A Reminder to Visit Our New Blog

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Just a reminder to everyone who has been a loyal visitor to this electronic newsletter (blog).  We've started our new Motorheads Performance newsletter which has daily postings with informational articles for anyone who is involved or interested in classic cars, street rods, hot rods, classic trucks, muscle cars, vintage cars, or American sportscars. We like the new format and updated style. We hope you do too. We'll keep this newsletter available so you can access old articles of interest.

Here's some recent articles:

• Classic Cars Rentals Available in Texas
• Warning About Swapping Out Engine Pulleys
• Buying Classic Cars As Investments - What Are Your...
• Watch this great time-lapse video
• Motorheads Performance Attends Snap-On Event (see some cool car pics!)
• Heat Affects Texas Classic Car Enthusiasts! - What you should do in the heat.
• Hard Times Hit Home For A Motorheads' Customer  
• Motorheads Performance "Student" Graduates!

 We've also added a second, brand new newsletter specifically for shop news, where we report on the small things that happen each day in the shop. Guy will normally give an update on projects, discuss a problem he frequently sees, or talk about new equipment or services at Motorheads Performance. Usually brief and designed to keep our customers informed.

Bucket List for Auto Enthusiasts
by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

We've all become familiar with the term "Bucket List". Basically a list of everything we'd like to do before we kick the perverbial bucket. Motorheads Performance has even been listed on a site called The-Bucket-List which claims our website has great music and cool cars! While we wouldn't wish for anyone to kick the bucket, we're certainly flattered that we're on someone's Bucket List!

Graphic: The-Bucket-List.com

Well, the bloggers world has caught up and six months ago, AutoBlog.com began compiling their list of 1001 Car Things To Do Before You Die.  Certainly not all of them have to do with classic cars, but we found the list entertaining, and they've broken everything down into video segments to keep things lively.  Some things to do include: Race in the Baja 1000, Driving a Tank, Escape an Automotive Attack, Attend SEMA, Go Ice Racing, and one of our favorites Visit an Automotive Museum.

Host Jessi Combs has a solid history working with cars, and she has experience hosting several programs about cars. Patrick McIntyre is the other host of the show and although his background is actually in comedy, he was recruited to do presentations at car shows for auto manufacturers before he found his place on The List. Together they make an interesting team.

We encourage you to check it out!

Motorheads is creating our own "Bucket List for Classic Car Enthusiasts". We invite you to participate by e-mailing your entry to Motorheads Performance. Your list item must relate to an antique, classic car, classic truck or muscle car (any vehicle pre-1980) and be either an activity or wish (like your dream car, place you'd like to drive in your ride, person you'd most like to take that drive with, etc).

Have fun and we'll see you in an upcoming article for the results!

Motorheads Performance Receives Invitation to Australia
by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Last week, I wrote an article which was based on an interview I had with award-winning inventor Frank Will.  Mr. Will had recently won an award from the editors at Popular Science magazine for his work on Over7, an automotive design which uses waste heat to reduce car engine friction, resulting in higher efficiency, lower emissions, and fuel consumption savings!  His design also won awards from the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia (SAE-A), and he was one of sixteen Fresh Science winners in 2011.

Following a series of subsequent discussions with Mr. Will, Guy Algar and I have been invited to visit Frank at Deakin University in Australia, where he has led his research and testing at the School of Engineering!  We're excited that we will be able to tour the facilities and "talk shop" with Frank, who is also an American Classic Car enthusiast, and in fact, had been very successful in motorcycle racing earlier in his career.

If you missed out on the original article, please read it now!

Although a trip to Australia will need to wait a bit as we're extremely busy at Motorheads, Guy and I look forward to a trip which will be immensely interesting and extremely satisfying. We will keep you posted!

Time-Lapse Engine Rebuild is Great!
by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

I caught a great YouTube video that I just had to share with all our fellow Motorheads! Don't know everything that's behind an engine tear-down and rebuild?  Just watch what one guy did over a period of 11 months, taking over 3000 photos, then putting them all together in a clever and entertaining time-lapse sequence! 

Nothinghereok apparently bought an engine off of ebay after his engine had died. He began taking the photos so that he could remember how everything came apart. This is something Motorheads Performance always recommends if you're not experienced - whether it's taking an engine, transmission, body, interior, etc. apart!  Too many people take a car apart without realizing that they have to remember (often years later) how to get it back together again!  Another hint is to always "bag and tag" everything - especially nuts and bolts!

We're not experts on foreign cars, (as we work only on classic American cars and trucks from the 1920's through 1970's), but shop manager Guy Algar says this engine looks like it might belong to an MG perhaps? Love the choice of music...watch this video!

So, for all of you wondering why an engine rebuild is so expensive, as you can see, there are an awful lot of pieces that need to be removed, cleaned, sometimes replaced, and all put back together in the correct sequence and in the correct place!  In other words...quite labor intensive!

Thank you nothinghereok for sharing such a great piece!

Risk of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
as Texas Temperatures Soar
by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Texas is in a heat wave and working on your classic car or truck project can be dangerous. With temperatures in the triple digits all week, it is no wonder that many are wisely staying indoors. But, there are always those who underestimate the affects that this type of heat can have on your body, and how quickly innocent seeming symptoms can turn deadly!

Guy Algar of Motorheads Performance says, "We're accustomed to working outdoors and without A/C in the shop, even in 100 degree weather. But we're also acutely aware of the dangers and take precautions each and every day, including protection from heat and sun and drinking a lot of water and drinks containing electrolytes." Motorheads send this caution to those who don't spend so much time outside, or go back and forth between air conditioning and short stays outside. Heat exhaustion can set in unexpectedly, and heat stroke (sometimes called sunstroke) can quickly follow if the symptoms of heat exhaustion are ignored. We offer the following information on the dangers of heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke so you can quickly recognize the symptoms. The information here is not a substitute for medical advise. We urge you to contact your physican and or emergency services or 911 if you suspect you are having symptoms and take action quickly.

