Hiding underneath the passenger compartment of this Dodge A-100 Pickup was a large V8. I was being rushed a bit so I didn’t identify which engine it was. We’ll assume it’s a powerful one based on the slicks and ladder bars on the rear. Does it rip wheelies? Probably. However, I didn’t see any scrapes on the rear bumper, so maybe it just does crazy burnouts. Regardless, it’s a sweet ride in my opinion, and I would like to see it in my driveway.
In New England, rust free cars don’t exist. When you buy an old car, a “solid body” means that it will only need doors, fenders, floors, and quarters. Replacing sheetmetal is just a way of life for us. So when car enthusiasts up here see a car for sale that still has good original floors in it, for cheap cash, it sends us into a panic. That is exactly what happened to me this last weekend, and it reminded me of the two most important rules to being a proper gearhead:
1) Buy now, think later.
2) Always….. ALWAYS…. keep an extra spot in your yard just in case you need to bring some rolling stock home on a whim.
I failed hard on both accounts, and can only blame my own procrastination & cheapness. Read More
If you haven’t see this video yet, you are in for a treat, because Tanner Foust takes flight in a truck for Hot Wheels, and jumps 332 foot like it’s his job. Oddly enough, it sort of is. Either way, enjoy this insanity.
Can’t see the video? Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xwfoLraLkA
This morning I landed on a crash test video that was made by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. When I was done watching the crash test, I realized that there were about 590 more to watch! GOLD MINE! There is no denying it, watching cars smash into each other without real lives at stake is really about as good as it gets. Most of the videos are short, sweet, and all business. Car enters at stage right with a high rate of speed, smashes object at stage left. Then they do a slow motion replay, and it’s a wrap. Next! It isn’t just brand new cars either, there are a variety of older car tests too! Here are 4 of my favorites so far.
Here is a 1996 Chevy Astro Van folding up:
Last weekend I went to the monthly car show / swap meet in Amherst NH and I saw this bench seat that had me quite intrigued. I am pretty sure that I have never seen one of these seats before. The owner of this seat thinks that it is from a 1968+ GTO, though he isn’t 100% sure.
So I ask you – What in the world did this seat originally come out of? Is it really a GTO seat? Some other A-Body? Drop some knowledge on me.
During my lunch yesterday, before I even got off the motorcycle, I was told by the local inspection station that I needed new tires, a license plate light, and a more visible location for my license plate. Apparently I have been riding dirty for a while now. “Oopsy! You caught me!” I won’t lie though, I was aware of all of this, and figured somebody would call me out on it eventually. As it turns out, that time was yesterday. Ah well, at least once I fix it all I won’t have to cross my fingers, toes, and bring a lucky rabbit’s foot to the inspection station each year. What a relief.
Since I was replacing my tires this year whether I had an inspection sticker or not, I ordered them about a week ago. Now, I have never had new tires on my bike, so I had no idea that shops charge anywhere from $25 – 50 per tire for mounting and balancing. Surprise! Yea, no. I am way too cheap, and I tend to stress out when people touch my vehicles. I have trust issues I suppose. Anyway, when I got home yesterday, my fresh new tires were waiting for me, and “operation tire swap” was about to commence. I had swapped car tires without machines before, but never motorcycle tires, but how different could it be?
I began by hanging my bike from my garage rafters and popping the rear wheel off. I laid it on a piece of cardboard, and pulled the schrader valve out of the valve stem to let all of the pressure out.
With my fingers crossed and happy thoughts in my head, I broke the bead loose on the old tire with a shovel. Read More
When it comes right down to it, a supercharged V8 engine stuck into a car is a winning combination every single, stinkin’ time. You absolutely cannot deny it. It doesn’t matter if it is a Corvette, a Ford Falcon, or Acura Integra. Blown V8’s are all about brutally obnoxious, tire shredding, fear-filled, horsepower. The other day, I came across this Volvo 740 which I believe was built in Sweden, though I can’t be sure because I don’t speak or read the language. I typically just pick out the words that look like English or Gearhead slang, and make up the rest to fill in the blanks. Hey whatever works, amirite? Let’s get down to it – Here are the stats that you’ll want to take a close look at: Read More