1985 Pontiac Trans Am gets sprayed!

Today my friends TA hit the paint booth, sprayed with a deep black. The shots aren't real great since they are in the booth, and under flouresent lighting. I'll send more updates as I get them, as well as some pictures of it once it's back on the road. Anybody else got the Night Rider song in their head?

The guy at the body shop told my friend "You'll have one of the nicest Trans Ams on the road!" While you see these cars out there occasionally, most are running on their last leg. More on the sentimental value of these cars at a later date, but I'll just say that at one time, myself and 4 other close friends owned F-bodies...as did an ex-girlfriend of mine, and her sister. So I knew a lot of people growing up who shared a passion for these cars, and judging by the internet, there remains a strong cult following for them even today.

Ironically, while pumping gas in mine today around the corner, the guy next to me stated "Man, that's a sweet ass car you got," referring to my Formula. He went on to say that he's looking to buy one, as his neighbor has his for sale for $3,000 with a rebuilt motor, but needs painted. The guy stated how much he loved my car a few more times before dumping a quart of oil in his Taurus and motoring off with his lady.

I need to start planning what the future holds for mine, whether I retire it in a few years and restore what needs restored. Or, perhaps restore it as I go, getting a paint job on it, building a new engine, etc...a little at a time. I don't think I could stand not driving a V8 rear wheel drive car day in and day out, so a replacement would have to fit that bill. Anyways, here's the pictures from the paint booth:

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Photo courtesy of Motor Trend

While browsing through the magazines at Meijer last week, I came across an issue of Motor Trend that I simply had to buy. I've never been a big fan of Motor Trend, I guess because too much of it consists of car reviews about vehicles that are of little interests to me. Ocassionally, something will catch my eye, I flip through it, then the magazine often finds it's way into my cart.

On this particular day, that something was the 2009 Corvette ZR1. The rumors have been around for a few years now, though it seems the rumors were fairly close to the finished product. While not a supercharged version of the LS7 engine, due too cylinder walls that were too thin, it is a supercharged version of the LS3. Early numbers state 620+ hp, or essentially 100+ hp per liter. This monster has been in the works for a few years, and it was surprising (at least to me) to hear of the revival of the ZR1 nameplate. I had heard Stingray and SS thrown around, yet ZR1 seems much more fitting.

As much as the Z06 could hold its own against the best sports cars in the world, this new version should put it right there with the front runners, likely outperforming many. I like many of the unique features this car will have, though perhaps my most favorite is the hood. The hood will feature a clear see through type scoop, exposing the engine and it's intercooler nestled below.

With a price expected around $100,000, it's a car I will likely never own in my life time, though I can't help but smile at the fact that it will be made. The Corvette has always been a step or two behind the Dodge Viper, and only time will tell whether or not the Corvette and it's 100 lbs less weight will be enough to dethrone the Viper. Can't wait to read the reviews on the Vette's first drive! I'll be sure and snap plenty of pictures of it at this year's North American International Auto Show, where the car will be displayed.

Here is the full article: ZR1 article in Motor Trend Magazine

Here are some pictures: ZR1 photo gallery at Motor Trend

For info on the original ZR1's history, check out this site: Father Larry's Corvette Shop

1985 Pontiac Trans Am restoration update

As promised, here are a few updates on my friend's 1985 Pontiac Trans Am he is restoring. The car is getting really close to paint, so the next set may very well already be sprayed black.

Hard to believe that these cars, from 1982-1992, are 16-26 years old. To me, having owned one back in the day as well as currently, it seems like I should be able to stroll into the dealership and still order parts directly from GM. I was quickly reminded that that wasn't the case when I ordered my turn signal switch a few weeks ago, then found out it would be 3-4 weeks because it was on back order. My friend is finding much of the same with certain parts, such as the hood and front facia, neither of which are available any longer from GM or Year One. While surfing Year One's site the other day, I was happy to find that the catalog for the 1982-1992 F-body is currently available for free! As I'm sure many of these cars will be undergoing restoration due to their age, the amount of parts will likely continue to grow over the years. The aftermarket is already very strong, as these were among the few modern muscle/performance cars from the 80's, and are still a very affordable/fun car even today.

