Monday 10 October 2016
To celebrate the end of the Land Rover production they put together a recreation of the 1948 Series 1 assembly line.
they had some trouble coming up with original parts, so they hired local expert and collector, Phil Bashall, who started his fascination with old Land Rovers at age 13 when he assembled one from parts. They also had the help of the Land Rover Series I Club, and Roger Crathorne, who is known simply as 'Mr Land Rover', was born in the same town as the Land Rover factory, and joined Land Rover as an apprentice in 1963. He retired in 2014 having completed 51 years service.
Phil had a large number of the 'nuts and bolts' he needed tucked away in his own 'Aladdin's Cave' of Land Rover parts - he has amassed over 8,000 original parts but it was still a long and painstaking search to find all the brakes, clutches, gaskets and pedals required for the exhibit.
http://www.automotonews.com/land-rover-crea-una-replica-della-linea-di-produzione-del-defender-del-1948/
http://www.landrover.co.uk/above-and-beyond/news/defender-production-line.html
Jegs is having a contest to select what car gets on the cover of their parts catalog
and here are just a few of the ones you can vote on, or submit your own
https://www.facebook.com/Jegsperformance/app/610925878965605
Cool idea, I just learned of a New Years Day burnout party
In Fallbrook, there happens to be the private concrete launch strip belonging to Mike Hayden, a noted engine and drag car builder, between his house and shop. Built to test cars for his customers and himself, and it makes a perfect venue for the Shafter's CC annual New Year's "Burnout" party.
http://johnstraub.blogspot.com/2014/01/pig-juices-and-ribbons-of-smoke.html#more
the downfall of the British car manufacturing
Taxes, unions, and morons.
In 1947, the taxes on a new car were 33% for car that cost under £1000, and 66% for a car costing more than £1000
In 1950 the tax was a flat 50%
From then til 1979 (not much worth mentioning was made in England) it varied from 60% in 1955 to 17%.
Installment payment method was a ridiculous 50% down, the rest in 24 months in 1956, and by the 1961 was 20% down the rest in 36 monthly.
Union work stoppages, were so out of control, they killed off the car makers almost by themselves. In 1977, British Leyland lost £150 million from just one work stoppage.
Back in the 1950s they wanted to get low employment areas to work, so they moved factory jobs to Wales and Scotland... but that just slowed production as the raw materials were all in the midlands.
Through the 50s, BMC had 13 different engines, at the same time. That wasn't stupid enough, they had 23 body styles.
They didn't learn what a foolish track they were on, and by the 70s they had twice as many models as GM, but only 1/5th the production. The market share dropped by 1/2 in the 1970s malaise era, from only 40% to 20% of the British Market.
Whatever marvelous quality that the British once had when they conquered the world and created the most enormous empire the world ever had has disappeared. The genius of car making that created the Rolls Royce quality and the Jaguar sports car, it dried up, or had been used up. The brighter the flame, the faster the candle burns out.
The Automobile Age, James J. Flink, pages 315-319
In 1947, the taxes on a new car were 33% for car that cost under £1000, and 66% for a car costing more than £1000
In 1950 the tax was a flat 50%
From then til 1979 (not much worth mentioning was made in England) it varied from 60% in 1955 to 17%.
Installment payment method was a ridiculous 50% down, the rest in 24 months in 1956, and by the 1961 was 20% down the rest in 36 monthly.
Union work stoppages, were so out of control, they killed off the car makers almost by themselves. In 1977, British Leyland lost £150 million from just one work stoppage.
Back in the 1950s they wanted to get low employment areas to work, so they moved factory jobs to Wales and Scotland... but that just slowed production as the raw materials were all in the midlands.
Through the 50s, BMC had 13 different engines, at the same time. That wasn't stupid enough, they had 23 body styles.
They didn't learn what a foolish track they were on, and by the 70s they had twice as many models as GM, but only 1/5th the production. The market share dropped by 1/2 in the 1970s malaise era, from only 40% to 20% of the British Market.
