Saturday, August 12, 2017

Harry Miller had a company that was innovative and made heads that bumped up power 80% by putting the valves in the heads instead of the block. Everything was incredible, until the stock market crash of 1929 killed the business

Paul Sutherland’s fire mask got even cooler after dark, when a red bulb illuminated the nose tip.

Mickey Thompson... used extra tires instead of jackstands. Dig it. But some asshole at the track mixed the nitro 3 times what he wanted the engine to run, it blew up. Cost him a 1/4 million of investment


Mickey Thompson’s front-engined, front-wheel-drive setup.

The aluminum small-block Chevy wore Thompson’s own DOHC cylinder heads. After driver Bob Mathouser made multiple practice laps at 154-plus on straight methanol (compiling a front-drive-record average of 153.374), Thompson rejetted for 15-percent nitro for qualifying.

The track’s fueling station either accidentally or intentionally pumped in a 42-percent load that fried the engine on Mathouser’s warm-up lap, wiping out an investment that M/T pegged at $250,000.


http://www.hotrod.com/articles/nascar-bans-426-hemi-sohc-ford-launch-wild-1965-racing-season/

With backing from Dodge and Hurst, Fox installed a 6-71 blower, Hilborn injector, and driver Lee Roy Yarbrough for a successful Daytona International Speedway assault on the closed-course world-record of 181.561 mph set by Art Malone


They took it to the same track in 1961 with a highly modified, fuel-burning, winged Indy roadster. Yarbrough’s top straightaway speed of approximately 225 mph netted a record lap of 181.818, on gasoline, on a windy February day.

bug catcher, formed fiberglass hod... and racing stripes. No joke, 225 mph

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/nascar-bans-426-hemi-sohc-ford-launch-wild-1965-racing-season/#005-struggles-1965-static-dodge-front-1st-of-sequence

an expertly restored 1960's Lamborghini for less than 25 thou if the bidders don't lose their minds (thank you Stephen!)


The 1R model is powered by a twin cylinder, air cooled diesel engine, producing 32bhp at 1,500rpm fed through a four-speed gearbox with high and low diff settings, and had hydraulic rear brakes. This Lamborghini 1R Tractor is presented in truly remarkable condition having recently had a top to bottom, nut and bolt restoration completed by Ermes Formilan in Italy, a world-renowned restorer of Lamborghini tractors. Largely original and correct, the 1R comes with its original Italian registration showing it was manufactured on the 7th of July 1966.

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/lamborghini-1r

about 19 dozen classic cars near Houston. A scrap yard owner left the cars on the property 1991. They are all for sale, hurry up, some of these are mighty nice (thanks Doug!)


Victor owned a scrap yard in Houston in the 1980s and early 1990s. When a cool car came in to be sold for scrap, Victor had his guys take it to his property near Conroe, located just north of Houston.

The cars would be stored for his retirement plan. But, in 1991, the state bought out his scrap yard to expand the highway. That marked the end of Victor’s car collecting.

By the time Victor paid attention to them, his health was failing, and the cars remained rusting away while he was in the hospital, and finally about thirty years of sitting close to the gulf coast in Houston under pine trees has taken a toll on the cars.

A young guy took out a big loan, bought them all on a 90 day note, and immediately was selling them on craigslist to pay off the loan so he could keep the treasures. He started in Feb 2017.

There were 60 Mustangs, 12 Cougars, several 1969 Camaros, Firebirds and Chargers





http://www.junkyardlife.com/2017/08/man-buys-junkyard-full-of-classic-cars.html
https://houston.craigslist.org/pts/d/antique-car-hoard-almost-200/6169644819.html

