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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
What’s your opinion of the car and it’s value? Let us know.
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?
Escondido’s weekly car show, “Cruisin Grand“, wrapped up their summer of events this past Friday with one last show. It started back in April and we covered the start as well. There are just some awesome cars and trucks at this weekly show that you won’t see anywhere else.
Escondido
Escondido, California may be best known for being home to the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park and is a short inland drive from San Diego’s cool tropical climate. But every Friday night, downtown Escondido heats up with a neat car show-cruise.
The main drive is reserved for classic cars and trucks. A few side streets are blocked off as well. bands play on various corners and an emcee/DJ plays some oldies and keeps the crowd entertained. But the real draw has to be the cars.
15 Year Anniversary
This is the 15th anniversary year for the free show that pulls in cars from across the SoCal car scene with their theme nights and club sponsorships. The final week is Nitro Night which is a huge draw and even picks up some national magazine coverage.
Escondido Downtown Merchants
Many restaurants stay open specifically for the Friday night cruise and there is a terrific kettle corn lady along with other food and drink vendors. It takes a large group of volunteers and some cash to keep this event safe and fun and they all do a good job!
It is worth the drive, if you are there on a Friday night next summer!
Here are some additional cars to feats your eyes on. Which is your favorite?
Congratulations to our friends at Barrett-Jackson who took Las Vegas by storm with another record setting auction at Mandalay Bay on September 25-27, 2014. During those three days Barrett-Jackson had the largest number of vehicles in their Las Vegas history, with more than 700 vehicles offered up with sales exceeding $33 million.
Besides the volumes of cars, being Las Vegas meant plenty of celebrities and quasi-celebrities were there. Last year was packed with stars and more were seen this year
US flag at Barrett Jackson
Charity Cars at Barrett-Jackson
As is the case for all the Barrett-Jackson auctions, some cars were auctioned off to benefit specific charities. The auction house always waive their fees, so the full amount goes to the charities. You might have heard that the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat sold for $825,000. In addition another group matched that bid so the local charity received $1,650,000! Rick Hendricks bought that car, like he has bought numerous charity cars at the auctions. That’s the most money raised for charity from one car at any of the Barrett-Jackson auctions ever.
Welcome Car Auctions
Future Auction Coverage
This auction also marks the end of the Barrett-Jackson auctions being broadcasted by the Fox Networks. After years of being on SPEED and Fox, in 2015 the auction will now be covered by the Velocity Channel, part of the Discovery brand.
Can’t wait until January when all the auctions converge in Arizona! What about you?
Toyota’s Scion brand is prepping for the upcoming SEMA Show in a big way by teasing out two sketches of some customized, tricked out Scion’s. Scion will showcase in Las Vegas at least two models; a Slayer Mobile Amp tC themed after trash metal band Slayer and a Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB named for the pro skateboarder.
Scion
Scion’s have always branded and positioned themselves as an entry market for coming of age drivers and buyers and offer many ways to customize the cars right off the dealer’s lot.
Last year Toyota had some neat racer inspired cars plus a “Tanked” Highlander which we showcased here. Now we’ll have to be sure and check out the Scion cars this year!
Slayer
You’d expect a Slayer dedicated show car to focus on the music and you wouldn’t be wrong.
The music is going to be pumping out of this tC for sure. Slayer is a California formed heavy metal band and has won two Grammy awards. It will be interesting to see if any of the four band members make it out for the debut of this Scion.
Riley Hawk
Riley Hawk’s ride, an xB, will present a flashback to the 70’s van craze. His ride will have shag carpet, bubble windows and wood paneling on the interior. Can’t wait to see it in person at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. There is bound to be enough room for his skateboard in this tricked out Scion!
Riley Hawk is the son of Tony Hawk, who revolutionized skateboarding on the West Coast. Riley is only 21 years of age and is already an award winning skater, but suspect Dad had to explain what shag carpeting was about!
SEMA
The sketches are a bit limited in presenting what the final version will look like, but can’t wait to see the outcomes in a month at the SEMA Show. We’ll keep our eye peeled for more progress updates.
GearWrench makes some great tools. It is known for their time-saving closed end box wrenches and we previously posted about there two Gimbal Ratchets. Now we show you how effective and helpful they can actually be.
Gimbal Ratchets
These ratchets debuted at last year’s SEMA Show and we were mesmerized by the engineering and thinking behind these ratchets. Unlike a typical thumb drive ratchet, the GearWrench Gimbal Ratchet floats inside two rings, so that like a gyroscope, you can tweak and twist what plane these ratchets match up to.
The beauty of these two ratchets, in both 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive, is they can always easily line up with the fastener you are working on, regardless of where they are in a car or other application.
Toyota Camry
Now I love my tools but before adding to my inventory, the tool has to prove its worth. Here is a real world application. On the firewall of a 2012 Camry is a bolt, arranged around a variety of metal tubing and some slightly flexible rubber tubing.
Clearly a box or open wrench will not fit. A typical socket wrench will need a few extensions and flexible joints to make it work and even then you’re going to have to be a contortionist to get decent use and leverage on that fastener.
