Hey, I finally have two challenges going on. Check them out, and if you like, give me a vote or two.

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Seems like Goldylocks, one of the principal founders of this site, has fallen off the face of the earth again. I haven't seen a Post from Goldylocks now for a couple of months.

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On Friday, October 23, 2009, a co-worker and friend of mine, lost his battle with that bastard called Cancer. I had been debating whether or not to go see him the day before in the Hospital, and finally came to the conclusion that I had better follow through on my thought. I could have waited, I could have spent my time doing fun things first, but somehow, I just had a sense that this was one of those times when I had better heed the warnings about my co-worker/friend's condition. The very next day, while sitting in front of this Computer, taking care of some personal things, the phone call no one ever wants to get about their friend, came. He's gone now, and if I hadn't listened to the warnings, and my inner voice, I would have missed out on the only chance I was going to have to visit with my friend, and let him know I cared about him.

It was extremely hard to go into work today, and sit at my desk, in the little Office I shared with my friend. Every time I looked over at his Desk, I had to choke back the tears, every time someone asked me how am I doing, it was all I could to keep my composure. It is highly doubtful that the darlins my friend and I work for, will miss my friend (Mike Karp), for as long, and as much as I, his other friends, and family will. Mike and I had our moments, but we somehow got through them, and if Mike knew you needed help, he was there for you before you asked, now, I wish I could learn how to fix people, like I can Cars, Model Trains, and Computers, so I could be there for Mike.

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I've only managed to make it to two Somerville New Jersey Cruise Nights this year, and of the two, this one was the best. The most accurate way to describe this night, was that it was like a scene out of American Graffitti that night. I did do an amatuer Video of the event, but this thing deserved to be on TV.

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I was going to Post a copy of the Clip from RTM Production's 'HorsepowerTV', that has my 1960 Plymouth in it, on Yahoo Video or Youtube, but the DVD has all these nice legal restrictions with it, so I can't. If you want to see the Clip, I'd have to E-Mail a copy to you.

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Sema Style Legislation in New Jersey



Establishes a motor vehicle registration for STREET RODS and CUSTOM MOTOR VEHICLES



WE NEED YOUR HELP



Full Bill here

http://www.nj...0/2074_I1.PDF





The Sema Style Legislation was submitted to the New Jersey Assembly and Senate in June of 2008. It has been sitting in committee since, with NO ACTION.



We desperately need anyone who is a car enthusiast to e-mail the chairs of these committees and urge that these bills be posted for a committee vote as soon as possible.



Please take the time to e-mail and call these chairmen.



Sen. Nicholas Sacco Chair Transportation Committee
(201) 295-0200
9060 Palisade Ave.
North Bergen, NJ 07047

E-mail sensacco@njleg.org Bill S2074



Assemblyman Gordon Johnson Chair Law and Public Safety Committee

(201) 541-1118

1 Engle St., Suite 108,

Englewood, NJ 07631

E-mail asmjohnson@njleg.org Bill A2836



All you need to do is say you support this bill and urge them to post the bill for a committee vote as soon as possible. Please provide your name and address.



It would also help if you sent a thank you to the bill sponsors.

Senator Paul Sarlo

(201) 804-8118

207 Hackensack St., 2nd Floor,

Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075

E-mail sensarlo@njleg.org Bill S2074



Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk

(201) 666-0881

220 Kinderkamack Rd.
Suite E
Westwood, NJ 07675

E-mail aswvandervalk@njleg.org Bill A2836

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A merry Christmas, happy Chanuka, and a happy New Year to all my Motortopia friends.

Btw, Jan 1 is also my birthday, I'll be 39 again :) .

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Around this time of year, everyone starts to remember our Troops overseas, which is a good thing, but these guys and gals need to know they're not forgotten all year long, and there's a group called Adopt-A-Platoon.org, whose mission, is to see to it that our deployed Troops, are not forgotten. You can visit the Group's Website at http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/ .

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My friend at Spinning Wheels-SC.com', is still looking for more Members on his Motortopia.com page, so follow this Link, http://www.mo...gwheelssccom, and check out his site.

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At the 21st annual Fall Meet of 'The Slant-Six Club', by decision of the 'Iacocca Award Presentation Committee', yours truly was chosen as the recipient of that Award. I didn't wuite know what to say then, and I'm still more than just a bit dumbfounded. This certainly wasn't what I intended when I first got the Club involved in the fundraising effort that allowed us to present the 'Lee Iacocca Award.'

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Hey folks, a friend of mine asked me to spread the word about his new Club on Motortopia.com, 'Spinning Wheels-SC.com' http://www.mo...gwheelssccom, found in the business section on Motortopia.com, check it out, and tell your friends about it.

