Classic and modern cars gathered in the lot at Craft B&B (2658 Grand Ave) for the first Cars and Coffee event Saturday. The event offered a place for car enthusiasts to gather and free coffee from MoAV Coffee.
In addition to the weekly gatherings from 10 a.m. to noon, the group plans on a monthly event to raise money for local non-profits, and 10 percent of sales from Craft B&B, Cadillac Jax and Peppers will be donated, according to organizer Dallas Sluder.
General Motors launched this high performance family car in 1964 by chief designer David North, now retired and living in Billings, Montana. This car was to provide the excitement we needed in the '60s at a time when our boys and girls were returning from a very unpopular war. The 60s proved to be the start of the true muscle cars. The cost of a car was a big factor, about $.87 per pound compared to $10.78 today. For our returning men and women from overseas it was a car that they could afford. If you wanted a GTO equipped the way you wanted it, no problem. You could add the following to your basic car: floor shifter, 389 cid V-8, quick steering, stiff shocks, dual exhaust and premium tires all for about $300. A 4 speed gear box $188, Metallic brake lining, heavy-duty radiator and a no-slip rear end $75. Some people referred the Ferrari to the GTO, the Ferrari cost $20,000 and the Pontiac GTO $3,800. In a drag race the GTO would be the winner, the down side would be it would lose on a road course. When the '66 came out, the body had been extended 3 inches, the rear fenders had a "coke bottle" appearance along with smoother body lines. Vertical head lights would remain until the '67 production year. These cars have long been the choice for the serious car enthusiast who wants quality, styling and true performance for all occasions. Another important factor, as the family grew you did not have to deprive your self of your dream machine.
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Montana Introduces Bill to Expand Single License Plate Usage
Encourage support from lawmakers on this pro-hobby proposal:
(H.B. 266) has been introduced in Montana that would allow all vehicles 25 model years old or older to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. Current law only permits the display of a single rear-mounted plate for motor vehicles registered as a street rod or custom vehicle. The bill currently awaits consideration in the House Transportation Committee.
Lawmakers Must Hear from You Right Away!
Montana Introduces Legislation to Reduce Motor VehicleRegistration Renewals Encourage support from lawmakers on this pro-hobby proposal: SAN-supported legislation (H.B. 272) has been introduced that would allow Montana’s motor vehicle owners the option of moving the registration cycle from an annual requirement to an optional cycle of up to 5 years by paying the appropriate fees in lieu of tax or registration fees. The choice to register for additional years beyond the current annual requirement would not be mandatory. The bill currently awaits consideration in the House Transportation Committee. Lawmakers Must Hear from You Right Away!
Car shows have been few and far between this year, but the true car buffs have been out and strutting their stuff.
Please enjoy these photos!
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START YOUR ENGINES: Re-created Dream Cars Will Finally Roar to Life After Long-Awaited Approval!
Automotive Community Celebrates Expanding Replica Market with Implementation of Landmark Federal Law
Following years of frustration, fully-functional tribute vehicles will soon roam the nation’s roads after finally receiving the government’s green light for assembly! For the first time ever, brand-new reproductions of sought-after legends will be available as turn-key cars and trucks resembling those made at least 25 years ago. A slew of unique and highly anticipated models await completion—classics included range from 1930s roadsters to 1970s muscle cars, exotic sports cars to rare SUVs among others. Manufacturers can begin production of completed replicas in addition to offering assembly kits now that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized a regulation.
In 2015, the U.S. Congress enacted a milestone bill into Federal law led by the SEMA Action Network (SAN), which streamlined requirements for small automakers. To the dismay of many, implementation was delayed years while awaiting the regulations. After receiving necessary guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), SEMA sued NHTSA in October 2019 to require the agency to issue regulations allowing the law to take effect. Purchase of newly-built re-creations will be possible in the coming months once replica car businesses have operations up and running.
“SEMA applauds NHTSA’s final rule allowing companies to market classic-themed cars,” said SEMA President and CEO Christopher J. Kersting. “Regulatory barriers have previously prevented small automakers from producing heritage cars for eager customers. The roadblocks have been eliminated. Companies will be able to hire workers, start making necessary parts and components, and produce and sell completed cars.”
The milestone replica car law and implementing regulations allow a low volume manufacturer to construct up to 325 such replica cars a year, each resembling those produced at least 25 years ago. Until now, the U.S. had just one system for regulating automobiles which was designed for companies that mass-produce millions of vehicles. The new program recognizes the unique challenges faced by companies that produce a small number of custom cars. Enthusiasts still have the option to build a car from a kit along with the opportunity to purchase a completed, turn-key replica.
Congratulations and thank you to all who have contacted government officials in support of this historic effort!
~ CMYRYDThanks you for supporting Classic Cars ~
Mojo 92.5 We can make any car sound better !
Dan & Jeanette Koch '53 FORD F100
Randash Auto
Billings Window &Door
Jim & Tracy'sAlignment & Auto Sales
K-9Cottage Pet Grooming
Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting
Cy-CORP TRAILER
BodyWorks *Tattoo & Piercing
2nd Shift BAR & CASINO
BUD LIGHT Intermountain Distributing
A+ ELECTRIC MOTOR, Inc.