Heat Exhaustion - Heat Stroke

Heat exhaustion is usually brought on when people who are not well adjusted to heat go outside and work in a hot or extremely humid environment. When temperatures are high outdoors, the human body cools itself mostly through evaporation of sweat. When conditions are hot and humid, the sweat-evaporation process does not work properly. Your body experiences loss of fluids and important salts or electrolytes. When these are not replaced, or not replaced in sufficient quantities, your body experiences symptoms that can resemble mild forms of shock.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion can include:

• Moist skin which is often paler than normal and cool to the touch
• Profuse Sweating
• Muscle cramps or pains
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Headache
• Weakness
• Unquenchable Thirst
• Nausea
• Increased pulse rate
• Core temperature 100 F or more (most accurate taken rectally)

Heat stroke can develop rapidly if you do not take care of heat exhaustion symptoms. One of the easiest forms to recognize occurs in people whose cooling mechanisms may already be impaired, such as those that suffer from medical conditions which predispose them to the symptoms.You may already be sensitive to slight shifts in temperature, or have problems with sweating. The most dangerous form occurs in people who are considered healthy, but may be engaged in strenuous activities in the heat, because it is unexpected and symptoms can escalate very quickly.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke can include one or more of these:

• Previously moist skin becomes hot and DRY, even under armpits
• Skin appears flushed (red or dark pink)
• Blood pressure elevates, then may suddenly fall later
• Hyperventilation
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Unconscious
• Abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, even coma)
• Rectal temperature of 105 F or more

What to do for Heat Exhaustion?

 At the first signs of heat exhaustion, you need to lower the body temperature, rehydrate and rest. Get out of the heat and take steps to reduce the person's body temperature. Use a fan, get into A/C, hose down with a garden hose, cool shower or bath. Drink cool water or Gatorade or anything but alcohol! Alcohol will only dehydrate the person more. Avoid further activity and rest until feeling better. Call your doctor if these immediate remedies do not work, or if symptoms get worse.

What to do for Heat Stroke?

 If you suspect Heat Stroke call 911 IMMEDIATELY. People die of heat stroke. It should be taken very seriously.

Better Fuel Efficiency for Classic Cars?
A New Invention Shows Promise
by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance, Leesville, TX

Motorheads Performance was honored to interview inventor Frank Will to discuss his Over7^TM design, which recently caught the eye of the editors at Popular Science in their search for top inventions for their 6th Annual 2012 Awards. Mr. Will's innovative design uses waste heat to reduce car engine friction by warming the engine oil to its optimal operating temperature, resulting in higher efficiency, lower emissions, and fuel consumption savings!

After reading an article in the June 2012 issue of Popular Science magazine, I must admit, something hit a cord. Since I work and live side-by-side with a mechanical engineer, I guess some of the intrigue in what they do has rubbed off on me, and I was immediately curious. The article aptly described Mr. Will's life as having always "been consumed with improving engine performance."  In fact, he began racing motorcycles in Europe when he was a teenager. He won a world championship race in 1991 before becoming an automotive engineer with Ford in Germany and later also Australia. Leaving his job in 2008, he began working on what later was dubbed "Over7".

I admit, I wanted more information. The concept sure seemed sound. It just made a lot of sense, and a sentence near the end of the article caught my eye. "He also plans to furnish a $200 to $400 conversion kit that mechanics could use to install the system in older cars." Well, I thought...the wheels turning in my head...I wonder how well the system would work on a classic car?  It would seem a simple add-on would not detract much from keeping an engine original, as it works by collecting hot motor oil before it returns to the oil pan, instead redirecting it to a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the engine's exhaust gas, heating it even more. This makes it less viscous, at the same time keeping it from burning up the engine due to the thermostat control, which does not allow the temperature to exceed 300 degrees. Amazingly, the actual engine block stays at a relatively cool 200 degrees, making it easier to turn the crankshaft and run the oil pump, thereby requiring less fuel from the engine.

While this system may not work well in a performance engine that our customers use for their street/strip muscle cars and classics, I'm thinking this could be a good thing for our classic car customers that have daily drivers, or regularly use their cars for cruises, etc., where gas mileage can be an important consideration! By this time, my mind is racing ahead of itself. How easily would this conversion kit be to install? Would a "one size fits all" system work, or would there need to be modifications for different size engines, etc. The questions began flying, and before you know it, I was contacting the inventor, Mr. Frank Will, at Deakin University in Geelong, Australia, where he has led research and testing at the School of Engineering during his Ph.D. project!

I was astonished and pleased to receive a quick, personal reply from Mr. Will. He not only answered my questions, but engaged in a back and forth dialogue where I found out that, yes, Frank IS an American Classic Car enthusiast! While a friend has "an old Mustang", his dream car would be "the yellow hot rod from American Graffiti". Well, Frank, you are in good company! A NICE pick!  I know our friends and customers at Motorheads are nodding their heads in approval.

PHOTO:  Frank Will with Formula SAE racing car developed and built at Deakin University (photo: Donna Edwards)

Earlier, I alluded to the efficiency of Over7. In fact, tests have indicated that its use can cut gas consumption by 7 percent, and emissions by up to 30 percent, which is a big savings. Research has found that a typical car engine wastes about 80 percent of its fuel, with only 20 percent of the fuel's energy being used to actually drive the car forward! The rest is lost as heat. Mr. Will's Over7 appears to address this waste. Mr. Will explained, "One of its most important features is that it doesn't have to heat all the oil in the sump. Instead, it heats only the active oil in the engine lubrication system. This makes the overall heat transfer process much more efficient. Other benefits include the potential to reduce engine wear and improve performance." 

My immediate questions about how the invention worked were answered, but I still had questions that I thought others might also find of interest.  Here, in interview format, are some I thought our readers would enjoy:

Motorheads:  What caused you to look at engine oil as a possible way to improve efficiency?

Mr. Will:  Around ten years ago some articles were published about exhaust gas heat exchangers to warm up the coolant faster. I thought that's a great idea and that it also should improve fuel economy, but it didn't. So I asked myself why and did some analysis and concluded that most of the heat transferred from the exhaust to the coolant doesn't really make it into the oil as it is lost to the ambient air. So I thought why not heat up the oil directly and performed some tests that showed some encouraging results. However, some of the results didn't make sense to me so I looked further into it and came up with the new systems specification.

