Getting closer!

It’s inevitable that the car season will come. We all know that. But still, it is always good to know that is not that far away anymore! Cruise nights will be starting soon and there have been some changes this year. Check the list below, check the

EVENTS section on the website, and always look for updates. If you know anyone holding cruise nights that aren’t listed here (not 10 car get-togethers but real cruise nights) let me know about it. Tell them to give me a call or e-mail about it.

We also have many shows and other events listed for 2006 already. If your club or organization’s are not up there – tell them to get off their butts and send the info in. We can only list what we are given. Last year we had over 400 listings for the 2005 season. This year should be as many as last year or even more.

It’s good to get them in as early as possible because people actually start planning what they are going to attend early on in the year and also sometimes schedule things around the events. So don’t wait!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Regarding this e-mailed Newsletter that we send out every month: we often get “bounce backs” from people whose addresses are not valid or have been changed. If you know you are changing your address, let us know by re-submitting it in to the site. Also, many times –believe it or not, people actually send in their e-mail address wrong! Yes, it happens often. “D-uh”

Then when we get a letter saying “Hey I sent in my address and I never get your Newsletter!” We find out (and so do they) that they spelled their address wrong inadvertently or they put the wrong ISP at the end!

So, please endeavor to send them in correctly and you will get every Newsletter.

Several people have also written in lately asking if they could do an article. The answer is almost always –YES.

So feel free to send us your ideas for a contribution. We always welcome new writers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We would like to mention more car clubs that have listed on our site recently. As the hobby continues to grow and bring in both older and younger enthusiasts, there is no shortage of clubs and organizations to fulfill anyone’s tastes. Some of these clubs have been around for many years, while others are relatively new start-ups. Check them out in our CLUBS section!

Also, remember to check our EVENTS section for show, cruise, and event listings! As of this writing over 200 events are already listed for the upcoming 2006 car season!

If your club and events are not listed on Long Island Classic Cars.com get them listed soon! People are making their plans on where to go and what shows to attend. Don’t be left out or late to the party!

Long Island Mopars. Are you ready for something different?! At last a Mopar club that is “For the people, of the people, and by the people!” If you are tired of the same old thing at the same old place…this club is for you!

BROOKLYN, QUEENS, NASSAU, SUFFOLK; 2 boroughs, 2 counties – 1 club. Meets will be spread out among the areas so all can attend! Board of directors and input from every member. Low dues! Various events and locations!!

Open to all Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, and Imperial from 1900 to the present. Stock, modified, race, new & old.

The more diverse we are the better! Long Island Mopars … The Time Has Come.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1 Editor’s Introduction

2 Advertiser’s Promos

3 Picture Caption Contest

4 Cruise Night Information

6 Guest Writer’s Columns

Tom Sebastian

Tim Browner

7 My Car Story

8 The Archive

9 Editor’s Closing

______________________________________________________________

PROMOS!

Here are some special deals and offers from some of our advertisers!

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. They have grrreat stuff!!

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 for several years and he has reported some nice business from you folks. Call him and mention us for a nice rate to go along with his 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!!

For good rates, and more importantly; great service, check out THE RASKIN GROUP. Ask for Ray and tell him we sent ‘ya! They will help you out and give free quotes with no obligation.

If you like dealing with pros, try the DeStefanos at ALLSTATE/HAGGERTY AGENCY. They work in conjunction with one of the world’s finest Specialty insurance companies, but can also provide you with the local touch you need!

Perhaps you need a little monetary help with that new purchase? Go to the FINANCE section and see…..

The largest and most widely known of all Classic Car Finance institutions is J.J. BEST. They have so many years of getting people into cars and have helped thousands! Their experience and rates are top notch! Mention LI Classic Cars.com for some special consideration!

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 baby?

