Uncle_Buck

Steve: That perch was always delicious! Same with a 'Salad Burger Delux' w/onion rings and orange sherbert in the little paper cup at Miner-Dunn. I went to HS with Judy Blaskovich, who ended up marrying one of the 'Lettermen' in the 60's. And what was the name of that Pontiac dealer in M-ville. I know my pals and I went to any and all dealerships back in the day that had anything to do with Muscle Cars. The dealers all guessed right that we worked at grocery stores and were short on cash - our trade-in would have to be the Honda 90's we rode on the lot with..., but the salesmen were still were pleasant to us as we talked to them about the shiny pavement rippers on the showroom floor we couldn't yet afford. I still have many of the manufactures brochures from those visits and finally own a fine example from the era, a '65 4-Spd., Tri-Power GTO.

Say Steve - they said you were a regular guy and now I can see why - you are or were a 'Region Rat' living and working in NW Indiana. What years did you live there? Here's some names/remberences for you: Miner-Dunn, Christenson Chevrolet, Johnson's Blue Top, Towne and Country Motors, US-30 Dragstrip, Nichels Engineering, Blaskovitch Chevrolet, I-65, Lake County Fair, Teibels Family Restaurant.... As you may detect, Uncle Buck was once a Region Rat too....

One more log on the fire - from all places, Kenosha, WI... In the June 'Hemmings Classic Car', writer Skip Wilkins reminds us that in 1957 the Rambler Rebel prowled the streets. With its Nash 327 V-8, solid-lifter engine, 3 speed w/overdrive and a 4.10 rear axle, Motor Trend had it at 7.5 seconds in 0-60. I quote writer Wilkins; 'Trust me folks. It may be a small footnote in performance-car history, but the little 1957 Rambler Rebel today ranks as the first modern-day muscle car. It had a big-cube engine, for the day, installed in a lightweight body with special suspension, special badging, and a single available color'.

Three cars come immediately to mind: The 1963-67 Corvette - all the way from the split window to the 427-435HP Tri-Power pavement ripper. The 1966 Mustang, nicely refined from the 65, but not any bigger. 271HP 'K' Code please. Sweet car and affordable. One obscure MOPAR - a 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury with a 426 Max Wedge.

One effort to bring the price of Hybrids down....

Mystery solved - many thanks! /Uncle Buck

There is enough doubt in my mind and local Pontiac buffs to raise this question as I contemplate changing my seeping/dented oil pan for a new one. Was the color from the factory of a 1965 GTO oil pan the light Pontiac blue that the engine was painted in or was it black? Thanks in advance for any help!

SpeedTV has slipped badly. Used to watch it - not anymore. I have no idea what motivates programming mogels. Clearly, they don't watch their 'efforts'. While the Brits may have lost the handle regarding auto production, their 'Top Gear' program on the BBC America Network is the nuts. Alot of fun, interesting and almost no heavy-metal guitar licks! Bravo!

So, what did you think (getting back on topic) of the announcers....?

Say, if you want to follow an auction that is more grounded with less fluff and more meat, tune into the Mecum Auction in Kansas City on HD Theatre. It is on right now!

The Brits used to build beautiful planes (Supermarine Spitfire, de Haviland Mosquito), motorcycles (BSA, Vincent), race cars (Lotus-Cosworth, Tyrell Ford-Cosworth) and automobiles (Healys, MG's) - there was no shortage of creativity and innovation. Sadly, it's all but a memory with few exceptions.

The occasional gaff or wrong call by the announcers on the large number of cars coming across the block is OK with me as their heart is in the right place plus they have to deal with all that is around them. Mike Joy and Steve M. are pleasing to listen to as well. For the rest - there is the gift of the FF button on the DVR remote!