Archive for 2012
History of Ford
I recently found this graphic which although it never mentions many historical events I find important it does provide an interesting brief history of the Ford Motor Company. It was prepared by www.carinsurance.org.
Order Tickets for the Daytona 500, 1970 Race!
If you are all fired up to attend the opening NASCAR race at Daytona this year I can’t help you! However, if you want to attend the 1970 race try this info. The following is a copy of the 1969/1970 Daytona Speedweek schedule leading up to the 500. It even includes a way to order [...]
Ford, Built on Racing
Today’s NASCAR race cars are far from being stock although in 2013 they will be closer in appearance. In the early 1900s auto racing was quite a bit different than today. ”Stock cars” were hardly likely to be a good race car but success on the track could sell cars, just like today. Henry Ford built his company [...]
1963 1/2 Mercury Marauder
If you are beginning to have some NASCAR withdrawal and can’t wait for the 2013 season to start then have some fun and look backwards. Check out the history of NASCAR racing and you will appreciate today’s events even more. If you are a real Blue Oval lover or if you are just into the [...]
Merry Christmas
Here are some of the special digital Christmas Cards and Wishes we received this year. We will be adding more as they arrive. The above is From CarArt.us
Kris Kringle Car Show
When the weather is warm and the sky is clear it is time to drive and cruise. However, when it gets cold with snow and rain in the air it’s time for indoor shows! Here are some photos from one such show we attended just before Thanks Giving. This was a smaller local show but [...]
Grand National Race Cars
We recently received some interesting information and photos that we want to share with all of you. John Craft is a name many of you may remember from the early days of the Talladega printed Registry. He now focuses on the Grand National Ford Aero cars and has some terrific information and facts he wants [...]
Aero Car Reunion at 2012 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
One of the best displays at the 2012 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals was the Blue Oval and MOPAR Aero Cars. These include the Ford Talladega, Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II as well as the Dodge Charger 500, Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird. As in production numbers the MOPARS out numbered the Blue Oval cars by [...]
Cars are more than Transportation
To most of us our cars are an extension of our family. They are a source of memories past and a creator of future memories. They are treasures and heirlooms to be handed down to the next generation. Unfortunately, bad things can happen and destroy everything. Hurricane Sandy was just such an occurrence. It killed and destroyed. [...]
Voo Doo Hellion Rat Rod
When we were recently at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals we saw a car that really caught our eye. No it is not a Muscle Car nor a Corvette and it was not displayed in the main arena with such cars either. It was one of the welcome cars located in the Loby on [...]
NEW DIECAST AVAILABLE
We just got word that we are now shipping the newest NASCAR Diecast, Donnie Allison # 27 Talladega. This newest diecast of the legendary orange Talladega comes either Autographed by Donnie Allison or Non-Autographed. You can order yours from our online store right now, just in time for Christmas. Also check out our other selections [...]
1961 Corvette For Sale Video
We previously provided you with some photos of a fantastic original 1961 Fuel Injected Corvette. Today, we bring you another episode of Legendary Collector Cars TV featuring this Corvette in even more detail. I hope you will take a few minutes to appreciate this car. For more information on the sale of this car please [...]
2012 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Photos
Linda Vaughn and First Production Talladega I just returned from what had to be one of the best Car Shows I have ever attended. Unfortunately, Katrina could not make this show since she is recuperating from hip surgery but wants everyone to know she won’t miss another one. To start with the Muscle Car and [...]
Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2012 Chicago
We have been here at the 2012 Muscle Car Corvette Nationals in Chicago for a couple of days now and have to say this is the best collection of Muscle Cars and Corvettes we have ever seen in one place at one time. Every where you turn there is another very special, very rare car [...]
1961 Corvette Fulie; the best one? For Sale!
If you grew up in the late 50s or early 60s and you were a car guy; there was one show you had to watch. It was Route 66 with that beautiful Corvette. Todd and Buzz seemed to have a perfect life for the young car geek. They were young men with the best possible car [...]
