Monthly Archive: April 2012

Apr
19

The Best Station Wagon Of All Time ..The 1971 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser ..One Big Bahama Momma Of A Station Wagon

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If you were a kid in the 1970′s you probaly have fond memories of sliding around a big vinyl bench seat as your Dad made a turn in a 19 foot long tank known as the American Station Wagon. My Mom could pilot her 1972 Buick Estate Wagon, puff a cig, tune the AM radio and smack me and my sister at the same time all. The big behemoth wagons of the 60′s and 70′s had great names like the Mercury Park Lane, Buick Estate, Oldsmobile Customer Cruiser and Ford Country Squire.

Ford more than likely called it the “Country” Squire because it was the size of a small “Country”. By 1971 GM was selling alot of Mommy Movers. When they re-styled their large car platform the Station Wagons followed by being bigger and better. In the days of 35 cent gas driving a 6000lb War Wagon was a sign of a happy family. The grandest of these massive Station Wagons was the 1971 Oldsmobile Customer Cruiser. Kind of like a 98 Regency with fake wood on the side the Cruiser was a whopping 18 feet long. 

 The only engine was the gas stations best friend the mighty 455 Rocket V8. With it’s front and rear bench seat, a rear facing back seat you could cram 8 rug rats and the family dog in it for a trip to Wally World. This Road Barge was about the open road. Handling was not an option but with 3 tons of mass it was like steering the Titanic. One groovy feature was the Clam Shell Tailgate. With just the twist of the key or dash button you could make the tailgate glide into the floor while the glass slid into the roof. Except for the Boattail Riviera perhaps the last cool thing GM did in the 1970′s. Never could understand how the same people that made the Clam Shell Tailgate made the uber bomb Chevy Citation. Oh sure you have some cool little wagons from Japan and Europe but a real station wagon should be the size of a Condo. That is why the best station wagon of all time is the 1971 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. With it’s stump pulling 455 Rocket V8 and two block long turning circle it leaves a carbon footprint bigger than the state of Idaho. So hail the Big Bahama Momma of Station Wagons.. The 1971 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.

  Watch This Great Video Of A 1971 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and It’s Clam Shell “Glide-A-Way Tailgate

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Apr
17

The Best Sedan Of All Time The Mercedes 300D “Turbo Diesel”..Sturdy Frugal German Oil Burner

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Introduced in 1976 the Mecedes Benz ’123″ Chassis replaced the tried and true but aging 114/115 Chassis. Designed in a wind tunnel and styled by Benz master Bruno Sacco the 123 Body would be a new sheet of paper for Mercedes Benz.  In the USA in 1977 you could get your new 123 in three different ways. The gasoline powered 280E,CE. The 240D with a thrifty four cylinder diesel or a non-turbo five cylinder diesel  called the 300D. The 300d was a good car but just a little turtle like when it came to a drag race.

By 1981 Mercedes would bring to the midsize 123 Body much needed diesel firepower with the 300D “Turbodiesel” Not that it was a 427 Vette but the Turbodiesel could scoot compared to it’s slug like counterpart. The heart of this German Oil Burner was the wonderful OM617 Turbo Diesel. The 5 cylinder diesel masterpiece was everything good about Mercedes in the 1980′s. Overbuilt, understressed, rugged, powerful and frugal the OM617 would last up to 500,000 miles with proper maintenance.

 To makes things better was the automobile around it was damn good too. The 123 might look like a Berlin Taxi but it had independent supsension, four wheel disc brake and Mercedes granit construction. Look on any highway in the USA and you will still see these 30mpg oil burners running around. Having owned many of these I can say they were reliable, cheap to run, safe, spirited to drive, comfy and held their value due to cult like owner loyality. Why The Best Sedan?? No other sedan can offer you this much comfort, Benz quality, frugality and feeling of safety like the 1981-1985 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel. Besides all that it could even carry a Kayak and forge thru a snow storm with ease. What do you think?? Let us know..

Want to know “What’s It Worth?? Visit our classic car appraisal website C.A.R.S.Classic Auto Appraisals to what What’s It Worth??

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Apr
17

It’s The “Best” Week On Carlisle Johnny and C.A.R.S.Classic Auto Appraisals

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We all know your Ole Buddy Carlisle Johnny has different tastes in automobiles. For years we have made fun of some of the Worst Cars Of All Time. That made me think what are some of the Best Cars and Trucks off all time. Now understand my tastes tend to go towards not your average Chevy. In coming up with this list I judged on things that I have owned, loved and hated. We broke it down to five simple catagories. The Best Sedan. The Best Sports Car. The Best Pickup. The Best Station Wagon. Best Muscle Car. Please feel free to tell us what you think about our choices and tell us your own. On our appraisal website C.A.R.S.Classic Auto Appraisals we will also post a “What’s It Worth” on our daily “best” Choice. Enjoy the ride.. 

