One evening when I was a senior I was driving my fathers car through Coral Gables. It was a 1967 GT Mustang with a 390 in it. There was nothing to rob Horsepower. No A/C, No power steering.
I had a source for Aviation fuel so I would burn half High Test and half 115/145(purple gas). This is the fuel that was used by airlines in DC-7's with compounded (Blown) radial engines. This stuff was racing gas on steroids.
In the car with me were two guys in Counts that had a few six packs of beer. We went by the Biltmore Hotel at about 100mph. A Coral Gables cop was parked right in front of the hotel. At that point I figured I was screwed anyway so I pressed on. I down shifted and braked just enough to make the turn on to Red Rd. I was feeling pretty good about myself till I got to Bird Rd.
Every cop in Miami was there or so it seemed.
What got my attention was the fact that they had their guns pulled. I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box but I figured out quickly that it might be better to stop. The guy in the right seat was Jimmy Adler. He was very cordial to the cops, even offered them a beer.
We were in hand cuffs in seconds and on or way to the police station. I still have a copy of the ticket today. There were so many charges that it took 2 tickets to fill out.
Of course, the two guys in Counts were bailed out in minutes. As for me I made the mistake of calling my father. He didn't have much of a sense of humor about things like that so he let me spend the night in jail.
The Coral Gables cop that was behind me on Red rd. came to check up on me later in the evening. He complimented me on my driving but enlightened me that there isn't a car on the road that's faster then a radio.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 10:00:26

David...your my type of guy...that keg idea ...slipped by me that night they locked us up in an 8 man cell with some pretty hard felons the next day COPS came by to apologize to my parents and didnt realize that would happen..they dropped the petty larceny charges no trial.. and Herb is another story...my dad wouldn't bail me out either...

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 10:09:43

HERB,
I HAD 55 CHEVY HANDED DOWN MY BROTHER DROVE IT TO CGHS AND HOT SHOPPES.
BOB

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 10:12:12

HERB JIMMY PERPICH DROVE IT.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 10:39:02

I remember it Bob. My parents had a 55 Chevy. I was driving that to and from parties all the way through Jr. High School.
Chuck Saunders had a 56 Chevy that was handed down to David. It was a stick, "3 on the tree".
We would take the cars over to the YMCA next to David Farchild Elementary School and race them in reverse.
I remember one afternoon David lost control and went down that steep embankment by the YMCA. He got the car up on 2 wheels and almost flipped. I never laughed so hard in my life. While I was keeled over laughing Tommy Ott was running over to David screaming at the top of his voice "David, are you alright?" He must have been, as soon as we could get the car started we were back to racing.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 11:14:38

By DAVID STEGER

HERB,

THAT IS TRUE YOU CAN'T BEAT A POLICE RADIO.

DRIVING ON THE KEY IN A 1975 MUSTANG GT 350. I BELIEVE IT WAS 1979 OR 1980. THREE OF US COPS, HAVING A GOOD TIME.

THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD WAY AS WE WERE APPROACHING SUNDAYS ON THE BAY. THE CAR ENDED UP APPROX. TEN TO TWENTY FEET FROM THE WATER AFTER SKIDDING THRU THE SANDY AREA OF THE BEACH. WE LOST THREE TIRES WHICH CAME OFF THE RIM.

THE COPS CAME BY WHICH LIKE ALWAYS WE KNEW AND DROVE US BACK TO THE HOUSE IN THE GABLES TO DRY OUT. ONE OF THE GUYS EVEN HAD THE GULL TO ASK THE COP TO STOP BY A SEVEN ELEVEN TO BUY SOME BEER.

COPS TAKE CARE OF COPS. THE COP WHO DROVE US HOME DID NOT TAKE A SIGNAL ON THE AIR AND LEFT THE KEY TO DRIVE US HOME.

GOD DO I MISS THE DAYS I WAS YOUNGER.

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THE DAYS I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE EARY YEARS AFTER; BEFORING JOINING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY IN 1974.

I REMEMBER SAYING I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I AM OUT OF SCHOOL. NOW I WISH I COULD DO IT OVER.

DOES ANYONE AGREE?

