Craigslist FAIL: Know when to say when to alcohol, death when posting car ad

Craigslist ad offers you shot of whisky, mentions wife's suicide. Oh yeah, its a five-speed, want to shift gears? The photo alone says a lot about the nature of this Craigslist automotive ad. You know this can't end well for the seller or the buyer. Seriously? A line about a miscarriage and a suicide follows the photo of the 5-speed shifter wrapped in a Crown Royal bag. This should instantly give pause to anyone in the market for a used 1989 Nissan Maxima. The ad, which appeared on the hugely popular, classifieds website, Craigslist, is a reminder of the painful desperation that can be uncovered by scanning a few of the millions of CL ads from around the world. Consider this a lesson in car buying and selling. Don't try this at home.

Placing a Craigslist automotive ad is easy. Selling a car with a poorly written and photographed ad is nearly impossible.

New clutch, wife committed suicide, trade for guitar

The text that appeared with the photo and Craigslist advertisement for the 1989 Nissan Maxima is shown below. (Spelling and capitalization corrected slightly)

"Got an 89 kouki maxima, factory 5 speed, need something small, new clutch, fairly new tires (80% tread), clean title, no mechanical issues, will trade for anything japanese, rwd, manual transmission (really want a miata or a 240sx hatch). Will consider certain Hondas also. If its worth it, I have a Fender Strat Squier and amp to trade, if it is worth it... I just need something small because I had a baby on the way but it miscarried and my wife committed suicide shortly after and I don't need it anymore. will also trade for a small truck..."

Sad ad

  I'm sure the joy of shifting the Maxima's 5-speed manual transmission can never overcome the buzzkill created by this morbid Craigslist ad. 
  Don't worry if your having trouble selling a vehicle. There are millions of cars and trucks posted for sale on the internet everyday. Plenty of those vehicles remain unsold due to inept sellers. Junkyard Life has some surefire tips for you.

Bank on these Craigslist selling tips

1. Don't mention the death of anyone related to the ownership of vehicle you are selling.
2. Highlight the vehicle's positive attributes. (New tires, Excellent heater.)
3. Do not take unflattering photos of your vehicle. (Clean it, inside and out – remove bumper stickers, photos of your ex)
4. Don't focus on what you want. Think about what the buyer wants. Buyers want a vehicle that:

• Runs good – dependably.

• Gets good gas mileage.

• Looks good, no dents or mismatched paint.

• Smells better that a trash can.

• Has not been used in a crime spree.

• Is affordable (Note: this item may override all above wants)

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Have you seen a kooky Craigslist ad? Know of a quirky junkyard that we need to visit?  Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Low-buck Grand National with manual windows, door locks for the Turbo Buick Guys

Darth Vader and the roll-up windows. To add to Jody’s story on the original Turbo Buick – I have a question about Grand Nationals. This really should be entitled, “To Further Educate Junkyard Life on Buick Turbos.” Last weekend, during a Junkyard Life adventure, Anthony and I attended the Ardmore Car Show and swap meet. Hundreds of cars and gear heads united in beautiful Ardmore, a city at that straddles the Alabama-Tennessee state line. A Buick Grand National stole my attention because it was missing options taken for granted on almost every new car.
  I always hope to run across a turbo car from the Buick line, particularly the 1986 and 1987 intercooled models, at any show. I have a beautiful dream of someday owning a T-Type wearing grey or Rosewood paint. More on that later.
 
Question of the day
  There were three Grand Nationals in attendance at the Ardmore car show. That alone is note worthy! Outside of the GS Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where else can you expect to see a Buick Grand National? The three black beauties at the show were packed with options. You expect that. It was a Buick. The top of the line Buick, at that. All were super nice cars. Cruise control, tilt wheel, cloth seats, special badging, air conditioning, power seats, power door locks and power windows can always be found in a Grand National. Or so I thought. I found a Grand National with manual, roll-them-up-yourself, windows and powerless door locks. Did I?