Motorheads:  Being a performance shop, we love the idea of lowering the heat in an engine block. Will the Over7 work on classic cars and trucks as well as modern day vehicles?

Mr. Will:  Yes, it will but mostly during day to day driving where the oil doesn't really get warm enough. On the race track of course it's a different scenario where you want to keep the oil temp below a certain limit, similar when you tow a trailer up the mountains in summer.

Motorheads:  Will conversion kits be available at any time in the near future for shops like ours to install for customers?

Mr. Will:  I hope so and I'm looking into it. At the moment I'm running some further tests with different configurations to determine the detailed business case. And I'm looking for a large partner with the relevant market access. However, my main focus at the moment are engineering projects with car manufacturers as they are under a huge pressure to reduce the CO2 emissions of their future cars that they are currently developing, cause by new CO2 emission regulations that are currently being introduced in most parts of the world. The system has the potential to be retrofitted to existing engines and we don't think it will require big changes. It should be much cheaper to fit than an LPG conversion for example. Built into a new car, it should pay for itself within a month or two.

Motorheads:  How can Motorheads Performance participate in the testing and installation of these systems?

Mr. Will:  Interesting question, it might be a bit difficult due to the distance. But I had a look at the parts that you distribute and I found a couple of brands that make some parts that could be used in a conversion kit with some modifications/adaptation. These companies may be interested in the collaborative development of such aftermarket conversion kits which would speed up things a lot.

PHOTO:  3 Over7 Components in testing (photo credit: Donna Edwards)

Motorheads Performance hopes to introduce some specific American manufacturers to Mr. Will's Over7 design. We'd love to see if they are interested in working with him on a conversion kit which could be used here in the United States. Meanwhile, Mr. Will is currently testing Over7 at emissions labs, and getting his invention ready for others to use.  "We were very pleased with the results of tests on our prototype system. Now we are working on further testing with car manufacturers and their suppliers, in order to optimize the technology to best suit their needs." He hopes that Over7 could be in use within six years.

Frank Will has also been recognized for his work on Over7 with a Gold Award by the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia (SAE-A), and was one of sixteen Fresh Science winners in 2011, a national program for early-career scientists sponsored by the Australian Government in order to present their research to the public. We'll be excited to see how this project develops!
 

Photos in this article first appeared on freshscience.org and have been reprinted with permission from Mr. Frank Will.

About the Author: Andrea is co-owner of Motorheads Performance, a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads specializes in cars and trucks from the 1920's through the 1970's. Their job is bringing old cars back to life for their customers. Guy L. Algar is the Shop Manager. He holds 5 ASE certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years of design, installation and troubleshooting experience.

V8 Hotel Celebrates European Motoring

Interested in classic Jaguars, Ferrari or Mercedes? I caught an interesting piece on the internet this morning, and thought I'd comment on it, as I know that there are those who are interested in European automotive history as well as our iconic American automotive history!

Apparently, an historic airport terminal building near Stuttgart, Germany was been converted into the "V8 Hotel" in 2009. The old Boblingen Airport, which had served as a docking station for the Graf Zeppelin in the late 1920's, and was home to a squadron of fighters during WWII, had been completely shattered by the end of the war. About 20,000 square metre's of the terminal, called the Meilenwerk Stuttgart, is dedicated to an auto collection made up of privately owned cars. The other half, the V8 Hotel, has 34 rooms which include ten theme rooms which use props and memorabilia to reflect the themes.

Even though Motorheads Performance prefers the classic American cars and trucks, we still appreciate every bit of automotive history, and love that other countries find it important to honor their classics!  For the full article, visit http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/06/24/v8-hotel-is-motor-head-nirvana/, and for information on the hotel or auto museum, visit:  meilenwerk.com and/or V8hotel.de.

Classic Car Museums Need Our Support!

Today was a sad day to learn that yet another classic car museum will soon be closing it's doors for good. While we've heard of museums around the country being affected by the economic crunch, the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History closing hits home because it's right here in Rosanky, TX.

The Central Texas Museum of Automotive History was founded by Dick Burdick, a Texas businessman and car collector. The museum includes two different facilities, the original museum located in Rosanky, Texas which opened in 1980 and a second unit which was opened in 2009 in San Marcos, Texas named Dick's Classic Garage. The museum has a good size collection of American and European cars from the 20th century. The European cars and American cars before 1929 are displayed in the original museum. The original museum also includes a library of automotive materials.

Also founded by Dick Burdick, Dick's Classic Garage is located in San Marcos, Texas and is one of the two museums which comprise the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History.  Dick's Classic Garage showcases American vehicles and memorabilia from the 1930s though the 1950s. According to Wikipedia, it displays a 1948 Tucker Sedan with the chassis number 1050, the lowest mileage Tucker with only 0.4 miles on the odometer!  For more information on the amazing cars and the museum's history, read the Austin-American Statesman article.

Example of a 1948 Tucker Sedan

According to Greg Verret, museum Director, they "will be auctioning off nearly 90 automobiles and key pieces of automotive memorabilia at no reserve with the exception of four very special autos. The proceeds will be used to create an endowment for the ongoing preservation of automobile history for future generations at our other museum, Dick’s Classic Garage in San Marcos, TX." The auction will take place on Saturday March 3, 2012 at the museum's Rosanky location.

Please feel free to contact Motorheads Performance if you have questions or want additional information, or visit the non-profit museum's website at www.dicksclassicgarage.org. If you'd like to support the cause, consider a donation to help keep the history of classic cars alive for future generations who might not otherwise get the chance to see the incredible history of automobiles.

Are Trucks The New HOT Classic?

Antiques were sought after, classics from the 1950's were hot, then came the muscle cars, which have dominated the field the last decade or so. Now, with the economy in plunders, and the classic car industry taking a hit with prices and values falling, we get an eye-opening piece of news that was released today.  Old trucks are HOT!

For many years, buying and restoring an old truck was something done primarily only by those who truly love them. It wasn't seen as much of an "investment". Trucks have always tended to be an overlooked commodity, but I invite you to read the story which appeared in PickupTrucks.com. Perhaps you'll change your way of thinking about trucks!