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Our Club has been selected to present the Lee Iacocca Award for hobby excellence at our 21st annual 'Fall Meet.' If we can get at least 20 people to each come up with $30.00, that's right $30.00, we can meet our goal of closing the gap between the $300.00 we have already collected, and the $700.00 we need to collect, in order to meet our obligation of a $1,000.00 donation to the 'Lee Iacocca Foundation.' The amount is small, so hopefully those of you reading this, will be able to help us out, and, if you wish, we will put your name in our Newsletter as a Donor, as well as passing your information along to the Foundation. This is a good cause, in that the Foundation's purpose, is to raise money to find a cure for Diabetes, complications of which took my Mother's life on September 8, 2007.

Just one note, we need to get this thing together by September 5, 2008, so please, if you, or anyone you know can help us, do so soon.

ALL donation Checks are to be made out to the 'Lee Iacocca Foundation', NOT 'The Slant-Six Club', and, as an added incentive to help out, your donations are tax deductible, as the Foundation is a 501c3 charity.

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I haven't been to this Cruise Night yet this season, but decided to stop by on August 2, 2008. Much to my surprise, a fellow I had met at another Cruise Night had his 1959 Fury at this Cruise Night, and there was a space available next to his car. What was so great about this, is that 1959 was the last of the Full Frame cars, and the last of the 57 styling, while 1960 was a series of firsts: 1. First year for unibody construction on Chrysler products, 2. First year for the Slant-Six, 3. First year for the Aluminum case Automatic Transmission (but only in the Slant-Six powered vehicles).

The weather was pleasant, the evening went too fast, and before I knew it, it was time to go home.

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The guys from the Club that run this Cruise Night, are among ther niciest bunch of folks I've met, and run a really fun event. Not to be forgotten by the way, are the folks at the Big Top Cruisers, who run the Wednesday night Cruise Night I've attended at least a few times this year.

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Okay, I'll probably get told, if I can afford a Trans Am, I can afford the gasoline, sorry, but not at what the article below, entitled 'Expect Spring Spike In Gas Prices' is promising. My Pay hasn't risen anywhere near as fast as gasoline prices in the last 5-7 years. Well, read the Newspaper article below, and then learn the acronym B.O.H.I.C.A. (Bend Over, Here It Comes Again), then maybe give your Senators, and Congressman an earful. What the heck, what have you to lose?

Expect spring spike in gas prices

HOME NEWS TRIBUNE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31,2008



Expect spring spike in gas prices


The Associated Press
• A tanker truck sits parked in the Valero Paulsboro Refinery Jan. 14 in Paulsboro. John Pickering, vice president and general manager at the Paulsboro refinery, said Valero makes enough alkylate to meet its needs, but concedes that there is a national shortage of alkylate in the spring and summer.
By JOHN WHEN
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK - Get ready for another surge in gasoline prices.
Experts are predicting pump prices, which jumped by almost a dollar a gallon in each of the last two springs in many parts of the United States, will spike again this year as refiners and gas stations switch from winter-to summer-blended fuels.
The increases, starting as early as February in southern California, could push the aver¬age national price to a record $3.50* a gallon or more by June.
That would be 17 percent higher than today's average of just under $3 a gallon, which al¬ready is about 80 cents a gallon higher than year-ago levels thanks to the surge of crude oil that took futures prices briefly "to $100 a barrel. Prices in urban areas on each coast could approach $4 a gallon.And the reason for the spring
•price shocks? Analysts say it's linked to a shortage of alkylate, a little-known and expensive gasoline additive that some in the industry are calling "liquid gold." It has become a must-have ingredient since refiners stopped using MTBE two years ago when the potentially cancer-causing

additive was found to be seeping into ground water.
The alkylate shortage has become the most important driver of summer gas prices, said Doug Leggate, an analyst at Citigroup Global Markets. "Supply of (alkylate) will set the price of sum¬mer gasoline — not inventory levels," he said.
Oil companies deny they are purposely limiting production of alkylate, which like gasoline, jet fuel and asphalt is a byproduct of the oil refining process. But only recently have some started studying how they can boost output, and alkylate prices today are more than 15 percent higher than spot gasoline prices. That means overall costs will jump when it is added in larger quantities to summer-blend fuel.
Without additives, gasoline doesn't burn completely, increasing tailpipe air pollution. And untreated gas evaporates more quickly in hot weather, potentially causing vapor lock when it changes from a liquid to a gas and blocks fuel lines.
The federal government long ago required refiners to boost the oxygen content of summer-blend gasoline to make it burn more completely, a problem that was solved by adding MTBE and, more recently, ethanol.
But ethanol also has a high evaporation rate, so refiners in¬creasingly have turned to alkylate, which Tom Kloza, publisher and chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service in Wall calls the "magic bullet" in making summer gasoline.
Alkylate and other gasoline additives don't raise the same safety issues as MTBE because they don't bond with water as effectively as MTBE did, analysts say.
Demand for alkylate changes with the seasons, falling in autumn and rising in the spring. On average, alkylate makes up about 10 percent of a gallon of gas, though that rises to as much as 15 percent in summer. But making more of it is not as simple as throwing a switch, since the underlying chemical properties of oil limit how much of any one refined petroleum product can be produced.
"As opposed to the (gasoline unit) that cracks big components into small, this one takes two components and basically combines them," said Mark Fligner, director of planning and economics at Valero Energy Corp.'s refinery in Paulsboro, across the Delaware river and just south of Philadelphia.
Owners of about two-thirds of U.S. refineries have invested the $100 million or more it takes to add an alkylate unit. The rest have to buy alkylate on the spot market if they want to use it as additive in their gasoline sup¬plies.

