All Entries in the "Car Stories" Category

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler History

This is a continuation of our history of the Ford Talladega, Mercury Spoiler/Spoiler II

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Cale Yarborough Special 428 CJ Ram Air
As you may remember, Ford had to build 500 Talladegas to get the body modifications authorized for the track; this was also true with the Spoiler IIs. There was an urgency to [...]

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler and Spoiler II History

When Ford began running its Special Order of 1969 Torino Talladegas the Product Development Group over at Mercury wanted its own version of the NASCAR Aero “Going Thing”. By” Rick Ochs and Richard Fleener

In a 1969 intra company letter sent to the Production Development Group at Mercury, Ford spelled out what changes were made to [...]

Marti Report, Ford Documentation and more; Talladega Prototype

Continued from: Building the Ford Talladega Prototypes by Rick Ochs
We have been talking a lot lately about the two rare 1969 Ford Talladega prototypes known as the Banjo Matthew’s cars and today we have even more. The paperwork that follows is the same kind of things you should be looking for on your cars. It [...]

Building the Ford Talladega Prototypes, by Rick Ochs

The following article was provided by Rick Ochs; a fellow who loves the Ford Talladega. Unlike many of us who also admire these cars, Rick is the Guru when it comes to the real details. Here is his historical research and perspective on the two very rare Banjo Matthew’s prototype Talladega cars.
In August of 1968 [...]

Build Your Own ZO6 or ZR1 Corvette Engine!

Chevrolet has changed the rules! Order a new Corvette and now you can build your own ZO6 or ZR1 engine; at the factory. Can you imagine the attention you will get at the next club meeting or cruise when you start to talk about how you went to the Corvette engine plant and built the [...]

Austrailan Race Shop and Car Museum

We are all sitting in lawn chairs at car show here in the US during the top of summer heat while car guys in some parts of the World are dealing with winter  and working away in their garages. Recently, I was sweating away at a cruise and wondered what our friends in Australia and [...]

Idiotic Car Story Contest; 51 Ford and Alcohol don’t mix

Here is our second story from a reader for our Idiotic Car Story Contest! Email us your story and have a chance to win one of our great prizes from our Online Store.
By Fred McDonald:

When I was 16, I had bought a 1951 Ford with flathead and three speed overdrive.  By then the 55 [...]

Idiotic Car Story Contest with not so happy of an ending.

Not all Idiotic Car Stories have a happy ending. Here is another entry in our contest. Send us your story and you might just win a prize from our new Online Store.
By: George Houk

This thunderbolt was owned and driven by John Donilson in 1964-1965.  He died in this car at Union Hill when he went [...]

69 Ford Talladega Family Reunion: Benny Parsons ARCA Car

We are only three months away from the first ever 1969 Ford Talladega Family Reunion. It will be held in conjunction with the Forge Muscle Car Show in Kingsport, Tennessee on October 1 and 2, 2010. Because it is a “Family Reunion” the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler and Spoiler II cars are also invited and will [...]

Contest: Idiotic Car Story about “Scooping the Loop”

This is another example of an Idiotic Car Story. Send us your “Idiotic Car Story and you might win one of our great prizes!
If you want to know the rules just click here.

I was 18 and had just graduated from High School and was leaving for Iowa State University at Ames in a few [...]

Idiotic Car Story involving a Thunderbolt

Our Idiotic Car Story Contest continues with another story from a friend that involves a Comet Thunderbolt! Send us your Idiotic Car Story for a chance to win a prize from our Online Store.
By: George Houk
In 1964-65 a good friend of mine, Dick Hoffman, a couple of other friends and I were on our [...]

Another Idiotic Car Story from a Reader

Here is our second story from a reader for our Idiotic Car Story Contest! Email us your story and have a chance to win one of our great prizes from our Online Store.
By Joey:
“I’m a pretty dumb guy sometimes, but I guess the best place to start is my first, “Dumb Guy With A [...]

Idiotic Story Contest: $250 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

By: Anonymous
Here is our first entry in the “Idiotic Car Story Contest.” Send in your story NOW!

My first car was a 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. I bought it from a family friend in 1987 just after I turned 15, hoping to get the kinks worked out of it before I turned 16. I paid $250 [...]

Idiotic Story Contest: 53 Plymouth on a Hoist plus Jay Leno

By: Richard Fleener
Yesterday we started a new contest for the “Most Idiotic thing you ever did To a Car, With a Car or In a Car” and today you get two examples. The first is my story and the second is a Jay Leno story video. Enjoy and send us your story. You might just [...]

Contest for Most Memorable “Idiotic Thing I did To, With or In a Car story”

He’s an Idiot! Have you ever said those words or worse, heard them?
We are macho gearhead men, right? We never do anything wrong; we never get lost; we never drop a screw down an intake manifold on a newly built engine; we never put diesel fuel in our gas powered car; we have never spun [...]

Bill France Sr. Ford Talladega Autograph Car

We have some very notable 1969 Ford Talladegas registered for the Forge Muscle Car Show on October 1 and 2 of 2010. The very first Ford Talladega Family Reunion will be held in conjunction with the ever popular Forge Muscle Car Show.
One of those very special Talladegas will be the Bill France Senior Signature car. [...]

Corvette C7 Prototype

There was the Stingray Corvettes, then there were the Sting Ray Corvettes but will the C7 Corvette be the STINGRAY ! If the Prototype we saw is any example, the next new Corvette body may very well be the wildest Stingray ever.
If you have missed this GM Prototype of the next possible C7 Corvette we [...]

