Rubber Hits the Road Blog

A resource to pursue your passion

Main navigation

Blog Feed

How Would YOU Build It? – 1970 Monte Carlo

by Leave a Comment

This is a new idea that may turn into a regular feature on the blog, depending on how much people like it. The idea is to find a classic car in rough condition for sale and then do a Virtual Build. I may share it on Facebook but hopefully some of you will share your thoughts in our comments section here and not just on Facebook.

1970 Chevy Monte Carlo

The starting point – a yellow 1970 Monte Carlo

In this case I found a candidate right on our own classified page. This little gem can be yours for $5,500. Here’s the link (note: at some point the ad will expire and the link might not work): 1970 Monte Carlo for sale on Rubber Hits The Road

I’ve already come up with two ways to build this.

  1. As a luxury build with a Cadillac or old luxury car vibe from the 40’s and ’50s.
  2. As an all business bad-ass machine.

In both cases, contrary to my usual instincts, I would go with an automatic transmission. It fits with the luxury theme and also with the all business – ease of use concept too….

Read More »

Attention Car Clubs near Yorktown Heights, NY seeking new venues!

by Leave a Comment

The scene at Kirby’s Grill & Bar in Yorktown Heights, NY on Sunday mornings

Attention Car Clubs near Yorktown Heights, NY seeking new venues!
Kirby’s Grill & Bar is seeking to host more car cruises.

Classics, Exotics, Customs… Whatever you’re into. They’ve got the space and great food. Here is some video from a recent Sunday morning at Kirby’s where they host the Driving Force Car Club.

Call Rom at 914-548-4017 or email him at kirbysgrillandbar@yahoo.com to find out more.

http://www.kirbysgrillandbar.com/

Gear Head Video Review: Finnegan’s Garage on Youtube

by Leave a Comment

 

Mike Finnegan on his other show, Finnegan's Garage - on Youtube

Mike Finnegan on his other show, Finnegan’s Garage

Yes, it’s Mike Finnegan from Roadkill. Don’t worry! Mike is still on Roadkill but he now has another show called Finnegan’s Garage on Youtube. He is the same funny guy as on Roadkill but on this show he puts on his instructor hat and teaches us a lot of useful things.

Mike touches on all kinds of things including some of our favorite cars from Roadkill – BlaspHemi, the Ramp Truck, and his wife’s El Camino. There are also some cool new cars such as his recently re-acquired custom C-10 pick up and a green AMC Hornet that I just love. Mike also gets into some tool tech, which is useful.

Click here to check out his Youtube Channel. It will be time well spent.

Here’s an episode about setting driveline angles when doing drivetrain swaps.

Driveline Angles – Good To Know For Drivetrain Swaps!

by Leave a Comment

Get your driveline angles right when swapping drivetrain components

Driveline Angle Diagram

Many of us have swapped drivetrains in cars – not just a straight forward engine or transmission swaps but actually installing different makes and models, which require relocated or redesigned mounting points. It’s lots of fun, however, these mods can change the angles and create vibrations that, at the very least impair the driving experience and at the worst, create component failure and safety issues.

Few of us know what angles to shoot for or how to measure those angles, which is why so many car enthusiasts just hope for the best and perform a lot of bad swaps. Here are some resources to help you do it right….

Read More »

Granny’s Grocery Getter – 1972 Buick Skylark Sleeper

by Leave a Comment

I decided to find a nice Buick feature that I could share with you. I found this 1972 A-body a ways back in the Popular Hot Rodding Magazine archives – circa 2008 (see the link at the bottom of my post).

Laying rubber in a 1972 Buick Skylark

The sleeper in action!

Gary Steele and the thirsty hood scoop of his 1972 Buick Skylark

Gary Steele and the thirsty hood scoop of his 1972 Buick Skylark

 

 

 

 

This Buick Skylark owned by Gary Steele of Nashville, TN hits me because of its plain Jane look, which is somewhat in contrast to Buick’s placement in the GM line up – a luxury brand positioned just under Cadillac.

…

Read More »

My 1965 Bel Air, Part 1 – Buyers Remorse?

by Leave a Comment

“What have I done?”

1965 Chevrolet Bel Air - rear side view

Low and large

This is was my thought as I was backing my newly acquired 1965 Bel Air off the trailer. It was the morning after I towed the car 170 miles home. That “pleased as punch” buzz that one gets when you buy a new toy – a feeling that I’m well familiar with, had worn off. I was beginning to wonder if I was now experiencing a “new toy hangover” – the kind you get when you bought something you had no business buying. I know that feeling too….

Read More »

The Bel Air Brawler

by Leave a Comment

1968 Chevy Bel Air - 427 - 4-speed

The Bel Air Brawler as featured on www.ChevyHardCore.com

I recently came across this sweet looking ’68 Chevy Bel Air on the website, www.ChevyHardCore.com.  As I mentioned in a recent blog post, I’m a function over form kind of guy. While this Bel Air is an example of both Form and Function, the Bel Air model is a basically down to earth, no-frills (or low-frills) model and this car is just that, a bare boned example of a car meant to go fast. With the exception of the 8 track player, most of the options are about acceleration only. If it doesn’t support that goal, it’s not needed….

Read More »

GM A-body And A 4 Door – The Best Of Both Worlds

by Leave a Comment

1960's Dodge Window van

A big eyed monster from the 1960’s that the whole family could enjoy!

In recent years, my automotive taste has begun to take the road less travelled. I’ve also developed an interest in straight six cylinder engines, AMC’s, Late 50’s / Early 60’s Chrysler sedans, 60’s vans (my kids think “Ew – don’t be a creepy van guy, Dad”, but they don’t get it) and 4 doors.

Much of these are vehicles that I wouldn’t have looked at 20 years ago. I also still retain some mainstream interests. I love the ’64 to ’72 GM A-bodies. In fact, I’ve owned 4 of them.

1965 chevelle 300 4 door 4 speed

Bad ass, all business, 4 door Chevelle with 4 speed bench seat.

…

Read More »