Parking Lot Spotlight – 1967 Pontiac Bonneville!!

I haven’t written a Parking Lot Spotlight (#ParkingLotSpotlight) in a while, but this beautiful Bonneville was worth breaking the dry spell for.

Spotted this beauty just today as I had to run back to the grocery store because there are days, although armed with a list, things just don’t make in the shopping cart.  This particular return trip paid off.

The ’67 Pontiac lineup these days are pretty much dominated, at least in the collector world, by the Firebird, GTO, Tempest, LaMans, Gran Prix but I love the other two door offerings you could find in the showrooms.   These include some awesome cars with long, low lines, roomy interiors and massive trunks.  They came in hard and soft tops as well.  Some of those sported model names like Executive series which in NO-WAY looked like a stuffy exec car.  These were muscular and sporting.  Cars like the  Catalina 2+2 with (eight lug wheels) and the Pontiac Executive are exceptional looking cars and powered with V8s and 4bbl carbs.

I have always coveted the Bonneville models of the mid-1960, they remind me of my first car, 1966 Impala.  Same long lines  and big interiors and I loved the dash and instrument setup.

So check out this beauty:

Great looking paint - not original but beautiful

Great looking paint – not original but beautiful

1967PontiacBonne-2

These are the lines I’m talking about. Long and low….AWESOME.

1967PontiacBonne-7

HUGE trunk!!! Love those inset taillights and how the bumper is incorporated into the design of the rear end.

1967PontiacBonne-8

Long and sleek belt lines and the white-painted top does this car justice!!

1967PontiacBonne-9

Over/Under headlights with the bottom set incorporated in to a beautiful distinctive chrome bumper.  (One drawback of having to manage a good pic in a crowded parking lot – I couldn’t get the perfect front end shot.)

That year the Bonneville came in a 2 door hard top like this beauty as well as 4 door sedan, 2 door convertible and even a station wagon.   Engines available were the 230 CID in various configurations as well as the 326 CID and the 400 CID engine and the 428 CID  all as options.  Sychromesh or Turbo-Hydromatic transmission were available.  There were 96,708 passenger Bonnevilles produced.  Of interest was that 483 Bonnevilles were sold to car converters and at least one of those turned up as the car that the fictitious (at the time) band the “Monkees” tooled around on the television show of the same name.  Oh, you might have heard of the guy that bought at least one of the Bonnevilles and turned it into the this cool car – George Barris!!

MonkeeMobile

MonkeeMobile

According to the for sales sign this Bonneville is powered by the 400 CID topped with a 4bbl carb which would put this between 333 HP and 350 HP.  The transmission is the 400 Turbo-Hydromatic.

I love the interior  of this factory air car!!!

1967PontiacBonne-4

Love the linear gauges!! Is that a factory 8 Track!?!?!!! Come on that is SO COOL!!!!  Options list I found doesn’t show this as an option.

1967PontiacBonne-6

Cloth seats and look at all the room!!! Love the large center speaker and it has the front bench seats with the pull down arm rest. It looks as it should!!!

 

Of course I’m at the grocery store and no time to hang around and wait for the owner to show up.

As a side note I don’t know this car nor the owner.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

I don't really need a Lambo....but.....

 

Auto Factoids for the Week of Aug. 28, 2016 – Goodyear, Porsche

Here are your Auto Factoid for this last week of August 2016.

 

Aug 29 1898  Goodyear Tire & Rubber incorporated – With a capital stock of $100,000 and 13 employees, they began November 21, 1898, with a product line of bicycle and carriage tires, horseshoe pads, and poker chips.

First Goodyear Factory

First Goodyear Factory

 

Aug 29 1876 Charles Kettering Born Dayton, Ohio 1876 – Kettering founded Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) (which started in a barn) and later became head of research for GM (1920-1947)

Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, or Delco.

Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, or Delco.

 

Sept 2 1893  Frank Duryea car driven  – it wasn’t much just the typical ‘run-a-bout’ and I think kudos goes to Frank’s brother Charles as well 

1994 Duryea

1994 Duryea

Sept 3 1895  Duryea Motor Co.  incorporates –  Almost two years to the very day of the first drive, Duryea Motor Co. becomes a reality.  They produced some beautiful cars like:

This is the Model C Touring car. Production continued until 1927.