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 11:56:38

David, that was good!
As for doing it all over again, you wouldn't have to ask me twice.
Those were wonderful years that I will never forget. I feel blessed.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 03:15:40

By Gaston Ruiz (1968)

Sorry guys , no fast car stories from me ....But I did have a 1947 Dodge in 10th grade that was used for a keg party while pledging for Stags at beer can beach.....Joe Clasca, Glen, Presby and Jim searle....made me drive to a bar on 67th ave ...pick up a keg , drive to the Ice company on Douglas and US1, keg on the back seat, floor board. drilled holes on the floor, as they proceded to fill my back seat area with ice, to keep the keg cold......drove to Key Biscayne was stuck in traffic due to an accident right before the old bridge and while sitting Idleing on the causeway ,the ice started melting and looked like a river flowing from the underside of my car... got to beer can beach finally in pretty bad shape as I spent the waiting time in traffic sucking down suds from the keg....those were the good old days...

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/16/2004 06:07:03

At the time I didn't realize how important those 60's Muscle cars would be to automotive history. The Mopars with the 426 HEMI. Chevrolet with the Corvettes along with all the other SS cars they had. Pontiac with the GTO. Ford was right up in the mix with the Mustang and the Fairlane. Add to that Carroll Shelby's influence on the GT-40,Cobra and Sunbeam programs.
Wow! that's alot going on in 10 years.
It's hard to believe that you could go to your Ford dealer and buy a Ford 427 Cobra for $6800.00 in 1964-65. A car that would go from 0 to a 100 and back to 0 in 13.8 seconds, with street tires. That's pretty impressive for that day.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 10:09:58

By TightinLooseoff

It looks like the trend is heading back in that direction. Ford with their GT40 program and Pontiac with the GTO. Dodge is even putting that old engine design back in their trucks. Does any body know the name of the fellow in the mid 60s that drove the red 65 malibu Supersport with the big block engine. His dad was a heart doctor at Doctors Hosp. He was good friends with Mark Hensley.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 10:10:28

I was raised a Chevy Man, but the 427 Cobra has got to be one of my favorites. Guy down the street has got a replica.
Terry if you weren't spending so time chasing the 'cuder you'd know something about cars. You can do both you know! You don't need to shift with your left hand. They won't jump out of the car at 100 mph.
Got to get Kavney to tell us about trading in his '46 Plymonth. Very funny.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 10:38:40

By john Scopetta 68

Don't forget the Galaxy 500, Fireball Roberts dominated stock car racing in one of those in the early sixties. The car I passed my license test with in Feb 66 was a green Buick Riviera special edition with twin four barrels carbs that would rival in weight and size some of today's SUV's but would blow their doors in.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 11:09:12

Don, as far as the 60's cars go I've been able to drive, at some point in time everything Shelby touched with the exception of the Daytona Coupe and GT-40. The biggest thrill was a 427 Cobra S/C. It had 2 4-b Webers and developed 485 hp.
It had side pipes, so it was loud. What was amazing is when you drive a Shelby or a Cobra hard into a corner, you just can't believe how well the car sticks. The Cobra has large tires but the mid 60's Shelbys have 14x7 tires. That's not a lot of grip. In both cars your wearing Simpson competition seat belts. When you get out of the cars your sides are sore.
If you ever get the chance to drive a Sunbeam Tiger, don't pass it up. The 289 block sits inchs from your knees.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 11:10:29

By john Scopetta 68

In the wild and crazy times of the 70 and 71 during the peek of turbulent times in college campuses I was lucky enough to be driving a 1970 cyclone GT a hell of a car!!! I could make it from Gainesville to Miami in the middle of the night with only one munchy and refueling stop in three hours and forty-five minutes. It was none stop at 100 mph plus and we would take turns driving so the risk of getting a ticked was spread even. The pit stops at the turnpike service station could only be described as cheech and Chong attempting to fuel the car and load up with munchies in three minutes. Whoa! That was wild. But ask Terry, Bischoff still drives like that.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 11:20:25

John, your right. The Fords were tough to beat at that time until the development of the 426 HEMI. NASCAR caught on and finally outlawed it from Winston Cup Racing. That was probably a good idea considering the engine was designed to run at Red Line for 500 miles.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 11:43:16

My first car was a 1954 convertible austin healy. I got it 3 months before getting license or turning 16. I was driving it with a broken ankle which resulted from leaping over Mike Booth's backyard wall with a keg of beer while his mother chased a group out of her house. My dad was good enough to pay for repairs every other week because I would drive through yards and the exaust system would come off. Oh those were great days when others had to be responsible for our acts. Lol

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 12:03:41

John, I remember that Buick Riviera in high school. I spent many nights in the back seat(not lying down!!) of that car driving all over the town!

