A blessed and healthy one to us all.
I hope everyone’s Christmas and Hanukkah were wonderful. I hope you had peace, joy, and goodwill in your celebrations.
Let’s all try to carry the good things of the holidays throughout the entire year and spread them to others.
I received some e-mails asking what happened to the December Newsletter. In all honesty, it was a hard decision to make, and I didn’t take it lightly, but a person who was one of the closest people to me in my entire life passed away suddenly.
It was and still is a very, very hard time. I apologize for not creating the Newsletter, but everything was put on hold for the entire month. However, we are back again to start the new year.
I hope that this January 2005 edition finds all of you well and eager to resume our automotive activities as soon as possible.
Since our winter is just starting, we will probably have to be content with other automotive related sidelines until the spring thaw and the roads are clean once again.
In two weeks the Barrett-Jackson “Over-inflated prices” Auction takes place. We can watch it on Speed Channel, and during four televised evenings of “semi-madness” we can live out some fantasies about gleaming machines we would love to own.
As most of you know, the Barrett-Jackson “Ego-driven” Auction is not a good method of gauging true prices on our cars. It is however a pretty fair barometer of the current interest level in the collector car hobby.
For good or for bad, they have set new standards in classic automotive auctions and parlayance. And of course, entertainment!
Which one of us would not want to be one of those “money-is-no-object, I’ll-pay-whatever-it-takes” Cowboys and just for once be able to buy that dream car and not consider how it will affect us financially! (Or if we paid way too much!)
In addition to televised events, many of us will spend the cold winter months working on our rides. Some require repairs and rebuilds, others need paint and detailing, while still more can use some upgrading or modification of sorts. In either of these situations, I hope you have a mate who understands your passion and doesn’t give you any grief about it. I am blessed with one of those. My wife actually likes the cars and enjoys the events we go to. (She can’t however spend all day at it like I can).I consider myself fortunate.
But for those of you whose mate or even family and friends might look at you sideways about your automotive passion and money you might spend, remember to counter with this bit of wisdom:
While they indulge themselves in flights of fancy regarding expensive vacations, dinners out on the town, clothes shopping, or even a brand new car, those transient pursuits result in either money spent and gone, or a dwindling value and heavily depreciating vehicle.
In the end, they have nothing to show for it!
Conversely, our classics only go up in value! And the money and time we spend now will greatly appreciate in years to come!
Therefore, who is the wiser?!
___________________________________________________
Here are some special deals and offers from some of our advertisers!
With Winter here and everyone working out the kinks and fine tuning
their vehicles during the “off season”, we thought it would be a good time to
re-acquaint you with what these folks offer when you mention Long Island
Classic Cars.com.
All of these businesses below advertise on Long Island Classic Cars.com
in the underlined section of the website.
Let’s start with TRANSPORTATION.
When you buy that new car or sell one of yours, Phil at ABRO MOTORSPORTS is offering special rates for those who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com! He has all new equipment, fully enclosed, insured, and door to door service by the owner himself!
Call him for a free quote today!
Mike at S&S ULTIMATE AUTO TRANSPORTING has been serving liclassiccars.com readers since last year and he has reported some nice business from you folks. Call him and mention us for a very nice rate to go along with his very nice service!
Hmmm….maybe you are buying something to add to the fleet!? In that case check the INSURANCE section.
Call VEHICLE APPRAISERS NETWORK. Dave Smith is an accredited appraiser of the International Appraisers Network. What that means is that his services are reliable and accepted by major members of the collector car market. If you need an appraisal of your car, or an experienced and accurate assessment of a specialty or classic vehicle that you are considering purchasing, Dave is the guy you should call upon. Don’t make that purchase without a professional appraisal! Spend a little now to save thousands later!! Tell him he was recommended by liclassiccars.com!!
Perhaps you need a little monetary help with that new purchase? Go to the FINANCE section and see…..
Keith Adler at CLASSICAUTOLOANS.COM. Tell him you saw his ad on liclassiccars.com and he will certainly help you out! He specializes in all kinds of classic, exotic, and luxury car loans.
Also try Jim at CLASSIC CAR FINANCIAL. He can help you if your
credit is less than perfect. They finance classic and modern machinery.
How about PARTS for your springtime freshening up?
