Auto Vintage 88

“Somebody Took my Austin-Healy”

2008-04-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

A red-over-black 3000 Mk3 was stolen March 3 at West London. Distraught owner Ian Dixon Potter is more than anxious to get the vehicle back. Look at the car, wouldn’t you be distraught?

Potter claims that the vehicle has a number of distinct features that will make it easily identifiable: the 1965 model is registered with a plate DGP 885C, larger wheels than normal cars.

The seats are old styled, blue rear seats, a Pye radio and the overdrive is operated with a switch marked AUX.

Well, if I got this car, I’d say my chances of returning it is as good as a pig who wants to fly. But anyways, I got Potter’s contact information, just in case anybody knows anything.

Ian Dixon Potter on 0207 2662506 or dp_arch@yahoo.com

Sources: Classic Cars Magazine

Going old School: The 2008 March Meet

2008-04-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Last March, it felt like Bakersfield stepped inside a time portal. It was actually March 2008 but the Famoso Raceway felt like it was in the swinging 60’s. The March Meet is a drag race molded in the tradition of the 60’s, with pits, staging lanes full of front engine disasters. There were funny cars, altereds, gassers and, of course, our personal favorite: hotrods.

The Smokers began racing in Famoso way back in 1951. Back then head-to-head march ups were still in fashion. In fact in 1959, a fella named Don Garlits came all the way from Florida to take on renowned racer Art Chrisman and the rest of California’s best drag racers. Garlits didn’t win, but it marked the first March Meet which eventually paved the way for the annual competition.

Today, the March Meet is organized by Blake Bowser and his father John Bowser. The drag circuit is operated and maintained by the Kern County Racing Association (KCRA). During this year’s March Meet the staff did an outstanding job, preserving the long line of legacy that it stems from.

It is considered by many as the top drag racing event of the year. It relives the past decades of drag racing in America. The last event, marked 50 years of March Meet races. These years have seen the birth of many racing greats such as Garlits, Chrisman, Prudhomme, McEwen, the Smokers, and a host of other hot rodders. And new names continue to be established today like Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "Mongoose" McEwen, along with some of the West Coast's best grassroots drag racers.

This event not only relives history, it also makes history.

Look at the cars. Astounding.

Sources: Rod and Custom

A 1000 Spridgets?

2008-04-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

HERITAGE MOTOR CENTER – Spridget50 has shaped to be one of the largest gathering of Spridgets ever.

The members: Healy Driver’s Club, MG Owners Club, MG Car Club, Austin-Healy Club and the Midget and Sprite Club gathered a 1000 Austin Healy Sprites and MG Midgets to mark the car’s 50^th birthday. This was the largest collection of Sprites, Midgets and derivatives to be ever gathered in one place.

Many cars made appearances, as confessed by Classic Car Magazine, “Rare and historic cars such as the original press car 'PBL 75' and John Sprinzel’s Sebring Sprite 'PMO 200' with members of the Healey family…”

The Spridget is one of the cutest cars ever in automotive history. This event reminded us of the successes of the car as an economic and high-performance engine. Go Spridgets.

Long live Spridgets! Happy birthday!

Sources: Classic Car Magazine

One of the Certified Classics: The 1936 Ford Coupe

2008-04-09T01:51:00.000-07:00

Restoring a vintage or classic car is a hard task. The first thing you have to consider is finding a car that is in good condition. Think about the model you like and then you can search the net, classifieds, etc. for availability. That is hard enough. Imagine restoring a model that is very hard to find. Not only will availability be a problem, part finding will be an equally tougher task.

Ladies and gents, feast your eyes on the 1936 Ford Coupe. The lucky owner? John Mearns. The 1936 Ford Coupe is one of the rarest vehicles in the world today. I haven’t seen one in the flesh. Ever. To top things off, the vehicle was furnished with a new paint job, a new set of tires and a neatly packaged interior.

