#ProjectSR76 L48 Engine Inspection

Welcome back to Average Guy’s Restoration and Mods and Racing.

For this post we are going to give the L48 a once over.

Take a look:


When I mentioned the cam, just to be clear it was an upgraded cam according to the previous owner, however he didn’t put it in the guy he bought it from put the upgraded cam in.

More coming up including IS IT NUMBERS MATCH? and WHERE DO WE START?

Thanks for checking.

Tim

SR=Stingray
76 -1976

#ProjectSR76 – The Undercarriage

Welcome back.

Here’s a quick look at the undercarriage of #Project#SR86, my 1976 Stingray.   Everything looks solid.

Although today I found a fairly significant power steering leak.

I’m pleased with this purchase.

Let me know what you think.

 

 


I have the engine bay coming up next.

Tim

 

#Project SR76
1976 Stingray

#ProjectSR76 1976 Stingray – Interior Inspection

We begin creating the list of thing that need attention on the 1976 Stingray. We start by inspecting the car. This video the interior.

Now you might have go to back ways in the list of posts and videos to find those showing the condition of my last project 1973 Mustang (#ProejctSR73) and the Vette is in much better shape the than the Stang.  Vette is 90% better mechanically and 80% better interior wise then the 1973.

I grew up loving the C3 body styles.  I share the same birth as the Corvette (although the brand is a bit older than I am) and 1976 was the year I graduated high school.

So take a look at the interior.


Thanks for checking and there’s lot more coming up.

Tim

SR=Stingray
76 -1976

C3 Corvette Search Episode 4

The search has ended.

INTRODUCING #ProjectSR76  (1976 Stingray)

 

 


Lots more coming – Exterior walk around, interior inspection, undercarriage look and a peak at the power plant.

So come on back!!

Tim

SR=Stingray
76 =1976  (duh)

C3 Corvette Search Episode 1

Thanks for checking in.

As I mentioned last time (and again in this video) I am searching for my next project.

With #ProjectSportsRoof settled in its new home and getting ready for paint, I’m looking for my always coveted C3.

I’m going to chronicle the search here and in my group on Facebook Average Guy’s Car Restorations and Projects https://www.facebook.com/groups/448659875541893.

This video kicks this search off.  Enjoy.

 

 

MORE TO COME.

TIM

Chevrolet Corvette C3 - Wikidata

Corvette Mustang – Corvette Mustang – Then and Now

Over on Facebook one of the groups has a Then and Now series of posts.  That consisted of folk posting the cars they were driving 10 years ago and now.  I thought that was cool so I put quick clip together for my rides then and now.

For sometime now I have a Mustang Corvette combo, my  ’70 Mustang/84 Vette combo and my ’73 Mustang/’07 Vette combo.

 

Just a little trip down memory lane!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Neighbor George’s 1979 El Camino

While I’m still adjusting to my new career (putting work on #ProjectSportsRoof on hold) Bill is helping a neighbor with his El Camino.

 

 

Sand is a hazard here the great southwest and your engine isn’t going like that!!!

A good fuel filter can save your engine.

When Bill called me to chat about the sand issue, we discussed where that sand might have originated, after all we do live here in the desert of southern Arizona and sand has a habit of getting in to just about everything.  We thought that a Seafoam treatment might be in order, although I think that might be a long shot.  So Bill and George changed the fuel filter and George is going to add the Seafoam to about a half a tank of gas and drive until almost empty, then pull the filter, check for sand and replace with a new filter.  If the sand is still an issue, I suggest dropping the tank for a good cleaning.  

The 1979 El Camino was the second year for the more compact design, based on the Malibu platform.  The standard engine choices were a six cylinder and the 305 and 350.   They had a cost of around $5000.00.

A HUGE, thanks to Neighbor George for sharing he awesome ride!!

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

#ProjectSportsRoof

#ProjectBeepBeep

 

They Made How Many? 1959

I haven’t done one of these in a while, but I was reading an article from the ” Worlds Most Excellent” automotive publishing enterprise – Hemmings.  An article in the January 2017 issue of Classic Cars publication is a piece written by Jeff Koch (who is their – West Coast/Southwest guy) on GM’s Flattop designed cars of the 1959-1960 era.  These were massive cars with huge trunks and tons of  wrap around glass.

This a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Flattop 4 door

This a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Flattop 4 door- ain’t it huge?

According to the article these were just a two-year deal – ’59-’60.  So that got me to thinking how many were made?

Over all car production for 1959, which still saw the likes of DeSoto, Edsel (its last gasp of breath), Studebaker,  Imperial (as a separate brand…again) and even the Metropolitan, as producer of cars.    The leader for that year was Chevrolet in first place with just over 1.46 million cars produced followed by Ford in close range with 1.45 million cars produced.  The rest of the field looked like this:

Plymouth with 458, 261 (in third place which gives you an idea how the rest fared) followed by  Pontiac with 383k, then  Oldsmobile with 382K and  Rambler with 374k.   Buick managed 285K and  Dodge produced 156k, which was just slightly than Mercury with 15ok and Cadillac with 142K cars produced.  The field rounded out with Studebaker driving 126k out of the factory and a substantial for Chrysler with just 69, followed by Desoto with 45k, Edsel with 44k and Lincoln/Continental with just 26k.  At the bottom stood Metropolitan and Imperial 22k and 17k respectively.

