Saturday, March 21, 2015

I think this is the biggest air dam I've seen anyone put on a car



So I went to the track, and found these exhaust mods I've never seen before. What the hell?




Ok... why? The top and bottom cars use hardware store ducting.... for the easy redirection of the exhaust... but why?

The general consensus is that the exhaust noise is directed away from the sound monitoring device on the track so that the cars that are too loud to race squeak by without getting tossed out of competition for exceeding the dB limit.

Jack confirms it's to cheat the noise limit of 93dB, he was there this weekend

Thanks to all of you that commented!

Rambler with a racing stripe?


Very few cars ever had racing stripes offset to one side... and since there are so few Rambler American cars left, I've never seen one in person with the stripe

Found on https://www.facebook.com/HistoricVehicleAssociation

68 Hurst Olds video features

Post by EyetraxCorp.
Above link is to a vintage Car and Track Magazine video shot in 1968, interesting. Click on the word "post"



and finally,  a ride along with Dick Smothers



some Disney World fan now has the opportunity to buy the monorail


the Mark IV Monorails began running the rails on Walt Disney World’s opening day in 1971.

The monorail train offered for sale appears to be one of the original Mark IV cars. The seller describes it as all intact but “not perfect.” There are a few blemishes on its exterior but it is said to come with its original wheels, interior, and unaltered operator’s cab. As an added bonus, the seller mentioned the monorail comes with its transport trailer and free delivery.

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1941545/want-to-own-a-walt-disney-world-monorail-theres-one-for-sale-on-ebay/

Forward Control Power Wagon Transit Motor Bus, ca. 1910


This was Stratford Ontario's first public transportation vehicle. Operated by John Stevenson it is photographed in front of his home at 330 Ontario Street. Known as "The Rapid Transfer Company Limited".

http://www.vintag.es/2014/11/photos-of-vintage-cars-from-between.html

Friday, March 20, 2015

Saleen 302 Blacklabel Mustang, supercharged and 625 hp or 640, depending on which of their infographics you choose to believe


http://saleen.com/assets/saleen_302_spec_card_v1.2.pdf

Utilizing a 302 cubic inch V8 engine this pony produces a Saleen Supercharged 625HP giving this model incredible power for an incredible value. http://saleen.com/302-black-label.html

http://saleen.com/302.html

LIFE magazine featured the Santa Fe's new Alco locomotives in the May 19, 1947 issue.

Not often you see bumper stickers any more

I'd fill mine with Coca Cola and Doritos probably

and then, you see someone who changes the game at the bike show... and realize, damn. That is some out of the box thinking

probably the coolest thing you can buy for your garage, except maybe a fridge full of beer

I've mentioned before that I'm not rated G, not even PG, I just seldom let fly the rated R stuff right? Then this ought to come as no surprise


For all the corrupt NYPD out there. You know what I'm sayin? Yes you do. If anyone is curious what my issue is with NYPD: http://newsone.com/3073098/akai-gurley-nypd-kill-unarmed-man/

Found on http://darkdraggon.tumblr.com/

building what you want, from what you can find... commendable, and this mini dozer from a lawn mowing Cub Cadet is great


They were built by International Harvester, but they also had about 101 other attachments. They were over-engineered to the point of being indestructible. Cast iron Kohler engines, cast iron transaxles, and very little plastic makes them highly desirable now.

The even number Cub Cadet models were mechanically driven, the odd numbers were hydros.

Dan took his circa 1963 Cub Cadet 100 and decided it would make a sweet crawler tractor. It looks like something the factory would have turned out. He had to make clutches and controls to steer this baby, just like the early Caterpillar tractors.

http://bangshift.com/bangshiftxl/this-homebuilt-cub-cadet-crawler-tractor-is-a-testament-to-one-guys-skills-and-vision/

Full build list of parts and info at http://www.ihcubcadet.com/BobsPage/crawler100.htm

most astonishing bike tricks I've seen... and this was 50 years ago, in heels, on stage. Not even Danny MacAskill can pull off these tricks



Lily Yokoi, the "Ballerina on the Golden Bicycle"

two illegal immigrants hidden inside a speaker box located inside the trunk found at the Saritas border checkpoint by US Border Patrol




http://www.kveo.com/news/border-patrol-agents-rescue-illegal-immigrants-hidden-inside-vehicles-speaker-box

About 20 miles inside the USA, just South of Corpus Christi, 2 illegal aliens were detained at the Sarita checkpoint after they were found hidden inside a speaker box on Wednesday, March 18th at around 5 p.m.

U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered a woman driving a white vehicle approaching the inspection lane.

