Stu Hilborn Pioneer of Fuel Injection Dies at 96

It's hard to hear the news that such an icon in the world of classic cars has passed away. Stu Hilborn has done more for performance and power than most others in our industry.

Stu Hilborn (credit: Hilborn Fuel Injection)

When many people think of "fuel injection", they think of modern fuel injected engines. When a classic car or muscle car buff thinks of fuel injection, they're probably thinking Hilborn Fuel Injectors! There's nothing else like them! And the father of fuel injection was Stu Hilborn. That legend died Monday morning at the age of 96.

I've come to know the virtues of Hilborn Fuel Injection through my work at Motorheads Performance. Guy Algar, my business partner and Shop Manager, is a huge fan of the constant flow mechanical fuel injector that was created and built by Stuart Hilborn.

Many of the younger hot rodders know nothing of how their performance cars got their start. It seems as if "Hot Rod Heaven" is getting mighty full lately. Hilborn is an icon whose legacy will live forever. I doubt if there was a name more singularly associated with high performance than Hilborn. Hilborn Fuel Injection was absolutely everywhere in the 1970's from the race track right down to the hot rodders on the street. It was usually the first words admiringly whispered when a hot rod or racer appeared with his injection system. And, it was certainly at the top of the "wanted" list that every hot rodder or racer dreamed of. It was simply the pinnacle of performance.

Hilborn was born in October 1917 in Calgary, Alberta, the son of a migrant worker. He moved to Southern California as a child. His introduction to hot rodding came in 1938, when he joined some friends on a trip to the Southern California dry lakes to watch the speed trials there. He is reported to have said, “There were fellows up there with no tools or mechanical schooling who were making twice the horsepower that Detroit was putting out.”

After decided to build a flathead V-8-powered Model A, Hilborn discovered he knew little about how to actually build the car he wanted. A neighbor and good friend Eddie Miller, who was a former Indianapolis 500 driver, was a mentor to Hilborn and gave him a lot of practical "hands-on" knowledge. Driven to finish his V-8 project and wanting to learn more, Hilborn enrolled in college, studying the equivalent of modern mechanical engineering courses of math, chemistry, and physics.

Hilborn knew he needed an alternative to the carburetors the hot rodders were using back in the 1940's. He had identified the carburetors as a major choking point in the delivery of fuel to the engine. Hilborn applied his knowledge of physics and specifically of fluid dynamics to calculate the necessary pump size to get precise amounts of fuel to each cylinder. Taking a surplus aircraft fuel pump and using a homemade system of nozzles, he built and tuned his first fuel-injection setup. Hilborn proved it's effectiveness in 1948 by becoming the first hot rodder to break 150 MPH at the dry lakes.

Hilborn’s extraordinarily successful business, Hilborn Fuel Injection, was created and remains the leader in the field of fuel injection today. As a new wave of technology emerged with electronic fuel injection, Hilborn Fuel Injection expanded into EFI offering quality manifolds and complete systems with the same performance that had made Hilborn constant flow mechanical injectors so famous. While old-school hot rodders still prefer the still competitive Hilborn mechanical injectors, the new breed of EFI injectors have become the choice of the new-school hot rodders.

Stuart Hilborn's death was announced on Hilborn Fuel Injection’s Facebook page. He is survived by Ginny, his wife of 60 years, his daughter, Edris, his son, Duane, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. As of this writing, no funeral or memorial plans have been announced.

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.hilborninjection.com/

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.

Quick Thinking Lands Carjacker In Police Custody

No sooner do we do another article on car theft and carjackings when another story is in the news. Just breaking this morning as an article out of North Hollywood, California. A carjacker forced a man into his own car, allegedly by gunpoint, and had him drive, turning the initial carjacking into a kidnapping in the process.

However, the quick-thinking victim managed to drive to a local police station and alert the police, who were able to apprehend the suspect and arrest him for kidnapping and carjacking. (For the whole story, and the video, see more below.)

Just last week, Guy Algar wrote an article on this blog entitled, "They Shoot Car Thieves Don't They?". It was a piece designed to get people to think of solutions to this increasing problem. A television program over the weekend documented the issue of cars and even 18 wheelers being stolen, driven over the Mexican border and delivered to car theft rings who then sell the stolen vehicles.

