Hagerty posted a feature article this week listing their top 5 rides for great summer cruising. It's an interesting list:

1953 Chrysler Imperial (first car with real a/c)
1963 Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz Convertible
1968 Ferrari 365/GTB 4
Mustang of any year
Camaro of any year

You can read the details and the reason why these cars were picked here.

The first thought for warm weather is TOPS DOWN for most car enthusiasts. However, if you own a 'vert you know that in very hot, sunny weather the top really needs to stay up. You bring it down once the sun is setting and the temps moderate.

My choice would be a '69 Road Runner or GTX convertible like the beauty pictured here from the recent Mopars Invade Indy show. Or maybe a '57 Chrysler 300C...oh yeah a white convertible and that awesome 392 hemi with 2/4 bbls. That's the one.

Really it's impossible to pick just one but give it a try. What is your dream ride for summer cruising?

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Kugel Komponents offers a high quality thru the firewall brake and clutch assembly for the avid enthusiast. These assemblies have been built by Kugel since 1996. Available in both power and manual brake configurations with or without master cylinder or clutch. The assembly is compact allowing for ease of installation in tight spots. Assembly mounts to firewall inside your vehicle and above the floor thus removing worries about exhaust and ground clearance issues. Assembly shown features power brake and clutch with 1” bore cast iron master cylinder, clutch master cylinder and 8” dual booster. All master cylinders are available as standard fill or remote fill. Also offered are slotted brake and clutch pedals and a variety of pedal pads. Kugel also makes independent front and rear suspension systems. Check out the company website for other components and options they have to offer. In business since 1969, Kugel Komponents has the experience and know how to supply your suspension needs.

Contact: Kugel Komponents (562) 691-7006 www.kugelkomponents.com

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Back in November 2008, I posted a blog that described various American muscle-car era cars that boasted 300 horsepower from the factory and could be purchased for under $10,000. (Here’s the link to the original blog: http://www.mo...er-10000-545)

Recently there have been a lot of articles in car magazines and on car sites talking about the fluctuating price of muscle cars in the marketplace and at auctions, so I thought it would be interesting to see how the 300 hp/$10K list has changed in the past two years.

Here’s the list, with the 2008 NADA Classic Car Guide price first followed by the July 2010 price from the same guide. Option changes from the original list are show in italics:

1. 1969 Pontiac Tempest 2 dr coupe, 4 speed, 350 (330hp) $9349, $10,631
2. 1967 Ford Falcon, 2 dr, 4 speed 390 (335 hp) $5740, $5670 (excellent condition, $9240, $7560)
3. 1971 AMC Javelin 2 dr, 4 speed 401 (330 hp) $9665, $10,240
4. 1970 Mercury Marauder 2 dr 428 SCJ (335 hp) $9730, $10688
5. 1971 Chevelle 2 dr 402 (300 hp) $8033 454 big block $9533
6. 1969 Ford Thunderbird 390 (320 hp) $9563, $9315
7. 1968 Plymouth Belvedere 383 (325 hp) $6890, $6863 with 440 (375hp)
8. 1968 Dodge Coronet 2 dr, 4 speed 383 (325 hp) $8708, $7490 with 440 (375hp)
9. 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 2 dr 350 (310 hp) $8965, $8596
10. 1969 Ford Fairlane 2 dr, 4 speed 428 (335 hp) $9488, $10,040

Note that the prices shown are for an “Average Retail” rating which is defined as good overall condition, an older restoration or well-maintained original vehicle with everything working or serviceable.

There aren’t any dramatic changes. Looks like you can get a bit more horsepower in a Mopar for less than a few years ago. While the Ford Fairlane went up some, the Falcon in excellent condition dropped.

The point of this exercise was to find a solid muscle car at a reasonable price without paying the outrageous prices for the most popular muscle cars, for example at ’71 Hemi any-model or a ’69 – ’71 Mustang. Good information for those of us who won’t be buying at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson or other high-end auctions.

