Take a look at this '64 Malibu SS! This rare gem came with All Weather Custom Deluxe A/C. Currently running a 389 stroked engine from a 350. 700R, 4 speed auto corvette transmission. Has original motor and power glide 2 speed transmission. Too many other gr at specs and parts to list! Email Wade Preston at : [email protected] for more information. Seller is asking $25,900.00.
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Once again our friends at Lil' Ricci's Pizza and the Highlands Ranch Hot Rodders have announced a FANTASTIC Cruise schedule with plenty of delicious specials for 2017. For more information, call (303) 881-5819, or email: [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!
Back around 1980, the now-legendary, much-coveted and VERY BIG BUCKS muscle cars of the 1960s and early 1970s were just tired old cars; common sights at seedy used car lots – and still well-within the budget of speed-hungry teenagers. I know because I lived it. A friend of mine bought a ’71 GTX 440 – a running, “all-there” car – for $2,200. Other friends had early Camaros, SS Chevelles, big block Mustangs. These were owned by high school kids working french fry jobs on the weekends who were far more lucky than most ever realized.
Fast-forward to 2017. Cars like these have become Rich Old Men’s toys – $30,000 and up in most cases, with especially rare and desirable models such as 289 Hi-Po or Shelby Mustangs (GT350 and GT500s), early GTOs, big block SS 396 and 454-equipped Chevy Chevelles, the ’73-’74 SD-455 Pontiac Trans-Am, LT-1 Corvettes and ‘440 Six Pak ‘Cudas and Hemi Challengers that have either been meticulously stored or restored correctly selling for six figures. Or even more. Those who were smart (or just stupid lucky) bought when these amazing cars were still someone else’s second-hand gas pigs or redneck lawn decor – not today’s high-dollar “investments.” Lesson: Learn from the past! The early and mid-1980s were another period when the domestic automakers began making some neat cars again – after almost a decade of absolute shit cars that any of us who were there to experience try hard to forget. But by the time RR was saddling up for his re-election bid things were beginning to look better. Style – and increasingly, performance – was making comeback. Examples include the mid-engined, composite-bodied Pontiac Fiero that was built from 1984 to 1988 (the ’84 Indy Pace car replicas are especially desirable; ditto the later V-6 equipped GT and Formula models). Also the turbo 2.3 liter ’84-’85 Ford SVO Mustang – a four cylinder brain smasher that was one of the very first American cars to approach the performance question with sophistication rather than brute force – and also one of the first U.S.-badged vehicles to wear huge-for-the time 16×7-inch alloy rims shod with 50-series VR speed-rated (130-plus) “Gatorback” ultra-performance tires. Its distinguishing characteristics included an off-center hood scoop and dual rear spoiler, plus a front end different from other Mustangs, including the more conventional, V-8 equipped Mustang GT. The SVO Mustang was a good performer, too – with 205-hp in its second year of production – about as much as the GT’s 5-liter V-8 as making at the same time. Both the Fiero and SVO Mustang were unusual, almost experimental cars for their respective automakers – and that (plus the fact that they’re just cool cars) ought to assure that they become valuable collectibles in the years to come. The mid ’80s also were the era of the very successful 1983-1988 SS Monte Carlo – Chevrolet’s last V-8 powered, mid-sized, full-frame V-8 coupe. The SS Monte had the muscular look of a Winston Cup stock car and featured the final appearance of a carbureted V-8 (Chevy’s L69 5-liter “HO” engine) in a GM passenger car before fuel ijection took over (for emissions and fuel economy reasons). Extra-rare “aerocoupes” were built for just two years (1986-1987) that featured specially contoured, wind-cheating back glass designed to give the cars an aerodynamic advantage at high speed. Around the same time, in 1983, Oldsmobile offered the very last V-8 equipped, rear-drive Cutlass-based 442 (and also the similar Hurst Olds in 1984). These cars were also among the final run of rear-drive GM vehicles to be powered by a non-Chevrolet V-8 (in this case, Oldsmobile’s 307 cubic-inch/5-liter V-8). The Hurst Olds featured a fearsome-looking (if awkward to use) “Lightning Rod” Hurst shifter that was its defining characteristic – plus a bulging hood scoop, decklid spoiler and special paint and stripes. Like the similar SS Monte Carlo, the Hurst Olds and 442 Cutlass were big, powerful American coupes of a type that will never be made again. Hence, their historic value is assured. Shop "Like" Products This brings us to maybe the most famous muscle car of the ’80s – the Buick Regal T-Type and the sinister-looking Regal Grand National. Of all the Reagan-era muscle coupes, these are the meanest. Grand Nationals were painted all black (with the exception of the introductory year 1982 models, which were offered in silver and charcoal), and powered by ever-more-potent versions of Buick’s 3.8 liter turbocharged V-6. By 1986, these ferocious rides packed an advertised (but notoriously under-rated) 235 hp, and could blast to 60-mph in under 6 seconds – amazing performance for a coupe the size of most of today’s “full-size” sedans. The last year of production – 1987 – went out with a serious bang. Before Buick – along with the rest of General Motors – switched over to front-wheel-drive (for fuel economy reasons) a final run of GN’s and T-Types left the factory – including 547 GNX models. Regular Grand Nationals were shipped from the Assembly line to ASC/McLaren – a specialty tuner shop – and fitted with a larger turbocharger that featured a low-drag impeller, plus a new Garrett intercooler and revised low-backpressure exhaust system – all of which helped goose the output of the 3.8 liter engine to a rated 270-hp and 360-lbs.