Under the Hood with Angelo Van Bogart

Mercer, Stutz to escape Simeone Automotive Museum
Posted by Angelo

You've read about the Simeone Automotive Museum in auto pubs, including OCW, and now they're opening the doors. Here's a release I rec'd on an upcoming event: RACING CARS OF THE PAST COME ALIVE AT SIMEONE MUSEUM DEMONSTRATION DAYS PRE-WWI RACING CARS TO RUN THIS WEEKEND AT THE SIMEONE AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM WHAT: Three extremely rare racing cars of the pre-WWI era will be run on the 3-acre back lot at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Cars to be demonstrated include a 1913 Mercer Raceabout (pictured), a 1912 National and a 1916 Stutz Bearcat. WHERE: At the Museum, 6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia 19153 (Near the Airport Automall, right off I-95) WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 12 Noon WHY: The Simeone Museum is one of the only automotive museums in the world where rare racing cars can be seen and heard driving. The visuals of these beautiful cars driving at speed is compelling. Dr. Simeone will be available for interviews. More information available at: www.simeonemuseum.org The event is open to the public and is included with the regular admission price. Plenty of free parking.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:18:38 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

A Duesenberg of a Fellow
Posted by Angelo

On June 3, the old car hobby lost one of its most enthusiastic souls with the passing of 88-year-old Alfred “Al” Ferrara. Al was well-known around his beloved home of Cleveland for his family-run, straight-out-of-the-’50s Italian food market, Ferrara’s Imported Foods, and around the hobby for his Classic-era automobiles, particularly his Duesenberg and Pierce-Arrow car collection.

Al was one of those people that makes the hobby so great by sharing his cars, his knowledge and his historical artifacts -- all of which appeared on the pages of Old Cars Weekly through Al’s generosity. Readers may remember several stories featuring Al’s vintage photos of Duesenbergs on streets during the 1950s and earlier, a feature story on his 1928 Pierce-Arrow sedan and yet more pictures of his other cars at various events around the country.

While Al was happy to share his cars and vast knowledge about them with the public, he also enjoyed talking about cars one-on-one. Despite having some of the greatest cars ever built, including the Duesenberg known as the “Clark Gable SSJ,” Al was extremely approachable and loved to tell stories about the early days of car-collecting, when Classics could be purchased at used-car prices and those who purchased such cars did it purely out of love, rather than as an investment. Such stories mesmerized me, and I was fortunate to listen to them at Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, Antique Automobile Club of America and Classic Car Club of America meets, Al’s home and market and the seats of his Duesenbergs. (On one occasion, we switched places and Al rode with me on a tour to the sites of closed car factories and dealerships around Cleveland in a drive I’ll never forget).

The only thing more important to Al than cars was family and friends, and he leaves many behind, including his sons Frank “Chick” and Alfred, Jr., grandsons Alfred III and John, several siblings and many friends in car clubs to which Al belonged for more than 50 years.

Al was a “Duesenberg of a man” who proved you didn’t have to be on the silver screen to inspire and excite people. For that, I’ll always call the red-and-silver short-wheelbase 1936 Duesenberg he owned for 45 years “Al’s SSJ.” Like his favorite marque, there will never be another, but we’re all much richer for the legacy each left behind.

Thursday, June 11, 2009 3:55:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

The scrappers are at it again
Posted by Angelo

This just in from SEMA:

To view this email as a web page, please follow this link

California Proposes to Enhance Vehicle Scrappage Program
State to Target Pre-1976 Vehicles

SEMA is opposing a California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposal to spend roughly $30 million annually for an Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program (EFMP) to augment the State's existing vehicle scrappage program. The proposal would provide incentives statewide for vehicles not currently eligible under the Consumer Assistance Program by removing the existing requirements that vehicles be subject to and fail Smog Check to participate. CARB is specifically targeting for scrappage pre-1976 vehicles that are not currently required to undergo Smock Check inspections. According to CARB, allowing vehicles that are not currently undergoing registration or that have passed their Smog Check to participate greatly expands the vehicle population that can be retired.

Participants would receive $1,000 per vehicle or $1,500 per vehicle if they meet low-income requirements. The proposal would also establish a pilot voucher program in the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley air basins that targets the highest-emitting vehicles and requires their replacement with newer, cleaner vehicles. The local air districts would work with the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to determine vehicle eligibility and low-income status. Once approved, the districts would provide the applicant a Letter of Eligibility from BAR and a redeemable voucher. Consumers would retire their vehicle at a participating dismantler, receiving an immediate compensation of $1,000 - $1,500 for vehicle retirement. Consumers could then redeem their voucher at participating car dealerships toward the purchase of a replacement vehicle. CARB is proposing that the voucher compensation be $2,000 or $2,500 per vehicle depending on income level.
CARB will conduct a public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program Regulation (Car Scrap).

DATE:  June 25-26, 2009
TIME:   9:00 a.m.
PLACE: California Environmental Protection Agency
Air Resources Board, Byron Sher Auditorium
1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814

This item will be considered at a two-day meeting of the Board, which will commence at
9:00 a.m., June 25, 2009, and may continue at 8:30 a.m., on June 26, 2009. This item
may not be considered until June 26, 2009.

