Volume VII, Issue X

1957 Last Hudson introd

10/28/1955 Chevy intros small-
block V-8; the 265
10/31/2010 GM ceases produc-
tion of Pontiac line
10/31/1957 Toyota Motor Sales,
USA, opens in Hollywood, CA

- Time to go cruisin!
After enduring a week of
the temps never getting out
of the low-50s, and seeing/
hearing geese winging their
way south, I am resigned to
the fact summer is over.
Not a pleasant thought!
SAVED 62 is up and run-
ning once again. Oh what a
relief it is! She went into the
body shop on 24 Sep. We
shall see how long before
she comes back home?
With this issue we con-
clude our sixth year of con-
tinuous publication. It has
been a good/fun run!
It is not too late to join a
tour of the Mother Road
taking place Oct 8-19. 10
days of memorable explora-
tion by automobile of days of
yore. For tour information
and registration, go here:
National Route 66 Motor
Tour. It will be a great time!

October Automotive Milestones
10/1/1908 Model T debuts
1954 Stude-Packard merge
1974 Last Imperial built
1959 Chevy debuts Corvair
10/4/1962 Buick debuts Rivi
1983 Land speed record of
633 mph is set
10/7/1945 1st post-war Cad
1960 Premiere of "Route
66" on CBS
1938 Mercury production
begins
1959 Ford debuts Falcon
10/14/1965 Olds debuts Toro
1945 Olds resumes post-
war production
10/16/1958 El Camino de-
buts
10/21/1927 1st Model A Ford
built
1963 Honda imports first
car to U.S.
10/25/1931 George Wash-
ington Bridge opens to traffic
1954 George Romney
named AMC's chairman and
CEO
High RPMs
GDYNets on the Web
Find GDYNets on the web:
CCC -THE FORUM -A web
site to discuss the newsletter,
the hobby and our cars.
Car Collector Chronicles
Saved 62 -Our 1962 Olds
convertible, Ransom Eli Olds
and things Oldsmobile related
web site.
The Gray Lady -1955 Cadillac
Coup de Ville web site.
SAVED 62: A website devoted
to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dy-
namic 88 convertible. The site
also has a lot of information on
Oldsmobile cars and the com-
pany founder, Ransom Eli Olds.
THE GRAY LADY: This web-
site features our 1955 Cadillac
Coup de Ville, lots of Caddy
information and an extensive
repair library.
DAVES DEN: -A site de-
voted to a myriad of interests.
Foremost is extensive informa-
tion on the Steel City of Gary,
IN. There are also offerings on
steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary
Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14
assault rifle, of course Oldsmo-
bile, and the tragic story of the
murder of Gary, IN Police Lt.
George Yaros.
A GDYNETS
PUBLICATION

2014, G. DAVID
YAROS. ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
October 2014 Ca s
Car Collector
Chronicles

Exploring:
Car Collecting Today
Classic Rides
Reports From the Field
Oldsmobile (1897-2004)
Cadillac (1902- )
Allant (1987-1993)
Corvair (1960-1969)

= Clickable Link

IN THIS ISSUE:
High RPMs


1


GDY Nets
On the Web

1


Rock Auto
Challenge

2


SAVED 62 Saga 3
The Milwaukee
Masterpiece
4
Milwaukee Master-
piece Entrants/
Winners/Pictures
5

CCC Forum
EMail:
OldsD88@gmail.com

This month I am singling out Rock Auto for atten-
tion and comment. I am sure you have seen their ads
on the tube: All the parts your car will ever need.
They tell you, Quit running around to multiple parts
stores. Get it all, quick, in just one place; Rock Auto.
In getting SAVED 62 back on the road I was in the market for some parts. In particular,
hydraulic brake line hoses, front and rear, for the Olds. Having used Rock Auto be-
fore, I figured I would check them out.
A nice feature on the site is that Rock Auto provides manufacturer names and part
numbers for items. With a part number in hand, one may then search for it on other
sites, such as NAPA, OReilly or Auto Zone. This makes the tasks of determin-
ing availability and comparing prices very easy.
While working on the Olds I happened to notice the air cleaner housing to carburetor
gasket was missing. I decided it would be prudent of me to buy a few. Off to Rock
Auto I go. I key in my ride, select the appropriate part category, Fuel/Air, and voil,
there it is:

1962 OLDSMOBILE DYNAMIC 6.5L 394cid V8 : Fuel/Air : Air Cleaner Gasket
Fel-Pro Part # 5292 2BBL; 3 1/2" ID x 3 9/16" OD $0.75