The folks at A&M AUTOMOTIVE HARDWARE have all the auto body supplies, hardware, and specialty tools you could need. They are giving 10% off when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. They also carry the Wizard product line.
Call or go to PARTS AUTHORITY. They have everything automotive and locations throughout the area! They are giving 10% off to all who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Get your repair, maintenance, and performance parts all in one place!
Is your radiator or cooling system steaming you up? Then Bill Carberry at CLASSIC HEATERS and CAP-A-RADIATOR SHOP is the one man who has what you need! Whether it is parts, service, or a custom build, this guy does it all. Mention liclassiccars.com for a discount that will certainly cool you off!
How about some NOS, reconditioned, or used parts for your Chevrolet vehicle? Don at EAST COAST RESTORATIONS and RESTO TRIM is offering 10% off now through the end of May when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Minimum $100 purchase. He can give you the parts you need, or refurbish yours to showroom new condition! Don also does beautiful work on vehicles. Stock, modified, or custom, he does it all!
If you need Mopar parts, HERBEE DODGE is giving 5% off when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Whether you need resto, performance, or daily driver parts, call or visit them. They are a great bunch of guys in the parts department! Ask for Bob or Ronnie.
Another place for Mopar is EAST HILLS CHRYSLER. They are also offering 5% off on parts and service! (When you call or visit, ask for Pete in the sales department as your liaison for discounts.)
It’s SHOW TIME! Whether it’s for the “big event” or just to keep your ride nice and sparkly, Rich at BDR ENTERPRISES is giving free shipping on Formula 113 Wax for the 12 ounce bottle and also for the 22 ounce bottle of Bead-X Detail Spray. This is the now famous “stuff” that the local guys are using at all the car shows and cruise nights! Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses!
More GM stuff you say? DAVE’S GM PARTS is also offering 10% off for all who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. He has three (3) warehouses full of parts! Dave also owns and operates BANNER ROD & CUSTOM. I have seen his work and man his cars are scary fast! He performs surgery on all types of cars, whether you want repairs, fabrications, customizing, restorations, engine or chassis building, paint and body, dyno-tuning, and more!! Again mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for 10% off any work! That can be a monstrous savings for restorations and custom work!
Need some RESTORATION or REPAIR?
Try AL & SELWYN. Paul is a serious pro at classic car and performance mechanical work. He takes great care with your vehicle and has a true interest in the art. He offers great prices and service to begin with, but mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for a nice discount.
You don’t have to be nuts to be CAMARO CRAZY. But you must be nuts if you don’t visit Anthony and Ken for your Camaro and other muscle car needs! These guys do repairs, restorations, and custom building of all kinds of cars. They are offering 10% off on all labor costs for any kind of work when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Sweet deal!
STREETSIDE RESTORATIONS specializes in fabricating, roll cages, and complete restorations! Tell Christian that liclassiccars.com sent you! He will take care of you and your ride.
You saw them mentioned above for your transportation needs, however Mike also owns S&S ULTIMATE AUTOMOTIVE. They specialize in 55-57 Chevy’s, but also do work on all kinds of specialty vehicles. Tell him we sent you! Mike’s a real nice guy too!
BARNWELL HOUSE of TIRES offers a nice 10% discount to folks who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. They do all kinds of front end, suspension, and mechanical work in a very neat and modern facility. They also can “hook you up” with a new set of stickies for your vehicle at a great price!
Many of our readers have foreign cars that need love too! Lou Palumbo at GULLWING MOTORS INC. is THE specialist to see for all your repairs on British, Italian, German, and other foreign car makes. They have over 25 years experience! Tell them you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com and they will take care of you and your car with “kid gloves”.
Paul Rawden who sells and restores vintage license plates is now also offering a duplication service. If you have one good plate and the other one is damaged or even lost, Paul can duplicate the good one for you so you have a full set again! How about that?!
Warm weather means top down cruising! Just in time, Jim at PHOENIX AUTO INTERIORS is offering 10% off on convertible top repairs and replacements! Just mention Long Island Classic Cars.com and he’ll have your car ready for the road in style!
Another professional upholstery shop is RP INTERIORS. They do many of the custom and classic rides you may have seen at the shows. Tell Rich you saw his ad on liclassiccars.com. They do cars, boats, bikes, even airplanes!