ENGRAVEABLESCustom Laser
FIREPLACECenter
Four Aces Lounge
Nickels Casino & Liquor Store
PRO AUTO SOUND & Security
slumberland FURNITURE
Pixie TUTUS
Lucky Cuss BAR & CASINO
DISCOUNT TIRE
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Stones & Bones A Lapidary, Jewelry & more
The PITA PIT
MASTER LUBE
Is YOUR show on CMYRYD's Car Show List for "2021"
Send us your cruise night or car show information. Just fill out the block on event page and hit send. We will try to have your event posted in 24 hours.
U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Commemorate Route 66 Memorial
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to create a commission that would recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act,” S. 1014, creates a 15-person commission with representatives appointed by the president of the United States based on recommendations from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. House and Senate Republican and Democrat leaders and the Governors of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The bill provides the commission with two years from the time that each member is appointed to make recommendations to Congress for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The commission may recommend the production of various written materials, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works, commemorative memorabilia and celebrations to commemorate Route 66’s storied history.
A similar version of this bipartisan bill, H.R. 66, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 by a margin of 393 to 22. Because there are minor differences between the two bills, the next step will be for the House to take up S. 1014.
Did you Know...
There are over 15,000 classic and collectible cars in the Billings area, and thousands more statewide.
In an average year, Billings hosts over 100 car shows...large and small.
CMYRYD is Montana's only source for dates and schedules for car shows and events throughout the state.
Make sure your car show or event is listed on CMYRYD. Go to the Events Page to register.
Radial Versus Bias-ply Tires and What Those Tire Numbers Really Mean
by Les Roth
Today’s radial tires are a wonder of modern engineering. In the late 1800’s bias-ply tires were used on bicycles. They were used on automobiles from the 1900’s to the late 1960’s. Then in 1969, radial-ply tires were introduced. The radial tire was a major improvement over the old bias–ply construction. They rolled easier and improved handling and gas mileage. The old bias-ply tires were more flexible and seemed to follow ruts in the roadway. Bias-ply tires have belts that criss-cross the tire while radial belts loop across the tire.
If you own a classic car with wheels designed for bias-ply tires, mount radial tires on those rims at your own risk. Those rims were designed for bias-ply tires only. Too many classic owners have found they lost wheel covers and even worse, had major blow-out and control issues with their car when they used radials on bias rims. Remember, radial tires are designed to be mounted only on wheels designed for radial tires.
Ever wonder what all those confusing numbers on the sidewall of your tires really mean? What you are looking at is an alphanumeric system that describes your tire and its performance characteristics. Let’s use tire size P225/70R16 100S as our example:
In the above tire size the first letter indicates the type of tire and its intended use. The “P” indicates the tire is a metric size used primarily on passenger vehicles. You can also find tires with other letter designations. They include LT (Light Truck Metric), C (Commercial), ST (Special Trailer Service) and T (Temporary Spare),
Then the numbers 225 following the first letter indicate the section width of the tire. The section width is defined as the widest point on the tire measured from sidewall-to-sidewall. For example, this tire has a 225-millimeter width. The rule here is the larger this number, the wider the tire. And remember, this number is the width of the tire in millimetres. If you are using tires larger than those specified for your car, be extra careful in measuring the available space. Raised lettering on a tire’s sidewall can make the difference between a scraped sidewall and a tight fit.
Following the slash, the number 70 shows the height of the tire as a percentage of its section width. The rule is...the lower the number, the lower the profile of the tire. Our number is 70 and that tells you the tire’s height is 70% of its section width.
In our example, the next letter is “R” which tells you the construction of the tire, which in this case is radial. Other designation types may include “D” for bias ply construction and “B” for belted tires, but most tires today are of radial design.
Next the number 16 that indicates the size of the wheel that the tire will fit. This number is in inches and in this case, this tire would be designed to fit a 16-inch wheel. Nowadays, you’ll find tire sizes starting at 13-inches going up to 18-inches. If you buy aftermarket tires wheel sizes can run up to 22-inches or larger.
Then comes the number 100 which tire manufacturers call load rating. This number indicates the approved load rating of that tire in the Load Index. The Load Index starts at 71 (761 pounds) and goes up to 110 which would be 2,337 pounds for passenger vehicles.
And finally comes the speed rating. Our tire speed rating is “S.” Speed ratings start at M (81-mph) and go up to Y (186-mph). In this case the “S” rating shows our tire would be rated for 112-mph.
Car Tips:
1.Drop a business card with your name on it down the window slot in case you ever have to prove ownership.
2.In the glove box, keep a few handy wipes to remove the gas odor from your hands from filling the tank.
3. Remove auto grease from hands with baking soda and water.
4.When visiting a mechanic to have a part replaced, always ask for the worn or damaged part back. This way you'll be sure it was actually replaced .
5.A radio antenna will slide up and down easier if a coat of wax is applied occasionally. Wax paper works great for this job. Rubbing the wax paper up and down the antenna will do the job.
6. Get rid of tar on your bumper with an unexpected item from your fridge ~ mayonnaise. Wipe on, wait five minutes, then easily wipe off both the mayo and the tar. "Do not use on painted bumpers"
7. Only 5 percent of cars actually run better on premium gas as oposed to regular. Check your owners manual...
