Ford’s compact Pinto, launched in 1971 as a response to the growing number of subcompact imports being sold in this country, isn’t exactly fondly remembered — except maybe by my mom, who bought one new and didn’t keep it long enough to get in any accidents.
However, we’ve been seeing more of these cars pop up at auction lately — some of them in very clean condition, down to the earth-tone paint colors and matching vinyl interiors. One such example Read More
The auction world is starting to prepare for January’s Arizona events, with some companies already announcing certain special consignments to their auctions. That’s got me thinking: What’s going to be this year’s big new trend?
Last year we saw hefty pricing for 5.0 Mustangs from the 1990s. The year before that, it was big money Bandit-era Trans Ams. Prior to that? Several years of increases on good original-style trucks and SUVs from the 1960s and 1970s.
I think we’ll see Read More
Now that I’ve completed the Holley Terminator Stealth fuel injection install on my car, the little issues I’ve been living with for years finally required solutions. After all, with the car now running better than ever, those small issues just needed to go away. Turn-key or bust, right?
First up was a broken console lens and a replacement neutral safety switch. The console lens just up and broke on me one day. The neutral safety switch had been Read More
These days, I’m busy living the life of a new dad — up all night with a partying infant, running to doctor’s appointments, and spending more money than I expect at the baby store on a regular basis. From strollers to car seats, changing pads, diaper bags, bottles, pink room decorations, and more, I’m currently knee-deep in the equipment required to have a baby.
But every few days, I get an hour or so to go into my garage and Read More
Like most of you, I’m a car addict. I spend most of my time thinking about cars, or working on cars, or thinking about working on cars. But not this week.
My wife and I just welcomed a baby girl into our household — Emma Jane Pickering, born 9/2/17 — and she’s shoved the car stuff in my life out of the way to make room for her 6-lb 1-oz self. I couldn’t be happier.
I’ll be back with a Read More
The Monterey auctions and events, otherwise known as “Car Week,” are a tradition for me — I’ve been going to these events for years, first for Sports Car Market, and since 2011, for American Car Collector as well. But this year was different. While the SCM and ACC team headed south for Pebble Beach last week, I stayed at ACC HQ.
My wife’s about to have a baby — our second — and she still likes to talk about how Read More
ACC’s Viper GTS ACR Coupe has been a great car — in the few years we’ve owned it, we’ve covered a bunch of miles in it with no trouble — all it’s needed other than oil changes and periodic cleaning was a set of tires. But we’ll be putting it up for sale soon, as it’s time for us to buy another classic car. What should we get?
I’ve got two different thoughts here. First, for our ACC Wrenching columns, Read More
Last Friday, I took a day off work and spent it at my dad’s house, wrenching on his 1968 Camaro. The car is in the absolute final stages of reassembly after restoration, so we worked on things like adjusting the hood fit, wiring the dash gauges, installing the front bumper, and bolting in the driver’s seat. At the end of the afternoon, we dumped five gallons of gas in the tank and rolled the car outside. And then, finally, after Read More
When it comes to classic cars, buying is the easy part — just lay down the cash and take home your new prize. Hopefully your significant other is on-board and you’ve got a place to keep the new car — but those are only details, right? We can work them out later.
Selling, on the other hand, is a lot more involved. Why? Because if you’re like me, you get attached to the cars you own, even if only Read More
When I was building my ’72 Chevy truck, I kept the engine and drivetrain as stock as possible, all the way down to the original rebuilt Q-jet carburetor. Why mess with something that worked?
But there have been huge leaps in technology made in the decades since 1972, and it’s trickled into the old car world. Modern carburetors, roller cams, polyurethane bushings, and more have made it possible to turn our old cars into modern/classic hybrids. These modern parts can Read More