Tag Archives: Classic Cars

Idle Hands Between Project Cars – Comet Dash.

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I  know a lot of guys that have too many project cars (as if that’s a real thing!!).  I don’t have that luxury – space is limited to my driveway and my garage. So, as I search for my next project car, I need to satisfy the urge to work on something…vintage.   While surfing around on the Internet I ran across this 1961 Comet instrument panel and picked it up.

                                                                    It’s in good shape.

I thought I might use it as a bit of Man Cave art and have it light up with altering it too much or destroying it.

So I’ve been working the wiring and testing with a 6 volt battery.

The Comet was developed as a sub-model for Edsel. As you know 1958 saw the end of the Edsel and the Comet was released in 1960 as an orphan model. It remained badged only a Comet until 1964 when it became part of the Mercury marque.

CometDash-1 CometDash-2

Right Turn Signal works – bypassing the flasher.

Oil Light is functioning.


Generator Light working.

The Temp and Gas gauges work when power is supplied.

 

 

With the exception of the left turn single everything is working.

I’m missing the main light that would light up the instrument panel when the headlight are on, doesn’t seem to be a bulb there.

The goal would be get this wired to keep all the lights on at one time.  May be even find a way to have the gauges  (Temp/Fuel/Speedometer) to jump to life and then fall back.

Hey…it keeps me off the street and since electrical isn’t my strong suite (mainly  being colored blind limit the ability to match up the colors) it can be a bit of a challenge.

What do you think?   Anyone do this for fun?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

1961 comet

1961 Comet Dealer Training Film VS Pontiac Tempest – Part 1

This is a video of a 1961 Comet salesman film comparing the car to two other compacts from the time. The 1961 Pontiac Tempest . This is the original slide sh… Video Rating: 4 / 5. Tags: 1961, Comet, Dealer, Film, Part, …

IKA’s South American Shelby: the Lutteral Comahue | Hemmings Daily

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Here in the U.S. we tend to be a bit myopic when it comes to cars. Of course American muscle is what it’s all about and toss in some well deserving European and Asian models and maybe just maybe you think about the culture down-under (I do, anyway.  Love to get a hold of the a Holden!!!). Very little thought is given to the rest of the Globe – especially considering that a few U.S. car manufacturers’ last stands were south of the border – way south!!

Here is one example from Hemmings – chase the link below to see the entire article. Oh,  I just ordered Banovsky’s book Weird Cars.  It is in the mail from Amazon.

 

Source: IKA’s South American Shelby: the Lutteral Comahue | Hemmings Daily

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

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#AGCarRestore

AUTO FACTOIDS for the Week Of 7/12/15 – Karmann Ghia, CNN, Checker Cabs

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Welcome to the expanded version of #AutoFactoids!!!   Checkout the milestones in automotive history, CNN (Car News Now) and don’t for get the Trivia.

July 12, 1922 – First Checker built – 60 years later the same day the last Checker was built.

–   It was a merger of sorts between Commonwealth Motors (making bodies for cab companies as ‘Mogul’) and Morris Markin’s  Markin Autobody.

–  The engine is a 4 cylinder Buda Model Q with 27 hp.

–   1935 Checker used the Y-8 engine (Lycoming engine) and the Y-6 engine ( a Continental six-cylinder).

1922 Checker Cab

1922 Checker Cab

1982 Checker

1982 Checker

–   The last Checker autos were produced in 1982 with  a 229-cubic-inch (3.8 liter) V-6 engine and automatic 3-speed transmission.

July 14 – VW debuts the Karmann Ghia in 1955

–   360,000 coupes and about 80,000 convertibles we made between 1955 and 1974.

1958 Karmann Ghia

1958 Karmann Ghia

 

 

1600 Karmann Ghia

1600 Karmann Ghia

 

Car News Now  (CNN)

Speaking of VW, the company announced that they are developing a new brand specifically for the China market.

