Under the Hood with Angelo Van Bogart - Friday, October 09, 2009

Cashed out Clunkers
Posted by Angelo

While on vacation, I swung through a couple dealerships to scout out the "gross-polluting clunkers" that were traded in for $3,500-4,500 during the cash for clunkers program. I didn't spot the 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante, 1998 BMW Z3, 1984 Buick Riviera convertible or the ultra-desirable 1987 Buick GNX that appeared on the government's list of "clunkers" that were traded in. Such cars were exactly what my were fears were: some pretty desirable cars such as these went to the scrap heap in the sky: 19 1985 Buick Riviera convertibles, 240 rear-wheel-drive Monte Carlos from the 1980s and countless Cutlasses built on the same platform and other cars that will make you scratch your head (including the three 1987 Excalibur phaetons). Also, it's worth noting that the intercooled turbo Buick GNX was clumped among 10 other ASC products from 1987 states as "unlisted" models; what were those other ASC cars? Were there more GNXes among those "clunked," but the sales people was just too lazy to complete all of the blanks, or just didn't know what they were receiving?

I did, however, see one of the 1,021 1992-'96 Buick Roadmaster station wagons (a car appearing in good condition and loaded, so you know there was an LT1 under the hood) and one of the 978 1992-'96 Roadmaster sedans traded in under the program.

What I also saw were some very good-looking trucks that looked like they could carry many more loads of lumber, yard supplies and furniture. But not anymore. There was also a sharp-looking late-1990s Cadillac Seville with the desirable red pearl metallic paint (an additional $500 when new) just as my dad was shopping for such a car.

My brother, who recently graduated from high school, just started a job at White Bear Dodge in the Twin Cities and has seen the process for destroying the engines of clunkers. As he explained it, the oil is drained from the vehicles in the parking lot. They are then driven without oil into the area for clunkers where the engine-destroying formula is poured into the crankcase. Within a few seconds of running, the engines quickly seize in an anti-climatic moment.

The good news is, these cars will soon be available for parts, as long as you don't need an engine!

View the list of clunkers traded in here.

Friday, October 09, 2009 8:27:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [1]

Monday, September 21, 2009

49 in 9 days? Nah - try 49 in 8, and in a '32 Ford roadster!
Posted by Angelo

Remember that story about the crazy guy who was going to drive his 1932 Ford roadster to 49 states in 9 days? Turns out he's not so crazy after all. According to Ken Gross, who featured Dave Straub in his "Speaking of Hot Rods" column earlier than this year, "Dave Schaub made it to Hyder, Alaska, driving his Roy Brizio-built, Edelbrock Chevy V-8-powered '32 Ford in 8 days, 16 hours and 48 minutes...his goal was '49 in 9!' and he actually did even better, finishing in under nine days.

"As this is written, he's very close to his goal of raising $100,000. He's still accepting contributions for the Ronald McDonald House in Stanford, Calif.," said Ken.

"It's a remarkable example of what one determined guy can do, when he sets his mind to it. And it's a great tribute to hot rod ingenuity, endurance, good will and generosity."

Well said, Ken.

Ken also included photos of Dave visiting him in Virginia, showing the contrast between his traditional '32 roadster and his more modern highboy, as well as Straub in Hyder, Alaska.

Read the original story here.

To learn how to donate to Straub's cause, click here.

Monday, September 21, 2009 9:55:41 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [1]

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Early cars and Americana in Cross Plains, Wis.
Posted by Angelo

Here's an event that my friend, Don Chandler, helps organize in southern Wisconsin. Not only does the show feature many early automobiles, it's a celebration of Americana of an earlier time. For early car lovers, this year's event will feature such brass-era beauties as a 1909 International and a 1911 Ford Model T.

An Invitation to the 26th annual

Hill and Valley Antique Auto and Americana Show at

Baer Park in Cross Plains, WI

Sept. 19, 2009

We now embark upon the second quarter century of this truly different family-oriented event. Our guests describe the event as peaceful, safe, homey and just extraordinary. We believe that you, too, will experience a great day. We believe this show to be unique above all other car-related shows in that it is actually a celebration of America’s heritage and history represented through our historic displays and demonstrations of crafts and skills that include blacksmithing, wheel making, quilt making, spinning, lace making, sauerkraut making and woodcarving.

