Tag Archives: Raceway

Bonus Built Facelift – Ford F1 Pickup

Last week week I looked at a 1949 Bonus Built Ford F1 this weeks pick up is the face lifted version first seen in 1951.

Ford F1 Pickup, Yanks Picnic Shakespeare County Raceway

So far as I have been able to discern the grill would originally have only been fitted with three teeth, customisers seem to like adding additional teeth on the grill to fill in the gaps.

Ford F1 Pickup, Yanks Picnic Shakespeare County Raceway

All first Generation F1′s were powered either by a 95 hp flathead straight 6 or 100 hp flathead V8, the 4.8 litre / 292 cui quoted for today’s featured pickup suggests something more contemporary than a regular flathead is installed under the bonnet / hood.

Ford F1 Pickup, Yanks Picnic Shakespeare County Raceway

The new dashboard of the face lifted 1951 F1 featured an ashtray and glovebox. Twin windscreen wipers and the foot operated windscreen washer were still optional.

Ford F1 Pickup, Yanks Picnic Shakespeare County Raceway

The rear cab window was enlarged in 1951 for better reward visibility.

Ford F1 Pickup, Yanks Picnic Shakespeare County Raceway

Finally the steel panels on the 6 1/2 foot cargo bed were replaced with hard wood items which are much easier to repair and replace.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bonus Built Facelift” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Prow Front – Ford Prow Front 1/2 Ton Pickup

1n 1937 Ford introduced it new series of “Prow Front” full size models to replace the Ford 48 Series.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

Ford’s chief designer E.T. “Bob” Gregorie passed the styling features of the Prow Front full sized Fords to the half ton pickups that were new for 1940/41.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

Power options for the Prow Front pick ups included 60, 90 or 95 hp flathead Ford V8 with the 60hp being replaced by a 1996 cc / 120 cui four cylinder sourced from the Ford 6N tractor midway through 1941.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

This particular pickup seen at the Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway, is registered with a 4500 cc / 274 cui motor of unknown origin.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

The chassis of the Prow Front Pickups and Cars are almost identical except the commercial application has the frame stamped out of heavier gauge steel. The pickup rode on trans leaf springs both front and rear. At an additional cost the prow front 1/2 tons could be ordered with pin striped body panels.

Ford Pickup, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County Raceway

70,190 of these 1941 Ford 1/2 ton pickups were built which would have cost of the order of US$ 650 new.

Thanks for joining me on this “Prow Front” Edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Third Generation Friend – Dodge Dakota R/T

The original Dodge Dakota (Sioux for friend) was a mid size pickup truck, less than half ton, launched in 1987, an upgraded second generation was launched in 1991.

Dodge Dakota R/T, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County, Raceway,

The third generation Dakota’s were launched in in 1997 drawing heavily on the big rig look of the full size Dodge Ram styling first seen in 1994.

Dodge Dakota R/T, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County, Raceway,

In 1998 a sports orientated R/T version of the Dakota was announced with a 250hp 5.9 litre / 360 cui Magnum V8 which was coupled with a heavy duty 46RE 4 speed automatic transmission. Additional R/T goodies included performance axle, cast aluminum wheels, limited slip differential, sport suspension and steering, uprated brakes, performance exhaust, monotone paint and bucket seats in the cab.

Dodge Dakota R/T, Yanks Picnic, Shakespeare, County, Raceway,

In 2000, the year the vehicle seen here at Shakespeare County Raceway was built, the Dodge Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award coming in second. The 4th generation Ram Dakota was launched in 2009 and the model was subsequently completely discontinued in 2011.

