By Bill Thorpe
After a long winter’s hibernation, the awakening of car enthusiasts from all over central Indiana was evident April 8 as an estimated 300-plus drivers brought their show cars to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s cars and coffee event. Porsches, Lamborginis, Corvettes and Jaguars were all well represented.
One gentleman I spoke with from Noblesville was exceptionally proud of his 2014 Camaro, which he just got back after having Lingenfelter Industries in Decatur, Ind., do engine improvements over the winter. He had them install a supercharger that boosted his power output to more than 700 horsepower. With this modification the car required a new exhaust system, larger radiator, stronger engine mounts, new electronic control module and heavy-duty belts and pulleys among many other things too numerous to mention. In the end he shared that the $16,000 was well spent. I assumed – correctly – that he was single.
Another favorite was a 1941 Graham Hollywood. The sign on the window indicated that the model was made from 1940-41 and had a production run of just 1,859 cars. It came with an in-line six-cylinder engine producing 124 horsepower; they sold new for $1,250.
On a sad note, museum officials indicated that if drivers insist on doing burnouts at the end of the show, they will cancel the rest of the events for the summer. So let’s all be mindful that we are fortunate to have such a place to go and celebrate our cars without paying an admission fee to enter the venue.
Until next time, happy cruisin’!
After a long winter’s hibernation, the awakening of car enthusiasts from all over central Indiana was evident April 8 as an estimated 300-plus drivers brought their show cars to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s cars and coffee event. Porsches, Lamborginis, Corvettes and Jaguars were all well represented.
One gentleman I spoke with from Noblesville was exceptionally proud of his 2014 Camaro, which he just got back after having Lingenfelter Industries in Decatur, Ind., do engine improvements over the winter. He had them install a supercharger that boosted his power output to more than 700 horsepower. With this modification the car required a new exhaust system, larger radiator, stronger engine mounts, new electronic control module and heavy-duty belts and pulleys among many other things too numerous to mention. In the end he shared that the $16,000 was well spent. I assumed – correctly – that he was single.
Another favorite was a 1941 Graham Hollywood. The sign on the window indicated that the model was made from 1940-41 and had a production run of just 1,859 cars. It came with an in-line six-cylinder engine producing 124 horsepower; they sold new for $1,250.
On a sad note, museum officials indicated that if drivers insist on doing burnouts at the end of the show, they will cancel the rest of the events for the summer. So let’s all be mindful that we are fortunate to have such a place to go and celebrate our cars without paying an admission fee to enter the venue.
Until next time, happy cruisin’!