NY Daily News Reports Classic Car Market At All-Time High

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

We're asked constantly about the values of classic cars, and whether the current trend in popularity will be on-going or whether we're in for a bubble-burst. As much as I'd love to provide a definitive answer, there is really no way to accurately predict. The previous gas war we were in in the 1970's proved fatal to a thriving muscle car era.

Even following the downturn following the 1970's highs, there were always the true enthusiasts who not only kept their enthusiasm in tact, but helped to keep the cars themselves from extinction. I think that this will always be the case. And, if we are faced with another downturn in collector attention, it should drive up the prices when they once again surface because there would be fewer survivors. As we all know, rarity does drive up the values of collector cars.

That said, the news in the collector world is still good. It is being reported in the New York Daily News that, "The demand for classic cars is at an all-time high. If viewed as a class of commodity, they would seem like the only sure bet for investors."

We'll continue to monitor demand and valuations of classic cars, but for us, it's more than the monetary value. Guy Algar states, "I have always believed that the fun of owning a classic car or truck is NOT in the financial gain you might get from owning one. It is in the joy that owning and driving one brings, even if the costs outweigh the value. It has the ability to take us back to our youth when life was delightfully simpler, and cars were something that you actually enjoyed!" As one person commented online, "treating old cars as an investment would suck the fun out of owning them." We agree!

RESOURCES FOR CLASSIC CAR INVESTMENT:
Classic Car News - Buying Classic Cars As Investments - What Are Your Chances of Making Money? 
Classic Car News - Don't Let The Thrill Of Driving Die - Traditional Ritual In Danger
Classic Car News - Future of Cars May Be Incredible, But Will They Be As Fun To Drive?
NYDailyNews.com - Demand for Classic Cars Reaches New Heights

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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On-The-Road Theft Protection - How to Keep Your Classic Car or Muscle Car Safe While Traveling

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Last week, we looked at security when we're at home. It's our sanctuary and a place we keep our most cherished items (classic car, muscle car, antique, street rod, vintage truck, or our project car of course). Even though more than one third of all car thefts occur from a home or residence, we're very vulnerable when we travel, especially when far from home on a road trip. But, bad things can happen even when on the road not all that far from home as well!

Keeping Your Classic Car Safe On Road Trips

When you're traveling, you'll need to change priorities a bit. You'll be out of your element and will need to have take reasonable precautions. How far from home and for how long will play a big part in the types of things you'll need to consider, and the steps you may need to take to maximize your safety strategies.

Some steps are obvious while others are easy to overlook when it comes to preventing car theft when you're away from home!

Prepare With Accurate, Up-To-Date Records

In addition to the maps, hotel reservations and activity list, make sure you take the time to prepare a list of information you might just need if you get into any trouble on the road. Make, model and VIN numbers are a good start. Adding identifying numbers of your engine, paint and interior colors, rim and tire information, and any other identifiers which are unique or can help identify your car should be listed. When you're in crisis mode, it's easy to forget to list obvious ones that can aid officials in locating your ride. The more information they have the better.

In addition to making sure you have a way of reaching your insurance company 24/7, you might also want to write contact information of your repair or restoration shop, and bring along photos of your car (front, side, rear). These can aid in getting bulletins out quickly. Jot down the e-mail address for Hemmings Daily so you can notify them of a theft by simply filling out a brief form (see link below). They've been instrumental in getting the word out, as we do, to fellow enthusiasts who can keep an eye out!

Make Sure You Have Adequate Classic Car Insurance

Make sure you've got active insurance in place. If not, take a look at purchasing a classic car insurance policy, and make sure that it is active before any long trip. Talk with an agent who can help advise about potential loop-holes in coverage. If you're considering a long trip or cruise, make sure that it will cover the mileage and the possibility you may be out of state. The cost is low compared to auto insurance for your modern daily driver, and it can mean the difference of losing your cherished ride forever, or the possibility of being able to begin again with another without losing your shirt. And remember, the use of deterrents and active anti-theft devices can save you money on your premiums. Read the full article on insurance in the resources link below, and don't procrastinate in getting it.

Use An Alarm System

Today's assortment of alarms can seem overwhelming, and we'll be covering them in detail in a future installment in this series of theft prevention articles. There are passive alarms that signal a monitoring device, those that will page you, those that sound an audible alarm, those that will activate hidden cameras, and those that will trigger active GPS monitoring. We will take a look at each of these in detail, but for now remember that all the theft deterrents and alarms in the world won't help keep your ride safe unless you actively use them. Remember to activate them whenever you're not in your car, and especially when you are away from home and/or on a road trip.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings - Take Care Where You Park

The point here is to be aware of your surroundings, including where you park your car. Don't take it for granted that just because you're at a national show or event with fellow enthusiasts or on a popular cruise or road trip that something bad can't happen. Take preventive action by checking out your intended destination and taking the time to secure your old car or truck while on the road.

