Dutch textile designer Aniela Hoitink has created a dress using disc-shaped pieces of mushroom mycelium, which she believes will "change the way we use textiles". (more…)
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Thursday, March 31, 2016
Staff Appreciation - Volunteers Needed
To express our appreciation for a year's worth of excellence, the PTA will host Staff Appreciation Day on Tuesday, April 26. All SAS teachers, staff, and administrators will be treated to a meal in their division, provided and staffed by parents. There is also a lovely Halal buffet in the PTA office. Please help support this special day with a contribution of food, time, or money. Click link to view the details by your child's division.
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1pPxK42
Staff Appreciation - Volunteers Needed
To express our appreciation for a year's worth of excellence, the PTA will host Staff Appreciation Day on Tuesday, April 26. All SAS teachers, staff, and administrators will be treated to a meal in their division, provided and staffed by parents. There is also a lovely Halal buffet in the PTA office. Please help support this special day with a contribution of food, time, or money. Click link to view the details by your child's division.
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1pPxK42
from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1pPxK42
Deciding if a log home is right for you!
To build or not to build…that is the question. Is building a custom log home something you've been considering? Whether you build or buy, your home will be one of the biggest investments you will make, so you want to ensure that your home is right for you. We are not going to pretend and say that a custom log and timber home is perfect for everyone, because it isn't. Here are some things to consider:
Types of Log and Timber Homes
Firstly, it's important to understand that log homes have come a long way from the old rustic four-wall cabin tucked away in the woods. There are many different styles of log homes. The three main styles are full scribe, timber frame, and post and beam. Many of today's designs combine elements from each style to create a new style known as a hybrid. If you don't like the look and style of an entire home made of wood, post and beam and timber frame are great alternatives.
Read the full article here, difference between full scribe, timber frame and post and beam homes.
Owning Property
Like any custom home you will need to purchase land in order to build. Generally, you will want to build on property—preferably a more rural setting, and not in an established neighbourhood. A log home may look out of place amongst traditional homes. We aren't saying that a log home can't look great next to a more traditional house, because they are custom built, log homes that can be tailored to suit any neighbourhood. However, if you have a small lot it may create some challenges when bringing in cranes and other equipment required to build your home in already developed areas.
Cost to Build
The cost of a custom log and timber home can vary in price depending on size, location, species of timber and special features. On average you can expect to pay 20-30% more than traditional homes but the upside is it will be worth 30-40% more at time of resale. If you have a tight budget and limitations there are other options to consider when you are building such as considering a hybrid, prefab or kit home. But, if you are planning a long term home with character and an appeal that will stand the test of time, a log or timber home could be for you.
For a full breakdown on cost check out our article How Much Do Log Homes Cost?
Maintaining Your Home
There is no doubt about it, homes require maintenance and a log home is no different. If you have exterior logs they will need to be checked for rot and cracks that may occur over time. The south- and north-facing exterior walls require different treatment with preservatives. With a full scribe home settling occurs within the first few years requiring the windows and doors needing to be checked. Log homes can withstand anything Mother Nature throws at them and will stay strong and secure if you maintain them. If you ignore maintenance your home will continue to stand, but it will definitely look weathered so upkeep is important for the health of the logs.
For more information on log home maintenance check our article on Protecting Your Home from Dry rot.
To sum it all up, if you are looking for a home with character and unique appeal unlike the traditional box homes that you can find in any neighbourhood, a log and timber home may be the perfect home for you.
The post Deciding if a log home is right for you! appeared first on Artisan Custom Log Homes.
from Artisan Custom Log Homes http://ift.tt/1PIjoHO
Deciding if a log home is right for you!
To build or not to build…that is the question. Is building a custom log home something you’ve been considering? Whether you build or buy, your home will be one of the biggest investments you will make, so you want to ensure that your home is right for you. We are not going to pretend and say that a custom log and timber home is perfect for everyone, because it isn’t. Here are some things to consider:
Types of Log and Timber Homes
Firstly, it’s important to understand that log homes have come a long way from the old rustic four-wall cabin tucked away in the woods. There are many different styles of log homes. The three main styles are full scribe, timber frame, and post and beam. Many of today’s designs combine elements from each style to create a new style known as a hybrid. If you don’t like the look and style of an entire home made of wood, post and beam and timber frame are great alternatives.