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 12:06:31

Jeran McClain had a red MG in high school. The coolest car of anybody. One night Jeran and I went to the Key to meet George and Raul at the beach. Bill O'Malley came by and since we couldn't fit the guys in Jeran's car we changed cars with Bill. That was a mistake. When Bill didn't show up to change the cars we went by the house. He was there. So was the MG. Parked in the front yard, front end smashed beyond belief. I remember being subpoened to testify in court by Jeran's father. He must have been trying to collect insurance money. That was the end of that car. Those Keys guys!!!!!!!

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 02:00:30

When Ford was dominating Nascar they have some type of over cam config. that was outlawed as was the hemi. It's all in the heads, getting the fuel in and the exhaust out. Best heads I ever put together never ran on one of my engines. Uncle Sam came a calling and the racing days were over.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 04:32:57

Gastonnnnnnnn brought back memories about Rickenbacker Causeway...4 of us used to "acquire" seltzer bottles, the ones with the handles, and at the time you fished directly off the causeway...well each fisherman got a full dose of water.....speaking of the Key...in the late 60's my best friend lived on Harbor Drive and we bought an old used (mid 40's fire truck) and on Sundays we used to load it with "girls" and try to make it to the Dolphin games...made two of them..you guys might have seen it while you were having your roast pig at your tail gate party

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 05:16:34

Terry I think I remember that red firetruck, when I was in elementary school went to watch with parents parade in Coral Gables and there was a red firetruck that had illegally entered the parade with swear words on a poster across the side. Was that you?

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 05:44:00

By John Scopetta

Janet let's clarify that while you were in the back seat I was driving and or watching the movie in the front. I would have liked the back seat but I always had to drive and you and George would get the back. The problem was not the Keys guys, it was the guys in Counts.
The cyclone was very fast and I never had any problems with it, it could smoke with the road runners and the 442's and it was one of the last of the muscle cars the evolved during the sixties. The fuel crisis of 74 killed the rest.
I bought AC cobra from Brian Engliss in the mid eighties for fifty-thousand, original cobra body with a ford small block. It produced 285 horsepower and that car with the modern technology would fly. people would give me thumbs up on I 95. It had no air no radio convertible, roll bar and working hood scoop and side exhaust. Midnight blue of coarse. Sold it for what I tough was a good profit and I still cry to date when I think about that car.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 06:43:23

I follow the collectable car market fairly close. We are in a market where the price of collectables in general are going up.
Think back to when Enzo Ferrari passed away. The price of some (I say some) of those cars almost doubled over night. IMO the same thing will happen to any project that Carroll Shelby was associated with.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 07:22:33

Sure wish now I had keep my '57 fuel injected rag top original and covered in the garage. I see totally restored ones going for $75,000 +/-. New the car cost about $3400.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 08:25:08

Yes on the Coral Gables event but to tell you the truth i dont remember the swear words...any hint on what it said so i can confirm or deny...we were hell raisers but were gentlemen when it came to women and children...funny thing is that two Gables cops were part of our group on off duty hours of course....i think i closed the Key Hole bar every night and i lived in Village of Kendale

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/17/2004 08:48:27

John S you brought up the drive in...presume the Tropicare (spelling) there must be a million funny stories about that place...there was also the Dixie Drive In and one on Lejuene Road..I met my naive first wife at Crandon Park and told her I sang intermission at the Tropicare and had to be there..she wouldnt go with me on first date..so I eventually married her.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/19/2004 07:28:49

yes John you were always driving. who would want to take their car when you had THAT car!!! By the way, Counts is having their reunion on the Key in October. My sister was sweetheart of counts in 65. she is going! In fact, she married a Count, her high school sweetheart, richard morgan, but the marriage didn't last.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/20/2004 08:45:32

By marie

Janet, Colleen is going to that reunion

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/20/2004 09:50:28

By john Scopetta 68

Janet you had the beatle correct??? Tel us about some of the adventures in that car it must have been hell at the drive-in. No wonder you were always with me. Terry if I recall the drive inn was not about the movie the sound box was terrible when it worked and the windows would get fogged up so you could hardly see the picture. During the summer it was hot and the mosquitos would attack you and in the winter it was real nice blankets hot chocolate stale popcorn, that was the life. Hot chocolate with a little JD you stole from the old man and hoped no one would notice the bottle was rapidly depleting.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/21/2004 01:23:25

yes John, I had the beatle. george had nothing. therefore, why would i want to ride in a beatle, or nothing, compared to your cool car. besides, i always had fun when I was with you.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/21/2004 01:25:36

the only real adventure i remeber in that car was when i "fell" into a large hole at maul lake (on Miller road, where we went at night to "talk") when I was suppose to be at the library. remember having to call my dad and break the news that i needed a tow truck. brutal!

