Crappy Diecast Cars at Wal-Farts!

I was at a local Wal-Farts and came across this.  I don’t know what is more disturbing the possibility of someone buying a 1:24 scale Diecast of a 1982 Dodge Aries K Car or that someone at MotorMax (who produced the car) thought this would actually sell.  That guy needs to be fired and run out town.  To add insult to injury they have to brand it with American Graffiti, one of the most Iconic Car Movies of all time.

MotorMax is the same company that produces the line Fresh Cherries which gave us diecast in both 1:24 and 1:64 scale of famous forgettable cars as the 1977 Ford Pinto, the 1975 Mercury Bobcat, 1978 AMC Pacer and the 1974 AMC Gremlin.  I’m sure there are more but I won’t even bother listing them.  These are the cars you always see in the Clearance isle or out of the way somewhere that the Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Johnny Lightnings can’t poke fun at them.

Corvette, Camaro, Challenger, Mustang….Dodge Aries K Car!

This prompts the question…What the FUCK are they thinking?!

On This Day In Automotive History…

January 26, 1979

Dukes of Hazzard debuts

The Dukes of Hazzard, a prime-time television action/comedy show, aired for the first time on this day. The show starred John Schneider and Tom Wopat as the mischievous Duke cousins, two “good old boys,” who tangled with the crooked law enforcement officers of Hazzard County every week. However, the real star of the show was their car, “The General Lee,” a 1969 Dodge Charger with a bright orange paint job and a Confederate flag on its roof. The car was a suitable choice: Dodge Chargers won 22 of the 54 major NASCAR races in 1969. The Dukes of Hazzard ran for seven seasons. A Dukes of Hazzard movie, starring pop singer Jessica Simpson, was released in 2005.

World Of Wheels 2009

Had a great time at the World of Wheels show at the Super Dome in New Orleans.  I was really impressed with all of the different cars that were there.  Several different styles and genres were represented and represented well.  I saw several cars that I had seen at local shows and even the Best of Show from our show Homeruns & Hotrods we had last November.

The venue was really crowded and at times it was difficult to get good pics because of all the people hovering over the cars not to mention the long lines to get autographs from the kid B celebrities.  I really wish they would take the kiddie stuff some where else other than the main car show.  After all this is a car show not a carnival.  The Patrick and Sponge Bob, Kid from Hanna Montana and the other from High School Musical has NOTHING to do with cars.  Put them some where else!  This just added to the traffic jam in the Super Dome event area.

There were the usual venders pushing their wares.  Some were pretty convincing especially when they had beautiful, scantly clad woman with boobs pushed up to their chin handing out leaflets.  Yeah the cars were not the only thing easy on the eyes.  And NO I didn’t take pics of them, just the cars because I wanted it to be about the cars and not the girls…plus my wife reads this Blog and she may shoot me.

The feature cars were nice but I was a bit turnd off by the original KITT.  It was in somewhat bad shape.  I noticed it had scratches, cracked wheel covers and the interior was looking a bit worn.  Seems like if this was going to be a feature car they would fix it up a bit.  I was most impressed with the Hirohata Mercury.  This was a George Barris car and it was beautiful.  This is when Barris was at the top of his game.  One of his best works ever.

Chip Foose’s P-32 Traditional Rod was nice but nothing really jaw dropping as you expect from Foose.  I think the display was more impressive than the actual car.  It was terribly simple with small custom touches that gave it a unigue quality that only a true rodder would pick up on.

Overall it was a great experience and the first World of Wheels I had ever been to.  I think Dad has decided to compete next year as there wasn’t a single 50’s T-Bird or GTO in the place.

I took video also and will get it posted some time later when I get a chance.  Check out my pics from the show here or go to the Car Show Pics link in the side bar.

Time to do a little work on the ’94 Silverado

Last year I came across a 1994 Chevy Silverado SWB Truck.  It was  one of those one owner, low mileage trucks you always hope to find.  This was an old man’s daily driver and is completely stock with a fuel injected 305  V8 and 700R4 transmission with only 97K miles.

The truck is in great shape for it’s age and runs like a top.  I have done a few things to it but nothing really cosmetic until now.  When I got the truck the Air Conditioning and heat didn’t work so I went about getting that fixed first.  I found out there was a shop rag sucked up into the air box thus burning up the fan motor and one actuator.  Well after replacing the fan motor and actuator everything was working well and then I noticed the A/C compressor constantly kicking on and off which probably means I have a leak which is common in a truck this old.  I will deal with the A/C when it starts warming up.  I do have heat and that is what is important right now.

I have been wanting to fix up the truck a bit and since it is winter I thought I would start with something that would not require me to be outside any extended periods of time.  Well I have ordered some wheels for the old Silverado.  I don’t care what you say…A good set of nice wheels can greatly improve the appearance of any vehicle.  I have chosen to go with the Soft 8s by Cragar.  They are a 8 Hole modular steel Chrome wheel and I will have 15″ x 8″ on the front while sporting 15″ x 10″ on the rear.  This is a classic hotrod setup and I think it will look great.  I’m looking to have about a 295/50R/15 tire on the  rear and possibly a good matching 60 series tire on the front.

