An event from Oct 22. It's on my calendar and will be reported early enough next year for people to attend if they so desire!
From Report News: Classic cars cruise Abilene
There may have been hundreds of classic cars, trucks and motorcycles entered in the 29th annual Cruise Night on Saturday, but behind almost each one of them was a similar tale, said Lynn Maxwell.
"There's one of three stories," said Maxwell, a retired teacher and coach who had a 1966 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport. "You either had one as a kid, you always wanted one, or a friend had one."
In this case, Maxwell drove a '66 Chevelle that he kept until 1973 when the needs of a young family trumped owning a coupe that could go really fast.
The one he had at Cruise Night was similar to the one of his youth, except for the color. This one was fire engine red; his first Chevelle was yellow.
"You can't find the yellow ones," said Maxwell, who retired to Abilene in 2004 after a 33-year teaching career in West Texas. "I should have kept it."
The cars have the same 375-horsepower engine, which isn't great on fuel economy but performs impressively. They have the same four-speed transmission. And like his first one, this car has no air conditioning, an omission that keeps Maxwell from driving the car on trips longer than across town.
Funny, the lack of an air conditioner didn't bother him before.
"I was 18 then," Maxwell said.
Maxwell bought the car a couple of years ago from a doctor in Lewisville. He's done little to it other than change the wheels and hubcaps and make a few minor cosmetic changes in the interior.
"I figured he must have been going through a lawsuit or a divorce," Maxwell said of the previous owner.
Regardless, Maxwell was happy to buy a car that needed little restoration. He once restored a 1972 Ford pickup that belonged to his family, and that turned into more work than he wanted.
Although he's not particularly looking to sell, Maxwell said he would be willing to part with it and would like to get a convertible. If that's the case, he might was to talk to Bob Rose, who had a pretty nifty little 1952 MG-TD. However, considering how long it took him to get it, Rose might not ever want to part with it.
"I had wanted one since I was a junior in high school," Rose said. "It took me 60 years to get one."
The drivers cruised North First from the old Kmart shopping center to Shelton for a couple of hours before returning. Twenty cars were selected from the cruise to be displayed in the new Kmart parking lot on South First Street. The Kirk House Band performed at 8 p.m.
Car owners don't need much of an excuse to show their cars, Maxwell said, and it surely isn't because it's financially rewarding.
"Somebody asked me if you could make money doing this," he said. "I told them you have a $35,000 show car that you put in a $10,000 and pull with a $40,000 truck all over the country on $4 a gallon gas to try to win a $10 plaque. But, it's a lot of fun."
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Classic cars: Porsche 356
From Wheels: Classic cars: Porsche 356
With a history steeped in motorsport, the 911 range has become a modern-day icon. But the humble 356 was where it all started
In 1948 a German engineer by the name of Ferdinand Porsche launched the 356. Known to his friends as “Ferry”, the son of Dr Ing Ferdinand Porsche (the founder of the famous marque) was keen to create a sporty model for the fledgling company.
Using Volkswagen’s popular Beetle chassis, Ferry replaced the body with a smoother, racy exterior, designed by Erwin Komenda. The engine and suspension were also derived from the Beetle, pushing out just 40bhp.
Unbeknown to Ferry, the 356 would go on to be one of the most recognisable classic sportscars in history and would eventually give birth to the iconic 911 range.
Despite its glittering history, the car’s launch went by almost unnoticed and only a few models were sold, mainly in Germany and Austria. Just 50 examples would leave the factory over the first two years. But the 356’s popularity then started to gain momentum, selling on both sides of the Atlantic, due to its sporty handling and typically German build quality.
Article continues below
The 356 was also successful on the track, gaining glory at Le Mans, the Mille Miglia and the infamous Carrera Panamericana. Porsche would later celebrate that race by adopting the Carrera name on its 911s.
Over the years, the tiny four-cylinder engine would grow from 1.1 litres and 40bhp to a 130bhp 2.0-litre motor. However, the original flat-four layout would remain throughout its life.
Unlike many other manufacturers, Porsche built a cabrio version from day one, running alongside coupé production. Soft-top sales often accounted for 50 per cent of sales, especially in the US.
