Why Expecting a Low-Maintenance Classic Car is a Bad Idea

Cars have gotten so low-maintenance and hands-off that our experience of owning a car has totally changed in the last 50 years. Heck, even in the last 10! My modern daily driver has nearly 100k miles and all I’ve done are oil changes and basic maintenance. Not a single thing has broken! In contrast, through 50k miles of driving my 1955 Studebaker I’ve re-built the engine, changed the transmission (three times), re-built the front suspension, rebuilt the fuel system, lost and re-built my brake system, broken down on the side of the road more than a few times… and that’s just the major stuff! But I’ve also learned new skills, met amazing people, empowered myself to solve my own problems, and had some seriously amazing adventures with Studie. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. My Studebaker has changed my life.

While not all vintage cars are going to have the same issues I’ve dealt with in my Studebaker, there is no way around the fact that old cars aren’t like new cars. They have smells and noises (that most of us classic car owners come to love!) Maintenance for classic cars means much more than going in for an oil change. It may mean oiling parts of a fan so it doesn’t seize, lashing valves regularly to keep the engine running smooth and chasing down leaks—it all depends on the year, make, model, engine and other running gear the car has. And it will definitely mean learning about your own cars’ unique needs and investing more time and money than modern car owners are used to.

So if you really love the idea of a classic, collectible or enthusiast car but have no idea what owning one is like—here are some helpful maintenance-related questions to ask yourself.

Don’t Ask “What’s the best low maintenance classic car?”, Ask Instead:

• Can I do my own maintenance?
• Am I interested in learning about how to work on cars?
• How many weekends am I willing to spend in the garage?
• How much do I intend on driving my enthusiast car?

Driving Classic Cars Don’t Feel Like Driving Modern Cars (and Shouldn’t)

Can a classic car have entirely new running gear, suspension, chassis… everything!? Absolutely. With enough money and time anything is possible! In my opinion though, part of the allure of driving a classic car is the way it changes one’s experience of driving. My Studebaker doesn’t have air conditioning, power windows/locks, or even a working radio. And guess what? I wouldn’t change this (though sometimes air conditioning would be nice)!

Old cars are much more than just looks, they’re about how you feel when you drive it. Grabbing hold of a big steering wheel, the way the suspension makes you lean over a little extra on a tight curve, turning the crank to lower the window. These are the types of things that create the romance of what makes a classic, a classic. Each manufacturer, era, car with it’s own unique quirks. Discovering these is part of the excitement of owning and driving an enthusiast vehicle.

Many enthusiasts modify their cars to a certain extent. An engine with more horsepower, bringing safety features in, adding a few creature comforts. If you’ve never really been around classic cars or whatever enthusiast vehicle you’re into, I’d urge you to find ways to experience them in some capacity. Is there a specific type of car you’ve always dreamed of? Go to car gatherings and make friends with owners. Do your homework. Explore that vehicle, and different types of builds (riding in and driving them if possible) as much as you can before investing in one yourself. Doing this will help you to answer some of these helpful questions more honestly.

Don’t Ask “Can a classic car drive like a modern one?”, Ask Instead:

• Is there a particular make/model of car that I’m attached to? Why?
• What are my must-have amenities?
  • Examples: Air conditioning, stereo, working gauges, modern brakes, a clean-running engine (or EV!), a low-noise cabin, electrically-controlled locks and windows, power steering, safety features, seating, phone connectivity, etc.
    
• Does the car I want work with my life?
  • This will change based on how you plan to use the car, family scenarios, location, etc.

How Much Does a Classic Car Cost?

The simple answer? Always more than you think. The honest answer? Make a realistic survey of your wants, needs, timeline, abilities and willingness to make the best choice on investment of both time and money. Read on for helpful tips according to budget and for a realistic idea of what the mister & I spent on a budget-DIY build of his ’57 Ford, check out this video from our Extra Good video series that’s over on Driving Line’s YouTube (subscribe here to follow along!)

On a Budget (Less Than $30,000)

If you’re looking to get a classic on a budget, its important to be flexible on what kind of car you want and how quickly it will be on the road. Is it a super-rare or super-collectible car you have your heart set on? That may not be feasible with your budget. Keep in mind, just as when people purchase houses, there’s “beginner” purchases and then there’s “forever” purchases. You may need to be willing to get a starter-car and over time build up to your dream project.

And if you’re gasping at me saying a budget classic car is anything under $30,000… that’s the truth. Is it possible to get a solidly-running & driving classic for less than that? Yes. For less than $10,000? Maybe, but it’ll be a needle in a haystack. I’m not trying to be a Debbie-downer here, but it’s important to be realistic. A great place to start at costing out the type of classic car you’re looking for is with Hagerty’s Car Valuation Tool. It shows year/make/models, a car’s cost trend over time and it even breaks down different qualities of build for what a car is worth.

