Random Thoughts Thread

[balthazar]

‘Professional Grade’! ?

[Robert Hall]

19 minutes ago, balthazar said:

‘Professional Grade’! ?

True that, doesn’t hurt that they are really handsome trucks also, esp w/ the Denali chrome.  

[G. David Felt]

18 hours ago, balthazar said:

I had requested they not put the dealer ID on my GMC when I ordered it, but on pickup day (ha!) there it was on the tailgate. They took it right off, no problem.

Vintage dealer license frames are hot commodities. My '64's dealer was a pretty big, multi-brand Chicago outfit, but apparently they didn't have them (never seen one). No dealer ID badge. I'd grab and install a reasonably-priced frame if I ever found one- that's a 'paperwork' car.

The '59 was a pretty small rural PA store- that car had a chromed dealer badge bolted thru the rear fascia- I deleted it at the bodywork stage. I've never found any advertising for that dealer other than a Pennsylvania Buick dealer listing.
There's a guy on FB doing really nice period dealer frames, not sure what he charges: 

License plate frames are the devils work too and I hate them, never allow them to stay on my auto, but always took them off if they were there. Both the vinyl stickers and license plate frames should not be on the auto.

[balthazar]

^ Like I said, a lot of vintage enthusiasts love 'em, and they can be pretty cool.
Plus, in the (likely) event the dealer is defunct, you aren't advertising anything.   

[oldshurst442]

4 hours ago, David said:

Both the vinyl stickers and license plate frames should not be on the auto.

I strongly disagree with this, buddy.   Friend.   

(Not a sarcastic tone, btw. Had you been an obnoxious poster, then my referencing to you as 'buddy' and 'friend' would be sarcastic, but I kinda, like you?  maybe???  So my tone is...um more or less, genuine?   I guess...     ) 

OK...back to disagreeing with this POV.  

Since a dealership is a store. A PRIVATELY owned store FRANCHISED to sell a brand of vehicle by a certain OEM, then that owner of said dealership has the right to advertise his store on the product he is selling. 

And if the dealership in question is a special and prestigious dealership like as an example Yenko, Dana, Nickey  that all sold Chevrolets that hot rodded Camaros and Chevelles during the original muscle car era and those Camaros and Chevelles were beasts on the drag strip that were even nationally recognized, I would say, they have a RIGHT to advertise their dealership on the best billboard there is. On the car itself!!!

No, I wouldnt want a sticker or vanity plate or frame on my new car with the dealer's name on it. I dont like the look of something like that on my NEW car.  

However, something like what Balthy posted on the post above seems like an honest and genuine restoration that captures the era.   I would most certainly would want a period correct vanity plate or frame on a restored cruiser like that.

If I was into the restoration game, and had my own business for such things like that,  I would sooooo do a replica Dana Camaro for instance...

or even do a modern version of that Camaro using a new 6th gen Camaro and doing a modern take on that race car... 

 

[balthazar]

"Check front end looseness
Pull springs & check
check toe in & toe out"

$3.50 !!!!!!

Can't. Wrap. Head. Around!

 

[balthazar]

My humble opinion is that FoMoCo styling in the '70s was, on average, fairly awful. It's the low point (on average) for FMC. 
 

[surreal1272]

7 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I strongly disagree with this, buddy.   Friend.   

(Not a sarcastic tone, btw. Had you been an obnoxious poster, then my referencing to you as 'buddy' and 'friend' would be sarcastic, but I kinda, like you?  maybe???  So my tone is...um more or less, genuine?   I guess...     ) 

OK...back to disagreeing with this POV.  

Since a dealership is a store. A PRIVATELY owned store FRANCHISED to sell a brand of vehicle by a certain OEM, then that owner of said dealership has the right to advertise his store on the product he is selling. 

And if the dealership in question is a special and prestigious dealership like as an example Yenko, Dana, Nickey  that all sold Chevrolets that hot rodded Camaros and Chevelles during the original muscle car era and those Camaros and Chevelles were beasts on the drag strip that were even nationally recognized, I would say, they have a RIGHT to advertise their dealership on the best billboard there is. On the car itself!!!

