The last time I stopped in to see Ak was in the late 90s. He was very happy with his own daily driver: a '96(IIRC) Ford F150 set up with dual fuel & twin turbos. He loved to tease & embarass the Brand X and imports with it , but really, he had hot rodded just about everything. He was still involved at that time, in propane conversion gear also IIRC.
In the late 70s, Ak undertook a prototype project for the Brazilian government that had him supplying several engines and setting up several of the more popular Brazilian-produced cars with turbocharged alcohol fueling. Alas, they only wanted to pick his brain, not work with him in doing a continuing business with them. They're still committed to sugar cane-based alcohol fueling, much less expensive than corn-based ethanol fuel programs, even after you factor out the cost of labor.
Unlike a lot of chrome & glitter guys, Ak built, refined & drove what he sold. He was always searching for more, and he loved to come up with new stuff to surprise folks. He showed me the first Aussie-headed turbocharged 250" six he'd built. Amazed & stumped, I'd never seen a head like that before. That was probably in 77 or 78, I believe. A great guy who could design and build for performance or economy, or even the best balance of both.
W.O.T., wherever you are, Ak. And thanks, man.
J.R.
SoCal
