Just a Car Guy

Tow Mater's disguises... and with all the monster truck posts I've had lately, here is his "Monster" truck disguise

2012-01-27T18:43:00.000-08:00

Cars, and Cars 2... great movies. I've enjoyed all the full length movies I've seen from Pixar, and most of the short pre movie cartoons... the people at Pixar set a new standard for animation, and did an incredible job on how a world would look from the viewpoint of personable automobiles if people didn't exist

"Cars 2" movie from Pixar/Disney had a few natural stone formations converted to automotive looking themes

2012-01-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Mater Horn... witty

"Cars 2" movie from Pixar/Disney had a lot of small details of conversion to automotive looking architecture

2012-01-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

they call it Big Bentley in the movie

They were right smart to label it Holden

Leave Spring under the above bridge, and replacing the cables in the London Bridge below

through out the movie you'll see statues of cars instead of people

I totally dig the wire wheel in the Eiffel tower, could be based on Kelsey Hayes, but who knows

the side of the Notre Dame looks like an exhaust header

A valve cover topping the Arc De Triumphe

a piston for an elevator

A Boyce Motormeter in the above building

the light shade looks like an type of engine

I didn't see all of these the first time or the second time I watched the movie... but I saw a lot of them, and found the rest when looking for them specifically for this post

Vintage Xmas home video of a train set under the Xmas tree... from Next Stop Decature Blogspot (the best small town blog about towns I've ever seen, might as well be the textbook how to of small town blogs)

2012-01-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

found on http://next-stop-decatur-ga.blogspot.com/

The Lucas Oil Crusader caught huge air

2012-01-25T22:00:00.000-08:00

Suspension travel is mighty fine thing

2012-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

Those tires absorb a lot of impact too

The Patriot Monster Truck caught big air, bounced hard, and was on the way to a winning score run, but took a turn too fast and tipped over

2012-01-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

Tasmanian Devil driver put on a great show, and got sideways on a big jump... ended up on it's side... but these trucks are incredibly safely built, and the driver ran to meet the crowd after

2012-01-24T21:34:00.000-08:00

see http://justacargal.blogspot.com/search/label/Monster%20Jam for a lot more Monster Truck coverage

Best slap wheelie of the San Diego Monster Jam event

2012-01-24T20:36:00.000-08:00

Monster truck slap wheelies by Ice Cream Man, Felon, and Capt USA

2012-01-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

Here is where I missed the shot of the front wheels touching down... because that happens really fast, faster than my camera gets ready for a new photo

see http://justacargal.blogspot.com/search/label/Monster%20Jam for a lot more Monster Truck coverage

Uh oh, something caught on fire.. the Terminator lost his engine in a tornado spin, but kept full throttle til it burst in flames, the Lucas Oil truck had some mystery small fire

2012-01-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

Razin Kane

2012-01-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

Monster trucks in action, at a glance

2012-01-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

Just trying something a bit different in a new way... instead of 4 or 5 photos in a sequence scrolling down the page, I put these on screen at the same time and captured the screen. Better or worse than the single photos in sequence?

Grave Digger's freestyle at San Diego Monster Jam

2012-01-23T20:53:00.000-08:00

below, a great recovery from a near tip over

but you see that one back tire collapsed, and spinning a tornado ripped it off, right into center stage where it was perfectly placed to jump over... really, how many trucks can say they were doing 3 wheel jumps over the 4th?

see http://justacargal.blogspot.com/search/label/Monster%20Jam for a lot more Monster Truck coverage

Monster truck power slide (the rain had stopped hours before) by Son Uva Digger... photos

2012-01-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

see http://justacargal.blogspot.com/search/label/Monster%20Jam for a lot more Monster Truck coverage

The many uses and ways the Jeep has been the workhorse in so many places and varieties of terrain

2012-01-22T19:54:00.001-08:00

rare to see a FC jeep

not only was the Jeep a pusher, but look at the difference in front tires on the sprint car!

all from http://www.ewillys.com/?cat=195

Jeep cemetaries in Okinawa and Pusan

2012-01-22T19:54:00.000-08:00

all found on http://www.ewillys.com/?cat=195 but originally from Life Magazine

Kiera Knightley, one of the most beautful faces in movies... was a motorcycle rider in a Chanel perfume commercial

2012-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

found on http://karamelocycles.blogspot.com

the Gil Evgren pin ups you've seen before, but never with a bit of movement like this!

2012-01-22T11:35:00.001-08:00

found on http://karamelocycles.blogspot.com

for more Gil Evgren pinup art:http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/01/pinups-by-gil-elvgren.html

There are only two of the Bugatti Atalantic type 57SC, one at the Mullin Museum (highest price ever paid for a car), one in the Ralph Lauren collection.. but even cars this expensive have been in the classifieds

2012-01-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

above from my post 2 years ago http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/some-amazing-things-turned-up-in.html

Bottom image from http://karamelocycles.blogspot.com/2011/06/bugatti-type-57s-atlante-1937.html

3 were made, one was hit by a train in 1950. So one of the above was the car in the calssifieds.

the 1963 Corvair design prototype by Bertone

2012-01-21T23:35:00.000-08:00

found on http://karamelocycles.blogspot.com/2011/09/chevrolet-corvair-testudo-by-bertone.html

Monster Truck night is here! Qualcomm Stadium, 7pm

2012-01-21T16:20:00.000-08:00

photos from Tere's big gallery, she was able to get to the stadium yesterday for the preview and set up http://justacargal.blogspot.com/2012/01/monster-jam-2012-media-day.html

