Talladega infield bus, where the party never begins

Talladega weekend on top of this bus means work for these guys.

An tattered Blue Bird conversion bus caught my attention as I cruised through the infield area at Talladega Superspeedway. Rust and flaking paint are not uncommon on many of the recycled school buses that make the trek to Talladega for NASCAR races. This one was different because it lacked a colorful paint scheme to mimic the owners favorite driver. This Blue Bird has it's own colorful history. It hasn't moved from its location, near Turn 3 in years and was once owned by NASCAR president Mike Helton.

 

Looking for wrecks, checking for damage to wall

A trio of men were standing on its rooftop platform, sipping water and 7UP. All attentively watching the Nextel Cup practice. Not a beer in sight. These guys were working for Cheaha Construction, located in Munford, Alabama. I was invited to chat, up on the weathered platform. “On race weekend, it's our job to fix the speedway wall, should a car damage it in a collision,” said Ken Dymarski. Not long after he said that, Dale Earnhardt Jr. blew a tire and hit the wall in Turn 4. Armed with binoculars, the men assessed the damage to the wall. In some situations, these guys have to weld sections of steel back together. Two men in a red Dodge 4X4 pick-up truck, loaded with foam soft wall material were on standby. All clear. Earnhardt Jr.’s car didn’t damage the SAFER barrier or the retaining wall. No need for repairs this time.

NASCAR lineage

Home base for Cheaha Constructions track operations has been this old bus for the last twenty years. The owner of Cheaha Construction bought the bus from NASCAR president, Mike Helton, more than two decades ago. At one time the Blue Bird bus was a communications vehicle for NASCAR. I climbed down from the roof and took a peek at the interior. The retro vibe from the outside continues throughout the cabin area. Two Cheaha workmen were enjoying a break from the heat and watching TV. Vintage 1970s curtains block the light and colorful infield scenery.

Next time your at Talladega take look at this time capsule. Who knows how long this almost permanent fixture will remain?

Cheaha Construction workers take a break inside the Blue Bird bus.

Foam for the soft walls is ready if needed.

Windows up and A/C cranked, this Dodge waits for disaster.

 

The Cheaha Construction bus is a speck in the 212-acre Talladega infield.

The bus where the party never begins.

Got a cool old car, truck or bus? 
Send info and photos to junkyardlife here.

MORE STORIES and PHOTOS 

My test drive of a 1972 Formula Firebird here.

A Cadillac bought by Elvis sits on the side of the road. See it here.

Or find out if 1957 Chevy four-door are cool here.

1965 Pontiac GTO, a lifesaver

Randy Phillips' original 1965 Pontiac GTO was bought in Birmingham, AL 

at Doug Willey Pontiac by his dad in December of 1964.

A 1965 Pontiac GTO saved Randy Phillips' life. According to family legend, when Randy was a baby, he would crawl out onto the trunk of their 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible when the top was down. This made for some precarious moments when Randy rode in the Thunderbird. A safer, enclosed car, in the form of a hardtop 1965 GTO, was the answer. Randy's parents, ordered a new GTO in 1964 to replace the 1961 Thunderbird. Forty-four years later, the Phillips family still owns that GTO. Randy Phillips, now 46 years old, says, "I guess you could say that the GTO was a real life saver for me!"

 Randy Phillips at home behind the wheel of the GTO his father bought new in 1964.

NEED FOR SPEED
Lucky for Randy, his dad was cool. No station wagon for Bill Phillips. A black on black, tri-power, 4-speed, 1965 GTO was ordered at Doug Willey Pontiac in Birmingham, Alabama. The Phillipses took delivery of the Pontiac on Dec. 5, 1964. Safety was the intended benefit of buying the GTO. Randy's dad also had intentions of racing the family car should the opportunity arise. He was clued into Pontiac performance during the early years of the muscle car era. The 389-cubic inch engine produced 360 horsepower with the tri-power carburetors (three 2-barrel carbs) he ordered. The family's GTO was barebones, without options such as power steering, power brakes or air conditioning. Randy fondly remembers his dad racing on First Avenue North in Birmingham. He cheered him on from the back seat yelling 'go daddy, go!'.

