4 4 4 Jeff Norwell’s
Spring 2012 • Vol. 12 #2
Diamond Deuce
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40609642
2
Spring 2012 • Performance in Motion •
.SPRING. Performance in Motion Publications NEW Address: 87 Advance Road Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 Phone: 416-259-3678 • Fax: 416-259-6433 PUBLISHER Bob McJannett bmcj@sympatico.ca Phone: 416-259-3678 EDITOR Rob McJannett CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Anderson Bob A. Booey Jed Cranium Roger Hart Jim Madigan Robert Michaelson Jeff Norwell N.H.R.A. Dave Thomas Leif Peng Chuck Vranas Leonard F. Slye with Bonnie Staring as the Reluctant Passenger
Jeff Norwell’s Diamond Deuce 1932 Ford Pickup
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COVER IMAGE Chuck Vranas PROOFREADER Spike “The Machine” LaVigne MOVING? Please let us know! E-mail both your old & new address to: moving@performanceimprovements.com Return undeliverables to: 87 Advance Road Toronto, ON M8Z 2S6 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. PERFORMANCE IN MOTION is published a year: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Winter. Circulation is 30,000+ (ISSN
Yummy! What’s your engine eating?
6_
Check out a different Car Event with StanceisEverything’s Dave T.
8_
40609642 five times Fall, and 1703-8421)
Copyright ©2012 All rights reserved by Performance In Motion Publishing. Be good to the environment, recycle this magazine – give it to your friends. The fine print: We respect your privacy, and do not sell our mailing list. All opinions are those of our writers, (the usual gang of idiots) most of whom have sniffed too many gas fumes to trust as far as you can throw. The information presented is via said gas sniffers from which there can be no responsibility by the Publishers as to legality, completeness and accuracy. If you enjoy our magazine, be sure to let us know! This magazine may not be reprinted without permission of Performance In Motion Publishing. (We’re nice guys, just ask!) • Thanks for 48 great years on the Queensway - Come visit our new location at 87 Advance – the showroom is the size of our entire old building! •
2012 Cruise Nationals Top Ten
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Spring 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Publisher’s Note
Bigger & Better! We have Moved!
After 48 years located on The Queensway, our parent, Performance Improvements, has moved to 87 Advance Road. Needless to say, we are tagging along. However, they are not moving far, a mere four traffic lights north on Islington Avenue will bring you to Advance Road, turn left at the Tim Hortons travel to number 87 and you are there. It is with mixed emotions that we move; after all, the number of adventures that began in our building are many (some we can’t even talk about) the midnight sales, the auction, the garage sales… all combine to make great stories, stories for a truly interesting evening.
P.I. TORONTO
Kipling Ave.
Old
Islington Ave.
QEW
As we leave our home of the last 34 years, a new era is beginning. Where will we all be 34 years from now? All I know is that Performance Improvements is still “on your way to great driving!” As our Reluctant Passenger says, Enjoy the ride.
New
Norseman St.
The Queensway
As well as all the above, we will also have “The Reluctant Passenger Lounge” a place for your wife or girlfriend to ‘idle’ while you shop. Comfortable seating and interesting reading will make it pleasant. Plan a visit to the new showroom and don’t forget the annual Midnight Sale on April 13th.
87 Advance Rd. 416-259-9656 Advance Rd.
Luckily, we have had the loyalty of our customers and the support of our suppliers, for that we thank you all. Our new home will be really spectacular with a 5,000 square-foot showroom (twice what we have now), far more product on display, all new offices, plus a room designed to allow us to offer technical seminars and to provide meeting space when needed. In fact, we are scheduling two seminars to explain the benefits offered by MSD’s latest product, the Atomic EFI. We will have a hands-on installation to watch and then the factory rep will be there to explain the features and answer your questions about this remarkable new product. Dates and information to follow.
• Performance in Motion • Spring 2012
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.Tech._
Air/Oil Separators a.k.a. “Catch Cans”
W
Story & Photos: Jed Cranium
hy would I want one of these?
This Mason Jar of slurry is what your PCV system is feeding your engine. (Some engines are worse than others, the new Hemi is particularly oily.)