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 07:49:04

"Automobile" magazine October 2004 issue list the "100 Coolest Cars". Some cars of interest are-
#100-VW Microbus (split window)
#86-1966 Olds Toronado
#98-Austin-Healey 100M
#82-Ferrari 288 GTO
#77-Ford GT(tribute car to the Fort GT40 program)
#76-1949 Mercury
#75-1969 Chevy Chevelle SS 396
#68-Ferrari 250 GTO
#65-Dodge Viper GTS
#61-1970 Plymouth Superbird (Hemi)
#50-1968-69 Dodge Hemi Charger
#49-1963 Buick Riviera
#48-Porsche 959
#44-1959 Cadillac
#41-1970 Plymouth Barracuda
#31-1967-68 Chevy Camaro SS
#25-Shelby GT350 Mustang
#22-1955 Chevy Bel Air
#17-Ford GT-40
#9-Aston Martin DB5 (James Bond's car)
#10-Jaguar E-type
#7-Mercedes-BENZ 300SL Gullwing
#3-Shelby Cobra
#2-Porsche 911
#1-1963-67 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 10:45:23

HERB,
THOSE WERE COOL.I REMEMBER.MY BROTHER WANTED A
1956 t-bird for 2195.my dad said it was to much.
by THE CAR WAS AT LP EVENS ON 8ST.
BOB

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 11:12:50

Herb,
I was one lucky guy, had the no.1 car, 64 Corvette Stringray. It's demise was a rainy evening in front of the old papy's pizza on U.S. I, when I left there in a bit of a rush. After the crash, I noticed that the car I struck had my fifth grade teacher sitting in the back seat. I walked up to her and said funny running into you this way. Those were the days of wine and roses, and live and let live.
Larry

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 11:24:45

For clarification purposes, it was the number 1 car according to list Herb provided, to me there are many that are far superior. One that I remember that was unbelievable was Tom Frashers GTO. Even though the cops had radios they never caught him, guess it helps when you can drive off the road. Don't think the Coral Gables police used helicopters to locate the speeding teenagers of our day.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 12:19:12

Bob, they were great cars. I turned down a pink 55 T-Bird (all original/numbers matching car) in 1983 for $14,000. It was owned by the original owner. What a mistake that was.
Larry, your right about the GTO. That car did not appear on the list and it should of. The GTO was the original Muscle car. It set the standard for everything that followed.
I remember Pat Sullivan taking me for a ride in his. Scared the crap out of me.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 01:40:23

Herb, the car that scared the crap out of me was my brother's '34 Ford coupe with a 383" Chevy. That thing could break the tires loose on command, almost in any gear. I've driven some cars that turn in the 12's and and they don't start to compare to that old Ford.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 03:02:10

Don, speaking of low ET's, can you imagine the trill of doing the standing quarter mile in 4.78 seconds at 324 mph. No wonder John Force is nuts.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 03:42:04

By John Dannelly 1957

1949 Mercury, number 76
I was surprised to learn my first car made the top 100 list on this thread. A 1949 Mercury Coupe. In 1955, shortly after my 16th birthday, I came home to find a 1949 Merc in front of my parent's home. I thought they had a visitor but discovered they had bought me a car with zero input from me. I was excited but had to admit the beast had no eye appeal. The '49 was clean but had the appearance of a car that would be owned by a 70 year old woman. The color was olive green, very close to the color the army painted their field vehicles. It had the weight of a tank, possibly twice the weight of the Hummer, and it quick acquired the nickname of The Tank. The motor was a flathead V8. A fast engine in something like a '40 Ford Coupe but only average with all that weight. With a huge amount of time and effort, eventually The Tank became a car that closely resembled the '49 Merc James Dean drove in the movie, Rebel Without A Cause. Wiped truck, hood, door handles (a torch, lead, and a powerful amount of sanding), lowered, skirts, spinner hubcaps, black paint on exterior, many coats of black and white lacquer on the interior, black and white naugahide seat covers. The vehicles of today are far superior. If I remember correctly I replaced points, condensor, distributor cap, and plugs every 10,000 miles and the coil and plug wires almost as frequently.
I learned to love that car. Lost a piece of my heart when I sold it just before leaving for USAF basic training a week after graduation from Gables. Damn!! Really brings back some great memories!