A set of Mickey Thompson slicks were used on the car once in 1967. Randy still has those tires mounted on the original 14-inch steel wheels. His dad painted half of each 14-inch rim gold during his hot rodding days. Seeing the black and gold wheels spin was like watching a pinwheel of Poncho horsepower. Despite that rubber rebellion, the GTO's original Tiger Paw Redline spare tire remains in the trunk.

Phillips' GTO still wears its original factory black paint and hand-painted red pinstripe.

 

MINOR CHANGES
This one-family-owned Goat still retains its numbered matching parts and wears the original black lacquer paint. Friends insist a new paint job would further enhance the GTO's value and looks but Randy wants to keep the aged 1964 paint on the car. "A car is only original once," notes Randy. Each modification is a step away from factory originality. With only 85,385 original miles on the odometer, this black beauty has avoided major changes from its showroom condition. Randy replaced the dog dish hub caps and steel rims with American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels. This vintage GTO has not been restored by any means. Wear items, such as torn seams in the back seat have been restitched. I noticed the original interior and door panels looked factory fresh. Randy says, "They got a good cleaning after the GTO spent 14 years stored in a barn."

Phillips' 1965 GTO has just 85,394 original miles.

GOAT WILL STAY IN THE FAMILY
Today, the GTO is used in the same fashion his parents used it: To safely drive the family around town. Randy takes his daughters, Anna and Rebecca, to school, church and to grab dinner in the Pontiac. "My family uses the GTO to 'get groceries' in, just as my parents did, with me back in the '60s. My wife Brenda even enjoys it, but she is afraid to drive it," Randy says. One day the Pontiac Bill Phillips bought in 1964 will be driven by one of his granddaughters. Randy reassures me this Pontiac will stay in the family. "The thrill of driving this car is unmatched by newer cars. I want my kids to experience it too."

In 1965, 20,547 Pontiac GTOs were equiped with Tri-power. The original blue engine paint was covered by black paint. Hot rodders used this trick to help dissipate heat from the engine. The Pontiac blue paint is visible near the water pump.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
I went for a ride in Randy's GTO time machine. The smell of high octane fuel and the rumble of the 389-cubic-inch engine was sensory overload. A glance at the checkered flag on the speedometer and the chrome-handled Hurst shifter are not-so-subtle clues to the car's performance potential. Just rock-solid evidence that Pontiac dared GTO drivers to test their car's limits. At every turn people gawked at the car. If this were 1965, stoplight showdowns would have be inevitable. The 389-V8 with its 3.55 rearend gear ratio will get you to the speed limit in a hurry. As it were, Randy displayed restraint, not stretching the legs of the Pontiac too hard. The Tri-power carbs were well-mannered at idle and tooling through town. My experience riding in Randy's GTO solidifies its place atop my dream car wish list.

 Bill Phillips took delivery of this 1965 GTO at Birmingham's Doug Willey Pontiac in 1964. He gave his prized Pontiac to his son Randy two years ago.

THANKS DAD
Two years ago Randy's dad handed him the Pontiac's keys due to health issues. His dad now lives in North Carolina after a career working as an executive for Sears that began as a manager of the downtown Birmingham Sears automotive department. 'Sentimentally, the car has been and is one of the best and coolest gifts and set of memories anyone could ever receive," said Randy. "I will always treasure my dad and 'his' car." 

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Randy say, 'my dad's GTO is one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received.' 

 

A hand-painted red pin stripe accents the Phillips' 1965 GTO.

 

The interior of Phillips' 1965 GTO is original except for carpet and headliner.

A reproduction of the window sticker by Pontiac Historical Services show the GTO sold for $3,485.

Randy Phillips holds the Protect-O-Plate that came with his father's GTO in 1964. 

The original Tiger Paw Red Line spare tire, Red Line side down, rests in the GTO's trunk. 

A look under the Phillips' 1965 GTO.

 Production number breakdown for 1965 GTOs.   

Click below for more cool cars

1955 Chevy Nomad Bel Air

1970 Road Runner in ruin

Desert junkyards

Do you have an automotive story or photos you would like to share with junkyardlife? Send it here.

