Lamborghini Veneno - I just don't get it

I can appreciate the history and craftsmanship Lamborghini is known for.  This car however, I just don't get it.  $4.5 million?  Wow!  The styling?  It looks like something a ricer puked up.  It's as if they wanted to throw every hideous bit of ricer styling into this gem.  It sounds nice, I will give it that, but it's damn ugly!

Camaro Update: 3-29-2014

Dug into my transmission neck deep today, making some good progress.

Camaro Update: 3-26-2014

Continuing work on the engine, I installed my 1150 Dominator and air cleaner.  The air cleaner will be coming back off, but for now, it helps clear up work space on the bench.  I recently got a couple of new bushings for the rear case of my trans, and got the new bushing installed without issues.  So, I have an extra bearing...which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  With the case bearing installed, I can start reassembling the guts, starting from the bottom.  While trans progress has been lacking, I think a couple of solid days on it will accomplish a lot.

1150 cfm is one monster of a carb!



One of the coolest looking carbs out there.



Air cleaner with open element lid installed.



Crank pulley isntalled.



Wiring FINALLY covered up in the trunk.  I still need to do the interior and engine bay.



Fuel pump wiring in the trunk covered.

Camaro Update: 3-25-2014

Slowly but surely, my Camaro is coming together. While much of what I accomplished this day could have been finished once the engine was in the car, I started knocking off some of the easier stuff on the list, if for no other reason, to assure me that I was making progress.

Cleaned water pump, ready to install.



With the oil pressure gauge hooked up, she was ready to prime.  This time, I chose Mobil synthetic 15w-50.



Here you can see the water pump installed.  With the engine primed, I dropped in the distributor.  It may come back out during engine installation, but for now, it's in place.







With the valve covers removed, it was time to install the longer rocker arm nuts and stud girdle.



Extended nuts, to allow the installation of the stud girdle.



AFR stud girdle installed, to help keep everything stable for those 7,200 rpm shifts.











AFR valve covers installed.

2014 Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo

I attended the 1st annual Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo yesterday.  It was a small show, but enough to keep my interest for a good 3-4 hours.  I hope that the show is something that will grow over the years, and turn into a national draw.  For $10, I will undoubtedly give it a visit in the coming years.

One of the cooler cars on display.  Looks like a blast to drive!

Camaro Update: 3-21-2014

I finished up installed the pads/u-bolts along with my South Side Machine lift bars, which I suppose would now be considered "vintage."  I only recently learned that the Jegster bars are an exact knock-off, and possibly the reason South Side Machine went out of business, but that's only per internet rumor.  We will see how they hold up to 700 hp, and whether it's going to shock the tires too much.  If so, I'm thinking an upgrade to Cal-trac bars and new leaf springs may be necessary next year.  These sticky Mickey Thompsons will put them to the test.

Installed and ready to go.

Wheels and tires installed.

Camaro Update: 3-19-2014

I have compiled most all the parts I need, and now it's just a matter of getting them all where they need to go.  Currently, the inside of the car is serving as parts storage.  The list of to-do's has shrunk by about 10, but is still around 55 items long.  Thankfully, a good chunk will disappear shortly after the engine is installed.  For now, I'm knocking off as many small items as I can.

Thermostat and housing installed.

I took a break to install some more recently acquired posters from Autorama.

Gas tank straps stripped and ready for paint.  They have since been painted with an aluminum finish to match the galvanized gas tank.

I decided to finally switch to a synthetic oil, 15W-50 Mobil.  Almost as thick as the 20W-50 Castrol I previously ran, but with all the benefits of a synthetic.

The new, big block chevy mounts, installed and ready to hold an engine.

New leaf spring pads installed, along with new u-bolts.

My most recent order, consisting of gauge pods, plug wires, plug wire heat sleeves, and roll bar padding.

 

2 extra quart deep pan by B&M.

Camaro Update: 3-17-2014

I started on my TH400 trans about a week ago.  After driving out a few bearings, I realized I needed some new drivers, as I didn't have one that fit the rear case bearing.  Unfortunately, a few kits later, still leaves me without the correct driver.  That said, I think it's time to improvise and come up with something that works.

I plan on making some serious progress over the next few weeks on the trans, though completion by month's end is now looking like a real stretch.  I've recently got a 34 element sprag, spiral lock, 2 extra quart deep B&M pan, and found out I already have a Transgo shift kit installed.

New parts laid out.

The rear case bearing.  Once removed, the new bearing started in at an angle, and became distorted.  Thus, I ordered up 2 new bearings, so I have an extra in case the next one doesn't go in smoothly.

My second bench, to be used for assembly.

The first sub-assembly, all apart, and ready to go back together.

Roadkill: Episode 26

Only Roadkill could make a $500 Datsun so damn cool!

Motor City Hot Rod and Racing Expo - March 22 & 23, 2014

I plan on checking this event out on Sunday.  With nearly 150 exhibitors, that's a healthy start to an event I would LOVE to see grow into something big. 

Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo
	Event Description Dates:  March 22 & 23, 2014   Times:  Saturday: 10am - 6pm and Sunday: 10am - 3pm             Admission:  $10 Adults, $5 Children (6-12) and Kids 5 & under are free Location of Event:  Hall B Event Description: The Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo will bring hot rodding back to the Motor City of Detroit  MI.  The Expo will provide high performance enthusiasts, racers,equipment manufacturers, retailers, and more!  Also, the opportunity to gather information, admire new ideas, do business, and have fun all under one roof! Parking Fee: $5.00   Contact Information: daveszerlag@gmail.com or call 517-376-0361    Web Site:  www.motorcityraceexpo.com

2014 Ridler Winner - 1964 Riviera "Rivision"

Behold, the 2014 Detroit Autorama Ridler Award Winner!

I knew when I saw this car that it would likely be a front runner for the Riddler.  Once I realized the amount of work that went into this creation, I figured it would be the likely winner.  What we have is a 1964 Riviera with a 1971 Boat Tail rear grafted to the car.  In addition, there is obviously TONS of other custom body work.  Like many others, I too was initially fooled into believing this was a mid-engine car.  Truth is, it's Big Block Chevy powered under the hood, though the twin turbos pushing it to 850 hp are mounted in the rear of the vehicle.  There is so much going on in the back that a quick glance had most believing the engine was also tucked inside.  Somewhat oddly, the plumbing for the turbo was routed into the firewall, though the cowl, the interior, and back to the rear of the car.  It's always nice to see something other than a streetrod win the Ridler, and this car was VERY deserving.

I absolutely love the lines of this car.

Check out that rear exhaust between the tail lights!

Camaro UpdateL 3/10/2014

I finally talked myself into buying a shop clock.  After years of drooling over the neon clocks at the Autorama, I pulled the trigger, and picked up an awesome Sinclair clock. After the clock was hung, I started on the Camaro.  I got the gas tank removed, so I can strip and repaint the gas straps.  I also will likely be changing the gas line over to my tank vent, and replacing the cap with a non-vented cap.

Here is the tank removed.

U-bolts removed.  I have new u-bolts and rubber pads ready to install.  As you can see, the cat litter fiasco made quite the mess on the underside of the car.  Once my power washer is back up and going, I will power wash the underside.

U-bolts removed from the other side.

Small block engine mounts removed, big block mounts ready to go in.

I was a little surprised to find the BBC mounts were actually shorter, not taller, than the SBC mounts they were replacing.  The height difference is almost exactly the thickness of my nitrous plate.  Previously, I didn't have enough room under the hood for the plate.  With this added clearance, it should just barely fit!

 

 In addition to the wall clock, I picked up some other wall art.  A top fuel helmet/mask and a thrush bird.  I think they go nicely on the peg board.

2014 Detroit Autorama - Show Coverage

This year's Autorama was as amazing as ever!  It blows my mind that year after year, the majority of the cars are fresh cars, not recycled cars from shows past.  Without delay, let's get to the cars!

I hadn't a clue what this was.  It's a Hudson,and a monster of a vehicle!  This thing would have ruled the road back in the day, as when you'd see it coming, you'd definitely wanna move aside.

Here is a Drag Week Camaro that runs high 6's.

This was one cool Nash!

Nice Sport Fury!

Very nice Merc...with gull wing doors!  Truly a first for me.

This was an AMAZING Vette.  Believe it or not, it's a kit car!  The body is by Downs, and if you recall, I did a blog on Downs a few years ago when they announced they were selling off their body division.  Thankfully, another western Michigan company bought them up, and continue the tradition of producing top of line bodies.  The price for this body?  $59,000!

A flamed MG

Hot Rod Tractor.

Nice Riv.

King of Fins.

Cool Woody.

On my wife's list.

This Cougar was absolutely amazing!  Quite possibly my favorite car of the show.  I've never been a huge fans of the car either, but this was truly the cat's ass.  I'm also not a huge fan of getting rid of all the chrome, the this car just nails it!

Well deserved Hot Wheels tag.

Troy Trepanier's whole slew of cars were on display this year.

Nice Ford drag car.

Not my cup of tea, but I gotta give props for all the custom work they did on this Charger.

Nice C1.

Check out this Pacer!

AMC was VERY well represented this year.

An old dude owned this car.  I think I'm going to have to stop and talk with him tomorrow.

This is one of the most customized Riviera's I have ever seen.

Check out the center exit exhaust.

Rocket Powered!

The Firebirds were well represented this year as well.

Cool Salt Racer.

Reminds me of a Tonka Truck.

Sweet 41 Ford Pickup.

Got Boost?

Another AMC.

Nice Vette, nice flames!

Boss 429.

Another AMC.

Nice old Hudson, looks like it's running fast sitting still.

I just love these old Lincolns.

Also on the wife's list.

This best of a Chevy had Allison power.

24 Cylinders of power!

More photos from the 2014 Detroit Autorama