Betty Boop gets a Cougar

By: Richard Fleener
Going to a car cruise can be a lot of fun. Owning a collector car is definitely fun. Meeting great people is the best and that is just what car people are, the best. The Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club has some great people in it and visitors from all over Middle Tennessee come [...]

Data Plates and Vins, Part 4 It’s Mine Officer

Part 4: It’s Mine Officer, Honestly!
This is part four and the final part of an article written by guest author Bill Culp. All VINs used in these photos have been altered and do not show all numbers.
Here is another 1971 Dodge, only this one is a 340 Demon.  Even these slightly different screws are correct [...]

Data Plates and Vins; Part 3 What Does it Say?

Part 3: What Does it Say?
This is part three of a four part series written by guest author Bill Culp. All VINs used in these photos have been altered and do not show all numbers.

If you decipher the data provided by AMC and most other manufactures it will tell you the original color and interior [...]

Data Plates and VINs; Part 2 Altered Plates

Part 2: Altered Plates
This is the Second Part in a four part series contributed by guest author Bill Culp. All VINs used in these photos have been altered and do not show all numbers.
As the use of modified or switched data plates became more of a problem the use of rivets and vinyl decals became [...]

Data Plates and VINs

We are continuing with our new feature on the site with today’s Post. We are welcoming guest Articles from writers with interesting or informative articles they would like to share with the rest of us gear heads. If you have a technical article, a story about your first street race or a driving impression of the first [...]

Working With Smokey Yunick, Part 3

Some of the most visited pages on our site are those relating to Smokey Yunick. It seems everyone is interested in his Hot Vapor engine as well as the stories behind the man. He was a true inventor and built some controversial cars as well as some outstanding race cars. There are books and stories [...]

Working With Smokey Yunick, Part 2

Some of the most visited pages on our site are those relating to Smokey Yunick. It seems everyone is interested in his Hot Vapor engine as well as the stories behind the man. He was a true inventor and built some controversial cars as well as some outstanding race cars. There are books and stories [...]

Working With Smokey Yunick

Some of the most visited pages on our site are those relating to Smokey Yunick. It seems everyone is interested in his Hot Vapor engine as well as the stories behind the man. He was a true inventor and built some controversial cars as well as some outstanding race cars. There are books and stories [...]

Cars and Music

If you haven’t been paying attention we have been adding new stuff to the web site on a regular basis. This will continue! Not only are we adding new cars, new projects and new tours to shows we have added music videos!
What goes with fast cars better than great rock and roll and beautiful girls? [...]

Exotic Cars at Amelia Island

When you think of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance you think of older perfectly restored exotic legendary collector cars. That is the focus without question but remember the people that own these cars are also likely to drive today’s equivalent. A look around the parking lots confirms this.

Take a look at these photos of what [...]

Amelia Island Sporting Group Photos

We have just put up another batch of photos from Amelia Island. This is still just a small portion of what is to come but hope you enjoy them. These are the Sporting Cars including race cars and Motor Trend cover cars!
Click Here.

Technorati Tags: Amelia Island Concours de Sport

Collector Car Scams

Over the years we have purchased a lot of different cars for our own personal use. Some have been brand new off the show room floor, some were special orders to the factory and some have been private party purchases. It used to be if you wanted to buy a used car your best bet [...]

So You want to Buy a Collector Car! Part 5

We have begun another new feature on Legendary Collector Cars. We invite guest authors to submit their articles for publication in our Blog. Today’s contribution is from Bill Culp of Decatur, Alabama. If you would like to make a submission for consideration please send it to: Richard@LegendaryCollectorCars.com.

Part 5
Probably the last two areas to be concerned [...]

So You want to Buy a Collector Car! Part 4

We have begun another new feature on Legendary Collector Cars. We invite guest authors to submit their articles for publication in our Blog. Today’s contribution is from Bill Culp of Decatur, Alabama. If you would like to make a submission for consideration please send it to: Richard@LegendaryCollectorCars.com.

Part 4
Even with a favorable appraisal performed by you, [...]

So You want to Buy a Collector Car! Part 3

We have begun another new feature on Legendary Collector Cars. We invite guest authors to submit their articles for publication in our Blog. Today’s contribution is from Bill Culp of Decatur, Alabama. If you would like to make a submission for consideration please send it to: Richard@LegendaryCollectorCars.com.
Part 3

Value can be determined by Internet searches, E-Bay [...]

So You want to Buy a Collector Car! Part 2

We have begun another new feature on Legendary Collector Cars. We invite guest authors to submit their articles for publication in our Blog. Today’s contribution is from Bill Culp of Decatur, Alabama. If you would like to make a submission for consideration please send it to: Richard@LegendaryCollectorCars.com.

Part 2
Speaking of value, I find that I have [...]

So You want to Buy a Collector Car!

We have begun another new feature on Legendary Collector Cars. We invite guest authors to submit their articles for publication in our Blog. Today’s contribution is from Bill Culp of Decatur, Alabama. If you would like to make a submission for consideration please send it to: Richard@Legendary CollectorCars.com.
Part 1
I have purchased a few old collector [...]

Data Plates and VINs; Part 2 Altered Plates

Part 2: Altered Plates
This is the Second Part in a four part series contributed by guest author Bill Culp. All VINs used in these photos have been altered and do not show all numbers.
As the use of modified or switched data plates became more of a problem the use of rivets and vinyl decals became [...]

Barn Find AMX restoration is on schedule!

If you have been following the progress on our Barn Find AMX you know we haven’t told you much lately. That is because we have been in the garage working! We are on track for having the car ready for the first big show in Nashville this spring. We hope to unveil the little red [...]

