Category Archives: Classic Trucks

1929 Detroit Electric Headed Out and 1953 GMC Gas Monkey Garage Build

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I’ll say it again, it’s not part of my daily routine (Although I which it was!!!) that I get to deal with some rare cars.   By day I’m the Director of Information Technology for a retail company with stores throughout Arizona  at home I’m a Corvette and Mustang (check out #ProjectSportsRoof) loving car guy.  But today the two intersected and that equaled a cool day.

If you look back at my post entitled Driving a 1929 Detroit Electric Model 97 http://wp.me/p2YxYx-4Qp you’ll get a good look at the Detroit Electric. Today it is headed back to its owner and the owner of our company.

We pushed the Detroit out of the building and into the sun light again – most likely will be its last bit of Arizona UV rays.  This beauty is on its way to Hood River, OR where the owner is loaning it to a transportation museum. The guys in this video, Tom, David, Lynn have worked and lived with this rare mode of transportation for over 10 years. It will be missed.

As if that’s not enough for one post, there’s more to this ‘most excellent day’ (to steal a phrase from Bill and Ted).

It’s tough to pick a transport company to move your special vehicle across country. I have used my share, transporting a Mustang, a Torino, a VW bug and a motorcycle via different carriers and it’s a big deal. The company selected for this rare car was FSI Transport Service and the care the driver showed was very reassuring that this 1929 electric car was in good hands. FSI is operated by Frank and Laura Martinez, out of El Paso, Tx.  Their rig was perfect for the job – being that the Detroit is a bit taller than the average car.

Often the car you are shipping travels with several other cars that are headed the same way. But this time there was only one travel mate for this trip. It just happened to be a beautiful 1953 GMC Custom pickup, according to the driver it build by the folks at Gas Monkey Garage and headed home to the owner.

That’s a beautiful truck and a worthy travel mate for the old electric car.

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

Out and About!!! #ProjectSportsRoof

Out and About!!!
#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

detroit electric car

The world’s fastest electric car? – BBC Top Gear

Remember the Detroit Electric SP:01? Announced in 2013, it followed a well-thumbed recipe and promised to be an esoteric entrant in the eco-friendly sports car class. SP:01 Well, it’s back and in production form ahead of official sales in 2015. And it’s a bit different to before, adopting a new fastback …

1953 gmc pickup

Barrett-Jackson Car Auction, Scottsdale, Az 2016 – Sleeper Pontiac

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I just have to add one more sleeper car slated to be auctioned off in Scottsdale this week.  You might be surprised at this little gem.

Since you know by the title that it’s a Pontiac (or is it?) let me show you a badge on the car to give you a hint.   Don’t scroll all the way down yet!!

Hey it's a Pontiac Sports Deluxe? Not exactly!!

Hey it’s a Pontiac Sports Deluxe? Not exactly!!

 

Can you tell yet?

It is a 1967 Pontiac Beaumont!

Looks like a plain Jane Pontiac from the backside!!

Looks like a plain Jane Pontiac from the backside!!

 

It's got a V8!!

It’s got a V8!!

Love the side vents!!!

Love the side vents!!!

 

The Beaumont was a GM based Canadian car sold at Pontiac-Buick dealerships in Canada.   Through out it’s production years of 1962 – 1969 it was based on a the Chevelle, the Chevy II and the Nova, all at different point on it’s time line.  The Sports Deluxe (SD) was in fact the same trim level as the Chevy Chevelle  SS – hence the engine option below.

This one is restored to original, including paint color and it has  date-code-correct 396 engine tweaked a bit to produce 375 HP.

Now that’s a sleeper!!!!!

Should be crossing the auction block on Thursday 1/28.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

barrett jackson scottsdale 2016

 

Barrett-Jackson Car Auction Scottsdale, AZ 2016 – Opening Day

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As usual I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with the lineup of cars for this years Barrette-Jackson Auctions in Scottsdale, AZ.

I spent the entire day looking over the offering and even with other auctions running just before, during and just after, you are going to see some great auction fun!!!

One of my favorites of course are the Mustangs and there are plenty there!!!  That being said, I did not see a single 71-73 Mustang in the tents – but I do see at least one in the catalog.  But you have to love what was on display in one corner of this massive complex.

The Boss 429 Corner:

 

More coming up from Barrett-Jackson!!!

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

 

 

 

Good Guys Car Show 2015 Scottsdale, Az Videos

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If you picked up my Twitter feed (@AGCarRestore) you would have seen a great cross-section of the cars and activities going on as they occurred in Scottsdale last weekend.  Below are the a few short videos that give you a feel of the activities and over the next few post, I’ll share some ‘most excellent’ cars.

 

 

 

Great sights and sounds.

 

 

 View of the Autocross pit.

Staging

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

IF YOU LOVE CAR ART, CHECK OUT THE PRINTS FOR SALE BY LOCAL ARTISTS. CHASE THE LINK: CAR ART FOR SALE

 

 

good guys car showgood guys car show

Hot Rods on Display at Good Guys Car Show

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Hundreds of car enthusiasts put their favorite rides on display at the Kansas Speedway on Sunday. Randy Paxton says there’s almost nothing like a day spent in his fully rebuilt ’68 convertible Camero cruisin’ in a car show. “Looks …

Auto Factoid for Week of Nov. 30, 2014

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Hope you all had a great Turkey Day!!

Here is the line up of Auto Factoids for the first week in December!!!

 

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

 

Way before that on 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.

Back 1913 (just over 100 years ago) on Dec 1, Ford fired up the first continuous assembly line.

Ford's Production Line

Ford’s Production Line

And just one day and 14 years later (Dec 2, 1927) Ford began selling Models A off this assembly line.

1927 Model A

1927 Model A

 

Dec 3, 1951 is Rick Mears birthday – one of only three drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 3 times.

