Monthly Archive: May 2011

May
30

Carlisle Johnny Is Heading To The 2012 Carlisle Ford Nationals ..Old Fords And Happy Memories They Go Together

Your ole Buddy Carlisle Johnny is heading to the Carlisle Fairgrounds for the 2012 Carlisle Ford Nationals. If you love anything Ford it is the place to be. 1000′s of show cars and vendors will fill the famous Carlisle Fairgrounds 105 acre facility. One of my first cars was a 1971 Ford Maverick. Powered by a 200 cubic inch Thriftpower six cylinder engine. I would check the gas and fill the oil daily. The old Mav went from me to my Dad who used it as a make shift car, dog transporter and mobile kennel. After a few years of my Dad funk-a-fying it I got it back and drove it till it’s demise from a rotting rear floor. Even with it using more oil than Rosie O’Donnell’s deep fryer I drove it to the junk yard and said a sad goodbye.

 Another legendary Ford I owned was the Scooby Van as my friends son named it. Rescued from a back yard that was filled with 1970′s Fords it looked like a Quinn Martin production. The Scooby Van was a 1971 Ford Econoline with a full hightop camper conversion. Purchased for the el-cheapo price of $200.00 it was filled with real bad 70′s touches like shag rugs plaid seats and wood paneling. Many made fun of the Scooby Van but it soon became a favorite for beach side camping and Carlisle Fairgrounds trips serving as a hillbilly hotel for many. Like the Maverick the Scooby’s destruction was rust. One trip back from Carlisle one of the front control arm mounts popped out due to a rotted frame. As my junk yard buddy who loved the Ole Scooby Van hoisted it on the back of his truck heading to the big scrap yard in the sky..I’m not sure but I think he had tear in his eye. having owned many old vehicles I still think of the Ole Scooby Van with only great memories and miles traveled..Ahh old Ford’s and happy memories they go together..

May
27

The Answer to 05/26/2011′s Auto Quiz..

The answer to 05/26/2011′s What Auto is This?? Quiz is the 1951-1954 Muntz Jet. A creation of used car salesman and electronics giant Earl William “Madman” Muntz. Dubbed as Americas first sports car the Muntz Jet was produced between 1951-1954 with only 400 made. Madman Muntz was an interesting person bragging he invented the first car stereo.Something that was never confirmed or denied by the Madman Muntz. married seven times (maybe thats why he was a madman) Muntz would go on to pioneer other products like the 4-track tape and widescreen TV’s.  The Los Angeles Times reported in 1968 he made over 72 million dollars selling electronics. Maybe not so “mad” after all. Shortly before his death Muntz would start a company selling cellular phones and satellite dishes. That company would be the first to offer portable cells phones to the public.Not bad for a High School dropout. Muntz would pass away in 1987 from lung cancer at the age of 73.  Take a ride in Muntz Jet with this cool video..

May
26

What Auto is This?? An Aircraft Inspired Roadster

This aircraft inspired hardtop or four passenger roadster was the creation of a well known Glendale California used car dealer and electronics salesman. With the help of famed racer and car builder Frank Kurtis. Its curvy shape was meant to cheat the wind and aid in performance and handling. Also very aircraft like was its all aluminum body and ahead of its time removable fiberglass hardtop. Very trendy for 1950 and years before Chevy offered a removable hardtop on its iconic Corvette. Built between 1951-1954 these low production cars were powered by three different V8 engines. Early versions used a hotrodded Ford Flathead V8.By 1952 the flathead would be replaced by a OHV Cadillac V8. By the last year that engine was replaced by a less costly Lincoln side valve V8. Since these were almost always a custom order transmissions varied from car to car. Top speed for this road car was a very high 120 mph.Very exotic for 1951. Frank Kurtis would sell his share of the company in 1952. By 1954 the company was losing $1000.00 per car due to high production costs.With only 400 built these swervy cars are sought after by collectors. What Auto is This??

May
25

The Answer to 05/24/2011′s Auto Quiz

The answer to 05/24/2011′s What Auto is This Quiz?? is the 1917-1919 Chevrolet Model D Touring.Powered by a 288 cubic inch “overhead valve” V8 engine it was a mechanical marvel in its day.One of Billy Durant’s follies the Model D was ahead of its time.The selling price was $1395.00 putting it against upscale Packard and Buick.With sales of only 1500 units from 1917-1919 the Model D Touring was discontinued.Chevy would not have another V8 till the famous “Small Block” of 1955. Ford purist brag how Ford had the V8 before Chevy.Chevy fans can brag how Chevrolet had it 15 years before the famous Flathead V8. The 1917-1919 Chevrolet Model D Touring would fail in sales compared to its cheaper sibling but was an engineering marvel in its era. Ever take a ride in a 1918 Chevy Model D Touring?  Take a ride in Luke’s 1918 Model D touring..

May
19

Chrysler Introduces It’s New Hybrid ..Pooper Scooper Not Included

Not to be overshadowed by Ford and GM its with much pride Chrysler introduces its new One Horsepower Hybrid Car. Made from recycled K-Cars Chrysler asks you to please purchase the Industrial Pooper Scooper  when driving in populated areas.. 

May
19

Things That Should Never Be On The Road..

Under the heading “Way too much time on your hands” We wonder how long it took to glue,paste or weld all this junk on this car. Looks like at one time it was a 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser but what it is now?? Gotta be tough to run through the locar car wash. Picture Juan’s face when he trys to dry this behemoth on the other side of the car wash tunnel..

May
19

The Answer to 05/18/2011′s Auto Quiz..

The answer to 05/18/2011′s What Auto is This?? is the 1915 Scripps Booth Model C. Founder James Scripps was an artist and engineer. His family made its fortune as owners of the Detroit News.The Model C was unusual for its day with a very modern V8 engine.  James Scripps would lose control of his company in late 1915 when stock raider Billy Durant took control of the company with a huge stock purchase.Durant would later use Scripps Booth and Chevrolet to regain control of GM..only to lose its a few years later. Scripps-Booth would close its door in 1923 due to slow sales and high production costs.

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