New Barn Finds

We were out this past weekend enjoying a brief taste of spring and came across some more “Barn Finds”. Unfortunately, these were more “Pasture Finds” and not as well preserved as true Barn Finds. Some of these are too far gone to be salvaged but others still may find there way to be included in [...]

Banjo Matthews Prototype Ford Talladega to appear at Forge Muscle Car Show

The “Banjo Mathews Prototype Ford Talladega” will be at the Talladega Reunion in the Forge Muscle Car Show this coming October 1 and 2 in Kingsport, Tennessee. This is only one of the very rare Ford Talladegas that will be featured at this show.
This car has been unseen for decades and is now undergoing a [...]

Lowering your car the hard way!

In 1969 Ford wanted to lower its Talladega and Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II race cars so they would corner better and have less aerodynamic drag. However, NASCAR had strict rules about how low the car could be. The officials measured from the bottom of the rocker panel to the race track surface. The light bulb [...]

Ford Talladeg 1969 News Article

Talladega guru, Rich Ochs sent me an interesting article from back in the day on the “New Model T Ford”. It is about the Talladega! The article is dated April of 1969 and the cars were only weeks old at that point. It even contains a photo of one of the prototype cars.
As with most [...]

Detailing the Past

When I was a youngster there were no video games or computers. When school let out it was either a pinball machine or model cars that filled my evening. That is until I discovered girls! Once I aged sufficiently I was able to advance into real cars and real girls!
Back to when I was younger, [...]

Another Great Private Car Collection

There has been an email going to car buffs for sometime now about a private collection of Chevrolet Convertibles in Ankeny, Iowa. Well, now you have an opportunity to see for yourself.

This collector has one of every Chevrolet Convertible ever built up to 1975. If you want to see more, CLICK HERE.

Technorati Tags: ankeny, car [...]

Show Car for Go! The Ultimate Street Car!

There is always the debate to show or go. Well, here are some guys who show but really put the go into there machines. These are fast and safe. Let this be an inspiration to anyone building a car for the street. Do it right!

Technorati Tags: optima challenge, Race Car, show car, ultimate street car

Ford Talladega Family Reunion at the Forge Muscle Car Show

Once in a lifetime opportunity if you love Fords or just enjoy rare cars!
Several of us are working with Tim Lapata and his Forge Muscle Car Show to put on a very special “Family Reunion” for the Ford Talladega at this fall’s Forge Muscle Car Show. There will be an indoor show with a portion [...]

Corvette Damage at Russo Steele in Phoenix

Here is one example of the “minor” damage at Russo Steele Auction. Look closely at photo.

Technorati Tags: corvette damage, Russo-Steele Phoenix Disastor

Russo and Steele Tent Collapse

This is what our friends in the Collector Car Hobby were dealing with at Russo and Steele in Phoenix on Friday.
Could this happen to you? Think twice.
Very glad no one was seriously injured and the cars can be repaired. We have all seen similar things happen at a smaller scale at car shows when the [...]

Russo-Steele Disastor in Phoenix!

This is a terrible situation, my thoughts and prayers go out to all who had cars at the auction and those of you attending.

Technorati Tags: damage, Russo-Steele Phoenix Disastor, storm

Larry Shinoda

Brand Loyalty or Bigotry?
In our last post we raised the question is Brand Loyalty Bigotry. There are lots of examples of people going overboard thinking their brand of car is the only one worth driving and all the rest are just stupid, dangerous, slow junk! Well, maybe these folks should do a little thinking about [...]

Brand Loyalty or Bigotry?

Is Brand Loyalty Important?
Are you a die hard Chevrolet person? Are you one of those people who bleed blue oval blood or would you rather push your MOPAR than drive either a Chevy or a Ford. I can appreciate these feelings but can’t quite understand them. Personally, I love cars; if its got 4 wheels [...]

1969 Trans Am Racing

I found this video and it brought make some great memories. It depicts the 1969 Trans Am racing series. Better yet, it gives wonderful insight into the entire life style of the late 60s and early 70s.
You will see some of your favorite pony/muscle cars doing four wheel drifts on the track, girls in bell [...]

Studebaker; Subculture or Life Style?

In my last post I talked about the love of a Studebaker and how the brand was and is under appreciated. However, Studebakers also have a strong following and each car has a unique story that goes with it.
Well, I got an email from Mike at Mikes-Show and Shine telling me about a post he did on [...]

Studebaker Silver Hawk; an early Mustang?

Earlier we gave you our pick for the Top 10 Collector Cars for 2010-2020 and that got me to thinking about some of the other cars that might be of interest to collectors but not on the top 10 list.
Back in my college days I had no money but had a real love of cars. [...]

Top 10 Collector Cars for 2010-2020

Do you remember all the squawk over the New Millennium back in 1999? It seemed no one believed the World would survive the changing of our calendars to the year 2000. All of our computers were predicted to spit up little micro chips and die; airplanes were going to fall out of the sky and our [...]

1968 Mercury Cyclone GT 500 proof?

If you are a regular visitor to this site you already know of our interest in chasing down rare and forgotten muscle cars. One of our biggest searches deals with the 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT 500 of which only 60 were manufactured. The documentation and historical data on these cars is scant at best.
John Drilling [...]

More Barn Finds

I am amazed every time a new Barn Find shows up. I just recently received some photos of a find that makes all others seem like mere used car lots.
How would you like to stumble into a backyard with two old Mustangs under car covers. They have been sitting there for over 30 years? Now [...]

New Project Car; Shelby Mustang

This is not one of ours but it is a start to finish project that I thought you would like to see. This one is out of the Pony Performance shop in Norway! It is a full-on, what we would call a, Pro-Touring car. It is a clone of a Shelby Convertible but much, much [...]