Read the full article here, difference between full scribe, timber frame and post and beam homes.
Owning Property
Like any custom home you will need to purchase land in order to build. Generally, you will want to build on property—preferably a more rural setting, and not in an established neighbourhood. A log home may look out of place amongst traditional homes. We aren’t saying that a log home can’t look great next to a more traditional house, because they are custom built, log homes that can be tailored to suit any neighbourhood. However, if you have a small lot it may create some challenges when bringing in cranes and other equipment required to build your home in already developed areas.
Cost to Build
The cost of a custom log and timber home can vary in price depending on size, location, species of timber and special features. On average you can expect to pay 20-30% more than traditional homes but the upside is it will be worth 30-40% more at time of resale. If you have a tight budget and limitations there are other options to consider when you are building such as considering a hybrid, prefab or kit home. But, if you are planning a long term home with character and an appeal that will stand the test of time, a log or timber home could be for you.
For a full breakdown on cost check out our article How Much Do Log Homes Cost?
Maintaining Your Home
There is no doubt about it, homes require maintenance and a log home is no different. If you have exterior logs they will need to be checked for rot and cracks that may occur over time. The south- and north-facing exterior walls require different treatment with preservatives. With a full scribe home settling occurs within the first few years requiring the windows and doors needing to be checked. Log homes can withstand anything Mother Nature throws at them and will stay strong and secure if you maintain them. If you ignore maintenance your home will continue to stand, but it will definitely look weathered so upkeep is important for the health of the logs.
For more information on log home maintenance check our article on Protecting Your Home from Dry rot.
To sum it all up, if you are looking for a home with character and unique appeal unlike the traditional box homes that you can find in any neighbourhood, a log and timber home may be the perfect home for you.
The post Deciding if a log home is right for you! appeared first on Artisan Custom Log Homes.
from Artisan Custom Log Homes http://ift.tt/1PIjoHO
Dezeen Mail issue 299 features this week's biggest stories in architecture and design
A competition-winning proposal to transform Manhattan's Central Park into a sunken landscape (pictured) leads this week's edition of Dezeen Mail, followed by Herzog & de Meuron's Vitra gallery and "thigh gap" jewellery designed to challenge idealised beauty.
Read Dezeen Mail issue 299 | Subscribe to Dezeen Mail
from Dezeen http://ift.tt/1RO4C6N
Oldsmobile’s 4-4-2 ups the ante for 1965
Here's The Inside Track on Olds' Hottest Number laid out flat. Artwork provided by Automotive History Preservation Society
Oldsmobile may have been caught by surprise by the Pontiac GTO in 1964, but for 1965 the Division would retaliate with the new 400-powered 4-4-2.
Adhering to GM's 330-cubic-inch limit for intermediates, Oldsmobile first responded to the GTO mid-season 1964 with the 4-4-2, powered by a hot 310-hp four-barrel version of its new lightweight 330-cu.in. small-block V-8, a four-speed transmission, dual exhaust, heavy-duty frame and suspension and fender and deck-lid emblems. Though it was a gutsy performer and handler, the cubic-inch race had begun and Olds, like Chevy and Buick, would have to play catch up with the 389-powered GTO.
A plan to replace the heavy and durable 394-cu.in. Olds engine used in the full-size models with the new precision-cast 425-cu.in. engine was in the works, and from it came a 400-cu.in. derivative exclusive to the 4-4-2. In one smooth move, the 4-4-2 now had a relatively light big-block engine that produced 345hp and 440-lb.ft. of torque. It was right in the thick of things with the GTO's 389, which for 1965 was rated at 335hp with the standard four-barrel and 360hp with the Tri-Power, but the 4-4-2 bested their torque ratings by 9-lb.ft. and 16-lb.ft. Thanks to employing stiffer springs than the GTO and adding rear anti-roll bare to help reduce understeer, the 4-4-2 had the edge in handling. The nose, tail and side trim were restyled, simulated scoops were added to the quarter panels and the two-speed automatic transmission was a new option.
The Inside Track on Olds' Hottest Number packed an enormous amount of 4-4-2 specifications into a foldout that would just about fit in your pocket. As you can see, the information was present in a logical manner, and there's minimal hyperbole.