Where he found it? Well, on the internet of course (These days you can find everything there). It belonged to a retired car dealer. For an interesting side story: this car dealer bought a bunch of vintage and classic automobiles to raise money to buy one particular car. It wasn’t specified what car it was, but I can tell you now it wasn’t cheap. Anyways, Mearns saw the photos and went with his gut feeling. Take note, he bought the car without any firsthand knowledge of its condition. But it paid off. Lucky guy. Before he knew it, the car was being wheeled out on his garage by shippers.

For all you fellow restoration enthusiasts, take note. The first thing John did was to take the vehicle to a shop. It needed mass body work. The car was chopped in more ways than I can imagine. And John winced in terror as he witnessed his investment being torn down piece by piece. This was what kept him anxious for eight months. It was a patience project.

The roof was now better than ever. John continued the body work by installing a ’40 LaSalle Grille and a set of ’34 Chevy Master Deluxe hood sides. He also invested in customized fender skirts, as well as adding ’37 Lincoln Zephyr taillights and ’36 Packard headlights. Then he proceeded to giving it some final touches: modifying the hood, shaving the handles and installing a new pair of ’41 Ford bumpers.

Of course, the Coupe’s restoration is still far from finished. It still needs a new interior paint job. John is planning to take the Coupe to West Coast Customs (Yes, I think that’s the one in that MTV show). But you have to give praise to the man. It seems that the 1936 Ford Coupe is in good hands, and, I guarantee, we will be seeing more of this man’s car in the future.

John also made modifications for the Coupe’s chassis, drive train and wheels. Pending projects include, as stated, a new paint job, as well as other interior designs.

All I can say is that this man is officially a vintage car hero. I wish him all the luck he needs. For now, just enjoy the photos. I’ll keep you posted on what happens to this car.

For the meantime, this has inspired me to work on my 1969 Dodge Charger. The last time I worked on it was months ago. I think I’ll bring it to Henry (The local mechanic) to advise me on what pain I can use. The body has acquired small patches of rust which should be worked on immediately…

I’ll sleep on it for now.

Sources: Rod & Custom Magazine

Coys to be headlined by Ferrari in Monaco

2008-04-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Coys is one of the leading names when it comes to car auctions. It is a British Company that deals with the acquisition of the world’s greatest cars. They have had a good year so far, kicking things off with a celebrity car auction at London. The company recently announced that they have two more auctions coming up, May 10 in Monaco and May 25 at Brands Hatch. Coys declared that they will be sending 60 cars to each auction.

Tim Nevinson from Classic Car Magazine describes the auto line-up of the upcoming auctions, “At Monaco a 1958 works supported Austin Healey that took part in the 1962 and 1965 Monte Carlo Rallies is likely to start at around £150,000, as well as a Porsche 550RS and a Bialbero Abarth from 1959. Two Ferrari specially commisioned shooting brakes are also for sale at Monaco, Luigi Chinetti's Ferrari Daytona shooting brake from 1972, and the last Vignale bodied Ferrari 330 GT shooting brake.”

On the other hand, the Brands Hatch Auction will also be featuring Porsche, headlined by the GT3 RS. Which experts say would start off at an estimated £55,000 to £75,000. A 1965 Lotus Elan, which competed in the Bahamas Speed Weeks from 1965 to 1966, is approximated at £35,000 to £45,000. To finish things properly, the line-up will also feature an Aston Martin DB6 Mk 2 Volante, a rare 1939 Malcolm Campbell designed Bentley and, last but not the least, another Ferrari.

It seems that Coys is making all the right moves to strengthen their grip on the car acquisition market. As of late, the company has shown genuine interest in crossing the seas. Coys is not settling for Europe alone. I think they want their prestigious occupation to reach the states, as well as other parts of the world.

More power to Coys!

Sources: Classic Car Magazine

A Plymouth Tradition

2008-04-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

On June 15, 1957, a then brand new Plymouth Belvedere V-8 Sports Coupe was buried at the Tulsa County Courthouse lawn. The car was intended to remain buried for 50 years.

You might ask, is there anything else to the story?

And that is what I am about to tell you. During the 1950s the Plymouth was regarded as an advanced automobile. To the people of Tulsa, it represented a wonderful product of American ingenuity. The kind of ingenuity that cannot be shattered by eternity (Well, in this case eternity is just 50 years).