1 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code                    SOLD
2 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, S code                SOLD
3 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, C code                SOLD
4 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback, J code                 SOLD
5 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback, Mach 1, H code
6 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback, F code
7 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback, C code                SOLD
8 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback, F code
9 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback, Mach 1, H code
10 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback, GT, A code        SOLD
11 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback, Mach 1, 63C, H code        SOLD
12 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback
13 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, XS code                SOLD
14 1968 Dodge Charger, 383 HP                      SOLD
15 1957 Chevy 4 dr Wagon
16 1965 Chevy Impala 2 dr HT                         SOLD
17 19?? Karmann Ghia                                     SOLD
18 19?? VW Beetle
19 19?? Chevy Corvair 500
20 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code                SOLD
21 1965 Mercury 4dr Sedan, H code, 390
22 19?? Karmann Ghia                                         SOLD
23 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code
24 19?? Ford Falcon, 2 door post, I-6
25 19?? Mercury Comet, 4 dr sedan
26 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring, 2 door, G code 318
27 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code
28 1973 Plymouth Road Runner, G code 318
29 1963 Chevy Impala 2dr HT
30 1960 Ford Ranch Wagon, 4 door
31 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code
32 196? Ford Falcon, 2dr post, Purple, I-6
33 1957 Chevy 4dr Sedan, White
34 1965 Chevy Impala SS, 2dr HT                          SOLD
35 1965 or 66 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code
36 1967 Chevy Camaro
37 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, H code                       SOLD
38 1964 Dodge Polara 2dr HT, White, Was 383 4V
39 19?? VW Bettle
40 1970 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code, Dark Green,
41 1970 Ford Mustang Coupe Grande, H code
42 1963 Chevy Impala Convertible                                SOLD
43 19?? VW Beetle, Yellow
44 19?? VW Beetle, Dark blue
45 19?? VW Bettle, Light blue
46 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Blue
47 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code
48 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code
49 1969 Pontiac Firebird, V8, White,
50 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, Gold                            SOLD
51 1969 Chevy Camaro RS, Blue                        
52 1959 Ford Galaxie 500, 2dr HT                                SOLD
53 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Blue
54 1959 Buick Electra, 4dr sedan, Silver
55 1972 Gran Torino Sport, Green, Q code                      SOLD
56 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Black
57 1954 Chevy Truck, 5 window
58 1968 Chevy Camaro, Red on red, Straight 6,        SOLD
59 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Red & White
60 1968 Ford Ranchero, possible GT, F code
61 1975 Mercedes 4dr sedan
62 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Maroon
63 1959 Ford Edsel 4dr sedan
64 1969 Chevy LWB Truck
65 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Black over red
66 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Yellow
67 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, S code
68 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, White
69 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Yellow
70 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Maroon
71 1970 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code
72 19?? Ford Truck
73 1968 Ford mustang Coupe, C code, Green
74 1967 Mercury Cougar, C code, Light Blue
75 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Black
76 1963 or 64 Chevy II Nova 4 door sedan, Blue
77 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Light Green
78 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Light Green
79 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Red
80 1977? Chevy Wagon, 4 door, White
81 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, F Code, Red
82 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, C Code, Yellow
83 1970 Mercury Cougar, H code, Red
84 19?? VW Beetle, Yellow
85 19?? Chevy Corvair, Gold
86 1962 Ford Falcon, Blue
87 1957 Karmann Ghia                                                  SOLD                                
88 1964? Pontiac Tempest 4 door sedan
89 1968 Mercury Cougar, C code, Yellow
90 1967 Chevy Chevelle 4 door sedan
91 1971 Ford Mustang Convertible, F code
92 1969 Chevy Camaro, Blue                                        SOLD
93 1964½ Ford Mustang Coupe, D code
94 1968 Mercury Cougar, F code
95 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code
96 1967 Mercury Cougar, A code, White
97 1969 Chevy Camaro, I-6, Red
98 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Green
99 196? Chevy Corvair Monza, Brown
100 196? Chevy Corvair Convertible, Blue
101 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, J code, Blue                         SOLD
102 1963 Chevy Impala 4 door sedan
103 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible, A code, Black
104 1967 Mercury Cougar, S code
105 1952 Chevy 4 door
106 1963 Chevy II Nova 300 4 door
107 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Green
108 1969 Pontiac Firebird, Blue
109 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, White
110 1965? Chevy II Nova 4 door, White
111 1973 Mercury Cougar, H code, Gold
112 1955 Ford Customline Ranch Wagon
113 1957 Pontiac Chieftain 4dr HT
114 1955 Chevy 210 2dr sedan
115 1947 Ford Pickup - Cab
116 1964 or 65 Chevy Chevelle,
117 1965 Chevy Bel-Air 4 door sedan
118 195? Dodge Coronet 4 door                                               SOLD
119 195? Desoto 2 door sedan
120 1958 or 59 Ford Fairlane 500 4 door, Yellow 121 1965 Ford Fairlane 2 door post, Yellow 122 1972 Ford LTD Convertible, H code, Red 123 1964 VW Beetle, Pink 124 1968 Mercury Cougar, F code 125 1976 Triumph TR6 Convertible
126 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Green
127 1968 Mercury Cougar, F code, Aqua/Teal
128 1965 Mercury Comet 2 door post, Gold, T code                SOLD
129 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Red
130 1970 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code, Blue
131 1972 Ford Mustang Coupe Grande, H code, Green
132 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Red
133 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Blue
134 1966 Mercury Caliente 2 door
135 1972 Mercury Cougar XR7, H code, Light Blue
136 1951 Chevy 2 door post
137 1972 Ford Mustang Coupe
138 1967 Pontiac Firebird
139 1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
140 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, White
141 1968 Pontiac Firebird, Black
142 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe, Pink
143 1970 Mercury Cougar, H code,Gold,
144 1964? Buick Riviera 2 door, Light Blue
145 1971 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code, Yellow
146 1968 Ford LTD XL Convertible, Z code 390 4v
147 1970 Ford Mustang Coupe, L code, Light Green,
148 1969 Chevy Camaro                                                     SOLD
149 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, A code                             SOLD
150 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Blue                         SOLD
151 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Light Blue
152 1964? Volvo Amazon? 2 door post                              SOLD
153 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, F code, White
154 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Aqua                         SOLD
155 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88 4 door sedan
156 1955 Buick Century 4 door hardtop
157 1950? Hudson 2 door post fastback
158 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Red
159 1957 Chevy 4 door HT                                                  SOLD
160 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4 dr Sedan
161 1956 Chevy Bel-Air 4 door sedan
162 1950 -53 Chevy Truck, Blue                                          SOLD
163 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4 door HT, Black, falling apart
164 1969 International Truck Bed made into Trailer
165 19?? Ford Box Truck
166 1968 Chevy Impala Convertible
167 1967 Chevy El Camino
168 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL, C code
169 1956 Ford Truck, Yellow, I-6                                       SOLD
170 1967-72 Chevy Truck, LWB Fleetside, V8
171 Black Stake Bed
172 1941 Chevy Truck with Utility bed                             SOLD
173 1957 Chevy 210 2 door post, I-6, trans, rear
174 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 4 door sedan, I-6, trans, housing only, No hubs
175 1969 Ford Mustang Coupe, T code, Yellow
176 1969 Camaro RS                                                           SOLD
177 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint 2dr HT, F code, Blue
178 1965 or 66 Ford Mustang Coupe
179 1972 Ford Mustang Fastback, F code, Grabber Blue
180 19?? Volvo P1800
181 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7, C code, Green
182 1968 Ford Galaxie XL 2 door HT, F code, Light Green
183 194? Plymouth 4 door, Black                                              SOLD
184 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe, C code, Dark Green
185 1968 Mercury Cougar, F code, Blue
186 1965 Plymouth Barracuda, Black on black                            SOLD
187 1957 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr Hardtop
188 1982 Ford Truck F-150
189 1969 Ford Fairlane 500 Wagon, F code, Black
190 197? Box Truck, Metro Aluminum, White, Looks like Ice Cream or Food truck
191 1973-87 Chevy Truck Bed, LWB, Tan and White
192 197? Cadillac, tan
193 198? Pontiac Fiero, Red
194 1991 Red 4 Car Trailer                                           SOLD