I’ll take fries with that   Do you expect this beautiful GN to have power everything? I did. I loved the manual windows! Surprise!
  Before you call shenanigans on me, look at the picture below.

Manual windows and manual locks on a Buick Grand National! How many of these have you seen?

My car is fast, my windows are slow
  See? See? I wasn’t making this up. Also note the Turbo-6 hardware covers on the door pull.
  I have seen a couple of T-Types with manual windows. That makes a little more sense. That is even believable. I have never until now have seen a Grand National with manual windows and locks. It’s like Darth Vader opening his own doors. So my question is this: "Does anyone have any numbers of these?" 
  Buick Grand Nationals optioned with manual windows and locks must have super, low build numbers. Has anyone ever seen one? It couldn’t have helped the sticker price that much. Buick Grand National buyers were rarely concerned with price. They wanted it all. But it does add to the muscle car persona. Did I really see this one? It was very hot that day… 
  So send me your weird Buick Turbo option, or lack there-of, facts. We must know.

Happy Hunting!

Ron Kidd
— Junkyard Life

Know of wacky Buick GN build numbers or a junkyard that we need to visit?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

A total of 30,022 Buick Grand Nationals were built during the 1982-1987 production run.

Weird Things overheard by Ron while standing beside a Buick Grand National

• Adult male, in his mid-thirties, looked at the Grand National and asked a friend, "Grand National? Is that really what they were called?” I wanted to call security and have him put in jail.
• Adult male, mid-twenties looking at a GN was overheard “Yeah, Grand Nationals, they were supposed to be fast, but no one has ever seen one run.” I just didn’t know what to say. Poor guy. THAT guy needs an education and not just the stats on power windows.

Compare this power window switch and power lock on passenger door panel of this Buick Grand National. 

Tell us something about an old junkyard or rusty relic.  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

How to buy a cheap LS1 engine

Buy a wreck, get a deal on an LS1 engine. We say ‘thank you,’ to the ham-fisted, seat jockeys who love playing tag with guardrails and trees that get in their way. Those body panel beat-downs have killed many cars, and jacked up auto insurance premiums for everyone, but provided new life for thousands of classic muscle cars and hot rods. These engines make ideal swaps for the gas guzzling collectible parked in your garage. You want to drive your old car, right? The LS1 may be your answer.

LS1: More Bang for your Buck
  Putting a hot, late model, fuel injected V-8 engine into your old school hot rod has been done. Face it, 25 years ago, guys were dropping Tuned-Port Injection Chevy 350s into their neon-painted street machines. Those replanted TPI engines were courtesy of wrecked Camaros, Firebirds and Corvettes. TPI engines got better gas mileage and made enough torque to spin the tires. 
  "Whoo-hoo!" It's 1988 - what time does "MacGyver" come on?  
  Today, the go-to, best ‘bang-for-your-buck’ engine is the LS1, or Gen III small block, which was introduced by GM in the 1997 Corvette. LS1 engines produced more than 300 rwhp (rear wheel horsepower) from the factory. When new, these street fighters waged war and won against the best that the competition could offer. With a few internal mods these engines can produce 500 hp.  

This wrecked LS1 Trans Am sold for $2,000 at an auction earlier this year. That is a screaming deal on 300 rwhp.

Where to look for wrecked LS1s?
  Most LS1 cars have racked up the miles and many have reached the wrecking yard or auto auction after years of abuse or damage. I spotted the LS1-powered 1999 Pontiac Trans Am in these photos at a recent auto auction in Alabama. It sold for a measly $2,000. The Trans Am had a complete LS1 engine and a 6-speed manual transmission along with tons of other usable parts that could be sold to recoup some expenses. Complete engines sell for $3,000-and-up on ebay. Do the math. Horsepower doesn't come cheap but this is a heck of a deal.


What cars have an LS1?

  Now is the time to get out and score a deal on an LS1 for your next project car. Corvettes were equipped with the LS1 from 1997 until 2004. The Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird offered the LS1 V-8 engine option from 1998-2002. A word of advice: you will have better luck finding an F-body (Camaro or Firebird) that has tangled with an immovable object. Totaled Corvettes are hard to find. When you do find them, they still aren't cheap.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life


Do you have a Junkyard Life story?
Send me your info at junkyardbull@gmail.com

Used LS1 engines can be found on ebay and elsewhere on the Internet for more than $3,000. Some sell for more than $5,000 with a transmission and wiring harness.

Free Camaro Z28 finds me at gas station; Problems outweigh potential

Driving cool, old cars on a daily basis can bring you a free Camaro, new friends and long conversations at the gas pump. At least once a week someone will ask me about my 1979 Pontiac Trans Am or offer me details on a classic car they sold a long time ago. It goes with the territory when you drive a loud, 4-speed T/A every day. Any car 25+ years old, and built before Ronald Reagan exited the White House, looks out of place and draws an inordinate amount of attention in the current sea of modern, roundy, econo cars.

  I was minding my own business pumping gas, when a young guy, about 18-years-old, approaches me.
  "Cool car!" he says.
  I say thanks. Gear head talk ensues.
  The young man mentions that he has a project/parts car 1979 Camaro Z28 in his garage and I can have it for free. All I have to do is haul it off because his dad needs the space.
  "Let's go see it," I say in my not-so-subtle, I'm getting a free Camaro voice.

Really? A FREE Camaro, how bad could it be?
  I had my mind made up that I was getting the Camaro even before I saw it.
  How bad could it be? Is there a dead body in the trunk? Does it have animals living in it? Is it riddled with bullet holes? Do I even know this guy and should you follow strangers home who offer you free cars?
  My head was swimming with possibilities during the short drive to the Camaro guy's house. I ruled out dead body first. 
  I could tell the Camaro had been part of a Frankenstein hack job as soon as I stepped inside the small garage. The car had no trunk. Half of the quarter-panels were gone. The shell of the Z28 had been cut up in an attempt to build a couch seat for a man cave. The couch project was a big fail and the remaining parts of the rust-free F-body would make a Ford Mustang fan smile at the site of Chevy stupidity.
  The cutting torch carnage included pristine floor pans that were butchered for the sake of a rusty, non-Z28 Camaro. More parts were missing than remained. No engine or trans. No t-tops or interior and the Camaro had a busted windshield and no rear glass.
  How could I say no to free Camaro Z28?
The hood, fenders, front bumper/grill, dash and gauge package were all there. It was like free money, right? I kept telling myself that this free car was still a good deal.
  "When can I bring a trailer?"

Do not try to build a couch seat from your project car, unless you really know what your doing.

My wife doesn't like the "free" Camaro
  You could see the pained look on her face from the road as the trailer carrying wobbly sheet metal, formerly known as a Camaro, turned onto our street. My lovely, gas station find – the free 1979 Camaro Z28 – was not what my wife wanted in her yard. Maybe it was the Camaro's missing body panels or was it the seven other vehicles in our driveway?
  "That thing is not staying here," said my wife.
  "Uh, you do know it is a Z28 Camaro, right?" I said. "And it was free."
  I tried explaining that I was just planning to sell the parts and not try to fix it up. Somehow, she didn’t fall for my early morning sales pitch despite my convincing argument.
  "It's the car or me," she said wiping back tears.
  My wife, usually not one to get upset over junk cars in the yard, had reached her breaking point on the  "free" Camaro.
  I thought she was kidding. Thirty minutes later she was gone.

What now?
  I had hauled the Camaro home before 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning to avoid attracting the attention of the law and because I didn't want to cause a traffic accident when body parts from the Frankenstein Z28 started falling to the ground. I had no idea that my wife would jump ship at the sight of the Camaro so early in the day.
  After my wife hit the road, I went ahead and unloaded the car inside the garage. Tiny bits of broken glass poured from every crevice of the Camaro. I did a quick and dirty cleanup of the car and most of the glass, then took inventory of all the valuable parts on the Camaro. I figured I had $1,000 to $1,500 in parts. 
 The 1979 Camaro had a complete front end, including (2) Z28 fenders, Z28 hood, grill/bumper cover, front subframe/suspension, front and rear sway bars, steering box. 10 bolt rear end including axle/brakes. (2) doors, rear spoiler and Z28 gauge package.
  Not bad for free, I thought.
  The bad news was that a few hours had passed and I had no word from my wife.
  By 4 p.m. I started getting worried. Is she really gone until the Camaro leaves the house? I was on edge until my wife's van pulled into the driveway just before 5 p.m. 
  She looked happier now and she had a present for me. 