Fancy imports reportedly are in big demand from mid-East countries. These stolen vehicles are smuggled out of Mexico via containers, slipped on large cargo ships and delivered to pre-arranged buyers.  The 18-wheelers are quickly becoming a favorite purchase by drug cartels who use the large transport trucks to deliver drugs and contraband back across the U.S. border.

Clearly, we have a big problem on our hands. Classic car and muscle car owners are worried. It's becoming more and more difficult to enjoy classic car ownership without driving yourself crazy with anxiety. Where to park when you do go out, how to avoid a carjacking, and even how to protect your classic car while it's parked at home are now a daily concern to many owners. These are no longer just a minor worry.



RESOURCES:
northhollywoodpatch.com - At Gunpoint, Man Drives Alleged Carjacker to NoHo Police Station
Classic Car News - They Shoot Car Thieves Don't They?

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.

Inspiring Our Youth Through Classic Cars and Trucks

I'm always excited when I hear of youth becoming involved with classic cars and trucks. Whether their inspiration comes out of their love for muscle cars, classic cars, old trucks, hot rods or race cars, so much can be learned in the process of learning about these vehicles.



Photo credit: uccsalem.org

In the desire to learn more, boys and girls read and research. Opportunities to join groups that share similar interests can instill confidence and feelings of self-worth and satisfaction. If these youth go on to start projects one day, they learn perseverance, patience and accomplishment that are hard to achieve in other endeavors.

So, there's no wonder that Guy Algar and I were very pleased to receive the following in an e-mail to our classic car shop:

"I came across your page (http://www.motorheadsperformance.com/HotRodLinks.html) while collecting resources for a machine history guide my youth group is putting together. A couple of our young members took special interest in classic cars and trucks, and found your reference page very helpful. I just wanted to send a quick thanks for the info!

"They suggested I pass along another great article we found on vintage and antique trucks. (Link Below).

"I thought this was a very thoughtful suggestion and I think the boys would be thrilled to see their recommendation added to your page. Please let me know what you think, thanks very much! :)

I'd like to thank this youth group for their generous contribution. Guy and I are so pleased that their group has taken an interest in classic cars and trucks, and wish them the very best in pursuing these interests. I'm in the process of added the link to our site so that other visitors can benefit from their generous suggested reading. I hope you enjoy!

RESOURCE:
thetruckersreport.com - Trucking Timeline - Vintage and Antique Truck Guide

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.

Recent Classic Car Auction Yields Disappointing Results - Is it a sign of trouble?

I've always been a fan of the classic Corvette Stingray. There's just something about the lines of the car that are so artistic. So, when I heard of an upcoming auction that was featuring a well-known 1963 Corvette, I was ready to follow it. Of course, it didn't hurt that there were also a collection of world-famous funny cars that were part of the same auction.

Harley Earl's Personal
1963 Corvette Stingray Convertible

 Last month Velocity TV covered Mecum's Windy City auction. One of the main draws was to see one of the crown jewels of Corvettes come across the auction block. Mecum offered up almost a thousand cars. Only 64% of the cars were sold.  Some blame the weather as having an effect on both the crowd and the bidding, which was very low.

High sale of the auction was Harley Earl's, known as the father of the Corvette, personal, one-of-a-kind, 1963 Corvette Stingray convertible which experts say should clearly have sold for more than the $1.5 million. Another sign that the bidding just was not as aggressive as in years past. This has some worried over why one of the most sought-after Corvettes in history (noted as one of the five "Crown Jewels") did so poorly in comparison to other recent auctions, such as the 1967 L88 Corvette which sold for $3.2 million at  Mecum’s Dallas auction. 

1967 Corvette sold for $3.2M

Another surprise of the auction was when the “Hemi Under Glass” Mopar funny cars, famous for their “wheelies”,  failed to meet the reserve. In fact,  the seller's expectations were so shattered that the four car collection will be broken up and sold individually in Kissimmee, Florida, in January. Guy Algar remarked, "It was a big surprise when a set of true collector cars with such an incredible, documented history did not meet reserve. And this with an auction company that usually sets all sorts of records." Does this mark a slow-down in the industry? 