Hollywoods Golden age stars of the silver screen and their cars

2012-01-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Clark Gable and his 32 Packard

Laurel and Hardy in a 1930 Buick Series 30

Al Jolson and his Mercedes

Errol Flynn and his Auburn Speedster

Ginger Rodgers and her 37 Dodge

Jimmy Stewart and his Plymouth

Joan Crawford and her 32 Lincoln Model K

Bing Crosby and a 39 Oldsmobile at the movie studios

Cary Grant and his 1941 Buick Century

Dave Koontz photography of the Hillsborough Concours de Elegance, from SportsCarDigest.com

2012-01-21T15:17:00.000-08:00

1911 Model T

1937 Bugatti type 57SC

1932 Packard Model 900

1920 Bugatti type 13 Breschia

http://www.sportscardigest.com/hillsborough-concours-delegance-2011-photo-gallery/?nggpage=4

Team Isetta had the 300 at the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance held August, 28, 2011 at the Crystal Springs Golf Course!

2012-01-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

above clipped from http://www.teamisetta.com/

above 2 images from http://www.flickr.com/photos/22166506@N06/6094230867/in/photostream/

above 3 are from http://www.thebayareasbackroads.com/2012/01/1957-bmw-isetta-cabriolet-300.html

Does anyone know of a Tubonique Drag Axle for sale?

2012-01-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Jody Morgenstunde@activist.com wants one

He writes that he is going to remanufacture them, and needs original parts to make engineering drawings, molds, and models from...

I have been able to find technical info on the thrust engines, micro-turbines, even working units of those for sale, but have had no luck on obtaining anything to do with the drag axles which are the real power houses.

Yes, if you would not mind, I would appreicate it if you could post that I am looking for turbonique items.

I do buy other parts as well, because I intend re-manufacture turbonique items and existing parts are alot easier to make molds from.

Ron Pratte collection update, his collection is shown in a video that was used to show his sale of these four cars at Barrett Jackson auction this weekend

2012-01-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

The current record is $1,127,500 paid for Tucker #1045 about 18 months ago. This Tucker is in much better condition.

1947 Bentley mark VI with coachwork by Franay, last offered for sale by Barrett-Jackson at their 2006 Palm Beach auction, where the hammer fell at $1,728,000

1957 Desoto Adventurer
images and text from http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/01/19/five-vehicles-from-ron-prattes-collection-set-to-cross-barrett-jacksons-scottsdale-auction-block/

one of only 153 1968 Shelby GT500 convertibles with thte 428 and 4 speed built in 1968

below are most of the cars Ron Pratte auctioned off this weekend, the ones that aren't already pictured above

the above two images from http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/collections.aspx?cid=5

the video that shows Ron Prattes collection doesn't have an embed ability, so you'll have to go to Speed TV.com to see it: http://www.speedtv.com/video/barrett-jackson/scottsdale/bj-ron-pratte-collection-1395246246001/1#_vtop but here are some screen grabs from it

above images from that video linked above

Bellan and Giardina in Vicenza Italy... nice video!

2012-01-20T06:20:00.000-08:00

found on http://flaviogomes.warmup.com.br

Best video and interview of Randy Grubb (Blastolene Brother) artist / maker of the Deco Liner

2012-01-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

this is a 15 minute video, and I can't wait to see if the Pulse Jet bellytanker gets to El Mirage. What am I talking about? The interview happened when a pulse jet expert was at Randy's, and they seem to have collaborated on a bellytanker with a pulse jet the power equivalent of the V1 rocket

Found on http://karamelocycles.blogspot.com/2012/01/blastolene-story-tuned.html

to see the gallery I posted from the Long Beach Autorama: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/10/blastolene-brothers-invent-again-randy.html

Steve McQueen and Paul Newman... both motorbike riders, and featured on Karamelocycles.blogspot.com

2012-01-19T20:29:00.000-08:00

and to make an important point clear... I've never seen these images before! Bravo Karamelocycles!
http://karamelocycles.blogspot.com

Iian let me know about "Gumdrop" a kids book series about a 1926 Clifton Tourer 12/4

2012-01-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

Val Biro an illustrator wrote a series of popular childrens books about the vintage Austin "Gumdrop" he owned.

In the first four books Gumdrop suffers various indignities before being rescued and restored (at least twice),

These books contain a lot of details including cutaway drawings of the car. They are really quite charming and provide an interesting glimpse of the trendy early sixties vintage car scene

http://www.vintage-austin.co.uk/gumdrop.html

Thanks Iian!

"The Northwest Terror" the Marv Tonkin Shelby Mustang GT350, gets a feature in this months Hemmings Muscle Machines, page 62

2012-01-18T21:23:00.001-08:00

These photos were ones I took at the Coronado Speedfest at the North Island Naval Airstation this past Sept... http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/2011%20Speedfest

if you can get through the sign in registration (I never got through it) if you are a Hemmings subscriber, you can read the article at http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2012/02/01/hmn_feature13.html

Fangio's first race car, 1939 Chevrolet

2012-01-18T21:11:00.000-08:00

can't recall where I found the image

might be a Pinto, but it still got the babe!