To sum it all up, basically insiders were stunned at the prices that some of the old trucks were fetching at last week’s 2012 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. A 1932 Ford pickup went for $250,000. The 1958 Chevy Cameo (shown in picture below) sold for $93,500. A total of 25 different trucks sold for more than $50,000 (including commission)! See the complete sale list by clicking the story link above.

“We have been watching classic pickup values steadily go up for a few years now, and this was definitely the year of the pickup in Scottsdale,” said McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Insurance, which tracks auction sales throughout the country. “Compared to 2011, the average prices are up, and the buzz around pickups was talked about just as much as the multimillion-dollar sales.” (requoted from post by Mark Williams in PickupTrucks.com)

“Classic pickups are currently one of the hottest trends in collecting,” Hagerty said. “For many years, old trucks were primarily used for utility purposes, but collectors are now buying them to restore and show. The great thing about classic pickups is they are affordable, easy to work on, have great style similar to the cars of the era, and appeal to a wide audience.” (requoted from post by Mark Williams in PickupTrucks.com)

Motorheads Performance have always been interested in classic trucks, and Guy and I own four ourselves. Yet we've always heard the same old story, "Why waste your money on that!"  In the eight years we've been repairing, maintaining, upgrading and restoring all types of projects from the 1920's through the 1970's, we've had a great share of old pickup trucks that have been lovingly repaired and/or restored for our customers.  Not every old truck will attain values like those reported, but we're pleased that this may be a boost to the values these great, often overlooked, vehicles.

While the news may be good for those who already own an old truck, news like this certainly will bring about demand for them, and we may soon find ourselves with inflated costs to purchase them, raising prices on parts, as well as difficulty in finding parts. When certain "investors" get involved, they're doing so because they can pick something up cheap, fix it up and turn around to get big profits. We've seen it happen with the classics and the muscle cars. Will it now be the hillbilly hotrods?

Guy Algar and Andrea White are owners of Motorheads Performance, a classic car repair shop located in South Central Texas. They specialize in classic cars and trucks, muscle cars, antiques, hot rods and street rods.

1955 Chevy Couch Raffle

Guy and I wanted to share some news about a project with a very worthwhile cause.  Our friends at Central Texas Classic Chevy Club in Austin have been working on a club project, and we're calling on all our friends, customers and vendors to see what they can do to help out.


Lone Star is the club's single largest annual show/event! Every year, one of several Texas based Classic Chevy Clubs hosts the car show in their city. Classic Chevy's from all over Texas and surrounding states participate. This year, the Central Texas Classic Chevy Club is hosting a Statewide Chevy Convention in San Marcos at the Embassy Suites on IH35. The event is called " Lone Star XXX". The event will take place May 4-6, 2012.


The club's project for this event was the construction of a 1955 Chevy Couch, complete with working lights, and stereo. The couch is completed and is currently on display at Dicks Classic Garage in San Marcos. Dick's Classic Garage is part of the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History. This couch was 100% constructed from a real car and was made from contributions for this effort. Check it out:

100 % of the sale of raffle tickets will be turned over to the Laity Lodge Free Camp for Children.  Central Texas Classic Chevy Club will not receive one cent from this raffle. It is our way of giving back to the community. Dan Bowen, President of CTCCC, says, "If you have time, please go see the couch at Dick's Garage in San Marcos and buy a raffle ticket for this well worth cause." The tickets are only $10 each or 5 for $40. All ticket sales are tax deductible.

For more information about the event please visit Central Texas Classic Chevy Club.  Guy Algar and Andrea White of Motorheads Performance are pleased to support the cause, and encourage others to as well.

What Defines a "Classic" or "Antique" Vehicle?

Used to be that people would refer to an antique car or truck as one that was at least 45 years old.  A classic was 25-45 years old.  The problem is that as time goes by, these don't mean the same thing.  Can you imagine a 1986 Honda being considered a "classic"?  How about your 1985 minivan!  Is your classic 1956 now an antique?

I prefer to use consistent references to a span of specific years.  For antiques, I would consider anything from the invention of the automobile through the 1930's to be "antique".  The "classics" would cover cars and trucks of the 1940's through the 1960's.  Muscle cars seemed to dominate the 1960's through 1970's.  Mixed in there you have your street rods, hot rods, rat rods etc., but these terms seem to address more of how these vehicles are used.  For instance, you can have a 1930's rat rod, or a 1940 street rod...or just as easy the opposite. You can hot rod just about anything if you're referring to beefing up performance and power.

At Motorheads Performance, we specialize in vehicles from the 1920's through the 1970's. We see a variety of cars and trucks, and love the fact that our customers are so enthusiastic about their rides. I, for one, feel we need new terms for vehicles of the 1980's and 1990's. Many in this range are now over 25 years old, and it's just my opinion that it'd be a shame to lump these in with other true "classics"!

Great Cause Benefits San Antonio Kids

Motorheads Performance was pleased to make a pledge to the Elf Louise Radiothon today through WOAI's Joe Pags show.  We'd like to invite our friends and fans to join in on the cause and make a donation too. 

This worthwhile fundraising event directly benefits the kids and families in San Antonio by buying and delivering Christmas gifts to kids whose families have hit hard times and cannot give the gift of hope and happiness at Christmas.  For all those who are fortunate enough to have something to give, we urge you to do what you can and make a donation. 

Read more: http://radio.woai.com/pages/pp_joepags.html?_show#ixzz1fR1IrrMk. 
Joe Pags will be live at the North Star Mall tomorrow morning to wrap up the fundraising. 
Join Joe Pags Live ....or call 210-797-7700. 

The Right Ride

How do you know what classic car or truck is right for you?  For some the choice is obvious.  You've been lusting after a particular vehicle for as long as you can remember because it has really captured your attention.  For others, it may be a car that they had during high school or college, or one that they dreamed of owning back then.  Surprisingly though, some KNOW that they want a classic car or truck, but they're confused over how to decide.  It may be that they've got so many likes that nothing seems to jump out as an obvious favorite.  Or, it may be that the logical side of their brain steers them away from favorites that seem out of reach financially. 