Whatever marvelous quality that the British once had when they conquered the world and created the most enormous empire the world ever had has disappeared. The genius of car making that created the Rolls Royce quality and the Jaguar sports car, it dried up, or had been used up. The brighter the flame, the faster the candle burns out.
The Automobile Age, James J. Flink, pages 315-319
Sunday 9 October 2016
Cuba's Car Culture, book review
Tom Cotter (author of the barn find books Cobra In A Barn, etc) and Bill Warner (founder of the Amelia Island Concours) have made the most complete book on Cuba's pre-Castro car and racing history and today's current problematic economic and automotive situation, that we are likely to ever need. Seriously, I think this covers the topic, the problem, it's cause and effect so thoroughly, that I doubt another ever needs to be printed.
By the numbers,
188 pages
12 chapters
and normally I count the photos, but this is a photo heavy book... not a book that is word heavy like so many I've reviewed in the past
The re-establishment of international relations between Cuba and the USA is just getting somewhere, but there isn't yet a way for the cars to get fixed, it seems. The people of Cuba are still unable to afford to replace the 6 decades old cars they've been stuck with since Castro and the revolution led to events that stopped all trade and business between most car producing countries and Cuba. (Germany still could export to Cuba, and dictators love BMWs)
I'm not very informed on the who, and when and why, but a couple years after Castro defeated the dictator Bautista, who took off to the Dominican Republic on New Years 1959 with 500 million dollars worth of gold (the world was still on the gold standard), Castro decided to try for a utopian ideal of communism for the Cuban people where everyone was supported by the government, and received a stipend for income, and there is no car insurance (great idea!).
So, anyway, to get to Cuba, you get a ride from Eastern Airlines... yes, they did go bankrupt 25 years ago, but it was bought up by the Havana Airlines CEO, and now, bingo, they are in business to get tourists to spend money in Cuba.
Cuba, is only known for 4 things; cigars, the cars, and the embargo that seemed to never end between 2 countries only 90 miles apart, and the Russian nuke missiles that were heading to a new home in Cuba when they nearly caused WW3.
Well, the missiles were never delivered, the embargo is nearly ended, and the cigars were never stopped from getting into anyones hands that wanted them, and now... the cars. They aren't changed a bit from decades of desperate repairs to keep them on running.
A lot of this book is about how they keep these cars going, replacing all the running gear with Russian car parts. What there is left on the roads of Cuba have had decades more of bad roads than any New York cab, or other steroetypical horrible road vs daily driver. Road repairs in Cuba may have happened since '59, but it seems they have been less maintained than any other, and they weren't much to begin with as the people running Cuba have been the same as any other rulers, greedy and not devoted to the simple duties like keeping the roads fixed.
Then, as the trouble rolled downhill, it ended up settling into the cars, and it spread it's problems through them all. Without replacement parts, they've been making due for about 4 and a half decades. Maybe the Russians reverse engineered some Fords back when (1930s?) but it seems they didn't bother with any in the late 50s, and then provide those parts to the Cuban auto parts stores. That actually would have been ironic, and kinda cool for the car owners of Cuba.
The 5th chapter is the history of cars in Cuba, and it's pretty cool. I didn't know that Cadillacs were sold in higher numbers per capita in Cuba than any other country, including the USA before the embargo.
Chapter 6 is all about racing in Cuba's history, and if you have been interested in the gran prix's and Fangio's kidnapping, you'll enjoy this chapter. Did you know they had stock car racing? And there were Edsels, Studebakers, and Dodges racing in stock, and in the sports car classes were Porsches and Mercedes 300SLs.
But, did you know that the GP races were almost not held in Cuba due to the deaths when the Mercedes went through the grandstands and killed 80 at the 1955 Le Mans? And, of course, something similar happened in Cuba, as the track wasn't anything more than city streets, and the rumor is that the people were not happy with the rich and wealthy racing, and the poor getting poorer due to the Castro regime, so they oiled the track on a fast corner, and a car wiped out and killed 6 and injured 40 more. Bet you never heard about that. But the lack of race organizers, and complete lack of safety, meant that no warning was given to incoming race car drivers.
And the 1960 Cuban GP was missing Briggs Cunningham, becuase the Cubans had seized his business in Cuba, so he boycotted the race - and seriously, would you take part competing in a country that had stolen your property and business?
Chapter 9 is about the celeb cars, like Hemmingway's. Can you believe David Soul (Starsky and Hutch) is funding it's restoration? It still has it's original hemi too.
So enjoy the book! You'll get fully informed on Cuba's Car Culture. It's far more in depth than I thought it would be, and terrifically full of photos of the cars and Havana.
A go-pro on a Hot Wheels car captures what it would be like to be a driver on the orange track
Using a GoPro Hero4 Session, the clip puts you in the driver’s seat of a Hot Wheels car as it hurtles down 8 expertly crafted pieces of track connected by ‘teleporting tunnels.’
http://petapixel.com/2016/08/16/gopro-strapped-hot-wheels-car-captures-every-little-kids-dream-drive/
Saturday 8 October 2016
March 1965 Dodge launched the Go Go package for the Dart
It had the 10.5:1 compression 235 HP 273 with a 4-barrel AFB carb and came with the choice of an Auto or 4-speed and a 7.25 rear, finned rocker covers, chrome air cleaner and dual point distributor.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5818244170.html
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/65-dart-gt-go-go-edition.203872/
1965, and Dodge was trying to get interest built up, and off the Mustang.
the 1964 Charger Show Car. This car was based on the Polara, and was supposed to be 426 wedge powered, but, they knew no one would be able to tell it was only a dressed up 383.
http://hooniverse.com/2014/10/10/hooniverse-obscure-muscle-car-garage-the-1965-dodge-dart-charger-273/
AJ Foyt, remarkable career as a driver
He's the only driver to have won the Daytona 500, 24 hours of Daytona, Indy 500, and 24 hours of LeMans.
And this may seem trivial, but he won with both Firestone and Goodyears on the same car. That is pretty cool, and can't be replicated now I bet. Too many sponsorship rules
And this may seem trivial, but he won with both Firestone and Goodyears on the same car. That is pretty cool, and can't be replicated now I bet. Too many sponsorship rules
on October 20, 2016 on NBCSN, 14 1st place winners will get an all-expenses-paid trip to Miami for the Homestead race, where they each will try powering up the a 67 Hemi Belevedere in a key-turning ceremony.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Petty’s historic season, someone is going to turn a key, and win a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere that mirrors the No. 43 car, right down to the 43 that was hand-painted onto the replica by the artist who painted the original.
http://www.jacksonmg.com/blog/a-throne-fit-for-akings-car/
Unlike GM execs who seemed to have kittens whenever a woman was used in advertising, Chrysler was all for using models to sell a few cars.
In an attempt to stamp out cramped compacts, break the sedan-buying habit and eliminate Dullsville, Dodge announced the great Dodge Rebellion, and hired Pam Austin to be the spokes model
Company executives believed that by late 1967 Pam Austin the sex symbol was overshadowing the cars, their new features, and her role as Dodge Girl.
So they went in a new direction and began a new ad campaign: "Dodge Fever" would rule advertising in 1968 and Austin would be replaced by Joan Anita Parker.
During this era, one of the best things that could happen to an aspiring young actress was to get a leading role in a television commercial. The representatives of the Dodge advertising campaign were seeking a young woman who was personal, talented, intelligent, and attractive. The candidate had to quickly grasp what was expected of her and could be someone that worked well with other people while carrying out her part for introducing the new Dodge line of vehicles. When the casting call opened, over 400 candidates were present for audition.
By the end of the model year 1969, Ms. Parker decided to move onto other aspiring challenges and
Shortly after they found gold with the Dodge Fever Girl, Joan Parker got tired of all the running around and endless meet and greets. She married an L.A. real estate agent and moved there.
