Muscle Car Show

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The Road Test you've all been waiting for...

2009-09-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Alright everyone, this video needs no introduction so here it is courtesy of MotorTrend.com; the Camaro versus the Challenger versus the Mustang. (I'd love to get your feedback on this.)

Detroit Hosts 'Dream Cruise' on Dry Land

2009-09-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

Those who grew up in the hometown of The Big Three are familiar with Woodward Avenue for it's history, as well as a former hot spot for drag racing.

With it's inception in the 1930s, this 19-mile stretch of highway has since become a muscle tribute with a cause.

Read more about this year's Woodward Dream Cruise and it's contribution to the community here, as featured on MSN.com. In case you missed it, MSN.com also links to photos of this year's contenders to get you geared up for next year. So start stashing those pennies so you can make next year's Dream Cruise.

Back with good news! I see muscle in your future...

2009-08-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi guys!
Sorry for the hiatus but I'm back and here to deliver some news: according to the Lansing State Journal, muscle cars aren't going anywhere. Like everything else meant to survive in this dog-eat-dodge world, muscle cars do indeed hold a future in this society of greater-fuel-efficiency-at-the-expense-of-less-torque in which we live.

"Is performance dead? I think not," said Paul Olexa, head of ZF's North American drivetrain business, in the August 31st issue of LSJ.

In this article, the Lansing State Journal reports that new-age muscle cars actually perform better than their ancestors - they're lighter, use less fuel and even produce greater horsepower than the originals.

So why keep struggling over changing out the power steering fluid in your gas-guzzling classic when you can check out the new age muscle?

Muslce in the Movies

2009-06-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

In honor of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, which will be released this Wednesday, I decided to link to a video montage I found on YouTube of the muscle great and small to be featured in the film. Enjoy!

P.S.
Looks like the Stingray Corvette with the split window may be making a comeback!

Spring Cleaning Springs Swinger

2008-04-10T05:14:00.000-07:00

Although it's difficult to imagine storing away your muscle car for the winter like a squirrel storing his prized nuts, residents of virtually any northern state above the sunshine state reach a time of year when they must put away their toys until the first green leaf of spring.

Well, spring has sprung and so are muscle cars in the snowy region!
This article, which appeared in the Worchester Telegram & Gazette in Massachusetts, profiles that coveted time of year.

For owners of classic, antique and exotic cars, this time of year is when their prized vehicles get back on the road. New England winters, marked by icy, snowy and sandy roads, are no place for fancy cars. Wise owners, at least those with the means to have seasonal vehicles, put their prized possessions in hibernation each fall. About this time of year, when the weather clears, the nice wheels reappear.

Many owners struggle with storing a car over the winter and getting it started back up again in the spring, seeing it as a complicated, product-laden affair. There are many techniques used to keep the car fresh and running, just short of freezing them in time, that northerners like to utilize.

George DiGregorio of Milford, president of the Bay State Corvette Club, in Massachusetts said he puts out mothballs in the engine bay to deter mice, which can make quick work tearing up a $5,000 wiring harness, but said he does'nt get too fussy. He said the 1998 Corvette is too new and too common to be considered an investment.

Southboro’s Bruce Ledoux said one piece of advice he would give to car owners who store their vehicles over the winter is to have the brake fluid changed at the start of the season, because letting it sit all winter allows moisture to build up in the braking system.

Fuddruckers Finale!

2008-04-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

I know I've been missing out on this Wednesday night car show quite a bit these past few months but I finally had a night off and here's what I got - enjoy!

1958 Chevrolet Impala refurbished in white rippled leather - even the trunk is lined! According to the owner this car was originally painted fire engine red - but the current color was exclusive to a 1994 Corvette.

I think Chevy made a wise exception - don't you?

1974 Lincoln Continental

1970 Pontiac GTO convertible

Remember the movie Gremlins?

