July 19: Funny car and a cat

 Here she is, the world(?) famous Car Modeling Cat, my model building partner, checking out the instructions for building a vintage Funny Car from about 1970. The "Rambunctious" Charger build has been stalled due to poor instructions, that both she and I are having a hard time with. Not near as straightforward as the one we just finished.........

I like the old Funny Car's, as I remember seeing many of them run way back in the day. Never did see this particular Chi-Town Hustler 1970 Charger from Illinois, but always liked the car anyway. Run by three partners, Farkonas (a pilot and the main $ man), Coil (the mechanic) & Minick (the driver), for many years until they went their separate ways. If the name Coil sounds familiar it is. Austin Coil joined John Force's team as crew chief in the mid '80's and of course, you know what happened then. Force, the perennial runner up, started to win and has become the winningest driver in NHRA history.

But back to the Chi-Town Hustler..........nostalgia Funny Car racing replicates the old racers with more or less modern powertrains generating a lot more power. The current racers all look the same, but there was a time when they looked almost exactly like their street counterparts. Like this one........

At last weekend's Nitro Nationals (see July 16th's blog), there were two nostalgia cars, but this one really got my attention (with 3000 HP hard not to), the 1973 Chi-Town Hustler. This came after the one the CMC and I just built. As you can see big name sponsors, in this case Revell, had come on the scene. You could also buy a scale model of your favorite at your local hobby shop.

I remember seeing the original of this car run at the long gone Georgetown Dragway just outside Toronto. They used to run Wednesday nights and booked in some great shows. The new Chi-town belongs to Ontario resident, Doug Cadman, who has quite a collection of famous old dragsters. Although they don't come near the 8000 HP monsters of today, their 3000 HP sure gets your attention.

Compared to the modern machines these nostalgia pieces are tame, but there is something unique about their sound that takes one back, way back. And who wouldn't like watching a race with cars that look "real" as opposed to a carbon fiber covered arrow? The good ol' days?

Until next time.......

July 16: Nitro Nationals

Ridiculous but fun to watch. Sort of like the description of a mouse fighting an elephant. In this case, this is the Shockwave Jet truck. Simply put, it is a Freightliner tractor with three, count 'em, three, jet engines strapped to the back. Thrust equivalent to a mighty 36,000 HP  -  now that is real get up and go power. Why do it? Now you ought to know that if you have to ask that question, you just don't get it. Shock and awe, baby, that's what it is all about. And this thing puts on a SHOW.

Let's step back a bit. The Canadian Nitro Nationals were held at Cayuga Dragway this past weekend, so this was my annual pilgrimage to the smell of nitro and the shock of 8000 HP Funny Cars. The Shockwave was an exhibition piece to punctuate each session with some fire and smoke. This year's event was a family affair as I took two nephews and was also joined by my brother.

Here is yours truly with nephew Adam, sports fan extraordinaire, in front of Shockwave. As I said ridiculous but fun. The real show was centred around the nitro cars. "Nitro Nationals" is a bit presumptuous, but as far as I know this is the only time/place in Canada where nitro cars run, so let them call it what they want.

There were four nitro funny cars, headlined by Canada's only car in this category, Todd Lesenko's CN sponsored Charger (out of Edmonton)  -  8000 HP of nitro fueled fury. When these things start, they sound like a war. As they accelerate, the wave of power goes right thru you, so plugging your ears can only do so much. Love it!

Todd had two funnies at Cayuga, his old Fountain Tire car and his new one. Also running were two top fuelers, the best known being the Paton Family Racing car.........

I've followed Barry Paton and his team for almost 40 years, since they are originally from Nova Scotia and maritimers support their own. Progressing from funny cars to this nitro car, it has been interesting to watch the Paton family's progress over the years.

This event also featured alcohol funny cars, pro modifieds, nostalgia funny cars and another jet car, the Terminator, so it was a full and very fun family evening for hearing damaged race fans. But the Shockwave was a hoot and worth another closer look..........

Until next time.........

July 12: Morgan - a wooden concept

I know the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a wooden car. Right, it's this wooden Ferrari cruising the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. No surprise here, everyone does it. But I'm talking about a real car, not some pine or whatever curiosity. Think again car people. No other guesses? Well what about this car.........