The company produced a few special versions of the 356, including the 356 Carrera, which boasted a special race-tuned engine. The company also built a Super 90 and a Speedster model, which are now extremely rare and much sought after by enthusiasts. The Speedster was built following a suggestion by the US importer that a stripped-out version with a cut-down windscreen would sell well on the west coast.
Such was the popularity of the 356 that it ran alongside its 911 replacement for more than a year. By the time production ended in 1965 more than 76,000 had rolled out of the factory. It is thought that around half of these cars still exist today, with fully restored cars fetching up to an incredible $100,000 (Dh367,000) at auction. Not bad for a car that cost $4,000 when new.
Despite having a tiny engine and a simple layout, the 356 directly brought about one of the world’s most loved sportscars. So the next time you see a 911 GT3 winning its class at Le Mans, just remember it all started with the humble 356.
A history of the automobile drives around
From Taunton Gazette: A history of the automobile drives around Taunton
Taunton — Antique car enthusiasts hailing from as far as New Jersey and Maine converged on Saturday for a 60-mile tour around the Taunton area.
There were 17 vehicles as part of Saturday’s convoy, in what has been dubbed the “frostbite tour” for the Autoneers, a regional faction of the Horseless Carriage Club, which boasts 4,500 members worldwide.
The annual frostbite tour is the final ride of the season for the Autoneers, which is composed of only riders of brass era automobiles from 1915 and earlier. The tour started at the Holiday Inn in Taunton, then to the Old Colony Historical Society, and then through the country roads of Dighton, Rehoboth and Seekonk before returning to the Silver City.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sri Lanka: Stamps depict vintage classics
From Sri Lanka Daily News: Stamps depict vintage classics
The Philatelic Bureau of the Postal Department issued four new black and white stamps for the first time in the history of the postal service to mark World Post day.
These stamps come with images of four vintage and classic motor cars, in the denomination of Rs 5.00. The four vintage cars are, Austin 12, which came out of the production line in 1928, Rolls-Royce 20 manufactured in 1934, Jaguar SS 100 manufactured in 1937 and Morris Minor (1949).
"The four new stamps will fulfil the aims of worldwide stamp collectors, especially those who are interested in classic motor cars.
It is interesting to note that these cars are in good working condition even today.
It is expected that the aesthetic beauty of early years will induce many visitors to the hobby of stamp collecting" Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga said.
The Postal Department will print 500,000 stamps from each stamp amounting to two million stamps.
However, certain parties point out that, fraudsters can easily print these stamps.
They further note that no country prints black and white stamps so far.
The Philatelic Bureau of the Postal Department issued four new black and white stamps for the first time in the history of the postal service to mark World Post day.
These stamps come with images of four vintage and classic motor cars, in the denomination of Rs 5.00. The four vintage cars are, Austin 12, which came out of the production line in 1928, Rolls-Royce 20 manufactured in 1934, Jaguar SS 100 manufactured in 1937 and Morris Minor (1949).
"The four new stamps will fulfil the aims of worldwide stamp collectors, especially those who are interested in classic motor cars.
It is interesting to note that these cars are in good working condition even today.
It is expected that the aesthetic beauty of early years will induce many visitors to the hobby of stamp collecting" Postal Services Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga said.
The Postal Department will print 500,000 stamps from each stamp amounting to two million stamps.
However, certain parties point out that, fraudsters can easily print these stamps.
They further note that no country prints black and white stamps so far.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Marysville car enthusiast recalls driving the famous and powerful
From Heraldville Net: Marysville car enthusiast recalls driving the famous and powerful
Barry Hilbert remembers driving cars in Everett's parades in the late 1970s.
He had the honor of driving Sen. Henry "Scoop" M. Jackson and his family, the star among the local dignitaries.
"Young people (today) don't know who Senator Jackson was," Hilbert said. "He was so key to this state, to the Navy base."
When he met Jackson, he was the most powerful senator in the world, Hilbert said.
His memories of those times came back again this summer, after his wife, Shirley, died in June. They were married 32 years. Hilbert is slowly pulling his life together.
Sorting through photographs, he asked if I would see that historical parade shots be shared with the community, to show a bit of how Everett matters to history.
Jackson's son, Peter, who was about 10 years old in the photographs, recalls motorcades down Colby Avenue.
