I'm sure I'm not the only car guy/gal who feels the pinch.
Now the pinch currently being discussed isn't the one at the pump when gassing up. And it isn't the pinch when the credit card statement comes back with the latest round of Year One or Summit transactions.
The pinch I'm talking about is the clock and the calendar. There are only so many hours in the day. The weekend is only two days long.
When I get home my husbandly and fatherly responsibilities are on the top of the list. Sure I have the screenplay I am pecking away on, and the half-dozen unfinished novels, but that topic is for another post. When it comes right down to it, I really don't have that many hours each week to devote to car stuff.
But I am getting smarter at using those hours.
I can bring the family with to cruises and car shows. This meets all the father/husband/car guy needs I might be having--at least for a couple of hours, anyway. Now that my oldest is getting older, and the next youngest is getting more eager, I am working at trying to figure out how to get them involved with what daddy likes to do in his 'free' time. It might be building shelves for the garage, sweeping the garage, holding a wrench in the garage. There is a theme here, can't you tell?
Also, I have heard back from the Anoka RIver Run people (what's up Mimi!), the Hooked on Classics people (what's up Nathan!), and the hot rod art guru himself: SInclair (what's up Nick!).
A few more details will be following about the car show in 8/16. We are looking at categories, t-shirts, events, and what food we should sell. Any thoughts? ANyone.... Bueller... Bueller...
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
Minnesota Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, and Cruisers presented the Kenny Johnson Memorial Car Cruise beginning in Becker, MN; For more current writing projects of mine please visit scifiparenting.blogspot.com and read my column (Downshifting) in Rat Rod Magazine--thanks!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
the Anoka River Run cruise
For more current writing projects of mine please visit scifiparenting.blogspot.com and read my column (Downshifting) in Rat Rod Magazine--thanks!
As you can see, the dates for the Anoka River Run cruise have been added for May through September.
This is one of the more interesting cruises I have been to in the past couple years. In one night, you can see a Model T sitting next to a '79 Cutlass with twenty inch rims. And everyone seems to get along, amazing.
The idea for August 16th is to have the car show in Becker in the morning and a group cruise to Anoka shortly after. The show is set to go from 10am-2pm with the RIver Run set for 5pm-dusk. I am waiting to here back from the Anoka officials to see what time cars can start parking.
Stay tuned for more info on this great day in August.
Also, I've been doing a little Ford flathead research. It just doesn't seem right to build a rod without one, does it? There are a few parts here and there I think I can cobble together to make one run--when, I don't know, but they sure are cool to look at.
I also am beginning to build my own engine dolly. I want a quick and easy way to move a stored engine without dragging it around on a tire or wooden crate or you name it. Here is one cool way to build one:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248680
That's one way to do it.
So go tell your friends about this. It would be nice to see more than just me and that crazy guy at the library check this site each day to see how many hits it got.
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
===
As you can see, the dates for the Anoka River Run cruise have been added for May through September.
This is one of the more interesting cruises I have been to in the past couple years. In one night, you can see a Model T sitting next to a '79 Cutlass with twenty inch rims. And everyone seems to get along, amazing.
The idea for August 16th is to have the car show in Becker in the morning and a group cruise to Anoka shortly after. The show is set to go from 10am-2pm with the RIver Run set for 5pm-dusk. I am waiting to here back from the Anoka officials to see what time cars can start parking.
Stay tuned for more info on this great day in August.
Also, I've been doing a little Ford flathead research. It just doesn't seem right to build a rod without one, does it? There are a few parts here and there I think I can cobble together to make one run--when, I don't know, but they sure are cool to look at.
I also am beginning to build my own engine dolly. I want a quick and easy way to move a stored engine without dragging it around on a tire or wooden crate or you name it. Here is one cool way to build one:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248680
That's one way to do it.
So go tell your friends about this. It would be nice to see more than just me and that crazy guy at the library check this site each day to see how many hits it got.
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
Saturday, April 26, 2008
(don't) let it snow
I guess my lawn likes the moisture, but enough already, ok?
Looking at the world of muscle cars and street rods, it seems like there are two schools of thought: form or function.
Personally, I would rather have something be fast and reliable than have a two or three or five thousand dollar paint job. I want something built to be driven. Would I love a Boss 429? Sure, but I would have to drive the thing. Would I love a Hemi Cuda? You betcha, but I would drive the thing.
Would I be nervous every time I drove something like that? Yes, and that's not what I want to feel when I am trying to enjoy myself out and about on the road.
