Well it’s been one of those weeks. With Thanksgiving around the corner and most automakers holding off until the Los Angeles Auto Show to show what they’ve been working on, there really isn’t much to report on this week that hasn’t already been covered.
If you missed it, Jaguar built an F-Type rally car, Aston Martin revealed they’re testing something awful, and the long rumored Jeep pickup leaked. But uh, that’s really it.
So it’s about time I crowd sourced the news again. What was your automotive news for the week? If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2018 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
What Was Your Automotive News for the Week?
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39 responses to “What Was Your Automotive News for the Week?”
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My Chevy Truck Legend story got published! They didn’t like the first picture of the crunched bumper, but the ramps I had to use on the front wheels to load the lawnmower were good to go. I’m not quite Maark, but I’m pretty sure they just had a bot checking these things.
http://www.chevytrucklegends.com/us/en/gallery.html#user106835
“The 4.3L V-6 in this thing has the fuel economy of a V-8 and the power of a 4 cylinder, but somehow it has managed to go through three transmissions in 100k miles, with no towing duty. First one went out under warranty at 32k miles, that one died at 99k miles. At least it is the cheaper to fix 4-speed automatic. The bed is so high on this 2WD truck, I have to jack up the front end to load my riding lawn mower.”
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5dd5fa4ff48e2f08aaabf006fcb993e7182857687f9529be2c6d00ee53e70dae.jpg-
Stick it to the man!
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Just replaced ball joints and tie rods in my pickup for the second time in less than 15K miles, this time with good parts. I don’t recommend Detroit Axle’s parts.
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Member of my car club reversed into a pole on a run a couple of weeks ago (much embarrassment), damaging the bumper, rear panel and boot lid. It looks like it won’t be repaired until the new year, but at the meeting this week they have been able to borrow another bumper to make the car a bit more presentable in the interim.
One of the reasons you join a club. -
I’m on the lookout for an old pickup, preferably a ’72 or older F100 shortbed with a 300-six and (absolutely) with a manual transmission. I have an E28 BMW to offload before I can pull the trigger, though, and now’s unfortunately a terrible season in which to sell older cars. I may need to wait until spring, but I’m keeping an eye out regardless.
My dad, though, has a ’67 International Harvester stepside that’s just been sitting for the past two years and I’m finding it tempting. I think he bought it on a whim, and he has no intentions for it. It’s a V8 with a 4-speed, it is a “deluxe” model (as farm equipment goes…), and I could probably get it from him for next to nothing. It runs and drives well, but needs a new steering box and some bodywork. Below is a pic of the model in general, which will give you an idea of potential — this isn’t my dad’s, which is not nearly as nice and is Apache Gold in color.
Interested in thoughts from this group.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/39/8a/36/398a36c2ce8a94b4622bc606dbec7713.jpg-
Ooph Binders are an ugly truck – that being said, a co-worker of mine’s husband inherited a very similar truck, although painted a weird bluish-teal color and it does stand out from the crowd.
On those pre-’73 Fords, watch out for rusty cab mounts – I’ve seen some beautiful trucks that are crumbling from underneath.
Either way Zentropy, I say go for it – no matter what you decide -
Well you are probably asking the wrong guy but I say go with the Corn Binder, if it is worthy of keeping on the road anyway. The IH “SV” engine is very durable as it is a MD truck engine in a LD truck and not a car engine in a LD truck. Most of the other components are equally overrated for their application.
The number 1 thing you need to know is binderplanet..com you’ll find all the assistance you need there.
That said I am primarily a Ford guy but as far as older trucks go IH all the way. -
All the cool kids have Internationals but I have one, too, which means overall it’s something of a mixed bag with respect to perceived social status.
Scoutdude is right about the quality of the mechanical components, so IH is the way to go if you want a pickup truck that firmly emphasizes the “truck” part of the equation. I’m quite happy with mine.-
You are doing it correctly: The very moment you’d claim that you are cool – you’re not (anymore).
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Having owned a F100 (albeit with a 223, not 300 CID inline 6), and also having served as designated driver too many times in a friends ’68 International, I would say the Binder is a better work vehicle, is more likely to keep up with traffic (that’s not to say it WILL keep up, just that it’s more likely to), and is less of a bellybutton vehicle. The Ford is probably easier to buy parts for, and when you tire of it, probably easier to sell, too.
The fact that the IH is already in the family and can be acquired for a favorable price tilts the scales substantially towards ir. -
I’m a Ford guy (they are great trucks) but even more so I like oddballs and orphans. I’d go International.
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The Ford 300 inline 6 is one of my infatuations too–but yes, only with the manual, and those best on the tree.. Pretty much unanimous that they tow better than trucks equipped with 302 V8s. Its all about torque!