*And if you think this published price is the end of it, GUESS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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My friends at Cool People's Garage Group would like you to check them out, and join the Group at http://www.mo...eoples_garage

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Check this Video out http://youtub...v=MRxdInRLJdA

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For those of you who live close enough to attend, I'd like to invite you to attend the 'Metuchen NJ Downtown Cruise Night Series', when it starts up again this coming May. The Cruise Night is held on the first Wednesday of each month, from 6-9 P.M., weather permitting. There are NO 'Rain Dates' in the event of inclement weather.

If you go to the 'Chamber of Commerce' Website later on this Spring, they should have information on the Cruise Night posted there. http://www.me...nchamber.com/ . By the way, the Chamber of Commerce Website is sometimes down for maintenance, so you may have to recheck from time to time, in order to see the site.

Oh, and also check out the town of Woodbridge NJ on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, starting in May, when they host their 'Main Street' 'Cruise Night.' The schedule as of now is June 18, July 16, and August 20. They also should have the event listed later on this season on their Community Calendar, linked off of the township Website http://www.tw...us/index.html

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I have posted a few new photos since some of you visited my page last, and one or two Videos, stop by, and givem a look see, comment and vote while you're there.

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On March 31, 2007, at 12:38 P.M., we lost a long time friend of the Hobby, and 2nd Dad to me, Bill Crawford, and tonight, I just got back from the viewing for long my friend. Among other things Bill helped me with over the years, was when we were fighting to save our hobby from some of the worst of the worst, in the then proposed New Jersey 'Enhanced Emissions Testing Law.' Bill never asked twice when I asked to come to a Meeting with our Legislators, or a Rally to whip up support for opposition to the worst of what the proposed law had in store for us, he just asked where it was he needed to show up at. Bill never graced the pages of Hemmings, nor Old Cars Weekly, he never was widely known on TV like Barry Meguiar, or Denis Gage, but he contributed so much to this hobby, and I for one, want to make sure he is NEVER forgotten!

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Please read this, then give your Legislators an earful.

Legislation
Corn in da House!

As ethanol use becomes more widespread, old-car enthusiasts will have to modify their cars to protect against the fuel's corrosive qualities.
Many old-car owners are getting worried about the effects of ethanol on their gaskets, hoses, seals and lines as they weren't designed to be exposed to anything other than gasoline, and some materials, at least, can be weakened by it.
Federal legislation is on the way that will mandate the presence of ethanol in all gasoline. An amendment to the Clean Air Act, H.R.349 or the “10 by 10 Act,” will require that “After December 31, 2009, it shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale, supply, or offer for supply, dispense, transport, or introduce into commerce, for use in any motor vehicle (as defined in section 216(2)) any gasoline containing less than 10 percent renewable fuel by volume.”
Rep. Rep John Kline of the Minnesota 2nd introduced H.R.349 in January, and it’s under consideration by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Thankfully, Rep. Kline had us in mind when he wrote the bill: “Such rules shall also provide an exemption from the requirements of this subsection in the case of gasoline for use in collector motor vehicles.” That doesn't mean it will be easy to find, but it's a start. We foresee a time when major clubs will have to arrange for their own gas supplies.
- By David B. Traver Adolphus