And what’s better than driving with the top down and the radio on?! Nothing if you ask me! The problem is most of us don’t have a good working radio and speakers. Robert at ELLIOT’S CAR RADIO can fix your “box” and speakers and have you driving and singing along with the music. (Hopefully that’s a good thing.) He is offering free shipping on your radio purchases and/or repairs for the month of April. Just make sure you tell him Long Island Classic Cars.com sent you!
While you’re parked or driving, THE REFELECTED IMAGE can ensure that you properly see where you are going and what’s around you! They are offering 10% off on all mirror restoration, customizing, and re-silvering! What that means is simple: if your rear or side view mirrors are cloudy or gray, they can make them brand new again! They also create stock and wild custom etchings and graphics for any kind of ride!
AAMCO Transmissions in Massapequa and Garden City Park are offering a generous 10% off of tranny repairs or servicing! When you think what rebuilds cost, this will be a substantial savings! Ask for Ken, he’s the owner, and be sure to mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for the discount!
Want some collectible or show stopping AUTOMOBILIA? Check the PARTS-BUSINESS AD section.
Alan at CARZIGNS is offering free shipping on all custom made signs for your pride and joy! These are the highest quality show signs out there and he offers a design service that no one else does! Put your orders in now for the show season!
Just make sure to mention LI Classic Cars.com for the free shipping! (By the way, his design service is outstanding! I know, he did a beautiful sign for my ’69 Super Bee that you may have seen at the shows.)
TOYS TOYS TOYS! Who can have enough? Not me! Call DIECAST MUSCLE. They have one of the largest stock of die cast items that includes ultra-rare and limited edition models you can’t find anywhere else. I have many of their items and their service is fantastic! Ask for Mark or Dave. They will give you free shipping if you mention you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com and spend $100 bucks. Good deal!
How about these great deals!! Just don’t wait folks, some of these
offers are for a limited time only!
Brought to you by Long Island Classic Cars.com
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GUEST WRITER(S) COLUMN(S)
We
are once again delighted to regale you with a tale from Tom Sebastian.
Tom’s experiences never cease to amaze us! The vehicle he writes about this
time is quite a change of pace from some of the others he has owned. Definitely
on the milder side!
Rich Fiore has some very
interesting Tech Tips for you concerning hesi – hesi - hesitation, and um….ah.. uh.. stalling.
Don’t
get left behind at the stop light! Check it out!
In
this month’s “My Car Story” section we are doing a special double feature. We
have two writers, both of whom have outstanding classic pickup trucks. The
first is Bill Stone’s ’57 Chevy, and the second one is Rich
Meluskey’s ’62 Ford. Both of these babies are fine examples of the breed
that will no doubt make you take notice!
Away we
go……..
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tom Sebastian
Tom goes from this…
…. to this! 
Retro Man
The Nordic Cars – Part I
Counterculture: The culture of those people who reject the traditional values and behavior of society.
Well, at the time I was doing it, I didn’t realize I was doing it. I mean, being anti-social and all.
That ‘crazy’ time -- the late 60’s -- was already history and my comrades in arms were fast fading into their gray flannels… But… Hell’s Bells! I guess I needed one more thrill!
Two indelible images come to mind regarding this, admittedly, rather unusual car. The first time I saw it – or, rather, took
first cognizance of it -- was as an impressionable student
in
I suppose it was at that very moment when I knew I wanted one. It had an edge to it.
An edge? This thing? Really? But why?
Some more context. The end of the 60’s left all of us depleted. The bad old days were almost over -- the imminent end of
the
So, come the 1970’s, the hangover not yet over, I guess I needed one, farewell touché to that great era and the oddballs who peopled it before a total break (Adulthood!!… AHHHH!!) could occur. Only thing was, being a student, a used Karmann Ghia was all I could manage. Close but no cigar. In fact, the Ghia could almost be called, chic, compared with the baroque, teardrop shaped, Saab 96. Whosoever owned one of these – or so I convinced myself – was no ticky-tack suburbanite; no party to the bourgeoisie nonsense of home ownership and clipped hedges; no middle class hoi polloi whose main goals in life were a job with benefits, 2.4 kids, and well-established credit! Oh, no… not this guy! This was ‘Mr. Independence’!
(Mind you, at the time, the 96 was probably the equivalent of a Subaru Outback or the like… And the one I saw was probably owned by some corporate lawyer-type with the 70’s equivalent, soccer-mom spouse… But never mind!
