A friend who worked at a plating company, nickel-plated the entire exhaust on his vintage VW Beetle.  That means that the inside also was plated.  Unfortunately, he sold the car not long afterwards--so we have no idea how long the nickel lasted.  ... View more

I agree with you, Kyle---some of the worst things happen in the garage.  To continue the conversation:  using a car as a storage place for boxes of "light-weight" stuff is very deceiving.  I once purchased a vintage vehicle which had been garage-stored for about 20 years.  Most of the body damage to the top, hood and trunk areas resulted from 20 years of using the car as a storage shelf!  I recall seeing the car over the years, piled high with boxes.  Causes me to remember the old Smokey Robinson ad where the father turns off the radio and the son says:  "But Daddy--It's Smokey!"  Yep--only boxes, too, but gravity takes its tole.  jay salser ... View more

Gov. Newsom apparently assumes that he will be around in Gov't in 2035! ... View more

I appreciate this article, Kyle!  Not only have you answered a couple of questions, but you have reinforced something I heard long ago regarding "particulate suspension--and filtration".   I will pass this on to my vintage club compatriots!  Keep up the good work!  jay salser ... View more

I wanted to read this Article, "Porsche Celebrates 70 years...", but the first sentence stopped me"  "Seventy years ago, in the turbulent autumn of 1950, America had HIS hands full,..." (Caps are mine).  What's the "his" supposed to mean?  I thought about it, re-read t he sentence a couple of times--then it hit me.  The author is being PC.  Doesn't want to say "...America had HER hands full...".  At least, that's all that I could glean from this.  You know, most of us would have, by habit, said..."America had ITS hands full..."  What happens if, God forbid, the word "hands" becomes politically incorrect.  Are we going to have to say "...had its FEET full..."?  GOSH!!!!! ... View more

I get this all of the time:  "I don't want to spend a lot of money..."; "I just want to get my car going...";  "I'll do a better job down the road..."--and complaining because the car won't run right--AGAIN!  I ask:  "How many times do you want to be broken down at the side of the road before you do it right?"  I always get that hang-head response.  ... View more

Kyle---thank you for helping us to think beyond the box.  Great ideas.  I have collected several things in my garage and in my tool boxes.  When I pass--I know that my heirs will puzzle over those oddities.  Maybe they will chalk it up to --"I knew that Dad was a hoarder but, THIS?"  Keep up the good work! ... View more

Does no one know that electronic ignitions eventually go bad?  I keep hearing--"Install an electronic ignition and you are done!"  (electronic ignitions range from very poor quality to very good)  I am happy to report that in over 43 years of driving vintage vehicles, I NEVER have had the old tried and true ignition points to go bad and leave me stranded.  But, I've seen electronic ignitions to leave users stranded.  I know that I'm going to get pounded for saying this, but, hey--it is worth it!  At 82 years of age, and still driving my vintage cars, I am going to die a happy ignition points user.  LOL ... View more

Good diagnosing, Kyle.  BTW--what your Fiancee brought to you was NOT a "nail file"--she brought you an "emery board".  There's a distinct difference--ask her!  LOL ... View more

Who wouldn't want to get into the Vintage Vehicle Hobby with a "not break the bank" purchase!  While I always advise my contacts to study a specific market thoroughly prior to purchasing, I want to speak to sellers.  I looked at the 1962 Beetle (above) and groaned as I viewed the photos of a car which is grossly misrepresented as "has been restored to sparkling status".  This vehicle is far from having been restored.  "To restore" in its common definition means to "return to original condition".   I regularly critique car ads for would-be buyers.  It is a common occurrence to view photos of a vehicle which has a shining coat of paint--but wait!  Open the engine compartment and the undisturbed grime and incorrect parts jump off the screen.  Since when does a coat of paint and fresh upholstery constitute restoration?  I critique far more diligently any vehicle whose seller claims "restoration" than I would a vehicle which is sold "as-is" or as a driver, or even a "reconditioned" car.  So, I am going on-and-on here about a car on a Hagerty Site which the writer claims has been sparklingly restored.  ... View more

You hit the nail right on the head, Kyle!  I've had people talk to me about their vintage cars, telling me that they were going to effect a repair the cheapest and fastest way possible and, down-the-road, would do a comprehensive repair.  My response always is:  "How many times do you want to be broken down at the side of the road before you decide to do it right?"  I always get that hang-head response and a very sheepish smile.  They know that I am right.  jay salser ... View more