"I remember sitting in Mr. Hilbert's 1959 T-Bird which felt like the stern of a mid-sized motor boat," Jackson said. "All I remember is that, as a result of multiple death threats, my dad wore an FBI-issue bulletproof vest."
His father told him, "They'll be aiming at me, so chances are you won't get hit."
As a result, Peter Jackson said he made a point of trying to scoot as far away from his father as possible during parades.
Hilbert still has his 1959 T-Bird.
It's one of his many classic automobiles that chauffeured celebrities and politicians, including Rep. Lloyd Meeds. Meeds served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1965 to 1979. He represented the 2nd Congressional District.
In a story I wrote about Hilbert in 2006, he told me he was lost in 1959. He pines for the good old days, made easier by his museum-style Marysville home. There are old Philco TVs, Popular Science magazines from the 1940s and '50s, a movie projector and a Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon book.
The back bedroom is dedicated to a model Lionel railroad layout with teensy Breck shampoo billboards. I used Breck back when I had a ducktail haircut.
Hilbert's father, Faye Hilbert, was a World War II B-29 bomber pilot. He lived in Spokane and was a director of the Lilac Festival. One of Hilbert's photos shows singer Teresa Brewer ("Til I Waltz Again With You") riding, and smoking, in a Spokane parade.
Entertainer Julie Miller, who sang on the Lawrence Welk show, rode in a parade in 1975 in Everett. She rode in Barry Hilbert's friend's 1960 Continental Mark IV.
She gave Hilbert tickets to her concert that night in town.
Two of the cars Hilbert owns are King Midgets, kit cars known through advertisements in Popular Science magazines.
To see videos of cars Hilbert owns, visit the Vintage Vehicle Show by Lance Lambert. The video about the 1959 T-Bird is at http://tinyurl.com/3w25tow. There are three illuminating interviews on YouTube showing Hilbert's expansive knowledge about Kit Cars, his 1959 Continental Mark IV convertible, and the Ford.
Hilbert, who works at the Tulalip Casino in the upholstery department, drives a 1995 Ford Taurus station wagon day to day.
"I call it the silver slug," Hilbert said. "On nice days, I ride my bike to work."
When he drove Sen. Jackson in the T-Bird, the senator wanted to know everything about the car, Hilbert said. When the senator died, Barry and Shirley Hilbert quietly knocked on his widow's door in Everett.
"We wanted to leave a photo," he said. "Her secretary came to the door and said, 'Please come in'."
There was a table top covered with food.
"We saw Helen Jackson and her daughter," Hilbert said. He handed Helen Jackson the parade photograph of her husband.
She looked at the photograph and said that her husband looked like he owned the T-Bird.
"I'll never forget that," Hilbert said.
Barry Hilbert remembers driving cars in Everett's parades in the late 1970s.
He had the honor of driving Sen. Henry "Scoop" M. Jackson and his family, the star among the local dignitaries.
"Young people (today) don't know who Senator Jackson was," Hilbert said. "He was so key to this state, to the Navy base."
When he met Jackson, he was the most powerful senator in the world, Hilbert said.
His memories of those times came back again this summer, after his wife, Shirley, died in June. They were married 32 years. Hilbert is slowly pulling his life together.
Sorting through photographs, he asked if I would see that historical parade shots be shared with the community, to show a bit of how Everett matters to history.
Jackson's son, Peter, who was about 10 years old in the photographs, recalls motorcades down Colby Avenue.
"I remember sitting in Mr. Hilbert's 1959 T-Bird which felt like the stern of a mid-sized motor boat," Jackson said. "All I remember is that, as a result of multiple death threats, my dad wore an FBI-issue bulletproof vest."
His father told him, "They'll be aiming at me, so chances are you won't get hit."
As a result, Peter Jackson said he made a point of trying to scoot as far away from his father as possible during parades.
Hilbert still has his 1959 T-Bird.
It's one of his many classic automobiles that chauffeured celebrities and politicians, including Rep. Lloyd Meeds. Meeds served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1965 to 1979. He represented the 2nd Congressional District.