I saw what I wanted to see! Viva Che Guevara!!)
But ownership was not to be for some 20+ years…
As can be seen by my previous cars (after the Ghia),
testosterone -- or something -- intervened, and it wasn’t until I took a last,
bone-jarring ride in my low-slung, pavement-happy Alfa along the outback, gully-washed
roads of NY’s Finger Lakes Region, that the image of that white blob with the
pinched nose coming at me emerged yet again from mists of time and, well… I
had to have it! And right now!
(“TINNNNNG !!– BOI-OI-OI-OI-NG!”–
The
sound of my Alfa bottoming out.)
Wasn’t easy to find, either… But when it was finally dropped off at my mechanic friend’s home, I was to receive the second indelible image related to this car.
To say the least, my mechanic friend was not impressed.
He had gotten used to my penchant for fast, exotic machinery which, I take it, was also fun for him to work on, test drive, etc.
So, what are the first words out of his mouth? I mean, after his furrowed eyes bored a hole straight through my head?
“A frog with paint on it”, was all he said…
But “A FROG WITH PAINT ON IT!!” was what I heard!
Now, there’s a theory that fools and great visionaries have one thing in common: Both are convinced they see the future -- what will ‘catch on’, so to speak. For every Edison who sweats through years of tireless lab experimentation for just the right filament for the light bulb that will change society, there are hundreds of well, “dead-enders”, in the vernacular of the day, who follow their own lights into tunnels with no exit. They see nothing but go on in anyway.
It was a downright throwing of the gauntlet to Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, and XK-E owners. You guys are just commoners! This is the real gem – the real jewel of the automotive world! OK, so 65 blistering horsepower means you spend more time on soft shoulders than asphalt to let the owners of cars with even normal pickup – Honda Civics and the like -- get on with their lives… Never mind that you look a bit retarded driving this thing. So what!? You say to yourself… You are on to something and the world cannot admit that it is blind! OK, so the only woman who is even remotely interested in being seen in it still listens to Joan Baez and has part of her septum missing.
It was obvious. I needed another input… (OK… So I should have done that before I paid for it… And it‘s just possible that I didn’t see the wife of the previous owner ‘high-fiving’ her three year old and screaming something like, ”Finally!!” when I pulled out of her driveway.)
My chance for needed verification – vindication of my incredible insight regarding this car – came the following week when my dentist pulled in with his sleek, Austin Healy 3000.
He stared from one angle and then the other. He, too, looked straight through me. Then when the words finally came it was pure novocain.
“Well… I think you may be the only one in the county with one of these.”
Thanks, Doc. I’m still your patient, but that was far from what I was looking for.
I was to ensue on a great voyage of personal discovery: I would find the true value and meaning and of this car -- this bizarre Scandinavian symbol of… Of what? I didn’t have a clue.
I consulted the Ancient Greeks, noted Persian philosophers and even, the timeless, Upanishads. Nothing there.
I then delved into the exotic field of Runic Numerology and the Viking Sagas, hoping that these would take me closer to the Nordic essence of the thing. But, there too, I found nothing to assuage my wounded ego.
Could it be that I was… driving a nut-mobile!? Some distant relative to the Racing Outhouse or the Weiner Mobile?
And if so, what of my long-held and highly regarded status
in the community -- Mr. Exotic?
Was that lost forever? Would I
now be restricted to… speaking with town meshuggenahs and introverted
Metrosexuals!? Oh, God, NO!… Not
that!!!
Then, alone in my study, I found what I was looking for.
It was in a book by Dean Acheson, the austere looking Secretary of State under President Truman.
There beneath a photo of Truman and Churchill, the caption read: "Two men of character.”
My release – no, my Epiphany! It was the very word I sought! Character!
This thing had that in spades! An incredibly svelte teardrop design, a wood-finished interior, built by a jet fighter manufacturer (Viggen), and with a 4-speed manual shifter right off the steering column! Cool! QUAINT!! UNIQUE!!!
And when I parked it downtown… Guess were all the interest
veered? Towards the four Corvettes? No.
The
People were guessing, bending, asking, wondering… I felt like a little like Lindbergh when I climbed in… ‘Would it fly’?
I could hear them thinking. What would the engine sound like? Where the *&^%$#@! did he get this thing!?
