There is just something very special about a vintage Alfa Romeo F1 race car… No carbon fiber, no electronic gadgets, just pure race car.
Vintage Alfa Romeo F1 Race Car
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Category Archives: 7. Miscellany
1958 Jaguar – at Cars & Coffee Upstate
1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet
This weekend I visited my friend Cator’s fabrication shop where he keeps his 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet. We were done working on one of his other hot rods trying to wire up a Hemi with fuel injection when I asked to uncover the Merc and take a few pictures
According to Cator, these are very rare cars to begin with – only about 1200 of these two door, two-seater, convertibles were sold. Cator went through great lengths to make this awesome ride a reality and boy does it pack some serious heat! Given it’s rarity, I am sure many folks reading this post will have something to say since this car is far from stock. Then again just like me, Cator built this car for his personal use and enjoyment.
The black paint is flawless and shows the amount of work that went in the bodywork to make it look this smooth…
Yes, this 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet is powered by a seriously hot Chevy 350 with triple carburetors. Cator built this car before we had a chance to convert him to fuel injection! That is why his current hot rod will be powered by that late-model fuel injected Hemi. But I digress…
The spring loaded star was a little off center because I bumped it when I took the car cover off…
The grill and bumpers are all original to the car. There is some serious bling going on here!
My iPhone did not do this amount of chrome justice – the smooth black firewall and all that chrome is stunning…
The engine is mated to a GM transmission and this runs to a 9″ Ford rear end with a solid axle.
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- Air ride suspension…
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- Suicide doors…
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- Fully operational canvas top…
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- Special trick Mercedes star…
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- In the weeds…
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- Fully lined canvas top…
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- Rear of the top…
This Merc is fully decked out with an air ride suspension. Check out how low to the ground it can be lowered! It is also equipped with a nice AC system that blows very cold air! The interior is outfitted with plenty of leather. And, the canvas top is fully lined – the top’s frame is completely hidden from view and according to Cator, makes the ride very quiet.
I need to get Cator to bring this bad boy to Cars & Coffee. I’ll have another set of pictures soon…
Pallet Hauler
On my way to work one day last week, I saw this pallet hauler shown here.
While I am not a fan of automotive emissions tests or road certificates, this is one time when I wish the state of South Carolina had one. I’ve seen this truck before, but never with the disaster of a trailer in tow. No lights, no license tag, nothing…
Once I pulled ahead of this truck – not hard to do mind you – I glanced at the two occupants who were completely oblivious of the bad weather, wet road conditions and the fact the truck was crawling in the left lane. The tires on this truck (and trailer) were about as smooth as the proverbial baby’s butt. The trailer is something else too: those uprights were flopping and swaying back and forth. Truly an accident waiting to happen.
On this very same road, I see on a daily basis folks driving high-end Mercs, Bimmers, Porches, and even a Tesla Model S. Makes one wonder what kind of insurance this bubba has on his white truck…
Wings Over Houston Air Show
The other day my friend Corey (standing in front of the Corsair) 
sent some pictures via SMS while he attended the Wings Over Houston air show. I thought the pics were pretty awesome so I asked for more and this makes up today’s post.
The show happens at the end of October and is produced by the Commemorative Air Force. Needless to say, I’m giving it some thought to make the trip to Houston next year to watch the show.
Corey told me the show is very elaborate: there is a Pearl Harbor re-enactment with lots of staged explosions and smoke with multiple fly-by’s. Here are the photos Corey sent me.
The P51 Mustangs are just timeless…
Several years ago I had the opportunity to see an F4U Corsair up close, and was astonished with its size. These planes were BIG! Here are some pictures Corey took of the Corsairs.
The following picture of the Corsair is pretty cool… If you notice, in the background is a B17 making an approach…
Here is the A6M Zero – looks like there were several too!
Next, an SNJ-5C Texan.
Finally, last but not least the mighty B17.
Thanks for the pictures Corey! They are awesome. Must have been pretty cool to have been able to watch the show.