Silicon Investor - Car Nut Corner: All About Cars

[longz] Nothing new...

longz — 4/7/2026 3:44:48 PM

[robert b furman] All carmakers do the sme thing.

robert b furman — 4/7/2026 10:40:43 AM

[kidl] Inside the huge facility where Audi strips down thousands of expensive cars that...

kidl — 4/7/2026 10:20:48 AM

Inside the huge facility where Audi strips down thousands of expensive cars that are in an almost-new condition

[nicewatch] The Ford GT Mk IV Is Now the Fastest American Car in Nürburgring History robbre...

nicewatch — 4/2/2026 9:33:53 PM

The Ford GT Mk IV Is Now the Fastest American Car in Nürburgring History

robbreport.com

[nicewatch] Every Lamborghini Countach, Ranked. From the original LP 500 prototype to the LP...

nicewatch — 4/2/2026 4:08:27 PM

Every Lamborghini Countach, Ranked. From the original LP 500 prototype to the LPI 800-4, here's how all nine versions of the definitive Raging Bull stack up.

robbreport.com

[robert b furman] Hi Ralph, Also follow torque sequence on final tightening. Good job on locati...

robert b furman — 4/1/2026 11:55:32 AM

Hi Ralph,

Also follow torque sequence on final tightening.

Good job on locating the noise.

Bob

[ralfph] Been chasing down a noise in my truck, a real nasty screech - first time it happ...

ralfph — 4/1/2026 12:05:05 AM

Been chasing down a noise in my truck, a real nasty screech - first time it happened I thought something was about to seize - I wear head phones while driving and it cut right through that. Checked all air connections, found a bit of oil in a inlet so rebuilt one turbo ( it needed it) then I replaced a couple of bearings on some pulleys. Then worked my way to the other side of the engine and found the issue PDQ - the whole intake plate was lifting off the block under boost and the gasket was acting like a reed. The gasket did not blow out. Torqued her down, took it out for a late evening run and no screech. Will loctite those bolts in the future.

I was a bit slow on taking the right diagnostic steps - got around to noting the RPM and boost numbers under load and repeated the same RPM with no load and no boost .....which pointed me to the issue being a intake leak related to pressure.

Amazing the difference in driving when you have instant spool.

[Chartgod] Strange map links do not work > for his shop 'start' = no garage access when he...

Chartgod — 3/30/2026 9:43:11 AM

Strange map links do not work >

for his shop 'start' = no garage access when he fire up just that 2nd office small window was the bathroom and up to the singe door entry and no more than 15 foot tops deep. And then in 1975 he had 1 full time employee and I was #2 [more on this story] as he did not GROW 'jack shit' until I came of age = "SLAVE LABOR" as we = ME ended up taking up those 2 places put together !!

[Chartgod] Sorry for late reply on this one RD, but you threw me into a 'tangent hunt' rega...

Chartgod — 3/30/2026 8:50:57 AM

Sorry for late reply on this one RD, but you threw me into a 'tangent hunt' regarding a couple other AMC's +and I am 'still on it = DAMNED U !! lol [I will also later hunt up that "Jay's guy" that took Unique over?? but running out of time now = market gonna open and I'm into "DRV" pretty deep

BUT 500-700 buys? = yes and then throw another 500.00 in it? Just think what they go for now lol

I like the Jav's but never really "got a hard on" for one [lol] as I already had April 1976 buy >>

1968 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova ss 350 m-21 12 bolt 3.73 + NO power steering or brakes
except for wheels = I had alum slotted forget the brand, as they were NOT Ansen's ;-) here is the critter [I wish I still had,

as I ended up w/a Nova SS stash of Nova's > 1966 Auto SS and a 1973 350SS and a 71 Auto SS and then a 71 Pontiac Sprint auto w/a 350 chevy stuffed in it, but lost my $ 200.00 per month PLAYPEN storage in fall of 1977 thanks to Ken Hendricks abcsupply.com when he bought the old AMC dealership building I was renting the shop area in back from in Beloit WI [That prick] lol as I lived out on the township in a little 1br house paying $ 100.00 a month rent for housing [smile] BUT I could not keep them all outside so held the first 1968 for many years

ALL $ 500.00 or LESS

+++

Now, here's "one AMC I gave away" knowhow.napaonline.com

As I ran across a black guy in 1976 in South Beloit IL that had one for sale for $ 500.00 4 speed and he was an older brother of a kid my age in school that had one w/engine issues...like a dummy? I told him he was foolish to sell it!! [as I really did not have the $ 500.00 at the time in hopes he'd hang onto it, get into it and GIVE UP on it] but he kept it