Other than because they are a cool looking piece, air-oil separators serve a very important function. Your crankcase is full of oil and mist. If that gets into your intake via the PCV system, you will find yourself burning oil. Not only is it uncool to have blue smoke coming out of your tailpipe, burning oil will mean a loss in power. Vehicles from the factory vent excessive crankcase vapours and residual oil right back into the intake manifold. This could cause detonation and oil deposits to form in the intake tract, including on the valves themselves. Oil deposited in the manifold will drip into the combustion chamber causing an increased chance of spark knock. If left unchecked, the intake system will eventually fill with sludge. Today’s ethanol-enriched fuels put out more moisture during the combustion process than the older style of fuel. With today’s fuels the air oil problem is accelerating. For the best performance and longest engine life, you need to solve the air oil mess ASAP. Moroso Air-Oil Separators are excellent tools for collecting and separating this extra oil and moisture. While often called “Catch Cans,” an air-oil separator has a filter to trap oil spillover before it enters into your intake manifold. A “Catch Can” just collects fluids, much like a radiator overflow bottle.
They are available in either a custom-fit application for most popular performance vehicles or, if there is no custom kit available, they also make a universal model for you to adapt to your engine. The universal Billet Aluminum body is polished and measures 4.5” tall by 3.75” (clamp installed) diameter body, it will fit in more places than the custom fit air-oil separators that are designed for specific highperformance engines. All Moroso separators come complete with 3/8”, 90º inlet and outlet fittings, a billet aluminum mounting clamp and 36” of 3/8” rubber hose. The two-piece body of the Air-Oil Separator unscrews for cleaning and draining is made simpler with the bottom drain elbow. Custom kits are available for Chrysler 5.7/6.1 engines, late model Mustangs, Shelby GT 500, 5.7 Dodge trucks, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 GM trucks also Hummers. Also kits are available to fit Jeep SRT8, Mitsubishi EVO, 2010 up Camaro SS, 5.7 Dodge Truck, most Mazdas and many others. Each separator comes with fully detailed, full-colour photographic installation instructions, designed to make the install easy! Get one today before you start to lose horsepower.
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Compact Billet Aluminum body of the Moroso unit, looks good and will fit in most engine bays.
Stop oil from decreasing the horsepower, torque, performance and life span of your vehicle.
Two-piece body unscrews showing the tight steel-mesh filter media that helps strip the air of oil and collect it in the bottom.
All Moroso kits come with a length of rubber hose, billet mounting clamp, Two brass fittings and a drain valve. Custom kits also include brackets to mount it in specific vehicles. You can also choose to upgrade to AN fittings.
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Spring 2012 • Performance in Motion •
Book Review:
Y
ou may think there is nothing new to be written about the legendary Chevrolet Big Block, but author Tom Dufur takes them to the next level. Using his three decades of engine building experience, Tom reviews the commonly available GM factory parts and compares them to the myriad of aftermarket offerings, explaining the advantages of both. Did you know that today you can build a complete big block engine without using a single factory component? Or did you know that GM offers a 572-cubic-inch crate engine. Aftermarket versions are even larger. Technology has changed dramatically since these engines were introduced in 1965, today you can build a powerful, reliable engine destined for a street car, race car or boat using all the latest proven techniques. To make your job easier, Tom includes several complete engine build up recipes, making it simple to follow along and succeed. No matter what type of power plant you desire, Tom’s review of the latest technological advancements in speed equipment will ensure you build the type of engine you crave. Best of all, his recommendations are dyno proven to work.
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HOW TO BUILD KILLER BIG BLOCK ENGINES Author Tom Dufur • Pages 144 Illus: 406 colour photos Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 • Price $29.99 • Item #SA190 • Performance in Motion • Spring 2012
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Check out a different car event for a change!
Yours to Discover Story & Photos: Dave Thomas
If
you are reading this magazine, then chances are pretty good you are a car enthusiast and probably have been for quite some time. If this is true, I want you to think back to when you were a child. Back to when you had a toy car collection, die-cast, model, slot car, Micro Machine, whatever it may have been. While there was no question you had a favourite of the bunch that you never let out of your sight, you always
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knew each and every other car that was in your collection. If someone were to ever take just one, you would know. Chevys, Fords, Ferraris, Datsuns, and Mercedes all shared space in your pocket, backpack, toy box or carrying case and never once did the thought of separating them cross your mind because you simply loved cars, all cars.
What happened?
Somewhere along the way, the enthusiast community began to splinter. Slightly at first, but as time went on, the amount of separation increased and groups began to become less accepting and less inclined to explore other parts of the hobby. As a collective, we lost our way. Instead of embracing the fact that our hobby was expanding and evolving to encompass a variety of new styles, we began to reject the change.
