Top Gear

I was talking to my pal Cary this weekend about the recent damage to his truck from a fender-bender in the snow. We painted his truck rims black, and one got scuffed, "no problem" I tell him - we can fix that. He confessed that he had not watched Top Gear yet, and so I thought I'd out him about it here on the SHC blog. The first season just finished, but shows are available on-demand or online.

One of the UK's most popular series since 1977, Top Gear now brings its high-adrenaline action entertainment to America. The series tracks the colorful history of the automobile and showcases an offbeat celebration of the art of driving, featuring super-cars, extreme stunts and challenges, car reviews and celebrity interviews, as well as the eccentric adventures of its hosts with Top Gear's customary wit and humor. Hosted by comedian and car buff Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood, Top Gear explores the history of America, one lap at a time.

Snow...a four letter word

I had the day off of work this Wednesday, but not for a good reason...jury duty. Now I fully understand the importance to society that I fulfill my civic duty, but like a visit to the doctor it was not comfortable. I was completely bored, falling asleep, I'd rather have been at work. To make matters worse, more snow. I woke up today to another foot of the white stuff everywhere, and after five hours of shoveling, I am out of places to put it. (Yes, another day off of work due to inclement weather - and again I'd rather have been at work)

I have given up shoveling out the frame of the '66 as it sits all covered up in the driveway, we dig it out at least once a week just to have it covered up with snow again. Tommy is probably making enough money this winter plowing snow to build a Top Fuel car for next race season. Zach and I watched a new show on Discovery, Desert Car Kings. The show profiles Ron and Jason McClure and their family business — Desert Valley Auto Parts — which houses over 10,000 rust-free vehicles over 100 sun-baked Arizona acres.

Not content with merely providing original parts for thousands of car collectors and restoration junkies each year, the McClures and their crew are constantly on the hunt for cars to restore — seeking them out in backyards, barns and even on their own massive lot.

Their goal? To restore these classic American cars to their original glory and get them back on the road, while discovering the unique and historically significant qualities of each car — and of course, to fetch a fair price at auction.

PT Cruizer...Flat again

So we are trying to leave for work today, and it is only 5 degrees outside this morning. We hadn't started the Chevelle or PT all weekend, but they both fire up with only a little whimpering. Nancy get's out of the driveway first, then blocks me in, and I'm perplexed as she walks up to me in the Chevelle. "I have a flat...again", she says. Sure enough, the left front is flat and half off the rim as I put it back in the driveway for her. I brought it up to the local tire shop, and the tech there tells me they do Chrysler tires everyday, because the rims corrode and the beads leak. Nice. I've already replace one due to a pot hole bending the rim, and I have no intention or doing any more. I'll need to keep up with checking the air every few days, not that big a deal, but a pain in the butt.

I started scanning a few of my old photos today, and will post them up as soon as I can get them organized. I found a few of the Vette before I restored it and was racing Solo 2 in the SCCA. I haven't done that in a while, but am thinking of drag racing the Vette again this year.

SHC on Facebook

In my never-ending quest to promote the South Hill Customs lifestyle, I decided to add a Wall on Facebook. Hopefully this will make things easier for some of us locally to connect for events, shows and cruise nights, and for my long-distance friends to keep informed.

I have also created a link for the SHC Photobucket account, where I just uploaded a few hundred more pics of my cars. I have a few photos that I need to scan and post up there still.....I have a cool idea for a future post.

Gearz

I have been busy all morning watching my usual "car" shows, and waiting for the Barrett-Jackson auction to begin. After watching Gearz, I created an account on the Official Website of Stacey David's Gearz. My hope is to help promote the SHC blog and let more people know what we are doing. I'd also love to have one of our cars featured on the show....that would be so cool! Maybe I'll work on some new links later today for the blog.

Another '66 at Barrett-Jackson

I've been watching the Scottsdale auction, and playing along with the Hagerty Fantasy Bid game, although I have not won yet. I got pretty close though! I also saw another 1966 Marina blue Chevelle, lot #426.1, sell for $61,600. It is a 396/360hp factory 4-speed with air conditioning. Special order, high option car with 1 owner until February, 2009. 1 of 33 cars built with 3.07 posi-traction rear axle. Original documented car with dealer order invoice, original keys with punch outs on dealer ring showing stock #713C, broadcast sheet, bank finance agreement showing paid in full on April 10, 1969, owner protection plan with Protect-O-Plate and original owners manual. Extremely high optioned car featuring factory air conditioning, custom deluxe seat belts with retractors, Strato bucket seats, tinted glass, console, 1 of 33 cars equipped with 3:07 posi-traction rear axle available only after January, 1966, F40 special suspension, M20 4-speed manual Muncie transmission (wide ratio), factory equipped AM/FM radio, rear speaker and convenience equipment package, gauge package with factory knee knocker tachometer. Restoration has been done all within the past 750 miles. Interior has been professionally restored. 1 repaint approximately 1986. Original sheet metal, body panels and floors. Very rare Chevelle with excellent pedigree and many desirable options.

Barrett-Jackson 2011

It was another snow day today, with 2 inches of ice keeping us out of school and work. The only warm feeling I have is that the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Auction from Scottsdale is on Speed TV tonight. We are going to watch for a few of the 1966 Chevelles specifically. I can't wait!

Update - The first '66 Chevelle was lot #56.2, a black 327 small block with 72,344 original miles on matching numbers drivetrain. The original 327cid has 350 heads and 350 4-barrel intake. Factory options include power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, electric bucket seats, center console, Powerglide automatic transmission, 4-way hazards, electric trunk lock, knee knocker tach, deluxe seat belts, factory floor mats, original jack, original sheet metal, factory vinyl top and 3.36 rear end. Full frame-off restoration. SOLD for $38,500 including buyer's commission.

"Shift"

As I sit here waiting for the next snow storm, 6-10 inches expected tonight, I dream about the spring weather and all I want to do in the garage. Tommy told me about this new film about drag racing coming out called "Shift". Here is the synopsis: Boomer Honeycutt is a drag racer. His lone quest is to escape his father's shadow and become the next Classic Gear Jammers Champion. After separating from his fiancée Tina, Boomer takes refuge sleeping in his van. He awakes after a rough night out to find an eleven-year-old boy on the doorstep and a note from his high school sweetheart welcoming him to fatherhood. Set against the backdrop of stick-shift drag racing in the heart of the South, this is a story about fathers and sons, teaching each other what it takes to be a man.

Spring can't come soon enough.........

Oil Light...Oh NO!!!!!

So, I'm driving down the road on my way to work, stop at a traffic light....and the oil light comes on. Instant panic. I immediately throw the car in neutral to check if I'm idling too slow, then shut her down to check the oil level....full and clean. So I stop by to see my friend Mark at Advance Auto and borrow an oil pressure gauge. I pull the oil pressure sending unit and test, 60 lbs of oil, and the switch is covered with oil...whew. After a quick stop at the auto parts store for a new switch ($7), we are back in buisiness and running great. Now if only I could get the snow to stop falling.