Author Archives: Tim Sweet

Auto Factoids for Week of June 8, 2014

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Let’s get right to the glory and the tragic historical events of this weeks Auto Factoids.

 

June 10, 1927 the Graham brothers purchased Paige-Detroit Motor Co. These guys started out producing glass and then moved into making conversion kits to turn Model T Fords in to truck.   They decided they wanted to produce their own trucks and made a deal with Dodge for the engines and selling their trucks though Dodge.  In 1927 they decided they wanted to go into the car business and make the historic purchase of Paige-Detroit Motor for what was $4 million dollars.  Renamed Graham-Page, they produced 6 and 8 cylinder cars using their own bodies (after buying Wayne Body Company) and light trucks.  Truck production ceases when Dodge threatened to enforce the non-compete clause of the original agreement.  Of note was the 8 cylinder engine they developed nicknamed the “Blue Streak”.  It soon became the name for the car. Graham brothers produced cars up until 1940 and only used their factory during WWII for various war effort production.  By 1946 they were producing cars again and farm equipment under Kaiser-Frazer name.  They eventually transferred all the rights to Kaiser-Frazer and their production facilities were sold to Chrysler.

Love this 1927 Panel Truck

Love this 1927 Panel Truck

Model 827 Circa 1929

Model 827 Circa 1929

Survivor!!!!

Survivor!!!!

Oh YES...THEY DID A BUS!!!

Oh YES…THEY DID A BUS!!!

 

June 10, 1951 Jaguar has it’s first Le Mans win and 4 years later and one day, the worse racing tragedy in organized racing history – 81 spectators were killed in the Le Mans crash on June 11, 1955.

LeMans1 LeMans2 LeMans3

June 12 1954 – Packard offers new cars with tubeless tires – major milestone!!!

June 12, 1975 – Chrysler Imperial is no longer produced.  If you recall Imperial started out as it’s own brand and then purchased by Chrysler the name was retired for a period of time and then brought back in the 1970’s.

1975 was the last year for the Land Yacht

1975 was the last year for the Land Yacht

 

June 14 1932, Happy Birthday to

Nicolaus Otto

Nicolaus Otto

Who gagraham paige car for sale

Auto Factoids for Week of May 18, 2014

If you thought last week was light…this week is weak!! Buick became a corporation back in 1903 back on May 19. It eventually became a major General Motors brand.
Auto Factoids for Week of May 11, 2014

Light week this week. 5/14/1969 – Last Corvair build. If you know only a little about automotive history or maybe politics or the consumer safety revolution of the 60′s and 70′s you’ll know the name Ralph Nader. With a little …
Auto Factoid 9/8/2013 – 9/14/2013

Auto Factoids are back!!!!   Lets just get started. Happy Birthday (Sept. 8, 1903) Preston  Tucker – nice cars!!!   On Sept 9th 1935 Studebaker put the first car on a Pennsylvania RR rail car headed to NYC  but the final destination was London.  (Actually there were 163 cars in that shipment.) These are …
Auto Factoid 9/8/2013 – 9/14/2013

Auto Factoids are back!!!!   Lets just get started. Happy Birthday (Sept. 8, 1903) Preston  Tucker – nice cars!!!   On Sept 9th 1935 Studebaker put the first car on a Pennsylvania RR rail car headed to NYC  but the final destination was London.  (Actually there were 163 cars in that shipment.) These are …

ve us this thing:

first internal-combustion engine to efficiently burn fuel directly in a piston chamber.

first internal-combustion engine to efficiently burn fuel directly in a piston chamber.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

A Sinkhole Swallowed Cars at The Corvette Museum And Now Everyone Wants To Go

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A Sinkhole Swallowed Cars at The Corvette Museum And Now Everyone Wants To Go | TIME.

A view of a sinkhole that opened up in the Skydome

A view of a sinkhole that opened up in the Skydome

Tourism up 50%….that’s great!!!

 

Tim

 

national corvette museum

National Corvette Museum might preserve sinkhole

The sinkhole that swallowed up eight Corvettes earlier this year has been something of a mixed blessing for the Bowling Green, Ky., National Corvette Museum. On the one hand, those rare (if not uniformly invaluable) Corvettes were damaged, or outright …

1952 Chevy PickUp For Sale

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Every town there are a couple places where folks just park cars they want to sell.  Those spots move around from time to time or new ones just popup.