Ok, so when that V4 engine caught the spark, there was no great thunder from down under to be heard. But did any of these people realize the racing pedigree of the car they couldn’t quite take their eyes off of?
Granted, rally racing isn’t quite an American sport. The annual, Baja Mexico run does make it into the end-pages of most of the racing magazines, but only for those with Speed Channel does the pounding frenzy of the Paris-Dakar or the Monaco (winter) rallies make you sit up and gasp: “Now, that’s a real test of a car!”
Yes, indeed. Speed,
cornering, climbing, braking, driver skill… You name it. Every component – human and mechanical – is
under enormous stress for hour after hour, days on end, during these punishing,
overland rallies. Car and Driver/Motor
Trend/Road & Track and their readers seem consumed with 0-60,
quarter mile and skid pad stats under idealized conditions. Now I am not a fan of the latest incarnations
of the House that my Saab built: those
“boy-toys” for grownups, Imprezas and Evos with their fake wings, etc. (I’m always looking for the big wind-up key
underneath.) But, in realistic,
suburban life, with its crumbling roadways, surprise mud holes and uneven loads
(like watermelons rolling around in the trunk), you just might prefer a proven
rally racer over a
And my little number, pulling out before their very eyes right now, was master of that game for many years running. Not only did the winning machinery early on tend to be Scandinavian, but so also did the drivers. (Something related to ice-blue eyes and Nordic-blonde intensity, perhaps? Or maybe connected to the stark endurance of the cross-country skier – another specialty of the Norsemen?)
Some of the people gazing at the car are my age. And I can see the feint glow of recognition setting in.
‘Ah, yes..’ they are thinking. Before the current SUV craze; and even before
the previous Sport Jeep phase was ushered in with the imposing Wagoneer,
there was this. The car for the
professional, advanced degree in hand, who wanted the most of from his weekend
outings. The “Thinking Man’s” choice: A
weekender that could make that run deep into the
Over the years, the Japanese, and the Europeans did
get better at the rally game – with both cars and drivers (although the last
World Rally Championship still went to a Norwegian). And, while the heyday of the
Swedish/Saab/Nordic dominance in this form of motorsport is no longer a sure
thing, when my machine rolled though the Alps, it was king
of those hills, and everyone there knew the meaning of it: If there was snow on the ground – or there
was no ground at all – the fastest way through was with the help of the Icemen. Though they never played at Formula One
and were not represented at
To acquire one of these might be a challenge… But certainly worth the effort!
Just look through the last issue of Car & Driver. The Honda looks like the
In the end, isn’t it all about distinction, individuality,
and… Character!
Next time!! The
Jetsons Next Door
Ciao!
Tmoore3us@yahoo.com
You
can send comments to Tom at tmoore3us@yahoo.com
He can also get you into a classic car!
(Nice references
Tom…Dennis Miller could learn a thing or two from you!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hesitation and Stalling - Boy Its Ugly
!!!
To me there is nothing
more frustrating than approaching a traffic light and having my car stall.
Losing the power steering and cranking the engine over while working the accelerator
and brake pedal simultaneously is not my idea of a fun day of cruisin’.
( Good thing I quit smoking a long time ago ) . Another
frustrating thing can be hesitation upon acceleration ... particularly when
cold. In this months installment I will discuss some possible solutions for
vehicles with carbs ( not the kind with bread on the front seat ), and
leave the fuel injected vehicles for another glorious day.
So lets get down and dirty. It’s always good to start with
the basics. The first thing you can do for any vehicle is start with your
basic tune-up. On older vehicles ( pre - 75 ) that was pretty much generic.
Ignition points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, plugs, and wires. A
new air and fuel filter along with PCV valve and the air cleaner housing
filter should also be included. The correct idle speed, dwell, ignition timing,
and choke adjustment should also be made.
( I have seen choke coils get lazy with age ).
The testing of both distributor centrifugal and vacuum advances
are a must. Using this basic approach verifies that all maintenance,
adjustment, and tunable items are good and to spec. Its kinda like your doctor
starting with baseline blood tests.... you have a starting point before
going further.