Castrator or Camaro?
  My wife handed me a tattered white box with the label "Castrator."
  "You’ve got one week to get rid of the Camaro," she said, smiling.
The gift was a livestock castrator purchased at a yard sale that my wife and her dad had found during her day-long adventure away from me and the Camaro.
  "No problem," I told her. "The Camaro will be gone by next Sunday.

Camaro or castration? Which one would you choose?

Going, going, gone
  The Camaro was gone, well, mostly. All the parts mentioned above were removed and temporarily stored out of my wife's sight. 
  Unfortunately, I had to commit a sin against America and Chevrolet when I cut the rust-free, Frankenstein Camaro body in half and hauled it to the scrap yard. I still feel sick about that one. It had to be done. Thirty years from now I can tell my Camaro story and I will sound like the gray beards who scrapped-out a bunch of 1932 Ford B-model shells and Hemi Cudas. I can hear the groaning and moaning in my head.
  On a positive note, I sold most of the Camaro parts within a month. But, for much less than I estimated. I wish I had saved the entire Z28 carcass and built it back into a daily driver. My wife is glad I didn’t.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life


Do you have a Junkyard Life story to share?
Send me your story and info at junkyardbull@gmail.com


Note: To this day, I can still find pieces of that Camaro's tempered glass in my driveway.

Readers’ Ride: All-wheel-drive 1966 Chevy Impala turns heads at Hot Rod Power Tour, autocross

Junkyard Life’s own Ron Kidd rides shotgun on the Hot Rod Power Tour autocross with Keith Lively in his incredible 1966 Impala!  I was in the right place at the right time, on Hot Rod Power Tour, when our Junkyard Life brother, Keith Lively, asked me to ride along and try to film as he navigated the cones on the road course! There wasn’t enough time to say “Heck yes,” before I was strapped tight into his all-wheel-drive, LS-powered monster, cleverly disguised as a silver ’66 Impala. Keith explained the course and off we fly. 

  Watch as the brutal torque of this sleeper leaps off the line and pins me against the door, the seat, the dash and occasionally against Keith himself. The tires screamed in protest, but never let us get out from under ourselves. Keith’s driving skills are amazing. Despite being all-wheel-drive, it’s still a full-size car that thinks it is a Porsche. The centrifugal force smashed me against the door so hard that the window crank cut my leg. So, I was beaten up and bleeding a bit? It was very much worth it! Thanks Keith! Who needs a Go-Pro Camera when you have me?

Ron Kidd
— Junkyard Life

Know of a junkyard we need to visit or want to send me info about a car  or junkyard?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Barn Find: 1970 Olds 442 convertible, 1941 Buick

We all dream of finding an antique or classic car stashed away in an old barn. I found this 1941 Buick sitting in a garage in a small town in rural Alabama. Does this qualify as a barn find?

What is a Barn Find? I think we all dream of finding that ultra rare muscle car that has been safely tucked away inside an old barn, where it sat safe for years from the elements and from prying eyes. We’ve all heard of the old Corvette found after years of storage in a dry, dusty barn in rural America. It is such a popular urban legend that the term “Barn Find” was coined to describe such a car. But does a car really need to be stored in a barn to be classified as a so-called “Barn Find”? And how long should it have sat before being discovered in order to be considered it a true barn find? Obviously, it’s not a real one if it was just recently placed inside that old barn. To many, the ultimate discovery must be found in a dusty old wood barn with a dirt floor. To others, any form of covering such as a shed, carport, or even old garage meets the definition. The one common denominator appears to be time. A car must have been stored for a long period of time and be relatively unmolested. Some enthusiasts treasure the years of dust attached to their barn find, taking special care not to disturb the dirt and grime as they load it up for the trip home.
 