No, I wouldnt want a sticker or vanity plate or frame on my new car with the dealer's name on it. I dont like the look of something like that on my NEW car.  

However, something like what Balthy posted on the post above seems like an honest and genuine restoration that captures the era.   I would most certainly would want a period correct vanity plate or frame on a restored cruiser like that.

If I was into the restoration game, and had my own business for such things like that,  I would sooooo do a replica Dana Camaro for instance...

or even do a modern version of that Camaro using a new 6th gen Camaro and doing a modern take on that race car... 

 

He only said that BOTH (at the same time) should not be allowed. Clear distinction there. Hell, if a I buy a $50K home theater system from an electronics store, they don’t slap their store stickers on the receiver and speakers. Only car dealerships think they are that special. 

[A Horse With No Name]

15 hours ago, balthazar said:

‘Professional Grade’! ?

I disagree with you and Disagree with David. Personally...I disagree with david and agree with Ocnblu on this one. I find the current generation of GM trucks really beautiful. Also disagree with you when you said you didn't want black or white. Personally, I like both the Chevy and GMC in black and White. 

Would love to have both of you here so we could discuss over coffee.

Thought of Robert Hall and his dogs when I saw this...

10 hours ago, balthazar said:

^ Like I said, a lot of vintage enthusiasts love 'em, and they can be pretty cool.
Plus, in the (likely) event the dealer is defunct, you aren't advertising anything.   

This fits my fetish for 50's cars perfectly. thanks for posting it. Wish I had owned a Ford from this era. 

[A Horse With No Name]

So glad I am not in the dating scene. 

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

He only said that BOTH (at the same time) should not be allowed. Clear distinction there. Hell, if a I buy a $50K home theater system from an electronics store, they don’t slap their store stickers on the receiver and speakers. Only car dealerships think they are that special. 

Actually thinking of buying a tube AMP. Just bought a Schiit Vidar which works wonderfully in my living room system. However, setting up an upstairs system and thinking Tubes. 

This puppy here....its clear when its loud....which is often...

https://www.schiit.com/products/vidar

It's Chinese but well built, thinking of this for the upstairs system.

https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/willsenton-tube-amplifier-c-77/willsenton-r8-kt88-el34-x4-tube-integrated-amp-power-amplifier-headphone-p-2268?zenid=303c2d79e416a811a4c650fd8e48fe81

Part of me just wants to buy a big old heavy duty high wattage receiver from the 1970's with the silver front but prices on Marantz and Yamaha stuff has gotten stupid. 

Best to you,

 

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

 

Same subwoofer I use. But completely differently. It works very well filling in low HZ with classical and jazz. But I am not immune to rattling the dishes in the cupboards....the neighbors cupboards....

[A Horse With No Name]

Not my personal sub, but it will move some air...

 

[A Horse With No Name]

This never gets old...I may have posted this before but....it never gets old...

 

For Oldshurst...

 

[surreal1272]

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

This puppy here....its clear when its loud....which is often...

(Does his best Tim Allen "grunt")

1 hour ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Part of me just wants to buy a big old heavy duty high wattage receiver from the 1970's with the silver front but prices on Marantz and Yamaha stuff has gotten stupid. 

Same but yes, the prices are just obscene. On a side note, I did find a pair of old school Sony floor speakers at a thrift store (about seven months ago) for $16 (for the pair). They work flawlessly so I put them with my semi-old school setup in my workshop. Notice where they are made. Didn't know Sony ever even made anything here until I did a little research. It was back in the 70s when Sony was just getting into the US market and they used a company called SuperScope to build and distribute these speakers (SuperScope also made cassette decks and other gear for Marantz at that time). The speakers are noting fancy but they sound pretty damn good and you can't find these cheaper than $250 (with shipping) on Ebay. That's a "win" for me.

Edited August 3, 2021 by surreal1272

[balthazar]

Anyone looking for a Marantz receiver? I hear they're relatively coveted.
My son has a few vintage stereo pieces he wants to liquidate.

