Greetings!
Check
out our website’s new main page! We have revamped it with an updated and more
stylish look - as well as adding a few new elements! All the links are still there
and you will find the functionality as easy to use as before. You will see we
have incorporated a “teaser” from one of our current or pending Newsletters.
The new Message Board is under construction and should be up and running soon
as well. www.liclassiccars.com
We
have gone from a monthly to a quarterly format for our Newsletter. You will get
Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall issues. They will be BIG so get ready for some
good reading! Set up a comfy chair and have a drink on hand. Take a reading
break if you need it. You might need a few sessions to finish one of these
babies! But hey – like any good book it can’t all be appreciated if you rush
through it! (Jeff). So take your time and read from start to finish – don’t
miss one single tasty drop!
2008
holds promise for a great year! And we at Long Island Classic Cars.com are
proud to be a part of your hobby.
* * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Early 2008 finds us in the midst of a collector car market that does not
know which way it is heading! You have seen and heard reports of its impending
crash, reports that all is status quo, and reports that it is on the upswing
again!
Which
report should you believe? It all really depends on your point of reference and
which side of the hobby you are on.
Does
that clear it up? No?
Well,
let me elaborate and see if I can make sense of this for you kind readers.
The
market has indeed seen some corrections over the last year and a half. Those
who watch the January auctions such as Barrett-Jackson have seen prices on some
big-time cars trend downward and the resulting scowl on Craig Jackson’s face.
This year he hit a new low in class and integrity by actually not permitting
the hammer to come down on the bidding!
Yes,
you read it right! The man actually said “No!” when the auctioneer went to drop
the hammer on several cars!
Why? Why, money of course!!
Mr.
Jackson’s exorbitant business venture has been so lucrative for the better part
of a decade that he is frightened (and angered) by the aspect of downward
prices on these over-inflated machines. You see, he gets almost 20% percent
into his pockets for each and every sold vehicle that runs across his block!
(not to mention all the revenues from bidder registrations, admission charges,
buyers’ registration fees, vendors, on site companies, advertisers, and Speed
Vision.) Ex: If a car sells for $280,000 – BJ gets about $56,000 from it!!
That’s ONE car!!
Get
it?
No
– let me make it clear…
For
each and every car – each and every dollar counts! He doesn’t want to see
prices drop, nor the volume of sales, nor the frenetic marketing and
merchandising because in each of those cases it will impact his pocket.
Now,
as a good businessman, you can understand his concern and you don’t blame him.
But as a good person, well, that is another thing. The quality and integrity of
any business is based on how well and in what manner of class, fairness, and
consistency the person at the top and all the underlings he (she) directs
conduct themselves.
In
this case, I say “Boo – hiss!!!”
An
auction (especially a no-reserve auction like Mr. Jackson brags about his
being) ends when there are no more bidders to bid higher on the particular item
up for sale. When that happens, and after fair warning from the auctioneer,
BOOM! the hammer comes down and the item is sold. The bidder has weathered all
interested and competing parties and has come out on top. “Whew!” A sigh of
relief and a feeling of exultation are engendered in that individual! They won!
Fair and square. (Or did they win?)
Now
when you have anything that voids that practice or its consistent nature – you
start to wonder about the integrity and fair practices of said auction.
ESPECIALLY when the owner (chief, top dog, CEO, president, etc) is the
perpetrator!
Now,
the winner says “What the f&*k?! I just won that car and he said “NO!”
How dare he!!”
Then
– the bidding was continued because Mr. Jackson personally felt that that car
should have gone for a higher price!
Fairness
be damned! Rules be damned! Etiquette and consistency be damned!
It
doesn’t matter that the bidder who won fairly and with much effort now stands
to lose!
I
doesn’t matter that Mr. Jackson professes “No Reserve”!
It
doesn’t matter that all cars are supposed to get equal time and fair treatment
(he didn’t stop the hammer on 99% of the other cars that ran through!!)
It
doesn’t matter that people are watching internationally and see some cars get
quick hammered, some stay for a while, and others get royal treatment!
It
doesn’t matter that some cars are held up during commercial time and others get
run through the commercial breaks with no TV coverage!
It
doesn’t matter that some celebrity and high profile owners get to take the
microphone and personally “sell” their cars while the regular guy gets no such
advantage!
All
that matters is Mr. Jackson’s personal whims and beliefs!
I
for one will NEVER bring a car to one of his venues. The resulting lack of
integrity and fair play would leave me wondering if I got a fair shake. Plus,
well, --- I think that about covers it. I could go on, but it’s pointless. You
see it for yourself.
