Category Archives: Auto Manufacturing

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

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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

 

 

 

Parkinglot Spot Light – Lamborghini

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Well you don’t see this every day.  Followed him for a bit, hoping that rear door would flop open and drop a Lambo in my lap….no such luck!!!!

#Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is an Italian brand and manufacturer of luxury sports cars and, formerly, SUVs, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group through its subsidiary brand division Audi.
Founder: Ferruccio Lamborghini – I’d like to have a car named after me!!!
Founded: May 1963, Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy
Customer service: 1 (866) 681-6276   – Number is here in case you wanted to order one or file a complaint
CEO: Stefano Domenicali      – We have beers whenever I’m in Italy – not really.
Latest models: 2016 Lamborghini Aventador, 2016 Lamborghini Huracan   #IWantOne  of each!!!!
Parent organization: Audi

Aventador SV

Aventador SV

Huracan

Huracan

Thanks for reading

Tim

RJS Corvette

I don’t really need a Lambo……but…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Corvette Grand Sport Has Racing Roots – Z07 – WOW!

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2017 Corvette Grand Sport

2017 Corvette Grand Sport

The new 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine to deliver exceptional performance. The Grand Sport Collector Edition features an exclusive Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes and black wheels. the new Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine.

With Corvette Racing in its DNA, the all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is a pure expression of the car’s motorsports-bred pedigree. It was introduced today at the Geneva International Motor Show.

  • Lightweight architecture and track-honed aerodynamics
  • An engine offering an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package
  • Coupe and convertible available this summer in U.S. and fall in Europe  
  • Grand Sport Collector Edition available later in model year

Read the entire article: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Has Racing Roots

Thanks for reading.

Tim

C6Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 corvette grand sport

2017 Corvette Grand Sport: Sports Car | Chevrolet

Designed to deliver high-level performance, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is the latest member of the Corvette sports car lineup.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Is A Track-Tastic Z06 Without A …

Mar 1, 2016 … I’m deeply thankful for all these new naturally-aspirated track day cars, like the Camaro Z/28, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mustang GT350R.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Is A Track-Tastic Z06 Without A …

Mar 1, 2016 … I’m deeply thankful for all these new naturally-aspirated track day cars, like the Camaro Z/28, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mustang GT350R.

1973 Ford Ranchero For Sale

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I don’t often post up cars on Craig’s list or elsewhere, but I happened to run to the owner filling up the Ranchero at the Shell station down the street.

The pics in this post are from the Craig’s list ad, but I can tell you body is in great shape and straight.   The wheels are awesome looking.  The engine sounds strong and the interior is in great shape.

Take a look at these pics and it looks even better in person.

73R-1 73R-2
73R-3 73R-4
73R-5 73R-6
73R-7

Has the 400 in it…very cool (only a 2bbl carb….needs 4bbl – easy)   Will need a transmission – easy to find a used one.

Wheels are great looking.  Engine was pretty clean.  Interior was great condition.   Sounded awesome!!!

Body was in great shape.  Originally delivered to DSO 74 (Seattle), so it’s a west coast car.

Check it out here:
http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/5368828992.html

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1973 ranchero1973 ranchero

 

 

 

Ferrari Officially Separated From Fiat-Chrysler After Shareholders’ Vote Of Approval

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Ferrari Divorce

Fiat Chrysler shareholders voted in favor of the separation of the Ferrari brand from FCA as part of Sergio Marchionne’s plan to raise cash and reduce debt of the Italo-American company.The shareholders’ meeting was held in Amsterdam where about 98 per cent of them approved the separation, with Fiat-Chrysler to distribute the remaining 80 per cent stake in Ferrari back to its own investors by early next year.This comes after FCA already sold 10 per cent of Ferrari in a public offering, raising around $1 billion. The whole company is burdened with a total of €10.9 billion in debt, with FCA raising about €3.8 billion from the divorce with Ferrari.This deal will reduce FCA’s debt by about €1.6 billion but at the same time, the seventh-largest automaker in the world loses its most valuable asset. Piero Ferrari, Enzo’s son still holds the remaining 10 per cent of Ferrari.“The separation will better enable Ferrari to realize its full potential,” Marchionne said at the shareholders’ meeting. “It will also allow Fiat investors to benefit directly from the substantial value inherent in Ferrari.”Ferrari had announced earlier on Monday that they are borrowing a total of €2.5 billion to finance their demerger from Fiat-Chrysler and help their former parent company in the funding of Sergio’s ambitious growth plan.