In a story I wrote about Hilbert in 2006, he told me he was lost in 1959. He pines for the good old days, made easier by his museum-style Marysville home. There are old Philco TVs, Popular Science magazines from the 1940s and '50s, a movie projector and a Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon book.
The back bedroom is dedicated to a model Lionel railroad layout with teensy Breck shampoo billboards. I used Breck back when I had a ducktail haircut.
Hilbert's father, Faye Hilbert, was a World War II B-29 bomber pilot. He lived in Spokane and was a director of the Lilac Festival. One of Hilbert's photos shows singer Teresa Brewer ("Til I Waltz Again With You") riding, and smoking, in a Spokane parade.
Entertainer Julie Miller, who sang on the Lawrence Welk show, rode in a parade in 1975 in Everett. She rode in Barry Hilbert's friend's 1960 Continental Mark IV.
She gave Hilbert tickets to her concert that night in town.
Two of the cars Hilbert owns are King Midgets, kit cars known through advertisements in Popular Science magazines.
To see videos of cars Hilbert owns, visit the Vintage Vehicle Show by Lance Lambert. The video about the 1959 T-Bird is at http://tinyurl.com/3w25tow. There are three illuminating interviews on YouTube showing Hilbert's expansive knowledge about Kit Cars, his 1959 Continental Mark IV convertible, and the Ford.
Hilbert, who works at the Tulalip Casino in the upholstery department, drives a 1995 Ford Taurus station wagon day to day.
"I call it the silver slug," Hilbert said. "On nice days, I ride my bike to work."
When he drove Sen. Jackson in the T-Bird, the senator wanted to know everything about the car, Hilbert said. When the senator died, Barry and Shirley Hilbert quietly knocked on his widow's door in Everett.
"We wanted to leave a photo," he said. "Her secretary came to the door and said, 'Please come in'."
There was a table top covered with food.
"We saw Helen Jackson and her daughter," Hilbert said. He handed Helen Jackson the parade photograph of her husband.
She looked at the photograph and said that her husband looked like he owned the T-Bird.
"I'll never forget that," Hilbert said.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Footman James Bristol Classic vehicle Restoration Show
From Classic Cars for Sale.co.uk: The Footman James Bristol Classic vehicle Restoration Show
A few weeks ago you will have noticed I ended the ‘Events Newsletter’ - this was done for a very good reason; I was struggling to find anything worth writing about.
October is probably the most depressing month for any classic car lover in the UK, as it is usually the month when we accept the weather is going to have an adverse effect on our cars, and so pack them away for the winter. Then as if to really rub salt into the wound Christmas decorations start appearing in shops and you realise your one excuse for not spending time with your family has now been taken away.
Fortunately the gods of motorised vehicles realised what a raw deal we were getting and held a meeting that dictated that November had to be pretty good. This weekend coming up we have the Bristol Classic Vehicle Restoration Show and next weekend we’ve got the NEC Classic Car Show. They appear to both be called the Footman James Show now so try not to get confused by this!
I’ll cover off the NEC next Tuesday but with the Bristol show this weekend I’m dedicating this week’s update to this. As the name suggests it focuses on restoration and if you have an ongoing project this is a great place to go for some ideas. Below is a list of some of the more interesting club stands that will be on display.
• The Atwell Wilson Motor Museum is displaying a museum theme
• 2CVGB’s display will focus on the restoration of seemingly un-restorable dire projects.
• Exeter Motorcycle & Light Car Club will focus on chassis restoration, the cleaning of soft tops and seats.
• The Imp Club will have engines in various stages of restoration, showing how they are actually put together.
• Riley Motor Club will demonstrate the overhaul of front suspension and hubs.
• The Singer Owners Club will provide answers to questions on all aspects of restoration.
• The Somerset area of the Triumph Sports Six Club will have a drag strip display.
• The Volvo Enthusiasts Club will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the P1800
• The Wolseley Register will have an example of aluminium bodywork in the process of reconstruction.
For more details on the show please visit their website at www.bccsl.co.uk
Phil
philcooper@classiccarsforsale.co.uk
Nov 1-4, Las vegas Nevada, SEMA show
From Inquirer Business: The 2011 Sema Show highlights
This year’s Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association Show, more commonly known as the Sema Show, considered the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, takes place November 1-4 at the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center, with over 2,000 exhibitors.