“Suddenly It’s 1960” was the marketing pitch for the Plymouth Belvedere in 1957. The town committee of Tulsa decided to conduct a special competition to acquaint townspeople with the new Plymouth Belvedere V-8 Sports Coupe.

The competition posed the question “What the population of Tulsa would be in the year 2007?” Numerous citizens participated in the competition. Answers were placed on a piece of paper, with the participants’ respective names and other contact information. These answers were placed at the trunk of the new Plymouth Belvedere V-8 Sports Coupe, which was buried underneath the earth for 50 years!

The rule was that the car will be excavated on June 15, 2007. As explained by a classiccar.com blog, “When the car and artifacts are excavated, the person whose guess is closest to Tulsa’s 2007 population is to be awarded the Belvedere. If that person is dead, the car is to be awarded to his or her heirs. Today, reminders of the event are only noted by bronze plaque on the courthouse lawn”.

“Suddenly It’s 2007” was the catch phrase of the much anticipated unearthing of the Plymouth Belvedere.

“What happened?” you ask, in the fresh pictures we see a Plymouth Belvedere that is ruined by rust. As confessed by John Neff, who witnessed the event, “What's interesting is that there are no rust holes or rust spots, there's just a veneer of rust completely covering the vehicle making it look as if the car were plucked from its tomb and deep fried right before the unveiling”.

Neff continues, “We haven't heard any news about who correctly guessed what the population of Tulsa would be in 2007 and therefore has won the '57 Belvedere, nor whether it's been confirmed that car customizer Boyd Coddington will restore the vehicle before it's awarded to the winner. For the winner's sake, we're hoping he or she isn't given the car in this condition.”

In whatever case, I think this Plymouth Belvedere should be given a higher resale value. Tradition has made it more expensive and irreplaceable. I think this was a good way of preserving the value of the Plymouth Belvedere in the automobile industry. Moreover, I think other brands should continue competitions like this today.

Sources: Ted’s Garage Blog, Autoblog

Give your Corvette away to History

2008-04-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been inside a car museum?

I’ve always wondered how auto museums acquire their display pieces. No owner, in the right mind, would give his precious vehicle away for charity. Unless you’re a celebrity of some sort or a very rich man in general, it would take a lot of green backs to get you to giveaway a classic/vintage car.

Recently, the National Corvette Museum (NCM) released a newsletter that invites Corvette owners (1954, 1955 models) to display their vehicles at their Museum. If you are a member of the NCM and you own a stock-appearing Corvette, then this is definitely something to consider. Many incentives await those who are willing such as certifications and, of course, the prestige. The NCM will only borrow the car for a predetermined amount of time. So don’t fret, your Corvette is only going for a one night stand and not leaving you for the arms of another man.

NCM has posted its loan agreement, guidelines, display information and exhibit application along with the Kentucky statutes applicable to loaning items to museums. All the necessary details are furnished in the National Corvette Museum website.

Sources: National Corvette Museum

There She Goes Again

2008-04-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Classic Driver magazine recently named their classic car of the week: the 1936 Mercedes –Benz 540K. Let us rekindle who this car was.

Think back to the early 30’s. When sports cars were dynamic, roadsters were elegant and convertibles stretched to long distances. Their engines were powered by six or eight cylinders – consuming gas like crazy.

The Mercedes-Benz 500K exuded class and exclusivity. It was most loved for its aggressive beauty. However, the main criticism was that it did not deliver good performance results. Charis Whitcombe from Classic Driver magazine maintains, “… it lacked outright performance, the 5-litre 500 K caused quite a stir.”

On the other hand, in terms of comfort and style the 500K was years ahead of its predecessors and contemporaries. Its lightweight design and maneuverability were revolutionary.

The Mercedes–Benz 540K had a front-mounted 8 cylinder engine. It registered up to 115 units of horsepower (hp) without a supercharger and scored 180hp with a supercharger. The automobile also had a 4-speed gearbox that could go up to a maximum of 170 kilometers per hour (kph).

