The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is an extremely rare and cool road car built by Alfa Romeo. Only 18 are reported to have been made, plus three design studies based on the 33 Stradale the 33.2, Iguana and Carabo.
The race-bred engine bore no relation to the mass-produced units in Alfa’s more mainstream vehicles. Race engineer Carlo Chiti designed an oversquare (78 mm bore x 52,2 mm stroke) dry-sump lubricated 1,995 cc (121.7 cu in) V8 that featured SPICA fuel injection, four ignition coils and 16 spark plugs. The engine used four chain-driven camshafts to operate the valve train and had a rev-limit of 10000 rpm. The engine produced 230 bhp (172 kW) at 8800 rpm in road trim and 270 bhp (200 kW) in race trim.
And speaking of that composite bodywork, it is a gorgeously Italian (designed by Alfa Romeo and assembled by Maserati in Modena, no less) exotic design that Alfa says was inspired by the famed Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale racing car penned by Franco …
So I’m going to warp up the articles on the Fords on 4th Ave car show and getting ready for live tweets from Good Guys show in Scottsdale, Az tomorrow.
In a previous post I mentioned the lack of Mercury’s (other than Cougars) at the show, there were only a couple Thunderbirds and sadly only one Torino. I love the Torino! I should have kept my 1974 GS with Cobra Jet engine!
1974 Grand Sport Torino
So as a warp up I thought I’d share my (non-Mustang) favorites from the show.
First up is the one and only Ford Torino.
Very Nice 1973 Torino. Love the body style! This one didn’t have any of the badge and I couldn’t tell if it was a Grand Torino. It appeared to have a 351 engine.
Can’t say I like the grill.
Nicely done and mostly stock!!!
Here is the oldest Ford in the show:
1915 Ford Model T.
Doodlebug – defined as vehicle used for work around the farm. My Grandfather had one (1930’s Ford) and we called it the Doodlebug.
This Falcon is amazing!! Nice V8 (351 I believe).
Yes I know it’s a wagon!!! But check out the quad exhaust exiting in front of the rear wheels. Now that’s very cool!!
Interior was so nicely done!!!
Fairlane 500 Retractable!!!!
This Fairlane GTA was the bomb!!!
The Econoline had a V8 wedged between the seats!!!
Hope you enjoyed this recap of Fords on 4th Ave, here in Tucson, AZ.
While there were an abundance of Mustang and other Ford products at Fords on 4th Ave, missing was the Ford sub-culture of Mercury’s. For the past few years you could find a small group of Montereys, Montclairs, Park Lanes …
‘The most wonderful time of the year!!!’ No not Christmas – BETTER! It’s car show season!!! From March though Oct here in the southwest is prime car show.
Although the newer Mustang are awesome, you still can’t be the those of the 60’s and early 70’s, you just can’t! Check out these fine specimens!! Nicely restored.
While there were an abundance of Mustang and other Ford products at Fords on 4th Ave, missing was the Ford sub-culture of Mercury’s. For the past few years you could find a small group of Montereys, Montclairs, Park Lanes, Marquis, Turnpike Cruisers, and Montegos. I think I saw first Park Lane and Turnpike Cruiser at that event a few years gone. They were there this years.
That being the case there were some stunning examples Falcons and their spinoffs, as well as Cougars, trucks and everyone favorite Ford Fairlane/Galaxies 500’s.
On of the larger groups were the Ford Fairlanes/Galaxies, everything from the 500’s GTA’s and GT’s it was a great representation of what I think was one of Ford best designs. Check these out:
Cobra Le Mans
Check out the specs!!!
One of my favorite wheel types.
Here one more up close:
This is a GT.
That is the 390!!!
Interior is well restored. Original steering wheel.
Stacked Headlights and Stacked Tail lights
I do have to show you one custom version – lowered.
Galaxie 500 Stacked Headlights – Single Tail lights
Perfect Interior. Nice to see the steering wheel with horn rim.
Lowered with lots of chrome in the engine bay.
Here is the group shot.
An awesome sight!!
Still more to come. Drop me a note if you a favorite Ford!!!
Before there were muscle cars, there were big block racers. Designed to do battle on track in NASCAR, they had all the trappings of a big, luxurious car but with the beating heart of rampant V8. The two main proponents were Chevrolet’s Impala and Ford…
The six vehicles include a 1941 Lincoln Continental, a 1951 Hudson Hornet and a 1962 Ford Galaxie. They are scheduled to be auctioned at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy on the UT-Knoxville campus on Saturday. Baker, who died last year …
(I will never forget riding back from Pittsburgh in one of those 1970s blizzards with him driving his perfect 1966 Ford Galaxie. One tough winter driver, and he had no traction control computers aiding him, either.) Now, I await those new motor mounts …
Although the newer Mustang are awesome, you still can’t be the those of the 60’s and early 70’s, you just can’t!