Thanks for joining me on this “Third Generation Friend” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Red Hot Convertible – Buick Special Convertible

Today’s featured car is a 1958 Buick Special Convertible from the last year of manufacture of the second generation Specials which dated back to 1949.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

The grill looks vaguely similar to the keyboard of my G4 Power Book Steve Jobs however would have been all of three when these cars were new. Polishing the 165 1/2 inch chrome squares is an act of extreme endurance and dedication.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

Looking closely at the Special and it’s apparent acres of chrome detailing, with no less than three bombsight bonnet / hood ornaments it is hard to believe that the Special was in fact Buick’s base model.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

First seen on 1946 Buicks, the Bombsight ornaments were a huge hit in post war America.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

The sweepspear chrome body moulding was first seen, as an option, on the 1949 Buick Riviera and like the Bombsight it soon became a trade mark Buick item.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

Sitting on a 122 inch wheel base and with a 208 inch long body the Special is 5 inches shorter than the contemporary Buick Supers and Roadmasters.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

The interior is a upholstery is a combination of cloth cloth and vinyl with a nylon rug, the 2 speed Dynaflow is operated by the chromed column shifter on the right of the steering wheel.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

Scalloped rear wings / fenders were all the rage in 1958 …

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

but they were not a guarantee for success as demonstrated by marketing disaster known as the Edsel.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

With a top of the range 250 hp 6 litre / 365 cui nailhead V8 a model like this could reach 60 mph in under 11 seconds,

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

which would substantially reduce the average 8.6 miles to the US gallon fuel consumption.

Buick Special Convertible, Shakespeare County Raceway

5,502 of these 109 mph Buick Special Convertibles which weigh 4,165 lbs were built in for the 1958 model year, they retailed at US$ 3,041 and today can be worth in the region of US$ 70 – 80,000 at auction dependent on condition.

Wishing all GALPOT readers a Red Hot Valentines day.

Thanks for joining me on this “Red Hot Convertible” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Supercharged Striped Snake – Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

In 2005 Ford introduced the “retrofuturist” fifth generation Mustang, engineered by Hau Thai-Tang, with exterior styling, which took its cues from the late 60’s fast back Mustangs, by Sid Ramnarace.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

In 2010 the fifth generation Mustangs received a face lift, today’s featured car is the face lifted Shelby GT 500 of which 2000 examples were built with unique to the limited edition functional vents in the bonnet / hood…

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

… which keep the 540 hp supercharged 5.4 litre / 329 cui motor temperatures under control.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

2010 limited edition Shelby GT 500’s are only available with one transmission option six speed manual / stick shift, topped off with suitably striped gear knob, which gives the vehicle a rest to 120 mph in 9 seconds capability.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

Despite the competition performance figures 2010 GT 500’s are fitted with air conditioning and six disc CD changers.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

GT 500 specific 19 inch forged alloy wheels with Brembo disc brakes, traction and stability control all help keep the GT 500 firmly attached to the road though hazing the tyres is possible for the more experienced driver in the right environment.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

The rear spoiler acts as a functional Gurney flap and was also unique to the GT 500 Mustangs in 2005.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, Shakespeare County Raceway

True to it’s roots the fifth generation Mustangs still use solid axle rear suspension, there are rumours this will be replaced on the sixth generation Mustang with independent rear suspension for the 2015 model year.

Thanks for joining me on this “Supercharged Striped Snake” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Perfect Car For A Wedding #7 – Dodge Challenger SRT/8

It’s been a while since I have run a “Perfect Car For A Wedding” feature and of those I have run today’s third generation 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT/8 is easily my favorite.

While Ford has always been the trend setter in the pony car market segment, Dodge, who were third in first time round with the 1970 Challenger, beat Chevrolet to 2nd place by a full year at the end of the Naughties after the pony car market segmented was started the second time round by Ford in 2005.

Dodge Challenger SRT 8, Shakespeare County Raceway

The Dodge Challenger SRT/8 was launched at the Chicago and Philadelphia International Auto Show’s simultaneously in February 2008. Unusually all 6400 first production run STR8s were pre sold.

All US market 2008 Challengers like the one seen here were SRT/8 models fitted with 425 hp 6.1 litre / 370 cui HEMI V8s and a five speed AutoStick automatic transmission.

Dodge Challenger SRT 8, Shakespeare County Raceway

The SRT/8 is built on an shortened Chrysler LX platform known as the LC, and shares front and rear suspension components with the Mercedes Benz W220 S Class and W120 E Class respectively.