As well as bringing up some good & bad memories as well [will go into details here as life goes on this month] smile

No sir, never met Larry from there, but as I mentioned it was a 'candy store' for? My old man > without a lot of money [smile] and when I was in there = I was maybe 11 years old tops for sure [or before] as my dad started his business in 1969 in a small office space next door to a place he was working and a co-owner on the manufacturing place was a guy named Ken Peterson who also had Sterling Speed & Engineering and I am sure Kenny did know Larry [note the address on the key chain on this link] so I knew Ken well = as he also let me ride his "full dresser White 305 Honda" in the parking lot on Saturday mornings lol, as he was also a Shriner and did the parades > facebook.com and a few of them kept the bikes there

worthpoint.com

facebook.com

facebook.com

for his shop 'start' = no garage access when he fire up just that 2nd office small window was the bathroom and up to the singe door entry and no more than 15 foot tops deep. And then in 1975 he had 1 full time employee and I was #2 [more on this story] as he did not GROW 'jack shit' until I came of age = "SLAVE LABOR" as we = ME ended up taking up those 2 places put together !!

google.com@42.2580071,-89.0547781,3a,75y,269.6h,71.59t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sgzMIygCEr0DQ7Qql4iL45w!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D18.412348083404666%26panoid%3DgzMIygCEr0DQ7Qql4iL45w%26yaw%3D269.60213070384503!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

And I know I have seen only once in my life I saw one of these, = his dream = en.wikipedia.org and it was in there!!

So for sure, we are 'on the same page' smile for exotics + rare stuff back in the day, and after doing that research on 'Unique'

[roguedolphin] I'm from the south suburbs of Chicago but my knowledge of Rockford,Illinois stem...

roguedolphin — 3/29/2026 12:52:35 PM

I'm from the south suburbs of Chicago but my knowledge of Rockford,Illinois stems pretty much from my trips to Larry Mitchell's Unique Motorcrs dealership as a kid to see his cool inventory and shoot the breeze. He was President of the Classic AMX Club.

I always liked the American Motors AMX and Javelin as a teenager without a lot of money. Most musclecar bang for your buck back then was the AMX. I had 7 or 8 of them as a teenager. When they were 7 or 8 years old it was pretty easy to pick them up for $500 to $700 apiece in a bit shabby condition (if you could find them they didnt make too many). I'd polish / fix them up and flip them.

I'm pretty sure the cars pic is from his small Rockford dealership showroom from around the year 1978.I was interested in buying that Lime Green AMX he had then. It was priced well ...shot him an offer but he held out for his asking price.

[Chartgod] Possible error? = Woodruff ave? Being the same? After research I think not same...

Chartgod — 3/29/2026 2:03:35 AM

Possible error? = Woodruff ave? Being the same?

After research I think not same one, but that [the Rockford Woodruff] is where they told ya to go "open it up" as it was all industrial area by the car dealerships on Broadway

[Chartgod] Yes, are you from the area(s) also? That name rang a bell, so I had to the hit ...

Chartgod — 3/29/2026 1:35:33 AM

Yes, are you from the area(s) also?

That name rang a bell, so I had to the hit the brain cells from the late 60's [1968?] early 70's [lol]

musclemopars.com

read > An AMX keepsake

The car was then drag raced on Woodward Avenue before Unique Motorcars in Rockford, Ill., restored it.

Map Below > They were # 2 north side of street all glass showroom windows also and my dad's 'dream cars' were in there.

# 3 is Edson motors [and there is talk here also of Unique] was a used Chevy dealer [dad's price range] but then they later had Subaru's & Renault [LeCar = 1984 dad bought one for the business deliveries, the cheap bastard lol]

facebook.com

A is where my dad lived then B is where the 1st shop was from 1969 to very early 1976 or winter of 1975

I know what you are thinking !! What is # 1 [just kidding] Well that is 1 of 2 things = That is 11th street and above mentioned "Woodruff Ave" [along the tracks west to east] and this is actually "the test track" 1950's-1960's -wink-

Left side was 1/4 mile = 9th street to 11th street + right side was 1/2 mile 11th to Broadway

Part 2 of 2? Some young PUNK, in his BRAND NEW 1976 Yellow Firebird Formula 400, [please note the railroad tracks] 3rd week of December + his girlfriend does a 'dead stop' at Railroad Ave coming from the south, [as the tracks had a small hill] so you could NOT see cars on Woodruff [and they had stop signs]

and decides + says out loud he's gonna pull a "Jim Rockford" and go airborne ;-)

And yes, he succeeded !!