-ft. of torque. Since these big, heavy cars ran the quarter mile in the mid-to-low-13s at more than 100-mph (as quick as a 350 advertised hp 2003 Corvette), the official advertised horsepower rating of 270 was about as honest as GW Bush’s claims about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. GNX models are distinguised by their fender flares, meaty wheels and tires, fender vents and “GNX” badging. They’re arguably the last true American muscle cars – in the tradition of the old GTOs and SS Chevelles. The mid-1980s were also a great time for bread-and-butter performance machines such as the “5.0” liter V-8 Mustang GT (and the more discrete 5 liter LX, which had the GT’s engine, but not its body cladding and trim) that were manufactured from 1982 until the early 1990s in more or less the same basic form. Featuring Ford’s 302 cubic inch/5-liter V-8 – the same basic engine that was used in the very first Mustangs in the mid-1960s – these cars offered affordable performance, were easy to work on – and benefited from a vast support network of aftermarket parts suppliers and speed shops that specialized in the traditional Ford small-block V-8. Ford made so many “Five Oh” ‘Stangs that it is still a simple matter to locate a nice used one today for less than $5,000. Since Ford retired the 302 V-8 shortly after restyling the Mustang in 1994, the older 5.0 cars are destined to become interesting collectibles in the coming years. Limited production models such as the Cobra especially so. Also of interest are the ’80s-era Chevy IROC-Z Camaro Also of interest are the ’80s-era Chevy IROC-Z Camaro and its Pontiac cousins, the Trans-Am GTA and Formula Firebird. The later (post 1985) models featured GM’s “Tuned Port Injection” (TPI) V-8s – in either 5-liter or 5.7 liter forms – and racy bodystyles that were immensely popular at the time. These “third generation” Camaros and Firebirds far outsold the Batmobile-styled ’93-up “fourth generation” cars that were cancelled by General Motors in 2002 – and there were a variety of low-production/special edition models that will command a lot of money in the years to come. These include the all-white 15th Anniversary cars built in 1984 – and the 20th Anniversary 1989 Trans-Am featuring the first-ever use of a V-6 engine instead of a V-8 in a Trans-Am. Pontiac fitted these cars with the same basic 3.8 liter turbocharged V-6 as used in the deceased Buick Regal Grand Nationals – and this powerplant had the beans to whup its V-8 powered competitors every time. As the ’80s ended and ’90s began, GM also produced the impressive (and very low production) GMC Typhoon and later the Syclone – in 1991 and 1992, respectively – which featured a 280-hp turbocharged 4.3 liter V-6 bolted to a full-time all-wheel-drive system. Capable of sub-5-second to 60-mph times, these monsters were among the quickest and fastest vehicles available then or now – and their low production and phenomenal performance capability assures their future collectibility. Many of these future classics are still just old cars – cheap cars – today. Just like the classic muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s once were. You can find decent drivers in the classified ads for not much more than you’d pay for a well-worn Corolla – exceptions being the Grand National, the GNX and the GMC Typhoon and Syclone, which are already unaffordable and have been for years. The thing to know is that the rest of them are going to follow suit. As interest in ’80s-era muscle grows – and attrition decreases the supply of survivors – they’ll become increasingly harder to find. And more expensive, too. So, don’t wait too long to make a move – or you might be waiting a long time to get behind the wheel of a late-model classic! Showcase your ride, or come check out hundreds of awesome vehicles on March 25th at the 6th Annual Lincoln Tech Car Show! Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 22, 2017.
Location: 11194 E. 45th Ave. Denver CO. Showtime: 9am to 2pm, Awards at 1pm, USO collecting monetary & item donations for our troops! Contact 877-453-5015 for more info! Or Visit www.lincolntech.edu As NFL Hall of Fame Barry Sanders once said, "When you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before". Although local classic and collector car shows and cruises aren't the NFL, our polices for participant and guest conduct definelty mirror the principals set forth in the quote shared above, "act like you've been there before".