At Motorheads Performance, we don't believe that there is any one "right" ride.  Everyone has their own likes and dislikes and it is important to listen to them when making your decision.  You don't have to feel like you need to go along with the crowd, get the most popular, think only of resale value, etc.  Take the time to look at many of the classics by visiting local car shows, going on-line to sites that specialize in classic or antique vehicles, look through magazines such as Hot Rodder, Classic Chevy, Corvette Fever, etc., as well as the many books laced with hundreds of classic car photos and descriptions.  One is bound to strike your fancy over all the others.

Choosing the "right" ride will make your project that much more enjoyable, and the money you invest will seem well spent.  If you need help finding your vehicle, give Motorheads a call, or visit our website at http://www.motorheadsperformance.com/. 

For the women in your life...

Just a note to all of you who follow us at Motorheads Performance.  Many of you have met Melissa, who has assisted us in the shop from time to time, and was a real hand at locating hard-to-find classic cars and original parts!

She has moved on to pursue her 8 year passion as a hair stylist specializing in hair extensions in San Antonio, and has opened her own specialty salon in Stone Oak. Check out her website at www.extensionsofyourself.com, and be sure to tell the women you know!

We wish her the very best.

Change of Hours

Motorheads Performance has changed its hours!  We've listened to customer requests, and have changed our hours to Tuesday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm.  While Sunday hours originally seemed like a novel idea, and one that many might appreciate, we've found that people still like their weekends for family and non-work obligations.Many customers needed more weekday availability in order to correspond and telephone us concerning updates, approvals on estimates, etc., and we've listened by adjusting our hours.  We hope these new hours work for you.  Please call us at 830-424-3883 or visit us at http://www.motorheadsperformance.com/  if there is anything we can help you with. 

Has Economy Affected Hotrodders?

We're seeing that while the down turn in the economy has affected some enthusiasts who have been saving up to do a restoration or upgrade to their classic car or hot rod, many are going ahead with their dream plans. We're seeing that the true enthusiast has included their project in their list of essential priorities.

Even if finances are tight, there are many ways you can proceed with your dream project without risking financial ruin. Motorheads Performance will be offering suggestions in upcoming articles which will help save you money on your project.

Motorheads Voted Top Corvette Shop
3rd Year in a Row

Motorheads Performance was once again named one of the nation's top Corvette shops, and one of only nine recommended shops in Texas! In fact, we're 1 of only 2 shops serving South Central Texas (including San Antonio, Austin & Victoria) that were listed.

We're proud to be nominated by our customers for this prestigious list that appears in the June 2009 issue of Corvette Fever magazine. "All shops listed here have been recommended by fellow Corvette enthusiasts," explains the article. It is one of the most requested components of Corvette Fever, and businesses listed range from "full-blown restoration shops to places you can go to for routine maintenance."

If you missed the article, you can log onto http://www.corvettefever.com/.

Thanks again for those who recommended us for the article, and to those who trust us enough to recommend us to friends and fellow enthusiasts!

Andrea & Guy

The History of Texas License Plates
By Rod Hemmick

Part 1 – The “pre-state” era August 1907 thru June 1917

This article is the first part of a series which will cover the history of Texas license plates. It is an interesting fact, that when the first laws were passed requiring that automobiles be registered, the states did not actually “issue” license plates to vehicle owners. Instead, it was up to the vehicle owners to provide the license plate (or plates) to display on their vehicles.

Each state, of course, passed its own laws at different points in the early 1900’s. New York was the first state in the Union to require that vehicle owners register their vehicles. Beginning on May 25, 1901, all motor vehicles operating in the State of New York were required to have their vehicles registered with the State. It is interesting to note that these first registration numbers consisted only of the vehicle owner’s initials. Most of the surviving examples today suggest that the majority of these “first” license plates consisted of metal letters attached to a leather pad. Since these first license plates consisted only of the owners initials, it did not take long for a great number of duplications to become in existence. For that reason, by 1903 a system of numbers replaced the use of the owner’s initials in the State of New York.

This time period, which varies for each state, when the vehicle owner was required to furnish their own license plates, is referred to as the “pre-state” period in license plate history. Pre-state indicating that the period was prior to the period when the states actually provided the license plates to vehicle owners when they registered their vehicles.

Once a state began to issue license plates with vehicle registrations, it entered the second period which is usually referred to as the “state-issued” period. Today, all fifty states in the United States issue license plates to vehicle owners when their vehicles are registered.

The registration of motor vehicles in the State of Texas came about as the result of House Bill #93 which was introduced during the 30th Legislature which convened in Austin, Texas on January 8, 1907. This bill did not pass during the regular session, and became a matter of priority during the special session which was called on April 12, 1907 (the same day the regular session ended). House Bill #93 was passed on April 15, 1907 and became law on August 10, 1907.

This act required that “All owners of automobiles or motor vehicles shall, before using such vehicles or machines upon the public roads, streets or driveways, register with the county clerk of the county in which he resides, his name, which name shall be registered by the county clerk in consecutive order in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall be numbered in the order of their registration, and it shall be the duty of such owner or owners to display in a conspicuous place on said machine the number so registered, which number shall be in figures not less than six inches in height. The county clerk shall be paid by such owner or owners a fee of fifty cents for each vehicle registered.” (As a note of interest, speed limits were also set by this act at 8 miles per hour while driving inside any city limits and 18 miles per hour while driving outside of any city limits). Thus began the “pre-state” era of licensing of motor vehicles in the State of Texas which would continue until June 30, 1917.

Efforts had begun as early as 1903 to establish a central authority for regulating the State’s highway system in Texas. During the period from 1903 to 1916, there were eighteen different bills introduced in the State legislature to establish a State highway department, but none of them were passed. This was due mainly to a strong feeling among many of the State’s citizens that such a move would create increased taxation. Also, there were many who were opposed to any type of “centralization” of state government. Thus, at the time the 1907 law came into effect, everything was left up to the individual counties. There was no statewide registration system. Each county that had a county clerk (not all did at this time) maintained its own set of records which, of course, created a duplication of registration numbers in every county that was registering vehicles at the time.