The text says, "And with 345 hp…it's like dropping a '64 Starfire engine into a lightweight '65 Cutlass body." It's certainly a correct statement, since the horsepower ratings were the same and they were only six cubic-inches apart in displacement. However, the 400 was even better than the previous year's 394 due to its more efficient design and its lighter weight.
Notice the listed shipping weights for each body style, their prices and the power-to-weight ratios. The Club Coupe was such a deal at 3,398 pounds, 9.85 pounds-per-horsepower and a $2,605 MSRP. That's about $19,600 today and it was certainly one of the quicker muscle cars of 1965. To add a little more perspective, though, we are also talking about manual steering with high effort and a whopping 5.56 turns-to-lock, manual 9.5-inch drum brakes, a three-speed manual transmission and no options, not even a radio. But of course all of that and more was available if you wanted to pay the price and also add weight to the car.
No matter how you would have chosen to order your 1965 4-4-2, though the specific comfort convenience and trim options aren't listed, much of what you would've needed to educate yourself on the 4-4-2 option, its engine and powertrain options were included in this stylish little foldout.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/22Szsng
Oldsmobile’s 4-4-2 ups the ante for 1965
Here’s The Inside Track on Olds’ Hottest Number laid out flat. Artwork provided by Automotive History Preservation Society
Oldsmobile may have been caught by surprise by the Pontiac GTO in 1964, but for 1965 the Division would retaliate with the new 400-powered 4-4-2.
Adhering to GM’s 330-cubic-inch limit for intermediates, Oldsmobile first responded to the GTO mid-season 1964 with the 4-4-2, powered by a hot 310-hp four-barrel version of its new lightweight 330-cu.in. small-block V-8, a four-speed transmission, dual exhaust, heavy-duty frame and suspension and fender and deck-lid emblems. Though it was a gutsy performer and handler, the cubic-inch race had begun and Olds, like Chevy and Buick, would have to play catch up with the 389-powered GTO.
A plan to replace the heavy and durable 394-cu.in. Olds engine used in the full-size models with the new precision-cast 425-cu.in. engine was in the works, and from it came a 400-cu.in. derivative exclusive to the 4-4-2. In one smooth move, the 4-4-2 now had a relatively light big-block engine that produced 345hp and 440-lb.ft. of torque. It was right in the thick of things with the GTO’s 389, which for 1965 was rated at 335hp with the standard four-barrel and 360hp with the Tri-Power, but the 4-4-2 bested their torque ratings by 9-lb.ft. and 16-lb.ft. Thanks to employing stiffer springs than the GTO and adding rear anti-roll bare to help reduce understeer, the 4-4-2 had the edge in handling. The nose, tail and side trim were restyled, simulated scoops were added to the quarter panels and the two-speed automatic transmission was a new option.
The Inside Track on Olds’ Hottest Number packed an enormous amount of 4-4-2 specifications into a foldout that would just about fit in your pocket. As you can see, the information was present in a logical manner, and there’s minimal hyperbole.
The text says, “And with 345 hp…it’s like dropping a ’64 Starfire engine into a lightweight ’65 Cutlass body.” It’s certainly a correct statement, since the horsepower ratings were the same and they were only six cubic-inches apart in displacement. However, the 400 was even better than the previous year’s 394 due to its more efficient design and its lighter weight.
Notice the listed shipping weights for each body style, their prices and the power-to-weight ratios. The Club Coupe was such a deal at 3,398 pounds, 9.85 pounds-per-horsepower and a $2,605 MSRP. That’s about $19,600 today and it was certainly one of the quicker muscle cars of 1965. To add a little more perspective, though, we are also talking about manual steering with high effort and a whopping 5.56 turns-to-lock, manual 9.5-inch drum brakes, a three-speed manual transmission and no options, not even a radio. But of course all of that and more was available if you wanted to pay the price and also add weight to the car.
