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OK, we realize this story is about a Monte Carlo. Nonetheless, we thought you'd enjoy this story, because not only is it a Chevrolet, it's one heck of a ride.

Arrival of warm weather means one thing: getting ready for cruise nights and show season. Over at Chevrolet Performance, it’s no different. Program manager Gary Mulder and his team are in the middle of dropping an LS376/525 Connect & Cruise system into an ’88 Monte Carlo SS for the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour in June. So, just like you, they’ve been hard at work under the hood of their project car.

The red car was a 1967 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible, and was owned by the now ex-executive producer of the show. In the early days of production, they drove the car. Now it's transported by trailer between the cities Guy visits, and it's only driven between restaurants in the same town. “Newer” episodes (8/11 to present) have been shot with a 1968 Camaro. The '67 was sold.

Guy is a car nut and owns nine at last count, including an '04 GMC Sierra pickup, a ’65 Cobra, a ’96 Impala Super Sport, an '07 Corvette, a '71 Chevelle, a '68 Pontiac Firebird, and a '76 CJ-5 Jeep. Other purchases include a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo (infamously stolen in March 2011), a yellow Chevy 4500 monster semi truck (as seen in this RITZ Cracker commercial) and a black-on-yellow 2011 Chevy Camaro.

Remember the 1967 Corvette L88 that hit the ungodly sum of $3.5 million? With only 20 built, it certainly was rare and, equipped with a racing engine dressed in street clothes, it had the appeal of horsepower. Who would have guessed it would go for so much? So it must be time for some of the other 20 to hit the block and see what kind of prices they will bring. During June 13-14, we’ll get that chance at Mecum’s Seattle 2014 auction.

When the 1967 Corvettes were introduced, a new multi-carb 427 was introduced in 400- and 435-horse variations. However, nestled in the order form was a single four-barrel 427 with 430 horsepower that cost much more than the other 427s. How could a lower-horse 427 cost more? Heck, you couldn’t even get a radio! The reason for the lower rating was supposedly to keep buyers from thinking, “I’m gonna get me the top horsepower version” and then learn that their Corvette was not streetable. And when you think about it, the L88 was hardly streetable with 12.5:1 compression, no power steering, no heater . . . not even a fan shroud. Would you like your Corvette overheating in traffic?

After purchasing a new carpet kit, remove the pieces from the box and lay them out flat. This will help take the folds and creases of packaging out of the rug before it goes into the car. If the weather permits, lay the carpet outside in the direct sun with the plastic backing facing up- allowing the sun’s heat to soften the mold and ease in the installation.

(continued from Project Car: '55 Bel Air, 2 Door Hardtop)

Project '55 Bel Air: April 2014 Update

Project '55 Bel Air: June 2014 Update

Project '55 Bel Air: July 2014 Update

I'm using POR-15 products here. POR-15 is a system that thoroughly cleans, preps, and finishes your steel floor pans. You can find all the products I used here:

The mid-sixties saw Camaro competing against Mustang for street and track bragging rights; while at the same time GM and Ford were competing for showroom sales. This era has been etched in history as the “Pony Car” Wars. This being a special Camaro issue; we thought it might be fun to run down the timeline for the Camaro. We’ll also be taking a look at things that were happening in the World of Camaro at that time. Along the way we’ll throw in a few weird or rare Camaro options, just for fun.

The Lonestar XXXI Classic Chevy Convention was held in San Angelo, TX on June 25, 2013. We expected about 70 cars, but unfortunately the weather was threatening and some folks stayed home – giving us 49 registered vehicles.

Even though this was a smaller show, we were pleased to see cars come from Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Angelo, San Antonio, and Waco in Texas and from as far away as San Diego, CA, and even Western Australia. Thanks to all who attended!

In case you’ve been out of touch with the Corvette world for the past few decades and weren’t aware of this show (highly unlikely!), each August the Corvette faithful swarm the Carlisle, PA fairgrounds. This event is by far the largest Corvette gathering in the world, boasting more than 5000 examples of America’s Sports Car each and every year.

Not only is there the massive 82 acre field of cars to peruse, there’s also owner participation in autocross, dyno testing, burnout contests and a full-on parade through historic downtown Carlisle. And let’s not forget the Corvette giveaway, a huge swap meet, an all-Corvette car corral, a Manufacturer’s Midway and Installation Alley.

For most auto enthusiasts, pulling the tarp off an old unseen car is a rare delicacy, but for Dan Stafford, it’s a way of life. Stafford runs Dan’s Garage in Kennewick, Washington, which specializes in GM performance cars from the ‘40s all the way up to the ‘80s. He got a call recently from a family in Las Vegas looking to offload some of their father’s old rides. The father, from Wapato, Washington, passed away several months earlier and left behind a pair of ’68 and ’69 Camaros, a ’56 Bel Air sedan, ’61 Ford Econoline Pickup, and a burly ’77 Dodge Ramcharger with a 440ci engine.

But instead of finding the old wheels cooped up in a barn or left high and dry on blocks in the yard; these were carefully cared for and stored underneath tarps behind the family’s orchard. Stafford said it’s the kind of phone call that you dream about if you’re in the business. After the family located the original paperwork, he made the deal and the cars have found a new home in Kennewick.