Man reunited with Camaro stolen 27 years ago!

This story is simply amazing! 27 years had passed, and finally, the owner was reunited with his lon, lost Camaro. The fact it was in a backyard parked for 15 years makes me wonder what kind of shape the car is in though.

Man reunited with Camaro stolen 27 year ago

Daddy's little princess

It would be an injustice not to mention our newborn baby. On 11/29/2010 our baby girl was brought into this world, weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz, measuring 20.5 inches long. I suppose you can now place me among the proud parents who will talk on and on about their child, often boring those who don't have kids yet.

I had heard about the bond, but it truly is undescribable. The first time you hold your baby in your arms, it's instantaneous! They look into your eyes, you look into theirs, and there is a connection that is more powerful than anything in the world.

So, I have a baby girl...and I couldn't be happier! She'll be with me in the garage just as much as a little boy would, she'll know just as much about cars as a little boy would. And someday, she will likely help get her future little brother up to speed on how to restore a car, how to stage a Jr Dragster, and how to tell the difference between a small block and a big block, regardless of make. Not to mention, a Panther Pink Hemi Cuda is bad to the bone, but would also be quite fitting for a girlie girl in my opinion. :)

2013 Dodge Viper looks to strike again

This comes as somewhat of a surprise to me. I honestly figured when the Viper was killed, that was it, the Challenger would become the new halo vehicle for Chrysler with a limited/special edition model putting it on the same level as the Viper vacated.

Thankfully, the Viper will be resurrected in 2012 as a 2013 model. The car is said to be completely new, and that may even include a new engine. I've heard that for the first time, the Viper may be powered by a 6.4 liter V8, though have also heard that the V10 is still being considered. Personally, I never really liked the sound of the V10. In my opinion, it lacked the deep throaty power of a V8, sounding more along the lines of perhaps an Indy car. Regardless of which engine Dodge puts between the fenders, there is little doubt that it will be a car that once again will be neck and neck with not only the Chevy Corvette, but also among the best cars in the world.

Chrysler to resurrect Viper

2012 Camaro Z28 gets green light

The much anticipated, hardly secret, 2012 Camaro Z28 has unofficially been officially announce that it will go into production in 2011. Why Chevrolet has kept the lid on this one, and continues to do so, is beyond me. What's the big secret? It will be interesting to see just how far Chevy boosts the power of this one, as the lighter, more nimble Mustang already has the edge with their Shelby version. I'm guessing it'll be close to 600 hp, and likely the quickest factory Camaro to ever come off the line. Long live the muscle car!

2012 Camaro Z28 gets big push from Chevrolet

Vinsetta Garage closes up shop

Sadly, one of the coolest vintage automotive shops I know of is closing up shop. While I'll admit, I never stopped into Vinsetta Garage, nor did I know much about it's history until reading about it's closing in the paper, I had a pretty good understanding of what type of place it was.

Driving by while cruising up Woodward, this shop stood out amongst all other businesses. This shop transported one to an era long before I was ever born. Little did I realize, that history dates back to 1919! Not once did I pass by and not see numerous vintage steel parked out front and in their storage lot, awaiting repair, tune-up, and even complete restoration.

Perhaps partially victim of the economy, the owner stated they have recently been doing more work on new cars than old. The loss of the owner's wife also seems to have played a major part in his decision to change his path in life.

Decorated with neon signs, vintage (likely original) gas pumps, and old world charm, cruising Woodward will lose a little bit of it's charm without the Vinsetta Garage. R.I.P. Vinsetta.

Historic Vinsetta Garage Closes

Vinsetta Garage

Little Gearhead

Today, I sit in the hospital awaiting the arrival of my first born child. It all started last night as I arrived home from work. Shortly after, my wife comes into the kitchen to announce "My pants are all wet," which was a sure tell sign that her water broke. Like a racer in the staging lanes, we both put on our game faces and got down to business. We packed our "to go" bag in record time, then proceeded to leave the pillows and pair of slippers behind. Hey, considering everything we remembered, I don't think we did too bad.

We arrived at the hospital around 00:30 hrs, and here it is 12 hrs later, still waiting. As a first time father, I can't even begin to describe the anticipation. While I publicly declare I want a boy, truth be told, I'd be just as estatic to discover it's a girl.

So what does this have to do with automotive enthusiasm? It's a passing of the torch, or perhaps sharing of the torch, or even the thought of teaching a little person how to build the torch, fuel the torch, ignite the torch, and how that torch can fullfill that burning desire, that need for speed.

Car restoration, automotive racing, and car shows are all something in which one can share with a child at any age. I have a deep desire to not only race my Camaro, but continue my quest to save other cars, and preserve America's automotive history. I am blessed with the skills and passion to pass along to my child and future children. I often think back to the picture my dad took of me on his 1973 Dodge Charger SE, I wonder if it was that car that instilled the passion in me to this day...long after dad let that one get away. Hopefully, any car I take a picture of with my little tikes on, I won't let get away.

Until next time, when we'll be ridin' 3 deep!

Classic Car Club of America Museum

Located on the same ground as the Gilmore Museum, I just discovered another car museum in Michigan, The Classic Car Club of America Museum. I'm thinking in the coming years, a few road trips with our soon to be born child are in order to some car museums in the great state of Michigan.

The Classic Car Club of America Museum

Ford Model A Museum Planned

The Free Press ran an article a few days ago announcing that the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan will be expanding it's museum to include a portion designated to the Ford Model A.

Ford Model A Museum Planned

The Gilmore Car Museum

1987 Chevy Caprice with 6.0 from an Escalade

Now these guys got it right! Sounds mean, runs fast, and is about what I'd build.

1980's Chevy Caprice

My infatuation with the 1980's Chevy Caprice continues. I can't really put a finger upon what it is, but I can tell you what it isn't. It isn't the ugly ass, butchered up Caprices I see rolling through the hood. With their Lambo doors, bright colors, and stupid ass 24" rims and 4x4 stance. They really aren't that great of a looking car, but there is just something about them that grows on me. I like the menacing wide 80's style grill, and the tail lights just seemed right during an era when so many were wrong. The interiors were you typical 80's flare, nothing to right home about. Nor were the engines under the hood, which were usually underpowered 305's.

With all that is wrong, I still envision the potential they have everytime I see one. While I don't have a concrete game plan in my head, the jist of it would be:

Lowered, though not dragging in the weeds.
Nice set of rims and tires, in the 17-18" ballpark.
Removal of most of the chrome/stainless crap, aside from the bumpers.
Lastly, a solid powertrain consisting of either a big block chevy, or possibly of the LS series of engines. Maybe even a 6 speed tossed in for good measure.

I just feel that so many of these cars get the hack job treatment, and you seldom see one "done right" in my opinion. How about even a Pro Street or Pro Touring example? Recently I saw such an example, but it was the first one to date in my memory.

Here is a shining example, though I don't dig the 50's theme and pinstrips, the flat black I could live with...though the hood scoop ruins it for me. Still, this one is a lot closer to what I'm thinking than most examples on the road.