1962 Mercury Comet Custom Sedan

The Comet was Mercury's version of the Ford Falcon, and the name continued on as their version of the Fairlane, and later the Maverick. For the first generation (pictured here), the Comet was a slightly luxurious and upscale compact, and, similar to Chrysler's Valiant, wasn't badged as a Mercury until 1962. Styling was similar to that of other period Mercuries, but seemed cluttered compared to the clean Falcon. The Comet shown here, though it has some front end damage, looks great in dark blue with matching rims. Definitely a more interesting compact than any new one these days.

 

 

 

1984 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds

The 1984 Hurst/Olds was a limited edition muscle car package based on the Oldsmobile Cutlass. It was only available in silver with black stripes, a reverse of the '83 scheme, and with only 3,500 made, it was rare, too. Included with the Hurst package was the special paint, spoiler, and hood scoop. Under the hood was a 180 HP V8, and more performance goodies included dual exhaust and (of course), a Hurst shifter. They were, and are, sharp looking cars, but the limited production numbers means seeing one is a treat. This one is no exception, with its shining silver paint and chrome rims.

 

 

 

 

1978 Datsun 810

The Datsun 810 was introduced in 1977 as a luxury and somewhat sporty sedan. The car used the same engine as the Z, which was good for 125 HP. As a luxury Japanese car, it competed with the Toyota Cressida, which, with its stand up grill, looked quite similar. This 810 is pretty solid, but is beginning to show its age. The elderly apartment complex it's parked at has some great period 60s-70s architecture.

 

 

 

The Dreaded Exhaust Back Pressure

I remember the first time I saw a tuner's huge tailpipe. I'm pretty sure it was on a Civic and was at least large enough to fit a small cantaloupe inside of it. It was intriguing and almost laughable at the same time. I quickly learned from someone that the idea behind having a huge exhaust system on a car is to allow for the freer flow of the exhaust gases from the engine block with the aim of increasing power output. 


Anyone who has ever been to a racetrack knows that race cars have extremely loud exhausts. Why? They lack any restrictions in them. Your street legal exhaust system comes with sound dampeners as well as a catalytic converter to help reduce emissions and in turn air pollution. If you take all of that away, you remove the things that are slowing down the flow of gases.

Since you cannot legally remove your catalytic converter, and in most areas it is illegal to remove all of the sound dampening devices from your car's exhaust if you drive on the road at all, some car tuners have tried to work around this by slapping on dramatically larger exhaust systems. A fair amount of large pickup trucks do the same thing. 

Anything that restricts the flow of exhausts from the engine to the muffler tip is called back pressure. Back pressure can be caused by a number of obstructions, including a clog in the catalytic converter or a collapsed section of a car's double walled exhaust pipe. Too much back pressure kills power output, fuel mileage and can even cause a car's engine to overheat. In cases of extremely high back pressure, a car's engine might stall out.

But there is such a thing as going too large, despite what some tuners think. Exhaust back pressure is a double-edged sword. Too much and it can rob performance, but too little and it can rob performance. Your exhaust system works with suction to remove the exhaust gases from the engine and move them out through the tailpipe. If you relieve all of the back pressure the exhaust gases could be sucked back into the cylinders through the exhaust valves. So outfitting a car with a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine with an exhaust the size of a semi truck's is probably a bad idea.

Measuring your exhaust's pressure is the only way to accurately determine back pressure. The easiest way to do this is with a low pressure gauge. You have to tap into the exhaust system to measure back pressure, which is best done by disconnecting the air pump check valve. For the best accuracy, the check valve needs to connect to the exhaust system before the catalytic converter.

1968 Ford LTD

Though it was the final year of the 1st  generation, the 1968 LTD looked nothing like previous model years. New were the hidden headlights, and an overall styling refresh. The LTD was introduced as an affordable-luxury car; based on basic Fords yet upgraded with premium features. This LTD has a middle-range 390, though monster 427 and 428 were available. Standing out with its vinyl roof and sweet hubcaps, this LTD has great patina: well-used, but not uncared for. 

On a different topic, today is the one-year anniversary of the creation of this blog. It's been really interesting and fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATE CAR TO CHARITY CALIFORNIA P2

The act of donating a car to charity is one of the most rewarding things you can do. When you donate your car, you do more than just support a charity. You actually help to improve someone's life. To help a needy person, please donate a car to one of these respected charities in California.

Established in 1946 in Davis, California, Freedom From Hunger has been fighting chronic hunger and poverty in the world through innovative programs designed to help families achieve long term food security. Their programs are serving over 18 million people in some of the poorest countries in the world. They are both nongovernmental and nonsectarian and they have been given an A- rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Teach for America works to ensure that children in low income areas get an excellent education. Less than half of the children in California are on grade level for reading and math, and it ranks 48th in academic performance. In the Bay Area, Teach for America has been providing great education for over 10 years. In Los Angeles, they have operating since 1990. Teach for America works to recruit leaders who work to expand educational opportunities in low income areas and then teach for two years in those areas.

The Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation is dedicated to the treatment and a cure for neuromyelitis optica. NMO is a very rare disease that can affect the optic nerve and spinal cord. People with this horrible disease can develop vision loss, or weakness, numbness, and sometimes paralysis of the arms and legs along with sensory disturbances and loss bladder and bowel control. Although there are some treatments available a lot more research is needed to find better ones and a cure.

A Home Away From Homelessness is dedicated to supporting and nurturing the needs of homeless and formerly homeless children and families in San Francisco and Marin. Their homes provide a physical, emotional and spiritual break for children along with educational, social and recreational opportunities.

Family Builders believes that every child has the right to grow up in a permanent, nurturing family regardless of the child's age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or medical, physical or emotional condition. Family Builders educates the community about the needs of waiting children, advocates on their behalf and places the children with permanent, secure families through adoption.

The car donation process is easy and the pickup is free. You can donate your car even it no longer runs or is in poor shape. You just need to have a title for your car and it needs to be where the tow truck can easily get to it. In return for your car donation, you will get a valuable tax deduction and a sense of pride knowing you have done a really good thing. For complete details on how to donate car, please call 1-866-4483487.

DONATE CAR TO CHARITY CALIFORNIA P1

Have you recently purchased a new car and are having problems with your old one? You don't know where to park them? Well, one good way of disposing these old vehicles is to donate them. The best place for car donation is the state of California.

Car donation in California is a famous alternative for those who have old vehicles. Car owners can donate their vehicles including vans, cars, boats and other types of vehicles to a charity of their choice. This is one good way of getting rid of an old useless vehicle. In addition, you are able to help those who are in need without bothering yourself about what to do with that car.

The vehicle does not need to be in very good condition to be donated. In fact, broken down cars may also be donated. These centers would tow the broken cars for free. They will then fix these and auction them for a profit. The money earned from the auction will be given to the charity of your own choice.

Another way of donating automobile is by giving it to a poor family. According to the research done by Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP), a non-profit agency, 20 percent of the American poor families can not buy a car. They are spending 40.2 percent of their budget with transportation expenses. STPP conducts a study about transportation alternative choices of Americans.

There are advantages in donating your ride in California. In other states, you are required to have the original title in order to donate. This is not the case here. In fact, as long as you are the legal owner of the car, you can still donate. The Center for Car Donations would provide you with a duplicate title form to be signed. On the other hand, car donors are entitled to a tax deduction. This is in accordance with the new tax law of 2005. In some cases, you are given a free vacation for your act of charity.

Another benefit of donating car in California is the free towing services offered. You're not required to bring the car to the Center for Car Donations. They are ready to pick it up especially if it is not in good running condition anywhere within the state.

You simply follow steps in giving out your car. First, prepare the vehicle. While it is not necessary for the car to be in good running condition, it would still be good if you make sure that it is presentable enough. Simply clean it and make sure you have nothing of your personal belongings left inside.

You also need to prepare all the important documents like registration and insurance. If you don't have the title, the Center for Car donation would provide you with a duplicate title form. After gathering all the documents to be transferred, make an online search for car donation companies that would facilitate your car donation. Make sure that the company is valid before submitting all the documents. This would prevent you from falling victim of scams.

When the car is picked up, the company would give you a tax form. This is important for you to avail of tax deduction. Make sure to file a notice of release of liability to a local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV). Ask the people who picked up your car on how to fill out the form. Lastly, inform your insurance company that you donated your car to charity. Do this on the day you release your car. This is important for them so they can discontinue the insurance coverage.

Yellow Goodness from 2006

Until I can carve out the time to finish a bunch of chops I've started, I thought I'd post another couple of "oldies and oddies." Above, my Lamborghini LMPV-002 high-performance minivan! I created this light-hearted effort in 2006 from a Murcielago. The name is a combination of the marque's classic LM002 V12 full off roader from the 1970s and the European MPV—Multi-People Mover.

Way before there was an Estoque four-door concept, I created this QV350 Sedan. Ever since I saw a photo of the Iso Fidia sedan in the late 1960s, I've loved the idea of an Italian supercar sedan. This was before the current "four-door coupe" fad began, also.

1987 Renault GTA

 The Renault GTA was a one-year sporty version of the AMC/Renault Alliance. Available as a coupe or convertible, the GTA was available in only a few colors, and was truly limited, with only 5,515 coupes made. From a performance standpoint, the 95 HP and 10 second 0-60 time are laughable today, but put the GTA at the same level as respected rivals like the GTI and CRX. Also included with the GTA package was lots of sweet styling cues, like the large alloys, bodykit, and interior modifications. This forgotten 80s pocket-rocket (much like the Chevy Sprint Turbo) is a little mossy, but still looks sharp with its body kit and bright red paint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1976 Chrysler Cordoba

The Chrysler Cordoba was a personal luxury coupe, Chrysler's first, and was introduced in 1975. The circular lights were distinctive and unique, though they were changed to Monte Carlo-style rectangular ones later in its life. Sales were big, partly due to the fact that people liked getting the expensive Chrysler name on a cheaper car. The Dodge Charger cousin didn't sell nearly as well, but then again, it didn't have Corinthian Leather! This first generation looks fantastic in grey and maroon, and manages to look muscly with the aftermarket rims and dual exhaust.