So an estimated 2,655,686 cars were produced by GM in that year.  That’s a lot of flattops this include Cadillacs that didn’t escape the design.
1959-cadillac-sedan

chevrolet

Nor did the Corvair!!

So where are the now?  I just don’t see that many around and I’m sure it’s due to the 2 year only style and finding all that wrap around glass.

Have you seen one of these cool designed GM Flattops?  Drop me a note and pic and I’ll publish it up.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

I don't really need a Lambo....but.....

#TheyMadeHowMany

#projectsprotsroof

Car Production Numbers. They Made How Many? 1901

This is it. The beginning of it all.     What were they making in 1901? The top producer was the Locomobile car company with a total out put for the year 1,500 cars. Winton was second with 700 cars. Oldsmobile (ahh one we’ve heard of!!) was third with 425. White came in fourth with 193. Autocar was next …
Car Production Numbers. They Made How Many? 1911

1911 oh… that was a great year!  Well I don’t actually have any proof of that, but there sure were a lot of new car makes that year.  Here the list: Alpena; ArBenz; Atterbury; Carhartt, Case, Chevrolet; Colby, Crow-Elkhart, Dalton, Gaylord, Havers, Hupp-Yeats; King; Lenox; Mighty Michigan; Motorette; Nyberg: Penn; Rayfield; …
Car Production Numbers. They Made How Many? 1922

It is 1922 and the car industry is moving right along.  Small start-up car companies pop up here and there in the 1920’s. Here is how they stacked up for 1922. Top spot was Ford  producing 1,147,028 cars. Dodge was a very distant second with 152,653 car rolling off their assembly line. Chevrolet ran …
Car Production Numbers. They Made How Many? 1928

The Roaring Twentys – a great time in US social and economic history.  1928 things still looked pretty good and no indication of the tough economic times that would lead to the terrible 30’s. 1928 saw 8 car companies fighting it out for market shares. Chevy lead the way with just over a million …

2017 Corvette Grand Sport Has Racing Roots – Z07 – WOW!

2017 Corvette Grand Sport

2017 Corvette Grand Sport

The new 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine to deliver exceptional performance. The Grand Sport Collector Edition features an exclusive Watkins Glen Gray Metallic exterior with Tension Blue hash-mark graphics, satin black full-length stripes and black wheels. the new Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine.

With Corvette Racing in its DNA, the all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is a pure expression of the car’s motorsports-bred pedigree. It was introduced today at the Geneva International Motor Show.

  • Lightweight architecture and track-honed aerodynamics
  • An engine offering an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability and up to 1.2g with the available Z07 package
  • Coupe and convertible available this summer in U.S. and fall in Europe  
  • Grand Sport Collector Edition available later in model year

Read the entire article: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Has Racing Roots

Thanks for reading.

Tim

C6Racing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 corvette grand sport

2017 Corvette Grand Sport: Sports Car | Chevrolet

Designed to deliver high-level performance, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport is the latest member of the Corvette sports car lineup.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Is A Track-Tastic Z06 Without A …

Mar 1, 2016 I’m deeply thankful for all these new naturally-aspirated track day cars, like the Camaro Z/28, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mustang GT350R.
The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Is A Track-Tastic Z06 Without A …

Mar 1, 2016 I’m deeply thankful for all these new naturally-aspirated track day cars, like the Camaro Z/28, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Mustang GT350R.

Barrett-Jackson Sleeper Cars – Results

In a earlier post I picked out two sleeper cars that were totally awesome (does anyone use that phrase any more?).  Here is how they did at auction.

The odd Pontiac Beaumont – Chevelle/Nova/Chevy II build by GM and sold North of the border by Pontiac-Buick dealerships throughout Canada brought a nice price.  Seems someone liked the 375hp, 396 – Chevelle SS trim car to the tune of $32,000.00 (USD).  Yeah…no kidding!!!!

 

Love the side vents!!! Can you tell yet?
Looks like a plain Jane Pontiac from the backside!!

I love this car!!!

The other sleeper was a 1966 Chevy Chevelle 300 Deluxe.  It was a plain jane looking Chevy with painted steel wheels. But it had a big surprise – 502 crate GM motor with 502 hp.  AWESOME!!!!  As was the hammer price…………………… $41,800.00.  WOW!!!!

It's a 1966 Chevelle Custom 300 - sleepy little car isn't it? Just a great little every day (back then) commuter car.

Of course there were many, many other awesome cars. Look for a few more posts on the Barrett-Jackson auction from last week.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

barrett jackson scottsdale 2016