Road Chatter XXVII - brought to you by E N D L E S S R O A D in Historic Savage, MD 20763 Store: 301-497-0369 - FAX: 301-497-3690 - snipped-for-privacy@aol.com """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" IN THIS ISSUE
- Car-Guy Trivia Questions
- Formula One
- Bits and Pieces
- On Order
- Recent Receipts
- Car-Guy Trivia Answers
- 10% Off Visit For Your Trivia Questions ======================= **====================== Car-Guy Trivia (answers are later in this email)
1) Who was the first man to wear a helmet in the Indianapolis 500? He drove a Deusenburg in the race and went on to become a flying ace.
2) What automobile was known as The Flying Teapot?3) What is a Toad? No, you know I don't mean the frog's ugly cousin.
4) Honda was top dog in F1 in the late 80's and now, with BAR, it looks on track to repeat, and it just took the first seven spots at this year's Indy. But, who remembers their first international win in automobile racing? What was the track and event, and who was the driver, and finally, what was he driving?5) What year was this? Nice guy 'Father Knows Best' premiered on TV, bad boy Marlon Brando was 'The Wild One', and some kid named Elvis did his first commercial record. Jack Kerouac and the 'Beat' generation were making their mark in society. Willie Mays hit .345, and an Englishman was the first to run a mile in less than four minutes.
Large GM models came out with panoramic windshields. Chevy moved Corvette production to St. Louis. Their show cars were the Corvair and Nomad; only their names made it to production. Pontiac's horizontal bar grill was popular with customizers for years.
Ford dropped its venerable flat-head for an overhead Y-block V8. Their show car was a two-seater. Ford and Mercury stuck Plexiglas panels in their spiffy hardtops. Lincoln took first and second in the Carrera Pan-American race.
Dodge celebrated its fortieth year by setting 196 records at Bonneville and winning its class in the Mobilgas Economy Run. It was Indy's pace car that year. Chrysler's Hemi went up to 235 HP.
Nash took over Hudson and then brought out the Metropolitan. Studebaker and Packard merged. Kaiser and Willys were about to fade away.
--- Retreads --- These last three questions are from over a year ago. If you remember them from before, consider this a memory test.
6) What car did Dustin Hoffman drive in "The Graduate"? What car did Fred McMurray fly in "The Absent Minded Professor"?7) What is the source of the Corvette name?
8) His father was a Jaguar dealer. But, after his brother suffered a horrific crash at the Le Mans race, his family strongly pushed him to get out of motorsports. He nearly made it to the British rifle shooting team for the 1960 Olympics. He then returned to racing and went on to become the F1 champion that he is today. Who is he?======================= **====================== Formula One
To continue last month's scenario, what if Michael, Rubins, and Ferrari were not running this season, who would be the Top Guns for the year? Juan? Kimi? We adjusted the points as if the boys in red were not there. We can't just look at the existing points and drop the top two. We scored all the drivers in the positions they would be if the Ferrari positions were disqualified or not there at all. Those in third would go up 4 points from 6 to 10, fourth would go up from 5 points to 8, etc. Plus ninth and tenth would suddenly get
2 and 1 points respectively. This is what the F1 world would be without the Red Blitz.With/Without Ferrari
120....00...Michael .82..00...Rubins .65..94...Button .46..67...Trulli .45..68...Alonso .38..55...Montoya .19..35...Coulthard .18..28...Kimi .18..31...Sato .14..31...Fisichella .12..21...Ralf ...7..18...Webber ...5..15...Massa ...5..10...Panis ...4...7...Pizzonia ...3...7...da Matta ...3...7...Heidfeld ...2...4...Glock ...1...5...Baumgartner ...0...3...Klien ...0...1...Mark GeneJenson Button would be way out front. Closest behind him would be Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli, trailing behind by 26 and 27 points, with only five races to go. Last year's Ferrari chasers, Montoya, Raikkonen, and Coulthard would still be chasing the leaders.
By the way, you think Schumacher has it wrapped up? Nah, if Schuey doesn't score in the next three races and Rubins wins them all, you got a new leader! Simple!