[A Horse With No Name]

6 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Anyone looking for a Marantz receiver? I hear they're relatively coveted.
My son has a few vintage stereo pieces he wants to liquidate.

What does he have?

I am probably more interested in finding a good tube amplifier though. 

but would consider it. 

Good music, notice the Ragtop!

 

I really like this group. 

[A Horse With No Name]

Not mine, from a FB group. Bog oak, love the wood. 

32 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

(Does his best Tim Allen "grunt")

Same but yes, the prices are just obscene. On a side note, I did find a pair of old school Sony floor speakers at a thrift store (about seven months ago) for $16 (for the pair). They work flawlessly so I put them with my semi-old school setup in my workshop. Notice where they are made. Didn't know Sony ever even made anything here until I did a little research. It was back in the 70s when Sony was just getting into the US market and they used a company called SuperScope to build and distribute these speakers (SuperScope also made cassette decks and other gear for Marantz at that time). The speakers are noting fancy but they sound pretty damn good and you can't find these cheaper than $250 (with shipping) on Ebay. That's a "win" for me.

Good get. I am debating about speakers at the moment. I really like the Magnepan LRS at $650, but really want to play with Tube amps. Not sure if I like something like the Klipsch heresy speaker enough to dump a grand or two into a used pair. 

Time will tell, not in a hurry to do anything soon. 

[G. David Felt]

11 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I strongly disagree with this, buddy.   Friend.   

Agree, we are friends, no sarcasm intended, but we agree to disagree and I do understand your point, but as @surreal1272 pointed out, you buy a high end sound system and Best Buy does not put their logo on that equipment. I expect the same from the Dealership.

This is Greasy cheap marketing 101 that I would expect from a less than reputable used auto dealership.

If a New Auto Dealership does the job right, they will gain more in advertising by my word of mouth talking about how great the dealership is than a cheesy sticker on the auto or license plate frame. IMHO

11 hours ago, balthazar said:

"Check front end looseness
Pull springs & check
check toe in & toe out"

$3.50 !!!!!!

Can't. Wrap. Head. Around!

 

WOW, WOW, WOW, $3.50 cents for all that is just crazy cheap, but then it is November 22nd 1965, 2 years before I was born. So then bread was 49 cents a loaf on average and gas was 30 cents a gallon. Crazy is according the Government statistics for average hourly wage in 1965 it was $1.85 per hour, so one has to wonder about this price for this service.

Agree, hard to wrap ones head around this bill.

@surreal1272 The 70's and 80's allot of Asian labeled TVs and Sounds systems were made in the US from unknown high end companies. Pretty crazy, but when you find stuff at a Goodwill or garage sale, and if it is cheap enough, then it is usually worth the time to buy it and try it out. Worst is maybe a few new capacitors soldered in.

[surreal1272]

5 minutes ago, David said:

The 70's and 80's allot of Asian labeled TVs and Sounds systems were made in the US

True. SuperScope produced these and while they are not technically “high end”, they do the job that is asked of them. Getting them for a steal was merely a bonus lol. 

[G. David Felt]

27 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Good get. I am debating about speakers at the moment. I really like the Magnepan LRS at $650, but really want to play with Tube amps. Not sure if I like something like the Klipsch heresy speaker enough to dump a grand or two into a used pair. 

Time will tell, not in a hurry to do anything soon. 

Chris, one thing to consider is that Magnavox from the 80's were commercial grade speakers sold at retail to help pump up their volume. They were bought and still owned by Philips in 1974 and one of the last companies to produce stereo and TV gear in the US up till 2005. 

I have a 1986 commercial grade set of Magnavox speakers and they rock!

History of Magnavox The Great American Voice (magnavoxhistory.com)

Crazy history note, Magnavox Plant #3 in Tennessee made the last of US built TV's sold under the label Akai in 2005 before production moved to China. 

[balthazar]

49 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

What does he have?

I am probably more interested in finding a good tube amplifier though. 

but would consider it. 

Too many amps here. He's a tube junkie. Basement has piles.
Message me some criteria, I'll get a list of what may fit your search.