Are you putting out a fire? Is your car running hot? Electrical goblins? Fuel leakage? In any case, having a fire stopping device is a necessity in our valuable cars! John at PYROCOOL TECHNOLOGIES has a patented system that not only works better than standard fire extinguishers, but it is harmless to paint, rubber, fabric, and other valuable surfaces! If you care about your car - get one of these! The pros and industry use it all the time!

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! Get some stocking stuffers from their vast inventory!

AUTOMOTIVE UNLIMITED has a huge selection and stock of classic and modern day parts. Give them a call and ask for Eric or Dave. Mention our site for some nice savings!

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 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!

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.

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!

Traction issues? Slip slidin’ away? 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!

Need some RESTORATION or REPAIR?

Any restoration is only as good as the prep work that goes into it. That being the case, here is a company that can start you off in the right direction: AMERICAN DRY STRIPPING will take your car and all your parts down to bare metal so you can restore them better than new! Tell them we sent you for some special considerations!

APPEL AUTO SERVICE is operated by a classic car nut! He is more protective of your cars than you are! Call him to get free quotes on all types of work. Tell him LI Classic Cars.com sent you and he’ll take car of you and your car for sure!

Jan at ELITE COACHWORKS takes tremendous pride in his work. He can make your modern, classic, or anything else look gorgeous! He has good prices, turnaround time, and most important he is a quality guy to deal with! Tell him LI Classic Cars.com sent you and get a discount as well!

Whether it is your interior or top (and a whole lot more), the boys at AUTOMAT have got you covered. [Pun intended]

The fellas have decades in the hobby and do tremendous custom jobs as well as classic and modern restorations, repair, and modifications to your vehicle. Let them know you saw their ad here for a nice discount. Their reputation is their name!

Dave (from above) 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!

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!

EAST COAST RESTORATIONS is also owned and operated by Don Ness. He does beautiful work on vehicles. Stock, modified, or custom, he does it all! A nice, clean, and efficient shop is his trademark.

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 Chevys, 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”.

Bill at CLASSIC HEATERS and CAP-A-RADIATOR SHOP does some real special fabrication, repair, and resto of your cars components. He makes things from scratch as well, and does some neat resto work to boot!

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!

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! 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 10% off all orders regardless of amount, and, free shipping if you spend $100 bucks! Make sure to mention you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com for the discount.

Brought to you by Long Island Classic Cars.com

________________________________________________________________

Long Island Classic Cars.Com’s

AUTOMOTIVE PICTURE CAPTION CONTEST

Submit your caption along with your name and e-mail address to: newsletter@liclassiccars.com

This contest is open to everyone! (LI Classic Cars.com paid personnel, regular column writers, and business advertisers are not eligible.)

Winners will be notified by e-mail and/or phone.

Please submit all entries by the 1^st of the next month. (ex: for March’s contest the entries are due by April 1^st)

No substitutions of prizes will be allowed.

In the event of prize choices, winner will be given the opportunity to select the one they want.

All decisions are final and are made by the paid personnel of Long Island Classic Cars.com

Winners must claim their prizes within 30 days of contest end or forfeit the prize to the runner up.

A few simple rules:

1) Be funny and creative!

2) Keep it somewhat clean!

OK – Here is the picture for our March “Caption Cut-Up Contest”!!

Go to it! Send in your funniest, wittiest comments by 4/1/06 and win the prize!

___________________________________________________

“EXTRA EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!”

Cruise Nights will be starting up soon! Here’s the latest on them…

2006 Cruise Night location updates:

TUESDAYS: McDonald's. Metropolitan Ave. & 69^th Road, Forest Hills, NY.

Sponsored by East Coast Car Association/Toys For Tots

TUESDAYS: Audrey Ave. Oyster Bay, NY

Sponsored by Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce

TUESDAYS: Bald Hill Cultural Center. North Ocean Ave. Farmingville, NY

Sponsored by the Farmingville Fire Department

TUESDAYS: Old K-Mart Plaza. Hempstead Tpk. Levittown, NY

Public gathering.

