Wednesday, July 20, 2011

UPDATE: Shocking!

Yesterday I decided to try and get something accomplished on the car.  I started out wanting to plug the back-up light connector to the transmission.  For some reason, it likes to pop out.  Well, I couldn't get anywhere near it, so I gave up on that idea, though I need to get it fixed before I can get an inspection sticker next month.

Next, I thought maybe I'd paint a few more interior parts, but then I thought the steaming heat outside wouldn't be ideal for painting.  That left me with one last possible task: finally replace the rear shocks... alone... all by myself. 

Huge Difference!
I started off seeing if the tops of the shocks could be reached through the trunk.  The passenger side one was loose, and I didn't even feel a driver side one (remember that...).  Then, I got under the car and tried the nuts holding the bottom of the shocks on.  Half a can of Liquid Wrench and many trips to the cellar for different tools later, I got both bottom nuts loose.  Out came the passenger side shock, and what a nasty looking thing it was.  While trying to fit the new Edelbrock shock in place, it became obvious I would need a floor jack.  A walk down to Todd's house and back, and I was in business.  It took a while to get the new shock lined up properly due to the shipping strap ripping a bit (that strap keeps the shock compressed, easing installation).  But I finally got it installed and felt pretty proud.

Then, after fighting with the driver side shock a bit, things went wrong.  A quick chat with Todd on the phone, and the following peek at the service manual, made me realize I would not be able to finish the job.

Hmmm... old leftover hardware at left?
Turns out the driver side shock does not mount the same way as the passenger side one.  Instead of mounting into a hole in the trunk floor, and fastening from an access hole, the top of the shock goes into a metal bracket, which in turn gets mounted to a plate throught the trunk.  One look at the rusty bolts, and the lack of nerve, made me give up.  We will have to try using Todd's air ratchet and lift the car up more and use jack stands.  I gave the bolts a good soaking of Liquid Wrench... not sure if it will help.

Soooooo, after a couple of years wishing I had new shocks in the rear as well as the front, I am half way there.  For now the car will be called Tripod, since it only has 3 new shocks, and one nasty old one...

Monday, July 18, 2011

Maxi at the Codman House Car Show - Lincoln MA 7/17/11

Yesterday Maxi and I braved the heat and went to the annual car show at the Codman House in Lincoln MA.  I took a different route than usual in order to get some gas.  There was a huge white Cadillac at the gas station, and the driver asked if he could follow me as he was a little lost.  Sooo, we must have been quite a sight... a big white yacht behind a loud blue thing, driving past Walden Pond in Concord, a very liberal and "green" place.  The only down-side was that the Caddy was driving real slow, and I had to creep along so he wouldn't loose sight of me...

I managed to find a spot to park where Maxi's good side showed, installed my various info signs, and headed off to look at all the other cars.  Mine wasn't the prettiest, but at least it was where it could be understood...






Saturday, July 16, 2011

Hemmings Motor News: 1974 AMC AMX Restoration Profile

Hemmings
In a way, Reg Farney was his car's own previous owner.

You know, the guy you swear you're gonna hunt down and serve a knuckle sandwich for hacking up your car's wiring, leaving you to fix it all. Or the guy you mutter oaths of damnation to when you can't find critical nuts and bolts in all the boxes he gave you, even though he promised that those boxes contained everything you needed to put the car back together.

Yet Farney's owned his 1974 AMX nearly since it was new. So he's only got himself to blame...........READ WHOLE ARTICLE: Hemmings Motor News: 1974 AMC AMX Restoration Profile

Thursday, July 7, 2011

1968 Rebel Postcard w/International Pickup Prices

Here is a promotional postcard showing the 1968 Rebel, in both coupe and convertible form:


On the reverse is what seems to be a price list for an International Harvester 1300 series 4x4 pickup.  Looks like it was going to be used in some harsh weather!


National Collector Car Appreciation Day July 8, 2011

National Collector Car Appreciation Day July 8, 2011

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils announced July 8, 2011 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.”  The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Maxi Saves a Ford...

Here is Maxi at a local Ford dealership.  Recently the battery in my Crown Vic died, so I had to take the AMC to pick up a new one (thankfully replaced under warranty).  Not one person made a comment on the car... odd, since during all the years I worked at dealerships, when something different pulled up outside, at least ONE person would go out to look.  Maybe everyone is just numb these days...

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Hemmings Motor News: Racing Spirits

(Hemmings)
Car guys often pass their passion for fast cars to their offspring, whether inadvertently or intentionally. Steve McCully is one such son, who had no choice but to succumb to the exposure he received at a young age. After all, his childhood was a gearhead's dream: There were numerous Sunday afternoon trips to the drag races--places like 75-80 Dragway, Aquasco Speedway and Capitol Raceway (all in his native Maryland), and one trip to York U.S. 30 in Pennsylvania. Steve even witnessed as his father transferred the running gear from a 1960 Buick to their old family car: a 1939 Buick. It was Steve's introduction to the street rod scene........  READ WHOLE ARTICLE: Racing Spirits: Father and son duo compete in 1979 and '82 AMC compacts