Finally my UK car magazine debut with an article in Classic American, what you were expecting Top Gear. As they say On News Stands Now!
The article is on a very obscure custom car built in the late forties, early fifties called the Fitzpatrick. I was lucky enough to meet the builder when as part of the TV show I produced, we reunited him with his long lost creation, which I might add until the cameras rolled he never saw finished.
It is a great story of a car and a man. The owner, builder was Phil Lacey, a fighter pilot who started flying Mustangs in WWII, Korea, cold war nuclear armed B-57's (USAF version of the British Canberra)and finally part of the famous Doom Pussy (no I didn't make that up) squadron in Vietnam.
Mr. Lacey as a Cadet with Stearman
The car has appeared in print a few times but has been clouded in mystery. This is the first article to get the true story. I was also given access to his original drawings and photographs.
Only down side is that I wrote the article almost two years ago and it is published under my old name.
I am sure I will be sent to Coventry for the title of this post, but Lucas Prince of Darkness made me do it.
My 1972 Lincoln Mark IV is gone and in her place a green sand (hideous colour but it grows on one) 1977 Jaguar XJ-S. My new kitty is a very early model XJ-S with the non HE heads, no wood veneer interior and no chrome bumpers. I actually prefer the look of the prehistoric (pre H.E.) cars, especially with the Kent alloys which will go on the car next spring. The prior owner switched to the eighties style starfish rims.
Long term readers will remember I had an 89 Corvette powered XJS. I guess once they get into your blood…. I swore I would not buy another but this car is the most original unmolested Jaguar I gave ever seen. My father has a couple of XJ 12s and XK8s and my grandfather had an Austin 1300 in this exact colour, so it is only natural I guess.
In praise of the XJ-S. The V12 powered coupe appeared in 19751/2 and was produced through to 1996, a twenty year production run! The XJ-S is comparable to a Ferrari Daytona, a V-12 four seater capable of 140-150 mph top speeds. A girl could get in trouble with this car, heck I am counting on it.
Pictures are taken at the old Canadian head quarters of British Leyland at 4455 Fairview Street in Burlington. So far the town council has ignored my demands for a historic plaque.
In Ontario we are allowed our choice of eight letters on extra cost vanity plates, I wonder if I could get away with APLSPUSY?
carpet is moss green and leather dark cinnamon
Blaupunkt radio with electronic tuning and recording ability, in order to dictate complaints to BL?
On Sunday I bolted up the set of 20 inch KMC SS rims I used to have on my Lincoln Mark IV. Think they look pretty good but I have to revert to a regular all season 235/75R 15s once the snow begins to fly. As they were already mounted and balanced it cost me nothing but an hours labor. I have an old set of Zenith knock off wire wheels that I would like to use as a daily driver set instead of the standard steel rims and hubcaps. See photo. Problem is they need inner tubes, it seems radial inner tube are hard to come by and the few tire "experts" I have spoken to seem to know less than me.
Sorry stole the title of the blog from this way cool site: http://www.wheelsareeverything.com/ Like the photos? not retouched, love the contrast between the metallic brown T-Bird and the lemon lime leaves...psychedelic man!
The T-Bird came with a lot of spares including a new under hood pad, which I installed yesterday. Still a few problems to identify and solve but has been running well. I find the car's front end anthropomorphic, a friendly smile. Stopped by my local coffee shop last night to meet a girlfriend. Staff were taking a break outside as I cruised up in my latest ride, "wow you really love your old cars, when are you bring the white convertible out again" (59 Cadillac). I guess that makes me a regular.
Who is kidding who, hormones are truly better living through chemistry but if I want to have guys stare at my chest I am going to have to buy a pair.
Can't do anything now but I would gladly trade a Caddy or a Lincoln for a proper chest. The one on the right is a Coupe DeVille and the left is a Continental. Talk about an ice breaker ;)
Here are two new favourites, to show I just don't listen to vintage rockabilly:
