Bacon Fest

 

 

 

Bacon and a Road Trip.  Something to do next year for sure ....

https://twitter.com/BRBaconFest

 

Gary Numan Show Announced in Milwaukee

 

+

 

Gary Numan just announced a show at Turner Hall on April 1, 2014 in Milwaukee.  The artist behind the hit songs Cars, Are Friends Electric?, Down in the Park, and others, promises to put on a great, intimate show.  There is perhaps no song better than Cars to capture the perfect driving mood.

 

Cars then:

 

Original Cars Video

 

Cars now with NIN in London:

 

Gary Numan With Nine Inch Nails

How Fast Formula 1 Cars Really Are

 

 

 

Below is a great video comparing the speeds of GT cars with F-1's.  It's clear that there is no comparison:

GT Versus Formula 1

Pontiac Versus Ferrari: 1965

Been a while since the Journal has been visited.  No real progress on the Grand Prix to report.  This article from Wild About Cars got the blood going again: March 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 vs. Ferrari  It's time to get out in the garage again.

'64 Catalina versus '67 Chevy

Just love to see Pontiacs beat Chevys:

Hemmings 64 Catalina Vs. '67 Chevrolet

Pedals and Plate

Things keep moving along slowly, but there are finally three pedals in the Grand Prix.  With help from others, got a template for the firewall plate hole (for the rod from the pedal to the Z-Bar) and found a clutch rod boot replacement (apparently a Ford Mustang one will work-ordered, but have yet to receive).  Also seem to have all, or most, of the parts for the center console and shifter.  It is starting to finally look like a 4-Speed:

 

Most exciting, however, is the new license plate on the front bumper: 

 



Seen from another angle, however, it is pretty clear that there is more to do:

World of Wheels-Milwaukee 2013

Almost the equivilent of Ground Hog Day, the World of Wheels Car Show at Wisconsin State Fair Park is the first hint that Spring is coming.  I'm glad I went this year, if nothing more than to see what have to be two of the most beautiful 1961 Pontiac Bubbletops (one a Catalina, one a Ventura) in existence.   Both cars were engine coded 425A 389's and Tri-Powers.  Each was impeccable.  One had a trailer hitch and 15" chrome rims, and regular Wisconsin plates.  It was clearly built to be driven, although by looking at it, one would have to wonder if it ever was.  The other looked amazing stock.  As the song goes "If I had a million dollars ... ".   I'd replace the line referencing the K-Car and macaroni & cheese and insert these:

In July, Another Fest at the Milwaukee Mile



It wonderful to see that there will be a return of the Howie Lettow 150 to the Milwaukee Mile July 8th and 9th.  While things haven't been completely firmed up, more information can be found here:

ARCAFEST, July 2013

 

One can't help but notice a positive trend. Milwaukee, which has gained a reputation for Summer Fest, and Polish Fest, and German Fest, and a whole lot more fests, is going to be hosting Indy Fest and now ARCA Fest in 2013.  This is a good thing for America's oldest racetrack.

Lyrics That Aren't

At one point in every car lover's life, one of these lyrics that aren't has been "sung" while driving:

A History of Lyrics that Aren't

Check out more at: http://www.cdzamusic.com/

California is Better than Wisconsin in January

Irrespective of Stanford's win over my alma mater Wisconsin in this year's Rose Bowl, it is apparent that California is better than Wisconsin in January.  While temperatures hover near ZERO degrees in the original Dairy State, in California the Grand National Roadster Show is about to open:

Grand National Roadster Show

Cool Little Poster For $9

Cool Pontiac posters come along very seldom.  While only 11 X 17, this one is cool.  It can be purchased from: AutoWorldStore.com

Sway Bar is On, Axle is Spruced Up

Found a can of Hammered Finish paint at Lowes on clearance for about $4.  Decided to paint the rear axle and sway bar.  Permanently put the sway bar in place.  Looks good.

Milwaukee Indy Fest 2013

 

Indy Racing returns returns to the Milwaukee Mile in June 2013.  Click below for your personal invitation from the great Mario Andretti:

Mario Andretti personally invites you to Milwaukee Indy Fest 2013

A Chopped '64 Grand Prix

A new meaning to a chopped car.

Fun in the Sun

A little 10.5 Catalina fun in the sun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jzV7RlhJc_I

Ahh, Florida in winter.

Wheel Stud

For reference, replacing the wheel studs with longer ones on the rear axels of a '63 Grand Prix should have been easy to figure out, right?  Just go to a catalog or a forum, and someone knows, one would think. 

Much thanks to my mechanic friend Chris who figured it out and installed the proper studs manufactured by Dorman:

Together Again

The engine with new, correct timing cover is together.  The original accessories line up:

Mongo Passing

Mongo just pawn in game of life.

RIP Buddy.

Now That a 4-Speed is Close, How Does a Stick Actually Work?

From Chevrolet, this video explains how a manual shift actually works:

How a Manual Transmission Works

Timing Cover is On

In a quest that seemed to take months, and did, the timing cover, harmonic balancer, and fuel pump is mounted to the engine.  Next step, pick up a water pump (now that we think we know what we need).   After that, install the pedal assembly for the 4-speed, cut the hole in the tunnel for the shifter, get the engine in the air to attach the bell housing, clutch, and transmission then get it in the car.