AMC-List Digest, Vol 6, Issue 35
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AMC-List Digest, Vol 6, Issue 35
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- Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 05:38:44 +0000
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Today's Topics:
1. FIRST CARS (Jay)
2. Re: first cars (Jim Shadwick)
3. Re: first cars (KENT ANDERSON)
4. Re: first cars (Ross Guistino)
5. Re: 1970 Javelin Corduroy seat covers (John Elle)
6. My First Car (John Elle)
7. Update on surging 401 (Marty Bricker)
8. Re: my first car (Eddie Stakes)
9. AMC Ink (Jeff Puras)
10. Re: headlights (Frank Swygert)
11. first cars (Jamie Smith)
12. parts pullers (was Thems The Brakes) (Jamie Smith)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:18:27 -0400
From: "Jay" <jciampi@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] FIRST CARS
To: "AMC LIST" <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <00f601c6a6b9$80c4cea0$afc41ecf@Ciampi>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
My first car was a '35 CHEBBY coupe. After that was wrecked by a 47 Plymouth
hitting me broadside, I bought me a '51 Nash Rambler 2 dr hardtop with a
flathead 6 82hp ! It had O/D and got 32 mpg which was good for me as I was
going to college and needed to save gas. I traded that for a used '54
Corvette and drove that for a year until I found out it had been wrecked and
the frame was FUBAR. On top of that I was getting married next year and so
I traded that in for a '53 Nash Rambler 2 dr hardtop with continental spare
tire (an even swap,mind you). They thought I was crazy, but they didn't know
how that car wore front tires out so quickly. I traded the '53 for a brand
new '57 Nash Rambler Custom 4dr with a 250 cID 198 hp V8 and Jetaway
Hydramatic. The car was great, but the tranny suckedfrom day one. When the
tranny gave up in 1958/59 I traded that off for a new Renault Dauphine 4 dr
with sunroof. 46 mpg with a 3spd on the floor. Now I have a baby coming
along, so it is time to get something bigger. It was a 1960 Ambassador
custom station wagon with all the extras except A/C. Who needed A/C in NH in
those days? Not me. I had that wonderful car for over 6 years and traded it
for a Rambler American 440H with 232- 2bbl, Shift-Command on the floor. I
drifted away from AMC for several years when I retired the '65 American. In
1981 I bought a new Concord 4dr with 4 spd on the floor and 258 6 cyl. Nice
car, but could not keep the clutch from chattering all the time. Now my
only AMC car is a 66 American 440 convertible.
Jay in FL.
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:23:22 -0600
From: Jim Shadwick <idahoamx@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] first cars
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <44B6ABBA.8070605@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
My first car was a 51 Henry J that that my dad paid $50 for....Thought I
needed something faster so I traded
it for a 52 Ford that I had to rebuild the motor in to drive.....was
much faster....My first AMC was a new 68 Rogue
290 4spd....which was stolen 3 months later....replaced it with a used
one that I drove the crap out of for 2
years......traded it for a 69 Javelin 390 auto......and that for a Dodge
Colt wagon...kids.....
Jim
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------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 17:05:10 -0400
From: "KENT ANDERSON" <65marlin327@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] first cars
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <000a01c6a6c0$0718b830$6400a8c0@SONY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
My first car was a brand new, '65 Classic 770 convertible in seaside aqua, matching top and interior. It was a 232 standard, and got, no joke, 32 miles per gallon! It seemed to run for ever on a tank of gas.
I skipped AMC my second time around, but third and fourth were a 67 Rebel 770 two door hard top, and a 68 Javelin SST. It kept going on from there, mostly into AMC cars, including a '55 Metropolitan, '68 Rebel SST convertible, '67 Ambassador convertible, '67 Rebel SST hard top, '72 Matador hard top, 74 (I think) Matador hard top (ole Bug-eye), and now, a '65 Marlin and two Typhoons (under construction).
I dunno, but I'm thinkin' that pretty much makes me an AMC nut!
Kenny
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:25:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Ross Guistino" <rossg@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] first cars
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:
<10509.204.117.11.100.1152825947.squirrel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
The first car that was actually mine, and not one of the Chevies or Mopars
that my parents drove, was a '74 very plain Jane Gremlin with the 232. I
loved that car. It was black with thin gold pinstripes and no frills
interior, right down to the vinyl bench seat and floors. Bought it in '77
from Dewitt's AMC in Akron, Ohio. I drove it out to California when I
moved out of the house at 21. Not a lick of trouble on that whole trip.