Guy Algar states, "Don't forget to take precautions even during short trips or visits to popular places. You may feel safe parking your ride because you've been there before or know people where you're going, but remember, that thieves can take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, and will sometimes create their own opportunities as well! They can follow you from a cruise, a show, an event or even from a restaurant and plan a theft after watching you entering your hotel. If you have a ride that catches other people's attention, remember that it will also catch the wrong attention!" Keep these things in mind:

• Never park behind buildings. This tends to provide cover for thieves.
• If you can, park in plain sight of windows, doors, and areas with good foot traffic.
• Do not park next to thick bushes or shrubbery.
• Do not park next to alcoves, walls and areas where a person can hide. 
• Avoid extremely remote areas.
• Avoid unattended parking lots. Parking garages are safer choices.
• Select parking garages that are fenced in and secure. Preferably with good visibility into the lot.
• When parking on the street, select busy well-lit areas.
• Be especially cautious at night, which is a thief's preferred time.
• Check on your vehicle regularly.
• Never leave a spare set of keys in the car.
• Don't leave hotel keys in car.
• Don't leave travel plans, maps, hotel or travel pamphlets in plain sight.
• Do not leave personal items and baggage in plain sight whenever possible.
• Remove your GPS device or hide it.
• Never hide keys in/or about your car.
• Never leave your title in the vehicle.
• Never move valuables after you've arrived.
• Don't park in two spaces. This only brings attention to your car.
• Arm your car with your anti-theft measures and your multi-layered security system.

Use All Your Self Deterrents

Don't forget the basics in theft prevention. We'll take a closer look at each of these, and many more, in upcoming weeks:

• Lock all doors and windows.
• Use hood locks.
• Use steering wheel and/or brake locks.
• Use a kill switch.
• Disconnect the car's battery.
• Use a fuel cut-off switch.
• Remove the Distributor Cap and/or Ignition Rotor.
• Remove Fuel Pump Fuse.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: 
Guy and I realize that the safety of your classic car or muscle car is extremely important to most owners. Everyone wants to protect their ride with methods that work, and that won't bust the bank. Guy Algar was an Installation Technician for LoJack at one point in his career, and served as a troubleshooter for difficult installations. A complete list of links for Theft Prevention and Theft Protection will appear in my upcoming article. Have a story you'd like to share? Leave a comment and we may publish your story! - Andrea L. Algar

REFERENCES / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Classic Car News - Preventing Class Car Theft: The Big Picture

Classic Car News - Take Caution Where You Take Your Classic Car Or Muscle Car

Classic Car News - Identifying The Potential Classic Car Thief - Know Who Your Friends Are
Classic Car News - How & Where To Park Your Classic or Muscle Car To Minimize The Threat of Theft
Classic Car News - Purchasing Classic Car Insurance - Why You Don't Want To Procrastinate!
Hemmings - Hemmings Daily Blog Report a Theft Form
No Nonsense Self Defense - Car Theft Prevention

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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Just How Much Say Does The Wife - Girlfriend Have With Your Classic Car Decisions?

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Boy is this a loaded gun! I know the criticisms will come from writing about this, but here goes. I've been thinking about this article for quite some time, and last month, I put out a poll on my blog on this very subject.

Today, while reading an Internet article on healthcare, I came across an article on The Billfold by Bill Foster of Portland, Oregon entitled Love My Ride, But Wife Says It Has To Go. After reading through the list of ads he'd copied from Craigslist (just some of the 165 he claimed referenced the word "wife"), I knew it was time to come out with my thoughts on the matter.

The very first one was about hot rods, so I was hopeful I'd find more specific references for old car enthusiasts, who I believed would certainly relate to this topic.  It read, “I bought it to make into a hot rod for my wife but after getting it home she changed her mind.??”  Okay, I thought, we're going to find some great stuff here. Then I found another, "I bought this to restore myself but I probably jumped the gun with too many projects and the wife was upset with me…” Okay, this sounds like what I would expect to hear.

Since starting a hot rod shop with my husband, I've been surprised at just how negatively many women act towards a husband or boyfriend's pursuit of something they love. After all, even though owning a classic car or muscle car can be an expensive hobby, wouldn't they prefer this over a) running around with another woman, b) spending all their time getting stewed at a sports bar, or c) gambling or some other annoying and costly pursuit, just to name a few?

Why Is It So One-Sided?

I don't like getting "stuck" talking to the wife or girlfriend if all she has to do is complain about the time or money her husband/boyfriend spends on or with his car. I find it selfish. As a woman, I know how much our little pastimes of shopping, beauty, shoes, purses, (you name it) cost, and I've never understood why it should be so one-sided. Think about it. A woman can spend $1,000 easily on clothes, or on a cosmetic procedure such as laser hair removal. She might spent $2,000 on hair extensions, or $5,000-$8,000 on breast implants, liposuction or a tummy tuck! $1,000 in car parts can go pretty far for repairs or modest upgrades, and $5,000 could certainly give you some punch in performance upgrades.

And the things that women will demand can range from mild complaints to constant nagging, threats, to sometimes intentional bizarre acts like giving stuff away, or even intentionally wrecking the car! I'm collecting stories to highlight in an upcoming article, as well as offering this quick survey to get a good idea what guys are faced with out there.

My Blog Poll:

Ever had a wife or a girlfriend from hell? Did she interfere with you enjoying your ride?

Tell us how. And, if you have a story you'd like to share with other readers, send it to classics@motorheadsperformance.com. We may use it in our upcoming article!

(Actual Poll is at right in side bar - please share your experience)

Look For The Warning Signs and Take Action

Guy Algar and I like to ask our customers to take a hard look at their life situation before committing to a project, particularly if it involves a complete restoration of their classic car or muscle car. If you don't you might just find yourself writing an ad that sounds an awful lot like these:

• “I hate to see it to go, but I’ve got a baby on the way, and my wife is forcing me to sell all my toys.”
• “Wife wants the car out of the driveway.”
• “Wife says it is time to see it go so I’ve lowered the price.”
• “This is my daily driver. Love it but wife said it has to go. It’s all stock...”
• “I just don’t have the time or money to complete. Plus the wife says I HAVE to get rid of it.”

Wife says I have to get rid of it! Wow! I'd say the time to get these things worked out is BEFORE the wedding! If you're a guy who loves his cars, you shouldn't have to give up your hobby. Be willing to talk about how important it is to you and how you don't want to ever have to give it up. See if you can hash out an agreement that isn't one-sided. Try making win-win agreements by giving your girlfriend/wife a chance to put some time and money into something that she likes. Make a budget of both time and money that you're both entitled to and you might just find you argue less about it.

Not All Women Think Cars Are Evil

My daughter had a lot to say about this article when I mentioned it to her. Not being one who likes being type-cast, she rightly pointed out that there are women out there who like cars themselves, and who really like the same things that draw guys to working on their projects. She points out that sometimes guys don't always choose their girlfriends with the best priorities in mind! "And they don't have to be butch either," she exclaims, "There are girls out there who love old cars and still like looking pretty."

When Guy and I opened our specialty shop, she took to the old cars. She knew what she liked, and wanted to get a car of her own. And, she wanted it to be a project! She wanted to learn everything she could, and wanted to do it herself. So, after finding the "perfect" vehicle, which was a Jeep CJ, she began the learning process with some guidance and coaching from Guy. The Jeep needed just about everything including an engine rebuild, lots of new parts, exhaust, floor and body work, suspension work, you name it! Whoever worked on it before she bought it seemed like he intended to do some quick work to "flip it", but was in over his head. It was just thrown together and barely stood a ride down  the street.

Several months later, she had a great looking, fully restored Jeep CJ, complete with bubblegum pink engine, nice custom metallic blue paint job, bold tires, bimini top and a nice sound system. All completed herself. She's busy right now looking for her next project, which she'd like to be a late 60's GTO (let us know if you know of one). Here, she's busy working on her Jeep's engine, and as you can see, she's not afraid of a little grease!

But, she's also a girl, and likes to dress that part too.

So while I pen words of caution, and encourage you to work out terms of compromise with the woman in your life before it becomes an issue that is a sore spot, I also offer hope for those who are still looking for someone who will be content with their hobby. My feeling, and that of my daughter, is that you shouldn't have to give up something that is important to you. It's an unfair request.

Some, like me, know what it's like to have an important interest that you want to have supported, if not understood and appreciated too. I had a lot of business knowledge, and a certain degree of interest in old cars, but I certainly didn't have the hands-on knowledge that I now do. I genuinely like supporting Guy in his interests with classic cars and muscle cars (even though I don't always understand what he's talking about), and I like having my own special interests in them as well. While we might have different tastes in the cars themselves, we find that we love working on them side by side, having some laughs over occasional frustrations like a seized or broken bolt, or wind up with me receiving some instruction on something I'm stuck on or needing help with a little bit of extra muscle! Then we can enjoy an evening watching the late evening Texas sunset over stories of the day. The same cooperation is allowed for other interests I have.  A give-and-take.

Give & Take Is Good Solution

One of the best examples I saw of a true give and take deal was where the couple mutually agreed that he could have his toy (a Viper he liked to race), and she could have her horse (a dressage horse from Brazil). They each had budgets that they could spend each month pursuing their own hobbies. As a result of their commitment to each other, and of allowing each other to have separate interests they were able to spend time and money on, their relationship was strong.

Some couples share the same interest in cars, and this can be exciting for both, but it also needs to be understood that you may not share everything in common, and that's okay. You don't ever have to try to talk one another into a single point of view. Life would be boring if we all thought exactly the same about absolutely everything.

This poll ran in a sidebar for several weeks. I've re-opened it for another 4 weeks in hopes to get more participants to cast their vote. From the stories I've heard, I'd believe just about anything when it comes to the outrageous things women will do to prevent their men from enjoying their rides! I've heard of engines and even whole cars being sold right out from under the guy's nose, then the woman spending the money on clothes! 

What do you think?  Know a good story? Let me know!

REFERENCES / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://thebillfold.com/2012/10/love-my-ride-but-wife-says-it-has-to-go/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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Choosing Your Horsepower - Keeping Your Muscle Car or Classic Car Driveable And Enjoyable

by Andrea L. Algar

Motorheads Performance

 

It's all too easy to get caught up in the quest for more horsepower. It's easy to forget that we also want to ENJOY our ride, and to enjoy it, we need it to be driveable.

With the recent rebirth of the muscle car craze, everyone is in search of MORE HORSEPOWER. Go all-out and install a killer big block, 560 cu 800 hp drag racing engine that's built for the strip and you'll have something that'll light up your tires off a stop light, but will probably be a royal pain to drive in city traffic. Most of us want something that will ride nicely on the street, allow you to feel the power, turn a lot of heads, and light things up every now and then! Sometimes easier said than done.

Going overboard is a common mistake. It's very important to be honest about your intended use. Guy Algar states, "One customer came to us with too much performance in her daily driver. In order to stay at a red light, it meant two feet on the pedals. She had a huge cam in the car, and didn't have a stall converter, which meant one foot on the gas pedal to keep the RPM's high enough so it wouldn't stall out (her car idled comfortably in the 1000-1200 range at a stop), and one foot firmly planted on the brake. She found it uncomfortably demanding. A drive across town left her exhausted and sore! Some adjustments to her setup left her with a much more manageable ride that still had plenty of power and performance which she loved." 