Edited August 3, 2021 by balthazar

[balthazar]

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, David said:

Chris, one thing to consider is that Magnavox from the 80's were commercial grade speakers sold at retail to help pump up their volume. They were bought and still owned by Philips in 1974 and one of the last companies to produce stereo and TV gear in the US up till 2005. 

I have a 1986 commercial grade set of Magnavox speakers and they rock!

History of Magnavox The Great American Voice (magnavoxhistory.com)

Crazy history note, Magnavox Plant #3 in Tennessee made the last of US built TV's sold under the label Akai in 2005 before production moved to China. 

The Heresy speakers by Klipsch and the Magnepan LRS I was talking about are both built in the USA, the Magnepans in Minnesota and the Klipsch heresy in Arkansas. Klipsch has been building that speaker in the US since the 50's or 60's, continuously. 

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

...now just make it four door electric SUV....just busting your chops. Like this and the Mach E!

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

Too many amps here. He's a tube junkie. Basement has piles.
Message me some criteria, I'll get a list of what may fit your search.

He sounds like he is as much of a pack rat as you and I.  Will get back to you...

[A Horse With No Name]

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I strongly disagree with this, buddy.   Friend.   

(Not a sarcastic tone, btw. Had you been an obnoxious poster, then my referencing to you as 'buddy' and 'friend' would be sarcastic, but I kinda, like you?  maybe???  So my tone is...um more or less, genuine?   I guess...     ) 

OK...back to disagreeing with this POV.  

Since a dealership is a store. A PRIVATELY owned store FRANCHISED to sell a brand of vehicle by a certain OEM, then that owner of said dealership has the right to advertise his store on the product he is selling. 

And if the dealership in question is a special and prestigious dealership like as an example Yenko, Dana, Nickey  that all sold Chevrolets that hot rodded Camaros and Chevelles during the original muscle car era and those Camaros and Chevelles were beasts on the drag strip that were even nationally recognized, I would say, they have a RIGHT to advertise their dealership on the best billboard there is. On the car itself!!!

No, I wouldnt want a sticker or vanity plate or frame on my new car with the dealer's name on it. I dont like the look of something like that on my NEW car.  

However, something like what Balthy posted on the post above seems like an honest and genuine restoration that captures the era.   I would most certainly would want a period correct vanity plate or frame on a restored cruiser like that.

If I was into the restoration game, and had my own business for such things like that,  I would sooooo do a replica Dana Camaro for instance...

or even do a modern version of that Camaro using a new 6th gen Camaro and doing a modern take on that race car... 

 

This Camaro is pure automotive porn...love it. 

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, balthazar said:

Seems every auto site is now posting what they expect a 4 door Mustang EV will look like to compete against a 4 door Camaro.

Or they are posting a photoshop of what a 4 door electric Camaro will look like.

[balthazar]

More recycling :
 

[Robert Hall]

1 hour ago, David said:

Seems every auto site is now posting what they expect a 4 door Mustang EV will look like to compete against a 4 door Camaro.

Or they are posting a photoshop of what a 4 door electric Camaro will look like.

What makes those Camaro renders so bad is they are based on the previous generation from a decade ago….

 

I suspect they will do an EV crossover like the Mach E instead.  

[G. David Felt]

Ouch, but oh so funny to watch.

GMC HD Denali sinks into the lake at a boat launch caught on local news.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR9rJrwNOro/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=90b2e414-4e6d-4aa7-8025-f20abb9fcb67&ig_mid=3FA0FEE9-07C3-4C8E-AD12-F7A324DF37D3

"GMC Sierra HD Denali Plunges Into a Lake During Live News Broadcast" https://www.thedrive.com/news/41820/gmc-sierra-hd-denali-plunges-into-a-lake-during-live-news-broadcast

[oldshurst442]

10 hours ago, balthazar said:

I think the 1971-1973 Mustang is simply hideous.  I think I much prefer the Mustang II and I think that one is hideous as well.  This rendering I must say is gorgeous. 

 

[oldshurst442]

13 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

For Oldshurst...