Subsequent to finding the basics are in good shape, its time to
dig a little further now. A prime source for hesitation problems is that of
vacuum leaks. I always start from my vacuum source and work my way up. That
means the intake manifold gasket and manifold itself. In rare cases the
manifold can have a hidden crack on the underside. I like to spray the manifold
and gasket area and look for a change in idle speed. Obviously any change
indicates a leak. If the gasket area is leaking I would re-torque the manifold
bolts when cold and try again. If no change, replace the gaskets.
Also hit the base of the carb and give it a wiggle for tightness. Tighten the
carb mounting nuts and body screws while you are there. Keep in mind
manifold vacuum leaks ( below the throttle plates ) will usually bring on a
rough idle.
Next all vacuum hoses should be checked for cracks, looseness, and
chaffing. All vacuum actuators should be checked for a damaged diaphragm.
Typical culprits are the choke pull off, distributor vacuum advance, air cleaner
snorkel, brake booster, vapor canister, and EGR valve if equipped.
On some vehicles ( usually G.M. ) there is a line to the vacuum modulator
on the transmission. When this diaphragm leaks it will draw trans fluid
into the engine and emit white smoke from the tail pipe. Also check for
proper routing of the vacuum lines, particularly the distributor vacuum
advance. This one should usually be fed with carb vacuum ( even with the
throttle plates ) unless there is some type of valve in line.
Another typical area to look into with hesitation and stalling is
that of the fuel system. The carb’s accelerator pump is designed to give the
engine that shot of gas under acceleration. If its seal wears, it will give you
some serious hesitation. Take a look down the carb ( with engine off -
unless you don't like your eyebrows ) , and crack the throttle. Look for a
healthy stream of gas. The carb itself can be a problem when the secondary jet
plugs drip gas into the manifold or get plugged up. The float height itself can
be a problem if it is out of adjustment. Check fuel pump pressure and volume
and make sure it is to spec. Before replacement I would check the lines on the
suction side of the pump.
I have been the victim of a cracked line which opened up from the
heat of the exhaust. A kinked line is also a possibility. If pressure and
volume are still off its not a bad idea ( especially for a 30 plus year old car
), to drop the gas tank and look at the pick up screen ( sock ) . There may be
some serious schmutz ( a technical term ), built up on that bad boy. If found,
replace the sock and tank. In some rare instances the old style venting
cap could plug up and create a vacuum condition in the tank.
Other possible things to look for would be the operation of the EGR
valve ... if so equipped. If stuck open or the temp/sensor is bad, it can
create problems. Ignition coils ( very rarely ) can get lazy under heat
and load. If all else fails its time to break out the compression tester
and start looking for a bad cylinder.
Hopefully everything above was helpful and does get you on
your merry way. As they say ( now sing with me )
" If there is one thing worse, in this whole universe,
and that's no acceleration at all ".
Or was that Aunt Jemima
?
Quick and Dirty : When was the last time you checked your idle mixture with a vacuum gauge ?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bill
Stone: 1957 Chevrolet 3100 Stepside Pickup
This truck has undergone an extensive redo and custom paint job. It is a “Big Rear Window” model that was sold mostly on the West Coast. It is quite a rarity to find one in these parts (Long Island and the Northeast). It was in San Diego, California for 41 years.
I own it for three years. I bought it from a Doctor in Utica, NY. He is the fella that brought it to the East and redid everything.
When I went to see it, I knew it was something special. And, he had over $43,000 in receipts for the work that was done! Plus the $6,000 he paid to buy it. The paint alone on this baby was over $8,000! There is no bondo (being a West Coast car) and the metal is very solid all around. This truck is a great runner and handles very well and rides tight. The truck only has 4”
of road clearance!
A body off restoration was done and some customizing. The gas tank was moved from behind the seat to the rear under the bed, and a gas filler opening was molded into the cab. The car has a Horkey Oak bed with no less than eight coats of varnish! All the chrome has been re-plated and polished. The paint is PPG Prism Black. It looks black but when the sun or any other light strikes it, it reflects millions of multi-color flakes! It is really something to see in the sunlight.
The engine is a 350 that has been bored .040 over. It is also mounted lower in the frame. The transmission is the Turbo 400. It has a Camaro rear that sports
a 3.55:1 ratio. The front end has a Heidt’s Independent
Front Suspension with rack and pinion steering out of a Mustang II. There is
also a set of adjustable coil over shocks. Power steering and 
power
disc brakes up front.