Thing is, for daily driver duty, I think I would move up to the post 1987 models with fuel injection and manuals with overdrive. The earlier carb versions are pretty darn thirsty, and FI helps…alot…and power is better too. -
The IH is way better looking than I remember. In fact, it looks like a real truck. I like that big windshield and the purposeful grill. Nice truck.
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It looks like a real truck becuase much of that Cab is the same as was used on the Loadstar for many years, including that windshield, which means they are still available new or at least they were a couple of years ago.
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I found this F150 the other day down in Logan. It’s 20 years too new and a 5.0 V8 instead of the 4.9 straight 6, but at about $2K it’s tempting. I’m thinking that I want a V8 auto truck so I can haul a car trailer if I need to. It kills me to say that but the automatics tend to have higher tow ratings.
https://www.cbitrucks.com/1994_Ford_F150_Logan_OH_23911699.veh
https://cdn04.carsforsale.com/3/494507/23911699/1153304335.jpg -
Thanks guys, I figured I’d get some realistic feedback. Much appreciated.
I agree, the Binder isn’t a beautiful truck by any definition, but it does have an honest, humble look to it that I like. My intentions aren’t really to ever sell, just to enjoy, so I don’t worry about resale. I’ve always liked the less-desired marques more than mainstream favorites, anyway. Parts availability worries me somewhat, but I appreciate the reference to binderplanet. I’ll check them out, and maybe talk to Dad about it over the holidays.
As for the Ford inline six, I’m a big fan. Dad also has my late grandfather’s ’88 F150 (300-6 with a 5-speed), which he’s not used in years. I’ve kicked around the idea of getting it as well, but as the F series goes, that was probably my least-favorite generation. It would be markedly more practical, though.
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That sounds awesome. Definitely have a trip like the on my someday I’ll do it list.
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I am waking my workshop from an eight-month slumber. First step? High-mount a spare television and Roku in the corner over the workbench, of course.
Priorities.-
For watching Youtube instructional videos of course.
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actually, it is for watching weather updates in the basement during tornado warnings. The TV had been on a shelf under the workbench, but it was getting dirty there, and I wanted the shelf space for other storage. So it actually did make some sense, it just sounds silly to say.
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If you put your workshop inside the tornado shelter, do you care about the tornado warning?
Plus if your house DOES get hit, you’ll have your workshop ready to rebuild the house!
(I’m imagining something like this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Fallout_shelter_photo.png )
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“Fun” car stuff this week included a parking brake that imploded on the way to work, so I could barely limp into the village’s mechanics shop. Sett back my new car fond by almost 500$. Yesterday, I tried a variation of K Seal after @Vairship’s recommendation – it’s fashionably called “radiatorsement” here. Despite shaking the bottle like a madman, the green fluid included quite visible lumps of random particles. Pretty excited to see if it works.
Having to take the bus with a non-op Honda, I was pretty amazed by the massive payment rack. There are a lot of ways to pay, and a wide variety of administrative distractions for the driver.-
Reminds me of taxi I took in Hong Kong. ALL THE INFO, ALL THE TIME!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dc47d421669479661afadc9be1b5c295304bf712795916b715e624efcfb32e1b.jpg-
That’s crazy. I’m sure you felt well taken care of.
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I’m seriously considering buying a particular 1972 MG Midget. It has the A-series 1275 that was rebuilt at some point. Who knows what’s inside? It ran when parked (of course). The rubber fuel line cracked and the owner just moved on to a Peugeot instead. The original twin carbs were replaced with a downdraft Weber. That theme where something breaks and is replaced with aftermarket-but-okay parts continues throughout (brake lines, e-brake, starter, electronic ignition, fuel pump, iHome bluetooth…). The body is okay but paint is crap. In some ways, this takes any pressure off keeping the car original. It just doesn’t make sense economically to do anything but make it start, drive, and have slow al fresco fun. Will the seller accept my low ball offer? I’ll update you once I get it started and make such an offer. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d7d8e1eae95c61fea94572d260d93374594a05e79fcf96625ba6b1038fed45eb.jpg
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Is that a Snugtop with custom oblong portholes? If so, those tops have a reputation of being a good choice for Spridgets.
It does look like a fun car. My advice would be to stick with the painted wire wheels (even though wire wheels in general can be a pain) but perhaps spring for a set of two-eared knockoffs, now that they are available through the aftermarket in both fine and coarse threads.-
It probably is. I remember seeing a manufacturer’s sticker and that it came from California. The thing with the hardtop is I don’t know that I would really use it. This isn’t the car I would drive during the stormy parts of the PNW winter.
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Looks like it might be an MG Mitten, with custom porthole. There’s a name I haven’t thought about in years – they used to advertise in the back of car magazines.