2012-01-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

found on http://reservatory6.blogspot.com/

DeLisio’s Performance in Clyde, New York state.... rare restoration shop, specializes in 1964 Thunderbolt 427 Fairlanes

2012-01-18T21:08:00.000-08:00

1964 Ford Thunderbolt 427 Fairlane. Ford built 100 of these cars. There are only about 60 left, and of those Delisio has restored 17 of them. 'Nazy Crate' is his favorite.

http://rochester.ynn.com/content/other_features/viewfinder/522939/classic-car-restorer-has-hot-wheels/

"Imported from Detroit" what that breaks down to

2012-01-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

"a Canadian car, a Mexican engine, a Brooklyn rapper and a song sample from Tennessee"

Automobile Magazine Jan 2012 issue, page 12

Another example of Ezra Dyer being one of the few great humorous automotive writers you can find

2012-01-18T20:51:00.000-08:00

The most incredible thing about the all-wheel-drive Veyron is not its engine but its drivetrain. A Veyron just digs in and goes. I try not to indulge in hyperbole, but when I floor the Veyron, we pass a tribe of Morlocks and the Wicked Witch of the West, and the sky turns green and commuters fly past on personal dirigibles, and then I hit the brakes and we return to our dimension.

I have a split second to think, "Hey, this is fast but controllable." Then the turbos hit.
It's like a bomb went off behind the rear bumper and we're surfing the shockwave. I upshift and it happens again, except now we're going much faster. The rear end scrabbles for traction and I find myself countersteering at perhaps 65 mph. I back off the gas, because I am not ready to visit third gear of the Mosler Raptor on this particular street. Not even if Waylon Jennings were sitting next to me singing the Dukes of Hazzard theme song.

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/columns/1201_dyer_consequences_has_rear_wheel_drive_reached_its_limit/index.html

what a differenace a restoration makes on auction results

2012-01-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

a 1939 Futurliner just sold at the Worldwide Auctioneers in Auburn Indiana
$247,500. The Jan 2012 issue of Automobile magazine says that a west coast dealer is now asking $400,000 for this bus.
New tires, and the rest needs resotration. The tires alone cost about $15,000.

Today, nine of the original 12 Futurliner vehicles have been located, with two of the nine already beyond repair, serving only as “parts” vehicles. One inventive collector converted one Futurliner into a motorhome. Another, used by a bus company in Massachusetts, now does duty as a display vehicle for the bus company. Once decommissioned by GM, still another found its way into the hands of the Oral Roberts’ crusades in the 1960s, dubbed the Cathedral Cruiser. Still others are in various states of restoration.
These incredible vehicles are 33 feet long with a 248-inch wheelbase, eight feet wide and stand nearly 12 feet tall. One of its most unusual features of a GM Futurliner truck is its dual (side-by-side) front wheels steered of course by a hydraulic power steering. Now restored Futurliner trucks have the ability to be shod correctly in stunning, period-correct real wide whitewall tires thanks to famed collector Mr. Ron Pratte and the folks at Coker Tire.
http://blog.cokertire.com/general-post/gm-futurliner-restoration-ron-pratte/

in 2006 at Barrett Jackson one that was restored sold for $4,320,000

(1 of 206) 1969 Z28, JL8 optioned, stripe delete... was sold in 1977, and finally bought back in 2010... wow! Home after 33 years, with only 22,133 orig miles

2012-01-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

Original everything, paint, interior, hell... it's probably got 1969 air in the tires!

the second owner put it in the garage in 1982... and left it there... BARNFIND!

this is a X-33 car and was ordered with custom (deluxe) interior, fold down back seat, radio delete, headlight washers (only 116 non-RS cars were ordered with this option), and rear window defroster.

Tom sold this car in 1977, located and purchased it back in Feb. 2010. Not only is it a 22,133 mile 1969 Z28, but it is a rare JL8 Factory Option (Four Wheel Power Disc Brake 1 of 206) and a Stripe Delete car. He still has the Warranty Card & Protect-O-Plate that he kept when he sold the car in 1977, not for any reason except they were not important back then and rarely did anyone ask for it when they were purchasing a car from a private party

Bellytankers I've photographed, but just learned about.. the Scandanavian, the Old Crow, and the Bean Bandit's bellytankers

2012-01-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/06/scandanavian-street-rod-bellytanker-was.html
owned by Eric Hansson of Huntington Beach
200 cu in 4cyl, 320 HP, blown, Ford toploader, Ohlins coilovers on lever arms, rollbars, rack and pinion steering and Wilwood brakes
set a record in blown gas streamliner
the tank is a P-38 first built in 1952

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/old-crow-belly-tanker-gallery-i-took-at.html
Owned by Bobby Green
Old Crow Speedshop, Burbank
Period correct 1940's and 50's speed equipment
18 in Kelsey Hayes accessory disc wheels, B Block,
won 5 records, vintage 4 cyl engine classes on gas and alcohol

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/bean-bandit-crew-brought-belly-tanker.html
Ardun heads
holds two records, one at El Mirage, one at Bonneville

this post was insprired by Street Rod Premium, Winter 2012 issue who did a feature on bellytankers, pages 21 through 32

another bellytanker they featured in this article is Fred LoBellos
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/01/sneek-peek-at-balboa-park-auto-museum.html
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/02/vintage-stickers-on-bonneville-racer.html

Marcel's Custom Metal in Corona Ca .... you may not have heard of it, but they've built more Ridler Award winners and AMBR winners than any other shop

2012-01-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

Learned from Street Rod Premiere, Eric Geisert's article on page 13

Zora Duntov and the Chevrolet skunkworks built 40 special 1959 Biscaynes, Police specials... Zora used his as the test mule

2012-01-16T19:48:00.000-08:00

348/350 HP law-enforcement pursuit vehicles, featured in Motor Trend (Dec. 58) and Muscle Car Review (Feb 2008)

They were faster than that years best factory Ferrari according to Musclecar Review.. well, Zora's was the test mule and got the special treatment you'd expect the boss and leader of the Chevy racing program to get... it was capable of 135mph

the photos are from this auction listing, that states it's thought to be the last one left, and was originally delivered to the Oregon St Police http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=CA0810-96579