By 1970, Ms. Cheryl Miller became the new Dodge girl.Cheryl was born and raised in Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley area of Southern California. In 1966, she graduated from UCLA with a master's degree in music. She also studied voice, classical guitar, and composition at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. She was also the actress in a television series called Daktari.
http://www.motorcities.org/Story/Remembering+the+Dodge+Fever++Material+Girls+br+By+Robert+Tate-306.html
http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.com/2014/05/dodge-promo-gals-gallery-of.html
Australian businessman Jim Byrnes has the largest restoration business in the world, and was smart to establish it in the Philippines for the cheap labor and metal hand craftsmanship
Byrnes explains that seven to 10 years ago it was not economically viable to restore most E-types, due to the cost of the parts and the small matter of 3,000 hours of work.
Choosing a location where workers are skilled and dedicated, but labour rates are a fraction of those in the world’s main centres of classic car enthusiasm, meant that Byrnes could get his burgeoning collection restored well but cheaply, commissioning restorations in batches for economies of scale. So he sought out a tax free zone, former Clark Air Force Base in the PI.
With labour rates of up to £100 per hour in the UK and most of Europe, and not much less in the US, five years ago a car bought for £25,000 would cost about £225,000 to restore, he says – but it would only sell for £125,000.
The company's chief executive, Jason Lemberg, came to BMT after running the restoration department at Symbolic Motors of California, where his restorations twice won “best in class” at Pebble Beach.
“The workers have a real passion and attention to detail,” he says. “There’s a worldwide shortage of good metalworkers and the locals are incredible.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/inside-the-worlds-largest-classic-car-restorer/
Thanks Steve!
Friday 7 October 2016
Dennis Hopper, director/writer/co-star of Easy Rider was on British TV selling Ford cars. (sellout with a career failure late in life)
The 1999-2000 Cougar wasn't too bad... and a couple years later just before killing off Mercury and the Cougar, they added superchargers
Hey... where did everybody go?
I was taking a moment to kick back and enjoy other peoples blogs, and discovered it has been a long time since I did that. And a lot of bloggers and car and bike website people have given up.
I went to Lowtech, who was doing over 150 posts a year, now does about 15.
So I looked over at the blogorama list of recommended sites at Lowtech..
Speedseekers Still posting
Le Container Still posting
The Selvedge Yard Still posting
THE LAST DON only 3 posts this year
Working Class Kustoms Still posting
Wheels Are Everything Still posting
Flake Kings Still posting
Stylish Kustoms Still posting
ScooterMcRad's Whatchaworks similar to lowtech, was over 150, now, barely 11 a year average
PLANET MOTHERFUCKERS Gave up in 2014
OldGoldGarageCo Gave up in 2015
The Digital Milk Gave up in 2014
Autoculture Gave up in 2013
Los Boulevardos one post this year. Probably gave up
Sugar City Speed Shop not even online anymore
Kustomgonzo not even online anymore
Smokin Blog Gave up in 2015
So, 1/2 the sites in LowTechs Blogorama gave up. Lowtech either doesn't notice, or doesn't care that it's favorites list is only 1/2 alive.
What happened? Did the glam wash out when Jesse James packed up and blew away like a tumbleweed to Texas, and the other chopper show American Choppers shut down due to bankruptcy? American Hot Rod shut down either due to bloatation or when Boyd died, but once the Discovery Channel shows ended, so did a lot of blogging. Maybe it's just coincidence, but when the inspirations and constant attention to the tv show world went away, it looks like the bloggers packed it up and went away too.
I went to Lowtech, who was doing over 150 posts a year, now does about 15.
So I looked over at the blogorama list of recommended sites at Lowtech..
Speedseekers Still posting
Le Container Still posting
The Selvedge Yard Still posting
THE LAST DON only 3 posts this year
Working Class Kustoms Still posting
Wheels Are Everything Still posting
Flake Kings Still posting
Stylish Kustoms Still posting
ScooterMcRad's Whatchaworks similar to lowtech, was over 150, now, barely 11 a year average
PLANET MOTHERFUCKERS Gave up in 2014
OldGoldGarageCo Gave up in 2015
The Digital Milk Gave up in 2014
Autoculture Gave up in 2013
Los Boulevardos one post this year. Probably gave up
Sugar City Speed Shop not even online anymore
Kustomgonzo not even online anymore
Smokin Blog Gave up in 2015
So, 1/2 the sites in LowTechs Blogorama gave up. Lowtech either doesn't notice, or doesn't care that it's favorites list is only 1/2 alive.