No matter how you would have chosen to order your 1965 4-4-2, though the specific comfort convenience and trim options aren’t listed, much of what you would’ve needed to educate yourself on the 4-4-2 option, its engine and powertrain options were included in this stylish little foldout.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/22Szsng
Zaha Hadid: a life in projects
Dezeen remembers Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, who has died suddenly aged 65, with a selection of projects that demonstrate her importance to contemporary architecture (+ slideshow). (more…)
from Dezeen http://ift.tt/22SmA0o
Daniel Libeskind leads tributes to Zaha Hadid
Breaking news: architect Daniel Libeskind has led tributes to Zaha Hadid on Twitter after news broke today of her death at the age of 65. (more…)
from Dezeen http://ift.tt/1VVtDQA
Anywhere USA, 1950s
From Alden Jewell comes perhaps the most jam-packed carspotting image we've had in a while, one sure to keep y'all busy for days to come, and one that we're pretty sure we haven't previously run. There's no context to it, and some light reverse image searching reveals no details about when or where it was taken, so revel in the Technicolor two-tones and tri-tones and tell us what you see here.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/25yCJqO
Anywhere USA, 1950s
From Alden Jewell comes perhaps the most jam-packed carspotting image we’ve had in a while, one sure to keep y’all busy for days to come, and one that we’re pretty sure we haven’t previously run. There’s no context to it, and some light reverse image searching reveals no details about when or where it was taken, so revel in the Technicolor two-tones and tri-tones and tell us what you see here.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/25yCJqO
Zaha Hadid dies following a heart attack
British architect Zaha Hadid has died aged 65, following a sudden heart attack. (more…)
from Dezeen http://ift.tt/1pNEP52
"Disparity in the values assigned to architecture and landscape architecture continues"
Opinion: a proposal to surround New York's Central Park with a giant "sidescraper" epitomises architects' disregard for designed landscapes, says president of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Charles A Birnbaum. (more…)
from Dezeen http://ift.tt/1VVidMQ
Hemmings Find of the Day – 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16
After partnering with Britain's Cosworth Engineering to develop a 320-horsepower, 2.3-liter engine for its proposed 190 E rally car, Mercedes-Benz pulled the plug on the project when rival Audi debuted its soon-unbeatable Quattro. Left with a capable chassis and a willing engine, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) series, but racing its hot 190E meant building homologation versions for the street. The result was the limited-production 190E 2.3-16, a car sold in the United States for just two years, 1986 and 1987. Street-spec cars didn't make race power, but the high-strung four still produced 167 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque (slightly more in European trim), enough to deliver a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 140 MPH.
This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16, for sale on Hemmings.com, was one of roughly 2,000 examples sold in the U.S., and is said to be a two-owner car with extensive documentation. Enthusiast owned, it's described as unmodified with the exception of an Alpine head unit, though the original Becker Grand Prix radio is also part of the sale. From the seller's description:
1986 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 16 Valve Cosworth finished in "Smoke Silver" with Black leather Recaro interior. A pristine, near-museum-quality example in amazing condition – two owners, it has been always garaged from day one. These cars were hand-built by Mercedes from 1983 to 1987 and this car is totally original. It has the rare race style dogleg Getrag 5 speed manual gearbox, smaller diameter steering wheel, quicker steering ratio, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, Recaro Sport seat leather interior with side bolsters for both front and rear seats. Car has 104,795 very pampered, miles.
The 190E 2.3-16 offered here is a completely original, two-owner, fully documented example. Included with the sale comes the original manuals, all keys, an extensive service history, all books and tool kit, the original Becker Grand Prix radio/ cassette player and more (even has the original First Aid kit recessed into it's compartment on the rear package shelf).
I bought this car 15 years ago from the original owner. It has been garaged since new by both owners (never the primary car for either of us). It has rarely been in the rain and NEVER in snow (or road-salt conditions). It is pristine throughout and rust-free – the original spare tire and wheel are brand new!!
Here is the story of it's amazing condition: the original owner owned a beauty parlor whose long-time clients included the wife and daughter of the local Mercedes dealer's Service Manager. He and the original owner were friendly and when the car was brought in for its final, under-warranty service, just prior to 50K miles, he said it would need to keep it a few days. When the car was picked up, the Service Manager presented him with a three page, single-spaced work order detailing the many items he had renewed under warranty as a gift to him (one wonders what Mercedes thought – the car was in reality completely OK – but many items were listed as "leaking" or "worn" !!) See my photo of this work order (included in the sale of course). The total bill was $128 – for 3 pages of Mercedes dealership work!!
Needless-to-say, that aspect sold me on the car as it was basically factory/ dealer rebuilt at 49,550 miles. It had about 85K miles when I bought it in April of 2000, and now has 104K miles. Runs perfectly of course. Since I bought it oil and filters were changed regularly and, in 2005, many AC components were replaced when the system was professionally converted to modern R134A refrigerant. Recent work last August, in preparation for my decision to sell, includes a new AC compressor (old one was leaking), new O2 sensor, new coolant temp sensor, new shift linkage bushings and one new shock. Now completely A-OK. The original cassette radio (a Becker Grand Prix, which will be included with sale) was replaced by an Alpine AM/FM/CD player with USB input (sounds great thru the original front/ rear speaker systems).