There is one such place just down the street from my house.  It is just along the side of the road as you are headed out of town toward the freeway and right across from a large super store (grocery).   There is often everything from a trashed Ford Taurus and on up to large late model SUV’s.  There have even been some classics!!   Few weeks ago there was a 1969 Mustang – home made restoration and paint but not a bad looking car.  A few weeks ago there as a ’62 Ford Falcon with a bored out 302, dual exhaust.

Today had stop (ok…fine….I always stop!!) and lot at this 1952 Chevy pickup.  It was nicely done. I’d give the paint a 7 out of 10, the bed was nicely redone give that a 9 out of 10.  The interior was all original or restored to original.  Original material upholstery, gauges, steering wheel, dash.  Even had the original dash, stick shift and there near the top of the right hand side was the original push button radio.  So very cool.

I’m not selling, nor am I considering purchasing and I don’t know the seller.  Just thought it was a great looking car.  I didn’t talk to the owner but I did see the truck drive up under it’s own power as I was headed to the auto parts store and he was gone when I got back and stopped to look at it.  I believe it had the 6 cylinder  – but I have an issue with opening up a car without the owner there.  Maybe it an an alarm – my 1970 Mustang had one.

This baby looked great.  Asking price showed $23,000 obo.  Here are some pics:

 

Chrome look good....$23,000

Chrome look good….$23,000

Phone number is on the sign. Class was good all the way around.

Phone number is on the sign. Class was good all the way around.

Love the lines on the 1952

Love the lines on the 1952

IMG_20140607_083436_810

Great looking bumper.

Great looking bumper.

Floor bed is very well done.

Floor bed is very well done.

If you a reader of my blog and you are interested in the truck.  Call the guy and I’ll be glad to inspect it for you.

Regards

Tim1952 classic chevy trucks1952 classic chevy trucks

The Most American-made Cars Of 2014 | Bankrate.com

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The Ford F-Series and the Chevrolet Corvette tied for the top ranking, followed by several GM SUVs. The Dodge Avenger is tied for third with a number of other GM and Chrysler products.In fact, the top 10 vehicles are U.S. or quasi-U.S. brands. Honda and Toyota have a number of models tied for the 12th position in contrast to the high ranking they would have if the AALA data were used as the only indicator of “localness.”

 

See how the determine how American the American cars are:

via The Most American-made Cars Of 2014 | Bankrate.com.

corvettestingray2014 2014-ford-f-150-tremor-sport-truck-front-three-quarters

 

StephenColeson

Ford : F-150 SVT Raptor Crew Cab Pickup 4-Door 2011 ford f 150 raptor svt navigation sunroof white spray bed liner …
Your Ride: 2013 Ford F-150 Raptor

Girls just wanna have fun, am I right? One of our readers, Skyler, knows how to do just that — in her 2013 Ford F-150 Raptor, that she modded herself. Living in a small town, it’s the perfect ride to take on and off-road. And not to mention her brand …
KhalidAl_

I won the 2nd Star in my Corvette Stingray in #CSRRacing #RaceYourFriends. Download FREE! http://t.co/CdN5AmeSvy
SmithChevy46356

2015 Corvette Stingray to Tout More Options, Colors, and Tech http://t.co/zuUqNLS6xD

Mustang and Me – ’71 Mach I

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One of my readers stopped by my Facebook page for Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing and dropped me a note about his 1971 Mustang Mach 1 he is restoring.

He wrote:  “Guys – been lurking here and can’t get enough. I’m restoring a 1971 Mustang Mach 1 which I just made a video of – would be great if everyone could hit “LOVE IT” on the video link: http://bet.votigo.com/fbcontests/showentry/Ford-Contest-1/137096”

Here is the video he posted.  Lot of work went into this car.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

1971 ford mustang mach 1

SixDos

RT @Motor_Roar: #MuscleCarMonday 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 http://t.co/3DDyjrJ8LN
Ford Mustang Mach 1

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is an performance-oriented option package of the Ford … A 1971 Mustang Mach 1 was featured in the James Bond film, …