Meets and shows gradually became restricted to only certain cars, sometimes to the point where only certain generations could be included. This separation that started with the vehicles soon began to trickle down to the people, separating the younger generation from the old. Of course, there are still some who refuse to stay confined to meets and events that cater to their favorite modification style and make an effort to explore other areas of the hobby,
but that number seems to be dwindling. Thankfully, this problem is easily fixable. Despite the fact that the season here is much shorter than that of our southern cousins, Ontario is a great place to be an enthusiast that loves the hobby as a whole. With a little research, one can attend a variety of entirely different automotive events in one season without ever leaving the province. Classic car meets take place every week at local parking lots hosted by groups such
as Street Classics, “Tuner” shows every month presented by organizations such as the Canadian Sport Compact Series, track events from drag racing to drifting are hosted by a number of sanctioning bodies throughout the year, and cruises happen everywhere in between organized by online forum or word of mouth. This summer do yourself and the hobby a favour and check out at least one event that you normally wouldn’t. Chances are, it will open your
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This summer do yourself and the hobby a favour – check out at least one event that you normally wouldn’t. eyes to at least one other car or style that you never thought you would enjoy. Personally, one of my most memorable eye-opening experiences happened at a Honda Tech Meet in 2009 at Downsview Park. Admittedly, I was never the biggest Honda fan because like many the Fast and Furious phase of early 2000 put a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. However, at this event, I saw a 1997 Honda Civic with an
1997 Honda Civic with an Acura V6 swap — the basic most traditional element of hot rodding, (using whatever is available to you to go fast) applied to a newer platform.
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Acura V6 motor poking out of the carefully cut hood, reminiscent of cars I had seen at classic shows. This Honda had take taken the basic most traditional element of hot rodding, using whatever is available to you to go fast, and applied it to a newer, different, platform. Exposure to new things, and this carried mentality, is the only way that we as enthusiasts are going to survive in a world
that is looking to drive us into extinction one appliance car at a time. The younger generation needs to carry on the torch, but it can only do so with a little help from the fire still burning within the older generation. The cars and technology may be different, but the passion remains the same.
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• Performance in Motion • Spring 2012
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WHEEL PLAN TM
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Modified, Street Rod and Custom Automobile Insurance
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About the Author: Dave Thomas is a front-end web developer by trade, a BMX rider by passion and a blogger by addiction. An automotive enthusiast at heart, he began blogging about the Ontario enthusiast scene after noticing that it was extremely under-exposed and incredibly under-documented. More of his work can be found at stanceiseverything.com. 012 McJannett ad half 4c:09 McJannett ad 1/2
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Rat Roast The Don Garlits 80th Birthday Roast
Drag Strip Memories
T
Preparations for the first annual show devoted to the history of Canadian drag racing is now underway, and promises to offer something for anyone interested in the heritage of the sport.
Photos courtesy of: National Hot Rod Association
o celebrate the 80th birthday of Drag Racing legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, the National Hot Rod Association staged “The Don Garlits 80th Birthday Rat Roast” on the Saturday evening of the 52nd annual Winternationals at the Pomona Fairplex. This event benefited the Quarter Mile Foundation whose purpose is to create and preserve a permanent historical record of drag racings colourful past. To accomplish this mission, they are working on the Project 1320 film. To date, they have interviewed more than 100 of the people who were there “Back in the Day.” To say the Garlits event was a success would be a huge understatement. The hall was filled to capacity with industry legends, business people, fans and racers. They were all treated to an evening of ribald reminiscences from the seven roasters, all kept under control by the capable Bob Frey.
Taking the podium was drag racer Jerry “The King” Ruth, the voice of NHRA Dave McClelland, touring pros “TV Tommy” Ivo, and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme. Representing the manufacturing side of the sport were engine builder Ed Pink, Sid “the fuel delivery man” Waterman and the irrepressible Ed “The Camfather” Iskenderian. No stories were sacred, rumours were confirmed or buried, previously unheard stories reared their heads and the hall was filled with laughter and applause. There was an auction of historical drag racing memorabilia to support the Quarter Mile Foundation. In addition, during the Winternationals they were able to add an additional 14 interviews to their vault. Check their website www.project1320.com for the latest news, plus donate some money to support the foundation! Hats off to Traci Hrudka who is spearheading the project.