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Nice, a round-arch car! One of the few major Spridget variants my dad *doesn’t* have (he has a Bugeye, a MkII ‘63 Sprite, a MkIV ‘68 Sprite & a late rubber-bumper square-arch Midget.)
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That’s a MK III with round rear wheel arches and pretty chrome fenders…cool. I had a maroon 75 1500 Anniverary edition which was so ugly with the square arches and the gross bumpers not to mention the increased ride height. It was fun to drive and drove like on rails and the anachronisms made me smile. In many way it was like a pre-war British car: lever shocks, the heater control valve was a manual water tap under the hood. To adjust the clutch you had to lengthen or shorten the rod from the slave cylinder to the clutch by welding or grinding. But fun, simple and easy to work on. I really enjoyed it.
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“Not exactly car news…”
No, you’re good. Although the term “automobile” usually is taken to exclude motorcycles, “automotive” encompasses them.
Planning to come through Seattle? -
I finally got around to taking some poor-quality photos of my EV Global Motors Mini-E-Bike. This one highlights two of its salient features: (1) It folds. (2) Lee Iacocca, the force behind EV Global, put his name on them. I’m thinking it has a bright future as a Lemons pit bike and/or Judgemobile.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/046b7413b54786c1598481f92186e98e7f813cd52913c7854bd11789a6ffd50a.jpg-
Wow, that seat post clamp looks quite expensive to make, are components good quality items?
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Yes, them seem to be at the very least not absolute junk. Then again, my standards for this aren’t the highest.
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Yesterday I brought my pickup in to the dealer to get some recalls done (free) & an oil change (on my $), and some ******* turned off the auto headlights that I always leave enabled, so I drove halfway home in the dark without lights on because I could see well enough thanks to the street lights. REEEEEEEEEEE
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Spent the afternoon taking the driver’s door apart on the Spider to lubricate the door latch mechanism. Our car club sponsors a regional Italian car show. The weather for this year’s event was … horrible. As a loyal club member I foolishly decided to show up ( as did about 75 other fools).
We were treated to a deluge that didn’t stop for over five hours.
My 71 Alfa Spider which just rolled over 70,000 miles on the way to the show, was furious at me. She started right up for the drive home, but the wipers kept muttering unkind thoughts. I undertook a serious dryout program immediatel upon closing the garage door behind us, but the next day the car simply refused to start. Completely dead but no fuses or relays had failed, and the battery tested fine. Ignition switch? Who knows? Because after a week of fiddling around, she simply decided to start right up, so I never found out. This car has always been a garage queen since new, and I believe that she just wanted me to understand that my conduct was unacceptable.
I thought I had been sufficiently shamed,and that we were through with all that, but the next weekend on a spirited drive chasing my buddy and his 73 GTV, by driver’s door decided to quit latching. Apparently the almost 50-year-old grease emulsified after prolonged exposure to water.
So everything had to come apart today, the old grease cleaned off and fresh grease (mixed with just a touch of knuckle blood) applied. The door latch works smoothly again, and I hope I have been forgiven…finally. -
“…Long rumored Jeep Pickup leaked…”. Of course it leaks…it’s a Jeep.
Seriously though I saw a new Jeep Compass last night with temporary license plates and no tail lights. The headlights were on and the brake lights were working, fortunately. I followed the guy for a mile or so through urban traffic, but never got close enough to give him a heads-up.
Is this just a Jeep thing I wouldn’t understand? Like everybody, if the budge permitted I would absolutely own a Jeep, but FCA has me worried that they’re turning in Harley Davidsons where you essentially buy a kit from the factory, and finish it yourself with aftermarket parts.-
While electrical problems would not be out of the question with a FCA product, I’m betting it is a combination of an always lit dash and day time running lights with no autolamp feature/or not activated. I always see Toyotas running around w/o their lights on because they have that combination. So the cluster is fully readable, in fact usually super bright and the regular headlights at reduced power give the average joe enough lighting that they are comfortable enough driving with them at least in areas with enough street lights.
I know one time when I was pulling into the gas station with my F250 and the turn signal didn’t blink, it stayed on, which is an indication that one of the bulbs is burnt out. (Not enough current flowing). So I put the lights on the parking light position, got the pump going and did a light check. I hop in to go, release the parking brake (which activates the day time lights on the manual trans Fords) while still under the well lighted canopy. I have dash lights and I can see headlights on the road so I start heading home. Much of the way there were street lights and I was clueless that my headlights were not at full brightness. However when I’m getting closer to home and away from other street lights and other traffic I notice I’m not seeing so well. Try to hit the high beams and they won’t come on except in the flash to pass position. I then figure out that my lights are not on. So I fully see how some people might not notice that their headlights are at reduced brightness. Though I would think they might notice that switches on the dash are not lighted like they were in my case with the parking lights on.-
Ahhh, that makes more sense..
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