Wednesday, April 17, 2013

First 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible Sells For One Million

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Everyone has been waiting for the first C7 Stingray Convertible to roll off the lines, and now that it has, it has Corvette enthusiasts reeling. The first production convertible sold for a cool one million at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach.



Barrett-Jackson is known for it's world-class auctions, and people buying there expect to pay top dollar for the cars offered. Guy Algar comments, "The final bid on the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible shows that the American sportscar market is poised to deliver." Power and good looks finally come together once again to tempt even the most cautious of enthusiasts to make the leap.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Lamest Carjacking Ever - What Do You Think?

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Guy Algar and I had a laugh over this one. As if carjackers don't get enough attention for the sometimes lame-brain moves they make, one story making headlines today is being billed as the "lamest carjacking ever."


"Carjacker" Allegedly Stole
Boy's Remote Control Car
 35 year old Efrain Burgos-Delgado allegedly went up to a 16 year old Kissimmee, Florida boy on Saturday evening and held up the boy at gunpoint. After first taking a remote control car, the thief fled, then returned to take the boy's cell phone! 

Burgos-Delgado was apprehended by police, and allegedly told them that he had sold the car to buy drugs. The cell phone was still in his possession, giving police pretty good evidence.

The alleged "carjacker" was reported to have been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, petty theft and resisting without violence according to the Sun Sentinel.

So what do you think? Does this rein as the "lamest carjacking ever", or do you have a story you'd like to share? Please let us know!

REFERENCE:
huffingtonpost.com - Efrain Burgos-Delgado Allegedly Steals Toy Car At Gunpoint

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.
 

Friday, April 12, 2013

NASCAR May Get First Female Pitcrew Member

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

It has just been announced that a woman is attempting to become the first female pitcrew member in NASCAR racing. Joining Michael Waltrip Racing, Christmas Abbott is hoping to become a permanent over-the-wall member as an official tire changer.


Christmas Abbott
Will she become NASCAR's
first female tire changer?
Photo Credit: SportingNews.com
 Being a tire changer was not in Christmas Abbott's mind as a career goal. The petite 5'3", 115-pound Abbott claims that when a friend suggested it was something she might be good at, she wasn't enthusiastic. But she said that she got hooked when she saw how orchestrated and how fast the pit crews were.

“It’s not a gender issue for me,” Abbott said recently at Bristol Motor Speedway. “I decided to change tires because I liked what I did. I liked the excitement of it, the challenge and what it presented. That’s why I pursued this sport.”

Abbott is no stranger to hard work. Abbott herself was a CrossFit gym owner. She had also worked for a defense contractor in a war zone, living in a camp where the ratio of women to men was 6 out of 150. There, you were expected to do your share of the work load. She apparently is not intimidated by the level of competition from NASCAR pitcrew members who have worked hard to get where they are. She states, "I just hope I can perform to where I want to perform."




While she's not the first female to be involved in NASCAR, this is a first for the pits. Back in the hey-day of drag racing, Shirley Muldowney made a name for herself after man-handling her way into the sport as a driver. Yes, women were in the pits, but they were there busily preparing food for the team! She is probably the best known female drag racer, having set many NHRA records and even winning praise and recognition from "Big Daddy" Don Gartlit, "King of the Dragsters". She won three NHRA Winston Top Fuel championships and 18 NHRA national events during her career, and is widely accepted as number five of the Top 50 racers in NHRA history.

Today, we have Danica Patrick who made the leap from open-wheel racing to NASCAR. While there is some controversy on whether her weight advantage gives her an unfair edge, she has been able to produce satisfactory results for her team.

I'm not one to say women need to have a presence in male-dominated sport just for the sake of equality, but if they can prove that they have what it takes to be there, good luck to them! As Guy Algar stated, "No affirmative action, no special treatment. Just base decisions on pure skill and a great work ethic. That's what will win respect and recognition from both men and women."

We'll be following Christmas Abbott to see how she fairs in this mainly male-dominated sport.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Texas Airport Fire Destroys Two Classic Cars

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Sad news for classic car enthusiasts today as a Texas fire has claimed two antique cars. Probably one of the things we fear most, as fire damage is difficult to repair. When it's as bad as the fire that occurred yesterday at the Clark Airfield in Justin, Texas, it's devastating.

Fire Damage at Airfield in Justin, TX
Monday, April 8, 2013
Photo Credit: NBCDFW.com
 Owners of the airfield hangar reported the fire around 4 AM after the family cat woke them up. Although the couple called 9-1-1, the entire hangar was destroyed, and with it, a Model T and a Model A which were stored inside it along with other items. The owners reported that one of the antique cars had recently won a competition, but that all photos of the car were stored on a computer which was also destroyed in the fire.

Firefighters in this Texas community located just south of Denton, Texas were able to control the fire before it caught a nearby propane and gas tank on fire, but were unable to save the hangar, which suffered extensive damage. Investigators have not released a cause of the fire, nor estimates on damage values.

VIDEO:
NBCDFW.com Coverage Of Fire



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Friday, April 5, 2013

It's Official - Z28 Camaro IS Making A Comeback!

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

I've reported on the rumors in the past, but it's now been made official! Yes, the legendary Z28 IS making it's comeback, and I have no doubt it's going to be extremely popular.

Photo Credit: Reuters
Camaro is already reveling in the success of the new line of Camaro muscle cars introduced several years ago. It captured the muscle car market with the great looks and performance that motorheads around the country have come to expect.

In many ways, the current line of Camaros have lived up to all of the expectations associated with the name "Camaro", while in the background, the real enthusiasts have been crying out (loudly) for the return of the Z28.

The new Camaro Z28 is designed for the racetrack and is build for speed, handling and great looks. It has been reported that it will be faster and almost 1000 pounds lighter than a standard Camaro. The power-house V8 engine is the same used by the Corvette. More on the specs later.

The 2014 Camaro Z28 was unveiled and on display at the New York International Auto Show held on March 27, 2013 in New York. And the world of muscle car enthusiasts is a buzz! We'll report on all the details of this iconic car. Until then, you can bet that a whole new generation of teenage boys will be dreaming about this car and the legend of the Z28.

REFERENCE:
Classic Car News - GM to Re-Introduce the Legendary Z28 Camaro?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.