Category Archives: Auto Racing

A century (plus) of speed: The countdown to the 100th Indianapolis 500 begins | Hemmings Daily

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The front-engine roadster era ended with Jim Clark’s 1965 victory in the Lotus 38

In 1909, a gravel and tar racing track was constructed in Indianapolis, Indiana. Initially, the events hosted by the track were relatively small in scope, but primary owner Carl Fisher had bigger plans for the facility. After repaving the surface with 3.2 million bricks and offering a $25,000 purse, the track played host to its first 500 mile race on Memorial Day in 1911. Next May, the facility will host the 100th running of the fabled event, factoring in the two years lost to World War I and the four years lost to World War II.
Chase the link below for the complete article on Hemmings.com

Source: A century (plus) of speed: The countdown to the 100th Indianapolis 500 begins | Hemmings Daily

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

indianapolis 500 history

What you need to know about the Indianapolis 500

Helio Castroneves lost last year’s race in what was the second closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history, but he is still poised and hungry for a 4th title at Indianapolis Speedway. headshot Steven Loung May 22, 2015, 1:05 PM. headshot Steven Loung …

Tucson Classic Car Show 9th Annual – High Interest Cars – Le Mans Cars

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Normally I cover this car show pretty extensively here on Average Guys Car Restoration, Mods and Racing.  After all I haven’t missed but one since it’s start, and I’ve entered 3 cars, twice.  I just love this show, it on the ‘grass’!!!  That’s a rare treat here in the American Southwest.

This year I just managed to make it and after just arriving from a series of long flights from Italy 1 day ago, I just didn’t have it in me to get that intense this year.  In fact the weather the night before was filled with thunderstorms and a good deal of rain.  I nearly skipped going.  But I remembered what I call the High Interest Cars that were showing up.  I’m talking about a set of 3 Le Mans cars including the Porsche 917 – WOW!!

Take a look at these beauties:

 

 

 

 

These aren’t are just race cars, these are THE race cars you’ve seen race and win.

More High Interest Cars coming including a Jensen Interceptor III.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Rotary Club to hold car show fundraiser

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Tags. Rotary International, Gregory School, Car Show, Tucson, Tucson Classic Car Show · View 0 Comments · Download Flash Player. ACTIVATE. YOUR DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION …
8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show (blog.garagistry.com)

8th Annual Tucson Classic Car Show – Real stories about Classic Cars and the people who own them.

 

 

 

First Ford Mustang Shelby GT350Rs Roll Off The Line At Flat Rock Plant

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2,633 views Aug 21, 2015
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It’s a great week for muscle car fans all around the country as the Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] has started building customer examples of the new Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350Rs. The cars are built at the same Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan responsible for the standard Mustang and the first ones off the line are actually 2015 models.

Just 137 of these ’15 models are being built to honor the original 1965 Shelby GT350 built by Shelby American—100 GT350s and 37 GT350Rs—and no doubt all of them are accounted for. Once this initial batch of cars is built, Ford will switch over to 2016 models that will be built and sold in higher volumes. Deliveries commence this fall.

Chase the source link for the rest of the press release:

Source: First Ford Mustang Shelby GT350Rs Roll Off The Line At Flat Rock Plant

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AGCarRestoration

Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang Pricing Leaked, Starting Under $50k

The folks at Mustang6g have gotten ahold of the pricing for the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang and it is much lower than we expected, with pricing beginning under $50k for the GT350 while the GT350R starts just over $60k – making the new GT350 …
2016 Shelby GT350R Allegedly Laps ‘Ring in 7:32.19, 5 Sec Faster Than Camaro Z/28

Official 2016 Shelby GT350R specs are not available at this time, but early speculations believe the GT350R will use the same 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V8 motor as the standard Shelby GT350 and will make identical power as well. However, the beauty of …

In-depth Tech: Valuable Tips For Selecting The Right Crankshaft

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Cast, forged, billet? Straight-shot or cross-drilled? Experts from Eagle, Lunati and Scat offer tips and advice on selecting a crankshaft for your engine.

Engine builders are often conditioned into selecting crankshafts based solely on the expected horsepower output of the engine, or at least that often-optimistic number carries the most weight in the decision process. But savvy builders — whether assembling an honest street engine, rogue weekend warrior or a savage race-only bullet — will recognize the importance of analyzing other factors before choosing between cast iron, forged steel or billet steel.

Chase the link for the rest of the article:    Source: In-depth Tech: Valuable Tips For Selecting The Right Crankshaft

Thanks for reading.

Tim

racing crankshaftsracing crankshafts

Bryant Racing High Quality Custom Crankshafts | NASCAR …

It was a great weekend in Atlanta for Bryant Racing Crankshafts, as the winners for the Camping World Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Sprint Cup Series all use our cranks! We had a 1-2-3 finish in the Sprint Cup race with …

Engine Line Up for 1964 Plymouth

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With such names as Fury and Barracuda and Valiant, you would expect the 1964 power plant offering for Plymouth to be some monsters, maybe even a Wedge tossed in.

