Aug 2012 Southwest Scorcher.pub

VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
AUGUST, 2012
Monthly Newsletter of Cactus Cruisers AMC, Phoenix, AZ
Ramblings By The President
Special points of interest:
•
15th Anniversary Club Meeting
Saturday, August 8th 6:00 pm
Rustler’s Roost
•
2012-2013 Club Dues $12
•
Check out all the Cool things on
the Web
•
AMX, Rebel & Concord For Sale
•
Tech Article from John Elle
•
Javelin Story from Greg Botz
•
To checkout what is happening in
the Valley of the Sun, visit
www.desertcruisers.com
Inside this issue:
Ramblings by the President Gary Zinman
1
From the Editor’s Desk
Kirk Fletcher
1-2
Results & Pictures from
the April Car Show
3-6
76 Sportabout Project
7-11
How I met the 1971 Jave- 11-13
lin
AMO Treasury Sales
14
Calendar of Events
15
By Gary Zinman
First of all, thanks to all of you who attended the
August meeting at the Deer Valley Airport. We
had a much better turnout and the food was very
good. In fact, our next regularly scheduled meeting is on October 13th and it will also be at the
Deer Valley Airport Restaurant.
You have probably already heard that Jim Jensen
has revived the members forum as part of our
website and done a great job. I noticed some of
you have already started to use it! We have a lot
of projects that we’re working on, including the
website, the availability of PayPal for members to
pay dues or purchase club merchandise. We are
also working on a membership roster with a high
priority on security.
Kirk informs me that all of the paperwork for our
Cactus Classic XII AMC Car Show in March
(formerly April) is in place.
Eric Hasselbring and Jim Jensen are working together to make other changes to the website.
These are all positive steps and I am encouraged
by the ideas and input I have received from so
many of you. Unfortunately, all this will take time
and how long it will take is directly proportional
to the amount of time that the volunteers have to
devote to it. Remember that word “volunteers”
From the Editor’s Desk
because that’s what makes up our organization so
let’s give them the gratitude they deserve.
Do not forget about the club’s 15th anniversary
dinner at Rustler’s Rooste on September 8th. Cactus
Cruisers AMC is going to subsidize your dinner and
the dinner of your spouse, significant other, etc.
$10.00 each. Imagine that, Your yearly dues are
$12.00 and if you and your dinner companion attend the dinner, were going to reimburse you twenty bucks. You won’t find a better deal than that
anywhere. If you have another event to attend,
please try to get back to the valley for this event,
it’s one of the most important we’ve ever done.
You’ll find more details on this event elsewhere in
this issue of the Scorcher.
The reason we do not have a definitive date for the
Mopars Unlimited Phoenix in the Fall Show is that
they are debating whether to change the date from
its usual date to one in January. As soon as we have
a committed date we will inform you immediately so
that you can plan accordingly.
I’ll look forward to seeing all of you at the 15th
anniversary dinner on September 8th.
Fifteen years is a long time and we can only celebrate it once, let’s all be together for this milestone.
By Kirk Fletcher
It has been a while since I first sat down
to put this issue of the Southwest Scorcher
together. I had started this issue in April
land just never got back to it until just
now. I have lots of things to catch up on
and add into it. I am limited by the file
size I can e-mail so what I can not fit into
this issue I will just carry over into the
September issue. So this issue will now
be the August issue. This means that there
was no April, May, June & July issues for
those who are keeping track. Call me
Busy, call me Lazy, call me anything you
want because it is most likely true.
Our club is now officially 15 years old
and we will be celebrating this milestone
Continued on Page 2
on our next regularly scheduled monthly
meeting. Saturday, September 8th, 6:00
pm to 9:00 pm. We are confirmed at Rustler’s Rooste, 8383 South 48th Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85044, 602-431-6474,
www.rustlersrooste.com. We will be having a short Meeting and then our Anniversary Party. The club will be kicking in
$10.00 per adult for two adults per family for all club members who are current on
their dues. All memberships run from July
1st to June 31st. Pay your current dues of
$12 now to collect up to $20.00 cash the
night of the 15th Anniversary Party/
Meeting. This event is open to all current
and past Cactus Cruisers AMC members.
All local AMC enthusiast and their guests
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 2
AUGUST
From the Editor’s Desk
By Kirk Fletcher
are welcome to attend and share in our
AMC fellowship. I also encourage all members to drive one of their AMC/Ramblers
to this event since the restaurant will allow
us to park many of our cars together up
front. We would like to use this event to
strengthen our standing in the Greater
Phoenix area and ensure the AMC commu-
Cool Stuff
Kirk Fletcher:
Continued from Page 1
nity that Cactus Cruisers AMC is not declining and in fact will be growing bigger
and stronger over the next 15 years. Get
the word out to everyone you know in the
AMC hobby that this is the AMC event of
this year to attend. E-mail with additional
details to follow at a later date.