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Drag Strip Memories will be held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario, Sunday, April 15. Highlighting the event will be some of Canada’s most famous drag racing cars, including Willys gassers, early Funny Cars, and a front-engined Top Fueler. Over 20 race cars are expected to be displayed at the Warplane Heritage Museum, where visitors will also be able to experience some of the most significant warbirds in existence. Drag Strip Memories will also feature the largest display of drag racing models in the country, set up as a miniature Cayuga Dragway, and posters, photos, and other documents related to drag racing. Three local car clubs will also present displays with a focus on early drag racing and the hot rod scene. Several vendors and artists will be on hand for personalized service. Drag Strip Memories will be held from 11 am until 5 pm April 15 at the Museum, which is situated next to the Hamilton International Airport, at 9280 Airport Road. For more information, contact info@dragstripmemories.com.
Big Daddy goes for it in his Swamp Rat drag car.
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.FEATURE.
444 Diamond Jeff Norwell’s
444 Story by: Jeff Norwell • Images by Chuck Vranas
1932 Ford PickUp
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4 Deuce
4
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4 Diamond Deuce
the early spring of 1989, fresh out of school and grounded in my own studio, I returned to my desire of hot rods. I really had never left them–but I realized very early on that an education would help bring my personal wants in life later on. I found this little pickup at a swap meet sitting upon a hill, waiting for a new owner. A price was agreed upon and it was brought back to the fold. The lil’ red pickup was full of speed parts, but upon closer inspection, some sad truths were revealed. The Flatty was wasted with a bad cracked block and the Top Loader had no Second gear or Reverse. This was not going to cut it, so the hunt be-
In
gan for a new drivetrain. Quickly, I located a 289 and a decent C4. The swap was made, and we shared many trouble-free road miles. Early on, a friend of mine noted that this truck was featured in Hot Rod magazine in December 1961. Astonished at this fact, it was called the “Diamond Deuce” from the local graybeards who remembered her. I set upon an adventure of sorts to return it somewhat to its former glory. I never wanted to rebuild it to exactly what it was; I needed to leave my mark on it somewhere. In other words, return it a wee bit to its early history in tribute to its past, but with the addition of my personal touches!
Work began in early 2000 and the hunt for parts was on. Drawings, sketches and napkin notes filled the studio. Every spare moment I had, I dreamed of this truck–mixing new with old–and making phone calls to those who knew the truck back in the day. One call in particular was to an older gentleman telling me back in 1959 or 1960, he remembered the original owner/builder, Gerry Watson, doing a burnout on King St. in Hamilton, Ontario, digging the rear tires into the pavement about 5-6 inches! Whether true or not, it fueled my imagination with more horsepower overkill. I could see it clearly… those visions drove me harder.
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I set forth with Ken Stewart, a famed chassis builder and fabricator extraordinaire. We talked and discussed at length a mockup, and then a chassis was born. My vision was under way. Next in line was the drivetrain. I knew it needed to be an early Hemi, just like the old girl started with (the first engine was a 354). I found a nice complete ‘57 392 and went directly to Tim Banning of FHO (For Hemis Only). Banning is a master Mopar engine nut and Hemis are his specialty. I had seen his work previously, and I was stoked he was going to build the Diamond’s heart. Banning and I would talk weekly, and each
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time we would speak, the end-horsepower rate would climb. Initially, I wanted a sweet 400-plus horsepower early Hemi, which is not hard to do, but that escalated to a nearly 600hp monster-iron heads and all. I wanted to give the visual effect of a dressed-down 392: twin carbs, chrome valve covers, etc., but to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. During this time, I met my wife, bought a home, and we had a daughter. This slowed the process down for a few years, but after the shock of being a new father, husband, and homeowner wore off, I was back on full time.
I then met a now very good friend, Neil Candy of Candy’s Hot Rod Supply. What started out as a business call from Candy turned into a lifelong relationship. He completely understood the direction and soul the Diamond needed. His fabrication and skill are outstanding and after my first visit, I knew my dreams would soon turn to reality. We toiled away in his shop, weekend after weekend, and when business took me away from the fun, he took charge and moved forward. The Diamond took shape and grew very quickly. At this point, I enlisted my very good pal Cameron Watters to lay out
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a dance floor in the bed of the truck–one that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers would have approved of! He applied his magic and brought a killer tiger maple truck bed to the party. One of the happiest days was when Candy, myself and painter Kevin Howe laid down the ‘52 Ford Coral Flame paint-just like it was done 40 years prior. The fellas also added flake to the interior and we coined it the “Star Flake Ballroom.” The ever-talented Rollie Guertain applied the sweet stripes and John Reid of JR Custom stitched the fine interior and tonneau cover. The truck quickly came together, and finally, the big day arrived: my first drive after a 10-year wait. Mmm ... burnt rubber smells good! Vroom, vroom baby!
•
About the Author: Jeff Norwell works in the film and commercial world of Storyboards and crazy deadlines, to earn money for car parts. He loves driving, drawing and building Hot Rods. If Jeff could mainline motor oil, he’d have track marks up and down both arms! See his stuff: drawnandquarrtered.blogspot.com.
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Editor’s note: Hopefully some of you got to see Jeff’s truck in the P.I. booth at the Megaspeed Car Show. Best of all, when the show was over Jeff ignored the trailer and drove the Diamond Deuce home to Palookaville – Right on!
About the Photographer: Chuck Vranas draws inspiration from a lifetime fascination with traditional hot rods and customs every time he picks up one of his cameras. Chuck owns the notorious Lady Luck II ’23 Ford T-bucket and his wife Kim owns the Voodoo Doll ’27 Ford Touring. See more of his work at: www.chuckvranas.com.
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Product Showcase Keep your engine clean! Air/Oil Separators capture excess oil & moisture These attractive billet aluminum cans pull excess oil and moisture out of your vehicles PCV system. From the factory these harmful vapors return to the intake manifold, potentially causing detonation and forming oil deposits. Completely emissions legal, these cans store fluid till your next oil change when they can be easily drained using the supplied valve & elbow. Available as a universal kit or custom fit for popular cars and trucks. MO85477
HOOKER LS Cast Iron Exhaust Manifolds
Wicked Power! All NEW Street Demon redefines the street Carburetor! With clean looks and ease of use, the Street Demon offers enthusiasts a straightforward carb designed to offer a stable idle, amazingly crisp throttle response and smooth performance. Its optimized calibration and dual mounting patterns make it Run-Ready for a large variety of engines and vehicles! BG1900
• One-Piece Air Horn • Integrated Fuel Bowl • Triple-Stack Primaries • Secondary Air Valve Control • Goggle Valve Secondary Throttle Plate
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The Most “Tucked” LSX Manifolds available Hooker cast iron exhaust manifolds have been designed to hug close to the engine block so they fit into a wide variety of replacement and engine–swap applications. Their contoured design aims the exhaust directly at the exit port for improved flow. Being cast iron means they will provide years of leak–free performance with less under hood noise than traditional headers. Plus, their shorty design means you can route exhaust tubing close to your frame/floor pan for maximum ground clearance. “Hook” up your LS engine with Hooker cast iron Manifolds today! HK8501
SCT Performance Tuners Tire Shredding Horsepower & Torque! The SF3 Power Flash arrives Pre-Loaded with DYNO Proven tune files that INCREASE HORSEPOWER and TORQUE! Programming your vehicle with one of SCT’s pre-loaded performance or fuel economy tune files is as easy as 1-2-3. Simply plug the OBDII connector into your vehicle’s OBDII port, select the pre-loaded tune file using the simple to navigate menu and within minutes the SF3 programs your vehicle. ST3015
Taylor Cable Products Inc.now offers the Percy’s line of “Problem Solved” products in conjunction with their Taylor ignition wires, TBS billet products and Vertex Magneto.
Big Shot Acc Pump Kit Do you have throttle response problems? Coming off the line or out of the corner, this accelerator pump will deliver the fuel! Convert your 30cc Holley pump to a 50cc. Or convert your 50cc Holley pump to 75cc. TC55201
The Percy’s product line includes the Seal-4-Good multi-layered “dead soft” aluminum reusable flange gaskets, Adjust-a-Jet metering block, D.E.T.I. Digital Exhaust Temperature Indicator, Tire Pressure Equalizer, and Hyper-Fiber – the fastest composite on earth. Several new Taylor products are making their debut very soon as part of the Percy’s product line. Seal-4Good in multi-layered stainless steel, and Graph-Flex, the ultimate repair gasket made of 100% graphite are two new gasket materials being offered. The Vibe-Lock is a vibration proof locking fastener which is easy to install – just unlock, torque, and lock. For more information on these new products contact your local Taylor supplier or contact Taylor Cable Products at 1-800-821-3600.
ADJUST-A-JET Eliminates jet changes for good! Fine tune your carbs fuel curve with ease, without having to remove the fuel bowl! TC15001
DiabloSport inTune DiabloSport’s inTune is the most affordable touch screen tuning device on the market today, delivering an amazing user experience with easy to understand menus and tons of vehicle specific features. Truly plug and play, it will automatically provide a selection of preloaded tunes to enhance performance and economy for your vehicle! For some applications specialty tunes for cold-air kits, MAF upgrades, even pulleyupgrade tunes for OEM superchargers are available. The device has the ability to log information from the stock sensors and even has the capability to log data from an added aftermarket sensor. inTune also functions as a diagnostic code scanner tool! DSI-1000
Diablosport Power AND an In-Vehicle Monitor DiabloSport’s Trinity has the capability to tune, log data, display and customize virtual gauges, read and clear trouble codes. Trinity supports all vehicle application under a single part number which means you have the option to tune multiple vehicles with only one Trinity (Only 1 vehicle can be tuned at any given time). With a high resolution color touch screen, state of the art graphics and the ability to customize gauge layouts the Trinity enhances the interior of any vehicle. The Trinity also has the capability to control/communicate with external devices like an EGT Module or other third party devices. DST1000
• Performance in Motion • Spring 2012
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.CIAS
Story & Photos: Thomas Andrews & the Cruise Nationals
CRUISE NATIONALS 10 FINALISTS 2012 Canadian International AutoShow
2012
Cruise Nationals is a celebration of the automobile across a wide spectrum of eras, from the rarest models to the most popular production vehicles. Moreover, its goal is to celebrate the people who share a passion for transportation that represents the ultimate in freedom, escape and adventure. To become a finalist, these rides were voted on at cruise nights from Hamilton to Oshawa. The 60 winners from the regionals gathered at Auto Fest in Oshawa, where Cruise Nationals president Jon Rosenthall and Canadian Intermational AutoShow general manager Tom Tonks selected ten winners to compete at the 2012 Auto Show. The lighting conditions were not optimal in the room for photos, (most of mine were dark), but we still wanted you to see the final ten. Proudly presented by the Hagerty Silver Wheel Plan offered by Lant Insurance Brokers, the dates for the upcoming Cruise Nationals season will be available at the end of April. This year should be a fantastic and enjoyable cruising season and we hope to see you one evening at a cruise night this year.
•
1969
Cruise Nationals Grand Champion Gold Medalist Mira & Blair Bozak 1969 Camaro RS Z/28
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Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport Z/28 was built in Norwood, Ohio, and delivered to West York Chevrolet Jan. 22, 1969. Rare options on this car are a vinyl top, colour matched front bumper, the Rally Sport option, remote control outside mirror and radio delete. The car received a three year rotisserie restoration. The body panels, floor, door skins, trunk lid and subframe were all rust free and original to this car. Originality continues with all mechanical and electrical components. During its restoration, a special ducted hood, special air cleaner assembly, power steering and a Rosewood steering wheel were installed. These were all General Motors parts with correct date codes. With over 2,000 man-hours spent on the restoration, this numbers matching Camaro has provided miles of enjoyment to the Bozak family.
1970
Cruise Nationals Silver Medalist: Don Lebeuf 1970 Dodge Charger R/T
Charger included just about every option offered by Dodge. Hidden modifications include engine bored .030 over, 528 MP mechanical camshaft with 1.6:1 iron inductile rocker assembly, HP oil pump and windage tray, Edelbrock aluminum heads, factory carbs rebuilt and modified by Promax, aluminum MP water pump and housing, Turbo Action HP transmission valve body and 11” tight torque converter, MSD ignition system and larger 0.96” torsion bars. Restoration was completed August 2010, and this Charger has attended many cars shows since then. Through knowledge gained from years of extensive research on 1970 Chargers, Don joined forces with other enthusiasts in the USA to create the “1970 Dodge Charger Registry.” It serves to assist other owners and enthusiasts globally and has established itself as the definitive source of information on these special cars.
1958
Ford Fairlane was purchased in 2002, however it had not been on the road since 1968. Originally built in Mahwah, New Jersey, this car was found in Niagara Falls, New York, where it had sustained serious accident damage. After it was purchased, a total restoration began. All blemishes were either filled or ground off and the frame was then powder-coated in satin black. The 352 c.i. V8 was rebuilt, the Cruise-o-matic transmission overhauled and the differential reconditioned. All seats were rebuilt with new springs and recovered in original material. The seats, carpets and headliner were professionally redone. All new glass replaced the originals, and the retractable roof was completely overhauled with new hinge pins, bushings and the electric roof motors were rebuilt. The car was refinished in three coats of clear coat and polished. Over 10,000 miles have been travelled since completion in 2009.