The event draws most of the US auto aftermarket industry’s best brands and most creative minds to show the newest and hottest after market and performance auto products to one location. As attendees are by invitation and are limited to trade visitors only, it is significant to note that the Philippine flag will be flying in the Sema Show with the GT111, a prototype all-electric sports grand touring car designed and engineered here in the Philippines by a team of Filipinos.
Last year, the show drew more than 100,000 attendees and had a total of over 1,500 new product launches and the show displays are grouped into a dozen sections. Sema members try to outdo themselves by unveiling more creative and cutting-edge products for automotive OEM and after-market industry each year. Inquirer Motoring takes a look at some of the highlights this year.
Mustang convertible
Ford Mustang fans and classic car collectors will be eager to check out the faithful reproduction of the classic first generation Mustang in a convertible body as Ford Motor Company recently announced the production of this timeless pony classic that revolutionized the way American cars were made since the 1960s. Manufactured under license by Dynacorn International, the independent auto sheet metal company also produces reproduction shells for classic Camaros, Firebirds, Chevelles, Challengers and Chevy trucks, as well as the second-generation Mustangs. With a price tag of about US$15,000 the shell can be delivered on a truck and it comes complete with doors, trunk lid (the front fenders and front hood comes in as an extra purchase) and all the necessary sheet metal to build and reproduce the venerable classic pony car.
Power convertible top for Jeep Wrangler
Roadwire will unveil the first-ever, power-operated convertible top for Jeep’s iconic Wrangler featuring the all-new myTop that transforms the Wrangler into an open top 4×4 adventure vehicle with a simple push of a button. Made in the US using a Haartz Stayfast fabric, it uses a sturdy but light-weight aircraft-grade aluminum frame, with motors constructed to the same exacting specifications as an F-14 fighter jet canopy. The current myTop is designed to fit all 2-door Wrangler JK models from 2007-2012. A 4-door version is currently under development but Roadwire will have a prototype on exhibit as well.
i-Tune your car? i-Want!
SCT Performance redefines the word i-Tune as it offers better performance with any 1996-2011 Ford gas or diesel engine vehicles in just 15 minutes with a wireless iPod, iPhone or iPad solution. Designed with the average car owner in mind, its iTSX System unlocks the car’s hidden performance potential by wirelessly recalibrating the vehicle’s computer for optimum horsepower and torque with notable increase in throttle response and even increased fuel economy. Dubbed as the first vehicle-tuning and monitoring “Made for iPod-iPhone-iPad vehicle tuner,” the iTSX wireless’ OBD-II (on-board diagnostics 2nd generation) interface plugs into the vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostic connector, and communicates with any of the said Apple devices via a secure Bluetooth wireless connection.
Mario Andretti-Edition Chevrolet Camaro
High-performance exhaust company MagnaFlow will display the Mario Andretti-Edition 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS for the first time featuring some of its latest offerings and after-market fit outs from Brembo Brakes, Eibach Springs and Pirelli. The specially designed Camaro is slated for auction at the Barrett-Jackson 2012 Scottsdale event as all proceeds will be given to The Wounded Warrior Project. Considered as one of the greatest race car drivers of the 20th century, Andretti makes regular appearances at the Sema show.
Richard Petty Mustangs, Chip Foose ‘Gullwing’
A regular exhibitor in Sema, BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions will showcase several world-class customized cars and feature their waterborne and custom-color Glasurit and R-M brand paint technology with celebrity appearances by custom car designer and TV personality Chip Foose and Ryan Friedlinghaus of West Coast Customs. The two famous designers have regular TV shows aired even on our very own local Discovery Turbo cable channel shows.
Chip Foose, known for successful auto TV reality shows like “Overhaulin,” will unveil his latest creation—a 1957 Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” Mercedes-Benz—as he launches 12 new Foose Signature Colors he designed for BASF. Aside from this, BASF will showcase two must-see customized Mustangs this year—the Darryl Gwynn Mustang built by West Coast Customs that was featured in Ryan’s September episode of Inside West Coast Customs plus the Richard Petty Signature Series Mustang built by Petty’s Garage. Both of these vehicles are painted with BASF’s R-M Onyx HD waterborne system.
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