Nice Articles!  Eric, I do want to point out that depressing the accel. pedal "a couple of times" will NOT empty the fuel bowl!  Depressing the accel pedal ONCE and leaving it alone, sets the choke plate into position for starting the car and idling with an enriched fuel-to-air mixture.  As the choke heater warms, and the car is driven, the coke plate will be released gradually and the throttle lever idle screw will jump to the next level on the idle cam--automatically.  I note that both '63s have been switched to 12 volts, complete with alternators, 009 dizzies and later carburetors.  This is unfortunate for a couple of reasons--you did not have a really authentic '63 Experience with either.  The other reason is that such alterations affect vintage value.  Eric, you may want to read from 1967beetle.com, since you have that 1967 Beetle in your personal garage.  Keep up the good work.  jay ... View more

I understand, Rob.  Great story and well-written!  jay ... View more

I do not like polyurethane for bushings--anywhere.  I have seen them disintegrate--yes--disintegrate--even from just sitting.   Yes--rubber bushings eventually will wear out.  But, have you ever seen a rubber bushing just crumble?  Vintage Volkswagens have a coupler between the steering column and  the steering box.  Poly coupler "biskets" have been being marketed for some years.  One marketer advertised them as "...you'll never need to buy another one...".  That's because you may not live to tell t he tale.  In vintage VW circles, this urethane coupler is known as "the coupler of death".  I documented several instances of failure of this vital part where poly had been substituted for rubber. Other instances of failure include the shift rod coupler bushing and the equalizer bar bushing (where poly bushings had been substituted for rubber bushings).  Beware! ... View more

I had a friend who bought a vintage vehicle which was destined for scrap.  He did an admirable reconditioning job on the car, including a to-kill-for-vintage-stock engine.   However, along the way, little things needed adjusting or a more keen repair.  I could sense that this was wearing on my friend.  It wasn't but about 2 years into ownership that he announced that he was selling his car.  I did not attempt to deter him--because it would have served only to delay the process which was in full motion.  I see part of the challenge of vintage ownership as over-coming the odds (which sometimes seem to be stacked against the vintage vehicle owner).  Thanks for reminding us, Kyle, of not only the difficulties of vintage ownership but also the inherent joys, as well!  jay salser ... View more

Rob...I understand completely your dilemma!  For years, I have bought vintage parts lots to sort and sell.  A lot of work!  The goodies always sell quickly.  Then sales dwindle as stock is depleted and the lesser desirables are left.  I've always tried to keep a constant supply of newly acquired parts in stock.  Now in my 80s, I have ceased buying parts and am attempting to sell what I have left.  And, yes, I even give away parts!  I had one person to ask why I wanted to give away parts.  My reply"  "Because I can!"  There's always a sadness to see the parts go and a wonderment--"What will I do when they're all gone?"  We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, eh, Rob?  jay salser ... View more

Regarding the fuel pump diaphragm--can't you actuate the lever to add tension to the diaphragm so that it will not flip around but will sit nicely on the pump housing during final assembly?  Working with vintage Volkswagen fuel pumps, we find that it is necessary to bolt the fuel pump to a jig which presses the lever enough so that the diaphragm tension is pre-set.  Thus, two things are accomplished at once--tension is pre-set with the diaphragm sitting flat in its spot--and all screws go in without any jiggling. ... View more

I love Davin's use of old towels (or new).  I find them perfect for working at the bench.  A used towel never goes into the trash! You even can find them at thrift stores--nice ones, for the cheap.  They buffer the more fragile parts and they soak all sort of grease and oil.  jay ... View more

"...stumbles on light throttle..." indicates a fuel problem--not an electrical problem. ... View more

VERY CLEVER! ... View more

Mr. Carini's comments about non-competing events make a lot of sense.  Competition is great, but without the "people factor"--it's only a competition of an organized collection of metal and rubber and glass (and plastic).  Feeling that the "people factor" is the glue which holds car people together, a friend and I planned to start a small group of car lovers (of a particular make).  Over 14 years later, we still are meeting, informally, helping one another with our vintage vehicles and talking about our families.  A compilation of metal and the other stuff which creates a vehicle could not have accomplished the same objective.  We measure our success by how many problems we mutually have solved so that we can continue to enjoy our vintage hobby family. ... View more

Mmmmmmmm--what happened to the Vintage Scene?  I see these on TV and other venues.  I wonder if these cars will live long enough to become classic vintage vehicles? ... View more

The NSX and the Viper get my vote consistently.  The styling alone is enough to sell those vehicles.  Personally, I think that Corvette stole the design of the NSX ... View more

This is a sane way to look at things.   Life needs to continue.  Whether we lock ourselves into our houses or whether we get out and about --people still are going to sicken--and, unfortunately, some will die.    It's this way every Flu Season and I imagine no matter what we do, life will be about the same ... View more

If a vehicle has been restored--it is no longer as it came from the factory.  Turn the argument any way you please--it is NOT the same.  Owners do what they want to do to achieve what they desire to park in their garages.  That's the bottom line.  Nothing will ever surpass a true Survivor (as defined and copy-righted by the Corvette People) ... View more