CARS wins the 2009 AHNP Golden Gear Leadership Award

Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists Inc. (CARS) is honored to be given the 2009 Automotive Hot New Products Magazine Golden Gear Leadership Award for our 1969 Camaro Continuation Series.

Each year the editors of the magazine choose a company that they believe shows leadership in the automotive industry by producing a product or products that are exciting and unique and  have blazed a new trail. Below is the write up as seen on their website:

 

LEADERSHIP AWARD — CARS, Inc. COPO/Yenko Continuation Series 
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Reproducing a vintage part is a big undertaking. Reproducing a whole car is huge. But the car in question, the 1968 COPO/Yenko Camaro, was too enticing, and the opportunity too great to let slide. With a flurry of new parts hitting the market to keep up with the ’69 Camaro’s unparalleled popularity, all the elements were in place. 
Using Dynacorn’s repro Camaro bodies and new crate engines from GM Performance Parts, Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists, Inc. has taken the lead in recreating two of the most revered muscle cars in the world — the 69 COPO Camaro and ’69 Yenko sYc Camaro. Using parts from top suppliers like Classic Industries, American Racing, Coker Tires, National Parts Depot, and  Master Power Brakes to build the rest of the car, the continuation series is the spitting image of the originals. But there is no crash history, no corrosion, hidden or otherwise, no restoration, correct or otherwise, and no potential of misrepresentation or fraud. You get a factory fresh car with zero miles.
Under the hood is a new GM Performance Parts 427, backed up by a 4-speed manual transmission. It’s just like 1969 all over again.
Options are not nearly as numerous as 40 years ago, but you can choose a 4-speed Turbo 400, 15-inch GM Rallye wheels or new American Racing T70 rims, and of course your choice of either chambered or transaxle exhaust system. 
Colors also recreate the 1969 choices — Daytona Yellow, Hugger Orange, Lemans Blue, Rallye Green, Fathom Green, and Olympic Gold.
The price has gone up a bit since 1969 (Yenko continuation cars retail for $139,500), but the new continuation cars will probably be even more exclusive than the originals. For the ambitious undertaking, appreciation for the originals, and breaking new ground in the hobby, Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists, Inc. receive the Golden Gear Leadership Award.
Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists, Inc.
(336) 595-3900
www.classicautomotiverestoration.com

http://www.ahnpmagazine.com/mainlinks/featurespages/goldengearawards.html

Congress Moves Forward with Vehicle Scrappage Program

This is from an article in the SEMA eNews letter:

“By a 50-4 vote, the House Energy Committee approved federal legislation to provide a government voucher to consumers who buy a new car in exchange for scrapping a less fuel-efficient vehicle. Similar legislation is expected to be considered in the U.S. Senate in early June when lawmakers return from the Memorial Day recess. SEMA is urging lawmakers to include a provision to require that scrapped vehicles be less than 25 years old as a means of protecting vehicles that are valued by hobbyists or may be a source of recyclable parts for use on restoration projects.

Under the legislation, a scrapped vehicle must get less that 18 mpg (15 mpg for heavy pickups and vans). The car buyer would receive a $3,500 voucher if they bought a new passenger car that was at least 4 mpg higher than the older vehicle or a new pickup truck/SUV that was at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck. They would receive a $4,500 if the passenger car was at least 10 mpg higher and the truck/SUV was at least 5 mpg higher. The program would mandate that the engine block and drivetrain be destroyed. The program would last up to one year, authorize $4 billion in spending and potentially scrap one million older cars and trucks.

“SEMA is working with lawmakers to mitigate some of the legislation’s unintended consequences and its potential damage to the automotive aftermarket,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “These common-sense proposals will ensure that the government is not spending $3,500 or $4,500 on a vehicle that may only be worth a few hundred dollars but may have potential value to vehicle collectors and to promote the benefits of parts recycling.”

A vehicle that is 25 years old or older is rarely driven and does not contribute to the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. A 25-year exclusion would also guarantee that older cars that have an historic or aesthetic value are not inadvertently crushed.

SEMA’s recommendations are intended to reduce the damage a vehicle scrappage program would impose on thousands of independent repair shops, auto restorers and recyclers, customizers and their customers across the country. SEMA will continue to promote alternative incentive programs that will help clean the environment, provide for vehicle and parts recycling, and preserve collector cars for future generations. For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein.”

 Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists is an active member of SEMA/SAN but would like to do more. We would like to reach out to car club members and classic vehicle owners to stress the importance of staying involved to keep our hobby alive. The most compelling argument against the scrappage of vehicles 25 years or older is in bold font above.  In order to keep this arguement relevant we will be offering tips for maintaining your vehicle. Many of these tips are “do-it-yourself”. It is important to keep your car running at peak efficiency. If your club has a newsletter we would be happy to provide you with a copy of these articles as we release them, you can send an email here to request a copy.

Street Rodder Road Tour, Coker Tire Tour

This week we were happy to host the Coker Tire leg of the 2009 Street Rodder Road Tour.  The tour started in Chattanooga at the Coker Tire headquarters where they had a show and auction to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. On Tuesday they presented the camp with $2500, enough for one child to attend camp this summer.  After they finished up they headed our way. We knew they would be worn out so we pulled out the grills and served up some burgers and hot dogs. Then gave them and the local chapter of the AACA a tour of our shop and offered one of our lifts in case anyone needed to check something to keep their cars going strong as they continue on to their next destination of Ocean City where the next leg of the tour will pick up. We love to see enthusiasts out promoting the hobby are always happy to show them around and answer any questions. 

You can read about all their adventures here: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/roadtour/0905sr_coker_tire_tour_blog_2/index.html