Tag Archives: Auto Restoration

Fords on 4th Ave – Torino, Trucks and Fav’s

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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.

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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.

 

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Can’t say I like the grill.

 

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Nicely done and mostly stock!!!

 

Here is the oldest Ford in the show:

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1915 Ford Model T.

 

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Doodlebug – defined as vehicle used for work around the farm. My Grandfather had one (1930’s Ford) and we called it the Doodlebug.

 

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This Falcon is amazing!! Nice V8 (351 I believe).

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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!!

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Interior was so nicely done!!!

 

Fairlane 500 Retractable!!!!

Fairlane 500 Retractable!!!!

 

This Fairlane GTA was the bomb!!!

This Fairlane GTA was the bomb!!!

The Econoline had a V8 wedged between the seats!!!

The Econoline had a V8 wedged between the seats!!!

 

Hope you enjoyed this recap of Fords on 4th Ave, here in Tucson, AZ.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

Fords on 4th Ave Continued III Galaxies

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 …
It’s Car Show Season….YES!!! Fords on 4th Ave!

‘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.
Fords on 4th Ave Continued II

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.

Fords on 4th Ave Continued III Galaxies

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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:

 

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Cobra Le Mans

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Check out the specs!!!

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One of my favorite wheel types.

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Here one more up close:

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This is a GT.

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That is the 390!!!

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Interior is well restored. Original steering wheel.

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Stacked Headlights and Stacked Tail lights

I do have to show you one custom version – lowered.

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Galaxie 500 Stacked Headlights – Single Tail lights

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Perfect Interior. Nice to see the steering wheel with horn rim.

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Lowered with lots of chrome in the engine bay.

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Here is the group shot.

An awesome sight

An awesome sight!!

 

Still more to come.  Drop me a note if you a favorite Ford!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

CLASH OF THE CLASSICS: Ford Galaxie versus Chevrolet Impala

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 …
Auto collection to be auctioned to benefit Baker Center

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 …
Red Cruze’s latest trip, to the “Dark Side of the Moon”

(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 …

Fords on 4th Ave Continued II

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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!!

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Nicely restored 289

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#IWantOne of these G.T. 350’s

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Riding low – Nice custom

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#IWantOne of these GT 500 (1967)

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GT 500 (1967) Scoope-ville

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Original interior – You don’t often see the steering wheel!!!

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In case the 1967 GT 500 is a little rough riding, try the new version!

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The Fox bodies had a few beauties as well.

Hard to tell from this photo but this was done in matte yellow.

Hard to tell from this photo but this was done in matte yellow.

Nice and nicer with NOS

Nice and nicer with NOS

Awesome!!

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.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

soutern arizona mustang club

4th Of July 2014 Celebrations Around Southern Arizona …

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 …

Auto Factoids for the Week of 2/22/2015 – Firebird, Thunderbird, AMX

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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

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?

Look some what familar? Corvette maybe?

Pontiac brass thought so too and these concepts were not approved.

Pontiac brass thought so too and these concepts were not approved.

The XP 798 Firebird concept.

The XP 798 Firebird concept.

1967 Firebird

1967 Firebird

 

 

Feb 24, 1968 – American Motors debuts the AMX

1969 Hurst version...NICE!!!

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 Olds

1905 Caddy

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

1962 Lakewood

The last Corvair Vert.

The last Corvair Vert.

I'm seeing the Corvair but can't help notice the Nova's on the rail car.

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

Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

1955 thunderbird specs1967 firebird specs

BangShift.com 1936 Chevy Bus

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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

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.

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.

via BangShift.com 1936 Chevy Bus.

 

I’m think it would be a cool toy hauler or maybe an awesome why to get your trailer queen to a car show!!!

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

chevy bus

PPEP, Inc.

to southern Arizona farm labor camps. This was all done aboard a 1957 Chevy bus. PPEP was officially incorporated on December 10, 1969. PPEP TEC High

 

Video: Aussie Pro Stock 400ci SBC On The Dyno At Patterson Racing – Chevy Hardcore

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As I’ve said before, I’d love the chance to hangout in car culture in Australia for couple months….maybe one day.   But it’s true you just don’t find a lot on the net.  Read on and chase the link for more.

