2009 New Models '70 Buick GSX

As a Buick lover, it pains me to have to explain this, but here goes: Buicks have a bad rap for being the choice barge of “blue hairs,” but several times through the years, Buick has had the “baddest” beasts on the road, bar none. The baddest Buick of the bad has to be the 1970 Stage 1 GSX models. These cars visually leapt off dealership lots filled with green Electras and brown LeSabres, thanks to coats of Apollo White or Saturn Yellow paint and menacing black stripes. The GSX models were based on the Gran Sport (GS) models, but the “X” added exponential aggression with a GSX-only package that included chin and deck lid spoilers, the aforementioned stripes, a hood tach, GSX ornamentation and other details.

Now that those unannointed in the beauty of Buick have been brought up to speed, let me get down to business: The landmark Buick GSX muscle car has been scaled down from street-size to pocket-size, courtesy of Hot Wheels. For only a buck, GSX dreamers can pocket an authentic replica fo the 1970 Buick GSX, complete with correct Saturn Yellow paint on an all-metal body decked out in black stripes with a hood tach and rear spoiler. The chrome plastic chassis houses the chin spoiler and accurately replicated 1970-only front and rear bumpers and grille, which also carries a set of Hot Wheels five-spoke wheels to keep the car rolling down the sidewalk.

This isn’t the only 1970 Buick GSX to appear in scaled-down die-cast form, but it certainly has the best Buick bang for the buck (literally). Watch for it at your favorite Hot Wheels-carrying retailer or out on the swap field this summer.

Also, if you’re into Buick GSX models, check out the 2009 BPG Nationals at National Trails Raceway outside of Columbus Ohio Saturday August 1. Organizers are hoping to get 50 real GSX models from 1970 and up in one place, regardless of condition. Read more about it here.

Custom '53 Chevy Treasure Hunt

One of the coolest customs to come from the pen of Larry Wood and out of the Hot Wheels shop is the Custom ’53 Chevy. This cruiser sports a chopped Bel Air/Two-Ten Sport Coupe body dressed with frenched headlamps, ’55 Chevy tail lamps, a toothy first-gen ‘Vette grille and a cooler than cool clear louvered hood that goes the next step beyond those found on some early Rocket 88s and ’54 Fords.

As cool as this Hot Wheels casting is, it was only a matter of time before the Chevy made it to coveted Treasure Hunt duty, and it appears as car number 7 of the twelve annually produced for the line. Pictured here is the more common “regular” Treasure Hunt with metallic purple paint, white flames, chrome interior and five-spoke wheels. The “$uper” Treasure Hunt is identical, with the exception of whitewall Real Riders which add exponential coolness.

It’ll take lots of circling around your local toy department to find one of these hanging in the toy aisle for a dollar, but it’s worth it. If you’re a busy person, it’s also worth buying on the secondary market, even if you have to pay $10 or more.

I'm not a big fan of gold, whether it be jewelery or a car's color, but there is one exception: when it partially covers a car, and there are "Hurst" emblems in all the right places. So when I saw the debut of Hurst Challengers, I started doing the math to figure out if I possessed enough items that could be sold to purchase one.
Unfortunately, I came up more than day and a dollar short, but that hasn't stopped me from dreaming about a Hurst Challenger. In case you're dreaming with me (or on your way to the bank to make a deposit), you'll want to take note of the news below:

 

Hurst Performance debuts THE LEGENDARY black & gold COLORs on the Hurst/Hemi-Challenger
 
Legendary Performance Brand Makes History Again!
 
Irvine, Calif. (March 30, 2009) – Hurst Performance Vehicles, one of the most recognized and revered names in automobile history, today announced the legendary black and gold colors are once again available on a Hurst “Executive Hot Rod.”
 
The Hurst/Hemi-Challenger continues the legacy of Hurst Performance, a brand that has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality. The legendary colors offered on these stunning cars pay homage to the Hurst Muscle Cars originally produced in white and gold and in rare cases, black and gold.
 
“Over the last 50 years Hurst has been a player in almost every segment of the automotive “go-fast” industry with the best shifters and some of the coolest cars ever,” said Nate Shelton, Chairman of Hurst Performance. “We consider it an honor and a privilege to continue the Hurst legend with the black and gold colors.  I can’t wait for each of you to see this car...it’s so cool I personally bought one for myself.”
 
Both the black and gold and the white and gold Challengers are available in performance stages. Series 2 vehicles are available through participating Dodge dealers nationwide, while Series 3, 4 and 5 vehicles are only available from Hurst Performance Vehicles. For more information please visit the company website at www.hurst-performance.com.







 
About Hurst Performance
Founded in 1958, Hurst Performance is one of the most recognized and revered names in the automotive performance arena. The Hurst brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering high performance products and vehicles for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. Hurst was one of the first specialty companies to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary Hurst/Olds 442. For more information please visit www.hurst-performance.com.

