A GDYNETS PUBLICATION © 2010, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Car Collector Chronicles ®
Volume III, Issue 6
Car Collector Chronicles
June 2010
Exploring:
Car Barn Activity
Car collecting today Classic rides
I have been able to get some garage time in of late. A lot of it has spent tending to Auntie Pearl, our ‘92 Cadillac Allanté. You may recall that I have previously described her as a “high maintenance” ride? Well, that is certainly proving true!
Reports from the field Oldsmobile Cadillac Allanté
Corvair
One thing I did discover is the link between the spare tire and the ride control. The shocks adjust electronically to road and speed conditions. The electronic connection for this device is routed through an opening in the spare tire wheel.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Car Barn Activity
1
GDYNets On the Web
1
Summer Events
2
American Made
3
Why? Use of the spare throws the system out of whack. By routing the connector through the spare tire wheel opening, it must be disconnected before the spare may be used. High tech electronics for dummies, I guess? I have spent more than a bit of time trying to locate the
4
Rocket Science
5
Dave’s Den http://GDYNets.WEBNG.com Saved 62 http://www.freewebs.com/ jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 55 Cad de Ville
EMAIL: OldsD88@gmail.com
I did install headlight protection film a while back. Ordinarily, I would not even think of using this. However, replacement headlamp units for the Allant é run in the neighborhood of $200. If this $39 expense will save that cost, it is worthwhile investment. I did land the “steal of the year” in terms of Allanté parts. Ours did not have a factory front license plate pad on delivery. It is nothing more than a piece of black plastic, with the back side formed to conform to the bumper contour. In trying to locate one I found they are available, used, for anywhere from $170 to $200 +. Quite frankly, I find such a price to be more than ridiculous! When dealing with the individual who
bought our hardtop, I asked if he had a license plate pad. He did. He was more than glad to let me have it for a $50 reduction in the price of the hardtop. So, I nabbed a $200 part for the not as outrageous price of $50. A win-win for both of us! Continued–P. 2
GDYNets on the Web WHERE YOU WILL FIND GDYNets (me) on the WWW:
Coming Next Issue
radiator drain. I have finally been able to spot it. Now, I need to figure out how to get my hand, or a tool, on it?
Car Collector Chronicles -
DAVE’S DEN:
A website devoted to a myriad of interests. Foremost is extensive information on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmobile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. Geo. Yaros.
SAVED 62: A website devoted
to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds. THE GRAY LADY: This website features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy information.
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Car Collector Chronicles
CAR BARN ACTIVITY—Continued More than a year after the purchase, I finally got around to filling up the gas tank on our ‘55 Coupé de Ville, The Gray Lady. I was somewhat shocked at the cost to do so, $50.54. Even more surprising was to discover that the gas tank has a leak! Evidently it must be in the upper half of the tank, as it hadn’t leaked in over a year with less than a half tank of gas? I am hopeful the tank itself is not leaking, but rather a rubber connecting hose between the fill tube and the tank. Of course, there is only one way to find out. It is on my “to do” list. “Behind the door panel on vintage cars is a piece of heavy kraft paper, serving as a sound and water barrier. I have upgraded that by going to a 3 layer sandwich.”
By the time you read this, I should have my new door panels, armrest bases and pads, and sill plates in place on SAVED 62, our ‘62 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. SMS Fabrics did the door panels, and I have to acknowledge a job well done. While they are not cheap they do know what they are doing, and indeed it shows. With the door panels, I did make some alterations, in an effort to improve things. Behind the door panel on vintage cars is a piece of heavy kraft paper, serving as a sound and water barrier. I have upgraded that by going to a 3 layer sandwich. The first layer, against the door itself, is a sheet of heavy plastic film. Next is the factory kraft paper. The top layer consists of a custom cut piece of masonite board, 1/8 of an inch thick. The masonite should make a big difference in terms of road noise. Lastly, along the bottom edge of the door panel, where the trim screws go, I have added a small strip of clear plexiglass. The idea is to spread the stress on the screw heads across the bottom of the whole door panel, instead of at each screw hole, in hopes of eliminating tears. I’d like to be able to say, when you read this the rebuild of the Rochester 4 barrel carb on the Coupé de Ville will be done. Unfortunately, I dare not go out that far on a limb. What I can say is that I am in the process with respect to the rebuild. To date the process has consisted of moving the car into the lift bay of the car barn! [It’s done!]