 

 

1. I like the history lesson, but I KNOW which key opens the doors and which key starts the roar!  Thanks though,  I appreciated the down memory lane shout out of the keys!

2.  Good Canuck rock band!   Late '70s song...and fits this Trans Am just fiiiiine!   Nice reference!  

 

3. I dont like  shifting my own gears, but on a 2nd gen F-Body (Trans Am), Id gladly do it!

4. One thing missing on this car is the Phoenix!   Love that screaming chicken!

5.. I think Ive posted this video in here before though. But great to view it again!

6. Thanks Chris! 

Edited August 4, 2021 by oldshurst442

[oldshurst442]

9 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

This Camaro is pure automotive porn...love it. 

Oh...baby!!! 

Give me more!

 

Dont stop! 

Yeah!   Right there! 

Now from the back! 

ooooooooh baby! yeah! 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by oldshurst442

[G. David Felt]

Seems GM is kicking butts, taking names and numbers with the Q2 results. A stock to invest in far better than Tesla!

GM Reports Strong Second-Quarter 2021 Results

Second-quarter 2021 results overview

• Revenue of $34.2 billion
• Net income of $2.8 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of $4.1 billion, including warranty recall costs of $(1.3) billion, of which $(0.8) billion was related to the Chevrolet Bolt EV
• Net income margin of 8.3 percent, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 12.0 percent
• Automotive operating cash flow of $4.0 billion and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $2.5 billion
• EPS-diluted of $1.90, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of $1.97*
• GM North America EBIT-adjusted of $2.9 billion, and EBIT-adjusted margin of 10.4 percent
• GM International EBIT-adjusted of $0.0 billion, including China Equity Income of $0.3 billion
• GM Financial EBT-adjusted of $1.6 billion

Second-quarter 2020 results overview

• Revenue of $16.8 billion
• Net income (loss) of $(0.8) billion, and EBIT (loss)-adjusted of $(0.5) billion
• Net income (loss) margin of (4.5) percent, and EBIT (loss)-adjusted margin of (3.2) percent
• Automotive operating cash flow of $(8.0) billion, and adjusted automotive free cash flow of $(9.0) billion
• EPS-diluted of $(0.56), and EPS-diluted-adjusted of $(0.50)**
• GM North America EBIT (loss)-adjusted of $(0.1) billion, and EBIT (loss)-adjusted margin of
  (0.9) percent
• GM International EBIT (loss)-adjusted of $(0.3) billion, including China Equity Income of $0.2 billion
• GM Financial EBT-adjusted of $0.2 billion

2021 guidance

1. Full-year EPS-diluted of between $5.12 and $6.12, and EPS-diluted-adjusted of between $5.40 and $6.40
2. Full-year net income of between $7.7 billion and $9.2 billion, and EBIT-adjusted of between $11.5 billion and $13.5 billion

 

Solid read of Mary's letter to the Share Holders.

Q2 2021 Letter to Shareholders (gm.com)

Our strategy, investments and results are increasingly setting us apart, including:  

• Generating consistently strong earnings, including record EBIT-adjusted of $4.1 billion in the second quarter, and $8.5 billion in the first half.
• Accelerating our engineering and capital investments in electric vehicles (EVs) and self-driving technology (AVs) by $8 billion to $35 billion from 2020-2025.
• Developing a full EV portfolio that doesn’t depend on partial solutions like hybrids and “electrified” ICE vehicles. Instead, we’ve focused our investment on achieving the end solution of zero emissions more quickly.
• Creatively managing the complex and fluid global semiconductor shortage, while prioritizing our highest-demand, capacity-constrained products, and developing sustainable, long-term supply chain solutions.

Cadillac is announcing today that it will begin taking LYRIQ reservations on Sept. 18.  We have also confirmed that both Chevrolet and GMC will offer battery electric full-size pickups based on Ultium.

2023 Cadillac LYRIQ | Electric SUV | Model Overview

[balthazar]

Want to make auto-related stock profit- buy GM or Ford. Tesla’s run seems over and there’s zero dividends.