• OPTION A, ALREADY-BUILT: It can be more economical to buy an already-built car—as project cars seldom sale for more than was invested in them via parts & labor. If you go this route make sure to have a knowledgeable person do a thorough assessment of the car before buying.
• OPTION B, DO-IT-YOURSELF: Waiting for the right deal on a car and carefully evaluating the type of work that needs to be done to it and then doing the work yourself can be a budget-friendly way to own the car you want. But know, you’ll likely have a long road in front of you. Car work takes a LOT of time, a lot of space, and if you mess things up it can take a lot of extra money. There’s a reason why its so common to find unfinished car projects for sale on Craigslist.

Who Said Budget? Sky’s the Limit

If this is the case, lucky you! Maybe you’re just a baller or, more likely, you’ve saved for this over the years. Chances are that even if you’re not “on a budget” you still “have a budget” whether that’s $50,000 or $250,000. Even with a larger budget, it’s important to be realistic.

• OPTION A, ALREADY-BUILT: If you’re buying a pre-built car have your list of “must-haves” and be willing to wait for the right one. Some helpful places to look when purchasing: auction listings, owners clubs specific to the car you want, set a notification criteria on Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace/Ebay/Bring A Trailer or other car sales sites. There are also car agents that can be hired who can be very helpful in finding what you want and insuring it is what it says it is—a good car agent is more than worth the fee they charge.
• OPTION B, BUILD WHAT YOU WANT: With a larger budget, chances are you’re not doing it all yourself. The higher the car’s value, the more is at stake. So choose wisely what you’re confident handling yourself if you want to be hands-on. Even more importantly, choose wisely who you trust to build your car. You need absolute trust in whoever you’re handing big checks to for car work. It is not cheap. The hours of labor you’ll be paying for, in addition to material/parts costs, add up very quickly. So do your homework. Find the right person for the job (maybe they specialize in the car model or the sort of car you want), talk to past customers, Google them, see their work, know what you are and aren’t getting out of working with them, have paperwork that’s detailed and also, be patient.

Regardless of whether you’re skrimping or splurging on your classic car purchase, here are some helpful questions around cost and owning the classic car of your dreams.

Don’t Ask “How expensive is a classic car?”, Ask Instead:

• Is now the right time? If not, what are active steps to get there.
• Is the time & money of building my own car (or having someone else build it) feasible OR should I consider looking for an already-built car?
• Am I willing to rearrange my budget priorities to afford this?
• What happens if I go over-budget?
• What will ongoing care and maintenance cost? Am I prepared for that?

Why Owning a Classic Car is Something You Should Consider

After all these questions and realities of getting into classic car ownership, I’m ending on this because I LOVE how owning a classic car has changed my life. It really comes down to what you’re open to & how you might see the world. For example, here are some common scenarios that could be viewed as awful or fabulous (I choose fabulous!)

Viewpoint Check Scenario #1: Car brakes down roadside

• Negative possibilities: I missed my appointment. It was hot and I got sweaty. I got dirt on my outift.
• Positive possibilities: I watched a sunset I would’ve otherwise missed. I found kindness in strangers. I was forced to figure it out for myself.

Viewpoint Check Scenario #2: Another weekend spent in the garage

• Negative possibilities: Say hello to my second job. I could be lounging poolside instead. Now I have another big mess to clean up.
• Positive possibilities: Spending quality time with ________ (my self, my significant other, my friends, my family). I’ll never be bored again & learned new skills. I put the work in and accomplished something.

I say “YAY!” to choosing a hobby that has opened me up to new possibilities and change, provides a huge sense of empowerment, has taught me more how to take risks and laugh at myself when needed—and of course provides endless smiles when I’m out enjoying my car on the road. I hope this honest insight helps all you new-to-cars ladies and gents explore whether getting a classic car of your own is right for you.

Have a question or additional tips for prospective classic car owners? Comment here or reach out to me via Instagram @greasegirl.

To All My Regular Readers: So good to “see” you again! Yes, it’s been a long while since I’ve posted. But my absence from the website doesn’t mean I’ve been absent from the garage. I’ve been working on a 1966 Ford F-100, which has offered my first true opportunity to dive head-first into a full bodywork project. I love it, but it is a ton of work! When I’m not doing that I’ve been adventuring on my first motorcycle, a Moto Guzzi V7iii, or in the hubs ’57 Ford. I’ve made the hard decision to park my Studebaker for a little bit, which I plan on writing more about later. It’s not due to lack of love, I’ve got big plans for her, but have to balance projects and its all about finishing the truck right now. I hope this to be the first article of more regular writing here on Grease Girl—but if you ever miss me, catch up with more recent adventures over on my Instagram @greasegirl.

