*2021 Sneak Peek
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass W31
Smothers Brothers King Olds Drag Car
Owner: Jeffrey A. Kane, Pennsylvania
MCACN 2021 Premier Unveiling Car
Being Restored by MCACN Official Sponsor Garner Customs & Restorations
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Garner Customs & Restorations Lands Incredible Oldsmobile Job
Occasionally I'll have someone tell me that all the good ones have already been found. Well, if you follow what the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show is all about, you know that isn't the case. Several weeks ago, Allan Steinbock of Garner Customs & Restorations, one of our MCACN Official Sponsors, called to tell me they were finalizing details on a car that was thought to be long gone. He wouldn't say exactly what it was, but the excitement in his voice told me it was something special!
Let's step back to the late 60's. A pair of brothers were enjoying the incredible success of their comedy career. The Smothers Brothers were known worldwide as two of the funniest guys to ever hit the stage, with their folk singing and brotherly comedic banter. Their dry and often controversial political humor would carry them to huge success. Regular television appearances and their own Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was a television staple, until several instances led to the abrupt cancellation. Remember that wild performance from The Who? (google that if you aren't familiar with it!).
Anyway, what some may not know is that Tommy and Dick Smothers were car guys. In fact, they had a real passion for drag racing, and their success would allow them to create their own Smothers Brothers Drag team. Led by Dick Smothers, they ran in Top Fuel, (with Don Garlits !), and had cars in Top Eliminator with a group of five Oldsmobile's. But wait...it gets even better! Two of the Oldsmobile's were REAL W31 convertibles. Yes...Olds did build just 26 W31 convertibles, and two of them went directly to the Smothers Brothers team! One of them, running under the King Oldsmobile name, was raced by Jim Waibel. Promptly prepped for the upcoming Pomona Nationals, Jim's wife Margaret grabbed her friend Linda, the wife of crew member Jimmy Johnson, and they spent two weeks trailering the car to California, with occasional sightseeing and shopping stops along the way. Seriously, we can't make this stuff up!
Several years ago Jeff Kane found and purchased the car directly from the Waibel family. Jeff promised to have the car restored to its former glory, and return to the NHRA Gatornationals so that Jim could see his car make another pass at a national event. After much research, he contacted the team at Garner Customs & Restorations and commissioned the restoration. Well...I am sure you know where this is going! Jeff was impressed with what he saw and what he had heard, and of course, Ken Garner is a huge Drag Racing enthusiast. His passion and commitment to quality is exactly what Jeff was looking for.
This car is already at the Garner facility in Sarasota, Florida and it is "all hands on deck". Jeff was working with Garner's exclusive chief engine builder, Bruce Ponti, who knew that the Garner crew was the perfect place to restore this gem. Stephen Minore (aka Dr./Mr. Oldsmobile!) was called in to advise, and Bruce along with business partner Rick Bedford will be restoring the complete rolling chassis including the steering and suspension, installing the engine and trans along with the rear end. The engine has already been built by Aaron Shipley, who will "dial in" the drivetrain with the Garner crew.
We are truly honored to be able to serve as the Host for the Premier Unveiling of this car at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals when we return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (SUBURBAN Chicago), Illinois in November. The cover will be pulled Saturday morning, November 20. Original team members will be joining us from across the country.
So here is yet another reason to join us. We are FULL SPEED AHEAD and no matter what make or model you like best, I can assure you we have something for you. We hope you will join us and please bring your family and friends. With our many Special and Invitational displays, Premier Unveilings, incredible Official Sponsors, the best automotive related parts and services vendors and most importantly, the best people in the hobby that love to share their passion, this will be another MUST SEE/MUST DO event, whether you are a spectator or participant.
Wishing you, your family and friends a safe and happy Memorial Day.
Let's not forget that Memorial Day is a time for honoring all of our military personnel and mourning those who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Bob Ashton
MCACN, LLC
Managing Member
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MAY COLLECTOR CAR FRAUD TIP
“
I was looking at a 56 Thunderbird”s artistic ad placard – you know ,
the ones that could make you buy a tank over a T bird!
Bullet #3 caught my attention – The owner “ Believes” the mileage is correct!
Gee, I wondered exactly why the owner “Believes” the mileage is correct
rather than the owner “knows” the mileage is correct?
The reason is simple – if he states he believes rather than he knows –
he is held to a significantly lower standard of truth in his statements if a problem arises.
Moral of the story – believe half of what you read!
Learn more at the MCACN - Collector Car Fraud Seminar to be held Nov 20/21. Brought to you by Bruce Shaw Esquire – famous motorhead and estate planning attorney.
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