DeltaWing gives first look at 4-seat passenger concept

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With its swept-wing design and narrowed front end, there’s no mistaking the DeltaWing for anything else on the track.

deltawingpassengercar-1

 

Now the company has unveiled a newly rendered DeltaWing concept, that it hopes will take the radical design and turn it into a high efficiency, road-going passenger car for four. The DeltaWing concept has lost some of the ‘fighter jet meets 80s era Batmobile’ appeal of… One key attribute of the DeltaWing shape is considerably less overall mass, which translat… Unlike the pictured electric ZEOD RC, the 4-passenger DeltaWing will run a small 110 hp fo…The proposed passenger version won’t have the original DeltaWing track racer’s performance capabilities, but it will retain most of the car’s uncommon DNA.

umm....yeah....gonna have to say - don't!!!

umm….yeah….gonna have to say – don’t!!!

via DeltaWing gives first look at 4-seat passenger concept.

 

I don’t even think the delta wing should be a street car at all and the passenger concept is just, horrible.  Looks like the Prowler only without a full front end.  Ant-eater with wheels!!!   Make a great kids Hot Wheels collectable.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

TickTickVroom

@DeltaWingTech reveals a concept for a 4-seater delta wing car. http://t.co/P3SDGJdQTe

Challenger Hellcat with ‘600-plus horsepower’ – Autoblog

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I’ve said it a few times and I’ll say it again and mostly likely not for the last time.  MOPAR got it RIGHT with the Challenger!!!!!  Fiat ownership or not….it will continue to be an iconic car.

Now take that car that you did so right and boost it’s horse power….maybe up to 600 or more…and…well let’s not mince words…it’s a MONSTER!!!  Chase the link below and check out the video, you’ll see what I mean!!!! Can you say…first every factory super-charger!!!

001-2015-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat_628opt
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with ‘600-plus horsepower’ officially unveiled – Autoblog.

Dodge has officially unveiled the most powerful vehicle to ever wear the Challenger name – the SRT Hellcat– complete with over 600 horsepower courtesy of a supercharged, 6.2-liter Hemi V8. It will be offered alongside the 485-hp Challenger SRT

The new, force-induced V8 isn’t just the most powerful ever fitted to the Challenger, it’s the most powerful eight-cylinder Chrysler Group has ever built. Power figures aren’t finalized, so expect to see “over 600 hp” bandied about quite a lot. That fury will be channeled through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. Yes, over 600 ponies through an eight-speed auto. So far, the only vehicle we know of that delivers more output through that many gears is the as-yet untested Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Sadly, we don’t have performance metrics just yet, although if this thing can’t crack four seconds to 60 miles per hour, we’ll be pretty surprised.

dodge hellcat engineThanks for reading
Tim

https://www.average-guys-car-restoration-mods-racing.com

Dealer Order Banks Now Open for All-New 2015 Ford Mustang !!!

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Are you excited about the new Mustang?  Lots of people are!!!

The Wait Is Almost Over! Dealer Order Banks Now Open for All-New 2015 Ford Mustang

Ford dealers can now begin placing orders for 2015 Mustang fastback

2015 Mustang fastback includes many new standard features such as fully independent suspension, push-button start, next-generation SYNC® AppLink™ and a choice of three powerful engines

All-new Mustang EcoBoost® and Mustang GT available with 50 Years Appearance Package

For Ford Mustang fans everywhere, today they are one big step closer to experiencing the next generation as Ford has begun accepting dealer orders for the 2015 fastback.

Ever since the world got its first look at the all-new 2015 Mustang nearly six months ago, the anticipation has been palpable. Ford engineers have been racking up millions of testing miles, refining each system to make sure everything is just right before the first Mustangs reach customers later this year.

The All-New Ford Mustang GT

“From the six cities around the globe where we revealed the all-new Mustang, to auto shows to the recent 50-year celebration events, we’ve received an amazing response from people when they finally see the new model,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. “This car is all-new with enhanced sophistication and craftsmanship, but it still exudes the essence of Mustang that’s been honed throughout its history.”

via The Wait Is Almost Over! Dealer Order Banks Now Open for All-New 2015 Ford Mustang | Ford Media Center.

 

2015Stang-2

OH!!!!

OH!!!!

