Here in Tucson we have a lot of road construction and as is the case with most states in the union, suffering some budget issues, so maintaining our roads is a bit lacking. Put these two things together and you have a lot of debris lying around the road.
Over the course of the last 3 weeks two incidents have taken a toll on the undercarriage of the CINC_Household’s car….)erk…..CINC is a military term meaning “Commander in Charge”). Seems a pieces of metal ended up in the front wheel well and snapped off the clips holding the plastic lining. That one had to go to the dealership for repair. Just last week the CINC couldn’t miss what appeared as a bent hub cap on a highway and this destroyed the plastic covering underneath the engine compartment.
So my task today is to replace that piece along with the sound proofing.
Need to get that done this morning, because apparently, although totally beautiful outside right now, we are in for some nasty weather this afternoon. I’ll post up some pictures of the work later on. Yes…I know…not a classic car and not a muscle car..but it’s got 305 hp w/ automatic slap shifting transmission….it can get out of its own way!!!! And one day…I’m sneaking it out of the garage and taking to a test-n-tune.
I should throw “collecting” in the title of this blog, because, although it’s about 2.5 months old, I have mentioned collecting a bunch of times. But really that is part of hobby as well.
Of course if I were to list all the cars I’d love collect, it would be fairly long and in reality (my reality) unaffordable..unless you are Jay Leno… I hate that guy. Ok..I don’t hate him…not really..the green-eyed monster made me say that.
Since I’m not as funny as Jay and I have to work for a living….what?…..ok..ok….I’m sure Jay works very hard…I guess…it’s tough reading funny newpaper clips….ok…Sorry Jay, I have “substituted” this alternative method of obtaining the cars I’d love to own.
You all figured it out yet? I’m talking about models, scale diecast replicas. There is an entire industry out there that produces, imports and markets these items. Some of them are extremely well done.
Here are some shots of my collection. I’m concentrating on the Mustangs and Corvettes in the sizes 1/18 or 1/24 scale.
These are a few of Mustangs
And these are a few of the Corvettes.
A Few of the Vettes
Most of these are Danbury Mint and GMP pieces, I do like what they produce, lots of details and they are affordable (around $100.00 each).
Here is a few shots of the 1967 GT 350.
GMP 1967 GT350 Interior
GMP Mustang GT350 Engine compartment
The Franklin mint produces cars, Greenleaf, Motormint, just to name a few.
It’s fun and affordable and they do increase in value. It’s gotten so popular that even the mainstream car magazines like Hemmings (they normally have at least one article in every Motor News edition), Mustang Monthly and Corvette magazine have articles that discuss this portion of the hobby and even rate the quality of individual brands and their offerings.
If you collect already or want to get started drop a comment to this post. Toss in some pic as well.
They attended Greeley Wesleyan Church. Garen collected all types of diecast model cars and loved to show his collection to all who visited their home. Above all was his love of his family, especially his grandchildren. Garen is survived by his wife …
New Porsche Diecast Model Cars http://t.co/Wq8GKxLBFR
New Porsche Diecast Model Cars http://t.co/mGEMd4Y3Kc
OK we are getting down to the wire. I have only two entries for determining who wins a $25.00 gift card to Checkers and the $25.00 gift card to Home Depot.
Drop a line and send a picture and you could get 25 bucks..hey it ain’t the lottery….but it’s free!!!!
If you recall in a previous post I mentioned the psychological hurdles that some (at least I) have to over come when working on our own cars. The one of them was the “fear” of breaking it yourself. Remember? Well ..here ya go….
It’s the end of January and I still had my x-mas lights up….so yesterday (1/24) I decided they had to come down. I didn’t want to be the guy taking them down in June (like my neighbor).
So, I pull the Vette into the lower part of the drive and then proceeded to back the Mustang down. The Mustang takes a while to warm up so instead I just release the e-brake, pushed the clutch in and coasted down the driveway.
Had a neighborhood kid in the driveway so I was keeping an eye on him (he’s 5 yrs old) and I left the door of the Stang open.
Yeah…you guessed it….I heard a crunch and I looked over to the left and there was my Mustang door (good old American steel) stuck in my Vette’s fender!!!!!
All I can say is plastic bumpers saved the day….not so much for the fiber glass fender and belt molding on the vette.
Oh..adding insult to injury the 5 yrs old said..”That’s why you need to close the door..that’s what my Dad says!”
Hagerty recently announced it has teamed-up with LeMay–America’s Car Museum to help develop a new program focusing on education on vehicle restoration. This hands-on learning program has been dubbed the “Hagerty Education Program at America’s …
The German luxury and classic car restoration website GT-A is asking EUR 1,000,000 – around $1.35 million – for the world-famous car. Before you balk, consider that 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale will be going to Paul Walker’s charity Reach …
For this evenings writing I thought I’d give you a run down on my Mustang.
WARNING: Caution Chevy owners you are going to hear Ford stuff!!!! This blogger does have a split personality.. Ford vs. GM. I catch a lot of <insert bad word> from my Corvette club and the same from the Mustang guys. I’m learning to live with a split persona..”No you’re not!!!”…”Yes I am!!!!” “HEY guys…not NOW…they’ll notice.” “Fine!!!!!”….”He started it!!!!” ENOUGH!!!
Sorry folks, must have missed my medication this afternoon. Sooooooooooo..oh…yeah…I remember.
