Auto Factoids for the Week of 4/19/15

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Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for last full week of April 2015.

April 22, 1954 – Nash and Hudson merge to from AMC

When does this:

NashRambler

Nash Rambler

PLUS THIS:

'53 Hudson Hornet

’53 Hudson Hornet

EQUAL THIS?  :

Javlin

Javlin

Well that’s the equation formed when Nash merged with Hudson and produced AMC.   AMC (American Motor Corp) produced some of the most memorable cars of the ’60’s-’70’s.  Although they often used components from other makers, they did have some unique sheet metal.

Gremlin X

Gremlin X

1975 Pacer

1975 Pacer

April 23, 1987  – Chrysler buys Lamborghini.

Lamborghini was founded in 1963 and sold in 1974.  It changed hands in 1980, 1984, 1987, 1994 and 1998 and now sits under Volkswagen Group ownership and managed by their Audi division.

Interesting how once buying Italian car companies, Chrysler is now owned by one!!!  I guess you need to be careful who you buy, some day they might help you out by returning the favor!!!  Chrysler is now owned by Fiat and Lamborghini is now owned by the Volkswagen Group via Audi.

chrysler buys lamborghini

 

April 25, 1970 – Mazda began importing cars to the U.S. for the first time.

1970 Cosmo

1970 Cosmo

They’ve come a long ways in the eyes of the American buyer.  Not sure if it was the “zoom..zoom” commercials or the cute little “girls” car Miata or dominating a lot of local SCCA racing meets – drat!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

1975 AMC Gremlin “Tested” on Ignition (W/Video)

On this week’s episode of Ignition, we celebrate the 45th anniversary of an iconic piece of American automotive history, the AMC Gremlin. Despite its peculiar design and strange proportions, owners of the Gremlin seemed to really love this car, and …

 

Auto Factoids for Week of April 12, 2015

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Just got this out for the week!!   Here is your Auto Factoids (#autofactoids) for April 12, 2015.

April 13 1965  Pontiac 10-millionth

The car was a 1965 Catalina.

1965 4 door Catalina the 10th Millionth Pontiac

1965 4 door Catalina the 10th Millionth Pontiac

 

April 13 1904  Caddy assembly plant burned to the ground.  More info on this site:   http://www.car-nection.com/yann/dbas_txt/Factq-s.htm

 

April 14, 1927  First Volvo is produced

1927 Volvo "Jakob"

1927 Volvo “Jakob”

It had wooden (ash and copper beech) underpinnings, sheet steel panels, leather upholstery, live axles and long leaf springs – loosely based on an American design.  It had a 4 cylinder engine that produced 28 hp.

 

April 16, 1908  Oakland motors sells its first car.

I believe they actually began producing cars in 1907.

I believe they actually began producing cars in 1907.

 

April 17, 1964 Ford Mustang debuts

1964 2+2 Mustang

1964 2+2 – My favorite of the under 1968 Mustangs.

 

 

4/17/1969 Ford began selling the Maverick.  <cricket…..cricket…>  Come on..it was a good car and getting more and more collectible!!!

 

1964 Maverick

1964 Maverick – Proper mods and you’ll have a monster street car!!

 

April 18, 1955  Lincoln becomes a separate division of Ford.   Lincoln started out as a separate brand in 1917 with its plant at 6200 West Warren Avenue in Detroit, Michigan and was name after Abe Lincoln. They began business by producing Liberty aircraft engine with pistons purchased from Ford for WWI.  After the war the re-fitted the plant and produced luxury  Ford bought the company in 1922.
April 18, 1964  Sunbeam Tiger Debuts

 

Shelby Cobra was the inspiration for the Tiger.

Shelby Cobra was the inspiration for the Tiger.

 

 

 Thanks for reading

Tim

#autofactoids

 

Auto Factoids for the Week of April 5, 2015 – Lotus and Tires

It’s a light week for the automotive history. April 5, 1923 Firestone introduces balloon tires. Everything we’ve accomplished with our rides has greatly depend and relied on Mr. Firestone’s improvement. It was a combination of …
Auto Factoids for the Week of 3/29/2015

Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) to finish out March and kick off April 2015. March 29, 1980 – Audi introduced their all wheel drive 1980.

A Look At Drifting Clutch Technology With Spec

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Thought I’d share this technology.  I have a Stage 2 Spec in my Corvette and has served me well on the street and auto cross.  Chase the link below to get all the details.