WEDNESDAYS: KFC. William Floyd Pkwy & Montauk Hwy. Shirley, NY

Sponsored by Bow Tie Boulevard Camaro Club

THURSDAYS: Wendy’s Shopping Center. Montauk Hwy and Locust Ave, Oakdale, NY

Sponsored by Steve’s Collision.

SATURDAYS: Sonomax Station. 278 Greenpoint Ave. Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY.

Sponsored by East Coast Car Association/Toys for Tots

SATURDAYS: Kohl’s. Corner Grand Blvd and Commack Rd. Deer Park, NY.

Public gathering.

SATURDAYS: King Kullen Shopping Center. William Floyd Pkwy. North of Montauk Hwy. Shirley, NY.

Sponsored by Bow Tie Boulevard Camaro Club

SUNDAYS: *AM Cruise* Ocean Pkwy, Captree Beach Parking Lot through May, then at OBI.

Public gathering.

PS –

Whoever has information on the early Sunday morning cruise out near where OBI used to be, please let us know.

___________________________________________________

GUEST WRITER(S) COLUMN(S)

Jolly Ole Tom Sebastian is back with another European vehicle story. A Brit car from across the Pond. This guy has had some collection of cars, and his ownership has run the gamut from coupe to drop top, classy to sassy, and mild to wild!

Tim Browner from AutoMat has another dazzling interior restoration article this month. His shop turns out some of the most amazing work you have ever seen. Top notch quality and creativity!

In the MY CAR STORY section we have a car that evokes many images. Most notably a fun-loving, sheriff-running, escape laden adventure. Steve Santoro shows off his ’79 Trans Am and reminds us of how much fun a car should be!

Enjoy…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tom Sebastian

Tom goes from this …. to this!

"A Gazelle Among Buffalo"

The Lotus Plus 2 – Another Hand-Built Fantasy

The theory is that as you approach the speed of light, time goes backwards; i.e., you get younger.

After F1, I qualify for at least some of that action.

With that saga behind me, I then went about using the newly regenerated brain cells to help me come up with my next car: I wanted at least some of that experience again.

Not that I’m in the financial category to make a real choice here but, given the option between the two prime movers of Formula One technology -- Enzo Ferrari or Colin Chapman -- I’d have to give the edge to Señor Chapman. Whereas Ferrari sold his sumptuous road cars only so he could afford to go racing -- his real passion -- Colin was truly interested in transferring F1 race technology to the road-going public. He was the first one to do it. Plus, he had a better racing sense.

Beyond the Italian propensity for artistic design, IL Commendatore (Enzo) seemed to view the chassis as merely the box that held the engine: which was his primary fixation. And his early engine designers (Columbo and Lampredi) were well endowed to deliver the goods. Those red jewels even looked the part: Seductive... Just sitting there in the engine bay.

Colin, though, possessed the better engineering instincts regarding weight, power distribution, and the importance of chassis development. (Neither one of them seemed to care too much for the safety of their racecar drivers… All those needless extras – like seatbelts!)

Where Enzo looked to increase horsepower, Colin sought to reduce weight. Where Enzo went looking for rocket thrust, Colin taught his cars to dance. His development of the Lotus suspension system led to a much sought after technological breakthrough. When GM bought them out in 1987, they thought they were getting this as part of the intellectual property rights transfer. They didn’t. The Lotus suspension with its independent double wishbones (‘Chapman Struts’) and telescopic dampers even outdid Porsche at their best. Due to that (rust free) fiberglass body it came in well under two thousand pounds -- as light as they come. As one friend put it after his first ride in an Elan, “The way it took those corners at speed was simply ungodly…” For the ‘pilot’ the experience was even better – such driver feedback!! For just a moment -- and excepting the almost total absence of wind noise from the coupe -- my high-speed turn off of Hencoop Road (a local backwoods flyway) felt a lot like Rascasse Turn at Monaco in an open-wheeler!

