All posts by Route 66 Pub Co

Porsche 918 Supercar Hybrid

Porsche 918Porsche 918

During this morning’s Cars and Coffee show in Scottsdale, AZ a new Porsche 918 Spyder rolled in. The Spyder is Porsche’s second hybrid and trust me this is miles different from a Prius! This supercar is a mid engine plug in. The V8 engine produces 608 horses from the gasoline engine with the two electrical motors on the front and rear axles capable of generating another 278 horses, totaling 887 ponies at your command. This one is painted Sapphire Blue Metallic.Porsche 918 Driver's Side

Stats on Porsche

Ironically the range under all electric is a meager 12 miles! But hey it tops out at 210 mph. It gets rated at 67 mpg equivalent when in electric mode and 22 mpg when powered by the gasoline engine. The added electrical torque makes for some jaw breaking acceleration. Those pipes on the rear deck are not for show. They are the true exhaust points and the short distance from the mid-engine allows for much lower exhaust back pressure.

Porsche 918 Engine Deck

Porsche is planning on producing only 918 units (get it 918 units for the 918 model?) all listed as the 2014 model year. Too late to orders yours, they sold out with a base price of $845,000. But hey you do get a federal energy tax credit for it.

Porsche Driving Modes

The 918 Spyder offers five different running modes: all electric or E-Drive, Three combination or hybrid and gasoline engine are also allowed Hybrid, Sport and Race. Hot Lap gives out the full power available from the Porsche.Porsche 918 Emblem

What do you think of this hybrid, supercar?

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Lace Paint on a 27 Ford Track T

Here at Route 66 PubCo we love lace paint jobs. Any car show that has a car with some lace paint is worth the trip! We’ll see some at a Goodguys Rod and Custom Show and once in a while at a local event, but this year at SEMA we saw an awesome full on example with an interesting twist.Driver's Side 27 ZFord with Lace Paint

Lace Paint

Lace paint is a dying art form but there are still some old schoolers laying down some lace and painting the cars. Traditionally a lacey fabric would be stretched tight across a body panel, frequently the roof, and the paint sprayed down through the lace. When the paint dried and the lace pulled off, the intricate lace design would remain on the panel. Wicked cool we say.Lace Paint on Ford

At this year’s SEMA Show we saw this venerable 1927 Track T from John Gilbert. The track T was sitting outside the North Hall and plenty of people rushed by in a hurry to see the indoor exhibits and keep their appointments. But they missed a chance to pour over a true legendary car, just taking a break outside. John probably has forgotten more stuff about cool cars than we’ll ever know and he showed his licks on the roadster. Using spray cans from Eastwood he put down this rubberized elastic wrap that was just a temporary paint job on the Track T.

ElastiWrap™ from Eastwood

ElastiWrap™ is a unique strippable rubberized coating that can be easily applied over most surfaces and can remain in place indefinitely or be removed by simply peeling off. It comes in spray cans or in large cans as needed. ElastiWrap is durable and holds up well in the scorching sun. And because it is treated like a paint, it can be any color or tint you desire.27 Ford Front End

The roadster measures just over 12 feet and has a GM crate 350 engine with a TH350 automatic. The car just looks cool.

Gilbert writes for a variety of magazines and the 27 Ford has been featured in several. Here is a short video from Eastwood where John explains the process of painting this wicked lace paint job. What do you think?

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Rod Authority’s SEMA Top Six -Our View

Our friends at Rod Authority picked six cars as their favorite from the recent SEMA Show. That’s the nice thing about car shows, big or small; everybody sees things their way and pick different favorites. We’d be hard pressed to limit ourselves to just five vehicles (or six with a bonus selection).

But if you are going to pick some, we couldn’t argue with some of their selections. Here’s our view of some of their picks.

1935 FordDSCN9215

This sedan was sitting outside and drew lots of glances. From the straight body work to the 306 Ford engine mated to a Tremec six speed, this car was just downright neat. The owner incorporated Inglese electronic fuel injection and it rode on Kugel front and rear suspensions components with coilovers.

Two special items to note about this car. On Friday night’s Cruise it drove out under its own power, which always earns bonus points in our view. Plus that color! While you might label it olive green it actually shows what happens when you change up the base undercoats. This color is actually the result of laying down a House of Kolor Deep BLUE Pearl over black! Nice job guys.

