Some people smoke, some drink I polish and detail.    To be honest it is my exercise. Some people will jump on a tread mill. I would rather mow grass or detail a car for activity. I want to make best use of my time.    I call them Auto Aerobics.      ... View more

240z all day any day.  Boxster screams I can’t afford the 911.  ... View more

I have shown a judged car shows for near 35 years and when I started out I would as for my score sheet at most events I attended.  I wanted the sheets to learn where I needed to work and I attended shows that were tough scoring. This really got me focused on the details so many miss.  It reminded my car to a point that I placed over a Lamborghini and Pantera with a Fiero of all things in a sports car concourse.  Everyone faints and cleans the engine and the fender wells. But it is the tough areas like the firewall and the space between the bumper and radiator no o e touches.  The side glass is it marked up or in good condition? The seat backs of the cars in the 60’s with plastic backs, are they unmarked?  the under side is it clean and prepared. Not the new dirt but it it a collection of years of dirt?  You need to look in the areas most miss but are still visible.  If it is a concourse event does everything work? Yes the check the head lamps and radio or clock.  Not all events are dow to nuts and bolts but fo get them indexed in areas they can be.  I do the tires and wheels inside out. Especially if it is an open wheel. I also do the tread at events. On wide tires it makes a big difference in how it displays.  Also I polish and prep the paint panel by panel. Half my car is original paint. But careful work it all comes together.  Note I still drive and enjoy the car. Most of the work once done just needs a light. Touch up now and then.  I don’t do this for the glory. I just love to detail and it is a way I measure my work yearly. I have select events I attend and see if I can repeat my class.  The only thing to keep in mind some events have the same judges yearly sone not. Some will not always score correctly but that is just part of the process. I have been marked off for orange peel in my paint but it was factory paint and the judges don’t always know.  The cool thing was with what I learned I have taught others in my club the things I learned. We now share the things we know and when we attend national events most of us have place first in class or best of show. We cheer each other on and if one of us beats the other we know we got beat by a very good car and odds are the next year it might be our turn if we work a bit harder.  I have detailed for family and friends. I have considered doing it on a larger scale but just don’t want to turn this into work. To me it is my zen like activity.  ... View more

Simple. It was based around a real race car but was built for the streets.  This car for its time was the McLaren F1 of its day. It held exotic materials, it had fuel injection, disc brakes. Tube chassis,    The Doors were not a gimmick like Tesla they were how they worked around the chassis and were there for a reason.   This was the car that linked the F1 cars of Fangio to the street cars of the 300 series.  Many cars like the Daytona were just body changes where these two coupes were the whole package.  Being there were only two coupes rarity is even more vs the 250 GTO. These cars represented the high point of Benz racing for the last 50 years. It also was the end for a while due to LeMans in 55.  Imagine had the car had not gone in the crowd where Benz racing may have gone?  ... View more

I would include a set of sheet metal shears. ... View more

IH has a small scope of fans. Also the older trucks did not fair well with rust or replacement parts.    We may see a small uptick but these trucks are best left to the Farm collectors to have a truck for their tractor collection on Gone Farming.  ... View more

It is important to document restorations and or modifications. This is you document to the quality of the work, parts and who did the work. Too many cars and trucks are half a$$ed and often do not realize the value they hold due to lack of documents covering the money and time spent in a quality job being done. Get a note book and put in the receipts and photos of all stages and steps along with who did the work. Also do everyone a favor. If you are going to commit to a restoration go all the way and commit. Backing out or trying to go cheap once it is started does no one any good. It prevents the shop from doing it right or at all. It also prevents you from having the vehicles as you want it. If unsure of being able to affording the job best to wait till you know for sure. ... View more