Since it was the vehicle owner’s responsibility to display the registration number on his vehicle, a wide variety of means were used to achieve this end. It is conceivable that many types of homemade license plates were created and some very interesting types have survived to this day. Some owners simply just painted the registration numbers directly on their vehicles.

The following represents a listing of some of the types of Texas pre-state license plates that have survived to this day:

1. Hand painted numbers on a leather pad.
2. Aluminum or Brass numbers attached to a leather pad
(some had a metal frame and solid metal backing)
3. Aluminum or Brass numbers attached to a metal plate.
4. Leather numbers stitched to a leather pad.
5. Hand painted numbers on a wooden plate or shingle.
6. Aluminum or Brass numbers on a wooden plate
(some had metal frames).
7. Numbers stenciled on a heavy gauge tin plate.
8. Porcelain “kit type” plates.
9. Metal “kit type” plates.

The type of porcelain license plates that were manufactured in some other states consisting of a single porcelain surface on a metal plate (similar to a porcelain sign) were never produced in Texas.

METAL NUMBERS ON LEATHER PAD WITH CLIPS ON TOP Many of the leather plates were most likely made by the local saddle shop or blacksmith. Large aluminum numbers (most likely house numbers) were attached by means of rivets or spread-type metal cotter pins. As these leather plates became more popular, manufactured versions began to appear in stores.

METAL NUMBERS ON WOODEN PLATE WITH METAL FRAME
Many featured an iron frame stitched inside the edge of the plate with two clips at the top of the plate for attaching to the vehicle.

METAL NUMBERS ON METAL PLATE For the most part these license plates carried only the vehicle registration number, but a few examples have survived with the city or county names or “TEXAS” also affixed to the plate along with the registration number.

This practice of displaying a city or county name or “TEXAS” on the license plate along with the registration number became much more widespread with the introduction of “kit type” license plates.

“Kit type” license plates were “store bought” license plates which featured a rack containing all the numbers and a metal frame to attach the numbers to, thus allowing a vehicle owner to make their own license plate in a kit form. It was not uncommon for city, county and “TEXAS” inserts to be available along with the numbers so a vehicle owner could display their city or county on their license plate, or identify their license plate as a Texas license plate, if so desired.

There were two types of these “kit type” license plates available to Texas motorists. One of the “kit type” license plates consisted of a metal frame into which white-on-blue porcelain inserts were installed. A vehicle owner could purchase porcelain inserts with their city or county name or an insert with “TEXAS” on it which could be included with their registration number.

PRE-STATE PORCELAIN KIT TYPE These porcelain “kit type” license plates were manufactured by the Stafford Illuminated Auto Lamp and Number Company of Chicago, Illinois. Many of these plates have a patent date of the back while others read only “Patent Pending”. The earliest verified patent date is February 14, 1911.

A second “kit type” license plate featured a metal base to which metal numbers (with tabs on them) were fastened. The metal bases were painted black and the numbers were painted silver. An oval nameplate with tabs was also available which was painted black with the city name or TEXAS stenciled in silver.

PRE-STATE METAL KIT TYPE
This very interesting “pre-state” period for the issuance of license plates in the State of Texas ended on June 30, 1917 with the beginning of “State issued” license plates on July 1, 1917.

The early part of this “state issued” period for the registration of license plates in Texas will be the subject of our next article.

License Plate options for Classic or Antique Vehicles
By Rod Hemmick

For many people, part of the pride of ownership of a Classic or Antique vehicle or Street Rod is being able to display license plates on their vehicle that are not the “standard current issue” type that you find on every other car on the road.

Being able to have a special license plate that identifies your vehicle as a “Classic” or “Antique” vehicle is a nice way to show the pride that you take in your vintage vehicle. Many states, including Texas even allow the use of license plates to be registered on your vehicle that are the same year as your vehicle. This is commonly referred to as a Year of Manufacture (or YOM) license plate. For example, if you own a 1932 vehicle, you can register actual 1932 license plates on your vehicle. For many, this is the “ultimate” license plate to display on their vehicle which can be a finishing touch to the authenticity of your special ride.

Since each State has different laws regarding what type of license plates can be issued to Antique and Classic vehicles, there is no one single set of rules on how to get specialty (including YOM) license plates for your vehicle. Furthermore, it is always best to check with the proper authorities in your state as the final authority on these laws.

We will begin this series with the laws governing the issuance of Antique and Classic license plates for the State of Texas. In future articles, we will be covering these same laws as they apply to other states, as requested by our readers. It is important to keep in mind that this group of articles will be applying to the laws for the State of Texas only and should not be considered as a guideline for requirements for other states.

In the State of Texas, your vehicle must be at least 25 years old in order to qualify for special license plates and can be registered as a “Classic” or “Antique” vehicle, depending on your plans for driving your vehicle on public roads. The types of vehicles that qualify are passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles, and you can even register a vintage travel trailer with “Classic” plates.

In this series of articles we will begin by explaining the requirements for registering your vehicle as either a “Classic” or “Antique” vehicle. This will include how to get YOM license plates registered on your vehicle as well. To clarify, Year of Manufacture license plates are not a third category but rather you can opt to use YOM license plates under both the “Classic” and “Antique” registrations instead of using the currently issued Classic or Antique specialty plates. Links to Texas Department of Transportation website for forms and additional information are listed below.

Antique Vehicle Registration – A passenger car, truck or motorcycle that is 25 or more years old and is used exclusively for exhibition, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest. The vehicle will in no case be used for regular transportation and will not carry advertising. A vehicle in route to and from a location for routine maintenance is allowed.

Applicants that have license plates, which are the same year as the vehicle may use those plates in lieu of Antique License Plates issued by the county. If the application is mailed, the applicant MUST have the license plates examined at their local County Tax Office before submitting the application. The license plates must be Texas license plates, the same year as the year model of the antique vehicle, be in good readable condition, and have the correct color scheme. A current valid inspection sticker is not required on your vehicle if it is registered as an Antique vehicle. Antique license plates are issued for five year periods. If your application is approved, you will receive a set of Antique License plates or a tab to attach to your YOM plates.

