I was surfing around eBay today trying to figure out the best way to spend the 'ol tax return check that will be arriving any day now when I ran across a very interesting car for sale.
If you remember the story about the convertible Tucker that the Old Cars Weekly gang covered recently, then you understand that this car is clearly veiled in mystery and possibly even a little misconception.
However, according to the OCW article, there is one fact that is clearly not debatable. And that fact is that Benchmark Classics, a collector car dealership and restoration shop in Madison, Wis., currently has the Tucker that has sparked so many arguments, and the company plans to finish the car off and unveil it to the world in May.
Well, apparently the guys in Madison aren't intending to hang on to this interesting car since it appeared for sale on eBay recently.
After reading their description and choking on the sticker price (A mere $5 million) I began to wonder if folks haven't been so jaded by all the recent talk of economic stimulus and Barrett-Jackson auctions that when folks ask for huge numbers it fails to surprise us any longer...
While some may think that a $5 million pricetag is not unbelieveable since this is clearly a "one-of-a-kind" car, for me, the car is way to similar to the Cadillac described by the late Jonny Cash in his song "One Piece at a Time."
Well, I left Kentucky back in '49 An' went to Detroit workin' on a 'sembly line The first year they had me puttin' wheels on cadillacs
Every day I'd watch them beauties roll by And sometimes I'd hang my head and cry 'Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black.
One day I devised myself a plan That should be the envy of most any man I'd sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my hand Now gettin' caught meant gettin' fired But I figured I'd have it all by the time I retired I'd have me a car worth at least a hundred grand.
While I personally love the idea of there being a convertible Tucker out there, what we have here seems to me to be a little more Frankenstein than Tucker.
But, I guess that means that I'll be able to save my tax return this year rather than blowing it all on a topless Tucker.
According to a story in today's Kansas City Star newspaper, a man was watching the Super Bowl when he thought that he smelled smoke.
Realizing that it was not coming from a stogie or his back yard BBQ, the guy did the only intellegent thing and called the local fire department.
However, this is when things seem to have gotten interesting.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, he isnsited that they ignore the fire...and save his prized Ferrari 348. Only after the car was safely sitting in the driveway did he suggest that they try and put out his burning home
According to the newspaper article (which you can read here along with a great photo), the fire caused extensive damage to the home with the damage estimate coming in at a cool $80,000. But it is all OK, since his car wasn't damaged.
Now, call me old fashioned, but I have to assume that this guy's wife was not home at the time of the blaze...or the home might have received less damage and the car might have been a total loss!
I guess it is a good thing that the car made it out of the fire without damage, because I have a feeling that this guy will be sleeping in it for a long time.
If the tables were turned, which would you save, your cars, or your home?
Having spent more hours than I care to remember straddling various pieces of American iron, I for was was relieved. Although, I guess that is one less excuse for me to use...
Anyway, according to a study presented by Randall Dale Chipkar the subtle vibrations caused by modern motorcycles does not cause impotence, erectile dysfunction disorder, or cancer. But, that doesn't mean that those of us who have graduated up to two-wheelers are out of the woods just yet.
"Subtle groin vibrations increase blood flow and are actually stimulating not debilitating on our tissues. Regular motorcycle seat vibration is not going to damage penile nerves," Chipkar adds.
If the problem isn't vibration and pressure on your unspeakable nether-regions, what could possibly cause you harm?
Well, according to the report, low frequency electromagnetic fields, apparently, which seem to be generated by the electrical bits on modern machinery. If it ain't onething it always seems to be another...
I for one will continue to wear my tin-foil lined underwear while riding just to be on the safe side.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 12:15 PM CST
[General]
Well, I guess it's official, the troubled economy has finally hit the old car hobby. In an LA Times article last week, Glenn Patch announced that he is selling his '57 Heaven museum that is located in the **** Clark American Bandstand Theater and all of its classics from 1957.
The museum, with it's 66 cars, opened to the public less than three years ago, and includes an example of every convertible built in the U.S. during that year.
The asking price, a mere $17 million.
According to the article, (click here for entire article) ticket sales have fallen off by more than 50 percent over the last year.
Patch says that while he would prefer to sell of the entire museum rather than parting out his unbelievable collection, the reality is that the cars will most likely be sold at auction.
According to the LA Times, back in September, Patch, a wealthy car collector and real estate developer, gave employees the bad news.
Like Detroit itself, he says, "I'm looking for a bailout."
Ken Gross is quoted in the article as saying that finding a single buyer is highly unlikely.
"The fun of these cars is in the collecting and restoring," Gross says. "What can you do with these cars? You can't drive them. You can just look at them."
As for the $17-million price tag, Gross says Patch is "dreaming."
I, for one, kick myself for not stopping by and viewing the collection when I was down that way last year. And, despite the fact that the musuem is still open to the public (and potential buyers), I'm afraid that I won't be able to make it anytime soon.
In light of the current economic crunch, do any of you think that this collection will bring anywhere near the asking price?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 11:31 AM CST
[General]
Keeping true to his word, it looks like soon-to-be President Obama is doing his part to jump-start the stalled American economy and help out U.S. automakers all at the same time (and you doubted that he could do it!).
I guess that it is only fair that if the new First Lady gets to select a new set of China for state dinners that Obama gets to pick himself a new ride.
What will the new President be chauffered around in during his term in office you may be wondering? Well, let's just say that this is one guy that is "Movin' On Up!" from his days spent behind the wheel of his grandpappy's Granada.
As we were all told during his election campaign, Obama is planning to shake thing up out in Washington D.C. and a run of the mill hand-me-down limo was simply out of the question.
Spy shots of his choice in limos started surfacing on the internet recently giving us a preview of the President's new wheels.
While it may look like your run of the mill Cadillac DTS stretched out to the limits, the President's new ride is about the farthest thing from your usual prom-wagon. Described as "a rolling tank with windows," from the looks of the spy shots that are circulating on the internet, this beast seems to be made up of parts from many different Cadillac models including Escalade headlights and possibly some STS parts as well. Although, the custom-windows (bullet-proofed to the max) look to be strictly custom.
According to the folks at CNN, the brand-new presidential limousine will be introduced into service on January 20 for the 2-mile jaunt down Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade.
Hopefully they will finish with the body and paint work before the eyes of the world are on this car during the upcoming parade. Otherwise, maybe it would be better if they resurrected Obama's grandfather's Granada for the event.
