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[eastwoodco]

Eastwood offers unique automotive tools and supplies.

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Helping You Build Your Vehicle Right!

Stories about how Eastwood helps the car world!

Jul 8, 2009 - GET MAXXPOWER FROM EASTWOOD

Eastwood has been the trusted source of automotive restoration tools and supplies for more than 30 years. It has always been the place to go whenever the home hobbyist needed to fix a body panel or treat a rusty frame.

Adding to that product lineup is the new MaxxPower brand of engine accessories. Because Eastwood’s customers expect the best, MaxxPower provides just that, better performance at the best price.

First, there is the “One-Wire” alternator. Created to fit 1965-86 GM vehicles, this alternator features hi-temp electronics and windings designed to assure long life and put out a true 14.5 volts and 105 amps, developed to provide the output needed for modern electric pumps, fans, and stereo equipment. An innovative design includes late model OE equivalent components reliably providing the highest performance and output levels while allowing simple drop in replacement for traditional low-output units. Heavy-duty bearings offer vibration-free running to eliminate “throwing belts” at high rpms. Dual internal fans send cool air through the unit for longer life. With only one wire to hook up, this unit simplifies the engine bay for a clean appearance, and the unit’s distinctive casing can be easily painted or powder coated to make it look even more unique.

Next are the MaxxPower distributors. A precision machined aluminum body and steel shaft reduce vibrations and keep accurate timing to 6,500 rpm. High volt di-electric caps and rotors decrease the chances of “cross fire.” A high-performance, able to supply up to 50,000 volts, or OE equivalent versions are available for 1955-80 Chevrolet V8 engines.

And how can you forget the starter? High-torque 1.7kw starters are available for both Chevrolet and Ford applications. Included with both applications, high-temp solenoids and windings, high-torque permanent magnets, and extended run-life carbon brushes combine to create among the finest starters on the market. Compatible with engines up to 12.5:1 compression, these MaxxPower units even feature a best-in-class price.

Made from 100% new components, the MaxxPower line has been designed with the modern engine builder in mind. Whether the need is to start it, ignite it, or charge it, MaxxPower provides the answer. And Eastwood is there to back it.

The Eastwood Company markets unique tools and supplies for repair, restoration, and modification of cars trucks and motorcycles. Founded in 1978, Eastwood recently introduced affordable soda blasting equipment and ceramic chassis paints to the home hobbyist and the company constantly strives to find and develop new products to serve this market. For more information on The Eastwood Company, their products, or to request a free copy of their full-color catalog, go to www.eastwood.com.

6:19 am | Categories: restoration, repair, antiques, classic cars, ford, chevrolet, eastwood
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Jan 23, 2008 - It's a fixer-upper

There were two auctions this weekend that showed the two extremes of the car hobby.

First was the Barrett-Jackson auction from Scottsdale, Arizona. The cars coming across the block there were amazing in their quality and, for some, their price. When a Plymouth, a basic brand, brings six- and seven-figure prices at an auction, you understand that there's been a shift in the hobby. It wasn't too long ago that only the rarest of the pre-war classics and the most exotic post-war sports cars sold in their prices. Brands like Ferrari, Bugatti, Duesenberg, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac were the top of the automotive food chain. Today, the cars bringing the highest prices have much more common brand names like Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge.

This evolution shows that people in the old car hobby are quite dynamic. But they all require the skills and the tools (or the money to pay people with those two things) to bring "regular cars" to show quality levels. Even if you're just aiming to make a great car for yourself (as opposed to a million-dollar prime-time showcase at Barrett-Jackson), you need the right tools. And the right car.

Which brings me to the second auction.

Saturday morning, a small local car museum sold their collection. Parts by the thousands and cars by the dozens were on display for the buying public to appraise.

The musuem's curator must have had an affinity for small cars because many of these vehicles were among the smallest of the small. A few pre-war Fords, including two woody wagons, balanced out the tiny post-war European cars from Italy and Germany. Even the Austin-Healey Sprites (seven of them) look large next to the Honda 600 Coupe or Isetta 360.

Many of the vehicles were "restorable" but all of them would have taken quite a bit of work to get them just drivable. Had you attended, you could have had two 1967 Minis for less than $1,000, combined. How about Austin-Healey "bugeye" Sprites ranging from $715 to $2,400? And a handful of Volkswagens (Bugs and Buses) ranging from $110 to $770.

Those vehicles may have looked like bargains from the prices, but condition actually tells the story better...and they were rough.

On the other hand, the least expensive Isetta sold for just over $3,000 and the most expensive more than doubled that price. A medium "hit-and-miss" motor sold for $7,700. And the pre-war Fords brought the big bucks with a '29 Model A woody wagon bringing a modest $6,050, a '22 Model T woody wagon fetching $9,900, a '38 convertible commanding $14,300, and the '39 woody wagon topping the auction with a price of $47,300.