When I met my then soon-to-be-wife in 1980 ole Betty (the Gremlin that is)
started acting up but ONLY when my wife was in the car. It started
innocently enough with a flat tire, then a carb issue, then something
else. It got to the point that every single time she came near the car it
would complain. The last straw was when I started having tranny issues.
But here's the kicker. My dad visited one summer and I gave him the car
to drive around in. You guessed it, not a lick of trouble did he have. I
got it back, my wife got in, and the tranny started having issues again.
I reluctantly, and with a very heavy heart, sold Betty to my cousin who,
in less than 3 months, burned up the engine and left it to die in the
California hills somewhere. That was in 1982. Fast forward to 2000 and
my wife (yep, the same one I met back in 1980) found a '75 Gremlin X on
eBay and bought it for me as a surprise. Trouble was, it was in Houston.
She had bought a car off of Eddie Stakes. I flew in and drove Greta home.
Now despite having a loose shifter, exhaust leaks, and old hoses, I only
had one problem in that long hot trip home (it was mid-summer!). The
oil-sending unit sprung a leak. Luckily I was near a town that had a
mechanic on-duty who ended up putting a bolt in. He thought for sure he
could get a unit from one of the Eagles he had in the back but no luck.
I drove the rest of the way home to Northern California without a problem.
I still have Greta and a couple of years ago I brought home a '73 Gremlin
named Vivo to keep Greta company. Vivo has a 304 in it, but again, other
than that she's very plain. Right down to the vinyl bench seat and
floors.
Ross Guistino
Rohnert Park, CA
The NorCal AMC Car Club
'73 Gremlin 304 aka Vivo
'75 Gremlin X aka Greta
'93 Jetta III
'98 Jetta TDI
'02 Jetta TDI
'69 VW Bug
> _______________________________________________
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>
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:24:25 -0700
From: "John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] 1970 Javelin Corduroy seat covers
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <004f01c6a6d3$7e0eb080$90dd0d82@john1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Jeff.
SNIP
I have a 1970 Javelin with the black corduroy, turtle shell, front
seats.
I am looking for replacement seat covers, but all I see readily
available
are the vinyl and leather. Is anyone aware of a place where I can
purchase
corduroy seat covers?
Also, does anyone know if replacement seat foam is available, and where
I
can get it?
Thank you
Jeff
SNIP
So do I, and when I get the money saved up this is where I am going to
go!
http://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/
John
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:57:37 -0700
From: "John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] My First Car
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <005401c6a6d8$21be1550$90dd0d82@john1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
My very first car my father bought for me when I turned 16. Mom and Dad
purchased most of their cars from Becker Lincoln Mercury in Canandaigua
N.Y. and they bought a late model used Lincoln and dad saw a 1947 DeSoto
sedan in the good to go section for $29.00. They discounted it to $17.00
and delivered it to home. I was thrilled. It was not much of a car, but
it was mine!.
It lived a short life though as I had yet to learn how to take care of
something as fine as that and due to too light of oil, it lost a Rod and
a Main before summer was out. I replaced the DeSoto with 1930 Model A
and thus added to my newly found automotive maintenance knowledge as
time passed. The Model A lasted me through High School.
Far too many years and miles have passed since then to chronologically
list things, but driving an average of 35,000 miles a year and living in
a rust belt half of my life there were a lot of them. Some better than
others.
Mostly Chrysler or AMC products as you could buy a newer one of those
cheaper than a Ford or GM car as re-sale was historically bad. Most of
my cars were used and ended up in a wrecking yard as worn out or rusted
out before they were replaced. There was the odd settlement of a divorce
(I still miss the Camero I-Roc Z28 T-Top) here and there but that
doesn't count.
I currently own a 1970 Donohue 390 5 speed car with an Edelbrock Air Gap
manifold. I have had it since 1979, it was my fathers car purchased used
in 1971. A 1980 Fuel Injected Spirit, A 1980 restified AMX, A 1976
Hornet X Sportabout to be restored, a 1974 Hornet V8 X Levi Hatchback
under restoration, a 1994 Saturn Coupe and a recently purchased 1996
Chrysler T&C that is proving to be quite a nice and reliable automobile
with an A/C system that will keep the cabin cool when it is 113 degrees
outside as it is today. Happiness is a working A/C. Both Hornets, the
Spirit, The Saturn and Chrysler all have A/C.