While some insiders show signs of worry, others simply pass this off as one of those things that can happen at an auction when the attendees just don't get hyped up and excited. Some note the fact that most of the bidding occurred from phone-in bidders, and the lack of enthusiasm from the crowd, probably had a lot to do with the surprisingly poor results. There are many more auctions to come, and it'll be interesting to see whether this was indeed a "fluke" or if this is a new and disturbing trend in classic car and muscle car collecting.

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.

They Shoot Car Thieves Don't They?

Guy L. Algar
Motorheads Performance
ASE Certified Technician

I love old Western movies. Growing up on John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and others who fed my appetite for adventure. As I entered my teens, my attention turned to another type of horsepower...cars. And not just any car, I preferred the oldies. My very first car was a 1955 Chevy Belair that I saved up for and purchased before I even got my drivers permit. I still have that car.

Oh, I still had interest in the old Western movies, and now that I turned my training and work experience as a mechanical engineer to running my own classic car repair and performance shop, I find that my two worlds collide with the question of how to get a handle on the ever-growing problem of car theft. When I hear stories of treasured classic cars being taken from owners who have poured blood, sweat, tears and loads of money into their rides...only to have them ruthlessly parted out, I get upset.


Old West Hanging
Photo Credit: Legendsofamerica.com

That's when I return to my Western movie roots. Back in the early years of America, the horse WAS the equivalent of the car. A horse was essential to one's survival. It was a family's means of transportation and of providing food and housing by plowing fields, herding cattle and sheep, carting timber, pulling wagons and transporting people across all sorts of terrain and in all types of weather that we, alone, could not have accomplished. And, more importantly, the value of horses was widely recognized. Without your horse it was commonly thought that you were as good as dead.

This is why horse thieves were shot or hanged. To steal one's horse you were taking away their livelihood. A common phrase heard in the Old West was, "There ain't nothing lower than a horse thief!"

My opinion is that today's automobile, whether it's a classic car, muscle car, old vintage truck, antique, sports car, hot rod, or a modern car, is essential to us. We depend on our cars for so much in our daily lives in most all areas outside of the big cities where alternatives exist that can replace the need for cars.

So how do we stop car thieves?

If stealing a horse was seen as a hanging offense in the Old West, why not send a message to modern day car thieves by making the punishment for car theft just as bold?

Thieves today know that the justice system is broken. They know that with a good lawyer, or perhaps even with a public defender, they stand a good chance of getting off with a slap on the wrist. And it's a slap in the face of those of us who pour our heart and souls into the restoration of pieces of American history. If there is no fear of just punishment, the crimes will go unchecked and more of us will become victims.

The preceding is only an Opinion Article. I raise it in an attempt to get people to begin looking at where we stand in our attempts to Keep Our Rides Safe. On a much bigger scale, where we are plunging head-first in  "political correctness" that threatens many of the building-blocks that made America a great country. Preserving the "rights" of the few should not override or hinder the rights of all others, and it should not override good common sense. I realize that we can't and shouldn't return to the days of hangings and public lynchings. We all have rights of due process. At the same time, we need answers to the epidemic of car theft. Automobiles are our modern day livelihood and few can afford to have them taken from us.

REFERENCES:
legendsofamerica.com - Lynchings and Hangings in America
mnhs.org - The Waseca County Horse Thief Detectives
netposse.com - Old West: Wyatt Earp - Was Wyatt A Horse Thief?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Guy 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. Guy 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 with his wife Andrea they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Chevy's 2014 COPO Camaro Looks Like A Winner

Chevrolet's upcoming 2014 COPO Camaro was unveiled at the SEMA show and we're sure that they're turning heads!

These are great looking cars! But, what makes the limited production factory COPO Camaro so unique is that each race car is hand built on the same body shells that professional racers purchase from Chevrolet Performance. The COPO-specific parts are built for each car and include NHRA-approved roll cage, solid rear axle system and chassis and suspension components that are rated for performance racing.

2014 Chevrolet COPO Camaro

The 2014 limited production COPO Camaro will offer two race engine choices, including a new naturally aspirated 427 engine as well as a supercharged (2.9L Whipple screw-type supercharger) version of the 350 engine. Naturally aspirated 350 and 396 engines are also available.