This is the Model C Touring car. Production continued until 1927.

Sept 3 1875 Ferdinand Porsche born  Mafferdorf, Bohemia – You may have heard of Freddy (as his Mom called him) Porsche, if not you know his cars:

 

Oh..BTW...it's a Hybrid!!

Oh..BTW…it’s a Hybrid!!

1976

1976

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

It was a 3 act comedy and had 344… View On WordPress. Tagged: AutoFactoids Auto HistoryAuto RestorationAutoBlog · 21st August 2016 · Video with 1 note …

They Made How Many? 1916 Automotive Production

Feb 25, 2013 Interesting enough, Kaiser had no automotive business experience. In 1953 the company became… August 2, 2015. In “#AutoFactoids” …

Auto Factoids for Week of 8/21/2016 – Oldsmobile, Broadway, Caddies and Rolls

Here are your Auto Factoids for the last full week in Aug 2016.

On Aug. 21st back in 1897 Oldsmobile incorporated to form Oldsmobile Motor Vehicle Co.

1897 Oldsmobile

1897 Oldsmobile

 

Taking a trip back in time to 1921 and NYC’s Broadway and the first play about cars opened – “Six Cylinder Love”.

– Produced by Sam H. Harris  and held on Broadway in the Sam H. Harris  Theater.

– It was a 3 act comedy and had 344 performances from Aug 25, 1921 to July 1922.

– In 1923 it was adapted to the big screen – albeit silent and again in 1931 with Spencer Tracy!!

Six Cylinder Love (1931)

Six Cylinder Love (1931)

 

Happy Birthday Charles Rolls – (the Rolls part of Rolls Royce).  He was born Aug 27, 1877 in London, England.

The two-cylinder Royce 10 - Born 1904

The two-cylinder Royce 10 – Born 1904

Check out this great site on Rolls Royce https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/en-GB/the-rolls-royce-story/the-history-of-rolls-royce.html

Jump forward 25 years and Cadillac became a company on the same day in 1902.

This Runnabout is top of the line Caddy back in 1902.

This Runabout is top of the line Caddy back in 1902.

 

Thanks for reading #AutoFactoids.

Tim

Auto Factoids for the Week of 2/1/2015 – Kaiser Week

Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for the first week in Feb. 2015!!! I think we can call this Kaiser Week as 3 of our factoid are related to the Kaiser auto manufacturing. In fact the month starts right off with Kaiser factoid. Feb 1, 1947 – Graham-Paige sold out to Kaiser. …

Auto Factoids for the Week of 3/29/2015

Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) to finish out March and kick off April 2015.   March 29, 1980 – Audi introduced their all wheel drive 1980 Quattro – Not a bad-looking car at that!!! Here are some specs for the Quattro: Engine     2.1 L I5 SOHC 10v Transmission     5-speed manual Dimensions Wheelbase     99.4 …

Auto Factoids for the Week of 4/19/15

Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for last full week of April 2015. April 22, 1954 – Nash and Hudson merge to from AMC When does this: Nash Rambler PLUS THIS: ’53 Hudson Hornet EQUAL THIS?  : Javlin Well that’s the equation formed when Nash merged with Hudson and produced AMC.   AMC (American Motor Corp) …

 

 

73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Engine is Out!!!

Time to celebrate!!!   The 351 Cleveland is out of #ProjectSportsRoof.

Yeah…I know!! It seemed like to took forever!!!  Seems longer since I haven’t driven it in months.

Now if you missed the last post and you are expecting to see a video of the engine coming out, that’s just not going to happen.  Here’s a recap of just why there’s no video.

I had made arrangements with my neighbor Dan (Dan did the welding on the floor panels for me) for a Friday he had off to pull the engine.  I was going to “work” from home that day and we’d carry out the task in the morning – it’s pretty hot here in Southern Arizona this time of year.  Well, I had an issue at work and I had to run in for what I hoped would be only a few minutes – it took until noon.