Now
back to the original premise of this dissertation:
Others
say the market has pretty much stayed level. That I do not see. I think there
has been a marked drop in overall pricing with most machines trending downward,
just like last year. I do feel that every spring when renewed interest abounds,
prices will nudge upward. But overall, unless you have a rare beast that is
perfectly done, prices have indeed cooled.
I
say – BRAVO!
I
would like to see them go down since I am not into the cars for investment or
business reasons. And it means that hopefully I will soon be able to afford a
car that previously I may not have had the “wherewithal” to purchase.
Few
staunch proponents (mostly brokers, dealers, and the like) say the market is
going back up. Well, these are the same folks that helped to drive it upwards
over the past decade. They fuel it with fire. Fire of the sort that spawns
devastation. They try to keep the market priced high so they make money. But
like any fire – it burns and leaves ruin in its wake.
People
lose money because of fires. And in the car hobby case – people lose money when
they overpaid for an “investment” car and subsequently see the value drop. True
hobbyists also get priced out. It also leads to “clone” cars and rip-offs to
countless individuals who bought into the swing and found themselves with
patched up cars, altered and sometimes fraudulent vehicles, and essentially
were left with losing investments that soured them on the whole hobby.
I
hope that does not happen again. But, alas, like everything else – history
tends to repeat itself.
So,
buyers beware! Do your homework. And don’t get suckered into the frenzy and
hype to quickly get something – anything before the prices skyrocket out of
reach. For they won’t this time. Not unless you let them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1 Editor’s Introduction
2 Puzzle Fill-In Contest
3 Cruise Night Information
4 Guest Writer’s Columns
Tom
Sebastian
Lou Refano
Justin Appelbaum
Joe Picarello
Rich’s Tech Tips
My Car Story
5 The Archive
6 Editor’s Closing
___________________________________________________
Long Island Classic Cars.Com’s
Submit your entry 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 10th of the next
month. (Ex: for Winter’s contest the entries are due by March 10th)
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.
If there are multiple correct entries on puzzle,
matching, fill-in contests - winner will be randomly selected from all correct
entries.
A few
simple rules:
1) List
the letter followed by your answer.
2)
Along with your answers, tell me what kind of car you drive.
Here is
this month’s fill in contest:
A) Who drove the AAR Cudas in the 1970 Trans Am series?
B) What displacement options were available on 1969 Chevelle SS
cars from the factory?
C) Packard had a car named after a body of water. What was it?
D) What is considered Ford Mustang’s “sister car” in another FoMoCo
division?
E) In what year did Jaguar introduce the D” Type?
Go
to it! – Use the internet
or other sources for help if you need it.
___________________________________________________
“EXTRA EXTRA!
READ ALL ABOUT IT!!”
The Cruise Nights are all wrapped up for the year. The OBI/Captree meeting is the only one still hangin’ tough!
2008 Cruise Night location
updates:
SUNDAYS: *AM Cruise* Ocean Pkwy, Captree Beach Parking Lot through May, then at OBI.
Public gathering.
I was informed by Ray Rendina, one of the directors of the Long
Island Road Gents that they will be hosting a new cruise night this year on
Wednesdays out in West Islip. See the EVENTS section of the website for more
info.
___________________________________________________
GUEST WRITERS’ COLUMNS
Tom Sebastian stunned me and I am just recovering. This man is a Secret Agent for
goodness sake! I was worried about the man I have lived vicariously through –
until the end of his article. He redeemed himself and my faith in all things
and people of a distinctly performance mindset. “Say it isn’t so Tommy” I
cried as a read it. But I feel better now. There is light at the end of the
tunnel and a lesson has been learned. PS –Don’t forget to check his footnotes when reading the article!
Lou Refano has
one more peek for us into his Fave’s book of cars. This has been an interesting series
about some of the great cars of the 1970’s. This last entry will be no
exception! {Can’t wait to see what
Lou has up his sleeve next go ‘round!}
Justin Appelbaum writes an important plan for those of you considering a restoration, or
even some moderate work on your car.
There are so many things
to prepare and pitfalls to be ready for. Think you’re gonna get off cheap?
Think again……
We have a new guest
writer who you may know from car shows and other venues. Joe Picarello is his name. He and his son Joey are also known as
Fonzie & ChaChi. If classic 50’s music is to your liking, then here is a
great story about a machine and a guy that keep things rolling and cruising
along!
Rich’s
Tech Tips gives us the lowdown on
synthetic vs conventional motor oil. Interesting points as always. Hmmm, which
way are you gonna go? Read on to decide….
In the My Car Story section we feature Jim Smith’s 1972 Z28. This car is
quite a nice ride that Jim and his wife Kim share many good times in. A real looker
that is sometimes overlooked. Watch as these cars continue to appreciate in
both value and following!
