56 Ford Goodguys Finalist Truck of the Year

56 Ford truck
Goodguys Late Truck of the Year Finalist

56 Ford Truck

This clean and sharp 56 Ford truck was selected as a finalist for the Goodguys’ Late Truck of the Year award.

In April, 2014 at the Goodguys’ Del Mar, California show, this truck was selected as Goodguys’ first finalist for this award. This previous article covered the Del Mar show.

Read the eBay Motors article for the full details on this build and the owner’s history with Ford trucks.

The truck was also entered at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California where it won its class and was named Truck of the Show.

Goodguys

Goodguys Rod and Custom has numerous awards and picks at their nationwide shows, and none are more sought after than winning a National Award. Throughout the balance of their show circuit, other trucks will be named finalists.  At their last show of the year in Scottsdale, AZ in November, 2014 they will announce the selected winners of many of these yearly awards.

Goodguys also selected a 31 Ford as an Early Truck of the Year finalist. Here is a short YouTube video on THAT truck.

Charlys Garage

The owner of the root beer brown 56 Ford truck selected Charlys Garage in Mesa, AZ to restore this gorgeous truck. Charlys Garage is truly a one stop shop and all word was done in-house.

Here is the link to our article on eBay Motors.  Let us know what you think.

[jetpack_subscripton_form]

Courtney Force Earns Women’s 100th Victory

COURTNEY FORCE WON HISTORIC 100TH FEMALE PRO NHRA VICTORY!

Courtney Force

Courtney Force, a member of her father’s John Force Racing dynasty, not only won the Funny Car champion trophy at Topeka, Kansas on Sunday May 25, 2014; she also was able to claim the 100th professional victory by a woman in NHRA (National Hot Rod Association).

NHRA

NHRA

Officials at NHRA were really promoting this special event over the last few racing events and it was just a matter of time before some lady claimed it. There usually are two female funny car racers at the drag strip; Courtney Force joined by Alexis DeJoria, along with Erica Enders-Stevens in Pro Stock and Brittany Force in Top Fuel. Of course no other motor sport comes close in diversity in regards to women being accepted as drivers and winning.

It was Courtney Force’s second attempt to earn this trophy. Last week Courtney Force lost to her brother-in-law and teammate Robert Hight. This week she defeated in the final round Cruz Pedregon, who ironically used to drive for John Force, and whom she has never beaten in a final round before.

Courtney and John Force too

Courtney Force

Courtney Force is in her third year as a professional Funny Car driver. This week she was the fastest qualifier in the funny cars. Not only does she follow in her father’s footsteps, but her older sister Ashley Force Hood also raced funny cars in the NHRA. And younger sister, Brittany Force, is now pursuing a career driving a Top Fuel dragster.

John Force RacingForce Trio

 

John Force Racing is snapping up wins and points this year, despite knowing that in 2015 John Force loses his Ford sponsorship funding and Castrol Oil is backing out then as well. But John Force is determined to keep his team going forward and winning races in future seasons.

Fourteen women won victories in the NHRA pro ranks, most notable being Shirley “ChaCha” Muldowney who earned the first win in 1976. Ashley Force, Courtney Force’s sister, also contributed to the win category.

Ashley Force Hood

Not to be overlooked was Brittany Force, Courtney Force’s younger sister, who took the fastest qualifier spot in Top Fuel. So racing history was also made with two sisters taking the top qualification spots in two professional drag racing categories.

Courtney and John Force

Way to go Courtney Force!

Sylvania Headlight Restoration Review

We decided to try the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit on a 2007 Camry. The Arizona sun has been hard on the headlights and the owner had tried once before to restore the headlights.

2007 Camry Before

Now was the chance to again test the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit.

Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit

At last year’s SEMA and APEX shows, it seems that everybody had a headlight restoration kit. And if they didn’t have a kit, their older product could be used for that purpose too!!

Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit

Sylvania’s kit comes with a liquid UV Block Clear Coat intended to keep the restoration from fading quickly. This sets them off from some of their competitors. The kit came with enough ample supplies to do the two headlights, sans towels and water. They give you a roll of rubber electrical tape to mask off nearby painted surfaces. We supplemented it with some blue “Painter’s Tape” as an extra caution.