I hope later on down the line to get the truck painted.  I’m not crazy about the current color which is that funky Teal Green Metallic that seemed to carry over from the 80s into the 90s.  The paint is original and a bit faded but I think a good cut and buff will bring it back to a decent shine.  I also want to remove the body side molding leaving just the fender chrome.  I think the body side molding really dates the truck.

I can never leave well enough alone with anything as I have recently located a fuel injected Police Interceptor SBC (which is basically a Corvette motor) with only 10K miles.  This may be trading places with the 305 power plant.  I have a buddy that I do a lot of so called horse trading with and he has the motor.

I will be posting before and after pics as I start getting things done.  So stay tuned.

World of Wheels this weekend in New Orleans, LA

If all goes well Dad and I will be attending World of Wheels at the  Super Dome in New Orleans, LA this weekend.  I’m not crazy about the guests (except for the Hornet Cheerleaders) but I’m pretty stoked about some of the featured cars that will be there.

You can check out the WOW site for guests and other features here.  I will have a full feature on the show with plenty of pics and possibly video so stay tuned!

On This Day In Automotive History…

January 19, 1954

GM announces billion-dollar expansion

General Motors announced a $1 billion plan to expand its automobile operation. GM, like other major auto makers, had deep pockets due to the postwar boom in car sales, though sales were slackening in 1953.

How times have changed.

What you should know about what they don’t need to know!

I came across this in a Motortopia Blog and it makes perfect sense…

The Jan./Feb. 09 issue of Pontiac Enthusiast Magazine has an interesting article about why you shouldn’t display certain information about your car. By displaying your VIN and cowl tags, it allows criminals to copy, photograph or memorize the information so they can create a copy of the VIN later. The cowl tag gives them the color and interior codes allowing them to clone your car, making a less valuable car appear to be something that it’s not (such as a special edition).
Displaying factory invoices and build sheets also gives criminals the info they need..With the VIN and a credit card, they can get documentation for the car, without proving ownership.  Imagine the problems that could occur if someone had another car and VIN identical to yours!  Try proving that your car is the authentic one, or that you are the real owner!  The invoice also contains key codes, which could allow someone to get keys cut to steal your car.  Of course you were nice enough to also put your name and town on your windshield or display board for them!
Many trailered show cars aren’t registered, which makes it harder for you to prove that the car is yours.
With the VIN and photos from the show or internet, they can also take out loans using your car as collateral. When they skip town, you are left with the loan.
Never display a current or old title. They contain both the VIN and your address!
Speaking of VINs- have you checked to make sure that your number is correct on your registration and insurance policy? If they aren’t and the car is in an accident or stolen, the insurance company is not obligated to pay because your policy covers a car with a different VIN, not yours.
Protect yourself!
1.-Cover or put tape over your VIN. Only remove it to show the judge.
2.-Don’t display documentation
3. Don’t post any documentation or photos that reveal any info on the web, and don’t let strangers know where you live.
4. Keep your car registered to prove that the car is still yours.
5. Be cautious when buying a car. Make sure that the VIN has not been tampered with and question paperwork that seems to be too good to be true.

Here is a sample digital issue of Pontiac Enthusiast with this article.  Great information that really made me think.  I will definitely be more cautious at shows from now on.

Work is CRAZY!!!!!

I have been extremely busy here lately with work and have been putting in 10 to 13 hours days.  I’m hoping to get a chance to write a full length feature on all of the cars my Dad and I have owned over the years as well as a preview of the upcoming NASCAR season and Miss-Lou Car Show scene.  I have somewhat strayed from the original intent of this site.  What were supposed to be occasional posts have become  features and I have noticed a lot of hits to the Monthly Contest page.  I haven’t done a Monthly Contest since November and hope to get them kicked off again soon.

The For Sale page will have a 1967 International Scout soon.  This is a running unrestored Scout with only 46K original miles.

I also have  some work on my ’71 Camaro Z28 that I will be posting.  I will be installing my Dual Quads (500 cfm x2) and a new Holley Blue Label Electric Fuel Pump and Regulator.  I have had a problem will fuel starvation because the stock fuel pump just can’t keep up with the my need for speed.

So here is my list of to-dos now hold me to it!  Just reply with “I WANT MY MAFIA DAMN IT!”

Pinup!

Photography by Shannon Brooke

On This Day In Automotive History…

January 14, 1954

Hudson and Nash merge

The Hudson Motor Car Company merged with Nash-Kelvinator, an automaker formed in turn by the merger of the Nash automobile firm and the Kelvinator kitchen-appliance company. The new concern was called the American Motors Corporation.