Thanks
Special pricing for Members
Close-out Sale Price
Official 2011 AMO National
Convention T-Shirt in Rust &
Yellow $12
By Kirk Fletcher
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/pts/2766562646.html
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_remus_reid.htm
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11139/Oldsmobile-F-88-Concept.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcl4rs8gSHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyH471mtuDQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPKaBAGFKiE&feature=endscreen&NR=1
We have a new club member, Scott Dregne, who lives in Glendale. He owns the
AAMCO Transmission shop at 6033 W. Bell Rd. Glendale, AZ 85308, 602-843-2443
He has three AMC’s, 70 Gremlin, 304 auto, 71 Javelin AMX 401 auto, & a 73 Gremlin
401 auto. I saw two of the cars at his shop. I had his shop rebuild my T-35 for my 66
290 Rogue. They were very fast and the price was great. If you need an Automatic rebuild for one of your cars give Scott a call. Tell him you are a member of the Cactus
Cruisers AMC Car Club. The manager says he has a great builder working there.
Cactus Cruisers AMC Club Dues
We have lowered our club dues back to our
Pre-AMO International Convention price of
$12 per year. We had only raised the dues to
help generate the start-up funds needed to
host the AMO Show.
We will continue to have our membership dues
run from July 1st to June 30th with a pro-rated
amount of $1 per month for members who join
anytime after August 1st.
Some people had paid their dues in advance
By Kirk Fletcher
and I will pro-rate these fees into the future
unless a refund is requested. For all other
members who are not current for 2012—2013
year please send in your payment.
Since we have lots of Car related activities in
the next few months you can pay in person or
mail a check with your application/renewal
form to our Membership Chairman, Jim Jensen.
Mail to: Cactus Cruisers AMC, P.O. Box 67126
Phoenix, AZ 85082, Down load the form from
our web-site, www.cactuscruisers.org
New Club Meeting Locations Needed
Our club is still looking for possible locations to
use for our monthly meetings. We would like to
find a place that is centrally located for the
greater Phoenix Valley of the Sun. We could
even alternate our locations around between
Central, Northeast, Southeast, West and Northwest. We do not have to be locked into one
place only!
Close-out Sale Price
Official 2011 AMO National
Convention Cactus Cruisers
AMC Coin & Key Chains $5
Close-out Sale Price
Official 2011 AMO Posters,
Mouse Pads and Greeting
Cards $5 or less
By Kirk Fletcher
How does everyone feel about this? I would
like to receive e-mails from members with suggestions for locations. We would like to get
back to our original roots where members participate by driving their collector cars to our
meetings like we did 15 years ago. Our club
started because we keep running into each
other at the local Friday & Saturday cruises.
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/
broch1.html
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 3
AUGUST
Cactus Classis XII AMC Car Show
By Kirk Fletcher
The Cactus Classic XII AMC Car Show has come and
gone several months ago now and we are already planning the next one. Who would have thought that we
would have seen triple digit temperatures in April?
Wow , it was hot. Shelby saw 103 in her car as she
drove home and I saw 105 in my truck as I drove home
about an hour latter.
I got too much Sun and I could feel the heat from the
back of my red neck. Because of this we have decided
that we will move our annual show up by a full month for
next year. Hopefully this will help our show in at least
1st Place Race Class, Greg York, 1970 Gremlin
1st Place Javelin Class, Eric Hasselbring, 73 Javelin
Continued on Page 4
two ways: The weather should be cooler and out-of-state
visitors will be able to take-in a Cactus League baseball
game or two if they so choose.
I think that everyone who attended had a great time and
we saw some new cars attend our show. This year we
had expanded our classes from 10 to 16 to temp additional turnout from some of our sister clubs but to no
avail. Not a single participant showed up to take advantage of these 6 additional classes. However, we will
duplicate our efforts on these 6 new classes for 2013
and hope that we do not define the definition of insanity.
2nd Place Race Class, Kevin Lloyd, 1969 AMX
& Best Engine Award
2nd Place Javelin, Clark Chamberlain, 74 Javelin
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 4
AUGUST
Cactus Classic XII AMC Car Show
By Kirk Fletcher
Continued on Page 5
1st Place Performance, Mark Fletcher, 69 1/2 SC/Rambler
2nd Place Performance, Mark Oglnick, 71 SC/360 Hornet
1st Place, Rambler, Mark Fletcher, 67 Rogue Convertible
2nd Place, Rambler Class, Charles Jewell, 66 220 American
1st Place Jeep, Matthew Edmunds, 72 Wagoneer,
2nd Place Jeep, Frank, Johnson, 88 Wrangler, not pictured
1st Place, Display Only Class, John McKee,
69 1/2 SC/Rambler
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 5
AUGUST
Cactus Classis XII AMC Car Show
By Kirk Fletcher
Continued on Page 6
1st Place, AMC Class, John Beddow, 74 Matador
& Best Paint Award
2nd Place, AMC Class, Page Barnes, 72 Gremlin
& Best of Show Award
3rd Place, AMC Class, Gary Zinman, 73 Gremlin X
1st Place, AMX Class, Tom Buckley, 69 AMX, & Best Interior
2nd Place, AMX Class, Jim Felton, 70 AMX, not pictured
Tied for 3rd Place, AMX Class, Dan Curtis, 69 AMX
& Best Undercarriage
Tied for 3rd Place, AMX Class, Kirk Fletcher, 70 AMX
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
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AUGUST
Cactus Classis XII AMC Car Show
A couple of cars that were for sale at the show.
By Kirk Fletcher
Continued from Page 5
We had a few vendors on hand to sell all kinds of AMC stuff.
