Tag Archives: Auto Technology

1975 VW Bug Restro 1

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It’s been a while since I’ve provided an update on the restoration of the 1975 fuel injected VW bug that I’m project managing for a former workmate.  So I thought I’d post of some details andsome pics.

The car is called a “Standard” – that doesn’t mean a manual shift (although it is a manual 3 speed), that means the most stripped down, no optioned, VW you could purchase.  I’m talking interior door panels with a thin covering of fake leather over (almost as thin) cardboard. Rubber floor coverings (I wouldn’t even call them mats!!!), a headliner, cloth seats were the total of trim in side.  There was no upholstery covering the rest of the interior – just painted metal.  It did have an AM radio – which was replaced it a JVC.

Not much to the door panel.

 

Headliner and sun visors are about the only other upholstery, the rest is painted red like you see here.

 

In fact importation of these striped down models was halted shortly after about 100 here shipped to the US in 1975. This is one of the 100 allowed in.  Pretty cool story.

This particular car belongs to June Yang and she purchased the car, brand new, while attending college in Iowa.  The car lived in Iowa it’s entire life (until now) and it show’s signs of every winter too.  The car had been stored for years and suffers from a severe case of rust and by all accounts shouldn’t able to sit up-right on four tires.

But like many folks, who love their V-dubs, June has a lot of memories tied to the rusted fenders, college, and other life milestones. So when she moved to Tucson, Az she thought of bring the Bug with her.  She was advised that the car was not safe to drive down the driveway much less the block and certainly not 1/2 way across country!!!  And that was an
understatement!!!!!

I met June when she came to work at the same establishment where I labored.  I’m not a closet car guy and a visit to my office at that time it was pretty clear.  Eventually she asked about having the car fixed and her desire to have it join her in Az was discussed and although I had no idea the exact condition.  I helped arrange transportation to Tucson.

The goal was to get it here to some place that could get the car running (it wouldn’t start and brakes hadn’t been serviced in some time). In run condition, the thought was we could then running it around (save a few $$) to the various places I had planned to do the work.  Unfortunately even running it wasn’t going to be safe enough to drive.  See here<<<<>>>>

The transport had one bump when the driver’s truck died en route.  The company immediately arranged for a local company to pick it up and finish the trip. I believe June called them every hour for updates.  Eventually, the car showed up at my favorite auto repair shop and Tim Sisk gave me a call to come look the car over.

These pictures don’t nearly capture the condition this car, frankly I was taken back as well and I grew up driving a 1930-ish Ford stripped down pick-up that served as an alternate tractor on my grandfather farm, in upstate New York – no floor boards and the like.  This VW was nearly eaten alive by oxidation.

 

Rust 1

Rust 2

 

And here's a little side view.

 

See the highlighted area? It's not attached. It should be. It holds the body to the frame!!

 

So are you saying WHAAAATTT????    Pretty much the standard response… but don’t fret….there’s a plan!!!

More coming up.

Thanks for reading.

Ford Releases First 2013 California Edition Mustang Pictures

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I really like this car.  These use to carry the moniker – California Special.

Posted by on January 16, 2012

Ford released three pictures of the 2013 California Edition Mustang, which has traditionally been an appearance only package. They have not released an exact part list yet but the pictures speak wonders for what you will get, including the popular glass roof.

You can check out more 2013 Mustang pictures over in our photo gallery.

Another First @ Barrett-Jackson Auction – 427 Corvette

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C6 performance convertible and its 60th Anniversary Package will be unveiled at Barrett-Jackson, where the first public version will be auctioned off for charity.

Some features:

The 427-cubic-inch (7.0L) LS7 engine  is from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque.  The 427 Convertible is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.

The LS7 was co-developed with the Corvette Le Mans-winning GT1 engine with:

– lightweight titanium connecting rods and intake valves

–  racing-inspired high-flow cylinder heads

– a dry-sump oiling system

Suspension/Brakes/Wheels

– the same driveline and rear axle system as the Corvette Z06

–  Magnetic Selective Ride Control

– 19-inch front and 20-inch rear lightweight machine-face Cup wheels

–  ZR1-style Michelin PS2 tires

–  PDE performance packages – come standard and include unique gray-painted pockets.