I find my local parts supply houses also have, or can get, this gasket. However, they want a
buck or two for it. Given that fact, six bits seems to be a more than reasonable cost. I
decide to buy 5. That way, should I need another one, I will have it in stock/on hand in
the car barn. $0.75 x 5 = $3.75. I can certainly handle that.
So I continue to work my way through the Rock Auto site to complete my purchase.
It wants my zip code to compute shipping. No problem. I mean how much can it cost
to ship 5 gaskets, weighing far less than a pound, total? Well, my friends, the answer to
that question is a whopping $17.07! (Heck, I shipped my bulky, heavy brake booser/
MC unit off to the rebuilder via UPS for only $15.63!) Adding in the Rock Auto
shipping charge brought my total order to $20.82, or $4.16 per gasket! $17.07 in
shipping equals more than four and a half (4.5) times the cost of the items I wanted!
Well, let me tell you, my mother didnt raise no dummies. I ended up ordering the
gaskets from JEGS. While JEGS did charge me $8.45, or $1.69 each, it did not
charge me anything for shipping via FedEx ground.
As luck would have it, shortly after undergoing this experience Rock Auto sent me
their current e-newsletter. I found an e-mail address in it which I used to communicate
my dissatisfaction with their exorbitant shipping charges. To my surprise I received a
response. The author proffered the obvious truth of, There is no such thing as a free
lunch. He made the point that Fed Ex does not work for free. He said Rock Auto
is able to keep their prices low by charging separately for shipping.
While all of this is of course true, it ignores one vital point. The consumer, me, is only
interested in the bottom line. That is, what is the total out-of-pocket cost for the item,
not the item sans shipping charges? I proceeed to try and make that point clear and
provide an understanding of why the Rock Auto practice/philosophy re: shipping
charges was detrimental to its overall business goal of making money. One does not
make money by driving custormers elsewhere. The individual was nonplussed and did
not seem to care what I thought or felt.
If JEGS can ship $3.75 worth of gaskets for $4.70, why must Rock Auto charge
$17.07 to send the same package? Dont insult my intelligence by trying to tell me
Rock Auto is not padding the bottom line with these outrageous shipping costs.
One more point on this. I constantly gripe over the seeming inability to find anything
that is made in America. I am here to proclaim that Fel-Pro gaskets are proudly
made in America!
Rock Auto Challenge
Car Collector Chronicles Page 2
$17.07 in
shipping
equals more
than four and
a half (4.5)
times the cost
of the items I
wanted!
Saved 62 Saga
As mentioned in High RPMs, the Olds is now back on the road. Getting it operable
again was far more difficult than I would have ever imagined. A lot of the problem was the
cramped working conditions when removing the vacuum assist booster and master cylin-
der. To get the unit out one must contort themselves into a working position under the
dash, but above the steering column. With some difficulty I was able to accomplish that
feat. And let me point out that the key word in the previous sentence is feat.
Bolting the combination booster/MC unit back on to the firewall was somewhat easier,
but just as uncomfortable. However, I had a heck of a time getting the brake line recon-
nected to the MC. When I say a heck of a time I am talking multiple hours spread out over
multiple days!
I was not able to remove the opposite end of the brake line in question from the junction
block on the frame, which might have made the job easier. Nor was I able to accurately
bend the MC end of the brake line to get the fitting to line up with the MC port. Believe me
I tried, repeatedly. I tried so many times that I created a blister on my index finger. To get
the brake line fitting to thread into the MC port I ended up removing the MC from the now
installed vacuum assist booster. Doing so made it possible for all the constituent parts
(brake line, fitting and MC port) to line up as needed.
But it also created a problem in how to now compress the MC spring and piston enough
to get the MC unit back onto the vacuum assist booster studs. That task was only accom-
plished with the perspicacious use of a length of 3/4 inch natural gas pipe strategically ap-
plying pressure on the end of the MC. I tell no lie when I report that I did breathe a hearty
sigh of relief when I got it all back together.
Once the new vacuum assist booster/MC unit and new hoses were installed, it was time
to bleed the brakes. To do so I called on the assistance of my resident apprentice me-
chanic, The Mrs.
Job done and all work road tested, I was finally able to take the car to the body shop
recommended by Hagertys independent appraiser; Nagel Auto Body . I discussed a
number of matters in the course of my interview of the body shop owner. I also inspected
some of his work to try and get an idea of the kind of results I could expect.
His answers to my queries were not assuring. He did not tell me, in response to a direct
question, whether the finish on my car is lacquer, enamel or base coat/clear coat. While I
presume he is capable of making this determination, he did not choose to do so in my