 

Got plans to pick up the new Mustang?  Drop me a note, reader what to hear all about it!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

2015 Ford Mustang GT Specs Review

2015 Mustang GT Specs; 2015 mustang specs; 2015 mustang gt; 2015 mustang gt horsepower; yhs-fh_lsonsw; new mustang 2015; 2015 ford mustang specs; 2015 ford mustang gt specs; 2015 mustang gt review; estimated …
Video: 2015 Mustang GT – Specs, Overview & Driving …

See what’s powering the 2015 Ford Mustang GT and watch as Ford takes one for a drive around the desert.

Auto Factoids for Week of May 18, 2014

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If you thought last week was light…this week is weak!!

Buick became a corporation back in 1903 back on May 19.   It eventually became a major General Motors brand with some great cars in the 60 and 70 like the A bodies GSX, the Wild Cat, and the Grand National.

1903Buickgm_first_buick_1903 1970-buick-gsx-1 BuickGNX

 

I got the Goodyear Blimp taking its first flight on May 22, 1929.  Still provides some of the best auto racing coverage!!!

blimp

 

In an earlier Auto Factoid we talked about Walter P. Sloan of GM fame, well he has a birthday coming up this week.  May 23 back in 1875 he was born in New Haven Conn.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

Auto Factoids for Week of May 4, 2014

This one got lost. Better late, than never. 5/4/1923 First Le Mans 24 hour race -The original intention of the race was for a winner to be declared following.
Auto Factoids – 1970 Mustang – Ford Assembly Line …

Auto Factoids – 1970 Mustang – Ford Assembly Line http://timsweet.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/auto-factoids-1970-mustang-ford-assembly-line/ December 1, 2010. Today is the anniversary of the assembly line created by …
Auto Factoids 2011-1 Corvette Fuelies RPO 5789E

Good write up – rare Corvette RPO. Auto Factoids 2011-1 Corvette Fuelies RPO 5789E Auto Factoids 2011-1 Corvette Fuelies RPO 5789E Average Guy’s Car Restoration, Mods and Racing 1957 – 1958 saw the use of the …

Auto Factoids for Week of May 11, 2014

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Light week this week.

 

5/14/1969 – Last Corvair build.  If you know only a little about automotive history or maybe politics or the consumer safety revolution of the 60’s and 70’s you’ll know the name Ralph Nader.  With a little Google’in you’ll find various search results linking him to the demise of the Chevy Corvair (and apple pie and America) – most are not flattering to Mr. Nader.   According to most accounts the last Corvair carried 6000 as the last 4 digits of it’s serial number.  The car was blanketed by the press when it rolled off the assemble, but then disappeared.   There are various stories as to the actual disposition of car #6000  but it remains a mystery.  We do know it was a two door, hard top,  Monza, Olympic Gold was the color and it likely had a Service 140 replacement engine.

I'm seeing the Corvair but can't help notice the Nova's on the rail car.

I’m seeing the Corvair but can’t help notice the Nova’s on the rail car.

The last Corvair convertible was #5997 which was a Forest Green Monza that has come up for sale a few times.

 

The last Corvair Vert.

The last Corvair ‘vert.

If you are a Corvair fan you’ll enjoy this read:  1969 Corvair: Finger Tip Facts by Corvair historian Dave Newell.

 

5/17/1868 – Horace Dodge was born in Niles, Mich.    Horace and his brother started out working in a boiler plant and invented a dirt proof ball baring and begin producing bicycles (1897).   In 1901 they began production automotive parts which led to a contract in 1902  to build transmissions for Oldsmobile.  The following year they refused a contract renewal with Olds and began producing engines for Ford.  By 1913 the Dodge boys were producing trucks, ambulances and other vehicles for the military.  The produced their first commercial car in 1917.

Dodge Half-Ton Military pickup

Dodge Half-Ton Military pickup

 

1913 Dodge Brothers Touring car.

1913 Dodge Brothers Touring car.

Thanks for reading.  If you have an auto factoid, drop me a note.

Timhorace dodge

Horace Elgin Dodge

Horace Elgin Dodge, Sr. (May 17, 1868 – December 10, 1920) was an American automobile manufacturing pioneer and co-founder of Dodge …