1955 Mercedes SLR Uhlenhaut prototypes

2012-01-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

The 1955 race car was numbered with 722 for the time of it's start on the 1955 Mille Miglia, when Sterling Moss won driving this particular race car. Stirling set the record that year for the fastest Mille Miglia, averaging about 100 mph, and no one since has beat that speed record

photos from http://www.supercars.net/cars/1201.html

The Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Tourist Trophy, Eifelrennen and the Swedish Grand Prix - the 300 SLR won them all.

you might recognize the 722... it was given it's own very special and unique transporter. The Rennsporter

Initiated by Mercedes-Benz race manager Alfred Neubauer, who wanted a fast option of getting race cars to the circuit or back to the factory if necessary, the Prototype-Department created a hybrid between a sports car and a truck. http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/06/one-unique-vehicle-transporter-of.html I recall reading that it had the same engine as the race car

Willys Overland commisioned Brooks Stevens to design the Jeepster for a 1948 civilian market

2012-01-16T18:51:00.000-08:00

I just learned this from the Feb 2012 Automobile magazine RM Auction coverage. A really nice 1949 jeepster went for 19,800

What is hiding in McLaren's sheds? Automobile Magazine's Ben Oliver found out in issue Feb 2012, page 14 and 15

2012-01-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

great reason to get Automobile Magazine. The other reasons are Ezra Dyer's articles, Jamie Kitman's, and Robert Cumberford... and always read Jean Jennings "Vile Gossip" on the last page

Shelby Pit Stop Deodorant, unopened can went for $1026.98 on Ebay

2012-01-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

above image from the book Cobra Fifty Years and the below is from some car magazine in 1968

the ebay info was in the Feb 2012 Automobile magazine

Nurburgring production car lap time set again by Viper ACR

2012-01-16T17:45:00.000-08:00

Viper Exchange owner Ben Keating secured veteran GT driver Dominik Farnbacher and the record was brought back to Viper with a 7:12.13

In Aug 2008, the Viper ACR of Tom Colonel set the record at 7:22.1

the Dodge Viper holds the record at Buttonwillow, Gingerman, Laguna Seca, Miller Motorsport Park, Nelson Ledges, Sebring, Texas World Speedway, and Willow Springs

Hotrodsforgirls.net... this is cool! A dad is blogging about keeping your cars going, and getting your girls interested in cool cars

2012-01-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

This photo is from his site, ain't that cool! He's taking his kids to car shows, and trying to get them interested! Bravo!

Here's a quick excerpt from his blog:
“Daddy, let's go work on the cars.” That is on the my top ten list of the best things a car guy can hear his kids say, and those were the words that began every day of the long 4th of July weekend. My 3 year old decided that she really wanted to work on the old cars, and I was happy to oblige.

One of the great things about being a kid and working with your dad (or mom, for some folks) on a car, is that you experience all of the fun and the joy, but none of the frustration. All of the frustration and anger I'm feeling about not getting my Mercury running had started to taint the fun of working on the cars a little; not so for my daughters.

My girls have certainly had a blast. We have spent quite a few weekends over the summer doing car related things--everything from car shows to drag races--and it has clearly gotten into their blood. After the long weekend helping me with the old cars, when I had to get back to business as usual, they wanted to keep doing car stuff. I came home to find they had taken a cardboard box and built what they called “an old Chevy.” It had a Styrofoam bowl for a steering wheel, an old baby booster for the car seat, and a lowrider inspired paint scheme. They were both hard at work on the when I got home and were beaming with pride when they showed it to me. We've kept the “Chevy” intact for almost 3 weeks now.

http://www.hotrodsforgirls.net/2011/07/lets-go-work-on-cars.html

From his "About me and my blog" section:
This blog began as a way to explain to my wife why I keep trying to buy old cars, and why I keep adding aftermarket parts to a car that works perfectly fine without them. It evolved into a blog about being a car guy, and about raising my girls to enjoy cars as much as I do.

A former owner spotted his van in a magazine... and on a forum let people know - that is had a 426 hemi from Austin Coil in it

2012-01-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

http://vannin.com/threads/ubbthreads.php/topics/529745/Mopar_Muscle_Retro.html
and he wrote "That was my fathers van, It had a supercharged 426 Hemi that we got from Austin Coil when we used to sponsor the Chi Town Hustler. My Father had a van conversion company called Mr Van Inc and that was his "calling Card".

Book Review: My First Car by Matt Stone, absolutely engaging and riveting throughout

2012-01-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

That introduction nails it. So much that I had to post it... so you'd understand what I love about the reason for this book, which I hope is the first of a series.

by the numbers
5 chapters
116 pieces of paper between the covers, 232 sides, only 3 blank

The form and layout are nice, good presentation, with medium quality photos due to the fact they are vintage photographs scanned and transferred to digital. Some black and white, mostly color

the only thing I'd say in a negative way is the "magazine style" call out quotes that fill half a page to get your attention. What is that for? It's a book! The reader is already engrossed and hooked! Magazines need it to get you to buy the copy, books are a thing you are already committed to, and this book doesn't need to screw around, it's terrific and you'll just be reading the small print and ignoring the callouts

Photos: 89 color images, 32 black and white.

the chapters divide the book into types of people, so you could skip right to the type of people that interest you most... Racers, Titans of the Auto Industry, Stars of stage screen sound, Athletes, Journalists artist and others