Check out these fine specimens!!
Nicely restored 289
#IWantOne of these G.T. 350’s
Riding low – Nice custom
#IWantOne of these GT 500 (1967)
GT 500 (1967) Scoope-ville
Original interior – You don’t often see the steering wheel!!!
In case the 1967 GT 500 is a little rough riding, try the new version!
The Fox bodies had a few beauties as well.
Hard to tell from this photo but this was done in matte yellow.
Nice and nicer with NOS
Awesome!!
This car show was primarily put on by the Southern Arizona Mustang Club (SAMC) and although there was a higher percentage of Mustang, a few other Fords showed. Those are coming up.
The Southern Arizona Mustang Club showcases their vehicles from 7-9:00 p.m.. FC Tucson 4th of July Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson 85713. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.. Fireworks start 30 minutes after the game …
“The most wonderful time of the year!!!” No not Christmas – BETTER! It’s car show season!!! From March though Oct here in the southwest is prime car show season.
Normally I start feeding my car show appetite in January, during the car auction month that kicks off with Barrett Jackson in Phoenix, AZ. With my budget these are just fancy car shows, rather than a shopping trip. Then I suffer quietly until March when all the shows start kicking-in. This year I didn’t attend the Barrett Jackson event so I starved until this past weekend when I could attend my first show of the year. That show was Fords on 4th Ave, Tucson, Az.
I’ve attend this show for the past 4 or 5 years, even entering my 1970 Mustang one year. It is always a great time!
This year either with the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang, you’d expect to see a lot of the new cars and you would not have been disappointed. If you follow me on TWITTER (@AGCarRestore) you would have seen live shots. (You may want to follow me on Twitter, this weekend 3/13 I’ll be tweeting from the Good Guy’s show in Scottsdale, AZ.)
… their own price increases over MSRP for limited edition models, but even though the 2015 Ford Mustang has been in dealerships for months now – there are still some dealerships adding massive markups on the special 50th Anniversary Mustang GT.
If you are wondering what’s been happening with Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing.com, all I can say is, “It’s a long story.” Technology is a wonderful thing (I’ve been in the field for 20 years) but when it goes awry, it get can be as hard as regaining control of Formula 1 car in a 200 mph spin!!!!
Needless to say we are back and minus a few pics and a couple of posts (Ford on 4th Ave series and a couple of Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) – which I’ll reproduce) things are normal. (Damn, probably shouldn’t have typed that!!)
My apologies to my 13k registered users and those just stopping by for the interruption. Nothing worse the getting 404 errors.
Keep reading my posts and you’ll eventually learn that I love engines. There is something so comforting about an 1940-1970 engine all nicely painted and sitting on a stand!!! Like this 302 from my 1970 Mustang!!
The 302
I could decorate my house with them, of course Mrs. Average Guy’s Car Restoration and Mods would have something to say about that, for sure. I would if I could!! Being so inclined, lead me to wanting to share this article out of Hemmings. Enjoy.
Last weekend’s Rogers Classic Car Museum sale in Las Vegas, Nevada, truly offered something for everyone interested in mostly postwar American automobiles. In addition to the 200-plus cars that crossed the block, the sale featured an affordable array of display engines from American automakers, covering the period from 1949 to 1966. Sold for display purposes only, most engines were incomplete and likely suffering from a variety of mechanical problems, making them potentially unsuitable for use in restorations. Unlike most display engines, none were cut away to show the inner workings of valve trains, or pistons within cylinders, or transmission gear selection. As mechanical sculpture, they were interesting pieces, guaranteed to spark conversation, and ideal centerpieces for a finished garage or rec room.
1954 Mercury 256 CID
Dodge Red Ram Hemi
Chase the link below to see the rest of the article and pictures.
Got a few huge debuts this week’s Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids), so lets get started.
Feb 23, 1954 – Ford shows off the Thunderbird for the first time.
Although the Thunderbird wasn’t available until 1955 it was in design. Originally it was going to be called the Vega!!
1955 T-Bird
Feb 23, 1967 – Pontiac debuts the Firebird
The brain child of John Delorean the Firebird started out as the Banshee in two versions (XP 833 convertible or Hard top coupe). 1966 it was a two seater referred to as XP-798.
Look some what familar? Corvette maybe?
Pontiac brass thought so too and these concepts were not approved.
The XP 798 Firebird concept.
1967 Firebird
Feb 24, 1968 – American Motors debuts the AMX
1969 Hurst version…NICE!!!
Feb 25, 1905 – Jose Piquero crossed the Andes in a Caddy!!