Anyway, here are the updated pictures. My other friend building a Pro Street 1978 Ford Fairmont has also made huge progress over the last few months. Time willing, I will try and make it up to his place over the next few months with more coverage.

Here is the car, now mostly in primer.

The doors needed a little work, due to the Michigan winters eating away at them. This shop seems to have gone the extra mile to get rid of all the cancer and replace it with fresh metal. Seldom do you see shops go to this extreme, looks as though they either media or sand blasted it.

The hood; smoothed out, primered, and ready to be shot black.

Another shot of the project car.

Restoration of a 1985 Pontiac Trans Am

A friend from back where I grew up recently started a restoration on a 1985 Pontiac Trans Am. The car recently was subjected to hail damage, and the insurance company ponied up a nice chunk of change for the damage. He then tossed some more money along with the pay out and the car will be seeing about $6,000 in body work and paint. Here are a few pictures he sent me the other day, displaying the car stripped down to bare metal. The finished product should be show quality, and I'll try to pass along any updated photos he sends me.

A look ahead to 2008

Time and time again I've tried to build my automotive blog, yet each and every time I've failed. Just as my car projects sit, so has this blog. For 2008 I am going to attempt to follow through with my promise. First thing was first, it was time to kill off my other blog. It was hard to hit that "delete blog" button, but I knew as long as it existed, I would continue to ignore this blog.


Anyways, what better time to rejuvenate this blog than when the North American International Auto Show is about to kick off? Once again, you will see me focus primarily on what the Big 3 has to offer, with only the occasional import making these pages. To each their own, but the import companies still fail to catch my attention, with few exceptions. Perhaps the most noteworthy, and surprising, is the Mini Cooper. While compact and much smaller than my usual taste, I can't help but see it as a go-cart for grown-ups, as well as how fun it would be to throw through the turns. The Mini has caught my attention ever since I first spotted it at the show a few years back.


A few months after the NAIAS, the Detroit Autorama will take place, in which I will also cover heavily. While I find both shows interesting, the Autorama often proves to be my favorite. Anybody can buy a factory hotrod, it takes creativity (and lots of cash!) to create what is on display at Autorama. The quality of the cars presented has increased exponentially over the past 5 years. It's a rarity to find a car with a Maaco paint job these days. I will also try and remember my camera during my next trip to Henry Ford Museum, as they have several noteworthy cars on display.


As far as the projects go, don't expect much on the Camaro until probably next winter, and nothing more than regular maintenance on the Formula. I'm currently awaiting a turn signal switch that is on backorder from Year One, which will require tearing down the steering column. Nothing too exciting, but I'll document it none the less. Probably fix my headlight that is stuck popped up here soon as well, just been reluctant to drop the required $140-$240 to fix it.


One project I do hope starts to take shape this year is my dad's 1970 Challenger R/T he bought from me. I picked him up a few Mopar books for Christmas, as well as a subscription to Mopar Muscle. I'm hoping it's enough incentive to get him buying parts and get the project underway, perhaps hitting the road in 2009. I have the project almost totally planned out for him, though there are a few question marks that remain. The drivetrain for one, as while I think I have him talked into a 6 speed transmission, I'm not sure what the engine itself will entail. With an aftermarket company just releasing an EFI 6 pack compatible with the 383, it would sure give a unique underhood appearance if he went that route.


So here is to a new year, and new focus upon what is no longer a career, but now just a hobby. Should be a fun next few years for gearheads, with the new Challenger launching in a few months, and the Camaro following next year.

Showing her age

Just yesterday old blue turned over 130,000. While not bad for a 19 year old car, she's starting to show her age. While the manual likely states a tune-up ever 36,000 miles, I only waited 10,000-15,000 this time around. As the engine is going through about 1+ quart every 1,000 miles, so the spark plugs start getting fouled out, and the engine starts idling a bit rough. While it wasn't bad, I figured I'd change the plugs when I hit 130,000 miles. The plugs weren't as bad as I expected, and I'm skeptical that the oil consumption is more valve guide related than piston ring/cylinder wear. Makes me ponder whether or not I should purchase a set of AFR heads to see whether it fixes the problem...and pick up a good 80 hp in the process.