Ford let us know that we will soon see the Ford Focus RS here in the U.S. – that 315 hp stuffed in that little car.  It will sport a six-speed manual transmission and have all-wheel drive.

Restoration is becoming easier for your Porsche 911.  Porsche Classic is now reproduction dashboards for 1969 – 1975 911s. Chase the link:   www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/classic/

Auto Factoid Trivia*

What was the first model to where the name Maserati?

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

*Trivia – Submit the correct answer via email, Facebook, Twitter or a comment to this post and you’ll be entered to win a monthly give away.  It’s that easy!!

 

checker cab for sale

1981 Chicago Checker Cab Taxi A11 Green 1:18 Diecast

… Revell AG Onyx NZG NorScot Norev-FIAT Nacoral Muscle Machines Checker Cab For Sale – Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy at Nextag Checker Cab For Sale – 65 results like Checker Cab Nebulizer by Drive Medical, …

karmann ghia

Smith: How a sweet old Karmann Ghia will do good for homeless animals

It’s a cute-as-a-bug, 1967 VW Karmann Ghia. A loyal supporter of the nonprofit’s ambitious works on behalf of homeless animals donated it, hoping the Humane Society would find a way to convert the car to dollars for services. The agency now is selling …
Karmann Ghia: Mehr als ein VW im Sonntagskleid

Und sorgte für eine Überraschung: Vor den Journalisten stand ein eleganter Zweitürer in “Gazellenbeige” mit rot lackierten Felgen und hellbrauner Innenausstattung: der Karmann Ghia. Ein Auto, das italienische Eleganz mit deutscher Technik verband.

Project Search Continues – 1974 Stingray…Missed it!!!

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This story starts two weeks ago, as I was driving through my neighborhood headed off to run some errands.  As I rounded the a corner I see one of my neighbors with the garage door open and I think, “Wow!!!  What a clean garage!!”  Then I go…”Whoa…what is that?”  My eye had caught a C3 Corvette sitting to one side.  It was blue and had chrome headers and side pipes and an awesome set of wheels. Looked like needed some paint.

These were hanging out of it!!!

These were hanging out of it!!!

This wheels!!!

This wheels!!!

At that moment I planned to stop by on my way back, just to say hi and have some Vette chat!!!    As my luck often goes, the garage was closed and there were no cars in the driveway.  So I made mental note to check back another day.

Fast forward to the next Friday and I’m pouring through the on-line ads for my next project car and up pops a 1974 Stingray – Blue with a 350 engine, chrome  headers and a great looking set of wheels for sale.   Asking price…..wait for it…….$2000.00.   I immediately text the number on the ad and got some particulars.  The car needs some work, the 350 was good but need points/condenser and the side pipes installed.  The lady informed me that someone was coming to look at  and if they didn’t buy it she’d give me a call.

Fast forward to 4 hours later.  My wonderful wife arrives home and says…”Hey remember that Corvette you saw the other day?  They are loading it on a trailer.”

Well I thought….nah…can’t be. So I texted the number from the ad, just to check, and sure enough it was the same car I saw the past weekend.  I told the lady I was just down the street and hoped it was going to a good home.  She said…”If I knew you were a neighbor, I would have given you first chance.”

Although I did not weep openly, I cried like a baby on the inside!!!!

I was....THIS CLOSE!!!!

Missed it by this MUCH!!!!

 

Thanks for reading!!

Tim

 

 

Photos: Bear in the driver’s seat

Tommy Johnson of Lake Mary, Florida, and Brian Smith of Woodstock, Georgia took these photos of a black bear in a 1974 Corvette Stingray about a week ago in the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal parking lot. At one point, they said, they saw the bear scoop up a …
GM’s iconic Corvette at a crossroads

1974 Corvette Stingray. Barnstarbob | Wikipedia. 1974 Corvette Stingray. New life with a new Interior. As GM was sliding towards bankruptcy, work on the seventh generation Corvette slowed down. Once the automaker went into bankruptcy, there was a brief …
Waxing nostalgic

This 1974 Corvette Stingray was among the 112 cars on display during the Cecil Proffitt’s World of Wheels International Custom Auto Show at Heritage Park in Windsor. The show was held at the park for the first time as a partnership between Proffitt and …

Auto Factoids for Week of July 5, 2015 – Hudson, Post WWII and New Expanded #AutoFactoids

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This is a light week for car history and perfect for introduction the new Expanded Auto Factoids!!!! #AutoFactoids

Same auto history factoids but with C.N.N (Car News Now) and the new Auto Factoids Trivia – (can’t win – if you don’t play).

Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids)

Jul 5 1946 – US resumes auto production after WWII -The first new car design after the war was the 1947 Packard, but cars were still being sold (even during the war) but were all warmed over 1942 models.   There are varied sources that have different dates for the first cars produced after the war.  For instance GM had cars/trucks ready by Aug 1945 (trucks) and new cars Oct of 1946 (really ’42 models with new grills).  Ford got the first postwar car into production, and the very first one — a white Super DeLuxe Tudor sedan assembled on July 3, 1945 — went to President Harry Truman.

1946 Gill

1946 Gill

1942 Grill

1942 Grill

Jul 8, 1909 – First Hudson built – The first car “Hudson Twenty” rolled off the assembly line on Jul 3, 1909.   Joseph Hudson was a department store owner and offered of financial backing and offered up his name for the car company to  a consortium of business men with two of those being Roy Chapin and his son Roy junior.  Hudson continued producing cars until 1954 when they merged with Nash-Kalvinator to form AMC.  Some models carried the Hudson name until 1957.

1909 Hudson Roadster

1909 Hudson Roadster

 

 C.N.N. – Car News Now!!

Audi – The car make has developed cars that run on synthetic natural gas (WHAT?) and synthetic diesel and now e-benzin or synthetic gas.

Android Auto and Apples CarPlay – Chevrolet is allowing cars in 2016 to use both apps!!!

Lambo Aventador SV – Now is available if you have a spare $500k laying around.   Sporting a 6.5 liter  V12 engine that knocks out 740 HP and gives excellent gas mileage of 10, 18 and 12 (City/Highway/Combined) – who cares when you can go from 0-60 in 2.7 seconds.2016-lamborghini-aventador-sv-photos-and-info-news-car-and-driver-photo-656905-s-original

Auto Factoid Trivia*

What was the first model to where the name Maserati?

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

*Trivia – Submit the correct answer via email, Facebook, Twitter or a comment to this post and you’ll be entered to win a monthly give away.  It’s that easy!!

 

Auto Factoids 2011-1 Corvette Fuelies RPO 5789E – AACA …

Auto Factoids 2011-1 Corvette Fuelies RPO 5789EAuto Factoids 2011-1 Corvette Fuelies RPO 5789E Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing1957 – 1958 saw the use of the New 283 engine in Chevy’s including …
Auto Factoids for the Week of June 7, 2015 – Plymouth and …

Busy week this week this week for #AutoFactoids…. So here we go! June 7, 1928 – First Plymouth is produced. Some research suggest that it was actually built on.
Auto Factoids for the Week of 5/10/2015 – GM and Corvair

Here is this weeks AutoFactoids (#AutoFactoids). May 10, 1923 – GM names Alfred P. Sloan as president. They didn’t just pick from the streets. He was actually, a draftsman for a bearing company, Hyatt Roller Bearing.

 

 

Steve McQueen’s 1956 Jaguar XKSS – Jay Leno’s Garage

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The first time I understood Steve McQueen was a car guy was when I saw an image (poster I think) of him and a Jaguar with fantastic lines.

Steve McQueen’s Jaguar: Steve McQueen bought it twice – and twice had his license suspended for driving it! Jay gets an in-depth tour of the King of Cool’s “Green Rat.”