Cruise Nationals Bronze Medalist: Steve Hauck 1958 Ford Fairlane Retractable
Doug Marshall 1931 Ford Standard Coupe
1931
Ford Standard Coupe is built on an original boxed Model ‘A’ frame, stretched 5” with a custom cross member. Front and rear suspension were kept traditional buggy sprung. The drive train consists of a small block Chevy with early Power Pack heads, a 350hp cam, and an Edelbrock intake with three Rochester 2 gc’s. A Saginaw four-speed sends 250hp to a Ford 8” rear. Not traditional, but necessary, front disc brakes were installed.
The car rolls on “Big and Little” bias whitewalls and barks out the “tunes” through baffled “Lakes” headers. As with any true homebrew build, all metalwork, bodywork, chassis fabrication and engine assembly was performed by the owner. The owner also applied paint and designed, stitched and installed the exterior roof top insert and all upholstery. Even the engine turned gauge panel was hand fabricated–only the transmission rebuild was outsourced.
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Cruise Nationals
1955
Viv Agresti 1955 Chevrolet Belair Convertible
Chevrolet Convertible powered by a completely rebuilt and upgraded Corvette LT1 injected engine with a Powerdyne supercharger. The engine features Comp Cams Hydraulic roller camshaft and matching valve train. With GM 24 lb injectors and exhaust flowing through Hedman headers and Flowmaster mufflers, the engine delivers 500 HP. Custom work included nosing, decking, some trim removal and then finished in PPG Viper red. Hella PIAA headlights with red LED taillights do the illumination with remote controls for the power windows, doors and trunk release. The interior sports custom bucket and rear seats all in tan leather. The custom fabricated dash console and dash contain the air suspension controls. As a comfortable driver and the owner’s dream car, it is affectionately named “BELLA 55.”
1958
GMC Pick up was built in Oshawa, Ontario, June 4, 1958. After 35 years on a western farm, the truck came east to Colborne, Ontario, where it sat for 20 more years. Rescued by the Campagnolos, a full restoration ensued. Being a “Western” vehicle, all the body panels are original. Only the drive train and interior have been upgraded. These include a GM small block 350 c.i. V8 crate engine, developing 350 HP with a Holley 600 CFM 4 BBL carburetor. The engine runs through a TCI TH400 3 speed Automatic and this GMC Pickup rides on Eagle Alloy Fire Spoke Polished rims with Firestone Rubber. Power Steering and brakes and a fully customized interior complete the comfort zone of this 1958 GMC Pickup.
Michael Campagnolo 1958 GMC Pick Up Truck
Bob Kirby 1934 Ford Tudor
1934
Ford Tudor was purchased in Waterdown, ON, and for five years, the restoration and customization transpired. To begin, this all steel body received a 2 1/2” chop, then was tubbed and smoothed out. The engine is a Supercharged Chevrolet 355 c.i. roller motor fed by two 750 Holley Double Pumper carburetors flowing through Supertrap mufflers. The Differential is a narrowed Ford 9” with 4:30/1 gear ratio. The Ford rides on Hoosier 31 X 19.5” rear tires and stops with four-wheel disc brakes.
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The luxurious interior is finished in leather, a custom-built dash houses Autometer gauges with the only option, power windows. After 17 years and with over 50,000 miles on the clock, this Ford has visited many car shows and cruises all over Southern Ontario and National events in the USA. The thrill of meeting lifelong friends at these events is what the hobby is all about.
Performance Directory
Cruise Nationals
1956
Jim Cooper 1956 Continental Mark 2 Convertible
Continental Mark II originally sold for $10,000, the equivalent of a new Rolls Royce. These rare Mark II’s were produced by the Continental Division of Ford, interestingly not by Lincoln. As all Continentals were two door Hardtops, a convertible concept was a natural evolution. The soft-top had an $18,000 conversion price tag, so only nine Continental Convertibles were built. This onee has several unique features separating it from the other eight. These include a hand-formed stainless steel windshield frame, power top mechanism, a lined headliner concealing the convertible top frames and embroidered Continental Logos. This car underwent a total ground-up restoration to concours quality. Having the unique distinction of being the only Continental Mark II Convertible in Canada, it rides and drives with grace and space, not found in other cars of that era.