[A Horse With No Name]

26 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Want to make auto-related stock profit- buy GM or Ford. Tesla’s run seems over and there’s zero dividends.

I would agree, GM and ford are under valued. 

Going to hell for posting this but...

 

[A Horse With No Name]

This might be the most dysfunctional and cringe worthy music video ever. 

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Amazingly, everyone who posts here would see a Pontiac and ask the lady to get out of the way. 

Neat vintage speedway pick with a Chevelle

Antoher cool vintage pic...too bad the Mustang isn't a fastback...

 

El Camino....

 

[A Horse With No Name]

One more neat vintage pic, and then back at it at work...

[G. David Felt]

40 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

This might be the most dysfunctional and cringe worthy music video ever. 

 

SO RIGHT and CRINGE WORTHY BIG TIME!

[A Horse With No Name]

Let me chase that with a good music video. Love the quality of the strings in this....listened through a quality set of Grado headphones. Really brought the strings alive. 

I have been in a bit of a Western vibe lately. 

[oldshurst442]

2 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Amazingly, everyone who posts here would see a Pontiac and ask the lady to get out of the way. 

 

Watching the Olympics on and off, not really into them this time around. Came across this pic...thought about it and said...yup that would be a correct assessment of this situation! 

Thought about it some more...somehow I tied it in with sports...came across this meme

 But the ONLY Trans Girls I could think of right about now are these kinds of Trans girls...

 

 

 

 

 

So...I might not tell that lovely lady to move out of the way after all.  Well not completely out of the way anyway. 

[A Horse With No Name]

I love the cars and the girls!

 

Not sure that I am so into her, but this is one fine bird. 

I would ask her to bend over and check the tire pressure in that particular Pontiac. They are Called TA for a reason....

16 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I think the 1971-1973 Mustang is simply hideous.  I think I much prefer the Mustang II and I think that one is hideous as well.  This rendering I must say is gorgeous. 

 

I really like the 71-73 Mustang. 

[G. David Felt]

Nothing Like a Nice SS and a striking Woman to go with it!

 

How do you Like my Spark?

 

[trinacriabob]

On 8/3/2021 at 4:25 PM, David said:

Or they are posting a photoshop of what a 4 door electric Camaro will look like.

It looks like a cross between a Dodge Stratus and a Toyota Corolla.  Especially the red one.  I'm not convinced.

But never say never.  We all got used to a 4-door Pontiac Grand Prix.  Some of us even bought them ... or planned to.

[G. David Felt]

Seems Chevrolet of Canada now includes a Home 240V charger system installed with every purchase or Lease of a Chevrolet Bolt or Bolt EUV.

Chevrolet Canada Makes Electric Vehicle Charging Easier by Supporting the Standard Installation of a Level 2 Home Charging Outlet (gm.com)

GM has moved to now offer OnStar to any auto in North America via a plug-in module.

General Motors Expands Access of OnStar Vehicle Insights to Non-GM Vehicles

General Motors Expands Access of OnStar Vehicle Insights to Non-GM Vehicles Canada Announcement

[A Horse With No Name]

I smell brownies baking....hmmm...

 

 

The best of what David posted.

 

[A Horse With No Name]

These Zu Dity weekends are made in Utah, also on my American made thinking about it list...

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Another Camaro for David andOldshurst

 

 

 

I am a sucker for Green and a sucker for Mustangs so...

 

[daves87rs]

2 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

These Zu Dity weekends are made in Utah, also on my American made thinking about it list...

 

Pretty cool looking……..

[A Horse With No Name]

Black and Red looks so good on Early Camaro's. Not the same car, but there was a 502 equipped 67 Camaro in the same color scheme here in columbus several eyars ago. Guy (owner) had a very attractive 17 year old aughter...she was Hugely popular with the Boys when her dad let her drive that car to school....for some odd reason...

 

1 minute ago, daves87rs said:

Pretty cool looking……..

Thinking about a pair. 

I am glad people are resto modding Mustangs again...'

For Baltazar, one must have ones Daily dose of Pontiac...

Not so Clean...

This is clean though. 

Forrd COE

35 Studebaker