Sunshine Baby Milestone And Hemmings Motor News Letter

Before I get into the latest milestone about Sunshine Baby, the 'Baby' recently received mention in Hemmings Motor News. Earlier this year said magazine featured an article on Hemi powered cars and in it they asked readers to submit a story about their favorite 'Hemi'. I replied to the editor and our team was pleased to see that Hemmings printed the reply in the July issue. Take a look at what I wrote:

                                                                                      

                                                               

As for the latest development, we have been searching to find the right engine builder for the Sunshine Baby.  Project manager Jim Aid and his technical consultant Wally Osinga interviewed a few engine builders familiar with old Hemi engines in the St. Petersburg/ Pinellas Park area. After all factors were considered, the decision was made to go back to Don Garlit's shop in Ocala, FL to do the work if they were willing to take on the job. Jim was thrilled a few weeks ago when word came that they could work the project into their schedule without a several month wait to do the rebuild.

 Garlits built the original motor so we are all very comfortable with the decision. It also properly cements a full circle of evolution from it's original build to it's restoration! Jim Aid, our core team of technical guys Norm Cameron, and Wally Osinga along with me as resident photographer are excited the motor is there and work is about to begin. We also want to thank Hayden Harris, the boat's current owner for empowering Jim and the team to handle the restoration. Hayden has been great to work with and all are in agreement this is an excellent next step to getting the Sunshine Baby back on the water.

So to summarize in pictures, here's photos pulling the motor:

Pulling the motor was handled at Wally's shop. Thank you Wally for having a ceiling high enough to get the engine up and out of the boat. 

Jim Aid and Norm Cameron study the best way to lift the engine.

                                              Wally Osinga guides the motor onto the cradle

As soon as we got the green light from Garlit's shop, Jim and Wally loaded up the motor in Wally's Denali pick up for the two hour trip to Ocala to deliver it.  Unfortunately I was out of town and unable to take the photos as I would have loved to have seen the smile on Don's face as the motor was unloaded off Wally's truck.  Credit to Wally for taking a few pictures while there. Here's the delivery as Don came out to greet them.  

NOTE-  Check the brass plaque on the original engine stand/ parts rack that Don still has! How special is that after 65 years!  Inscription says  " Presented To Don Garlits From Ray Gassner 1959"

Historical note- Ray Gassner had the boat constructed by famous hydroplane builder Henry Lauterbach. Ray received the completed hull in late 1959 and proceeded to hire Don Garlits to outfit the boat with a 392 Chrysler Hemi and a Potvin blower cranking out 1200 HP! Check out Lauterbach Boats for a complete history in the link below:

Click Below to see the story of Lauterbach boats.

Lauterbach Boats

                                And now to the day of delivery of the motor- November 15th.

Don Garlits inspects various parts.

Don Garlits, looking pleased the motor will be supplied by his shop, again!

He says this was one of the best, strongest blocks Chrysler made back in the day.

                                          Don and the original parts rack from Ray Gassner.

Stay tuned for more updates in the future on the engine rebuild.

Brought to you by Paul Ziegler, Publisher  Carcamerastory.com

Author of Echoes From The Glen

Follow on Instagram @wownowpics    

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"