The only things that might make this book better would be if the author took more time to talk to every one with an interest in cars, and published more stories. This book is primarily the first cars of celebs and famous people you may not have heard of, but will agree are well known for their accomplishments. I don't know why the same interesting stories wouldn't come from people who aren't famous, or from specific genres of vehicles, like the first 4 x 4, race cars, Vespa, Harley, etc etc

Cost, starts at about 11 dollars on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/My-First-Car-Recollections-Stewart/dp/0760335346 that is a bargain deal for the enjoyment you'll get for a book this full of interesting stuff

Things I learned from this book:
If you want to score big bucks, find the cars these stars once had, they want them back badly
Patrick Dempsey (tv and movie star) had a Porsche that was the sound source for the Top Gun scenes with Kelly McGillis' speedster
Mario Andretti's first race car was a Hudson Hornet
Sir Stirling Moss' first car was a Morgan 3 wheeler
John Glenn's first car was a 29 roadster
Chad Knaus was crew chiefing at age 14 for his dad, and went on to be the first crew chief to win 4 consecutive NASCAR championships (driver Jimmie Johnson)
Enzo Ferrari bought his son a Morris Mini partly from admiration for the designer, Alec Issigonis (photo of Alec and Enzo http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/02/cool-photography-site-spirted-drive.html)
Barry Meguiar and Mario Andretti had 57 Chev Bel Airs as their first car
McKeel Hagerty's sister had a Corvair Lakewood station wagon for a first car that Augie Pabst used to ice race, and McKeel's first car was a 1967 911S that he was driving in high school.
Bill Warner (Amelia Island Concours founder and chairman) used to try beating his time from Charelston to Jacksonville, and was going so fast he passed a state trooper who was already in pursuit of another car
Jay Leno's parents once dropped everything to get to where Jay had parked at school to put a tarp over his truck to prevent the rain from ruining the interior (What cool people!)
A kill switch to stop the car while driving a date home is a cool trick to get some extra cuddle time
Robert Wagner (Hart to Hart actor) had a deuce roadster that he ran on the dry lakes in the late 40's at 109mph
Andy Warhohl never had a first car til age 56
NBC found Johnny Carson's first car, had it restored and gave it to him for a birthday present
Steve McQueen entered motorcycle races under the pseudonym Henry Mushman so no one would know ahead of the race that he'd be in it
Paul Newman's first car was a 29 Ford, followed by a 37 Packard, but just as cool... hopped up a vw bug with a 1800cc Porsche engine for his daily commuter from Connecticut to New York
Dan Ackroyd used to have fun with friends pulling each other behind a car on snowy roads
Eric Bana will be getting the Beast in action again, it's been fixed and is ready for paint
the TV shows "Rides" and "Overhaulin" are both the creation of Bud Brutsman, who left home at age 15, just after his dad had tried to get him involved in a father son car project, a 1969 Mach 1
Boom Boom Mancini is the nephew of musician composer Henry Mancini
Bruce Jenner (76 Olympics decathalon gold medalist) had a 54 Caddy hearse as hid first car, and raced professionally for Roush on the IMSA circuit in the 80s, and had a GTO class win at Sebring in 86
Morgan Freeman ran into the side of a bus with his first car, decided to never drink and drive again, but he did in 2008, big news event http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/05/records-morgan-freeman-settles-car-wreck-lawsuit/?partner=RSS

Here is the list of people that Matt got stories from

The author, Matt Stone, also wrote other auto books of note, McQueen's Machines (still waiting for me to get it reviewed) The Ferrari Phenomenon, and Winning (The racing life of Paul Newman) is interviewed by a local tv station http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/07/27/author-matt-stone-details-the-memories-of-my-first-car/

Or you can stop by his website and learn that he has been in auto journalism since 1990, worked at Motor Trend for a long time, also freelanced a lot (I've seen his name in many of the Source Interlink magazines I think) and was editor of the superb first run of Motor Trend Classic (you really would love to have those!) http://www.mattstonecars.com/bio.html and just started a blog two weeks ago http://mattstonecars.com/blog/

For more first car stories: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/my-first-car

The least anyone ever paid for a Ferrari GTO: £750

2012-01-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

A very famous collector, who has one of the finest noses for sniffing out a deal, hears a whisper that the first James Bond Aston Martin DB5 may be for sale. This is back in the day.

The word is that for the right money, the original James Bond car can be bought directly from the movie studio. So he makes a few calls, he tracks down the production guy, the one who can price and sell, and the guy says: “It’s gonna have to be 15 for the pair.”

“You mean there are two?”

“Hey man, this is showbusiness, there’s always two… at least.”

“But 15 for the pair,” says our man. “I wasn’t counting on spending that much and I don’t really want two – I just want one.”

“Well, that’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

Fifteen thousand pounds – a lot of money now, a load of money then. Our hero hesitates for a moment, but his nose knows better. It tells him to deal, deal now. He buys the cars.

The cash is to be paid on delivery of both vehicles. The day arrives, the trailer pulls up, the cars roll off. The invoice reads: "Fifteen HUNDRED Pounds".

Yes friends, both original Bond cars for £1,500, but it doesn’t end there. Be prepared to run to the hills screaming.

Our man then swaps one of the Bond cars for a GTO. That’s a GTO for £750. That’s the cheapest GTO ever and... he still has it today.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/3398352/Chris-Evans-Why-the-Ferrari-250-GTO-is-the-best-possible-investment.html

Nick Mason, car collector, famous drummer of Pink Floyd, is going racing again, New Zealand's International Vintage Car Rally

2012-01-14T18:31:00.000-08:00

The 67-year-old British rock star and car collector will be at the Manfeild circuit on January 21.