Last weekend, I offered to help retired OCW staffer Kenny Buttolph remove roof supports for his pole building now that the snow is melting. The work didn’t take long with the help of another friend, Josh, and before long, I found myself in the backseat of a baby-blue 1978 Olds 98 on a road trip across central Wisconsin in search of a salvage yard.

With Kenny piloting, we criss-crossed little-traveled roads in the center of the state. We took so many turns, Kenny might as well have been blindfolded me and spun me around. After a few hours, we finally found an old salvage yard Kenny once frequented.

Time had not been kind to the yard, or its owner. It was early afternoon when we arrived, but Josh took a chance and knocked the door of the abandoned-looking house just off the road that fronted the yard. Lo and behold, a man matching a description of the house answered the door, complete with crooked and broken glasses and drool from Copenhagen running down his chin. After Josh told the owner he was looking for truck parts, we were allowed to walk in the yard. However, the owner was adamant that we didn’t enter a trailer filled with his “personal belongings.”

Kenny remained in his car, and I was glad he did. Upon opening the gate after Josh crossed in, I nearly stepped on a freshly severed cow leg lying on the ground. A few feet later, I found another cow leg, complete with hoof. A new fear took me over and I wondered what, or who, was hiding in the mysterious trailers we were warned not to enter. But I proceeded knowing Kenny stayed behind in case the next severed limbs lying on the ground were mine. Besides, the thought of entering a hidden yard was worth any horror movie script I might soon find myself living.

Soon after we entered, it became clear many of the cars had been crushed, but there were an abundance of old trucks. Sedan delivery, panel truck and half-ton truck carcasses abounded (as did the carcasses of two recently slaughtered cows lying on car hoods).

Josh and I began scouting the yard for parts, and eventually, the owner joined us. He turned out to be a harmless gentleman, and appeared happy to have someone to talk to. He even helped Josh and I hunt down 1946-‘47 Chevrolet truck parts for Josh’s project at home.

While Josh was searching out truck parts, I scouted out the rest of the inventory. A 1959 Edsel sedan here, a 1967 Impala sedan there. I also spotted 1937 Chevrolet and 1946 Hudson two-door sedans, as well as a 1971 Buick Skylark and 1967 Mustang two-door hardtops. There were also signs of cool but long-gone cars with: three 1957 Chevrolet hoods scattered about; piles of 1940s through ‘60s hubcaps heaped throughout the yard like hiking path markers; and stray front clips and other sheet metal strewn everywhere else.

I found a 1961-’62 Cadillac fender skirt lying in a pile of parts, but it was too rusty to drag home. The greatest find of the day (in my opinion) came from a lone 1941 Willys hubcap Josh pulled out of a pile of wheel covers. I was certainly more interested in it than Josh was, so it became my prize.

By dark, we left the yard with a good lesson: It’s worth knocking on the scary doors every once in a while to find some parts, even if it looks as though you might need to say a prayer before entering. But always leave someone behind in a running car in case you need to make a quick escape.

Last week, I featured some neat photos from reader Coy Thomas, which appeared in the "Reader Photos" section of Old Cars Weekly. This week, I feature a few photos from my own collection, so I'll call this "Editor's Photos."
The images below were taken on Jan 31, 1957, during the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco's Chinatown. There are a few celebrities, including former Duesenberg owner Ben Blue, as well as the parade's royalty, but the real stars are the cars, of course.
Enjoy the pics!

Check out this slick lineup: a modified 1955 Cadillac Eldorado convertible (check out the hideously hogged-out wheel openings, exaggerated tailfins and round parking lamps), the MG-TF, the 1955 Cadillac Series 62 convert (more on this car below) and a 1956 Lincoln convert at the back. Parade big wigs certainly rode in class!






Wow! Check out this sharp 1955 Caddy drop top! It's like brand-new, even though it's a two-year-old car. Oh, yeah, the Chinese New Year parade princess and comedian Ben Blue are pictured in the Cadillac, too.



More sweet convertibles worth drooling over. Pictured here is a 1955 Chrysler convertible, a 1953 Packard Caribbean and a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible behind it. The sedan behind the Chebby is harder to identify. Any thoughts?




That's a brand-new Ford being hauled on a flatbed behind a trolley. No explanation is given for the Ford's royal behavior. Perhaps it's a prize during the festivities? Or maybe officials are being making an example out of the Ford, whose owner parked in a tow-away zone during the parade's set up.