1932 Ford Roadster – Double TroubleDSCN9272

This red beauty was at the Barrett-Jackson booth and came from Ron Pratte’s Collection which sells in Scottsdale next month. It has a 296 ci V8, with a Tremec five speed transmission and a quick change rear end. Pratte’s cars are rarely seen in public so you have to see them when you can.

1942 Willys Coupe – GasserDSCN9430

This brown beauty named “Single Barrel Jack” and featured a 392 Hemi. It had a 411 posi from a 57 Oldsmobile and a blower matched to a Hilborn injection unit. It is styled like a gasser but without an exaggerated lifted front end. So it is a very subtle ride with an awesome paint job. No wonder it was at the PPG Paint booth.

Thanks Rod Authority for your view. So now you have our view and pictures of some neat SEMA cars. What’s your opinion?

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55 Chevy Shoebox Drag Racer Restored

It was hard to miss this car hauler and Chevy at the SEMA Show. It was sitting out front, naturally, and drew a good collection of onlookers. Between the gold paint job and some obvious patina, this combo was a natural magnet for car aficionados.55 Chevy and Hauler

55 Chevy Drag Racer

The 55 Chevy is in drag race trim, sporting a front straight axle and a 327 with a Borg Warner four speed with 5.56 gears. Turns out it was bought by the driver, Van Heck, when he was fifteen in 1963. In 1967 it was set up for drag racing with a chrome straight axle.

55 Chevy Right FrontThe interior sports white metallic diamond pleats. Hilborn injection was used for more power and classic Hooker headers were also used. That’s a fiberglass front end to help cut the weight on the shoebox Chevy. The pictures show the extensive amount of chroming that Heck used on this racer’s rear end suspension parts.55 Chevy Rear End

The car raced intermittently until one fateful day in 1976. After breaking the drive shaft and done for the day, and loaded up the car on the hauler. On the way home, the hauler was involved in a crash wrecking the front end but still able to make it home. After that night the car and truck were put into storage.55 Chevy Left Rear

Restoration

Heck died in 2006 and his estate sold the hauler and racer to a gentleman Larry Frees who has gone to great lengths to restore this combination to its glory days. It’s nice to see someone recognize the historical relevance of an “average Joe “Saturday night racer and spend the effort and time to make it right. The parts and workmanship are period correct and Frees even went to the length of having the lettering done by the same gentleman who originally did it.55 Chevy Right Rear

More background on this restoration can be found on Frees’ site.

What do you think? Thumbs up?

 

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69 Camaro with a Potent Power Plant

At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada you get to see all sorts of ingenuity in action. Sometimes you scratch your head and say why, and other times you say why not! Not all the action occurs behind the red velvet ropes at this trade only event. Many great rides are viewed by the public on the sidewalks surrounding the Las Vegas Convention Center. 69 Camaro Side ViewThis white 69 Camaro was found on the sidewalk outside the arena and the first time with the hood down it looked nice but…Camaro 69 Discreet Hood Down

Camaro withTwo LSX Engines

Once the hood went up, so did the horsepower on this monster! Camaro Engine BayThat is not a mirror behind the engine, that’s two LSX engines mated together. That friends, is one fine engineering feat. We’ve seen it done before, but this setup is over the top. Done well and nicely planned out.

1500 Horses for this Camaro

This humble ride was produced by Gary Higginbotham of American V8 Classics and Customs from Alpharetta, Georgia. He mated two 427 cubic inch engines to produce a combined 1200 horsepower. But that wasn’t enough; he added a shot of NOS to each engine for an extra 150 horses on each engine, so totaling 1500 horsepower from this power plant.Engine Close Up 69 Camaro

Keeping it altogether required forged JE pistons, a Comp Cam, a Collies crankshaft and ARP bolts. The smooth white body rests on an Art Morrison frame and the interior pictures show how far into the cabin the second engine rests. 69 Camaro InteriorA automatic transmission, 4L60E, hooks up to a Corvette differential – and for kicks you might as well have a view of that from the trunk, right?69 Camaro Rear Differential

So with the hood down you see a great 69 Chevy Camaro, in bright white paint. A nice car but with no indication of what rests under that hood. Pop the hood up and you are darn sure guaranteed some parking lot on-lookers!

What do you think?