John
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 19:53:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Marty Bricker <mbrickerusn@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] Update on surging 401
To: northtexasamc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, AMC List <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <20060714025345.32065.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Latest update:
-Changed the fuel pump
Went out for a run and it started surging again. I
was on the freeway and it didn't start for about 7
miles but then would do it under load at speed (60-70
mph) and even on acceleration on the on ramp (still
will run up to 300+ rpm in N w/o problems). I was
able to get it up to about 75 mph if I just used slow,
steady acceleration. When I returned I checked the
carb and fuel was dripping into the bowls again.
Pulled out the old 650 Edlebrock and I'm going to put
that on to see what happens. Will keep everyone
posted. Thanks.
Marty
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------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 23:22:12 -0500
From: "Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] my first car
To: "AMC List" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <060201c6a6fd$64f25e60$28f1b148@piageedc1iqa5q>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I'm not sure this would count, but my dad who passed away last year at 79
bought a 62 Rambler station wagon home one day, no engine or trannie, as
someone had bought that, and he bought the remainder for $11 and said it was
for me. I was 10, and he would let me "drive" it at the Woolco parking lot
when they were closed, lots of room, sort of like a sprawling parking lot of
Sam's now days. He easily found a little 232/AT and dropped it in over the
weekend, so it was running and driving just as quickly as someone had yanked
the drivetrain, he would later paint it purple. So not sure that one counts.
Later I would buy, with my money, a 70 Javelin from a old peacher man whose
name escapes me, but he had a car lot that looked like this:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/press_photos/65_rambler_carlot.JPG
down in Corpus Christi, TX on Leopard street about 5 blocks from the house
where we lived at Antelope and Doss. That was 76, and the Javelin had seen
better times, but price was right at $600, shiny and red, 360, AT. So it
smoked when first started. I ended up going thru 9 engines on that one
before it was mercifully totalled out in front of the White Rabbit disco by
a drunk lady named Elda in a Ventura, my wife was pregnant and had just
picked me up from Pizza Hut a mile down and we were going home. No damage to
unborn baby who Jennifer is now 27 and has two kids of her own. But the
Javelin was history. I don't know if this link will stick:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/Photo_Gallery_AMX/images/1976javelintransplant_jpg.jpg
but if not, click here:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/Photo_Gallery_AMX/index1.htm
and it is the upper left, that is big brother Tommy and my dad, Homer T.
Stakes Sr, in 1977 putting in yet another engine into the Javelin, bought
that engine for $50 from a salvage yard on Agnes Street, the owner used to
call us when a AMC came in as we were the only ones who would buy anything
off the AMC cars. In 77. The reason why so much engines was my idea of
plugging a oil leak was not to change the seal or gasket, but put more STP
engine treatment in the engine so it would not leak so quickly. Made for
some funny stories, like the 343 that blew while driving home, there was a
hole in the side of the block you could drive a Gremlin into. I knew
something was wrong as the stereo with Pink Floyd went out and the OIL/ALT
light came on, and car died doing 50mph on the Crosstown. Duh. So my guess
is that would be my "real" first car.
On a side note have driven nothing but AMC since I got my license in
76....30 years ago and 326 American Motors cars later. Just drove my 72
Ambassador SST wagon to do chores today with sons Noah who is 4, and Jacob
who is 3:
http://epage.com/js/mi/n0/1392356.html
and this evening had to run more errands and took the 81 Eagle:
http://epage.com/js/mi/n0/1764174.html
http://i4.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/d6/f0/a7_1.JPG
Happy Motoring, neat thread, keep it going.
Eddie Stakes'
Planet Houston AMX
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:34:32 -0400
From: Jeff Puras <amx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] AMC Ink
To: amcrelay@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:
<ADVANCES623IwE3HK9M0000018b@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 00:17:46 -0400
From: Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] headlights
To: amcrelay@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:
<ADVANCES62llNY30kkZ00000198@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain
So I had it backwards. Thanks for the correction -- makes more sense to
have the most light on high beam!
On July 13, 2006 Jeff Reeves wrote:
> Incorrect!
>
> A four-headlight system is designed to operate as follows (this is
true for all manufacturers I can think of):
> horizontal arrangement: two outer lamps are low/high beam and two
inner lamps are high beam only--this means that on low beam operation
only the two OUTER bulbs should be in use. On high beam, ALL FOUR of
the lamps should be on.