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
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AUGUST
1976 Sportabout Project
By John Elle
Most of us in the automotive hobby have delusions of
having something top quality, unique and rare. There is
nothing wrong with that other than having something
unique, rare and top quality is unattainable on a budget
we have and the skills we can employ.
But it is of course the desire that keeps us going.
While pursing the un-attainable we either continue the
delusion and pursuit OR give up and go on with something else.
Does it happen?
Yes, all the time.
How do most of us continue? We are satisfied eventually
with what we can obtain.
This in most cases represents what we can afford, maintain and enjoy.
The AMC hobby is no more or no less than that.
The cars? A function of the Name change from Rambler
to AMC represent a time interval that is roughly from
1966 through end of production in 1988.
A very small time interval that represents a shift in desirability in cars from style and performance to what will
pass smog and still be serviceable.
What models are desirable?
Only a few.
The rest? In general when finished are not worth the cost
of a good paint job performed by quality paint shop.
The desirable models from that time interval? The performance models and that is in general the AMX and Javelin models built from 1968 through 1970, the Javelins
built from 1971 through 1974 affectionately known as
the hump fender models and a few somewhat rare special addition cars that frankly when built were not all
that popular and represent a gaudy and flashy rendition
of performance that did not quite make it.
An interesting version is the 1971 Hornet SC360 that
was manufactured to try to capture the fading desire of
performance that had been affected by Insurance crack
down on muscle cars. An actually good and affordable
muscle car that did not quite present the illusion of performance well enough to make it successful.
Engineering? Some times referred to ahead of the times,
but in reality was sound based on economics and parts
sharing between models to save manufacturing costs.
Engines? An in-house design that actually was pretty
good. Not out standing but quite frankly about as good
as they come in stock form.
Transmissions? Purchased, initially automatics from
BorgWarner that were historically problem prone, standard transmissions from a variety of sources that represented the antiquated technology still in use, a 4 speed
with about 4 different gear ratio’s that became popular
Continued on Page 8
as close or wide ratio applications and as good as they
get for the time and the Chrysler Torqueflite, a transmission known for it’s reliability at the time and as Chrysler
introduced up graded design features, AMC got them a
few years later.
The product line typical for the time frame 2dsedans,
4dsedans, 2 door hard tops, station wagons a couple of
hatch backs and a couple of specially packaged additions. The models ranged from economy to luxury.
Thus drive trains, typical of the time frame and design,
also typical for the time and as time passed a bit dated.
Desirability? The basic rule of thumb in the collector
world, if they were popular when new, they are now
popular collector items.
AMC went out of business, an indication of popularity.
And an indicator of popularity after time has passed.
How popular after time? How many people are lusting
after a Desoto, a Studebaker or a Kaiser?
As to quality? Again typical. I have personally done most
of my restoration work which depending on the car has
been extensive. And I can re-assemble a body with better accuracy then when put together at the factory regularly. And I am by no means an expert but probably
better than many are.
This brings us to today.
Who are our club members? Well they range from people who can afford to pay someone else to put together
a car that is not worth the expense, to those of us who
can do it ourselves only to have them not be worth it and
those who have little or no skills but are trying to learn as
they go while still making progress.
Each person with different objectives to glean from being
a club member.
A few years back reproduction parts were almost unavailable. Today there are more reproductions available. In the past, junk yards were sources of hard to find
parts. Now? Hard to find parts are just that. Junk yards
are empty. Some of the technology is dated to the point
fewer people and businesses know how to deal with it.
Who performs your needed carburetor work?
I know who does mine! I do.
How restored is a car that the smog equipment has been
re-moved?
The argument smog equipment is not needed is a bit of
stretch. The state allows cars to be registered and driven
without meeting the requirement that the car passes the
smog test. And most laws are county implemented.
However the word restored does not mean modified. A
car without smog equipment is not restored. It is modified.
And depending on the modifications? It might be worth
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 8
AUGUST
1976 Sportabout Project
By John Elle
more than a restored car.
But then again, it might not.
As I see it, a desirable AMC collector car with a big ticket price tag represented as totally restored with the factory installed smog equipment missing is worth about half
of what is being asked simply because something that is
represented as a certifiable restoration can’t truly be
with missing pieces that are unavailable at any price.
So what is being paid for is a pretty car with parts missing and this fits the definition of modified.
And having established that, it now depends on the modifications that have been made as to determine what
value the car can now be established at.
Which brings me to my latest project.
A 1976 AMC Sportabout. A car that the model was of a
Hornet. Visually a 4 door station wagon.
Why?
I have one. It was obtained as a survivor needing restoration. It has no particular collectable value other than it
is an X package (trim and cosmetics) with a roof rack. It
is not really a station wagon as it is something where the
rear window opens for access to the cargo area. Like a
hatchback with a really small hatch.
The drive train? AMC historically manufactured more I-6
motored cars than V8’s. It is one. The small 232 cu in I-6
with the Chrysler torqueflite 904 automatic. Smog certified with out a catalytic converter IF the engine used the
Carter YF carburetor.
Disc Brakes, no power boost, no sway bar, and no radio.
Actually no A/C and sold here in AZ. But this one has the
dealer installed AM/Air aftermarket A/C. A unique
dealer addition and an aftermarket radio installed.