My Camaro relocates

Funny how things come about some times. After a few years of apartment living after college, I bought a house. First on the agenda was to tear down the garage and build new. That way, both of my project cars (my Camaro and Challenger) would start to see some progress.

As it turned out, I did move the Camaro up to my new garage shortly after completion. Another year or so passed before I had electricity installed in the garage. Only then did I actually get around to working on the car, though the only work consisted of further disassembly. With everything disassembled, the only direction left to go was progress, yet time and money dictated neither one happening. A major part of it was buying a nearly 100 year old home. Owning an old house is a lot like owning an old car, in the sense that there always seems to be some sort of maintenance needed. The house work took up whatever free time I thought I would have to work on the car, with no end in sight. Then came another variable, a serious girlfriend.

I'll admit, I didn't really like her having to park her car outside on the street, and if not for my Camaro, I'd have room in the garage for her to park. Part of me was sad to see the car leave, but the reality is, no work was going to be finished on it anytime soon. In addition to the old house, I made a serious change in careers recently, saying bye-bye to the auto industry, and hello to law enforcement. I'm in the midst of the academy, 1 month in, and will last for 6 months, and will consume pretty much all of my spare time. So much so that the only house work getting done lately has been thanks to the help of my dad.

It wasn't all bad to move my Camaro back to my parents', well, actually to grandma's this time around. There is some body work that needs fixing before it sees the road again. A few spots in the paint popped, a couple dings have occurred, and plenty of burnouts have left the quarter panels peppered with stone chips. All of which I would like fixed prior to putting the car back on the road. Since my painter resides down where the car is now, it makes the most sense.

I've been eyeing a hoist for the garage for a few years now. I will likely try and install one prior to bringing the car back up here. In the mean time, I have the full powertrain, electrical, interior, and all major components still at my house, so I'm hardly at a loss for things to work on when the time comes. I now fully understand how car projects quickly turn into 10-15 years, as mine has already been off the road now for 6 years! Last time, while in college, I completed a full frame up restoration in less than 1 years time. Things change as you get older, as do priorities, as I've come to realize in recent years.

In the mean time, the girlfriend is happy to have a spot in a garage to park for the first time in her life.

Reminiscing about old driving routes

These past few days have taken me back to my old stomping grounds, Toledo, Ohio. Growing up in Adrian, we used to make frequent jaunts down to Toledo, as it was only about a 30 minute commute...if you drove the speed limit. :)

Back then, driving the speed limit was something I seldom did, nor did most of my friends. In fact, during my recent application to a local law enforcement agency, they inquired about my past driving record. While my current record is squeaky clean, I admitted that back in the day I had racked up a fair share of tickets, always for speeding.

It's amazing that most of us seldom got caught for our stupidity back then. Aside from one time for me, which the officer who pulled me over said "I was going 65 mph trying to catch you, and you were pulling away fast." Little did he know, I had a gear to go yet. He checked the car out thoroughly, as I later found out he was a big time gearhead, and even though was left with a 15 mph ticket, I knew he wasn't fibbing when he pleaded that he could haul me to jail and tow my car for that little stunt.

These past days, I came across several of the old country roads in which I used to travel on my way to Toledo. Travel we did, as you could go for miles without passing a house, and intersection, or even another car. It was upon those very back roads in which I rid myself of all fears from going fast. Those back roads were where I first hit the fuel shutoff in my first car. Let me tell you, when cruising along at three digit speeds and your fuel pump shuts off, first thing that came to mind was "OH MY GOD, I BLEW MY ENGINE!" Those worries soon fade as the pump kicks back on and you resume speed, though I was still left wondering "What the hell was that all about?" Even an aftermarket computer chip didn't omit the fuel shut off, as I found out. Seems you have to sign a waver in order for the company to program it out.

Those back roads where home to many burnouts, leaving your mark on roads traveled. Often, you'd run across the marks from one doing a reverse to drive slam, which is enough to make a person cringe, with deep regards to the short life that transmission will have. These were also the roads in which I perfected the power drift, a fad now amongst the front wheel drive crowd that utilizes an emergency brake. Back then, we drifted with V8 rear wheel drive cars, with only power and momentum as our friends. The emergency brake was reserved for pulling donuts in the winter, or sliding on wet pavement.