Success? YES, plowed right into the left rear quarter panel, turning left to go south, of a very early 1970's big Ford LTD w/a couple in their 60's for sure, and that Ford did a 180 degree -ouch- and I felt terrible.

No one was hurt, and this Jim re-learned a life lesson [look before you leap] and somehow the cops gave them a 'failure to yield' ticket, and I had left front end damage bumper, hood and fender

And the car was in the body shop for 2 months, as there were no new parts in stock

+++

+++

Unique mentioned in Edson's post [small world]

[roguedolphin] Interesting post. Brought back memories of the very very first early years of Me...

roguedolphin — 3/29/2026 12:08:23 AM

Interesting post. Brought back memories of the very very first early years of Mecum auctions that I went to.
I was a 16-year old kid and joshing around with (who I thought was a dork back then) Dana Mecum in those chaotic early auctions .

If you were from Rockford. Illinois (?) in that late 1970's era you must remember the late "Mr. AMX" Larry Mitchell and his "Unique Motorcars" dealership? Although the 1968-1970 American Motors AMX sports car was only 7 or 8 years old at that time he was primarily selling pristine fine examples in his little dealership showroom for years. He was known as the foremost expert in the country on the Kenosha, Wisconsin built car.

californiaclassicamc.com

[nicewatch] Indeed. My first car was a Camaro Z28 if that makes you feel any better? :-) For...

nicewatch — 3/28/2026 9:02:41 PM

Indeed. My first car was a Camaro Z28 if that makes you feel any better? :-) For obvious reasons will keep my current "DGD" list close to the vest.

[Chartgod] LOL >> If not? One has to have "DGD's I always say Dream's, Goals & Desires ;-...

Chartgod — 3/28/2026 8:57:48 PM

LOL >> If not? One has to have "DGD's I always say

Dream's, Goals & Desires ;-)

[nicewatch] That's funny if you think I spend much money on cars. Do you also think I buy ev...

nicewatch — 3/28/2026 8:54:53 PM

That's funny if you think I spend much money on cars. Do you also think I buy every watch I post about on the watch thread? :-)

[Chartgod] Never heard of that other line(s) as I don't have your 'budget' -smile- But bac...

Chartgod — 3/28/2026 8:46:36 PM

Never heard of that other line(s) as I don't have your 'budget' -smile-

But back in the day [70's] I was into anything odd, w/a Bowtie for my wish list [but then a daughter happened 1978 anyway]

motorbiscuit.com

I let a 1972 Pantera get away [in fall of 1976 = age 18] from "The Swede" as his place was less than 1/2 a mile from where my dad's shop was as it was $ 7000.00 then. $ 2000.00 more than my budget

+++ THIS IS NOT HIM +++

+++
Then they [Clark family] still have this > graa.net
+++

So coming back from Chicago on the first Friday of 1976 w/my buddy on Business 20, came across "Dana's Family's Place" [before he was big time...]

+++

++++
Snowing like HECK but there was a searchlight rolling in the mist, get closer and sign says Stop in and see the :

++++

So what are 2 18 year old boy's gonna do?

Of course stop in to "nose around the hotties" and I test drove the below on sale dealer demo / his car w/12,000 miles on it = $ 5000.00 and Dana [yes Dana Mecum = Mecum's Auctions] ended up throwing me the keys before we left or any paper work was signed, and said "Bring it back Monday" is all...

Ahh the good old days of TRUST

== SOLD [mine had t-tops] so this is not actual as I did sell it to "the buddy that was with me" and he had until "1st baby" after getting married in 1980 so 1981

[nicewatch] Maybe the Prince of Monaco bought them? :-) Bugatti was a financial disaster in ...

nicewatch — 3/28/2026 7:30:57 PM

Maybe the Prince of Monaco bought them? :-) Bugatti was a financial disaster in the 1990s and might only be marginally better on the balance sheet now since VW bought them. Have read their Veyron/Chiron line was a net loser and intended as a statement piece of VW's engineering prowess.

[Chartgod] Interesting > as then 1 or 2 guys has the market cornered ;-) [graphic]

Chartgod — 3/28/2026 7:18:12 PM

Interesting > as then 1 or 2 guys has the market cornered ;-)

[nicewatch] Your Bugatti EB112 Sedan, Monsieur Imagine trying to buy parts for this? :-) t...

nicewatch — 3/28/2026 5:19:52 PM

Your Bugatti EB112 Sedan, Monsieur

Imagine trying to buy parts for this? :-)

thedrive.com

[OldAIMGuy] Hi Bob, It turned out pretty well, it seems. It's been fun to see what differe...