  I searched the web looking for the definition of a barn find and I found very little, other than the fact that not all barn finds were actually found inside barns. Some were found inside backyard garages, sheds, under carports, and even inside old warehouses. The most coveted barn finds were found still sporting their original wares, while some were found with minor upgrades. There is even a series of books call “Lost Hot Rods”, where older hot rods of historical significance were sought out and eventually found in much the same manner as a traditional barn find. So obviously the definition of a barn find varies from person to person. No matter what definition we use, I believe many of those classic cars that were actually stored inside backyard garages, sheds and dilapidated old barns, have already been discovered, or worse, those structures which provided protection for so many years have begun to fall down on top of them, in fact, facilitating their demise. 
  There are no more real barn finds! Or are there? It depends upon your own personal definition of what a real barn find is. As I drive the back roads of rural Alabama, I am still finding old cars stored under carports and in old garages, barely visible from the street. Cars like the 1941 Buick in the top photo are waiting for their time to be discovered and brought back out into the light of day. 

At first glance the Oldsmobile 442 didn’t really look neglected. But upon closer inspection, it became very apparent that she had been sitting for quite some time before the previous owner finally decided it was time to let her go to a new home. The only thing missing was twenty years of dirt.

My own personal Barn Find
   In November of 2012, I got a lead on an original 1970 Oldsmobile 442 convertible. I wasn’t really thinking barn find as I made the short drive to Hayden, Alabama. Nor was I thinking I had found an ultra rare car. To me it was just a Cutlass convertible with an aftermarket 442 hood. But as I drove through the rural countryside, taking in the scenery as I turned from one county road to another, I began to realize that this may be as close to a barn find as I might ever get, even if it is just another Cutlass. I hadn’t seen a subdivision in over forty minutes and everywhere I looked, I saw either barns or sheds.  This was Alabama farm country, a rolling mix of pasture land broken up by large expanses of woodlands. As I left home, this was still just another classic car advertised by an owner who had either grown bored of it, was in need of money, or both. But as I got closer to my destination, I began to think of something more. I began to think of what actually constitutes a barn find.
   I had spoken to the owner’s son, Joe, over the phone. Joe was selling the car for his father, who had owned the 442 for a little over 25 years. He had given me pretty good instructions on how to find his house, and he had assured me it would be fairly easy to find. And just for a little extra insurance, I had printed up directions from Google Maps. But finding Joe’s home proved to be much more difficult than I had anticipated. He lived on an old one lane gravel road, far off the beaten path. Finding this small gravel road was difficult enough, but finding the hidden driveway that led up to the old farm house was next to impossible. I eventually had to call Joe and ask him to come out to the main road in order to guide me in. 
 
  As I followed his old Ford truck down a long and winding driveway, I saw the old structure that housed the car I had come to see. It resembled an oversized shed or small barn, something that was originally intended to store a farm tractor and a few other farm implements. Joe’s dad had converted it to a garage, which now housed four cars in the front section and misc yard tools, as well as old car parts in the rear section. From the inside it now resembled an oversized garage, cement flooring and all. Along with the 442, there were a few other vehicles sitting beside it. These other, newer vehicles had taken the place of the old 442 years ago. Leaving the 442 to sit and languish, eventually becoming a home for a few field mice that lived in the barn as well.

 

Fortunately, the 442 was somewhat functional. So pulling it out of the barn/garage/shed wasn’t an issue.