I have always preached do your home work since the web arrived.  #1 know what you want. Don’t go to buy till you know just what you want vehicle wise and option wise.  #2 drive it enough to to know if you like it or it fits your needs. Too many never test drive or just go around the block. Many dealers will let you take a vehicle home over night.  #3 know what to pay. Many web sites are available today with the price range in specific zip codes being paid.  #4 use the web yo find what you want.  #5 utilize dealer trades. Now is not a good time but with inventories up it is a good tool.  #6 go with your financing.  #7 know the fees you should or should not pay.  #8 know your trade value and do not say you have a trade or special offers like money back card money on new cars.  #9 expect that if the air bag ever has gone off the dealer will refuse the trade no matter the car condition.  #10 the most important thing do not get emotional on any car. The sales staff can use that against you. They build new vehicles every day. If they do not come to a reasonable price wait. You can get another car found or built.  #11 if things stall walk.  #12 take advantage of cash back cards. My GM cards average $1500 to $3000 off a new purchase. Use them to buy gas and pay them off monthly and it is free money.  I have averaged $6k to 8k off each of my new vehicles but one right up till last July. My father taught me well on  how to deal.  I hate to deal but I do love the feel of when you know you did get the goal price you set when you go in.  I cringe at sone of the deals I see people make or see them complain on the web about how a vehicle drives after they buy. It drove like that before you bought it.    Most people fail as they do not keep their emotions in check and or fail to do the home work.    ... View more

They can say what they like but the Vega was the most perfect imperfect car.  Yes it rusted, yes it used oil but they ran for ever. Many in school would buy them as winter beaters and drive them in the winter. -25 below they fire right up and had heat. Most of us worked part time wrenching so used motor oil went in so no cost there.  One neighbor had one for several years to store his modified Blazer and he finally sent it to the junk yard. It was sold and went at least two more winters.  Few fooled with the Asian cars. They were more expensive to repair.  In some cases more complicated and they also rusted out in major ways for a number of years.   High school lots here were full of GM cars that while not perfect just kept on running and remained affordable to keep on the road.  A bodies, Cruze, Cavalier, Cobalts etc all kept rolling along with the Baretta’s.  Same for the S10 and most full size trucks.  The W body yet today has not been built for years but are so common on the road again for cheap easy repairs and cost along with the reliable 3800.  ... View more

This is my recommendation to most people anymore.    It used to be easy to fix up a car and still not go over value. Anymore that is not easy to do.    I tend to recomend buying low mile and in good condition vs fixing up unless you can do all the work yourself. Even then to buy replacement parts as near impossible.    By going low mile you may spend the money up front but you still have a better car and you don't have to fix it up.    In most cases in the snow states it is not the miles but the rust. Most cars go 12 years in salt before they start to rust if you care for them sooner if not. Some brands even sooner.  Same with the road and pot holes. Many cars implode.    My son now has a 08 Malibu. He is finishing collage and by then it will have 100K mile. He will be debt free so we will shop for what he wants then. The Bu has been solid and has needed no real repair other than brakes and tires. The V 6 has been flawless for his needs. The rust is just starting under it so we will replace it while the paint is still bright and the interior like new.  ... View more

Most Hondas I have seen remove the seats to make ‘em faster. Boy that is one rough Honda. That price for a car like that? Hmmmm.   The greatest challenge t most new cars today are that the interiors are not great and to restore it is near impossible as often the parts are non existent. Junk yards are now salvage yards that strip the mechanicals and seldom save the half way good interiors.    Few make repo parts once they NOS is gone.    Add to all this most people are pigs in their cars. I keep mine like new but most use their cars as dumpsters and often the interiors suffer for it.    In some cases we get lucky. I put a full customer interior in a Fiero courtesy of Mr Mike. He is a guy that makes leather kits for Fiero seats. Some are Fiero style for conversions. Some are stock style only in leather and others are made for street rods and Cobra kit cars as the seats fit many custom applications where size is a factor.    I started there and then used factory Pontiac items like a later radio with CD player and even a shift from another Pontiac.    I cracked open the dash and programed the dash from the 85 MPH with a diode and capacitor. My buddy a graphics artist made me new gauge faces that read much higher. He even added my last name and placed it in the center like where Smith gauges have their name.  I have custom glove box that matches the dash pod that was offered in the 80's. Added T tops and it changed the entire car.    Most cars are not that easy to make changes too like this and I was just lucky the aftermarket took interest in the 80's. Today I could be featured at Radwood for what it is worth.    To be honest, I have a plan for a 911 I may inherit some day. It is clean and rust free. 1985 911 Carrera.  The interior is dry cracked due to the So Cal dryness. What I would like to do is leave it all stock with the cracks in the leather. But build up the engine of send it to Singer to rebuild it. Add the power and remain the low key 911 that looks stock.    ... View more

