The Ford 1976 factory-equipped Bicentennial Option

https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1976-ford-f250?utm_medium=email&utm_source=auctions_newsletter&utm_campaign=2019-08-19

Ever hear of Rexzine? It's the curious material that Bentley once used around their car bodies. Mysteriously, no one knows exactly what it was.

See how whatever isn't fenders and hood is a material that looks like leather?

Early Bentley’s came with a fabric body called Rexine. When world-renowned collector Peter Livanos found his 1929 open tourer with body by Vanden Plas, the car was in sorry shape. To make matters worse, no one knew the recipe for Rexine—it had been lost for decades after fabric bodies fell out of favor—so restorers turned to other fabrics as replacements.

But, says Graham Moss, a Bentley restorer spent years tracking down the right mix to produce Rexine. And just as he honed in, his friend and Bentley historian learned of an existing, long unused Rexine machine in an abandoned English factory in the process of being demolished.

Long story short, Hartley’s Bentley was the first to receive a brand new, period correct body.

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/arts_culture_blog/the-cars-the-shows-and-the-dreary-economic-warning-a/article_fab3be28-c37f-11e9-8486-2b35d92b0f62.html

https://www.lbsbind.com/documents/cms/docs/FabricOctane.pdf

check out this 1940s racing Vittoria Margherita! chain tensioner, derailer, and whatever these are. I posted stills, but see the video past the link

This system has rod-controlled arms on the chainstay which are moving the chain when the rider backpedals. It is simple and easy and certainly much better then the alternative of getting off the bike then removing, flipping and replacing the rear wheel. The system is reliable and the tension wheel leaves just enough ground clearance, an important consideration in an era of bad roads. Unlike more fragile gear changing systems which were on the market in the 1930s and 1940s, the Vittoria still worked when clogged with the clay of the road.

http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Vittoria_derailleurs.html
https://www.facebook.com/diaspedalando/videos/314100809298868
https://www.steel-vintage.com/taurea-vittoria-margherita-1940s-road-bike-detail
http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Cambio_Vittoria_Margherita_-_leaflet_scan_3.html

TIL that the State Farm Ins Co agents in Wisconsin had a dozen pacers outfitted with special bicentennial decals, and most likely this is the only one existing, and it's unrestored

Agent Dick Soens, Kenosha, Wis., proposed a unique way to mark this momentous occasion to a group of fellow Wisconsin agents.

“We contacted AMC” says Agent Joe Werwie, Kenosha. “We asked if we could spark enough interest to purchase a special order vehicle, could they create an exterior design for the car that would represent both the Bicentennial, and State Farm.”

Eleven agents and the group’s district manager, John Reindl, placed their orders for the car of choice, a 1976 AMC Pacer. The red, white and blue car would sport a Bicentennial emblem motif on the hood, and each agent’s name and State Farm logo on the side.

Joe drove the plucky Pacer up until 2005. “It was fun when all of us would drive our cars to district meetings,” he adds. “We would draw a lot of attention.”

 It's now featurered in the Kenosha History Center exhibit featuring red, white and blue cars.

https://newsroom.statefarm.com/celebrating-pacer-style/
http://www.kenoshahistorycenter.org/center.html
https://www.facebook.com/103339656424801/posts/when-the-us-celebrated-its-bicentennial-in-1976-several-wisconsin-agents-worked-/2282149515210460/
https://www.kenoshanews.com/get_out/kenosha-history-center-hosting-simmons-summer-kick-off-block-party/article_1e57a049-6a7a-5b87-b5e6-007784f7c0a8.html

How is it this is the first time I'm ever seeing the La Femme purse?

The 1955 Dodge La Femme (Custom Royal Lancer twin) had a custom purse, rain coat, rain bonnet and umbrella that fit in special holders on the back of the front seats

https://forums.hagerty.com/t/question-of-the-week-what-s-the-weirdest-automotive-feature-you-ve-ever-seen/23112/49

if you ever think you're going to want to win a 100 point restoration on Mopar muscle car, you're going to want to buy an original NOS/NIB factory oil filter

https://ontime.mecum.com/auction/8/item/mopar-oil-filter-line-in-original-box-1892/

Currently only bid up to 15 dollars. I have only ever seen and posted one other, these are mighty damn rare

There are 2 in this auction, and though I don't know what engine they go to, I expect one is for big blocks, and one for small blocks.

Part # L-72 1851 658
Part # L-130 # 2536 186

Are the factory Mopar parts numbers for what that's worth... trivia at best I suppose

seeing a 1981 Z28 Convertible is a bit of a new experience

these cars were sold directly off the showroom floors of various Chevrolet dealerships as new cars make them as close to a factory Z28 Convertible as it was possible to get in 1981, even though the actual conversion work was completed by National Coach Engineering (NCE) of Port Sanilac, Michigan

NCE then installed reinforcing and bracing under the car, cut off the roof, welded in some fabricated panels and pieces, and fitted a custom-made sailcloth soft-top. The Camaro Z28 wasn’t the only beneficiary of this creativity, as NCE also performed similar work on the Pontiac Trans Am during the same period. These conversions were all performed on these models between 1979 and 1981, at which point NCE went bankrupt, and the factory closed.

https://barnfinds.com/rare-convertible-1981-chevrolet-camaro-z28-convertible

Factory Experimental Falcon, only in Canada, known as code 992, known as the K Code package in the USA

No American-built Falcons were built with the 271hp 289 Hi-Po engine, Top Loader four-speed gearbox, and Traction Lok–equipped 9-inch rear axle, and the K-code packagewas never officially available with it north of the border.

As with other factory high-performance packages of the day, the intent was to make the car legal in NHRA Stock Eliminator racing. Problem was, only seven of the cars were built by Ford at the Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant.

NHRA demanded at least 50 to qualify for a Stock Eliminator class. As a result, they were relegated to the Factory Experimental (FX) class.

And now you know what a legit Factory Experimental Falcon looks like... and Ford only gave them the worst warranty I've heard of lately 90 days/4,000 miles.

The neighborhood kid who admired it every day on the way to school followed its dragstrip exploits,
watched it drive around his hometown, and saw a succession of his friends trade ownership. Although the car stayed local for a while, it eventually moved away. But not too far, and he recognized it immediately when it popped up in a local trader publication in 2003.

He has accumulated copious documentation on the car, including photos and a letter from NHRA indicating the low production excluded the car from Stock Eliminator classes, and, curiously, a copy of the original dealer invoice, which was shown in the Jan. 2002 issue of Muscle Car Review Magazine. It was part of a story on another of the seven don’t-call-it-a-K-Code Hi-Po Falcons.

After the restoration was complete, Teacher’s Pet was displayed at the 2008 Speed-O-Rama in Toronto, as well as the Toronto Performance World Car Show, where Brouwer reunited it with Thompson for the first time in decades.

“It was a great moment,” he says. “And after the show, I took the car over to Graeme’s house. He still lived in the same one I walked by more than 40 years earlier. He and his son took the car out for a few blasts down the street. It was just like 1967 again.”

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ultrarare-canadian-1965-ford-falcon-hi-po/

Ever hear about the limited edition (90 made) Bill Mitchell Special Vehcile Developments Hugger Camaro Z28 built to commemorate the 24-Hours of Daytona.?

Jut sold for 27.5k at Barrett Jackson Palm Beach

 These cars were designed with the help of Bill Mitchell, of GM Special Vehicle Development. These special Z/28s were built to commemorate the 24-Hours of Daytona.

They came with Hugger Orange paint, special wheels and tires, improved gearing, special handling packages, KONI shocks, front spoilers, special steering wheel and appearance enhancements.

The 350ci engine remains in stock condition, with the addition of ceramic-coated Patriot headers. A B&M standard lock-out shifter operates the original GM TH350 automatic transmission. New KONI Classic shocks replaced the older units. A bronze anodized MOMO steering wheel replaces the black Hugger GM wheel.

The original Hugger fascia fog lights were replaced with new Hella amber lights. The interior was improved to like-new stock condition with the addition of a RetroSound Bluetooth stereo/phone system.

It has been kept in a climate-controlled collection and has 30,070 original miles (the title reads mileage exempt).

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1980-CHEVROLET-CAMARO-HUGGER-Z/28--230074

1926 Trojan Tourer saved from being seized by the Nazis 74 years ago on the island of Guernsey after it was hidden in a shed by a wealthy widow is to go on display for the first time. (thanks Gary!)

A 1926 Trojan Tourer saved from being seized by the Nazis on the Channel Islands, by being hidden in a shed by a wealthy widow is to go on display for the first time.

The Germans arrived in July 1940, banned all cars for private use, and seized all motor vehicles belonging to island residents by September, and moved them to France.

The Nazis had car registry records so when they came to Les Nicolles to look for Mrs. Gacon’s car and arrived at her property to try and requisition it - but after searching, they were unable to locate it, and  left

Richard Heaume, the curator of the German Occupation Museum, said: “Mrs. Gacon, recently widowed in 1938, was 49 at the time, and couldn't bear to lose her the vehicle and had it hidden away on her land in Les Nicolles because she had no intention of giving her car up to the Germans

The vehicle, which no longer runs, is now on display at the island’s German Occupation Museum.

Mechanics hope to have the engine running again ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Nazi’s leaving the island on May 9 next year.

Mr. Heaume added: “The hope is to be able to get the Trojan running again in time for next year’s 75th Liberation Day celebrations and, mechanically, that shouldn’t be too difficult, the engine only has seven moving parts.”

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/car-hidden-from-nazis-in-shed-in-1940-rolled-out-for-museum-exhibit

trivia... so skip this if you're more in the mood for eye candy than brain candy

The pinnacle of the third generation Thunderbird was the Sports Roadster package introduced in 1962 and only offered through the 1963 model year. The Sports Roadster was accented by special badging, a color matched passenger dash grab handle, and Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels with “knock off” style hubcaps. However the pinnacle difference was the removable tonneau cover that sealed off the back seat and would not limit the use of the power convertible top when in place. This striking addition transformed the four seat arrangement into a sporty two seater that called back to the first generation of T-birds introduced in 1955.

While the new Thunderbird and Thunderbird Sports Roadster were up to par on style, Ford was still looking to dial in more performance. 1962 saw the introduction of the M-code. Displaying the engine code M in the chassis number, the M-code cars utilized three two barrel carburetors. This “tri-power” setup was completed with a special intake manifold feeding Ford 406 heads on top of the Thunderbird 390 V8 block, resulting in an incredible 340hp. Desired by many, purchased by few the M-code was phased out in the middle of the 1963 model year. While Ford produced 1,427 Sports Roadsters for 1962, only 120 were true M-code Sports Roadsters, making the M-code Sports Roadsters the most coveted of all third generation Thunderbirds.

https://www.schmitt.com/inventory/1962-ford-thunderbird-m-code-sports-roadster/

are floor mats, even originals like this one, so hard to reproduce that no one has yet made any for restoration cars?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/996045710517424/permalink/1949953278459991/?sale_post_id=1949953278459991

I took a quick look around Google search results, and yeah, seems no one is repopping these simple floor mats. Damn

Looks like a business opportunity! 

Reported by to be only 1 of 17 Dodge Power Wagon school buses known to exist

https://barnfinds.com/1948-dodge-power-wagon-school-bus/

"Blue You've Never Seen" was a real paint name, for the AMC Rebel Raider. I know, I've never heard of it either

AMC Rebel Raider was another regional special edition model that had followed in above mentioned Wagon’s trio. There were only 300 Rebel Raiders built for the New York – New Jersey area. Apart from having the V8 mill, all Raiders also came with “Big Bad” paint jobs. These special new AMC colors included Electric Green, Tangerine, and Blue You’ve Never Seen.

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2016/11/AMC-s-Northeast-Rebellion---1969-AMC-Rebel-Raider/3750255.html#PhotoSwipe1546878177633

http://www.planethoustonamx.com/stuff/badger-javelin.htm

Probably the most expensive collectible mainstream 8 track of all time, only 5 are known to exist

Based on the success of the preceding collaboration between the great Brazilian composer Tom Jobim, (the international airport in his native Rio de Janeiro is named after him), and Sinatra, which stayed on the Billboard chart for 28 weeks, peaking at #19 in April ’67, this follow up was made.

The cover art was a shot of Frank leaning on the back of a Greyhound bus, taken from the same mid-February '69 photo session which produced the artwork for the albums My Way and A Man Alone.

The LP reached the acetate stage and a limited number of 8-track tape editions were quickly fixed up and released to market. This recording was never commercially released in any other format.

A call to the office from Sinatra himself and a three-word message to the person on the Reprise end of the line: “Kill the album.”