 

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Coast Products Flashlights Light the Way

Coast HP2 FlashlightWhile at this year’s SEMA Show, not only do we get a chance to see some awesome cars and trucks; but can check out in person all sorts of new accessories and American ingenuity. We went down the Las Vegas Strip to the AAPEX Show and checked out a line of knives and flashlights offered up by Coast Products out of Portland, Oregon.Coast HP2 front view

Coast HP2

We got our hands on a small penlight type flashlight, the HP2, and wouldn’t let go. This small flashlight packs a powerful punch in a lightweight package. A single AAA battery powers this beauty to produce a brilliant white light and a variable beam of light. A simple twist of the front cap changes the light from a broad beam to a narrow focus. The rear rubberized push button makes for a simple on/off switch. The flashlight has an o-ring seal to keep it watertight.Coast HP2 vertical view

Coast Warranty

Coast Products offers a lifetime warranty on most all of their items. This flashlight is rated at a bright 68 lumens, is waterproof and the aluminum body can take a licking. (Don’t ask me how I found out!) This beauty is four inches long and comes with a convenient pocket clip. We snapped some photos of this light output projected on a plain piece of white copy paper.Coast HP2 outputCoast HP2 output broad beamCoast HP2 output as a spotlight

You can always tell a Coast Products light as they incorporate a thin red ring in their product line. You can find this light at their website or at a variety of local shops, like Home Depot or even Fry’s Electronics.

Usefulness

This would be a great tool for any technician who often needs to see in dim lighting. While on their website check out their full line of flashlights and lighting packages, including some slick rechargeable lights. You won’t go wrong and you’ll appreciate the difference!

If you have a Coast light let us know your opinion!

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Chevrolet SEMA-Corvettes+COPO Camaro

Chevrolet always has a strong presence at the yearly SEMA show held in Las Vegas. Besides the factory presence on the SEMA floor, many enthusiasts bring out their personal designs based on Chevy products and have them at various vendor’s booths and displays.

Chevy Bowtie

But before the SEMA show even opens to the public, Chevrolet holds a media event the night before and gives the press sneak peeks at various models. Here we’ll present our four favorite performance Chevy cars

COPO Camaro

We have been HUGE fans of the COPO Camaro and love Chevrolet’s commitment to the drag strip by providing these cars in limited production, with only 69 being handmade each year. Past versions were mentioned here.

COPO Camaro

This year’s version was enthusiastically received and has lots to applaud. The 2015 version of the COPO Camaro on display at the SEMA Show featured a white exterior with gray and orange accents including an all-new style of COPO graphics – and was fitted with a 350 “LSX” V-8 engine topped with a 2.9L Whipple supercharger.

These production race cars are fitted with a pre-approved NHRA roll and a full on racing chassis and suspension components – including a solid rear axle system in place of the standard independent rear axle.

Racers can select from a variety of supercharged and naturally aspirated LS-family engines based on their racing NHRA Stock and Super Stock classes, including the 350, 396 and 427 naturally aspirated engines and a supercharged 350.

But you can’t just waltz into a showroom for these beauties, you have to enter into a lottery and hope you are one of 69 selected.

Jimmie Johnson’s 1971 Corvette

NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson resto-modded a vintage 1971 Corvette with both exterior and interior updates, plus an all-new Gen V LT1 crate engine. The crate engine is rated for 460 horses. Jimmie came out in person to tout this powerhorse.

Jimmie Johnson

Johnson chose a Super Magnum six-speed manual transmission also offered by Chevrolet Performance. Johnson’s resto-mod Corvette also has an updated chassis, with adjustable coil-overs replacing the original front and rear suspension components, for more precise handling. A set of C6 Corvette Z06 brakes were bolted to this Corvette to help slow it down in record time. The 18 inch wheels help to emulate the rally wheels of the day.

1971 Corvette Driver's Side

Kiss’ Paul Stanley 2015 Corvette Stingray

Frankly the exterior treatment of the Corvette left me wanting more, but I can’t deny that during the show plenty of folks were checking it out. This red beauty had the Z51 package added to it; so it came rolling in with a dry-sump oiling system, electronic limited-slip differential, monster front brakes and a cooling package for both the differential and transmission. The transmission is an eight speed paddle shifter bolted to a 6.2L Gen V LT1 engine, rated at 460 horsepower and 465 pounds of torque.

Blue Devil

For Corvette aficionados, they can name off all the historic and record breaking cars. so a few tears welled up when the Blue Devil drove out.