Customers will need to select the engine based on their intended NHRA racing class. Chevrolet is also offering an option where customers with big pockets can purchase all four engines, each serialized to match the car!

To purchase one of the exclusive COPO Camaro's, potential customers must sign up for the COPO Camaro mailing list at Chevrolet Performance's website (see link below).

Serial number 1 of the limited-production run is a one-of-a-kind, painted in a beautiful metallic ice blue, which will be auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson’s annual auction in Scottsdale, Arizona this January. Proceeds of the Barrett auction will benefit the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, an organization dedicated to helping wounded veterans.

Only 69 race cars will be built for NHRA Stock Eliminator and Super Stock competition, and they will all carry the new styling of the 2014 COPO Camaro.

And, there's now great news for those wanting to take advantage of the great power of the high-performance COPO Camaro engines. The same race engines used in the COPO Camaro production race cars are available as crate engines for racers building their own Camaro race cars. Each of the new crate engines is engineered for NHRA’s Stock Eliminator and Super Stock classes.

The COPO crate engines available for 2014 include:

• 427 7.0L naturally aspirated engine
• 5.3L supercharged 327 engine with Whipple twin-screw 2.9L supercharger 
• 5.3L supercharged 327 engine with 4.0L Whipple supercharger
• 396-cubic-inch naturally aspirated engine
• 350-cubic-inch naturally aspirated engine

Each high-performance engine is hand assembled at GM’s racing engine shop in Wixom, Michigan.

RESOURCES:
achillesinternational.org - Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans
barrett-jackson.com - Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ
chevroletperformance.com - Chevrolet Performance's COPO Camaro (use link to sign up)
nhra.com - National Hot Rod Association

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.

Today's Texas NASCAR Race Should Be Exciting

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Yes, today's AAA Texas 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway (3 PM EST on ESPN) should be exciting to watch, even if your not a regular NASCAR event watcher. Why? Because the race is tight and two racers, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth share identical point totals – 2,294.

Add caption

You can bet they'll both be racing hard to break the tie and become the points leader. There is much more at stake than you'd think, as a shared points lead with only three races remaining in the racing season has never occurred since NASCAR began it's points system in 1975!

I have to admit, I've become somewhat disenchanted with NASCAR racing over the past 9-10 years. Preferring to watch a quality drag race event, I will, however be lured to the television this afternoon to see some familiar names fight it out to see who'll end up on top.

Hope you enjoy the race!

REFERENCE / FOR MORE INFORMATION:
journalpatriot.com - NASCAR Heavyweight Slugfest Heads to Texas
nascar.com - NASCAR Website
mattkenseth.com - Matt Kenseth's Website
jimmiejohnson.com - Jimmie Johnson's Website

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.

Police Seeking Identity of "Motor Head" Thieves

I never like seeing the term "Motorheads" used in any negative way. Needless to say, I was distressed to see an internet post today from the Lincoln Nebraska Police Department's site Crimestoppers.

Suspect

The news being reported wasn't good. Apparently, a couple of young men were spotted parked behind a business and reported to the police.

The two men escaped and the police are asking for help locating one of them shown in the photo at left. They already know the identity of the driver because the two alleged thieves took off and left their pick-up behind at the scene of the crime.

They're accused of loaded up a couple of motors and chrome brackets from the unidentified business.

If you recognize the man in the photo, please follow the link below and help the Lincoln Police identify him.

REFERENCE / FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lincoln Crimestoppers - Motor Heads

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.

Electric Cars Just Haven't Hit Their Stride

by Andrea L. Algar

Motorheads Performance

Electric cars have been trying to make an in-road to becoming a viable form of transportation, and in fact, our current administration would like nothing more than to see gasoline powered engines become extinct. But simply believing that something is the "right" thing doesn't make it so, and what is becoming glaringly evident is that America is not quite ready to go all-electric just yet. Yes, more news of failing companies that had received money to develop the technology and little or no results to show for the outlay of research and development funds.