An important part of the show is our Hill and Valley Tour. The tour is about 22 miles (or 1 hour) in length through the many hills and valleys in Cross Plains, Wis. Tour participants leave the park in two segments, each going different directions. Midway through the tour, they meet and pass, which is reminiscent of days long gone by. At 1 p.m. there will be car games for Model T and A Ford owners.

It is believed that there are generally more prewar vehicles at this show than any other in the state that we are aware of, so if you are an owner of a very old vehicle you will be right at home. Although Model T Fords are showcased, we wish to emphasize that all collectable vehicles 20 years old and older are most welcome.

This is not just about vehicles. There will be food, live and recorded music, and an arts and crafts show. Our musical entertainment, namely “The Good Times” have been invited back and have agreed to return again.

The traditional pancake breakfast will be served from 6:45 to 10:30 am. Later in the day, “corn-on–the-cob” will be served near the “antique steam engine display”.

This event is free to the public. Registration for those bringing a car for display is $8. We encourage you to come out and spend what we hope will be a most pleasant day with us.

Thursday, September 17, 2009 3:14:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Jim Wangers lands in Green Bay
Posted by Angelo

The legendary Jim Wangers, best known for his connection with the GTO Tiger and making the car a legend in its own right, swung up to Green Bay for the Big 3 Performance open house and the company’s sneak preview of its Jim Wangers signature edition 1969 Judge GTO, which will be completed and unveiled at the SEMA Show (watch for a cover story in OCW in late October).

It was the first time I met Jim, and what a great guy and a treasure to the hobby. Jim vividly recalls the automobile industry’s “glory days” as he calls them, and has GREAT stories about what went on behind closed doors. I finally picked up a copy of his book “Glory Days,” and can’t wait to tear into it. I’m very proud to say he’s an OCW subscriber, too.

Here are a few pix of Jim, posed with the Hooters girls (hey, their short shorts matched the GTO!), as well as my pick of the car show that was held in conjunction with the open house.

There are lots of mild mods on this 1969 GTO from Jim's favorite year of production, and per Jim's rightful demands, the Big 3 Performance Jim Wangers signature edition Judge has a 505-cid Pontiac mill. Note those Pontiac Rally II -style wheels.

Jim and the ladies.

Jim revved up the new Goat and the crowd couldn't get enough. Several people requested he repeat his performance before the engine even cooled.

I'm a sucker for silver muscle cars, and this 1973 Barracuda owned by Aaron Staub wore a fresh coat, set against a black interior. The 440-cid-powered Barracuda has only been done for a week, and Staub joked, "The tires onlly have a mile and a half on them." MoPar fans won't question the fit on the hood; they know that the bowed-up center of the hood means the hood is a real AAR 'glass unit. Staub built the car as a driver, since his 8-second, black-on-black 1971 'Cuda is a bit too much for the street.

Sunday, September 13, 2009 6:18:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

What a ride!
Posted by Angelo

It's not every day you get to see a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa at speed, nor is it any decade you get to see an Aston-Martin DBR1. But it might be a once-in-a-lifetime event to get to see these two cars race against eachother, unless you were watching sports car racing in Europe in 1958 or '59.
Your chance to see these ultra-rare, ultra-valuable cars doing what they were meant to do -- pound the pavement -- once again has a small window. That window will be at the Simeone Foundation Museum Sept. 26.

England Vs. Italy; Aston-Martin Vs. Ferrari Demonstration Day On September 26

On the fourth Saturday of September, we will be putting on a Demonstration Day that would be very hard to duplicate anywhere in the world. We'll be taking our Aston-Martin DBR1 (ex Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Jim Clark) out to drive against the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa once driven by Ritchie Ginther, among others. This recreation of the 1958/59 Championship season will be an event you won't want to miss.
In preparation for the Demonstration Day, we've had both cars out back doing some trial runs. You can't imagine how wonderful they sound - and smell!