Regular OCW readers know we run a weekly "Reader Photos" section, in which we feature wicked-cool old photos from reader albums. It's certainly one of my favorite features each, and it always seems we don't have enough space to run every photo.
One of readers who regularly contributes is Coy Thomas, who is a big Ford fan (among other cars). Recently, Thomas sent in a photo of a 1934 Ford roadster in Honolulu in 1942 (pictured below at top). After we ran the photo Thomas sent in the March 26 "Reader Photos," another package arrived with several more scenes of the same Ford. Since it was too late to include them, and we probably would not have had the space, I have included them here. Enjoy!

March 26 Reader Photos:

The near-perfect, year-round climate of Hawaii and the perfect all-around good looks of Ford’s 1934 V-8 roadster make for a perfect combination. Proof that at least one of these ideal car-to-island relationships existed comes with this 1942 photograph captured in Honolulu and showing a friend of reader Tom Slaughter’s father.

Even cars in Hawaii need a bath once in a while, and this ’34 roadster looks fresh from the tub. As an ominous reminder to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the clean Ford wears black-out covers on its headlamps and cowl lamps. Also check out the “919” license topper on the 1942 Hawaii license plate and the non-stock bumper guards fitted to the Ford. Unfortunately, those guards weren’t able to prevent a nick from forming in the driver’s front fender.

Does a cool ocean breeze still roll through the open cockpit of this Ford? Perhaps a Hawaiian reader will let us know.

The above is the original photo that appeared in Old Cars Weekly. Below are the additional photos Thomas submitted.







Thomas identified this gentleman in his second letter as Harry Rodin.



Here's Guy Slaughter, who supplied Thomas with the above '34 Ford photos, in Honolulu in 1943 with his own 1936 Ford three-window coupe. Note this car also carries black-outs on its headlamps.

Have $600,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Then have about $2 million (or more) to bring your initial investment up to show condition? Then have I got a deal for you!
This ad for one of the remaining Futurliners appeared in "Wheels of Time," publication of the American Truck Historical Society. (A great club and club pub, by the way.) While the attention a Futurliner gathers at a car show is comparable to bringing a sledge hammer into a Beverly Hills crystal shop, it takes a lot of money to bring one of these rigs up to tip-top shape. Of course, its worth every penny and every bead of sweat, I'm sure. Just as the volunteers who brought the NATMUS Futurliner to its awe-inspiring condition.

With spring approaching for many collectors, and it’s time to take the old truck or car out. And while it’s out and clean, why not take some nice photographs of it?
Taking good photographs isn’t very difficult, especially with today’s idiot-proof digital cameras. Thanks to these cameras, hobbyists capturing the image of their car or truck only have to look to the details to obtain a well-composed shot.
After years of taking photographs of my own cars and other people’s cars, and looking at other people’s photos, I’ve captured some “how-not-to” images. The images below show what to avoid when photographing a car, and use an immaculate, unrestored 1962 Ford Thunderbird that goes unflattered, thanks to the poor photography methods exhibited here. Don’t let your car end up like this poor Thunderbird!

No, the gap in the door isn’t due to poor build quality, it’s caused by an inattentive passenger who hasn’t figured out how to shut the door (without slamming it, of course). Make sure the hood, doors and deck lid are shut before doing the same with your camera’s shutter.




There are a lot of things wrong here. That’s sure a nice, orange plow truck in the background. And that light pole appears to have fresh paint, as do the yellow stripes in the parking lot. Oh, wait, this photograph is supposed to be centered on a 1962 Thunderbird. Also notice that, even from afar, the door is clearly not shut all the way.



What’s that growth coming out of the Thunderbird’s roof? Did a linear meteor fall from outer space and penetrate the T-Bird? Did Jack plant a bean between the ‘Bird’s bucket seats? Nope, it’s a light pole. Before snapping a picture, make sure there are no distractions behind the car, especially vertical signs, trees, poles, etc. Also, notice how the lines in the parking lot fight with the car, particularly because they are perpendicular to the car. Even avoid taking photos of the car while it’s parked parallel to such lines, as they remain distracting and often reflect in the car’s paint.




Who is that photographer? Oh, wait, who cares? The subject is the bumper end, not the person behind the camera. Few care what type of camera you are using, and those who might won’t be impressed enough to care since a composition that includes the photographer and their equipment is poor. Detail shots are great, and not enough people take them, but be sure to adjust your angle by moving side to side or crouching down to stay out of the shot.





Sins abound in this view. There’s the sumo wrestlers on the dash, the hat hanging from the rearview mirror and the partially open window, as well as the reflection of a light pole. Sure, this is a close-up view that few would take, but even with the car in full view, these distractions would show up.




See? I told you they would show up. Here’s a view from a step back. Notice that the reflection of the light pole can be seen in the windshield and how the condensation coming out of the tailpipe makes it appear this car burns enough oil to make the Saudis salivate. And does the window not go all the way down? Or all the way up? Button up the car’s windows, shut it off and take your picture, preferably in a location without those lame yellow stripes.