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Back in November 2008, I posted a blog that described various American muscle-car era cars that boasted 300 horsepower from the factory and could be purchased for under $10,000. (Here’s the link to the original blog: http://www.mo...er-10000-545)

Recently there have been a lot of articles in car magazines and on car sites talking about the fluctuating price of muscle cars in the marketplace and at auctions, so I thought it would be interesting to see how the 300 hp/$10K list has changed in the past two years.

Here’s the list, with the 2008 NADA Classic Car Guide price first followed by the July 2010 price from the same guide. Option changes from the original list are show in italics:

1. 1969 Pontiac Tempest 2 dr coupe, 4 speed, 350 (330hp) $9349, $10,631
2. 1967 Ford Falcon, 2 dr, 4 speed 390 (335 hp) $5740, $5670 (excellent condition, $9240, $7560)
3. 1971 AMC Javelin 2 dr, 4 speed 401 (330 hp) $9665, $10,240
4. 1970 Mercury Marauder 2 dr 428 SCJ (335 hp) $9730, $10688
5. 1971 Chevelle 2 dr 402 (300 hp) $8033 454 big block $9533
6. 1969 Ford Thunderbird 390 (320 hp) $9563, $9315
7. 1968 Plymouth Belvedere 383 (325 hp) $6890, $6863 with 440 (375hp)
8. 1968 Dodge Coronet 2 dr, 4 speed 383 (325 hp) $8708, $7490 with 440 (375hp)
9. 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 2 dr 350 (310 hp) $8965, $8596
10. 1969 Ford Fairlane 2 dr, 4 speed 428 (335 hp) $9488, $10,040

Note that the prices shown are for an “Average Retail” rating which is defined as good overall condition, an older restoration or well-maintained original vehicle with everything working or serviceable.

There aren’t any dramatic changes. Looks like you can get a bit more horsepower in a Mopar for less than a few years ago. While the Ford Fairlane went up some, the Falcon in excellent condition dropped.

The point of this exercise was to find a solid muscle car at a reasonable price without paying the outrageous prices for the most popular muscle cars, for example at ’71 Hemi any-model or a ’69 – ’71 big block Mustang. Good information for those of us who won’t be buying at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson or other high-end auctions!

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The Daily Telegraph

In its day it was the ultimate James Bond gadget. Driven by Sean Connery in the film Goldfinger, the car had built-in machine guns, a bullet-proof shield, and revolving number plates.

Now the Aston Martin DB5 is due to accomplish another feat. It is expected to fetch 4-million pounds (about 5.8 million US) when it comes on the open market for the first time.

The silver car has "some rather interesting modifications," as Q explained in the 1964 film.

These include a tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, and smoke screen. However, the most memorable of the extras, the ejector seat, does not work. But the buyer will find a canopy in the roof above the passenger seat, as well as a red button on top of the gear stick used by 007 to activate the seat.

The secret devices were deployed by Bond when he was being pursued by Goldfinger's henchmen in the film. Most of the other gadgets are in working order, although the machine guns do not fire.

It was also used during a game of cat-and-mouse in the vehicle with a Ford Mustang in the Alps.

The car, which also featured in the 1965 film Thunderball, was bought from Aston Martin in 1969 by an American radio broadcaster for $12,000.

Mr Lee is selling the vehicle at auction in London on Oct 27 and hopes to use the proceeds to fund a foundation he runs that focuses on crime prevention.

The car, which has its original British registration number FMP 7B, is said to be in perfect working condition and has about 30,000 miles on the clock.

It is the only surviving DB5 used in the films. Another model used during filming mysteriously vanished from an airport hangar in Florida in 1997.

Peter Haynes, of RM Auctions, which is selling the car, said: "After the car was used in Thunderball, Aston Martin sold it to Mr Lee who has owned it ever since. He had to really persuade Aston Martin to sell it to him, and they did on condition they could use it for promotional purposes whenever they wanted."

He added: "The car is up and running. You can use the smoke screen and oil slick discharge, the revolving number plates and activate the bullet-proof shield at the back. The machine guns obviously don't work - they never have done - but you can still press a button inside and it moves them into position."

Mr Lee, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said: "The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years.

"Even as I sell it, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the foundation to do good around the world."