 

Trying to find any substantial information about Australian Pro Stock racing on the Internet is like trying to get your kid to eat Brussels sprouts – simply speaking, it’s tough! Seeing the video of this Aussie Pro Stock 400ci SBC engine from Patterson Racing singing on their dyno takes your author’s mind back to the small-block Pro Stock Truck class and their high revving 358 inch engines that departed NHRA competition just over a decade ago.

Patterson Racing has been in business for 35 years and is widely known for their cutting edge engines and innovations in the racing arena. Naturally aspirated small blocks like the ones used in the Australian National Drag Racing Association‘s Pro Stock field are close to their heart. The typical engine puts out over 2.75 horsepower per cubic inch without any power adders and they spin at over 10,500 rpms. When compared to the NHRA Pro Stock engine of the 500-inch variety the little ANDRA version is not as tightly regulated in terms of rule restrictions on modification.

via Video: Aussie Pro Stock 400ci SBC On The Dyno At Patterson Racing – Chevy Hardcore.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

patterson racing

Engine Line Up – 1949 Chevrolet

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1949 was the first year after World War II where Chevrolet did a complete maker-over of its offerings, meager in terms of variations as compared to what they would become in the next decade. With only the Special Series 1500 GJ, Deluxe Series GK, each with a Fleetline and Styleline Sub-Series you can bet that the engines were limited.  In fact there was one.

 

All units were powered by a six cylinder engine, even the 8 passenger wood and steel stations wagons.

 

1949 Chevy Woody Station Wagon.

1949 Chevy Woody Station Wagon.

 

The in-line 216.5 CID was the only option.  It was a cast iron blocked, overhead valved, straight six cylinder engine. Bore and stroke were 3.5″ x 3.75″with a compression ratio of 6.5:1. Add in solid lifters and four main bearings and topping off with a Carter downdraft single barrel carb (W1-684) it produced about 90 hp. That’s not a lot of power when you consider the lightest of the Series was about 3,015 pounds and the heaviest was 3,485 pounds.

 

216.5 CID

216.5 CID the “Thrift-Master”

 

We love seeing your pictures.  Post them up on Facebook  Average Guy’s Car Restoration and Mods, or twitter (@agcarrestore) or via email agcarrestoration@cox.net

Thanks for reading.
Tim

 

1949 chevrolet

 

1949 Chevrolet 3100 – True Blue

Sometimes our readers get frustrated because they feel the trucks we feature are too far away from what they were originally. While we do like to feature some stock restorations as we come upon them, we also like to show you how versatile these trucks …

Auto Factoids for the Week of Feb 8, 2015 – N.Y. To Pairs 1908 – Ford Flatty

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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 stops car production for WWII

– As you know WWII took a lot of sacrifice on many countries and their citizen and even corporations.  A lot of resources were used in producing automobiles, in particular metals that could be used to produce planes and Liberty ships and ammo.   That is why the U.S. government asked the car industry to halt production and assist in producing just about anything to support the war effort.  Pontiac was one of the last to comply with the request.  Pontiac’s main contribution?  It was the 20-mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons.   Check out what they could do!!!

Feb 11, 1932 – Ford announces new V8 engine

The Model A was history and the Model 18 ruled – with Ford’s new FlatHead V8 in 1932 (also referred to as the Ford Flathead or Flathead Ford or just Flatty).  It lived on in the Model 40 in 1933 and 1934. It continued on the 1950’s.

1932 Flatty

1932 Flatty

 

Feb 12, 1908 – Start of the New York to Paris car race.

– The race route was from NYC, Albany, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Valdez Alaska, Japan, Vladivostok, Omsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Berlin and finally Paris. It was sponsored by the New York Times and the LA MATIN   (Paris news paper) and finished 169 days later.