The post In For the Long Haul: A Beginner’s Guide to Owning A Classic Car appeared first on Grease Girl.

As I began teaching basic car care classes for ladies in Los Angeles, I’ve been onslaught with ladies asking if there are classes in their own state or area. What is totally awesome, is that I’m far from the only one doing this—anyone claiming they can’t find another lady who loves and works on cars hasn’t looked very hard! To help out other sisters looking for somewhere to start sparking their love of cars and getting a little automotive knowledge, I’ve compiled a list of female automotive classes and events that I know of. These are all very welcoming environments that are meant to be a beginner’s introduction to new skills and areas in the garage, usually low-cost and lasting a couple hours to a full weekend.

Know of something in your area that I missed? Please leave a comment—I will add on to this list!

Various Cities

1. Woman & Machine

This March kicked off the first #WomanAndMachine event in San Antonio (with other events happening in Massachusetts and Atlanta), with lady automotive leaders giving workshops and presentations plus spreading a whole lot of good vibes. Led by a quartet of awesome ladies, including Faye Hadley (@pistonsandpixiedust), Alexis Dabilis (@initialdabilis), Karen Sullivan (@ksullivan_gng_mag) and Jasmine Lawrence (@theladygreasemonkey ). They’ve held events for the community offering everything from engine timing to how to get a start in racing all during a full-day extravaganza with lots of classes, cars, ladies and other industry peeps there to aid and encourage you.

Their next event is coming soon! October 7th in Atlanta at Pull-A-Part North Atlanta from 10a-5p. Visit their Instagram page for a registration link, @womanandmachine.

2. Ladies Offroad Network

For those who love to get off the pavement, there is plenty to know to keep you safe and capable of having even more fun! Charlene Bower launched the Ladies Offroad Network (@ladiesoffroadnetwork) to join women in the ‘wheeling world and provide opportunities for networking and growth. She hosts a slew of offroad trail trainings and more at stops in numerous states across the country. Classes cover things ranging from how to use a winch to how to plug or change a tire.

Find out more at ladiesoffroadnetwork.com.

Southern California

3. Grease Girl’s Car Care 101, 201 & 301 @ the Automobile Driving Museum

These are the classes I launched—and now that I’ve moved to Texas, Megan (@megwithawrench) has taken the reins (plus, I’ll still drop in for a surprise class from time-to-time!) The Automobile Driving Museum is a super welcoming place and extremely supportive of women learning about cars. Car Care 101 is an introduction to cars, maintenance, what’s under the hood, how an engine works and how to be confident in dealing with automotive repair shops. In Car Care 201 we learn the basics of how to deal with common car emergencies, including how to change a tire. Finally, with an opportunity to get a little greasy, Car Care 301 teaches how to properly change oil in your car—a great first hands-on job.

Check the calendar at the Automobile Driving Museum’s website for availability and registration. September’s class is already sold out, so hurry for October registration!

4. Real Deal Workshops

The babes behind Real Deal (@realdealrevolution) are Jessi Combs (@thejessicombs) and Theresa Contreras (@designmuse) and they are aiming to “empower and educate others regarding the positive influences associated with design, speed, being hands-on and grabbing life by the balls!” In addition to holding various workshops around Southern California for everything from welding, custom paint and forging metal you can find them out at events doing mini-classes and demos.

Visit iamtherealdeal.com for current workshop offerings—they’ll be teaching next during Babes Ride Out moto weekend, October 18-21st in Joshua Tree.

5. Girls in the Garage

Headed up by Pati Fairchild, instructor of paint and body at El Camino College, this is a few hour, free class held at the college (usually) that spans all sorts of different automotive-related skills. One event may be learning how to weld, another may be learning about suspension, how to metal flake, how to detail a car—the list is endless. These classes are golden opportunities to get your hands dirty, learn some new things and meet some other car-ladies as well!

These events are shared on Facebook via a group dubbed Girls in the Garage.

6. Automobile Driving Museum’s Female ’55 GMC Truck Restoration Project

There’s no better way to learn than to get in there and put your hands to work! Launched this spring, Project Jimmi is the Automobile Driving Museum’s all-ladies restoration project. Until the build is complete, days will be set and women of all skill levels are welcome to take part. Work days will have a learning component, followed by work on the truck.

