Category Archives: Car Art

Car People!!

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People love their cars.  Some people love only a specific make or model.  I case you haven’t noticed I have a thing for Corvettes and thing for Mustangs (yup Ford and Chevy).   I enjoyed this comment from a guy who left it on my Facebook

Andy from my Facebook wrote this:
Part of the reasons why I Love Corvettes, the heritage, history and traditions. To some it’ ll be just be a car, to others it’ s part of their lives. A true Corvette owner/enthusiast will appreciate all aspects of the Corvette, from whateve…r generation. They may have a least favorite but none should be hated or looked down on, because without the last there would be no present. I Love the great community behind this Car, it makes owning one so much better. Owners all across the world willing to give others a helping hand, worldwide Corvette events are held, some over 500 owners attending, a lot for good causes. To me, that’ s something very special because this doesn’t just represent a “Car”. It represents a special select group of individuals willing to enhance the past traditions, that is Loyalty!!. I plan to hold onto it for as long as I live. Something this special is hard to come by and shouldn’t be let go. Just felt like sharing this thought!! Have a great Sunday.See More
 
Brent worte:  Beautiful and well written Andy!
 
Tim Sweet –  As a previous owner of a C4 and the new owner of a C6. You are right on Andy.  Save the Wave!!!!

Auto Factoid for Week of Sept 12 2010

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I’m head out on vacation.  There will one or two more post prior.  Please enjoy and thank you for reading my “Stuff”!!! 

9/13/1945 – Pontiac began producing cars for the first time after the war. 

 9/15/1881 – Ettore Bugatti Born, Milan, Italy – I just so a Bugatti (modern) sold at Barrett Jackson for  over $700,000 

Bugatti W16

 

9/16/1908 – General Motors Incorporates – Aren’t we close to their new IPO…yeah..I think so…oh wait…I’m a tax payer..I already own a piece!!! 

9/17/1854 – David Buick was born on this day in Arbroath Scotland – yes they named a car after him – sorry…not funny. 

Thanks for reading 

Tim

Auto Factoids for Week of Sept 19 2010

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Yes I’m playing catch up with these. I’ll have another engine series coming up.  Enjoy. 

9/19/1970 – The Pinto debuted 

1970 Pinto

9/21/1895  Duryea Motor Wagon Company was created. One of the first companies in the US to build gas powered cars.  Their first was the one-cylinder “Ladies Phaeton”. 

a one-cylinder "Ladies Phaeton"

 9/23/1969 – Here’s a biggie….the debut of the Dodge Challenger. 

1969 Challenger (this is the TA)

9/24/1909    Virgil Exner was born in Ann Arbor, Mi   Who?  Oh..you didn’t just ask that!?!?!?!    Car designer for Chevy, Studebaker and Chrysler. 

Some of his work.

 Thanks for reading. 

Tim

Auto Factoid for Week of Sept 5 2010

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Trying to play catch up with Auto Factoids:

9/7/1954 – Production of the Ford Thunderbird.

Ford Thunderbird

9/8/1903   Preston Tucker born in Michigan.

1948 Tucker....love the suicide doors

9/9/1935  Studebaker exports first cars to London.  They were Studebaker Commanders.

Studebaker Commander 1935

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Updates for Abandon Car Contest Submit Pic and Win a DVD.

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I’m always interested in pic of abandon cars.

Next month the Ms and I will be taking a road trip through Northern AZ and New Mexico as well as  Southern Colorado and Uta.

One of my objectives is snap some pics of abandon cars as we travel around.

For fun I’m setting aside a couple of car related DVDs  for anyone that submits a picture of an abandon car, truck, motorcycle and the like.

You can email(timsweet@cox.net) the image to me, or post it on Facebook (Tim Sweet) or the Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing Group.

Just post your name, “general” location of the subject matter, and picture.  I’ll contact you privately to get an address for mailing the DVD.

That’s all there is  to it.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Mom & Pop Racing Teams Highlighted

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This site is getting a lot of hits and as all of my readers know  it’s not a commercial enterprise..as in I don’t sell anything, nor do I have sponsors.  I do it for fun.

A few months back while I was surfing the web I ran across a web site that offered to find small “Mom & Pop” racing teams sponsors for their companies.  I read the site and I thought it was a really cool ideal.  Then I got to thinking, which is often a laborious effort, and more times than not ends in some sort of less than optimal situation, I’d like to do something like that. Small draw back…..oh you know what’s coming…..Average Guy, Average budget….hell most of the time I can afford my this hobby of mine either.  So there won’t be any cash involved. (Hear that?!?!!??!  That’s the sound of internet browsers slamming closed!!!)

Well if you are still with me, here is what I’d like to do.

I’m going to add a portion to this site called “Mom & Pop’s Racing Corner.  I’d like to feature the small racing teams from anywhere in the in the world from time to time.  What’s in it for me?  Nothing.  What’s in it for the racing team?  Some recognition outside their local areas.  Maybe you get noticed pick up a sponsor or even a couple fans!!!

So if you want to play here is what I need:

1.  Name and size of your racing team

2. Details on the vehicles you race…i.e., cars, and trucks (other types might be considers but NO…ABSOLUTELY  NO…..LAWNMOWERS!!!!..unless they are really cool) like engine, mods, horsepower, transmission, you get the idea.

3. Type of racing (oval, drags, drifting)

4. A brief paragraph (or longer if you desire) on history and resent racing results and even next event you are going to attend.

5. Include some way for a reader to contact you. (email, facebook or other social media)

6. Include some pictures. At least one of your vehicle. It would be really cool to show the drivAdd an Imageer(s), owner(s), pit crew, engine builder, stuff like that.