 

Make Sure Your Ride is Enjoyable 

 

"You should look hard at what you enjoy," explains Guy. "Everyone likes power, and we all like to boast of what we have under the hood. But, just as important is you being able to truly enjoy taking your car out for a nice ride. Face it, if you're riding around in a car that feels like an old buck-board, it's less likely you'll feel enthused about driving. If you feel like you're wrestling with your car to keep her on the road, something will eventually change, and it'll probably be how often you take her out. It's easy to overpower, but also to under power. Some customers are reluctant to admit that they occasionally want to 'punch it', and this can lead to a build which will under perform for them and leave them feeling like they wasted time and money. I like to match the performance to each customer, and I ask a lot of questions to find out what the best match is. "

 

Before you invest in major repairs, an engine rebuild or performance upgrades, take a honest look at how much time you'll be doing each of the following:

1) Daily driver
2) Short weekend day trips about town (within 100 miles)
3) Occasional cruise to the coast or Hill Country (trips 100-500 miles, a few times a year)
4) Regular cruises and rod runs (trips 100 or more miles, monthly or more per year)
5) Long rod runs (cross country trips and national rod runs)
6) Only for show (car won't be seeing much pavement)
7) Short rides for an afternoon or night out.
8) Occasionally want to "punch it"
9) Like to try the drag strip once to "see what she'll do"
10) Occasional trip to the drag strip "for the thrill" (few times a year at most)
11) Regular trips to the drag strip to "better my time" (6-12 races a year)
12) Serious drag racing (weekly racing but "I want to drive there")
13) Serious drag racing (she'll be trailered)
14) Looks only (won't be driving it much - "I want an investment")
15) ...any other use not mentioned above

 

Choosing Horsepower, Performance, Driveability

 

There are many things a good performance shop will consider in helping match you with the right engine. For instance, a beautiful, throaty, loping idle usually has a long-duration cam that makes plenty of top end power. It also kills low-end torque and throttle response because it may be putting out a power curve that runs from 4,500 to 9,000 rpm. Great for the drag strip, but not practical or desired for the street. A good street cam will have a power curve that runs from 1,500 to 5,500 so that you get the low-end torque to make street driving enjoyable. There are good street-strip combinations which operate in the mid range of these if you are planning on doing a bit of both.

You should consider reliability of your engine. This can become a concern as your horsepower goes up. Most V8 engines can easily handle an extra 50 to 150 hp without throwing a rod or blowing head gaskets under most driving conditions other than serious racing. Most drive trains can handle moderate increases without mashing your rear end or grinding up your transmission.

Once you get into the higher horsepower performance engines, you need to start beefing up your drive train and other components to handle the torque and keep things from breaking apart.

If you're thinking of serious horsepower, your stock block may have to be upgraded from a two-bolt main to a four-bolt main. Appropriate head gaskets need to be used in order to keep the pressure where it belongs. Performance gaskets are usually used for 400-500 hp engines, while anything above this would require sealing the cylinders with copper O-rings. Stiffer valve springs and push rods, a larger radiator or supplemental cooling fan, larger high-pressure clutch and U-joints, as well as a stronger rear-end to hold things together. You may need traction bars for control, as well as stiffer rear shocks and/or springs. Even your fuel pump needs to be considered in order to ensure that you get enough fuel to feed your hungry engine.

 

Consider Your Performance Budget

Speaking of fuel, you'll need to consider the type of gasoline you'll need to use with all your new-found horsepower! The highest common octane is 93. If you have a high compression engine, you may need more than this, and may need to add an octane-booster. If you don't use high enough octane, you may risk damaging your engine from detonation and pre-ignition. With gas prices sky high, your wallet will feel it every time you take her out for a little ride so you'll need to consider this because it may keep you from enjoying your ride as much as you'd like to.

And, something which always needs to be considered is cost. You want to balance your "need for speed" with the fact that SPEED = MONEY. The more horsepower you want, the more money you will need to spend. And, as you've seen above, there are certain hp thresholds that increase your expenses dramatically. Keeping your budget in mind is one way of keeping from going overboard.

What this all means to you is to think carefully about your intended use. Find out what type of engine and horsepower will deliver this and you'll be much happier when the job is all done. Your ride is an expensive project and you want to be able to hit the road with a smile, not a scowl of frustration.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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How & Where To Park Your Classic Car or Muscle Car In Order To Minimize The Threat of Theft

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

We've heard that thefts are on the rise for muscle cars, classic cars and even old trucks. How and where you park your classic car can help minimize the risk of having it stolen, having parts taken off of it, or even of having it targeted for future theft. Whether you're at home, away from home, or storing your vehicle for an extended period, there are steps you'll want to take to help keep it safe. Theft prevention is key.

Indoor Parking Garage

Precaution rules the day here. Many interventions you take are common sense, but in the haste of our busy schedules  it's easy to make exceptions and put our vehicles at unnecessary risk. If you're away from home and enjoying time out in your classic, the last thing you want to find is a vacant parking space when you return to your vehicle. Danger also lurks at home where you tend to feel safe, and no owner wants to find an empty garage spot where their cherished ride once sat.

Becoming a victim of theft does not always mean disappearance of the vehicle. Guy recalls what happened to a customer, "He and his wife had gone out to dinner at a nice restaurant. They had taken their 1969 Corvette, parked under a big bright light in the parking lot, in what appeared to be a safe area. When they came out about 45 minutes later he found that all the trim and emblems had been taken right off the car! Obviously, although upset, he was relieved that the car was still there." This is something we're all in fear of.

While many thefts occur when vehicles are parked on the street or even on the owner's own property, logic would say that this is because you tend to park in these spots most often. Police data, however, reveals that based on per-hour-parked statistics, your classic car or muscle car may be at even greater risk when parked at a parking facility. They are often unmanned or poorly patrolled, poorly lit with lots of blind spots and have plenty of places where a thief can effectively hide. Low foot traffic aides in giving a thief the time needed to execute the theft of vehicles, even those with alarms and other deterrents.