Rick Mears in his Formula 1 car

Rick Mears in his Formula 1 car

 

That round out the week.  Thanks for reading Auto Factoids.

Tim

 

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

#AutoFactoids

8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show 2014 – Prt III

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Of course I can’t show you all the cars but here are a few that caught my eye.

 

This was a very nicely done '72 Karmann Ghia

This was a very nicely done ’72 Karmann Ghia

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I'd vote this one "BEST INTERIOR" it was so well done!!!!

I’d vote this one “BEST INTERIOR” it was so well done!!!!

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Maybe my favorite Mustang at this show.

Maybe my favorite Mustang at this show.

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Engine compartment was fantastic

Engine compartment was fantastic

I loved this Stang with it's 'come as you are' attitude.

I loved this Stang with its “come as you are” attitude.

Paint job is priceless.

Paint job is priceless.

Can't beat an original 289 HP engine.

Can’t beat an original 289 HP engine.

The sign says "Please Touch"

The sign says “Please Touch”

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British cars were well represented with these two well maintained specimens.

This is a well restored and maintained Spitfire 1500.

This is a well restored and maintained Spitfire 1500.

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Check out all that wood!!!

Check out all that wood!!!

Sharp little car.

Sharp little car.

This TR6 was a highlight.

This TR6 was a highlight.

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More wood!!!!

More wood!!!!

 

I’ve always said that sometime there’s even a mini-car show in the parking lot of  any car show.  Often folks will drive their classic to a car show,  thinking theirs is good enough to enter (Dude, just check out the Mustang above!!!) so they keep it out side.  So don’t forget to looking around after you park, you might even find a good deal.  Check these two:

This Firebird was there and parked outside.

This Firebird was there and parked outside.

Need some work but....!!!

Needs some work but….!!!

Here's the number.

Here’s the number.

You can't see it from this shot but it a Covair Wagon

You can’t see it from this shot but it a Covair Wagon

 

Thanks for reading.  Coming up the main attraction for this car show – 1911 Pierce Arrow Touring Car!!

Tim

 

8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show 2014

This weekend I attended the 8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show put on by the Rotary Club of Tucson. I’ve attend the last 5 of these shows, twice as a participant (once.
8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show – Garagistry Blog

8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show – Real stories about Classic Cars and the people who own them.

8th Annual Tucson Classics Car Show! Best Car Show in Southern Az! Oct. 18

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Wow where has 2014 gone?!  It’s almost Oct!!!!   But that’s a good thing here in the southwest, because that means its peak car show season and there “ain’t” nothing better than that!!!

Being a veteran car show participant, both as a spectator and entrant, I attend many hot, dusty car shows in Southern Arizona.   But the Tucson Rotary Club’s Annual Tucson Classics Car Show is a premier car show, in a beautiful setting and…wait for it…wait…it is on “GRASS”!!!!

With over 400 antique, sport, classic and hot rod cars, product and food venders everywhere,  it is a day well spent with the family.

If you are entering your pride and joy, these guys know how to run a quality car show!  Well organized and professional with lots of classifications.  They really cater to the car owner.

Since I’m a Corvette lover, I really like that the Tucson Rotary Club is, again, giving away a beautiful Corvette! I never miss a chance to win a Corvette.

Oh!!! All the proceeds support local charities, like the St. Joseph’s Neonatal Unit, among others.

Here a peek at this beauty:

 

Win this 2003 C5 Corvette Convertible!!!

Win this 2003 C5 Corvette Convertible!!!

For more information on the rules for the give-a-way and the car show navigate over to WWW.ROTARYTCC.COM and you can purchase your tickets for a chance to with this beautiful 2003 C5 Convertible (and other prizes) and enter your vehicle.

Maybe I’ll see you there and we talk cars!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

See you there!!!!

See you there!!!!

 

 

 

1952 Chevy PickUp For Sale

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Every town there are a couple places where folks just park cars they want to sell.  Those spots move around from time to time or new ones just popup.

There is one such place just down the street from my house.  It is just along the side of the road as you are headed out of town toward the freeway and right across from a large super store (grocery).   There is often everything from a trashed Ford Taurus and on up to large late model SUV’s.  There have even been some classics!!   Few weeks ago there was a 1969 Mustang – home made restoration and paint but not a bad looking car.  A few weeks ago there as a ’62 Ford Falcon with a bored out 302, dual exhaust.

Today had stop (ok…fine….I always stop!!) and lot at this 1952 Chevy pickup.  It was nicely done. I’d give the paint a 7 out of 10, the bed was nicely redone give that a 9 out of 10.  The interior was all original or restored to original.  Original material upholstery, gauges, steering wheel, dash.  Even had the original dash, stick shift and there near the top of the right hand side was the original push button radio.  So very cool.

I’m not selling, nor am I considering purchasing and I don’t know the seller.  Just thought it was a great looking car.  I didn’t talk to the owner but I did see the truck drive up under it’s own power as I was headed to the auto parts store and he was gone when I got back and stopped to look at it.  I believe it had the 6 cylinder  – but I have an issue with opening up a car without the owner there.  Maybe it an an alarm – my 1970 Mustang had one.

This baby looked great.  Asking price showed $23,000 obo.  Here are some pics:

 

Chrome look good....$23,000

Chrome look good….$23,000

Phone number is on the sign. Class was good all the way around.

Phone number is on the sign. Class was good all the way around.

Love the lines on the 1952

Love the lines on the 1952

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Great looking bumper.

Great looking bumper.

Floor bed is very well done.

Floor bed is very well done.

If you a reader of my blog and you are interested in the truck.  Call the guy and I’ll be glad to inspect it for you.

Regards

Tim1952 classic chevy trucks1952 classic chevy trucks