How many things wrong can you spot in this photo? There’s that green swap meet sign poking up from behind the car. That background has many different depths, which only make the viewer want to walk past the car. The worst sin of all, at least to someone such as myself, is that the car is parked on grass when there’s a path nearby. Cars are driven on roads, driveways and other established paths, not on your crabby neighbor’s well-manicured lawn. Therefore, your car should be pictured on an established path for a more realistic shot. When a car is pictured next to a path or a road, but not on it, the viewer is given the impression the car was pulled over due to a malfunction. If that’s not what you’re trying to portray, stay off the grass!




This one is simple: Get your car or truck in the middle of the camera viewer! Also, unless you’re selling the car, no one cares if you remembered to set the date on your camera or when you took the photo.



Clean, non-distracting backgrounds are great, but get too bland and it doesn’t help the car. In this spot, the T-Bird looks like it’s parked in a dark alley while its owner is off to conduct some illegal activity that may or may not put the French Connection to shame.




Don’t be afraid of your car – unless it’s Christine, it won’t bite. Get your car square in the center of the view finder with a little space around the edges.




There are many other tips, such as avoiding taking photos on sunny days to avoid shadows and making sure the wheels are not turned towards the camera. This will only help you get started towards better photographs that emphasize your car’s beauty. If captured correctly, photographs of your car should appeal to the senses and make you feel like hopping in for a long cruise. If not, take another picture until you do!

Club publications are an excellent resource for their articles, photos and networking resources. Equally as importantly, club pubs often provide excellent sources through display and classified ads for the small bits and parts that keep old cars like yours on the road.

As a dreamer who loves many different types of cars, I often find myself paging through the club publications of many different clubs. Among those is Woodie Times, the publication of the National Woodie Club. This magazine-format club publication is edited by Old Cars Weekly columnist John Lee, who does a fantastic job. However, it wasn't just Lee's editorial skills that caught my attention in the February issue of Woodie Times, it was a classified listing for a picnic table. "A picnic table?," you ask? It's not just any old picnic table, but one actually used by Ford Motor Co. employees at the Iron Moutnain plant where the bodies for Ford woodies were constructed.

According to the ad, the maple picnic table was constructed of the same solid maple used to build Ford wagon bodies and came in to posession of an Iron Mountain Ford employee upon the plant's closing in 1951 (In 1952, Ford went to steel wagons).

What's interesting about the table is its proof of provenance. The table features two tags on its leg: one simply gives a number (perhaps some type of property number), and a second tag that states "Property of Ford Motor Co." and "If detatched, forward to tag dept." There is a also number on this tag that reads much like an automotive serial number.

If you're a collector of all things Ford, a cooler collectible you will not find! Plus, you can eat your hickory-smoked barbecue off it the next time you have fellow woodie members over for dinner.

To learn more about the National Woodie Club, write to: John Lee, PO Box Lincoln, NE 68506, or e-mail johnlee@neb.rr.com, or go to www.nationalwoodieclub.com.

To give dues-paying club members a fair chance at responding to this classified ad, I will post the seller's contact info in the next week.

All right, Camaro owners and fans -- I can’t take it anymore. If you misspell the name of your car one more time, I am going to internally combust like a 302 running premium, except it won’t sound as pretty. And then I am going to take your keys away until you respect your car enough to spell its name correctly.

With the new Camaro getting ready to hit the streets, it’s a problem we need to nip in the bud now: There is no “e” in Camaro. Not one. Not two. None. In fact, the name is written in several places on the car to help you spell it correctly: on the door panels, on the front fenders, on the header panel, on the instrument panel and on the deck lid, depending on the year. In fact, the common misspelling of Camaro is not even a word, and if it weren’t for the Chevrolet pony car, Camaro would not even be a word at all.

I won’t give you the satisfaction of misspelling “Camaro” here, but you know the spelling I am talking about. The one with that “e” where the second “a” should go. And it’s a widespread problem. If you type the misspelling of Camaro into “Google,” you’ll get more than 17 million web pages. That’s ridiculous, but that’s not what got my blood boiling most recently. It was when I received a letter from a retired GM employee who worked at the company during the muscle car era and even he misspelled Camaro, finally sending me over the edge.

The pressure has been building for decades, since I started reading auto shopper-type publications as a kid. Frequently, the Camaro name was misspelled, and it always drove me nuts, even though I was ten. And if a ten year old is annoyed, there’s no reason that a 20 year old (or older person) should be misspelling the name of their car.

So, let’s join together and start spelling Camaro correctly. The Camaro is a legend worthy of this small honor, and the new model is poised to continue that legend. It’s the least we can do for a car that brings smiles to so many, including me.