Enjoy…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tom
Sebastian
Tom goes from this 
…. to this! 
Nostradamus Rising
The Volvo 940 Grand Luxe - – The Anti-Classic (…?)
Not quite the Biblical equivalent to the ‘Anti-Christ’, but it actually appeared that way to people who know me.
I think it’s safe to say you will not see this thing at the Jackson-Barrett Auction in Scottsdale, AZ anytime soon. With my purchase of the Volvo 940 GL[1] I ventured as deeply into the Used Car side of the Classic/Used Car Divide as I have ever been.
Although acquaintances of mine own this car, I have noticed that the car itself is a non-issue for them: something to fill the driveway or to go get groceries in.
But for some strange reason, I was drawn to the silly thing. And the closer I got to the purchase, I began trying to assess this vehicle’s place in the grand scheme of things automotive. I started to watch the behavior of people who owned one
Observation #1: People drive
this thing as if the car isn’t even there.
They are thinking about: the value of their house, paying for college, balancing their portfolio, George Bush, fixing the porch, or Chinese dinner. But nothing at all about driving this car. There is simply no sensation whatever going on behind the steering wheel. You can see it in their eyes.
Observation #2: Women with nesting instincts love this thing.
Not only does it have a built-in baby seat (!) but the whole family feels like the Swiss Gold Bars in Zurich as soon as you shut those big doors. If it reminds me of anything else on the road today it would be the Hummer. …That’s it: a Baby Hummer. You can pretend you are in Ridley Scott’s[2] dream world as you land on the planet with the acid-spewing monsters. You are safe so long as you stay inside this thing. Nothing can hurt you. Go anywhere without fear of breakdown (too well-built for that); survive almost any accident without fear of injury (engine is forced under chassis on impact); and watch car-jackers switch targets instinctively (this one will not let you in easily).
Observation #3: These people are not poor.
The owners look like the ones who followed all the right recipes growing up: Band over football; braces over buck-teeth; the Christmas Club over the pool hall; hiking trails over the drag strip; the malt shop in town over malt liquor in the park … I knew them well. And now I see what‘s become of them now that they’re all ‘growed up’. I actually like their houses (- economics over driver’s ed!), but have ZERO idea why they went for this car![3]
So, then… What am I
doing in the same company as this bunch!?
Before I get to that bit of self-analysis, let me say something more about this tank.
Yes, this is, by far, the most boring car I have ever driven. But it just as easily has the best build quality of all of them. And, hey… when you’re old, a sense of self-preservation takes hold. You can start this thing from inside the house to warm up those seats for your now more delicate, derriere. And it really is the most inexpensive, fully loaded luxury car you can own.
Performance:
Minus 10.
Hit that gas and nothing of note occurs -- neither on the tachometer nor in your wallet. (Another item oldsters think highly of. These days we walk right on past the silly car mags that sport headings like, Vette Killer or, Porsche Eater or, Super Snake.[4] Stretching the necks of the locals as they watch you pass is now far less important than stretching the buck).
So, What Gives, Dr.
Freud:
Self- Analysis – Surface Level
I really did want to see, for once, what the “non-classic” is all about… what it is like to be a normal person and own a car that starts all the time and is safe and just goes and goes and goes… (While my Volvo 240 wagon might seem to fit the same description, that one was really a cult unto itself, whereas this one has a Cult Value equal to its performance: Zippo.)
I felt I should explore this side of life, at lease once, before go back -- if I go back – to more challenging cars. Maybe I will stop right here (Sorry, Peter), thank God that those other more explosive cars didn’t kill me, and raise the white flag to a boring future in The Home.
Deep Analysis
Is it just possible… That I was right in singling out this car?
Not to brag, but every car I have owned is worth more now than what I paid for it. Did I, subconsciously, do it again?
Remember the Birkenstock phenomenon? This was the ‘anti-style’ footwear company if there ever was one! OK then, why did they outsell all of its Parisian and Italian competitors? Could it be that ‘German Thing’ -- just better made and thus, making YOU look good because you had the sense to know it and not be waylaid by the flimflam design fad of the moment? Sound familiar? As in: the real reason for Volvo’s early success on these shores?
If Volvo, ultimately, loses their identity because they want Snoop Dog to be seen in one, this model just could be the Swedish farewell model to the Scandinavian quaintness that got them here in the first place. And take a close look at the VW Jetta and the Saab 9000. Look familiar? Like a rip-off of the 940? Did they pick up on something that Volvo missed?
Final Analysis
But since I still have dreams of myself taking the next Bond role in Hollywood, this thing will never do. And I recognized that before I even got it home -- at my first gas stop in fact. The first conversation in my new wheels was with a Boomer who, upon seeing what I was driving, wanted to talk about Al Gore. That did it for me.