OldAIMGuy — 3/28/2026 3:57:10 PM

Hi Bob,

It turned out pretty well, it seems. It's been fun to see what different people do with the same short prompt.

I thought having a couple of Georgia girls trying out R.A. for the first time would make a good tale.

Tom

[robert b furman] Great read Buddy! Bob

robert b furman — 3/28/2026 3:03:26 PM

[OldAIMGuy] Not quite 10 years ago I was asked by a friend if I'd like to join the Sheboygan...

OldAIMGuy — 3/27/2026 1:05:53 PM

Not quite 10 years ago I was asked by a friend if I'd like to join the Sheboygan Writer's Club - the oldest continuous writer club in Wisconsin. I made some smart remark like, "What! You mean there are people in Sheboygan that are Literate???" In any case, I went and then joined.

Each month during the year there's a "writer prompt" sent out for which we're asked to write a short piece using the writer prompt.

A couple of years ago the prompt was:
“On the count of three, I will exit the car."

Well, that got the juices flowing and this is what I came up with........................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First time at Road America

She’d never been to Wisconsin. In fact this might be as far north as she had ever traveled. They said it would be “Spring” here in April but Wisconsin’s idea of Spring and a girl from Georgia’s were obviously different. It was cold, probably less than 50°F outside. No trees had any leaves and grass still looked dormant.

They had checked in at Road America’s Registration and got their parking spot for the rig. It was nice to finally end the drive as pulling a 30 foot long car hauler wasn’t exactly relaxing. They’d covered over 900 miles with a drive time of nearly 16 hours to bring their “Chump Car” to Road America. Now all they had to do was get the trailer unhooked and find their way to the Osthoff Hotel. The gal at Registration said Elkhart Lake was just a couple of miles from the track. She’d told Jen and Angela there were lots of places to eat from which to choose – all within walking distance from their hotel. It would feel good to stretch their legs. All they could think of was quick shower and then a warm meal somewhere.

Angela and Jen had both attended the same competition driver’s school four years earlier. Being the only two women in the class they’d formed a bond right away. Now, after several years of sharing their ride, an older BMW M3, they were closer than most siblings. Both liked to twist a wrench and drive like a demon was after them. They ran the car in two different car class designations most weekends so they both got a turn at the wheel. The M3 had proved to be very reliable so far.

The next day was colder than when they arrived. It felt like it was freezing but the thermometer said it was 39°F. The “Champ Car Double 8 Enduros” had sounded like a ball when Jen and Angela had signed up. Two days of 8 hour endurance races was not the only part of the agenda, driving sensibly to keep the car going for roughly 16 hours was a big part of their plan. Jen was first up for the start of the Saturday race. She was doing well and turning very consistent laps as she finished her hour long stint in the car. This was the first leg of the Double 8 series. They had decided they could each do 1 hour in the car without running low on fuel. That gave each of them an hour driving and an hour off to relax. Angela had put the signboard out at 55 minutes into Jen’s session. That gave her a lap at speed and a lap to ease off the car a bit before pulling into the pits.

“Angela!” Jen shouted above the track noise, “You’re going to LOVE this place. The track is HUGE, the corners fast and there’s lots of places to pass.” They got busy fueling the car, checking over the tires and cleaning the windscreen. They were Crew Chiefs, Mechanics, Pit Crew and Drivers all combined in the two of them. Theirs was the smallest team effort by far.

Angela asked, “How are the brakes holding up?”

“Just brake late, hard and short so they have extra time to cool,” was Jen’s advice. “So far they’re working faultlessly. You’ll find there are several places you can short-shift the car and save fuel and revs. Try it between Six and Seven and entering the Carousel. Be careful of the Kink; they’re not kidding about it. It’s fast, but spooky.”

As Angela was belting up and getting her helmet on Jen was talking non-stop; adrenaline still working its way through her system. “The tires barely get warm enough to grip and the track is cold and damp in many places. Take it easy until you get a feel for the way the car’s tracking. Be easy on the throttle coming out of the turns, too.”

Jen was right on all counts. The brakes were better than the cold tires’ grip. The cold pavement made it feel like trying to hurry through rain. Even where there was sun on the track there wasn’t any traction like on a hot day. It was nerve wracking. Angela found her forearms tiring by the third time past Start/Finish. She was Gorilla Gripping the steering wheel. She was also putting too much pressure on the shifter, which really didn’t need it. Top speeds here were crazy. Well marked braking zones were longer than the BMW needed under ideal conditions but at this temperature and humidity she had to sneak up on the brake points. At least with the windows down three layers of Nomex wasn’t roasting her like at the southern tracks.