Probably by the dealer.
The 70’s had a lot of weird combinations of options that
would show up for reasons totally unknown. Although I
would hazard a guess that they were packaged many
times in that way to get parts off the shelves at the factory so they could save on inventory taxes.
What do I want from it?
Satisfactions that can be obtained form a nice looking
older collector car that can be driven. I can use a wagon
thus I don’t mind that it is one.
Actually it is mostly complete, although it needs full paint
and upholstery, trying to find missing parts is not a problem, there are no things missing. And I have a large parts
stash for things that were not there originally such as
hard to find out side rear view mirrors for example.
It is blue and a dark blue and I like the color. I can see
what it would look like with Ghost Flames on a Dark blue
paint. Who will do it? After all a show level paint job
Continued on Page 9
starts at 6 grand and goes up.
I will.
What will be the drive train? Actually I have built a number of I-6 engines. Hot rodded they go well. Stock? They
represented a technology brought to perfection by 1938
and never improved on.
I actually have the parts to build a fairly quick 232 with
a 4bbl and a 5 speed transmission and the linkage to
install it with.
But what I want is a modern automatic with overdrive.
My legs are bad due to my back and I am tired of shifting.
I also want a modern V8 for reliability and technology
and AMC quit building the things in 1979 for the cars
and that is the latest technology there is.
I have built a fuel injected car and to build that requires
quite a bit of money to get a full fuel injected system
working and compatible with what ever you are trying to
make it work with. And for me, it isn’t worth it. But I have
a Carter Thermo-Quad I always wanted to use, so I will
use it.
I want an Air Gap type manifold to rid the engine of
unwanted engine heat to the manifold. That is fine for
winter. Winter defined as it is snowing and has been
since summer.
I can do with out electric windows, door locks and convenience factors although the windows are nice. So are
cup holders. I can build a radio system form parts complete with satellite reception and have them now. I can
restore the interior trim my self and have most parts so
what I need is to investigate my stash as to what I will
use for this project.
The car:
At face value, a nice looking package. Good clean lines
with no major damage. An ugly grill and little else.
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 9
AUGUST
1976 Sportabout Project
By John Elle
Continued on Page 10
The interior and the upholstery is vinyl, original and 32
years old.
The radio will require fabrication to install now. The radio for this car was an odd size and not universally
available when the car was new and not available at all
now. And the technology has changed with quantum
leaps forward. So this becomes the new radio. AM/FM
and one CD. Mounting it is going to require some very
careful fabrication but it will work:
The seats will be upholstered in cloth, new rugs
and paint. I have the rugs the rest can be purchased.
Speakers as I used to know them are replaced not by
high tech sound systems. No more door speakers to tear
up the door panels. A pair of Tweeters mounted under
the dash some where about the size of golf ball will be
hidden. They will deal with the high frequencies and fill
in for the main speakers that will be mounted into a rear
speaker enclosure fabricated to sit on the floor forward
of the rear of the cargo area and designed to blend into
the interior decor. That unit will be both decorative and
portable to be moved for access to the cargo storage
area under the floor of the existing cargo area. While
this is extensive, it is also state of art and a supplemental
Satellite receiver with converter will be able to be installed to up date things. These parts are all now on
hand.
This takes care of interior modifications, Radio, seats and
rugs. With new insulation for sound deadening. A/C will
be handled by adapting the AM/Air to a modern compressor and the use of R134. And what will that be on?
The AMC I -6 232 cu in motor and it’s 3 speed Chrysler
torqueflite transmission will be replaced by a 1993
Mercruiser 5.7 L V8 mated to a GM 700R4, 4 speed
automatic transmission with a lock up torque converter
that has a 2200 rpm stall torque converter built to work
with it.
The Mercruiser motor will be equipped with an Air Gap
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 10
AUGUST
1976 Sportabout Project
By John Elle
aluminum intake manifold, a Carter ThermoQuad 4bbl
carburetor. The advantage being no manifold heat for a
cooler manifold for better fuel dispersing and the ThermoQuad has primaries the size of a quarter and secondary’s the size of a golf ball. It will use a camshaft supplied from Iskenderian as a 270/280 MegaCam flat
tappet cam with .465 Intake lift, .485 Exhaust Lift,
270/280 duration at .050” and 112 degrees lobe center. This cam has a functional RPM range of 2200 to
6500 rpm. The cylinder heads will be World Heads who
at that time made Dart II heads so they are cast iron alternatives to Stock heads. Valves are oversized and the
compression CC’s out to about 9.0:1 which is a good
number for 91 octane premium gasoline. The ignition will
be a self contained HEI one wire self contained ignition
system. Thus this:
Becomes This:
What is a Mercruiser Motor? It was assembled by Mercury Marine to be used in stern drive marine applications. I purchased used from a boat in Florida.
Continued on Page 11
The rest of the drive train at the moment will remain
pretty much as AMC built it. The suspension AMC used
from 1970 to end of production of the 2 wheel drive
cars about 1984 except that of the Pacer was pretty
much interchangeable. The Sway Bar was an option and
may or may not be there. The Front Disk brakes made
changes over the years from roughly 1966 when used to
1984 with major changes being made in the 1970’s in
1971 and about every 2 to 3 years to end of production.