Personally, I did everything I could to upend my +2. But that forgiving suspension had a mind of its own and simply wouldn’t let me get into trouble. (Had I tried those tricks with most any other of my cars, there would’ve been trouble… And with that Morgan? – Oh, m’God…!!). Even at my best, that Elan was still better than I was and always ‘corrected’ for me whenever my mind wandered. The phenomenal road-holding saved my a__ more than once. (It feels good to have a benevolent spirit watching after you! [1]

I went for the 2+2 because I thought it looked better – more balanced – than the 2-seater. In two words: More Elegant. The added weight meant that it wasn’t as quick as its little brother but that glorious Lotus suspension package was shared by both. As you may realize by now, I have a penchant for these so-called, ‘2 + 2’ sports cars. Anything more than tiny dogs or pre-verbal children would yap bloody murder for more than a short stretch, but for you and your whatever… a great way to augment that meager trunk space!

Bored out and race-tuned, my car’s output was raised from its original 105 HP closer to the 120 HP of its successor models. Doesn’t sound like much, but sprinkle 15 extra horsepower into this recipe and you cook up a hurricane. Closer in feel to my Alfa GT, you still couldn’t mistake the rides. The Alfa was as comfortable as your leather shoes; the Lotus was more like a hyped-up track sneaker. No question as to which one I’d choose for the long haul – and also which I’d choose for the track. I thought the 4-point racing harness was superfluous. It wasn’t. Colin built me a racecar. (My BMW 2002 was more in the ‘one shoe fits all’ mode… Comfortable schlepping around in town or out gang-banging on the circuit… but still minus the F1 heritage/refinements of the Lotus… That would come with the later model BMW’s.)

Powered by the Lotus (Ford) twin-cam 1.6 liter engine, it was part and parcel of the legendary connection between Ford and Lotus, Ford and Formula One. Like a sex-magnet, Ford’s interest in international motor sport attracted the big stars; Carroll Shelby and Lee Iacocca among them. This particular car acted like it was on fire.

Times seem different now and maybe all my friends who once sought out that kind of performance are too old to have their bones jostled about, or, maybe, this was never meant to be an Everyman’s sports car in the first place. Although Lotus never lost its mojo and it keeps producing lithe, Performance-First cars (the latest Lotus’ -- the Elise and Exige-- are still the lightest sports cars out there), Porsche and BMW-like comfort requirements seem to have swept the land nowadays and you are not likely to see too many Lotus cars out there on the highway.

And there’s the culprit itself: The Highway - System. The only time my car was boring – painful, even -- was when I was forced off the tight country back roads and onto the major 4-lanes. The low gearing, low profile tires were most definitely NOT in their element. Both the car and you vibrated all the way to grandma’s house. And ever since President Ike paved the known world back there in the1950’s, it’s only been getting worse by the year… Might be the time to go to state capitals and try to preserve the back roads?

Who, then, is this car for?

Actually, for people like me… Those who know what a competitive racer is supposed to feel like and really appreciate that kind of a challenge -- even for the short trip to the grocery store. The design is so perfect that it looks just like the ride that it yields: No fuss, no frills, but plenty of thrills! It’s another car you couldn’t kill if you tried. And meant to be driven to the max; unlike my XKE, it’s a one-personality machine - you get nothing out of having it if you’re not going to play with it. Tossing it around corners with abandon is what it was born to do. A garage-sitter it most definitely is not. Like the F1 car that it was hatched from, this baby can scream.

(As will anyone in there with you at the time.)

[1] But I wouldn’t push it if I were you ‘till you got the hang of it. 1960’s technology is still 1960’s technology. And, since you are only protected by that thin, plastic body shell; if the dampers are out of whack - you could be out of luck!