presence. He advised me his chrome guys would take 12-16 weeks to straighten and re-
chrome my bumper. That is 3-to-4 months! He would not store my car during this period.
It would be incumbent on me to make multiple trips to and from his place of business to a)
have the bumper removed and sent off, b) to have the car repaired and c) to have the
bumper installed once it came back from the chrome shop. He also was in a tizzy over
trying to decide whether he should have his collision or restoration guys do the work on my
car.
Lastly, in looking at the car he presented to me as an exemplar
of his work (1970 Plymouth GTX Hemi; 1 of 29 ever built), I was not
happy with the body panel gaps it exhibited. They varied too
much to suit me. One would expect more precision on a ride that
has a rarity factor of 1-of-29. Consequently, my discussions and
observations have resulted in this shop being placed in the also
ran category.
I next took the car to Bennett Coachworks, who did the me-
chanical repairs to The Gray Lady last summer. There I spotted,
and could not help but admire, the work done on a 60s era Lin-
coln Continental. The craftsmanship exhibited was readily apparent and spoke very highly
of the time and effort put into the work done on this car. It was a sharp contrast to the
Hemi GTX I saw at the other establishment. So, it is back to Bennett Coachworks for
my collector car body repair needs. I took the car in on 24 Sep, and am awaiting its return
home to the Yaros Car Barn.
He advised
me his
chrome guys
would take 12-
16 weeks to
straighten and
rechrome my
bumper. That
is 3-to-4
months!
Car Collector Chronicles Page 3
Car Collector Chronicles Page 4;;
The Milwaukee Masterpiece-Concours Day
Picking up from last month Sunday, 24 Aug was concours day at the
Masterpiece; the day when only the crme de la crme are permitted on the
show field. As on Saturday, the weather was cool and overcast. These con-
ditions, as my photog friend Jim has noted, made it ideal for taking pictures.
The Mrs. and I were somewhat surprised at both the number and quality of
rides on display. Our collective opinion was that there were not as many cars
as in years past. Perhaps the weather had something to do with that? After
all, the skies were indeed dark and heavy. We also felt the wow factor usu-
ally present just was not there. In justification of our viewpoint I ask, what is a
1963 Ford Falcon doing at a concours event? Likewise a Buick GS, Oldsmo-
bile 442 W-30 or a Pontiac GTO? Then again, have we perhaps become a bit jaded?
That is not to say there were not a lot of very nice, high dollar,
well cared for show cars on display on Concours Day. One such
ride was an automobile of which I had no familiarity; a 1953 Ga-
zelle. My efforts at researching this car have yielded nada. Some
references imply it may be a kit car? In fact there may well be a kit
car with this name, but it is not the car that was on display at the
Masterpiece. The bottom line is I still know nothing about this car.
Then there was the Ferrari
500 Superfast . We are
talking high end and high
price here. The craftsman-
ship shows, both in the body
and the interior. We are also talking high performance. The V-12
engine is capable of speeds in excess of 170 m.p.h. What I am at a
total loss to ex-
plain is why the
owner of this car
would put Red
Crown valve caps
on it? Hey, it is his car and he is free to do whatever he
wants, right?
There were a few rides that definitely stood out in my
minds eye. Being an Oldsmobile fan, I was drawn to the
1934 Oldsmobile L-34 Convertible. We spent some time
talking to the owner. He has owned the car since his high
school days. He drives the car as well as shows it. That he
does says a lot about his appreciation for the car. Not only does he enjoy his car, he wants others to be
able to enjoy it. One of the impressive things about the car to me was the wind up clock integrated into
the rear view mirror. Pretty high tech for 1934. Toms Olds L-34 took 3rd in its class at the show.
Car Collector Chronicles Page 5;;
The Milwaukee Masterpiece - Concours Day Contd.
The other outstanding ride for me was the 1964 Excalibur Roadster Prototype. This was a Brooks Ste-
vens design. Stevens was a native of Milwaukee. His designs include the Studebaker GT Hawk, the
Miller High Life logo and Oscar Mayer wienermobile. Being a Stevens design it presents a splendid com-
bination of sleekness, sportiness and class in a well thought out package. Corvettes pale in comparison
to this Brooks Stevens creation.




Masterpiece Concours Entries/
Winners/Pictures

Here is where you will find the entrants list
for the 2014 Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours,
the winners at the concours, the photos
taken by me at the event (on Photobucket)
and the Masterpieces own photo collection .



Ok, Ive had my say for the month. Now its your turn! I invite/encourage submission
of your comments, opinions and article contributions. I also ask that you please help
spread the word about our publication. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me.
Submissions should be sent to CCC at OldsD88@gmail.com.

Now that you have finished reading this months issue of the newsletter, if so in-
clined, like CCC on Facebook by going here

______________________________________
-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM!

COMING NEXT ISSUE:
TBD