Comments to the proposal are due June 24. To read the full proposal, go to: http://eshist.bna.com/cgi-bin/eshstate?ca_19346p1

Written comments must be received no later than 12:00 noon, Pacific Standard Time, June 24, 2009, and addressed to the following:

Clerk of the Board, Air Resources Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95814

Electronic submittal: http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm/bclist.php
Fax submittal: (916) 322-3928

Terms under which this service is provided to you: sema.org/disclaimer

SEMA's mailing address: 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Copyright 2007. Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Wednesday, June 03, 2009 7:18:16 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Heacock Classics' Top 10 Collectible Pontiacs
Posted by Angelo

Heacock Classic sent out its list of the Top Ten Pontiac Collectibles from the last 50 Years, so I thought I'd share it here. While I agree all of these cars that made it on the list are great and extremely memorable, I wouldn't mind seeing a Tri-Power '59 on here, or a transaxle Tempest. But, there's only so much room on a list of ten cars. What would you add?

It would also be nice to see a list of Pontiacs that are more than 50 years old. What would you put on it? The 1957 Bonneville? The 1958 Bonneville? A Silver Streak fastback?

HEACOCK CLASSIC ANNOUNCES ITS
“TOP TEN PONTIAC COLLECTIBLES FROM THE LAST 50 YEARS”

With the recent news surrounding GM and the loss of Pontiac, Heacock Classic, a leading provider of collector car insurance, took a trip down memory lane to find the greatest Pontiac models it believes are destined to become collectibles.

Heacock Classic has listed below, the “Top Ten Pontiacs Collectibles from the Last 50 Years”:

1.      1962-1963 Catalina 421 SD
Designed only for racing, these purpose-built drag racers were the creation of Pontiac General Manager John Delorean to give Pontiac supremacy at NHRA and NASCAR events throughout the country. Although rated at 363-405 hp, these Holy Grails of collectible Pontiacs were said to put out 500 horsepower, easily. They sold new for about $6000, but they're worth over $100,000 each today.

2.      1969 Trans Am
Only 697 1969 Trans Ams were ever produced, all featured the Pontiac Ram Air III or Ram Air IV engine. Today, these first year Trans Ams are highly sought after by collectors.

3.      1969 Judge
At the same time the Trans Am was introduced as the ultimate Firebird, the Judge was introduced as the ultimate GTO. The first 500 produced were all painted Carousel Red (a bright shade of orange), and came with large rear spoilers, and bright-colored decals. Like its cousin the Trans Am, the 1969 Judge could be had with the Ram Air III or Ram Air IV engine.

4.      1973-1974 Trans Am and Formula Super Duty
Pontiac planned on putting its famous 455 Super Duty engine in the GTO, Grand Prix and Firebird models, but only the Firebird Formula and Trans Am got the high-horsepower engine. Production of these SD cars was very limited, and they are extremely collectible.

5.      1965-1967 GTO
Although the 1964 GTO is the first year of the body style, collectors prefer the stacked-headlight look of the '65-'67 over the first year model. Best examples are factory Tri-Power 389s ('65 and '66 only) or 400s (1967 only) mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

6.      1970-1972 Trans Am
The Second Generation Trans Am set the standard for the muscle car wars in 1970. It featured high horsepower, a great ride, and stunning looks. The 1970 1/2 Trans Am is a popular favorite because it is easy to find in the collector's marketplace, and featured either a Ram Air III or Ram Air IV engine. The 1971 and 1972 models are more rare, being produced in lower quantities, and both years came with the Pontiac 455 HO engine.

7.      1961 Catalina or Ventura
Many hobbyists consider the 1961 Pontiac coupe is considered as the prettiest Pontiac ever made. Both the Catalina and its fancier-trim cousin, the Ventura, are perfect examples of the era. Both have the one-year only bubble-top design that make them so beautiful. The best examples come with Tri Power 389s and four-speed manual trans.

8.      1977-1981 Trans Am Black and Gold Special Editions
Made famous by Burt Reynolds in "Smokey and the Bandit," the T/A SE, as it was known, was produced in large quantities throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. They have recently gained popularity among hobbyists, not so much for their horsepower, but more for great looks and connection to the movie.

9.      1998-2002 Trans Am WS6
Don't let these recent-memory Trans Ams fool you. They're sure to be the next big collectible in the Pontiac family, and there are plenty available in today's market at great pricing. They offer stunning looks, great style, incredible performance, and the convenience of modern engineering.

10. 2004-2006 GTO
These Australian-bred GTOs are full of power, and sure to be skyrocketing in price in twenty years. Now's the time to pick up a low-mile example and put it away. The 2005-2006 models are especially popular among hobbyists for their higher-horsepower LS2 engine.

Heacock Classic is a division of Heacock Insurance Group, Inc., based in Sebring, Florida. Founded <http://www.heacock.com> in 1922, it is a full-service independent insurance agency. Today Heacock Classic is one of the leading collector car insurance organizations in North America. For more information on Heacock Classic, please visit www.heacockclassic.com <http://www.heacockclassic.com/> .

Tuesday, June 02, 2009 10:07:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)

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