The wiring, frame modifications, suspension, brakes, and assembly were all done by Tucci Engineering in Marcy, New York. (Some of you may have heard of them, Tucci builds the giveaway car every year for the Syracuse Nationals Show. He has also been featured on Monster Garage building the “World’s Fastest Hot Dog Cart”.
The interior sports a Grant Banjo Steering Wheel, Idodt tilt wheel post, VDO gauges and a Custom sound system. The system contains a Panasonic Ghost touch panel radio concealed in the glove box, Memphis Bell 5 channel amp with over 600 watts, a custom sound box, and in total - 8 speakers.
The truck rides on American Racing Wheels with Three Bar Spinners and has a custom stainless steel exhaust system.
I have shown the truck several times, but mostly I enjoy driving it for fun and attending Cruise Nights in it. It is quite a ride!
(Indeed it is Bill.
Thanks for sharing it!) Pete
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Rich Meluskey: 1962 Ford Econoline Pickup
Back in the Spring of 1970, while I
was on my way to Long Island City driving my 1966 Ford Econoline Van, my buddy Bob
McQueen (who also owned a 1964 Econoline van) and I went by an overpass on
Queens Blvd. in Rego Park. Underneath the overpass was an unusual pickup truck
that we had never seen before. I made a
U-turn so we could stop and check it out.
The nose was the same as the vans, but it was a pickup. We had never
seen one before, and after speaking to the owner of the junkyard where this
pickup hauled engines around I asked how much he wanted for the truck. We
agreed on $375 and we returned later that afternoon to pick it up. The owner said it came from Florida where
they were more abundant, and found out that many were used by the Air Force
around airfields. 
The truck was fairly rough, but unusual enough to justify the purchase. I had decided someday I would “fix it up”. That did not happen for 22 years. Being familiar with the vans, I recruited a lot of help from Tom Goebel who worked in Crown Ford’s Parts Department in Lynbrook. He gave me some old Ford parts books and texts that were out of date for the counter and the fun began. Many of the parts on the truck are NOS, purchased while still available from Ford in the 70’s. “Thanks again, Tom!!”
The truck was garaged all the time, and in 1993 I met Mark and Pete Robuffo, members of Terry’s Car Club, and saw some of the outstanding restoration and bodywork they did. I was lucky enough to have them do the bodywork. I located an NOS nose, wheels, trim, glass, weather stripping, bumpers, tailgate, lenses, and emblems…whatever I could get. Jimmy at Phoenix Auto Upholstery in Franklin Square did the interior of the truck. Bruce Horkey Cabinetry in Minnesota, who I met one year at Spring Carlisle, created the pickup bed. He had patterns at that time for about 60 pickup trucks, but not for an Econoline. He thought he knew of one in another town and traveled about 40 miles to make a pattern. The bed is made of kiln dried ash, with seven coats of marine urethane. The ribs and hardware are stainless steel. The bed is totally removable.
Many of the toys that I usually display with the truck are Econolines made by Nylint in the 1960’s.
The engine is a 170 CI and it remains untouched since I purchased the truck. Perhaps I can find the time to finish the engine this year. The transmission is a “manual three on the tree”. No power options - this baby is a real truck! The frame and suspension are stock as well, and she rides great! The truck is painted Rangoon Red which was a stock Ford color in 1962. Wheels are 13” Ford steel rims that are NOS pieces, and the rubber is BF Goodrich Silvertown Whitewalls 7.25x13.
(Rich, aren’t you glad
you stopped to check out the truck!!)
Pete
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Here is where you can access previous editions of the Long
Island Classic Cars Online Newsletter.
October 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct03.html
November 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov03.html
December 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Dec03.html
January
2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jan04.html
February 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Feb04.html
March 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Mar04.html
April 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Apr04.html
May 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/May04.html
June
2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun04.html
July 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jul04.html
August 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug04.html
September 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep04.html
October 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct04.html
November 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov04.html
You can also access the previous Newsletters
through a link on the main page of the website.
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Well, its good to be back. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Newsletter, our first of Volume 3. We appreciate any comments you would like to send in, and as always, your contributions for features and articles are always welcome!
Get your cars in shape this “off-season”. Before you know it the time will come to dust them off and take them out.
Go all out people! And have fun working on those rides!
See you next month.
Pete