In 2008 Chrysler Canada built a separate run of between 670 and 719 Challenger 500’s for the Canadian market only.

The Challenger is seen here at the entrance of Shakespeare County Raceway after the owner had used it at her friends wedding earlier in the afternoon. Wishing everybody about to get married today all the best and many happy years together.

Thanks for joining me on this “Perfect Car For A Wedding #7 ” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t for get to come back now !

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Tomorrow Or The End Of Time – Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum

The first piece of music to make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end was by James Marshall Hendrix, some time in 1967 I was home alone during the day time so it was probably during the Easter holidays, I was messing about with some extremely uncomfortable ex military bakerlite head phones when the announcer on the radio told us that coming next would be Jimi Hendrix latest hit “Purple Haze”. I unplugged and took off the headphones and turned up the volume control of the radiogram a little in anticipation of something interesting happening.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

By the time the opening riff blurted out I reached out and did something I had never done before, I maxed out the volume ! By the end of the song I was certainly tuned in and turned on to the Jimi Hendrix Experience even though I had no idea what it was, except it felt really good and I had a new found love for the colour purple and a curiosity for the line “Is this tomorrow or just the end of time ?”

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

This Tomorrow Or The End Of Time theme is revisited in the 1971 flash back road movie “Vanishing Point” which begins with an all American anti hero Kowolski driving a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum pulling back from a 90 mph impact with a couple of Catepillar bulldozers, that serve as a makeshift police roadblock and vanishing into thin air, before retelling the story of how Kowolski got to the point of staring tomorrow or the end of time in the face.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

While reading up on the history of the Challenger I was interested to learn that the very first Challenger was actually a limited edition two door body called the Dodge Silver Challenger that was only available in in silver and came fully loaded with premium white wall tyres, full wheel covers, electric windscreen wipers, luxury fabric interior and deep pile carpets through out.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

For 1970 Carl Cameron came up with the exterior design for the second generation Challenger, like the Plum Crazy FC-7 1970 example seen here at Shakespeare County Raceway earlier this year. Chrysler had determined that the similar but shorter Plymouth Barracuda should belatedly compete with the Mustang and Camaro and the Dodge Challenger should compete with the Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird in the pony car market.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

Of the engine options available to Challenger customers there were two 440 cui / 7.2 litre Magnum options one 375 hp with a single four barrel carburetor and one 395 hp with three x two barrel carburetors known as the six pack. The car seen here appears to be the 375 hp option as distinguished by the air scoop which on the more powerful six pack models sits on top of the carburetor intakes in the center of the bonnet hood.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

Because of low sales volumes of the larger engine Challengers they have become extremely collectable, especially if the engine and chassis numbers match the original factory records. Within the pony car segment this late arrival did well to sell 76,935 copies in 1970 after which sales plummeted to less than 30,000 a year until the model was discontinued in 1974.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

Attractive though the Mustangs and Camaros are for my money the Challenger is the most desirable of all the muscle pony cars, there is something about it’s lines that are simply a little less fussy, a little smoother and more refined that look a bit further forward than all the others seen on pony cars in my humble opinion.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

The Challenger R/T with the 440 Magnum as seen here and in the original 1971 version of Vanishing point was capable of covering a quarter mile in 13.8 seconds by which time it would be touching 102 mph, the 440 Magnum was only listed for the 1970 model year though it was available as a special order in 1971.

Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum, Yanks and Gary’s 34th Picnic, Shakespeare County Raceway

When Kowolski approached the point of no return at the end of Vanishing Point he had a choice to turn back and see what the tomorrow would bring or to keep going further and faster into oblivion, giving up the struggle of life, forgetting not to let a few bad moments spoil a bunch of good ones and disappear into the end of time. I guess if you don’t know what happened next you’ll just have to see the film for your self to find out.

Thanks for joining me on this “Tomorrow Or The End Of Time” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you’ll join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now.

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