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 05:17:28

I think John Force's brain has been compressed by all those 300 mph runs.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 09/23/2004 05:57:10

Janet's threads of 9/21 are very interesting...I knew those places back in the 50's..the only thing smaller than a Beatle was a Crosley...John first I heard the drive inn had speakers...

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/02/2004 05:43:02

Don, I just got my carb. back on my car and it runs great. No more fuel flowing from every orifice. The problem was the floats. They were replaced. Just 45 bucks.
I never would of thought that floats would have caused that type of reaction.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/02/2004 06:06:13

By Don H.

Guess the floats weren't floating. That was one off the possibilities we discussed. Good for you.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/03/2004 08:37:48

Herb you've just inspired me to write a country and western song...Flowing From Every Orifice...

It takes place while sitting at a bar in Mexico making several trips to the men's room after dining on a typical local garden salad.... i was trying to listen to the juke box but hearing was impaired from a strange fungus I received while swimming in the moon light in her above ground pool.....tears were in my eyes thinking of the fond memory's of the maiden who left me with a dose...

Anyway that's the theme and you will get royalities

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/04/2004 10:01:45

TERRY,
I HAD A 55 IMPALA CHEVY IN HIGH SCHOOL PASS DOWN BY MY BROTHER.WE CALLED IT 55 SHAKER.
BOB

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/04/2004 05:06:05

Bob If I had a 55 Chevy in my class I would have considered a rich kid...I had a 46 or 48 Ford..cant remember which but it was round (can anyone tell me what it was)...I had blue dots,smitty muffler, and steering handle and gardineas under the back window on weekends

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/05/2004 08:48:55

By Don H.

Commodore-cars have steering wheels ,not steering handles. Maybe you were having one of your moments.Were you maybe in an air plane?

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/05/2004 01:35:27

I guess the word is Knob...that thing that attached to the wheel that you used to turn with one hand...had to use it when dating CP

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/05/2004 04:40:26

By Don H

you wish

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/05/2004 06:58:31

when dating her I had an Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible...it even had a gizzmo on the floor that i could tap with my foot to change the radio station...had a special cooler in the back featuring Vodka and several different mix's...cant remember what she drank

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/06/2004 02:55:24

Terry, I love the song.
It was real for me.
In 1985 I visited a pilot dive in RIO.
I went for the salad bar first not knowing then how they fertilized down there.
It took me 6 months to kick that bug in my gut. The cure was worse then the bug.
I've been a meat and potatos guy down there ever sinse.
I miss that meat in BA, It's the best in the world.
On another topic, be greatful that you live in Fla.
I just landed in Buffalo New York. 200 ft ceiling and 1/2 mile visability and gusty winds and blowing snow.
Dan Mario was right!! If they were going to give this country an enema they would stick it in right here. On the positive note they have great chicken wings.
Hope all is well Superman.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/15/2004 04:09:01

By Herb

Just saw the message about my brother David and the 56 chevy. Did you know that he installed the stick shift himself, only trouble, he put it in backward, 1st was reverse, etc. Made it interesting to try to drive. The leopaard skin interior was my brainchild.

Chuck

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/16/2004 07:44:36

By Herb Stebbins

Chuck, I had forgotten about the leopard Interior. What a "Chick Magnet". That was the strongest six I had ever seen! We would float the valves forever. Can't remember David ever having problems with it. I can still hear the grinding of the gears.
HOpe you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Herb
PS. I still drive down 42nd Street.
What memories!
I can still visualize David on his Vespa today.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/21/2004 02:07:12

By Chuck

Herb,

I still go down 42nd when I get to Miami. The 56 was a "chick magnet", unfortunately when I owned it the driver wasn't.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a tremendous New Year.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/21/2004 02:37:09

Guys:

I just spent a few hours at the Antigue Car collection at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas...a must see for you buffs....also you shouldn't miss the Dream Cruise in Detroit in August...thousands of vintage cars parade up and down Woodward all day and night