–  a rear-mounted battery

The 427 Convertible Body has:

–  Carbon fiber raised hood (introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition)

–  Carbon fiber Z06-style fenders

 –  Carbon fiber floor panels

 –  The “CFZ” carbon fiber front splitter and rocker panels

Weight:

427 Convertible’s curb weight to 3,355 pounds.

Other specs:

 – 505-horsepower LS7 engine, it gives the 427 Convertible a power-to-weight ratio of 6.64 – or one horsepower for every 6.64 pounds of vehicle mass

– one of the fastest convertibles in the world, delivering estimated 0-60 performance of 3.8 seconds, quarter-mile performance of 11.8 seconds, lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and a top speed of more than 190mph.

DO YOU WANT ONE NOW??? 

HOW ABOUT NOW???

2013 Corvette-427-Convertible-Collector-Edition-1

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

The Cars of Cuba: Photos and stories from Havana

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I hope you can view this article.  Has some great cars – although the saying “keep the shiny side up”  doesn’t really translate – these just don’t have one.

I’d love to spend time wandering around Cuba, just to look at the cars.

The Cars of Cuba: Photos and stories from Havana.

This is from Hagerty Insurance Company.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Steeda unveils full line of Ford Mustang Boss 302 parts

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Of course your new Boss 302 needs upgrades…duh!!!

From over on http://www.stangnet.com

Whether you’ve seen a Ford Mustang Boss 302 in shambles, one tearing up the track, or perhaps another upon the showroom floor–it doesn’t matter.  Bottom line is, we’ re pretty sure anyone with a blue-blooded pulse wants one.  So, if you are one of the lucky ones to get your paws upon the steering wheel consistently, then you might want to listen up.  Steeda Autosports now has a complete line of aftermarket parts to amp up the already awesome 2012 Boss 302 in order to tweak the suspension, intake, and some additional custom tuning to make every droplet of atomized fuel count.

So just what all’s in store?  Keep reading to get the rest of the story via Steeda & be sure to check out their site loaded with offerings!

Steeda News Release

Steeda Offers a Full Line of Boss 302 Performance Products

The new Ford Mustang Boss 302 is viewed by many as the best overall Mustang Ford has ever produced. As good as it is in original form Steeda has found ways to improve it and take it to the next level.

Starting with the suspension, the Steeda Boss springs are designed to slightly lower the vehicle in the front and lower the rear approximately 3/4”. With the front height remaining largely unchanged, the front roll center geometry remains optimal. However, by substantially increasing spring rates, body roll is reduced as is nose diving during heavy braking. Thanks to our years of experience with Mustangs, we are able to do this and still maintain near stock ride quality characteristics.

2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca

We have also designed several levels of suspension packages that include our awesome Boss springs, adjustable front and rear swaybars , adjustable upper strut mounts and more to achieve the maximum handling potential of the Boss 302 Mustang.With the new Boss 302 Mustang comes the new Boss 302 engine. We took our years of experience building performance proven cold air induction kits and designed a kit tailor made for this heavy breathing new engine. Starting with a high flow filter we added our “race tested” velocity stack” entry, this is located within a stainless steel heat shield with a rubber gasket to seal it against the hood. We also retain the factory cold air feed duct from the front bumper. We then added a 101mm MAF housing which is coupled to a new high flow inlet tube with our Cool-Tube technology. All of this adds up to 30 plus horsepower when combined with the required custom tune that compensates for the increased airflow.

So, if you are looking to get the most out of your Boss 302 Mustang, look no further than Steeda Autosports!

Source: Steeda

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1970 Mustang Coupe for Sale – Project car.

