John's Dreams

Here are some pictures of dream staff and staff I like.

Anyone willing to offer me a gift,

can select from the list below.

(Click on the small pictures to see larger ones)

Palmtops

Psion Series 5

Click on the image for details.

Not a dream any more

Les Baer Swift Response Pistol

The Ultimate M-1911

This was the pistol that FBI's Hostage Resque Team has selected for their troups. If you have never seen one, check it out in the "M-1911 Models" folder. Similar pistols are produced today, by Springfield Armories. Next one in the list of "I'll get one someday".

Leica M-6

Another life-time dream.

A rangefinder Leica, preferably the M-5, but I would take an M-6 if that is what you want to give me! I came THAT close to buy one (a nice, black one), at Frankfurt Airport, last July, but the price (5.500 DM or around 3,250 US$) would guarantee me a divorse!

Emerson CQC-7 Folder

The Folder

I am in love with this folder! According to experts (and its specs), this one is absolutely the best folder money can buy (and at about 130 US$, it'd better be good). The specs include : Blade Length - 3.3 in., Blade Thickness - .125 in., Handle - 4.65 in., Overall Length - 8.0 in. MATERIALS: Handles - Black G-10 epoxy / glass laminate, Liners - Aerospace grade titanium, Blade - ATS - 34 premium blade steel, Finish - Black - T ™ or satin. If only I could convience myself to spend these money for it! Click here to watch a video showing the drawing of this knife, by an expert.

Not a dream any more

I finally got it. A great folder, I just love it.

Remark : If you do get an Emerson knife and have a problem with it, please do not bother e-mailing them. They do not read their e-mails, so just pick up your phone and call them. Old fashioned methods are preferable some times.

Icom IC-756 HF rig

I need one of these for DXCC.

Well, in reality, I am not that interested in DXCC, but wouldn't all these buttons and the beautiful scope make a welcome addition to your shack? For all those gadget-freaks, here is one of the best toys you can find. As if that wasn't just enough, it has a great receiver too.

Colt Python

The Ultimate Six-Shooter

Even though I am an M-1911 lover, I cannot overpass the beauty and functionality of this revolver. I've tried it some times, and even though it does not fit my hand properly (all revolvers tend to point very high for me), I would certainly love to own one. If only the Greek laws were not that restrictive!

BMW Z3 Roadster

Anyone for a ride in the right seat?

Applications by persons of my own sex are NOT welcome.

BMW M3 Coupe

No, I prefer to drive this one alone.

Too much fun to allow even a female passenger to distract you.

Kahr K40

Nice things come in small packages

A really small pistol, which fires service grade ammunition. This one is customized by Wilson Combat. If only Greek gun laws were more relaxed!

Lancia Stratos

This is a dream from my youth

How many nights I've spend on Peloponese mountains waiting for either Darnishe or "Scirocco" to pass by, in one of these beauties, during the Acropolis Rally. I know a lucky Greek who has one (a bright red one actually), in his garage, but then again this guy is RICH, so he can afford her!

Ferrari F355

The old man's spirit is still alive.

Why would anyone want to buy this car, without the slick gear lever, is beyong my comprehension. Ferrari has lately announced this car, with a special gear-changing mechanism, with buttons on the steering wheel, for boy-racers to feel like Villeneuve!

Browning Hi-Power

Browning's second baby

I would love to own a Browning Hi-Power, especially this Wilson Combat customized gun. Is it the best hi-capacity 9mm? Most probably yes, eventhough it has been designed in the thirties. Note that this one has a sort-of beavertail, to stop biting the shooter's hand.

Ferrari F512

Maybe the slickest Ferrari ever!

I once called this car, the sexiest car on Earth, and my wife could not understand why.

Women!!

Spitfire

The most beautiful airplane

I am sure that you all know the role of this flying machine, during the Big War. However, not only was it a great fighting airplane, it has the most graceful lines, I 've ever seen on an aircraft. A Ferrari of the skies.

Lancia Delta Integrale

Gimme one pleeeeaaaase!

Integrale has won several World Rally Championships during its lifetime. One of the best cars ever produced.

Porsche 911 Carrera S

All at the rear!!

This is one of the few cars produced today, that follows the "all at the rear" design. The weight distribution is such that can lead to some very interesting driving, if your right foot is too anxious. Never the less, it is still one of the best cars around and one I wish I could drive some day.

Porsche Boxster

Top Down

What a slick car! A true Porsche, not exhibiting any of the peculiar characteristics of top-less cars. One of the few Porsches with a name (instead of a model number), with a mid-mounted, 2.5 lt, 200 bhp engine driving its rear wheels, and which can provide more than ample driving pleasure.

Subaru Impreza

OK, I'll settle for this one.

The new King of Special Stages! A very nice car, which is also produced in normal, civilian form by Subaru. Lucky owners (it costs around 43,000 US$ in Greece) can buy it, then drive it to UK, in Prodrive's shop, and have it customized to their specs. Isn't Mr. Colin Mc Rae a lucky guy?