By then, it was over 100 degrees and when I pulled into my driveway Dan was outside working on one of his projects.  After apologizing  I changed in to some grubby clothes real quick and we got to work.  By then it was about 106 degrees out and of course we are doing this outside.  We should have been done by  time we actually started and Dan’s adorable twins we hoping to make it the pool before their Dad had to head off to work for the evening.

I mention this all because I’m setting up you for the disappointment, (there is nothing more exciting than getting the engine out – well maybe putting a new one in, it’s a milestone worth capturing on video).  Given the above circumstances, I felt it very unfair to ask Dan and the twins to hang out while I stopped to talk you all and then perform a task and then record.  So I have no shots or video of pulling the engine out.

351C finally on the stand!

351C finally on the stand!

It was an effort but here it is:

And there you have it.  #ProjectSportsRoof gave up its 351c power plant and boy does it need an overhaul!!

So keep checking back here (www.agcarrestoration.com) and watch it all unfold!

Thanks for read and drop me a note, love hearing back from readers.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

projectsportsroof

Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

http://wp.me/p2YxYx-4V. Tagged: projectsportsroof … We are moving right along on #ProjectSportsRoof,with the 351 Cleveland rebuilt. Still getting it ready to be …

73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal Part 3

Jul 31, 2016 We are moving right along on #ProjectSportsRoof,with the 351 Cleveland rebuilt. Still getting it ready to be pulled from the engine bay In this …

restorable classic cars | Tumblr

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m getting ready to pull the 351C from between the fenders of the 1973 Mustang SportsRoof for a complete rebuild.

73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal Part 5

2 days ago Tagged: projectsportsroof … We are moving right along on #ProjectSportsRoof, with the 351 Cleveland rebuilt. Still getting it ready to be …

 

73 Mustang 351 Cleveland Rebuild – Removal Part 1

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  I’m getting ready to pull the 351C from between the fenders of the 1973 Mustang SportsRoof for a complete rebuild.

Below is the beginning of the this long process.  I guess long might be an exaggeration, but any day I can’t drive the Mustang is a long day   (:^ 0)  !!

 

I don’t usually ‘star’ in my videos, (yes I spelled videos wrong in the subtitles) but you’ve got to love my stylish hat!!

More coming on 351C rebuild.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

20160315_072718

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof – Pertronix Ignitor Update

Well win some and you lose some.  If you’ve seen my other posts related the replacement of the points and condenser for the 351C you’ll notice that I gave conversion high marks.  This was all based on the years of use I got out of the conversion I did on …
1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression Test Part I

I’ve done all the clean up and all the adjustments necessary to get a good reading on the health of the ’72 351C engine in my 1973 Mustang. The next step is to check the compression. First up was to warm the car a bit and then pull the plugs. Here’s what the …
1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression Test Part II

This is the wrap up on the compression testing for the 1973 Mustang w/ a 1972 351 Cleveland power plant. You’ll might have notices that I referred to the remote tester, which is my code for remote starter…yeah…that’s it!!! All of these tests were dry test and I should have done a …
1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression, Rods and Heads

Thanks for check in on #ProjectSportsRoof. If you remember a of couple months back, shortly after bringing the ’73 Mustang home, I conducted a compression test on all the cylinders.  The 351C was running rough (to put it mildly) and smoked like a pile of tires on fire (only the smoke …

 

Classic Mustangs – #ProjectSportsRoof’s Marti Report

Mustang lovers check this out.  There is place in El Mirage, AZ called  Marti Auto Works.  They own the rights to the Ford databases and records prior to 1974 (some models up to 1989).  These guys have everything..I mean everything.  Give them the VIN number and they’ll pile on the data (it’s not free but very reasonable).  They are authorized by Ford to reproduce window stickers and Protector Plates (identification plates that go on the inside door jamb) and more.

If you have a classic Mustang you’ve got to get this report.  I thought I’d share mine with the readers.  The link below is to the .pdf and here is an image.

73SportsRoofMarti

Whether you are just interested in the car history or doing an original restore this report comes in very handy.  It’s pretty cool to see when it was ordered and build and all the original options are there to match.

The Statistics section – so cool!!!  This section lets you know where your car ranks compare to those produce that year.  As you can see above #ProjectSportsRoof is o1 of 76 with that paint and trim coat.   If nothing else it bragging rights and in some small way this may add to the value of the car, but that’s tough to measure.