The show starts promptly at 12 Noon, Saturday Sept. 26. Rain date is the next day, Sunday at Noon. Admission is included with the regular Museum admission.

Now that you know the who, the what and the when, here's the where:

Simeone Foundation Museum

6825-31 Norwitch Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19153

(215) 365-SAFE (7233)

There are many other opportunities to see some of the world's most historic and exotic cars, sometimes in motion, at the Simeone Museum. Click here to go to the museum's web site for more dates.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 8:53:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [0]

90 year old, '73 Catalina go six feet under
Posted by Angelo

When 90-year-old Lonnie Holloway went down for a "dirt nap," he didn't go alone -- he took his 1973 Pontiac Catalina two-door hardtop and his gun collection with him.

Getting buried with a car isn't legal in every place, but apparently there are no rules against it in Saluda, S.C., where the man was buried earlier today before hundreds of onlookers. The car (and the deceased owner) were lowered into the South Carolina earth using a tow truck, but not before the deceased's friends filled the trunk with his arsenal.

There doesn't appear there was a cement tomb for the Pontiac and its owner to be encased -- just good, ol' dirt. Before it went down, the Pontiac's engine, fuel, tires and transmission were reportedly removed.

Unfortunately, it appears the green Catalina had a lot more miles to go, unlike its owner. Hopefully, the Pontiac will hold up better in the South Carolina dirt better than the 1957 Plymouth in Tulsa. At least until grave robbers dig up the car to get at the guns in the Pontiac's trunk.

For a pic, go here.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 8:42:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [2]

Hot Wheels Hunting
Posted by Angelo

Treasure Hunts
’37 Ford, No. 5/12
It’s not an apparition and it’s not a ghoulish figure, it’s a real phantom, and one you can pick up for only a buck.
Ford, of course, made woodies through 1951, and from 1949 until the end, those woodies were two-doors, but it never made a 1937 two-door station wagon.
Following the fad of creating two-door wagons where only four-doors were offered, Hot Wheels has unleashed its own take on the phenomenon with its ’37 Ford in the coveted Treasure Hunt series. This nearly all-metal casting was offered earlier in the $3 range as an upper-level Ultra Hot before joining the “basic” series’ Treasure Hunt line. At $3, this was a pretty good score, but for $1, it’s a down right steal. Unfortunately, that bargain price comes with a challenge: finding a Treasure Hunt is, literally, like finding a needle in a hay stack, plus your timing ought to be impeccable to beat someone to this car.
For Treasure Hunt duty, the ’37 Ford has a metallic blue body (fenders, hood and all) with a wood-colored plastic body. The inner woodgrained panels are a darker brown than the framework, and to take your imagination back to “Surf City,” there’s a black roof panel with a central red stripe down the middle with delicate pinstriping accents of the Von Dutch style, perhaps gleaned from a customized Malibu surfboard. The wheels on this standard Treasure Hunt are the handsome five-spokes, but if you like the fancier (and cooler) whitewall Real Riders found on some Hot Wheels, and you like a challenge, look for the Super Trea$ure Hunt$ version. The wheels for the Real Rider tires have red centers and the body paint is a bit darker on the Super Trea$ure Hunt$, but you’ll be glad you found it.

2009 New Models
Custom V-8 Vega, No. 23/42
If you like your Chevys light and mighty, then you’ll bond with this Vega. Hot Wheels breathed more life (and cylinders) into what, in my opinion, is the best-looking Vega: the early, split-bumper models that look like a chip off big-brother Camaro.
Hot Wheels version adds an early-‘70s-style Camaro chin spoiler and ‘Vette-type hood scoop, but the rest of the subtly (and tastefully) modified car looks all Vega, and just the way Chevy built it.
This 2009 newbie is shown in a metallic teal with the front and rear side lamps appropriately painted with black tampos for the hood scoop accent and side stripes, which incorporate the Hot Wheels banner. The body is all metal, and the chassis is chromed plastic to match the Ferrari-type grille.
If you like your Chevys light and nimble, here’s a chance to catch a Vega the way Chevy should have built it – with V-8 power.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 3:38:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [7]

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

An in-the-flesh barn find
Posted by Angelo

Remember that 21-trailer stash of old muscle cars, Corvettes and parts found near Green Bay, Wis., and featured in Old Cars Weekly? If not, click here. If so, read on...