Surprising enough, many cars had non-power front discs,
as this one does.
I-6 cars used an AMC 15, 7 9/16 size ring gear rear
axle with 9 inch diameter by 2 inch wide shoes, the V8
used the AMC 20, 8 7/8 inch ring gear rear axle with
10 inch diameter by 1 3/4 inch wide shoes.
Both axles are serviceable and have slightly different
gear ratios. The standard ratio for I-6 with automatic
was 2.73 with a 3.08 or 3.31 as optional for the Hornet.
The 2.73 rear axle ratio is an excellent choice for use
with the 3.06:1 1st gear ratio of the 700 R4 vs. the 904
gear ratio of 2.45:1.
The only deviation that I have seen of these numbers is
that of the 1980 AMX which was a 258 I-6 powered car
with a lock up torque converter 904 automatic and the
AMC-15 rear axle.
That combination used the 10 inch diameter brakes with
the finned drum as used on the V-8 equipped cars. Of
course they did not build a V-8 car in 1980.
The bottom line? The AMC drive line as manufactured is
not a bad drive line and with good parts in good condition is quite adjustable and functional. However it is hard
on parts and when they fail they fail big time.
The biggest single problem I see with the drive line is it
depends on the rubber being flexible. Replacing bits
and pieces with Polyurethane which as no flex can cause
pre-mature failure in the area of the lower control arm
and unneeded vibration problems transmitted to the cabin. Also it was designed for use with bias ply tires and as
the technology shifted to radial tires, while there was
adjustability built into the suspension when the company
went out of production in 1988 the end of adjustability
had been reached a few years before and it was then
marginal in function. Keeping things in good repair is
paramount to proper function on the road. There is about
3 degrees of positive caster available in the front suspension but it stresses the lower control arm and depending on the model will restrict the use of certain size tires
in order to turn them. That of course depends on the particular car and whether the car has been lowered.
I take a half a coil out of the front springs when I rebuild
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 11
AUGUST
1976 Sportabout Project
By John Elle
them which takes the nose high factory attitude away. It
brings them down about 1 ½ inches. A full coil about 3
inches.
On this car I will be using P205x35x19 front tires on 10
inch wide wheels with a 1 and ¾ in. spacer for the front
to clear the front spring and allow turning of the tire.
The rear will use P215x35x19 rear tires on 10 inch wide
wheels with a 2 inch spacer to clear the rear springs.
I am in the prototype fabrication stage at the present.
The engine is ready to install, the transmission and the
linkage will not be difficult. Pretty much everything else
will work out o.k. when I get to it.
Why this car and not one of the more desirable models?
I want a modified car, I have this one and it works for
me.
I do not want to cut up a desirable collectable model that
at this point in time is far too hard to find and expensive
when found.
This is my hobby. And it is my way to enjoy it.
This is one of a few cars I own. One of which is a Mark
Donohue Javelin and one of 863 1980 AMX’s one of the
last built.
Of the unsolved problems remaining, what to do with the
Speedometer? The 700R4 uses an electronic Speedometer. Probably I will end up fabricating a new instrument
panel for the speedometer and add a volt meter, a temp
gauge, a fuel gauge and an oil pressure gauge.
As there will be some wiring additions to incorporate the
electric fuel pump and the new stereo, further additions if
planned out will not be difficult to add for the dash
board.
The A/C? I will refresh the AM/Air installed using a Vintage Air manifold for the R4 GM compressor. It will
adapt to the AMC AM/Air and function with R134a refrigerant.
For Smog?
I will tune it to pass smog and at the present have the
option of the Smog Pump if needed.
And what do I need?
How I met the 1971 Javelin
By Greg Botz
In 1975 I left the Air Force to try anything but military
life. School was on the agenda but transportation had to
be acquired and that meant searching the papers for
any form of transportation available at a cost I could
afford. My search landed on a Honda 360 motorcycle
and a call was made to look at this bike.
Meeting the seller I was taken to the garage where the
Continued from Page 10
It depends on the state. There are no visuals for certain
years and this one does not need a catalytic converter.
The VIN number flags this up. And as long as I do not
have to pass a visual, it will pass smog.
So what is the hobby?
For me it is fabrication and construction.
I am good at that and successful.
This Hornet Sportabout will be a turn key cross country
driver. My cars when driven are all smog legal show cars
of some level or another.
When parked they still are, but the show level suffers a
bit.
The cost of the hobby?
It is a cost, one that has to be affordable and every ones
budget is different. At this point in time I have less than
$1500.00 in this and that will change, but double that
and I will probably be very close to the completion I
think.
The paint I estimate at about $600.00 in materials.
The value of this car when done? Probably 3x the value
of a carefully restored AMC Sportabout.
So for me?
My interpretation of this hobby and the needs of the club
may be different.
I see the club as a means to assist one another.
If that can not be done or is for whatever reason discouraged, it isn’t worth it to me.
Continued on Page 12
bike was resting and negotiations were under way to
purchase the bike when the seller advised that the brown
car stored there was also for sale.
There was a 1971 Javelin SST, 304, automatic with
Black Corduroy interior and a new AM/FM Cassette stereo. The thought of riding in this car and avoiding cold
and hot weather as compared to riding on a bike in the
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 12
AUGUST
How I met the 1971 Javelin
By Greg Botz
elements did not leave much to the imagination, the car
won. After some negotiation the car was purchased and
my experience with the Javelin began.
