Sunday, November 8, 2009

Gibbs customer receives magazine write up

A friend and Gibbs customer has been featured in the December 2009 issue of Muscle Car Enthusiast (page 36). Wing's Auto Art is a premier restoration shop located in Ionia Michigan. Owner Nyle Wing and his crew are true artists. I met Nyle and the crew when my friend Dave Riley of Vintage 60's had them help on a car we were working on. After being greeted and having our credentials checked by the big dog in the shop, Pete and his band of merry barkers, we gained entrance.

When I first met Nyle and introduced him to Gibbs he was somewhat suspicious. Being a master painter Nyle was concerned about bringing chemicals into his shop. I told him that I had a product that I wanted him to try in the shop. His first words were "Is there silicone in it". I told him that if there was I wouldn't have even thought about bringing the can into his shop. Any products bought into the shop are stopped at the door and checked out. The only one not checked is one that has brewed liquids, barley and hops in it.

With some skepticism he took a couple cans to try out. Well let me say that he has become a believer and user of Gibbs. He just took delivery of a large order. Every car that is assembled at Wing's Auto Art has Gibbs on it. Every bolt gets a drop of Gibbs on the threads. Bare metal surfaces are treated with Gibbs during assembly.

In the same issue of Muscle Car Enthusiast (page 48) there is an article on the detailing of a 1972 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 frame done by Wing's Auto Art. Every mark, sticker, chalk line and fastener is the correct color and placement. The secret weapon in the assembly was using Gibbs on every fastener during assembly.

Check out the Wing's Auto Art web site at http://www.wingsautoart.com/. Take a look at the fantastic work done by the shop. Every time I stop in it is eye candy over load. Some time they even let me push a car in the shop. The joy never stops.

During my last visit Nyle told me that they were ready to buy a new set of tire skates to put under the tires to move cars around the shop. The set they had in use had been used and abused over the years. They figured that before putting them out to pasture that the wheels deserved a shot of Gibbs. What required every hand on deck to move a car is now a one man job. Guess who that one man was? Only five guess and the first four don't count.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A surprising use for Gibbs

I received a call from a customer a couple weeks ago that really surprised me. I have learned that new uses for Gibbs are the norm not the exception. This one set me back on my heels. Never thought that this would be a use for Gibbs.

The customer was in need of some Gibbs quickly. OK, no problem. When do you need it by. A week from Wednesday. OK, we can do that without a problem. He went on to state that he wanted the Gibbs to be waiting in their shop when they returned from the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Bonneville Salt Flats, get out of dodge. Your kidding me. He went on to say that it was a very effective way to remove the salt that gets caked up under and around the car. In our conversation he said that all he could score at the salt flats was an empty can so he could have my contact information.

I would have never thought that Gibbs would be a key part of a Bonneville speed run.

Got the order together and off it went. It was there when they came back from the salt flats.

I received a call a few days later from a fellow that had just returned from Bonneville and noticed that people were using Gibbs on their machines. He had ran his motorcycle and wanted to stop the corrosion from the salt. He was told by others that Gibbs was what he needed to stop the oxidation and preserve his machine. Order was packed and sent on it's way.

I have customers that use Gibbs on their sliding glass doors in S. Carolina. Being on the ocean they were having problems with the rollers getting corroded and the doors being a struggle to open. What good is it to have a beautiful ocean view from the deck when you can't get the door open to enjoy it.

I understood the need with the salt air but Bonneville. I would have never guessed that. I am never surprised by the uses people find for Gibbs. I always say to think out of the box when it comes to Gibbs.

A friend was sharpening his wife's kitchen cutlery and using Gibbs to lube his sharpening stone. He got some Gibbs on a handle and when he wiped it off it gave the handle a rich deep color. He showed his wife and she was all for him treating all the handles in the set. He put it on and let it set for awhile. He then rubbed it off and the deep rich finish has held up now for almost a year. These knives are not put in the dishwasher. They are rinsed and cleaned after each use then returned to the storage block. I am never surprised by the uses for Gibbs.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Forge Invitational Muscle Car Show


I was invited to The Forge Classic. Held on September 25-26. It is an invitational muscle car show held in Kingsport TN. It is an indoor show held at the Meadowview Resort and Convention Center. Holding a show indoors has it's advantages. The major one being that we were dry and comfy when the storms came into the area. This was the weekend after Atlanta was almost drowned by severe rain storms.
I was asked by the organizer of the show, Tim Lopata, to bring the yellow 1970 1/2 Falcon to the show. This is an invitational show. This was my fourth year being invited to the show. I have had the white Falcon there twice and now the yellow Falcon has made it second appearance at the show. It is a purely display show. No awards for the participants. Just an opportunity to spend some time looking over some of the most remarkable cars ever collected in one place. The best part of the meet for me is to meet the owners of these fantastic cars. Hearing the history behind the car is worthy of a Hollywood block buster to say the least.

All brands were represented. A fellow brought a couple of his AMC cars to the show. Seeing a Rebel and Machine sitting next to one another is a real treat. There wasn't one car there that I would not have loved to take home for a short term rental. Hemi, Super Cobra Jets, Yenko, Superbirds, you name it they were there. check out their web site. http://www.forgemusclecarshow.com/

An additional treat was a performance by the J4 group. This is a group of siblings that have more musical talent in their little finger than I have in my whole body. After we feasted on some fantastic Bar B Que, the Bluff City kids got into their act. They had won a competition on the Early Show Singing Family Face Off. They range in age for 7 to 16. To top it off they switch instruments and vocals. They were spotted by Tim Lopata at a Bristol NASCAR event. He invited them to play for us. It worked out well as they were returning to the set of The Early Show the next Tuesday. This gave them a chance to practice in front of a live group. Needless to say by the end of their set everyone was on their feet swaying and clapping to the music.

The name J4 got me wondering. Yep, each member of the groups first name starts with J. Hey, if they needed a back up singer this J would have fit right in. I can see it now the J4 and one old no talent J. Naw, don't think it would work. Being there to see and hear them perform was a real bonus and treat. It made the week end all the more memorable.http://www.j4fans.com/


Saturday, September 12, 2009

Out for a drive

Took the 1970 1/2 Falcon out for a spin yesterday. Yipes, I haven't had it out in awhile and what a ride it is. The 4:30 Detroit Locker works real well. Nothing like the chirping of the tires when turning a corner. Pulled out on the main road and gave it some gas. Hang on baby. It jumped for the sky and pulled like a freight train. Grab second gear and I'm pushed back in the seat again. It is worth the price of admission.

I don't think there is anything coming off the assembly line today that gives that kind of ride. The new cars have super charger whine and giga watt stereos. Handling like a slot car and conditioned air blowing in your face as you get into triple digit speeds. A sound tube bringing the sound of the air intake into to interior for you to enjoy. Why didn't they just have a recording in the radio of the air inrush that comes on at a specified engine rpm. Sorry, can't interrupt the i-Pod. Nice billet machined shift knob with the personality of a plum. Shifter throw like a light switch on the kitchen wall.

They lack the feel of 375 hp of Detroit cast iron sitting over the front wheels. The sound of air being sucked through a shaker scoop. The music of solid lifters as your pushed back in the seat hoping your eyeballs enjoy bouncing off the back of your skull. Hand on a piece of aluminum with an "H" and the shift pattern engraved into it. Take that shifter handle off the stick hold it in your hand and you can be arrested in 23 states of having an illegal weapon. But officer it is only the shift knob off my Hurst shifter. Grabbing a gear that is actually grabbing a real gear. There is actual linkage moving to stir the gears in a 39 year old American made transmission. The Detroit Locker making sure that both tires are being stripped of a thousand miles of rubber equally.

How can the sensations of slamming the pedal to the metal and being slammed back in your seat like the Hulk just punched you in the chest be explained. The feel of 375 hp at the end of your foot, ready for you to ask it to respond. A linkage to the carb that tells the motor what to do. No drive by wire here. Your input is moving throttle plates and sucking in enough air to knock the space shuttle off it's glide path. This is something that is being lost on the current generation of car people. Today's folks are adjusting injector curves on a lap top. No need to get dirty changing jets. Just fire up the HP and upload all the latest go fast software.