Hiriko 2 Seater Electric Car

The pros may seem obvious, but until one really looks at the true cost of electric cars, a fair comparison truly cannot be made. With price tags of $25,000 (but usually far more) for even the most basic models, most models comparable to gasoline powered cars are at least double the price. Lack of range is also a big concern, as many models that have been introduced are limited to 100 to 250 miles range, making long commutes or road trips inconvenient if not impossible to imagine. After all, an electric car that can't travel more than a hundred miles or so is not very practical for the average American who lives in the suburbs.

Without question, most experts agree that until better batteries are developed, the dream of every American driving an electric car will remain just that. While great strides have been made, we're still a long way off, and most think it will take at least another ten years or more for effective, cost-efficient batteries to be mass produced.

The bottom line is, at this time, drivers will pay a premium to be inconvenienced! And, I think, classic car drivers and enthusiasts are prepared to wait a long long time for the "joys" of electric car driving to be discovered! What do you think?

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.

More Classic Cars Stolen During Famous Monterey Week

More news that makes enjoying going to a good car show difficult as we get news of a stolen classic car. And, to make matters even worse, not just one car, but a total of four cars went missing during Monterey Week in California the weekend of August 17th.

Autoblog.com reported, "According to Hemmings, an extremely rare '61 Impala SS 409, a '61 Impala resto-mod and a one-owner, unrestored '57 Bel Air all went missing after failing to sell at various auctions. The article states that the Impala SS 409 – worth an estimated $220,000 – disappeared from the Russo and Steele auction, while the other two cars vanished from the Mecum auction. In addition to these thefts, Jalopnik is reporting that a customized 1962 Corvette was also stolen around the same time only instead of being stolen from an auction, this classic 'Vette was snatched up as the owner was enjoying dinner. Hemmings points out that the cars were most likely targeted to be stripped for parts, but check out both reports and keep an eye out for these beautiful rides."

We are disheartened by the continuing rash of thefts. It is terrible news to learn that a beautiful classic car met its end in a chop shop where it had been taken apart and sold off in pieces for a fraction of the money it took to have it restored.

Sideshow Trend Is Dangerous To Classic Car Drivers

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

A trend that made its way out of California poses significant danger to classic car enthusiasts and muscle car enthusiasts across the country.

Literally taking over a highway or freeway, "sideshows" happen when a group of drivers block normal traffic with their vehicles, and then start doing donuts in the middle of the road. These sideshows can create major crashes and accidents that can bring serious injury or death.

A recent California tragedy occurred when a tractor trailer hit the car two year old Corey Abrams was traveling in. The little boy's injuries included a broken neck. He had to undergo disc fusion surgery and had to wear a brace for three months. Police have not found the drivers responsible.

While some sideshows are held in vacant parking lots for a group of on-lookers, some reckless drivers have begun performing them in heavy traffic on major roads and highways. With little apparent regard for others safety, these risk-takers can put other drivers and their vehicles in harms way.
The video below shows how sideshows can stop traffic. What do you think about this dangerous trend?





REFERENCE:
Autos.aol.com - Two-Year-Old Suffers Broken Neck in 'Sideshow" Related Crash

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.

New House Bill To Rescue Pets Locked Inside Cars

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Most pet lovers would agree that leaving your pet inside a locked car, even with the windows slightly ajar, isn't a good idea, especially if you live in the South. Here in Texas, where Summer and even Springtime temperatures can soar into the triple digits, it's never a good thing.



Pets In Hot Cars

 Temperatures inside a parked car can soar near 200 degrees very quickly. Pets cannot adapt to those temperatures, even if they've got water and a cracked window. So what are people thinking? Or are they just not thinking?

A bill has recently been proposed in the House that would make it a crime to leave pets in a car, whether in hot or cold conditions.

The bill would give law enforcement officials the authority to take action to save them. This could include entry into your vehicle. And, it would slap a Class 2 misdemeanor or Class 1 misdemeanor charge on you depending on whether your negligence causes serious injury or death to the pet. Currently, emergency responders can do little to save a pet in distress because they do not have legal authority to break a window or take other actions to reach the pet if you are not in the car. Lawmakers hope the proposed bill would save animals which die in these conditions every year.