Well this little demon isn't like the evil ones from the 1984 film. This is a 1974 American Motors Corporation (AMC) Gremlin - featured this past Sunday on the front page of the Palm Beach Post as one of the cars "people love to hate". This one's nickname - 'The Misfit'.

1950 Ford Custom Convertible
This cruiser looks like one of those banana and chocolate flavored ice creams you used to buy from the ice cream truck. What an artful combination!

Two comebacks. 1966 Pontiac GTO from Feb. 6 post. And do you remember the 1957 Belair owned by Lenny and Debby from Kobosko's with the Elvis mural painted on the spare tire cover?

Here it is again - this time the King himself makes an appearance!

mid 1960s Pontiac GTO/Lemans? I've never seen one this boxy around the windows before and the owner's were camped out in the front of the car so I was not able to catch a glimpse of the infamous GTO grill.

It says it's a GTO but it's unlike any I've seen before.

It's very common for people to put the GTO emblems on a Lemans because during the 1965-1968 model years they were essentially the same car - only the Lemans is the less expensive model.

1950s Chevrolet Corvette

1950s Chevrolet Corvette (obviously two different model years)

No Muscle on the Market this time around! But I do have some news - there's a new show in town also on Wednesday nights near Fratelli's. This car show is at Anthony's sub shop (not sure about the name of the business but you'll know it when you get there), located on 441 (State Road 7) just south of Southern Blvd. You can see this place from the road - its hard to miss next to the Original Pancake House.

Zeo may be the Hero!

2008-04-08T17:49:00.000-07:00

Dodge recently debuted its "Green Muscle Car" which personally I think is an oxymoron. How can a car have intense power and still be energy efficient and power-conscious?

But Business Week covered it and here's what they had to say - you be the judge.

They said that "it's one of the first serious sports-focused battery-electric concepts we've seen from any of the major auto manufacturers."

Are the big car manufacturers catching on to battery cars as the way of the future?

Major auto manufacturers appear to be tentatively making steps to break away from their ties with big oil. Oil companies have a vested interest in pushing hydrogen fuel cells as the next generation auto fuel, due to the fact that hydrogen, like petrol, requires a distribution and dealership network that the oil companies are excellently positioned to provide.

Oh no! A 4-cylinder Camaro?

2008-04-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Taking into consideration rising fuel prices, Chevrolet is seriously considering making the 2009/2010 Chevrolet Camaro a 4-cylinder!
Read more here...
The base model Mustang would blow it out of the water with its 6-cylinder engine.

But GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz says if the Camaro is mass produced as also V8 and a V6package, the average motorhead will get their money's worth.

"Back in the old days, if you wanted a muscle car, to get a decent one, you had to buy the V8," said Lutz.

"And if you bought the V6, you got a fairly rough, unrefined pushrod engine with low horsepower and weasely performance.

"This time, the V6 in its own right is a very fast, very legitimate car."

Lutz says the lighter V6 gives the Camaro a nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution. "With the V6, it is not a heavy car. The Camaro will be a lively and engaging car," he said.

It sounds very promising, but I still can't imagine sitting at a red light next to a 4-cylinder Camaro just to hear it "Meow" at the take-off!

How Stuff Works

2008-04-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

In my travels throughout the World Wide Web I found a great search engine called How Stuff Works.

When I searched for muscle cars, a plethora of information popped up on the subject, including a right-on-target definition of the term:

Classic Muscle Cars are typically defined as high-performance vehicles with powerful engines, most made between 1964 and 1975.
Learn about more than 100 of our favorites, including Chevelles, Chargers, Mustangs, Road Runners and GTOs.

(1969 Dodge Dart Swinger. I took this picture while I was at the grocery store)

So if you ever wondered "How Stuff Works" or what something means, but never knew where to look, this site is for you!

The only real drawback is you have to learn to weed through the Sponsored Results.

But the information seems credible enough - the results posted on this particular subject are produced by The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, a branch of HowStuffWorks, Inc. under Content© Publications International, Ltd.

I just thought this advertisement for the 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 was kind of cool.

