Apology
Hello all. Forgive me community, for I have sinned…it has been 4 weeks since my last newsletter…. First, let me apologize for not writing to you all for almost a month. It is the middle of the year and I am swamped at work. Also, in the mean time I have been working with my IT team to get started on the “final” phase of the site. Hopefully, I will have more updates for you shortly. Anyway, I will try to stay on track and keep writing to you all and make you laugh…and/or cry.
I also want to apologize to Tish for falling behind and not announcing her main event in Colorado, the Automezzi. If you still want to support her and her efforts, please click here and give her a call.
More Questions
Some of our members need your help. If you know the answer, please click on the question and send your fellow community member an answer.
1) I was wondering how much a 1957 Bermuda Special Chevrolet truck model 3200 in original condition would be worth?
2) I have a 389 poncho that I was told came out of a 63 Cataling. I’m looking to use it in a project and trying to determine what I am going to need for a transmission. I am thinking automatic, but would love to do a 4-speed if I could find the whole thing including the bell housing. Any ideas in the tranny match would be appreciated.
3) How to tell if a 1965 GTO 389 engine is original for the car it is in? If there is little documentation, does VIN match engine stamp as later years or is it date code only?
4) When I turn the key on, the cool down fan comes on and I am unable to start. Once the fan shuts off, the check engine light comes on and I am able to start car. While the fan is running car continues to just crank over but never catches?
5) For a 1933 Chevrolet MASTER DELUXE, I would like to know the cylinder head torque on 217 cu.in. engine?
Thank you in advance for your support of the community. Remember that I have installed quick links at the top of the Q&A page so that if you are a specialist in Buicks, then click on the icon and only Buick questions will populate.
Scammers
I would like to remind everyone about all the scam artists out there. My site is growing and the first scammer posted several cars that didn’t exist. Of course, I called the phone number listed and it was disconnected. I sent a note to the FBI (they have a division for these types of things) and they have logged it in to their database. I want to tell you my story about the lengths that these people go to steal you money. Here’s my story.
I was looking for a new car for my wife and noticed a 2004 BMW 5 series for only $18,000. Right off the bat my red flags went up. I tried calling the number and it was disconnected. I then sent an email to the person inquiring about the car. He said he was in the New Jersey area and was selling if for a friend. I then called my Uncle Sal (remember I’m Italian) and asked if he would take a trip to see the car. “No problem J, if the friggen car is ‘dere, I’ll go take a look.” So, I sent another note to the “owner” and asked if my uncle can come and take a look at it. He suggested that I make a deposit in to an escrow account and that he would “hold” the car for me while my uncle takes the drive. He wanted me to deposit $1000 via a website that he suggested. Here is where it gets crazy. This website looked legit. I mean it had everything from statistics, history about the company, payment plans, contacts and links to its parent company FTN. So, I then called the contact numbers and, big surprise, disconnected. I then clicked on the link to the parent company and it went to First Tennessee, a legitimate company. I called their contact number and nice lady answered. I asked her if she knew about an escrow company owned by First Tennessee. She immediately proclaimed “NO! You didn’t send them money did you?” I said no and asked what was going on. She mentioned that there are several fake websites out there that are linked to their site. I asked if people actually sent them money and she said several thousands of dollars.
So, I then forwarded the article, the emails I received and the website to FBI.gov and within 1 hour the site was shut down.
What have we learned? If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Never give money until you see the product. Try to buy in your neck of the woods. Remember the ‘Six degrees of separation’ theory, you know everybody in the world within 6 friends of friends. Example, I bought a 72 Cutlass online from a guy in Oklahoma. I knew a friend of mine was from there, he called his buddy that actually lived on the same street as the seller. He literally walked down the street, knocked on the door, test drove the car and I sent the check. I found someone with 2 degrees of separation there.
If you need more help about scams and frauds, check out the link at the bottom of my home page. Thanks and keep you eyes and ears open.