Source: Ferrari Officially Separated From Fiat-Chrysler After Shareholders’ Vote Of Approval

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Auto Factoids for Week of Nov 29, 2015 – Ford, De Soto, Front Wheel Drive

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Here are your Auto Factoids for the end of Nov. 2o15.  (Yes only 24 shopping days left!!!)

Nov 30 1960 De Soto ceases production. The last De Soto produced were really the Chrysler Windsor, most did not sale, even though dealerships continued to received cars after the brand was terminated.

1961 Windsor

1961 Windsor

1961 DeSoto

1961 DeSoto

 

Nov 30, 1900 Germany patented an automobile front wheel drive. Although this is a common historic fact, there is some evidence that the first production car with front wheel drive was a French car. There exists a French Patent around 1898 or 1899. The manufacturer was Société Parisienne and the car was the Victoria Combination.

It was a lightweight two-seater trailer, known as a ‘Victoria’, combined with the back axle and mechanical components of a motor tricycle, but this axle was placed in front of the trailer and steered by a long tiller on which the controls were located. The first examples were powered by 1.75 or 2.5 horsepower De Dion Bouton engines geared directly to the differential, but larger engines of this make were fitted as they became available.

1900 Victoria Combination

1900 Victoria Combination

 

December 1, 1925 GM purchased Vauxhall. Vauxhall started out as engine manufacturer mainly for pumps and marine use (1857 – Alex Wilson). They began making cars in 1903. Here is a video of a 1903 Vauxhall. They are still producing cars using the Opel name under GM.

One more of it on a road test.

Dec 1, 1913  Ford fired up the first “continuous” assembly line.  (Olds is considered to be the inventor of the assembly line…maybe.)

Ford's Production Line

Ford’s Production Line

And just one day and 14 years later (Dec 2, 1927) Ford unveiled Models A which would soon be produced from this assembly line.  The Model A was announced on May 25, 1927 and sold as 1928 model.  Ford sold 607,592 units in 1928, nearly double that of the previous year.

1927 Model A

1928 Model A

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

If you’d like to sponsor a week of Auto Factoids contact me directly.

#AutoFactoids

Auto Factoids – Week of May 31, 2015 – Ford, Olds, Model T

Here are your Auto Factoids #AutoFactoids for the beginning of June, 2015. May 31, 1927 – Ford produced the last Model T.    There is some debate as to actual date and it’s said that the 15th million Model T rolled off the production line on May 26th, 1927 and the Henry …

 

 

First Ford Mustang Shelby GT350Rs Roll Off The Line At Flat Rock Plant

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2,633 views Aug 21, 2015
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It’s a great week for muscle car fans all around the country as the Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] has started building customer examples of the new Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350Rs. The cars are built at the same Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan responsible for the standard Mustang and the first ones off the line are actually 2015 models.

Just 137 of these ’15 models are being built to honor the original 1965 Shelby GT350 built by Shelby American—100 GT350s and 37 GT350Rs—and no doubt all of them are accounted for. Once this initial batch of cars is built, Ford will switch over to 2016 models that will be built and sold in higher volumes. Deliveries commence this fall.

Chase the source link for the rest of the press release:

Source: First Ford Mustang Shelby GT350Rs Roll Off The Line At Flat Rock Plant

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AGCarRestoration

Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Pricing Leaked, Starting Under $50k

The folks at Mustang6g have gotten ahold of the pricing for the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang and it is much lower than we expected, with pricing beginning under $50k for the GT350 while the GT350R starts just over $60k – making the new GT350 …
2016 Shelby GT350R Allegedly Laps ‘Ring in 7:32.19, 5 Sec Faster Than Camaro Z/28

Official 2016 Shelby GT350R specs are not available at this time, but early speculations believe the GT350R will use the same 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V8 motor as the standard Shelby GT350 and will make identical power as well. However, the beauty of …

In-depth Tech: Valuable Tips For Selecting The Right Crankshaft

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Cast, forged, billet? Straight-shot or cross-drilled? Experts from Eagle, Lunati and Scat offer tips and advice on selecting a crankshaft for your engine.