I've seen some goofy kids bikes from the 70s, but one with a springer front end? The Murray King Kat is one I've never seen before

Holiday Rambler RVs, interesting history... and it's amazing that most sell for less than 2500 on Facebook, the very nicest ones don't cost much more than 5 thou, even 30 footers



RV building started out in Wakarusa, Indiana in the 1950s with the Holiday Rambler Company, founded by Richard Klingler. Wakarusa is ten miles (16 km) south of Elkhart, Indiana. Richard Klingler started building trailer parts in a chicken coop and assembling the trailers outdoors in the 1950s. The first Holiday Rambler recreational vehicle was a travel trailer introduced to the public in 1953 by the Klingler Corporation.

In 1961, Holiday Rambler’s introduction of aluminum body framing ushered in a new era of lighter, stronger and more durable recreational vehicles (RVs). This aluminum frame (Alumaframe) became the standard for lighter and stronger RVs for 40 years. Holiday Rambler was also responsible for many firsts; built-in refrigerators, holding tanks and aerodynamic radiused corners. As Holiday Rambler moved into motorhomes, they were the first with tag axles and the kitchen slide-out revolutionized "interior engineering" in the field.

Holiday Rambler dealers first learned of interest in a club from inquiries made by their customers. The dealers conveyed this information to Mr. Richard Klingler, President of the Holiday Rambler Corporation (HRC), who quickly realized the interest in the formation of a club was nationwide. Mr. Klingler gave the idea his wholehearted support and issued the order to use the corporation's warranty files to send questionnaires to all Holiday Rambler owners of record in the Spring of 1964.

1964 - Club formed in Spring 1964
1964 - Club newspaper, Holiday Ramblers, created
1964 - December showed membership at 500
1965 - Charter Member is a member prior to January 1, 1965 (1500 Total)
1965 - The first National Rally in Alliance, Ohio (484 units)
1977 - Largest attended rally: 2,214 units (Fort Collins, CO)
1966 - "Order of the Hitchball" (club's most prestigious award) was created during the second National Rally
1968 - First Caravan, 86 units went on a Mexican caravan, under the leadership of experienced wagonmaster Johnny Johnson of Trailer Life magazine.
1970 - First winter Rally, Eustis, Florida (February)
1975 - Name of the club changed to: Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club, Inc. (HRRVC)
1977 - Official Holiday Rambler jacket introduced
1977 - HRRVC would purchase and furnish ice cream for ice cream socials to be held at all State and Regional rallies
1980 - HRRVC and the Monitor Caravan Club were merged into one organization- HRRVC, Inc.
1983 - First art, crafts and hobby competition was held -
1985 - Created a category, "Member Emeritus."
1986 - Chapter Newsletter Contest began
1986 - Heritage Family program created
1986 - The Holiday Rambler Corporation was sold to Harley-Davidson, Inc.

Holiday Rambler Corporation and its subsidiaries ("Holiday Rambler") was acquired by the Harley-Davidson, Inc. in December 1986. Holiday Rambler's Recreational Vehicle division competed primarily in the mid to premium segment of the recreational vehicle market.

On March 4, 1996, the Monaco Coach Corporation of Oregon acquired from Harley-Davidson, Inc.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Rambler
http://www.hrrvc.org/index.php/club/hrrvc-history
https://www.facebook.com/groups/holidayramblersforsale/


a factory built Holiday Rambler saleman's model. It was complete with a full interior, all very nicely done. At the 2017 Pismo Beach

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209331630588453&set=a.10209277581597262.1073741976.1253822878&type=3&permPage=1

Friday, August 11, 2017

he went off a 250 ft cliff, and his go pro caught the whole flight, and tumble. The guy survived



it might not happen the first time, but the 2nd time they show the video, do you get that weird feeling in your gut?

Tingles down your legs?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/biker-apos-gopro-camera-captures-211700009.html


Guess what this crazy thing is.....


A prototype /  concept car from Infinity inspired by the Silver Arrow Auto Unions of the late 30s

http://www.motortrend.com/news/infiniti-prototype-9-exclusive-first-look

1969 Polaris Colt, Brand New, Zero miles. This has never been run, and is all original.


this machine is number 4 of all built.

It sat in the a crate for many years in Ohio. A dealership went out of business and a gentleman who owns a Yamaha dealership purchased this sled and put it in storage.

He wanted to leave it in the crate but was worried about moisture and rust so he took it out. Unfortunately, the dealership workers threw away the crate. Idiots

For any additional questions please contact Kip at 906-883-3536, or email at kip@patsmotorports.com

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Polaris-Colt-BRAND-NEW-ZERO-MILES-/132288099859?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Reserve not met as bids ended at $1100



Pizza fatalities cover westbound Interstate 30 in Little Rock after a truck crash Wednesday.


A semi trailer too far left in the lane was caught by the overpass support column of the Mabelvale Pike overpass and it ripped the side off the trailer, the crash spilled DiGorno and Tombstone frozen pizzas onto Interstate 30 in Little Rock, stalling traffic for miles in each direction around 1 p.m.





They are lucky they don't have seagulls in Little Rock

Photos by Thomas Metthe, Benjamin Krain, Emma Pettit and Danny Straessle.

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/aug/09/truck-spills-frozen-pizzas-i-30-little-rock-westbo/

I never thought about it... but what do bikers do to save their bikes, the big road hogs, in a flood? Can you roll it into a bag. Then seal it off, and when things dry out, open the bag and get your bike?

I was invited to go to some conference about autonomous cars... oh hell no

Get this... running the weekend after SEMA in Lisbon, Web Summit, Europe's largest technology conference will be having "AutoTech".

 A conference with speakers like the CEO of Comma.ai, the  CEO of Waymo, the CIO of Daimler, and the CIO of Volkswagen.

AutoTech, a gathering for autonomous vehicles, and connected cars to connect thousands of leading companies, engineers, developers, experts and hobbyists such as Google, Intel, The European Union, Uber, Facebook, Microsoft.

My reply:

Autonomous vehicles... what a waste of conversation. If driving is too much of a chore, take a taxi. If that won't do, try a horse, a train, or a bus. The world hasn't even finished making an electric vehicle as capable as a gas vehicle, why bother with complicating matters trying to replace drivers? If you hate driving, hire someone who needs a job for pete's sake.

Robo cars have already proven unable to safely drive without killing their occupants. Why bother fixating on that nonsense? As for connected cars, aren't we all already fed up with our computers being vulnerable to malware, virus, and hacks? You really think the damn car companies that still can't make a vehicle free from recalls of tires, brakes and ignition locks are capable of protecting your car from a hacker?

Serious issues that ought to be looked at head on, questioned, and then walked away from in disgust. As for computing, hell, the geniuses at Microsoft and intel can't make a computer that will work for more than 5 or 6 years. You really want to rely on those planned obsolescence narrow minded jackasses to make the operating system for your car? Then get told in a year or two that it needs a patch? A version 2.0 windows upgrade that you have to agree to "terms and conditions" of before you can drive? God damn blue screen of death while crossing Nevada, Arizona, or Utah?

Those assholes at Microsoft can't fix their own operating system, and they've been trying for 20 fucking years. It's still a damn mess that you can't replace with some simpler form that doesn't delete all your work because it has to load updates you don't fucking want.

I'd be a hoot to be on the debate panel in the opposing view to all this baloney, but face it, no one's going to want to hear a reality check. They are there to make slick deals and invest in short term profits without thinking how the bullshit they're investing in will treat their daughter 10 years from now, or their grandma in 2 years when she needs to get to the hospital and her robo car makes a fucking mistake and instead drives her to the similarly named airport terminal, while she's having a heart attack.

Automated cars... stupid idea.

I was emailed by a car model maker who wanted to know about the Howard Hughes Duesenburg he modified to tow gliders, and learned he has the only 1958 Moskvitch in the USA, and wow, what a story



a retiring sea captain bought a 1958 Moskvitch in Amsterdam, and had it shipped to Los Angeles, where the customs guys bounced it right back... nothing was SAE approved... no lights, electrical, or glass.

But when some Mongo went to forklift it back onto the ship, both forks went into the doors.

Maybe it was a reaction to the Sputnik fear. Who knows.

But the car was taken to a repair shop in Ensenada before the ship headed back to return the car to point of origin, and was going to get the doors fixed.

But it was stolen, and driven into LA. Yeah, complete opposite of what happens to cars in LA, when stolen, and taken to Tijuana.

It was stripped and abandoned in LA, and the cops impounded the hulk, and it went to a junkyard. The junkyard operator thought it was kinda neat, got it running (remember, it was barely ever used since being bought) and when some DMV employee friend asked to borrow a car, and this was the best option in the junkyard, the DMV guy got some paperwork to make the car legal.

Later, another acquaintence in AAA did a paperwork trick to make the car legal, and the Moskvitch was suddenly a legit California titled car.

So it was occassionally used as a backup or loaner car, but as years passed, it sat in the junkyard and rusted. Just hanging out in a corner. Until the junkyard was finally closed as the operator retired, and moved to Hemet (between Riverside and San Diego on the I 15) when it was finally put up for sale in the newspaper.

Then it was finally acquired by Gary, who took it with him when transferred to a new job in Texas, and diligently restored it, even when it was part of a sudden disappearance of all the cars in the paint shop as the owner went out of business, and was found miles away in a barn... and then finally Gary took it to car shows. Such as the one on an Air Force base... where someone freaked out that Gary may have mentioned he was in frequent contact with a parts supplier of communist political affiliation (this was the 80s and cold war paranoia was nuts, just look at the goofy movies we made about that whole era) and the FBI stopped by to ask some questions.

Obviously, the FBI agents realized what a gaffe had been made, laughed it off, and Gary has continued to bring his 1958 Russian car to concours condition the hard way in the many years since 1981.

The Duesenberg that kicked off this correspondence:  http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2016/05/howard-hughes-had-this-duesenberg-body.html

https://www.ttnut.com/russian-american-cars-and-trucks-anyways-t1099-40.html
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2012/02/19/sia-flashback-auto-adventures-in-a-son-of-moscow/

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Coffee and donuts movie of the day..... Firefighting in the horse-drawn era - the quick hitch horse collar

That's it. I'm not subscribing to Hot Rod Deluxe anymore. 40 a year, for 6 issues? Nope.


Muscle Car Review has twice as many issues, for 1/2 the cost.

Something ain't right. I pay 60 a year (or so, I can't recall exactly what) for Rodders Journal, and that coffee table book every issue is worth every penny, and I've been getting it since about the 30th issue I think (they are at issue 75 now)

But I'm done with Hot Rod Deluxe. I've subscribed for 9 years now. I'm done. They aren't doing something right to bring down the costs of the magazine, that mostly has photos from the archives. That means they are free, already owned by the company, and shot by the best of the original photographers for Hot Rod... D'Olivio, and E Rickmann

Girls Auto Clinic (Philadelphia) is looking to hire a tech ... but I'm recommending you don't bother. Looks like a use em up and replace em, outfit. Just judging by their email

I've been up front with admiration in the past for this garage.

I just posted about this garage, it won the 2017 "Best of Philly" for Multipurpose Garage
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/08/salute-of-day-to-girls-auto-clinic.html

Full write up about it, and gallery, and history at http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/05/2-year-follow-up-on-all-girls-garage.html

But when I got an email from them, because they are looking for a mechanic... I thought it was worth my time to try and help, and make a post for readers to either get informed by, or share with someone who might want to work there. A place I used to admire for it's moxy. 

But, judge for yourself how I now feel, after getting the most useless reply I've ever seen to an email. 



On Tue, Aug 8, 2017 at 1:30 PM, Jesse <jbohjkl@yahoo.com> wrote:

Ok... spreading the word on the blog, 

but I'd like a couple bits of information.... who should resumes get emailed to? Who should a job prospect come and talk to?

I want to smooth the way for someone walking up and asking for a job, so if you can help me, and pretend for a sec you're the one walking across the street looking to work as a mechanic! Who do they ask to talk to during working hours, who do they email after working hours? Do they have to be fluent in English, or can they be sign language fluent, and or write out all conversations. 

What if they show up in a 65 Mustang, coveralls, and a tool box and say: You tell me the problem this car might have, and I'll tell you how to solve it. Bang total confidence - and then they answer how to fix anything on that car from a rough idle, failed power valve in the carb, bad pcv valve, intermittent ground fail on the ignition module, blown fuse, loose brake light pedal sensor switch, clogged radiator, wasted idler arm, loose pinion bearing, leaky rear main... and bad ignition switch. 

Do they get to the top of the list for potential hires? Even if they don't have any experience with new computer controlled foreign cars? Because they have 10 years of oil, battery, and tire rotations in some one stop town in Idaho, but are looking to strike out and make a new life. 

Or, if they show up and can't operate a obd sensor, have never rebuilt a trans, but have spent 5 years Korea fixing cargo vans and bleed 30 weight... is that a sinker for never having worked on cars? 

Give me something to tell my readers what your tech is going to be doing, normal day to day, and what you're pay is for them, and if you're going to pass on a person in a wheelchair with a degree from McPherson, and 4 years running a small service station in Utah. 

I'd just like to offer readers a general guide of requirements, limits, pay, days and hours, how long is lunch, when are paydays, and is this W2, or 1099. 

Why am I asking for all that? Well, I'm sure that is what I'd want to know, and that my readers will want to know. And I don't screw around. Straight to the point, refreshingly honest and full of info, and without disappointment or inferring I talk a game I don't deliver. 

Maybe that's your style, or I come off as too high maintenance... either way, I'm looking to improve the world when and where I can, and talking about a job listing is a good place to start to give as much as possible so no one wastes anyone's time. 

I wrote all these scenarios, because I've seen every single one of them. No kidding. 

Fwiw, if after I get your job listing posted, you get someone who came to you from reading my post, I'd like you to hand the $100 coupon to the next homeless woman you see. I'm in San Diego and not likely to ever get to Philly. 
 

PS., I forgot to ask in my 1st email, do they have to bring their own set of tools, or is your shop equipped with a grab and go tool set. 

If they have to bring their own, are they going to need to bring their own OBD reader, mechanics chair, step ladder, drill, drill indexes, extension cords, impact wrench, torque wrench, micrometer, air hose, 8 qt oil dispenser can, floor jack, jack stands, etc in addition to the typical sockets, combo wrenches, under light, screwdrivers, extensions and adapters?

Thanks, 
Jesse

Hey Jesse,

 Thanks for offering to share, all the information that I have can be found in the indeed job posting, the link is in the email!

Well... there was no link, and I don't even understand what email they are referring to.

But I used my Google Fu, and found the listing on Indeed.com, and it doesn't answer my questions.
It's a propaganda piece for the company for more than half the listing. Potential employees / mechanics don't need to be reminded of what a wonderful place they are dealing with, they need to know what they have to bring to do the day to day work.

Do they have to bring a 150ft/lb torque wrench? A 1/2" impact gun and air hose? etc etc.

So that was what I asked, to give that info to you, and I was not even given a link to the useless job posting.

OM and FG. That's useless. I can't find anything to admire about that place anymore. 

1996 Jeep, never had the ignition ever replaced. 261k miles. 4.0 liter engine

far out groovy 1969 style Mopar art that I'm pretty sure is new, but duplicates the original artistic style thoroughly, and has the perfect cars in it too


Perfect bee in the lower corner. I've collected every bee I've ever seen Mopar publish, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/07/dodge-scat-pack-bee.html and this is a new one to me

77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Photo by Josh Kurpius.

Ex girlfriend drama... or baby mama... or simply some pissed off girlfriend becuase he left to go hang out with his buddies

some crazy stuff happens out there.. .. I bet someone's ex went full crazy

there is one mad squirrel somewhere right now that just lost his winter supply of dog treats he so laboriously packed away where no one would find them

This company makes a lock for your catalytic converter. Cat theft is that prevalent? Damn.

The list of the 25% of all Chicago area dealerships in the mechanics strike, so, be warned, not much work can be accomplished at these until the strike is over

Advantage Chevrolet (Hodgkins) d/b/a
American Chevrolet, Inc. 9510 W. Joliet Road Hodgkins, IL 60525
Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook 115 W. S. Frontage Road Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Al Piemonte Ford and Nissan, Inc. 1600 W. North Aenue Melrose Park, IL 60160
Apple Chevrolet, Inc. 8585 W. 159th Street Tinley Park, IL 60487
Autobarn Motors Ltd. d/b/a
The Autobarn Mazda, Nissan, VW of Evanston,  Subaru and VW of Countryside and Mt. Prospect
Autobarn Motors Ltd. d/b/a
Bill Jacobs Naperville, LLC d/b/a
Bill Jacobs BMW MINI 2498 Aurora Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
Bill Kay Buick GMC Chevrolet Ford  Nissan
Bill Stasek Chevrolet, Inc. 700 W. Dundee Road Wheeling, IL 60090
Bredemann Ford in Glenview 2038 Waukegan Glenview, IL 60025
Cadillac of Naperville 1507 W. Ogden Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
Castle Buick-GMC,  Chevrolet North and Chevrolet of Villa Park
Castle Motor Sales, Inc. d/b/a
Castle Honda 8833 N. Waukegan Morton Grove, IL 60053
Michael Robert Enterprises Inc. d/b/a
Chicago Northside Toyota 5625 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60660
Community Imports, Inc. d/b/a
Community Honda of Orland Park 8340 W. 159th Street Orland Park, IL 60467
Courtesy Buick 6305 Northwest Highway Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Crystal Lake Chrysler Jeep, Inc. d/b/a
Crystal Lake Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Inc. 5404 S. State Il. Route 31 Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Dan Wolf Motors of Naperville, Inc. d/b/a
Lexus of Naperville 2480 Aurora Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
Downers Grove Imports, Ltd. d/b/a
Pugi of Chicagoland 2020 W. Ogden Avenue Downers Grove, IL 60515
Ed Napleton Elmhurst Imports, Inc. d/b/a
Ed Napleton Acura and Kia of Elmhurst and Oak Lawn Honda
Loquercio Automotive West LLC d/b/a
 Elgin Chrysler Jeep Dodge 1010 E. Chicago Street Elgin, IL 60120
Robert P. Loquercio Enterprises Inc. d/b/a
Elgin Toyota Scion 1600 W. Lake Street Streamwood, IL 60107
Ettleson Cadillac Buick-GMC, Inc. 6201 S. LaGrange Road Hodgkins, IL 60525
Ettleson Hyundai LLC 6420 Joliet Road Countryside, IL 60525
Evanston Subaru Inc. 3340 Oakton Street Skokie, IL 60076
Fair Oaks Ford Lincoln 2055 W. Ogden Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
First Family Inc. d/b/a
Bredemann Chevrolet 1401 W. Dempster Street Park Ridge, IL 60068
Fox Valley Auto Group d/b/a
Fox Valley VW-Buick-GMC and Ford
Fran Napleton Lincoln, Inc. 2950 W. 127th Street Blue Island, IL 60406
Frank Shirey Cadillac Inc. 10125 S. Cicero Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Garber Fox Lake Toyota 75 US Rt. 12 Fox Lake, IL 60020
Gerald Naperville, Inc. d/b/a
Gerald Kia, Nissan and Subaru
Ghaben Auto Group, LLC d/b/a
Oak Lawn Mazda 6750 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Golf Mill Ford Inc. 9401 N. Milwaukee Avenue Niles, IL 60714
Gregory Hyundai and Infiniti,
 Haggerty Buick GMC, Inc. 300 W. Roosevelt Road Villa Park, IL 60181
Heritage Cadillac 303 W. Roosevelt Road Lombard, IL 60148
Highland Park Ford Lincoln Inc. 1333 Park Avenue West Highland Park, IL 60035
Loquercio Automotive South Inc. d/b/a
Honda City 4950 S. Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60632
Howard Auto Group Inc. d/b/a
Howard Buick GMC Inc. 364 W. Grand Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126
Incite LLC d/b/a Hawk Ford 6100 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL 60453
 Jack Phelan Chevrolet , Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Jerry Haggerty Chevrolet, Inc. 300 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Joe Rizza Ford Porsche Kia, Acura and Imports, Inc. d/b/a
Kelly Nissan Inc. 4300 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL 60453
 Kingdom Chevrolet, Inc. 6603 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60636
Land Rover Hinsdale, LLC 300 E. Ogden Avenue Hinsdale, IL 60521
Lombard Toyota Inc. 725 W. Roosevelt Road Lombard, IL 60148
 Mancari's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Inc. 4630 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL 60453
 Uptown Motors Inc. d/b/a
Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge 5133 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60641
Marquardt Buick, Inc. d/b/a
Marquardt of Barrington 1421 S. Barrington Road Barrington, IL 60010
Max Madsen Imports,  Mitsubishi,
McCarthy Ford Chicago 11400 S. Pulaski Chicago, IL 60655
McCarthy Ford of North Riverside 2100 Harlem Avenue North Riverside, IL 60546
Melody Rae Motors, Inc. d/b/a
Honda on Grand 300 W. Grand Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126
Metro Ford Sales and Service Inc. 6455 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60636
Mid City Nissan Inc. d/b/a
Berman Nissan of Chicago 3456 N. Kedzie Avenue Chicago, IL 60618
Mid City Nissan Inc. d/b/a
Mid City Subaru 4330 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60641
Midway Dodge 4747 S. Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60632
Mike Anderson Chevrolet of Chicago 5333 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60641
Mike Haggerty Buick GMC, and Volkswagen
Steve Foley Cadillac, Inc. 100 Skokie Boulevard Northbrook, IL 60062
Napleton's Park Ridge Lincoln, Inc. d/b/a
Napleton Lincoln Glenview 1610 Waukegan Road Glenview, IL 60025
Loren Hyundai, Inc. 1620 Waukegan Glenview, IL 60025
Ed Napleton Porsche  Imports  Hyundai  Kia  Honda  Mazda and Ford and Lincoln Pontiac-GMC
Sessler Ford, Inc. d/b/a
 River Oaks Imports, Inc. d/b/a
Torrence Avenue Lansing, IL 60438 92
Northwestern Chrysler-Plymouth Sales, Inc. 5958 N. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60659
Oak Lawn Hyundai d/b/a
Happy Hyundai 9121 S. Cicero Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Oak Lawn Toyota Inc. 4320 W. 95th Street Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Packey Webb Ford 2150 Ogden Avenue Downers Grove, IL 60515
Patrick Cadillac/Saab and Volvo
Hawk Chevrolet 8200 S. Harlem Avenue Bridgeview, IL 60455
 Phillips Chevrolet, Inc. 9700 W. Lincoln Highway Frankfort, IL 60423
Ray Buick Inc. 5011 W. 63rd Street Chicago, IL 60638
Richard Fisher European Cars, LLC d/b/a
Fiat of Evanston 1034 Chicago Avenue Evanston, IL 60202
Rizza Buick GMC Cadillac, Inc. 8425 W. 159th Street Tinley Park, IL 60477
Rock Chevrolet 1000 E. Belvidere Road Grayslake, IL 60030
Roesch Finco LLC dba
Larry Roesch Volkswagen 313 W. Grand Avenue Bensenville, IL 60106
Rogers Auto Group, Inc. 2720 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60616
Rohr-Mont Motors, Inc. d/b/a
Oakbrook Toyota in Westmont 550 E. Ogden Avenue Westmont, IL 60559
RRV Motor Cars II, L.L.C. d/b/a
Sherman Dodge 7601 N. Skokie Boulevard Skokie, IL 60077
South Chicago Dodge, Inc. 7340 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60636
South Oak Dodge Inc. 4550 W. Lincoln Matteson, IL 60443
Sponte Sales Inc. d/b/a
Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep 7911 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130
Sullivan Buick GMC 777 W. Dundee Road Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Sunrise Chevrolet Inc. 414 E. North Avenue Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Toyota of River Oaks 1970 River Oaks Drive Calumet City, IL 60409
Van Dam Motors, Inc. d/b/a
Nissan of South Holland 16269 Van Dam Road South Holland, IL 60473
Victor Ford, Inc. 1400 N. Rt. 12 Wauconda, IL 60084
Webb Chevrolet Inc. 9440 S. Cicero Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Webb Chevrolet Plainfield, Inc. 16140 S. Lincoln Highway Plainfield, IL 60586
Western Avenue Nissan, Inc. 7410 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60636
Westfield Ford and Lincoln
Wilkins Hyundai Mazda 750 N. York Road Elmhurst, IL 60126
Wolf Motors of Naperville, Inc. d/b/a
Toyota of Naperville Inc 1488 W. Ogden Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
Woody PBG Inc. 1585 W. Ogden Avenue Naperville, IL 60540
Zimmerman Ford Inc. 2525 E. Main St. Charles, IL 60174

