Under the Hood with Angelo Van Bogart - Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Unless you chase drug dealers down dark alleys, follow intoxicated drivers at high speeds and break up bar-close brawls, you can't have a new Caprice. That's right, the Caprice is coming back, but you've got to carry a gun and a badge to drive one.

Anyone who reads this blog and Old Cars Weekly knows I love Caprices, especially 1980s coupes. If you're just getting here, then I'll quickly share my Caprice record: 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1985 coupes and 1989 and 1990 sedans in 16 years of driving. Currently, I'm editor of Old Cars Weekly, but I 'll have to consider a career change in law enforcement if I want to get behind the wheel of a new Caprice again, and so will you.

As you may already know, the Caprice was killed at the end of the 1996 model year in the United States, but they remained available as rear-wheel-drive, V-8-powered sedans after 1996, but only in the Middle East. Now, the Caprice is coming back, but only for law-enforcement purposes. Hopefully, these cars will be dispatched through the usual channels so we civilian Caprice fans can get their hands on retired cruisers.

The new 2011 Caprice lacks the boxy charm of the 1980s versions and bubbly personality of the 1990s versions, but it has a V-8 and rear-wheel drive. I'm sold.

GM press release:

All-New Chevy Caprice Police Car Reports For Duty in 2011

DENVER – An all-new Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) will join the ranks of law enforcement departments across North America in 2011. It’s a modern, full-size, rear-drive sedan that will offer both V-8 and V-6 engines, as well as a host of specialized equipment and features.

Chevrolet made the announcement at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, in Denver, Colorado. The Caprice PPV will be available for ordering next year and will hit the streets in early 2011.

“The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement,” said Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas.”

Vice President, Global Chevrolet Brand Brent Dewar added, “Along with Impala and Tahoe, the Caprice PPV gives agencies a greater range of choices for police and special service vehicles that are all available from Chevrolet.”

Unlike other police cars on the market, the Caprice PPV is not based on existing “civilian” passenger-car model sold in North America. It has been developed in key areas specifically for police duty, containing modern equipment and features:

Powerful 6.0L V-8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability delivers expected best-in-class 0-60 acceleration (sub six seconds) and top speed; a V-6 engine will also be offered, beginning in the 2012 model year
Optional front-seat-only side curtain air bags allows a full-width rear-seat barrier for greater officer safety
Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one of them dedicated to powering various police equipment
Designed for five-passenger seating, meaning the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without the concern of air bag deployment interference
Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer technology
Special front seats designed for the long-term comfort of officers whose car is their effective office, including space that accommodates the bulk of a typical equipment belt

The front seats are sculpted to “pocket” the equipment belt, which greatly increases the comfort for a great range of police officer sizes. The foam density of the seatback and cushion insert surfaces are designed to conform to the shape of an equipment belt’s various items, too, allowing the officer’s back to rest properly on the seatback surface.

“The Chevrolet Caprice PPV’s seats represent a revolution in comfort and utility for officers who spend long hours in their car,” said Bob Demick, lead seat design manager. “The shape also enhances entry and egress, making it easier for officers to exit the vehicle quickly. The seatback bolsters, for example, have been purposefully contoured to help pocket the equipment on the belt, which includes the gun, Taser and handcuffs, which rest comfortably in the sculpted lower bolsters. That also increases the longevity of the trim cover surface.”

Along with comfort, the materials used in the seats were also carefully selected. High-wear materials were chosen to stand up to long hours of everyday use, while breathability, long-term durability and ease of cleaning were also important criteria.

Engineers worked on several iterations of the seat, testing a couple of versions in the field to get real-world feedback from police officers, who used prototype seats in their cruisers for a month. Their input helped determine the final design.

Class-leading space

The Caprice PPV is based on GM’s global rear-drive family of vehicles that also underpins the Chevy Camaro. It uses the longest wheelbase of the architecture – 118.5 inches (3,010 mm) – along with a four-wheel independent suspension that delivers responsive high-performance driving characteristics that are crucial in some police scenarios.

Caprice PPV’s long wheelbase also contributes to exceptional spaciousness. Compared to the primary competition, its advantages include:

A larger interior volume – 112 cubic feet / 3,172 liters – than the Ford Crown Victoria, including nearly 4 inches (101 mm) more rear legroom
The barrier between the front seat and rear seat is positioned farther rearward, allowing for full front-seat travel and greater recline for officer comfort
At 18 cubic feet (535 liters) free space (beyond battery located in trunk), the Caprice’s trunk volume is large enough to accommodate a full-size spare tire under a flat load surface in the trunk storage area.