Doing my research
   To me the car looked to be original. But I am an amateur in the world of car collecting. The paint appeared to be original, as did the interior, and both were still very presentable, even though they were showing their age. It was only after talking to a very honest seller that I learned that the car had been repainted. He also explained most all of the other deficiencies found by the many Oldsmobile experts who had viewed the car before me. The hood was an original 442 hood, but this car didn’t leave the factory with a Ram Air hood. The seats had been reupholstered in a tuck and roll pattern and one of the fenders was also not original. The non-original fender was from a 1971 or 1972 Cutlass. The difference between a 1970 fender and a later model fender is so minor as to be missed by a novice, such as me. It can only be noticed by lifting the hood and looking for some relatively small indention where the hood meets the fender. The 1970 fender is flat and smooth where the hood rest when closed, where as the 71/72 model fender have a ripple every six to seven inches which allow the fender to crumple on impact and absorb the shock of a collision. 
 
  The biggest issue seen was the non-original motor now sitting in the engine bay. The previous owner had for some unknown reason, pulled the original 455ci motor and replaced it with an Oldsmobile Rocket 350ci. I think this was the main reason why the car had not yet been sold. Well, that along with the relatively high price tag. 
 
  Being unfamiliar with these cars, I did some online research before arriving. So I had a good idea of what to look for. The most important thing to look for when looking at a 442 is the digits 344 in the first three digits of the VIN. Other things to look for are a 455ci motor, crudely boxed-in trailing arms, bucket seats and a center console. This car was correct in every way except it was missing the original 455ci motor, which apparently is a big deal. During my research, I also learned there were only 2,933 442s built in 1970. So they are relatively rare. And they are also very highly sought after for their styling and performance.
 

To many, this isn’t the preferred color combination for a classic 442, but to me, it say’s 1970’s like no other color can.

Closing the deal
   Considering the fact that none of the experts who came before me actually bought this car, I should have probably walked away from this deal. I am sure they knew more about the actual value of this particular example and they had good reason not buy it. But I really liked the car. I have always wanted a Cutlass convertible, ever since first seeing one when I was in high school. And this was a 442 convertible, which in my mind, is a really cool Cutlass. 
 
  There is more to my affection for the Cutlass. My grandmother had several throughout the years; one of which was a 1970 Cutlass Supreme Holiday Coupe.  I can still remember riding along with my grandmother, sitting in the front seat, looking out at the passing countryside as we drove from the farm into town to buy groceries, or to do whatever else she needed to get done. Later, when I was in high school I brought home a 70 Cutlass to show my parents. It was my intent to trade my Chevy Vega for the Cutlass. Something my parents refused to let me do. I guess they realized it may have been just a little too fast for a sixteen year old to own. So, as you can see, I may have been a little emotionally involved when I was buying this 442.
  
  I spent the better part of an hour talking with the seller before actually mentioning an offer. I walked around the 442 as we talked, looking underneath the hood, crawling underneath the car in order to better judge the floor pans, trying to find a reason not to buy the car. As hard as I looked, I couldn’t find anything. Or at least anything that really scared me. The floors were in great condition. The car was solid, with only a few bubbles around the rear wheel wells and lower front fenders. There was nothing that said this car couldn’t be easily restored. So after considering the work needed to get the car back on the road again, the value of the car once restored, and my own financial capabilities, I made what I thought was a low but fair offer. After a few minutes of silence, Joe reached out and shook my hand, closing the deal. Much to my surprise, my offer was accepted. The car was now mine. And at that moment it dawned on me.  I hadn’t test drove the car. 

 

The data plate confirms this car is not a Cutlass, but rather a 442. The first two digits indicate the model year, the next three indicate the model. Beware though, as data plates are being made. So it is best to confirm the VIN as well.

Dragging it home
   I’m not one of those guys on television who arrives with a trailer and a pocket full of cash. So I needed a couple of days to gather the funds. I also needed to find someone to help me bring this old cruiser home. Fortunately Joe was extremely cool, and he actually pulled the ad right then and there, with no deposit. I think he was happy to finally find someone who didn’t point out every little defect on the car. I also think he had been beat down well before I arrived. All I had to do was be polite and respectful. I imagine this deal would not have worked out had I been the first one to make an offer. 
 