Asia Europe Route - 1908

Asia Europe Route – 1908

 

US Route 1908

US Route 1908

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoid

Trajka z silnikiem Ford Flathead V8

Oczywiście, trójkołowe motocykle są świetnym rozwiązaniem dla wszystkich tych, którzy z jakiś powodów nie posiadają już pełnej swojej sprawności i nie mogą jeździć konwencjonalnym motocyklem. Skoro to stwierdzenie mamy z głowy, to co musi wydarzyć …
Porsches, hot rods featured at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

“The East Coast rod is a blood relation of the sports car,” the chairman said, “while the West Coast rod has the style of the dry-lakes roadster, of Bonneville and the whole Ford ‘flathead’ V8 scene, probably what most people envision when they hear …
Video: Jay Leno Takes a 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster for a Spin

Jay’s latest adventure takes a deep dive into hot-rodding history with this beautiful 1932 Ford Highboy roadster . But don’t pass this off as just another deuce coupe . No, this car is the deuce coupe. Jay has with him Bruce Meyer, the car’s restorer …

H.E.M.I. Show – Come, see, and hear, the largest all Mopar show in Arizona.

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The H.E.M.I show is back, Saturday, March 7th, 2015. 8 AM -3 PM. Sponsored by Universal Technical Institute and Mopars Unlimited of Arizona. The biggest all Mopar car show in Arizona has a NEW LOCATION. This year the show will be at UTI, Universal Technical Institute, 10695 W. Pierce St, Avondale, AZ 85323.

The H.E.M.I show is back, Saturday, March 7th, 2015. 8 AM -3 PM. UTI, Universal Technical Institute, 10695 W. Pierce St, Avondale, AZ 85323

The H.E.M.I show is back, Saturday, March 7th, 2015. 8 AM -3 PM.
UTI, Universal Technical Institute, 10695 W. Pierce St, Avondale, AZ 85323

 
More space, more vendors, more swappers, food trucks, and over 50 professionally judged classes and all Mopar.

Vintage, Classic, Muscle, Truck, Jeep, FWD, Neon, Prowler/Viper, AMC, new Challenger, Charger, and Dart classes, survivor class, and a display only class plus many more. Stock and modified in most classes.

Personal Touch Dynamometer chassis dyno on site all day. See which Mopar will make the most power at the Dyno challenge. Special award for the highest horse power Mopar.

Come, see, and hear, the largest all Mopar show in Arizona.

Go to moparsaz.com for more info and to register show cars, swappers, and vendors, Just print and mail in the form by February 16th for reduced pre entry fee for show cars.

Entry is free to spectators. Show car $20 pre register by Feb 16th, $25 day of show, $15 Display only, Swap/Vendor space $20/$50, Dyno Challenge $30 2 pulls, enter as often as you like.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

mopar car show

 

ThrowBackThursday A 1969 Dodge Coronet 440

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I had to sneak this one in for #ThrowBackThursday.

One of my frequent reader sent over a couple of shots of him with his 1969 Dodge Coronet 440 from back in the day (1980).   ‘Wish I kept this one!” Bill says.

 

Thanks Bill.

 

Nice Car Mr. Bill!!! Yeah...we all have one we should have kept.

Nice Car Mr. Bill!!! Yeah…we all have one we should have kept.

me_coronet5a

 

Thanks for reading!!!

Tim

1969 Dodge Coronet 440 Coupe – Lucky Motors

Green 1969 Dodge Coronet 440 Chicago, Illinois Lucky Motors. Click on our link now to view our wide selection of new, used, and preowned cars, trucks and SUV’s.
Curbside Classic: 1969 Dodge Coronet 440 – Bread and …

It was 1969, and the B-bodies from the Dodge Boys were making some big waves. Dodge Charger 500s were tearing up NASCAR’s short tracks. Bewinged Charger Daytonas had broken 200 mph on […]
1969 Dodge Coronet 440 R/T | Muscle Car

1969 Dodge Coronet 440 R/T. Engine – 440ci , Built 1/5/72, Casting # 2536430-9. Transmission – Numbers Matching A-833 4-Speed. RearEnd – Sure-Grip Dana 60, 4.10:1 Gears. B5 Blue Paint. 1969 Dodge Coronet 440 RT · 1969 Dodge …