Category Archives: Auto Technology

Curb Weight – 2/27/2013

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This is my latest segment.  It will be a frequent blathering of car stuff – current and maybe some old stuff.  I hope you enjoy it.

Bench seats started as the first front seats, clearly a hold over from the old ‘buck-wagon’.  Over the years the  bench was a stable, but has somewhat faded  Well for American cars it comes to an end the last 2013 Impala, which is the last U.S. car and the 2014 Impala will have bucket seats.

'61 Chevy bench seat.

’61 Chevy bench seat.

2014

2012 Impala w/bbench seet and 2014 without

I was really excited to see C-X75 Super Car for Jaguar back in 2010 at the Paris Car show.  The car was to sticker at about 1.1 million dollars. However, it has been killed after just 3 prototyped.

Great Looking from the front.

Great Looking from the front.

 

Space ship? Maybe it's butt killed it?

Space ship? Maybe it’s butt killed it?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

 

 

Common Upgrades For An LA318 In A 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger | Street Legal TV

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MOPAR fans you are going to love this article.

I use to own a 1970 Dodge Dart with a 318 between the fenders.  I did a lot of body work to the life long New York State car, but nothing to the engine.  There’s one I should have kept, right along with the ’66 Impala, ’70 Chevelle and a couple others!!!

Some great upgrade in this one.

 

Common Upgrades For An LA318 In A 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger | Street Legal TV.

Thanks for reading

Tim

2013 Roush Ford Mustang RS3 – Video

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Great looking car, great power and no Starsky and Hutch strip like the 427 R (ok not exactly like the Torino strip but close!!!)

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

Build Your Own Engine – Bowling Green, KY

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If you’ve read my posting for a while you’ll recall my trips to the great state of Kentucky and my trips to the place the worlds most recognizable car is assembled.

Yes I’ve taken the Corvette assembly plant tour more times than anyone I know, hell when I retired I’m going to volunteer to work the tour route in the plant.  I love Bowling Green!!!!

The last time I visited they were building out the plant for the Chevy Volt and working on the new section for the C7 Corvette.  These upgrades mean more work for the plant and those doing “God’s work” (LOL).

Well there is more.  Corvette has had a program where the an soon to be owner of a new Corvette can pay to build the engine for his car in the Performance Build Center (http://corvetteblock.com/2011/11/performance-build-center-open-house/).  That may be the coolest idea I’ve heard.  Well this program is being moved from Michigan to the Bowling Green  assembly plant.

I think that is great news!!!!  You an build your engine, watch it installed in your car and drive it out of the factor!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

Limited Edition Beetle GSR unveiled at Chicago Auto Show

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Limited Edition Beetle GSR unveiled at Chicago Auto Show.

The stripey new GSR secures a 150 hp increase from its predecessor, amping up power to the front wheels to 200 hp, enabling a sprint to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 7.3 seconds. With a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph), power is made available to the wheels via either a 6-speed manual or DSG autobox. VW’s tried and true, turbo-charged 4 cylinder provides the go juice. And unlike the 40 year old’s 15-inch steel rim setup, the new GSR gets serious footing with black “Tornado” 19-inch alloy wheels and 235/40 rubbers.

Volkswagen's new Beetle GSR - only 3,500 will be made worldwide

I think they look “ok” and 200 hp ain’t bad in the little two door.  Can’t owning one, however they are going to be limited to 200!!!

Follow Up – Rumble Seat Mustang at 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

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So after a little follow-up I found that the car was a promotion created by Ford and Autocraft.  See below.

 

Lot 446.1 – 1969 Ford Mustang Convertible

Sale Price: $24,750

TMN Rating: 9

TMN On-Site Review: Other than a few body panel mis-aligns, presents nicely.

Seller Description: An extremely rare and most unusual Mustang, a “Rumble-Seat.” This particular package was a joint effort by Ford and Autocraft of Dearborn, Mich. The option was not shown on the Build Sheet or Ford Window Sticker because the conversion was done after assembly. It was a blossom-time sales promotion offered only during April 1969 to certain Michigan Ford Dealers. Documented by two different magazine articles it is still uncertain exactly how many were done. This Mustang is believed to be the only one in Meadowlark Yellow. This Mustang was built April 16, 1969 and delivered to Jack Dykstra Ford in Lansing, MI. It is a V8, automatic, power top, factory tachometer, power top, Rumble Seat. It has only 56,000 Miles.

via 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Mustangs on the block: Wednesday 1/16.

Rumble Seat Mustang? Experiment or Kit? At Barrett Jackson

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In my last post I shared an experimental Mustang I saw in a Hemmings article (http://wp.me/p2YxYx-1wX).

But I’m sure this rumble is just a kit.  Buy WHY?!?!??!

It is a 1969 Mustang Convertible.

 

The Rumble Seat

 

Don’t Like it!  Thoughts?

Tim

 

 

 

 

Experimental shorty Mustang to appear at Amelia Island | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts

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Experimental shorty Mustang to appear at Amelia Island | Hemmings Blog: Classic and collectible cars and parts.

 

shortyMustang_02_800

Engine Line Up for the 1967 American Motor Company

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With names like  Rogue,  Rebel and Marlin you have to imagine some monster power plants moving these hunks of steels across the face of the earth.  So where they?  Here is the line up.

The body styles ranged from stately station wagons to slick fastbacks.  Some of the names are iconic like Rebel SST and Marlin.

1967 Rebel SST

1967 Rebel SST

 

https://i0.wp.com/www.marlinautoclub.com/images/1967/Marl67studio.jpg?w=800

Both nice cars and you could get them with the following engines.

First up was the Inline (straight) Six.  This engine was has a cast iron block and overhead valuve.  Displacement was 199 cid with a bore and stroke of 3 3/4 “x 3″.  The compression ratio was 8.5:1 and producing 128 hp.  It sported seven main bearings and topped with one of two single barrels carbs a Cater Type RBS or a Holley Model 1931C-3705.

From there  you could graduate to the next level Inline Six.  This one mirrored but with 232 cid displacement and a bore and stroke of 3.75″ x 3.50”. Compression ratio stayed the same and so did the carb options.    However it did manage to squeeze out 145 hp.

Now you could get both of these in the other models, including the wagons, but the engine you wanted in your Rebel or Marlin was the  V8.

This was an overhead valve cast iron block engine.  It displayed 287.2 cid and have a bore and stroke of 3.75″ x 3.25″ and had a compression of 8.7:1.  Five main bearings and hydraulic lifters topped with either two barrel Carter WCD or Holley.

https://i0.wp.com/www.amccf.com/Omat/67Rebel_Engine.JPG?resize=800%2C600

Inlline Six

 

1967 V8

Thanks for reading.

Tim