He will drive a rare 1934 Alfa Romeo GT and a Gulf-GT40 Ford in two races that form part of the New Zealand International Vintage Car Rally, which begins in Whanganui on January 17.

Nick Mason has five Le Mans' 24-Hour races under his belt and a genuine GT40 amongst his large personal collection of classic racing cars. I've just overhauled and updated my post about Nick's collection : http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/02/photo-gallery-of-nick-masons-race-car.html

The rally was expected to generate $12 million and attract in excess of 30,000 people - one of the biggest events Whanganui has ever hosted.

Mason is an original member of Pink Floyd, and the only member to feature on every one of their albums

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/6231028/Pink-Floyd-drummer-racing-at-Feilding

David Davis collection of automobilia up for auction at Bonhams

2012-01-14T17:46:00.000-08:00

The collection being offered by Bonhams http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/19680/

includes nearly the entire contents of the whimsically decorated Ypsilanti, Mich., office where Davis spent his final years. Decorated from floor to ceiling with a dazzling array of automotive artwork, posters, scale model cars, bronze sculptures and much more,

Heuer Abercrombie & Fitch rally clock presented to Dave by Car and Driver magazine
an 8 tube 112 year old French horn

Additionally, the contents of Davis’ extensive automotive library will also be offered, including many rare titles and first editions, many inscribed by the authors and various motorsport legends.
The entire collection will be offered without reserve.
The Bonhams Scottsdale Sale will take place Jan. 19, 2012 at the Westin Kierland Resort Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona

Lou is looking for a Ford 6 cylinder engine block, casting code C60A-6334-C

2012-01-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

This is for a 6 cyl, 200 cu in, Ford, 6 bolt (back of the engine) block for a 1964 1/2 Mustang
his phone number 619 559 1960
his email is lou_t_Garcia@Hotmail.com

2012 San Diego and Southern California Car Show Calendar for events I'm most interested in

2012-01-14T15:09:00.001-08:00

Jan 21st
Qualcomm Stadium, 7pm
Monster Truck Jam
http://www.monsterjam.com/Events/2012/01/21/San_Diego,_CA/

January 27 - 29,
Grand National Roadster Show 2012
Pomona Fairplex
http://www.rodshows.com/

March 9-10
Temecula Rod run
http://www.rodruntemecula.com/browse-58579/Rod-Run.html

March 25th
Bugstock 10am to 4pm
OC Marketplace, OC Fair & Events Center, 88 Fair Drive – Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
http://kearth101.radio.com/2011/12/12/k-earth-101s-bugstock-2012/

April 1st
LaJolla Concours De Elegance
http://www.lajollaconcours.com/new/concours

April 13-15
Mopars at the Strip
10th Anniversary
http://www.matslv.com/2007/home.shtml

April 21st and 22nd
Mopar Spring Fling
Van Nuys Woodley park
http://www.cpwclub.com/

The Monster Trucks are coming to Qualcomm! Jan 21st, 7pm

2012-01-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.monsterjam.com/Events/2012/01/21/San_Diego,_CA/

Some deluded stupid SOB thinks this Indian is going to have someone walk up and hand him $20,000 dollars for it in it's neglected and useless condition

2012-01-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=ehajXFG_ZdY is the same photo, with a voice over...

don't be this idiot, if you have some old rusty vehicle, and someone offers you money for it, because they want to get it going and running again, take it. Refuse the scrap metal people, I'm not with the people that just want to make money by destroying, the same goes for the "finders fee" people that are buying to resell at profit... but if someone enthusiastically says they want it, are going to make it work again... and offer money, just take it and let that piece of junk move onto another life of usefullness. Just the amount of money spent on paint and body in your area to pay your neighbor who paints, rebuilds, sells fuel line, tires, etc etc... is a good reason to see a rusty old junker move along at some young foolish kids dream of making it work.

I was a foolish young guy, and blew 24 thou into my 1969 Superbee over 5 years of replacing and improving parts. Drove it cross country 2wice, drag raced it http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-69-super-bee-was-having-good-time-in.html , and went on dates in it... all due to that last guy realizing he needed it to get out of his yard and it needed a new life. It had a dead battery, no matching tires or rims, a Tide clothes detergent bottle for a radiator overflow container, clothes line held the radiator in place, no second gear, no emergency brake, etc etc. But I made it vibrant and alive again. I sold it after 6 years of owning it, 10 years ago... to a guy who gave it a bigger engine, painted it black, and sold it 2 years ago to someone in Clearwater Florida.

If you see a black 69 Superbee near Clearwater, take a photo, get the owners email, and let me know! I've wondered how it turned out, and what it's like now

On the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet, a look at it's roots, it's first dealership, and the town where that dealership has been a part of the community for 94 years

2012-01-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

Episode One: Bridgeville | Welcome to Bridgeville | The Road We're On | Chevy Centennial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WtX-Cp_w2I this is in 1080 res, high def, full screen if you select the settings on the bottom of the video

each video is about 2 minutes long

Thanks to Jeffers High grad Dan at Big Fuel Communications for letting me know about this video, episode one, and the rest of the series that follows you can see by clicking on the episode at the end of each one you've watched

Episode 2: The Colussys
Dating back to 1918, the Colussy family owns and operates the oldest Chevy dealership in the United States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPnOmoijfoI&feature=relmfu

Episode 3: Half Mile of Dirt
24 year old driver Jared Miley carries on the traditions and breaks new ground with his family-run race team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZEg2kNCcds&feature=relmfu

Episode 4: Steel Roots
Lisa Baer, a 4th generation steel contractor, tells the story of taking over a family business and the importance of keeping businesses local
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqAJD04hEvY&feature=relmfu

Episode 5: History of Bridgeville
The story of how Bridgeville, PA came to be what it is today and what it will be tomorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBvaMMUU_kk&feature=relmfu

Episode 6: The Road Ahead
What does the future of mobility hold for a small town in America?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoXAteTr14M&feature=relmfu

Episode 7: Sarasnick's
The story of the Sarasnick's and how they helped build their family-run business helped build their community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T41CVhx1k2Q

Episode 8: Me & My Chevy
A look at local car clubs and profiles of vintage auto enthusiasts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YcdiQwIeTA&feature=related

Foose and Overhaulin transformed a 23 window VW... and it looks great.