Continued on Page 13
After a few more miles of the car running perfectly, the
wonderful red light on the dash decided that it would be
more fun to start flashing. This could only mean that the
thought of putting gas in the tank had now turned into a
necessity and the sooner the better. This flashing light
also changed the threats of bodily harm to one of fright
by being stuck in the middle of the desert, in the cold,
and freezing to death, meant the faster we could reach
civilization and get the precious liquid that would keep
the engine running, and heater working the better.
After a few more hills, a few more turns in the road,
lights appeared on the horizon and eventually the town
of Kingman approached. The interesting fact of Kingman
at the time (1975) was that it was like an Oasis in the
desert with gas substituted for water, and cars and trucks
substituted for camels. All that could cross my mind was
to ask the only logical question that was appropriate for
that night and that would be, “What brand of gas station would you like to stop at?”
Road Trip
The first road trip was to Las Vegas in this shining macho
machine and my companion for the trip had just arrived
from back East. We left from the West Valley and
headed up the 60 to Wickenburg, turned right and off
to Vegas.
The thought of filling the car with gas has crossed my
mind but after growing up back east and having gas
stations in every little town and also the towns being 5
miles apart, the idea that the distance from Phoenix to
Vegas was anymore than a 2 hour trip just didn’t cross
my mind. After awhile my eye wandered to the gas
gauge and the thought that filling up would be a good
idea. I had heard of a small town called Wikieup before
Kingman and thought this would be a nice stop to stretch
our legs and fill up the old gas tank. Unfortunately by
the time we traveled through Wikieup there was not a
light to be found and that included the gas station, all
we could do was keep on trucking. As the trip wore on a
light came on that read “FUEL”. Being a nice bright red
light it did light up the interior of the car and my companion was curious as to what the light was and after a
quick glance and interpreting the idea that the idiot behind the steering wheel could let a car get that low on
gas that they would be stuck in the middle of the desert,
in January, in the cold and dark, well certain bodily
harm that she would cause him was starting to utter from
her mouth.
The thought that maybe one station looked cleaner than
another or maybe she had a preference for certain looks
seemed only logical and also giving my companion a
choice and letting her know I respected her opinion. It
seemed she really didn’t care if I respected her opinion
but the use of the closest restroom and the filling of the
gas tank with any grade or brand of gas were much
higher on her priorities, and this was expressed in a loud
verbal statement that should not be printed, at least not
for mixed company.
The gas was purchased and the trip continued, the Javelin performed flawlessly the rest of the trip and a year
later the companion became my wife and companion for
many more road trips.
Later that year the Javelin was sold for more sensible
(cheaper) transportation but the love for the car would
never leave me.
The Second 1971 Javelin
Life marches on and you graduate from school, jobs are
found and families grow, but that nagging feeling something is missing lingers on. What is that itch? Of course,
all your friends have their toys and you seem to have
missed the boat.
Searching the papers weekly when there was still an
AMC section in the want ads leads to a 71 Javelin in
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 13
AUGUST
How I met the 1971 Javelin
By Greg Botz
North Phoenix for sale at a reasonable price, at least a
price that a young family could afford. Meeting the owner he lead me to the driveway and there it sat in all its
former glory. It had been painted candy red, over the
pounds of bondo that now was cracking on the roof(?). I
did not have a yard stick to measure the depth of the
plastic filler but the car was riding a little lower than
normal and I am sure it was from the extra weight the
filler added.
Time for a test drive, down the block, turn around and
back. Thank God we made it back! But still it was a 71
and no others were listed of late and I had to have another Javelin to relive those great moments I had in the
last one.
A deal was made and money exchanged hands, the full
amount to be paid upon picking up the car on Monday.
Home we went, the proud owners of a 1971 Javelin, in
much need of restoration, but it was mine and the thought
of road trips in this car with the family made me full of
pride.
Continued from Page 12
ter of time until one popped up in the pages of this fine
publication and my friends pointed out that this would be
a car for me.
Upon calling the number and hearing those words that I
am the first person to call on this car in two weeks, I knew
the time to pounce was immediately and off we went to
find the car. Luckily it was not far away and the wife did
not have a lot of time to think of any cons to my many
pros of having another Javelin.
The car was found and purchased, and to this day sits in
my garage. Other stories go along with this car but that
is for another time if anybody ever wants to listen to an
old man reminisce about the good old days at the Friday
night Drags or running down I-17 from Prescott at 90
MPH and having the cops pull up beside you, (we were
closer to Phoenix by then and had slowed to the speed
limit, they still sat beside me for a couple miles and let
me know they were there).
An hour goes by and the phone rings and the seller of
the car advises that somebody from Colorado was there
and wanted the car. The thought of somebody wanting
my car was unthinkable but then the ex-owner advise
that I could make $100 if I let the car go to this new
home. Never in my life have I owned a car for such a
short period of time.
The Third 1971 Javelin
Time goes by and the people you work with have progressed with their toys, some have Camaros, others have
Mustangs, all have stories about their toys. Never to be
out done I still had stories about the 71 Javelin.