Next time past Start/Finish she saw Jen holding up the sign board with her latest lap time, “2:42” it said. That was right where they hoped to consistently lap. She glanced at her watch between Turns 3 and 5. “Only 10 minutes into this?” She couldn’t believe it. It felt like she’d been out there two hours already.

As her session progressed she noted the skies were darkening. Then it started to drizzle. It didn’t seem to be changing the pavement, just misted the windshield a bit. “Ugh!” she said. As the track conditions deteriorated Angela was determined to keep the pace. She was getting a feel for the bigness of the place. Several turns could be taken far faster than she’d first attempted.

Then, coming around Turn 7 she let the car go straight at the exit before transitioning back to the right side of the track. Then, standing on the throttle, the back end of the car came out about 90° from her intended direction of travel. Cranking the wheel hard right, the car continued its sideways slide as she saw the concrete barriers out her rearview mirror. “When you start to spin, Both Feet In” was what she’d been taught. She buried the brakes and the clutch simultaneously. The front tires finally started to correct the slide and got the car pointing downhill to Turn 8. She gathered up the car, checked her mirrors and turned in at 8. As she circled the Carousel she realized she’d maybe not taken a breath since before the slide. Her heart was pounding like it wanted to escape her chest.

Finally, Jen held up the sign board with “Five Minutes” written there. Angela backed off for the rest of that lap and came in one early. She stuck her hand out the window and pulled hard to the right after Turn 14 and headed up Pit Lane. She spotted Jen and pulled the Bimmer into their spot. Angela’s hands still gripped the steering wheel tight as she took a deep breath and thought, “On the count of three, I will exit the car.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, now you know what Road America is like! It's 4 miles long with 14 turns. It's like a country road with no oncoming traffic and no police! Just drive!
youtube.com

Best wishes,
OAG Tom

[robert b furman] YUP, I cleaned up the story when I said it has a sign on it that said "THINK". ...

robert b furman — 3/26/2026 9:32:27 PM

YUP,

I cleaned up the story when I said it has a sign on it that said "THINK".

If there would have been any kids around my shop, they would have had an ear full of cussing. GRRR

Bob

[wilywilly] So the lesson is "watch the wires" when you have a charger attached? Got it. Ki...

wilywilly — 3/26/2026 6:06:15 PM

So the lesson is "watch the wires" when you have a charger attached? Got it.

Kinda like "don't drive away from the pump with the gas hose in your filler neck."

Thankfully I haven't had to learn either of those "the hard way" (yet)!

[Chartgod] OK Corvette class, I am shipping one out of this place soon to TX = and I never ...

Chartgod — 3/26/2026 12:41:58 PM

OK Corvette class, I am shipping one out of this place soon to TX = and I never new this place existed.

Talking to the guy [Paul] in charge just now ? The owner is 'thinning the heard" to shut it down little by little

fordfamilyautocollection.com

[Chartgod] re: "You Dumb Son of a Bi**h!!!" Me, myself and I also say that to each other ...

Chartgod — 3/26/2026 11:36:03 AM

re: "You Dumb Son of a Bi**h!!!"

Me, myself and I also say that to each other [lol] when stupidity takes over

Example?

I usually buy an 18ct of eggs cardboard carton package = stiff, well 2 days ago I order a 30 pack = came on plastic, and almost "bent and spilled them all" when I start to put them in fridge

First thing I said to myself?

a) I have not dropped an egg, on a floor in 40+ years and smiled [patting myself on the back mentally]

b) Yesterday? I reach in = try to cheat and open the plastic and ALMOST dropped a few

c) See? well I want to still make breakfast now, but 3 times is a charm?

Or will I be cleaning a mess of eggs off the floor!!

I'll just eat lunch then = Karma

[OldAIMGuy] Hi Bob, Re: First Start after long hibernations........................... I've...

OldAIMGuy — 3/26/2026 10:51:20 AM

Hi Bob, Re: First Start after long hibernations...........................

I've tossed a few wrenches at inanimate objects in the past when I've done similar things. I think it's part of Spring Fever to get our toys ready for summer cruising. We get caught up in checking everything - tire pressures, oil levels, coolant levels, brake fluid levels, etc and sometimes forget the simplest of tasks. Both of my hibernating cars use battery tenders for the winter months. Both have batteries in the trunk, so I don't have that spinning fan to consider. However, that doesn't mean I don't do some things that could be considered brain fade.