Price guide: 1955 Bel Air hardtop project

You want to buy a restored 1955 Chevy? $30,000 to well over $100,000 are not uncommon asking prices for well-heeled Tri-Five Chevys. Ouch! How about a project ’55 Bel Air? Solid, needs everything, shells go for $10,000 and up. Are you kidding? Sticker shock on these babies has sent many gearheads muttering unpleasantries as they walk away from a “project for sale” at the local swap meet. But, can you blame the sellers? These cars have earned the high dollar respect, rust included.

Legendary performer
You can’t expect a seller to let go of a ’55 Chevy without making some profit. These are icons of GMs history that forged their reputation at the drag strip and on the silver screen. For the 1955 model year, Chevrolet introduced the small-block V8 engine. The light weight, compact, small-block engine became a signature of Chevrolet for more than 50 years. 1955 models will forever be bonded to the beginning of small-block history. But small was not always better with regards to shoebox Chevys. During the musclecar heyday, bigger cubic inch engines were the norm. Guys in their old ’55s were gunning for the ‘new’ musclecars of the 1960s. Big-block engine transplants were mandatory, as was cutting a hole in the floor and converting 1955 Chevys to floor shift. The macho, hot rodded ’55s were light, quick and you had room to haul your buddies and your best gal. Don’t forget there’s room for a set of slicks and jack in the trunk, too.

What, no tail lights? Where’s the lock on the trunk?

Hood missing but parts of V8 engine included in $8500 price. 

’55s on film
Art imitates life and before long, fast ’55s played their role in several historic movies. A 1955 Chevy should have won an Oscar for starring in two of the most famous car movies ever made, “American Graffiti” and “Two-Lane Blacktop”.  Both featured 1955 Chevrolets hell-bent for speed. The die was cast. 1955 Chevrolets were bad to the bone. Even luke-warm car enthusiasts would jump at a chance to own a shiny black or grey primer ’55 Chevy 2-door post, movie car replica.

What drives you?
Reality is, most folks can’t buy what they want. An average car guy buys a project car because its cheaper than a restored or original, classic vehicle. Fitting a cheaper project car into the family budget also makes divorce less of an option than a $60k Nomad would. Well, get ready for a reality check. Old, desirable project cars, especially 1950s models are getting pricey. Get out the big checkbook, this rusty ’55 Bel Air project in the photos has an $8,500 price tag. A steep entry fee, but at least it gets you in the club. Even that has a downside, the waiting. You fool yourself into believing that you don’t want to hop into a restored ’55 right away. The opportunity to work on the project and make it your own vision is what you want most. It could be months or years before you drive the car. You could lose interest, run out of cash or die before its finished. Ugh!

Vision for the future
So what is a car guy to do? Wait for a miracle or myth to come true? You could find that little old lady who doesn’t know what her “old 1955” car is worth. Sure, that’s gonna happen. Or someday, you could meet a divorcee willing to part with her husband’s hot rod for “$100 of revenge.” Never happened, never will. My advice, if you want one, buy one. They won’t be getting cheaper anytime soon. 

Holes are where you can’t see the rust.

This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air has cornered the market on legit patina.

Some good ’ol boys from Georgia trailered this rusty 1955 Chevy Bel Air hardtop to a big auction, swap meet at Talladega Superspeedway recently. Price $8500. Read more about that event here.

Send you photos and stories to junkyardlife here.

More 1955 Chevrolet stories, click below:
Old ’55 - Cars in Yards
One-owner 1955 Chevy 

Junkyard crawl: Reader sends us latest finds

1959 Pontiac Bonneville

Junkyard crawling in the rain. Is there a better way to spend a wet day in Alabama? Tommy Simmons, a long-time gear head and mutual Car Craft fan, sent us photos from a recent trip to his regular junkyard stomping grounds. The yard is a few minutes west of Birmingham and has several vehicles from the 1940s through 1960s. Those years are considered the Golden Age of automobile manufacturing to some. So, it’s no surprise that parts for cars and trucks from these years are highly sought after by restorers and collectors. Also, your run of the mill car nut – junkyardlifer – also likes to scavenge these cars for parts. Original non-pitted trim pieces, solid sheet metal and super rare options are prime for picking and add value to classic project cars and daily-drivers. 