The last few days took me through small towns, where nothing much remained aside from old Inns or perhaps a party store amonst the abandoned buildings. Little villages were scattered along the way, though few survived the years to warrant the "historic" label. Crumbling barns, wide open fields, and roads as flat as the eye could see. It's no wonder we'd use these paths as high speed transit to Toledo, it was always so inviting. I believe my quickest time into my chosen spot in Sylvania, Ohio was something like 17 minutes, on an otherwise legal 30 minute commute, you do the math.

1969 Chevelle SS396

It had been a long time, in fact, I had to stop and think for a second before recalling when the last time was. Earlier tonight, I went for a ride in a classic muscle car with some serious power. After thinking about it, the last ride in such a car was this same owner's 1966 Chevy II, packing a good 400+ hp, though that may be an overestimate considering the car is light as hell, it wouldn't take as much power to get that baby movin'.

Tonight, the power came courtesy of a 396 big block powered Chevelle. My seat-o-the-pants meter concluded that the hp rating must have been in the same ballpark as the little Chevy II parked in the drive, though I may have to give the upper hand to the Chevy II, the sound of a big block was so much sweeter.

It made me long for the day that my car is finished, though that day is nowhere in sight. I've come to realize just how much of an obligation owning a house is. In addition, how discouraging it can be living in a state with the worst economy in the nation, with little relief likely in the near future. I won't sell myself short on my plans for my car, so the day it returns to the road continues to slide back. Nothing less than a 1,000 hp street terror would be satisfactory for the amount of time the car has been off the road. In the mean time, I'll continue to work out the plans for what is now my dad's 1970 Challenger R/T. As it stands, I think I just about have him talked into the six speed transmission, though it seems the 383 will remain at home in the engine bay, though bumped up to a more respectible 400-450 hp. I'm guessing that the car should still be able to knock down decent gas mileage, probably in the upper teens, which would be damn good for a carburated car with that much power.

The guy who owns the 1969 Chevelle was thinking along the same lines. He is leaning towards building up a numbers matching 396 with good power and placing a 6 speed behind it. While nostalgia is great, more and more gearheads are taking routes that will increase their gas mileage, efficiency, and dependability of their classic rides. I've never been one who is anal about all original, numbers matching, era correct cars. So I say let the hobby evolve, keep up with the times, and help continue the hobby's strong following. I'm sure a day will come when the classic cars with efi and overdrive transmissions begin to outnumber those carbed non-od cars...who knows, perhaps that day has already come amongst the street rod scene.

Detroit Grand Prix & Le Mans

This morning, shortly after I woke up, I walked to the back of the house to take a peak outside to see what the dogs were up to. As I did so, I heard a high revving engine, though assumed it was just another race taking place between a few motorcycles on Grand River. The sounds persisted however, and I soon realized that I was actually hearing testing for the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle. I opened the windows to take a better listen, and was shocked to hear just how clearly the sound would travel. I'm a good 5+ miles from where the race will take place, in addition, numerous multi-level, even skyscrapers, cover the distance.

I had planned on attending the event, though time, money, and other obligations dictated otherwise. I am very excited that racing will make it's return this weekend to the Motor City, for several reasons. First and foremost, it places Detroit amongst international viewers, and during a weekend in which tons of events are taking place. Secondly, and almost as important, racing belongs in the Motor City, plain and simple.

So instead of checking out today's race, I'll be pushing to get the exposed, bare wood on my house prepared for paint before winter is upon us. Also, family obligations will prevent me from attending Sunday's race as well. Still, it's a welcome return, and hopefully the start of another great tradition that will compliment the Gold Cup Race over the summer. While the concrete slab placed near the foot of the bridge is a serious eye sore, I'm sure that as years pass, the Isle will benefit greatly from renovations and improvements thanks to the race. Though I can't attend, I'll be watching the Le Mans tonight as it's broadcast via a delay at 9:30 pm on Speed, and again on Sunday on ABC for the Grand Prix.

Detroit Grand Prix