50 Years ago when we first got married, I'd be in the garage on the weekend doing some auto project or another. I'd strip the skin off my knuckles or something and start cursing a blue streak. Jane would come to the door and say, "Is something wrong???" :-)

After a while she figured out that it was just me venting over my own stupidity. One time I was using a hole saw to cut some holes in the chin of my '59 Austin Healey Sprite racer. I'd mounted an oil cooler down low and needed direct air flow to it. The first three holes went well. On the last one, the drill bit broke and the hole saw jumped. I was holding onto the bonnet with my left hand and the hole saw seemed to think that would be a great place to work next! It caught my index finger between the first and second knuckle.

Again, I started cursing a violent violet blue streak. "You Dumb Son of a Bi**h!!!" I yelled! My buddy, David, was there in the race garage with me. He thought I was shouting at him! (I've always meant to ask him why he thought he was the target of my verbal attack!) I was just cussing myself out! In the mean time I dropped the drill and was wrapping my hand in paper towels. David drove me to the emergency room where they stitched up the smile the saw blade had opened on my finger.

I had no feeling from the finger tip to the 2nd knuckle but it didn't cut the tendon. I got the name of a hand surgeon in Milwaukee and went to see him. He said it was questionable whether he could re-connect the nerve tube and restore feeling. It's because it was a "saw cut" rather than a blade cut. He was concerned the saw would have torn out too much of the tube. To stretch the ends together and stitch it would maybe narrow the nerve tube and not allow the nerve to regrow.

Well, when he opened up the emergency room stitches and cleaned out the wound (paint chips, body filler, steel "saw dust"), under his microscope he said the two nerve ends fell right into place, so he stitched them together.

I went home with a splint on my finger and raced the Sprite that weekend here at Road America.

After the race, the track marshal came over and asked what I was pointing at while driving! I showed him my splint! :-) He said several of the corner workers had commented on my pointing at something, but they couldn't figure out what!! :-)

After about 6 months I had touch and temperature feeling back to near normal in my finger. My friend, David, is still a friend and now knows not to listen when I'm working with power tools!

I think my "OOOPS" cost a bit more than your new radiator, etc, but not a lot. This was back in 1991. Today, I'd have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the surgeon!

I'm looking forward to seeing your car at the Summer Concours this year!

Best wishes,
OAG Tom

[robert b furman] Hi WW. I have some 25 year old Harley Davidson charders on my two Harleys. My f...

robert b furman — 3/26/2026 8:59:48 AM

Hi WW.

I have some 25 year old Harley Davidson charders on my two Harleys. My favorite icharger is the Harbor Freight's brand "Viking 4.0 amp". I have almost a dozen of them. They boost battery life by a factor IMO.
Last July my recently restored 1955 Nomad (that I bought when I was 17) was restored in time for the 2023 Nomad convention in Milwaukee.

I got 2 firsts and a third on a just completed 2 year restoration, that had a mechanical failure of the tailgate retractor AT THE JUDGING SHOW. grr

So comes along BRING A TRAILER SHOW (BAT Classic Car Auction on the WEB), get together at the Vintage Races at Road America in July.

I had my car trailered to Milwaukee and back to my home in Wisconsin and immediately stored in a car capsule.

I get ribbed ABOUT NEVER DRIVING MY CAR.
started
So I submitted to be a "show car feature" at the meeting for the weekend. It started on a Friday. so on the wednesday morning before I proceed to take down the car capsule. The inflating fan has a backup to the cars battery if power is lost. When regained it also kicks in my Viking 4 amp battery charger.
I get all involved in photo'ing the hook up wires and the teardown of the capsules fan, the charger and the monitor that flips the power sources. During tear down, I put the charger on top of the 283 Corvette Ram Jet fuel injection unit for a 57 Corvette (that's in my Nomad).

I do the specific procedure for starting those units and it fires right up - and the fan blades grab the plug on the charging unitf, wraps around fan pulley and destroys 3 cores of my brand new all copper copy of the stock 55 radiator. In 2023 Dollars it cost $403. I went to order its replacement was no longer stocked. All copper radiators got so expensive that made aluminum tadiators more affordable.

I ordered the copper replacement and $1074 covered shipping AND TAXES.

SO IN MY SHOP is a damaged radiator and a smashed Viking CHARGER proudly displayed with a tag on that says THINK!

Mr ,Veale just wanted to remind me of my horror. <smile>

I'm hopeful of being able to display the car this summer at Road America.

It has .6 miles on it, not the first chip and I'm a nervous as a father watching his 16 year old daughter go on her first date.

I'm a mess when trailering it.