I can clean my carb with Gibbs. Use it as a starting fluid if needed. Do I put a drop of Gibbs on the hinges of my lap top. Will that help me go faster? Yes, it is a new day. I don't necessarily like it but I have grown to accept it. Think what I may, the forces moving the technology forward are not asking me for permission. Accept it or get out my red scooter from 1954 and roll off into the sunset. Excuse me, I have to put a little Gibbs on the wheels of my scooter. Want it to be a smooth effortless ride into the sunset.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Gibbs saves the day again.

This past Tuesday (9-1-09) was the monthly meeting of the Motor City Galaxie Club. Lead by Chester Towles of Wixom MI. This meeting was to be of interest to many as Chester had secured "Top Hat" John to be the guest speaker. "Top Hat" John AKA John Jos. Jendza III, is a local fellow that does appraisals and is an automotive historian. What makes "Top Hat" the best at what he does is that he lived the history he reports.

Before John took the floor Chester approached me to talk Gibbs. Chester is the owner of Towles Transportation. A trucking company that is equipped to meet all your hauling needs. Chester has a good number of trucks on the road at any time. With trucks comes maintenance and with maintenance comes the need for Gibbs. Chester has been a customer of mine for many years.

Chester had an issue with his drivers dropping trailers on the local roads and freeways in Southeast Michigan. When the temps drop in the winter months the moisture in the fifth wheel grease would freeze and prevent the trailer pin from being locked. Off goes the driver on his job and without warning the trailer drops off the fifth wheel. Chester received a not to friendly call from the Michigan State Police. Seems his rig had created a three mile long back up on a major freeway at rush hour. He was told in no uncertain terms that he could expect a visit from the MSP and DOT inspectors should this happen again.

Chester took a can of Gibbs and sprayed it on the grease. He then worked it in to the grease. Towles Transport has not dropped a trailer in five years.

Last week there was a hot haul waiting to go out. The tractor was in the garage for a ten minute repair before heading out on the road. Chester stops in the garage to see what the hold up was. The mechanic is getting out a cutting torch. That does not bode well for the hot haul. Chet finds out that the latch is stuck on the hood. The mechanic had used some stuff with a number in it's name and he was at his wits end. Where is the Gibbs? The mechanic said that he was out. Chet dashes back to the office and gets a couple cans. He sprayed the hood latch and two minutes later the hood was up and repairs were under way. Gibbs saved the day at Towles Transportation.

"Top Hat" took the floor and had everyone under his spell. One thing that John can do well is tell a tale. What makes his stories so interesting is that he lived what he speaks of. He didn't read it in a book and add his spin to the story. Not John, he was there and tasted it as it happened. His stories of Woodward cruising could go on for hours. He always welcomes questions from the group. It was very enlightening to hear his take on insurance companies and the need for an appraisal. Understanding full well that is what he does. He talked about the various types of insurance for covering your classic car. The one thing that I took away from John's talk was to read your policy. It can be as exciting as watching paint dry. Remember this, no matter what your friendly agent may say the policy is the legal document.

I spent some time going over my policy and noticed that it is plain as day, the car must be garaged at the address on the policy. Which in my case is my home. I got in touch with the company, agent had said I was good, to check. My cars are kept in two locations. The company had the addresses and necessary data. All is good.

John mentioned that should you say your car is in your garage, under lock and key, and something happens at a rented storage facility. It doesn't look good for the home team. Another pearl of "Top Hat" wisdom was to make sure your insurance company has a copy of your appraisal. Seems one of our local hot shoes didn't bother to send it to his company. Unfortunately for him a young driver got confused over the meaning of 'STOP' and blasted his beautiful car into a pile of twisted metal. No one was hurt fortunately. He contacted his company and I think you know how the rest of the story goes.

It was a great meeting, as usual, with good friends and fantastic Galaxie stories.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Gibbs to the rescue

Had a plumbing problem at Gibbs Central. Had some waterproofing work done a few years back. There was a torrential rain storm a couple weeks ago, lucky us. What had been dry for all these years is now wet. Call the shop that did the work.

