Thursday, January 03, 2013
the 70 T Bird is a car I don't think I have seen before, and when I saw this one, I had no idea it was even a Ford. Looks like a Gran Prix. For a good reason, same designer
Low miles and a 428 if I recall correctly. Cool fade from dark brown to gold. The rootbeer like color is why it has an A&W bear on the shifter console
in the front fascia you can see the large prominent projection resembling a bird or eagle's beak that was in line with long angular lines in the hood. Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, the former GM man now President of Ford, is said to be responsible for this dramatic change. Wikipedia
According to Wagner, Ford's grand plan for the 1970 Ford Thunderbird included an all-new Fairlane/Torino with a self-supporting body and compliant frame similar to the full-size Ford's. Dearborn appears to have also considered a new Thunderbird based on this mid-size platform. That idea certainly would have appealed to Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudsen, whom Henry Ford II hired as Ford Motor Company CEO in early 1968.
Having served as general manager of Pontiac and then Chevrolet, Bunkie was easily lured away from General Motors when he felt his career there had stalled. At Ford, he questioned the contradiction that the Thunderbird had become: a large but sporty prestige car offered through the company's mass-market division.
He knew that Pontiac was moving the slow-selling Grand Prix to a mid-size platform for 1969, and thought the Thunderbird might benefit from a similar change. Although no designer himself, he kibitzed liberally in the studios, pushing for his trademark "bold nose" front ends (the designers called them "Bunkie Beaks") and massive rear quarters.
He twisted engineering arms to allow stationary sheet metal ahead of the engine hood -- an idea favored at General Motors for design flexibility but previously banned by Ford engineers, who saw only extra seams to go awry during assembly.
He clashed bitterly with Lee Iacocca, who no doubt believed that he deserved Knudsen's job. After one particularly acerbic conflict in September 1969, Henry Ford II dispatched Knudsen to the unemployment line. But by then, Bunkie had left his mark on the Thunderbird.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1971-ford-thunderbird5.htm
How the Ford area was made at the 2011 SEMA (very cool for anyone who saw the cargo containers with the irreplaceable race cars on top)
found on http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/?r=macstd
Mac's proudly (and rightly so) lets you know that Ford trusts Mac's tie downs to secure it's irreplaceable cars, so does Jay Leno, and Hotchkis
here's a video that shows why, with a pull test between some other manufacturers strap, and the same size and cost Mac's
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
need something better than a 50 foot extension cord laying on the garage floor to plug into, Why not a retractable one? Even better, if you work with pnematic tools, and are fed up with lugging the air hose around? Check this new gadget out, the Roboreel
they also make an extension cord retactable gizmo very identical to the air hose one. If you prefer to just reach up and grab the ext cord, air hose, etc etc than walk around the garage, you've wasted a lot of time in search of the cord just like I have.
and a water house housing too
http://roboreel.com/ for more info and demo videos
when the captions are spread out to signify the 3 guys in the car yelling... I find that funny
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
if you are the type that helps students out, and loves car restoration projects, I've got the right people you ought to know about. McPherson College students
Just you so understand that the McPherson College students and programs are of the highest quality, and not wasting time or money raised in the annual January equipment and tools benefit fundraiser. http://theoldmotor.com/?page_id=64551&preview=true/ has the list of tools and equipment they need to acquire or replace (if only modern equipment lasted as long as the cars they restore!)
Any amount towards any needed item, no matter how small will be more than welcome. You can also buy any particular tool or piece of equipment and contribute the full amount for it also if you would prefer. All contributions will go 100% directly to the program http://www.mcpherson.edu/giving/
Paul Russell and Company, the automotive restoration and preservation specialists brought the double award winning Mercedes back east November 3rd to an eager crowd of enthusiasts, http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121106/carnews01/121109886 raising funds for McPherson College’s Automotive Restoration Program, the country’s only four-year Bachelor of Arts program devoted to the craft. The event hosted over 200 avid auto enthusiasts, sponsors, and supporters who were treated to a first-hand explanation of the custom coach builder’s art from the restoration team, several of whom are McPherson College Graduates.
"McPherson sets the standard and their graduates can be found at some of the world’s leading restoration shops and winning prestigious awards at events around the country.” McKeel Hagerty, President and CEO said.
the Paul Russell and Company site http://paulrussell.com/portfolio-retrospective/D-mercedes-benz/28_680s/ about the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S, its history and its restoration.
A far better and more thorough gallery here http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2863/Mercedes-Benz-680-S-Saoutchik-Torpedo-Roadster.html
Getting back to the students and tools, http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-fall-2012.pdf is a cool newsletter that is focused on the restoration program, and the students activities like the Great Race entrants. The college is entering a '57 Fairlane in the 2013 Great Race.
Amanda Gutierrez, vice president for automotive restoration, said the race would give students great experience as well as an opportunity to show their skills and talent. At the same time, people across the nation who might never have heard of McPherson College before will see what the program has to offer.
In the 2012 Great Race a model A was enjoyed by 365daysofA.com blogger and college alumni Jonathan http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-summer-2012.pdf , plus a '62 IH truck was enjoyed by restorer program alumni Kacy and Tabetha who now work for Hagerty Ins http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/career.php http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/two-for-the-road-in-a-62-travelette/
For previous newsletters filled with incredible stories (terminal cancer dyno shop owner donates drag racing duster to Leno's collection, and a scholarship for his hometown's MacPherson College students, plus the students car show travelling to retirement/nursing homes for those seasoned citizens that can't make it to the car shows) read http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-fall-2011.pdf
Those funds will accumulate and allow the automotive restoration department to purchase needed tools and equipment in order of priority – such as louver dies for a bead roller, a complete work station set, a tire machine for the motorcycle lab or an Iwata paint gun
read about the above Model T assembly on page 5 of http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-summer-2012.pdf
and if you prefer real time updates and inside info, like the Lyn St James ( http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2012/09/lyn-st-james-icon-race-car-driver-and-i.html ) symposium, check their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MCautorestoration
Don't misunderstand about the fundraiser, the alumni of the program have been incredible in their donations too! A deep shrinker stretcher was given to the program at the 10year class reunion of the '02 class. Way cool!
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