This fall I'm hopeful of pouring a shop basement. By this time next year I'd like to have my planned shop dried in. My home is on a hill and I can get the shop dug into a hill. Formed 18 foot tall concrete walls and a metal building that is Octagonal with 8 30 foot walls. The second floor will be at the house foundation with a red metal building and a big cupola on its top.'
'
The square footage should house my 8 old restorations and my 3 drivers. With a shop in the basement.

Big dreamer I am.

That's the long story version.

Road America is 6 miles from my House. You have to see RA in the summer.

You can camp on the grounds. It is a mecca of attractive tanned women and awesome race cars, with beer stands and brats stands at every corner.

The family that races together , stays together. <smile>

It is the largest Race Track Park in the USA.

A winding Race Track built on rolling hills and much of it is surrounded in woods.

The nearby town of Elkhart Lake has been a long time oasis of vacationing Milwaukeean's and Chicagoan's.. It is very rural but pleasantly upscale. Not to mention home of Tom.

Bob

[Chartgod] Need a $ 60,000.00 561-Mile 1974 Honda Civic Hondamatic anyone? bringatraile...

Chartgod — 3/25/2026 1:27:59 PM

Need a $ 60,000.00 561-Mile 1974 Honda Civic Hondamatic anyone?

bringatrailer.com

Have that one being delivered to Plymouth MI and Bob?

This place ring a bell to you?

victoryautomotivegroup.com

[Chartgod] Bob, super on your mentor's toybox of 56's ;-) ....and I know I had mentioned t...

Chartgod — 3/25/2026 1:16:01 PM

Bob, super on your mentor's toybox of 56's ;-)

....and I know I had mentioned to you before my buddy in Beloit that had all panel trucks for years in the 50's also [who passed away a couple years ago]

not quite sure at the moment the 'master plan' for it

I just called to owner/shipper and left message [as needed to check in how pickup went]

and my guy who I do all his transports for "Chuck" I will check with later also, as they should be dropping it about now

facebook.com

trustburn.com

Jim

[wilywilly] I've learned my lesson on those trickle chargers for sure. Bob, can I ask what t...

wilywilly — 3/25/2026 1:06:27 PM

I've learned my lesson on those trickle chargers for sure.

Bob, can I ask what the "lesson" was? I have a Porsche that doesn't get driven as much as it wants, and use this Battery Butler that seems to the job perfectly. I was steered to it by a college friend who maintains a fleet of about 30 cars, modern and pre-WWII collectibles in Santa Fe. He has a bunch of these, and swears by them.

Battery Butler Products

P.S. They were only $15 when I got mine.

[robert b furman] When I was 16, an older mentor of mine had a 56 Convrtible, 56 Corvette, 56 Noma...

robert b furman — 3/25/2026 11:46:14 AM

When I was 16, an older mentor of mine had a 56 Convrtible, 56 Corvette, 56 Nomad and a 56 Cameo.

All showroom clean.

He was my hero.

That Cameo looks very nice already!

265 or 6 banger?.

Bob

[Chartgod] This 55 Cameo I have in transit is heading down yesterday from Medford Oregon ar...

Chartgod — 3/25/2026 11:41:25 AM

This 55 Cameo I have in transit is heading down yesterday from Medford Oregon area to drop in Seaside CA today to then be 'completed' and come back to streets again for the guy

+++

+++

+++

[robert b furman] Hi Tom, Yes I hope to bring it to RA this summer again. I've learned my lesson...

robert b furman — 3/25/2026 11:39:27 AM

Hi Tom,

Yes I hope to bring it to RA this summer again.

I've learned my lesson on those trickle chargers for sure.

Bob

[OldAIMGuy] Hi Bob, Re: Driveway........... Wow, that's been a while! That was just before ...

OldAIMGuy — 3/25/2026 11:08:26 AM

Hi Bob, Re: Driveway...........

Wow, that's been a while! That was just before my 2600 mile round trip with the 2022 Hot Rod Power Tour!

Are you going to try again to bring the Nomad to the Elkhart Lake Concours this summer? If so, remember to disconnect the batter tender before starting!!! :-)

I guess time is flying by. I think about stopping in every time Jane and I drive to Howards Grove to eat at the Log Cabin.

Best wishes,
Tom

[robert b furman] H Tom, Since you've driven it down my driveway, I'll vouche for how nice it is....

robert b furman — 3/25/2026 10:59:01 AM

H Tom,

Since you've driven it down my driveway, I'll vouche for how nice it is.

AND, it is driven!

Bob

[OldAIMGuy] Thanks for the reminder on the Sterling Cimbria! I hadn't thought about that veh...