See more at the build’s Instagram page, @55jimmi, or email MarisolR@theadm.org to join.

Phoenix, Arizona

7. Bogi’s Garage

After doing a year-long all-female build of a ’57 Chevy pickup dubbed the “Chevy Montage,” with 90 women taking part in the build that unveiled at the SEMA Show in 2017, Bogi’s Garage (@bogisgarage) continues to open its doors and build community while teaching new skills. Currently hosting another Chevy pickup build, @highyellow56, headed by two ladies who helped with the Chevy Montage—there is always something exciting going on here! Weekend-long workshops on custom painting or body work to opportunities to just help out and pick up a wrench for those who want to enter the world of automotive enthusiasts.

Visit bogisgarage.com or Bogi’s Facebook page to see when the next event is coming. October 13-14th will be the next class, on sandcarving, registration link on Bogi’s social sites.

8. 180° Automotive

Bogi Latiner also owns and operates a full-service auto repair in Phoenix, which happens to have basic under the hood car care classes and is also available to book for groups or events. If you’re looking to become more knowledgable and confident about your everyday car, these are the perfect workshops for you!

View events or reach out to find out more at 180automotive.com.

Photo courtesy of Car Krush

San Antonio, Texas

9. Pistons & Pixie Dust

Faye Hadley (@pistonsandpixiedust) runs a mobile auto repair business in San Antonio and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and empowering her community. Faye is part of the crew who runs #womanandmachine events, plus she holds other classes in her area including a full series on engine building.

Stay tuned on Faye’s IG and YouTube channels to hear when the next workshop is coming up.

*Also stay tuned for more in Texas, as I’ll be starting up classes in my new home-state in 2019!

Portland, Oregon

10. Car Krush

Nobody rocks it quite like the ladies of Car Krush. In addition to holding car movie nights, block parties and selling some cool t-shirts they also give community car workshops. I hear this year they’ll be embarking on their own car build as well.

Hit them up to see what’s happening @carkrush or CarKrush.com.

Connecticut

11. The Drift Kitchen

Headed up by Alexis Dabilis (@initialdabilis), The Drift Kitchen brings a female-friendly atmosphere and driving instruction to the New England area (they have some cute stickers too). Attending track days can be tons of fun, but its no surprise that some women feel intimidated to show up as a noob. You don’t need a purpose-built car to attend an event, head out and get a handle on executing perfect donuts, figure-8s, and clutchkicking.

The next Drift Kitchen event is November 11th at Thompson Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut. Rules and registration at their site, driftkitchen.com or follow along @thedriftkitchen.

Atlanta, Georgia

12. Steelettos Garage

Whether its a “Women, Whips & Wine” introduction to cars class or hosting a #womanandmachine event, Jasmine Lawrence is an automotive technician and owner of Steelettos Garage and does what she can to empower other women and educate them about cars.

Find coming classes at steelettosgarage.com or follow them on Facebook or IG (@steelettosgarage).

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

13. Girls Auto Clinic

An automotive garage catered to women, Girls Auto Clinic also holds monthly workshops to get to know more about your car. A female-friendly atmosphere seeking to empower women, drop by or find out what classes they’re offering if you’re in the area.

Follow along for more info at @girlsautoclinic or their website.

*Additional!!!

Pennsylvania & Beyond

14. Ladies, Start Your Engines

Based in Pennsylvania, but traveling to shops, clubs, dealerships & organizations across the country, Lori Johnson teaches women-only hands-on learning courses. Covering all of the topics that general consumers need to know to feel confident around their cars, this is a great introduction to how your car works.

Request a class in your area at ladiesstartyourengines.com or visit their Facebook page to find out about classes open to the public.

There IS a place to get connected. There ARE plenty of opportunities to get your hands dirty and start learning… so what are you waiting for! In fact, there’s even numerous publications dedicated to gearhead gals—I wrote about some of them here. Getting in the garage changed my life & I’m so glad I took the risk—are you ready?

These 13 ladies car training opportunities can’t be the only ones—leave a comment with any that I missed & I’ll continue adding to the list.

The post 13 Ways to Start Learning to Work on Cars appeared first on Grease Girl.

If you’ve not been following me on Instagram, than you’ve been in the dark as to why Grease Girl has been so dark lately—I moved to Texas! Mr. GG & I purchased our first home—packed, and packed and PACKED our home and shop up (read… shops are HARD TO MOVE!)—and made the long trek from Los Angeles to Texas.