What do you think? Would you leave your pet inside your classic car, even for a few minutes while you run into the convenience store? Let us know your thoughts and please take a moment to read up on how to travel safely with your pets!

REFERENCE:
humanesociety.org - Traveling By Car With Pets
peta.com - Dogs In Hot Cars
weather.com - Your Car Is An Oven - Dogs In Cars
WRAL.com - House Bill Would Allow Rescue Of Pets In Hot Cars

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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?

CamaroZ28.com - Chevrolet COPO Camaro Goes from Concept to Production
Chevy High Performance - Camaro Z28 Concept

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.

Woman Scares Off Car Thieves With Her Finger - And Other Recovery Attempts

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Yes, news went viral last week about a woman cleverly recovered her own stolen car which had been missing for five days. It's always a good feeling when the "good guys" get the upper hand on the "bad guys", but was the risky maneuver something we should attempt?

"Kitty Hold-Up"
Photo Credit:
examiner.com

Seeing her own stolen car in a parking lot, the 50 year old woman from Washington (state) went up to the alleged thieves and demanded that they give her the keys. When they refused, she grabbed one of the men and as she did so, stuck her finger in the back of one, saying she would shoot if he didn't turn over the keys! 

While the bluff did work, and the suspects were apprehended by police, it is generally not a good idea to confront suspected thieves. This woman is lucky that her bluff worked for her.

A 2010 story out of the UK ended quite badly when a 42 year old woman who confronted her alleged thief was run over and killed. There are other tragic stories with similar bad endings if you take the time to look, but every now and then you hear stories where car owners fight back to protect their rides.

Meanwhile, right here in Texas, a car thief was stopped while attempting to steal an SUV from in front of a home in an affluent area of San Antonio. This time the gun was real and the consequences were deadly. In January 2013 the two alleged thieves were brought down by the vehicle owner, with one being injured, the other dying from the gunshot he received. No charges were brought against the vehicle owner since he was protecting his property while the crime was being committed.

The bottom line is you need to assess every situation individually. Guy Algar states, "While we don't recommend taking matters into your own hands, sometimes circumstances force us to do so. We always urge you to first contact the police by calling 9-1-1." As we've discussed in our classic car theft prevention series, "Keeping Your Ride Safe", it's always a wise idea to consider how you would react in  various situations, rehearse what you would do and prepare yourself for a variety of potential outcomes in order to ensure your own safety as well.

REFERENCE:
AOL News - Woman Bluffs Car Thieves Into Returning Her Car
KENS5 - Car Thief Killed, Another Wounded At Stone Oak Home
The Telegraph - Woman Killed After Confronting Car Thief

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.

Spring Break In Texas Means More Inexperienced And Distracted Drivers On The Road

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

It's spring break time here in Texas, and with it we see our youth heading out to popular vacation spots to celebrate breaks in their school year. That can mean more inexperienced drivers, distracted drivers, and typically even more inebriated drivers.  A bad mix for the roadways.

Mardi Gras Celebration in New Orleans
Photo Credit: statesman.com

Many spring breakers head out to parties on the coast, New Orleans, or even a drive to Mexican hot-spots. All this can lead to trouble with more drivers on the road and even more thieves willing to take advantage. We encourage homeowners who will be away to secure your home, secure your vehicles, and stay alert while driving.

If you've got kids who are planning a getaway, make sure you've discussed the rules of safety in numbers, risks of carrying cash, driving with a designated sober driver and/or plans to hire a ride home after a night of partying. Here are some tips:

• Plan your trip in advance
• Make reservations for your accommodations
• Be wary of overly friendly people
• Keep political opinion to yourself
• Don't look like a tourist
• Don't act like a tourist
• Speak the local language if you know it
• Stick to well-lit, populated areas

And, more specific to a day/night out partying:

• Travel in groups and stick together
• Don't go out with cash
• Don't carry purses/wallets
• Have one person pay for the night's activities on a credit card (divide it up later)
• Watch your drinking - have a few drinks but don't overdo it
• Have someone in your group stay sober or limit their drinking
• Have a designated "mother" who will keep everyone safe
• Don't drink and drive

Guy Algar explains, "We've all grown up having our fair share of parties and fun. What's different for today's youth are all the distractions that surround you while you drive. We didn't have cell phones, smart phones and iPads and vehicles that are equipped with technology that allows you to text and post to Facebook or Twitter while you drive. Couple that with driving when you've been out drinking and it's a formula for disaster." Our children have grown up with these technologies and don't see how distracting they can be.