But it does make a difference what type of parking facility you choose! Why? It turns out that parking garages are much safer than outdoor parking lots. In fact, reports show that there is five times greater risk of your car being stolen from an unattended lot than from either on-street parking or when parking in a parking garage or in an attended lot. Unmanned outdoor lots that utilize a self-pay system have little or no security or deterrents of any kind. They're often easily accessed and have very light foot traffic. At night you're particularly vulnerable.
What can you do to improve your odds? First, never take it for granted that because you're in a well lit area you'll be okay, or that if you're with fellow enthusiasts it's less likely something bad will happen. Bottom line, be prepared, take precautions and be proactive in securing your vehicle at all times!

Choosing Where To Park Your Classic Car:

• Never park behind buildings. This tends to provide cover for thieves.
• If you can, park in plain sight of windows, doors, and areas with good foot traffic.
• Do not park next to thick bushes or shrubbery.
• Do not park next to alcoves, walls and areas where a person can hide. 
• Avoid extremely remote areas.
• Avoid parking lots, especially unattended ones. Parking garages tend to be safer choices.
• Select parking garages that are fenced in and secure. Preferably with good visibility into the lot.
• When parking on the street, select busy well-lit areas.
• Be especially cautious at night, which is a thief's preferred time.
• If you're looking at long-term storage, select location carefully and have a way of checking on your vehicle regularly.

Parking Your Classic Car While Away From Home:

• Make sure all doors are locked.
• Close and lock all windows.
• Do not leave keys in your car.
• Do not leave your home's garage door opener, house keys, or other items in the car.
• Remove your GPS device if possible (you don't want it showing a thief the way to your home).
• Never hide keys in/or about your car.
• Never leave your title in the vehicle.
• Never move valuables after you've arrived.
• Don't park in two spaces. This only brings attention to your car.
• Arm your car with your anti-theft measures and your multi-layered security system.

Securing Your Classic Car In Your Own Garage:

• Lock your car! Doors and windows. This simple, very basic step is often overlooked because you're in the safety of your own home. It is often just seconds or minutes that separate a successful car theft from a foiled attempt, so everything you can throw at the thief is a good step in the direction of theft prevention.
• Keep your garage window shades or blinds closed.
• Cover your car. Not only will this help to keep your classic clean, but it will help keep it hidden when you do have your garage door open. Purchase and use a cover designed for outdoor weather if you're parking your car outdoors in your driveway.
• Never leave your keys in the ignition. Again, a lot of people keep car keys in the open because they feel it is safe in their own garage. Store your keys in a separate area.
• Consider cameras which can monitor and record any activity.
• Arm your car with your anti-theft measures and your multi-layered security system - even, and especially, while at home!

Next we'll take a look at At-Home Theft Prevention. We hope you'll our series on theft prevention for classic car and muscle car owners.

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Manitowoc website - How to Prevent Theft From Your Vehicle
Pittsburgh Police - Types of Car Theft
U.S. Dept of Justice - Theft of and from cars in parking facilities

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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GM to Re-Introduce The Legendary Z28 Camaro?

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Camaros have always been a strong contender in the muscle car world. And nothing says Camaro power more than the legendary Z28!  When GM decided to release the COPO Camaro, many enthusiasts thought that the Z28 was to be forever put on the back shelf despite the years of talk that GM would be bringing the beast back. Once again, with some of GM's latest announcements...hope is in the air!

Chevy Camaro Z28 Concept
Photo Credit: motorauthority.com

We've noticed that the "new" Camaro is certainly making its mark ever since they were re-introduced in 2009. Just take a look at any drag strip around the country and you'll see a number of Camaros putting up good times. But the die-hard Camaro fans are wanting more, and certainly appear to be in favor of a Z-28 comeback! Guy and I are just loving the return to pure power in our cars.

There has been a lot of speculation over the years about whether the Z-28 will ever make a comeback, and the debate it has been out there for awhile. Just take a look at some of the Chevy Camaro forums out there. In 2010 you saw comments like:

• The minute this economy turns around and GM is back on track, the Z28 will be made for the next following production year. With money flowing again in the economy(if that will ever happen with the idiots in charge now)GM will get back to making cars like the Z! Hell, I bet we'll even see another bad-ass pickup like the SS 427.
• I think if they do the Z28, that they would wait for the Camaro 45 or 50 year Anniversary in 2012 or 2017. Did I just say 2017....god that sounds like we will never see that date, yet it is only 7 years away!
• They might make a z28, but I'd bet my brand new Camaro that they won't be, at least for this generation. GM stated that they want to keep the trend of "performance" trims for each of their cars... (E.G. Cobalt, Cobalt LT, Cobalt SS). So, this time around, the SS is going to be the Z28 of the generation, and the LT will be the SS. I guess you can call the LS the good ole stock "coupe".

And, last year 33 forum members responded to a GMInsideNews.com survey which asked the question: "Should GM create a Z/28 on the 5th gen or wait until the 6th gen?"  The results were pretty evenly mixed and probably reflect the uncertainty over rumors that have been flying for so many years and the desire to get what is available now.

• Waiting for the 6th gen would provide a more appropriate Z/28.     17   51.52%
• I'm not waiting 4 years, do what you can with the 5th gen.              15   45.45%
• Don't Know                                                                                    1     3.03%

I personally feel that most enthusiasts and Camaro fans would rather wait until GM "gets it right" and truly does justice to the Z/28's name and reputation.

Camaro Z28 Concept
Photo Credit: nextconceptcars.com

The big news is that General Motors has apparently filed a trademark application for the Z28 name, sparking rumors that the sixth generation Camaro will be a Z28. CamaroNewsBlog.com reports that, "The sixth-generation Camaro will be arriving in 2015, and will be built on all new Alpha platform designed specifically for it and the new Cadillac ATS. This new platform is meant to be a lighter, more nimble vehicle platform than its predecessor Zeta 1 that the current generation Camaro utilizes. 'This is a very successful car,' Oppenheiser said. 'In some ways it is actually going to be tougher' to create the new sixth-generation car. 'Do you make it look like a second-gen? ... do you make it look like the first gen?' What this means, thankfully, is that Chevrolet is taking this new Camaro design very seriously. It looks like the primary concern, in terms of technical production, is to lighten the vehicle. Of course, style is the ultimate thing that sells vehicles, but the Camaro crowd is performance minded and knows their stuff so it can't be the only thing."

Karl Stracke, General Motor's VP of Global Engineering, gave an interview to MotorTrend where he divulged that he Camaro Z28 would be a real thing. The article stated, "It seems that Karl Stracke is filling in the shoes of the old Bob Lutz and giving up GM's secrets to the media. Stracke's a pretty interesting character himself, as he drives a Corvette Grand Sport as his daily driver and rides a Harley, and is by no means afraid to speak his mind. He recently spoke out against the Cobalt, calling it "horrible" and questioning how it ever passed multiple departments and was considered a good idea. Well, Stracke also spoke his mind in a number of other ways recently. He claimed that the Camaro Z28, and Next-Gen Camaro as well, would be utilizing the new GM Alpha-Platform. Having his confirmation of the definitive nature of the Z28's future is definitely a good thing for all of us Camaro fans."



Most following the Z28 debate feel that if Chevrolet does bring back the Z28 as the new sixth generation power horse, it'll be in the middle of their power lineup somewhere between the SS-based Camaro 1LE and the "top-gun" ZL1. Right now General Motors doesn't have anything comparable to Ford's Boss 302 Mustang, and it is felt that the Z28 would do the job nicely. The ZL1 is geared to compete head to head against the Shelby GT500.



Camaro Z28 Concept
Photo Credit: motorauthority.com



Guy Algar states, "Rivalries like these are very beneficial to auto enthusiasts. Manufacturers all want to be top dog, and the competitiveness to earn that badge of honor ends up delivering quality performance vehicles that appeal to a large number of people who appreciate power. I hope that they do bring back the Z28. I had a couple of friends who had them back in the 1970's when we were all involved in drag racing, wrenching, and yeah, a bit of street racing. They're great cars. So far, I've been happy with the modern versions of the classic muscle cars. After decades of drought, GM, Ford and Mopar all have some great performance packages. I hope the trend continues."

Where did the Z28 get its start? Here's a brief overview of Camaro's history.

• The Z-28 model was introduced in December 1966. It was originally an option code for cars built to compete in the SCCA Trans-Am series. Chevrolet created the Camaro in 1966 to be released to the public as a 1967 model. It shared many design features with the Chevy Nova due to release in 1968, and was offered in a base model, RS and SS versions. Buyers had a whopping six choices in engine configurations, and several transmission choices as well. The first generation of Camaros lasted for three years, through 1969.
• The second generation began with the 1970 model year, but was introduced much later than usual, going on sale in February of 1970. The redesigned second generation was said to have used a Ferrari-inspired design and offered a wide range of engine and performance choices that made it popular. Second generation Camaros utilized the same unibody structure, as well as its front subframe and A-arm front suspension. In 1974, Camaros underwent additional cosmetic changes and decreased engine choices. The Z/28 was cancelled from 1974 until 1977 when the Z/28 came back as a new model that concentrated on handling. The Camaro saw more cosmetic changes in 1978, and in 1981 the second generation ended.
• The third generation brought about many changes that included a new hatchback design. The new Camaro had modern fuel injection, 5-speed manual and 700R4 automatic transmission options, and utilized a four-cylinder base engine. They also introduced the ‘85 IROC-Z in 1985. This model came with a tuned port injection engine with four-speed automatic transmission. In 1987 the first convertible in two decades was offered. The 1LE road racing package was offered on the IROC-Z starting in 1988 and ran through 1990. The third generation ended in 1992.
• Fourth generation Camaros were completely redesigned using a new f-body, with either a V6 or with the same LT1 V8 engines used in the '92 Corvette. In 1998 the new LS1 engine was offered as standard in the Z28 and also in the SS. Performance of the Camaro was rather lackluster and in 2002 Camaro was taken off the Chevy lineup altogether.
• Fifth generation saw Chevrolet reintroduce Camaro in 2009 as a 2010 model year, available in base LT, LS and SS models. Many thought that the Z-28 would re-launch, but it has not materialized. The designers of the fifth generation models created a boxier car that held a true muscle car stance that made it instantly popular with enthusiasts. The fifth-generation Camaros are proving to be the most performance oriented cars since Camaro's first generation, bringing back models that were previously considered competition cars. The much anticipated ZL-1 debuted in 2012 as the most powerful factory Camaro ever, and with the 2013 model ZL-1 enthusiasts are drooling over the 2013 Camaro ZL-1 convertible that boasts 580-hp stock.

Did you watch our story on the Camaro video celebrating its 3 Million Facebook Fans? If you missed it, check it out!


