g n i w r e n p a S ingsTime foortive Love? m o t u Fl A April / May 2008 • Vol. 8 #3 • $3.95 Canadian
CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL PRODUCT SALES AGREEMENT #40609642
April/May Contents
t s e ve r l mascoscot f rom u f i t u a s t be f Speed m a tos t he mo o ore pho O n e o f t he G o d d e s s e 8 for m b of g a , p e e d e a m Clu d. S Pack ar nd Classic Car a a 1929 e u . iq t e c n ga n eA from th rs D’Ele Concou ’s a d a n Ca
16 Years Of Innovation, Integrity & Leadership
■ Chassis
Harnesses ■ Fuel Injection Harnesses ■ Relay Kits ■ Connectors ■ Terminals ■ Battery Accessories ■ Fuse Blocks ■ LEDs ■ Switch Control Centers ■ Switches
®
PERFORMANCE
PRODUCTS
w w w. p a i n l e s s p e r f o r m a n c e . c o m
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April/May 2008 • P|M
ntents o C f o ......... 5 Table ..............
.. 6 .............. ........................ l a i r o t i .. Ed ... 8 .............. nce ...... Packard cours D’Elega 08 ......... 9 3 n 0 AC Co nto Race for 2 ............ 10 o r .. o .. No T D CD Box.. .. ............ 11 S New M wn, or Pay Up.. ? ........ 12 n Slow Do es got you dow ........... 19 .. c Gas Pri ma .................. ........... 23 a .. Speedor eace Dizzy .... ........... 27 P .. n .. I .. .. Rest w .......... .................. 28 e i v e R r y .. Book Directo er: s s e n i s g 0 Bu t Passen ....................... 3 n a t c lu .. Re .. .. l i n gs Spring F
a g r e at te had vou r ite t e v r o C fa f GM’s C u s t om tos Dav ies of a l l st yles o9 for more pho y 1 e la g p a s p i d 8. car. See s p o r t s e e d or a m a 2 0 0 p S from
SEMA ACTION NETWORK: WORKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER
Joining SAN is easy. Log on to www.semasan.com to add your voice to this growing movement to protect the rights of automotive enthusiasts.
SEMA_DC_HondaTuning_FebMar.indd 1
The border between the United States and Canada is fairly transparent when it comes to tuner cars. A hot ride is a hot ride no matter where you are. We all want the same thing, whether you’re in the Great White North or the Lower 48.
publications, with an estimated reach of 36 million enthusiasts. The SAN sends out action alerts so you can respond to pending legislative proposals, and issues timely updates of legislative and regulatory developments.
On the other hand, we also tend to share the same challenges when it comes to government unfairly meddling with our cars. Legislation over issues like aftermarket exhaust systems, vehicle lighting, and registration fees can hit tuner cars particularly hard.
Membership in the SAN is absolutely free (hey, no exchange rate worries!), so it costs you or your car club nothing to take an active role in keeping our hobby alive and well. For more information about joining the SAN, log on to www.semasan.com and add your voice to the growing number of enthusiasts on both sides of the border who support our hobby.
Luckily we have an organization here in the States that tracks these issues, and that organization has expanded to include the Parliament of Canada and the provincial governments. The SEMA Action Network, or SAN, is a partnership of clubs, individual members, and companies in the specialty auto parts business who want to protect our industry by stamping out unfair legislation and passing favorable laws. In the U.S., the SAN regularly rallies the support of 3,500-plus car clubs, thousands of individuals, and 100-plus automotive
www.semasan.com P|M • April/May 2008
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11/6/07 10:42:22 AM
Be Cool’s new Show & Go series includes a Polished Radiator, Chrome Plated Hi- Torque Fan(s), Polished Fan Brackets, Polished Recovery Tank, Complete Wiring Harness with Instructions, Hardware to mount the Fan(s) and a Polished Be Cool “Sure-Grip” Billet Radiator Cap with our Signature Embossed Emblem to top it off! Now you can cruise to the shows knowing that your cooling issues are solved and when you open the hood you will Wow the Judges!!!!!
Be Cool’s famous Direct-Fit aluminum performance radiators are the ones that started the Cool Revolution. Satisfied users report coolant temperature drops of 20 to 40 degrees after replacing their 4-core copper/brass/lead radiator with a modern Be Cool aluminum radiator. More than 700 applications cover virtually every performance vehicle on the road. Install one today and never lose your Cool again!
OEM fan not included
Be Cool’s new Eliminator Series aluminum radiators contain many of the features that have made Be Cool America’s Leader in Power Cooling. Eleven part numbers cover the most popular cars and trucks in America. Check to see if there is one for your application today.
Be Cool’s new Qualifier Series aluminum radiators are the most affordable Be Cool radiators ever. Designed for cradle mounting, these new models offer Be Cool’s famous dual 1” core design, epoxy-free construction, and a billet filler neck. Be Cool’s Qualifier Series provides outstanding performance and value.
Make the Cool Conversion Today!
Be Cool Incorporated 310 Woodside Avenue l Essexville, Michigan 48732 Phone: 989-895-9699 l Fax: 989-892-9213 l Customer Service: 800-691-2667 l www.becool.com
PERFORMANCE in MOTION
Editorial
Performance in Motion Publications 1100 The Queensway Toronto, ON M8Z 1P7 Phone: 416-259-3678 • Fax: 416-259-6433 EDITOR/PUBLISHER Bob McJannett bmcj@performanceinmotion.ca Phone: 416-259-3678 U.S. ADVERTISING Dick Van Cleve PRODUCTION DESIGN Rob McJannett rmcj@performanceinmotion.ca CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Anderson Tim Banic Tim Chisolm George Jessel Bob McJannett Robert Michaelson Greg Miller Leonard F. Slye Chris Spick Ken Weisbrod with Bonnie Staring as the Reluctant Passenger ILLUSTRATIONS Kayvene PROOFREADER Spike “The Machine” LaVigne MOVING? Please let us know! E-mail both your old & new address to: moving@performanceinmotion.ca Return undeliverables to: 1100 The Queensway Toronto, ON M8Z 1P7 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40609642 PERFORMANCE IN MOTION is published six times a year: February, April, June, August, October and December. Circulation is 30,000+ (ISSN 1703-8421) Copyright ©2008 All rights reserved by Performance In Motion Publishing. The fine print: We respect your privacy, and do NOT sell our mailing list. This magazine may not be reprinted without express permission of Performance In Motion Publishing. (We’re nice guys, just ask!) All opinions are those of our writers, most of whom have sniffed too many leaded gasoline fumes. The information presented is via said leaded gas huffers from which there can be no responsibility by the Publishers as to legality, completeness and accuracy. Be good to the environment - recycle this magazine to your friends. If you enjoy our magazine, be sure to let us know! Thank you for reading the fine print.
You are a person after my own heart. You and me… we’ll get along just fine. Thanks Spike!
WOW,
talk about a winter that sucked! For us in Ontario and Quebec, it seems like we have been inundated with snow forever! Oh, I know, those of you who live in the rest of the country think we are a bunch of wimps, and we should all be out celebrating the winter season. Somehow, I just can’t get my arms around that concept. However, as you read this, it will be early April. The indoor car shows have all been run. In Toronto, the huge Canadian Annual Autoshow ran for ten days in February. Even if you are not in the market for a new car, there was a lot to see for the car enthusiast. We were treated to the Canadian premiere of the 2009 ZR1 Corvette (a car we are unlikely to see the likes of again), the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and Audi’s TTS Coupe. There was a lot more than new cars on display; Lamborghini had a display of vintage versions of their marque. The Cruise Nationals had the ten finalists in their year-long search for a grand Champion on hand for judging with the award to be presented onsite. Our local custom car/hot rod shows Speedorama and Performance World both had great cars to see, giving us a chance to pretend that winter was over and we were all out driving our pride and joys. In addition both shows have added new and interesting interactive displays. At Speedorama, Lincoln Electric was giving people a chance to try their welding skills and see the latest in welding equipment. Clarion did a sound system installation, Joe Da Silva transformed a regular Mustang into a Cervini’s Eleanor concept, with suspension modifications, bling and a body kit.
The Coasters Car Club drove in a 1954 Chevrolet Thursday night, chopped the top on the show floor and drove it home on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, over at Performance World, Joe Leone from Dream Driven Street Machines and Stephen Bloom from Great North Hot Rods combined their talents to assemble a 1932 Ford Roadster during the show hours. Starting with a box of parts and pieces, the boys assembled and fired the car by Sunday afternoon. These additions on the show floors offered more than just static vehicle displays and were very interesting, offering the crowd a chance to learn about the hobby, while seeing just how things are done. Well done to the management of both shows. Soon the roads will dry up, the sun will come out, cruise nights will be starting and the police and feds will be finding more ways to mess with the car enthusiasts. All will be right with the world!
P|M • April/May 2008
5
packard Motor Car
Stor y B y : Th omas An d e r son
K
ent Weale has been interested in cars for almost as long as he can remember. From the age of 16, he was fascinated by the cars he saw in the car magazines of the day. He would soon get a car of his own, and the love affair would begin. Over the years since, Kent has proudly owned ‘32, ‘34 and ‘40 Ford models, a custom 1951 Monarch convertible and both a ‘56 and a ‘66 Corvette. Now fast forward to the mid ‘90s when Kent was on the lookout for a new project. What he wanted was something really unusual, something that he could use whenever he wanted, with all the creature comforts of one of todays vehicles, yet the appearance of the great early classics. He scoured all the publications, talked with many people, looking for just the right start. Finally he ended up in the little town of Gibbon, Nebraska, population 1,775, and the home of Gibbon Fiberglass Reproductions.
Ð P h otog r ap h y b y : R ob e r t Mi c h ae l s
Gibbon was home to Dwight Bond, who had returned to Gibbon after his tour of Viet Nam. Dwight opened a small restoration shop specializing in Model A and Model T restoration. His decision to build fiberglass reproductions of his finished, metal-worked fenders was genius. Soon he was swamped with orders, and the body shop was shut down. As the years passed, more and more molds were completed. Soon Gibbon was offering the widest selection of bodies and chassis in the industry. It was here, in that pile of opportunities, that Kent discovered the Gibbon 1933 Packard Convertible Coupe. This would certainly fi ll his wish list, providing classic appearance with the ability to build in all the late-model creature comforts. A deal was struck and soon Kent had a rolling chassis with body attached hooked up to his van for the trip back to Mississauga. As you pass
the Gibbon sign on the way out of town, you would see that their slogan is “The smile city”, Well, you would have been hard pressed to wipe the smile from Kent’s face as he pulled out of town with his new project. The time was 1995; work was begun turning his rolling project into the high quality vehicle you see here. Over the next five years, Kent and numerous friends, too many to mention individually, worked diligently to complete the Packard. By spring 2000, the Packard was ready for its maiden voyage. This reproduction is virtually indistinguishable from an original Packard everywhere you look. In fact to complete the illusion, Kent even created a fake clutch pedal. Since completion, Kent and his family have used it for cruise nights and pleasure drives. “It is a pleasure to drive, safe and comfortable at any speed. Even my wife enjoys driving it,” said Kent.
Here is an item that is not seen on today’s vehicles. It is a golf bag door, an easy place to store your golf clubs.
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Kent even had an original Packard identification plate mounted on the fi rewall. April/May 2008 • P|M
Th is angle shows the luggage rack, a necessity with rumble seat passengers. Chromeplated steps, taillights and rear bumper are period correct.
Kent Weale’s
1933 Packard Convertible Coupe BODY
Originally built by Gibbon Fiberglass, with minor bodywork by Davies Custom Corvette. The cream and burgundy base clear paint was also by Davies Custom Corvette.
ENGINE & DRIVELINE Under the hood lies a completely rebuilt 1977 425 cubic-inch Cadillac engine, hooked to a GM Turbo 400 engine.
CHASSIS
Kent in dow nt tow h is pr ize ow n Gibbon gett ing read back to M issi y to ssauga.
When asked what he liked best, Kent quickly noted for older people it brings back pleasant memories of driving in the past, while youngsters really enjoy a ride in the rumble seat.
, Kent and home garage ing h is Packard is h in ng ki d Wor five years bu il fr iend s spent Roadster.
Asked about the future Kent says simply “more fun,” we have to admit that driving this great car would certainly be just that “more fun.”
It is hard to imagine when you look at this car that it is not a restoration. Even supposed Packard experts have been fooled.
Gibbon F100 built the chassis, duplicating the original Packard side rails. Front suspension is Chrysler torsion bar, with Chrysler power disk brakes out front. In the rear is a Chrysler 83/4” rear assembly with drum brakes and a 273 ratio.
INTERIOR
Wiring by Painless Performance, a hand-made, engine-turned dash panel holds Classic Instruments. Upholstered in burgundy leather by Lincoln Auto Upholstery, in the style of the original Packard. Custom-made steering wheel in the original style.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Great effort was put into making everything look original. In fact, it has fooled some so-called Packard experts.
Era-correct spare tire mounts, headlights and driving lights all combine to give this Packard the correct look. Even the spare mounted side mirrors are the way the were.
Here are just some of the late model comforts hidden within the car: Air conditioning from Antique Air. A Pioneer CD player hidden with head-phone jacks built into the rumble seat. A wood-grained dash, plus lots of natural walnut and chrome-plating to keep up the original look. Power steering, brakes, windows, seats and rumble seat all combine to fi ll Kent’s desire for creature comforts.
P|M • April/May 2008
7
47 Concours D’Elegance th
Story & Photos by: Len Sly
The
Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada, usually known as the ACCCC, is a national club made up of many regional clubs. The ACCCC name was adopted in 1958, and the Club was incorporated on May 15, 1963. The Club’s purpose is to further the interest in and the knowledge of historic, antique and classic vehicles 20 years and older, and associated materials. They enthusiastically encourage the ownership, restoration and preservation of the above. The ACCCC has 13 regional clubs spread across Ontario. Each club participates in both national and regional activities based on the member’s interests.
One of their long-term events is an annual Concours D’Elegance. In June, we had the opportunity to take in their 43rd annual Concours held in Chinguacousey Park Brampton. Members brought out their milestone cars to be judged and shown to any and all of us who showed up. On a bright, sunny day, we had the good fortune to view a large number of beautifully restored classic and historical vehicles. Take a look at our photos to see the wide variety of classic automobiles the ACCCC attracts to their event.
An original compact car, the Nash Metropolitan was sold in North America from 1954 till 1961. You could purchase a 1955 model for just over $1,500.
Clean Thunderbird engine bay, with the Y-block V8 engine.
In 1968 a Dodge Charger 2 door hardtop would come standard with the 440 magnum engine package.
This Classic Lincoln Continental was one of the great cars of the mid 50s.
Rare 1951 Studebaker Starlight Coupe.
Exquisite 1937 Rolls Royce touring sedan.
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April/May 2008 • P|M
The Auburn Boat Tailed Speedster was built beginning in 1928 until the companies demise in 1936.
THE CURE FOR THE COMMON CARBURETOR!
Good News and Bad News for Canadian Open Wheel Fans By Thomas Anderson
I
n the thirteen years since open wheel racers split into two separate camps, the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series, neither have been dominant. Instead, they seem to bleed off each other’s support, bringing confusion and alienation to open wheel fans. Recently, Tony George from the IRL and Kevin Kalkhoven from Champ Car announced their intention to merge the two entities, with IRL to be the surviving series. Champ car teams will be welcomed into the IRL fold at the season opener in Florida on March 29th. Unfortunately for those of us in eastern Canada, the Grand Prix of Toronto dates are also the dates of IRL’s race at Watkins Glen, a race with 60 years of history. So Watkins Glen survives and Toronto gets set aside. No race for us in 2008, at least not at the moment. Since the announcement of the merger, Charlie Johnstone, president of the Grand Prix of Toronto who has been in negotiations with the CNE looking for alternative dates that would please everyone, noted “Finding an appropriate alternate time slot based on the respective schedule of the venue, the city and the racing league is proving to be difficult under this tight time frame. We will continue to work diligently with all the key players to find a solution, but the reality is that we may have to prepare ourselves for 2009.” The Toronto Grand Prix has been one of the highlights of the summer tourist season since 1986. The tourist bureau calculates the positive impact of the race to be $50-million. In a city with lots of economic problems already, a $50M hit will not be good. Hopefully, the city fathers are working hard to support the efforts of Mr. Johnstone and the Grand Prix of Toronto.
The ABSOLUTE BEST Digital Fuel Injection System Available at Any Price. • The ONLY true Volumetric Efficiency (like OE) based aftermarket DUAL SYNC DISTRIBUTOR Electronic Fuel Injection system available in it’s class • Provides Unmatched Drivability, Performance and Fuel Mileage • Infinitely Programmable: Fuel, Ignition, Nitrous, AC, Cooling fans, knock sensors, Shift light, Torque converter lockup and more • Can be used with virtually all ignition systems, in sequential or batch fire mode, includes data acquisition, individual cylinder fuel control, rev WIDE BAND O2 limiters, boost and Nitrous ready. w/DATALOGGER • Simple installation and setup - and affordably priced
ACCEL/DFI – The EXCLUSIVE supplier of Digital Fuel Injection Systems to World Products crate engine program.
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Check for the latest news at: www.grandprixtoronto.com. P|M • April/May 2008
9
MSD
has long been the leading provider of high performance ignition systems. Their main product mix includes MSD (Multiple Spark Discharge) ignition boxes, for everything from your daily driver to your NASCAR race car; Blaster coils to augment your MSD box; super quality billet aluminum distributors; and a wide variety of other electronic controls that improve the performance and efficiency of an engine. In 2008, they are releasing a number of new products that are upgrades to a couple of their most successful items. First out of the gate will be the Street Fire CDI Ignition.
The Street Fire CDI offers similar power to the most popular ignition boxes, with extra features. In addition to the usual multiple sparks for a full 20 degrees of crankshaft rotation, capacitive discharge technology and full power output at high rpm, the CDI comes in smaller cast aluminum, sealed housing. Why make it smaller? Well, in today’s busy engine compartments, it has become harder and harder to locate suitable real estate to mount the bigger boxes. New technological advances have allowed MSD to build the same power into a smaller container, making the installation easier. The CDI also includes an adjustable rev limiter to protect you from over
revving your engine. No longer do you need modules or pills to adjust the rev limit, simply remove the rubber plugs from the adjuster holes and dial in the desired limit with a small screwdriver. Compare the new CDI to other ignition boxes on the market, the specs are below. Now you have the option of the latest in tech advances mounted in a smaller case with a built-in rev limiter. Best of all, they have been able to substantially reduce the price, while continuing to build their product in the US. Next time you visit your high performance retailer check these out! In our next issue, we will have Ted Barnes’ test notes on the effectiveness of the Street Fire CDI on his award-winning 10-second Datsun race car. Watch for full details.
• RPM RANGE ........................ 15,000 @ 14.4 volts • SPARK ENERGY................... 105mj per spark • PRIMARY VOLTAGE ............ 450 volts • SIZE ..................................... 6” x 3.5” • REV LIMITER ...................... Yes
Protect your engine with the built-in adjustable rev limiter. Easy to set with two rotary dials. • Capacitive Discharge Technology • Multiple Sparks improve starting • Full power output at high RPM • Easily connects to points, amplifiers and magnetic pickup distributors
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For more information, visit: www.msdignition.com. April/May 2008 • P|M
NE W
Did you Know? Slow Down and Move Over or pay up to $4,000 By Robert Michaelson Bill 191, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act, was proclaimed back in 2003, but many people still don’t know about it. The legislation is designed to protect emergency personnel whose vehicles are stopped on the shoulder of the road with red lights flashing. Motorists have to slow down and, where possible and safe to do so, move to a lane not adjacent to the one in which the emergency vehicle is situated. “Many motorists don’t recognize the high risk front-line police officers can face during routine traffic stops,” Brian Adkin, president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, said. “We don’t necessarily think of pulling off to the side of the highway to issue a speeding ticket or to investigate an accident as a dangerous part of an officer’s job.” Those convicted of disobeying the law can expect to be dealt with severely. For the first offence, the fine will be not less than $400 and not more than $2,000. For second and subsequent convictions, the fine is a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $4,000, six months in jail or both a fine and jail sentence. All convictions will result in the addition of three demerit points to a driver’s record. The court can also suspend a motorist’s driver’s licence for up to two years. “We have lost four officers in Ontario in recent years when they or their vehicles have been stopped at the side of the road,” Bruce Miller, the administrator of the Police Association of Ontario, said. “Firefighters are frequently the first to arrive at the scene of incidents on highways,” Milt Wilson, president of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, said. “This legislation will give our workers added protection, especially before police arrive to direct traffic.” Saskatchewan is the only other Canadian province to have similar legislation.
8mm Spiro-Pro
• Retro-look Gray wire color for early muscle cars •350 ohms spiral-wound conductor for RFI suppression • 8mm diameter 100% silicone 2-layer jacket • Features ProBoot® • Also available in red, black, blue, orange, yellow, purple & hot lime
Also check out other high performance & race wires from TAYLOR. ThunderVolt ® 8.2
• 50 ohm ferrite spiral-wound coated core for RFI / EMI suppression • 8.2mm diameter 100% silicone 2-layer jacket • Superior spark energy • Continuous heat protection up to 600° F • Available in black, blue or red
HEI Distributors
ThunderVolt ® 50
• 50 ohm ferrite spiral-wound coated core for RFI / EMI suppression • 10.4mm diameter 100% silicone 3-layer jacket for superior heat and abrasion protection • ProBoot® featuring vibration proof double spring locking terminals • Available in black
“409” Pro Race
• 350 ohms spiral-wound conductor for RFI suppression • 10.4mm diameter 100% silicone 3-layer jacket for superior heat and abrasion protection • Features ProBoot® • Available in black, blue & red
• Precision CNC machined A354 T-6 cast alloy housing for maximum accuracy • Centerless ground shaft reduces friction and provides concentric operation • 50,000 Volt coil with dust cover • High-output GM style module • A hardened steel gear machined to exact tolerances for a tighter mesh with cam gear • Direct plug-in replacement for easy OEM style plug and play installation • Replacement, Blueprinted and Chevy race models available
NEW Smaller Embossed Aluminum Battery Boxes
• Two new box sizes are now available to fit both Optima® and Odyssey batteries • Optional battery cable kits are also available
TaylorVertex.com • 1-816-765-5011
TAYLOR...WHERE PERFORMANCE COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE!
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For more information, visit: www.mpss.jus.gov.on.ca. P|M • April/May 2008
11
GAS PRICES GOT YOU DOWN? How high are gas prices going to go?
With the cost of fuel bouncing between $1.05 and $1.10 a litre, (the equivalent of $3.97 to $4.16 a US gallon) it is certainly cause for concern for drivers, particularly those driving less than economical SUVs and other low mileage vehicles. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any relief in sight. The cost of oil has risen to the highest ever, pundits are predicting an increase to $1.40 a litre within the year and the doom and gloom group are predicting $4.00 a litre in five years. Obviously, fuel mileage is on everyone’s mind. If you would like to get better fuel mileage, you have two options, purchase a new more fuel-efficient vehicle or make changes to your existing one. The auto industry is in favour of you buying a new vehicle, however, you should do your homework before making that choice.
11.2. Using the same fuel cost, I would spend $2,866 for fuel. If I purchase a car equal to my current model, I can save $301 a year. Looking for something more economical, with the same carrying capacity I could buy a 2008 Vibe with a 4cyl. 1.8L engine. It would use 9.4 litres to travel 100 km. or a combined average of 8.7. Now my annual fuel cost would be $2,229. Buying the Vibe would only save me $938 over the year. Whoopee! To improve my fuel expense by $938. I’d have to spend $21,000. It would take 20+ years to break even! Buying a new car isn’t right for me.
improve emissions. All this without losing the additional performance built in for use when desired. First the obvious: Drive efficiently. The smooth application of throttle and brakes can improve your fuel mileage as much as 5% in the city or an amazing 33% at highway speeds! Wash and wax your vehicle. A smooth clean vehicle slips through the air with less friction. It takes less fuel to go down the road.
If you would like better fuel mileage, you have two options, purchase a new more fuel-efficient vehicle or make changes to your existing one. I drive a well maintained 1990 GM V6 automatic vehicle in good shape and well tuned. I drive about 24,135 km. annually with 55% of it being city driving. According to www.fueleconomy.gov this car uses 14.7 litres in 100 km. in the city or a combined average annually of 9.4. At $1.06 a litre my fuel costs would be $3,167 for the year. If I was to buy a new vehicle of similar size, a 2008 Grand Prix would move my fuel consumption down to 13.1 litres to travel 100 km. in the city, or a combined number of
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April/May 2008 • P|M
Rather than spend the money to purchase a new vehicle, why not try to improve the one you have? There are many things you can do to improve your current ride. It has long been said that a high performance engine is an efficient engine. An efficient engine is a clean engine. Popular modifications common to performance enthusiasts everywhere are designed to make your engine more efficient. If you drive your vehicle in an economical fashion, you can actually reduce fuel use and
Learn your engine’s sweet spot. Most engines are geared for optimal economy at 90 kph. If you want to travel faster than that, gear your car to reach the same rpm at your chosen speed. To find that sweet spot install a vacuum gauge. A properly installed gauge will tell you much about the workings of your engine. (Visit the website www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm for a detailed explanation of vacuum gauge information) The relationship between your throttle foot and engine load as seen on the gauge will help
DON’T DESPAIR THERE IS HOPE Proper tire inflation will deliver maximum fuel economy.
Increased spark energy and longer spark duration ensures all the fuel/air mixture is properly burned.
Smoothing the air passing over your pickup bed will cut turbulence and increase economy.
High-quality synthetic oils provide maximum fuel economy.
Find the sweet spot in your engine and gear for it.
Keeping your vehicle in top condition guarantees maximum fuel mileage.
to define maximum fuel economy. It looks like most travel the 400 series highways at 115 kph. Companies such as Richmond offer a wide variety of ratios that will help you maintain the sweet spot in your engine. Dump the junk! If you are hauling an extra 100 lbs in your trunk, it could be penalizing you by as much as 2%. Avoid the drive through. Idling uses fuel, but provides no forward momentum, plus you get unnecessary wear and tear on numerous engine components. Use your cruise control on the highway when ever possible and, if your vehicle has an overdrive transmission, be sure you are running in overdrive. Not so obvious: Keep your car in top condition. A properly tuned engine will deliver a 4% improvement in fuel consumption over one not being looked after. Taylor or MSD premium plug wires plus high-quality spark plugs such as NGK are well worth the investment. Replace your dirty air fi lter with one of the Airaid or K&N lifetime, cleanable air fi lters. These flow more air, can be cleaned when dirty and are better for the environment, since
you should never have to throw them in the landfi ll. Clean air fi lters will give you a 10% economy benefit over a fi lthy clogged one. Clean your fuel injectors to ensure perfect atomization. There are three ways to accomplish this. First, try one of the fuel injector cleaning additives, simply add to your fuel tank. If they still don’t seem clean, you can take your car to a service shop who will disconnect inbound fuel lines and flush the injectors. The last choice is to go to someone who has a cleaning system that allows them to remove the injectors from the engine and clean them off the car. Inflate your tires to the manufacturers’ recommended pressures. Invest in a good quality pressure gauge and carry it with you. Proper inflation can deliver up to 3% improved economy. Don’t try to second guess the car manufacturers’ recommended grade of oil. Use a high-quality synthetic oil such as Royal Purple, that meets and exceeds manufacturers recommended grade. Look for the words “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol on the label. Royal Purple claims their products will both increase horsepower and fuel economy. Check their web site for full details.
Extras you can do to help: Since engines are nothing more than giant air pumps, anything that can be done to improve the movement of air more efficiently should reduce fuel consumption. Properly engineered cold air intake systems, such as the ones offered by Airaid and K&N will go a long way to reduce fuel requirements. There are models of these available for a wide variety of applications. For additional improvements in mid-range power, torque and fuel efficiency, add on a Poweraid throttle body spacer. These anodized aluminum spacers feature a helix machined bore that spins the incoming fuel/air charge for improved cylinder fi lling and atomization. A great addition to a fuel-injected engine. Manufacturers such as MSD offer numerous devices to improve spark performance of your ignition. The addition of one of their 6 series multi-spark boxes to your ignition system guarantees that all the fuel/air mixture going into the engine gets burned. Multiple Spark Discharge ignition systems offer increased spark energy and longer spark duration times to ensure all energy from your incoming fuel charge is used to move the vehicle. P|M • April/May 2008
13
GAS PRICES GOT YOU DOWN? Avoiding the Drive-Through guarantees better fuel mileage.
Removing the heavy clutch fans will not only improve engine efficiency, but extend the water pump life as well.
Whether you use your truck as your daily driver or your crosscountry hauler, the Mileage Max delivers something every driver wants: improved fuel economy. Dump the junk! If you are hauling an extra 100 lbs in your trunk it could be penalizing you by as much as 2%. A cleanable reusable air filter will increase fuel economy by 10% over a dirty clogged one.
Do everything possible to get rid of parasitic horsepower. If your engine has a belt driven fan, remove it and replace it with one of the high-quality, easy-to-install Flex-a-lite electric models. These are available to fit virtually everything and will remove weight from the nose of the water pump, extending the pump’s bearing life. A Flex-a-lite electric fan will provide maximum airflow and use no engine horsepower in its operation. Look over your exhaust system, most OE systems are small in diameter and extremely restrictive. Performance systems from Hedman, Dynomax and many others offer larger diameter tubing, mandrel bends for a smooth exhaust transition and free-flowing mufflers and catalytic converters. Improving the flow of exhaust helps your engine scavenge well and should offer maximum fuel mileage. Today’s computer savvy vehicles can be retuned with products like the hand-held programmers from Superchips. Superchips tuners offer multiple tuning levels that will improve fuel mileage, add horsepower and upgrade the driveability of your vehicle. While the manufacturers tend not to claim specific fuel mileage improvements, since everyone’s driving style is different, just go to their web site to see all the raves that their customers give them.
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April/May 2008 • P|M
If you are driving a truck, either gas or diesel, EDGE offers a number of specialized controllers that offer numerous levels of performance or fuel economy tuning. In fact, they have a fuel mileage controller designed for the Dodge 5.9 Cummins engine that will increase mileage by up to 7%. Many other controller applications are available. One of the simpler add-ons is the Tornado. Available for both carbureted and injected engines, the tornado is a non-moving turbineshaped device that when installed in the air intake creates a vortex or swirling effect on the fuel/air mixture as it enters the engine. This results in better cylinder filling and a more efficient mixture. The manufacturer claims fuel mileage increases up to 28% depending on application and driving style. Check their web site for actual test results and watch the videos Finally, if you are the owner of a pickup truck, install a tonneau cover. Extang offers a wide variety of styles to suit every need, and by installing the tonneau, you remove the turbulence caused when the pickup bed is not covered. Extang claim smoothing out the air passing over the truck will result in a 10% increase in fuel mileage. Check their web site for a calculator that will tell you how long it will take for the cover to pay for itself.
Well, there you have it, loads of ideas to help you absorb the high cost of fuel. Everything from the simple to the complex. Good maintenance habits will go a long way in extending the time between visits to the gas station. It is up to you.
Info For more information, contact: www.airaid.com www.extang.com www.flex-a-lite.com www.fueleconomy.gov www.fueleconomy.weblite.ca www.knfilters.com www.superchips.com www.tornadoair.com
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Please be aware that descriptive, typographic or photographic errors sometimes occur and are subject to correction. We reserve the right to limit quantities.
^SPEEDORAMA 2007 ^ END OF THE Automotive building ERA
Speedorama
this year was unique in a couple of ways. On the Wednesday before the show we were blessed with 30.4 centimeters of snow, a one-day record for Toronto. Add this to the snow that was already on the ground, and it certainly didn’t look like the car owners would show. Wrong, as always, the car owners appeared with their vehicles, suffering through the inclement weather to get their cars onto the show floor. Hats off to the members of the Coasters who DROVE! In addition, this Speedorama Show was to be the last event held in the legendary Automotive building. As the last car left, work was scheduled to begin on the conversion of this building to a Conference Center. No more shows would grace these walls. Since it has been designated as a historical building, the art deco façade will remain, only the interior will be changed. Speedorama 2008 featured a number of interactive events during the show hours.
The Coasters Car Club arrived in a stock height 54 Chevrolet then proceeded to chop the top. By the end of the show hours they were able to drive home with a new, much lower profile. Joe Da Silva and his crew brought two matching Mustangs, then converted one to the Cervinis Eleanor concept. Joe had a long list of items that would be accomplished during the show hours and, when the dust settled, everything on his list was complete. Over on the other side of the building, Lincoln Electric brought their Hot Rod 1953 Chev panel truck. Designed as a mobile welding display, they were offering show attendees the opportunity to try out their welding skills using the very latest Lincoln equipment. Continuing with the interactive theme, Clarion was doing a complete sound system install and Voodoo Airbrushing was showing airbrush techniques. All in all, there was a lot to see at this year’s Speedorama.
Chris and Mary Smith’s 1939 Ford Roadster was winner of the coveted “DEAN” award. Powered by an LT1 Corvette engine, riding on a custom built Corvette suspension, the amount of hand work and fine detail was amazing.
Bruce Clark had the Lincoln Electric 1953 Chevrolet Panel on hand at the show with a wide variety of Lincoln products to display. You could even try your hand at welding.
Chip Foose legendary auto designer, three time Ridler Award winner and all around great guy, spent hours signing autographs for anyone willing to wait in the long line of fans. P|M • April/May 2008
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SPEEDORAMA 2007
Mike Gentile’s magnificent 69 Camaro ZL1 clone is powered by an aluminum 427 c.i. engine hooked to a 5-speed Tremec transmission.
If traditional is your thing you could not do better than Brian Lawrence “SaltFlat” 32 Ford Roadster. Black on black with kidney bean wheels, enough said.
Lou Meehan’s fresh 1953 Mercury M100 pickup, done up in the 50’s graphics of the old High Park Garage makes a great hauler for this Oldsmobile Rocket engine.
Viv Agresti brought out this beautiful 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible. Under the hood was a much modified, supercharged LT1 GM engine with LT4 heads. 18” Colorado Custom wheels, Viper red paint and excellent tan leather upholstery make this 55 a real head turner.
Stony from Oddball Customs brought a number of projects to the show. Both of these feature early HEMI power and loads of unique features.
20
Guy and Elaine Peters 1958 Corvette with LS-2 power driving through a Tremec 6 speed transmission, has dozens of subtle changes. You could look at this one for hours and not see everything. April/May 2008 • P|M
Here are the Coasters getting ready to take the roof off their 1954 two-door Chevy. 1-By mid afternoon Saturday the glass and trim was removed, the roof had been cut and the repositioning had begun. 2-Interesting rear window treatment would soon be in place. 3-With the pieces fitted welding was begun. At the end of the show this Chev was driven home with it’s brand new chopped top! HP288_Dist_PerfInMotion.qxp
3/25/08
10:31 AM
Page 1
NO ONE MAKES MORE PERFORMANCE DISTRIBUTORS THAN MALLORY!
1
2 Mallory has made over 2 million distributors, won 18 Indy 500’s and countless other races. • From the new high tech all-electronic Max-Fire distributors to the Model-A points style distributor, Mallory makes more Performance and Racing Distributors than all of our competitors combined • Mallory custom makes distributors for virtually all engines – including antique and hard to find applications – contact us if you need one New Max-Fire Distributors • Full electronic timing control – RPM and vacuum based • Built-in multi-strike digital capacitive discharge ignition system • Single stage rev limiting • Simple fire up and go installation
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Mallory – Making Performance Ignition Distributors for over 83 years! www.MalloryRacing.com 216-688-8300 P|M • April/May 2008
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The Legendary Motorcar Company had a display of the wide variety of vehicles they work on. The Mike Carrabs owned Ricky Rosella driven, Mustang can be seen in action at the Canadian Streetcar Nationals Aug 15-17, Toronto Motorsports Park.
22
April/May 2008 • P|M
Dizzy Dean R.I.P.
Automotive pioneer has passed on By Bob McJannett
It
is with great sadness we report the passing of Dizzy Dean Murray on March 18th 2008. A great bear of a man with an infectious grin, Dizzy was a long time supporter of all facets of the automotive hobby. Whether you saw him hawking copies of his newspaper, Wheelspin News, at all the local tracks, decked out in his signature cowboy hat and gold boots or on the show floor of his wildly successful Motion car shows, you had to like him. Even when he was yelling at you because you were not doing something the way he felt it should be, his eyes would twinkle. Dean had a lasting impact on the automotive enthusiast hobby in Canada, was a mentor to more people than he would ever admit too, helped many with no expectation of reward other than the satisfaction of seeing something well done. Even in retirement he had been willing to talk about industry problems and offer his counsel. Race on Dean, we miss you already.
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Dizzy Dean seen here presenting the inaugural winner of “the Dean” award to Nick Minialoff and his 1933 Ford Cabriolet, at Speedorama in 2006.
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P|M • April/May 2008
23
Tim Miller, a Motorsports writer, gave this speech at the 2007 Canadian Street Rodding Hall of Fame dinner. We thought what he had to say was important enough to ensure you see it in print.
I
wear several hats, but all have something to do with automobiles, and the love I have for them. I wish to speak to you on a subject some of you may already have thought about, that is the future of this hobby, this enterprise, this passion we have for cars. As I look around tonight, some of you are older than myself, some around my age, and a few younger. But by far the majority of us are baby boomers, growing up with cars as a big part of
When I go to car shows, cruises and races, young faces are hard to find. What’s going to happen to our cars when we’re too old to drive them? I don’t know about you, but none of my four children are really interested in cars except as an appliance to get from one place to another. I’m sure most of you have tried to instill our love of cars with our children. Sometimes it works, and the torch gets passed on.
racing, where a youngster can start in a safe competitive environment at reasonable cost, and go on to faster racing as he or she gets older. As an aside, racing is the only sport, except horse competitions, where a man and a woman compete on an equal playing field. There is no gender discrimination, and we have had some fine women racers, especially in drag racing. Drag racing has embraced the youth market
When I go to car shows, and races, young faces are hard to find. What’s going to happen to our cars when we’re too old to drive them? our lives. We have all gotten our hands dirty working on cars. We still do. Unfortunately, I believe our children do not, on the whole, have the same interest in cars as we did at their age, this is a problem.
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April/May 2008 • P|M
There is an area where today’s youth has discovered the world of autos. For a while now, I have been on my soapbox about getting younger people in racing. There is a structure, whether it’s oval track, road racing or track
with sport compact drag racing. You may scoff at these little four-cylinder cars, but it’s no different than our fathers scoffing at the thennew OHV V8 engines when a straight-eight or Ford flathead was the only way to go.
This racing element has a very positive note. It gets the youth to race at the track, not on the street, which as we all know has become an ugly issue particularly in Ontario. While we have all raced on the street, and there were accidents, deaths caused by street racing were rare. But it wasn’t for our lack of trying. We raced cars with big engines, poor brakes and poor suspensions. Today’s popular vehicles are comprised of good-handling foreign sedans with lots of rubber on the road, excellent brakes and solid suspension, however, that does not excuse being cut off by a pair of tuner cars criss-crossing lanes in traffic at 100 mph on the 401. For the cost of a decent sound system in one of these cars, a young person could buy a reasonably equipped race car, be it stock, road or drag, and fulfill his or her competitive urge. Lately, street racing has reached zenith as a bad pastime and police are trying to stem the carnage. Now, the Ontario government has launched Bill 203, which could have a severe negative effect on our passion. With virtually no study or background preparation, this bill encompasses all modified vehicles as a potential hazard on our roads, and gives police forces a very subjective interpretation in what is modified. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen a car older than 1970 performing some of the stunts on our highways that we see with the tuner cars. Okay, enough negative stuff. How do we get our youth to become interested, to appreciate and maintain our love of cars? Take them to car events. If you’re at a car show, or meet or even the local cruise night, walk around and patiently explain some of the differences between the cars they’re looking at and the econo-boxes they see on the street. Tell them that the flathead engine in the Deuce highboy was the first mass-produced V8 engine, or the small-block in the 1955 Bel Air beside it, was built in various sizes and configurations for more than 40 years, or that the T Bucket roadster in front of them, is based on a car that was essentially the same for almost 30 years. The car that lifted our society from trains and streetcars and gave us our own personal transportation. Perhaps when you’re talking about “the good old days,” tell the young ones what gasoline cost, or a house, or how much money you made. Then they can relate these figures to their world today, and more often than not, the questions start. Talk about travelling on the roads when you were their age, when it took six hours to drive from Hamilton to Detroit, rather than today’s three hours, or how you had to wait for
the boats to pass through at the canals in Burlington and St. Catharines. Mention the stoplights on the QEW between Hamilton and Buffalo. Tell them about going to the drive-in restaurant, and getting served right at your car, and how you could get the standard burger, fries and shake for under a dollar. There are some instances where the torch is being passed on. I think the rat rod craze is the youth’s version of hot rodding, to an extent. It’s certainly a step away from the traditional aspects of rodding, offering an in-your-face individualism that our youth try to obtain. I want to get back to racing. Usually, there is a youth element at regular drag races. Tuner events are obviously very popular and
embraced in a world where racing is just a part of this culture. As I said earlier, I wear a couple of different hats. One of them is working with a Pro Modified drag racing group. We held an event at Cayuga (TorontoMotorsportsPark), and running the same day was a group of 15 to 18 cars that call themselves the 10.5 cars – that’s their slick size on the rear of the cars. This is an anything-goes class, from blown big-blocks to a small-block with twin turbos and close to 2,000 horsepower. Upon a closer look at these cars, the traditional elements of drag racing, which is hot-rodding in the traditional sense stepped up a few notches, has merged with tunertype drag car ideas and build methods. Some of these cars are capable of 200 mph
P|M • April/May 2008
25
down the quarter-mile. Maybe, this is the future: small engined cars with state-of-theart technology. Exhibition cars in drag racing are popular with young people. Cars such as the wheelstanders and jet cars, cars that make lots of smoke and noise really attract attention. If your track is offering these one weekend, take
So, even if you’ve never been to a race, take the kids or grandkids to a show. Try to get them interested. And, if possible, take them in your street rod or collector car. Get the seed planted. When you work on your car, get your young helper to really help other than just getting the wrenches. Have them get their hands
Who knows? Those young hands and good set of eyes working with you may get the bug. They may just get away from the video games for a while and want to learn how to use a timing gun rather than pushing the buttons on a Nintendo controller. Remember. We have to get youth interested and involved. They’re our future. Our youth
We have to get youth interested and involved. They’re our future. Let’s make sure we not only pass the torch, but also pass on the car keys. a whole bunch of kids, they will love it. Getting youth involved in oval track racing is more of a challenge. I always thought a tuner-type oval series would work, especially with a race/performance-oriented midway featuring all the Fast and Furious goodies. There are a couple of tracks around that do offer a family environment. Merrittville Speedway near St. Catharines comes to mind. The show starts at 7 pm, there are no intermissions, and you’re on your way home by 10. There are family packages at Merrittville, and other tracks that offer admission, food and a race program for under $50.