Donnie Allison’s 1969 Ford Talladega
The Allison brothers were stars of the NASCAR world and Donnie even did some great rides in the Indy Car series. You have been able to get his brother’s NASCAR Coke Machine Mercury in our Online Store for quite awhile now. Donnie’s famous orange #27 Ford Talladega IS NOW AVAILABLE as well. Here is a picture [...]
Dyno Wars at Shelby American won by a Boss 429 Talladega
I just received an email from friend Rick Stanton regarding his Benny Parson Tribute Talladega. Most of you are familar with Rick and his beautiful maroon Talladega. We have it featured on our Feature Car pages and it has also been featured in Hot Rod magazine.  Most of us Aero Car people talk a lot about [...]
Corvette Muscle Car Nationals, Chicago
We are only few weeks out from the 2012 Talladega Family Reunion being held in conjunction with the Corvette Muscle Car Nationals in Chicago on November 17th and 18th. This will be our 3rd Reunion and is open to all 1969 Ford Talladega, Mercury Cyclone Spoiler and Spoiler II cars. The first two were terrific and [...]
Cruisin The Coast 2012
We have yet to make it to Cruisin the Coast but have it on our Bucket List. Next year it is a priority. Luckly, our friends Steve and Nancy Whitaker from Ankeny Iowa make it a regular on their schecule and always furnish us with some great photos. Here are some of my pics from their 2012 [...]
I Gotsta to Get Paid – ZZ Top
We recently attended a ZZ Top concert and enjoyed it from beginning to end. It was full of car related video backdrops. The big surprise is when we walked out and their was their tour bus. It was an old Grayhound style with wild custom vista cruiser style two story roof and much more. These [...]
2013 Legendary Collector Cars Calendar Now Available
We are now shipping the last of our 2013 Calendars for Legendary Collector Cars. These are printed on high quality paper and feature some of the cars that appeared on our web site this year. They are the typical wall calendar size in full color with professional quality photos on every page (see samples). These have been printed [...]
Resto-Mods
Over that past year or so we have noticed that the collector car market seems to be evolving. On many fronts it appears that the general public is getting a little bored with what has always been. The 100 point all original cars that get trailed everywhere are gaining less enthusiasm and the car that gets [...]
Two New Diecasts: Buddy Baker and Mario Andretti
This diecast is on pre-order at $79 for the non-autographed and $109 for the autographed plus shipping. This is the 1968 Mercury Cyclone driven by none other than the motor racing legend Mario Andretti! If you have ever tried to get Mario’s autograph you know how hard that is. This is your opportunity to get [...]
New Project Car
Doing a Project Cars is one of the things we have the most fun with on this site. We just finished our Project Barn Find AMX, and Project High School 67 Mustang fastback, sold the Project Bulls Eye Dodge Dart and our Project Cougar is near completion so it was time to start a new [...]
Restoration or Resto-Mod?
Authentic Restoration Your input is very important to us. What you have to say has a lot of impact on what kinds of articles we bring to you as well as what kind of Project Cars we do. In the past it was pretty clear that the hobby was strong behind pure authentic restorations. The cars [...]
Pikes Peak Crash
Pikes Peak has always intrigued me. It looks like more fun than anyone should have in a car but it also seemed to me that danger was a huge factor. This video convinces me I never want to do Pikes Peak. Jeremy Foley and his co-driver went off the road at a location known as Devils Playground. [...]
David Pearson Wood Brother #21 Diecast
This is one outstanding addition to the Diecast collection. David Pearson is a NASCAR Champion and Hall of Fame member. The Wood Brothers are legends and also members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Now, they come together in this fantastic diecast. It is the number 21 Purolator 1971 Mercury Cyclone. This red and white [...]
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum; Legendary Collector Cars TV Episode 5
Although we focus on Muscle Cars and Hot Rods most of the time we still love the old classics and like to share some of our favorites with you from time to time. This Episode of Legendary Collector Cars TV takes you on a quick tour of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn IN. [...]
