Category: Wheel Tracks
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Local Boy Makes Good
It’s very common these days to wring our hands over the fact that the younger generation has little interest or motivation beyond their smart phones and social media. In the VAE, our Golden Wrench Awards are aimed at encouraging young people to move beyond these distractions and focus their interest on science and math. This…
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I Just Can’t Stop!
Let’s face it. Old cars have lousy brakes. Model T Fords only have brakes on the rear wheels, and even those do not work very well. To be fair, the Model T seldom goes over 30 miles an hour. In the 1950’s and through the 1960’s, cars got bigger and much more powerful. As cars…
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Engine Management Upgrade
The distributer in my 1987 Saab 900 Turbo recently broke. Even though it is a Bosch distributer, it is no longer manufactured and parts are not available. This distributer was only used on model years 1986 and 1987. I was able to find a used one; however, several people suggested I upgrade the engine to…
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Winter Driving
On my way home from a friend’s house last night, in the dark, I happened upon a car that was stuck on a hill with a person behind the steering wheel and one person behind the car pushing it. There wasn’t much I could do, so I continued on my way. This got me thinking…
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1921 Franklin Runabout
“Do you want to buy that Franklin Runabout?” “I don’t need it.” “Yes, you don’t need it, but do you want to buy it?” That is how the ‘partnership’ started for the owners of this 1921 Franklin Runabout. Lloyd Davis and Carl Thompson first met while working at the Quebec Cigar Company in Rutland in 1973,…
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1957 Pontiac Clipper
Lee and Geri Carpenter’s 1957 Packard Clipper Has VAE club history at its best. This 1957 Packard Clipper was originally owned by the parents of one of the VAE’s founding members. Peveril Peake. We are the second family owner having bought it from Pev in 2004. The 1957 Packard Clipper Town Sedan was the next to…
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What does “FG” Mean?
Dave is taking a brake this month – An email exchange with our VAE expert on Vermont number plates. VAE member, John Sandvil, recently purchased a Vermont number plate with # FG81. John bought it because it was different but did not know the reason for its odd number. To the rescue….Gary Irish. This is part…
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Happy New Year – 2018
As the time is getting close, I will first wish one and all a Happy New Year. It is a bit hard to believe it will be 2018 (if you are reading this, it is 2018!) It seems like yesterday that we were all trying to decide how to say the years in the 2000s,…
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1992 Jaguar XJS Elegante
A beautiful 1992 Jaguar XJS Elegante owned by Serge Benoit We have all heard about Serge Benoit… or should we say, we have all “heard” Serge Benoit. Serge has been our “French Voice” at our August Antique & Classic Car Meet for many years. He and Gael Boardman keep the show rolling on the public…
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It’s in the Bag
When doing engine work or restoration work, organization is key to success. I recently overhauled an engine in my shop, and I was greatly aided by a careful and thoughtful organization when I took the engine apart. I carefully catalogued the nuts, bolts, hardware and parts in zip lock bags, carefully labeled with a sharpie…