Gearwrench Gimbal Ratchet
Now the GearWrench Gimbal Ratchet can easily reach the fastener without any more extensions or flexible joints. The two gimbals allow the ratchet to clear the metal tubing without any worries and your hand can control the exterior drive mechanism easily with your hand (and body) in a convenient place.
You can order these ratchets directly from GearWrench or find them at your favorite tool dealer.
Do you have another favorite tool from GearWrench? Let us know.
Encinitas, California is located just a short hop up the San Diego coast and offers a laid back surfer vibe. It is known not only for the surfing action and fish tacos, but also local one of a kind shops and furniture showrooms. But twice a month during the summer months the downtown streets come alive with a classic car show.
Thursdays are for Cruising
On the third Thursdays in the summer, from May through September, the Encinitas downtown group sponsors this car show along historic Pacific Coast Highway 101.
Along with the cars, bands can be heard performing and of course cars are always cruising the main drag. Plus many adjacent bars and restaurants are open with specials offered for the onlookers.
Classic Cars and Trucks
Now being a surfer city you just know Encinitas will dust off a few woodies for the show. But all varieties of classic cars and trucks come out for this once a month laid back car show.
Pacific Coast Highway
The car show spans the 101 Highway, from D to J Streets, along with some adjacent parking lots from cooperative shops. Portions of the Ppacific Coast Highway 101 hug the coastline of California.
Unlike other local events there is no signage reserving the on street parking for the classics so you often get a mix of classic Detroit Iron next to a plastic swoopy car! Awards are given out but there is more interest in the cars presented than the picks and awards.
Cruisers
Now parking for the public is a bit intense so if you go, plan on your own “cruising event” looking for a parking spot, but you’ll be rewarded with a sweet show. The season, alas, has ended for the Encinitas show, but you can relive the fun times with our pictures. Enjoy the snapshots and let us know your favorite.
During the summer, downtown El Cajon, CA sponsors a free car cruise-show each Wednesday night. There is a theme each week spotlighting select cars or car clubs. The main street through downtown is reserved for classic cars and trucks. A DJ spin some classic rock and folks have a chance to see some great looking cars.
You get all variety of cars and trucks and best of all some will cruise the streets so you can see them in action.
This tricked out rod was done with a sense of humor and style.and it obviously is not a trailer queen as evidenced by these deals on the rear window.
Cruisers
Did we mention cars cruise down the streets?
Where else can you see a Camaroand a Rolls Royce at the same event?
Enjoy the pictures and it is not too late to take in this show if you are in the San Diego area on a Wednesday night! It runs through October 29, 2014. Many restaurants stay open and there are usually some sidewalk vendors as well.
Here are some selected pictures of some classics? Which is your favorite?
Take a Lamborghini Gallardo and let Italian design firm Zagato have at it and you end up with the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato. It’s a classic Lamborghini covered with a unique carbon fiber and glass combination. Purists may dismiss the alterations to the classic Gallardo lines, but never the less; the 5–95 makes a statement.
Originally the Lamborhini Zagato was commissioned by a Swiss collector as a one-off design and was unveiled in May, 2014. Later word came out that a limited edition might be produced of this supercar and a yellow monster was spotted at the Milan factory.
This probably is the same unit, now sporting Montana plates and discovered at the Scottsdale, AZ Cars and Coffee event on Saturday September 6, 2014.
It was hard to get a full set of pictures with the crowds around it, and the owner actually parked it off to the side amongst some other more routine exotics that are seen at Cars and Coffee.
Zagato
The Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato commemorates the 95th anniversary of the Milan design firm. Looking at the supercar shows many of the critical common elements found on Zagato designed cars. Plenty of aerodynamic flowing glass and a double bubble roof; with an air scoop to help deliver sufficient air volume for the engine. The hood has an addendum attached closer to the windshield, which is claimed to help make the car more aerodynamic and gives the front end a longer, rakish view.
The Zagato’s “floating” front spoiler is also a unique look, with a love it or leave it attitude. The side intakes on the Zagato are smaller, hence why the roofline now has an air scoop. The rear end is chopped off, making the front end even more pronounced and emphasized. The circular rear taillights are different as well.
Since Zagato is a Milan design firm, nothing mechanical was changed on the Gallardo framework. The GallardoLP 570-4 was the best selling of the Lamborghini models with a 5.2 liter V-10 engine producing 570 horsepower and nearly 400 foot pounds of torque. The outcome is an official Lamorghini supercar, which will be a limited production run.
It’ll be interesting to see how many collectors jump at the chance to get this Gallardo model and what the actual production will be. Any guesses?
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From classics to muscle cars – everything automotive
Slayer
Thursdays are for Cruising
Along with the cars, bands can be heard performing and of course cars are always cruising the main drag. Plus many adjacent bars and restaurants are open with specials offered for the onlookers.
El Cajon
and it obviously is not a trailer queen as evidenced by these deals on the rear window.
and a Rolls Royce at the same event?