But no, the Wedge 426 cid (Stock Max Wedge Stage III) was only available as a $500.00 racing option.  The standard fair was the straight 6’s (170 and the 225) and the 318.

Dubbed the Valiant Six the 175 was an inline (straight) 6 cylinder iron block.  It had overhead valves and a bore and stoke of 3.40 x 3.125.  Fair enough compression ratio of 8.2:1 with solid lifters and four-main bearings.  Top it with a Carter single barrel carb (BBS Model 3839S) and you’d squeeze  101 ponies out of it.

Valiant Six

Valiant Six

The Barracuda had a straight 6 in it as was well.  It was the 225 cid with 3.40 x 4.125 bore and stroke, same compression as the 175 (8.2:1), as well as solid lifters and overhead values.  Using the same carb as the 175, you could must up to 145 hps.

But don’t think the Valiant and the ‘Cuda were left to struggle with less than 150 hps – nope there was a V-8 available as well. That engine was the 273 cid and it ran a compression ratio of 8.8:1 with it’s cast iron block, overhead valves and bored to 3.62 and stroked of 3.312.  It sported 5 main bearings, solid lifters and was topped with a Carter 2 barrel carb (BBD 3767S).  As outfitted it produced 180 hp.

The other V8 of standard production was the 318. Having personal experience with this engine, I can say it was (is) versatile and solid. You could do a lot with this hunk of iron.   For 1964 it had overhead valves, cast iron block with standard bore and stroke of 3.906 and 3.312 inches.  9.0:1 compression ratio with five main bearings, solid lifters and 5 main bearings breathed though BBD two barrel Carter carb (Model 3682S) and produced a respectable 230 hp.

The 318

The 318

Yes...you can do that with a 318!!!

Yes…you can do that to 318!!!

As mentioned there were some competition engine available that year but you didn’t them in average street cars.  There was the Super Cammando 426cid Hemi (available in early Feb ’64) for competition use only.  There was the de-tuned street 426-S(street).  Also available were the Commando V8 383 in 305 hp and 330 hp versions as well as Commando 426 (Street Wedge) with 426 cid and 365hp.

According to my research there were 6,359 Dodge and Plymouth cars built with the 426 engine in 1964.  Of those only 271 were racing Hemi’s.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

hemi wedge engine

1964 plymouth barracuda1964 plymouth barracuda

#Hemi

 

 

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 – 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4

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Sticking with the Steve McQueen theme (his cars seem to be popping up all over the Internet) here is a video on his 275 GTB/4.  Great looking car!!!

This is one of Steve McQueen’s own personal cars which he bought during his time working on BULLITT. Steve absolutely loved his NART spyder until it was totaled only a couple days after purchase. So when there weren’t any more available he bought the hard top version.

 

The guy great taste in check out his 1956 Jag in the next posting.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

ferrari 275 gtb 4
Peter Klutt Collection at Gooding Pebble Beach 2015

The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (Estimate Available Upon Request) will be offered without reserve. With an approximate 10,000 miles from new, this 275 GTB/4 is an original four-cam model. After being held by one family for more than 40 years, the four-cam …

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 …

Auto Factoids for the Week of June 7, 2015 – Plymouth and Racing Tragedy

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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 June 11, 1928.

1928 Q Code Plymouth

1928 Q Code Plymouth

It had  engineering code (or model) Q and had a 4 cylinder engine.  Check out the video on YouTube:

June 10, 1927 The Graham boys purchased what was Paige_Detroit Motor Cars.  The Grahams started out as farmers and glass bottle makers.  One of  the brothers invented a rear axle that would allow converting Ford car platforms in to light duty trucks.  Oh they are still in business – owning/running Madison Square Gardens and hosting sporting events.

Graham Page

Graham Page

June 10, 1951 Jaguar won it’s first Le Mans.  It was a C-type version of XK120

C-type XK120

C-type XK120

June 11, 1955 Tragic day in racing history –  over 80 spectators were killed.

Here are the details from History.com

Prior to the race, Levegh complained that the course was too narrow near the pit-stop area and the grandstand. This observation proved prescient. As Levegh was racing for the lead near the pit-stop area, he swerved to avoid fellow racer Mike Hawthorn s Jaguar as it moved toward the pits. Levegh s car, going about 150 miles per hour, came up too fast on Lance Macklin s Austin-Healey and was catapulted upward. The car crashed into the grandstand and its exploding parts went straight into the crowd. Levegh and more than 80 spectators, packed into the grandstand, lost their lives in the fiery crash.

 

June 12, 1954 Packard cars are sporting tubeless tires.

1954 Packard

1954 Packard

June 12, 1975 Chrysler stops producing the Imperial.

1975 Chrysler Imperial - yes it's on the drag strip.

1975 Chrysler Imperial – yes it’s on the drag strip.

Jun 14, 1832 Nikolaus Otto is born in Holzhausen, Germany.  Famous for his patent for his 4 cycle combustion engine.

From the ZweiRad Museum Otto's 4 cycle engine.

From the ZweiRad Museum Otto’s 4 cycle engine.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#AutoFactoids