Here is the scoop

Judging by the looks of the place, the owner held on to some heavy iron – also known as – scrap-worthy cars for a long time. Give this junkyard owner credit, four-door Galaxies and Bonnevilles hit the crusher long ago at most salvage yards. The collection of cars is diverse and has several classic vehicles. Try finding a 1951-ish Willys 3-door wagon in mostly complete form. It’s ridiculously rare to find a Willys of any kind at a junkyard. Another one of my favorites is the 1958 Oldsmobile 2 door hardtop. The chromed-out Olds was one of GM’s masterpieces of excess. Design chief, Harley Earl was responsible for many GM dreamcars and the flashy ’58 Oldsmobile. Now Earl’s work is on show at my local junkyard. Ain’t life grand?

If you run across a stash of old cars and you want to share your find, send info to junkyardlife here. Thanks, in advance!

1951 Willys wagon - 3 door

1946 Ford truck consumed by the junkyard

This Tri-Five shell looks like a Nassau Blue 1956 Chevrolet 

1958 Oldsmobile, lots of parts remain on this 1-year only body style

1959 Ford Galaxie, rain washed and ready to pick

1961 Impala more-door with parts to spare

1967 Chevrolet El Camino, with a Cragar mag!

This big Buick front end is back out on the streets, we hope.

Want to share your find, send info and stories to junkyardlife here. Thanks!

MORE STORIES and PHOTOS 

My test drive of a 1972 Formula Firebird here.

A Cadillac bought by Elvis sits on the side of the road. See it here.

Or find out if 1957 Chevy four-door are cool here.

 

Auction deal: Rare 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass SX musclecar $600

This rare 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SX sold for chump change at a recent classic car auction (auction story here). I know about the recession and massive job losses. But the $600, no reserve bid was a steal for a car packing its original 455 cubic inch W-32 power plant. For 1970 models the W-32 Oldsmobile engine provided 365-horsepower and 500-lbs.ft of torque. The pitiful, inoperable condition of the Olds was partly to blame for the lack of attention it received. One lucky, low dough bidder was rewarded for the overall Olds SX ignorance. The new owner towed away one of Oldsmobile’s rarest, most powerful musclecars. I was green with envy.

Recently I discovered how rare Olds SXs were when I saw one in my neighborhood. I thought it was JUST a Cutlass Supreme. The owner quickly let me know that his ’71 Olds SX was more rare than a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge. He just happens to own a ’70 Judge and a ’71 SX, so he should know. He also revealed why the stealthy Olds SX was developed – as a way to avoid high insurance premiums. Giving customers a Superman engine in Clark Kent’s clothing. I was hooked. My SX sensors were tuned-in and immediately I knew I missed a deal when I saw the bruised, sagging, SX hulk moments after it sold.

Why the disrespect?
Generally, Buicks and Oldsmobiles get zero respect when you combine a need for complete restoration and this minty shade of green. Few know about the Cutlass Supreme SX legend and SX owner Bob Peters is trying to change that. His website SX455.com is collecting a database of SX owners. Peters estimates that 1,025 SXs were built in 1970 with the W-32 engine. Prices on these low production SXs promise to climb. As word spreads and people realize what they passed up at this auction the SX bug may bite. You’ve been warned.

Olds SX numbers
The W-32 (365-horsepower) was the king of the 455 Olds engines in 1970 although L-31 (365-horsepower) and L-33 engines (320-horsepower) were available. According to this Olds 455 site, a total of 6,404 SX coupes, 793 convertibles were built in 1970. 1,820 SX coupes, 357 convertibles were built in 1971. Odds are you won’t find another $600 Cutlass SX this week but good luck trying anyway.

A closer look at this SX’s options
Strato-Bucket seats
Custom Sport steering wheel
Factory a/c
Deluxe interior including wood-grain door panels
D55 woodgrain-ball console shifter
TH400 ‘OG’ code automatic transmission

 This 1970 Cutlass SX had bucket seats, wood-grain door panels, factory a/c

 Yep, that’s the original carburetor!

W-32 455-cubic inch Oldsmobile Cutlass SX engine

 No vinyl top, always a bonus point

 Only missing one center cap

Cut-outs in the bumper for dual exhaust, 4-4-2s and SXs had them  

 Fact: The S in SX should be placed below the second S in Cutlass

Miscellaneous car parts and a life jacket packed in trunk of auction SX

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