Find more Mercedes-Benz for sale on Hemmings.com.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1UEIr6Y
Too much (fuel) is never enough: The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 tanker
Photos courtesy Mecum Auctions.
When Chevrolet released the newly styled 1963 Corvette Stingray coupe, it did so with the knowledge that a select group of customers would want to take these cars road racing. To make this as easy as possible, it created the Z06 package, which effectively created a race-ready Corvette for an additional $1,818.45, a price that included a massive 36.5-gallon fuel tank. These cars, and the ones separately equipped with RPO N03 (the code for the oversize fuel tank) became known as "tankers," and on Saturday April 16, a 1963 Corvette Z06 tanker with Bloomington Gold and NCRS Top Flight certifications to its credit will cross the auction block in Texas, as part of Mecum's Houston sale.
Early 1963 Z06 Corvettes came configured in one way: as coupes, equipped with the Rochester fuel-injected 327-cu.in. L84 V-8, rated at 360 horsepower and bolted to a four-speed Borg-Warner T-10 manual transmission. The standard equipment list also included the aforementioned 36.5-gallon tank, a Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 gearing, heavy-duty suspension (with firmer shocks, stiffer springs and a larger front anti-roll bar) and heavy-duty brakes with a dual-circuit master cylinder.
Still drums instead of discs, the brakes used 11.2-inch finned drums in front and rear, and the sintered metal pads provided a swept area of 144.9 square inches. To reduce fade induced by repeated high-speed stops, the brakes featured cooling vents on the drum faces as well as on the backing plates, along with stamped steel cooling fans mounted on the hubs.
Finned aluminum wheels were also supposed to be part of the Z06 package, but issues with air leakage from the porous metal prompted a switch to steel wheels by mid-year. According to the NCRS, there's no evidence that the aluminum wheels were ever delivered to a retail customer, so it's likely that "temporary" steel wheels came on early delivery Z06 Corvettes.
The change to steel wheels wasn't the only modification to the Z06 package. Chevrolet relaxed its rules, allowing the Z06 package to be fitted to Stingray convertibles as well as coupes. Doing so meant dropping the 36.5-gallon tank for the standard 20-gallon tank (though the 36.5-gallon tank remained an option on coupes), and steel wheels officially replaced the previously standard aluminum wheels. The Z06 option package price dropped to $1,293.35, and by the end of the year Chevrolet had assembled a total of 199 Z06 coupes, including 63 tanker versions.
Chassis 30837S108672, the car to be sold in Houston, was built on February 12, 1963, roughly one month after Z06 production began. Reportedly "discovered" by Corvette collector Howard Baker in 1986, the tanker was the subject of a two-year restoration. Over the years it has been part of numerous Corvette collections, passing through owners such as a Joe Warunek, Bill Braun, Joe Kish, Joe Lukason and Terry Michaelis.
Its ownership history has been traced to 1967, but perhaps the best testament to its authenticity and condition are the accolades it's won. Earning Bloomington Gold status means that a car has been restored or preserved to 95-percent or higher factory appearance, while the NCRS Top Flight award is given to cars that score 4,230 points or more (out of 4,500 possible) in judging.
Look for this 1963 Z06 tanker to cross the block on Saturday, April 16. For more information on the Houston sale, visit Mecum.com.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1pNfjgg
2016 Elegance at Hershey is a “Celebration of Speed”
Oscar Davis's 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring spider. Photo by Michael Furman, courtesy The Elegance at Hershey.
Choosing a theme for a concours d'elegance event is hard enough, but choosing a single automobile to represent that theme is harder still. When The Elegance at Hershey organizers decided on a "Celebration of Speed" for this year's event, scheduled for June 10-12 at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the car ultimately chosen by the group to promote the show was the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring spider owned by Oscar Davis of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Mr. Davis is no stranger to The Elegance at Hershey, or to prewar Alfa Romeo automobiles. Last year, his 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia Superleggera coupe by Touring was exhibited at the event, and went home with the prestigious Jack Rich Award. Named for The Elegance's founder, the Jack Rich Award is presented annually to the car that Rich himself would have most wanted in his collection.
