Cadillacs in Southern Ontario

The C.I.S.O. is a new on line Cadillac club started last year by my friend Mike. You can find them at:
http://cadillacinsouthernontario.com/

I had to be at Steve Plunkett's great Fleetwood Cruise last Saturday on business so why not drive one of my "classic" cars well actually I don't own any new cars.

The 59 has slumbered for a few years with only limited use. So the drive to London was its longest trip in a decade. I had changed the oil the week before, washed her, checked tires and all other fluids. A quick test run showed her to be in fine form so I committed to bring the Caddy to Mike's display at the show.

The Caddy ran fine to London, I was even followed by a CTS-V most of the way. Quite a line up to get in but I quickly spotted the C.I.S.O. guys and gals, great display by the way!

The run home was more intense with the top down and my ghetto sound system set to 11, that is an ipod playing through a boom box powered by an inverter connected to one of the 59's four cigarette lighters.

The trip back highlighted some nagging problems I still have not cured, brakes pull to the left (alignment?) and s slight vibration at 30 mph. Nevertheless the Cad performed like a trooper and it never rained.

Also Kudos to my friend Bill who brought Amanda, his beautiful 60 Dodge Polara coupe, perhaps he will send me a photo for this blog as I shamefully forgot to snap one.

Met lots of great people including the prior owner of my 78 Toronado XS...small word indeed.

Ghosts of Future Lincolns

Enjoyed a 2010 Lincoln MKT for the week. I am not much of a fan of crossovers but the MKT at least has some sense of design, I especially like its hearse like shape, so I would order one in black. I think a sedan delivery custom job is in order too.

The intelligent cruise control (shades of Packard's radar brakes) worked very well and was a definite driving aid not an intrusion like I feared.

The 365 HP Ecoboost (lame name for an engine) is as smooth and powerful as it is in the new SHO. I wish it ignited with a little more fire and brimstone when you compress the go pedal.

High marks from spouse who enjoyed the Sirius 80's channel and reliving her misspent musical youth.

So when can we have a true successor to the Mark VIII based on the Mustang platform, don't forget the opera windows and Continental hump.

1978 Town Coupe with Fixed Glass Moonroof

I was reminded I did not include a photo of Chris' Town Coupe.

Also a shot from the brochure. There fixed!

Cadillac & Lincoln Mutual Admiration Society

Well some people just don't learn, up late again last night. Car stuff this time, a friend dropped by with his new 1978 Lincoln Town Coupe with ultra rare fixed glass moonroof. I have only seen one of these cars in person before. Resplendent in metallic grey with unmarked grey velour, gorgeous.

I had a chance to show off the 59 Cadillac convertible and the 1971 Stutz Blackhawk, oh it kills me to have to think about ever having to sell one of these beautiful cars....sigh.

We took the 59 out for a quick cruise, top down, lovely warm night, full moon, running along Lakeshore Road with the light from Niagara Falls in the distance and the moon reflecting brightly on the water it could have been the Malecon in old Havana or the Corniche in Monaco. (I have actually driven along one of these roads in real life!)

Yes, I changed the oil and washed the dust of the 59 on the weekend, she is running well and looks like a million bucks IMHO. Last year for the canister style oil filter by the way.

Stopped off at my mother's house to show the 72 Lincoln Mark IV.

Then I had a turn being chauffeured in the Town Coupe, which I really enjoyed. Compared to last night's Cadillac and Lincoln fest it is sad to contemplate the sorry state of automotive design today.

Corvette to work this morning another glorious day, took some roads I don't normally use and was rewarded with some great scenery, oh I had seen it before but just not from that perspective.

Ok I will try and preserve this automotive high throughout my work day.

Lincoln Mark IV Super Jump

Since I am in a Mark sort of mood this week.

You will believe a Mark IV can fly, well kinda:

http://www.racevideoforums.com/forums/other/4194-video-1976-1-mile-car-jump-gone-wrong-lincoln-jet-car.html

Apparently the stunt was originally designed by the "Mad Canadian" Ken Carter but he was replaced by American driver Kenny Powers at the last minute. Needless to say things did not end well. However, kudos for using a Lincoln Mark IV, to paraphrase Dr. Brown from Back to the Future, if you're gonna build a jet powered car to jump the St.Lawrence River, why not do it with some style?

Full story here:

http://crudelyinterrupted.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/rocket-man/

Praise the Lowered

The 1976 Lincoln Mark IV finally had its custom made Eaton Detroit coil springs installed. The suspension work was done by Rob Neely for an article in Canadian Hot Rods magazine. Thanks to Mike at Eaton the Lincoln has left nose bleed territory and is now much closer to terra firma. The Mark IVs always rode too high in stock mode giving the impression of roller skate wheels. The 20 inch KMC SS mags now look like they truly belong on this Continental.

Two compliments yesterday while washing the almost non existent paint in the driveway yesterday, one from a real estate agent and the other from someone who looked a little more gangsta. Praise from such divergent demographics, I am quite chuffed.

http://www.eatonsprings.com/

Top Goes Down / Top Goes Up

A new 370 Z Roadster, I know not Toro XS's usual ride...it's a press car.

I am a Detroit loyalist (die hard, insurgent?) but this has been fun. I have a soft spot for the original 240Z and even considered buying one...kinda small though.

Sorry no technical ramblings just gut feel, speeding along with the top down on the back country roads I take to and from work was bordering on joyous. Perhaps it was just the blue sky, the promise of summer and new tunes on the ipod....but some part of me has to give credit to the 370.

Despite it being a cool morning I still put the top down and I was snug as a bug with the heater blowing in my face and the heated seats warming the rest. Fast too, pity I have to give her back.

A red roadster is however a bit of a chick car, women seem to really like the 370. Bottom line, everyone should own a convertible at least once in their life.