Blogging with Bill Abatecola of Old Iron AZ LLC – memories – tips – stories – history – fun events – focus items – photos
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Click here for an article on Aftermarket Sales for Classic Cars
Click here for an article about the Mustang from Hagerty NewsClick here for issues OLD IRON NEWSletters
Hollywood and Racecars
BY BILL ABATECOLA February 2020 OLD IRON NEWS (early release)
We took some time off Sunday to spend a quiet afternoon at the movies. We saw Ford v Ferrari, this year’s Hollywood’s version of Carroll Shelby and racing, it was mostly accurate. Christian Bale was outstanding in his portrayal of Ken Miles. Hollywood always had a love affair with the car racing industry. I remember watching Pat O’Brien in a very early Indy racecar movie, Indianapolis Speedway (1939). Mickey Rooney also played the part of a racecar driver in The Big Wheel (1949). Even Elvis Presley had a racecar movie, Spinout (1966).
In the ’60s and ’70s, there were some great race car movies. Paul Newman in Winning (1969). During the filming of this movie, Paul Newman was bitten by the racing bug. He started a racing career and had a great run racing his cars for 35 years. Steve McQueen was in a movie mostly a documentary on the rigors of racing at Le Mans (1971) of the same name. Richard Pryor was in Greased Lightning (1977) a movie about NASCAR Wendell Scott, first African American NASCAR driver.
Hollywood even made a cartoon movie about a race car called Cars (2006). The voice of the Hudson Hornet was Paul Newman, one of his last movies. Even a race car comedy movie with Burt Reynolds in Stroker Ace (1983) about the controversy with racecar sponsors.
In 1990, Tom Cruise starred in Days of Thunder. The movie Heart Like a Wheel (1983) was about a woman drag racer, Shirley Muldowney who was very successful.
In 1966, the movie Grand Prix came to the big screen with James Garner. It told the story of the Formula One drivers risking their lives for speed and glory. The great movie won an Oscar for ‘Best sound’. So, Sunday when I was watching Ford v Ferrari I remembered some of the old movies I’ve seen about car racing. Grand Prix is my favorite so far. Ford v Ferrari may come in second even though it has a Hollywood spin to it. I highly recommend both movies.
chrysler-introduces-sweptback-charger
Rust…Rust Free…
Rust: The oxidation of metal.
This process can turn steel into powder, can destroy the value of a classic car into Junkyard scrap in a very short time. Being from New England, we witnessed this process many times, where a customer would bring in a nice shiny car. But the chassis or floor was so corroded, it would turn into powder at the touch. All vehicles have rust. Somewhere in or on some nook or cranny, there is rust, slowly turning steel into powder.
Example of cut and replaced rust section
There are many different stages of rust. One is a nice patina or slight surface rust. Some people like the look of an old car or truck. Secondly, there is the rusted steel that needs to be cut out and replaced. Done properly this keeps the value of the vehicle. Thirdly, there is outright corrosion where it is almost impossible to fix, it is beyond the point of salvation.
So, if you have a classic vehicle spend some time, looking for rust that would diminish the value of it. Fix it ASAP. Sometimes, a good power washing and a couple of cans of Rustoleum will fix it or bring it to a professional to power wash and address this matter.
Rust never sleeps, it is constant and relentless once it starts.
There are over the counter products that are available to stop the rusting process. There are different products to use depending on the stage of rust and the location. Some automotive paint shops carry such product or you may find them online. https://www.rustoleum.com/pages/automotive/
So, if someone is selling or advertising a rust free vehicle, it should mean it is corrosion free.
~ Bill Keep them rolling!
The Mighty Mini…
A couple of weeks ago, I was at a red light and a Mini Cooper pulled alongside. A red and black with aftermarket wheels equipped with a loud performance exhaust system. It brought back memories of the first Mini I encountered back in 1964 at the Connecticut Drag way. While walking through the pits I saw this red and white box with ‘lawnmower wheels’ on it. So, I had to investigate. The little 4-cylinder motor was put in sideways; everything was tiny. I asked the owner, “Where is the rest of your car”? He laughed and said, “This is it”! I asked, “What is it”? he said it was an Austin Mini Cooper. I said. “Good luck”! and walked away. Later I saw the race line up with the Mini and a 1953 Chevy 6 cylinder. Well, this is going to be interesting!
Mini Cooper
An American muscle car against an English ‘lawnmower’. As the lights came down on the Christmas tree, the little Mini revved up for all it’s worth. The green light came on and the Mini zoomed out to a 4-car lead. Halfway down the quarter-mile, the Chevy started to catch up but at the end of the quarter-mile the Mini won.
Well, that day the little mini raced several cars in its class and won a 1st place trophy. While racing sports cars from 69 to 71, there were a lot of Minis dominating their class. The little Mini was something special in its day.
So here I was sitting at the intersection with the Mini Cooper revving up its motor, waiting for the green light, reminiscing about the old days. As the light turned green the Mini sped off shifting through the gears and little puffs of smoke coming off the tires. I just thought how far the ‘Mighty Mini’ has come.
If you would like to see the early Minis in a great movie watch the Italian Job with Michael Caine, it has lots of Mini car action!
~ Bill Keep them rolling!
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Jack Grossi
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Do you know?
the-classic-vehicle-emissions-laws-in-your-state/
The Profit is in the Details…
Being in the automotive business on and off over the last 60 years, I came to the realization that if a classic vehicle is kept up and maintained it does not lose its value. It increases in value. But if a classic vehicle is not maintained and properly stored it will lose some if not all its value. Detailing is very important in the maintenance of a classic. It requires not only washing and waxing; vacuuming the interior. The detailing of a classic is where the profit is!
Many times, I came across a vehicle that looks good from 100 feet away but when you approach you to see it has a lot of issues. These will take away from its value: chipped paint, unpolished chrome, dirty engine compartment, untidy wiring, aftermarket components not properly installed, dirty rugs, broken or missing items on the dash, unpainted items. One of the most important items left unattended is the frame or chassis with oil stain, surface rust, and overspray on paint. I see good paint jobs done on cars and overspray on the frame left unattended. All that is needed is a can of spray paint to cover up the overspray. It will go a long way in detailing a frame.
I think if you are going to put your classic up for sale you should spend some time detailing it or bring it to a detailing professional and getting it done. Detroit Auto detailing is a premier detailing operation (see ad).
So, all in all, if you want to get the money your classic deserves; please spend the time and a little money to detail your classic before you sell.
The profit is in the details!
– Bill Keep Them Rolling!
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