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/21/2004 05:46:15

Terry, Detroit puts on several good shows every year but IMHO the best of the best is in Reno. It's called "Hot August Nights". If you like Rods, 50's-60's stocks and muscle cars then that's the place.
For those who live in Miami and are interested in a nice showing of cars, Fuddruckers puts on a show the first Saturday of every month. I haven't been able to go for a while but normally there is a good showing of Vetts, Mustangs/Shelbys and reproduction Cobras.
That's the Fuddruckers on South Dixie.
I'm sure they have a website.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/21/2004 06:07:17

In addition to the cars at Fuddruckers I have been told that they are attracting alot of old English bikes. This got my attention.
Triumphs, BSA'S, Norton's and Royal Enfield's.
A friend told me he even saw a Vincent Black Shadow.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/22/2004 08:50:15

Some of the "cool" cars in the 65' Stags:

Richard Bishop: MG Sprite (Picked up by a few of us and moved several times when blocked in at the parking lot)

Bill Swain: Carmen Ghia (Caught on fire several times and engine replaced once. He wanted it replaced with a Porsche engine but Mom said no... She hand stiched cool leather rolled and pleated seats for him instead)...

Me: After suffering with my Mom's light green Valiant with push button transmission... picked up a 1951 Plymouth the size of Road Island. You could put a cow and 2 full grown hogs in the back seat along with all my guitar equipment - which some say happened...
Sold the car to Randy Hall who installed blue lights under the dash, re-upholstered and painted it midnight blue.. to go along with his disposition...

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/22/2004 10:10:35

Tim:

I think all of my cars held several hogs in the back seats at various times....that push button jobbie is worth alot of money now

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/22/2004 10:57:47

By Jim Kavney

PUSH Buttons! I had a pink and gray 1957 De Soto, with big fins on the back and a hood big enough to land a plane on. Those buttons were the coolest. It when from zero to 60 in under a half hour, just the speed I like. That's the car I had when I met Helen, that must have been the attraction, she loves to push buttons.

Jim

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/22/2004 05:41:46

By Don H

I bought a '51 Plymonth Business Coupe to run around in when my hot Chevy was in surgery. The thing,and it was a thing, had a trunk so big you could get all the beer and hogs you wanted in the back. It had some kind of vacuum shift transmission that would down shift on its own. Wonder it didn't blow up. Each tire was a different size. It went down the road like a clown car. There was a big hole under the driver's seat used for dumping the beer cans at mach speed.Sometimes driving through puddles was a little messy. Ah, the good ol' days. Gas was 27 cents a gallon, and..... well you guys know what I mean.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/22/2004 09:02:41

DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A TANK FULL OF GAS...AND FULL AND LAP FULL

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/31/2004 09:11:35

By Jim Stacy (65)

Terrance this is a nice thread you started. What a cast of characters you have here. You could write a movie about you guys! Herb I am a car lover too. What kind of car do you own? It must be a Ford.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 12/31/2004 12:44:59

Cast of characters is an understatement look at some of the other threads like memories of the 50's or any fishing site....Herb is the car buff leader as he's spent more time in the back seat than any of us

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 01/22/2005 02:18:41

Herbie has a Shelby GT 350

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 01/28/2005 09:06:35

Not for too much longer.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 07/12/2005 07:55:50

I was reading "Car and Driver" yesterday and saw where Carroll Shelby is re-introducing the GT-500 in 2007. Ticket price will be $40,000 plus a little. Curb weight I believe is around 3,600 lbs. The kicker is a 450+HP motor. A 170 mph car, out of the box.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 04/16/2006 09:35:55

I just viewed the highlights of the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Arizona. Carroll Shelby and Edsal Ford auctioned off the right to purchase the first GT 500 off the assembly line in 2007. All proceeds going to the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. $500,000.00
I can't recall exactly but I don't believe any of the Big Block Vettes went for less then $300,000.00
Hope all have a beautiful Easter!

