Monthly Archive: August 2011

Aug
31

British Cars Make A “Triumphant” Showing In Port Jefferson

 

During the summertime on Mill Creek Road in scenic Port Jefferson they hold a casual classic car show on Wednesday nights. Cars range from Model T’s, Nifty 50′s, Muscle Cars and Exotics. This week we had the special treat of fine English cars. Brought in by The Long Island Triumph Association. The weather was picture perfect. The music and brew from The Port Jeff Brewery was awsome and the display of fine British Cars was amazing.

With the help of our friends from Home Kingdom the Triumph’s found great parking on Mill Creek Road. Red seemed to be the color of choice and the iconic TR6 being the most popular model but a few Spitfire’s graced the parking lot. One stand out was a 1959 MGA displayed by Long Island MG Club member Roy Scharwachter. The stunning MGA featured Minilite racing wheels, Dual Weber 45 DCOE Carburetors, header and a rare cross flow cylinder head. All that attended the event had a grand time. Great local food, Port Jeff Brewery beer and music made for an wonderful evening for car nuts and everybody else who joined in. The Long Island Triumph Association is planning another event in Port Jefferson. Being called “Brits and Bit” Car Show and Swap Meet it is planned for Sunday October 28th from 10am-4pm. Some events include a British car show, swap meet, karaoke and beer tasting by the Port Jeff Brewery. Watch for updated info.

 

Aug
16

The British Are Coming, The British Are Coming ..Triumphs Invade Port Jefferson

Port Jefferson is a great “Car Town” Every Wednesday night during the summer the Port Jeff Brewing Company hosts a fantastic evening of brew, cool music and classic cars. In keeping with the tradition of the British Invasion of the 1960′s Port Jeff is going to be invaded by classic Triumphs one of England’s most iconic makes. All kinds of Triumphs,,TR6′s,Spitfires, TR7′s and GT6′s to name a few. The show starts around 7pm and goes till ?? Many of the classic Triumphs will be provided by The Long Island Triumph Association one of Long Islands best car clubs. The Triumphs will be parked on Mill Creek Road by Port Jeff Brew. Added parking for Triumphs will be provided in the Chase Bank rear parking lot. Enjoy a night of music, superb beer, shopping and food. Automotive art work will be provided by Imagine Gallery. This event is open to all British Cars. If you want to enter your car please RSVP by August 22nd to carsappraisals@yahoo.com. See enclosed flyer for added info. Paul Revere said it best “The British are coming !!”

Aug
15

What Auto Is This? ..This Little Sports Car Was A Giant Killer

This South African sports car was built between 1958-1964. One of it’s founders “stumbled” upon fiberglass technology while visting England in 1957. The new process intrigued the man and he invited his soon to be partner to England to master the body building technique.  They came into contact with South African designer Verster de Wit (who was working on the Sunbeam Alpine) who helped them style their first car design and taught them the design process.

When they finally came upon a design they liked it was time to produce this lightweight sports car. So broke and wanting to return to South Africa they sold the first body mold in England for return plane tickets. In early 1958 they produced their first production car. Using the body molds they created and a ladder frame. Powered by a engines from either a Coventry Climax or Ford Anglia. Later models could be upgraded with 1100 cc 85 horsepower engine from a Ford Cortina

The interiors were spartan and simple. Featuring a center 3 gauge pod it offered no glove box and simple toggle switches. Early cars offered no heating system. No a problem in the blazing climate of South Africa. Later cars were exported to England and Canada so a basic heating system was offered. With its nimble suspension and light weight it was used for racing. That perfect combo made it a “Giant Killer” on the race track. Whipping heavy hitters from Porsche, Trumph and Austin Healey. Even today at Vintage SCCA events it still is a winning combo. Sadly this bargain basement racer was only made between 1958-1964 with less than 450 being made. Recently the company has been re-formed under another name and has started making this rare sports car again. What Auto Is This?

Aug
08

What Auto is This? ..A Legend Begins

Produced in 1947 this “Horse” of a sports car was the second produced by this racing legend. Its founder never had any intension of producing road going cars. He reluctantly produced them to fund his racing obsessions. Like the first production car it featured a tubular or “birdcage”  frame made of aluminum. Also like the first car its body was also made of hand formed aluminum.  It featured a 1.9 liter V12 engine designed by famous engine guru Gioacchino Colombo. Also made of all aluminum its block and a dry sump type oil system. The engine and its 5 speed transmission were cast into a one piece unit. The tiny engine produced a staggering for time 125 horsepower. Feeding this small wonder was three Weber 30DCF Carburetors.  Its lightweight and power made it a terror on the racetrack.  This combo of lightweight and powerful but smallish engines would launch this maker to uncounted victories on the racetrack and street. The front suspension featured double wishbones that looked like art rather than car parts. Those wishbones rode on tranverse mounted leaf springs.This 1947 model would only sell one road going car. The next series would be a much larger seller but it would be this classy race car for the street that would pave the way for road going legends for decades to come. What Auto is This??

Aug
05

Chevy Is Now Testing Their First Zero Emissions Vehicle

Aug
02

What Auto is This??..Aug 2nd 2011

This “El Camino” wanna be was produced only one year 1983. This “Not a Dodge” was the USA first front wheel drive pickup. Following in the footsteps of the VW Rabbit Pickup it was short on hauling but long on style. Most pickups of the era were full frame this light hauler had uni-body construction. Oddly due to its 1145 lbs load rating it was considered a 1/2 ton pickup. Its owners manual would warn. “Loads over 800lbs could cause adverse handling” Now thats a comforting thought. In road test at the time Car and Driver magazine gave it a victory over the VW haul-ette in handling and performance but blasted its build quality as being “Assembled after happy hour” Powering this little truckette was the parent companies tried and true 2.2 liter engine.  This engine would see duty in a number of vehicles from cars to mini-vans. Frugal and trusty the engine was a little “farmlike” and “sounded like a bag of marbels” as Car and Driver would state but was peppy and economical. Only two transmissions were offered in 1983. A “slip-o-matic” 3 speed auto and a cable operated 5 speed manual. With all of its 1980′s style flaws this sudo truck in now starting to have an almost cult like following. What Auto is This??