» Subscribe: http://bit.ly/JLGSubscribe
» Visit the Official Site: http://bit.ly/JLGOfficialSite

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Jaguar XKSS could be revived for limited production run

Last year, Jaguar brought one of its most legendary models back from the dead with a limited production run of the Lightweight E-Type. These were brand-new cars built to the exact specifications of the 1960s originals by Jaguar Land River’s Special …

jaguar xkss

Steve McQueen’s Last Special Order Porsche to be Auctioned at Mecum Auctions

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I admire the Porsche cars, but never felt a desire to own one.  However, if I were to pick one up to restore, I think one of these would do just fine!  Of course not the one below.

Porsche 930 Turbo Carrea

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

porsche 911 turbo 1976

Insolite : la Porsche 911 Turbo de Steve McQueen à vendre aux enchères

La Porsche 911 Turbo 1976 de Steve McQueen fera partie des lots proposés par la maison de vente aux enchères américaine Mecum Auctions, à Monterey, du 13 au 15 août. C’est dans la petite ville californienne de Monterey, aux Etats-Unis, que se …
【ビデオ】”ナロー”の超コレクター、ウォーカー氏が語る空冷「911ターボ」の魅力

ポルシェ「911」の初期型モデル、いわゆる”ナロー”のコレクターで、1964年型から73年型までの全てのモデルを最低でも1台は所有しているというマグナス・ウォーカー氏。今回は、ポルシェに目がないウォーカー氏が、最近のターゲットは「911ターボ」（930型）の初期型モデルだ、と …

 

Parking Lot Spotlight: AMC Matador Drag Car

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Yes you read it correct!!!  What you see below is a rare sight.  An extremely well preserved ProStreet/Drag AMC Matador.

Sure I’ve seen AMX as a drag car and I’ve even seen a Gremblin and a Pacer with V8 shoved between the fenders, but I’ve never seen a Matador with a drag set up.  And the condition is amazing.

See for yourself.



This is the Matador X

This is the Matador X

Also referred to as Matador Series 10

Also referred to as Matador Series 10

IMG_20150613_161037082

Control Freak Suspension specializes in AMC suspensions (and other makes).

IMG_20150613_161103605

The Matador X was a true sub-model not just a option package.

The Matador X had only a two year run 1974 and 1975.

As best as I can tell this is a 1975 and if the 401 badge on the side is correct, the is one of four cars (two door coupes) that left the factory with those engines that year (rest of the 84 cars with that engine were 4 door…hiss….boo!!!)

I would seriously consider doing up a Matador like this!!!

Got an interesting AMC?   Drop me a note, we can get it published.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Friday Afternoon Challenge: Find A Car Name From Two Other Cars

I realized that the name, Tempo Matador, could be formed from the model names of two other notable cars, the Ford Tempo and the AMC Matador. Realizing this, I screamed like a banshee and flipped over the table at the soft-serve frogurt shop I steal my …

Friday Afternoon Challenge: Find A Car Name From Two Other Cars

I realized that the name, Tempo Matador, could be formed from the model names of two other notable cars, the Ford Tempo and the AMC Matador. Realizing this, I screamed like a banshee and flipped over the table at the soft-serve frogurt shop I steal my …

Scale Model Kit of the Week: Wild Custom AMC

Today, however, we’re going back in time and to Detroit — actually, to Kenosha — for a long-out-of-production AMT kit that has us cranking up the Frijid Pink and catching a buzz off the Testors fumes: this AMC Matador Coupe. Yes, the seller hopes to …

1 Millionth Corvette Restoration

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Craftspeople and technicians at the General Motors Design Center are painstakingly restoring the historic 1 millionth Chevrolet Corvette damaged nearly 16 months ago when a sinkhole opened beneath the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.

The restoration crew is part of GM’s Mechanical Assembly group at the Design Center, which typically spends its time building prototype and concept vehicles. The white 1992 Corvette is a challenge because rather than build an all-new vehicle from the ground up, the workers are trying to preserve the original appearance of a production vehicle.