The trouble with stories is that sometimes you have to live
up to the expectation of that story or shut up. Since my
coworkers often looked at the Auto-Trader and knew I
spoke of wanting another 71 Javelin, it was only a mat-
Cars For Sale
I owe a lot to a friend that has since passed on for helping me rebuild a lot of the mechanical functions of the
car. Friends like that will be forever missed. We had fun
and he taught me a lot, always thought I was crazy for
wanting a Javelin but always there to pull wrenches and
By Kirk Fletcher
70 AMX 360 Auto Mopar 360/727 Red
with Black C-Stripe Factory 14” Mag 500’s
Original WY Car Rust at left lower A-Pillar
behind front tire Rust left rear quarter panel
been sitting outside several year just north of
Douglas on the hwy headed to Wilcox
Jack Black 520-266-3786 $3,800.00 obo
67 Rebel SST Convertible 290 V8 Auto Trans
Original Family owned car, owner out of state
in KS but cousin lives on property and can show
the car, comes with extra doors, fenders &
bumpers. Looking for a reasonable offer,
Clint Rector 316-832-5012 Call for additional
details
79 Concord original owner 92,000 miles
Auto A/C P/S & P/B All original, great
shape runs great asking $3,500.00
Wayne Cowin 928-757-8907
[email protected]
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 14
AUGUST
AMO Treasury Sales
By Richard Estermyer
#1
AMC Antenna flag
$8.00
$1.00
#97
AMX 25th Anniversary Poster
$10.00
$3.85
#2
AMO Grill Badge
$20.00
$2.00
#119
Rambler 100th Anniversary Poster
$10.00
$3.85
#3
AMO Window Decal
$2.00
$ .50
#4
AMX Certified Milestone Decal
$1.00
$ .50
#98
AMO License Plate
$8.00
$3.85
#8
AMO Patch
$3.00
$ .50
#108
AMO Parking Only Sign
$18.00
$3.85
#30
Grey AMO Logo Tee Shirt, Sizes: M, L, XL, L
$10.00
$3.85
#109
AMX Racing Team patch (round)
$4.00
$ .50
#31
White AMO Logo Tee Shirt, Size: XXL
$10.00
$3.85
#110
Javelin Racing Team Patch (round)
$4.00
$ .50
#31
White AMO Logo Tee Shirt, Sizes: S, L, XL
$9.00
$3.85
#111
American Motors Corporation Patch (round)
$3.00
$ .50
#32
Grey AMO Logo Sweatshirt, Size: XXL
$17.00
$3.85
#112
AMX Patch (oval/blue on white)
$3.00
$ .50
#32
Grey AMO Logo Sweatshirt, Size: XXXL
$18.00
$3.85
#113
Javelin Patch (oblong/black on white)
$3.00
$ .50
#32
Grey AMO Logo Sweatshirts, Sizes: L, XL
$16.00
$3.85
#114
Javelin Patch (oblong/new style)
$3.00
$ .50
#33
White AMO Logo Golf Shirts, Size: XXL
$19.00
$3.85
#115
Javelin Patch (oval with Javelin on new logo)
$3.00
$ .50
#33
White AMO Logo Golf Shirts, Sizes: S, M, L, XL
$17.00
$3.85
#116
AMX Patch (red, white & blue letters on rectangle)
$3.00
$ .50
#34
AMO Logo Baseball Cap (royal blue)
$8.00
$3.85
#118
Complete Concourse Rules
$1.50
$ .50
#35
Rambler (Block Letters) Pin
$4.00
$ 1.00
#36
Round (Old Style) A.M. Pin
$4.00
$ 1.00
#120
AMC Oil Filter Sticker
#37
AMX (Red, White, Blue) round pin
$4.00
$ 1.00
#121
1968/1969 AMX, Javelin Oil Filter Sticker
$3.00
$ 1.00
#38
Javelin (Red, White, Blue) round pin
$4.00
$ 1.00
#122
60's AM/Rambler Oil Filter Sticker Style "A"
$3.00
$ 1.00
#40
AMO Lapel Pin (quality silver plate)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#123
60's AM /Rambler Oil Filter Sticker Style "B"
$3.00
$ 1.00
#41
AMC Pin (block letters)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#42
AMX Pin (block letters)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#124
AMX, JAVELIN, GREMLIN / AMO Challenge Coin
$10.00
$ 1.50
#43
Javelin Pin (script)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#44
Javelin Racing Team Pin (round checkered)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#45
AM Logo Pin (old style)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#46
AM Logo Pin (new style)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#48
AMX/3 Pin (red)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#49
Year Pins (1968-1974)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#55
AMX Racing Team Pin (round checkered)
$4.00
$ 1.00
#47
Personal Message Fan
$6.00
$3.00
#70
National Meet Dash Plaques (state Year)
$2.00
$ .50
#80
AMO Key Fob (choice of white, or blue)
$2.00
$ 1.00
#117
AMC Chrome Key Chain (old logo & new AMC logo)
$5.00
$ 1.00
$3.00
$ 1.00
ORDER FORM __________________________________________________________
ITEM # QTY
DESCRIPTION
SIZE
PRICE (ea)
SHIPPING
ITEM TOTAL
________|___|________________________________________|___________|___________________|_______________|______________
________|___|________________________________________|___________|___________________|_______________|______________
________|___|________________________________________|___________|___________________|_______________|______________
________|___|________________________________________|___________|___________________|_______________|______________
Name ______________________________________________ Please make checks payable to: GRAND
Address ____________________________________________ AMO Treasury Sales
TOTAL _______________________
City ________________________________________________ Mail to: Richard Estermyer
State, Zip ___________________________________________ 6228 Mapleview Lane, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone ______________________________________________ [email protected] phone: (734) 417-9456
AMO Member Number _________________________________
VOLUME XV
ISSUE VIII
Page 15
AUGUST
Calendar of Club Events
By Kirk Fletcher
September 1st, Saturday, 6:00 am to 10:00
am, Bill Johnson’s Car Show & Cruise In,
16810 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85023, 19th
Ave & Bell Rd., Southwest corner, Free to 1st
100 cars
October 13th, Saturday 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm,
Cruise on Central, Central Park Mall Parking
Lot, 3121 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ 85013, A
Nancy Perry Productions, Parking w/T-Shirt
$10.00, Free otherwise
Sold out, no more registrations accepted.