So, how attached to this car was I really? -- Bought it on a Wednesday morning… On Craigslist Wednesday afternoon.
Next Time: ‘Quirks’-Ville!!
(Tom I was so
worried. That is – until I got to the last line of this article!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LOU’S ’70’s FAVES, PART
4...LEAVE ‘EM IN THE DUST
by
Louis Refano
(photos by the
author)
I conclude
my look at the swingin’ ‘70s the way I began it…with a Mopar. More
specifically, a Plymouth. A muscle car? Superbird? Road
Runner? ‘Cuda? GTX? Sorry, none of the above. The car
I’m “dusting off”, so to speak, is an economy car that didn’t think it was an
economy car, and appealed to just about everyone.
The Plymouth Duster was another in a line of sporty looking, youth-embracing
designs penned by the Chrysler styling team in the late sixties. What
they pulled off with the Duster was nothing short of amazing…a fastback
variation of the lowly Valiant, but the final product seemed like much
more. Instead of revamping the whole Valiant line as was budgeted for,
the Plymouth team put its resources into this sporty coupe. The front-end
sheet metal, windshield, running gear and 108-inch wheelbase were all shared
with the existing Valiant, but the personality of the two models couldn’t be
farther apart. Dick Macadam, vice president of styling at the Plymouth
studio, said: “It was a very late program, under extreme pressure, and needed a
shot in the arm very quickly. It was sold through product planning, sales
division, and finally corporate management in a very short period of time--a
few weeks.” The head designer behind the Duster project was Neal Walling.
The base price
was a mere $2,172 and included a small-block six cylinder, a column mounted
three speed manual transmission, and manual brakes and steering. Sales of the
new “Valiant Duster” were fast and furious, winding up at 217,192. It was
the right combination of economy, interior space efficiency, and style.
It seems that the Plymouth team had dead aim on their target market: people who
wanted a nice basic car with an extra sporty appeal (it was the same formula
Lee Iacocca had used with the first Ford Mustang).
Like all Mopar lines, the Duster could be made quite a bit more potent with the
right options. This was the muscle car era after all, so although the
standard engine was a 198-cubic-inch slant-six, a 340-cubic-inch V8 was
available in the Duster 340. For a mere $400, this trim package added the
340 V8 with four barrel carb, dual exhausts, floor mounted three-speed manual
transmission, a 3.23:1 rear axle, a heavy duty suspension with larger diameter
torsion bars, extra leaf springs, front stabilizer bar, front disc brakes, and
a unique instrument panel that included a tachometer and 150 mph
speedometer. A total of 24,817 Duster 340 models were built in ‘70.
A 318 V8 was also available in the standard Duster.
At midyear, a "Gold Duster" trim package was added for the standard
model. The Gold Duster package came with either the 225 cubic inch Slant Six or
the 318 cubic inch V8. It also came with special Gold Duster badging, gold
stripes on the sides and rear, and other luxury trim options.
The Duster represented outstanding value for the money. Compared to the 1970
Ford Maverick, the Duster had a five inch longer wheelbase, 4.5 more cubic feet
in the trunk, 11 inches more hip room in the rear seat, 3.5 inches more hip
room in the front, bigger brakes, more options to choose from, and had a far
better warranty.
The Duster was such a success for Plymouth that Dodge insisted to Chrysler
management that they receive their own version. This would become the
Demon, which debuted for 1971. In exchange, Plymouth was given a version of the
Dodge Dart Swinger 2-door hardtop named the Plymouth Scamp. The religious
groups had a problem with the name “Demon”, however, so after 1971 it was
renamed “Dart Sport”.
For 1971, only
small changes were made to the Duster. The "Valiant" badges were
removed, as well as the Plymouth logo on the grille. A new trim package was
added to the A-body line for 1971. The "Twister" package gave its
owner the appearance of the Duster 340, but was available with only slant-six
or 318 V8 engines. The Twister came with special side stripes that mimicked the
Duster 340 Wedge stripes and also had a similar matte-black hood. The Twister
had the "looks" of the much-faster 340 but had the powertrain to get
cheap insurance for the youth market, which both targeted. Both the
Duster and the Twister could be ordered with an optional non-functional dual
hood scoop and rear spoiler appearance package. Other options included
high-back bucket seats and dual exhaust. In typical Mopar fashion those
bucket seats had thin backs and were offered in some shiny “iridescent”-like
colors including bright blue and medium green.
The Duster had no significant changes made in 1972; the most significant were
the detuning of the engine to meet new emissions laws, and slight cosmetic
changes to the rear taillights.
