“Christine” 30th anniversary celebration coming to Carlisle | Hemmings Blog

I love book and the movie, and I even started considering collecting one.  When I was a kid (back in the early 70’s) across the road from our house, in a field, sat an old Plymouth Fury – can’t recall cars year but it did have fins.

I remember asking my Dad why we didn’t drive it and he said it needed a carburetor.  It seemed in my young mind’s eye that the carburetor wasn’t much more than a can looking thing with a butterfly looking think in the middle.  So I fashioned one out of a soup can and the metal dividers in an ice cube maker – yes kids it was before ice fell from a frig with a push of a button.

Stephen King said he chose a 1958 Plymouth Fury to play the inhuman title character in his book from the year prior because Furys “were the most mundane Fifties car that I could remember. I didn’t want a car that already had a legend attached to it like the fifties Thunderbird, the Ford Galaxies etc… Nobody ever talked about the Plymouth products.”

Enjoy this article at the link below (and go pick up a Hemmings periodical).  You’ll love them.

Christine_900

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Star Cars: Janis, Jimi and Jim

Jimi Hendrix Corvette

Jimi Hendrix Corvette

It’s a well-known fact that James Marshall Hendrix, better known as “Jimi,” was a fan of the iconic Fender Stratocaster. What isn’t common knowledge was his affinity for Chevrolet Corvettes. During his short time in the spotlight, Hendrix owned not one, but two Vettes.

His first, a Stingray, was purchased in Cleveland in 1968 while on tour with his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, in support of their recently released masterpiece Axis: Bold As Love. Sadly, after less than a year, Hendrix totaled the car following a long night of heavy partying. Undeterred, and with his insurance claim filed, Hendrix took delivery of a replacement Corvette.

This second Corvette, in Cortez Silver, remained in Hendrix’s possession until his death, after which it was sold to cover mounting bills faced by his estate. From there the trail goes cold, with the car’s whereabouts currently unknown.

See more at http://www.historicvehicle.org  link below.

via Star Cars: Janis, Jimi and Jim.

Corvair – The Last Car

Normally, I do a Auto Factoid piece and you’d find a entry that would say on May 14, 1969 the last Corvair rolled off the factory line.

Some folks loved the car and many collectors still do.  There were a few that really disliked the car for various reasons and one guy in particular, Ralph Nader, believed they represented all that was wrong with the U.S. auto industry.  Although he may not have single-handedly contributed the end of the Corvair’s production, many believe he was instrumental in it’s early demise.

That’s why in a border town car show in Nogales, AZ I found this humorous:

What's funny about a 1966 Corvair?

What’s funny about a 1966 Corvair?

How about the Ralph Nader for President bumper sticker?

How about the Ralph Nader for President bumper sticker?

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

 

 

‘67 Corvette Abandoned in a Field Gets a Chance at a Second Life – CorvetteOnline.com

‘67 Corvette Abandoned in a Field Gets a Chance at a Second Life – CorvetteOnline.com.

The second-generation Corvette is widely regarded as one of, if not the best-looking Corvette, and they fetch a high premium on the auction circuit. But not every Corvette has benefited from a full restoration, and even fewer can claim to be true “survivor” cars.

Thankfully, it looks like one long-languishing 1967 Corvette coupe will get a second chance at life, reports Old Cars Weekly writer Al Rogers. The couple who owns this ‘Vette has vowed to restore it, citing their long history with the car.

Lee and Amanda Sloppy (not making that name up, by the way) have a long history with this ‘67, buying it from the original owner in 1973. Amanda used it as her daily driver to her two-mile commute until 1981, and then after the mufflers, brakes, and other bits needed replacing, the Corvette was eventually parked. Parked, but not forgotten.

Spec Page – 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban

Spec Page is a new series where we explore a particular model’s DNA.

This post is covering a car that I’ve frankly never heard of before.  Plymouth Belvedere sure is recognizable as a 60’s muscle car (yes properly powered they were muscle cars) and Suburban as big hauler.  The 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban was a hauler, but power house it wasn’t.

Plymouth Belvedere Suburban

Plymouth Belvedere Suburban

So lets start with the engine.  Weren’t  a lot of choices in 1954 and the standard for working class cars was the Plymouth’s flat head six.It was an iron block with L-head valves.  It had a bore and stroke of  3.25″  4.64″ and a compression ratio of 7.1:1 and displaced 217.8 cubic inches.  Topped with the a single carb barrel downdraft (normally a Carter Type BB model D5h2) help produce 100 hp.

