The only car in Bill Goldberg's collection that has been totally restored -- taken apart piece by piece and bolt by bolt, is a Charger (figure A). But the one that means the most to him is a 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible (figure B) that he spent about two decades building in his head. This vehicle -- which to him epitomizes the sexy, cool car of its era -- is equipped with a 426 Hemi motor (figure C), which is a "monster" motor with a hemispherically shaped combustion chamber. Of the 17 automobiles in his collection -- all of which provide him with a way to unwind and clear his head -- this is the one that makes him feel like "the luckiest guy on the planet." Auto expert Steve Magnante, of Hot Rod magazine, answers a few questions about muscle cars and about car care in general. Q: What makes a muscle car?
A: It comes down to the power-to-weight ratio. If you have a big engine or a lot of horsepower in a small or medium-size car, that is a muscle car. Q: If you're going to put your car away for a while, what can you do to make sure it's safe?
A: You have to worry about things deteriorating. - The first thing to think about is fluids. Engine oil, power-steering fluid and transmission fluid are all pretty stable; however, you never want to have plain water in the radiator. If the temperature were to drop too much while you're away, there'd be a danger that the water could freeze. Then you'd have big trouble: a cracked engine block. What you need to do is top off the radiator with at least a 50-50 mixture of water and antifreeze.
- Next, be sure the gas tank is full. If it isn't, there could be room for condensation, and the tank could rust from the inside out. Fill the tank with gas and add a fuel stabilizer so the gas doesn't turn into varnish and gum up the entire fuel system.
Web extra: More on muscle cars with Goldberg: Q: What car will you purchase next?
A: My next project is hunting down a 1973 Pontiac Trans-Am or a formula super-duty 455 car, four-speed. I've had my eye on one of those for maybe 20 years. That's one that's on my mental list that I have. Unfortunately the list is quite long, but I've got a couple of years left to obtain them, hopefully. Q: How do you define "muscle car"?
A: Everybody has their own definition of muscle cars. I think muscle cars kind of started in the late '50s. Many people may look at a '57 Chevy as a big muscle car. But I kind of center my attention on the early '70s. Q: What was your first muscle car purchase?
A: My first muscle car was a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda 440 six-pack. It was a car I always thought was cool. I thought it was the coolest-looking car of that era. Q: Where is your favorite place to drive you cars?
A: When I'm in Georgia, I love to go out in the mountain air in these cars. It's very soothing. When I'm on the West Coast, I take the cars out at sunset and go to the beach. Just a beautiful sight. Q: Do you take these cars on errands around town?
A: It is a hard choice -- no question -- when it's time to go to the grocery store. But I have limited trunk space with the Cobra. If it's 95 degrees outside, I don't want to take the convertible, because none of them have air. So I usually take the Charger. It's got a bigger trunk. Q: Where do you find these cars?
A: Everywhere I go I pick up the Hemmings, the Auto Traders and the local papers. I look at Hemmings every month when it comes through first-class mail and I try to be the first guy to make the first phone calls. It's an addiction. It's pretty sick. Q: Have you ever really opened these cars up on the road?
A: Well, it's way too dangerous. I do take these things out and test them, but I don't really go all the way. You have to respect the power. And you have to respect the law, too. Let me put that in there. Q: Do any other wrestlers collect these cars?
A: Barry Windham collects them. Stevie Ray, who wrestled with WCW, has a Corvette that he drag races. The Giant at the WWF has a couple of cars, and Hogan has a couple of cars. Q: Do you find and restore these cars yourself?
I deal with a company called Contemporary Automotive, out of Gainesville, Georgia. They've pretty much provided me with about 90 percent of my cars. They have people all around the country who spot cars for you. They've also built a couple of cars for me. Q: Have you ever raced cars?
A: Yeah, I did some street racing at the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix. And just a little FYI -- I'm crossing my fingers -- hopefully in the near future I'll be doing something with the NHRA.
RESOURCES :
The Cobra Story: A Man, His Dream and His Automobile
Author: Carroll Shelby and John Bentley
1965, Trident Press
Carroll Shelby website
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Special thanks for DIY's Classic Car Restoration -- 1968 Camaro RS
East Tennessee Camaro Club
President: Harold Pena
3710 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-633-8340
E-mail: jalpeno@worldnet.att.net
Smokey Mountain F-Bodies
Website: www.smokeymountainf-bodies.cz28.com
Coker Tires
Website: www.coker.com
Photos provided by:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Website: www.brickyard.com
Year One
Website: www.yearone.com
| 
)
)
)