Check mate Takata! Can't shrapnel me now!

customer complains that the starter is making strange sounds

wrench is still useful, and tire still holds air. That's unreal considering the force it took to make this one in a million insertion

That time when the TSB said to use JB Weld...

Stephen Colbert in a Mr goodwrench commercial

Chicago area Cadillac dealership getting cranky about the strike, rolled the tool boxes outside



https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/6ritil/sister_shop_just_rolled_the_toolboxes_out_of_the/

A strike by more than 1,700 mechanics at 130 dealerships across the Chicago area (of about 420)  entered its third day Thursday with little sign of movement from either side.

The union has been bargaining with the New Car Dealer Committee since June, having decided on the union position platform in March  http://www.mech701.org/saa.html  citing uncompensated time, unacceptable schedules, unsatisfactory pay, and no opportunities for career progression as its chief complaints. Deadlocked since negotiations began, the union decided to halt all work at the beginning of August

Mechanics are hoping for an assurance of 40 hours per week and pay less dependent upon productivity/upselling, claiming there isn’t always a vehicle waiting for them in the service bay. The union calls the pay structure “draconian” and accuses it of “prohibiting [its] ability to attract young, aspiring mechanics to enter the auto repair profession.”

So far, dealers have offered a 5 percent annual pay increase over the next three years to bolster incentive-based pay. Sloan said workers “overwhelmingly” rejected the proposal.

Brian Ilic, a mechanic on strike with Local 701, said dealer management made their offer to the union on July 31st, the same day the previous contract expired. “I feel they thought if we were given a last minute decision we would take the subpar offer and not strike,” he said. “None of the industry problems we asked to address were even addressed.

Extended warranties on vehicles that need less work overall means more of the wrenching done at dealerships is paid at automaker rates, rather than higher customer-pay rates. “This makes the incentive rate harder to achieve,” Ilic concluded.

The pay proposed pay increase was based on productivity levels that were "easily attainable 15-20 years ago" but not now. Since then, he said, automakers have cut back approved labor times for numerous categories of work.

Consider this reality, vs the proposed pay raise based on productivity.....  the most productive technicians are the ones doing simple brainless work that pays 2-3X what difficult skill jobs pay.
A guy can make 20hrs in a 8 hr shift changing spark plugs, while another guy in the same shop will spend 8hrs diagnosing a broken wire in a circuit and only get paid .5 of an hour. 

Unattractive pay rates coupled with the inability to progress or achieve a long-term profession in the field are drivers of mechanic frustration, said Sam Cicinelli, Local 701 directing business representative, in the statement.

And, lets take a open view of the dealership mechanic... it's not the same as the mechanic in the tv show Taxi.... one make and model, fix and repair, until you've memorized the part numbers.

Nope... cars now are far more complex due to the range of technology that exists - electric or hybrid, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell etc just a couple examples of the variety that come into a dealership.

Also, a Dodge dealer tech gets a Hellcat, but will likely also work on Fiats. A Toyota or Nissan tech will have electric cars, and hybrids, and off road trucks. Ford tech will have Mustangs, or aluminum trucks, and Raptors. A wide variety.

And replacing a thermostat isn't the simple job our grandparents could do with a screwdriver and bucket to catch the antifreeze....


let me know if it takes less than 30 seconds to spot the thermostat in the above photo. You have the advantage of the covers already being removed. The mechanic had to do an hour or two of labor to get to this point. Then gets to put that damn serpentine back in place.... yippee

Get updates on the strike here:   http://www.mech701.org/saa.html

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/08/hope-youre-handy-chicago-area-mechanics-still-striking/
http://www.autonews.com/article/20170803/RETAIL07/170809843/chicago-area-mechanics-continue-strike
https://www.facebook.com/mech701/
http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/chicago-mechanics-stage-walkout
https://www.reddit.com/r/Justrolledintotheshop/comments/6s0bh0/who_thought_this_is_a_great_place_to_stick_a/



The final agreement mirrors the offer agreed upon by the more than 70 individual dealerships that broke ranks and brokered interim deals

The contract includes “a significant wage increase across the board and the mechanics’ No. 1 issue of increasing their base pay two additional hours over the term of the agreement,” the union said.
 It also addresses the advancement of semi-skilled workers toward a career path, shortens the apprenticeship scale from 10 to five years, fixes a break in seniority for a longer period if workers get hurt on the job, offers a more family-friendly work schedule to senior-level journeymen technicians, maintains the employee contribution for health insurance and increases tool insurance to cover up to $100,000, according to the press release.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/four-year-deal-ends-chicago-area-auto-mechanics-strike/