Ford Talladega Signature Car; Bill France prototype

In 1969 Bill France was NASCAR and Ford was after the Manufacturers’ Championship. They had been working all winter on a super speedway killer car, one that would be aerodynamic and dominate the high banks of Daytona and the new Talladega track. Nine  Ford Talladega prototypes were built to test the cars potential. It was [...]

Boskovich Collection; Boss 429 Mustangs and much more

I recently had an invitation to tour a portion of the Boskovich Car Collection. If was like no other experience. It is likely that most of you have heard of Pop’s Toy that terrorized Van Nuys Boulevard back in the late 60s and early 70s. If not, CLICK HERE for the story.

Pops was a hard [...]

New AMX Project Car added to Garage

We have added a new Project AMX to our garage. It replaces the previous car which has since been sold to a new owner who will be completing it. We had the opportunity to pick up an excellent Barn Find but had to move one of our Project Cars out to make room for the [...]

Cars of Norway

We have visitors to our site from all over the World on a daily basis. Every once in a while one of them will send an email with a question or a comment. We have even had readers from New Zealand stop by our garage during their visit to the States this year.
Regular reader Kjell [...]

How to Meet New Friends and Get a Free Meal at Sonic

By: Richard Fleener

While we were at the Aero Car Reunion in Alexander City we saw a lot of old friends and met lots of new ones. One such meeting was way more entertaining than the others.
Katrina and I went to the Sonic next to Tim Wellborn’s Muscle Car Museum for lunch one day. Because all [...]

Boss Nine Ford Talladega BURNOUT

We usually don’t get into posting Bunouts but we decided to make an exception to see what you think. Here is the same Ford Talladega that is posted on our Feature Car page doing a burnout.

Technorati Tags: Benny Parsons, Boss 429, Burnout, ford talladega, NASCAR

Benny Parsons Boss 429 Talladega Tribute Car

This is a car that has been on the site in our Feature Car section for almost a year now but we just added some updated photos and information. This is one of the nicest and wildest 1969 Ford Talladega cars you will ever find. I won’t repeat the story you can visit our page [...]

Barn Find page updated

We have had a very productive November from a Barn Find perspective. Not only did we find a bunch of different cars out in the woods but we even found a high quality Barn Find in a Barn that we purchased and hope to have on the road by spring.

If you like to look at [...]

Gloriana Wins AMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year 2009 Award!

By: Richard Fleener
Remember when I was so excited about our Project Mustang on our Project Car page being selected to appear in the Music Video for Gloriana? Well, they just won the American Music Awards Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award! The music video is currently in the GAC top 20 and who knows where [...]

NASCAR Plymouth Supberbird, Ramo Stott

The Plymouth Superbird is a car you will never forget once you see it. If you ever saw it on the race track there was nothing like it…well, other than the Dodge Daytona! Even when it was on the smaller ovals out in the Midwest in 1970-71 it was a site to behold.
Ramo Stott owned [...]

Ford King Cobra and Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II; Ford Prototypes for NASCAR

If you ever wonder what might have been when it comes to cars from the factory; we just added two cars to our Feature Car pages that you will want to check out. The first is the 1970 Ford King Cobra. It is a wild and fast 1970 Ford Torino prototype that was to be [...]

Daytona Superbird Auto Club Halloween Party 2009 at Wellborn Muscle Car Museum

Halloween is a unique time of year but if you want to see want Muscle Car folks do on such a holiday check out the recent Halloween Party at the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum in Alexandria City Alabama. This was all part of the 40 Anniversary of the NASCAR Aero Wars at the Talladega Speedway.
Click [...]

Barn Find, No! Parking Lot Find!

By: Richard Fleener
We all have that dream of finding the rare winged Dodge Daytona in a barn covered in dust but otherwise prisitne. It may be just like one we saw fishtail away from a stop light in a street race late one night when we were out cruiseing with a bunch of buddies or [...]

Tim and Pam Wellborn’s Russwood Estate Aero Car Show!

By: Richard Fleener
When Tim and Pam Wellborn invite car folks over for a visit they know how to do it right! During the 2009 Aero Car Reunion these Mopar collectors made even us humble Ford collectors feel special. The Wellborn Estate, known as Russwood, is a treasure in its own right but when you add [...]

Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird Club at Talladega 40th Reunion

By: Richard Fleener

Katrina and I just returned from four fabulous days of playing with our Ford Talladega and a bunch of terrific Mopar and Blue Oval folks at Talladega! We have a long list of stories to tell and nearly a 1,000 photos plus videos to sort through.
We will be posting stories, Feature Cars and [...]

Art of the Muscle Car

This book just hit the shelves and if you don’t hurry it will be gone and unavailable for Christmas. This is another Motorbook coffee table book you must have if you have ever thought of owning a Muscle Car. It is a master piece of photography and turns are dreams into cars to lust over.

There [...]

Middle Tennessee State University Homecoming Parade 2009

By: Richard Fleener
Katrina and I like doing things in our local community so today we braved the cold weather and a lot of well lubricated college students to drive the MTSU Homecoming Queen and the MTSU Blue Raiders Queen in the Homecoming Parade in our 1965 Thunderbird.
It is always fun to support such events and [...]

How Far Do You Want to Go?

By: Richard Fleener
The new music video from Gloriana, “How Far Do You Want to Go?” has just been released. This is the one that features our 1967 Mustang Fastback. The song is terrific and we have been listening to it for sometime now. We really like the band and they have been nominated for Breakthrough [...]

Gloriana Video Behind the Scenes; See our Mustang Fastback!