Our new home couldn’t suit us better and I can’t wait any longer to share a few peeks into it. Watch the video above for a walk around the massive garage/shop section which is still undergoing organization. I’d be further along out there but summer heat is no joke out here in Texas! Stude wasn’t too happy about the move, she puked out a bunch of trans and diff oil, but I think once I get her settled in and pay a little attention to her she’ll be just fine.

It was sad to say goodbye to so many great friends and car peeps in LA, but I’m excited to welcome them all out to the “ranch” and know there will be lots of new friends and plenty of good times to be made out here. First order of business we’ll be getting a truck… because home ownership & Texas. Likely it’ll be something at least a little old and fun, so stay tuned for more of that and other exciting stuff coming!

The post Big Changes & Big Garage appeared first on Grease Girl.

The 31^st Goodguys West Coast Nationals had hundreds of amazing cars, of which I’m excited to show you a few. What struck me most about covering this show, alongside Nationwide, was how much meaning owners place on their car—whether it was personal style, handed-down legacy or being hand-built that set their ride apart. Of course, I attach tons of meaning to my Studebaker, but I don’t expect everyone I talk to at a car show to feel the same way.

Meeting dozens of classic car owners at Goodguys, I was blown away that every car story told to me was entirely unique. From all-original family cars to newly purchased barn finds and lifelong goals achieved. Surely, these cars are intriguing all by themselves, but they’re even more so when you know the stories behind them. Watch the video above to join in on my conversations and browse below to see more details on some of the incredible cars & people I encountered.

HANDBUILT | 3-Window Coupe

I heard this car before I saw it, glancing across the Goodguys show grounds it looked mean cruising in for a parking spot. This owner built his car to have fun on the autocross course. Right away, I noticed the LS engine, quick-change rear end and suspension you don’t normally find on this sort of hot rod.

Learning he took the Goodguys Autocross Hot Rod class championship two-years straight, I wanted to know where he gained all these engineering and fabrication skills. Turns out he spent some time in the fabrication business and worked on Overhaulin’ projects for a while. This car may not have a fancy paint job, but it’s one well-built hot rod! Built to drive gets two big thumbs up from me.

LEGACY | Chrysler C300

To be honest, I wasn’t certain of the significance of this car when I first passed it. What I did know was that it wasn’t something you see very often and it clearly had a story to tell. Asking for the owner in a group of friends sitting in the shade, John introduced himself in an unmistakable New Zealand accent.

He went on to tell me the significance of the Chrysler C300 in NASCAR history. Far greater than it’s racing significance is the place this car holds in John’s family. Purchased new in ’55 by his father-in-law, his wife was born in the back seat.

Both of those loved ones have passed on, and John takes care of and enjoys this car in celebration of them—keeping it 100% original, including its 331 solid lifter Hemi, 6-volt electronics and all-original body. This car has more than a lifetime of stories to tell.

STYLE | ’63 Corvette

The plate read “ONL 383”… only a 383 stroker small block under the hood was more than enough to power this cute little ’63 Corvette. Come to find out it was helping to rebuild an engine from a Corvette at age 18 that first grabbed the attention of this owner. A test drive made him fall in love and decades later an opportunity to buy one finally came up.

He’s only owned it for a short time, but has already started added some personal touches of his own and of course enjoying plenty of driving.

LEGACY | ‘68 Mustang GT

Three generations of family greeted me next to this un-restored ’68 428 Cobra Jet Mustang with only 33k original miles.

Grandparents Dave & Donna now own the car, but it was Dave’s dad, Lee, who originally purchased it in 1968 for drag racing at the Fremont Street Drag Strip. The family’s enjoyment, continuing nearly 50 years later, is not just a testament to what a great car the Ford Mustang is but to a family that enjoys life’s journey together.

HANDBUILT | ’69 Chevy Impala

Japan may be an unlikely place to buy a classic American car, but it’s just where this U.S. Airman nabbed his ’69 Impala while serving overseas. After months of passing by and asking the owner to sell it, he finally agreed in time for Donald to bring it home.

From there it got the full restoration treatment and is now enjoyed by family and friends—such as Donald’s dad and friend, both also named Donald, hanging out together with it at the Goodguys show. These guys know how to have a good time!

STYLE | ’52 GMC Carryall

It wasn’t only that I managed to find another lady car owner, but the air inlet to Tammy’s built engine was peeking at me over the grill of her ’52 Suburban.

She went on to tell me that she’d made the engine choice, a 383 stroker, in memory of her heavy-pedaled grandmother. I think much like myself, Tammy has adopted this car as an extension of herself—not willing to part with it no matter how much money is offered.