2012-01-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

A couple things that Chip and company did, they removed the great big VW from between the headlights (not a good idea) and relocated the turn signals below the headlights (great idea!)

Really great extensive gallery at http://www.oldbug.com/foosebus.htm

the King of Sweden has a car collection, 1966 GT 350 Shelby Mustang, GTO, AC Cobra, and so on

2012-01-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

thanks to Licolncadillac for letting us know! For a short post see http://grandprix63.blogspot.com/2009/05/raggarkung-for-sverige-i-bilen.html

Like many members of the Royal Family, the King has a keen interest in automobiles. He owns several Porsche 911s, a vintage Volvo PV444 a Ferrari 456M GT, a Shelby AC Cobra, 1966 Shelby GT350, and BMW M3 CSL, one of only 1,500.

Everyone pay attention! If you ask me a question, like where a car is, you have to tell me your email address to get an answer! (SCOTT!)

2012-01-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

That league of extraordinary gentlemen prop car http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/07/prop-car-from-chase-scene-in-league-of.html is in Burbank, no, I don't know if it's for sale. If you want specific road info, email me ya mook! jbohjkl@yahoo.com

GT 350 Shelby Mustang barnfind, just 44 thousand original miles, and pulled out 2 years ago, now coming to auction

2012-01-13T22:32:00.000-08:00

I just stumbled across the top two images in Hemmings Muscle Machines, and came home to find a comment on this blog from Kurtis letting me know about it.

All images are originally from Barrett Jackson Auctions though, here's the post they have about it http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=1263.1&aid=443&pop=0

If anyone learns about any other cool barnfinds, let me know and I'll post about it here and share the info! at jbohjkl@yahoo.com

the 1955 Porsche convertible in the Arkansas Ozark woods... just one of dozens of cars found in the Ozark Natl Forrest, a Natl Park for petes sake! Perhaps they had been stolen and dumped?

2012-01-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

Found in in this months (Feb 2012) issue of Auto Enthusiast, a good all around magazine

If you get a thrill out of learning about abandoned cars, like Barn Finds, but up for grabs because they were left in the middle of no where, on public property (the desert, the wide open places between towns in the midwest) you might alos like a book by Will Shiers, it's called Roadside Relics. Which is on Amazon.com starting at 15 bucks used, all the way to a hundred bucks for new hardcover editions http://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Relics-Americas-Abandoned-Automobiles/dp/0760327483

Auto Enthusiast feb 2012 issue has an article about the 1966 "Carryover" Shelby GT 350 Mustangs

2012-01-12T20:24:00.000-08:00

I had never heard of them, but there were 252 66 GT 350s that started life as 1965 Mustangs, and were ordered to prepare for the stoppage of the 1965 production and retoolling time before Ford started building the 1966 Mustangs

So Shelby had to order 250 cars to have on hand for his companies conversions to GT 350s while Ford would be unable to keep up the supply. This way when Ford started selling 1966 Mustangs, Shelby would have 1966 GT350s

2 cars were prototypes (6S001 and 6S023)

For more about the "Carryover" Cobra Mustangs http://www.carryovergt350.com/

Costco is the defendant in a class action lawsuit over selling gas over 60 degrees without a pump that automatically adjusts for hot temperatures

2012-01-12T20:09:00.000-08:00

Fast Lane Rod Shop, and it's single owner - builder Dave lane, are named the Grand National Roadster Show builder of the year

2012-01-12T19:26:00.000-08:00

Astonishing quailty and style has set Dave Lane apart from the other hot rod builders, Dave has been the featured in thirty-six magazines, won sixty-three major national awards, three Goodguys Street Rods of the Year (2003,2008,2011), and the 2010 Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year.

In 1999 Lane received a call from George Poteet asking him to build a 1932 Roadster, and with the support of his family Lane quit his job to follow his passion.

The 32' roadster Lane built for Poteet went on to win the Inaugural Rod and Custom Ego-Rama.
Just three years later, Lane built Poteet another award winning car, this time a 1932 Five Window Coupe, which was named the 2003 Goodguys Street Rod of the Year and won the Ford Design award at SEMA.

In the same year Lane was named the Goodguys Trendsetter of the Year.

info from http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=4q44nadab&v=001S22Ky2nkF8aGRApy-iyQxZmPHiqqWeFwlPVJhPjlM3zB5rsuCSNfZ4qhZZ0qC2kKdnmhCa_GEQFHmq6q5fb7SBKFtCbGQHQMzyyKR-p4zRY%3D

The Mullin Museum, what it looked like from the outside, and a quick look at the inside

2012-01-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

for the complete galleries of my first (not last) tour of the incredible Mullin Museum collection of French cars, and vintage racing cars, near Ventura California, see http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/Mullin%20Museum

Real WW2 American Bomber crew jackets (the art on the back is cool and is the same as the nose art of the airplane) Flikr page I just found

2012-01-11T19:58:00.000-08:00

these are only 4 of about 40 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/18532986@N07/sets/72157626140462192/with/6661619935/

Basic costs of owning a semi / rig / truck (what are they correctly called?) in Michigan

2012-01-11T19:28:00.001-08:00

Registration / license plates = $2000
monthly fuel costs = half the income from operating it

Just in case you were wondering

one small crane... a long time ago!