What happened? Did the glam wash out when Jesse James packed up and blew away like a tumbleweed to Texas, and the other chopper show American Choppers shut down due to bankruptcy? American Hot Rod shut down either due to bloatation or when Boyd died, but once the Discovery Channel shows ended, so did a lot of blogging. Maybe it's just coincidence, but when the inspirations and constant attention to the tv show world went away, it looks like the bloggers packed it up and went away too.
LA International Airport has a parking lot just for the airline industry workers that live in RVs, in the few moments they are in LA, and not off to parts unknown
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/06/opinion/long-term-parking.html
An employee parking lot turned motor-home park made up of pilots, flight attendants and mechanics.
The lot was created at least a decade ago as an airport-sponsored program offering airline employees a place to rest before heading to their next destination. Today, however, the airport is actively seeking ways to re-appropriate the space where the community is situated and has slowly, and steadily, reduced the number of its residents.
The next destination for many of the lot’s residents is unknown. As a result of pursuing their dream of working in the aviation industry, with its transient lifestyle, many of the parking lot’s residents are estranged from their families. They are largely a community of people living alone, together — and most now consider the lot “home.”
Thursday 6 October 2016
Jaguar is going to have a hiring event for US military vets in So Cal
Jaguar Land Rover North America in Irvine will hold an open house Monday for veterans seeking work.
The company wants to hire 180 veterans in the U.S. by the end of the year.
Attendees will speak with local retailers, tour the training center and watch technical demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jaguar Land Rover Academy, 9292 Jeronimo Road, Irvine
The company wants to hire 180 veterans in the U.S. by the end of the year.
Attendees will speak with local retailers, tour the training center and watch technical demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jaguar Land Rover Academy, 9292 Jeronimo Road, Irvine
the Shell 4000 Cross Canada Rally in 1963, strangely, had a pair of Chrysler 300s in full rally race mode
The Shell 4000 was the worlds longest, most grueling rally in the 60's, and the only FIA sanctioned one in North America.
For the rally cars, Chrysler chose the 413 with 360 horsepower and a simple four barrel carb backed with the Torqueflite three speed automatic transmission. Both cars were two door hardtops and set up by Carl Prueths for rally racing with complete chassis protection using 3/4 inch welded steel plate on items deemed to be in danger including shock absorbers, engine oil pan, the K frame cradle, rear axle carrier and the leaf springs. A roof lamp was mounted providing high power wattage to light up the road ahead and help set up the car for turns. Even the tires and wheels were heavy duty. The 300 usually ran 14 inch rims with nice cushy road tires. These rally 300s came with 15 inch weld reinforced steel wheels with special 9.00x 15 inch Goodyear non expanding braced tread tires imported from Belgium.
The drivers were Gene Henderson with Fred Browne as navigator and the second car had Terry Sumner and Roger Bohl as navigator. Both cars were painted white with blue stripes in the center.
Starting in Vancouver, to Calgary, Regina, Winnepeg, along the north shore of Lake Superior, Chrysler proved that if soundly designed and properly equipped, even a Pentastar Panzer will be a competitive rally car..
http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.com/2015/01/road-rallying-1963-chrysler-300.html
The rally was annual from 1961 through 1968, then Shell ended it's participation. A similar rally was held again in 1971, 1994, 95, and last in 1997. In 2009, Napa had a 500 mile rally.
That 1st rally even had a V12 Rolls Royce, and it weighed 7000 pounds
http://shell-4000-rally.org/4000_web/other/history.htm
http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1967/36/rally-review-canadian-shell-4000-rally
https://revslib.stanford.edu/item/bh132jm2174
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