I have a Sinclair T Rex. They sent the plastic molding machines around the country with the Dino's on truck beds after the fair was over. They came to town and I molded a red T Rex.  ... View more

I was a year old.    I wish they still had worlds fairs like they did in the old days. Chicago was the one I would have loved to have seen. My grandmother saw it before she passed away young. I would have loved to ask her about it.  ... View more

The key to covers is to have the right one for your needs and use. Not all covers are equal.     Also a Cover is not a replacement for a garage either as some like to try to make them.    I cover my car inside but I use a high quality light cover as it is so easy to put on and off and easier to store. Also I have one cut for my car.    Universal covers are a pain and fit poorly. Also if you use a heavy outdoor cover inside it can be a pain as they are bulky.  Dirt should not be under the cover. If it is you covered a dirty car and that is a major no no.      ... View more

This was my experience with the Europa. I was in a JPL Champion edition and found the body panels worse than many kit cars over the years. But it was molded for light weigh and most panels are thin and lack much support.  It may not be a quality issue but more a weight issue know Chapman.    The Corvettes that are restored correctly from the past often will reproduce fiberglass issues where they are know for them. Back in the day they were glued together in St Louis and often seams would be still seen in some areas. Victim of mass production.    The greatest challenge of composite panels like this is door gaps. Even the Saturn with the molded panels had issues with wide gaps as the bodies would move with sun and heat.    The C8 gaps are a testament to the level of panel quality today on these new SMC panels. Same on cars using Carbon fiber.  ... View more

One thing that really hurts the Tesla S is the dash. No styling and it looks cheap.  ... View more

This is one of the only Asian sports cars that interested me. It stole the styling but made it iconic in its own way.  It was light and simple where the 280 and 300 went the wrong way.  I just saw a local driver here in Ohio with one of these converted to a convertible. It was a well done job and makes one wonder how well a factory one would have done.    This is the car that makes me not like the new car as they should have copied this nose closer.  Imagine these lights with Jag like covers on the for aero.  ... View more

The big screens are here as most mfgs are tied to putting most systems through them. They work fine and are more advanced but they kill the styling of the dash. Oh and the finger prints…..   I like how GM has handled this with screen horizontal and they retain the buttons and knobs for things like HVAC while they also are on the screen.  As for trucks most mfg have offered the chrome version and the mono chrome version. GMC and Chevy have offered both for decades. Toyota did not just invent this.  As for truck sone have a right to not like them but that is what people like and want. They live with you so learn to live with them.  As for accidents much has happened with int increase in drug use. Legalization and illegal both are major problems on the highways. My local crime blotter is loaded with people under the influence of pot and other drugs crashing and being arrested for OUI and drug possession.  Even those high school girls who pulled out in front of the truck and were killed in MO. The driver was impaired by pot. They all died.  Even worse is how mild drugs are laced or tainted with others and so many are dying from overdoses. It is so sad that people have no self control and are paying the ultimate price. Worse is when they do it on the roads taking others with them. They like to claim it is an illness but it is selfishness.  ... View more

Just be sure to know any mods will nullify a return on the part. Don’t modify it and then expect them to take it back if it does not work.  Most know this but many still don’t consider this till it is too late.  ... View more

This test really is like a lot of new car tests. Most things are great out of the box so the real test is use and age. With a wrench like this how long it holds a setting and how long it does not break are key. Much like a pair of pliers that are cheaper. I have some harbor versions for odd applications. They work but I have to keep them oiled to keep them usable. Just high humidity will rust them. This old harbor torque wrench argument is an old one and seldom is addressed in the correct way. Not everyone needs a snap on but if you use one often generally you often find you get what you pay for in durability over the run. A new Yugo would get you to work just as a new Lexus but in 5 years things will be a bit different. This has always been a failing in new car reviews. Durability and cost to keep some cars on the road like a BMW can at times be more than the cars value. But go past a high school parking lot it is full of Chevy Cruze that are cheap to buy easy to fix and reliable. Not fancy but it is everything else. It is a game of give and take. ... View more