> Vertical arrangement: Two upper lamps are low/high beam and two lower
lamps are high beam only. Two uppers on with low beam only, all four on
with high beam.
>
> In the late 80s GM played with this a bit with their really small
sealed beams (think 1988-89 Silverados and 86-89 Centuries, etc), in
which case the outside lamps went off with high beam and the two inner
bulbs operated only.
>
> Jeff Reeves
> Auburn GA
> 94 Cherokee
> 79 Spirit
> 73 Javelin 401
> 72 Javelin SST
> 69 Ambassador DPL
>
>
>
>
> Frank said:
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:35:03 -0400
> From: Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Halogen Sealed Beam Headlights
> To: amcrelay@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:
> <ADVANCES62ix4A2DreB000000b2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
>
>
> IIRC, four headlight systems use all four lights only on dim, so
> actually draw more power on dim than bright (55x4=220W; 18A@12V).
When
> on high beam the inboard lights (dim only) go out (60x2=120W;
10A@12V).
> Of course placement of the filament in the bulb (reflector) and
aiming
> has a great affect on lighting.
=============================================================
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------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:29:45 -0700
From: "Jamie Smith" <oconner51@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] first cars
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <BAY109-DAV11C88A1A15DF27DC4B1962BF6F0@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
My first car was a 1981 Chevette that I bought from a friend of my brother for $50. At the time I didn't have a license so all I could do is just drive it up and down the street. My 6'2" body didn't fit very well in it so I eventually sold it for $75.
I was then given a 1979 Olds Toronado with 2 rods going out. After tearing the engine apart then buying a 455 to put in it I didn't have time to work on it so eventually gave the car away and still have the engine.
Also around that time I bought my 1966 Jeep Wagoneer which I scrapped last fall (still have some of the parts from it).
Next car was my brother 1986 Wagoneer with blown up motor. I paid $200 for it and then I stripped off a few of the parts for my 66 and then sold it without the new tires for $100. My brother then traded me the 455 engine I mentioned for the tires.
Next my boss gave me my 1966 Rambler American wagon. And that is where my AMC obsession began. I just wanted it so I could have something to drive and fell in love.
I then bought the 1966 Rambler Classic 2 door hardtop from him. I am hoping to do some work on it this year finally.
Then I had been nagging at him for 4 years to sell me his 1986 Eagle Wagon. He would mention selling it and when I said I wanted to buy it he would change his mind. I finally gave up on it.
On valentines day of last year I went and bought a 1977 GMC 3/4 ton pickup that just needed a motor for $250 (my dad had a motor for it). The next day, on my birthday, everything seemed to go wrong at work and it had been a really rough day. At the end of the day My boss' wife called me into another part of the building (the way she called me it sounded like I was about to get yet another *$$ chewing). I walked in and she handed me a birthday card and told me happy birthday. I opened the card and just as I started pulling it out of the envelope she told me to hold out my hand and when I did she dropped a set of keys into it. The front of the card was a picture of the Eagle and the title was inside the card. They paid for new brakes, a new front half shaft and new tires for it plus two years of licensing and title transfer.
Next vehicle was a 1968 Jeep pickup one of our customers gave me. I ended up scrapping it because it was badly rusted and the frame was bent.
And the last vehicle I bought was my 1984 Eagle Limited wagon. Paid $250 for it.
Now I am trying to get my boss to sell me a 1981 Chevy 3/4 ton with a dump bed and a snow plow.
Jamie Smith
Spokane, WA
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:39:43 -0700
From: "Jamie Smith" <oconner51@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] parts pullers (was Thems The Brakes)
To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <BAY109-DAV11EAE6F873746B4669F5BEBF6F0@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have been buying most of my part at Autozone. Most of the people there are very knowledgeable about AMC and do very well. Including this young (20 something) girl who loves AMC Eagles. About a month ago I went in looking for some part and ended up being helped buy a guy I had never seen in there before. He was an older gentleman, I am guessing in his late 50's. He had absolutely no clue what I was looking for. I told him AMC Eagle and he started looking it up under Eagle and says "what model do you have? I don't show Eagle going back to 86". I then told him, no, it is AMC Eagle. Try looking under AMC and then Eagle as the model so he asked me who made AMC.
Jamie Smith
Spokane, WA
------------------------------
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End of AMC-List Digest, Vol 6, Issue 35
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