Engine builders are often conditioned into selecting crankshafts based solely on the expected horsepower output of the engine, or at least that often-optimistic number carries the most weight in the decision process. But savvy builders — whether assembling an honest street engine, rogue weekend warrior or a savage race-only bullet — will recognize the importance of analyzing other factors before choosing between cast iron, forged steel or billet steel.

Chase the link for the rest of the article:    Source: In-depth Tech: Valuable Tips For Selecting The Right Crankshaft

Thanks for reading.

Tim

racing crankshaftsracing crankshafts

Bryant Racing High Quality Custom Crankshafts | NASCAR …

It was a great weekend in Atlanta for Bryant Racing Crankshafts, as the winners for the Camping World Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Sprint Cup Series all use our cranks! We had a 1-2-3 finish in the Sprint Cup race with …

Engine Line Up for 1964 Plymouth

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With such names as Fury and Barracuda and Valiant, you would expect the 1964 power plant offering for Plymouth to be some monsters, maybe even a Wedge tossed in.

But no, the Wedge 426 cid (Stock Max Wedge Stage III) was only available as a $500.00 racing option.  The standard fair was the straight 6’s (170 and the 225) and the 318.

Dubbed the Valiant Six the 175 was an inline (straight) 6 cylinder iron block.  It had overhead valves and a bore and stoke of 3.40 x 3.125.  Fair enough compression ratio of 8.2:1 with solid lifters and four-main bearings.  Top it with a Carter single barrel carb (BBS Model 3839S) and you’d squeeze  101 ponies out of it.

Valiant Six

Valiant Six

The Barracuda had a straight 6 in it as was well.  It was the 225 cid with 3.40 x 4.125 bore and stroke, same compression as the 175 (8.2:1), as well as solid lifters and overhead values.  Using the same carb as the 175, you could must up to 145 hps.

But don’t think the Valiant and the ‘Cuda were left to struggle with less than 150 hps – nope there was a V-8 available as well. That engine was the 273 cid and it ran a compression ratio of 8.8:1 with it’s cast iron block, overhead valves and bored to 3.62 and stroked of 3.312.  It sported 5 main bearings, solid lifters and was topped with a Carter 2 barrel carb (BBD 3767S).  As outfitted it produced 180 hp.

The other V8 of standard production was the 318. Having personal experience with this engine, I can say it was (is) versatile and solid. You could do a lot with this hunk of iron.   For 1964 it had overhead valves, cast iron block with standard bore and stroke of 3.906 and 3.312 inches.  9.0:1 compression ratio with five main bearings, solid lifters and 5 main bearings breathed though BBD two barrel Carter carb (Model 3682S) and produced a respectable 230 hp.

The 318

The 318

Yes...you can do that with a 318!!!

Yes…you can do that to 318!!!

As mentioned there were some competition engine available that year but you didn’t them in average street cars.  There was the Super Cammando 426cid Hemi (available in early Feb ’64) for competition use only.  There was the de-tuned street 426-S(street).  Also available were the Commando V8 383 in 305 hp and 330 hp versions as well as Commando 426 (Street Wedge) with 426 cid and 365hp.

According to my research there were 6,359 Dodge and Plymouth cars built with the 426 engine in 1964.  Of those only 271 were racing Hemi’s.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

hemi wedge engine

1964 plymouth barracuda1964 plymouth barracuda

#Hemi

 

 

IKA’s South American Shelby: the Lutteral Comahue | Hemmings Daily

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Here in the U.S. we tend to be a bit myopic when it comes to cars. Of course American muscle is what it’s all about and toss in some well deserving European and Asian models and maybe just maybe you think about the culture down-under (I do, anyway.  Love to get a hold of the a Holden!!!). Very little thought is given to the rest of the Globe – especially considering that a few U.S. car manufacturers’ last stands were south of the border – way south!!

Here is one example from Hemmings – chase the link below to see the entire article. Oh,  I just ordered Banovsky’s book Weird Cars.  It is in the mail from Amazon.

 

Source: IKA’s South American Shelby: the Lutteral Comahue | Hemmings Daily

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

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