LEGACY | Barnfind ’34 5-Window

Pulled up between rows, amidst tons of shine and chrome, sat Rudy’s just-bought barn find ’34 5-window. Although he joked that, “people with shiny cars just haven’t got there yet,” he’d arrived that day in a beautiful, shiny ’59 Impala. He seemed giddy with excitement about his new purchase, promising it, “Runs great, we’re not going to do nothing to it… it’s done.” Sitting inside the old car, truly was like a time capsule—the smell, the materials, the areas showing wear and tear. We can’t all have barn finds, but it’s special to see the history they have to tell when you get the chance.

I had a load of fun at Goodguys West Coast Nationals! Being in an area outside of my home in So Cal meant plenty of cars I don’t usually see and new people to meet, which turned out to be such a pleasure.

Seeing all the meaning these classic car owners placed on their vehicles makes it all the more important to ensure those vehicles are protected. Speak to an insurance expert at Nationwide about industry-leading coverage.

Nationwide provided me with information regarding its partnership with Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.

The post 1-of-a-Kind Rides: Style, Legacy or Hand-Built appeared first on Grease Girl.

Common Problems Caused By Wiring

• Ignition/engine performance problems
• Mysterious issues with Accessories (lights, blinkers, radio, etc) that may only happen “sometimes”
• Parts powered by electricity aren’t working properly—like a starter or an electrical fuel pump

Why do old cars have so many electrical issues? A number of factors contribute. First, you’ve got wiring that is decades old—which means aging as well as corrosion. Coming in at the ends of the wires, corrosion then travels through the wire itself causing extra resistance, meaning electricity can’t travel through it as easily. The endpoints also get effected by corrosion, which can effect the ground they’re creating. Grounds are necessary parts of complete circuits. Without a complete circuit, electricity can’t travel properly—bringing us to our next part…

Basic Electrical Concepts to Wrap Your Head Around Before You Start Wrenching

Closed Circuit

In order to keep electricity flowing in car’s electrical systems, you need to have a closed circuit for it to travel through. This means you have a load or draw of electricity all the way down through the ground of the circuit. An opening in any part of the system will disrupt the flow of electricity and therefore cause an issue in your car.

Ohms Law

Voltage x Amperage / Resistance = 1

• Voltage: pressure or force
• Amperage: volume
• Resistance: restriction

Formulas aren’t exactly what most people want to see when they go to work on a car, but in Ohms law case it’s just the principal behind the formula that you should understand. Electricity is the pressure or force in this equation, it’s a flow of electrons. When voltage goes up, amperage will also go up. If resistance goes up, then voltage and amperage will go down. I’m no electrician or physicist—and am honestly just beginning to grasp these concepts myself—so I won’t attempt to describe this in detail. But a good primer on electrical concepts can be found here.

Before allowing ourselves to get too confused, let’s get down to business for figuring out a car’s wiring issue…

4 Questions To Ask Yourself to Figure Out Any Electrical Problem

1. How do I get power?

Is it getting the power from a battery, switch, or what?

2. How do I get ground?

Is it the item’s housing, a ground wire, or case that is providing grounding?

3. What do I have to do?

Is there a switch that needs to be flipped, temperature or pressure that it needs to be at? Whatever has to be present in order to make what needs to happen, happen.

4. What does it have in common?

Does it share a ground with anything? Does it share power with anything? Does it have anything in common or shared with anything else?

As you go through a process in doctoring out electrical gremlins in your car, remember to always…

CHECK THE EASY THINGS FIRST & MAKE SURE YOU’VE GOT A GOOD BATTERY!

The post When Wiring Goes Wrong appeared first on Grease Girl.

I’ve always wanted a car painting of Studie, but it was one of those things I assumed I could never afford. Earlier this year, while rummaging the swap meet at Lone Star Round Up, I found a ’55 Studebaker Champion spec card and snatched it up.

With vintage Studebaker print in hand, a brilliant idea sparked in my mind. Earlier in the day I’d passed my buddy, James Owens, in his art booth. Over the years I’ve become acquainted with some amazing hot rod artists, and James Owens is one of my favorites. He painted the awesome trio of unique “Rosie the Riveter’s” that I love so much—in fact one of those prints hangs on my wall already. Why not ask James if he would paint my Studebaker on the old card I’d just scored?!

To my delight, James agreed to it, saying that he does commissioned car paintings all the time. Leaving him with the “canvas” and emailing a few photos of my car, I told him to paint Studie however he saw fit. I little while longer, this beauty popped up in my mailbox! I love, love, LOVE it.

This custom car painting of Studie makes me smile every time I look at it. I am BLOWN AWAY by how well James captured her—color, personality and all.