The shop owner shows up today with a plumbing crew. He wants to snake out the drain to the sump pump. Sounds like a plan. Plumbing crew brings in the snake machine. They are fighting to get the couplings together to run the snake.

Hold the phone. Break out a can of Gibbs and tell they to give the coupling a shot. Doesn't take much. The couplings slide together without a fight. They snake the blockage. The couplings come apart without a fight. The crew left with a case of Gibbs to take back to the shop and put on their service trucks. Gibbs came through again.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Falcon Club of America National meet

The Metro Detroit Chapter of the Falcon Club of America is hosting the 2010 national meet in Dearborn Michigan. It is being billed as Falcon's Fantastic 50th... Welcome Home! It will be coming to Dearborn July 15-17, 2010.

Saturday evening there was a planning meeting and status check for the event. There are always issues that pop up and need attention. It is important that local merchants be approached for sponsorship. A donation of items to raffle or a cash contribution is always welcome to help the show. O'Reilly Auto Parts has stepped up in a big way with their sponsorship of the awards. Registration areas were discussed and the cost of the 20 X 40 foot tent was a heart stopper.

Activities for attendees to take in prior to the show were discussed. The Dearborn area is rich in Ford lore and activities. The Rouge Plant tour is at the top of the list along with a visit to the Fairlane Mansion. The mansion was the home of Henry and Clara Ford. It has been restored to it's prior glory. It is located on the southern area of the University of Michigan Dearborn Campus. The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village are a mile from the Hyatt Hotel where the show is being held. There will not be any lack of activity for attendees.

For more information on the national meet go to: http://fca2010detroit.webs.com/

Hope to see you there. I will have both my 1970 1/2 Falcons at the show.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Visit to zoo

Unfortunately no car activity other then meeting with the Metro Detroit Falcon Club for dinner. Always a good time with a great group of folks. Hadn't seen a few of the members for awhile. So we got to catch up on the latest.

The grand kids had a visit today to the Binder Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their uncle and grandfather took them to see the zoo/park. Nice day for a zoo visit. Weather was great and the animals were out and about. They have a Africa theme to the park. Saw some very interesting animals. They have placards to help you understand the animal your seeing. They are not in cages. They are in a more natural setting. Reminded me of the St. Louis Zoo.

Kids fed a couple giraffes. They have a long tongue.

Look out Gene Simmons.

The petting area was nice also.

Overall a nice enjoyable day.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Visitors from across the big pond

Had a visit today from a couple of car nuts from Norway. They were here for the SAAC convention in Mars, PA. That was 8-6 thru 8-9. They then went to Toronto and back to Motown for the Dream Cruise. Their tour guide and friend Tom brought them over to my house this afternoon to talk about detailing stamps for their '68 Shelby GT 500. I had met them at the Woodward Dream Cruise. They had a chance to look over my 1970 1/2 Falcon 429 SCJ that I brought to the cruise.

The European American car lovers are a very dedicated and intense group. They want to know everything they can about their cars.

They wanted to see where the Boss 429 Mustangs were assembled at Kar Kraft in Brighton, Michigan. The crew went on a mission and they were successful in locating the birth place of their Boss 429.

They are heading back to Norway on 8-20. Hoping they have a speedy and safe journey.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Woodward Dream Cruise Part Two


Saturday at the Dream Cruise was the best. The weather was on the warmer side. No liquid sunshine or threatening skies. Got my usual spots with the Motor City Galaxie Club. The best way to take in the cruise is with one of the groups that offer spaces for rent.

We had private potties with wash station. Also had a fantastic dish to pass lunch and dinner.

Had a chance to visit with folks from the TorinoCobra forum. Also had a chance to spend time with my buddies from Columbus Ohio. We manage to meet up at the cruise. They usually come up during mid week and that is when we will cruise Woodward together.

One word discription FANTASTIC.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Woodward Dream Cruise


Went to the Woodward Dream Cruise Friday night activity. Took the 1970 1/2 Falcon. Rented space at the Royal Oak Ford Collision shop / Used Car Lot. Hot temps and cool cars. What more can you ask for. Perfect night for taking in the cruise. Returning Saturday in the am for a full day of cruising action.

Jerry O