Flat Head Six

Flat Head Six

All that power was transferred to the wheels was a 3 speed synchromesh on column and a Hypoid 3.73:1.  Once underway  stopped by 4-wheel hydraulic drum with double front cylinders. And those will be need to get this 3,000 plus pound, 189 inches (nearly 16 feet).

Supporting all this mayhem was a double-channel box frame with side rails and 4 cross members and Briggs all-steel body.  The suspension was independent in the front with coil springs and torsion sway bar with tapered leaf springs and 6.50 x 15″ tires and press steel safety rims.

You could buy his car with some added option like push-button radio, heater, two-tone paint, wire wheel covers, white side walls, bumpers guards, tissue dispenser, exhaust extension deflector locking gas cap, mirrors.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

Parking Lot Spot Light – ’65 Stang

As you know Parking Lot Spot Light is a piece where someone as parked their classic, muscle or other cool car in a local establishment to conduct some sort of business.

This time it was a local grocery store (car peeps need to eat) this beautiful fastback.

As Mustang fans know the 1964 Mustang flew out of the show room.  But I bet if they new what was coming in 1965 the might have waited.  I know if I but a 1964, I’d be looking to trade it the fastback came out.  Especially if I had saw this color with these stripes.

Fantastic Fastback

Fantastic Fastback

Love the scoop and the stripes!!!

Love the scoop and the stripes!!!

Didn't get to peek under the hood but I'm betting the 289 is still there.

Didn’t get to peek under the hood but I’m betting the 289 is still there.

 

The interior was just a great looking as the exterior.

The interior was just a great looking as the exterior.

 

Got a Mustang you love.  Drop me a note.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

 

 

Auto Factoids for the Week of March 3, 2013

A really light week this week.  It includes a government bailout, corporate take over, iconic debut, a tragedy and record falls.  Yeah…not much going on!!!

Lets start with the government bailout  it was 1971, but it wasn’t a US auto company but Rolls-Royce got a $144 million loan from the British government March 5th 1971.

1971 Rolls Royce

1971 Rolls Royce

On the same day in 1952 Willys rolled out its Aero-Ace.

 

Willys Aero Ace

Willys Aero Ace

In 1929 on March 7th General Motors buys Opel.  I was not aware that this occurred that early.

The iconic car released by Pontiac on March 8, 1969 was a variation of the Firebird – the Trans Am – amazing car.

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Did you know there is a company that is making the a Trans Am out of the new 2012 Camaro?  More coming on that!!!

Automotive tragedy occurred in Detroit in 1901.  The Oldsmobile plant burned down.

A few days later (plus) twenty-seven years Sir Henry Seagrave broke the 200 mph land speed barrier.  Here is his beast.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

Common Upgrades For An LA318 In A 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger | Street Legal TV

MOPAR fans you are going to love this article.

I use to own a 1970 Dodge Dart with a 318 between the fenders.  I did a lot of body work to the life long New York State car, but nothing to the engine.  There’s one I should have kept, right along with the ’66 Impala, ’70 Chevelle and a couple others!!!

Some great upgrade in this one.

 

Common Upgrades For An LA318 In A 1971 Dodge Dart Swinger | Street Legal TV.

Thanks for reading

Tim

Follow Up – Rumble Seat Mustang at 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

So after a little follow-up I found that the car was a promotion created by Ford and Autocraft.  See below.

 

Lot 446.1 – 1969 Ford Mustang Convertible

Sale Price: $24,750

TMN Rating: 9

TMN On-Site Review: Other than a few body panel mis-aligns, presents nicely.

Seller Description: An extremely rare and most unusual Mustang, a “Rumble-Seat.” This particular package was a joint effort by Ford and Autocraft of Dearborn, Mich. The option was not shown on the Build Sheet or Ford Window Sticker because the conversion was done after assembly. It was a blossom-time sales promotion offered only during April 1969 to certain Michigan Ford Dealers. Documented by two different magazine articles it is still uncertain exactly how many were done. This Mustang is believed to be the only one in Meadowlark Yellow. This Mustang was built April 16, 1969 and delivered to Jack Dykstra Ford in Lansing, MI. It is a V8, automatic, power top, factory tachometer, power top, Rumble Seat. It has only 56,000 Miles.

via 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Mustangs on the block: Wednesday 1/16.