Life of Riley Hot Rot
We have done several article lately on hot rods and rat rods and it suddenly came to me that many of our readers may not have any memories of the birth of hot rodding. There was a time when hot rodders and motorcycle riders were all believed to be hoodlums and dangerous. Those hot rods [...]
Rat Rods; the book
Our Rat Rod Feature Posts and Pages are some of the most popular on the site. Although we have never built or owned one they do fascinate us and someday there will likely be one in the collection. Until then we will continue to admire the imagination and building skills of the owners who construct [...]
Checkers Rat Rod
Rat Rods are like ice cream they come in all flavors and sizes. I find them to be of interest to a wide varitety of car guys. Some are little more than heaps of rust relying on gravity to keep the bodies attached to the frame. Others have a strong sense of humor and are [...]
Good Guys Des Moines 2012
We always enjoy a Good Guys show but can not make it to most of them. This year our friends Steve and Nancy Whitaker made it to the Des Moines Good Guys show and sent us some photos of their favorite cars. From what they sent us I am disappointed we could not make it [...]
Reversion Mustang
When it comes to retro design and new cars the results are often far from acceptable. There are some exceptions both by the new car factories and individuals. One car we really like is the Mustang known as the “Reversion Mustang”. This new Kid on the block was built by ‘Johnny Sparks’ aka John Heermann. It [...]
Upside Down at Speed
There are lots of cool things you can do with your car but going fast is usually somewhere near the top. However, racing comes with inherent risks. Of course there is personal injury and the likely damage to the car. When we are spectators accidents are usually spectacular but don’t convey the real danger. This [...]
Project Bulls Eye Sold
When we started this project our goal was to demonstrate that it doesn’t take trunk full of money to have fun with a collector car. Project Bulls Eye our 1963 Dodge Dart GT with slant 6 and push button automatic has been sold for under $2,000. Our intent was to dress the car out a little and get [...]
Legendary Collector Cars TV Episode 8: AMX Barn Find
 For two years now we have been working on our Project Car Barn Find AMX. It is now completed and we are cruising around Middle TN in cold air conditioning and having a blast. More on that in Episode 9. Today’s Legendary Collector Car TV is all about finding the AMX and doing the [...]
Little Big Town
Obviously, this is a site all about cars and related activities. When we are in the garage there has to be music playing or a race on the TV. If it is music we have on it is either oldies Rock and Roll or Country. Living just outside of Nashville means that Country Music is [...]
Darrell Waltrip Mercury #95 Diecast for sale in our Store
Darrell Waltrip’s storied Winston Cup Career began in May 1972 at the Talladega Motor Speedway in Alabama. Waltrip rolled onto the track in a 1971 #95 Mercury Cyclone prepared by Holman Moody. Ironically, the chassis of this car was that of the original 1967 Ford Fairlane Mario Andretti drove to victory in the 1967 Daytona [...]
Legendary Collector Cars TV; Episode 7: Nashville Good Guys
Previously we brought you some individual photos of our favorite cars at the 2012 Nashville Goo Guys show. Today in this Episode of Legendary Collector Cars TV we decided we would just sit back and let you enjoy some of the great cars drive buy. Not only will you get to see them but listen [...]
Legendary Collector Cars TV; Episode 6: 2012 Indy 500 Event
The Indy 500 is more than a race. If you go and all you take in is the race on Sunday you have missed a lot. In Legendary Collector Cars TV Episode 6 we are going to give you a brief over view of just a few of the activities you may have missed. We [...]
INDY 500 2012
It was the hottest race ever at Indy and it was memorable. Last year was the 100th Anniversary of the first running of the 500 so we are now on the second Century of racing at Indy and did so with a brand new race car. Katrina and I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday at [...]
Rat Rod Update
We recently added some new images to our Rat Rod pages. You should check them out. If you have any Rat Rod or Barn Find images you would like to share on this web site with our viewers please email them to rfleener@comcast.net. Thank you.