Contents of Sylvania headlight Restoration Kit

Main Contents of Kit

Past Use of Headlight Restoration Kit

We have been really impressed with this headlight restoration kit, which we used before. We used it on a Toyota Sequoia always  parked outside facing south into the harsh Arizona sun. It worked out perfectly and was still in factory fresh condition when we sold it two years ago.

 

Step 1 – Headlight Restoration Kit

The first step is to spray their Surface Applicator over the headlight surface. This helps remove discoloration and soften the UV coating.

Headlight After Step 1

Step 2 – Headlight Restoration Kit

The kit comes with three grades of sandpaper, 400-1000-2000 grit. Wet sand each headlight, starting with 400 and working up to the 2000 grit paper. They recommend sanding 2-5 minutes per headlight with each grit, using plenty of water and a circular motion. With water, the lens looked better, but as it dried the lens became opaque again.

Headlight After Wet Sanding

Step 3 – Headlight Restoration Kit

Then use a tan Clarifying Compound to polish the lens.

Step Three Polish

This left the lens clean but with a slight haze after drying. Re-apply their surface activator to clean the lens one last time. Make sure the both lenses are dry before the last step.

After Polishing

 

At this point you might be wondering, what did you do to the headlights? as they may not look crystal clear. But fear not!

Step 4 – Headlight Restoration Kit

Use the UV Block Clear Coat to soak an edge of a folded paper towel and in one stroke wipe the top edge of the headlight. Continue to keep the edge moist and with a slight overlap, swipe the next portion of the headlight and repeat until all the lens is coated.  Let dry for 4-6 hours to fully cure.

Applying Clear Coat

 Final Outcome

2007 Camry After2007 Camry After 2

Close up after all steps

2007 Camry After Closeup

Sylvania Advantage and Warranty

In talking with the Sylvania pros, they proudly note that this final clear coat is what sets them off from the competition. The coating helps to keep the headlight pristine and prevents aging again. They are so confident in their kit they offer a lifetime warranty, which probably isn’t too risky for them. Not only do they offer a great product, but how many people will keep their cars another 4-5 years after doing the headlights the first time?

It took about 45 minutes for both lenses and being careful to cover all the surface area of the headlights with the wet sandpaper. A close examination can show some scratches that didn’t come out, but from even a few feet they look like new. There was enough liquid to do both headlights and some surplus remained – which I used on a 2010 Camry that was showing signs of haze already. Guess the Arizona sun does a number on these headlights.

2010 Camry Before

2010 Camry Before

2010 Camry After

2010 Camry After

 

See Sylvania’s website for more info

Have you tried this kit from Sylvania or a competitor’s? What was your experience and outcome?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

Memorial Day -Thanks to our Veterans

Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day and to honor our veterans from all our Armed Forces  of all ages and through all combat theaters, we suspend our normal articles on classic cars and salute our veterans!

Veterans

Thanks to all our veterans, Americans can enjoy the freedoms and rights that we have and cherish. Without their service and yes, especially their losses, America would not be the same today

Sacrifice

Thanks to modern technology, things our different. But can you imagine the service men and women in WW I and WW II waiting weeks and months for the next tear-stained letter from their loved ones. And even one photograph would be symbolic and a rare keepsake.

US Marine Corp War Memorial

Here is a set of pictures from the US Marine Corp War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia and next to the Arlington National Cemetery.

It is a constant reminder that freedom is never free!

Thanks to all our veterans,

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

31 Ford Truck – Goodguys Finalist

31 Ford Truck 1931 Ford – Early Truck of the Year

At the Goodguys show in Del Mar, California, they selected this 1931 Ford Truck as a finalist for Early Truck of the Year.  We previously commented on the Del Mar show here.

Early Truck of the Year

At other venues during this year, Goodguys will select some more finalists before awarding one truck the coveted title of “Early Truck of the Year” at the Goodguys finale in Scottsdale, Arizona in November, 2014.  In fact at this final show of their year, several Yearly Awards are selected.