September 7th –9th, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Flagstaff Route 66 Days, Historic Downtown Flagstaff, 211 West Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, 8th Annual Charity Car Show - Open to
the first 425 entries. All years, makes and
models accepted. Over 45 classes with several
specialty and "Best Of" awards including cash
awards for the Top 6 Participant's Choice. Tshirt, dash plaque, goodie bag included with
entry. 50/50 raffle, basket raffle, poker walk,
all new Friday Night Cruise. Lots of food vendors, arts & crafts and automotive vendors.
Register early - event has sold out before August the last 6 years! Contact John 928-4511204 or Bob 928-779-0898 for more info.
8:00am - 5:30pm $35 per car
October 13th, Saturday 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm,
Cactus Cruisers AMC Club Meeting, Deer
Valley Airport Restaurant, 702 W Deer Valley
Rd Ste B Phoenix · (623) 582-5454, 7th Ave
and Deer Valley Rd.,
www.deervalleyairportrestaurant.com
September 8th, Saturday 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm,
Cactus Cruisers AMC Club Meeting, 15th
Anniversary, Rustler’s Rooste, 8383 South
48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85044, 602-4316474, www.rustlersrooste.com. We will be
having a short Meeting and then our 15th Anniversary Party. The club will be kicking in
$10.00 per adult for two adults per family for
all club members who are current on their dues.
All memberships run from July 1st to June 31st.
Pay your current dues of $12 now to collect up
to $20.00 cash the night of the 15th Anniversary Party Meeting. This event is open to all
current and past Cactus Cruisers AMC members. All local AMC enthusiast and their guests.
October 6th, Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm,
11th Annual Fall Car Show, Full Moon Saloon,
Tequa Plaza, 7000 Hwy 179 Ste. G100, Sedona, AZ 86351 928-284-1872, thefullmoonsaloon.com, Call Michael Mooney, 928300-5809, Registration at 9:00 am, Show is
10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Open to 1978 or older
vehicles, Pre-registration before September 1,
2012 $25, day of show $30, T-Shirts & Dash
Plaques for first 120 car registered. Proceeds
to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Sedona.
October 12th, Friday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm,
Luke AFB Tune-up for Health Care Car Show,
Glendale, AZ, Will need to get security clearance several weeks in advance, Free, more
info at a later date.
Old Street Scenes
By
Yellerspirit
October 20th, Saturday 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm,
St. Rose Catholic Community Car Cruise In,
2825 W. Rose Canyon Circle, Anthem, AZ
85085, $15 Pre-registration, $20 day of show
October 21st, Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm,
22nd Annual Orphan Car Show, Los Olivos
Park, Phoenix, 28th St. & Devonshire, 1 block
N. of Indian School Rd. $10 Pre-registration,
$15 day of show, benefits Sunshine Acres Children's Home
October 27th, Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm,
Wheels n’ Wings, Commemorative Air Force
Museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ
85215, Pre-registration is REQUIRED $15
October 27th, Saturday 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm,
2nd Annual Trunk or Treat, Kiwanis Service
project, Bell Mar Plaza, 11340 W. Bell Rd,
Surprize, AZ 85378, Admission $5 per person
November 2nd to 4th, Friday to Sunday, 2012
Las Vegas AMC Reunion, AMCRC Southwest
Regional Meet, Southern Nevada AMCRC,
Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino, 2800 S. Boulder
Highway, Henderson, NV 89002 702-2945000, 800-654-0877, www.railroadpass.com,
www.southernnevadaamc.com, http://
snamc.amcrc.com, Friday cruise on Lake Mead
on the Desert Princess, Car Show registration is
$30, additional T-Shirts $18
November 4th, Sunday 5:00 am to 2:00 pm,
Just Sell It Automotive Swap Meet, Glendale
Community College, North Lot, 6000 W. Olive
Ave, Glendale, AZ 86302, Free Admission,
$30 per Vender Space, Tom 602-332-1939
Check-out all the local activities for all of AZ.
http://www.desertcruisers.com/index.php?
page=state&stateid=AZ
http://theamcforum.com/
forum/old-streetscenes_topic31336_post3
60750.html#360750