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/09/2006 05:52:59

I meant to post this before but forgot. I'm sure you have heard of Slick 50 engine treatment. It comes in 2 versions. One for regular engines and the yellow box for high time engines. It is a 10W30 based oil. It cost about 20 bucks and is added when you change your oil. I use it with all my cars and my boat before I sold it. What a diffence it makes. It protects the engine during starts and is an excellent lubricant.(Terry, only to be used in cars, just kidding).
I have a 1966 Ford with a 289 High compression engine. It has 600 miles on it.
I have the engine oil analized when I change the oil. Up until the point I started using the Slick 50 I would show metal fragments in the oil filter. This is normal for any new engine. After I started adding the Slick 50 they were clean as a whistle.
It really helps the engine that is not operated every day. Not to get too deep into this but a lot of wear occurs when you start the engine. The engine cylinder walls are not lubricated, so this causes the piston rings to wear.
The bottom line is, IT WORKS and is well worth the investment. My car normally idles at 800 RPMS. With this it idles at 1200 RPMS. This is the result of less resistence and less wear.
As a disclaimer, I have nothing to do with promoting this product.
Hope it can help you.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/13/2006 12:30:56

By Jim Kavney

Two post have just been deleted, because of no name or e-mail.
Please post again!

Jim

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 05/04/2007 06:59:36

CAR BUFFS...Take a look at www.n2amotors.com
This is the "789". Hand built with a cost of $84,000. Sits on a 07 Corvette C6 chassis. The front is styled like a 57 Chevy, side like a 58 and the rear like a 59. Hence the designation 789.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/12/2008 06:51:45

For those who like car racing, this Saturday kicks off the 12 Hours of Sebring Race. Call Art Abney if you plan on going.
GPS.....N2727 W8120

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/12/2008 09:06:43

I only wish I had the time to go once again Art.
The last time I attended, Dan Gurney's Ford GT caught on fire.

Also many women had to run for their lives the entire weekend. The year was 1965 and I went with 3 Stags brothers (This is what the women were running from, not the fre)!

I remember most but not all of it, mainly due to several cases of beer that we disposed of orally!
Have a great time and be safe.
Tim TDT65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/16/2008 08:50:55

For those of you who are Gear Heads, I hope you got the chance to watch the 12 Hours of Sebring yesterday. The last time I saw the race was in the Mid 60's. Like everything else, the technology has grown in leeps and bounds.
Back then it was the Farrari's against the designs of Carroll Shelby. There were other teams but you could cut that hatred with a knife.
I went up with Art Abney and his friend Carlos.
We spent most of the day in the Hair Pin Turn at corner 7.
For those of you that follow racing, you will like this. This turn is about 110 degrees. There are Braking Point Signs in most of the turns. This helps the Driver judge his deceleration points and is quite helpful at night without much light.
The gentleman next to us had a radar gun. At 250 feet prior to the hair pin turn, most of the cars would start to brake. He clocked one of the cars at 157mph as he started to break. The breaking was so intense, that at night the break roters would glow bright orange from the heat. After they completed the turn, the heat went away instantly (the glow anyway).
Keep in mind that this went on for 12 hours.
When we left to drive home the Porsches were leading but the Corvette Racing team was very impressive. They had the most powerful sound of all the cars. Sounded just like the Cobras of old.
There was only one Ford GT entry but he ended up in the wall.
Maybe next year we could get a group together and go up for the whole event. The more we could get, the better. This would cut down on the unit cost for Beer and Corn Dogs. I'll throw in the Mayo and Mustard myself.
Just for those who think my driving skills are challenged, think again. We got lost going home.
I'll never forget the beating Art gave to his steering wheel. It was the cars fault. I can't be blamed, I was a passenger in the back.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/16/2008 09:08:12

By Jerry '65

Don't feel too bad Art. I used to have an ill-behaved car just like that. I finally had to shoot it. It kept taking me the wrong places. Especially at night.

Jerry '65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/16/2008 01:22:45

By Billy Adams

Jerry, those fools even had a GPS....Please tell me how did y'all get lost..??..come on Art, lets hear the rel story. The refreshments had nothing to do with it I'm sure and I bet Herb was being a back seat driver....I can't imagine him riding coach. NOT Captain Herbie.

By the way Herb The cars sounded great , but I couldn't tell which car was the Vets vs the Porches.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/17/2008 06:53:22

We camped out in the 's' turn when I was there. It was a long stretch off the course that was nothing but sand for all the campers. We pulled at least 25 cars out of the sand that got stuck...

once the beer was half gone, we moved closer to the edge of the sand so we could be the first ones to see who was driving in that got stuck... some were highly motivated (by beer) to come on in - those, of course, were all the ladies!

and... there also was a race going on!
Tim TDT65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/17/2008 03:11:58

Medley Race Track (think Hialeah came into play somewhere.)..stock car racing...who has driven it? I think Don H. I know I drove around it once...a guy in the class of 56 started out there and did pretty well as a driver Bobby Brack..Bill Henderson quarterback and brother in law to Keno used to build cars for racing there

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/17/2008 03:55:20

Terry:
I saw Bobby and Donny Allison there (in the old days before they were who they became) when I was a kid - they used to tear everyone up for sure.