SUMMER EVENTS Our summer has yet to be planned, but as of now we are booked for, and shall be, participating in the NAOC national meet. This year it is being held in Lansing, MI July 7-10. The location is what makes the meet particularly appealing. That is because Lansing is the former home of both Oldsmobile and Ransom Eli Olds. One major attraction in town is the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum. It rates as a must see, especially for Oldsmobile fanatics, among which I number myself.
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Car Collector Chronicles
SUMMER EVENTS—Continued The Cadillac-La Salle Club national meet shall take place July 14– 17 in Overland Park, MO. It too is a possibility. I have never been to a Caddy national, and it would be fun to be surrounded by all that classy iron. Now, the Allanté folk know how to hold a national meet. They shall be gathering in Myrtle Beach, VA this year. When they do, it shall be for a full week. Also, it shall be in September, after the tourists have departed. They meet from September 21 through the 27th. Corvair fanatics shall be pointing their unique rides towards Cedar Rapids, IA this summer. The Vair national meet shall be held June 21-25. A summer activity I know will happen is putting highway miles on the Allanté. Auntie Pearl seductively calls to be taken out and driven. This car is made, and meant, to be enjoyed from behind the wheel. While her lines are no doubt pleasing to the eye, driving the car yields an instant addiction. She really shines not in the garage or parked at the curb, but rather on the open road. By early April Jean had already had her out; top down! [They are in Indy right now.] Speaking of summer activities, SAVED 62 received a full-page spread in the April issue of Runabouts to Rockets, the National Antique Oldsmobile Club magazine. The spread was a reprint of the “Nice Rides” column coverage from Wisconsin Auto & RV (10/22/09) of our participation in the 2009 version of the Historic Highway 27 Tour.
AMERICAN MADE At one point in time (1955), GM Chairman and CEO Charlie Wilson proclaimed, “What is good for GM is good for America!” Too bad that is not the situation today. While GM gladly accepts government money to stay afloat, it feels no obligation whatsoever to support the American economy. What is the source of this tirade, you may well be asking? Like most classic car owners I suspect, I tend to purchase spare parts, even if I have no immediate need for them. I determined it would be good to have a set of Allanté plug wires on hand for the day when they might be needed. I also determined the wires should be equal in quality to what the factory put on the car. With a little scouting around I found a set of AC Delco ignition wires specific to the Allanté,
“ ‘What is good for GM is good for America!’ Too bad that is not the situation today.”
Car Collector Chronicles
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AMERICAN MADE-Continued versus some universal fit wires from some unknown manufacturer. After all, AC Delco is/was a derivative of General Motors, right? So, I go ahead and purchase the set of wires. They arrive in a nice red, white and blue colored box with the AC Delco logo all over them. I opened the box and removed the instructions for reading. What do I see on the enclosed sheet but the words “Assembled in China!” At this point I am miffed. I contact AC Delco and inquire as to the country of manufacture. I actually get a response. It was to the effect that GM uses its market leverage to procure supplies from the most economical sources possible. My specific question as to where the wires were made was never answered. But, there was a clear implication having Chinese ignition wires was in the GM consumer’s best economic interest. What a bunch of rot! I am old enough to remember when the “Made in Japan” label indicated an inferior product. That is no longer the case. Fact is, anymore it is more than difficult to find anything with a label indicating the product is American made! Do we make anything anymore in America? Or, are we too educated and high and mighty to stoop to the level of having to get our hands dirty while actually making things? I am sure I speak for all of us when I say classic car fanatics aren’t!
Ok, I have had my say for this month. Now it is your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and contributions, and ask that you help spread the word about our pub. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC at: OldsD88@gmail.com _______________________________________
-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM!
COMING NEXT ISSUE:
For Want of a Nail The “real life” perils of an actual long distance buy
Car Collector Chronicles
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