As I get started I’m reminded of watching my father working though the vacuum systems of the cars we use to own – mostly Chevy. Those always ended with vacuum hose tide off in knots or screws/nails unused holes. But back then in New York emissions weren’t tested as part of the annual State Inspection.
Here is how I’m tackling it:
Thanks for reading.
Tim
#ProjectSportsRoof
I am sooooooooooooo far behind in my blogging in general and specifically with the work on #ProjectSportsRoof. I’m catching up this weekend (actually it’s going to take a week or more to go through the videos) with the work I’ve done on the vacuum system.
The goal started out to get this all completed before the end of January when I had to renew the registration, but first it needed to pass emissions. So I had to hustle. The next few blog post cover this process.
There are some questions that come up and most of them were solved. In particular the Vacuum Distribution Solenoid locations. All the diagrams I pulled off the web were for non-A/C cars. This solenoid was moved to the back when A/C was installed. Take a look.
Of course the long vacuum hose leading down under the firewall does in fact run to the transmission.
More coming on the vacuum system.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
#ProjectSportsRoof
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!!!!
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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!!!!
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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
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!!
It is a 1967 Pontiac Beaumont!
Looks like a plain Jane Pontiac from the backside!!
It’s got a V8!!
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
Sometimes the Automotive Journalism world is so off track – pun intended – that they cross the line where “reporting” becomes “tabloid babble”.
Take the headline “MUSTANG BEATS CORVETTE!!!” “America Meet Your New Sports-Car King”.
That is quite a statement gracing the cover of the Feb 2016 issue of Car and Driver. But their criteria by which they obtain their conclusion is as lame as comparing the Corvette C7 with the Mustang GT350 cars. With misleading emphasis placed on things that are just plain ridiculous like ‘The Corvette’s seats are not as supportive…as the Mustang’s GT350’s Recaros.” they arrived at a score of 202 to 200 in favor of the Mustang.
It’s true that in ‘their’ numbers that matter to car guys the Mustang bested the Vette in 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph and tied in the 0-150 mph. That’s it!! Even by their numbers the Corvette spanked the Mustang in 15 areas including acceleration, chassis, weight, fuel, and sound level.
In what they call the ‘final results’ both cars are tied in the category they titled ‘VEHICLE’. This included such vague terms as “Driver Comfort” and “Ergonomics”. But the kicker was the Features/Amenities where Vette scored 10 out of 10 and the Mustang 2 out of 10. Combine this with a “as-tested-price” where Mustang got a 20 out of 20 and the Corvette received a 15 out of 20.
Am I the only one that realizes if you have more “Features/Amenities” the cost will be higher?
Even with that huge swing Corvette still wins by one point when you include their Power Train numbers (49 Stang – 51 Vette) and Chasiss (56 Stang to 55 Corvette). Total score at this point is Corvette 178 and Mustang 177.
To push the Mustang over the top they added the all important “Fun To Drive” category, where they give the Mustang the full 25 available points and passed out a 22 to the Corvette.
This is such a stretch and so subjected that making such a declaration and then gracing the cover is like reading a cheap tabloid new article – The “Kardashian’s” are extraterrestrials stranded here when their Bentley Bentayga got a rip in one of the $5508 rear folding bucket seats. (Insert grainy pic of an over priced cross-over with a Kardashian look-a-like screaming at the site of the defective upholstery.)
Shame on you Car and Drive!! I have half a mind to return that super cheap “free” cap you sent me for subscribing!!!! (But I think my German Shepherd chewed the visor off.)
Thanks for reading
Tim
Classic Mustang and C6 Corvette owner
www.agcarrestoration.com
#CNN
It just a great way to start the New Year, firing up the project car and take it for a quick jaunt down the road. Of course the car is ‘under construction” but still have to take out for a short distance.
The ’73 Stang is a long ways from being completed and yeah…I would be taking it out on the freeway just yet, but I does need to get driving.
My New Years resolution for #ProjectSportsRoof? “Get Her Done!” Next Years Day’s video will be 100% different from this one!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Rare trip. Just far enough to get the engine hot, take the C6 transmission through the gears and top out at about 70 mph.
Out and About!!!
#ProjectSportsRoof
Got a “Car Resolution” for 2016? Let’s hear it!!!
Thanks for reading.
Tim
I don’t often post up cars on Craig’s list or elsewhere, but I happened to run to the owner filling up the Ranchero at the Shell station down the street.
The pics in this post are from the Craig’s list ad, but I can tell you body is in great shape and straight. The wheels are awesome looking. The engine sounds strong and the interior is in great shape.
Take a look at these pics and it looks even better in person.
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Has the 400 in it…very cool (only a 2bbl carb….needs 4bbl – easy) Will need a transmission – easy to find a used one.
Wheels are great looking. Engine was pretty clean. Interior was great condition. Sounded awesome!!!
Body was in great shape. Originally delivered to DSO 74 (Seattle), so it’s a west coast car.
Check it out here:
http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/5368828992.html
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Thanks for checking back on #ProjectSportsRoof. Progress is being made and I’d like to finish up these post on the install of the Mach 1 grille on this ‘plain old’ sports roof.
This was pretty much straight forward, with a small change.
If you recall on the last post we started with a NOS Mach 1 grille I acquired from Ebay…..SCORE!!!
 NOS in original box |
 Box label – so what? Hey it’s cool!!! |
For now I’m using the signal lights from the old grille and a new proper pony badge.
New Pony Badge
The new badge is different from the original (that being just a large Mustang running), which I preferred. Of course this new badge is made in Taiwan and not as sturdy as I would have liked. In fact while tightening the one of the nuts provided the prong sheered off. Luckily there were enough threads to make it secure.
Here it is installed:
Here are a couple of videos on the install.
Now there are still a few thing I need to buy to finish up the grille:
But it’s looking pretty good!!
Thanks for reading.
Tim
As with most plastic exterior trim pieces on Arizona cars, the original grille in #ProjectSportsRoof has seen better days. Although this one is still mostly intact, it is brittle with a few missing tabs. Couple that with the look of the Mach I grille for the 1973 Mustang and I have to say I really like the look of it better than the standard.
Install is quick and easy….yeah…right!
More coming up on #ProjectSportsRoof.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Well win some and you lose some. If you’ve seen my other posts related the replacement of the points and condenser for the 351C you’ll notice that I gave conversion high marks. This was all based on the years of use I got out of the conversion I did on the 1970 Mustang 302 engine. One install and no problems.
As you know I had the heads rebuilt for the 351C and after re-installing them and all the components (intake, distributor…etc.) the car would not start. Popping the distributor cap showed why:
Drop me a note if you’ve had a similar experience.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
#ProjectSportsRoof
