Category Archives: Auto Technology

Cops and Roders Car Show 2012 – Chevelle Row

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This show is to benefit the local police departments (city and count) as well as other first responders.  This is the first year in the last 4  that I didn’t bring at least one car (Vette and/or Mustang).

As will all car shows, the hosts normally try to list the cars by class, but that doesn’t always work – often car clubs make up a large percentage of the participants and if the Mopar guys want to park together they will be allowed to.  So you’ll see the “rows” that don’t seem to match up.

In this case, however the Chevelle’s got this one right.

Chevelle Row

Another beautiful Chevelle

SS version

More coming up.
Thanks for reading

Tim

1956 Bel Air Roadster Project “Open Air” Unveiling SEMA 2012 – Hot Rod Magazine Blog

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1956 Bel Air Roadster Project “Open Air” Unveiling SEMA 2012 – Hot Rod Magazine Blog.

1956_BELAIR_ROADSTER_PROJECT_OPEN_AIR

On almost every season of Chop Cut Rebuild, Classic Industries builds an awesome project and 2012 SEMA’s project is no exception. Project “Open Air” is an LSA-powered ’56 Bel Air Roadster (that’s not a misprint, it’s a roadster not a convertible). The entire build will air on Chop Cut Rebuild’s 9th season. The first episode will air mid January.

 

LSA SUPERCHARGED 1956 BEL AIR 650x433 image

 

 

 

It started from a ’56 Bel Air found in a backyard in Compton, California. They got it back to Classic Industries’ shop in Huntington Beach, CA, only to realize that the entire car had started to bow in the middle because of rust. They called upon Art Morrison for a chassis and Real Deal Steel Bodies for a convertible body. Chevrolet Performance supplied the LSA crate engine and 4L85E transmission. Dakota Digital helped out with the gauges and C.A.R.S. Inc. stepped in with the interior.

 

The project was finished only hours before loading it on a trailer to be unveiled at the 2012 SEMA show. The build coincided with Classic Industries’ new tri-five catalog that was introduced April, 2012. Check back later as we will have build photos of project “Open Air.”

 

Auto Factoids for Week of Oct 28, 12

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This was a slow week in auto history.

A not so small feat was the formation of the Little Motor Car Co on 10/30/1911 – The Little was an automobile built in Flint, Michigan by the Little Motor Car Company from 1912-15. The Little first was available as a two-seater with a four-cylinder 20 hp engine, and had a wheelbase of 7 ft 7 in (2,310 mm) . In 1914 a 3.6 L six-cylinder L-head engine was available in a later model that had a larger chassis. This was phased out in 1915 as it was too close in size and price to the Chevrolet Six. Durant merged the Little Company and Chevrolet in 1913, gave the Chevrolet name to the Little car and moved manufacturing from the Detroit plant to Flint.

The Little was merged into Chevy in 1913.

On Nov 1, 1955 Studebaker debuted the “Hawk”.  – Hawk came in the Power, Sky, Golden, Flight in it’s first production year  1956. Want to talk rare cars?  How about the Flight Hawk in the K7 body type – only 560 produced.  The Power Hawk numbered 7,095; Sky Hawks 3,050 and the Golding Hawk came in at 4,071.

Golden Hawk

 

56 Flight Hawk

 

Power Hawk

 

’56 Sky Hawk

 

On Oct 2, 1935 two debuts for you –

The Cord 810 and the Ford Zephyr

1935 Cord 810

 

1936 Ford (Lincoln) Zephyr

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

 

 
 

 

Drive By – 1966 Plymouth Barracuda

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The Drive By is new way to spotlight cars.  As the name states these are cars that I see where ever I’m traveling.

The 1966 Barracuda wasn’t much when compared to the 1970’s younger brothers.

1966 Barracuda – old school.

 

Often referred to as the Formula S – 2 door coupe fastback with the V8.  I don’t know if this one was the V8, I would have had to see the if it was badged properly to determine. (Small medallion placed below the ‘Barracuda’ script.  The V8 would have been the Commando 273 CID with a two barrel carb – about 235 hp and a 10.5:1 compression when topped with a 4bbl Carter AFB..  The 6 cylinder was the Valaint Signet slant 225 CID with about 145 hp with a single barrel carb.  They came in convertible as well – only 2570 of those were produced.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

Auto Factoids for Week of 10/14/12

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This is a great week in auto history.

On 10/14 back in 1965 Oldsmobile (RIP) debuted one of the most advanced cars it every produced. That car was the Toronado. Front wheel drive and stylish looks made this car in the middle of the muscle car, it held it’s own.   The first year of  production was 1966.  The engine was the  425 topped with  a 4 barrel Rochester 4GC carb.  Its bore and stroke was 4.125 x 3.97 with 10.5:1 compression and lay out 365 hps.  It was a muscle car!!!!

1966 Toronado – Kool factor of 8.5 out of 10.

10/14/24 was a huge day the automotive development time line, but no one actually new it yet. That was the day in Allentown, PA Lee Iacocca was born. Savior of Mopar and instrumental in the success of one of the most important cars in the American auto industry – the Mustang!!!!

1964 Mustang

2013 Mustang

10/16/1958 – Chevy rolls out the El Camino.

1958 – I didn’t like the body styles until the 60’s

1964

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Tucson Classic Car Show Mustang Row

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This was early dawn and a few of us early birds already lined up.

It was a great day. Over 400 cars!!!  I had the good look to be backed up to the Corvette Class row and right behind me was a friend with his BRAND NEW Carbon Grand Sport (see it in the other posts).

No trophies today, but a great time and a lot of beautiful cars.

Tim

 

Tucson Classic Car Show 2012 Carbon Grand Sport

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Greg’s new ride.

It is a beautiful Carbon Grand Sport.  Of course Greg has already tweaked the engine.  (Oh…BTW it is one of only 365 produced!!!)

I opp’ed to take just one car and that was the Mustang – left the Corvette at home   :^(

There were some awesome Corvettes there!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim