Wednesday, March 04, 2009
IROC Z28 with only 4.3 miles found in a shipping container
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/ebay-find-of-the-day-85-camaro-iroc-z28-with-four-miles-mulle/
It was never dealer prepped for sale, so it's factory fresh on the inside, really dusty on the outside.
It was sent from GM to Albrizio Chevrolet, Palisades Park New Jersey where it then sat in the trailer. It was then sold for $30,000 to a middleman who was working for a collector, who owned a Ford Dealership, who cleaned it up and got it running and tried to sell it on Ebay within the year, it didn't sell. He was then stuck with a car that a lot of people liked, but no one wanted to store after blowing over $30,000 dollars. Imagine buying something you can't use, and keep the value of. If you use it, it depreciates, and though you get to enjoy it, you can't ever think of it as an investment.. and if you just want a great example to enjoy, you never would pay half this much for.
Full Camaro enthusiast thread about it at http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/522597-4-3-mile-iroc-9.html
It finally disappeared off the public awareness in 2011 when it sold at Mecum's spring auction
the car went through a collector in Indiana, and he wrote into a Camaro forum and said:
Guess what, we got it running today!! It runs perfect!! Our top technician who is extremely intelligent worked on it today. He first checked the cylinders inside with a scope to make sure there was no rust before cranking the engine over. He also put a little oil down the cylinders and cranked the engine over with the coil wires off to work the oil to the rings, and also pump oil to the top of the engine before starting it up. Once that was done, he put some gas into the carb, and cranked it over a few times and it started!. It ran very well for the few seconds of fuel it had in the carb. After several attempts to get the carb pumping fuel, and working properly, the tech decided that the fuel inside the carb was “gummed” up, and needed cleaned. We all thought that, but we had to try. So, he took the carb off, cleaned the jets, and put it back on. He did not alter any adjustments in any way, just cleaned it up, and that’s it. After that, he hooked up a small gas tank to the fuel pump and the car started and idled perfect!!
I have some video I took of the process I will post on your forum when I have a minute. It’s not very long as my battery went dead in my video camera, but It is all charged and ready to go now. Oh, and buy the way, I will be glad to join your forum and keep everyone updated on the process. One more thing, we did change the oil before we started the car, but left the original oil filter on. I can’t believe how great this car runs after sitting that many years. I was worried when we got the car that all the rubber seals around the t-tops, windows, and doors would be all cracked and dry rotted, but there not! They are in great shape! They could use a bath, and some armor all, or silicone to moisten the rubber a bit. The underside of the car is like new also. It has the normal small amount of rust that every new car has underneath when they come off the carrier like some of the unpainted steel and or cast iron parts. Other then that the underbody is in awesome shape. I remember the video that was on youtube, the guy said that the rear floor mats were missing, or did not come with them. Well, I found the rear floor mats today. The only issue with the floor mats is the rubber backing that gm used back then has decayed and has turned into a tar like substance. If you touch it your hands turn very sticky and black.
Thank you for offering to help with the parts, I really appreciate that Scott. Based on your suggestion, I think I am going to purchase those two “New” oem wheels that are in NY, then I will just have to come up with two more and we will be set. It will be expensive, but like you said, it will be worth more that way being all original. I will also call and order a copy of the invoice so I can get the key codes. Kind of sucks, can’t even open the rear hatch without having a key. This car does not have the optional power hatch release located in between the power windows switches.
Photo Bucket: http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh248/geforce10/Tank%20reinstalled/?albumview=slideshowIt was never dealer prepped for sale, so it's factory fresh on the inside, really dusty on the outside.
It was sent from GM to Albrizio Chevrolet, Palisades Park New Jersey where it then sat in the trailer. It was then sold for $30,000 to a middleman who was working for a collector, who owned a Ford Dealership, who cleaned it up and got it running and tried to sell it on Ebay within the year, it didn't sell. He was then stuck with a car that a lot of people liked, but no one wanted to store after blowing over $30,000 dollars. Imagine buying something you can't use, and keep the value of. If you use it, it depreciates, and though you get to enjoy it, you can't ever think of it as an investment.. and if you just want a great example to enjoy, you never would pay half this much for.
Full Camaro enthusiast thread about it at http://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/522597-4-3-mile-iroc-9.html
It finally disappeared off the public awareness in 2011 when it sold at Mecum's spring auction
the car went through a collector in Indiana, and he wrote into a Camaro forum and said:
Guess what, we got it running today!! It runs perfect!! Our top technician who is extremely intelligent worked on it today. He first checked the cylinders inside with a scope to make sure there was no rust before cranking the engine over. He also put a little oil down the cylinders and cranked the engine over with the coil wires off to work the oil to the rings, and also pump oil to the top of the engine before starting it up. Once that was done, he put some gas into the carb, and cranked it over a few times and it started!. It ran very well for the few seconds of fuel it had in the carb. After several attempts to get the carb pumping fuel, and working properly, the tech decided that the fuel inside the carb was “gummed” up, and needed cleaned. We all thought that, but we had to try. So, he took the carb off, cleaned the jets, and put it back on. He did not alter any adjustments in any way, just cleaned it up, and that’s it. After that, he hooked up a small gas tank to the fuel pump and the car started and idled perfect!!
I have some video I took of the process I will post on your forum when I have a minute. It’s not very long as my battery went dead in my video camera, but It is all charged and ready to go now. Oh, and buy the way, I will be glad to join your forum and keep everyone updated on the process. One more thing, we did change the oil before we started the car, but left the original oil filter on. I can’t believe how great this car runs after sitting that many years. I was worried when we got the car that all the rubber seals around the t-tops, windows, and doors would be all cracked and dry rotted, but there not! They are in great shape! They could use a bath, and some armor all, or silicone to moisten the rubber a bit. The underside of the car is like new also. It has the normal small amount of rust that every new car has underneath when they come off the carrier like some of the unpainted steel and or cast iron parts. Other then that the underbody is in awesome shape. I remember the video that was on youtube, the guy said that the rear floor mats were missing, or did not come with them. Well, I found the rear floor mats today. The only issue with the floor mats is the rubber backing that gm used back then has decayed and has turned into a tar like substance. If you touch it your hands turn very sticky and black.
Thank you for offering to help with the parts, I really appreciate that Scott. Based on your suggestion, I think I am going to purchase those two “New” oem wheels that are in NY, then I will just have to come up with two more and we will be set. It will be expensive, but like you said, it will be worth more that way being all original. I will also call and order a copy of the invoice so I can get the key codes. Kind of sucks, can’t even open the rear hatch without having a key. This car does not have the optional power hatch release located in between the power windows switches.
and then he flipped it to profit and it's now in Franklin Tennessee https://youtu.be/sy8lSv35iEQ
1972 Cadillac Station Wagon, 1 of 2 Made, 1 for Elvis, one for Dean Martin
Elvis's Cadillac station wagon (VIN 6D49R2Q163176) is cream with a black vinyl top, leather interior and has a small gold plaque on the passenger side door engraved with "TCB." It was auctioned by Guernseys on October 7th-8th 1999 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas for $34,500. It has four regular doors and the fifth door on the back opens two different ways.
The car actually started its life as a 1972 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan that was shipped from the factory in Detroit to the American Sunroof Company where it was converted in to an Estate Wagon.
http://elviscadillacs.tripod.com/ and http://www.classyauto.com/v/Cadillac+Custom/Elvis+Presley+ Via: http://stipistop.com/
Elvis Cadillacs
Bought for $10,000 on June 12, 1956, originally white with a black interior, Elvis squashed a handful of grapes on the fender and told the customiser, Jimmy Sanders of Memphis that was the colour he wanted. The upholstery was changed to white roll and pleated leather, and the floor covered in mouton fur dyed purple.It is believed Elvis always had problems with this car, which is probably why he traded it in on December 23rd 1957. The car was then purchased by a fan of Elvis's, Mrs Lena Moskovitz of Memphis for $4893. This lady later married and moved with to Phenix City, Alabama.
She had a food store on 431 South and the Caddy sat there under a carport for many years. During this time many people (presumably aware of it's original owner) tried to buy the car, but she would not sell it. She passed away in 1974 and her husband moved away. The car was abandoned in an open field where it weathered badly.
On July 31st 1976 the car was sold at auction to used car dealer James N. Cantrell of Columbus, Georgia for $975!
On July 31st 1976 the car was sold at auction to used car dealer James N. Cantrell of Columbus, Georgia for $975!
This made news across the USA and the next day the new owner was offered $10,000 for it, but turned it down. Instead he started a slow, ground up $28,000 restoration, hoping to show it to Elvis when it was finished. Unfortunately Elvis passed away before he had a chance.
The car's first showing was in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis's birthplace. It then went on a tours and TV shows.
The car's first showing was in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis's birthplace. It then went on a tours and TV shows.
After touring for a couple of years, it was leased to the Guinness Book of Records Museum in Niagara Falls, Canada for about ten years. Many large offers have been made to purchase this car, however about ten years ago it was decided the car should remain at Graceland indefinitely, where it is now proudly displayed in the auto museum.
Diedelson Customs
Via: http://stipistop.com/ for a gallery of these COE trucks: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diedelsonkustoms/sets/72157607715426176/Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Ferraris and Lamborghinis at Bobileff
1971 Lamborghini Miura SV/ J "Jota" http://www.bobileff.com/ferrari_frame.html
No-one knows where the name Jota came from. In the 1982 book, Miura, co-authors Coltrin and Marchet suggest that it’s because the car was built to Appendix J of the FIA regulations. Others have claimed that it’s named after a Spanish dance; yet others say that it has something to do with atomic fission... the Italian language has no letter ‘J’. 
http://www.russoandsteele.com/collector_car/1971_lamborghini_miura_sv_jota__/39-1029.html
There is only one vehicle purpose built by the Lamborghini works as a prototype car with the Jota modification that has factory validation as purpose-built. Serial Number 4892 is that car on display here, built on the 13th of July, 1971 and sold to a Japanese enthusiast via Tomita who imported it into that country originally. 
He received a written declaration as to the car's authenticity from Ubaldo Sgarzi in August of 1974 when he himself returned to the factory for a new LP400 Countach. Additional documentation from Claudio Zampolli and the original Jota's creator Bob Wallace, also convey to further document this car's authenticity. Originally finished in white with blue, it was refinished in 1973 to its current Rosso Granada livery with 'Naturale' tan leather interior to match the aforementioned Countach. Fully detailed in the Lamborghini registry and currently nearing full restoration completion by marque specialist Gary Bobileff, this will indeed present the ultimate opportunity to garner the most coveted example from the Miura's lineage.
2008 Newport Beach Concours D'Elegance entrant 
http://www.bobileff.com/ Gary Bobileff, owner, began the business in 1979, and has since cemented his reputation for Expertise of knowledge of Ferrari and Lamborghini models, to the extent of attaining CHP and State of California expert witness status, and of course... the obvious restoration work of that Jota you've seen above. See http://www.bobileff.com/consulting.htm for more about the business. 6730 Topgun Street (East off the 805 on Mira Mesa Blvd for 6 or 7 stop lights ) San Diego
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