ZR! Corvette

The ZR1, nicknamed the “Blue Devil,” is the first of the cars swallowed by the famed Corvette Museum “sinkhole” to be restored. You know, the hold in the ground that ate up eight Corvettes?

Technicians from Chevrolet took it under their wing and fixed some body panels, cracked doors, some broken glass and some bent control arms. The first public viewing for this iconic Corvette was here and then it was going to be whisked away back to Bowling Green, KY to be put back on public display.

So tell us which car makes your heart flutter?

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66 Chevy Stepside from SEMA

We had lots of cars and trucks to ogle while at SEMA.  Here is a link to our eBay Motors blog on this exceptional 66 Chevy Stepside.  DSCN8612

66 Chevy C 10 Stepside

The owner was the second owner of this truck and took his time finding a local shop in Henderson, NV to do the restoration.  Hard to believe in stock shape it came from GM like this.

DSCN8606

 

How can you NOT love the stance on this beast?

Here are some additional shots of the truck.  Enjoy and let us know your favorite view.

 

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Gas Monkey Garage 1965 Impala

Gas Monkey Garage COPO Camaro
Driver side view

Gas Monkey Garage

Last night, viewers of Fast N’ Loud saw Gas Monkey Garage’s Richard Rawlings sell a 1965 2 door Impala that had been “restored” to a Tennessee casino for $75,000.  That started a series of commentary on the “interweb” (as Rawlings refers to it) on whether it was fairly priced.

Now I am not a huge fan of “reality TV” car shows, mainly since many are far-fetched and stray quite a bit from the truth.  And many of these builds, rushed for dramatic tension to meet unrealistic and unnecessary deadlines, show the outcomes of the haphazard workmanship.  As the saying goes; “Fast, Good and Cheap – you can’t have all three”.

Richard Rawlings

Gas Monkey Garage, with Richard Rawlings and Aaron Kaufmann, has received some great publicity through their show on the Discovery Channel and had an interesting run offering the Chevrolet COPO Camaro.  In January they sold a Ferrari at Barrett-Jackson that they had previously repaired on the show. If nothing else, Rawlings and crew have some great publicity working for them.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

1965 Impala

We’ve seen Gas Monkey Garage’s work before, and haven’t seen this car in person, but seriously doubt that this car was close to being a $75,000 car.  The show documented some rust issues by the window moldings, and the sun visors kept flipping down during the test drive,  It didn’t appear during the show that any of the chrome or trim was reworked and the glass wasn’t swapped out.  Ironically this car was originally bought from an impound yard after the owner failed to claim it.

Turns out the casino already give it away for a promotion and the new owner first tried to sell it on eBay.  The auction started in late August and ending on September 4, 2014. But it only received six bids and stopped at $19,100; way below the reserve price. The owner claimed to be selling it to pay the taxes on the prize, a common issue with prize winners and the IRS.

Craigslist

Now the owner is offering it up on Craigslist for $33,500.  The description still has some typos but with the hype from last’s night’s show, wonder if the seller will get his new asking price.  Good luck!

Gas Monkey 65 Impala

What’s your opinion of the car and it’s value?  Let us know.

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Pratte Collection Selling at Barrett-Jackson

Ron Pratte’s extensive car collection, including cars and automobilia, is selling at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ. We have previously offered an exclusive look at his collection on  this website. Our friends at Barrett-Jackson have just announced that they are expanding their auction dates to accommodate all the vehicles.

Barrett-Jackson Auction, January 2015

The auction in Scottsdale, AZ will now  start on Saturday January 10th, with portions of Pratte’s automobilia being sold from Saturday January 10th through Tuesday the 13th. Traditionally the auction house starts each morning with some automobilia but his extensive collection obviously requires more lots and time. Usually car sales don’t start until Tuesday.

Ron Pratte Collection

Pratte collected a massive amount of cars and they are auctioning off his cars on Tuesday January 13th and on the “prime time” Saturday January 17th. Saturday afternoon and evening is traditionally the ONE day for the most anticipated vehicles, (like the Batmobile) selling at the highest prices.

Pratte’s collection includes some historic vintage cars, many built by highly regarded fabricators like Boyd Coddington and numerous cars he bought whose proceeds went to charity. In fact he often bought a charity car and then re-donated it back so it could be auctioned off again.  Several of his cars are selling, with the proceeds going to specific charities, that he always has supported.

Looks like Barrett-Jackson week just got longer.  Will you be attending?

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