By: Richard Fleener
It’s almost here! The new Gloriana single “How Far Do You Want To Go” Music Video will be released on Monday October 19, 2009 but we have a behind the scenes peek for you. We had a blast providing our 1967 Fastback for this shoot and we are very impressed with this new [...]

Gloriana Mustang Fastback Photo Shoot

Here is the latest photo of the band Gloriana at the studio photo shoot for their next music video. Watch for it around the first of October. We are so excited that our 67 Mustang Fastback will be part of this.

Technorati Tags: 67 Mustang Fastback, Gloriana, music video

Update

We have not posted for a week or so because of a long over do vacation. However, in the next couple of weeks you will be seeing such things as lots of photos from the Floyd Garrett Muscle Car Museum, Racers Reunion in Darlington, a Feature on a great 1967 Mustang Fastback, and a review [...]

Paul Tracy Rat Rod Update

Indy Car Racer Paul Tracy continues to update is Radical Rat Rod. You can see the most recent modifications by simply Clicking Here.

If you think PT hasn’t got some other toys to play with outside of the race cars, think again. How about this?

Technorati Tags: hot rod, paul tracy, rat rod

Like Rat Rods?

If you like Rat Rods we just added another Rat Rod in our Feature Car page as well as added an entirely new Rat Rod Page for nothing but Rat Rods. Check them out.
The Rat Rod Page will be updated every time we find some new Rat Rods we like. We still have a lot [...]

Music Video; Part 2: Gloriana

Gloriana is the Country Music group that asked to use our Project Mustang and we could not be more thrilled. It was an exciting experience and they are a great sounding group. I can hardly wait for the video to be completed.

Here are some more photos of the shoot but you can see even more [...]

Music Video and our Project Mustang Fastback

This week we are involved with shooting a country music video in and around Nashville, TN. I won’t yet tell you who for or any of the details but we had a blast and you will enjoy all the photos we will be posting. The video should be released in a couple of months. For [...]

1969 Mercury Cougar 428 CJ XR7 comes to life!

We just finished the Labor Day Weekend and had great time. Our goal this summer has been to see our Project Cougar (Click Here for Project Cars) on the street before the cruise season ended and we made it! On Friday night of Labor Day Weekend we drove out to the Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club [...]

Top Ten Collector Cars; Fantasy Car Collecting

Fantasy Car Collecting
I have recently visited a number of museums and private car collections and the thought crossed my mind; “If I had the money what would I buy?” It is a very difficult answer because so much depends on how much money you have and what you want to do with the cars. We [...]

Cougar Project Car

One of our long term Project Cars is about to come out of the garage. It isn’t complete but is nearly street ready for some shake down runs. This is the 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 428 CJ. It is an original 428 XR7 but has been blessed with a warmed up 428 CJ along with [...]

Good Guys Video, Des Moines, Iowa Heartland Show

It has been a few weeks since we went to the Des Moines Good Guys Show but we finally got a video complete of some of the cars we saw. Check this out and also visit the photo pages.

Technorati Tags: customs, des moines, Good Guys Video, hot rod, Iowa Heartland Show, muscle car, rat rod

World of Outlaws Race Car

If you have never had the opportunity to take in a World of Outlaws race or have never been to a dirt track in the mid-west here is a video for you. It is an exhibition run of a World of Outlaws race car at the famed half mile dirt track at the Southern Iowa [...]

Update on Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club Cruise

This event goes on every Friday night right outside the Belks Department Store in the Avenues Shopping Mall just off I-24 in Murfreesboro, TN. Cars are terrific but the people are even better. We have anywhere from a couple of hundred cars to over 700 on really good nights.

The members of the Murfreesboro Hot Rod [...]

Good Guys Des Moines 2009

We just returned from the Good Guys Show in Des Moines Iowa and it was one of the best shows we have been to. We were at Nashville Good Guys last weekend and it was so hot we had to leave. Des Moines was cool with some rain on the 4th but the weather was [...]

1969 Yenko Camaro Dragster, Cliff Ernst Collection

We all know how special the 1969 Camaro is. Seems like it is the stand out favorite of most collectors and car geeks of all kinds. On top of the regular Camaro stands the ultra rare COPO cars. You know the ones. The ones, you go into the dealer and give him the magic hand [...]

2010 Camaro 2SS RS

When ever a remarkable new car comes out there is always the rush and thrill to be the first in your community to have one of the prized vehicles. I remember the first time I drove my new C5 Corvette out into the world when hardly anyone had ever seen one on the street. It [...]

Roush Yates Performance NASCAR Parts now for everyone!

Just received this News Release from Roush Yates Perf Parts and thought some of you racers out there might just be interested.

For Immediate Release
A new initiative from Roush Yates brings amazing value to all Ford racers
Mooresville, NC: Have you ever wondered where all the surplus Ford engine and chassis parts go from the various NASCAR [...]

Chevelle-abration

If you love Chevelles then you need to put this one on your list. It is  The American Chevelle Enthusiasts Society Chevelle-abration held every year just outside of Nashville, TN. We were only able to attend for one day but there were a lot of beautiful Chevelles of every year present. If you like original [...]

If you love Muscle Cars and Hot Rods, Hear this!

If you are into any classic car from the 50s or 60s then this will make you dance right out to the garage and go for a ride. Man does this bring back memories.
Just picture a 32 five window sitting next to a 55 Chevy in a parking lot outside a Dairy Queen on a [...]

Super Chevy Winner

Here are some photos of our recent Class win at the Super Chevy Show in Memphis, TN. Look closely at the photos and you can see the storm clouds approaching. It was a rainy weekend but a great time for all. Well, maybe not all, the drag racers didn’t get to see much track time. [...]