One of the LS6 1970 Chevelle SS 454s from that great find is now on display at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pa., just in time for the giant Antique Automobile Club of America Eastern Division National Fall Meet. The Chevelle has been left largely "as found," so it's a great chance to see a great muscle car from a great story in the flesh. Check it out while you're at Hershey!

The museum also has a few other great exhibits coming up. Here's a menu:

The Sports Car in America
May 22 - October 11, 2009
"Fast from the Past: Competition Motorcycles of Yesteryear" June 1, 2009 -
Mid May 2010.
Night at the Museum a Gala & Auction to benefit the AACA Club, Library &
Museum. Wednesday, October 7, 2009 @ 6-10 PM - $150 per person. Reserve
today!
www.NightAtTheMuseum.org

From Sea to Shining Sea is our permanent exhibit that pairs eight decades of
vintage vehicles in themed settings with a cross-country journey of the
United Sates.

Go to www.aacamuseum.org to keep up to date.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009 11:20:35 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [1]

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Free Papa John's pizza for Camaro owners
Posted by Angelo

Got a Camaro? Have an inkling for a sausage and pepperoni pie? Then fill your tank and go fill your stomach, because today's your lucky day. To celebrate finding the '71 Camaro Z/28 that was sold to finance Papa John's pizza, the founder, "Papa" John Schnatte, is giving away free pizzas to Camaro owners Aug. 26.

If you've been reading Old Cars Weekly, then you know the founder put out a $250,000 bounty on his car, and with the help of the people he sold the car to, the car was found looking much the same as when he sold it. Since the previous owners who Schnatte sold the car to were a big help in tracking it down, he also gave them $25,000. Schnatte sounds like a real car guy. Our type of guy.

Check out this link to get the low-down.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 2:49:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [1]

Friday, August 14, 2009

Live from Saginaw Street at Back to the Bricks
Posted by Angelo

After 50 years, “Doc” Watson celebrated 50 years of “shifting gears” with Hurst, and had the perfect venue to do it: Back to the Bricks in Flint, Mich.

Watson had an open house along Back to the Bricks’ main artery, Saginaw Street, and greeted all comers to a building filled with artifacts from the past, and a few from the future, including a gleaming new, silver supercharged Hurst Challenger. There’s rumor that Doc might have something up his sleeve later during the event, so we’ll keep you posted.

Visitors also caught a glimpse of the iconic Linda Vaughn, who was fluttering around the open house, greeting her fans and talking cars and Hurst, as she’s always good for. Some of the cars Vaughn helped make famous were also on hand, including the Hurst/Olds convertible she stood on, hanging on to a giant shift handle mounted to the trunk, as well as Doc’s personal Pontiac SSJ that was used for all the publicity shots of the model, which included Vaughn.

Several car owners brought their cars to the open house, including several Hurst owners. Perhaps the rarest car in the lot wasn’t a 1969 H/O or 1988 H/O, but the white-and-gold 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan used as an Indianapolis 500 official’s car for the 1974 race.

Back on the rolling cruise that makes up Back to the Bricks, the machines were rolling in. Given the fact that Flint was once home to more than 100,000 General Motors’ employees, it’s not surprising that most of the metal rolling through Flint wore the blue label. Although it’s early during the event, muscle has been heavy, and there are plenty of prewar surprises.

I’m heading back to the bricks, so check back for more updates after the show.

Long remembered will be the giant shift handle Hurst model Linda Vaughn, "Miss Hurst Golden Shifter", used in famous poses for the company.

Here's another view of the Hurst/Olds with the giant shift handle (on the left) along with the Pontiac SSJ used for publicity shots with Vaughn.

A new silver supercharged Hurst Challenger is on view in a special inside exhibit.

The most rare of the Oldsmobiles in the Hurst display is this 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan used as an Indy 500 official's car at the 1974 race.

Friday, August 14, 2009 2:56:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [1]

Google Sponsored Links

Free Updates

Search

Navigation

Archives

Links