The Caprice’s 6.0-liter V-8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) with an estimated 384 lb-ft of torque. It is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that is performance-calibrated for police duty. Additional, police car-specific powertrain and vehicle system features include:

High-output alternator
Engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers
Standard 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps
Large, four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads
Heavy-duty suspension components
Police-calibrated stability control system
Driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature.

A host of complementary features are also offered, including special equipment packages such as spotlights; lockouts for the power windows and locks; and an “undercover” street-appearance package (9C3).

To enable more room for interior equipment, the standard radio can be relocated to the trunk, allowing for an in-dash, touch-screen computer to be used.

Caprice on patrol: A brief history

Chevrolet’s history with law enforcement is almost as old as the brand itself. Police departments have used Chevy sedans as police cars for decades, ordering them with basic equipment and powerful V-8 engines – including some special engines that weren’t available in regular-production models, such as the 1959 Biscayne that was offered with up to 315 horsepower.

The full-size Chevrolets joined the force in 1976. All Caprice police cars – including the new, 2011 model – have carried the 9C1 order code. Here’s a quick look back at Chevys on patrol:

1959 – Chevy Biscayne police model capable of 135 mph with specially tuned, police-only version of the 348-cubic-inch V-8 engine

1965 – The new “big-block” 396 engine is offered in Biscayne and Bel Air police cars, making them among the most powerful on patrol; a 427 V-8 was added in 1966

1976 – The 9C1 order code is given for the first time to a full-size Chevy police car package. It carries the Impala name.

1977 – The full-size Chevy is downsized. The 9C1 police package is retained, as is the Impala name.

1986 – The Caprice name replaces Impala, as the car is updated for the mid- and late-1980s – including the option of a powerful, 5.7-liter small-block V-8.

1991 – A new-generation Caprice is launched, with the 9C1 police car still on the beat.

1994 – The 260-horsepower (194 Nm) LT1 V-8 engine is offered in the Caprice 9C1, making it one of the fastest full-size police cars ever offered.

1996 – Caprice police car production ends, as GM’s full-size, body-on-frame car architecture is discontinued.

2011 – The Caprice PPV returns to active duty.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 9:45:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)

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Monday, November 02, 2009

Leaves vs. Cars: Tough Call
Posted by Angelo

Well, I finally purchased a garage to story my cars (oh yeah, there's also a house on the lot), and I was reminded of why I put off buying a place for so long: leaves. I've rented a house for several years, but the stress to keep the lawn looking nice wasn't too relevant. Being a renter, and what the neighbors probably considered "rental trash," I was not too concerned with when the leaves were raked as long as it was done by spring. But now that I own a house, the stress is on to keep the leaves out of the yard and the dirty looks away from the neighbors. So when I got my '55 Cadillac back from being tweaked by the shop following an engine rebuild last week, I was torn.

The weather was finally nice last Sunday, and with a yard full of leaves and a dirty Cadillac (and some dirty Chevys), I decided to try working on the yard and cleaning the cars. I started out raking, and after about three hours, I moved on the cars. I can say that I finished washing the '55 Cadillac and the '85 Caprice, but only half of the leaves were cleaned up. When it comes down to it, I'd rather see a dirty stare from the neighbors than a dirty car. Chalk a win up for the cars.

Maybe next spring I'll cut the trees down and pave the yard. More parking, less hassle.

Monday, November 02, 2009 9:27:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)

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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

What? A Cadillac outsells a '57 Chevy convert?!
Posted by Angelo

I hate to see a fine collection of cars spread to the wind, but this isn't a perfect world. Oldsmobiles and Duesenbergs aren't in production, my favorite drive-in is closing for the season and '57 Heaven Museum in Branson, Mo., has closed its doors. Even when bad things happen, there can be a bright side, even if it doesn't shine as brilliant. I'll appreciate that pizza burger in spring a lot more when the Dari-Ette drive-in opens next spring, people value Duesenbergs for their place in history and the cars of the '57 Heaven Museum are in appreciative new hands that may expose the cars to car events the vehicles have never appeared.

The Oct. 24 sale of the contents of the '57 Heaven Museum was conducted by Mecum auctioneers with mighty results. What shocks me is that a 1957 Cadillac convertible outsold a '57 Chevrolet convertible at this sale, and the Chevy was an ultra-rare Morocco. It's always amazed me how a Chevrolet, which was far less expensive than a Cadillac, could regularly outsell its spendier GM sibling. But not at this sale. (Fellow Cadillac nuts will also notice the high-selling Cadillac was a Series 62 convertible, which also outsold a generally more-valuable Eldorado Biarritz. Perhaps condition was a factor here.)