More Roar of the engine!

We just added a couple of more engine sounds to the site. The first is the 1969 428 CJ Ford Talladega. You can see more of it in our Car Museum Site on the Our Private Collection pages.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The second one is our 1959 El Camino. It is running a [...]

More Sound; Hear the engines roar!

Part of the car culture is looking at the beautiful lines and the great paint jobs. However, no real car is totally understood or appreciated until you hear it.
Well, we will be adding a new dimension to all of the cars in our private collection as well as some of those we see at car [...]

New Cruise-In Photos from Murfreesboro

The weather was good last Friday and we finally had a real cruise at the Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club cruise in Murfreesboro. Check our our photos at the Car Show page, Click Here.

We have also added a new little feature to keep you on your toes. Going to a cruise is all about the cars; [...]

Indy 500 Driver Owns Rat Rod!

When you tune into the Indy 500 this weekend and see all those beautiful race cars going around the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway remember that at least one of these guys is a real car guy; not just a racer. Paul Tracy (PT) is a car guy and a real racer.
If you live in Las [...]

Highlight of the Memphis Super Chevy Drags 2009

Here is our last video of the Memphis 2009 Super Chevy Drags. Also check out our other videos from the Monster Mopar Weekend and Good Guys Nostalgia Nationals.
ARTICLEURL

Technorati Tags: Drag races, racers, Super Chevy Show

Dodge Daytona, Plymouth Superbird, Ford Talladega, Mercrury Spoiler II Back at Talladega!

The 1969 and 1970 aero cars from Dodge, Plymouth, Ford and Mercury are returning to Talladega!
You will not want to miss this.

On November 1, 2009 the Talladega Superspeedway will welcome arguably, the most talked about stock cars in NASCAR history. The Daytona Superbird Auto Club will be hosting its 40th Reunion at the world famous [...]

Let’s Go Racing!

This is toooooo coooool. Check out the nose of Jamie Land’s Modified race car! You will remember Jamie as the guy who sold the Radical Rat Rod to Paul Tracy. Jamie is also into fast race cars and dirt tracks (my kind of guy). He just finished his new car and is ready to race.
To [...]

Riverside International Raceway Museum

In the mid 80s when I moved to Southern California the first thing I did was get season tickets to Riverside. It was a shrine for me. I grew up seeing it in movies and reading about it in magazines and watching races on TV. Within a few years I had my perfect season tickets [...]

Modified Street Legal 1936 Coupe Dirt Track Race Car

Growing up I lived for the summer Wednesday night stock car races at the Mahaska County Fair Grounds in Oskaloosa, Iowa. I still do. I have been trying to find a good dirt track with that kind of racing for years. I don’t know that I ever will. The 50s and 60s in the mid-west [...]

Cars For Sale

Check out our Cars For Sale Page. We just added some exciting new cars that should really get your motor running!

Technorati Tags: Add new tag, Boddy Allison, NASCAR, Race Car, scca

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Barn Find Update

I usually say, “Wipe it down; Fire it up; Hit the road.” I think in this case it is more like, “Hook it up; Strap it down; Hit the road.”
We told you about this Barn Find a while back. Well, now it is back on the road; not on its own but back on [...]

Barn Find and Car For Sale Ad

We just posted a new Barn Find on our Cars For Sale page. It is a very rare Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Dan Gurney Special. Check it out and we will try to follow the restoration of this car. If you have any interesting Barn Finds email us some pictures and a little info. We would [...]

Spring Break in Florida

Katrina and I just returned from a fabulous week in Southern Florida for our Spring Break! We did all the usual stuff you do when you go to the warm climates in the middle of winter but we also did some work.
We took in the IRL testing at Homestead, a fantastic Packard Museum in Miami [...]

Muscle Car Book Review: Camaro Forty Years

Motorbooks has published a great book by Darwin Holmstrom titled Camaro Forty Years. It is a combination coffee table book with wonderful David Newhardt photos with great historical info on the Camaro. Some call the Camaro a Pony Car but it is a Muscle Car in the right trim levels. Although most of us [...]

Moving Cars-Continued

In the last post we told you a little about ourselves and the move from Southern California to Tennessee. Now its time for the cars.

Time for the first car to go in the trailer!
Deciding to move from an established life to Tennessee was a big decision to make and just as big of one [...]

Moving Cars from Los Angeles to Tennessee or moving from LA to Hee Haw!

The story of two married California urbanites that think Tennessee is the place you odda be!
Since we just revised the web site and some of you are new to what we are doing I thought you might like a little history on how we got here. The following is a brief, light hearted update.

Once upon [...]

1949 Mercury that started it all, Sam Barris

If you appreciate custom cars from the 50s or if you think lead sleds are cool you owe much of it to this car. Sam Barris is the lesser well known, but some say more talented, brother of George Barris. You can read all about this car and see more photos in our Feature Car [...]

Trophy Girls make you smile! NHRA Museum

Trophy girls make you smile. In the 50s and 60s is was all about fast cars and beautiful women. (Or was it beautiful cars and fast women?) The photo above is the most famous of them all; Linda Vaughan. She was Hurst Golden Girl/Miss Hurst. She is still around today and has held up well.
If [...]

Christmas Letter: The Pajama Party

This is what the barn should look like on a normal day!

ANIMAL PAJAMA PARTY IN THE BARN-Christmas Story

By way of introduction to this year’s Fleener Christmas letter you need to know that our little Tennessee farm doesn’t just collect Muscle Cars. We also collect, breed and show Miniature Donkeys. This year our little compound [...]

