Planet Jupiter » Classic Cars

JUPITER CHEVROLET AND PINK’S ALL OUT!!!

mbattel — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:38:11 +0000

Jupiter Chevrolet entered the “PINK’S ALL OUT” Motorplex Championship where “PINK’S ALL OUT” returns to its birthplace on March 21st. This is where “PINKS ALL OUT” turns the national TV spotlight on the North Texas racer who can go ALL OUT to win the $18,000 cash prize and take the title of Motorplex Champion.

Jupiter Chevrolet entered the Second Chance Qualifying Race on Saturday March 15th.

Many Racers try out for the Final 32 spots for “PINK’S ALL OUT on March 21st. Racer’s made three qualifying attempts, and the 30 racer’s that made the most consistent runs were rewarded a spot.
Malcolm Simons, Jupiter Chevrolet Service Manager
(remember Malcolm?)

placed 4th at the second “PINK’S ALL OUT” Second Chance Qualifier on March 15th in the Jupiter Chevrolet 1986 Camaro I-Roc.

Joe Boner, a Former Service Consultant to Jupiter Chevrolet placed 8th in the Jupiter Chevrolet 1968 Chevelle.

Well, congratulations Malcolm and Joe!!! All of Jupiter Chevrolet stands behind you in hopes that you bring home the $18,000 anty. Perhaps you will buy us lunch????

Car Lust–1973-1977 Chevrolet Malibu

Csavage — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:22:03 +0000

The mid-1970s Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu lived in a no-man’s land for Malibus, coming as it did after the legendary muscle-car Chevelles and Malibus of the late 1960s, and just before the popular ground-breaking Malibus that debuted in 1978. In that context, it’s difficult to argue that the mid-1970s Malibus were anything other than gutless, tawdry, disappointing (and, to me, stunningly desirable) dinosaurs so typical of the era. In fact, I made that very point a few months ago in excoriating the Malibu’s fancypants sibling, the adorably atrocious Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 454.

It is true that the mid-1970s Malibus were vastly less powerful and purposeful in line than their predecessors, yet bulkier, more wasteful, and more bloated than their successors. Big on the outside, small on the inside, and slow and floaty regardless of trim choice, even a fresh-off-the-showroom-floor 1973 Malibu would be a hopeless anachronism today.

But, as I so often say, cars should be judged within the context of their time. The Malibu was boldly good-looking, with the muscular contours and rounded detailing typical of Chevrolets of the time. While the sedan and wagons were attractive, the look was very potent on the two-door, especially at the rear. The effect was a pleasing (though thoroughly unsubstantiated) 1970s muscle car look that was somewhat reminiscent of the AMC Matador Coupe. That, by the way, was meant as a compliment–I’m probably one of about four people on Earth who would use a Matador as a positive comparison.

It was also comfortable and doggedly reliable. As I pointed out when discussing the Malibu’s cousin, the mechanically similar Oldsmobile Cutlass, in the mid-1970s America still knew how to make quality cars that ran forever–so long as they were simple, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive leviathans without any shred of electronic assistance. The Malibu was among the best of those, and for doggedly dependable transportation I’d take a Malibu long before one of the later and more advanced Citations.

And, of course, the Malibu shares the true genius of all large American cars of the time–a wonderful cruising experience. I know I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating. There are very, very few things I find more compelling than the idea of cruising along the freeway in a Malibu at night, the V-8 burbling contentedly as it inhales the mileage, the suspension undulating softly, the steering hunting mildly at speed, the instruments glowing in a dim yellow light, and the radio crooning with tinny country songs. I’m probably alone in this, but for me that’s a Car Lust moment equal to a rapid blast through the gears in a sports car.

The first image is from Jim’s Classic Corner.com, and the second and third are from How Stuff Works.

Steve McQueen Porsche 908

Csavage — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:05:54 +0000

It’s that time of year again when the automotive world gears up for the mother of all U.S. motoring events: the Monterey Peninsula Car Week held each August. One of the foremost celebrations of automotive design and performance that week is the Quail Motorsports Gathering, and with that, the seminal Bonhams & Butterfields auction of important collectors’ cars.

This year, Bonhams will attempt to make history once again by offering what is perhaps one of the most important cars to ever straddle both the competitive and popular culture worlds – Steve McQueen’s 1969 Porsche raced at Sebring and used in the movie . It is expected to fetch $1,500,000-2,000,000.

The ex-Solar Productions Steve McQueen/Peter Revson race car is a 1969-70 Porsche 908/2 Pflunder, 3-litre air-cooled flat-8 Spyder, in which McQueen and Revson finished second overall in the 1970 Sebring 12-Hours just behind Mario Andretti. It was raced later that same year at Le Mans mounted with two cameras to produce footage for McQueen’s classic film released in 1971. The car went on to become a five-time competitor in the Le Mans 24-Hour Grand Prix d’ Endurance, the world’s most charismatic sports car race.

As the story goes, McQueen purchased the Porsche specifically to compete at Sebring and teamed up with Formula One driver Peter Revson. The Sebring 12-Hours was a full factory contended points-earning race and the amateur McQueen/Revson team and their private car seemingly had no chance against the factory giants Ferrari, Ford and Porsche. Yet with only 25 laps remaining they were in the lead. This was an incredible upset for the big professional teams so Ferrari ordered Andretti to “win the race at all costs.” Although the 5-litre Ferrari 512S was far more powerful than the 3-litre Porsche 508, Andretti couldn’t pass until the second to last lap, winning by only 23 seconds! More amazingly, Steve had raced with a broken foot still in a cast, duct taped to keep it from coming apart.

Steve McQueen driving in the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring; courtesy of Autosports Marketing Assoc.

This incredibly historic and pedigreed car will be just one of the many highlights offered for sale by Bonhams & Butterfields on August 15th at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California.

Owners interested in consigning individual cars or entire collections to this highly anticipated auction may contact the Motoring Department by e-mailing motors.us@bonhams.com.

[Source: Bonhams]