And while of course different artists and different sizes of work will have varying cost, this one didn’t break the bank and is so well worth every penny spent. James even mounted the card onto a cool hardboard which I framed after receiving it.

So, to all of you looking to either treat yo’self or score that special gift that will make a big impression… a custom car painting is the absolute best gearhead gift ever. If you want to have one done in time for the holidays, you’d better get in contact with an artist soon. Choose someone you love the style of and I’m sure you’ll adore what they create!

You can see more of James Owens’ art, and contact him for a special commission, on his FB page or website at car-noir.com.

The post Best Gearhead Gift Ever appeared first on Grease Girl.

Pinto Cruising Wagon

Pintos are becoming about as rare to see on the road as Studebakers. Just when I think I’ve been around cars long enough to see one of everything, something like this rolls up. It’s a Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon. Offered straight from the factory with its nifty round rear windows, a la the creepy van craze of the time – which for this car looks to be a ’79 or ’80.

This model was completed with a back window valence, hood pins and additional roof racks, looking to be ready for a couple surf boards. I can’t think of a much better surf wagon, I only wish I could’ve met the owner and seen more detail for myself (like what’s under the hood?!)

Drag-Ready ’53 Studebaker

Speaking of engine detail, I included a pic of the “other” Studebaker coupe when it showed up a couple months back. This one’s got a little more bite than mine, but should anybody mistake its red primer for my original paint, the fat rear tires and missing hood should cue you off if you overlook that it’s a ’53 to my ’55. Thanks to Mike for ensuring my Studie isn’t the only one there, that’s a rarity!

I Heart You

Last, but not least my friend pointed out this heart-shaped steering wheel inside an apple green Monte Carlo. The only thing that warms my heart more than seeing a masculine hombre clutching a wheel like this are all the peeps that have been showing up to the friendly Long Beach Cruise-Ins. Nostolgic, street rod, lowrider and beyond – heck, an NSX even showed up – you’re welcome in Long Beach.

Next Long Beach Cruise-In:

• Thursday, September 21st
• 6pm to 9pm
• Downtown Long Beach – 3rd Street & Long Beach Blvd (Google: 240 Long Beach Blvd)
• Enter via 3rd Street, public parking lot, $5 city fee
• Tons of great restaurants nearby for a bite to eat
• September Facebook Event Page

Feel free to copy and share the flyer above for September’s event and browse the gallery for more of who showed up in August.

The post A Pinto, A Stude & A Heart-Shaped Steering Wheel… appeared first on Grease Girl.

Summer is in full swing and that means there are car shows every weekend—you’d be able to find something happening every single day where I live in Los Angeles! Whether it’s attending an event as an automotive journalist for Driving Line, getting my own local cruise-in going, or venturing out to something just “for fun,” I never get tired of checking out new cars and meeting other enthusiasts. I’ve been lucky to fit in some stellar automotive events so far in 2017—King of The Hammers, Lone Star Round-Up, LS Fest—and I’m looking forward to dropping in on Goodguys West Coast Nationals, alongside Nationwide, Partner of Goodguys Rod & Custom Association

When I purchased my Studebaker 10 years ago, and really started getting into cars, it was upon moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles. So, I never got to be part of the car culture in Northern California. One of these days I’ll make it up there with Studie — but until that happens, I’m really looking forward to attending the Goodguys show in nearby Pleasanton, California. The U.S.’s largest hot rodding association, Goodguys is sure to be filled with some of the best cars Northern California has to offer. In fact, they’ll be giving out “America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod” award at this show.

“Most Beautiful” car or not, one of my favorite things about the car world is that every individual owner has a reason for choosing that car and building it whatever way they did. It makes cars just as unique as the people who own them. As Nationwide is concerned with protecting what matters most, I’ll be talking to people to find out just what makes their car so special.

Back in the day, hot rods and customs took on unique local trends. In fact, we still name certain custom styling trends invented back then with a regional reference. Bellflower Tips, for example, or an East Coast stance. In today’s Internet culture, trends have a way of melding just as quickly as photos are shared on Facebook or Instagram. But there was a time when it took magazine coverage or someone driving their customized car to another state before a larger group had access to a new fad. In fact, that’s part of what made the big car shows of early days, like the Oakland Roadster Show, so popular. You’d see things at them that you couldn’t find anywhere else.

5 Custom Styling Trends From Early Hot Rods

While I look forward to meeting new people and seeing fresh builds up in Northern California, I thought I’d share a few examples of some historic regional hot rodding customization trends that I’ve learned about over the years:

Bellflower Tips

A city within L.A., the Bellflower area adopted their own “cruiser” style. The Bellflower tip refers to an exhaust that exits behind the rear tire and follows the lower body line to the back of the vehicle.