I’ll select one every two weeks or so, depending on the response and run the information in that corner.

It’s going to be fun to introduce these small racing teams and learn more about their cars and their type of racing.

You can drop me a comment here and I’ll get back to your or just email  me directly at timsweet@cox.net with your information.

This should be fun.

Thanks for reading

Tim

My Coupe taking of from the line. Before the new paint!!!

The New Vette & Missing the Crossfire

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Before you judge me…LOOK!!!!!

2007 Corvette

Wait…LOOK AGAIN!!!!

Side view

Another View

And one more…..

The LS2

Yes the 1984 C4 Crossfire has a new home.

But  in its place is the 400 hp LS2 powered 2007 Corvette.

She has a 6 speed manual trans mission, Z51 suspension, leather and power everything, key-less entry and starting and a host of other cool stuff.  I’ll go into more detail in the next post.

I thought I’d miss the ’84 more then I do, it will be going to a good home and hopefully will stay a Crossfire.  The ’84 goes with twice as many miles on it then when I bought it, lots of new, original parts and some improved and a really awesome stereo, it’s a better car then when I got. It deserves to be a show car and not a daily driver/grocery getter/race car (drags and auto cross)/show car.  But it did them all very well, with the trophies to prove it.  It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about that middle ground technology that was a huge advance from the older cars, a first of its kind in many ways and a stepping stone to technology that is in the replacement Vette.

I’ve heard from a lot of guys (pssstt…when I use the word “guys”  I mean all genders….just wanted to be clear ) that really miss driving their older Vettes, there’s really nothing that can capture the rawness of that kind of driving.  I’m bit luckier then those guys because I can still jump in to my ’70  Mustang (thanks to a very understanding better half) and get that feeling of old school nothing but metal and tires driving.  I think that alone makes it easier to let the ’84 go.

Thanks to the guys up at Dynamic Crossfire Solutions in Chandler, Az (http://www.crossfireinjection.net/) and all the guys in my Corvette club – Arizona Corvette Enthusiasts (ACE) http://arizonavette.net/, they helped a ton with my learning curve…HEY  GUESS WHAT GUYS….I’m going to have a bunch of new ‘stuff’ to learn.

So get ready loyal readers, (all three of you!!!!).  I’m going to take my average skills, average tools, and now below average budget and take on new technology.

But where to start????!!!!????

I’ll be back to you on that.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Corvettes Classic and New-ish

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Well, I’ve been preoccupied over the past week with …ok…don’t shoot me, you classic car lovers…….working a trade for a 2007 Corvette with my 84 Corvette.  Yeah, I know..WTH???  

I know, I know.  I love my 84, it’s unique and the value has increased since I’ve purchased it.  But there is a desire to upgrade.  This isn’t the first time I’ve considered getting another Vette, I actually considered a trade for my Mustang for a second Corvette. 

I have to admit the recent troubles with my 84 does play a small part of the desire to replace it.  And this 2007 Black on black C6 with 4oo plus hp, with a 6 six speed manual trans, with only 40k miles.  Still under factory warranty.  But the price was just unbelievable.  The original deal fell through because we couldn’t agree on a good price for my Vette.  But it looks like I might have a second shot at it tomorrow. 

Even if, it’s hard to get rid of my first Vette and there is always the concern that you’ll regret it later.  So I figured, I just add a third car to my stable!!!!!…..oh….that’s funnier then you might think….considering  how UNDERSTANDING my wife has been with my current stable of classics….but even I know that’s way…yea…way too much for even a saint such that she is.  “Love you cutie”  (just in case she gets really bored and actually decides to read my dribble.) 

So I’ll catch you all up by the end of the weekend. 

Oh..here’s what we are looking at.  Drop me a note and let me know what you would do!!! 

2007 Vette Trade or not too Trade????

 

Another view...give you view....trade or not to trade???

 

I have a fun give way coming up  as well as some more auto factoids and a quick fix for my Mustang. 

Thanks for reading 

Tim 

Auto Factoids for 8/22/2010

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Very like week this week. 

OH….the Corvetttes at Carlisle is a huge event going on over in Carlisle PA.  I might make it there one of these years. 

For all you caddy lovers on 8/27/1902 the Cadillac company was born.  Yup it was its own company. 

This sure isnt' what one thinks of when they think of a Cadillac

 

Oh and this was the olds from around that era: 

1897 Olds.

 

London, England had an auto (and plane) historical event this week.  Charles Rolls was born on 8/27/1877 (Rolls Royce). Beside creating the an iconic car, they did plane engines and more. 

1903 Rolls Royce

 

Thanks for reading. 

Tim

Auto Factoids for 8/8/2010

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8/8/55 – test of first solar car.  William Cobb  created a prototype, but it was only a 15 inch model. Basically, an electric current was produced that in turn powered a tiny motor. The motor turned the vehicle’s driveshaft, which was connected to its rear axle by a pulley. I couldn’t find a pic of this one.  However, Alan Freeman developed the solar-powered car  in 1979 that you could actually put a human in.  Here’s the pic.  (It’s really just a bike…I think.)

Alan's Solar Car.

 

8/11/66  Chevy introduced the Camaro.  There is some discussion on whether there is such an animal as a 1966 Camaro, they  were, build in 1966 but sold in 1967.   Here a  pic.

8/15/56 Packard no longer producing cars in Detroit.  Previously the Packard company bought Studebaker and tried to keep the Packard name a live in 1957 by reworking a Studebaker and give it the Packard name.

1956Packard

 

1957 Packard...looks alot like Studebaker

8/21/1897  Oldsmobile becomes a company. Of course the company is no longer in business another icon gone.

1897 Olds

Thank’s for reading.

Tim