It certainly would've sold me the car better than today's TV commercial of Snoop Dogg trying to sell a Dodge Magnum from what looks like the front of the Trump Towers.

Mission Accomplished!

2008-03-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Good News!

I made it to Fratelli's last night and got some pretty cool pictures!

1980s Chevrolet Corvette

1969 Ford Mustang

1968 Shelby Ford Mustang

1965 Mercury Comet Caliente Convertible (Here's the specs posted on the front dash to prove the rarity of this golden goddess)

289 V8 - Two Barrel Carb
C4 3 Speed Auto Transmission
Power Top and Steering
Total Produced: 6,035
Factory Cost: $2,607.00

1969 Ford Mustang (almost identical to the one a few pictures up, right?)

1956 Chevrolet Corvette

1956 Chevrolet Belair (whose lovely hood ornament is featured in my opening dialog!)

1980 Chevrolet Camaro - complete with domestic brand-bashing license plate! Go GM!

Willy's Coupe (Year Unknown)

1963 Ford Fairlane 500(as you can see this one's suped up - this guy races at Moroso)

...his front plate...

1980s Chevrolet Corvette

I don't know much about European classics but I'm pretty sure this Mini Cooper wasn't orignially a convertible. I don't understand why they do this, it just devalues the car when they try to sell it later on.

1969 Pontiac Firebird

196 Ford Mustang

1964/65 Ford Mustang w/Ragtop

1964 Cadillac Sedan Deville (this is Cruella De Ville's car - if she weren't a cartoon)

1972 Opel GT (German)

1969 Buick GS 400 Coupe aka "The Hulk"

1980s Chevrolet Corvette

1967 Chevrolet Nova

1967 Lincoln Continental w/Suicide doors

1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Sedan Delivery Truck

This sedan was originally used on an Indian Reservation in New Mexico as an ambulance! How cool is that? It's even tricked out with varnished wood interior and in tip top condition (for its age).

Don't know what kind of Ford truck this is - kind of looks like a cricket though doesn't it?

1965 Lincoln Contiental (A 1965 Continental was featured prominently in the TV series Green Acres and in the The Matrix Trilogy. The 1965 Continental Convertible is also featured in the opening credits of the TV show Entourage)

1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

1968 Chevrolet Camaro

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

Muscle on the Market

1950s Cadillac(?)
Contact (561) 236-4829 for information

Remember Lizzie, the 1923 Ford Model T from the Disney movie Cars?
This 1932 Ford Truck reminds me a lot of Lizzie played by actress Katherine Helmond from Who's the Boss? And this truck just happens to be featured as one of our Muscle on the Market hot rods.

For information on this sleek black truck call (561)315-8884.

...this Mercury's for sale too! The only problem is the owner forgot to fill out the For Sale sign and was nowhere in sight to ask about the car! Accessibility people, you have to make yourself accessible if you want to move your merchandise!

1950 Chevrolet Truck Asking $4,500 or best offer
Interested? Call (561)252-3411

Future of American muscle discovered - in a hybrid?

2008-03-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I had to work last night, so I do not have any pictures from Fuddruckers. However, as I was surfing the web yesterday (in anticipation of my conflicting schedule) I found this article "Green Cars Blossom at New York Auto Show" from MarketWatch last week (coincidentally posted on March 19th -my birthday!).

In this article, Steve Gelsi takes a positive stance on the future of American muscle cars, citing the 2008 Dodge Challenger and the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro as presently, part of the past.

According to Gelsi, although the small blocks seem to be on an invisible chopping block, more innovative and eco-friendly cars are coming down the pipe.

Gelsi, even goes so far as to say that the fuel-cell Chevrolet Equinox Concept "accelerates much more quickly than a gas-powered car, thanks to the electric motors turning the wheels".

So if GM has this type of technology on the drawing board for a dinky sport-utility, imagine what's in the plans for a classic small-block like the Imapala? Could the solely battery-operated Chevy Volt be the future of American muscle?

Who knows - but the future looks to hold some promise for us muscle-car motorheads, even if it dies with the Challenger and Camaro.

Are muscle cars making a comeback or closing shop?

2008-03-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Ther's been a lot of speculation lately as to the state of the muscle car market. Figures from such organizations as PR Newswire show value and pricing of these gas-guzzlers to only be on the rise but the real concern is with out-of-control gas prices jepardizing their popularity and value.

I'm opening this up to anyone who would like to comment on this issue as it is one with no simple answer but I do want to provide you with some knowledge before you comment. Please read "This could be it!" by Mark Vaughn of Autoweek Magazine, Are Muscle Cars Dying? from U.S. News Rankings and Reviews, and watch this clip from the Wallstreet Journal.com before you choose your stance on the economic state of the muscle car industry.

Muscle Cars Make a Comeback

I look forward to hearing from you!

Barracuda Babe

Apology and Exciting News!

2008-03-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't written anything in quite a while, I've had a lot going on between being sick and making up work and school from being sick, so unfortunately this blog took a back seat for a while.

But I'm back and I have some news to catch you up on in regards to muscle cars in the news.

According to this article by ClassicRallies.com, a Spanish magazine which has established the first complete online web directory dedicated to classic car events and published it's first online magazine first in English, the island of Palm Beach will be seeing some pretty vaulable antiques next week.

No I'm not talking about the residents, I'm talking about the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event held in Palm Beach. During the week of March 26-30 2008. The show will be broadcast once again by SPEED, which if you refer to an earlier post titled, "Remember racing for pink slips? Speed does." you would know is a great motorized sports and car aficionado network.

Anyway, if you get SPEED, tune in next week and if you happen to go - even better! I welcome pictures and stories straight from the show!

Barracuda Babe

Seminole Ridge supports Pontiacs & Friends

2008-02-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's show was quite the family affair! There was lots of food, prizes, and entertainment to satisfy the entire family.

Although my shots are limited there seemed to be something for everyone, including [car]brand enthusiasts. As for those of you who missed out - I encourage you to make the trip out west and attend the Seminole Ridge BBQ Benefit this time next year!

Here's pics - unfortunately I did not catch any Muscle on the Market this time around:

(not to say that there wasn't any there it's just that I didn't catch any)

1974 VW Beetle "white on white" convertible

1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

1942 Ford Model A Roadster

1968 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro

1970 Dodge Challenger

1965 Ford Mustang

1957 Chevrolet Belair/ 1980s Ford Mustang

late 1980s Chevrolet El Camino

1970 Ford Galaxie

1969 Dodge Charger R/T

Ford Model T

Fuddruckers A Flop

2008-02-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

I'm really sorry guys, I missed out on Fudruckers last night - I had to go to work. But I'll definitely try and make it up to you Friday @ Fratelli's and Saturday at the long-awaited Seminole Ridge band fundraiser. Hope to see you there!

Barracuda Babe

Slippin' up at Kobosko's

2008-02-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone, but I missed out on Kobosko's tonight...I'm really slipping up with this place huh? I'll try and do better next week.

-Barracuda Babe

Jackpot!!

2008-02-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

Last night's show was fabulous! There were easily between 50-75 cars at Fratelli's last night - not all of them were classic or muscle cars but the old definitely merged with the new.

Also, there's a surprise (I guess) car show at the Winne Dixie in Loxahatchee (across from Seminole Ridge) going on tonight from 5-9pm. I won't be able to make it to that one, but I hope you all enjoy these pics from Fratelli's!

1970 Dodge Challenger

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS/1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

1966/67 Pontiac GTO

1965 Ford Mustang

1963 Corvette Stingray Coupe (very rare! This is the only year Chevrolet made the split rear window. It was discontinued the following year for safety reasons.)