Classic Vehicle Registration - A passenger car, truck, motorcycle or travel trailer that is 25 or more years old may be registered as a Classic Vehicle. Vehicles must be fully registered like any other vehicle, which includes having an annual safety inspection done on the vehicle and displaying a current inspection sticker. Vehicles registered as Classic Vehicles may operate on any roadway just as a normal modern vehicle and may carry advertising. The same rules apply for YOM license plates for Classic Vehicle registration as described under the Antique Vehicle registration section.

Classic Vehicle plates must be renewed every year the same as standard license plates.

Year of Manufacture license plates – May be used in lieu of Antique or Classic plates and must be in good readable original condition or restored and must be the original color scheme and be the same year as vehicle.

Original 1936 license plate in good readable condition:

License plate professionally restored in correct color scheme as original:

The following link for the Texas Department of Transportation has information on special license plates for vintage vehicles. There is a separate “Antique and Classic” link on this page for each type of registration (i.e.: Classic Auto, Classic Motorcycle, etc.). Costs for each type of plate are listed as well as a link to download the necessary form for registration as well as address information for each County if you plan to mail in your registration paperwork. A fax number and instructions are also listed.

Under the links for Classic Auto, Classic Truck, Classic Motorcycle and Classic Travel Trailer, there is an option to order a personalized plate and even a search box to determine if your desired personalization is available. If ordering by mail, there is a section to include the standard fee and also the fee for a personalized plate.
http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet?grpid=10
Forms for these plates may also be downloaded from the following Texas Department of Transportation link. Click on the “Antique and Classic Vehicles” link at the top of this page:
http://www.txdot.gov/txdot_library/forms/citizen/drivers_vehicles/specialty_plates.htm#antique
If you have a specific question or problem you can reach the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Specialty License Plates” office at 512-374-5010. Be sure to get the name of the person that you spoke with, especially if they were helpful and/or knowledgeable about the registration process.

In summary, the basic guidelines for registering your vintage vehicle with “Classic” “Antique” or “Year of Manufacture” license plates are as follows:

1. Vehicle must be at least 25 years old.
2. If you are registering “Year of Manufacture” license plates, they must be the same year as the vehicle being registered and must be authentic license plates that were made by the State. (Reproduction license plates are not allowed).
3. Passenger car and truck license plates were issued in pairs for all years except 1945 and 1946 when only a single license plate was issued. This means that if you are registering a vehicle with “Year of Manufacture” license plates, you must have BOTH plates (unless the vehicle is a 1945 of 1946 vintage vehicle).
4. The license plates must be in good readable condition and they can be restored if they are not in good enough condition. The license plates can have some holes in them and/or some rusted areas, but the readability of the plates cannot be compromised by these holes or rusted areas.
5. The license plates must be the same color scheme as they were when originally issued.
6. If you are registering your vehicle as a “Classic Vehicle” for daily use, the vehicle must carry a current safety inspection sticker and proof of insurance is required.

A note about truck license plates: Prior to 1925, both passenger cars and trucks shared the same license plate, there was not a special license plate for trucks. In 1925, a different plate was issued to trucks, but they did not carry the word “Truck” on them. Instead they carried the work “COM” of them which stood for “Commercial”. These 1925 “COM” plates were a different color scheme than the 1925 passenger car plates. So if you are looking for license plates for your 1931 Ford Model A pick-up truck, you would need to have a pair of 1931 “CM” plates for your vehicle.
From the period from 1925 through 1942 “Truck” plates carried either “COM” or “CM” on them designating them as “Commercial” license plates. Due to the metal shortage created by WWII, small metal tabs were used in Texas in 1943 and 1944 to re-validate the 1942 plates. (Future articles will cover the complete history of Texas license plates so stay tuned). In 1945 the “COM” was dropped and the work “Truck” finally appeared on the license plates and remains to this day.

Note: According to the State, if you are registering a vintage truck, you must have either “CM” or “Truck” YOM license plates (depending on the year of your vehicle). You cannot register passenger car license plates to a truck.

While there have been some YOM passenger car license plates issued to vintage trucks, and you may have seen vintage trucks with YOM passenger car license plates, this is an oversight by the county that issued the plates. There are rumors going around that it is ok to register YOM passenger car license plates on a vintage truck, and it is even reported as ok by some web sites, but if the county where you get your plates registered is familiar with the rules governing the registration of YOM plates, they will not approve YOM passenger car license plates for use on a truck.

If you are planning on using original “Year of Manufacture” license plates for your vehicle and you do not have your plates yet, here are some guidelines to consider when looking for a suitable set of plates:

1. The “straighter the better” – plates that are badly dented or bent can be more difficult and costly to restore and generally will not look as good when restored as a nice “straight” pair of plates.
2. Avoid plates with serious rust damage if possible – Light surface rust is fine, but plates that are rusted to the point of being brittle or have parts missing due to rust damage (i.e.: one corner rusted off) can be a real challenge and very costly to restore. Also if the State feels that this rust damage can compromise the plate’s readability, they will not register the plates. Plates with “saw toothed” rust damage along the edges of plate are hard to repair and can cause problems when restored.
3. Extra holes in a plate are ok as long as they do not compromise the plate’s readability. These can be left alone or repaired during restoration.
4. If the plates need to be restored you can do them yourself (if you are up to the challenge) or you can have a professional restoration service do the plates for you.

If you elect to have your plates professionally restored it can be well worth the cost as a nicely restored pair of license plates can be the finishing touch to a nicely restored vehicle. A poorly done or very “amateur” set of restored plates, while they may be able to pass the State’s registration requirements, may not look so good and can even detract from the looks of a nicely restored vehicle.

We use and recommend Rod Hemmick for license plate restoration. Rod has over 15 years experience in restoring license plates and is also a has been member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) since 1981. He is very knowledgeable about the types and colors of Texas license plates and has even been used as a reference by the State of Texas in one of their publications on the History of Texas License Plates. Rod has also agreed to help friends and customers of Motorheads with any questions they may have. He has a large inventory of YOM plates and may have the year you need for your vehicle. If he does not have the year you are looking for, he can advise you on ways to find the plates you need.