Minor restylings involving new hood, grille, and taillamp treatments were made
for 1973 and 1975. In ‘75, the Plymouth logo returned and the three horizontal
slot grille was replaced with a mesh grille. The previous Dusters had
separate twin taillights on each side, while the second series ‘73 and beyond
featured one taillight per side. Dusters of this era were often seen with
the optional “canopy” vinyl roof, covering the roof ahead of the rear window,
which added to the sporty flair.
1974 was another banner year for the Duster. Buyers continued to come into
Chrysler-Plymouth dealers in high volume, driving away every Duster that could
be built. The only significant change for ’74 was under the hood. The 360
cubic inch V-8 was introduced to the Duster line to replace the 340. Originally
conceived as a smog motor, the 360 was a great performer. In the Duster it made
for 245 horsepower. It was available with the TorqueFlite automatic and
on a very limited basis, with a Hurst 4-speed stick. Style wise, sturdier
front bumpers up front met federal requirements.
The 1976 Feather Duster featured many lightweight parts including an aluminum
inner hood, trunk bracing, bumper brackets, and 
intake manifold;
economy carb and distributor calibration; large exhaust system; tall rear axle
ratio; and either 3 speed auto or 4 speed overdrive manual trans. It had a
slant-six with gas-miser tuning and a special exhaust that could achieve over
30mpg. It was, by far, the most fuel-efficient car in its size class (along
with a similar Dodge model, the Dart Lite). There was also a version called the
Space Duster that had fold-down rear seats, and along with the huge trunk had
over 50 cu. ft. of cargo space. That same year, the Duster 360 was one of a
select few cars remaining on the market that had a relatively large engine-size
to-vehicle-weight ratio. The 1976 model would be the last for the original
Valiant based Duster.
The departure of the Duster/Valiant in ‘76 coincided with the introduction of
the Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen, compacts that emphasized luxury and
refinement in order to support a changing buyer taste. It’s been said
that the Duster could have survived a few more model years, if that was
Chrysler’s objective…they were still popular and an economy version like the
Feather Duster would have sold well during the ‘79 oil crises.
Finally, Chrysler always had clever marketing gimmicks in the ‘60s
and ‘70s to promote its cars. One that sticks in my mind is the Dodge
Dart Sport that had the fold-down rear seats. It was called “Dart Sport Convertriple”.
I believe it was promoted by that legendary spokeswoman, Mean Mary Jean.
With a cutie like that on your team, how could you go wrong? Oh where are
you today Mary Jean, with your pigtails and short shorts? You could have
saved Plymouth!
Like many other Chrysler products of the early to mid-70’s, the styling of the
1970-76 Duster still holds up well today. It’s unfortunate that even a
car like the Duster, that once had such a ubiquitous presence on the road, has
become quite a rare sight. Which is a shame, because its combination of
sportiness, versatility and economy make it a perfect everyday cruiser in 2008.
Sources: Cars of the Sensational ‘70s by James M. Flammang and the Auto Editors
of Consumer Guide, www.wikipedia.org, www.valiant.org/duster,
www.musclecarclub.com, Mighty Mopars by Anthony Young
(
Lou, I thought I knew Mopars! You taught me quite a bit here!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"When Dollars Make Sense"
By Justin
Appelbaum
Winter has typically been the time of year for the
start of larger restoration projects. The
show season is over and peoples’ precious vehicles have been put away for the
long cold months ahead. Planning a
larger restoration is not and should not be a spur of the moment decision.
Organization is the key to any solid restoration. Whatever you plan on spending as your budget - double it, because
that is the reality of this hobby.
There is not one customer that comes in and actually spends what they
thought it would cost initially on a large-scale restoration. When they ask “why it is so much?” the
answer is simple, the cost of labor and materials have gone up
dramatically. Over the past few years,
jobs that would have typically cost hundreds now cost thousands. Plus when restoring a vehicle you never
truly know what you are getting into until you actually start taking the car
apart. Floor-pans could be missing
underneath the carpet, body mounts could be shot and completely dry rotted,
seat frames falling apart inside tattered material, and the cancer of a vehicle
- rust, is just sometimes not fully evident until you start digging. These are just some of the necessary
possibilities to take into consideration when planning a restoration project of
a large magnitude.
Well, if this has not scared you
straight and sent you running to a new car dealership, now is really where you
need to pay attention. This article is
primarily going to focus on restoring a vehicle to a non-original state. When restoring a car to its original state,
your options are drastically limited and the framework in which you have to
focus is a lot more confining. Seeing
as it is already basically the end of the winter season, this year is out,
sorry you missed it. The good news
though is that most of the following seasons’ trend setting ideas take place
during the previous off-season. So during this years car shows it behooves you
to pay extra close attention to the details that you like on the freshly
restored vehicles that you see out there this year. In today’s fast paced world spending some time on the internet and
going through the latest publications allows you to stay ahead of the trends
which come and go faster then the money that you have to spend on your
project. Believe it or not, if you see
something new this year, it will be old news in a year or two. Although there are many ideas out there that
are not “trends” but are actually timeless, it take a fine eye and a knowledge
of the hobby and industry to tell these apart from those that are cool today
and cheesy tomorrow. This is where the
knowledge and experience of a local restoration shop comes in handy.
