Category Archives: 7. Miscellany

The Old, The New…

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I should be getting paid by GM for making this post, but I am not – unfortunately.  However, I just wanted to post this because it made for a cool picture.  I hope you agree…

I was over at my cousin Jim’s shop yesterday and three of his clients showed up.  I took the following picture which I thought was pretty significant.  A whole lot of technology on front of your eyes actually.  Both of these beauties represent the very best from Detroit – back then and now.

And so, you get the idea…  The old, the new… 

Chevy, runs deep!  🙂

 

You Never Know…

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I’ve been driving bowtie6 quite a bit these days…  A bit cold, but with the new kicker heater it is nice and toasty.  I guess since we are getting around, you never know when you are going to get a mug shot.

My friend and fellow TR6 owner, Adam Beasley sent me a text message yesterday with this photo.  The photo was taken at the parking lot of a local barbeque place (they have really good BBQ there!).  Turns out a friend of his took the photo and sent it to him.  Since he knew Adam owns a TR6, Adam told me he made the comment that he had “…seen this red TR6 and it was in decent shape.”.  Well, yeah!  So moral of the story, one one drives a “classic” car rather than having it in a garage all the time, you might get your picture taken!  🙂

As a side note, yesterday I had a chance to visit a car show that is held every year here at the Expo Center.  Mainly, it is a showcase of new cars where one has the chance to check out new cars without the pesky, ignoramus “car salesmen” flying around like underfed vultures.  At any rate, several things I learned last night:

  • They had the full lineup of CTS Cadillacs.  The CTSV’s no less.  They had a new coupe and the sedan both with the kicker supercharged LS engine.  Both were clad in a very awesome metallic black paint.  Very nice indeed.
  • The new Ecotec 1.4 turbo is awesome!!  There were several Cruze examples with the new 1.4 and man is this engine impressive.  Physically, it is smaller than the 2.2 or 2.4 Ecotec and should be a really good candidate for transplants.  The turbo on these is tiny!  It is unknown though, if a five speed gearbox will hook up to the back of the engine.  Then again, maybe if we get a pair of pliers and a blowtorch we could medieval on it…  😉
  • Had a chance to get an up close and personal view of the new Fiat 500.  They had two of them.  A hard top and a convertible.  Well…  Hate to say it, but what a POS.  I had a chance to sit in one and the ergonomics are all screwed up.  The shifter is in the wrong place and talk about cramped.  These things are expensive and I hate to say it but looks like they are not going to “make it”.  And from what I have been reading, they are not exactly selling lke the proverbial hot-cake.
  • Supercharged Vette was also very impressive.

 

1917 Locomobile – Part 3

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I have a new set of pictures of the 1917 Locomobile.  Mainly they are of the interior of this magnificent machine.  The gallery below has many interesting details about the interior.

  • The Volt meter, made by the Westinghouse Company.
  • The clock is a Waltham.  Imagine that!
  • Check out the speedo.  Max speed is 75 mph.
  • All the bits inside the cab are nickel plated.
  • Check out the frames of the rear jumpseats…
  • The steering wheel is pretty cool, with the “spark” and “fuel” levers.

Enjoy!

1917 Locomobile – Part 2

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The rest of the Locomobile is pretty awesome too.  Here is a collection of pictures showing the interior and many other details on the Locomobile.

No, no ABS here.  This is the speedo sender.  Also notice the absence of front BRAKES!  The only brakes on this machine were on the back and they were these huge band affairs.  I don’t think this car would stop on a dime.  Matter of fact, I bet it took quite a long time to get it stopped.

Check out the flywheel on this machine!  It is not enclosed, the gear is helical cut so the starter has a better chance at engaging.

Take a look at the shine on the radiator surround.  This is not chrome, by the way.  This is nickle plated.  The entire car’s shiny parts were all nickle plated.  This stuff is amazing!

Next is a gallery of a few more details.  For you on the mailing list, do check out this post online – you will be missing out the photo gallery!

  • The springs on the rear suspension are twofold: 1) on the bottom is a full length spring, 2) on the top is a quarter elliptical.
  • Check out the fuel tank! Fuel gauge is mounted on top.
  • The fuel cap is screwed on.  The system is pressurized by a small hand activated pump on the dash.  Kinda like an old Coleman gas lantern.
  • All the doors are wood.  The frame is wood, has a turnbuckle on a cable to make them “fit”.  There is a metal skin folded over the wood frame.
  • The exhaust muffler is huge.  The thing is covered in what looked to be an asbestos blanket of some sort.

I mentioned above there are no front brakes.  Take a look at what stops this car.  These are the rear brakes…

Good Times…

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I hope Santa was good to you all…

Santa was very good to bowtie6!!  Just had dinner, opened one of my Xmas presents and watching “To Catch a Thief”…  That blue Sunbeam was pretty darn awesome, but Grace Kelly in the white outfit and diamonds…  Dayum!

At any rate, this is what Santa brought me…

Good times indeed!