Posts

The Slightest of Mods

Image
The British Roadster has an honored place in the motoring world. Emerging in post-WWII Europe and embraced by US soldiers during their tours in Germany, France, and England. Some early models made their way home with US servicemen, and later were imported and sold directly to the American public. Small, lightweight, responsive, and fun to drive -- these open-top two-seaters quickly found favor with auto enthusiasts and even inspired early versions of the Corvette and Thunderbird.  By sheer numbers, none was more successful than the MGB. Offered mostly unchanged from 1962 through 1980 with over half a million examples produced, the vast majority convertible roadsters with a 1.8L 4 cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual. While all models produced were similar, they can be broken down into three groups. The first version offered from 1962 through 1967 is considered the purest with the final two years having sorted most issues. The next version was introduced in 1968 and offered through mid-
Post a Comment
Read more

Modern Performance for America's Sports Car

Image
When the 3rd generation of America's sports car was introduced in 1967 a dramatic new body style ushered in styling that reflected the dawn of the space age. The C3 Corvette was produced from 1969 through 1982 and covered some of Corvette's best selling production years including the record-setting 1979 model year.   While the early models featured spectacular race-inspired performance, federal regulations resulted in lackluster power in later models. For example, the early LS6 454 cu in big-block was conservatively rated at 425 hp but by the late '70s, the top power output was down to 180 hp from a detuned 350 V8.  From the first Mako Shark II Concept through the mid-'70s the Corvette saw many updates in styling, including early efforts by chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov to create a mid-engined model. Flush door handles, retractable headlights, hide-away wipers, concealed cooling vents contributed to a design that was well received at the time. The chassis may have ca
Post a Comment
Read more

Easy-Breazy T-Bird

Image
In 1953 Chevrolet decided to compete with European automotive sport car manufacturers and introduce the Corvette. Rival Ford was not going to take the challenge lightly, so in 1955, they introduced a uniquely American answer, the Ford Thunderbird. While the first-generation Vette in ever-increasing performance and style was offered through the 1962 model year, the first-generation Ford T-Bird was only made for three years.  The press and the public loved the V8 power, sleek styling, and creature comforts of the Thunderbird and it became an instant classic, outselling the Corvette by 23 to 1. Like the Corvette, the 2nd year production of the Thunderbird featured upgrades such as 12V electrical, side vents to help cool the cabin, optional portals to reduce blind spots, and the Continental Kit that freed up space for golf clubs in the trunk.  Ford imagined their offering more as a Personal Luxury Car than a true sports car. Options such as power steering, power breaks, power-adjustable se
Post a Comment
Read more

What's Old is New Again

Image
What do you do to shake up a model that was introduced in the late 1930s? How about making a bold statement based on the Thunderbird unibody. In 1961 Lincoln continued the trend used since the MKII using less chrome, simplified the design, further lowered the already scant profile, introduced a sleek body and returned to the 1951 model rear doors hinged at the back of the car. The iconic fourth-generation Lincoln Continental was born with what came to be known as "Suicide Doors". Despite the ominous name, the doors were so cool that ever since 4th generation was retired in 1969, Lincoln engineers have been looking to bring the unique rear door configuration back. So in 2019, they did just that with a limited and special edition Lincoln Continental. Car enthusiasts of each generation can recount the moment when they first encountered the luxurious, modern design. For me, it was seeing that door open the WRONG way revealed the ever-elegant Jacqueline Kennedy. Her husband
Post a Comment
Read more

On and Off Road

Image
Designers and engineers like to create purpose vehicles, although many of us don't use the vehicle as it was intended. Most notably the G-Glass is engineered to be used off road, however, few who drop over $100K for the truck ever take it off-road. Other examples include track-ready two-seaters used as date night cars. One car looked to buck that trend and cross the line between off-road and urban commuter, the Jeep Cherokee XJ. In the process created the crossover segment that is quickly replacing the family sedan. In 1984, Jeep introduced its first unibody truck. It parted from the ladder frame used since WWII and revolutionized the market with what some consider is the first successful crossover SUV. With room for 5, four doors, a hatchback and softer suspension the truck was an instant hit. Luckily, the engineers used a lot of components from the Wrangler, including the engines, transfer cases, differentials, and axles.  The result was a comfortable and capable truck that
Post a Comment
Read more

When Chevrolet Remakes a Classic

Image
By now you have heard about the newest generation of the Corvette. At the time of this writing, Hemmings latest survey found the Corvette the most collectible car in the US. No wonder with 8 generations produced since the early '50s, there is a Corvette model that will ignite youthful nostalgia for any generation of collectors. Without any actual C8 production models in the wild, I decided to stop trolling C8's online and visit a local Chevrolet dealership and see a pre-production version in person. The first impression, the C8 looks way better in person than it does on screen. The fit and finish of the interior is an incremental improvement over the already well-appointed C7. While it retains the design elements of modern Corvette, there is no mistake where the engine is, behind the driver and forward of the rear wheels. It gives the car a much more aggressive profile and provides the driver with a much better view of the road ahead.  I've been gawking at cars sin
Post a Comment
Location: 8585 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, United States
Read more

Tweaking a Classic Cat

Image
There are some pretty special classics out there. The 1967 Sunbeam Tiger, 1968 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, Pontiac GTO, and the 1957 Corvette Fuelie just to name a few. The cool thing is that what made those cars so exceptional was upgrades to boring cars like the Sunbeam Alpine, 1968 Ford Mustang, 1964 Pontiac LeMans or 1957 Corvette. Because these cars are so much more valuable than there plain Jane sisters, they tend to bring a lot at auction. Some who long for a Shelby V8 in a small British road car will simply take a very affordable Sunbeam Alpine and recreate it a Tiger. Just drop in the large Ford 289 cu in (4.7 L) V8, upgrade the suspension, tranny, rear end and bang, you have a pretty special car. Go to any auto auction and you will see a plethora of these "recreations" and they are popular. Unscrupulous car builders have been known to pass off these upgraded step-sisters as originals. So much so that registries have emerged to authenticate originals. 1963 Jaguar
1 comment
Read more