One solid example of this is an over use of the two-tone
color scheme. While two-toning was
heavily popular in the late 1990’s carrying over to this part of the new
millennia based on what major car manufacturers were offering as original
equipment, now in the industry it looks very dated. In fact, most car manufacturers don’t even offer that as an
option anymore. If you look at the
trends today it is all about multi-tonal singular color themes. Now what this means is various tones and
materials (leather, suede, vinyl) of one base color (i.e. tan) are used to
create depth and texture on the inside of a vehicle in a complimenting manor to
the exterior color. When customers come
in looking for ideas and all they can come up with is a two-tone idea, when
pointed in other directions they are usually rather receptive to the ideas that
we provide. Now I am not saying that
the choice to two-tone an interior is a bad idea, (we certainly do a tremendous
amount of it here) it can be pulled off if done tastefully. The key is
moderation. When ideas get out of hand and the color gets thrown all over the
place; vehicles evolve from cool custom rides to over the top incantations of
what they were originally intended to be.
Limitations on where you choose to add color are necessary in order to
maintain a not-so-out-there and somewhat childish look. When added in just the right amounts and in
the proper places you can truly have yourself a real winner.
One new trend emerging is installing late model luxury
seats into older vehicles. The market
has become flooded with these types of seats from car accidents where the
vehicle becomes totaled but the interior is still in perfect condition. An advantage to these seats it that most of
them have the seat belts built into them.
Builders like them because it is relatively easy to fabricate brackets
to install them into any number of applications plus they have the added safety
of a fully functional three-point seat belt and a majority of them come with
full power along with added features like heaters, cooling and lumbar
support. Modifying the upholstery of
these seats to match an already finished interior is easy, as is creating a
full interior around theses seats.
When it comes to mechanical
restoration the door gets thrown open, budget becomes very important and a
clear-cut plan needs to be established.
It is necessary to know exactly what you are getting into because much money
can be wasted if this process is attempted in a haphazard manor. On older vehicles a good place to start is
with the braking system. They are
typically old and neglected over the years, or even worse repaired in a poor
fashion and actually dangerous.
Rebuilding the drums and or calipers, changing the brake lines and
overhauling the master cylinder are all necessary steps. Any performance upgrades to the system will
be figured into this at this point.
Some are happy with the power that their cars makes while
others are in a constant quest for more.
There are endless companies out there making endless parts to increase
the performance of your vehicle. It is
important to figure out which direction you want to go. As has been since the beginning of engine
building, more power typically means shorter engine life and vise versa. Plus the more power you want to make, the
more bank it takes. So once again
budget can play a major factor in this aspect of vehicle restoration, as well
as what you are planning on using your vehicle for. If you plan on heading to the drag strip every weekend, more
engine is better, while on the other hand if hitting the local cruise night is
marked on your calendar, your money might be better spent on our next area of
discussion: paint.
Like every other aspect of car
building when it comes to paint, short cutting the job only leads down one road
- disaster. Without a trained eye it
can be difficult to tell the actual condition of the sheet metal and what lurks
beneath. After 30 plus years no car is rust
free or accident free. If it has any kind of mileage on it, you can bank on
that. This is why when painting a
vehicle it is important to get the vehicle down to as much bare metal as
possible and start from there. Once you
know what kind of base you have to work with, you know what it is going to take
to get the paint to where you want it to be.
The better the prep work to the body - the better the end result. Nobody is going to be happy after spending
countless hours and hard earned money on a paint job and after a few months the
paint begins to lift, crack or bubble.
I hope that this has been an informative article for all of
you out there looking to restore a vehicle.
If you have any questions or are looking for some advice feel free to
contact the shop and someone will be willing to help you in any way that they
can.
One more thing to consider is the fact
that more often then not you hear about how much people sink into a car that
has no sentimental value, and I can’t understand that. People buy pieces of junk that literally
were pulled out of a swamp and spend twenty to thirty thousand dollars,
sometimes even more, and sometimes years just getting them back to a point
where they are complete and drivable.
Where if they had spent a little time looking they could have found the
same car already complete and drivable for just a fraction of the money and
they could have been driving it for the past year and still would have had all
that money to put into a fully functional vehicle. Just something to wrap your brain around.