1955 4-door Chevrolet Nomad

1950s Ford pick up truck

1958 Oldsmobile Convertible (Rocket 88)

1968 Dodge Charger R/T

1969 Dodge Challenger

1968 Chevrolet Camaro

1969 Chevrolet Nova(looks more like a Pontiac but I'm not sure what the equivalent is) & 1953(?) Chevrolet Belair

1960 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon

1962 Chevrolet Impala

1965 Mercury Comet Caliente (convertible)

1967 Chevrolet El Camino/ 1957 Chevrolet Belair

1966 Chevrolet II

1968 Ford Mustang

1966 Chevrolet Nova

1960s Chevrolet Chevelle SS

1969 Pontiac GTO

1964 Chevrolet Impala

1968 Chevrolet Nova

1973 Buick Riviera

1964 Comet Caliente

Muscle on the Market

1970 Ford Mustang (Mach 1)
Unbelieveable asking price for this one! Ready for this?

$50,000! This is the SECOND owner of this car, the first being a very close friend of the current owner. It has 40,040 original miles; this car has NEVER been driven over 100 miles from Boca Raton, FL!

Still Interested? Call(561)482-7062 or (561)901-7946

The owner of the blue '66 Nova (pictured in the background) would like everyone to know that he's selling a 1994 Pontiac Firebird.

I don't really know why he would be advertising that he's selling it when he's displaying a completely unrelated car, but we'll give him the print space for effort...

1994 Pontiac Firebird; "Formula V8 Automatic; Nice body + Interior; new brakes frame + rear; tires like new; needs A/C" Asking $3,600
Interest Peaked? Call (561)753-3788(home) or (561)615-6359(cell)

Hawks bring it home with Firebirds on Feb. 23

2008-02-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that Seminole Ridge High School in Loxahatchee will be hosting a BBQ/Car Show/Auction on next Saturday (see flyer for details).

In case some of you are not familiar with the area, Seminole Ridge High School is located on Seminole Pratt-Whitney Rd east of Lion Country Safari which is situated off of Southern Blvd. out west.

Contact Roland Greenspan (on the flyer) for more details.

Enjoy the muscle car without the muscle tension

2008-02-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

So this article "Muscle car rides available for public" is really very interesting.

According to The Southland Times, a newspaper based in New Zealand, generous donators will have the chance to cruise American muscle cars for the first time at Teretonga Park in such classics as a souped-up Shelby or a super-charged Charger for $150 (it is not clearly indicated in this article whether this amount is in American or New Zealand money). The good news is this money is going to a good cause - a Child Cancer charity.

A worthy cause I would say that gives back to the donor. I mean if you're considering purchasing a muscle car but aren't quite sold on the idea, a test drive like this one might help make or break the issue. And why not have a fundraiser like this instead of a one where snooty rich people sit around gossiping and gorging on pate where essentially the money raised goes back into the catering costs?

Just something to consider...

Fuddruckers beauties make comeback

2008-02-13T23:09:00.000-08:00

Fuddruckers seems to be the flowering hibiscus that attracts at least two honeybees in particular - remember this guy?

He made a supermodel's appearance on Feb. 6 and I caught him on his way out.

...And here he is to stay! This is a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle.

1969 Pontiac GTO convertible (also from the Feb. 6 show)

AC Cobras (like the ones from the Feb. 6 show - reproductions of the original 1960s Cobras)

This yellow one was actually built by Wellington High School teacher Kent Glader over the course of 5 years!

Fuddruckers Features Fords

2008-02-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

On this rainy day, few classic and muscle owners came out to Fuddruckers restaurant in Wellington to show off their stuff Wednesday night, but those who did brought a piece of history.

A couple of guys brought out 1930s Ford models, which as many of us know were the among the first cars to be mass produced, essentially putting the Ford name down in history.

Here they are with a little modern day spice:

1930 Ford Glassic Model A Roadster Convertible

1931 Ford Model A Sedan (same car both pictures)

...notice the chrome rims and the clear engine cover?