  I returned a couple days later with the agreed amount, in cash. I also brought along some tools. It wasn’t a long drive home, but I wasn’t really sure the car could make it. And even though it was currently registered and there was an antique vehicle license plate on the back bumper, it hadn’t been driven in years. So in many senses, it was a true barn find.  Joe started it up regularly, thinking this would insure its drivability, so it did run, kind of.  
  
  Before handing over any cash I did finally get to test drive the old car. Oh man did it run rough! The car hadn’t been tuned up in years. What sounded like an exhaust leak ended up being a broken exhaust manifold. Most likely a result of being warmed up in the winters only to be quickly shut back down. The quick rise and fall in manifold temperatures causes the metal to expand and contract too quickly. The brakes needed work as well. They pulled hard to the right. Another issue was the sagging rear springs and shocks prevented me from being able to safely see over the hood, and I am 6’4.  This is not usually a problem for me. Oh well. What do you expect from a car that hasn’t been driven in years? I was lucky that it could be driven at all.
 

The tires look new, but they are so old as to be unsafe for highway use. And since they are mounted 14 inch wheels, finding replacements can be a challenge for those new to the hobby. In the background you can see the shelter that housed 442 and provided it protection from the elements for so many years. 

Getting it back on the road
     When I got the car home I immediately started tearing into the old 442. Trying to figure out what I actually got myself into. I pulled the interior out so I could clean out the mess left by the mice. The rodent urine damaged two of the rear seat belts, which I replaced with some found online. After that, I tore into the rear suspension, replacing the old worn springs and the 70’s era Sears brand air shocks. Now, with the car level, I could finally see over the hood. The exhaust system needed to be replaced as did the broken exhaust manifold. So I sourced a manifold online and had new dual exhaust installed. The Flowmasters sound great and there is no more pesky tapping noise from the broken manifold. I finished the exhaust off by installing a set of reproduction trumpet tailpipe tips. Amazingly, the car cleaned up well and I am not ashamed to drive it to local cruise ins. I plan on using the car, weather permitting, as I acquire all of the parts I will need to restore it. 
  
  I am attempting to use original parts when available and I am trying not to over-restore the car. Thanks to the Internet, I quickly sourced some really nice original seat belts along with some other small stuff that was missing. I also located a couple of parts cars which I bought, parted out, and sold off. From these parts cars I was able to pull two rust free original fenders, an original Outside Air Intake (OAI) air breather to complete the Ram Air set-up, and an original dash mounted clock. I am still looking for a good trunk lid and a few other parts before I strip the 442 for paint. Eventually I’ll be looking for a 1969 or early 1970 455 to put in the car so as to make it as original as possible. The end goal is to have something more than just a driver while still being able to enjoy it. I don’t want to cringe when my six-year-old boy climbs in, or on it. I want something we both can use and enjoy. And who knows, maybe we’ll make some memories working on it and taking it to car shows. Someday, I hope to pass this car onto him.

 
Scott Johnson,
— Junkyard Life contributor

 

Another element that adds to the cool factor is the original Firestone Wide-Oval spare tire in the 1970 Olds. The jack and lug wrench are also original equipment. The clips holding the lug wrench are reproduction pieces added after I bought the car.

This is a picture of the Olds 442 a few weeks after purchase. Many of the bugs have been worked out. But the regular use has caused many more to come out, most notably, the brakes. Which failed completely shortly after putting the car on the road. Fortunately I felt them as they started to give and was able to safely stop the car using the emergency brake. Note to self: always freshen up the brakes before doing anything else.

When was the last time you’ve seen a set of these on an old car? The 442 wore Sears brand 
adjustable air shocks. The cool factor is high with this find, but the ride isn’t. 

Only 2,933 Olds 442 convertibles were produced for the 1970 model year.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 production number breakdown
  Oldsmobile built 19,330 of the 442 models for 1970. The majority of 442s produced were hardtop coupes, with 14,709 built. Convertible fans snapped up 2,933 Olds models wearing 442s badges from the factory. The Sport Coupes were the rarest, with 1,688 built. Sport Coupes can be identified by the post that separates the side glass on the car.