1960
Ford Sunliner Convertible. This extremely straight car was brought up from Huntington Beach (Surf City, California) in May 2011. The car was completely redone 17 years ago in black acrylic enamel with red, white and black leather interior. The engine is all rebuilt with chrome engine bay accents and is a 390-cubic-inch 67 GT Ford with dual chrome exhaust. The transmission was all redone with a C-4 automatic. The Ford’s bumpers were re-chromed with a set of original bumperettes installed after the Cruise Nationals pictures were taken. The stainless steel grill and rear deck trim were all rechromed. The tires and rims are 2-inch Coker white walls on 14-inch Kelsey Hayes rims.
Ron Passer 1960 Ford Convertible
Tim & Renea Finch 1967 Chevelle SS Tribute
1967
Chevelle SS Tribute car, “Barbara Ann.” Financed by an inheritance from Tim’s late Mother, he was inspired to create a lasting momento to his Mother and family. When purchased in 1991, it was discovered the need for a new frame, so another Chevelle was sourced that had the required parts. That car was used as the Genesis for “Barbara Ann” and in 2009, a total restoration commenced. Equipped with a counter exchange L78 396 c.i. 375 hp engine, HEI ignition and porcelain coated headers all running through a 700 R4 automatic.
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The Chevelle also is equipped with special order options, factory air conditioning and shoulder-mounted seat belts. The rear end has Positraction with 3:73/1 gears. The rebuild of this ‘Chevelle Tribute Car’ was completed just prior to the Cruise Nationals Selection night at the Aurora Cruise. Barbara Ann has gone through the vetting process of the Cruise Nationals season Finale and was selected as a Finalist for the AutoShow.
Performance Directory
Ball Joint A nightclub that caters to men of a certain persuasion Cabin Air Filter An air freshener for log cabins
filled Spring iswithalways promise,
Carb Spacer A handy utensil that separates potatoes during baking
hope and, at times, a tiny bit of reluctance. The promise of salt-free streets and the hope that the potholes winter left behind won’t eat the car are just a few of the items we look for on the road ahead.
Catalytic Converter A changing condition that affects cats
There are also the things that used to be: What used to be “do anything” evenings turn into cruise nights. What used to be driveways are now car-wash stations. And what used to be your driver is now a giddy, whooping maniac who acts like a teenager who can finally drive without parental supervision.
Drive Train Bumper-to-bumper traffic heading up to cottage country
Although you may feel far from doing jumpy-claps or whooping along with said driver, there is a simple way reluctant passengers can show our support–besides rolling our eyes in the passenger seat. You can increase your automotive vocabulary to demonstrate how actively you’ve been listening all these years. And the best part? Your hands and clothes will stay clean. After being dragged to the Canadian International Autoshow and watching several back-to-back episodes of Top Gear, I’ve come up with a list of common terms and have provided what I’m sure are the correct definitions.* Axle Stand A standing ovation at a Guns N’ Roses concert
Control Arm The thing you pull down on a slot machine
Dropped The type of jeans worn by male teenagers and plumbers Dyno Test A spelling bee using prehistoric animal names Exhaust Manifold A masculine way to describe a tired person in a fetal position Gas Cap The number of times a person can fart at a party before being identified HID The acronym for Heavily Insured DeLorean Horsepower A new fuel made from road apples Jack Point A place in the Hamptons where the rich hang out Octane Booster A post-workout energy drink with eight times the nutrients of non-boosted ones
OE The acronym for Outrageous Emotion, a term used to describe a driver’s love for a vehicle. Just listen to the song “Jungle Love”— they even throw in extra O’s and E’s for emphasis. Oil Pressure What teenagers suffering from acne go through every day Rocker Cover A great song that bands record when they can afford the rights to it Rotors Those rides at county fairs where you’re strapped into something and spun around too many times Shock Mount When someone posts that truly embarrassing photo of you on Facebook Strut Mount When you update your Facebook profile picture Tachometer What online dating services need to use to weed out some candidates Throttle Body A gal who can eat donuts all the time and not gain an ounce VIN Plate A dish used to hold cheese at wine tastings Wheel Well A giant pit that wagon-wheel coffee tables are thrown into once bachelors marry There you have it–new ways to impress your vehicular virtuoso, or at least keep him and his car-nut friends entertained. It’s a small thing, but it still counts as a car thing. And any way reluctant passengers can rack up points during drive season works for me.
Enjoy the ride •
About the Author: Bonnie Staring is a comedic triple-threat (writer, performer, coupon user), and she appreciates the road of life a lot more than she might let on. Bonnie has plans to master social media one day, right after she learns how to machine rotors. www.bonniestaring.com * Please note that the words “correct” and “definition” may have been used incorrectly in this sentence.
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