 A K-9 alerted agents to the trunk area of the car and the woman was referred to a secondary inspection where agents found two illegal immigrants hidden inside a speaker box located inside the trunk. Both reported feeling dizzy and had been inside the box for more than an hour and half.

all it takes to see the back woods and long abandoned train tracks. I wouldn't do this on any shiny rails, but rusty ones? You bet

those mud puddles can be a lot deeper than you might imagine

The Stig rode a tank to the BBC offices with a million signatures on a petition started by Guido Fawkes, to tell the BBC that the people want Clarkson back on Top Gear



Police were forced to issue advisory as the Stig rode the tank through London to deliver the petition to the BBC.



The Stig delivered Change.org’s fastest ever growing campaign to the BBC bosses, demanding they reinstate suspended host Jeremy Clarkson following his “fracas” with a show producer.


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-police-forced-to-issue-advisory-as-the-stig-drives-tank-through-london-to-deliver-top-gear-petition-to-the-bbc-10122539.html

http://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/the-stig-delivers-jeremy-clarkson-petition-to-the-bbc-in-a-tank-0320968234

the Easter Jeep Safari new concepts for the 2015 event in Moab


above, the Jeep Chief


Above, the Red Rock Responder


Above, the Wrangler Staff Car

Found on http://bangshift.com/general-news/car-features/trucks-car-features/the-2015-jeep-concepts-for-the-easter-jeep-safari-have-been-unveiled/

The Pony Car Challenge... more than bragging rights, there is now a $3k purse for the new Mustang or Challenger that can beat Ken Thwait's Camaro

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/99360735504813621/

Will it be difficult? Yup. He raced in SCCA as a professional, has a Camaro collection, practices on a  driving simulator, and was the points champ at the 2014 Optima Challenge. And he's got 2014 and 2015 Z-28s.

In 2013, he started searching for the perfect collector Camaro and ended up with 25. (1969 Camaros include a JL8, a DZ 302, SS396, X77, X33, LS7, and a Yenko)


He can afford to have pros change his car for each of the challenges. Unlike a lot of the guys that come to have fun and only can afford to make to to the races with a car, Ken has his Camaro's set up completely switched to a different set up on Saturday for the Wilwood Disc Brakes Speed Stop and Detroit Speed Autocross events. Then switched over Saturday night for Sunday’s Falken Tire Hot Lap Challenge by Raymond’s Performance and Ultimate Performance, who modify and improves the car every weekend of competition to adjust and fine-tune the Camaro 1LE for each event

The challenge is simple- any newcomer to OPTIMA's Search for the Ultimate Street Car series, that can win the GT class at an OUSCI qualifying event, in a late-model Ford Mustang or Dodge Challenger wins $3,000 cash.


Winning the class would mean they'd beat Ken's Camaro, which has not proven to be an easy task so far. Ken won the GT class at the first event at Thunderhill, so the bounty now carries over to the next event at Texas Motor Speedway, where more than a dozen first-time Ford Mustang competitors have signed up.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/experience/power-source/ken-thwaits-3000-bounty-optimas-search-ultimate-street-car/

To read a quick bio on Ken: http://www.themusclecarplace.com/tmcp-235-ken-thwaits-racer-camaro-collector-business-owner-and-2014-osusc-points-champion

The next qualifying event in OPTIMA's Search for the Ultimate Street Car takes place at Texas Motor Speedway on March 28th and 29th. If you have a late-model Mustang or Challenger and you'd like a shot at the ponycar bounty or you'd just like to bring your street-legal car or truck out to the track for an incredible weekend, there's still time to sign up at www.driveoptima.com.

 If you don't have a car that can take down Thwaits' Camaro, but you'd like to see someone else give it a shot, you can buy VIP pit passes online as well. If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, you can pick up free VIP pit passes at participating Advance Auto Parts locations.

If the bounty goes unclaimed in Texas, it will carry over to the following dates and events:
 Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 25-26
NCM Raceway June 6-7
Michigan International Speedway June 20-21
Charlotte Motor Speedway July 25-26
Pike's Peak International Raceway Aug 8-9
Road America Aug 28-30
Auto Club Speedway Oct 10-11

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155388343520078  to see Ken pull off the gloves and slap the opposition with his Pony Car Challenge

hot rod parts and car collection stash finally coming to public auction, the Bob Koepke sale




above, 1958 Porsche 356  https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=1530&aid=92266&lid=23644447&title=1958-Porsche-356-Coupe-104168


The Ferrari needs a fuel pump, 65 thousand miles https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=1530&aid=92266&lid=23644458&title=1978-Ferrari-308-GTS


3800 miles on this 73 Pantera... it still has the original tires... 42 years old original tires... that is pretty rare. https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=1530&aid=92266&lid=23644468&title=1973-Ford-DeTomaso-Pantera-Coupe





a prototype for a big-block version of the Cross Ram intake used on the 302 V-8 in the 1969 Camaro Z28, built by Yunick for General Motors and signed by him on the side.