REFERENCES / ARTICLE RESOURCES:
Camaro5.com - Camaro Forum
CamaroNewsBlog.com - The Latest Camaro News and Updates
CamaroZ28.com - Chevrolet COPO Camaro Goes from Concept to Production
Chevy High Performance - Camaro Z28 Concept
ConceptCars - From Concept to Production
GM Inside News (Forum) - 5th Gen vs 6th Gen Z/28 Poll (read all comments)
MotorAuthority.com - General Motors Trademarks Legendary Z-28 Moniker
MotorCrave.com - Camaro Z28 Confirmed
Road and Track - 2012 Camaro Z28
Wikipedia - Chevrolet Camaro

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
CamaroZ28.com - The Ultimate Source for ALL Camaro News, Info and Community
Chevrolet - 2013 Chevy Camaro / Performance Cars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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The Death Of NASCAR As We Knew It

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

The death of NASCAR? "You must be kidding," you're thinking. NASCAR attendance is at all-time highs, and the sport still appears to be widely popular. Let's look at why many are mourning the loss of true stock car racing as we knew it.

Guy and I were always ready to enjoy a good NASCAR race. We’ve attended several, and rooted for the Chevy teams back in the days when NASCAR was still a true American Stock Car event.  That all changed several years back when Toyota Racing entered the field and changed NASCAR forever. Now we’ve had EFI shoved down our throats, and it’s making many fans gag. But maybe not for the reasons you're thinking!

Most long time fans are disheartened. Many are so unhappy with the change that they’ve abandoned the sport altogether. My husband and business partner, Guy Algar, is one of the die-hard old fashioned guys who is unhappy with the changes that have taken hold at NASCAR. We haven’t watched a race, or been to one, for years. Some would argue that it is just a keeping in time with changes that are happening because of the shift to global marketing (yak yak yak) since the introduction and explosion of the Internet (more yak yak yak).  To the younger generation of motorheads, the history of stock car racing and NASCAR is not well known or appreciated. To many men and women, like us, who are in their 50’s (and those older), we mourn over the loss of this history.



Stock Car Oval Raceway

 NASCAR is an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The creation of NASCAR is generally credited to Bill France Sr, a mechanic who was originally from Washington, D.C. who had relocated to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1935. The story of why and how is a complex and amazing one which is for another day. Stock car racing was already a popular sport, but there was little organization, and most races were local or regional events held on dirt tracks.

The short of the story on NASCAR's start is that Bill France Sr. was always fascinated by cars. Shortly after arriving in Florida and doing mechanic work there, he drove a race on Daytona's hard-packed sand, and shortly thereafter fell into promoting a race for the City of Daytona. This is thought to be the beginning of his ideas for racing. Apparently, France's original ideas for NASCAR were to race three distinctly different classes of cars (Strictly Stock, Modified Stock Cars and Roadsters). But, following the war, and following that we clearly saw was the audience preference, it is very clear that the vision changed to strictly stock cars all the way. He felt that the fans would want to purchase the cars that they saw winning the races, and I believe that it was this insight that really made NASCAR as big and as popular to the American fans it was designed for. By 1956 NASCAR really came into it's own, and was gaining momentum, credibility and huge numbers of fans, holding 56 events on 11 paved tracks. Clearly by 1958 NASCAR had become a national movement.

The Hollywood version of stock car racing is one of prohibition-era bootleg whiskey drivers or modern day rebels who were skilled in outrunning the law (think 'Smokey and the Bandit' of the 1970's). Yes, these drivers were so skilled that they were destined to become noticed by the race car owners and scouts, and were drafted into the sport. This is probably another reason why NASCAR has jokingly been referred to as a "redneck" sport. Whatever the reason for our love of "reckless" young men driving insanely fast cars becoming such a passion throughout America, part of that fascination was that the cars that were being driven on the tracks were ones what you could actually go out and purchase to drive yourself! This was the allure that helped fuel the tremendous success of the American car manufacturers, and it's one of the reasons that NASCAR is dead for so many die-hard fans.

In the early days, NASCAR vehicles were actual stock cars which were wrenched on by the guys that drove them. Even when you hit the big times, a car owner had a handful for a “crew” at best or even if at all. You had a single toolbox that held everything you needed to tune, repair and maintain your car, and many times the driver was in on the wrenching.

Back in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, fans were in love with the cars. There was nothing like attending a race where you stood at the fence hearing and feeling the pure power thundering in your chest as the Chevy’s, Fords and Mopars screamed by. Most fans had their favorite car, as opposed to today’s obsession with their favorite driver. Because of our love for the cars themselves, while it’s possible to appreciate the technology of the newer cars, it’s not as possible to feel the same kind of passion for the cars themselves. Most everyone will agree that they in no way resemble, or are, “stock” cars. With this year’s decision to allow EFI, they have taken yet another step further away from “stock” than ever before.

Sometime by 1972 or so, stock cars lost the “stock”. The 1970's was a decade that started the great decline of the American made muscle car, and most every car made for that matter. We were hit hard with gasoline rationing in the mid 1970's and American car manufacturers scaled down both in size and power. While NASCAR and other forms of racing continued, changes were being made that changed things forever.

Many traditionalists have turned to drag racing for the adrenaline-pumping thrill of watching “real” cars. Note the extreme popularity of nostalgia racing at the strips nationwide (bracket racing, pro-stock and more). In the 1960’s, you could walk into a showroom and actually purchase the same type of car you read about in the hot rod magazines or were lucky enough to watch in person at the stock car races! Compare this to the current batch of NASCAR vehicles, which are basically all the same bodies, with the same engines, and utilizing decals for headlights, doors and grills, and where everything is regulated from the cam to the height of the manifold.