These aren't the prices found in Scottsdale, but these aren't the vehicles or the conditions found in Scottsdale either. Perhaps when the new owners of these vehicles get them restored, they'll send us some pictures so that we can share them with you.

8:08 am | Categories: restoration, repair, antiques, classic cars, scottsdale, ford, chevrolet, honda, model a, model t, woody, isetta, eastwood, plymouth, mercedes-benz, duesenberg, bugatti, dodge, cadillac, auction
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Jan 8, 2008 - In Anticipation of Car Show Season

It's a beautiful day here in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The sun shines through the leaf-less trees and the air temperature makes you think that spring is just around the corner. People driving their convertibles around with the tops down only helps complete the image.

But reality sets in and you remember that it's only the first week in January...winter has yet to really start. We're only three and a half weeks away from Punxsutawney Phil's annual weather prognostication and we haven't even pulled out the shovels yet.

All of this anticipation makes us even more anxious for the start of the car show season. The world's automakers are preparing to show their new wares in Detroit but we are looking for the cars that some individual has made their own. Car shows in places like Carlisle and Charlotte, Englishtown and Daytona, Hershey and Scottsdale...and many other towns and cities around North America.

These cars demonstrate the personality of the builder. Watching shows on TV where they custom build six- and seven-figure cars is great...but seeing what one person (and probably a spouse and some kids) can do to a Model A or a '55 Chevy or a Willys coupe or even a Honda Civic is something else entirely. The talents in these people are right there on display with paint so deep you can almost dive into it or engines so powerful that tires can just melt away with the press of the accelerator. These are show cars! And these are car shows!

Now if we could just get the weather to cooperate. Spring Charlotte is the first Eastwood car show of the year. That show starts March 31. That's 82 days away!!! C'mon...spring can't get here fast enough!

2:17 pm | Categories: restoration, repair, tuner cars, street rods, hot rods, antiques, classic cars, carlisle, hershey, scottsdale, charlotte, daytona, ford, chevrolet, honda, civic, model a, willys, eastwood, car shows, show cars
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Jan 2, 2008 - Winter Projects

The new year is here and winter has just begun. We're in the business of helping people get the right tools to work on their vehicles, so both New Year's Day and winter are important to us.

First, New Year's Day comes with resolutions. It's when we sit down and look over all that we've done and not done and propose to change things. Along with many other people who have project cars, I've decided to make working on my vehicles a priority in 2008. Getting started is going to be my first problem, but I'm going to do it!

Second, with winter comes lots of time indoors to work on the various projects that have been pushed to the back burner all summer. It would make sense that those new resolutions would coincide with the increased time in and around the house and garage...so we can get cracking.

I, personally, have two projects that I want on the road when the weather turns warm. My little roadster needs some serious attention but the two-wheeler is closer to being road-worthy (and with rising gas prices, it might make the better choice for my daily commute).

Those of us who live in the more northern areas have only a relatively short time to enjoy the open road. So taking the off-months to repair, replace, and repaint that old project will be rewarded in the spring.

What are you working on this winter? How long have you been working on it? What do you plan to get accomplished this year?

I'll post some stories and pictures of the Eastwood project vehicles in upcoming weeks.

1:29 pm | Categories: restoration, repair, tuner cars, street rods, hot rods, antiques, classic cars
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Aug 3, 2007 - 2007 Thunder Rally

2007 East Coast Thunder Rally

Open House (Eastwood Company), Car Show, and Food Drive
Saturday, September 8, 2007, 10am-3pm?
At The Eastwood Company, 263 Shoemaker Road, Pottstown, PA

Help raise 10,000 lbs of food for Pottstown

• EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL CARS, TRUCKS & CYCLES… CLUBS & INDIVIDUALS!!!
• REGISTRATION FEE = 10LBS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD!!! OR $10.00 DONATION…
• SPECTATORS: PLEASE BRING @ LEAST 1 NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM FOR DONATION…
• CAR CLUBS: PLEASE CALL KEITH @ 610-323-9099 OR E-MAIL IN ADVANCE w/ CAR COUNT!!!
• GOODIE BAGS!!! DASH PLAQUES!!! DOOR PRIZES!!!
• 50/50 RAFFLE!!!  PROCEEDS DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE CHARITY!!!
• AWARDS FOR TOP 3 CLUBS WHO DONATE THE MOST FOOD!!! PLUS… FUN & UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS!!!
• DOOR PRIZES EVERY HOUR!!! AWARDS TO BE GIVEN @ 2:30PM…
• SPECIAL ATTRACTION VEHICLES!!! RACE CAR SIMULATOR GAME!!!
• FOOD VENDORS, DJ, FACE PAINTING, ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS!!!
• “TENT SALE” w/ GREAT DEALS & SUPER DISCOUNTS TO CELEBRATE THE EVENT!!!
• FOR MORE INFO, E-MAIL ThunderRally@eastwood.com OR VISIT www.eastwood.com FOR SHOW UPDATES!!!

RAIN DATE: 9/22/07

5:56 am | Categories:
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