For most of us, we like our Mustangs to be well-rounded. Many of us can only afford one, so it needs to be able to do a few things other than just getting us from Point A to Point B. Fortunately, we can make a Mustang be good at a couple different types of performance without making wholesale changes. It’s pretty hard to make it great at several things at the same time, but we’re willing to make concessions in order to make it more than a one trick pony. We can take it to the drag strip, that’s easy. We can also take it road racing – which isn’t as easy – but we can still have a blast provided we have outfitted it accordingly with the right brakes. We can even take it drifting.

SPEC Clutches is a company that knows after the act of drag racing, drifting is something that comes natural to a Mustang. SPEC’s David Norton has been involved with drifting since the sport’s beginnings, and knows V8 power mixed with a tail-happy suspension, getting a Mustang to drift isn’t difficult.

Spec/s Drift clutch

Spec/s Drift clutch

via A Look At Drifting Clutch Technology With Spec.

Thanks for Reading.

Tim

spec clutches

2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – The Bird Doc

… the track kicking butt and taking names. Big thanks goes out to London Chassis Dyno, Kenne Bell, Lund Racing, Revan Racing, Trucarbon, TruFiber, Viking Performance, SPEC Clutches, Jack Hart Body Shop, Bischoff Engine Service, and Bivins Racecars.

BangShift.com Chrysler 413

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The Chrysler 413 is an interesting engine because it lived a long life in multiple roles and a very wide range of equipment. Hot rodders like to think about the hot rodded Max Wedge 413 (that gave way to the Max Wedge 426) and luxury car people like to think of the powerful and smooth Imperials and other cars that were shoved along by it, and finally truck guys will tell you that the 413 was a stalwart gas power plant offered in big trucks until 1979. That is a heck of a run for a mill that showed up on the scene in 1959 and was used in cars until 1965.

The videos below aren’t about floating Imperials or sneaky big Polaras. Nope, the videos below celebrate the most BangShifty application of the engine in the form of the 420hp Max Wedge 413 as offered in a small number of Plymouth and Dodge models in 1962. Combating the Pontiacs and Chevrolets, the “Super Stock Dodges” were quickly recognized in songs and popular culture. The Beach Boys talked about the cars in their song “Shut Down” while Jan and Dean were singing about the “Little Old Lady From Pasadena” who happened to also be driving a Max Wedge powered Chrysler. Rated at 420hp at 5,000 RPM this engine was a harbinger of things to come from Chrysler who really took the gloves off the next year when they expanded the engine to 426ci and later when the Hemi was introduced.

via BangShift.com Chrysler 413.

 

Watch the guy shift the car!!

 

 

 Yeah..that’s right…using the automatic push buttons.

 

Chase the BangShift link above to see the other video and the rest of the article.

 

Thank for reading.

Tim

413 max wedge

Ford Reportedly Filed Patent for 11-Speed Gearbox | Automotive News

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We wonder when the number of gear wars will stop. It’s not something manufacturers are actually seeking to do (outdo one another by having more cogs), but the number is rising – the most recent report says Ford has already patented a 11-speed automatic gearbox; this is one more gear than they publicly announced.Ford had previously officially expressed its desire to equip the 2017 F-150 Raptor (pictured as design study concept below) with a 10-speed unit, but there had been no talk of an 11-speed one until now.However, even if Ford did file a patent, it doesn’t mean the gearbox will get made. Company spokesman for powertrains ambiguously said that “as a technology leader, we submit patents on innovative ideas as a normal course of business. Patent submissions help protect our new ideas but do not necessarily indicate future business or product plans.”

via Ford Reportedly Filed Patent for 11-Speed Gearbox | Automotive News.

 

Raptor - 11 speed?

Raptor – 11 speed?

 

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Tim

 

Ford is Working on an 11-Speed Transmission

Manufacturers start working on new technologies many years before we see them in production vehicles, and this patent from Ford points toward a new 11-speed transmission happening somewhere in their future. The official patent document was just …

 

 

Mel Martin’s Auto Museum – Some Oldies

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One of the great attributes this collection has is some of the first cars and other types of early transportation.  So let’s get right to them.

 

Let’s just start at the beginning.  That would be this beauty!!!!

1886 Benz

1886 Benz
1886 Motorwagen - engine

1886 Motorwagen – engine

Benz Motorwagen

Benz Motorwagen

 

 

Here is the next one in line.  It’s a 1905 Cadillac – in white!

1905 Caddy

1905 Caddy – It’s the 4 Door Touring Model AC-F.   6.5 HP is produced by the 98.2 cubic inch engine.

 

What something a little ‘racier’?  How about this 1914 Ford Model T Racer – knocking out 40 hp from it’s 4 cylinder Rajo over-head-value engine.