Expect Oscar's 8C 2900B Touring spider, used in all 2016 Elegance at Hershey marketing material, to be equally stunning on the show green. Wearing a body shaped by Carrozzeria Touring founder Felice Bianchi Anderloni and his chief designer Aquino Gilardi, the Alfa Romeo furthered the development of Superleggera, or superlight, construction. Instead of the then-typical body-on-frame construction, the Touring design relied upon a framework of light steel tubing to support the car's elegant body panels.
Its streamlined design was shaped without the aid of a wind tunnel. Instead, Touring's craftsmen would shape a body panel, then affix strips of cloth and photograph the car in motion to trace airflow over the body. The end result is as beautiful as it is functional, and with dual Roots-type superchargers fitted to the car's 2.9-liter inline eight-cylinder engine, performance must have been exceptional in its day.
The Yellow Peril 1911 Oldsmobile. Photo by Darin Schnabel, courtesy RM Sotheby's.
Oscar's Touring-bodied 8C won't be the only exceptional car on hand, either. Mark Lizewskie, the AACA Museum's executive director, wouldn't give us the complete list of cars confirmed thus far, but he did tip us off that the "Yellow Peril" 1911 Oldsmobile, sold by RM Sotheby's at Hershey last fall, will be in attendance, as will the 1919 Pierce-Arrow 66A-4 once owned by Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Other classics to expect include a Stutz DV-32, a Waverly Electric, one of Bob Bahre's Duesenbergs, a Toyota 2000GT and a Tucker 48, borrowed from the AACA Museum's Cammack Tucker Gallery.
The HMS Truckie, a highly modified 1967 Ford Econoline, will appear at the Concorso Bizarro.
As in past years, The Elegance weekend will include The Grand Ascent vintage hill climb, sanctioned by the VSCCA, on Friday. Last year's "Concorso Bizarro," held on Saturday, proved successful enough to reprise this year, and Mark tells us that the museum's most recent addition, a custom 1967 Ford Econoline van named the HMS Truckie, will most definitely be on display.
New to the 2016 Elegance at Hershey is a classic car auction event, also scheduled for Saturday. Presented by newcomer The Finest Automobile Auctions, the sale will also feature live online bidding via event partner Proxibid, and represents The Finest's first live auction bid. The company will host its first online-only auction, also in conjunction with Proxibid, on Saturday, April 9.
The Elegance itself will take place on the grounds of the Hotel Hershey on Sunday, June 12, and Ray Evernham will be on hand as the Grand Marshall. For more information on the event weekend, visit TheEleganceAtHershey.com, and for a preview of lots to be offered at Saturday's auction, visit TheFinest.com.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1UEIno1
Hemmings Find of the Day – 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16
After partnering with Britain’s Cosworth Engineering to develop a 320-horsepower, 2.3-liter engine for its proposed 190 E rally car, Mercedes-Benz pulled the plug on the project when rival Audi debuted its soon-unbeatable Quattro. Left with a capable chassis and a willing engine, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) series, but racing its hot 190E meant building homologation versions for the street. The result was the limited-production 190E 2.3-16, a car sold in the United States for just two years, 1986 and 1987. Street-spec cars didn’t make race power, but the high-strung four still produced 167 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque (slightly more in European trim), enough to deliver a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 140 MPH.
This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16, for sale on Hemmings.com, was one of roughly 2,000 examples sold in the U.S., and is said to be a two-owner car with extensive documentation. Enthusiast owned, it’s described as unmodified with the exception of an Alpine head unit, though the original Becker Grand Prix radio is also part of the sale. From the seller’s description:
1986 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 16 Valve Cosworth finished in “Smoke Silver” with Black leather Recaro interior. A pristine, near-museum-quality example in amazing condition – two owners, it has been always garaged from day one. These cars were hand-built by Mercedes from 1983 to 1987 and this car is totally original. It has the rare race style dogleg Getrag 5 speed manual gearbox, smaller diameter steering wheel, quicker steering ratio, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, Recaro Sport seat leather interior with side bolsters for both front and rear seats. Car has 104,795 very pampered, miles.