The Mercedes–Benz 540K is definitely one of the greatest sports cars of the century. Its designs revolutionized a brand and its style set the foundation for the modern sports cars.

Pay homage to one of our queens!

Sources: ClassicCar.com

Revenge of the Nerd Cars!

2008-03-31T23:27:00.000-07:00

What?

Yes, there is such a thing as Nerd Cars.

Dean Renwick of Toronto never classified himself as one of the nerds. Yet, he jumped at the opportunity to purchase a bona fide Nerd Car: 1976 AMC Pacer D/L. He bought the car a couple of years ago.

What is a 1976 AMC Pacer D/L? If anything, it is a much maligned vehicle because it definitely exudes nerdish charisma. Its odd-shaped lines, garish headlights and excessive use of glass remind me of Garth from Wayne’s World. In fact, the Pacer was the car Wayne and Garth used in the movie. Yup, that small vehicle that fitted their entire garage band.

But Dean has a lot of good things to say about the Pacer, as reported by Canada.com,

"It was virtually fresh out of the box with only about 6,000 miles," he says. "To my surprise, it drove and handled like a full-sized car with its factory-optional 258 CID in-line six-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, along with factory air conditioning that still worked perfectly."

However, don’t get your hopes up for the AMC Pacer, it won’t be coveted in any Coys classic car auctions anytime soon. But, an insurance provider to classic car collectors recently maintained that Nerd Cars are definitely increasing in value. When asked ‘why?’ he answered “oddball vehicles are garnering renewed attention from collectors”.

Canada.com explains,

“He went on to compile a list of notable nerd cars, ranging from the fiascos of yesteryear (Edsel) to more recent embarrassments (Aztek). In short, nerd cars are best described as anti-babe magnets -- cars so jarringly ill-conceived they tend to repel rather than attract. And, yet, despite myriad faults, demand for such runts is on the increase. Renwick, who is well versed in the classic car market (he's a vehicle evaluator), has his own theory about why the automotive dogs of yesteryear are enjoying a comeback.”

Well, there you have it.

But for all those who don’t know, AMC Pacers are considered as the direct opposite of Hot Rods. Direct! And I don’t see that changing anytime soon. For now though, I will confess that I am happy for Nerd Cars.

… Not!

Sources: Canada.com

Talking about Hot Rods and Roadsters

2008-03-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hot Rods and Roadsters were born out of innovation. Backyard mechanics tried customizing the Model T Ford, their products became Hot Rods. Eventually, these mechanics sought to increase customization value by removing the top of Hot Rods – giving birth to Roadsters. Hot Rods and Roadsters are trademarks of street racers and speed enthusiasts. These cars have been around since the first V-8 engine. Today, Hot Rods and Roadsters continue to be a popular past time for the American driver. They have also had a fair share of success as a commercial enterprise.

The Foundation: Model T Ford

The Model T Ford or the “T-Bucket” attracted many engine enthusiasts (or ‘grease monkeys’, ‘gear heads’). As time went by, original parts became harder and harder to come by. Because of consistent demand, new manufacturers invested in creating “T-Bucket” parts.

Hot Rods and Roadsters that were built during the 40’s and 50’s have been popular favorites of the American automobile lover. Big engines, loud headers, and big rear tires form the standard formula for a Hot Rod and a Roadster.

Today, you can purchase a Model T fiberglass body and build your own Hot Rod from scratch. However, over the years the term Hot Rod expanded. Nowadays, a Hot Rod and a Roadster can refer to any hand-made custom vehicle. Given, of course, that it is built for speed!

Sources: Antiquecar.com

The American Muscle

2008-03-28T00:23:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder where Muscle Cars came from?

We all know that these machines provide eye candy but what else do we know about them?

When my father was still alive, he frequently used the expression “You learn something new everyday”. Well, this is going to be that type of day for all you vintage auto fanatics out there.