I purchased the Mustang about 4 years ago from a family in Glendale, Az., for $6000.00 cash. They were the original owners and purchased it in Phoenix, Az and handed it down their daughter. She is the one I purchase it from. So, I am the 3rd owner. The car was in pretty good shape but had over 173K miles. Engine was a 250 straight 6. No power. It had dealer installed AC and when you turned that on..forget ’bout it (insert heavy NY accent) you could walk faster. Ok, not really the 250 was rated at about 155 hp but it had 10:1 (or 9:1) compression and for some odd reason they stuck a single barrel carb on it. “What?” you say….I say yup..it was a Webber. It also sported (and still does) a 3 speed manual transmission mounted on the floor. The interior was recently re-done and in good shape, except for the dash. All the gauges worked. The original radio was replaced with a crappy first generation cd changer (located in the trunk…pretty convenient).
Here is a program note. When see the word “TIP” you’ll know that this is something you might want to jot down.
I’m going to give you the details for how the Mustang came “configured” when it was ordered. Later on I’ll give you the list of modifications and if anyone likes (comments…good or bad…are welcome and questions as well) I’ll pass on my web site link and you can see some before and after pictures.
Get ready here comes the first programming note.
TIP: I love the history of a thing. Sometimes, to me, the history is more important than the actual value of the object. As far as cars go documentation will increase the value, sometimes considerably. So where’s the tip? Ok….just for being patient I’ll give everyone a double dose. Keep the paperwork!!!! If you are buying a car ask for any and all paper. Some people keep everything, you’d be surprised. My Mustang came with a folder full. Anything major done with this car was in the paper work. There the second dose. Find a registry for the car make and model. A registry is here someone or some organization contacts owners or is contacted by owners and the list all the details of their particular cars. The individual or organization often create databases and store all the collected information. They are a fountain of information for you to use when getting the details, similar to what you’ll see below in a second, for your ride.
TIP: (No extra charge for 2 tips in a row!!) Ford lovers check this out. There is place in El Mirage, AZ called Marti Auto Works. They own the rights to the Ford databases and records prior to 1974 (some models up to 1989). These guys have everything..I mean everything. Give them the VIN number and they’ll pile on the data (it’s not free but very reasonable). They are authorized by Ford to reproduce window stickers and Protecto Plates (identification plates that go on the inside door jamb). I had them run the number for my ’70 coupe.
Here are some of the details:
The car sold for $2984.20 (ha…2o cents!!!) . The engine was less than the radio. TIP: Insurance companies may only insure your car for the sticker price, that is what my regular insurance company would do. Get some collector car insurance!!! We’ll cover that together in the near future.
She came with the 6 cylinder 250 IV 250, vinyl Hi-back bucket seats (Mach I seats), color-keyed carpeting, floor-mounted shift lever, Instrument gages, factory Ford color “white” color code “M”, black sidewall “belted tires” and AM radio.
(HELP: If any one knows why most people refer to their cars as “she” or “her” drop me a comment. I’d like to here some suggestions.)
It was ordered and sold from Don Sanderson Ford Inc, 5300 Grand Ave., Box 938, Glendale, AZ. It was shipped from Dearborn, MI via rail. Come on now..how cool is it to know how it was shipped?)
Kevin Marti will provide you with an “Elite Report” this includes very detailed data. I’m not kidding..right down to how many were produced exactly like yours. I won’t type it all here, I can send you the level of detail if you drop me a comment and ask for it. Here’s an example: 191,522 Mustangs were produced in 1970; 15, 300 had the straight 6 engine; 107 had the same seats. My car was one of 1,146 with the same paint and trim codes. It was the 58,634th Ford vehicle scheduled for production at the Dearborn plant. And here is my favorite. “Your car was actually produced on January 28, 1970 – one day behind schedule.” Cool? Way Cool!!!! Hey, she has a birthday coming up..40 years old!!!!
I think that’s enough for now. Tomorrow – a run down on the Corvette…..”OH YEAH….love GM!!!” …”So the Ford got to go first!”..”That doesn’t mean anything!!!”…”Does too!!!”….”Not!!!” I’ll take my meds tomorrow!!! Promise!!!!
I’ve had this book on the shelf for a couple of years now. It is a great reference to own. The book is by John M. Clor and it features Mustang Memorabilia, a lot of cool stuff. First thing inside the front cover is a CD entitled “Sounds of Mustang”. Yup you …
Replaces that is, boot as in shifting boot. (Were you thinking…since I just got back from the Barrett Jackson Auction.. I was considering getting rid of the Stang ? Nope..but I tell you there were a couple of cars I’d even swap for…that’s for sure!!) When the 4 speed trans got …
If you searched and found or followed my posts on restoring the dash-board of my ’70 Mustang, then you might recall my planning/scheduling issues. As I was taking the old dash pad off, I realized that I hadn’t order the plastic pillar molding. When I finally called a few Mustang parts …
The last I blogged about my Mustang I had finished up the installation of the new dash pad and replaced all the bulbs and cleaned up a few years of dust. If you recall (well you don’t have to, just go back and read the posts) I talked about planning and …
I’ve the pillar post moldings painted and ready to installed. I put on 3 coats of paint. Now I have to remove the dash pad (again) and install. That will be later this week, my Corvette is still in shop and the Mustang is my back up car. Thanks for reading more to …
Caulk another tasks down on the restoration of the Mustang. I finished up the pillar post molding last night. Here is the before: Now these were not as labor intensive as the dash-pad but here were some issues. We’ll walk through them. The removing the dash-pad was chronicled in my earlier post and that was …