2004 Formula One Season:August 29 Belgium, Spa Sept 12 Italy, Monza Sept 26 China Oct 10 Japan, Suzuka Oct 24 Brazil
======================= ** ======================= Bits and Pieces
Last month, we talked about Watkins Glen. Let me throw a few other facts at you. The track has been used since the early 50's, hosting SCCA, VSCCA, SVRA, Formula 5000's Can Am, Trans Am, Formula One from 1961 to 1980, and now NASCAR. But, changes are again in the works. Last month, a NASCAR employee was in the shop, and he said that NASCAR was trying to run a race in Mexico. They only want two road races in the series, and The Glen is the least attended Cup Race that they have, so The Glen was the track to be dropped. Then, Robin Miller on Wind Tunnel said that NASCAR is going to run a race at Montreal on the same track as F1, and The Glen is to be dropped. Either way, The Glen is out. But now, Sam Posey says IRL is running there next season.
***You know we carry more of Supercars models all the time. This is the History of Supercars by Jim Thoren, co-founder of Supercars - Quoted from The Diecast Pub
A friend, Scott Dahlberg, and I worked together at a Body shop, and during a lunch break one day, we stopped at a local hobby shop to see what was new. Scott had already bought some 1:18 scale cars, and I spotted an Ertl 1970 Yellow Boss 302 Mustang. It has never been the same for us since that fall day in 1991.
Supercars was formed in 1994 by myself, Scott Dahlberg and another Jim. We started purchasing cars direct and sold them at local car toy shows. We bought some of the first limited cars made by Ertl, and they sold very well. In 1995, we took a trip to meet up with Ertl in Dyersville and started work on the Le Mans Blue '69 Yenko Camaro project. We were so proud of the "casting changes", a no emblem grill, no console interior and sYc on the headrest. The collectors loved it! We were now in the business of having limited editions made.
To date, we have released over twenty limited edition diecast. We currently operate out of a good size warehouse, along with office space and do this full time with 7 people keeping very busy.
======================= ** ======================= Here are highlights of a few things we have on order now:
All models are 1:18 unless otherwise stated.
Auto Art - Jaguar XKE V12 Coupe, 80306 Corvette C5-R #50, 80307 Corvette C5-R #53 Beanstalk - 10029 Ford F150 FX-4 Pickup, Ford SVT Lightning Concept
Brumm - 1:43 Porsche 356 James Dean
Carousel - Coyote 1977 winner Foyt, Coyote 1966 G. Snider #82, Lotus Gurney #17 1965
CMC - Mercedes 450 SL Blue, Mercedes SLR McLaren,
Ertl - 33685 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator - yellow with black interior,
33711 1972 Chevy Vega - Black 33765 Authentics 1950 Oldsmobile Exoto - (Exoto is behind on all of their new numbers; some of these numbers have been on order for over a year. Don't hold your breath. ) McLaren MP4/6 Berger #2, McLaren MP4/6 Senna #1, 1989 Works Sauber Mercedes C9 Le Mans #62 GMP - 1:24 Buick GNX black, 1966 Fairlane 427 White, Mustang Malco "Ohio George"Highway 61 - 60065 1967 Dodge R/T, 60066 1957 Chevy. 60071 1968 Barracuda
Hot Wheels - 2004 Ferrari F1 Schumacher, 1:43 1970 Mustang Boss red, 1:43
1968 Camaro light blue Kyosho - 1977 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 red #64, 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 yellowLane / Exact Detail - 1967 Camaro RS/SS 396, 603 Chevelle red and black. 504
1965 Malibu SS Hardtop MIC - 1964 Pontiac GTO Beswick Tameless Tiger, 1969 Dodge Daytona #22, 1070 Ford Mustang GliddenMinichamps - 1:43 1914 Model T Ford black, 1:43 Bentley EXPSP Le Mans '03 #8, Bar Honda F1 006 Jenson Button #9 Precision Miniatures - Prm-04 1933 Willys Ohio George, Prm-05 1933 Willys KS Pittman, Pmsc-01B Black Landau Style Hearse Revell - Porsche 962C 1986 Le Mans winner, 1969 Targa top Porsche 914/4 (in yellow and in blue, we sold out twice), The first 1:18 Porsche 914
Ricko - 1934 Lincoln Model K black. 1963 Lincoln Continental, 1933 Cadillac V16 Super Car Collectibles - (Most of these are put on hold before we receive them. Please let us know as soon as possible if you want one. ) 29353 Sox & Martin 1970 Superbird S/Stock red-white-blue, 29411 Sox & Martin 1970 Duster Pro Stock red-white-blue, 50239 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A black ======================= **====================== We received these lately:
Auto Art - Porsche 917K Watkins Glen #35, 86596 1965 Chaparral 2 #66 Jim Hall, 71121 Corvette 25th Anniversary Collector Edition
CMC - Mercedes W196R Stromline, Mercedes W196 Stromline Fangio #18
GMP - 1:18 1969 Nova Hot Rod black, 1:24 1987 Buick GNX black
Ertl - 33718 Range Rover - Silver
GMP - 1:24 1969 Mercury Cyclone Yarbough, 1:24 1969 Mercury Cyclone Gurney, All Sport Mustang #1 Highway 61 - 1970 Mustang Boss 302, Dodge Racing Maverick, Dodge Racing Ram Chargers Hot Wheels - 1023 Ferrari Schumacher F1, 1650 McLaren Raikkonen F1,
Lane - Exact Detail - 403 1968 Firebird 400 convertible red, 602 Chevelle black with white stripe and black interior. 602A Chevelle black with white stripe and white interior Minichamps - 1953 Porsche Super Tractor, 1:12 1978 Ducati 900SS Hailwood, McLaren MP4/18 2003 Coulthard Road Signature (Yat Ming) - 1955 Chrysler Imperial, 18126 Chrysler Airflow black. 18126 Chrysler Airflow silver Super Car Collectibles - 29412 1969 Yenko Street/Strip 427 Nova, Green w/white Yenko stripes (This has slicks and drag wheels and a second set of street wheels.), 50247 1964 Dodge 330 Little Old Lady From Pasadena Red Hemi. 2537B Black Pro Street Chevelle
======================= **====================== Car-Guy Trivia Answers
1) Eddie Rickenbacker was the flying ace who was the first man to wear a helmet in the Indianapolis 500. (Thanks to our friend, Richard, for this.)2) The Stanley Steamer was known as The Flying Teapot.
3) A "Toad" is a 1962 Plymouth Valiant with an experimental 360 CI / 450 HP engine, more HP and lighter than the 1962 Corvette. 5231 of these monsters were built. Engines were blueprinted and balanced, 15-inch wheels were used (the standard was 13-inch), with electronic ignition, and welded-in sub-frame connectors. They were NHRA national champions in 1962 and 1963 and won 11 NASCAR Grand National races. Motor Trend said the Toad was the fastest production car ever built, and it held that distinction for 20 years. It would do zero to sixty in 4.8 seconds and ran the quarter at 127 mph, stock off the showroom floor. Toads cost $4737.50; base Valiants were $2100. A Toad recently sold for $126,000 on E-Bay. (Thanks to our friend, Rodger, Source: October 2004 MOPAR Action.)4) Honda's first win was a sports car race at the old Nurburgring in 1964. The car was an S600 sports car and was entered by Jack Brabham's team and driven by Denny Hulme. They won the under 1000cc class. For those who might not remember, the 600 Honda was a tiny car with a 630cc, air-cooled,
4-cylinder engine with DOHC, full roller bearings, and 4 carbs. A real gem of an engine that could rev as high as 12,500 rpm. (Thanks to our friend, Jeff, for this one.)5) The year was 1954. The Corvette was in its second year, Ford's OHV V8 was born, and the Thunderbird was just over the horizon. But, next year would be new body styles for all.
--- Retreads ---
6) Dustin Hoffman drove an Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spyder Veloce in "The Graduate". Fred McMurray drove (flew?) a Model T in "The Absent Minded Professor".7) Corvette was named after a small and fast, lightly armed, navy ship. From the French word 'Corf'. (Our friend, Jeff, found this in 'Corvette From The Inside' by Dave McLellan, Corvette chief engineer.)
8) The British Rifle Marksman was three-time world champion, ex-F1 Team Owner, Sir Jackie Stewart.***
We try to choose these trivia questions from several groups and still be interesting. This month, we have three F1 drivers, two movie stars, another history lesson, a French warship, a Toad, a Flying Ace, a Flying Teapot, and a Flying Flivver. Not too bad.
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10% Off Visit For Your Trivia QuestionsTo Richard, Rodger and Jeff, thanks for the trivia questions. Remember, the next time you stop by, you get 10% off all purchases that day. To the rest of you, send us an interesting fact of just about anything on wheels: cars, trucks, F1, Drags, Muscle Cars, weird obsolete car thingies, whatever, and if we use it, then you get 10% off all purchases on your next visit, too.
Thanks,
Dave