Feature Car – Powell Pick-up.

This is the first of Average Guy’s  “Feature Car”  blog entries so a little preamble is required.  My daily driver is my 07 C6 Corvette and I love that car, but you won’t see new or newish exotic cars in this feature. Nope, it will be mainly comprised off beat, older cars including some muscle cars, pickups, utility vehicles and what not.

So I’m starting off with a pickup, most folks haven’t heard much about.  It’s the Powell pickup.

These are a bit odd-looking pickups.  See for yourself:

1956 Powell

These trucks were a collection of parts from other American car manufacturers.  They were produced 1954 – 1957 with about 1000 units created and I do mean created!!

They were built on early 1940’s Plymouth and Dodge chassis, with part of the bodies being producted of steel, front ends made from fiberglass and tailgate and bumpers made of wood at one point.  In most cases the engine was straight 6, Mopar‘s 201, but they did use a few other power plants in the same family, even some industrial engines.

One interesting notes is that the chrome used in the grille was from 1950 Ford rear door.  But the most unique feature was the cylinder shaped compartment that slide out of the rear of the trucks for fishing pole storage.

Unkept Powell Pickup with Fishing Pole storage

They also produced a wagon (station wagon-like) with the same storage as an option.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Custom Vette – Picture share

I just saw this and thought:

That’s what the C7 should look like!!!

New C7? Let's Start the Rumor!!!

New C7? Let’s Start the Rumor!!!

 

Toss in a LS7 and let’s go!!!!!

What do ya think?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Nearly Live 71 Cheyenne

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Something about this Chevy pickup I like.

Nearly Live 1978 Contential Diamond Jubilee Edition

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You know you would own one!!

Nearly Live 1965 Fairlane 500

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Yeah. It’s a 4 Door 500 with a 289!!!

Nearly Live Home Built

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BMW never thought of this.

Nearly Live 39 Ford

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Love this 1939 Ford pickup

What coming up?

Well a lot of things.

Look for nearly live updates for the Goodguys Car Show from Scottsdale, AZ on March 11, 2011. Pics and more.

More Factoids both auto history and engines, weekly car features (brands, local cars and oddities), concept car features and more Engines Series.

There’s more on the Mustang mods and more racing videos from event with my Corvette.

Wrenchin’ Tips, a couple of product and tool reviews.

I have DVD’s to give away and tools.

Toss your suggestion my way as well.

Thanks for reading

Tim

Auto Factoids for 3/1/2011

Here are a couple of auto factoids:

3/1/1988  Pontiac announces the end of the Fiero automobile – Was anyone sad about that?

Pontiac Fiero

3/1/1937   In New Jersey one of the largest dealerships of the era was opened.  The Miro Brothers opened a  state-of-the-art facility with “one of the largest and most modern showrooms in the country,” measuring 38′ x 40′ .  The dealership was service station and dealt for Buick, Packard, Oldsmoble, and REO trucks. The east side of the building served as a Mobil gas station and service garage during the World War II.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Wrenchin’ Tip – ’70 Mustang Transmission Swap

As I get ready to start the new round of mods for my 1970 Mustang Coupe, I’m reminded of a couple of issues that came up when I was assisting  a fellow Mustang owner doing a trans –  transplant.

The first tip is partially dependent on what stage you are in of  your restoration.

He has already finished most of the interior when the a transmission he wanted to add became affordable, it was a good deal…saving some $$$$.

He had decided to do the swap and add a short shifter.  This of course requires the removal the bezel and the current 3 speed shift lever, which is easily done from inside the car.

Bezel and Boot

In the course of removing those two parts, he found that the opening cut in the new carpet was not going to allow the access necessary.  An attempt to ‘widen’ it was successful but left a bit of a jagged slit.  Additionally, while removing one of the screws it snagged the carpet and pulled a few loops out.  Can you guess what the tip is?   Yeah…remove the carpet and if possible make the swap before you put new carpet in.

One other quick tip is to apply a little silicone spray to the shifter to help slide the boot off..oh…yeah…removing the shift knob before the boot is a good idea…..DON”T ASK!!!!!

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim