Tag Archives: AutoBlog

Hurst Competition Plus Shift Kit – Installation of Backup Light Switch -pt1

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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.

 

I’ll up this piece tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

Corvette, Mustang and the Pres.

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No matter what your politics are, everyone appreciates American Muscle.

BleuCartel

Obama Loves American Muscle

As the Washington D.C. auto show took place, President Obama decided to make a visit. Truly impressed with the American muscle & sports cars. Though he checked out many new models and the likes of the controversial most iconic American sports car, Chevy Corvette(photo above), it seemed like the new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake; or simply Shelby GT500; is what really grabbed his attention by stating, “This is sick”.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

What’s Coming Up – Karl Kustoms, PodCasts, More Barrett-Jackson and a Give-Away

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Here’s what’s coming up.

A conversation with Jim Hidy from Karl Kustom Corvettes.

Give-Away  Contest –  1934 V- Ford Deluxe Roadster and 1932 V8 Ford Convertible.

 

PodCasts Update

More from Barrett Jackson.

 

Stay tuned by subscribing or grabbing the feed.

Thanks for reading

Tim

Buy Your Classic Car Now.

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Sometime planning ahead is a good idea.  So want to buy a car now that will sure to be a classic?  What would you buy?

Here is what Hagerty’s has to recommend. 

1)      Buick Regal, $32,535. Buick, he says, “is doing it with the Regal GS”;

I'm not feeling this one.

2)      Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition, $48,100. “A beast on the track, yet tame enough to drive on the street”;

That is a no brainer!!! I'll take two, one to drive now and one to put way and drive when I'm 70.

3)      Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, $61,785. “Rugged, go-anywhere looks” but “performance characteristics that would earn respect on a race track”;

$62K for a Jeep? You better hope it becomes collectable...I'll pass.

4)      Fiat 500 Abarth, $22,000. “Small but wicked,” and already having buyers lining up;

Sigh...I doubt it.

5)      Volkswagen Golf R, $36,000. A “pocket rocket…geared towards someone who enjoys driving”;

As collectable as the VW Rabbit Diesel!!! Wait..there's more..it comes in a 4 Door too!!

6)      Porsche 911, $82,100. A car to buy now and lovingly keep, “holding its value over the long-term”;

Can't argue with this one.

7)      Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, $54,095. “Old school muscle is alive and well”;

Sure this one is on the list..but I'd op for the COPO race ready.

8)      Nissan GTR Black Edition, $95,100.  The car that today’s young videogamers will crave “years down the road after their student loans are paid off”;

I don't know.This will be collectable..like the an old Nash-Rambler.

9)      Dodge Charger SRT8, $46,795.  Won over by the “performance pages” on the video display that constantly update driver on performance;

Possible but I'm betting the Challenger will be the one folks will covet.

10)   Audi TT RS, $56,850. “A car with global appeal (that will keep) global demand several decades down the road.”

I can see why this one made the list. Not as Iconic as the Porsche, however.

Give me your feed back.

 
Thanks for reading.
Tim

The Value of 4 Door Collector Cars (And my 500th Post)

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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.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Vintage Porsches and VWs – Car Show

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Some great Vintage cars.

 

Vintage Stony 2012

Posted by Malc on January 2, 2012

 

As it was a nice day, and the sun was threatening to make an appearance, I decided to pay a visit the the new-years day classic car show ‘Vintage Stony 2012′.

I’d been thinking of dragging my beetle out of hibernation early for this one but as I was a little late getting up, it remained in the garage.

I think this may be the third year that the new years day show in Stony Stratford has been held, and the first time I’ve made it along. I was surprised how busy it was, both car parks were already full and there were lots of people walking around by eleven o’clock when I got there.

Not too may Volkswagens around though. A few nice split screen vans and some Porsches, also a Tatra which was nice to see out and about. I’ve posted some pictures of the VWs and Porsches plus there are more pictures of other marques on Flickr.

So What Did it bring at Barrett Jackson? – 1957 DeSoto Adventurer

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This fantastic car sold for  $225,500.00.  See pic and video blow.
Year: 1957
Make: DESOTO
Model: ADVENTURER
Style: CONVERTIBLE
VIN: 50417567
Exterior Color: GOLD
Interior Color:
Cylinders: 8
Engine Size: 345

The 345

 

 

Thanks for reading

Sites and Sounds at Barrett-Jacksons Scottsdale, Az 2012

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Sit back and crank up the sound….you are gonna love hearing this Camaro!!

 

[vodpod id=Video.16015390&w=425&h=350&fv=file%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fvid299.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fmm296%252Ftimsweet2200%252FVIDEO0100.mp4]

 

Thanks for reading

Tim

Restoring a 1953 Chevy Cop Car!

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Whenever I can I like post up a plea for someone doing a restoration that may need some assistance. The Sarasota County Lodge #45 needs assistance with restoring a 1953 patrol car. This car is a ’53 Chevy Bel Air 150.

Here are some details:

1953 Chevy Bel Air 150

 

The Sarasota County Lodge #45 of the Fraternal Order of Police is spearheading a project that will involve the restoration of an antique patrol car. The vehicle will match one that was actually used by the sheriff’s office since the office first purchased patrol cars in 1953. Once the restoration is complete, the vehicle will be donated to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for various public uses.

By reviewing photographs in “From Shield to Star,” a book by retired Sgt. Bob Snell that documents the history of the department, several vehicles were identified by make and model. The first fleet of four vehicles consisted of 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 150s. The project is being coordinated by FOP #45 Vice-President Kevin Lynch, who is a retired SSO lieutenant. Lynch has overseen the restoration of several emergency vehicles including two fire trucks and a Cadillac ambulance that he currently owns.
Tax-deductible contributions to this project can be sent to The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, P. O. Box 49587, Sarasota, FL 34230-6587, marked for the antique patrol car project.
The FOP is also looking for in-kind services and donations such as labor and supplies needed for the project, and possibly the vehicle itself. Storage space will also be needed for the vehicle as well as initial transportation to Sarasota. Questions can be sent to FOP Lodge #45 at P.O. Box 1488, Englewood, FL 34295-1488 or e-mailed to Lynch at floridafop45@yahoo.com. You may also visit the Lodge #45 website at foplodge45.com.

Thanks for help out.

Tim

 

Barrett-Jackson – Car Art

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I love car art, whether it be paintings of cars or car parts, photographs of either, hood ornaments, door handles, even bumpers and grills.  From time to time I pick up piece, or my wife does. 

My Son is a digital art’s major and photographer and he takes some great shots and produce some fantastic images.  The image of the two corvettes at an auto cross is his creation.  Interesting enough the red vette was my 1984 and the black C6 was an oman, as I now own a black C6.

At Barrett-Jackson besides beautiful cars there is a huge area for venders and car art is everywhere and yes my wife did find a piece for me from photographer Shane Knight – I’ll get to him in another entry.  But it is a mecca for creating your own car art.  It’s a bit crowded to set up you easel and whip out your paint brushes or charcoal, but a good camera and a little skill even the Average Guy and get some shot to take home and play with.

Now I can’t say as I have a great eye for doing this myself but over the next posts associated with this title, I’ll show you some that we took.  Believe it or not my wife did a great job with just her new Iphone 4S camera and of course my son with his higher end digital camera and lens.

First up is a shot my son took.  I can’t recall the car but I bet someone out there can.

Photo by RJS - prints are available

 
Great looking dashand side mirror.  Steering wheel is of course, not original.   This is one of my favorites.
 
Thanks for reading.
Tim