JERRY HUTCHCROFT
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
JERRY HUTCHCROFT
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Since we’re officially in the DOG-DAYS-OF-SUMMER I thought it was time for one of my Car Nut Ball updates. At 71 years old, my Car Nut Ball affliction is in full swing. My current fleet of cars includes the ‘57 Ford two-door Ranch Wagon Restomod, which I’ve actually owned for over four years. Four years is the longest I’ve ever owned a cool car. Sitting in my new garage (converted from a carport) is the ‘56 Chevy wannabe Gasser and the latest acquisition a very nice ‘98 Camaro Z28 convertible that l purchased from my buddy Steve Watkins who was buying a late model Corvette. The Camaro has well over $25,000 in rebuilds and upgrades that Steve did over the last six years and l had four new tires installed a few months ago. I will be selling all three of these cars sometime in the near future. The Camaro only has 31,000 miles on a completely machined and fully rebuilt LS1 V-8 that also got a new Stage 1 cam, long tube headers, and complete new Borla exhaust system, and early this year, Steve replaced the 4L60E transmission with a brand new GM Performance 4L65E heavier duty transmission and torque converter. The Camaro is awesome, has ice cold A/C (fully rebuilt) new suspension etc. etc. So why would l sell such a completely rebuilt modern car??? That’s where the Car Nut Ball part again enters the picture. Financially, l have to sell the ‘56 Chevy and the ‘57 Ford, but normal people would KEEP the Camaro simply because of all the rebuilds and upgrades. But, I want an older car as my semi daily driver Hot Rod and at my age, my C N B brain says you better do it now. So, the Camaro is officially For Sale and at an amazing price just $12,000. I will be doing some cosmetic upgrades on the ‘56 Chevy before it goes up for sale.
The ‘57 Ford is now at my cousin Ed Gilbert’s house in Beavercreek Oregon. Ed has offered to basically repair and repaint the Ford. It got a $5500 paint job two years ago, but the paint prep was not done properly and the very unique car with a General Motors 430 horse powered LS3 V-8 engine and automatic overdrive transmission would never sell at its true value without the proper paint prep and re-paint. Ed and I will be attending the Hot August Nights event in early August, in Reno/Sparks Nevada. I will also be covering the MAG Collector Car Auction as part of the week long Hot August Nights event. Then, it’s on up to Ed’s where l will be his helper working on the Ford. While I’m in the Northwest, a 1977 Chevy Nova two door hatchback that’s near Tacoma Washington will become my new semi-daily driver Hot Rod. This very nice rust free Nova will get bucket seats, a freshly rebuilt 327 (sitting in my garage) maybe a Turbo 400 transmission (also in my garage) and an A/C system, possibly with a new electric compressor. New wheels and tires and a Jerry Hutchcroft paint job will round out the Nova project. My friends and family are already taking bets on how long I’ll keep the Nova. I really do need to get control of the Car Nut Ball affliction, so hopefully, I’ll love the Nova, only time will tell. HAVE A GREAT REMAINING SUMMER!!!
RoddinRacinAZ@gmail.com
9034 North 23rd Ave, #9A • Phoenix, Arizona 85021
480-963-9880
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