Following the precedent set by Ford with its hot new NASCAR Fusion, Dodge unveiled a muscular Charger that’ll be running Sprint Cup during the 2013 season. Dodge enjoys the distinction of being the only Cup car that’s based on an actual RWD V8 civilian version, but the reveal also comes at a problematic time for the manufacturer: with Penske Racing having just announced that it’ll be leaving Dodge for Ford, the only Charger in the field is run by independent Robby Gordon. SRT Motorsports chief Ralph Giles says all options are on the table, including pulling Dodge from the series altogether. What do you think, does Dodge have a future in NASCAR? After seeing this new Charger, I kind of hope so. More info at NASCAR.com, pics via Autoblog.
The wooden frame was white ash (adding structural rigidity to the doors and deck lid), fitted with interlocking miters. Mahogany veneer plywood filled the spaces within the frames.
Now that is craftsmanship!!!!
The engine was the Spitfire Straight Eight with 323.5 cubic-inch displacement and 135 horsepower coupled to a fluid drive transmission.
135 HP
The convertible was the most favored of the Town and Country line with 8,368 sold. In 1948, the price tag showed $3,395.
You are going to like this pics from Red Stripe Adventure’s blog. The lowered Lincoln in stealth black and you have to agree that Hudson looks great – in spite of the WWII aircraft theme.
Thanks for reading.
A quick recap, I had a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby manual 4 speed transmission rebuilt and installed it in my 1970 coupe. This included a Hurst Competition Plus Shift Kit. Of course the configuration isn’t even close to the original 3 speed and the old bracket for the reverse light switch won’t go back on.
I didn’t really think of this as the time of the installation so I just zip-tied the wiring and old switch up until I picked up the conversion part for the Hurst kit. This included a reverse light switch and a properly formed bracket. Cost was about $29.00 at the same local hot rod shop I bought the shift kit from – they are car guys not salesmen, which is why they didn’t mention the light switch bracket.
Don’t asks me why I felt the need to take video of the kit still in the package but here it is:
As you can see in the video below. The switch had two screws as posts for the wiring, new switch..old school technology. Basically you’d wrap the end of a wire around the screw and tighten, not a great connection for hanging under a car, nor for the amount of vibration the 302 dishes out. Used the screws and the small ‘lock” washer to hold the electrical connectors in place. That will last.
This is my 500th post for Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing blog (my one and only blog). It has become a bit more board in scope than what I originally intended, but if you are a total car nut case, like me (my wife uses the “o’ word) and have AADD (automobile attention deficit disorder…..HEY..that could be REAL…you don’t know that it’s NOT!!) you want more than just a Chevy or more than just 1950’s cars. You’ll be drawn to others. (“Drawn” makes it sound like a slow process…but picture a disco era strobe light…yeah that’s a but closer to what I’m trying to describe.) I’ve moved fairly close to the edge, having a ’70’s car and a 2007 model and mixing technologies and brands, Ford and Chevy. (I need a MOPAR and a Citroen.)
Of course one of the fun things that keeps me blogging are comments, not so many posted here, but a ton on Facebook and Twitter and now even Google+. I like when a reader’s comment sparks a blog entry instead of just sitting there. That brings me to the subject of this piece.
Bill is a frequent reader and leaves comments on a regular basis. In my recent entry on the 1957 DeSoto Adventurer sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, last weekend Bill wrote this:
Bill
Submitted on 2012/01/28 at 6:12 pm
DeSoto was Chrysler’s Oldsmobile, and I think it was unappreciated both by the public and Mother Mopar herself.
Back when I lived in San Jose, CA (actually Santa Clara) in the early 1990s, there was a 1957 Adventurer 4 door parked in a driveway with four flat tires in a neighborhood near mine. I think the car had been registered last in 1979. The body, chrome, glass, and even the interior seemed in excellent condition, yet I knew the car needed more than just TLC to become roadworthy. Each time I passed that car I wanted to leave a note and see if I could get it cheap enough to restore.
I know that 4 door DeSotos would not be collectible, or bring the big money, but somehow this car seemed to be in good enough shape that it was worth saving from being just a donor parts car. I’ll be in San Jose on business soon, and will make it a point to drive by and see if the car is still there.
Have a nice day, Bill
It’s true that in the past 4 door versions of classic cars of the 50’s and 60’s lagged as far as pricing and collectivity. But that is changing. I as work to finish up my classic car auto appraisal certification, I’m finding that, much like the cars of 1910-1940’s, 2 extra doors aren’t hurting the price they’ll bring. Just take the trend of station wagons – sure at Barrett Jackson’s you’ll only see the two door(plus tailgate) and they’ll bring ‘bigger’ money, but 15 years ago, only crazy people had wagons restored. But the prices for cars like the Pontiac Safari wagon and the Buick Vista Cruiser (Sports wagon) are bringing higher prices. (Actually I think it was Olds Vista Wagon and Buick Sports Wagon.)
58 Safari Wagon
69 Buick Sports Wagon
I’m still quoted as saying that my Mustang, because it’s a coupe and not a fast back or a sports roof, will never to be worth what I’ve spent in restoring it. Interestingly enough, you can start finding them on the web and Ebay for $16k. One recently sold for a bit more than that and it to was a 302 with 351 heads and a wing. So these things are changing. Publications like Hemmings and others are often recommending the purchase of 4 door 50’s and 60’s cars. In part because they are well priced and with the after-market bolt ‘ons’ and drop in crate motors, you can take what was originally under powered 4 door and make it a rubber melting monster.
So go get those 4 doors. Winch them out of the barns and ditches, drag ’em home, restore them back to life and drive ’em!!!!
And I hope that Bill’s DeSoto (see I already have him owning it) is still there and at the least can grab us a few pics. And if you can get some contact info for the owner, I might add a pre-MOPAR to my driveway. Thanks for the comment Bill.
Hey everybody, just a quick update on the TrackVids Racing4Vets BMW E30 325 ground up build. Here are a few photos of the cage and interior paint work. Very clean, very tidy, gonna be lots of fun!
BMW Shell getting some paint.
Interior Sprayed
Cage shot
Can’t wait to see it done.
Thanks for reading. Here is their Site: https://plus.google.com/u/0/112504538024847827140/posts
I’d adding some new content to the site. I get a lot of emails on factory racing and I thought I’d include article from time to time.
These entries will not be my original work – but with my commentary (EVERYONE loves my commentary…ok….maybe some one does..but too bad, it’s my blog!!!) . This won’t be the driver stats, or the standing for championships, this will be about the cars.
First up is the Ford page which gives a look at the Ford Fusionrace car for 2013…..now why would you want to EcoBoost on your race car??? (ok..fine ruin my fun….it’s only an ad!!!) Check it out at the following link: http://wp.me/PKHNM-SK