Sinatra didn’t like the cover, and especially didn’t like how he sounds on some of the songs—too strained, too detached, not in charge of the moment. All the arguments in defense of the album are rebuffed by Sinatra—he even (rightly) complained that the time constraints on the 8-track version  force the editing of the song “Wave,” which ends side one, into two parts where the tape runs out, with the second part beginning when the tape reverses.

A recall was issued by Warner in the form of a memo ordering the destruction of all 3,500 of the 8-track cassettes that had been manufactured for release. Warner sent this memo to all retailers and distributors of the unsold copies, and even the sold ones!

 There are fewer than FIVE copies of the 8-track release known to still exist, and an auction way back in 2006 achieved a record sum of $4550 for one surviving copy.

Acetates or test pressings for the proposed LP are reportedly so scarce that the owner of one such rarity told Goldmine Magazine in a 1991 article that he wouldn't part with his for less than $5,000 even then.

Sinatra's album sales had slumped and his commercial dynasty was slipping, eventually leading to his retirement in 1971. In short, the ten songs that made up this ill-fated second Sinatra-Jobim effort never actually saw release. The recordings were shelved. The project aborted.

 Seven tracks from this aborted session eventually made their way onto side one of the Sinatra and Company album in 1971. Three of the Jobim songs which Frank was reportedly unhappy with, "Off Key“, "Song Of The Sabia“, and "Bonita“, remained unreleased.

https://www.discogs.com/Frank-Sinatra-With-Antonio-Carlos-Jobim-Sinatra-Jobim/master/1248696?fbclid=IwAR07NdnhfPlF9_wylpCsUMeLSznsjP6E_aHRRPd-59AMJEJ_B0u01uXUp4s

"they went for the tape-measure blasts in Jobim’s portfolio, starting off the album with a prodigious shot in the form of “The Girl from Ipanema,” the song that put Jobim on the map in the U.S. in 1963, when his collaboration with João Gilberto (and Gilberto’s wife, Astrud, whose breathy, coquettish reading of the lyrics ranks with the ultimate moments in recorded vocal seduction) set off a bossa nova craze in these parts.

 Just as Astrud sang from a specifically female point of view, with no small hint of irony and relish in describing the unattainable Girl’s allure and distracting effect on the male populace, so does Sinatra become the man inexorably drawn to the Girl, all the while recognizing the futility of his pursuit. 

Jobim replicates his vocal on the original, and his acoustic guitar punctuations evoke wonderful memories of the 1963 classic, but Sinatra takes it somewhere else as he expresses the growing frustration of being ignored. 

You can hear that frustration simmering when he breaks up the rhythm into a staccato “Tall. Tan. Young. Lovely.” litany as the song winds down, and lifts his voice hopefully on the word “smile” in “when she passes I smile…” before returning to a somber, “…but she doesn’t see”—then repeats variations on the phrase as Jobim shadows him, singing in Portuguese, until Sinatra gets to the heart of the matter, improvising, “She doesn’t see me,” to put the final hurt on the lament.

 True to his style, Sinatra is approaching this timeless tune, definitively done in its original version, with the intent of putting his stamp on it by making it personal, not by trying to conjure the spirit of Astrud, or competing with her, or attempting to one-up her. It’s a measure of the respect he has for her interpretation that he takes his to a place no one else had ventured, and makes it work—so much so that if there is a choice between cueing up the Getz/Gilberto version or the Sinatra/Jobim version, it would be a difficult call, as both stand apart as simply great performances, perfect in all dimensions."

http://www.thebluegrassspecial.com/archive/2010/june10/frank-sinatra-antonio-carlos-jobim-reprise.php
http://toddsturntable.blogspot.com/2018/04/lp-artwork-sinatra-jobim-frank-sinatra.html

Just bought off Craiglist in Topeka, from the original owner, a real Twister Special Ranchero GTs with a 429CJ and Drag Pack

of the 201 1970 Ranchero GTs made with the 429CJ, 60 were Drag Pack, and only 2 were Twister Specials

the original owner parked it in 1977, and sold the engine in 1979. The car sat around his place for nearly 40 years until he decided to sell it. That's sort of unusual.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/rare-1970-ford-ranchero-gt-twister-special/

and it was at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
https://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/2018-muscle-car-and-corvette-nationals/

the rare “liquid tire chain” option in the trunk. “Only 200 or so Camaros got that option,” he says, “and maybe only two COPOS had it.”

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/solid-lifter-showroom-place-2018-carlisle-chevrolet-nationals/