New Police Car; Carbon Motors

The Big Three are in trouble for not building what the Country needs according to the Bureaucrats. With a Car Czar will we get to choose or will we be assigned a “green” piece of junk? If that comes to be we may all want to become Cops! Check out the new American built prototype [...]

Do It Yourself HELP! You can do anything with instructions like this!

Ok Gear Heads, this is for you. You want do it yourself, we have do it yourself right here.
The following video was acquired from YouTube at no expense spared and you will get all you paid for.
We will be adding product reviews and real Do-It-Yourself projects on this site early in 2009. I hope they [...]

Muscle Car Book; A Photo Shoot

PHOTO SHOOT
I recently received a phone call from a representative of Motorbooks about photographing some of our cars for a new muscle car book they will be publishing next year, 2009. We have had cars photographed by them before and used on a calendar and some shots in a book; we also have had magazine [...]

1967 Mustang Fastback Project Car, HELP

We have a 1967 Mustang fastback with factory air, 289 and C4 automatic. I have owned this car since the mid 80s. I drove it as a daily driver and all of my 3 kids drove it to high school. It is now the worst for ware but still is rust free and it is [...]

1969 Dodge Daytona, pick-a-pair; Photos and More

If you like the winged cars from Chrysler you have to check out our Feature Car page and the TWO 1969 Dodge Daytonas we have there. These were photographed at the 2008 Monster Mopar Weekend in St. Louis earlier this year. These cars represent the Dodge warriors that hit the NASCAR race tracks in 1969 [...]

Stolen Car; Gone, Wrecked, Gone Again

Stolen Car

I have heard stories about guys getting their car stolen from a cruise-in or even at shows. I have heard of a guy’s trailer, tow rig and hot rod being stolen from his motel parking lot. I have heard stories about guys getting cars stolen and having no insurance.
As usual, I never thought it [...]

A Bird of a Different Feather

City girl saves bird

Katrina and I both love cars; all kinks of cars; four wheels and a motor and we love it. We both also love animals but  Katrina REALLY loves animals. I don’t care what it is she loves it. Sometimes I think when I return from an out of town trip I may [...]

GoodGuys Nostalgia Nationals Photos, Bowling Green, KY 2008

We just posted the last of our GoodGuys photos from Bowling Green Nostalgia Nationals. This bunch of photos covers the Customs and related cars that were there. As you would expect there were a bunch of 40s and 50s custom iron there but a beautiful group of late model cars were also on hand.
Check them [...]

Good Guys Nostalgia Nationals Drag Race and Show Video and Photos, Bowling Green, KY 2008

Last weekend we went to the first ever GoodGuys Nostalgia Nationals in Bowling Green, KY. Not just a car show, not just drag races, not a cruise, not just a swap meet, not just a car coral; IT’S ALL OF THAT! You know when someone says GoodGuys it means class; you know it means hot [...]

GoodGuys and Project Cars

Our site has only been up a few months and we have constantly tried to monitor what the readers seem to like the most. It is overwhelming; you liked our coverage of the Nashville GoodGuys event and you like reading about our project cars. Guess what? We are going to give you more!
Next weekend Katrina [...]

Flex Fuel? This is Flex Fuel! Chrysler Turbine Car Inside and Out; a Quick Look.

You think Flex Fuel is something new? How about this Chrysler Turbine Car from the mid 60s that will run on anything from diesel to perfume! If it is flammable the Chrysler Turbine Car can make it go.
I fell in love with this car when I was in high school and it was just hitting [...]

Dodge Daytona, Plymouth Superbird, Ford Talladega, Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II Reunite at the Race Track and We Have the Photos

Aero Car Reunion 08 Gateway International Raceway; Monster Mopar Weekend
If you like NASCAR racing; if you like vintage auto racing; if you like the winged 1969 Dodge Daytona or the 1970 Plymouth Superbird or if you are more into the 1969 Ford Talladega or Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II you have to join the Daytona Superbird [...]

Monster MOPAR Weekend XXIV Gateway International Raceway St Louis

Katrina and I just returned from one of the most enjoyable car shows we have ever been to. Imagine this, you are at a show and there are 730 cars there; and all but 9 are Mopars. You are one of the 9 Fords at the show, how would you expect to be treated?

Well, if [...]

Dear Shifty; Presidential Election

Dear Shifty:
You haven’t heard from me in a while because no one has been asking any questions. I always have answers even if there is no question! Today, with all the political buzz, I thought I would share one of my ideas with you.
First of all, I think the cartoon movie [...]

Corvette Museum, Quick Tour and Video

If you are any where near Bowling Green and you are a car guy or gal you have to visit the holly ground of the Corvette Museum. We are outside Nashville and it is a short hour and a half away. I recently jumped into the ZO6 and buzzed up the Interstate for another visit.

I [...]

“CAPRICEOUS”

Have you ever been to an ISCA (International Show Car Association) show? If not put it on your list to do. I showed a few times many years ago and got a great appreciation for the people who really get into it. Tony Allers (owns the Smokey Yunick Fiero from a prior Blog) has a [...]

Smokey Yunick’s Hot Vapor Fiero; 51 mpg and 0-60 in less than 6 Seconds!

Don’t believe this is real, check out the VIDEO on our Feature Car page.
We have just put up on our Feature Car page the Smokey Yunick Hot Vapor Fiero that gets 51 mpg and performs like a muscle car. If you aren’t familiar with either the car or Smokey I suggest you check it out [...]

Street racing Cop? Yep!

This is the last installment of My C-5 Corvette Story

My second C-5 Corvette story deals with going through a sobriety check point late one Saturday night. I hadn’t been drinking and wasn’t very concerned about the stop so I just waited my turn. However, by this time I knew enough to put my windows down [...]

