to get his NSX to look the way he wants. Miled is particular how he wants things accomplished. When at a dealer, he may ask questions, but there is that intimidation factor. You know, don't question what we are doing, we were trained at the factory (of course we don't do it that way any more). I've observed Miled in some situations where you can tell he wants to say something, but he is too polite to speak what is on his mind (but a man has his limits: refer to "Massacre at Miled's Car"). He does not have that reservedness with me; which is good. If something is not to his liking, he will say so without fear of being impolite nor am I offended by his comment. We examine the situation and try to correct the fault. If it cannot be corrected, he is satisfied in that we tried versus being told; don't worry about it. I think he appreciates my effort. One fringe benefit of working on Miled's car is that he gives me the removed parts as a thank you. I am going to make an area in my garage for the reconstruction of a project I call "Miled II" This is where I lay out parts removed from his car, in the same fashion that is done after an aircraft accident, so that I can see what parts are missing from what otherwise would be a complete car. You would be surprised how far along I am to having another NSX.
Now, back to the back track. One of the parts that Miled has bought is more cherished than the others. Several weeks ago he ordered said part from Tracy T. The part came in and Miled needed it shipped overnight so as to arrive in time for his trek to my place to have it installed. Through no fault of Tracy, the part was mistakenly shipped regular ground. Needless to say, it didn't arrive in time to be installed. Miled was very upset because there was a small window of opportunity to complete the mission before I was off on another military evaluation. As days pass, emotional healing takes place, the part arrives, and now all there is to do is wait for the next window of opportunity. This window coincides with Craig's CAP event that is mentioned above. After the banquet, Miled went upstairs with a full belly, a smile, and went to sleep while visions of OEM parts danced in his head. Now the rest of the poem has no bearing to this situation what so ever. For it doesn't make any difference whether the clatter is out on the roof or from me walking upstairs. Miled doesn't spring from his bed for anything......period. I knocked on his door, gave him a shake, and gave him the infamous question. "Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?" (he requested the good news) "I didn't break anything," was my reply. "What is the bad news?" was his request. "Your cherished part won't fit." As noted, Miled doesn't spring out of bed, but he was downstairs faster than normal. I placed said parts next to the ones to be replaced and explained what was different. This prompted a call to Tracy to explain the dilemma. Tracy faxed us copies from his parts manual so that we could see what he was seeing, and then talk intelligently. As I explained the situation to Tracy, I looked over at Miled and started to laugh. I said, "Tracy, to bad you couldn't see this, but, do you know what's worse than not having the parts you need; having the parts you need and they won't fit!" What I was referring to was the most pitiful sight I had seen in a long time. There was Miled sitting on the floor, staring at the beloved part that had taken so long to arrive. The expression on his face was that of a kid who had just got the toy he had always wanted, and his parents forgot to get batteries (talk about depression! But please, no sympathy cards). We concluded that even though there was no difference in the part pictures between an early/late model NSX, the fact of the matter was, there is. We told Tracy we would get back to him, and called Mark B. Mark had made this conversion before, but Miled did not want to use this method as his first option. There are two others. We will use one of them. By keeping the options a secret, it will add to the, "Find the differences" contest.
Until next time,
Larry G.