Nashville Good Guys 2012 Photos; Saturday
It was a big relief to enter the grounds at the Saturday Good Guys event in Nashville. There were lots of cars and the quality was high. The turn out was a little less than previous years but was still well worth the visit. However, because I-24 was closed getting in and out of downtown [...]
Nashville Good Guys 2012 Photos
We just returned from opening day of Good Guys in Nashville and have to tell you I was very disappointed and left mid-afternoon. I am not sure what Saturday will bring but Friday’s attendance was down 50% (my estimate) from last year. Not only were there large grass empty spaces but it appeared that 90% of [...]
Carroll Shelby
By now there is most likely no Gearhead in the World that doesn’t know that we have lost Carroll Shelby. I will not try to add any additional information on his life nor praise his wonderful automotive accomplishments. However, I would like for you to listen to this interview with Carroll done just a [...]
Project “Bulls Eye” 1963 Dodge Dart GT; Part 3
We have started on Project Bulls Eye and so far so good. I called around to some friends and found another 14 inch wheel from a Dart with a tire mounted on it. It is a steel radial, I know this because I can see the steel coming out of the tread! That’s ok, it [...]
Episode 4: Walter P. Chrysler Museum; Legendary Collector Cars TV
This Episode of Legendary Collector Cars TV takes us to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum outside Detroit, MI. When we visited the Museum it was quiet and beautiful. Although smaller than you would first think it does contain a wide variety of cars. I was hoping for more cars but the quality of what was [...]
Legendary Collector Cars TV; Episode 3 Chrysler Turbine Car
This just happens to be one of my very favorite concept/prototype cars. I have now seen 3 of the remaining 9 that were saved out of a total production of 55. You can watch this Episode of Legendary Collector Cars TV for a quick overview of the car or you can visit our Feature Car [...]
Legendary Collector Cars TV Episode 2: The Henry Ford Museum
In our first Episode of Legendary Collector Cars TV we took you to the GM Heritage Collection just outside of Detroit, today we are going across town to Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum. The two museums could not be further apart in purpose and presentation. The GM Heritage collection is all about GM and its [...]
New Feature: Legendary Collector Cars TV, Episode 1: GM Heritage Collection
We are always trying a new way to bring our stories to you in the best way we can. Today marks the beginning of Legendary Collector Cars TV. These will not be every day or even every Post but they will provide you with more video and audio of the cars and activities that we [...]
GM Heritage Collection
We all have “Bucket Lists” of all those things we want to do or accomplish before we die. Some are momentous and will likely never be achieved while others are much less so but still very important to us. One such item on my Bucket List was to visit the GM Heritage collection. It is [...]
Henry Ford Museum
Katrina and I have been on the road recently and visited some of the most impressive car museums in the Country. Over the next few weeks we will be taking you inside the private, not open to the public, GM Heritage Collection, the Chrysler Museum and the Auburn, Cord Duesenberg Museum. In addition we will be [...]
Original Owner 1965 Chevy SS
This is a story we all hear about and dream about. I need not say any more just watch this video and try not to tear up.
Project “Bulls Eye” 1963 Dodge Dart GT; Part 2
 Project Bulls Eye Dodge Dart GT is under way. We pushed the little girl into the garage and put her on the lift to get a better look at her from all angles. We are still not disappointed but, as usual, there is always more work than you originally planned on. Here is what [...]
Riding Shotgun: 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler; Cale Yarborough Special
The Car Rather than experiment with strangers’ cars we decided to do our very first Riding Shotgun using one of our own cars. Katrina and I purchased this 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Cale Yarborough Special out of Iowa in the spring of 2005. At the time it was an average quality driver car. It had previously sat [...]
Project Barn Find AMX Update
We have finally gotten the Project Barn Find AMX back from the paint shop, have the new interior in and have it out on the road. It isn’t finished yet; we still need to do all the detail clean up to the engine compartment and underside as well as take a look at a couple [...]