The list of items in the Door Data Plate Info, helps you determine how original your might be.  For example you can see that my 73 Mustang left the factory with 302 and if you’ve followed my posts on #ProjectSportsRoof you’ll know it now sports a 351C V2 date coded 1972 and a C4 transmission but now it has a date code 1972 C6.

Visit the Marti report site and see what they offer.

https://www.martiauto.com/reports2.cfm

To you have a Marti report for your Ford?  Share it!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

 

1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Carpet Laid

Thanks for picking backup with blogging of the work done on the 1973 Mustang Sports Roof (#ProjectSportsRoof).

The floors are done and the heat and sound barrier are completed and it’s time for the carpet.

I’ve seen some pretty awful quality carpet for cars and I’ve had friends that attempted to use the one piece kits with not great success.  I chose to go with ACC Carpet 2 piece set.  Because my car was ordered special ordered with the Mach I Interior I went with their “Original Style Molded Fastback Mach I for 1971-1973” (CJ’s Part Number MC9-V).  It is really well-formed and pre-cut for steering column and even dimmer switch.

The pieces come folded in a box and needs to be laid out flat for a while before installing. Luckily I live in Arizona and the sun makes quick work for that.

Carpet2

Here are the two pieces laid out on the hood of #ProjectSportsRoof.

Carpet1a

This image shows the pre-cuts and forming in the front piece.  ‘A’ is the cutout for the steering Column, ‘B’ is the quality built-in vinyl floor mat, ‘C’ is the cutout for the dimmer switch and  ‘D’ is the very well-formed door jamb and finally ‘E’ is the transmission tunnel formed part.

Here’s a pick of how it just lays there and conforms to the floor.

Carpet5

Now check out the full shot with the front sections in place and the shift bezel in place.  Looks pretty good, yes?

Carpet8a

At point ‘A’ you can see the contour of the floor mat portions of the carpet piece.  ‘B’ is the hole with the seat mounting stud protruding (you have to cut that) and both ‘C’ locations show just a simple X cut to allow the seat bolts to slip through.

This last still shot is with the rear pieces laid out.

Carpet16a

 

You can see the forming in the carpet where the rear mount of the front set lays.  The circle is where I had to cut to allow the bolt to slide in.

Here is  little video.

 

I’m very please with this carpet.  As of this blogging I haven’t finished trimming it. In real-time it’s been a few months.  I had to put the seats back in and get it to a charity car show.   Before I had a chance to get back to carpet, the Cleveland developed a bottom end knock and that’s were we are today.  I can finish up more interior work while the engine is out.

The 351C rebuild is coming up next for #ProjectSportsRoof.

Thanks for reading!!!

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

Average Guy’s Car Restorations, Mods, and Racing

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …
Great American Muscle Cars – Community – Google+

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof. With the floor pans welding, sealing and coating finished the next step was to apply the heat and sound barrier. This is …

 

1955 Ferrari 375 Plus Cabriolet at the 2016 Elegance at Hershey — Mind over Motor

Ferrari ownership and postwar royalty seem to go hand-in-hand, especially one offs. This 1955 375 Plus Cabriolet is a one-off specialty car built for the ex-King Leopold III of Belgium, and is a mix of the older engineering that put Ferrari on the map in the early Fifties and newer styling features that would later […]

via 1955 Ferrari 375 Plus Cabriolet at the 2016 Elegance at Hershey — Mind over Motor

Thanks for reading

Tim

pininfarinapininfarina

A Couple of Mustang Things – Line-Lock and Mustang Crossing

As I work on getting more restoration work on #ProjectSportsRoof I thought I’d share a couple of Mustang things that popped up.

There are a number of reasons I love Ford products, in particular Mustangs.  One of those is the fact that it didn’t need the bailout money a few years back, choosing to tough it out and some of the innovative/purposeful special purpose options.