OldAIMGuy — 3/25/2026 8:37:32 AM

Thanks for the reminder on the Sterling Cimbria! I hadn't thought about that vehicle kit in Years.

reddit.com

I visited their place and looked over their kit way back then, too. I had too little time and money back then to take on such a project.

I have had two Factory Five cars in more recent decades. I owned one of their Challenge Series Cobra race cars and also their '33 Ford Hot Rod. The street rod I finished and licensed in 2009 and still drive seasonally.

Best wishes,
OAG Tom

[Chartgod] Every time I saw that show [it started 1980 and/or watched it] when it came out ...

Chartgod — 3/25/2026 8:25:34 AM

Every time I saw that show [it started 1980 and/or watched it] when it came out - and still see one?

I think of the one 'toy' I never did in 1977. I grew up in Beloit WI, and I shot up to Milwaukee to the place as they were starting to work on a Olds Toronado powered rear engine one

sterlingkitcars.com

+++

[OldAIMGuy] I bet Tom Selleck would have a hard time getting in and out of the 308 today!

OldAIMGuy — 3/25/2026 8:05:58 AM

[nicewatch] That's a rather blunt and crude question. The answer is yes but only for a few t...

nicewatch — 3/24/2026 12:52:00 PM

That's a rather blunt and crude question. The answer is yes but only for a few timepieces and not most of my collection. I'm not anxious to change. It looks like a fun car for a long weekend but don't think I'd want to own it. :-)

[Chartgod] If you sold just 1 of your watches? Could you own it? -smile- Then change your ...

Chartgod — 3/24/2026 12:26:26 PM

If you sold just 1 of your watches? Could you own it? -smile-

Then change your SI handle to "NiceCar" lol

[nicewatch] Tom Selleck’s Iconic ‘Magnum P.I.’ Ferrari Is Now up for Grabs robbreport.com ...

nicewatch — 3/24/2026 8:25:14 AM

Tom Selleck’s Iconic ‘Magnum P.I.’ Ferrari Is Now up for Grabs

robbreport.com

[nicewatch] Of Course These Truck-Sized ATVs Are From Russia thedrive.com [graphic]

nicewatch — 3/23/2026 5:52:00 AM

Of Course These Truck-Sized ATVs Are From Russia

thedrive.com

[Chartgod] Looks like that is what Elon stole his CyberTruck design from -lol- ps... I hav...

Chartgod — 3/22/2026 1:13:00 PM

Looks like that is what Elon stole his CyberTruck design from -lol-

ps... I have owned 3 Ford 'little' Rangers [made in the 80's] over the years 2 of them 2wd and 1 was 4wd = loved them little suckers

[nicewatch] Ford Made This Bubble-Door Bronco Concept in 1980 thedrive.com [graphic]

nicewatch — 3/22/2026 11:44:08 AM

Ford Made This Bubble-Door Bronco Concept in 1980

thedrive.com

[nicewatch] The 50 Greatest Porsches Ever, Ranked. - From the Macan to the original 911, the...

nicewatch — 3/22/2026 11:39:57 AM

The 50 Greatest Porsches Ever, Ranked. - From the Macan to the original 911, these are the greatest Porsches ever

robbreport.com

[OldAIMGuy] 58 Minutes well spent! youtube.com Enjoy!, OAG Tom

OldAIMGuy — 3/21/2026 1:56:40 PM

[miraje] Honda announces big loss as it shit cans US EV production. Customers don't want...

miraje — 3/16/2026 4:38:26 PM

Honda announces big loss as it shit cans US EV production. Customers don't want them and now that Trump has ended mandates and subsides, car companies can go back to building what buyers want to buy. Ford's CEO also admits dumping EV plans..

foxbusiness.com

Honda cancels 3 planned EV models for US

Automaker announced a $15.7B writedown of its electric vehicle business

... The second-largest automaker in Japan said Thursday that it will restructure its EV business and cancel three planned battery-powered EV models that were going to be built and sold in the U.S. market.

Demand for EVs has pulled back in recent years as consumers have shown a preference for hybrid vehicles, while President Donald Trump's administration has pulled back tax credits that helped incentivize EV purchases.

Honda's move to pull back on its EV plans, as well as to write down the value of some of its operations in China, may cost as much as $15.7 billion, while the company also said it will report its first annual loss in nearly 70 years. The company's cash outflows stemming from the writedowns will largely be due to the cost of compensating suppliers...

[Goose94] 20 Weird Facts About McCormick’s Coyote X (Hardcastle & McCormick) [youtube vide...

Goose94 — 3/14/2026 6:16:08 PM

20 Weird Facts About McCormick’s Coyote X (Hardcastle & McCormick)