The Golden Years

At the onset of the 60’s the American car enthusiast was introduced to Muscle Cars. The term Muscle was based from the car’s robust and sporty appearance. In addition to that, Muscle Cars also housed the most powerful engine at that time – the legendary V8. American manufacturers competed against each other in making the ultimate Muscle Cars. This competition bought America some of the fastest automobiles of that era.

In the process, concerns about fuel efficiency wandered. Classic Car writer Gavin Drake attests, “With no thought to gas and fuel efficiency, Americans seemed to be having the time of their lives”. Primary concerns were directed towards making American cars flashy and fast. The flashier and faster the car became the more desirable it was for American drivers.

The Dark Ages

During the 60’s and 70’s the Vietnam War triggered socio-economic changes that would ultimately lead to the extinction of the American Muscle. America entered into an era of gas shortage. In addition to that, excess auto emissions became a rising concern for environmentalists. Americans reluctantly settled for more economic engine types (V6, V4). Thus, conceding the American Muscle to impracticality. Rising fuel prices, gas efficiency and cheaper insurance costs forced the Muscle Cars onto the race track and off the streets.

Will we ever forget speed?

Today, the American auto enthusiast has fallen in love with a different vehicle. People are no longer really concerned about speed but power. Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have swept American auto aficionados off their feet. Yet it still does not address problems concerning fuel-efficiency and a rising amount of greenhouse gases.

But can America ever forget about its love affair with speed? The answer is a firm “no”.

Gavin Drake invokes “The desire for speed will be with us always. We will probably never again see a time when speed and high performance engines are sold for the every day street car but we can get a glimpse of these cars at the raceway or at vintage car shows. The baby boomers were around to see these cars at their inception and they still carry a torch for them today. Many will spend a small fortune to restore one of these original fast cars back to their former splendor.”

America cannot deny that a place in time belonged to these awesome Muscle Cars. But today, all we can do is reminisce the golden age that has passed.

Sources: MyOwnCarShow.com

Part of the Family

2008-03-25T00:28:00.000-07:00

To do something different today, we will be discussing a classic truck. Not just any classic truck but a 1969 Ford F-100. I was browsing through classic car sites when I stumbled upon a wonderful story about a truck that was maintained for nearly 40 years by its first owner.

The original 1969 Ford F-100 housed a 360 cubic inch engine which had base and custom cab levels. It was a part of a Ford series of trucks that were relatively larger compared to its predecessors. The truck also incorporated reflectors, redesigned the hood and restructured the Ford Emblem. These trucks were popular utility vehicles back in the day. Very few of these trucks remain in tip top condition today.

However, Charles Corriher managed to keep his Ford truck. It came from a long lineage of owners dating back to the first owner (his father-in-law) in 1969. Here are the words of Charles Corriher as he narrates how his 1969 Ford F-100 managed to survive the past four decades!

“My father-in-law bought this 1969 F-100 new in November of 1968. My wife and her brother learned to drive on this truck with no power steering or power brakes.

The truck was used as a work truck for 20 years in my father-in-law painting business.

About 8 years ago, he began restoring it, but was hospitalized and subsequently passed away before completing the process.

The truck sat garaged for over 6 years - rarely driven with no further restoration.

Finally, in May of '03, my mother-in-law agreed to part with it. I hauled it 8 hours in torrential rain on a U-Haul trailer through the mountains of NC and TN to its new home. Several thousand dollars and a couple hundred man hours later, it's almost done.

My son is 8 and chooses to ride in ‘Papaw's’ truck over anything else we own. When it's time for him to learn how to drive, I'll continue the tradition.... “

This is a touching story of true automobile tradition. It also serves as a good case study for fellow preservationists.

LESSON: Those vehicles that you owned first-hand, keep them. Preserving these vehicles in your family would make for a great bonding activity for future generations. Don’t you think?

However, preservation does not come cheap. You should be ready to curdle the necessary expenses that your vehicle needs.

Sources: ClassicTruckShop

Ferrari Argentina by Bertschi & Iacona

2008-03-17T22:35:00.001-07:00

Authors Cristián Bertschi and Estanislao Iacona have released another book in their series about significant car manufacturers in Argentina – Ferrari Argentina. The two authors have already received renowned acclaim for Alfa Romeo Argentina and Bugatti Argentina. The Ferrari Argentina will further strengthen the writers’ reputation.