What does everyone think by the way, about people adding modern touches to an old beauty? Some like myself, argue that this takes away from the authenticity of the car and ultimately devalues it.

Feel free to post your comments below.

Sports cars meet Sportsmen

2008-02-12T10:07:00.000-08:00

The Dallas Morning News ran a feature story on Feb. 2 about sports celebrities and their muscles.

No, not the ones on their bodies - rather, the ones in their garages. The story, titled Dallas Mavericks' Dampier big on muscle cars, featured Dallas Mavericks all-star Erick Dampier.

Dampier has wise words for those seeking advice that I myself would suggest when shopping around for a car you plan to restore:

"A lot of [muscle] cars cost a lot of money," he said. "If you go buy a car and it needs a lot of restoration to it, that's where a lot of the money comes in. But if you find one with a good solid body that you don't have to do a lot to, you just give it a little care, and you can turn it into a project car."

Also, I would add traveling to northern states and checking online at www.collectorcartrader.com and related sites are instances where you might come across a real ruby in the raw.

The reason for checking the northern United States is because many older people have cars like these in their garages that they no longer use (the weather there isn't as kind to old joints as Florida's tropical climate), so they're usually in pretty good condition and the older folks tend to be more reasonable in their pricing too.

Wise Investment or a Money Flushing Scheme?

2008-02-11T10:21:00.000-08:00

In my recent searches I came across an interesting magazine blog featuring this piece
Barrett-Jackson shatters records at 2008 Scottsdale event.

This blog story features the 37th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, which took place in Scottsdale, Arizona. The show grossed preliminary numbers of $88 million in sales and record breaking attendance of 280,000 and over 100 million Web site hits. Known as "The World's Greatest Collector Car Events™," the Scottsdale auction featured 1,163 collector vehicles, over 100 fewer cars than the company sold in 2007. SPEED broadcasted 39 hours of live auction coverage during the event!

After reading the article it seems that the balloon that is classic car values is only swelling:

"Despite premature predictions, Barrett-Jackson showed that the collector car market remains strong and viable for collectors across the board," said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

So whether you're looking to invest in a classic or sell your gem, the venture is definitely worth it.

Remember racing for pink slips? Speed does.

2008-02-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

Speed, an on-demand sports cable channel offered by a select few cable and satellite service providers in the United States, is the perfect 24/7 outlet not only for classic car enthusiasts, but for motorheads and NASCAR fans alike.

Speed features Pinks, a show that features two contestants drag racing for pink slips. And the loser really does lose their car in the race!

Pinks, which is now in its forth season has a free episode in the TV Shows section for download on iTunes. If you're interested and don't already have iTunes, it's available for free download on the site.

According to it's website, Speed is "home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. The weekly programming schedule on SPEED brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in nearly 70 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV."

Check out Pinks and I will see you again Friday at Fuddruckers!

Koboskos a miss but Beach Boys pay homage

2008-02-09T23:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, but Koboskos was a dive. The rain took its prisoners.

Maybe next week will be better.

In the meantime, did you know that music played a big part in the muscle car scene in its hay day? According to the Muscle Car Club, among the Beach Boys and Bruce Springsteen, lesser known artists such as Wilson Pickett ("Mustang Sally") & Ronny and the Daytonas, immortalized American muscle like the GTO with their hit "Little GTO".

And MSNBC points out the phenomenon that foreign makes like Toyota and Honda just can't take away from domestic automobiles.

Check out the sites for more information! And I'll see you Wednesday at Fuddruckers!

-Barracuda Babe

Rips/Lindburger/Fratelli's

2008-02-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Now that Rips is officially closed down, I'm not sure who's hosting the car show on Friday nights. According to the owners of the two Cobras from the Fuddruckers show, Rips closed down because on the first of the year, rent went up astronomically so they were forced to leave.

Rumor has it that Lindburger's is next on the chopping block so that leaves Fratelli's to host the show, which is situated across the parking lot.