Citrus County where I live now has a wonderful 3/8 mile track just like the old Hialeah track and we go every once in awhile. You would not believe how funny and exciting a boat and trailer race is, (figure 8 to boot) ... that is until you see the school bus figure 8's...fun fun, fun!

I used to love the old Hialeah demolition derby - still do!

Tim TDT65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/17/2008 03:57:47

Terry, I never did know of a Medley Race Track. I did spend many a weekend at the Hialeah Speedway. That is where Bobby Allison got his start. I saw him race when I was a child at that track. Tim Yero could speak volumes about Bobby Allison. He knows him well.
That's where the legendary "Alabama Gang" got here start prior to moving to Hueytown Alabama.
Bobby and Donnie Allison put NASCAR into the big time after the fight with Cale Yarborough following the 1979 Daytona 500.
As Bobby Allison said about the fight, " Old Cale hit me with his helmet and after that commenced to beat my fist up with his face"
From that point on, NASCAR was on the map.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/18/2008 03:56:09

Herb: Bobby is also his own pilot, owns his own little plane and has been flying small planes since he was very young - anything with speed I guess he likes! zoom zoom...

The Allisons (all of them including Bobby's son Davey) were a tough old breed - pedal to the medal, no 'restrictor' plates, may the best/fastest man win (regardless of who gets in their way!)... I worked for Bobby from 1998-2003 in his cell phone enterprise until 9/11 and the WorldCom demise caused his 130 locations to close up.

He told me when I was with him during a NASCAR race at the Atlanta raceway in 2000, he thought the Silver Fox (David Pearson) was the very best and most relentless race car driver of all time (besides himself of course!)...Richard Petty also agrees with this.

Those were the days!

Bobby Allison is still treated like a God every where he goes. He is a great 'ole boy' and has some of the funniest stories you'd ever hear. He's as lay back as it gets, with a mind like a trap. He is pretty well beat up from all the accidents he had (some really severe) but still slowly gets around. This is the only time in his life he's ever had to do anything 'slowly'!

Tim TDT65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/18/2008 08:30:11

It sure isn't a good-old-boy sport any more. Open wheel drivers are taking over the Cup Series. The days of Junior Johnson, Pearson, Allison, Yarborough and Earnhardt are only to be found in history books.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/18/2008 10:42:23

I Have a color autographed picture of Al Unser in winners circle of INDY going to put it on e bay...how much should i sell it for?

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 03/18/2008 01:22:23

Look on EBay and google some memorabilia sights to see what others price something similar for.
(There could be hundreds like yours which is a bad thing - or there may be just a few which is a good thing relative to price).

Unser is not that old yet and the value is not as great now as it someday may be. (Unfortunately) until after he has long passed away.

My advice is (if you like the picture), keep it for awhile longer along side your world record catch certificates - (anything you highly value enough to try and sell should also be in your will).

Tim TDT65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 08:02:05

Terry, in following most of the larger antique car auctions, I found something for your M/M Collection. Go to www.kruse.com
Follow the links to the Auction dated August 28,29,30,31, September 1,2,2008.
It's lot #3040. 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville.
The car has been in a private collection for 40 years and is unrestored since she owned it.
I know how you like those commodities.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 09:25:09

#3040 not listed perhaps already sold

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 09:49:21

I'm looking at the catalog and assumed the website mirrored it. I guess not.
Believe it or not, I had no idea she passed away today.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 09:51:00

I guess it's a bad day to have bad Karma.

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 09:51:36

I checked as well Herb... the car is gone... sold... history... knabbed at the last minute by a older filthy rich guy and real MM fan.

I can't wait to see what Terry and Dawn look like in it... with Terry's MM issue white pants, belt, hat, socks and shoes, should be a fun site... hopefully soon.

Tim TDT65

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 10:25:34

Whose white pants,,, I did bid once a long time ago on a pair of MM's, Dawn I think is moving to Battle Creek, Mich home of Kellog's which makes FLAKES...getting flakier

Re: Me and My Car

Posted at 08/05/2008 10:58:08