With the new EFI systems being able to monitor everything about the engine from computers, and with the degree of differences so small they are immeasurable, the cars truly are "exactly the same". Yes, this makes the playing field extraordinarily even, but it forces you to pick one driver over the other, as this is increasingly where the race is won. In the old days, you were able to take preference one car over the next because you believed that it was a better setup, a stronger engine, more torque…in other words, you developed an appreciation for the car itself. This is where true gear heads were born and it fueled our dreams. The cars used production bumpers, grille, glass and even the trim and interiors. Young boys couldn’t wait for the next issue of Hot Rod and other magazines to hit the racks so they could follow (and drool over) the latest and greatest rides to hit the asphalt.

So, WHY has NASCAR decided to go with EFI? It was very interesting to research this and find that it began back in 2003 when the engineering director at Dodge Motorsports realized that there were carburetor issues that needed addressing. What John Fernandez found was that the carburetor experts were all gone. The last generation responsible for carburetion advances were all retired or dead, and with electronic fuel injection having taken hold by the 1990’s, the knowledge seemingly died with them, as the newer generation of racing engineers and technicians had been captivated by EFI. Teams had to call in the retirees to help, but with their numbers dwindling and their ages ever increasing, NASCAR made the bold decision to allow EFI.

In true NASCAR fashion of wanting everything fair and even, they’ve decided on a basic, proprietary EFI system which you’ll never see outside NASCAR, and never be able to buy. An Austin, Texas based chip manufacturer, Freescale, and McLaren Electronic Systems teamed up to provide the boxes, which are all the same for each and every racing team. Yes, the teams program their own ECU’s, and can tune and map themselves, but NASCAR monitors everything to ensure that everyone adheres to the same play-fair rules, and they retain control over the boxes. The configurations that NASCAR has determined allow the engine to behave the same as a single-plane, single Holley setup, which allows the same restrictor-plate system which NASCAR uses to limit speeds on the big tracks like Talladega and Daytona.

Plymouth Superbird and Hemi-powered cars were the last of the power that had dominated NASCAR and made stock car racing the super sport that created generations of young men who discovered the need for speed. We’re sad to see this era disappear, but we’re determined to share our knowledge and inspire those from today’s youth who pour over their dad’s or granddad's collection of old hot rodding magazines and get the same thrill that inspires them to own and enjoy their own piece of American stock car history.

REFERENCES:

ask.com - The Meaning of NASCAR

factexpert.com - NASCAR Facts

Freescale - Freescale Semiconductor Info by Wikipedia
howstuffworks.com - History of Stock Car Racing 
just for laughs - What Is The Funny Meaning of NASCAR 
NASCAR.com - NASCAR Website
racingreference.info - Comprehensive Racing Statistics & Info
Stock Car Racing - Stock Car Racing: The Go To Publication for Weekend Racers 

NOTE FROM AUTHOR:

Of course this article is my opinion of what may be happening with NASCAR fans. Many don't feel there's anything wrong with cheering their favorite driver on to victory, and perhaps there is not. I just miss the excitement and anticipating of what new power strategy would be revealed in a team's quest to make their car king of the track. I'm just not that thrilled with the concept of idolizing a single person. It's usually more complex than that. Watch for my upcoming article on the history of NASCAR including links to some of the sports most incredible races...and some of the most incredible wrecks! - Andrea

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

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Classic Car Auction This Saturday in Austin

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Don't miss out on this Saturday's classic car auction in Austin! Dan Kruse Classics of San Antonio is hosting the 38th Annual Hill Country Classic Car Auction at the Palmer Events Center this saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Car enthusasiast from all over South Central Texas have enjoyed this popular auction for the past 37 years. It has been held in San Marcos, New Braunfels and Fredericksburg in past years, and is coming to Austin for the first time.

Approximately 200 cars are expected to be auctioned off at the event, making it the areas big event this season. Having just come off the auctions at Monterey Car Week, classic car enthusiasts in Texas are eager to jump into the action. According to Tiffany Kruse of Kruse Classic Cars, "We have wanted to bring the Hill Country Classic to Austin and this year, with the help of the City of Austin, we are able to do so. We are hoping for a very good crowd of enthusiasts and buyers by holding the event in Austin at the Palmer this year."

1963 Chevy Corvette
Split Window Coupe

One thing I can say, they sure have a lot of convertibles up for sale!

One of my personal favorites is this beautiful, and hard-to-find, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe! It's rare to find a '63 with the original split window in tact. There was a time when it was common for owners to have the split window taken out and replaced with one piece glass. This proved to be a big mistake.

  What's in store at the classic car auction?

Here are pics of just some of the other great classic cars and trucks that will be available at this Saturday's auction:

1961 Chevy Impala Bubble Top

1969 Chevy Camaro
Indy Pace Car Convertible

1949 Mercury Pickup

1956 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible

1955 Chevy Corvette Convertible

1956 Pontiac Starchief Convertible



1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

1955 Ford Crown Vic Convertible

1966 Chevy Corvette Convertible

1966 Pontiac GTO Coupe

1967 Pontiac GTO Coupe

1947 Buick Roadmaster Convertible



1940 Packard Convertible



Saturday, September 15, 2012

AUCTION LOCATION:

The Palmer Events Center 
900 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas  78704

AUCTION INFORMATION:Tiffany Kruse at Dan Kruse Classics
San Antonio, Texas
Telephone: 866-495-8111  Phone
tiffany@kruseclassics.com

RESOURCES:

Dan Kruse Classics - Auction Brochure
Austin Information - Visitors Bureau

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Read More