Out of sight, out of mind I say. With Fratelli's a metaphorical league away from the show, people will most likely strain to associate it with Fratelli's and if it isn't making the restaurant any money, it'll probably move or be squashed.

But that's just my prediction.
Here's the featured selection and one Muscle on the Market:

1969 Buick GS 400 Convertible

1955 Chevrolet

1950s 4-door Chevrolet coupe

1951 Mercury

1973 Dodge Charger

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport

1962 4-door Chevrolet Impala(blue)/1967 Mercury Cougar(black)

1963 4-door Chevrolet Impala

Muscle on the market

1974 Volkswagon Beetle
"Book Value: $4,700; will sell only $2,950"
Call: (561)351-3090

Muscle on the Market

2008-02-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

After re-reading one of my very first posts, I decided it would be a good idea to have a "Muscle on the Market" feature, not only for those interested in buying, but to give a bit of free print space to those advertising at the car shows.

I'll do my best to get all the information I can on the merchandise.

These shots are from last night's Fuddruckers show:

This B-52-esque boat is a 1957 Ford Fairlane, complete with park bench disguised as a rear bumper! Just Kidding...
Asking price? $17,000 Contact Ray @(561)351-3403

This is a 1972 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle Super Sport

Interested? Well, I'm very sorry, but I was not able to get the contact info for this Super as it was not in the car show.

This car was actually parked at the shopping plaza across the street and I was already getting very suspicious looks for taking pictures of it! But my persistence will pay off as I'm going back later.

Fuddruckers Features

2008-02-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

Here are two views of a gorgeous 1966 Pontiac GTO covertible.

In the condition this car is in and the fact that it's a covertible makes it easily worth $30,000 - or more!

This is cool. The guys that own these 1965 Cobras ordered them specially assembled and laser aligned direct from the factory. One guy said, "This is no kit car. It was fully assembled to the highest level of precision at the factory that I bought it from. A perfect replica."

1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Looks like it's going to take off at any minute, huh?

1969 Oldsmobile, I believe the same if not similar to the car I posted under Kobosko's from Saturday as a Buick. Same difference, right?

They're both manufactured by GM. Interestingly enough, this Olds won a Corvette Club trophy October 27,2007 @ Kobosko's Crossing.

1969 Corvette Stingray
If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the first model years that Chevrolet started using a fiberglass body.

1969 Ford Grand Torino
...VERY similar body style to the 1969 Plymouth Barracuda

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle/Pontiac/Buick?
This guy showed up, drove around the building once and left. I caught this pic as he was pulling away, so I didn't get a good ID on the car, but you get the idea.

Fuddruckers

2008-02-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Barracuda Babe, back from Fuddruckers and I can honestly say that I did not give it a fair chance.

As you can see from the flyer above, Fuddruckers advertises that the car show is from 5:30pm-10pm. I tried to go in before work at 6:30pm and at 9:10pm when I got out; so I got pics of a few cars, but I'm sure this is no indication of the peak turnout.

...so go check it out! And if you've got some pics or some stories you'd like to share, feel free to try and post in the comments section or email me at citylovechic@gmail.com.

How I came to love Muscle Cars

2008-02-05T04:48:00.000-08:00

So, you all might be wondering how it is that I came to adore muscle cars, being of the female orientation.

It started with my father. Yes, every girl I think wants to have something she can share with her daddy and being a very passive, feminine girl you could probably see how that would be a hard thing to come by.

My father was born in 1967, in the era of gas-guzzling muscle and oil shortages escalated by war (not unlike the crunch we are experiencing now). He grew up working on and driving what is now the classic muscle of the time, in fact the green Impala pictured in an earlier post is identical to his sister's car, the first he drove at age 14. From there, he either bought or inherited junk cars and fixed them up to set them back into the world.

In 1989, my father was in a serious head-on collision with a drunk driver who woke up in the courtroom a week after the accident. When paramedics arrived at the scene of the accident they searched for the driver of the totaled Barracuda, expecting to find a corpse. They asked the young man sitting on the curb next to the green Barracuda if he knew where the driver of the car was, only to discover that my father was the driver of the green Barracuda.