It is the second of three sinkhole-damaged Corvettes that Chevrolet has pledged to restore. The first, a 2009 Corvette ZR1 prototype known as the Blue Devil, was only lightly damaged and was returned to its original condition last fall. The National Corvette Museum will oversee the restoration of the third car, a 1962 Corvette.

Five other Corvettes swallowed by the sinkhole will remain in their as-recovered state to preserve the historical significance of the cars. They will become part of a future sinkhole-themed display at the museum.

Shared from: http://corvettemuseum.blogspot.com/2015/06/sinkhole-swallowed-1-millionth-corvette.html

If you are wondering  about all those signature they are original to the car when it first rolled through the assembly line.  This forced the restorers to fix parts that were originally set to be replaced completely.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#Corvette

 

Surprise discovery shifts strategy to save sinkhole Corvette

(CNN) For Corvette lovers it’s sort of like a painter being asked to touch up the “Mona Lisa.” Because — like Leonardo da Vinci’s painting — there’s only one 1 millionth Corvette. Restoring the white, 1992 LT1 convertible roadster doesn’t really come …

Auto Factoids – Week of May 31, 2015 – Ford, Olds, Model T

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Here are your Auto Factoids #AutoFactoids for the beginning of June, 2015.

May 31, 1927 – Ford produced the last Model T.    There is some debate as to actual date and it’s said that the 15th million Model T rolled off the production line on May 26th, 1927 and the Henry and Edsel drove it off the line.    The Model T was one of the major factors for governments push for the develop of our road system.  And did you know that Henry Ford was green?  Yes, he recycled the scrap wood from the production of the Model T and turned it into charcoal.  It was originally call Fords Charcoal.  It was later renamed for Henry’s brother-in-law who selected the charcoal plant – his last name was Kingsford – as in Kingsford Charcoal.

The 15 Millionth Model T!!!

The 15 Millionth Model T!!!

 

June 2, 1899 – Locomobile Co. was founded.   The company was formed by the editor of Cosmopolitan John Walker, after he purchase a design plan for a steam car from the Stanley brothers ( who didn’t being production of their Stanley Steamer until 1902).   Their plant was first located in Watertown,  Mass and moved to Bridgeport, Conn in 1900.   The first car bodies were just runabouts with steam engines. Loc-SteamThe company was the first to have their automobiles used in a war – The Boer War.  It was used as the tractor and chuck wagon of sorts.  The production of steam cars continued until Locomobile began R&D with internal combustion engines.  By 1902 they had seven body styles and had sold over 4000 cars.   Production of gas powered engined in 1904.  Their honors included the first U.S. built car to win an international race.

Vanderbilt Cup Winner

Vanderbilt Cup Winner

Powered by a 60hp, straight 4 cylinder engine it won the Vanderbilt Cup in 1908.

 

In 1919 they produced their most enduring car, the Model 48.  The 48 was a large car and powered by a side valve straight 6 cylinder with 525 cubic inch displacement and producing  48.6-hp.

Company was purchased by Durant Motor (Billy Durant of GM fame) and continued to operate as Locomobile, selling cars under that name until 1929.

Model 48

Model 48

 

June 3, 1864 – Ransom Olds was born in Genvea, Ohio – Founder of the now defunct Oldsmobile car manufacturer.  Although Henry Ford often get credit for inventing the assembly line production – Ransom was the first to use the assembly line.  (Ford gets credit for improving it and adding universal parts.)

1905 Olds

1905 Olds

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoids.

 

See Photos of the Ford Model T During Its Decades of Dominance

For years, Henry and Edsel Ford had been denying that the day was approaching. Asked whether they were working on a new model of car, after nearly two decades of producing the famous Model T, they kept mum. But, as TIME noted back then, “in the U. S. …
Bothell Park gets Ford Model T sculpture, dedication Saturday

Bothell Park gets Ford Model T sculpture, dedication Saturday. This Ford Model T Sculpture at Red Brick Road Park in Bothell was created by local high school students. — image credit: Contributed photo. 0 …

ransom olds assembly line

 

Locomobiles Logo

Locomobiles Logo