We wish everyone a safe and happy spring break.

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.

Could VIN Cloning Affect The Classic Car Market?

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

The disturbing new trend of criminals cloning VIN numbers is growing, and it is producing a frustrating number of problems for legitimate car owners nationwide. Could you become victim of an "illegal twin" to your ride?
 

VIN Cloning's Threat To Classic Cars
Photo Credit: newson6.com


If you're not aware of the new method of VIN cloning, you won't be for long. It's on the rise, and is currently used to copy VIN numbers off of legitimate cars that are left in parking lots or other easily accessible public places. The numbers are then used to register stolen vehicles. These newly cloned vehicles can then be used recklessly by the criminals, leaving you holding the bag for speeding tickets or accidents, used to commit a crime, or even to sell the "hot" car for pure profit.

You would be totally unaware that a crime has occurred until you begin receiving parking tickets, speeding tickets, a summons to appear in court, or even arrested for suspicion of involvement in a crime. The consequences can be costly, embarrassing and time-consuming. And, it's happening all over the country.

The FBI broke up a cloning ring in 2009 that had cloned 1,000 stolen cars worth approximately 25 million dollars.  Used car buyers can be duped into receiving stolen property if the VIN of their new purchase turns out to have been cloned. Even though you were unaware that it was a stolen car that had been tampered with, you may find yourself out of a vehicle that you still must make payments on!

In our monthly series, "Keeping Our Rides Safe", our focus is to try to prevent theft of our beloved classic cars, muscle cars and old vintage trucks. Guy Algar elaborates, "In researching this new trend of VIN cloning, we realize that there is little to prevent thieves from applying the same techniques to stolen classic cars. A visit to a car show could provide dozens or even hundreds of VIN numbers which would then be transferred to similar stolen cars, and the owner would be unaware that any type of crime has occurred." It's a frightening thought.

Guy Algar continues, "The rules of theft prevention are sometimes so simple we don't routinely follow them. We're easily lulled into a false sense of security when we're at a car show, a swap meet, or places that are known to be relatively safe. With VIN cloning, we need to be even more aware than ever before." 

Carefully consider these steps to keep your ride safe:

• Know Who Your Friends Are
• How & Where You Store/Park/Garage Your Car
• At-Home Theft Prevention
• On-the-road Theft Prevention
• Insurance Protection
• Do-it-Yourself Theft Deterrents
• Alarms
• Locks
• Car Theft Systems
• Cameras / Video
• Tracking & Recovery Systems

If you're in the market for purchasing a used classic, take the time to check the VIN plate for any signs of tampering such as scratches or alterations to any of the letters or numbers. Try to perform a check of the vehicle's history to make sure that the facts add up. And, be wary if the deals seems to be too good to be true. Thieves who have cloned VIN numbers often sell below market value in order to turn a quick profit.

If you suspect that a newly purchased classic car, muscle car, street rod, antique car or vintage truck may have been cloned because you've started receiving tickets, contact your local police department who can help determine if it is using another vehicle's VIN number. 

REFERENCES:
AOL Autos - Your Car Could Have An Illegal Twin If Thieves Clone The VIN
BBB - VIN Cloning Swindles Luxury Car Buyers
FBI - Steering Clear of Car Cloning

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Classic Car News - Preventing Classic Car Theft: The Big Picture

Classic Car News - Identifying The Potential Classic Car Thief - Know Who Your Friends Are

Classic Car News - How & Where To Park Your Classic Car or Muscle Car In Order To Minimize The Threat of Theft

Classic Car News - At Home Theft Prevention for Your Classic Car or Muscle Car

Classic Car News - On The Road Theft Protection - How to Keep Your Classic Car or Muscle Car Safe While Traveling

Classic Car News - Protect Your Classic Car or Muscle Car From Theft With Specialty Insurance

Classic Car News - Auto Theft Series - Alert to New Theft Method Being Used

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.