Has It Come to This?

Disturbing events over the past month have led me to believe that the behavior of my restoration cars is mimicking the darker side of human behavior. They have exhibited resentment, class struggle and sexual deviation. Let me explain as I am sure that most of my readers have not experienced this phenomenon, so they need … Read more

Unrequited Love

Merriam-Webster defines unrequited as “not reciprocated or returned in kind.” Unrequited love is what I am getting from the Bluebird. The Bluebird is the restomod 1962 Pontiac Catalina that I have been working on lo these many years. (No, it is not a Bonneville. That badge in the grill just came with the better replacement … Read more

The New Cars are Sprouting

I went to the Denver Auto Show to look at all the new, neat, origami-folded sheet metal that are called cars these days. With all the thin gauge, high strength steel in use, a dent can now be just a panel replacement as the body cannot be metal worked like in the old days. In … Read more

Bluebird Needs a Diaper

Rosies Diner in Colorado

Doug made a happy announcement to the Friday 11 o’clock meeting group. “On Monday, there is going to be a nice break in the winter weather, which has been both cold and snowy. The conditions will be perfect for a rod run to Monument and lunch at Rosie’s Diner.” Count me IN! The timing is … Read more

Is It Brilliant or Stupid? You Decide

Now that the “Bluebird” 1962 Pontiac Catalina restomod is essentially done, it is time to turn my attention to the 1954 Chrysler Windsor. Let me refresh your memory . . . I had a 1955 Chrysler C300, which I salvaged as it was too far gone for restoration. I was able to save the complete, … Read more

The Wacky, Wacky Car World I Live In

No, I am not talking about politics as that is beyond wacky. What I am talking about is the world of hot rods, restorations and restomods. Everything is perfectly rational … except for those things which are not. Here are a few case histories for you to experience this wacky world . . . The … Read more

Bombastic Writing – 1962 Pontiac Restomod

Blue Bird 1962 Pontiac

With the dog days of August soon to be upon us, I thought I would continue my series of self-improvement posts to advance my writing skills. With a long history of writing sober engineering and marketing reports, I feel that I am behind in developing any skill in the communications methodology required of politicians and … Read more

ORIGINAL, RESTORED, MODIFIED OR RESTOMOD – LET’S SORT IT OUT

The hobby of cars (referring to old, classic cars) is full of labels, most of which do not have a rigorous definition. I previously discussed different understandings of the term “classic,” which involves the meaning being based on the experience and point of view of the beholder. Earlier definitions get modified to suit the experience … Read more

The Last Five Percent in a Restomod

Here is the latest update on the 1962 Pontiac restomod. When making a car that has never been made before by taking an old design and adding new components, there are a significant number of unique design and fabrication tasks that have to be accomplished. If these tasks are conducted with attention to detail and … Read more