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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Still had to pass up some very cool rides because of incomplete garages. We did manage to find ten very cool rides to choose from. This was easy to choose from the ten. Congratulations alwaysakid on having your 1950 Studebaker Champion (FozzieMobile) chosen as the Cool Ride of the Week for July 01, 2010. You can view this very cool ride and alwaysakid's garage here: http://www.mo...hampion-18037


Take care,
Jerry

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This is the most fuel-efficient vehicle for sale in North America in 2006.
A. Toyota Prius
B. Honda Insight
C. Volkswagen Golf TDI (Diesel)
D. Smart Fortwo Coupe

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It is the fastest production sedan on earth.
A. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
B. Jaguar XJR
C. BMW M5
D. Bentley Continental Flying Spur

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It was equipped with a 150hp Inline 6-cylinder engine when it was introduced in 1953. Today it is a performance icon.
A. Chevrolet Corvette
B. Ford Thunderbird
C. Pontiac GTO
D. Ford Mustang

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It was the best selling car in North America from 1992-1996.
A. Ford Taurus
B. Honda Accord
C. Toyota Camry
D. Honda Civic
Good luck,
Jerry

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He is referred to as the Father of the Mustang. He was later fired from Ford and was hired by the Chrysler Corporation.
A. John Delorean
B. Roger Smith
C. Lee Iacocca
D. Robert Lutz

Good luck,
Jerry

PS One of the people we need to do the Cool Ride of the Week is out of town. I cannot do the programming part so it will have to wait until next week. I honestly hate skipping a week but nothing I can do just now.

Jerry

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