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Apr
13

Did You Know? Triumph Was The First To Have A Multi Valve Cylinder Head ..Plus A Cool Video

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Did you know that the 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint was the first mass produced vehicle to have a Multi-Valve” cylinder head. First introduced in 1971 the Triumph Dolomite was a modern replacement for the aging Toledo line of cars. The Dolomite was praised by the motoring press of the day for it’s crisp handling and up to date interiors. One problem it did have was lack of power. Only putting out a tractor like 91 horsepower. The other problem was the Triumph was heavily involved in racing and the BMW 2002 was kicking its can on the race track.

 To solve the power problem a team of Triumph engineers led by Spen King developed a 16 valve cylinder head susing a single camshaft. With the extra breathing and increased RPM’s power was boosted up to 135 in factory trim. The Dolomite Sprint was able to “sprint” from 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. Top speed was 119 MPH. Very good performance from a 2.0 liter engine. You could get Special Tune parts from the factory to boost your Dolomite Sprint up to 175 horsepower. Triumph sold the Dolomite Spring from 1973-1980 with 22,941 finding happy owners. 

 See a Triumph Dolomite Sprint in action..

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Apr
13

What Auto is This?? Tee And Crumpets Sedan From Jolly Ole England

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To See What Auto Is This “Click” Here

This car company would make cars of all types between 1885-1984.Not known for its sedans it would gain fame for its spirited sports cars.This “sports sedan” was produced from 1933-1938 in many confusing versions. Body types included a four door saloon in two different wheelbases,a drophead (convertible) coupe, 2 seat sports tourer and a “golphers coupe” with a nifty storage for your clubs.During WWII those storage bins were used to carry weapons in case of a German invasion. Considered a mid priced automobile it came with a high priced interior consisting of wool rugs,burled wood trim and leather seating. Its styling was very 34 Ford-like. It was rumored that Ole Henry Ford stole some styling tips from it..or did they rob it from Ole Henry?? Knowbody knows for sure. While most of the cars of the days used mechanical or cable brakes this sporty sedan used full Lockheed hydraulic braking with large 12 inch drums. The four speed manual transmission could be fitted with a free wheeling type clutch that would allow for “clutchless” shifting. Engines would range from four cylinders to six. The smallest being a 1087 cc four and the largest a 1991 cc six with overhead intake valves and unusual side mounted exhaust valves. The suspension was a very unsporty leaf springs mounted front and rear. Despite its buckboard type suspension Englands “Motorcar” magazine called it a “Thrilling ride” This car company would continue on and make some of the most iconic sports cars of all time. Closing its doors in 1984 in a strange twist of fate this storied car maker is more popular after death than it was in life. What Auto is This??

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Apr
10

Did You Know? Captain Kirk Once Drove A 1931 Cadillac V12 Roadster ..Kirk and Spock Drive A Flivver

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Being somewhat of a Trekie I can still hear in my brain those imortal words. “Going where no man has gone before” Oddly one of the places that Captain Kirk ended up was behind the wheel of 1931 Cadillac V12 Roadster. In the second season episode named “A piece of the action”  Kirk and Spock go to a planet right a wrong of a prior Starship. Seems that before the “Prime Directive” a book was left behind at this planet that told the story of 1930′s Chicago Gangsters. The people of this planet being prone to imitation based their entire society on the book. 

 As the story goes Kirk and Spock were tricked and kidnapped along the way. One of the best scenes was when trying to escape Kirk had to drive a 1931 Cadillac v12 Roadster. Kirk might of been good with a Phaser but couldn’t tell the difference between the clutch and the brake. After a number of horrible attempts and aware of Mr Spock’s groans Kirk says. “Are you afraid of automobiles“ No! Spock says “It’s your driving that alrams me” Kirk might of gone many places where no man had gone before but it wasn’t in a 1931 Caddy.

 Watch As Captain Kirk Attemps to Drive A 1931 Cadillac V12 Roadster

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Apr
06

Did You Know? Packard Was The First Car Company To Offer Air Conditioning In 1939 ..Trivia For 1930′s Week

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Unlike most independent makes Packard surrived The Great Depression. Part of the reason was that by the mid 1930′s Packard offered lower priced cars. Some models even came with a entry level six cylinder. Offering Packard quality at a Nash prices. With this lower price model Packard was able to keep the cash flow going. Not wanting to sell entry level products would prove to be the demise of luxury makes like Pierce Arrow and Peerless. Packard still catered to their target customers the Richie Riches of the day. in the 1930′s Packard prodcued some of the grandest classic cars of all time.  By 1939 things were looking better thanks in part to FDR and his New Deal programs. Partly because people were just feeling better about things. One of Packards biggest markets was to export to heads of states in other countries. Wanting to keep these mucky mucks cool was something Packard wanted to do.

Using the same basic idea as a home air conditioning unit Packard mounted a crank driven compressor to the engine. Mounted in the trunk was 150lbs of condensor, evaporator, and hoses that fed thru the bottom of the car to a rear seat mounted unit. Guess the slobs in the front seat could melt. The option was not offered in the lower series cars. In fact no mention of the mammoth system even entered any Packard brochures till 1941. As you guessed only 84 cars got the $274.00 option in 1939.  Packard placed ads in Life Magazine bragging “Forget the heat this summer in the only air condtioned car in the world” Did You Know?

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