Straight Six, Round Top May25

Straight Six, Round Top

1954: Sports Illustrated publishes its first issue, Bill Haley and the Comets top the record charts, Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando take home Oscars, Marilyn Monroe weds Joe DiMaggio, gas tops more 20 cents a gallon and the Chevrolet Corvette enters its second year of production.  It’s almost hard to fathom given the more than half century lifespan and now iconic status of the Corvette, but its second year of production was dangerously close to being its final year of production. The first Corvettes were hand assembled and thus, limited to a production run of just 300 cars, all Polo White over Sportsman Red interiors.  In December of 1953, production was moved from Flint, Michigan to a dedicated assembly...

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So Good, It’s On A Stamp Dec07

So Good, It’s On A Stamp

1953 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Noland Adams’ The 1953 Corvette was designed by the very talented Harley Earl, Chevrolet’s chief designer. GM listened to the demands of the GI’s that returned from Europe wanting an American sports car. Production was limited to only 300 units the first year so selling the entire production of the entirely new model was not a problem. The first Corvette reached the end of the assembly line on June 30, 1953. The first 53’ Corvettes were all built by hand, in the back of a customer delivery garage in Flint Michigan. Chevrolet made it clear the new Corvette would only be available to high profile executives and people of power and influence. An example is John Wayne...

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Valley Sightings, Mid-October Oct20

Valley Sightings, Mi...

Renault 5 Turbo 2 Sparked by one particular spotting (Renault 5 Turbo 2), I decided to bring my camera (and sometimes cell phone camera) along on a couple different trips around the valley, to and from work, etc. over the last week or so. These are some of the random sightings I saw along the...

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1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427ci-435HP Tri-power Coupe, Pickett Race Car Sep03

1967 Chevrolet Corve...

Starting life as a brand new 1967 427-435HP Tri-Power Coupe, this Corvette was immediately converted to an SCCA A/Production racer by owner Dr. Bill Geen.  Greg Pickett then joined together with Dr. Geen to form the Picket Racing Team. موقع كونكر   They raced in numerous events,...

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Aug30

Chevrolet Corvette Z...

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 spotted at the Scottsdale Pavilions Car Show.Driven by a GM employee and wearing a Michigan manufacturer plate, this 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 was most certainly in the area to be put through it’s paces at GM’s Proving Grounds in Mesa, Arizona....

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Numerous New Shoots May31

Numerous New Shoots

1994 Ferrari 512 TR The Ferrari 512TR is greatly reworked and improved compared to the earlier Testarossa to the point in which it is almost an entirely new car. With the 512TR the engine’s output has been increased to 423hp (~ 37-47hp more than the earlier Testarossa) through higher compression pistons, Nikasil cylinder liners, larger intake valves, a revised intake system, Bosch engine management and a revised exhaust system. This particular 512TR’s output has been further increased with a Capristo Level 3 exhaust. The 512TR’s handling has been greatly improved when compared to the Testarossa by repositioning the engine and gearbox along with lower profile tires, revised shocks and quicker...

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