I was walking along a back street in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, where a lot of the guys in the neighborhood look like former extras from The Sopranos. Outside Steve’s Carburetor Shop I saw a rust-colored Pontiac which immediately reminded me of CC.
In fact it was not just rust-colored, it was 100-percent rust. The paint had been meticulously and totally removed, and the model name had been rewritten as “Rattlelina.”
When I went into the office to ask if I could photograph this piece of reversed-restoration, Steve (at least, I assume it was he) offered to open the hood for me.
“How long have you owned it?” I asked. To which he replied, “I’m not sure.” After some head-scratching, he decided it had been ten years, or maybe fifteen.
So, let’s see: QQ plates and expired (02 1998) inspection sticker. Should be OK.
But, with that “Two Lane Blacktop” hood, now not sure.
NJ MVC rules say:
Historic vehicles – General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a “historic vehicle” it must be:
At least 25 years old
Must not be modified from original manufacturer specification
Specially registered and display QQ plates
So… I think that QQ-no-inspection issue may be open to interpretation.
In recent years NJ has had no inspection for cars built before 1996. Cars with “Historic” tags (25+ years old) have never required them. So as far as the 1998 inspection sticker is concerned, nothing to see here.
That’s just interesting. Are those 1 bbl carbs? Haven’t touched an automotive carb in decades. Last carb I worked on was the one on my generator.
You may have a point on the inspection issue.
Weird and likely dangerous with that huge blind spot .
-Nate
Just makes one wonder why people do the things they do! I guess it takes all kinds. At one time way back when, that was a very nice car.
A quick look suggests 3 x 2 barrel carbs on a V6 engine.
They look like 1 bbl, but most likely two bbl. It’s been forever since I worked on carburetors. Outward appearance can be confusing on GM carburetors. I remember when I first saw one of these, it seems like a waste of material!
Rochester Carburetor 2 Barrell with 4 Barrell Casting 4.9L-301
Didn’t the Quadrajet have small primaries and large secondaries?
The Rochester as well as the bigger carter’s and holleys iirc.
Back in the day a friend had a beamont with sbc tunnel ram dual quads, big cam tge usaul punk car. Had a mile high scoop on it like this. Thing was a beast. Forward and lateral visibility was dodgy at best. The drum brakes didn’t help much in the stoppage area. Great fun, but looking back, kind of dangerous. Course most of the beaters we messed with then we’re out on the edge.
How it’s going vs. how he imagined it…
If you are going to put those big boxes on the hood to make believe you are hot stuff, make them out of clear plexiglass! Then you could not only show off your “stuff’ but maybe see traffic coming from your passenger side.
Eeek! It could be worse. Just glad it’s not. My car is one heck of a ‘rattler” these days!
Why would you want to block your visibility like that? And it’s not patinated to match the rest of the car.
Okay, I get it that he runs a carby shop, but like Anthony says, why not clear plexiglass to show off his work?
That aside, wonder how it runs with that carby setup?
James :
Didja ever have one of those fun times when you completely lost the over heated drum brakes ? .
-Nate
Oh yes, a seat clenching time it was!
A couple of years later I had a 68 ss 396 impala with drums on all corners. The car was stock except for exhaust and 15″ ralley wheels. Once the brakes got warm due to over enthusiastic driving the brakes would take a vacation.
Ahh the blissful ignorance of youth.
Don’t forget stupid, ignorant and fool hardy .
I’m amazed I’m still alive after some of the shenanigans I got up to .
Coming down a mountain with zero brakes isn’t fun .
Exciting yes, but no real fun .
-Nate
The tin on the bonnet would have to go away, but other than that I like it
I have a feeling halucinogenics played a role in this.
The box on the hood is only a cover to keep the rain out. The car was going to get scrapped but we saved it with a transmission,tune up and brake job. No hallucinogenics were involved just beer. Steve