Did I cross over into the Twlight Zone?

This is a continuation of My C-5 Corvette story.
Wow, I didn’t think that would happen, but I still couldn’t understand why my running lights would not come on in front of the CHIP. It must be some sort of electrical problem and I better get it back to the dealer. I pulled out of the [...]

Where’s a Cop when you need one? Picking on a Corvette!

This is the fifth installment of My C-5 Corvette Story

What kind of driving experiences can be expected with such a car? Well, they were many and they were varied. In 1997 the car was a true star on the street. There were an unbelievable amount of thumbs up from other motorists, there were the [...]

Visiting my baby at the factory.

This is the fourth installment of my C-5 Corvette story.
As we prepared to leave, the plant supervisor came up to us and thanked us for buying one of their cars! Imagine; they actually care! The Mayor suggested that when we get to the Museum we check in at the information booth and he would have [...]

Off to Bowling Green to see what can be seen!

This is the third part of my C-5 Corvette story.

I arrived at the Nashville airport on June 26th. Katrina had flown out a week earlier for a dog show. She was to pick me up at the airport; she was late. As I waited I saw a lady with a brief case bearing a large [...]

Get in line, take a number, wait, wait and maybe….

Today, we continue with Part 2 of the C-5 Corvette story.
Within a few days we were informed that there were production problems and 20% of the year’s production was being eliminated. Our cars were canceled! Next came the recalls for suspension flaws and supply problems. Of course our cars were to have the 6-speed [...]

C-5 Corvette! Remember the fuss when it was new?

This is the first in a multi-day story of my experiences with the new C-5 in 1997.
If you are new to Corvettes or have a weak memory you may not remember all the fuss over the C-5 Corvette when it was about to debut. It was about time for something new; Chevy had kept the [...]

So-Cal Speed Shop’s Historical Belly Tanker Stripped Naked!

WE HAVE THE PHOTOS
When we go on tour it is usually to a museum or an event. This time it was quite different but very exciting. We went to the So-Cal Speed Shop headquarters and took a tour of the shop. It is wonderful to see old cars and see history in a museum but [...]

So-Cal Speed Shop a Tour

From the time you enter the retail store for So-Cal Speed Shop you know you are some place special. It is an eclectic mix of hot rod parts, clothes, books, art, $150,000 hot rod sculptures too coffee cups.

From here the tour moves to the three shop areas. The first has some wonderful vehicles [...]

NASCAR Does One Thing Right; Trucks

I complain about NASCAR a lot but we still go to some races and watch the beginning and ending of others on TV if it is raining outside. The one exception, the Craftsman Truck races. I still wonder why more fans haven’t taken the trucks. I went to the very first Trucks points race [...]

$.36 a Gallon Gas and Stock Cars built from Stock Cars

It was 1969. The Stones, “Honky Tonk Woman” was one of the top ten songs along with “Get Back,” by The Beatles and “Sugar, Sugar,” by the Archies. Richard Nixon was President, a house could be bought for $40,000.00. Milk was $1.26 and gas 36 cents a gallon! A postage stamp cost $0.06 and the [...]

New NASCAR Really Sucks!!

In the last post I was ranting about NASCAR and wishing for the good old days. You know what, after the Brickyard 400 and drivers getting 25 miles on a set of tires I just give up. Brian France you win. Take NASCAR any where you want to take it, and make sure you take [...]

Today’s NASCAR Sucks

Is a New Trend Emerging?
About a week ago I posted some photos and videos of the Racers’ Reunion event at Music City Speedway in Nashville. Katrina and I had a great time and wanted to share this experience with others who could not make it. I have never had such a great response [...]

Corvette Assembly Plant Tour; Building a ZR1

I have been to the Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY many times and enjoyed every visit. The only problem is you are never allowed to take a camera or even a cell phone into the plant (employees have cell phones and they are on them all the time). NO PICTURES INSIDE THE PLANT! [...]

Corvettes Go Home: Corvette Homecoming Bowling Green 2008

I think this is one of the most beautiful years and color combinations ever built.
Family reunions car be fun or they can be an embarrassment. They have even been know to erupt into violence, some red necks go to family reunions to look for dates! When you are a Corvette or a Corvette owner going [...]

Racers’ Reunion in Nashville

This was a great event. The inaugural Racers’ Reunion with the old school NASCAR guys and cars. Held July 18, 2008 in Nashville. Watch in the next day or two we will have photos of the race, autograph session, qualifying, after race and VIDEOS as well as Trophy Girls!. You  will not want to miss [...]

Cale Yarborough the Music Video!

You have to check this out if you love NASCAR or Cale Yarborough. Our car is even featured in this! Sit back turn up the volume and enjoy this. You will want to watch this more than once. It is real old school.

Technorati Tags: Cale Yarborough, music video, NASCAR, old school

Love a Mercedes or Just Like Cool Photos on the Inside

Are you into Mercedes or do you just like all kinds of cars even Mercedes? If so click on the blue Mercedes Hauler below and take a look at the cars on this web site.

 
 
@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);

Custom Search

Technorati Tags: factory, Mercedes, [...]

GoodGuys Nashville 2007

You folks liked the 2008 photos so much I decided to go back and pick out a few from 2007 and 2006 and see if you liked them just as much. If you do I will roll out some more. What else would you like to see?

This is one beautiful and wild custom.

Don’t rush by this [...]

John Force NHRA Champion and one of the real Good Guys

I just got back from visiting the John Force Race Station compound in Yorba Linda California and it just reminds me how much Katina and I think of this racer. It seems so many racers are all about money and fame. Obviously John Force has plenty of both but it is also obvious he is [...]