Although he had extensive back and knee surgery and massive blood loss during the procedures, he survived. He was in a wheelchair for the next six months or so, but because of that well-built car that he'd just put the finishing touches on that morning, he was alive to see his daughter grow up and was able to have two more children.

So I guess in a way my adoration for these cars is not only because they created a commonality between my father and I, but they saved him. And I am very grateful for that, however odd it may seem.

Organized Muscle

2008-02-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

Barracuda Babe here, with an update on organized muscle appreciation.

Who says group dymanics is dead? Not I, said Robert J. Putnam.
Googling various muscle car-related search words recently, I came across a couple of clubs in the area that I felt I should share with you.

The first is the Corvette Club of the Palm Beaches, the owner of which is VERY good about keeping the site up-to-date and welcomes not only classic corvettes into the Corvette Club, but as you might imagine, all corvettes young and old, fiberglass and chrome-made. Follow the link above to learn more about the Corvette Club of the Palm Beaches.

The second, and very official muscle car club I found so far is the Sunshine State GTO Association. This is one I'd LOVE to belong to if I had my very own GTO, but the SSGTOA encourages amyone who is interested to join.

Below is their mission statement; a clear mission, along with appointed officers and national recognition, is the mark of a club that is serious about what it does:

The Sunshine State GTO Association is a club that was founded in the summer of 1993. What started out as a small group that occasionally attended events and worked on GTO’s together, organized a club that would create a Family for all GTO enthusiasts. We gained a charter to the national organization – GTO Association of America- in the fall of 1993.

Our membership has grown consistently through the early years of our clubs existence and continues to flourish. While the majority of our members are GTO owners, the club has no restrictions on car ownership. Some members own other types of Pontiacs while others have no Pontiac at all. Everyone is welcome. We have a diversity of our member’s cars. They range from National Concourse winners to quarter mile warriors, from weekend cruisers to everyday drivers and restorations-in-progress.

Check out more at the SSGTOA website at www.ssgtoa.org. The newsletter is hyperlinked above.

Enjoy for now and I will get back to you all Wednesday when I hit Fuddruckers.

Schedule of Events

2008-02-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

Koboskos and Rips Update

2008-02-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
So, I missed out on Rips last night, but I have some pics to upload from Koboskos - boy was it tumbleweed city! But I guess Kobosko's is like a Rips protege, which started out with 10-20 cars and exploded to an awesome 200-300 vehicles within a year.

1969 Buick Cutlass

1957 Chevrolet Belair (FOR SALE - $7,500)

1973 Chevrolet Impala (FOR SALE - PRICE UNKNOWN)

1972(?) Ford Thunderbird (FOR SALE - PRICE UNKNOWN)

In addition to its 15 or so cars, Kobosko's featured a 50/50 drawing - the proceeds of which go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation - Stuart Shine Power Coating Products, and a few of the local shops were still open to cater to the loyal patrons of the car show. The coffeehouse sitting kitty-corner to the show even featured a live cover band, which drew in plenty of passersby.

Enjoy! And if anyone has any questions about the cars for sale, please post in the comments section and in the meantime I will try and get more information on the muscle on the market.

Welcome

2008-02-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Muscle Car Show, I'm Barracuda Babe. I plan on covering these and a few other featured car shows this semester:
Rips Tiki Hut & Surf Shop in Royal Palm Beach
(Publix Parking Lot South West corner of 441 & Southern Blvd.)
123 S State Road 7/441
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

Buca di Beppo & Fuddruckers of Wellington
10880 W Forest Hill Blvd Wellington, FL 33414

Koboskos Plaza in Wellington
9100 Forrest Hill Blvd.
Wellington, FL 33414

In the meantime, here's a video of some beautiful muscle at its best...
http://www.youtube.com/v/absVJxcxUzY&rel=1">