Look it comes down to knowledge of the person doing the repair and the quality of the panel.  SMC panel like on the new Vettes are near perfect out of the mold.  Hand laid glass it depends on the person doing the work.  My body is SMC with no issues. The hood and rear scoop for my car are hand laid and they needed work. The hood was horrible. Air pocket issues etc.      ... View more

Lotus has no need of a CUV or SUV just as Ferrari or Corvette.  Sure add on profits but Ferrari can easily make the money with a new super car and Chevy is making it with the Escalade V.  It is not worth the watering down of image and name equity.  Alfa and Maserati both are not what they once were.  ... View more

Share platforms and parts bins are key to lower cost sports cars today. The Miata sell well but needed Fiat sharing to hold cost down.  The Solstice  and Sky relied on parts bins.  Even then updates are sparse and car lives are 10 years or less on average.  ... View more

He is not alone. Like most sports cars from Japan they tend to be bland or copies.  The original Z was nice and copied much from Jag. This one they really missed it on the nose.  ... View more

Well while mechanically fine the design just has so little soul to it.  The best sports cars from Japan have had styling stolen from others like the original Z has a good bit of XKE in it. The Miata has a lot of Lotus.  While they tried to inject some of the original car here in the roof the nose really missed the mark. But it is better than most efforts.    As for life of this car you had better buy one while you can. It matters little but outside the Corvette and Miata most two seat cars no matter how good are dead in ten years or less. these are limited markets and most see limited lives.  Add to this the economy as if it gets tougher it could lead to shorter lives od limited production models. They are often the first to die.  Add to this the migration to electric could be the end of a number of small sports car.  ... View more

You evidently miss the marketing aspects most mfgs use at new model introduction and at enthusiast events.  Times like at Woodward GM got Roger Penske and GM own space car collection to drive down the street.  Rolls doing a new car intro at Pebble Beach with the original Silver Ghost sitting near by.  It is not feeding they hype but leveraging your heritage.  Sadly little remains of Cadillacs heritage at GM for them to leverage. I expect the new flagship may appear with a borrowed car. Imagine it with the Worlds Fair V16 coupe?  Even at SEMA many of the GM cars generate excitement. I have seen a number of their Pontiac cars at the Pontiac National over the years it instilled meaning to a brands they never understood.  ... View more

Dang now there is a movie I am going to miss. ... View more

As they say opinions are like well you fill it in but everyone has one.  There are various forms of compilation today and levels with varying cost.  Access you budget, skill level and match it to what you can afford or do.   Being honest with your skills is the key as anyone can buy a car but few can extract what is needed to drive them.  As they say Fast guys, Rich guys and idiots.  My buddy a good drive often is fixing damage by someone that is over their head.  Computer racing today is where many drivers are coming from. They have mastered the skill less the seat of the pants feeling. It is cheaper and safer to see where you stand.  Racing is a different world today and with the poor economy it is in for trying times.  ... View more

Not sure on the Ford but the Chevy truck will do 100 mpg in 10 min with the good charger. It will do around 400 miles per charge.  That is the starting point for the Chevy and it is expected to increase in the next few years, also they will offer more models.  ... View more

Actually if they were easy to buy that would be an issue. Production and models available are low. And demand is out stripping it much like the C8 Vette.  There is no real histeria as there is just marketing and media just reporting on the change.  ... View more

This is just a shade more in weight of a Porsche Cayenne. Not seen any issues there.  ... View more

I always loved the AMX. These are not easy or cheap cars to restore or one you will earn the money back fast on. These are for those who restore for love of the model. Lack of parts and Reproduction parts can be challenging here. ... View more