(Well laid out parameters of a vehicle “restoration”
Thanks Justin!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hi everyone in
classic car land! Most of you know me as Joe Buick, with those Buick 59’s, but
that’s not what this story is about. It’s about something that’s just as
important as our classic cars - the music. Years ago when I joined my first
club - The Original Lost in the Fifties, the music that we played at our meets,
events, or just hanging out was just as important as the cars. We were told by
spectators and friends alike that “It’s just not your cars man, but the music
you guys play really sets the mood and puts us back when these classic were
new.” All the guys in club would say “Don’t worry, JB’s bringing the music”.
As
my son Joey and I moved on years later and created the Super Cruisers Nostalgia
Club, we started a car show for the Bellmore Presbyterian Church, which most of
you have gone to and enjoyed. We were always told by many that our show was
enjoyable and had a great atmosphere about it. Not being able to ever find the
right DJ, Joey and I, nine years ago with the passion and love we have for the
era and music, created DJ Night Train. We have a library that’s dedicated to
generations that seem to be discarded and thrown away in today’s society.
I
am thankful for my son’s (who is only twenty-two years old) incredible love and
knowledge for this music. Cause not only will he keep my Buick’s running along,
he will keep the music spinning as well for generations to come. As I’m sure,
you would like your sons and daughters to do also. Like I said before - they
both go hand in hand. Cars and music!
In January 2005 we
wanted to create something unique for outdoor events, car shows, grand openings
etc. that would be an extension on how we basically live our lives. We had a
vision of creating a mobile DJ truck. It’s a 1975 Dodge B300, a retired school
bus that I bought in 1988, and used as a installation truck for my HVAC
business. Being how times had changed and the truck wasn’t really used much
anymore, in March 2005 we started to rip it apart, and for the next fifteen
months created its third personality as Juke Box Drive. The coolest
power plant on wheels. It made its first debut at the Father Day Car show June
2006. Three thousand watts of power that can be spinning music within fifteen
minutes at any outdoor event!! The inside is loaded with memorabilia which I’m
sure will knock the dust off some of your fondest memories. From a Wurlitzer
jukebox playing 45’s or watching some of your favorite black and white TV shows
on a 1956 GE television, or maybe it’s just the roller skates you will fondly
remember. Whatever it is, this must be seen in person to really be appreciated
to the fullest!
Just
remember guys and gals - nobody should tell us what kind of car to drive and
nobody should tell us what kind of music we want to listen to. So if you still
want the good old rock and roll, blues, swing and pop, give us a call we have
it all.
We have a wide spread of music from the 1940’s to
the 1980’s, again dedicated to generations that seem to be left out. DJ Night
Train will never let that happen. So keep us in mind for your next indoor or
outdoor event. Appointments can be made to also see the truck in person. The
truck is self-powered off a generator or can be plugged into a 115-volt outlet.
Contact us at (516) 779-5927 or at NighttrainDJ@aol.com.
Now its time for us to get back to the past where are our most precious
memories were built to last, may all your days be happy ones!
(Awesome truck fellas! Can’t
wait to see you play this year!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RICH’S TECH TIPS
By Rich Fiore
TO GO SYNTHETIC OR NOT
... THAT'S THE SLIPPERY QUESTION !!
Synthetic oil has been around for quite some time now. And like most of us I have often asked myself ... should I change over? Is it worth the extra expense? I've heard its does not break down as easily.... but it still gets dirty. Do I want to extend my oil intervals when I use my sled a few hundred miles a season? Will I get leaks? Lets take a look at some of the ancient history on motor oils from the beginning, and see if we can come up with some answers.
Many automobiles made prior to World War II did not have
any sort of oil filtration system like we see on " modern " vehicles.
In addition, the oil did not contain detergents or dispersants that are
designed to break down the schmootz and hold them in suspension until your
oil filter gets a chance to trap it. As a result these older engines wound up
with a significant layer of sludge, usually on the bottom of the oil pan and
deposits just about every where else. So with those older engines ( just about
no where to be found today ) it was always advisable to stick with the
non-detergent motor oil's. The use of modern oil's in one of those would
usually break down these deposits and put this destructive material back in
suspension in the oil. In the end these hard foreign materials ... specifically
metals floating around in the oil, would wind up in the bearings and on your
cylinder walls. That sounds pretty ugly doesn't it?
Another thought in putting modern oil in a relic is
that it would actually reduce engine performance. Deposit build up on these old
engines actually helped " seal " some of these areas.
Specifically around seals, pistons, rings, valves and cylinder walls. When a
detergent oil was added and it cleaned up deposits and increased
clearances. This meant increased oil consumption/leakage, compression loss and
possibly valve leakage.