Jeeeeeeeps or 4x4s

Latest Mania

Lately, I've started getting interested in off-road vehicles. After visiting every 4x4 showroom in Athens (well, almost), considering several alternatives, and comparing specifications, I reached my conclusions. From the 4x4s pictured above, Honda CRV is out, as I want a real 4x4, one I can command myself, not a CPU buried under the hood, which decides when the 4x4 will get engaged. The CRV also has no 4x4-Low gears, which is something I would like on a 4x4. The Land Rover, does not have enough room for my needs, since the British factory is no longer producing the Long-Bed variation. The Discovery looks nice, but I've heard that it has presented a lot of problems. Additionally, the 2 lt engine is not powerfull enough for the weight of the car. The last two alternatives are the Cherokee and the Musso. Both have the room I need, both are real 4x4s (with low gears and LSD's) , both are fully equipped (with more gizzmos than I need) and both cost about the same. Cherokee has for it, that it is tried and proven, but against it, its dashboard which is totally outdated, reminding of some American cars of the 50s (it has been fixed in the latest model, which is just imported in Greece). It is also of unibody construction, which is not the best idea for a 4x4. Musso is luxurious on the inside (not necessarily a good thing for a 4x4), but Daewoo which now owns SangYong is having lots of troubles, so I am not sure if it is worth investing in a car, which might not have any support in a couple of years. People who have tried it, have only good words for it.

Since my budget is still not enough to cover one of these two, I am considering (more and more) the smallest class, of CRV or Toyota RAV4. In this category, another contender, has just arrived in Greece. It is the Subaru Forester, with a 2 lt engine (about 125 bhp), permanent 4x4 transmission with 4x4-Low gears, reasonably priced, but a bit small ground clearence (around 19 cm). Given the experience of Subaru in 4x4 transmission, this might be a very capable adversary to the RAV4 and CRV. In this category, it looks that the RAV4 is still the king, with the four wheels placed at the corners of the car, and ample ride height. The trunk however, is kind of small for Dushka, even in the long, 5-door model. The Subaru is not as capable as the RAV4, but has much more trunk space. OK, the only remaining thing is the check. If only I could win the local lottery! Then I'll have a hard time selecting between the Musso and the Forester!

October 1999

OK, some late thoughts. RAV, CRV etc are far from being 4x4's. They might be OK for the trip to the local mall, but leave a lot to be desired in the real, unpaved road driving. Subaru is a bit better, but still not the best solution (by the way, there is a company manufacturing suspension lifts for the Subaru, so its small ground clearence is not a serious problem).

But if we are talking about real 4x4s, well, I finally know which 4x4 is my dream. I've first seen it, while driving to the office one day, parked outside the showroom of a local dealer. BIG, sitting squarely on its fat tires, 22 cm above the ground, in a dark metallic green color. Look at her!

I went and see it from up close. I was amazed. The specs are as below:

Sitting in it, is an experience. Very roomy, both front and rear. The cargo area is enough for Dushka (my Siberian Husky) to roam around at will. The rear door opens in two parts, so getting things in and out is a snap. The 4x4 capabilities are excellent. Driving it is a pleasure, with a high command post, ovelooking other cars. Opel has an excellent reliability record. What more could one wish? Well, a more suitable to my income price. But then this baby would not be in the ... dreams page. I am saving for one, but do not hold your breath until it gets the "Not a dream anymore" sticker!

March 2000

Not a dream any more.

Final update on this. I just purchased my 4x4. What did I get? Well, the Frontera was the top choice, but it costed nearly 10,000$ more than I could afford. So the winner is the :

Daewoo Musso

A new page was started, where you can read my experiences with the car, although it shouldn't be of great interest to American visitors, since it is not imported (yet) in USA. I am a happy rock crawler!

Just as a reminder that people never stop dreaming, click on the small picture below, to see what the ideal rock crawler looks like. I would love to have such a rig one day. Look at the height of this baby, look at how tall she sits above the ground! Look at that front bumper with the integrated winch mount. The only thing I would change on this rig, is the tires, I have a special thing for BFG Mud Terrains.

Sony PlayStation

For the kid in us all

Well, this is not a dream per se, in the sense that it is well within my budget, however, spending all my money on guns, always leave my budget with one serious deficit. Some day though! Sony's game machine might not have the nice 3d graphs of Nintendo, but then it has a very nice software (compared to Super Mario), dealing with racing and rallying, which makes it too attractive for me. If at some time, I start neglecting the M-1911 Pistols Page, it would mean that I've bought one and that I am spending all my time playing with it (or that I got some new software for my Psion).

Not a dream any more

During a trip to UK, I got one from Dixxons at Heathrow. Would you believe it, I have never played with the damn thing after one whole year? I can't say the same for my son though.

Gerber's Applegate-Fairbairn Knife

Leatherman tool

I have one of those tools and I love it. It has all the necessary bids, to cover almost all your needs. There are only two wishes I have on this. One, I would wish the blades lock in place. I know there are other similar tools that do lock, so I think a Gerber one would be my next purchase. Second, why can't they incorporate an M-1911 Barrel bushing wrench in one of these tools? I would buy it the next day.

Not a dream any more

In March 1999, I got a Leatherman, and in August 1999, I updated it to the Wave. The perfect all around multi-tool!

Sure Fire 6Z

Not a dream any more

In August 1999, I finally ordered one of them from Wilson Combat. The light it produces is unbelieveable. Much more powerfull than my old Maglite, and way more smaller and lighter! Perfect!