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Livio De Marchi was born in Venice where, though still a child, he worked on ornamental sculpture in the Venetian tradition in the workshop of a craftsman and meanwhile studied art and drawing. He displayed an astounding skill in moulding materials, transforming them with wit and panache and creating sculptures with perfection of detail, spontaneity and essence. During his artistic evolution he worked first in marble, then bronze, and eventually in wood. However wood has always been his favourite material because it affords him a vitality which other materials do not.

Since opening his own studio, Livio De Marchi has allowed his fantasy to take wing. He has a wonderful ability to "see" life, letting him carve unique sculpture. His artworks have been shown in cities all over the world including Milan, Florence, London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Zürich, New York, Los Angeles, San Fancisco and Tokyo.


Follow the link for more!

http://www.li...m/ukmain3.htm

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In May 2007, a caravan of Trans Am fans recreated the rip roaring, adventure filled trip from Texarkana, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia made famous by those two lovable bad boys Burt Reynolds (Bandit) and Jerry Reed (Snowman) in the Hollywood hit, “Smokey and the Bandit.” Three years later, the “Bandit Run” has become an annual event. This year’s convoy, totaling over 85 vehicles and a replica of Jerry Reed’s 18 wheeler, starts out in Braselton, Georgia and finishes in Orlando, Florida. Along the way, they will stop in Jupiter, Florida, the home of the Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum, for the Bandit Bash.

Wednesday evening, May 19, 2010, the town will be rocking under the Indiantown Road Bridge as local bands strike up a country beat. A Burt Reynolds look-a-like contest, food vendors, a memorabilia auction and admission to the Museum will round out the event. For those movie-loving fans, the Bandit’s own bandit car will sit center stage.

We hope everyone has a safe trip!
Take lots of photos and videos to share!
But most of all, Party, Party Party!!!

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Peter Wozena (1918-2006) – Wozena grew up in Detroit and graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1937. He worked as a clay sculptor of automobile bodies at Briggs Manufacturing Company. Wozena’s design talent was recognized by General Motors when he became one of the winners of the Fisher Body Craftsmen’s Guild in 1939. He was assigned to the Pontiac studio before war broke out. Pete served in the US Navy and designed bombsights and various military hardware. Returning the GM in 1946, his skills were used designing detail elements in the Cadillac Studio such as the tail lights for the 1948 Cadillac and the fins for the 1950 model. Wozena is also credited with designing the popular Vista-Cruiser roofline available on 1964-72 Buick and Oldsmobile station wagons. He spent much of his career in advanced styling generating wild and offbeat desgns. Wozena retired from GM in 1974.

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Can you find the year, make, model, and owner? The owner says “I had the opportunity to purchase this one with only 11,500 miles on it...Even the tires are original. “

Good luck,
GoldenGirl

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With General Motors no longer manufacturing Pontiacs, the Bandit Run 2010 will celebrate a slice of American history and pay homage to the 1977 hit film “Smokey and the Bandit.”

Created in 2007, the Bandit Run started as a re-enactment of the journey portrayed in “Smokey and the Bandit,” where Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) chases a trucker, “Snowman” (Jerry Reed), his buddy “Bandit” (Burt Reynolds), a runaway bride, “Frog” (Sally Field), and 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana, Texas, to Georgia. Over the years, however, the event has “become so much bigger and more meaningful,” according to Bandit Run sponsor Dave Hall. “What started out as a small group of die-hard Trans Am lovers, evolved quickly into a 100+ group of close-knit friends traveling all over the U.S. with a variety of muscle cars and the same objective in mind, to cruise in their beloved cars and have fun,” Hall said.

Open to everyone (including those who do not drive Pontiacs), this annual traveling car show offers an opportunity for gear heads, Trans Am enthusiasts, fans of the film and more to embrace the Americana-flavored event that some, like Bill Halsey of Independence, Mo., have made a yearly tradition. “Once I went on the first one, I was hooked,” said Halsey. “I knew I’d never miss one.”

Along with the classic cars, Snowman’s rig will once again join this year’s run, and rumor has it that the Smokey may be in “hot pursuit.”

Motortopians wish good luck and good weather to all participants in "The Run"

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