A car/truck can be nice without being perfect. One of the few events that reinforce this is the BIR Show and Go where the cars are admired for their beauty one day and admired for their quarter-mile time the next. This is a good way to keep things in perspective, I think. (I haven't placed any BIR dates on the event calendar yet--anyone interesting me putting these up?)
On the other hand, I can't wait to get my first rat rod up and running. All I need is tires that hold air, brakes that stop, a tranny that shifts, and an engine that starts. The more holes in the roof/floor/fenders the better. I would have to wear a ski mask and goggles on a day like today, but it sure would be cool.
Looking at the world of muscle cars and street rods, it seems like there are two schools of thought: form or function.
Personally, I would rather have something be fast and reliable than have a two or three or five thousand dollar paint job. I want something built to be driven. Would I love a Boss 429? Sure, but I would have to drive the thing. Would I love a Hemi Cuda? You betcha, but I would drive the thing.
Would I be nervous every time I drove something like that? Yes, and that's not what I want to feel when I am trying to enjoy myself out and about on the road.
A car/truck can be nice without being perfect. One of the few events that reinforce this is the BIR Show and Go where the cars are admired for their beauty one day and admired for their quarter-mile time the next. This is a good way to keep things in perspective, I think. (I haven't placed any BIR dates on the event calendar yet--anyone interesting me putting these up?)
On the other hand, I can't wait to get my first rat rod up and running. All I need is tires that hold air, brakes that stop, a tranny that shifts, and an engine that starts. The more holes in the roof/floor/fenders the better. I would have to wear a ski mask and goggles on a day like today, but it sure would be cool.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Current projects
So, does anyone have a current project?
Well here is mine.
This '85 Mustang GT needs a clutch (slips in the rain), brake work (now it has none), and some interior work (I took a door panel off to replace a power window motor and had to order new plastic push-buttons right from Ford).
It is an original pony with a ton of miles. When I used it as a daily-driver, I could get 22 mpg when behaving. The five-speed manual has a 0.68:1 fifth. It will cruise at 70 mph at 1700 rpm.
The last thing I need to order is a new 10.5" flywheel. I have the new FRPP King Cobra clutch kit, but it wasn't until '86 where the bigger clutch was used.
A quick recap of '85 highlights: first year of the heavy-duty T-5 (it was called the 'world class' model), last year for the 4 bbl (factory Holley), and first year for the roller cam. I have always loved the four-headlight look. I think the '85-'86 look the best out of all the '79-'86 early fox bodies.
Be sure to email me info and a pic of your current project, and I will post it here for all the world to see.
Until then, shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
Well here is mine.
This '85 Mustang GT needs a clutch (slips in the rain), brake work (now it has none), and some interior work (I took a door panel off to replace a power window motor and had to order new plastic push-buttons right from Ford).
It is an original pony with a ton of miles. When I used it as a daily-driver, I could get 22 mpg when behaving. The five-speed manual has a 0.68:1 fifth. It will cruise at 70 mph at 1700 rpm.
The last thing I need to order is a new 10.5" flywheel. I have the new FRPP King Cobra clutch kit, but it wasn't until '86 where the bigger clutch was used.
A quick recap of '85 highlights: first year of the heavy-duty T-5 (it was called the 'world class' model), last year for the 4 bbl (factory Holley), and first year for the roller cam. I have always loved the four-headlight look. I think the '85-'86 look the best out of all the '79-'86 early fox bodies.
Be sure to email me info and a pic of your current project, and I will post it here for all the world to see.
Until then, shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
And they're off...
Driving home today was the first time this spring that passed more than one nice car on the road that has just been taken out of storage. Seeing those monster 50s fins in my rearview as they pass gets me thinking about all the upcoming shows and cruises.
I still think it might be a bit early--that pesky salt takes a while to get washed off--especially since it was just dumped on last Friday.
Here ye go:
This Ford Pantera was similar to a few other cars that used a chassis from Europe and a drive-train from Detroit: the Bricklin using a GM parts and the Sunbeam TIger and AC Cobra that were Powered by Ford. The Pantera used Ford's 351C and a ZF transaxle.
How bomb is that. I think it's so bomb, it is atomic!
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
I still think it might be a bit early--that pesky salt takes a while to get washed off--especially since it was just dumped on last Friday.
Here ye go:
This Ford Pantera was similar to a few other cars that used a chassis from Europe and a drive-train from Detroit: the Bricklin using a GM parts and the Sunbeam TIger and AC Cobra that were Powered by Ford. The Pantera used Ford's 351C and a ZF transaxle.
How bomb is that. I think it's so bomb, it is atomic!
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Keep your calendars open...
So here we go.
