Popularhotrodding.com
Reader Projects Mail!
In January, we posted a blog on www.popularhotrodding.com asking PHR readers to be a part of our August issue. My, how time flies. Next month will be devoted entirely to your project cars, so keep an eye out on the newsstand. As you may remember, we sent the call out to everyone with a muscle car project in progress, and promised that we'd make room in the August issue for every single car. We asked for you to follow a few simple rules, like take quality digital photos and provide all necessary info, and you'd see yourself in print--guaranteed. We also announced the reader project issue in the "Bangin' Gears" editorial column of the April issue, and as a result, we got 124 total entries by the April 1 cutoff deadline. As you can see, that's quite a mountain of mail. We've already gone through about a third of it, and there's some great stuff in there. Thanks guys!
Next month, look for the announcement on the '09 PHR Photo Contest sponsored by Nitto Tires. We're still working out the details, but we know it's going to be the best PHR photo contest ever, with a set of Nitto tires going to the amateur photographer with the winning photo.
Smssupercars.com
Saleen To The Rescue
On April 2, 2009, we got an interesting press release from SMS Supercars Chairman and CEO, Steve Saleen. Upon hearing that the company that bears his name--Saleen Inc--had ceased operation, and learning that the acquiring company--MJ Acquisitions--would no longer honor warranties on Saleen-branded vehicles and parts. Steve Saleen announced that his current company--SMS--would honor those warranties. Said Steve Saleen: "I was saddened about the way the current owners of the proud company I founded, and which held onto my name after my departure two years ago, have now dealt with my loyal and longtime customers. While my new company, SMS Supercars, has no legal or moral obligation to take up any of the warranty claims against Saleen Inc or MJ Acquisitions Inc, I would like to make a bold statement on the right way to treat customers." We applaud Mr. Saleen's classy move, and wish him luck in his new venture. For more information on SMS, visit them at www.smssupercars.com.
Protouring.com
Laguna Model Car
We don't know anything specific about this model car, other than it was built by an avid PHR reader in Quebec, and the photos were posted on www.protouring.com. This '75 Laguna is a 1/25th scale replica of PHR's Project Talladega; it was built from an AMT kit sold by Model King, and painted with satin black Krylon. (We can't read French very well, so maybe a reader north of the border can help us out.) As you can see from the display at the model car show, the builder used Chris Gray's project car renderings from our October '08 story as a reference for creating and placing the decals.
2010 Camaro
Let The MarkUps Begin!
Whenever a really cool new car like the Camaro comes out, there are always dealers who will sell their grandmother to make the extra buck or two. While attending the Chevrolet ride and drive program for the 2010 Camaro, we expressed concern to Chevy public relations people that dealers would mark up the price of new Camaros, putting it out of reach for many, including us. Naturally, they told us not to worry about it--nothing like that would happen. Well, it's happening.
The litmus test was when we contacted 11 local dealers through Chevy's official "Build Your Own Car" page on www.chevrolet.com. We submitted a specific request for a 1SS Camaro SS with an automatic transmission, silver paint, and no options. Of those 11 dealers, we got no answer from one, three dealers sent us form emails with no quotes and zero follow up, three more dealers sent a form email asking for information we already provided, one dealer emailed that the price would be MSRP, but never actually told us what that price was, one dealer emailed that the price would be $2,000 over MSRP but wouldn't give us an actual price, one dealer emailed us $5,000 over MSRP, but didn't give us a price, and one dealer out of the 11 actually gave us a exact price for our specific vehicle: $31,990. (MSRP on a Camaro 1SS is $30,995, including destination.) One thing we learned that isn't all that surprising: you're lucky if one dealer in 10 will answer a straight question.
Making an honest profit is one thing, but unfettered greed is something else. We then cruised eBay to see who's been "hitting the pipe," and hit pay dirt without even trying. We found one dealer in Florida hawking a red SS/RS--which the dealer hadn't even received yet--for a Buy-It-Now price of $46,900. (Doesn't that technically make it a Buy-It-Later price?) You can smell the cheap salesman cologne all the way from the West Coast.
Sound Off!
Rant Of The Month
Weighty Issue
We got this response to Hunkins' February editorial addressing the excessive weight of the new factory muscle cars. We don't think new cars need to be as heavy as they are (they certainly aren't in other countries), and pointed out that comparable cars are 900 pounds heavier--or more--than their historical counterparts.
Clever title ["Is It Worth The Weight?" February '09], but I must say that your column sounds like an uneducated rant from someone who does not understand and appreciate themagnitude of change that has occurred in the past 40-plus years.You cannot compare muscle cars from the '60s to their contemporary counterparts without mention of the myriad advances and inclusions of content, or the regulations that manufacturers must adhere to in today's world.(Do you honestly think that GM could sell a new Camaro sans airbagsand crumple zones even if they wanted to?)The fact is that yesterday is gone and today we must include tire pressure monitors, yaw and stability control systems, multiple airbags, antilock brakes, etc., not to mention all of the computers, sensors, and wiring needed to operate all of the additional items that make any car from this era safer than before. Also, in case you didn't notice, you actually can buy a new Corvette Z06 weighing in at 3,132 pounds with 505 net horsepower that will outperform in every way a '66 Corvette coupe at 3,140 pounds (yes, heavier) and 425 gross horsepower.
"Pete from New York"
Via the Internet
Lagunas Of The Month
Finally, the third-generation Chevelles might be getting some respect, thanks to you guys. I have owned my '76 Laguna S-3for 22 years now.Over the years, I've owned 15Lagunas, now Ihave five, including thetwo better ones in the photo. My '76 is Pro Street, and has run 10.90s. It has a 454 roller motor, full rollcage with full interior, fiberglass front bumper, hood, and doors.I have always wanted to see my car in a magazine. No one has taken these cars serious for years, until you showcased them. If interested, let me know. Hope to hear from you.
"Steve"
Via the Internet
A '76 Laguna that runs 10s on motor? We're game. Tell us where you are, and we'll figure out how best to shoot it for a feature.
Let Your Voice Be Heard!
We want your input in Popular Hot Rodding, but we aren't psychic. Sound off on how you feel about this issue, or anything that's on your mind. Contact us by email at john.hunkins@sorc.com.