The 190E 2.3-16 offered here is a completely original, two-owner, fully documented example. Included with the sale comes the original manuals, all keys, an extensive service history, all books and tool kit, the original Becker Grand Prix radio/ cassette player and more (even has the original First Aid kit recessed into it’s compartment on the rear package shelf).
I bought this car 15 years ago from the original owner. It has been garaged since new by both owners (never the primary car for either of us). It has rarely been in the rain and NEVER in snow (or road-salt conditions). It is pristine throughout and rust-free – the original spare tire and wheel are brand new!!
Here is the story of it’s amazing condition: the original owner owned a beauty parlor whose long-time clients included the wife and daughter of the local Mercedes dealer’s Service Manager. He and the original owner were friendly and when the car was brought in for its final, under-warranty service, just prior to 50K miles, he said it would need to keep it a few days. When the car was picked up, the Service Manager presented him with a three page, single-spaced work order detailing the many items he had renewed under warranty as a gift to him (one wonders what Mercedes thought – the car was in reality completely OK – but many items were listed as “leaking” or “worn” !!) See my photo of this work order (included in the sale of course). The total bill was $128 – for 3 pages of Mercedes dealership work!!
Needless-to-say, that aspect sold me on the car as it was basically factory/ dealer rebuilt at 49,550 miles. It had about 85K miles when I bought it in April of 2000, and now has 104K miles. Runs perfectly of course. Since I bought it oil and filters were changed regularly and, in 2005, many AC components were replaced when the system was professionally converted to modern R134A refrigerant. Recent work last August, in preparation for my decision to sell, includes a new AC compressor (old one was leaking), new O2 sensor, new coolant temp sensor, new shift linkage bushings and one new shock. Now completely A-OK. The original cassette radio (a Becker Grand Prix, which will be included with sale) was replaced by an Alpine AM/FM/CD player with USB input (sounds great thru the original front/ rear speaker systems).
Find more Mercedes-Benz for sale on Hemmings.com.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1UEIr6Y
Too much (fuel) is never enough: The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 tanker
Photos courtesy Mecum Auctions.
When Chevrolet released the newly styled 1963 Corvette Stingray coupe, it did so with the knowledge that a select group of customers would want to take these cars road racing. To make this as easy as possible, it created the Z06 package, which effectively created a race-ready Corvette for an additional $1,818.45, a price that included a massive 36.5-gallon fuel tank. These cars, and the ones separately equipped with RPO N03 (the code for the oversize fuel tank) became known as “tankers,” and on Saturday April 16, a 1963 Corvette Z06 tanker with Bloomington Gold and NCRS Top Flight certifications to its credit will cross the auction block in Texas, as part of Mecum’s Houston sale.
Early 1963 Z06 Corvettes came configured in one way: as coupes, equipped with the Rochester fuel-injected 327-cu.in. L84 V-8, rated at 360 horsepower and bolted to a four-speed Borg-Warner T-10 manual transmission. The standard equipment list also included the aforementioned 36.5-gallon tank, a Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 gearing, heavy-duty suspension (with firmer shocks, stiffer springs and a larger front anti-roll bar) and heavy-duty brakes with a dual-circuit master cylinder.
Still drums instead of discs, the brakes used 11.2-inch finned drums in front and rear, and the sintered metal pads provided a swept area of 144.9 square inches. To reduce fade induced by repeated high-speed stops, the brakes featured cooling vents on the drum faces as well as on the backing plates, along with stamped steel cooling fans mounted on the hubs.
Finned aluminum wheels were also supposed to be part of the Z06 package, but issues with air leakage from the porous metal prompted a switch to steel wheels by mid-year. According to the NCRS, there’s no evidence that the aluminum wheels were ever delivered to a retail customer, so it’s likely that “temporary” steel wheels came on early delivery Z06 Corvettes.
The change to steel wheels wasn’t the only modification to the Z06 package. Chevrolet relaxed its rules, allowing the Z06 package to be fitted to Stingray convertibles as well as coupes. Doing so meant dropping the 36.5-gallon tank for the standard 20-gallon tank (though the 36.5-gallon tank remained an option on coupes), and steel wheels officially replaced the previously standard aluminum wheels. The Z06 option package price dropped to $1,293.35, and by the end of the year Chevrolet had assembled a total of 199 Z06 coupes, including 63 tanker versions.