I recently received my Ford Mustang ‘Go Further’ brochure.  I’m not including the 310 hp they are dragging out of the 2.3L EcoBoost (I’ve often said “I don’t want anything on my dash that says Eco!!!!”  but wow to the 320 lb-ft of torque. Don’t even think bout the 435 hp and 400 lbs-ft of torque from the 5.0L in the GT…come on!!!!  I can do with out the heated and cooled seat…meh…   However, the Track Apps, MagneRide and launch control are bomb.

The most #awesome purpose built is the Electronic Line-Lock!!!!  Come on…that’s what every weekend racing warrior (and spirited every day driving!!) wants a car manufacture to be thinking about!!!    The Electronic Line-Lock keeps the front brakes locked while you ‘warm up’ the Mustang’s rear tires….come on I don’t have that in my Corvette!!!  But maybe I can figure it out for my 1973 ‘Stang.

It looks something like this…exactly like this:

 

Here’s a great little destination (after you warmed up the tires).  Located at the corner of “No Where” (Hwy 90) and “U’r Lost” (Hwy 82) is this little place called Mustang Crossing.

Great place for a 1973 Mustang photo shoot!!!

Thanks for stopping by.  More coming up on #ProjectSportsRoof.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1973 Mustang Project SportsRoof – Exterior Walk-Around

Welcome back to #ProjectSportsRoof.  I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects.  You always have to know where to start and know the end game.   As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, you have to work with what you’ve got, …

Northern California Cars – Driveby (VW-Hot Rods) and U.S. Coast Guard TRACEN

Every now and then I get to tag along with my wife as she hops around the country working on Interior Design projects for her employer Aviar Design (a commercial design firm).

This trip was to Petaluma, Ca, where beautiful farmland meets redwood forests meets the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  It also the home of U.S. Coast Guard TRACEN training center and some awesome cars.

But first a shout out to the often unsung heroes – the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.  They keep our coast lines and your families safe!!   After nearly 35 years of being assigned to and around military installation all over the world (both Jill – ret. E8 and I -12 years- are USAF veterans) I think the Coast Guards training facility in Petaluma is one of the most beautiful anywhere.  The facilities are top of the line, the installation pristine and teeming wild turkeys, deer and a host of woodland animals.  We’ve enjoyed our both are trips there.  The hospitality was unsurpassed.   Thanks warriors!!!!!

SEMPER PARATUS

SEMPER PARATUS

Let’s talk about cars.  Although not as plentiful as you might see in Southern California (we lived there for 4 years) but they are there.  We didn’t have the time for stop and photograph all we was but there are some awesome trucks (hey…it’s farm country) and a lot of hidden gems with tons of potential.  After all this is where they filmed portions of the awesome car movie – American Graffiti.  Just outside of Petaluma, there’s a farm with a 69-70 Mustang tucked under a cover to protect it from the marine layer as it rolls in and out of the farmland and redwoods.   The hills are dotted with homes that have 1950-1970 truck parked under over or in full service.

Here are a few I was able to get a few shots of some for the unique motor cars.

Take this 1930’s Ford Hot Rod – straight out of the move American Graffiti!!!

Check out those headers!!!!

Check out those headers!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to get a shot of the vintage tread, redline, red steel and wiiiiiiiiiiiiide white walls!!!!

I had to get a shot of the vintage tread, redline, red steel and wiiiiiiiiiiiiide white walls!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little further up North in the Anderson Redwoods we ran into the a 9 hole golf course tucked between redwood trees..what????? Parked in the parking lot was a good example of the 1980’s Firebird TransAm

Crager SS mags, fender scopes!!!

Crager SS mags, fender scopes!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a huge number of VW vans – heck it’s California after all.  There are the traditional VW buses and the Westfalia van’s every where – still!  Check out this drop side van.

Nicely restored!!!

Nicely restored!!!

Framework is there for the canvas top.

Framework is there for the canvas top.

One of the coolest we notice was this work in progress.

Citroen Van

Citroen Van

The owner has plans for the French work horse as it’s clearly under surgery.   Think of the possibilities:

CitroenVan H Van Citroen Van Citroen Hy Van

 

This is just a sampling of the car culture in Northern California.  I’m hopping to make it back there with a couple of days free to just explore and peak under some of those car covers.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 Mustang SportsRoof

1973 Mustang SportsRoof