Lakes Pipes

What may seem a slight difference from the Bellflower tip is actually a pretty large one. Lakes pipes refer to the pipe exiting behind the front tire and extending back toward the rear tire. These got their name from the hot rodders that would go out to land speed race at the dry lake beds, adding in a cutout portion to enable them to run open pipes while out on the lakebed and close it off to route the exhaust back legally when getting on the road to head home.

They were eventually adopted by customizers and used for non-performance reasons, with no cut-out present (and at times not the actual exhaust pipes). Lakes pipes continue to be popular in both forms.

East Coast Stance

While cars in the West were being built for dry lakes racing, East Coasters were in it for style. They’d often set up their stance by doing extreme channeling work to their cars. Channeling, removing the car and raising the points where the chassis frame meets the body, can lower the car’s profile while maintaining the overall ride height. It’s said a large reason for this arose because East Coasters had weather to deal with and salt on the roads, quickly rusting out car floor pans.

Bonneville Chop

Named for mecca of land speed racing, the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Bonneville Chop features several modifications to improve aerodynamics at speed. First, a heavy chop will lower the side windows to mere slits and then the windshield will get angled back. Originally done on 3-window coupes, this style can also be seen on 5-windows as well. Of course, it didn’t stay put on only racers cars, this style found its way into “cool” cruisers as well.

Carson Top

A removable, non-folding, upholstered top. An alternative to the heavy amount of metal work required in chopping a car, these were made from metal conduit and wire mesh before getting upholstered. The name is not to be confused with Carson, a city within Los Angeles, but rather with the shop it came out of, the Carson Top Shop—which is, coincidentally, in L.A.

This is just scratching the surface of localized historic hot rod trends, comment with other regional style cues you know of!

Car shows are a great place to look for and learn about customization trends such as these!  Come join me at the 31^st Goodguys West Coast Nationals to enjoy the hundreds of hot rods, customs and street rods that will be there. I’m looking forward to seeing some of these old school regional customizations, finding out what local build trends still exist in the area today and meeting new people up in Northern California. If you see me, say “hi” and keep an eye out for more of what Nationwide & I am up to.

The post Custom Styling Trends + Goodguys West Coast Nationals appeared first on Grease Girl.

I was hooked the first moment I set eyes on the salt at Bonneville… it didn’t take me long to want to race there. You may have read about my opportunity to drive Jerry’s 1955 Studebaker, the same year/make as my Studie. And now here’s the rest of the story…

Watch the video above for an inside view of my rookie run. 2:43 has a little celebration and the very end has my just-out-of-the-helmet commentary. The full article, along with a ton of photos, can be found on DrivingLine.com (direct article link here). To get you even more interested, here’s a little teaser of the story’s beginning…

I’d been waiting for this moment for years, and it was finally here. I was sitting behind the wheel of a 1955 Studebaker, in full race gear and 100-degree heat, waiting for the official to give me the signal to press down the skinny pedal. I’d practiced bailing out of the car — unhooking the wrist restraints, reaching to open the door, unhooking the safety net, moving aside the head restraints and unbuckling the 5-point harness to fish myself out past the racing seat and roll cage while wearing a helmet. What I hadn’t practiced, couldn’t practice, was grasping exactly what it would feel like taking my first run down the salt. It’s like the first time getting a tattoo and not knowing what the sensation will be when the tattoo needle first pricks your skin. But, it’s better than you could ever imagine: quiet, otherworldly and — lacking any better way to describe it — magic.

Click here to keep reading the full story.

Happy Trails,
Kristin

The post I Did It! Licensing At Bonneville appeared first on Grease Girl.

It’s true, pictures can be worth a thousand words–but in some cases you need words too. The vastness of Bonneville as seen on Jerry’s run above doesn’t come near to telling the full story. It’s taken me nearly a year of mulling over my experience of a lifetime at last year’s Speedweek to be able to do the story justice. But I’m pretty excited to tell it. Racing out on the Bonneville Salt Flats may not be for everyone, but I think everyone can use a little of the magic that happens out there during Speedweek… even if it’s just a story on the Internet.

I’ve published my full story about the epic journey over on DrivingLine.com.

Speed Seeking: Chance of a Lifetime on the Salt Flats [Part 1] <–click here

Speed Seeking: Licensed to Race at Bonneville [Part 2]

What’s your next adventure? Whatever it may be…
Happy Trails,
Kristin

The post The Journey of a Lifetime: Racing on the Salt Flats appeared first on Grease Girl.