Happy Valentine's Day

Monday 13 February 2012 at 9:49 pm

"Run out of gas" with someone tonight!

Detroit Basement Celebrates 80th Anniv of the Deuce & the Flathead!

Saturday 11 February 2012 at 11:27 am

2012 is the 80th Anniv of Ford's "Deuce" line of cars. Edsel Ford, Henry's son, styled the 1932 Ford car line. All 14 of the new coupes, sedans, roadster, & convertable models were truly stunning, as the younger Ford incorporated styling cues from the more expensive Lincolns of the era. According to Edsel, this was by far "the best-looking Ford yet". However, it was the iconic 3-window coupe they introduced for the '32 that struck a chord with hot rodders everywhere. Sleek body lines, a roof that looked chopped, a wind cheating new Grille design, "suicide doors", & best of all... the new V8 Engine!

Ford began pre-production of their new low priced, workhorse V8 engine, commonly known as the Flathead, in February of 1931. Teams worked around the clock to fix the myriad of casting problems that plagued early production blocks to ensure a smooth launch of the new models. Ford evolved this little engine for over 20 years, helped in no small part by the way that hot rodders embraced this as their mill of choice. Speed equipment abounded for the Flatty & success on the Dry Lakes & Dragstrips quickly followed.

Rumor has it that you will find many examples of this engine at this year's Detroit Autorama show, especially in the basement. Singlefinger Speed Shop & Brother's Customs are expected to display examples of this fine engine, dressed in their finest vintage speed goodies.

Look for this image on T-shirts & posters at the show (24-26FEB,12).

SEEYA IN THE BASEMENT!

An Open Letter to CEOs in America

Monday 06 February 2012 at 12:00 am

Every CEO of an American corporation needs to take note of what happened during halftime @ the 2012 Super Bowl. You have ALL been beaten again. This is the 2nd shellacking that you've gotten in as many years. The thing is, that you got thoroughly trounced by a part time resident from Italy.

See the ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PE5V4Uzobc

As soon as the Chrysler Super Bowl commercial aired at halftime, I quickly called friends all across the country. To a person, they all said that Eastwood delivered a message that "gave me chills". Many choked up. Some teared up. Everyone with Detroit roots cheered the message, perhaps even more loudly that the groundbreaking Eminem commercial from last year.

With this 2nd Super Bowl ad, Sergio has done what the shortsighted corporate leadership in the US should have done a decade ago, set in motion a proper "Hooray for the USofA" ad campaign! GE teamed up with Anheuser-Busch to "fly the flag" on a couple of Super Bowl commercials, so perhaps they get it too. Let's hope that the fervor to Buy American Made products continues to grow. (Hopefully, it will also help change the thinking @ places like Wally-world & IBM)

Ad campaigns like this one may just be the tonic that Americans need to rethink the purchase of all the cheap, toxic, job stealing, pet killing products coming in from China, Korea, & the rest of Asia.

Read comments in our Forum- Blockbuster Ad for Chrysler

Happy Groundhog Day!

Thursday 02 February 2012 at 06:20 am

Life is good when you're a groundhog! You really only have to work 1 day a year.

It probably sucks when your lollygagging lifestyle gets rudely interrupted every 2nd of Feb, by a group of drunken goofballs in top-hats. They drag your fuzzy but out of the house, they hold you up & parade you around a crowd of oddball humans yelling at the top of their lungs. Humans worry about stuff they have no control over. Why don't humans sleep through seasons piled high with snow, like groundhogs do?

The rest of the time all you have to worry about is raiding gardens, digging dens under suburban patios, & chasing tail.

Not a bad gig.