Now comes the thought of using synthetic motor oil. A
concern has been that the use of synthetic oil in vintage vehicles would
cause new
or increase leaks. This can occur with very old rides due to the
incompatibility of old gaskets and seals. Another school of thought was
that since it was slicker and generally thinner it would sneak past the seals a
little easier. I personally feel any thin oil will do that on its own if
the gap is large enough.
Having said all of this, there is no doubt that Synthetic
oil is superior to motor oil across the board. Being so super slick there are even
gas saving benefits. If I had a brand new car I would probably break it in with
conventional motor oil for the first five thousand or so miles and switch over
to Synthetic motor oil. As far as my classic ride's go I'm going to stick with
conventional motor oil. Some of my classic rides don't see all that much
mileage and the oil with filter get changed at the end of the season. For the
few hundred miles a season I cruise, in my book it’s not worth the added
expense. Synthetic is designed to be changed at much longer mileage
intervals. I would rather change it more often and get the schmootz out before
any damage could occur.
Smoke em if you got em !!!
(Richie-boy, you helped shed
some light on this question that has been doggin me for years now! Thanks!)
Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jim Smith: 1972 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
This 1972, Z28 is a fun, fast, and incredible un-restored
car. After a long tedious search for a survivor car, I found this car in a
remote area of Pennsylvania.
I purchased it in 2004 with only 14,000 original miles and in excellent original condition in and out. The previous owner hardly used it, usually only to take it for it’s yearly state inspection. While many find it hard to believe, this is the original paint on the car. As for the car’s history, I have discovered that it was raced briefly in the 70’s and then sat for sometime. It was then put back to stock with the original components that were born to the car. I have documentation that verifies the mileage and owner history as well as the protecto- plate (pop). Although not on the car now, I still have the original Firestone Wide Oval tires (5) and exhaust system as well. 1972 is the second rarest year for Z28 cars with only 2,575 having been built, 1967 being the rarest. This is an original M22 transmission and a radio delete car which makes it even more desirable, as they are even harder to come across. Approximately 767 of these went into the market.
I have been a fan of the second generation Camaros
since their inception. My parents had a ‘73 green Rally Sport 350 and I bought
my first one, a new 1981 Z28, as a senior in high school. While second generation Camaros are becoming
more and more desirable to collectors and enthusiasts, the cost to acquire one
of these cars is becoming astronomical, thus making it more difficult for those
of us who have been fans of these cars since the 70’s. As a Muscle Car enthusiast for over 30
years, I still find the all-around performance of the second-generation cars to
be the best GM ever offered throughout the muscle era. I have had a number of
Chevelles 396/454 cars, a Monza, even a Cosworth Vega (that I still have) but I
still love the 2nd generation Camaro the most.
This is a very basic no-option Z. I imagine
they wanted keep it as light as possible for racing. It is burnt orange
metalic/flame orange. I don't think they could choose what to call it! The last
owner had the car in storage for a friend since the 80's, then came upon
some financial troubles, so the previous owner gave a loan to his friend to get
back on his feet. He never did so he gave the gentleman I purchased the car
from the title (he is in his 70's). During his ownership he drove the car a
total of around 200 miles - just for annual inspections etc. Since I have owned
it, I have replaced the exhaust system, fluids, did a tune-up and that’s about
it!
Future plans - perhaps a little more under
hood /undercarriage detail, but nothing to take away from the originality. For
the real hard core 2nd generation fan it is a trip to look at! But you have to
love the imperfections that GM allowed!
Things such as over-spray, things in the paint, there’s even trunk
splatter paint on the tail panel and roof!
Car shows and cruise nights are great for getting everyone
together and admiring all the cars …but my preference is to drive it like I
stole it, that’s the real fun for me! My kids love to take the Z out and do a
little drifting! So chances are if it’s not sitting still ………..it will be in a
corner getting sideways somewhere in a good old-fashion power slide!!
(Glad you enjoy
it like it was made to be enjoyed Jim! But remember – it is a rare piece –
don’t get too crazy!) Pete
______________________________________________________
Here
is where you can access previous editions of the Long Island Classic Cars
Online Newsletter.
http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/
You can also access the previous Newsletters through a
link on the main page of the website.
___________________________________________________
I hope you like our
new main page! Don’t forget to check it out! It took me about a month to design
it and get things worked out. Matt Kelly helped me get it launched. He is a
cool guy that can also help you out with web stuff and other design work if you
need it. See our ? button on the main
page of the site for more information.
A big thanks to all
my writers who have contributed these great articles and stories. Also – keep
an eye out for further updates and changes. Check the !
button on the main page in the future for some surprises!
Enjoy 2008! See you out there!
Pete Giordano
Editor
Long Island Classic Cars.com