31 Ford Truck

This 31 Ford truck kept a stock looking exterior but freshened up the engine and drive train.  The paint had a color flake to add a little sparkle.  31 Ford Truck

Henry Ford would not recognize the power plant under this hood but I guarantee you it’ll move out from the traffic lights.  I especially like the wheel treatment with the white walls and maroon rims and chrome centers.  How about you?

Goodguys

goodguys-2013-fall-0030

The Goodguys Rod and Custom show crosses the country with shows spread across numerous venues.  Although their name says “rod and custom”, in truth all sorts of cars and trucks show up at these three-day weekend events.  Plus on All American Sunday, modern muscle cars are welcome to join the party, so you get the opportunity to see a little of everything at one of their shows.

Entrants pay a modest fee for all three days of the show and the public pay at the admission gate for a chance to see some awesome classic cars and trucks.  Mots site even do a road course so cars can drive a timed cone outlined course to strut their car and their driving skills.

 

Here is a short video we created on the 31 Ford Truck.  Enjoy

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

USS Coronado Commissioning

Don’t often get a chance to see a US navy ship commissioned, so had to snap up this invite to attend the commissioning of the USS Coronado.Invite

USS Coronado

The USS Coronado is the fourth littoral combat ship in the US fleet.  It has a unique tri-hull that looks positively ominous when you see it bearing down.  It can proceed at 40 knots when it fires up all four of their diesel and gas turbine engines to power the powerful four water jets.

It is 420 feet long and has a width (beam) of 104 feet.  But astonishingly it only drafts in 14.5 feet, meaning it could enter some pretty shallow coastal areas.  A crew of forty proud men and women run the ship and there are actually two separate crews (a blue and a gold crew) so one is on board and one is off at any one time.

A littoral combat ship is designed to engage enemies along the coast lines.  These new ships, built jointly by General Dynamics, Austral USA and Bath Iron Works, are unique because they are modular in design,  They can easily change up their containers to switch from a submarine fighter to a search and rescue to …?

Coronado

The USS Coronado is actually the third ship named after Coronado, California and will be home ported in this Navy friendly  town.  Coronado is home to North Island Naval Air Station and is home for aircraft carriers, SEALS and various ships.

USS Coronado Crest

Crest for USS Coronado

The ship’s crest has an interesting background.  The ship is on top with the alternating blue and gold rope representing the alternating crews.  The crown represents the city of Coronado’s seal.  The three tines of the trident represent their three missions; Mine Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Surface Warfare

A commissioning only occurs once in a ship’s lifetime and is actually pinpointing the time when it enters the fleet and is available for duty.  The crew assigned at the time of the commissioning are known as Plankkeepers and it is an honor to help a ship to go through the shake down cruises and prepare it to be a vital piece of Naval combat.

On the dock were a rescue helicopter (check out the artwork on the fuselage), a submarine detector and various other armaments.

While a departure from our usual coverage, we thought you’d enjoy this close up look of a fighting ship.  What do you think?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

 

Cruise on Central revisited

55 ChevyWe had the chance to write an article for eBay Motors  n the Cruise on Central.  Here’s the link to the article.

We wrote about it earlier here and even submitted a quick video on YouTube as well.  Some additional pictures have been shared on Google + as well.

Cruise on Central

The Cruise on Central has some legendary history especially among long time locals and natives.  Find out how it started back in the 60’s,  was policed out of existence and then revived first as an unsanctioned event and now a local promoter has taken it under her wing.

 

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

 

 

Goodguys Del Mar Car Show Coverage

Here is a link to our  complete coverage of the fun times at Goodguys Rod and Custom car show in Del Mar, California show last month.  This is our article as posted by eBay Motors.

We gave you a sneak peek of the car show before, with this article.

Del Mar

Goodguys in Del Mar sort of gets the West Coast car guys to dust off the cars and start up the car season.  We had perfect weather and some great cars to look at.35 Chevy

Check out the article on eBay and let us know your favorite cars .

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.