Paintless pickup grabs attention
Having an all-steel 1932 Ford three-window coupe is cool. Having one that is rust-free - very cool. Having one that was built in California during the 1950s as a hot rod - way, way cool.
That's exactly what Tim Thompson owns, having purchased his cruiser just last year. A car-loving pal told him about it at the 2015 World of Wheels car show. He checked out the online listing and deemed it "junk" after seeing it photographed in a dark garage and all torn apart and mostly in boxes.
Still, being only a scant 12 miles away from the seller's location, he went to take a look at it anyway. "It turned out to be a really solid car with a great pedigree," the Hinsdale resident said.
He's now the third owner who learned the car was modified around 1958 into a hot rod. The second owner purchased it in the late 1960s with intentions of making a gasser-styled racer out of it. He didn't get far but did cut out the floor and boxed the frame. However, interest and funds ran out.
The vehicle had been sitting in storage ever since. Thompson wanted to return to the iconic hot-rod look and started by installing a 1959 Corvette V-8 engine, paired with dual-quad carbs. The Ford had been coated in primer and various other layers of paint, all of which he stripped off.
"I'm going to paint it jet black someday," Thompson said. "But with the amount of attention the car gets with the bare metal, it won't be too soon."
Thompson had his cool creation on display at this year's World of Wheels car show earlier this month in Rosemont. He just finished it the week before and already has plans to get some heavy behind-the-wheel time in the year to come.
In the spirit of true hot rodding, the car enthusiast plans to drive his creation. He's already got trips to Knoxville, Tennessee, and the L.A. Roadster show in California on his calendar with more to come.
Nice engine display
To showcase its latest crate engine, Chevrolet installed one in a fully overhauled 1970 Camaro RS and unveiled it at last year's November SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Chicago-area residents had a chance to see the ultracool car and its high-tech and high-output powerplant up close at the recent 2016 World of Wheels car show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
The engine is called the LT4 and is a supercharged 6.2-liter, small-block V-8. It's the same as what's found under the hood of the 2015 Corvette Z06 - the most powerful production car Chevrolet has ever made.
Output is rated at 650 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque. The engine retails for around $15,000. As for the Camaro, it was restored by the Chevrolet Performance team and features Hyper Blue Metallic paint, a Corvette Z06 front suspension, Brembo front and rear disc brakes and a six-point roll cage.
Off-roading
I've written several times about suburban restorers whose classic vehicles of choice happen to be vintage boats. So this item is not too far off the well-traveled road.
Lake Michigan and Chicago was chosen as the first freshwater venue to host America's Cup racing in the event's 164-year history. The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago, a qualifying event for the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda, will take place at Navy Pier June 10-12.
"Chicagoans continue to prove their affinity for all sports and now they have the opportunity to add America's Cup sailing to the list. We have no doubt that our amazing city, its residents and beautiful Lake Michigan will deliver the ultimate experience for the international sailing community," Desiree Rogers, Choose Chicago chairwoman, said in a news release.
Navy Pier, celebrating its centennial in 2016, will serve as event headquarters and have a ticketed viewing area, entertainment and VIP hospitality areas for fans to enjoy as the high-performance catamarans race by at 40-plus mph close to the shore.
"We are looking forward to a historic year in 2016 at Navy Pier," said Marilynn Gardner, president and CEO of Navy Pier Inc. "We will celebrate our centennial - and an event like the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Chicago is a tremendous opportunity to welcome new and returning maritime enthusiasts and casual fans to the Pier."
• Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.