58 Corvette body https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?ahid=1530&aid=92266&lid=23644510&title=1958-Chevrolet-Corvette-Body



there are at least four 427 tri power intakes


Some Smokey Yunick intakes, and a ludicrous amount of aluminum intakes by every aftermarket manufacturer ever... from Edmonds and Evans to Weiand and Fenton


even unusual superchagers





Found on https://autos.yahoo.com/photos/hot-rod-hoarder-s-stash-goes-to-auction-in-photos-1426614003-slideshow/the-bob-koepke-auction-photo-1426612968395.html

see the auction at https://www.proxibid.com/asp/catalog.asp?aid=92266&ipp=100&sort=0  and bid for the next 22 days before the auction goes live

there are nine 57 Chevs, two of them are Nomads, and three 56 Nomads

Thursday, March 19, 2015

the University of Pittsburgh was racing a 69 Camaro... some cool cars were used by some unusual organizations


The craziest is still the EPA owning a Super Bird to check emissions and brake dust on jet planes http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-epa-bought-superbird-and-it-sold-at.html

Found on https://www.facebook.com/groups/505973489414476/?fref=nf

Dr Jim commented that he remembers this, they called themselves "The Pitt Crew"

restoration of a 1930's Texaco in Decatur Il



There are several pages that show how this neglected service station was brought from the edge of abandoned neglect to primo condition in every way, but there is a terrific slide show at http://www.decaturtexaco.com/the-transformation.html that you just push the forward button to see all sides and interior areas compared in a before and after. http://www.decaturtexaco.com/the-transformation.html


The forest green roof and white color scheme is period perfect, researched by Nims and corroborated by ancient paint chips uncovered during the restoration. The cute colored advertising globe lights on little parapets adorning the roof have been put back in place, and a stained glass light-up Texaco star over the entrance shines out proudly after it was fabricated to match a missing original.

The big Texaco hanging sign crowning the forecourt is an original that Nims hunted up online, and the 14-foot fluted metal pole it hangs from were commissioned for the purpose. Matching 10-foot light poles — two at the front, two at the back — of the 80-foot-long forecourt were another re-created touch.

The 1,200-square-foot-building features work bays at the east and west ends with a little office in the middle flanked by a bathroom small enough to fit comfortably inside a Toyota Prius; hard-working auto service guys in the 1930s clearly weren’t meant to park themselves in the restrooms for extended periods. The work areas are lit by 6-by-6-foot windows that let vast quantities of daylight drive through the interior.

“There are over 300 panes of glass in this building, I do know that,” says Nims, 62. “I had to replace them all.”

Info and star photo from a big article on http://herald-review.com/news/local/effort-to-restore-a-s-gas-station-adds-fuel-to/article_b1b0cab2-1c39-11e2-87e4-001a4bcf887a.html

Elvis had a 1971 Stutz Blackhawk that is going to auction for the 1st time.

http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/elvis-presley-items-up-for-auction#slide=9



in addition to the Blackhawk, the collection of Elvis cars includes
 a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood — the famous Pink Cadillac —
a black 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom,
a white 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud,
a 1975 Ferrari Dino,
 a 1956 Continental Mark II,
a 1969 Mercedes-Benz Pullman Limousine and a 1962 Lincoln Continental.

Julien's Auctions of Beverly Hills May 16 "Music Icons" auction will also be where the tour bus Elvis bought will find a new owner
http://news.yahoo.com/elvis-presley-auction-offer-tour-bus-stutz-blackhawk-160049385.html


The Stutz Blackhawk started life in the United States as a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix, chosen for the GP's engine placement far back on the frame. It was then shipped to Italy to be converted. Only the engine and transmission were kept as the body was stripped away and a new body and coach work added - by hand - not machine, to transform the car into a Stutz Blackhawk.

The interior of the Stutz was very luxurious. The floor coverings were made of Australian lambs wool. Twenty four karat gold plates the bezels and moldings. Only the finest European leather covered the seats, and was used on the dash. The dash also consisted of beautiful English burl. The Stutz went through a six week long process with twenty-two coats of individually hand rubbed lacquer paint.

This second Stutz Blackhawk prototype was flown to the United States to demonstrate and display at car shows from which custom orders could be placed for cars to be made. That is until Elvis Presley decided he wanted the car.

Elvis then immediately turned the car over to George Barris to further customize it. Elvis had for many years, had several motor vehicles designed and coach built by his friend, 'The King of Customizers' George Barris.

Elvis purchased his second Blackhawk, this time a production model on September 8, 1971. This car was delivered to Elvis on September 9, 1971. The 1971 models were all two seater's with a small jump seat in the back that folded down to accept matching luggage. This 1971 model used a two piece split windshield.

Other famous owners including Sammy Davis Jr., Evel Knievel, Robert Goulet, Larry Holmes, Wille Nelson, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball, Wilson Pickett, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Al Pacino, Frank Sinatra, Joseph Denney and Wayne Newton.

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvis_presleys_stutz_blackhawks.shtml