2012-01-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

found on the HAMB

The smallest Greyhound bus was used at the worlds fair

2012-01-11T06:10:00.001-08:00

found on the HAMB

Inside the Space Age Paint Supply in Phoenix Arizona you will see this Arrow Plane.... cool cars make for great advertising!

2012-01-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

found on the HAMB

999

2012-01-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

1953 William Clay Ford driving the 999 in Dearborn Michigan

Found on the HAMB

Automobile Magazine Editor Jean Jennings (great writer too) is auctioning off a collection of the Ferrari Magazine for the JDRF charity, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

2012-01-10T22:18:00.000-08:00

the entire collection of 2008-2011 is face valued at $1100, and you can view the Ebay auction here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FERRARI-OFFICIAL-MAGAZINE-Complete-14-issue-set-2008-2011-Perfect-some-unopened-/190626161008?pt=Vintage_Sports_Memorabilia&hash=item2c62346170

Update on Jan 12th, auction is up to 2200 dollars

Update Jan 27th, winning bid was 4050 dollars

I learned months late that one of Burt's land speed record Indian bikes was at the NHRA museum, and galleries of photos are up around the internet

2012-01-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

Recorded at the 2011 Grass Valley Airfest

Notice that the nose of the fairing is open, and in the Bonneville photos and film, there is no opening on the fairing of the bike Burt is racing. Some forums point out that Burt had more than one, and it may be that he had one that he kept in America for racing at Bonneville and didn't keep shipping it back to Invercargill

Photos above are from galleries you can see at
http://pwheelie.blogspot.com/index.html#9147611057932981363
and http://www.blackjoe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16618207&sid=3a814b1ada5596f223979a00c1d4c476

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/10/12/new-indian-motorcycle-company-to-sponsor-indian-day-west-event-in-pomona/ for just the poster image

Rat Rod tow truck... full size 1950's Chevy

2012-01-10T06:14:00.001-08:00

found on http://hotrodekustom.blogspot.com/2011/01/tow-truck-c-10-rat-rod.html

Best gas prices in San Diego are averaging $3.52 a gallon

2012-01-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

Worst is that gas station in Pacific Beach with 4.39... http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/01/sunday-january-11th-2009-gas-prices-at.html was my post of how they were overpriced (2.82) when oil was 38 dollars a barrel, and now that oil is 103, they are 4.39

How is it that oil triples in price and gas doesn't even double in price?

Several poeple identified these late 1920's early 1930's cars as Hotchkiss (French manufacturer) Jon found this photo in a family photo album, and wondered what they were

2012-01-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Francis was first to identify them,

Iain learned that the plates were London registered: by this list -
http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/reference-material/uk-registration-letters.aspx
A quick look at the dvla site suggests the numbers are no longer on those cars.

Ivan knew that the car company was French, HOTCHKISS. Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss.

Tire Van knew that the cars are running on Dunlop triplestud tyres!

Jean-Frederic was the most recent of the correct answers, and that is the list of people who knew what they were and emailed me...

The badge in the grill is easy to identify once you've seen it

thank you all!

Monster Truck Jam coming in 2 weeks to San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium, January 21 7:00pm

2012-01-09T19:32:00.001-08:00

http://www.monsterjam.com/Events/2012/01/21/San_Diego,_CA/

the banners I made in 2011

2012-01-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

142 I think I counted, there've been a few huh?!?! Do you have a have a favorite? Is there one that stands out as the best, the one I should stick with primarily?

It's SummerNats in Australia, and Damien (OnFourWheels.blogspot.com) has posted galleries to share the evolution of Holdens, Fords, etc from the 50's to current models

2012-01-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

looks so close to a 55 Chevy, but a little smaller

the above are airbrushed cigars that from a distance, appear as the fender vents

For tons of SummerNats coverage, and all Australian cars! http://onfourwheels.blogspot.com/

Hot Rod Deluxe photographed this mystery car on Bonneville, the tail looks like it was a truck hood, great mod to individualize your hot rod!

2012-01-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

maybe it's from a Crosley?

a variety of interesting pictures

2012-01-07T23:15:00.000-08:00

all from http://hdshovelhead.blogspot.com/

63 split stingray, sometimes it is all about the lighting making an object more beautiful

2012-01-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

found on http://dailyexhaust.com/ from http://motoriginal.tumblr.com/post/14227559523/split-shot-by-telkine

Jason Lane scrap steel sculptures, these are gas tank birds... great ideas are frequently found in spare parts and scrap pieces art sculptures

2012-01-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

I looked on his website, but didn't find anything else this cool, but it's a shame he didn't work out more ideas like this http://www.jasonlane.org.uk/

Harley Davidson engines 1911-2007 infographic

2012-01-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

found on http://hdshovelhead.blogspot.com/

Andy Gregg's bike furniture

2012-01-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

http://hdshovelhead.blogspot.com/ had all but the first photo, that and more are at http://www.bikefurniture.com/

Interesting new brake light idea... why not?

2012-01-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

found on http://hdshovelhead.blogspot.com/

a new pinstripe thing, records.. and they look cool

2012-01-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

anyone know anything about this "Artists against Humger, SD 3rd annual"?

images found on http://hdshovelhead.blogspot.com/