  Olds people know that 442s were separate models from the Cutlass in 1970. The Cutlass name was not used anywhere on the 442s. A 1970 Cutlass 442 is a misnomer. Now you know.

Know of a car or a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a barn find, car or junkyard?  
Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Hot Rod Power Tour 2013 tries to kill Junkyard Life guys!

Hot Rod Power Tour highlights. Finally! Someone appreciates a green Vista Cruiser Wagon! This one may outrun mine though.

It was Hot Rod overload. Oh, it tried. With thousands of cool rods landing at the Birmingham stop of the Hot Rod Power Tour, automotive attention deficit disorder guys, like us, didn’t stand a chance. But we fought back with a good pair of shoes, a big floppy hat and a camera. There is no way that we could begin to cover all the cars we loved there. So, on to the highlights.

Keith Lively's tricked-out 1966 Chevy Impala was transformed into a luxury beast via an AWD 2004 GMC Denali. The LS engine and rear a/c make this one cool ride.

All-Wheel-Drive 1966 Impala
  The absolute highlight of the entire week was my invitation to ride along with, fellow Junkyard Life brother, Keith Lively, in his innovative 1966 Impala on the autocross. Lively, a Birmingham-native, built the unassuming family car. It looks like a ’66 Impala, but has the guts of a 6.0 liter LS engine, all-wheel drive 2004 GMC Denali. Thanks, Keith! That was awesome! Check out the video here.

1955 Chevys caught my eye all over the HRPT.

Hey, Mr. Postman! 
  Since we are building a Tri-Five at this very minute, I had to take plenty of pictures of them. You know, for research purposes. You may also notice I prefer the sedans over the hardtops. I know, hardtops are worth more. I just like the post cars.

Ron Kidd
— Junkyard Life

Tell us about your Hot Rod Power Tour experience! Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.

Check out this double nickel Chevy gasser.

Jody and I found a way to combine our love for Tri-Five Chevy’s and wagons. We remember a ’55 Nomad in a barn that begs for a trip on the HRPT.

Wagons prove to be popular, handy and way cool on Power Tour. This ’57 Chevy 210 was packing patina.

These 1955 Ford Ranch Wagons were Long Haulers, boasting vintage luggage and the same retro cooler that I have in my Vista Cruiser wagon!

Proven fact: A vintage ice chest gives your car 10 extra horsepower. 

This 1963 Impala wagon carried a bicycle on the roof rack with a one-of-a-kind matching paint job. Let's call it rust.

What would Ron do now in this dilema? I have no idea. Two dream cars, a 1971 Cutlass and a 1971 Buick Grand Sport, both my favorite GM colors other than green. Help!

A 1971 Buick GS convertible in Bittersweet Mist.

This early seventies Suburban barely caught our eye until we saw under the hood (photo below). Good night alive! I can only imagine the torque and horsepower figures this twin turbo LS was making. Hats off.

Twin turbo LS engine in a 1972 Chevy Suburban.

Not a strong showing of our Colonnade kiddies from 1973-1977. Here is a 1973 Pontiac Grand Am in red, white and blue.

1977 Cutlass Supreme reminding us of Nanny Dean.
Where are the Grand Prixs in between?

Buick GNX clone or the real deal?

A Buick GNX was the ultimate street fighter of the late 1980s. I am a T-Type guy myself. Check out this two-tone Turbo!

Check out this super imposed photography of the ghost of Jody Potter in the turbo Buick! I noticed the bench seat and the column shifter before I noticed him. Hey, Jody! Get your ghost out of my T-Type with a bench seat and a sneaky column shifter!

A 1987 Buick Grand National is on my turbo dream list.

Hot Rod Power Tour Long Haulers loaded up and left Birmingham for their next stop in Chattanooga.

Know of a junkyard I need to visit or want to send me photos and info about a car or junkyard?  Send emails to Ron at Kidd403@bellsouth.net or Jody at junkyardbull@gmail.com.