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No, I haven’t taken up the pugilistic arts, nor do I intend to, but, on the evening of March 13, 2007, my 1960 Plymouth, and I, were guests of the “World Wrestling Entertainment” organization. About a week earlier, I was contacted by a gentleman by the name of Steve Rubin, the “ Event Promoter” for the “Match” I was to be invited to, a “WWE” “Smackdown.” The reason Mr. Rubin picked my Plymouth, was Wrestling “Tag Team” opening for that night, did a 50’s/6o’s “Greaser” routine, and after having looked around to find a vehicle that would fit their act, Mr. Rubin decided my Plymouth would fit the bill. Arrangements were made, and I drove the 40 or so miles down to the “Sovereign Bank Arena” in Trenton New Jersey, on the evening of the 13th. Once at the Arena, I was met by Mr. Rubin, who directed me into the “Pit Area”, normally reserved only for the Crew, their equipment, and V.I. P.’s. I parked my car, locked it up, and was then escorted by the “ Event Promoter” into a back room, where I was given a much coveted “Backstage Pass.” After having been signed in, I then was shown how to get to the “Hospitality Room”, were an assortment of food and drink was there for the taking. I hung out in the “Hospitality Room” for a while, ate a bit, and then wandered back downstairs, checked on my car, which was being properly left alone. Back upstairs I went, where I saw the “Promoter” for the “WWE” itself, Vince McMahon. I didn’t bother Mr. McMahon, since he was in conversation with several of his Wrestlers. After seeing Vince McMahon, I started back downstairs, when the call came to get to my car. Upon arriving by my car, I met the “Vehicle Handler”, whose name is Wes, and he gave me a quick rundown on what was to happen, and then guided me inside the Arena, through a very narrow passage. Once inside I met the “Prop Man”, who showed me where he needed to place some lighting, which was done without harm to my car. After several moves, and attempts to figure out the logistics of placing my car out of harms way, it was determined that basically they had a “Battleship” in a “Swimming Pool”, and there was no way they could keep the car, the “Set Props”, and the “Pyrotechnics” a safe distance from one another. I was then guided back outside to the “Pit Area”, the “Prop Man” removed the lighting he had placed in my car, I took a few photos, and having been paid, left for home.
It would have been fun to see my car used as intended, and I would have gotten copies of any “Stills” they took, but at least I got paid, and it was kind of neat, despite missing out on the whole show.

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URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Anti-Hobbyist Inoperable Vehicle Bill Introduced in Kentucky

A bill (H.B. 472) has been introduced in the Kentucky Legislature that would overturn existing hobbyist protections for inoperable vehicles, including parts cars that are stored out of ordinary public view on private property. The existing law, which was enacted in 2005 and now threatened, is based on SEMA model legislation and has the support of the hobbyist community in Kentucky. Unfortunately, H.B. 472 as introduced by Rep. Charlie Miller (Charlie.Miller@lrc.ky.gov) would reverse the existing law and allow local governments to impose more restrictive standards against project cars.

We Urge You to Contact Members of the House Local Government Committee (List Below) to OPPOSE H.B. 472

H.B. 472 would override safeguards provided for in the current law that allow hobbyists to work on collector vehicles on private property.
H.B. 472 would allow local governments to override the law and impose more restrictive standards against project cars.
H.B. 472 would override reasonable provisions enacted in 2005 that vehicles be located out of ordinary public view by means of suitable fencing, trees, shrubbery, etc.
H.B. 472 would override efforts made in 2005 by legislators and hobbyists to enact reasonable and fair compromise legislation.
H.B. 472 overturns the 2005 law without giving it fair chance to work.
DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the Kentucky House Local Government Committee immediately by phone or e-mail to request their opposition to H.B. 472.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.


Kentucky House Committee on Local Government

Rep. Steve Riggs [Chair]
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 674
(502) 564-6543 (fax)
steve.riggs@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Ron Crimm [Vice Chair]
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 706
Ron.Crimm@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Mike Denham [Vice Chair]
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 696
mitchel.denham@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Ancel Smith [Vice Chair]
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 668
ancel.smith@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Jim Wayne [Vice Chair]
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 616
jim.wayne@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Scott W. Brinkman
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 682
scott.brinkman@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Robert R. Damron
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 671
Robert.Damron@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Ted Edmonds
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 641
ted.edmonds@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. David Floyd
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 698
david.floyd@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Derrick Graham
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 639
derrick.graham@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Richard Henderson
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 642
Richard.Henderson@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Charlie Hoffman
(502) 564-2217
Charlie.Hoffman@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Dennis Keene
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 626
dennis.keene@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Adam Koenig
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 689
Adam.Koenig@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Tom McKee
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 667
Tom.McKee@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Reginald Meeks
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 653
reginald.meeks@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Brad Montell
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 609
brad.montell@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. David Osborne
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 679
David.Osborne@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Arnold Simpson
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 695
Arnold.Simpson@lrc.ky.gov

Rep. Ken Upchurch
(502) 564-8100 Ext. 673
Ken.Upchurch@lrc.ky.gov

If you are experiencing any difficulty in contacting your legislators, please contact Rory Carroll, Hagerty Plus Legislative Resource Director, at Advocacy@hagerty.com or 888-310-8020.

Please e-mail a copy of your letters to us at Advocacy@hagerty.com or fax: 231-932-6887.

Thank you for your commitment to the future of the collector vehicle hobby.

Sincerely,

McKeel Hagerty

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Here's a small slideshow of my cars, just click on this Link Ben's Car Slideshow

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Photobucket Slideshow

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