It also surprises me that neither of the collection's 1957 Oldsmobile convertibles made it to this list, and 1957 Ninety-Eight and Super 88 and Rocket 88 convertible sales have been very strong in recent years. We'll get the details from John Lee's report of the sale in Old Cars Weekly.

If you want to do your own comparison of auction results for cars, go to Old Cars Report.

For those curious, here's the official press release from Mecum:

MECUM '57 HEAVEN MUSEUM AUCTION TOTALS $7 MILLION IN SALES
Classic Cars, Vintage Signs, Memorabilia from the Era
Crossed the Block during One-Day Event

MARENGO, Ill. - It was a standing-room only event as thousands of collectors packed into the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Mo., for the Mecum '57 Heaven Museum Auction on Oct. 24, 2009.

Mecum Auction sold hundreds of items from the museum's unique collection of 1957 vehicles, authentic storefronts and automotive memorabilia, with total gross sales over $7 million (excluding buyer's premium).

"The Mecum team gathered a record number of pre-registered and registered bidders to buy pieces from the museum's incredible collection of cars, collectibles and re-created '50s-era storefronts like a drive-in movie and service station," said President Dana Mecum. "The '57 Heaven Museum drew an international crowd as well, with interested buyers from around the world - including Australia, Japan, South Africa and England - making purchases."

Attendees at the '57 Heaven Museum Auction bid on more than 75 classic cars and motorcycles of all makes and models. Also up for bid were neon and metal signs; vintage men's and women's clothing; furniture; books; magazines; vintage movie posters; and children's toys.

The '57 Heaven Museum Top 10 Sales (all sales reflect hammer prices) were:
1. 1957 Chrysler Dual Ghia Convertible (Lot S7) at $300,000
2. 1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible (Lot S61) at $250,000
3. 1957 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (Lot S56) at $245,000
4. 1957 Chevrolet El Morocco Convertible (Lot S26) at $230,000
5. 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible (Lot S55) at $210,000
6a. (Tie) 1957 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible (Lot S28) at $195,000
6b. (Tie) 1957 Buick Super Convertible (Lot S29) at $195,000
8. 1957 Pontiac Chieftain John Zink Co. Record Setter (Lot S60) at $192,500
9. 1957 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Convertible (Lot S4) at $190,000
10. 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible (Lot S31) at $172,500

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:31:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)

Comments [1]

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Saturday salvaging
Posted by Angelo

It's been nine years since I moved to central Wisconsin to work for Old Cars Weekly, and I'm still surprised what treasures lurk around the the area. Last weekend, I found a new 'field of dreams,' and it was right under my nose.

Since winter is coming early to central Wisconsin this year, I took advantage of the reprieve from the rain and the slightly warmer temperatures last weekend to scout out a salvage yard I had never been to.

I learned about the yard at the 2009 Iola Old Car Show. A vendor there had several fenders in his booth, plus photos of cars in what appeared to be a salvage yard. I always stop to check out these photos in hopes I’ll spot a car like one of my own, and sure enough, there was a mid-1950s Cadillac coupe in the photos. Then I noticed the yard was within a half hour of my home! I inquired and grabbed a business card with the plan to stop at the salvage yard this summer. Well, I missed summer, so I wasn’t going to let the fall pass without a visit.

It turns out, I had actually driven past the yard this summer without my internal salvage yard diving rod going off. Thanks to the thickly wooded landscape, the yard wasn’t obvious until you drive well behind the owner’s home. My visit last weekend showed the fun begins about 100 yards beyond the house and past the tree line in an obscured but open field.

There aren’t a lot of prewar cars at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts, but there are plenty of mid-1950s to early-1980s cars. And while the yard isn’t huge, it’s certainly worth a visit since the cars are desirable and many are complete. A more in-depth story will appear in Old Cars Weekly, but in the meantime, enjoy these pix from Tom’s Classic Cars & Parts, located at 10281 Buelow Road, Amherst, WI 54406 (715-258-0362).

A cute little 1941 Buick fastback that could be resurrected.

A thought occurred to me upon seeing this 1946 to early-1949 Plymouth two-door sedan: Why do you never see these cars street rodded? If it weren't for the dented roof, this one would definitely be worth saving. Perhaps a fan with good skills will still drag it home and restore it.

Given its rusty front fenders and sedan status, this '49 Buick Roadmaster will probably remain a parts car. Perhaps if Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise had driven a '49 Buick sedan instead of a convertible, it would be a different story. As it is, this Buick's story won't have the happiest of endings.