Kenny Johnson's birthday is on August 14th. The tentative date for the First Annual Ken Johnson Memorial Minnesota Muscle Car and Street Rod Car Show is going to be the following Saturday: August 16th. The next day, Sunday the 17th, is the St. Cloud car show.
If this date sticks and works for everyone, this would be easy to remember. It would always be the day before the St. Cloud car show.
Picture time.
The first car I ever drove on a regular basis was a 1967 Ford Fairlane four-door sedan. It was in the rusty, but trusty category. The 200 straight-six was great in the winter since it didn't have enough power to spin the tires even on ice. The cruise-o-matic began to dislike third gear and shifted better when done manually. Did I tell you about how many times it jumped out of park on me? The manual choke was a great cruise control, and the non-power brakes took two feet when doing anything over 25 mph. I had carpet squares covering the rust holes in the floor. Good old Rays carpet.
Man I loved that car. This pic is of someone else's '67 from Little Falls a couple of years back. Mine is more of a parts car now...
Kenny Johnson's birthday is on August 14th. The tentative date for the First Annual Ken Johnson Memorial Minnesota Muscle Car and Street Rod Car Show is going to be the following Saturday: August 16th. The next day, Sunday the 17th, is the St. Cloud car show.
If this date sticks and works for everyone, this would be easy to remember. It would always be the day before the St. Cloud car show.
Picture time.
The first car I ever drove on a regular basis was a 1967 Ford Fairlane four-door sedan. It was in the rusty, but trusty category. The 200 straight-six was great in the winter since it didn't have enough power to spin the tires even on ice. The cruise-o-matic began to dislike third gear and shifted better when done manually. Did I tell you about how many times it jumped out of park on me? The manual choke was a great cruise control, and the non-power brakes took two feet when doing anything over 25 mph. I had carpet squares covering the rust holes in the floor. Good old Rays carpet.
Man I loved that car. This pic is of someone else's '67 from Little Falls a couple of years back. Mine is more of a parts car now...
Shows and cruises all around
It seems like this year is going to be a sweet year for those little cruise nights that many of you have gotten so used to going to. I love them: no trophies, no admission, close to home. With what the price of gas will be, I won't be taking my '85 Suburban, with kids in tow, to many cruise nights too far away.
The dates and times I focused in on for the Event Calendar are those nearer instead of farer. I am still waiting to hear back form Anoka to see when and where their weekly weekend cruise will be.
If you come across any other local cruise nights/shows, let me know. I will add a few I find here and there.
One quick hint--if you click on the agenda view, you can get a list to print out--that's what I did!
As for a pic, here you go. This rod is almost sick enough.
This was in one of the back rooms at this past World of Wheels. I so need a rat rod to commute with, don't you?
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
The dates and times I focused in on for the Event Calendar are those nearer instead of farer. I am still waiting to hear back form Anoka to see when and where their weekly weekend cruise will be.
If you come across any other local cruise nights/shows, let me know. I will add a few I find here and there.
One quick hint--if you click on the agenda view, you can get a list to print out--that's what I did!
As for a pic, here you go. This rod is almost sick enough.
This was in one of the back rooms at this past World of Wheels. I so need a rat rod to commute with, don't you?
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Alrighty then,
As you can see, there is now a Google calendar here. Each auto-related event that I come across will get a link on the day it is going to happen. If you click on an event, a small window will open and give you extra info about when and where it takes place.
The plan is to have a post about each event in the week leading up to it. If you plan to go, please leave a comment about what time you plan to be there and if you plan to be a participant or are just going to look at all the sweet rides.
If you plan to have a car/truck there, let us know what it will be and what class (if applicable) you will be registering in.
As the show season gets rolling, I will be doing profiles on a few of your cars here on the blog. You will get your own posting with pictures or your ride and any other information you would like to share about it.
Finally, every now and then I will be putting up random pics of the shows I have been to in the past complete with a few witty comments.
Well, so much for the witty comments.
It may not look like summer outside, but I can feel it in the air. Can you?
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
The plan is to have a post about each event in the week leading up to it. If you plan to go, please leave a comment about what time you plan to be there and if you plan to be a participant or are just going to look at all the sweet rides.
If you plan to have a car/truck there, let us know what it will be and what class (if applicable) you will be registering in.
As the show season gets rolling, I will be doing profiles on a few of your cars here on the blog. You will get your own posting with pictures or your ride and any other information you would like to share about it.
Finally, every now and then I will be putting up random pics of the shows I have been to in the past complete with a few witty comments.
Well, so much for the witty comments.
It may not look like summer outside, but I can feel it in the air. Can you?
Shifting gears and burning rubber,
geoff
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