Chassis 30837S108672, the car to be sold in Houston, was built on February 12, 1963, roughly one month after Z06 production began. Reportedly “discovered” by Corvette collector Howard Baker in 1986, the tanker was the subject of a two-year restoration. Over the years it has been part of numerous Corvette collections, passing through owners such as a Joe Warunek, Bill Braun, Joe Kish, Joe Lukason and Terry Michaelis.
Its ownership history has been traced to 1967, but perhaps the best testament to its authenticity and condition are the accolades it’s won. Earning Bloomington Gold status means that a car has been restored or preserved to 95-percent or higher factory appearance, while the NCRS Top Flight award is given to cars that score 4,230 points or more (out of 4,500 possible) in judging.
Look for this 1963 Z06 tanker to cross the block on Saturday, April 16. For more information on the Houston sale, visit Mecum.com.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1pNfjgg
2016 Elegance at Hershey is a “Celebration of Speed”
Oscar Davis’s 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring spider. Photo by Michael Furman, courtesy The Elegance at Hershey.
Choosing a theme for a concours d’elegance event is hard enough, but choosing a single automobile to represent that theme is harder still. When The Elegance at Hershey organizers decided on a “Celebration of Speed” for this year’s event, scheduled for June 10-12 at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the car ultimately chosen by the group to promote the show was the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring spider owned by Oscar Davis of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Mr. Davis is no stranger to The Elegance at Hershey, or to prewar Alfa Romeo automobiles. Last year, his 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia Superleggera coupe by Touring was exhibited at the event, and went home with the prestigious Jack Rich Award. Named for The Elegance’s founder, the Jack Rich Award is presented annually to the car that Rich himself would have most wanted in his collection.
Expect Oscar’s 8C 2900B Touring spider, used in all 2016 Elegance at Hershey marketing material, to be equally stunning on the show green. Wearing a body shaped by Carrozzeria Touring founder Felice Bianchi Anderloni and his chief designer Aquino Gilardi, the Alfa Romeo furthered the development of Superleggera, or superlight, construction. Instead of the then-typical body-on-frame construction, the Touring design relied upon a framework of light steel tubing to support the car’s elegant body panels.
Its streamlined design was shaped without the aid of a wind tunnel. Instead, Touring’s craftsmen would shape a body panel, then affix strips of cloth and photograph the car in motion to trace airflow over the body. The end result is as beautiful as it is functional, and with dual Roots-type superchargers fitted to the car’s 2.9-liter inline eight-cylinder engine, performance must have been exceptional in its day.
The Yellow Peril 1911 Oldsmobile. Photo by Darin Schnabel, courtesy RM Sotheby’s.
Oscar’s Touring-bodied 8C won’t be the only exceptional car on hand, either. Mark Lizewskie, the AACA Museum’s executive director, wouldn’t give us the complete list of cars confirmed thus far, but he did tip us off that the “Yellow Peril” 1911 Oldsmobile, sold by RM Sotheby’s at Hershey last fall, will be in attendance, as will the 1919 Pierce-Arrow 66A-4 once owned by Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. Other classics to expect include a Stutz DV-32, a Waverly Electric, one of Bob Bahre’s Duesenbergs, a Toyota 2000GT and a Tucker 48, borrowed from the AACA Museum’s Cammack Tucker Gallery.
The HMS Truckie, a highly modified 1967 Ford Econoline, will appear at the Concorso Bizarro.
As in past years, The Elegance weekend will include The Grand Ascent vintage hill climb, sanctioned by the VSCCA, on Friday. Last year’s “Concorso Bizarro,” held on Saturday, proved successful enough to reprise this year, and Mark tells us that the museum’s most recent addition, a custom 1967 Ford Econoline van named the HMS Truckie, will most definitely be on display.
New to the 2016 Elegance at Hershey is a classic car auction event, also scheduled for Saturday. Presented by newcomer The Finest Automobile Auctions, the sale will also feature live online bidding via event partner Proxibid, and represents The Finest’s first live auction bid. The company will host its first online-only auction, also in conjunction with Proxibid, on Saturday, April 9.
The Elegance itself will take place on the grounds of the Hotel Hershey on Sunday, June 12, and Ray Evernham will be on hand as the Grand Marshall. For more information on the event weekend, visit TheEleganceAtHershey.com, and for a preview of lots to be offered at Saturday’s auction, visit TheFinest.com.
from Hemmings Daily – News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1UEIno1
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