Had to dig for this one. Found it on http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org. Back in 1905 a Cadillac was the first car to cross the Andes (the mountain range not Andes, New York) that happened on Feb 25th, but I don’t know why, nor does anyone else seem to know. I can tell you the Andes are in South American and average about 14,000 feet in altitude. The ’05 (that’s 1905 not 2005) Caddy was, well, let’s say “airy”. That ‘brave’ (pronounced ‘Crazy’) soul was Jose Piquero. But wait, some sources say it wasn’t a Caddy at all, but a Oldsmobile.
So I would imagine in either ride the trip was a tad bit chilly.
1905 Olds
1905 Caddy
Feb 27, 1934 – Ralph “Corvair Killer” Nader was born in Conn.
You can celebrate that (anyone? Bueller, Bueller…) if you absolutely can’t find another reason to have an adult beverage. I wonder if he fell out of a car seat when he was young?
1962 Lakewood
The last Corvair Vert.
I’m seeing the Corvair but can’t help notice the Nova’s on the rail car.
Feb 28, 1940 – Mario Andretti born in Montona, Italy
Here are your Auto Factoids (#autofactoids) for the middle of Feb, 2015!!
Feb 15, 1944 – Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was formed. For those of you that don’t follow racing you need to check out what SCCA does. It’s a great organization for local racing, as well as state/regional and even national. I’m a proud card-carrying member and attend the local chapter Arizona Border Region . I can attest that this chapter is well run and enjoyable.
Me and SCCA Solo instructor in my C7
Feb 16, 1951 – Nash-Healey debuts. The Healey Nash mash-up produced one of the most beautiful cars of the early 1950’s. They originally met the Queen Mary. Nash supplied the power train that consisted of the Ambassador’s straight six OHV 234.8 cu in (3.85 L) engine (minus the cast iron cylinder heads – they used their own design aluminum version) and three-speed manual transmission with Borg-Warner overdrive, plus torque tube and differential. Healey supplied the carbs – two SU and the body. Actually Healey designed the body to fit their frame, but aluminum body the supplied Panelcraft Sheet Metal.
Beautiful Aluminum bodied sport car!!!
2 SU twin 1.75-inch (44 mm) and lighter and higher compression cylinder head – boosting hp from 112 to 125 hp.
Feb 17, 1934 – First Drivers Ed Class – in State College, Pa.
Feb 18, 1952 – Studebaker 100 years
Studebaker started out with an electric car in 1902 (before that they produced wagons) and by 1904 began producing gas-powered.
Basically an electric wagon!!!
1904 gas-powered Studebaker.
1952 Studebaker. 2 years later money issues forced a merger with Packard.
1979 – Richard Petty wins Daytona 500 (Number 6 for him)
6th Daytona win 1979
The #43 Car for 1979
1898 – Enzo Ferrari born in Modena, Italy (Not sure what he is famous for!!!)
OH!!!!
Feb 20, 1954 – Dodge displays it’s Firearrow at the Chicago Auto Show (go on now for 2015)
One of the coolest concept cars!!! Agree?
Two convertible models
Clock in the steering wheel center? Crazy Cool!!
Awesome Interior
Thanks for reading! Let us know how you like the Auto Factoid segment!!!
As we run through the middle of the 2nd month of the year, here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids). A light week this week. Feb 10, 1942 – Pontiac.
Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for the first week in Feb. 2015!!! I think we can call this Kaiser Week as 3 of our factoid are related to the Kaiser auto.
Wow it’s the end of January already. Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for the last week of January 2015. Jan 26th 1920 – Lincoln Motor Company.
This 1936 Chevy Bus Was Made Into A Hose Hauler By The Fire Dapartment – Could It Haul Hot Rods?
Feb 16, 2015Brian LohnesBangShift XL, XL Online Find0
1936 Chevy Bus
So there will never be a day when we grow weary of seeing, scheming about, or dreaming of cool car haulers. This 1936 Chevy school bus was converted into a hauler of sorts many moons ago by a fire department to move hoses around. They simply lopped off the roof of the passenger compartment and left a big open flatbed for them to throw their heavy hoses on. We’re guessing that this rig was used in a town that wasn’t too large because a 1936 Chevy school bus laden with rolls of heavy hose would likely arrive to the scene of a fire in time to help save the basement after the rest of the structure was consumed. As cool as its history is, how neat might the future be?
Sparse interior…even when it was new.
It would take some doing and a lot of dough but we’re thinking that this truck has serious possibilities as a hot rod hauler. The cab area would need to be reworked and likely everything from the windshield back would need to be formed by a metal shaping house like Marcel’s or someone of that creative genius level of talent so that it didn’t look like a high school project. The entire drivetrain would need to be swapped out for something more powerful and modern, the chassis would need to be beefed, the suspension revamped, and the there’s the issue of the hauler area itself. Leave it as a flat bed and simply add some ramps? Make some sort of a wedge deal on the back of it? This is looking like a Donald Trump level budget project but it is pretty fun to mentally design the truck as we would want it. Your turn.
