Category Archives: Auto Technology

Lingenfelter Unveils Wide-Body Kit For The C7 Corvette

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I think this kit gives the C7 an awesome look…not that it needed it.

The kit widens the all-American sports car by roughly two inches either side. It consists of wider wheel arches as well as a new front splitter and rocker panels. Lingenfelter also adds a carbon fiber hood extractor to give an aggressive, tuner look. With the kit installed, you’ll be able to install 20-inch wheels rocking massive 335/25 size tires.

And to ensure that your C7 Corvette has the go to match its new show, Lingenfelter offers a supercharger package that even with mild boost pressure will see the stock 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 spit out 624 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. Along with the supercharger, in this case an Edelbrock E-Force TVS2300, there is also a high-flow exhaust system incorporating Kooks headers and cat-back Corsa pipes.
Chase Motor Authority’s link to read the rest of the article.

Source: Lingenfelter Unveils Wide-Body Kit For The C7 Corvette

Thanks for reading.
Tim

lingenfelter c7

Lingenfelter Reveals Widebody C7 Corvette

Well known tuning company Lingenfelter has just unveiled its range of upgrades for the C7 Chevrolet Corvette including a widebody kit and a range of performance modifications. As for the bodykit, it isn’t quite as insane as the widebody kit offered by …

 

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Compression Test Part I

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I’ve done all the clean up and all the adjustments necessary to get a good reading on the health of the ’72 351C engine in my 1973 Mustang.

The next step is to check the compression.

First up was to warm the car a bit and then pull the plugs.

Here’s what the plugs looked like:

 

A very handy device to have is a remote starter (it keeps you from having to run back the cockpit and turning the key).  Just clip on to the positive terminal and S terminal on the starter rely and push the button.

 

The left side Cylinders 1-4.

They shaped up like this:

1 – 130

2 – 25, 35, 60, 90 (Fail!!!)

3 – 140

4 – 135

Here are the videos:



 

No doubt cylinder #2 has some issue.

Other bank coming up in the next post.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

projectsportsroof projectsportsroof

1973 Mustang Project Sportsroof – Engine Walk-Through.

There is a quick walk-through of the 351C tucked between the fenders of the 1973 Mustang Sportsroof. (It took about 5 takes to get this video…a slight improvement.

1973 Mustang – Project SportsRoof – Money!!

#ProjectSportsRoof will be the way I want it, which I haven’t nailed down yet, so suggest way by dropping me a comment (got your crate motor idea swimming around in my head, Bill) and that will happen fast or slow and cost …

1973 Mustang – Project Sportsroof – The Little Things

During the course of a restoration that are the major processes that need to be tended too, like body work, engine rebuild or interior work that takes the lime light and.

1973 Mustang – Project Sportsroof – Leaks, Pertronix …

Thanks for checking back on the #ProjectSportsRoof progress. Wrapping up the Pertronix install, I’ll had an issue. After install the system the car would not start.

1973 Mustang – Project Sports Roof

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As I posted before, after a vigorous (not read ‘desperate’) I finally found my next personal project.  The 1973 Mustang Sports Roof  Fastback is what I settled on.  Now we start the project that has been dubbed #ProjectSportsRoof (yes I find it necessary to use the ‘hash’).

1973 Mustang Color Code 2B.

1973 Mustang Color Code 2B.

I run my car projects much like I run my IT projects.  You always have to know where to start and know the end game and the key to that is knowing what you are starting with.   As with any project that isn’t being built from scratch, in other word, you have to work with what you’ve got, the final goals may change based on what you start out with and/or find later.   To help reduce the surprises, there will always be something that pops up unexpectedly, it’s a good idea to  begin with an inventory of what we have and what is needed and a logical starting point. We (as in me and you the reader) are at the beginning of the project.

Coming up next are the a few videos (maybe on only three, never sure, since the camera guy and I are one in the same) will be my first inspection.

Please feel free to interject via a comment or an email, always welcome the discussions.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

 

 

1973 mustang sportsroof

Mach 1 Interior: 1973 Mustang SportsRoof – Barn Finds

1973 Mustang SportsRoof. If Mach 1 Mustangs have gotten a little too pricey for you, may I suggest a less flashy fastback like this? The 351 under the hood isn’t as powerful as the top-of-the-line Cobra Jet, but it’s the same …

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, …

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

 

 

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.

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 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 – 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