Get Your Car on our 2013 Collector Car Calendar
We are now starting design work on our first ever Legendary Collector Car Calendar. This calendar will be a very high quality and for sale right here in our Online Store. We will be including some of our photos as well as those from you! We would love to include your car but we need high quality photos. NOT EVERYONE’S [...]
Project “Bulls Eye” 1963 Dodge Dart GT
Tired of all the high dollar “I’m scared to drive it!” muscle cars? Tired of high horsepower gas gulping collector cars? We love these kinds of cars but even more we love to drive our old cars. Most of the time these two desires are in conflict with each other. Therefore we have jumped off in [...]
GPS is Great but Stupid!
Not long ago Katrina and I were showing our 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Cale Yarborough car at the NASCAR race in Bristol TN. On Saturday there were no planned activities so we thought it would be a great time to see some beautiful TN back roads on a sunny spring day. Then we had a [...]
2012 Bristol Speedway Aero Car Show
We just returned from the March 2012 NASCAR Race in Bristol TN. It was a wet but wonderful weekend in Bristol. We have been to the races at Bristol several times and it is a race track you have to put on your Bucket List. We have always done NASCAR races but after this [...]
Darrell Waltrip Diecast 1971 NASCAR Mercury Cyclone
Here is another outstanding diecast for your collection. This one also comes with or without the driver’s autograph and certificate of authenticity. Darrell Waltrip’s storied NASCAR Winston Cup Career began in May 1972 at the Talladega Motor Speedway in Alabama. Waltrip rolled onto the track in a 1971 #95 Mercury Cyclone prepared by Holman Moody. [...]
Ridding Shotgun
When I was a teenager just beginning to enjoy the thrills of car ownership a big part of the experience was hanging out with other car guys. An even bigger part was driving! When a bunch of guys got together to pile into a car for a trip to the burger joint or a cruise [...]
AJ Foyt Autographed Diecast Now Available!!!!!!!
This is one you MUST HAVE!!!!! These will begin shippin on or around March 9, 2012!!! Order yours today. Click Here to visit our Online Store. AJ Foyt Autopgraphed Diecast 1969 Ford Talladega Anthony Joseph “A.J.” Foyt, Jr., (born January 16, 1935) raced in numerous genres of motorsports. He is the only driver to win [...]
What Are You Working On? 1971 Pinto 8.75 E. T. at 154 MPH
Not often we get two great “What are you working on?” contributions at the same time, both Fords, both black and both from Southern California. This week we did. You might remember our good friend Rick Stanton and his Hod Rod Magazine Cover Car 1969 Ford Talladega tribute car to Benny Parsons. If not you can [...]
What are your working on? 1967 Ford Fairlane GTA Convertible
We keep you posted on our Project Cars but there is a lot more going on out there. We like to have you update us on what is in your garage and what you are working on…or have just completed. Here is a recent contribution from California. Rick Schutte found this 1967 Ford Fairlane GTA Convertible [...]
Barn Find Project AMX Update
As usual we have slipped a little on the timeline for the AMX but better to take your time and do it right than do it over again, Right? The car is 95% back together. The radio was rebuilt by Ward’s Classic Car Radio so the AM works great, the 8Track is nostalgic and the [...]
What are You Working On?
We like to stay in touch with our readers and encourage each of you to tell us about What’s In Your Garage and What Are You Working On? We will occasionally share this information to all of our readers. Recently, Don Stratemeyer who has a great collection of some very rare Mercury Cougars. How about [...]
LeeRoy Yarborough Diecast cars are now Shipping!
The Lee Roy Yarborough diecast is now available for shipping. Order yours now at our online store. You can get the non-autographed car for $69 including shipping or the autographed car with car owner Junior Johnson’s autograph and shipping for $89. Free shipping only applies to continental United States. I have mine and these are [...]
Vintage Racing was Dangerous!
 If you ever wondered why seat belts were invented to watch this video very closely. This is when racing was very dangerous. There are some extrodinary vintage race cars in this brief video that you will love.