Indeed, many of us have been in or around the car show scene for a VERY LONG time now, and we believe we know how to act. However, as the ever changing Colorado weather begins to settle into more stable and warm event weather and overjoyed enthusiasts take to the streets, we begin to bear witness to just what can happen when things get out of hand. With that said, your friends at the Littleton Cruise thought this would be the PERFECT opportunity to share a few universal car show and cruise rules to follow at the next local get-together that will help make the event more enjoyable and SAFE for everyone involved: 1. BURNOUTS will get you THROWN OUT quicker than your car can run the quarter mile. Most of us LOVE a good burn out! It delights every sense; the sound of a roaring engine, the acrid smell of rubber, the exciting sight of a barely-restrained 2-ton missile…and therein lies the problem. The only thing keeping your car from rocketing into a classic Bel-Air – or worse, a spectator – are your front brakes. Please keep the showing-off contained in a controlled environment, with nothing but open space in front of you. Those 20 seconds of attention aren’t worth the lifetime label of “Certified Jackass” or even worse should something go wrong. Plain and simple, DON'T do burnouts at shows or cruises. 2. Arrive On Time, Then Shine. Each of us knows things happen that can throw you off schedule while heading to an event of any kind – but there’s a simple fix: Wake up and get going earlier. Plan for it. Arriving after the gates have opened to the public and expecting a premier spot for your car will only entitle you to one thing; being “That Guy.” If the lot is already filled by those polite enough to arrive on time, save your temper tantrum. Be grateful for any spot you’re given, and direct that anger to the person that really deserves it – the one behind the wheel. 3. Cutting Out Early. Things come up – we get that. But if you show up to an event at 10:00 AM, nab one of the prime spaces right in the middle of the show, knowing full well you have to leave by 1:00, you’re a jerk. Leaving a car show as it is packed with spectators looks bad – and it certainly isn’t an easy process. Not to mention it’s dangerous, particularly with children or pets running about unpredictably. If you know you’ll need to leave early, let the staff know to keep you near an exit. It might not be the perfect place to show your ride, but it’ll help keep you from running late, or inconveniencing the rest of the attendees. 4. Listen To The Event Staff The staff that man your favorite event are usually volunteers who enjoy being around cars, and perform these duties for little or no pay. They’re thankless jobs can sometimes get a little hectic, especially at larger venues. Don’t lose your head or give them a hard time if they point you to a space that you think "isn’t good enough". They’re just doing their jobs as they’re told – you certainly wouldn’t appreciate it if the roles were reversed, right?If you think you’re in the wrong spot, park there anyway and then go find the show director to hash it out. Laying into the guys or girls directing traffic probably won’t end up in your favor. You’ll most likely eventually meet the show director – but instead of him or her lending a hand, they’ll probably be asking you to leave. 5. Drag Racing At Or Near Event Venues ... NO! We're pretty you can agree that none of us are criminal masterminds… and that’s a good thing! But this can mean that if one of us SHOULD decide to fudge the line of the law a little bit, we aren’t very good at it. The increased traffic that a car show or cruise brings is continually being noted by local police. That guy with the loud 454 might be asking for it, but racing on the surrounding streets before, during, or after an event brings all the wrong kinds of attention down on you, your fellow enthusiasts; not to mention the show organizers! It’s a quick way to get what should be a celebration of our passion nixed, and yourself a big, fat ticket, or even worse injuring another person or even jail. YES. We know it's fast, but if you want to race, check with local race organizers to obtain infor on specific events for street-driven vehicles to come show each other up. Don’t turn yourself or someone else into a statistic, and ruin it for all the rest of us. 6. Keep Your Cool When They Don't Keep Their Hands To Themselves. We are all in agreement that those spectating our rides should keep their hands to themselves, yes? In the case of some unwanted fingerprints on your freshly waxed paint, I’m here to tell you that a policy of politeness will get you much farther than blind rage and a verbal berating. Step back for a moment and remember that not all spectators who attend your average car show understand how seriously we take our vehicles. They probably rolled up in a 15+ year-old Accord that they see as an appliance – not something to be cherished and enjoyed. Politely explaining how much your car means to you is usually all it takes for them to wise up. This holds especially true for children; teach them, don’t scream at them. Helping to raise a new generation of enthusiasts that don’t purchase throw away vehicles – or think that people who take cars too seriously are jerks – is essential to continuing our culture! 7. BE RESPECTFUL. Everyone has opinions ... and you know what they're like, right? Just because the car next to you doesn’t have perfect paint, or features some discount brand or non-OEM parts doesn’t make it any less deserving of its owner’s pride. Don’t like his style? Keep it to yourself – because there are probably plenty of people who think yours stinks too. Really? Do you care what they think? Pretty sure you're not up for considering it. This is especially true when it comes to Newbies. Offering real advice or help instead of a put down helps make for a better community. Not everyone has the means or experience to create a 100-point show-winner. However, their story might be far more interesting than that of the guy with unlimited funds who just shipped a bare chassis off to America's top resto expert and told them to make it perfect. Either way, BOTH deserve respect. There's no question that Colorado collector car shows and cruises can be quite a wonderful experience for everyone involved as we've enjoyed over the years. Just remember that our passion is a joint effort between those who take part by donating their time, money, streets and cars to the event, and individuals who show up to admire their vehicles to make sure we continue to preserve the events we've all come to know and love so much! Here's to a safe, enjoyable 2017 Colorado Car Show & Cruise season! Let's roll! |
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May 2018
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