Car News Now (C.N.N.) The Case Against a Mid-Engined Corvette

Take a good look at the picture below. If you thought there was a fuss  about  the C7 styling, just wait for them to roll this out!!!

 

They say it’s really going to happen: my friend Chris Doane used his massive telephoto Canon lens, nicknamed “The Stanley Cup” by his friends, to catch what looks a lot like an engineering mule for a mid-engined Corvette. Either that, or there’s going to be a mid-engined Holden Ute with no available space in the bed coming to Australia real soon. Supposedly this is going to be called the “Zora” or the “ZR1” or, predictably, the “ZR1 Zora” and it will go on sale at the end of 2017 alongside the current C7-generation ‘Vette.If that’s truly the case—if the first production Corvette to locate its engine behind the driver is just a limited-production, megabuck special—then I suppose I have no real beef with the idea. If, on the other hand, they’re proposing to replace the traditional Stingray with a mid-mounter, then that’s totally freaking crazy and we all need to take the strongest possible action before it’s too late.

Source: The Case Against a Mid-Engined Corvette

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

mid engine corvette zora

73-17

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

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 – Sleeper Chevelle

It is tough to pick out favorite cars at a place like Barrett-Jackson’s Classic Car Auctions.  There is too much to like.  I can say I just like Mustangs or I just like Corvettes, but in reality, I can find lots to like about many classics.  But when you sit back at the end of the day of previewing the cars and think about the beautiful works of art, there will be a few that come to mind right away.

So here is one of my favorites I saw on opening day.

Lot #1563 1966 Chevy Chevelle 300 Deluxe

Great looking 66 Chevelle.

Great looking 66 Chevelle.

It is a 300 Deluxe

It is a 300 Deluxe

Just a great little every day (back then) commuter car.

Just a great little every day (back then) commuter car.

Just love the painted steel wheels and center hub caps. Hey..what's that badge on the fender?

Just love the painted steel wheels and center hub caps. Hey..what’s that badge on the fender?

What?!!!!1

What?!!!!

 

What a sleeper car!!!!!   Check out the options:

  1.  502 GM crate engine with 502 horse power
  2. Aluminum heads
  3. 12 bolt Posi-Traction rear end
  4. Dual Exhaust
  5.  Richmond 6 speed manual transmission
  6. 4 wheel disc braker
  7.  Aluminum radiator
  8. Tach

Should cross the block on Sunday, Jan 31.  I’ll watch to see what it brings!!!!

P.S. – It’s NO RESERVE!!!

Thanks for reading

Tim

#barrettJackson

barrett jackson scottsdale 2016

 

 

 

 

 

barrett jackson scottsdale 2016

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

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

 

 

 

Barrett-Jackson Car Auction, Scottsdale, AZ 2016 – Are You Ready?

Opening day is today in Scottsdale, AZ and follow me live on Twitter @agcarrestore for live shots, videos and commentary!!!!

 

See you there!!!!

Timbarrett jackson scottsdale 2016

Auto Factoids for Week of Jan 17, 2016 – Corvette, Cadillac and Gas Turbines

Here are your #AutoFactoids for the week up Jan 17, 2016.

 

Jan 17, 1903 Cadillac introduces its first car at Madison Square Garden

1903 Cadillac

1903 Cadillac

I say ‘car’, some say ‘horseless carriage’.  Regardless it was a high-end run-about powered by 1.6 liter, 1 cylinder/2 value engine – producing 6.5 hp to haul around it’s 1300 plus lbs.

Jan 17, 1953 Chevy introduces the Corvette at a Motorama show in NYC

From the 1953 Motorams - Corvette Display

From the 1953 Motorama – Corvette Display

Jan 17, 1956 Ford becomes a public company

They offered 10.2 million shares of stock at $63.00 each – shares opened at $64.50 and closed at $69.50.  Today Ford stock is running around $12.00.

Jan 20, 1942 Chevy ceases car production to help support war effort.

As United States as drawn into WWII the Federal government asked the car companies to stop production new cars.  The metals and rubber were in short supply and providing the military with these items was the first priority.   Most of the car manufacturers retooled to help the war effort.  Chevy produced the T-17 Staghound armored scout cars in Flint, Mich.  These cars were armed with 37 mm Cannon.  Production began in Oct. of 1942 and 3,800 were produced through April 1944.

ChevyWWII

 

Jan 21, 1954 Turbo Cruiser Bus produced –  the 1st gas turbine engine vehicle

 

http://www.turbinecar.com/mags/trueauto55/trueauto55.htm

http://www.turbinecar.com/mags/trueauto55/trueauto55.htm

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

cool and old cars on Pinterest | Cadillac, Chevy and Buick

Auto Factoids for the week of Aug 26, 2012. Cadillac Runabout, 1902. 1902 Cadillac Runabout. 1902 Cadillac. 1. Pinned from. Uploaded by user. Pin it. Like.
Cascadia Classic – Vintage cars in Portland Oregon: 1973 Volvo …

I seriously like the lines of this car!! Auto Factoids for the Week of Jan 18, 2014 http://wp.me/p2YxYx-3d4. my Mum had one of these in dark green.. this one from  …

Car News Now (C.N.N. ) – Mustang Beats Corvette – WHAT!!?

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”.

Front-Mustang-GT350 2014C7

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

How to Start The New Off – Take the ’73 Mustang for a Drive!!

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

Out and About!!!
#ProjectSportsRoof

Got a “Car Resolution” for 2016?   Let’s hear it!!!

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

projectsportsroof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drive-By in Jerome, Az ’69 Nova, ’71-’72 Mustang and 2016

Thought I’d end up the year with a Drive-By.

These little snippets are by chance photos of interesting cars.

During a trip to Jerome, AZ I was investigating this nicely cared for 1969 Chevy Nova.

Great Body Style

Great Body Style

Love the Poverty Caps

Love the Poverty Caps

Got the Camaro taillights.

Got the Camaro taillights.

 

The ’69 Nova was really just a pedestrian car and perhaps the worse evolution possible of the Chevelle, Chevy II of the early ’60. (Of course it got much worse in the late ’70s and early ’80s!!!)

These came in  3 main engine groups….4, 6 and 8 cylinders – yes 4 cylinders!!! There were 6,103 4 cylinders produced (make them a rather rare find in original condition), 157,400 6 cylinders and 88,400 V-8s ( 17,654 of those were in Super Sport trim).  The horse power ranged from a weak 90 hp to meager (by todays standards) 200 hp.

As I was standing back to get the little more distance on the shot I noticed something in the view finder:

In the background

In the background

Getting closer

Getting closer

Oh so nice!!!

Oh so nice!!!

And a wave!!!

And a wave!!!

Yes a very nice ’71 or ’72 Mustang.   One year later I’d own a 1973 Mustang, the last of the big ‘Stangs!!!

So this is my last post for 2015.

I wish all of my readers/followers and other fellow gear heads, car nuts, car peeps a super New Year and all the best in 2016!!

Coming up in 2016 I’ll be working straight out to finish the 1973 Mustang Sports Roof (#ProjectSportsRoof) – got to get is show ready in the next year – so keep checking back for updates (floor pan, vacuum system and much more coming up next month).  We also will attempt to get pod-casts rolling but you’ll also be able to keep up on our hobby with C.N.N. (Car News Now), special pieces on the 351 Cleveland engine and more parking lot spotlights, AutoFactoids (#AutoFactoids), Engine Line Ups and much more.

See you all in 2016 – maybe at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, AZ Jan 23, 2016?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

www.agcarrestoration.com

#ProjectSportsRoof

#ProjectSportsRoof

#ProjectSportsRoof