Look what followed me home.

Fuel Cell

2011-09-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

1978 Silver Anniversary L48

2011-01-30T14:01:00.001-08:00

Progress

2010-05-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

This is the new engine for the 74 corvette. The engine it came with was assembled from a non-original block and the original heads. When I pulled the engine apart, I noted significant scuffing on the #8 cylinder wall. So, I ordered a crate 260 horse 350 from Jegs in Ohio. They were able to beat my local Chevy dealer's price by almost $300.00 for the exact same GM part number. I gave them my credit card number and 2 days later the delivery man was wheeling my brand new engine up the drive.

I am dressing the engine with as many stock original parts as possible. The original air cleaner has been media blasted and coated semi-gloss black, as have the pulleys and A/C brackets. I did make a concession to appearance (and weight) and replaced the stock cast-iron intake with an Edelbrock Performer.

Rock Auto supplied the fuel and water pump, the valve covers are the originals, and the exhaust manifolds are stockers from Ebay.

1974 L82 Barn Find

2010-03-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

As close to a classic "Barn Find" as I have seen in awhile, this 1974 L82 corvette turned up in the local Craigslist. After a couple of my messages were not returned by the seller, I sent a note indicating that I had cash and that I was local. Magically, I got a response within hours.

The car is a 4-speed, Saddle Leather Interior, with air. Interior and exterior trim match the trim plate on the door post. I think the dark green - saddle combo is one of the more classic color combinations in the corvette palette for the 1970's.

I'll be pulling the engine to detail it and to complete the clutch replacement that sidelined her in the first place.

I need to order a new urethane front bumper prior to a trip to the local body shop for an exterior touchup. The interior is original but solid, and needs a good scrubbing and probably a new set of carpets.

K66 Distributor - Factory Manual

2010-02-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

A few pages from the Jaguar XK-120 Shop Manual, scanned from my library.

2010-01-24T14:22:00.000-08:00

Attached are a few of my favorites. The XK is probably my favorite engine design of all time.

B25-J - Kalamazoo Air Zoo

2010-01-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

A couple of snapshots of a B25 J Model at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. The museum has an incredible collection of restored warbirds, as well as a really well-done exhibit which explains life on board the International Space Station.

This is how it started...

2009-12-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

This Lotus Europa, I think, was the first car to capture my attention. It belonged to a family friend and as I remember, he took me for a ride in it, and I liked it because it was "my size". My parents visited us this Christmas, and my mom gave me this photo taken in April, 1973.

Diesel Distraction

2009-09-30T10:02:00.001-07:00

1962 180Dc Mercedes. Local auction find. A cream puff with only 249,000 original miles. Column shift 4-speed transmission. Really a nice machine for backroads country cruising. Top factory rated speed of 75mph is noted as "optimistic" by most contemporary reviewers. Of note, diesel 180ds won their class in the 1955 Mille Miglia.

Corvettes

2009-09-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

I like Corvettes. All three of these have stories. The orange one was found on Craigslist and has an interesting history. The light blue coupe was bought as a totaled wreck. The convertible is an l-71 427 with just under 50k on the clock.

79 Spitfire - Mid Restoration

2009-08-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

This 79 spitfire is in the middle of a stalled rebuild. I originally bought this car to part out, but found that the engine had been rebuilt by a fairly well known Triumph racer from Western Michigan. The car was quite rust free, except for the frame, which I ultimately replaced. These photos are from 2006. In the meantime, I have put the body back on the frame. A couple of weekends of work, and this one should be ready for the road. Sharp-eyed readers will note the chrome bumper and earlier grill on this car. I have never liked the rubber-bumper versions of 70's British roadsters and sought to remove that scourge from this car. It is actually a pretty easy change if you have the car as far apart as I have taken this one. The holes in the frame are all there - just search your favorite online auction spot for the right parts.

Parts Is Parts

2009-08-25T08:11:00.001-07:00

Here is a car that taught me what I should have already known about buying cars online: Don't do it without personally inspecting the car first. I was told this one "just needed an engine". Turned out it "just needed a frame", too. I ended parting it over the course of several years to try and recover some of my investment, and this is what remains. The neighbors are oh-so glad to see it go, I am sure.

Jaguar Mark IX - 1959

2009-08-25T08:07:00.003-07:00

I just found this car locally and it turned out to be too nice to pass up. Initially, I thought of parting it out, since most Jag sedans that have spent the last 30 or 40 years in Michigan are not much more than parts donors. This one surprised me with solid floors and an engine that promises to start and run. This majestic old cat will prowl again!