The books in the series tackle common themes. Bertschi and Iacona narrate automobile history and contemporary racing under the context of prevailing socio-economic conditions in Argentina. The country was a breeding ground for racing legends. Argentina produced the likes of Fangio and Gonzalez. The country also had a market for wealthy automobile enthusiasts.

Argentina was home to a strong Italian ex-patriot community. Because of this, the country welcomed imported automobiles from Europe. However, it took a couple of years before the Ferrari made its mark. It did so in the racing circuit. Grand-prix race driver Carlos “Charlie” Menditeguy put Ferrari in the books in 1950. Menditeguy endorsed the Ferrari 166 MM Spider. After his stint, a succession of drivers endorsed the Ferrari brand.

The book narrates the tale of these people. It tackles Ferrari’s lineage in Argentina from the 1950’s to the 1970’s.

Sources: ClassicDriver

1967 Ford Mustang headlines Coys Showbiz Auction

2008-03-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Coys is a British Company that specializes in the sale and acquisition of the world’s greatest cars. The company is based in London. Recently, they held a showbiz cars auction at the Lords cricket grounds. The theme of this auction was classic automobiles that were connected to celebrities.

A 1967 For Mustang GT390 reeled in the most money for Coys. The car was a replica of Steve McQueen’s vehicle in the film “Bullitt”. The Mustang was sold for a hearty total of £53,726.

The auction also featured a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL. The car drew its showbiz heritage from broadcaster Chris Brown – who previously owned the car. It sold for £32,346. George Harrison’s 1986 Mercedes Benz 59E AMG was bought for £12,000.

Finally, Rowan Atkinson (To many Mr. Bean) sold his 1929 Austin 7 Ulster Replica for £8,235.

Coys has many more plans for 2008. In the upcoming months Coys will hold auctions techno classica, brands hatch, fine motor cars and Nurburg ring. The company will be selling automobiles such as the 1970 McLaren M6GT, plus two Ferrari Daytonas, a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, 250 GT alloy berlinetta Ferrari, 250 GT Spyder and a re-built Alfa TZ2.

Sources: Classic Cars Magazine

Intro to Restoration

2008-03-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Restoration - (v) Refers to the process of returning a vintage car to its “like-new” condition.

Scope of Restoration – Restoration covers every nuke and cranny of a vintage car – engine, wheels, seat covers, mufflers, Paint finish, etc. This requires all parts of the vehicle to be replaced or rebuilt with originally manufactured parts. This can be a disheartening pursuit since most manufacturers do not sell these parts anymore – if ever they do, they sell at an expensive price. However, modified parts are also available and most will suit the car just as well.

There are two kinds of restoration (1) Restored and (2) Street-Restoration

Restored vintage cars are the ones you see in museums and car shows. These cars still have well maintained parts, specs and accessories. However, their condition will not bring them back to open roads anytime soon.

Street-Restoration entails bringing back the entire “like-new” condition of the car. This includes being able to drive it around the neighborhood. This is considered a hobby for car aficionados who have vintage vehicles. In this process, only the faulty parts are replaced. Parts that can still perform are kept until they are functional.

Case Study: A 1967 Mercury Park Lane

This car recorded a conservative 26,000 miles from its previous owner. The present owner still drives the coupe for daily use. The interior was well-maintained. Leather covers gave off that 60’s vibe. However, the engine needed more enhancements and the tires needed to be replaced.

The Street Restoration of this vehicle bought back renewed life to the car. Mechanics worked on transmission, which had aged for 20 years. Its low mileage indicated that it was parked in some garage for a long time. Because of this, rust had formed in some of its parts – which were all replaced. To finish off the restoration, the 1967 Mercury was given a new paint finish.

This is a good example of how Street Restoration works. The owner has to consider the initial condition of the car and prioritize part replacement according to need.

Sources: Classiccar.com