For information or quotes on having your license plates restored by Rod Hemmick, please e-mail him at: licplates@motorheadsperformance.com.

Editor’s Note: We hope you have enjoyed the first installment of articles on classic car license plates. Our next article will appear next month - Andrea

New Billet Float Bowls Prevents Hesitation, Stumble & Flooding!

Imagine attempting to drink….from a bowl….while blasting through a corner or ripping down the drag strip at full speed doing 60 feet in less than one second! This is exactly what your carburetor is trying to do. We've all experienced when our acceleration "bogs" when we least want it to.

The Holley carburetor has served us well for over 100 years, but the design is dated. The number one problem is the float bowl, a design that was proven on the dyno rather than the track. Fuel sloshes, splashes and spills under the high corning forces of today’s race cars. At best the fuel distribution varies from cylinder to cylinder by as much as 50%, at worst the car hesitates and stumbles.

Race Pumps new “Patent Pending” multi-chambered billet float bowls bring the Holley (still racings preferred carburetor) up to date! Each jet has it’s own fuel chamber, float, and needle and seat (the power valve uses a third chamber). The carburetor is changed from a pair of two barrels, each with a float bowl shaped like a bath tub, to four one barrels, each with a float bowl and float designed for high g-forces and angles. Carburetors equipped with the new Race Pumps float bowls maintain equal fuel distribution to each cylinder at acceleration forces up to 3gs and angles up to 45 degrees. Hesitation, stumble and flooding will be history. Best of all, Race Pumps new float bowls bolt right onto your favorite carburetor.

Motorheads is pleased to be a factory authorized dealer and installer for Race Pumps' new Billet Float Bowls and their entire line of race pumps and fuel systems. The new Billet Float Bowls will be available in March and can be purchased direct from Motorheads Performance. Visit us at www.motorheadsperformance.com or e-mail andrea@motorheadsperformance.com for ordering information.

Award Winning Car Cover
Costa Mesa, CA

The Touchless Car Cover is not your father’s car cover! The revolutionary new design in car covers was introduced and demonstrated at various locations during the collector car auctions in Scottsdale AZ after winning the coveted CAR ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR.

The Touchless Car Cover is A DRIVE IN-DRIVE OUT COVER. It addresses the various shortcomings of the traditional car cover. These issues include smudged windows, grinding dust into the finish, difficulty in use, cleanliness and storage. The Touchless Car Cover can be used indoors or outdoors thanks to a high rated UV coating and waterproofing. It also offers access to the car from either side while the cover is in place. Additionally, the Touchless Car Cover can fit more than one car and installs or folds up in less than a minute.

Developed by “car guys”, the Touchless Car Cover has been designed for automobile enthusiasts, collections and for those with a dislike of the old fashioned car cover. Jay Leno invited Touchless Car Cover to his famous “garage” in Burbank, California, where Jay filmed the TCC in action. The Touchless Car Cover has also had a writeup by Hemmings Motor News (http://www.hemmings.com/newsletter/newsletter.html?volume=4&issue=36&id=2103&refer=news&emlid=93307#2103).

Since the appearance with Jay Leno, the Touchless Car Cover has been improved and perfected through a series of prototypes. For more information, visit http://www.touchlesscarcover.com/ for online video demonstrations and a gallery of photos. The Touchless Car Cover is now available through Motorheads Performance or direct from TCC. Contact andrea@motorheadsperformance for more information.

Motorheads becomes Waldron's Antique Exhaust Installer

Motorheads is pleased to join forces with Waldon's to provide quality OEM Type exhaust systems for classic and antique cars, and specifically Waldron's IMPOSTOR™ Performance mufflers, DCE™ (Driver Controlled Exhaust) & VOE-2 dual-mode mufflers.

Waldron’s Antique Exhaust manufactures exhaust systems for cars & trucks built from the early 1900’s through the 1980’s. They have been reproducing OEM exhaust systems and manufacturing custom exhaust systems, exhaust pipes, Y pipes, H pipes, mufflers and resonators since 1960.

John Delorean originally invented the "Tiger Button" in the 1960's, and worked with Pontiac in trying to bring it into production. Cost of tooling the project (estimated to be about $40,000 for a $200 option), as well as changes to the 3x2 carburetor setup and other modifications kept the project out of production. It wasn't until 1970 that it appeared as an option in the GTO (Code W73/Option Order Code 611 for Vacuum Operated Exhaust).

What is DCE/VOE? Imagine your car's exhaust being unleashed into a powerful, head-turning rumble. Simply put, with the pull of a knob, an actuator on each muffler is opened, rerouting the exhaust for what Pontiac called a "special performance mode". But these are far more than basic exhaust cut-outs. Back in 1970, when the feds were strangling power from automobiles, the death of the VOE was quick. Only 233 GTO's were built with the option, and it wasn't until Waldron's got together with patent holder Jim Hall and re-invented the system.

As Waldron's explains, "For a brief period in 1969 & 1970, GTO buyers were able to purchase an option known as “Vacuum Operated Exhaust”. It was one of the industry’s most unusual options; dual-mode mufflers - controlled by the driver - that could be operated in “Quiet” or “Tiger” (Open) modes.

The VOE-2™ Model is available for 70-72 GTO/LeMans/Tempest. It is a close reproduction of the original GTO VOE muffler. It is also a “direct fit” for any 1970-72 Pontiac Tempest/LeMans/GTO with dual exhaust. If you are lucky enough to have a GTO that was originally equipped with the VOE option (it is one of the rarest of all GTO options), with or without Ram Air, you can restore the VOE function by purchasing the mufflers only, without the control kit. And, the good news is that the DCE™ "Universal Model" is designed and available for almost everyone else!

See the original GM commercial for '70 GTO aired in 1970 during Super Bowl IV which subsequently lead to GM pulling the commercial and being severely criticized for "blatantly promoting street racing": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGC3dlzQ8WQ

See and hear a DCE system installed and running: Waldron's Video on DCE & VOE-2 systems - Check out the rumble!

Motorheads is not only a reseller, but an authorized installer. If you would like more information, or would like to discuss installation of a system, contact andrea@motorheadsperformance.com.