More Cadillacs- What?

 I did it again.  I bought one more Cadillac DTS and this time it is another 2006. The hits just keep coming. And this one was not bought at an online auction, but off Facebook Market Place.

I'm leaving for NY in the morning, driving a beautiful 'Radiant Bronze' Lux II version with a white vinyl top. Quite a good looking car I must say. So here's some shots taken at a photo shoot today in a park in Seminole, FL.  This is the last time these three will be together for a while.

I'll fill you in on the details of the purchase when I'm back in town. For now I hope you like the pictures:

These pictures capture only a fraction of the beauty of these land yachts!

Brought to you by Paul Ziegler, Publisher   Carcamerastory.com

Follow on Instagram @Wownowpics

Sunshine Baby Update

                                                      What's Up With This-  No Motor?

                                            The Sunshine Baby after the motor was removed.

Yes, the Sunshine Babby is without a motor!  The 'crew' consisting of Captain Jim, Wally, Norm and Paul picked the hottest day of the summer to 'pick' the engine out of the Sunshine Baby.

The purpose is to get the motor over to an engine builder to see what we have. This motor is very special as it is a 392 Chrysler Hemi built by Don Garlits- yes Big Daddy. Here are some pictures of the process to get the motor out.  It was no small job, considering the motor and blower weighed over 1,000 pounds.   Above is a picture of the boat after the engine was removed.  Here are a series of pictures of the operation including some of the motor with the valve covers off to give a first look at what is there. Like a puzzle out of it's box we found several pieces that are missing.  We have a job for the engine shop.  Stay tuned for more on the progress of the Sunshine Baby!

As mentioned - there are a number of parts missing and a fair amount of work to do but we can use the original block and we even have a forged crankshaft.  We will be giving updates as we go along.  Thanks for checking this out.

Brought to you by Paul Ziegler, Publisher of Carcamerastory.com and author of "Echoes From The Glen"    Follow on Instagram @wownowpics

Watkins Glen Six Hour Weekend Photo Gallery 2024

 Here's a bunch of photos I took at Watkins Glen International race weekend June 21-23, 2024. You will see my bias toward the Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars.  I'm a staunch believer in the Elantra N, having owned 2 of them. So here's a sample of what I saw and I hope you enjoy it:

Hope you liked this sample of the weekend. There were so many cars, classes, races and series it was mid boggling. A real treat to see everything. 

Brought to you by Paul Ziegler, Publisher Carcamerastory.com.  Follow on Instagram@wownowpics.

Soon, I'll be back in NY to catch a race or two, like supermodifieds at Oswego.  That's always a good show.

Cadillac, Cadillac

 I've been away from this desk for a few months.  Guess I've been busy traveling, spring cleaning, doing chores and car buying.  Yes buying another car!  Bring a Trailer strikes again! 

I can't blame BaT for luring me to this latest find.  I was minding my own business one day checking my email and up pops a notice that a 2006 Cadillac DTS just went live on BaT. Of course I look and I'm immediately grabbed by the image of one of the more attractive DTS's I've seen. This time it's a Green Silk over Cashmere leather interior, crowned with a dark green linen top and dressed with a hand painted pinstripe. WOW. 

I immediately asked my wife if she would be interested in buying this to replace her aging 2002 Deville she bought new all those years ago. Her response, why? My car still runs great. (161,000. miles) My answer- cars don't last forever.  She said I'll worry about that when my car dosen't run anymore.

Shot down and disappointed I let it go; for a day.  Then I thought, why not buy it for myself? So I go into auction prep mode. The car is in Allentown, PA, not far from our Rochester, NY home. Interesting.  It is also no reserve and being sold by a dealer. Very interesting.  

I call the selling dealer and offer a deal- if I am the winning bidder, would they be interested in taking my 2022 Hyundai Elantra in on a trade.  That would save me the sales tax and with the proximity of Allentown to Rochester, I could fly up to Rochester, drive my Hyundai to Allentown and return with the Caddy.  Makes sense.  Everything is now lining up.

The auction ends on a Friday, May 10th and I'll never forget that day.  I get up early to see where the bidding is and it is still in very reasonable territory.  The auction ends late that afternoon and I settle in for a day watching the computer, refreshing my browser regularly.  As usual the bidding heats up and the numbers slowly climb. As we approach the last hour the bids have gone up to a level that's still Ok but approaching my mental stop. With 5 minutes to go it is apparent its me and one other guy duking it out to take this beauty home. The auction ends and we are in OT. Two minute chunks of one upmanship first $100. then $250. at a time. A right hook, a left hook, a body blow it keeps going for 20 minutes but I'm not giving up.  The other guy finally gave up at $15,350.  The price is fair and the fact I can trade my car in, saving on sales tax AND I can pick the car up saving on shipping makes this a great deal for me.

I'm happy and I'm sure the seller- R H Kressley's Auto & Truck Sales is happy too. By the way they were super to deal with. A wonderful family owned business.  A good deal for both which is all you can ask for.  Fast forward 4 days and I get up at 4:00AM drive to Allentown, swap cars and I'm headed back to Rochester, NY with my new ride.  

Here's some pictures of my new luxury car, in a rare color and in like new condition. A one owner beauty with a V8 reminding me of the good old days. Life is good.

                                   Incredibly beautiful example of Cadillac's icon DTS. Only 21,000 miles

                                                          Looks good next to the 2002 Deville

                                                 

Ultra clean !

 

                                    Join the family- 2017 CT6, 2006 DTS and 2002 Deville

  I'll be updating you on my journey with the new DTS. I fly up to Rochester next week to pick her up     and drive her back to Florida.

Brought to you by Paul Ziegler, Publisher Carcamerastory.com.  Follow on Instgram @wownowpics

Author of "Echoes From The Glen" 

Sunshine Baby's First Showing- St. Petersburg Motor Classic

 

It was a perfect day for the St. Petersburg Motor Classic in beautiful Straub Park next to the yacht club downtown St. Petersburg, FL.  Ray Gassner's Sunshine Baby IV raced here in the 1960's and after several years, she has returned to her home port. Ray was a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club so it is fitting she's back home.  This is her first big event on her journey to being on display at various shows and a running exhibition at select boating events.

Here are some pictures from the show along with a few pictures taken off site.

                             Jim Aid, 2.5 liter Mod champ and captain of the Sunshine Baby project.

                                   Tom D"Eath, one of the few to have raced the Sunshine Baby

          Memorabilia from past races including race suits, blown pistons and even a propeller.

Fans were taking a lot of pictures!

                                1,200 Horsepower from a Chrysler 392 Hemi and Potvin Blower

       Talking about the 'old days' of hydroplane racing.  Brent McLean of original pit crew on right.

                                             Tom D'Eath's race helmet from the '70's

                                                  Some of the history of the Sunshine Baby

                                               Important facts about the Sunshine Baby

                                       Best Presentation Award-Not bad for her first show.

         Watch this site for more information about the Sunshine Baby as we get her ready to run again. 

                     Carcamerastory.com  Publisher  Paul Ziegler, Author "Echoes From The Glen"

                                          Follow on Instagram @Wownowpics