dirty. Guide them and praise them. Sure the car is your pride and joy, you have a strong attachment to it, and you’d rather not have anyone messing with it. But learn to share your enthusiasm.
is going to inherit enough of the negative aspects that our society has created, let’s do our best to help them to share in the world we love. Let’s make sure we not only pass the torch, but also pass on the car keys.
About the Author:
Tim Miller has been a motorhead all his life. A motorsport writer for the Hamilton Spectator for more than twenty years, Tim also writes for a number of car-related publications including Hemmings Motor News, Cars & Parts, and Inside Track. His first book was called NASCAR Now and was published in 2004 by Firefly Books. Vroom! is Tim’s first book for children, published by Tundra Books. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario.
26
For further information, Tim can be reached at tmiller@mountaincable.net. April/May 2008 • P|M
: w e i v e R k o o B
SlingshoT
r Spectacu la
S
teve Reyes began his top fuel photographic career as a fan at his home track of Fremont in Northern California in the early sixties. He soon figured out that the way to get free entrance to all the major races was to get published in all the drag racing publications of the day. Thus, a career was born. For the next ten years, from 1963 till 1973, Steve travelled the country covering the best top fuel shows in the golden era of front engine dragsters. During this time, he chronicled the success and failures of all the “hot shoes” of the day. This was an era of amazing ingenuity, unlike today’s top fuel cars that seem to be clones of each other, front engine top fuel cars could show up in many unusual configurations. Multiple engines, streamlined bodies, long wheelbases were all the rage. Over this time period, Steve photographed cars with Chrysler, Pontiac, Chevrolet and Ford engines. Carburated, injected and blown, the variety was amazing. If you are a student of the glory years of top fuel, a time when you could still run a car out of your garage and your pocket, Slingshot Spectacular is a must read. Unheard anecdotes abound. Steve Reyes has opened his vast fi les from the day, to create over 190 pages of often unseen photos. Slingshot Spectacular Steve Reyes CarTech Books. P|M • April/May 2008
27
Performance Directory
Auto Services Ltd. P• 905-471-3335 F• 905-471-7274 C• 647-228-3434
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April/May 2008 • P|M
Doug Lamb
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Performance Directory
P|M • April/May 2008
29
Hang-ups & whispers Danger level: yellow-red Have you ever picked up the phone, heard a stranger’s voice say it’s the wrong number and quickly hang up? It could be that guy from the classified ad your driver called a few minutes ago, asking about the classic beauty for sale. Even worse are the whispered conversations your driver is having when he thinks you’re in the bathroom, shaving your legs. He could be sealing the deal right under your nose.
Spring. Flings. Put
those two words together and there’s bound to be trouble. Forget about whether or not you’ve been married for years or just happen to hang out with an automotive enthusiast, spring flings always lead to something new. And that “something” can throw an unsuspecting passenger off her game. We kind of fell into a comfortable pattern when we realized the first (or 15th) ride was here to stay. But the promise of warmer weather or the thought of roads no longer being salted can send even the most trustworthy driver into the garage with another woman, er, I mean, vehicle. Now, far be it for me to say that all relationships can’t benefit from a little shaking up, especially when we lose the heavy winter coats and finally have a reason to shave our legs. But, as a passenger who has witnessed the adverse affects of a spring fling gone horribly wrong, please heed my advice. It’ll save you a lot of angst in the long run—and you might actually enjoy the driving season this year. Hey, it’s good to dream.
Whether your vehicular virtuoso is toying with the idea of a spring fling or fully under its notoperating-on-all-cylinders spell, there are a few signs you can keep an eye out for to ensure that fling doesn’t turn into a reality. Public drooling Danger level: yellow As embarrassing as it is, watching a grown driver get all giddy like a schoolgirl and follow a coveted car all over the place, this is the safest stage of the spring fling. When it gets bad, simply hand over a napkin with a look that says: “You had me at hell-no.”
Spring
Flings!
The “For Sale” sign Danger level: yellow Does your car nut slow down, even on highways, to take a look at another ride and then jot down the phone number from the “For Sale” sign stuck in the back window? Carry a water bottle with you and “accidentally” destroy the evidence—or tell him the kids ate the notepad.
The clean garage Danger level: red-line If the garage is being cleaned up, cleared out and there appears to be enough space to fit another vehicle into it, panic. This is the official sign that a spring fling is about to cross the line to become a real thing. The only resort is to fill the garage with spray cheese when your driver isn’t looking. And, if all else fails, just count yourself lucky that he only brought one cool car home—this time. Enjoy the ride.
About the Author: Bonnie Staring is a comedian, advertising copywriter and one of those people who enters all kinds of contests. To see what else she’s been ranting about, visit her website: www.bonniestaring.com Illustration created by Kayvene • website: www.kayvene.typepad.com
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April/May 2008 • P|M