Once Is Not Enough! Next time follow the author out on the edge as he seeks -- and finds -- the ultimate driving experience this side of Monza!

tmoore3us@yahoo.com

(Tom, you make me want to go out and get one of these lively little machines!) Pete

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

AutoMat Auto Interior of the Month

1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

by Tim Browner

This '68 Camaro was brought to us by the original owner who recently had the bodywork restored. The car sat exposed to the elements for over ten years and the interior looked it. Restoring the Camaro to its original ’68 showroom condition was our mission.

We stripped the front and rear seats down to the frames, rebuilding the padding and reupholstering the seats. The original red vinyl and original deluxe stitching design was chosen to finish the seats. The entire inner door structure was replaced with molded deluxe door panels that were color matched. These were also done to original specifications, including the chrome trim, carpet bottoms, handles and emblems.

Restoration was also needed on the console and dash. Pulling the windshield, we replaced the dash pad and the forward metal dash pan. The metal dash fascia, steering column and console were then all painted to match.

From years of water leakage; the floor carpet and padding were worn, torn and full of mildew. When stripped down to the bare metal it was completely rusted. We scraped and rust painted the floor pan. Then a layer of heat and sound reduction dynamat padding was installed. In addition to installing the correct, original, molded 80/20 carpet, we also supplied a matching set of custom floor mats with the Camaro logo.

The convertible top had also seen better days. In fact, the back window was so fogged over, you couldn't see out of it.

Next we stripped it down and repainted the frame. Installing new pads, well liner, cables, tac strip and a new, double texture, white vinyl convertible top and window brought it back to life. Clearly, a good choice.

To upgrade the stereo system, we installed a hidden radio with CD player in the glove box, wired in a remote eye by the steering column to control it, and installed new, high output speakers hidden in the factory locations.

Let the good times roll again!

To view many other projects like this one, please visit our website at autointeriors.biz , or our location at 69 Hazel St. in Hicksville, New York (516) 938-7373

Happy Motoring!

(Tim, again I am amazed by the work you guys do!) Pete

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My Car Story Steve Santoro: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

This car believe it or not, is my everyday driver unless it is snowing or raining outside! I have a Dodge Ram truck to use on those occasions. I have owned this car for about three years now and it has 166,000 miles on it! The motor and transmission are original.

The engine is the stock 403 Oldsmobile engine that Pontiac used that year. It is 6.6 liters and lent itself to the famous (or infamous) 6.6 liter side badging on the vehicle.

This coupled with the large flying eagle decal made the car famous. (Along with Burt Reynolds use of it in the Smokey and the Bandit movies of the late 70's early 80's) This was the Silver Anniversary Decal Set and is quite an unmistakable and large feature to the Trans Ams of this vintage.

The car sports an automatic transmission that has been slightly modified and is shifted by a B&M Ratchet unit. The rear gears were changed to a 3.73:1 set. It is a posi unit. An aftermarket stereo is in place of the stock unit. The windows have been tinted and if you look underneath you will also see a set of traction bars. Outside of the aforementioned additions the car is basically stock. It has power steering, brakes, windows, seats, door locks, and of course; A/C and tilt steering wheel.

The body was repainted three years ago when I got it. I used lacquer paint which was common to these cars "back in the day". The body is nice and the color combination of black and tan is original to the car. There is also a set of T-Tops that makes for great cruising on those sunny summer days. I have installed a complete new exhaust system and fixed a few other needed items. The car runs nice and is great to drive. Despite its 166K on the clock there are still a lot of miles to go!

An interesting little story: Recently I was out at a Friendly's Restaurant with a co-worker who drives a little tweaked Honda Civic. He was goading me saying things like "Oh yeah, your slow Firebird couldn’t keep up with my car" etc, etc, and we bantered back and forth. I remarked "Hey, at least I get chicks looking at my car while you only get 16 year old boys looking at yours!"

Just then (No kidding) we looked outside at the cars in the parking lot, and there were two girls leaning on the hood of my car having their pictures taken! No BS!!

Their boyfriends were snapping pictures of them with it and of the car by itself.

At that point my obnoxious friend was rendered silent.