Burns Intake and Winfield Model S1 Cab get this 1000lbs car up a moving!

Burns Intake and Winfield Model S1 Cab get this 1000lbs car up a moving!

 

 Here a fly-by for you.

Let’s stick with the racing theme for a bit and take a look at this 1922 Chevy Sport Roadster, body by Mercury Body Company.  Mr. Martin purchased this and drove it in the 1999 Hemmings Motor News Great Race.

Called the "Superior Chassis"

Called the “Superior Chassis”

Looks Fast to me - 26HP!!!

Looks Fast to me – 26HP!!!

 

That cooper tubing is make-shift oil cooler.

That copper tubing is make-shift oil cooler.

Headers are nicely wrapped

Headers are nicely wrapped

Looks like pretty comfy cockpit vs. the 1917 Model T Racer

Looks like pretty comfy cockpit vs. the 1917 Model T Racer

 

 

I wanted to jump to couple more utilitarian transportation modes of a vintage nature.

 

 

This is a 1915 Depot Hack by Ford.

This is a 1915 Depot Hack by Ford.

Motometer intack

Motometer in tack

Back of the Hack!!!

Back of the Hack!!!

Hack Cockpit

Hack Cockpit

 

I want to wind this up something I’d never seen before. 

 

1917 Douglas Dump Truck

1917 Douglas Dump Truck

Dumptruck

Powering this 6000 lbs utility vehicle is a 60HP Buda engine.

 

Coming up some of my favorites at the Martin Museum.

Thanks for reading.  

Tim

 

Vintage cars for vintage pinstripes

Vintage cars for vintage pinstripes. NEW YORK (AP) — Some riders using New York City’s subway system to get to Yankee Stadium for Opening Day are also going to get a trip back in time. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says a four-car …
About 150 vintage cars, tractors up for grabs at auction near Burwell, Nebraska

About 150 vintage cars and tractors will be up for grabs at the auction. Some noteworthy items include an original 1967 Ford Mustang convertible that still drives, 1959 Ford Edsels and a 1961 Studebaker Lark. Wolf estimated more than 200 items will be …
69 Vintage Cars Once Owned By OC Plumber About To Go On Auction Block

He was 76 and a plumber by trade. He lived in Buena Park. He also loved vintage cars. He collected them. A lot of them. Sixty-nine of them to be exact. KCAL9’s Brittney Hopper previewed the collection which is about to go on the auction block. It might …

 

Up Grade your Points & Condensers? – Engine Restoration

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I keep an eye on the several cable shows that relate to cars (“Counting Cars” is one of my favorites).   Most of them are short on technical details for restoring but they sure do put out some wonderful cars.  Budgets are everything.

I happened to catch a repeat of the other of the shows as they were working on a 1950’s vintage Caddy.  They were leaving it mostly stock except the engine and bagging the suspension to be able to lower it.

In the course of the starting up the engine they ran into a couple issues and one left the points and condenser fried.  As they showed the fried wire, I wondered “Why keep them?”  Seems to me if you are going to chop or lower and bag a classic, why not upgrade one of the weakest parts of the mechanical engine, the ignition system?

Weak Link

Weak Link

I learned from my Dad how to deal with points in particular (basically a condenser works or is gets replaces).  He taught me how to gap them and to take a bit of emery cloth to “clean” them up (hey money was tight when I was a kid) and re-gap them.  That’s really a lost art these days, but maybe for good reason.

 

This is commonly called a Feeler Gauge it is use to set the gap on spark plugs and points.

This is commonly called a Feeler Gauge it is used to set the gap on spark plugs and points.

 

If you are unfamiliar with the gauge or the technique you can still find ‘how to’ videos and gaping specs on-line, that doesn’t negate the fact that these are a common weak link (they will need to be replaced) in the over all functioning of your car’s ability to burn fuel properly.

The 302

The 302

Shortly after I installed the rebuilt engine in my 1970 Mustang (re-manufactured long block) the new distributor took dive.  I had done research on ignition systems and ran across Pertronix and decided to use one of their Flame Thrower modules and coil to replace everything under the distributor cap.  It was a good decision, there is no change to the appears of the engine, everything tucks under the cap and it becomes pretty much trouble-free.  I had no issues.

So tell me, would you keep the it old school under the distributor cap for your restoration or give it a chip?

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

Engine tuning

magneto ignition systems, including poor battery supply bonding, points and condenser problems, distributor failure and spark plug gap. One feature was

Auto Factoids for the Week of April 5, 2015 – Lotus and Tires

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It’s a light week for the automotive history.