1965 Acadian Beaumont For Sale
We ocassionaly get calls with people who have rare cars they want to sell. Sometimes we can help suggest a buyer, other times we might be interested and still other times it is such an interesting car we like to share it with all of our readers. Here is one such car. I have seen [...]
Autographed Fred Lorenzen Diecast Now Available
We now have the autographed Fred Lorenzen diecast cars available in our Online Store. Fred has been ill and unable to autograph the cars when they first came out. We now have them and this is one you will want for your collection.
24 Hours of Daytona, Part 3
Last time I told you about the race and provided some action photos from the track, However, in 24 hours you can only watch so much racing and you need a diversion. One of the best at this years 24 Hours of Daytona was the display of historic race cars just outside of turn 4. [...]
24 Hours of Daytona, Part 2
This is a continuation of our previous Post on the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona. This was thought to be a run away for the new Corvette Prototypes. The SunTrust sponsored Corvette was arguably the most beautiful car on the track and also looked to be the fastest. Unfortunately, it broke in the first half [...]
24 Hours of Daytona, Part 1
This year celebrated the 50th year of the first running of the 24 Hours of Daytona. I remember watching TV and seeing Dan Gurney sitting at the start-finish line with just minutes to go on that first running. Gurney blew an engine near the end of the race. He had over a 2 minute lead [...]
Mecum Kissimmee Auction 2012
We needed a break and a little warm weather so what better way to do so than go to a Mecum Car Auction in Kissimmee, FL in January? Sure you can sit home by the fireplace and watch it on TV but being there is a great deal more enjoyable. What you see on TV is entertaining and I record [...]
1969 Daytona 500
Previously we brought you a video of the 1968 Daytona 500. By February 1969 the Daytona 500 was shapping up to be battle of all the aero cars. Ford drivers showed up with the Talladega. Even the Mercury drivers were in Talladegas since the Mercury Spoiler II was not even in production yet and therefore did not qualify for homologation. Unfortunately, [...]
1968 Daytona 500
This weekend Speedweeks in Daytoan begins with the running of the 24 Hours of Daytona. We will be bringing you live photos and video from the track this weekend and more about the excitment of the event next week. Arguably, the Daytona 500 is the big event for most racers. If you are a NASCAR [...]
1969 Mercury Cougar Project Car
This is actually the second time around for this car to be in our Project Car garage. The first time was two years ago when it got its mechanical update and modifications. It is a former drag car that has been converted back to the street. It was a little rough around the edges but [...]
Craig Breedlove and AMX Set World 24 Hour Speed Record
Since we are about to have our Barn Find Project AMX back on the road I thought is might be time for a little history lesson. Many car enthusiasts think of the American Motors Corporation (AMC) as builders of little economy cars. Some of you younger guys probably don’t even know that AMC ever existed! It’s [...]
LeeRoy Yarbrough Mercury Cyclone NASCAR Race Car!!!!
The Cale Yarborough cars are NOW SHIPPING and better yet; the LeeRoy Yarbrough cars are now available! This is a very exciting release. LeeRoy was one of the best drivers by many accounts but died way too soon. Both autographed (by car owner Junior Johnson) and non-autographed cars will be available. These are now available. [...]
What Are You Working On?
I know most of you have some project underway, just finished one or are about to start a new one. The other thing I know is most of the people who visit this site like to see what others are doing. With that in mind I am adding another feature on our Legendary Collector Car site called [...]
Carroll Shelby; Innovator
Is there anyone who is into cars that doesn’t know who Carroll Shelby is? Have you ever met him in person or listened to him give a talk? I have been fortunate enough to do both. Here is a clip of an interview you might enjoy. It is a good overall and brief snapshop of [...]
Our Pick for the Top Ten Muscle Cars for 2012
In 2010 we did our pick of the Top Ten Collector Cars for the new decade 2010-2020. We thought it would be fun to go back and revisit that list and see how we might tweak it for this year. If you would like to see the original story just Click Here. I don’t have [...]