My friend GID would recognize this right away. Yep, it's the Morgan Car factory in, where else, but merry old England. Yessir, they are making wooden framed cars to this day. My buddy would recognize this because he has a Morgan. Eccentric? I suppose. Can't think of another country where a quirky little company like Morgan could survive.

And talking about quirky, look at how they started........

The old Morgan three wheeler from the 20's and '30's. Get this, they actually still make this oddity along with this "traditional" Morgan.......

I don't think this sportscar has changed since whenever it was originally built. Old design, but with all the underpinnings of a modern car. Assembly line? Well sort of..........

Pull another body off of the shelf and deliver it to Rupert in the Cotswolds. Nothing like tradition, eh? And don't smoke near the frames.

Good old Morgan. Still churning out these old/new beauties and still having no problem finding buyers. As I said before, only in merry old England would you find an anomaly like this.

But Morgan is not all about the good old days, as they also build a very modern sportscar, the Aero Super Sports......

Reminds one of current Ferrari or Lamborghini? Well, not really, but it is a very nice take on a traditional design, although a bit heavy handed. Runs a 4.8L BMW V8, so power is right up to date and get this, there is still wood used in this modern interpretation.

Morgan. As traditionally English as treacle pudding, but not as sticky.

Until next time.......

July 9: Chevy Suburban - my how you've changed

Late '30's Suburban

Suburban - my how you've changed. There are those of you who would not remember that the Chevrolet Suburban was once a truck. No really, it was definitely a truck. Sure it's still a truck, but way back in the beginning it was a TRUCK. No fancy amenities, just a tough truck with no pretensions. Wow, how things have changed. Check out this pic of all the Subs and see how they've changed over the years........

From the basic 2 door on the left to the fancy urban soccer mom car in the middle, you have come a long way baby. Imagine driving one of these things around the most affluent neighbourhoods in the '60's. Wouldn't happen, unless it was the gardener's work truck.

Although Chevy tried to pitch this truck to big families, for years it was basically a utility vehicle. Sure the brochures might wish otherwise........

........but unless you needed a trailer puller, you walked right by these guys on your way to the family sedans. As we went thru the '90's, things started to change. The Suburbans became more and more luxurious and interiors like these were the norm, not the exception.......

Right out of a Cadillac, a Mercedes or a BMW. And now the drivers were the so called soccer moms, as their husbands had the luxury sports sedans. No longer were these big trucks owned by the average buyer, they became the status symbol of the wealthy. It seems every wife wanted a Suburban. How do they park these behemoths?

There was another change in the fortunes of the Chevy Suburban. Who would have thought that an armoured black Sub with blacked out windows would become the new political limousine and also the primary police escort vehicle? Check out this pic and count the Suburbans.........

Or this one carrying the US president.........

No longer the workhorse construction vehicle or the best choice for a trailer tow, the good ol' Suburban has become the favorite of the rather well do urban dweller. Going way back to the beginning, who would have thought?

Suburban  -  my how you've changed.

Until next time.......

July 5: Corvette - you sure don't look 50!

Of course you don't look 50, since you are now officially over 60, but how you've retained your curves! Look at that sensuous grille opening, the "come play with me" look in the headlights, the full hips and that very tight rear end (take a cold shower, Barry). Every 60 year old should look so good. You sure have matured over the years, so that the older you've become, the better you've become. Now at 60+ you are in the best shape you've ever been.

You didn't start out that way did you, ol' girl? Remember way back in 1953........

Not a bad looking baby, but you had nothing to back up those faux European looks. A weak kneed 6 cylinder was all you were born with. Not exactly an ugly duckling, but a bit of a laughing stock. But things would change for you very shortly. Remember in 1956, your parents finally gave you the power to play and got rid of your baby fat? Even as a child, you began to get respect, but boy you had to earn it.

Let's look at some of the changes people tried to impose on you as you grew.........

George Barris' Asteroid Vette. Did you deserve pink? Well maybe not, but those side pipes gave you an extra dose of aggression. Then how about having you compete with a sexy movie star.......

They even made a scale model of this misbegotten car, but no scale Farrah Fawcett unfortunately. But how about really ugly? And how about really ugly on the big screen?

Terrible movie, but what they did to you was even worse. Blind people with no taste should never be allowed to redesign an icon or anything else for that matter. What a disaster and all the time, you were just trying for a little respect.