 

April 5, 1923  Firestone introduces balloon tires.  Everything we’ve accomplished with our rides has greatly depend and relied on Mr. Firestone’s improvement.   It was a combination of cotton cords infused with rubber that allowed for long distance driving without punctures.

Pneuamtic Tire

Pneuamtic Tire

Balloon tire ad.

Balloon tire ad.

 

April 9, 1957 – Lotus’ first single seat race car.  As far as I’ve researched Lotus had a single seat race car concept either in 1954 or 1955.  The 1956 Lotus was a two-seater but usually had a single roll cage on the right side (drivers side).   It seems clear that the 1957 Lotus 11 (or Lotus 13 unofficially) race car didn’t actually race in a Grand Prix until 1958.

 

1955 Lotus MK IX

1955 Lotus MK IX

1956 Lotus 11

1956 Lotus 11

 

1958 Lotus 11

1958 Lotus 11

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoids

 

lotus racing

Ron Scott’s 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Has a Split-Window Personality

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Emulation is probably one of the most commons things in the car hobby. We see a car at a show or race and are instantly entranced by its siren song of looks, performance, and imagination-stimulating allure. And after enough exposure, commitment to building a duplicate becomes irresistible.

Ron Scott Jr. had always loved the vintage race look on classic Corvettes. Wide wheel flares, spoilers, race-style wheels and brakes, the growl of a powerful V-8 through headers and race exhaust, they all had him entranced to the point he wanted to build one of his own. He wanted a car he could not only show, but also take to track days and autocross events as well. After searching online, he found a suitable candidate on eBay to start his build with.

“I found the car on eBay for $35K. It was rough, with some bodywork completed and a second-gen LT1 out of an early fourth-gen Camaro sitting in the frame. It was pretty much a roller with no interior, wiring, or anything special. It was perfect for what I was looking to do, as we didn’t want to modify anything that was nice.”

See the rest of the images and store @  Ron Scott’s 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Has a Split-Window Personality.

 

1963-chevrolet-corvette-drivers-side-view

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

super chevy show 2015super chevy show 2015

Mel Martin’s Auto Museum – Corvettes

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Last week my wife had to sit for a certification exam for her profession.   It was conducted over multiple days and held in Phoenix, AZ.  That is about a 1.5 hours drive (unless I’m driving the Vette, just joking always, obey the speed limits kids!!) north of Tucson and it made sense to grab a hotel room and spend 3 days.  While she was enduring the slow torture that they cleverly called “taking the exam”, I was left with a very rare, continuous span of free time.

I don’t know about you, but when I end up with unappropriated time and I’m in a hotel room, I don’t spend it watching HBO. I’ll jump on the WiFi and find some car action.  This was a perfect time to find some local car shows or events.  Just so happens on the way to the hotel I saw a sign, a few exits before the one we exited to reach the hotel, that read “Auto Museum”.

I gave that a Google and found the exact address.  The museum was called Mel Martin’s Auto Museum – “Phoenix’s Largest Auto Museum” and it was only open from noon to five the next day and asked for a $5 donation. So I put that on my to do list and head there the next day.

The museum is on a one way frontage road.  The building looks to be an old self-storage place converted in to businesses.  The museum entrance looks unassuming and you wouldn’t think it large enough to house 60 cars and a ton of automobilia.

Here are some highlights:

 

What kind of car museum would you be without a Corvette or two?

 

This beautiful 427 is an eye catcher!

This beautiful 427 is an eye catcher!

Check out Corvette Row!!!

VetteRow-3 VetteRow-4
VetteRow-5

 Here is a Vette you don’t see anywhere!!!

ListerVette-1

The 1992 Lister Corvette

ListerVette-2

Great lines…barely resembles a C4.

ListerVette-3

Front end looks like a Jaguar’s

ListerVette-6

I think the 17″ wheels are great looking!!!

ListerVette-5

The hood has those breathing holes for a reason. The LT1 under the hood…yeah it’s Vortech Supercharged!!! 500HP and 454 LB-FT of torque!!! Only automatic produced.

ListerVette-7   ListerVette-10

It also included the 1978 25th Anniversary Indianapolis Pace car.

Only 15 miles on this well preserved beauty! (No I don't know why I took the pic this way.)

Only 15 miles on this well-preserved beauty! (No, I don’t know why I took the pic this way.)

 

Thanks for reading.  More coming up on Mel Martin’s Auto Museum.

Tim

 

mel martin auto museum