To be fair many are not going for 100% accurate  restorations either.   Some will take liberty with parts from various years to get the look they like. Then there is resterods and customs. Along with clones.  It is only those going for the 100% perfect factory cars that need to match the standard. ... View more

Still high quality work.  ... View more

There is no excuse for any mistakes on most of these cars with all the documentation or information available today. No matter what if you are restoring do the homework. ... View more

I pulled a biker out from under a car that hit him. It was not his fault but he was the one in the Coma. That finished my street riding.  Track and off road cuts the risk in half. If you screw up it is your fault you hit the tree or laid down a bike at the track.  Bikes are fun but the risk goes up and you just have to decide if it is worth it. For me it was for a while but not anymore. I still love ‘em and admire them but. No longer on the streets.  ... View more

EV evangelist have nothing to do with it. It is globalist that are working to control our country and other capitalist countries and bring us to the level of other lower economic countries.  The guy loving his Tesla is just a guy loving his Tesla. He has no idea who is using him. He is just like us who loves our car his just happens to be electric.  The companies by regulations are being forced to make these changes or risk failure. Some will fail.  In the end the temps will be the same and the sky blue in our country.  ... View more

This is a very basic EV compare to what we will see next year. Longer range and charging like 100 miles in 10 min are just about here.    Then factor in in 10 years the advancements and improvement's on cost.    Batteries since 2015 have dropped from $1200 kWh to below $100 kWh. Ranges have grown and more features will be seen.    This is not an over night thing. I really caution people on this truck as you have not seen anything yet.    This truck is more a conversion and not a real dedicated EV.    Ford has done a great job of marketing but really compare it to the coming trucks and you will see a large gap.    Not all the automakers are doing a good job of explaining these new vehicles.  ... View more

The level of detail is off the chart here. 1/18 and 1/24 are easy to get small detail but 1/64 is where it goes to a whole new level of skill much like a watch maker. Impressive work. ... View more

I like most of these but some are still not stirring. It is cool how you can get one build and bodied like you want like the old days, Many think that being able to afford a Ferrari is just the purchase price. The real deal is affording the entire experience. Many can buy a 308 but can't afford the upkeep. This is why the new C8 is so amazing. The price is much less, the upkeep is less and the cost is much lower for very similar experience. No it is still not a Ferrari but then again it doesn't have to be. I still love the 250 Lusso as one of the best styled cars of all time. ... View more

Until the Vette moved to KY most had body defects and paint issues.   Materials and production improved there to where it is not an issue anymore.   As for Corvette rust there is still more metal in a Corvette C3 vs a Chevette.  Metal just rust no matter what body covers it. Same on the Fiero as under it is all steel and the body is mounted in epoxy mounts.  ... View more

Yes roads could be a factor in some areas. But with even heavier trucks on most it will be a slight factor.  Many SUV models are 5,000 to 6,000 pounds including the Porsche Cayenne.  As for tires the tire makers are already addressing this. They need to adjust for weight, wear, noise and rolling resistance. It will take sone isl tires.  Many people are ignorant of all the parts of the puzzle that are in motion here to deal with the changes. Much is in play in and around the auto industry working on this.  ... View more

No Mfg’s are making deals with chip makers to buy direct for their needs. They are taking links out of the supply chain.  They are also requesting that the chips be made here so they will have better control over the supply in country.  I know GM revamped their whole process and I expect others are following.  To do this in house would be expensive.  The Ford process is gone for a reason. It no longer works as it did back in the day.  Higher wages, taxes, health care costs property etc is all too expensive to do it all anymore.    ... View more

Well one thing to keep in mind not all fiberglass is equal. Some panels are gone better than others. Also now Most panels are sheet molded glass or composite. Lotus also was not known for fine glass panels. I was in a Europa that would make most kit cars look good. The worst thing on glass panels and molded panels is the need for large body gaps. These panels can shift and grow on some cars. Mind will make popping and cracking noise in the sun. ... View more

