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D. Brian Smith

Recent Posts by D. Brian Smith:

1972 Ford F-100 - Farm Truck, Race Car Tow Truck, Show Truck - Named Betty

A beguiling beauty to be sure, Betty was first sold at A.G. White Company, in Cartersville, Georgia on April 28, 1972. A.G. White Co. was an old Ford dealership that was established way back in the early 1900's. Mike McCarthy gave his 1972 Ford F-100 Explorer Special the moniker of Betty not long after he purchased her from a farmer in Kansas in 1996. He then gave Betty a new career when he entrusted her with towing his 3rd generation Spec Racer Ford (SRF3) upto Willow Springs Raceway for campaigning the car in some SCCA road racing events. Betty provided over 10 years of trustworthy trouble-free service before the rusty floorboards forced her into a well-deserved retirement and several years of storage at the McCarthy home in Surf City USA.

Ford Truck History: From the Model TT to the Modern F-Series

The Ford Motor Company first produced a pickup truck in 1917. The truck was called a Ford Model TT. It differed from the Model T passenger car by having a heavier frame and rear axle, which gave the truck a hauling capacity of one US ton (2,000 pounds). Ever since then, Ford has been building world-renowned pickup trucks, including the F-1, F-100, and bestselling F-150. Read on as we look back at Ford truck history from the early years through the modern F-Series.

New! Two Delicious Grills for the 1967 Chevy Impala & Four Grill Kits, Too!

The Chevrolet division of General Motors first used the name Impala for its 1956 General Motors Motorama concept car. The graceful African antelope was used as the car’s logo starting with this show car that incorporated Corvette-like design cues, especially in terms of the vehicle’s front grill. Notice the word grill is missing the ‘e’ at the end of the word. For some reason GM always left the ‘e’ off the end, ala BBQ grill, while other car companies use the more common and generally accepted spelling of grille replete with the ending ‘e’.

A-Body Mopar Fastback History: 1970-76 Duster, Demon, & Dart Sport

As time marches on, American pony and muscle cars are becoming more scarce and valuable. The expensive part is great, so long as you already have one (or many). If, however you're on the hunt for one, that's quite another matter. The price that you're likely to pay for anything that's restorable is likely to be quite dear. You might even be tempted to tap into your kids' college funds, justifying the purchase by thinking that you can share the old car hobby with them. Thankfully, there are still some less sought-after muscle machines out there that are just waiting for some smart folks to snatch 'em up. Consider if you will these three fine A-Body Mopar models from Plymouth and Dodge: the 1970-76 Plymouth Duster, the 1971-72 Dodge Demon, and the 1973-76 Dodge Dart Sport. 

Ford Mustang History: Creating the First Pony Car

Some automotive enthusiasts are very familiar with the history of the Ford Mustang and why it has sold so well for its entire existence, dating back to its premiere in April of 1964. But most people just view the Mustang as a sporty car with a clever name. There are perhaps a baker’s dozen reasons that the Mustang was such a resounding automotive triumph right out of the starting gate, and why it continues to be the frontrunner in the hearts and souls of millions of car gals and guys.

1957 Chevy 3200 - The Perfect Pickup for 3 Surf Grommets

The old car hobby is filled with great stories of father/son builds, family projects, and cars passed down from parents to kids. In many cases the vehicle that is passed down winds up becoming a mechanical member of the family. Old cars and trucks are much more than just family heirlooms. You can get in an automobile and have adventures in it. Take family trips. Even just take a jaunt to the grocery store for some milk and cookies. The family car is a trusty steed that you can rely upon to deliver freedom, adventure, and food for goodness sakes! It's no wonder then that when this trusty companion becomes time worn, the family wants to renew it and keep it on the road, as opposed to selling it off and abandoning it. 

Photo Gallery: 2023 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS)

If you didn't attend or participate in the 73rd O'Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show, you missed out big time! The GNRS is one of the oldest and most phenomenal classic car shows in the world. It's held in California, which is considered by many to be mecca for the automobile, at the Pomona Fairplex. There are two top prizes awarded at this prestigious event. The nation's top roadsters vying for the America's Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) prize were sublime. Non-roadster vehicles competing for the Al Slonaker Memorial Award were rolling, running works of art. All of the cars and trucks at the event would be held in high esteem in any car geeks garage, or the envy of any motorhead on the planet. 

1971 Chevrolet Caprice - This Rose Has No Thorns

 

They're almost shrouded in mystery, which is a bit strange when you consider the stature of a donk. Questions like what does donk mean, and what is it named after? Who originated this restomod sort of highly customized machine? Where were they first created, gain popularity, and spread to for achieving an ever-growing sort of following? As impossible as it may be to believe, none of these queries yield definitive, matter of fact answers. With one exception... the vast majority of donk enthusiasts cite South Florida in the latter 1980's into the 1990's as the birthplace of the donk.

Waylon Krumrie's 1968 Mercury Cougar Is Back On the Prowl

Waylon Krumrie has been a classic car enthusiast since he was seven years old. His pony car passion began when he first saw his grandfather, Rex Krumrie's, 1968 Cougar XR-7. The elder Krumrie purchased the Cougar from his former boss way back in 1971, when the cat had just a scant 30K miles. Waylon's grandmother, Sallye, mainly drove the car.

1970-1981 2nd Gen Camaro - A European/American Styling Tour de Force

Imagine that you're a designer at Chevrolet, and you have the challenge of leading the elite GM design team to create the 2nd Gen Camaro, which will debut in the 1970 model year. What an honor and certainly also a stressful opportunity you'd have in front of you. Reimagining Chevrolet's nearly perfect and much beloved 1st Gen Camaro and taking it up a notch in terms of style, comfort, performance, and increased sales...no pressure there, eh? Join us as we take a look at the styling inspiration for the 1970 2nd Gen Camaro and how the design evolved through the end of its production run in 1981.