But as time went on, you got better, much better. People really began to notice and appreciate you as you established yourself on the world stage. No longer a bloated American girl with no brains to back up your good looks. Unsual though, what you inspired..........


Pininfarina's Rondine Corvette

Or this ZR1 inspired monster, the ZR48.........

Ever wonder where folks get their ideas? At least out baby is getting the respect she deserves after all these long years. Not just a pretty face anymore are you? A real contender for beauty and brawn.


You've got the great looks of a amazing 60 year old, but everyone knows you can back up those sexy looks with skill, daring and ability. They even put one of your dates' names on you to commemorate your on track exploits, the Ron Fellows edition above. You wore your subtle markings with pride.

You were an ok looking baby, but boy look at you now. Happy 61st, ol' girl. You are still one of my all time favorites.

Until next time.........

July 2: BMW - the mystery solved



 I've wondered in an earlier blog about how the BMW design studios could come up with the sad looking, humped back GT and then drop the gorgeous 6 series on us. I called it the Jekyll and Hyde effect. Now it looks like they've done it again..........

This is the absolutely stunning Gran Lusso Coupe concept that was recently unveiled at the 2013 Villa d'Este Concours in Italy. Appropriate site, since the Italians appreciate beautiful designs and have probably done more than their share of "look at me twice" designs. Wonder how BMW could do this stunner and also accept responsibility for the 5 series GT? Take another look........

No question this is a great design. But who is responsible? Well, it ain't BMW, no way, Jose'. The Gran Lusso came from the famous Pininfarina studios. You know those guys, since they have had their name on the majority of Ferrari designs. No surprise, that someone other than BMW would be behind the Gran Lusso.

So what is it and why? For years Mercedes has thumped BMW at the top end with their S sedans, SL sports cars and CL coupes, such as this one........

BMW hasn't had an answer to this tough competitor since the old, long gone 8 series, but with this 7 series based, V12 powered concept, maybe here is the question and the answer. No shaggy dog look to this baby. Just pure beauty and good enough looking to finally challenge Benz at the game that they do so well.

BMW the ball is in your court. Forget about ego. Pay Pininfarina and make this beaut real. You want to beat Benz at their game? This could be your first point.

Until next time.........

June 28: What would you pay for that piece of junk?

Nice old Rambler from 1956 or '57........so what would you pay for this piece of old junk (there is another word for this)? A couple of hundred? A couple of thousand? $190,000? What's that you say? Are you out of your ever lovin' mind?

Well rock this folks...........

This piece of junk proves that beauty is more than skin deep, because it sure doesn't show on the surface. $190k buys you this beat up old '52 Chrysler/DeSoto combo. Great for long Summer weekend family outings. Never have to clean up your ride for the local cruise night, because no matter what you do, it will still look like a piece of doggy do. Until..........until you either open the hood or invite people to look underneath this incredible hulk. Equipped with a modern 6.1L Hemi motor and sitting on a new Dodge SRT chassis, this ugly duckling will turn into a swan once unleashed on an unwitting road.

Or what about this old girl, a '52 Chevy with a nice patina? "Patina" may not be exactly the right word to describe this old beater. Look closely, notice anything a little unusual, like those larger than stock wheels? Yes sir, those are the give away to what lies beneath. And like the wagon, this old coupe features a modern purpose built chasis with I believe, a Vette powertrain. Also like the Chrysler, the price tag is close to $200 large.

Who thinks up these things and who buys them? You can guess at the latter, but the former is Icon, an American company, out of (where else but) California. They started by making old "iconic" 4x4's into modern machines. Jeep type rigs, like the original Toyota FJ. One thing lead to another and with their success, there came the opportunity to play. The result of this success and too much time on their hands is their "derelict" line.

Featured on the original Top Gear and Jay Leno's Garage, these derelicts have intrigued gear heads everywhere. Well, I guess, but I like my rides, even the dream ones, to look good and not just go good. I'd do something a little more mainstream with my coin if $200k were gifted to me. But of course, variety is the spice of life and so it goes.

So next time you pull up beside a beater at the traffic light and smuggly rev the engine of your Honda Civic, look closely for the tell tale signs, after all, it just might be a derelict.

Until next time.........