The truth is the EV models may use the same or even less chips. ICE uses a ton of them any more.    Keep in mind the transition to EV is over the next 15 years not next year. It is just starting and keep in mind the end date for ICE is not carved in stone.    With advances the end date could be sooner with economic issues it could be later.    This is a long term transition not an immediate one.    The media is reporting on it as this is a big change but the trouble is many enthusiast fail to read all the fine print and over react to this not being an overnight deal  ... View more

The Blackwing is a victim of mismanagement. It was a plan of one of the Cadillac managers to give them their own V8 and put more separation between Cadillac and Chevy. While the Chevy engine is good it does little to the flagship to have a pick up truck engine in it.    So the manager of Cadillac left when it was decided to make the move to EV. It was too late to cancel the engine but GM did not want to move forward with it.    The engine here is like Sajeev said a updated LT5. Then the new DOHC Corvette engine is not even related to the Blackwing.    Cadillac has been miss managed and GM has not had a clear focus for the division since the 80's. This is why they are struggling today. Lincoln has faired not any better. Both are shadows of their past.    GM once the move was made to EV many programs were canceled or changed. There are now big collective plans for Cadillac and it will be interesting to see if they will finally get it right. The new Flagship is going to be a major hand built car but with little reputation today will it work out?  They really have to get it right and hope people really embrace it or it will be another short lived expensive project.    Cadillac really needs to earn back the name equity. That is not easy but the EV reset may give them the opportunity.  ... View more

Bingo. The auto industry is not out to save the planet, they are out to save themselves.    Just look around at the last 40 years and see how the landscape has changed. Just look at the loss of models and brands, Mergers and failures of companies.    The decline in all the markets accept China and the increase in the complexity of todays cars to meet regulations has really made it a tough business to be in.    Even with better built cars today people are keeping them longer as they can and they can't afford to buy every couple years anymore.    The automakers just finally had to make the call and make the change as they could no longer fight off the changes. Even with a recession coming I see no breaks being made to delay this.    With Billions now invested they will not walk away.    It will be interesting to see just who merges and who partners up. It may get a little weirder yet.    As my old Pappy Maverick used to say    "A man does what he has to do - if he can't get out of it." This applies to corporations too.    ... View more

You can never say never with cars of this era. Often things could be done if you knew the right people to push the right paperwork. Even GM did not document every change or move.    Same applies to the Firebird. What is interesting is many fail to notice the Sheetmetal on the Firebird was the same less vents or other add on's. The front fenders were interchange able on the 67-68.  They did do some suspension tricks and all the early birds were one inch lower.  It was a fun era for making cars more to their own vs later on where it was styling alone. ... View more

The reason most keep these cars now is one the value, two the history, then many are pulled out for marketing and in some cases these cars are used in design where they use them to carry over styling to new models that represents the brand.    Case in point GM is doing a display of the Corvette show cars and using it to promote the new C8. They even bought back the mid engine  Cerv 2 in anticipation of the C8 marketing.    When they did the 5th Gen Camaro they used the Z/28 as the car to draw upon for the new car. Ford has done the same as well as VW and others.    You will find designers work in 3D and often will have inspirational items or cars in studio to get the shapes right. It is not a new thing as you can see cars from years ago with other models as guides and in some cases even other brands.    It used to be many companies used to keep their archives and history but today most are trashing it. Those that do are at risk of forgetting their past and their own history that can contribute to the future.    For my own company I was trying to dig up history for our 50th anniversary. It was difficult and often the people who knew were gone.    I was able to find and dig up many things from our past and some surprising history. We even now sell shirts, hats and decals based on many of the vintage things I found.    In Benz case they have a extensive collection that is worth the trip to Germany alone and the cars are often used in marketing and taken to shows around the world and displayed or even doing laps to show the heritage of the new products. Many of todays Benz performance models draw from this models and some earlier models in styling and performance.    Even the high dollar value realized here is a drop in the bucket for Benz where billion dollar programs are common. It is not like they are going broke.  ... View more

Hmm what would bring a company like Benz to sell such a historic car. Even if they owned both seldom do companies sell anymore as many regretted sales and loans of cars like this in the past. GM loaned the Cherv cars and has had to buy one back. ... View more