Nose Art Finalized...

We've finalized the nose art for the '65 Mustang Fastback custom project. No, we haven't changed our style and decided to paint some ridiculous billboard on the hood of the car. We will keep with the understated theme by appying it, with black laquer and silver leaf, to the custom aluminum radiator fan shroud.

Ford Thermostat Housings...

While I'm on the subject of radiator hose clamps, I thought it would be a good time to add my thoughts on thermostat housings. With custom engine and radiator applications, it's sometimes difficult to find a thermostat housing that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I ran into this problem during a current build. Not being satisfied with what was available at local parts stores and speed shops, I did a little research and found a company that makes absolutely bulletproof stainless steel thermostat housings: Performance Stainless Steel (http://performancesst.com/home.php).They manufacture swivel head housings made from 304 stainless, available in either natural or polished finish. The price is a little steep at about $145.00, but the lifetime guarantee and quality of the product justify the price. I purchased a swivel head, and was a bit skeptical about whether or not it would leak. After adjusting it to the correct direction and installation, I was actually a bit surprised to find that it worked flawlessly with absolutely no leaks whatsoever. They are definitely doing something right. The housings are available through their website and through Summit.

Radiator Hose Clamps...

Today's topic is radiator hose clamps. Until performing a little research today, the only radiator clamps on the market seemed to be either the very cheap and ineffective worm screw type:

the slightly more effective t-clamp type:

0r the very expensive and over-engineered (calm down...I mean over-engineered for standard muscle car applications) Wiggins "clam" style clamps:

During the build, I initially decided upon stainless steel t-clamps. However, the clamp on the upper radiator hose developed a very small "hissing" leak. Not enough to spew coolant onto the floor, but enough to cause a small drip and major annoyance. No amount of tightening will fix the problem. So, I began searching for an alternative to my only other option-a Wiggins clamp. I found these Gates Powergrip heat sensitive thermoplastic clamps, which are installed using a standard heat gun:

Because the entire clamp shrinks, they are said to provide a dynamic seal, as opposed to the uneven seal prone to binding that traditional clamps offer. Moreover, when the engine reaches operating temperature, it fortifies the clamp's seal. I have decided to give them a try. I will add another post after the installation is complete, letting you know whether they are a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down."

"Bomb Thumper" 1948 Matchless 500cc Single...

This was our first Matchless motorcycle build: "Bomb Thumper." It was completed in 2005, and is basically a 1948 Matchless 500cc single with slight engine, paint and exhaust modifications, and the addition of "le mans" style bars. When we acquired it in 2004, the bike was in original, unrestored condition, and was pretty rough after sitting in a shed on a farm in Oregon for many years. The obsessive-compulsive owner had retained the original owner's manual, spare lights, tool kit and multiple parts, making the bike a rare find. He had driven the motorcycle weekly, around the farm, for many years. He actually acquired the motorcycle in, what at the time was, an "even trade" for his Indian motorcycle. The owner of the Matchless had beaten him in a race in the California desert in 1953. The owner's family sold the bike after the owner, who loved the bike dearly, developed Alzheimer's disease and crashed it into his woodshed. Before his disease progressed to a severe state, he was smart enough to cover most of the vehicle's parts in thick grease, preventing rusting of the parts while the bike was stored in his shed. We felt honored to bring this bike back to life.

"Re-Charged" Paxton Supercharged 1965 Mustang Fastback...

This was our first Mustang Fastback build: "Re-Charged." It was completed in 1997, and is basically a 1965 GT350S replica. We added the '66 Shelby side windows, because we prefer them to the louvers. Some other '66 Shelby items were added to the vehicle as well. Paxton supercharged 289 mated to a Borg Warner T-10. 450 hp.

Genesis of Black Market Motors...

The question I am asked most often is: "Why did you choose the name Black Market Motors for your shop? It sounds sinister...like it's a place you shouldn't be..." My usual answer is: "You are right...it is a place you shouldn't be, so take a hike and don't let the door hit your ass on the way out." I say that because people who have to ask that question will never get it, so why take the time explaining it?

Builders of performance vehicles were once treated as outlaws-deviants who preferred to spend their days tucked in engine compartments, inventing new ways to increase horsepower and speed. They were a misunderstood few who chose to follow their inner-calling, rising and falling each day with dreams of performance. They were proud of their ability to design, build and race their own vehicles, and honed their skills in the black markets and underground forums of America-places where they were revered for their talents.

Today, these men have been obscured by builders who prefer to spend the majority of time concentrating their focus on form, to the detriment of function. You have seen their work. They believe the quality of a vehicle is measured by the amount of chrome under its hood and the size of its rims. They will never see what we see.
Black Market Motors was my reaction to these influences that I believe threaten the very foundation of true performance vehicle fabrication. Welcome to my symphony. It's a place for the outlaws, the miscreants and misunderstood builders of yore. Welcome to the glory days. Where Black Market Motors regin king!

The City of Corona's Motorsports Roots...

It would be impossible to grow up in the City of Corona without being affected by the strong motorsports influence that pervades the town. No, Corona is nothing like Daytona, Indianapolis or Monterey. But, for a small town, it has a surprisingly rich motorsports heritage. The earliest roots are steeped in Corona's stage as the site of the Corona 300-mile Road Race in the early 1900's. Grand Avenue, which at one time circumscribed the entire town, was the 3-mile track that hosted such legends as Earl Cooper and Terrible Teddy Tetzlaff. The town has grown quite a bit since the early 1900's, but Grand Avenue remains.
The WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker, shown below, even ran the race:


The race ran several years, from 1913 to 1916. After a few high-profile fatalities, because of Grand Avenue's unbanked curves, the race was eventually moved to an alternate location. The April 8, 1916, New York Times quotes, "Bob Burman of Detroit, noted automobile racer; his mechanician, Eric Schroeder of Chicago, and a track guard are dead tonight as a result of the overturning of Burman's car in the Corona road race here today. Five spectators were injured, several seriously."

Because the track was dirt, drivers were required to wear masks that funneled filtered air:

Amazingly, some drivers were able to make the 300 mile race without a single stop:

Riverside International Raceway, in operation from 1957 until 1989, was home to several classic showdowns involving such drivers as AJ Foyt, Ken Miles, Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, and was also the place Carroll Shelby chose for the first test drives of the 1965 Shelby GT 350. It was just a few miles down the road from Corona:

Several scenes from the Steve McQueen film Grand Prix were shot at the Riverside Raceway:
There was also the "Corona Raceway": home to a tight 1/4 mile dirt track, a 1/2 mile dirt track, a figure 8 dirt track, and an off road coarse that went throughout the whole place. The raceway closed in the mid-1980's.

Corona is also the home to several motorsports companies, such as Pro Circuit Racing, Eibach Springs, Troy Lee Designs, Barry's Speed Shop, West Coast Customs, Gibson Exhaust, and Monster Energy Race Team just to name a few. In addition, the Auto Club Speedway, host to several Nascar and other motorsports events, and the Pomona Raceway, are just a few miles down the road, in Fontana and Pomona, respectively.