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1970 Coupe – automatic – desirable 289 engine  – (all there).  $2,600.00

Kim’s husband passed and she’d really like this car go to someone who will restore it and not part it out.  Car will need some work.  If you purchase this car I’ll help project manage the restoration. Might even have some spare part for ya.  Car is here in Tucson.

“1970 mustang coupe for sale. It was my husbands, but he passed away and I don’t have the money to fix it up the way he wanted it to be. I don’t want to sell it for a parts car, I would like to sell it to someone who will restore it and take care of it. It did run at one point, but it has been sitting under a cover for the last 7 years or so so it won’t start. He was in the process of replacing the vinyl roof, so that is why the top is rusty. It probably needs to be replaced. The engine is a 289. All the parts he had bought comes with the car. Extra doors, windows, hood, tail lights…and a few other things. This car is a definite project car!! Any questions, please feel free to email.”

 

There's your 289

Going to need a little work.

Automatic

Thanks”

Here is Kim’s link.

http://apps.facebook.com/marketplace/browse/-/-/usa:az:tucson/?cm_mmc=FB_Friend_Email-_-111206ade03f0aa8c5ed0e10f68f1ddb1ccebf-_-Summary_Local_City-_-100000356349979

Thanks for reading.

 

Tim

Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing – International

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This blog is gaining popularity.  It’s being followed on Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter and the Facebook page.

There are car nuts from 18 different countries hanging out around here.  That’s pretty good for an non-commercial blog.

What’s that mean?  Means I’m going to set it up a bit.  More to come on that.

So thank you all and please submit your pictured and stories and I’ll get them posted up.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

$3 Million 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake

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Posted by on January 15, 2008 – 6 Comments

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With the upcoming release of the Shelby GT500 Super Snake many people will have an opportunity to put on of these limited edition Shelby’s inside their garage. It’s quite the opposite for the 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake as the person who wins this ebay auction for the only 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake ever produced will have the ultimate limited edition Mustang. The 1967 Shelby Super Snake sports a 427ci V8 with 520 horsepower, a 170 mph top speed and unique triple stripes. The ebay auction is set to end in a week. Check out the pictures after the fold.

1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake

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Engine Line-Up: 1960 Edsel

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The Edsel.  Name sake for Henry’s son.  Touted as “ugly” and a failure.  I disagree.

I think they were great and I plan on own one at some point. ( I was pretty close earlier this  year – just missed one at an auction.)  There is just something about tooling around in one of those  large and long 4 door land yacht.  Anyway..one day I will, if I just borrow one for a week.

So in the last year of the Edsel what engines were available?

The car came in 4 configuration, body-wise.  A 2 door sedan, a 2 door convertible; a 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon, but only two engine options.

Your two choices were of the V8 and straight six variety.

Ford‘s 292 was the V8 power plant .  It sported overhead valves, an iron block and hydraulic lifters.  The compression was ratio 8.8:1 and with a bore and stroke of 3.75 x 3.60.  It came with a 2 barrel carb – model B9A9510-A.  Interesting the block and heads were painted black and the value covers and air cleaner were red.

There was the option inline (straight) 6 cylinder.  That too had overhead valves and an iron block.  Bore and stroke was 3.62 x 3.60 and compression ratio 8.4:1. It displayed 223 cubic inches with 145 horse power.  It was topped with a 1 barrel carb, model B9A9510F.   It had the same paint scheme as the V8 but was considered a “delete” option in the Rangers series.

223 Straight (Inline) 6 cylinder with the proper paint scheme

Add 2 more cylinder and buy an extra can of paint for additional valve cover and you'll have this 292 with the proper paint.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Coming Up.

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Hope everyone has recovered from heavy eating and traveling, I know I need to rest up before Christmas, maybe even drop a couple of pounds ahead of time.

I’m also to attempt to meet my goal of 500 posts before the end of 2011. (Yes this one counts).

I have a couple of contests coming up with some auto related DVD’s to give away and some a couple of parking lot finds, and a feature car or two.

So swing by and drop me a comment.

Thanks for reading.

Tim