Here's why I came to Tom's Classic Cars & Parts: a trio of mid-1950s Cadillacs. The siren that called to me from a photograph isn't pictured, but I was told there were three to four 1954-1956 Cadillacs. I spotted three, including the pictured 1956 Coupe deVille and 1954 Series 62 coupe. The '56 had some engine parts yet, including the desirable air cleaner with an asking price of $150, exactly what they sell for in online auctions.

A trio of new arrivals: A 1966 Chevrolet four-door sedan, 1946 Nash coupe and a 1957 Cadillac Series 75 limousine. Iola Old Car Show attendees who have been behind the downtown district may recognize the limo -- it has been rotting behind a local business for many years, and now it's found safe haven at Tom's no-crush yard.

Yup, a '57 Chevy two-door sedan, and it has relatives at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts, including an equally stripped hardtop, plus more complete sedans and station wagons.

Tom's Classic Cars & Parts is surrounded by a county-imposed metal fence, but you get a taste for the treasures inside by the early1960s Comet coupe and 1960 Chevrolet sedan outside.

You don't see too many 1960 Ford Starliners in salvage yards. This one is getting stripped and its getting rusty, but I'm sure there's a rare part waiting to be found on the car yet.

Like bubble tops? There are at least four of them in this yard, two Buicks and two Chevrolets. I regret I didn't determine whether this 1961 Buick was an Invicta or LeSabre.

One of the two 1961 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtops at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts (the hood and rearview-mirror for the second is visible in the foreground of this image). At least one more resides in Tom's personal collection. Watch for pix of this car's twin in OCW.

If you like mid-1960s Chevelles, pay Tom's a visit. This is one of at least two 1967 Chevelle two-door hardtops; the second is even more complete. Watch for pix of this car's twin in OCW.

My great grandma drove a 1967 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan, so I have a long-standing affinity for '67 Chevys. This rust-colored Impala sport coupe tripped my trigger.

The owner of Tom's Classic Cars & Parts is a true enthusiast out to save cars. While many would have crushed this 1969 Buick GS 400, Tom saved it. Even though the engine, bumper and front clip are gone, he notes there are many rare options remaining inside the car, not to mention all of the GS emblems.

The hobby puts 1969 Chevelle SS convertibles on a pedestal,
and at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts, that's literally the case.
It's rare but it's too far gone to even consider for restoration.
Now, this 1969 Chevelle SS convert is simply salvage yard art,
a position it accomplishes beautifully. During my visit to Tom's,
a previous owner of this car was looking for partd for another car
and hinted at some of the wild adventures he had with the Chevelle.

Thursday, October 22, 2009 3:31:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

Comments [1]

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Converted to a 'pickup man'
Posted by Angelo

I have some pretty evil friends who enjoy a good taunt. When we were in high school, and I was driving my ’62 Cadillac Coupe deVille and they were driving trucks (1980s Dodge Rams and Chevy 1500s), the song “Pickup Man” by Joe Diffie came out.

If you know the song, you know the lyrics include the line, “You can set my truck on fire, and roll it down a hill, but I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe deVille.”

Well, they played that song over and over and over again, just because they knew it drove me nuts. But now, after all the taunting has died down, I can admit there’s a little bit of “pickup man” in me, too.

I haven’t sold any of the Coupe deVilles, but I bought a truck to use as an everyday driver, particularly in the winter. And I love it.

Other than being pretty good-looking vehicles that remain as easy to work on as rear-wheel-drive cars, there’s also a huge aftermarket parts network to personalize trucks. Headlamp covers. Brake lamp covers. Custom grilles. Lift kits. A huge custom wheel selection. The combinations are absolutely endless to make a truck your own.

I haven’t tacked on any accessories to my two-wheel-drive 2000 Silverado 1500 yet, but I have been eyeing a few covers and grilles. I’ve already snapped up a used flat lid to cover the truck bed and bought a set of factory wheels that are in better condition than what was on the truck.

My friends have since stopped playing that song to taunt me, but I’ll have the last laugh yet. I plan on using that truck to save my Coupe deVilles from the ravages of winter, and to carry around parts for the finned machines. And while I love the way the truck rides and drives, you could set that truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I’d be happy to trade it for a Coupe deVille. Preferably a white 1960.

I guess you can put the man in the pickup, but you can’t take the Cadillac out of the man.

Here's a recent picture, with the bed cover removed to haul and after a wheel switch. These steel wheels have what I believe is a stainless face so they won't corrode like the aluminum wheels originally on the truck. Plus they are shiney, and shiney is always good.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 4:32:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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