If you could can OCS (old car smell) you could make a fortune! Minus the mouse piss and rat crap of course!
I’ve been toying with the idea of collecting the dust off old cars, canning it, and selling it to folks who are obsessed with “barn find” cars. Could join forces here.
Hello, I used to think the aroma of the grilled Teriyaki marinated steaks were the best smell in the world. Then it was fresh bread just out of the oven at the local Weber’s Bread Company. Then our hot rod adventures started and the aroma of fuel being burned from those hot rods and race cars blasting away from the starting was enticing. How could something so potent as to explosions and fire be so attractive? No, I am not the “local firestarter…” But, just a kid with a movie camera taking films between wrenching on my brother’s fast 58 Impala at first, then the long extensive build and racing with the 671 SBC motor in our 40 Willys Coupe build. When we smelled the burning fuel coming out of some of the race cars, it was sight unseen, instantly recognizable. Jnaki As we were little kids walking across the farmer’s field towards the actual Lion’s Dragstrip property, the whiff in the air of “fuel” burning was different to say the least. At first we thought it was the same stuff our dad put in his Buick sedans. ( Ha! If only…) But, as we got closer the return road, it was now evident what was making that aroma that flew by us as fast as the west winds blew it by. So, getting our fill of the fuel burning aroma was a tale to tell our other friends, that had no clue as to what was making those loud sounds coming from the western border of our Westside of Long Beach. Then when we got close up and our eyes started watering, we knew in an instant. Note: Many years later when all of the fuel drag racers were making some outrageous timed runs, and drag racing was no longer for the ordinary guy with a modified 40 ford + SBC power, it was still a thing to recognize when it was in the air. I was invited to the original grand opening event for the Lion’s Dragstrip Museum and in the warehouse facility was busting out with hot rod history. To give the old drag racers invited to this first time event, they had a giant rear parking lot that was full of current builds with powerful running motors using fuel for power. The sound was outrageous and the most notable thing was that my nose could instantly smell the aroma and that my eyes were watering, standing a few feet away. Talk about instant recognition from the way back time machine… YRMV Thanks, JB... Countdown to the start: Magicar start up and "daylight" flames definite aroma An old favorite was also there for the cackle.
Nitro hands down. A close second is the smell of the water box after a burn out. Race gas 4 gallons mixed with a gallon of Witch’s Brew/and top oil is a close 3rd.
more heliarcing this morning wishbone mounts also cleaning up guffy's quad al for the crown point show
Permatex Aviation Gasket Maker. Nuff’ said. Mods please shut this thread down as we have officially found the most perfectest scent in the garage
You forgot the smell of a pile of leaves burning. They outlawed that years ago but I made a pile when my kids were young and set fire to it just so I could trigger the memory in my brain and so the kids could experience it. Kids couldn't figure out why I had the huge smile on my face. Andy
That’s made me smile. That’s the smell of my father. Permatex, kerosene and septone pink hand cleaner. Cheers, Harv
I can't say that carburetor cleaner is a smell I love but it sure brings back memories of simpler times. I had been in our small town NAPA parts store pretty regularly when walking home from grade school as I would pester the parts guy for the latest decals they would have for free in a box on the counter, never got past the front counter but there was always an unfamiliar smell coming from the machine shop in back. This memory was rekindled some years later after moving to another town when I was fifteen, my first car was a 61 Impala with a 348 and it needed a new generator, went to the local NAPA store and was told to go around back and ask their machinist if he had one as he did some rebuilding, walking in there, noticed that familiar smell, though extremely strong, it was sort of intoxicating for this teenage gearhead. Flash forward to about a month ago, I had a rebuilt engine put in my Silverado and half way home I turned on the heater and not sure why but I got a blast of that strong carburetor cleaner smell, lasted nearly a week, it did dissipate eventually, was kind of sorry but my wife sure wasn't.
The cats at "Wheel of Time" took the grease/ grime /dirt mixture that fell of a bike they did, and used it on a newly painted replacement muffler to make it look old, in keeping with the bike's appearance.
Fresh coffee getting ground at the mom & pop super market in town brings me back to when I was a kid and my grandmother would take me with her to the A&P to help her grocery shop in the '63 T-bird. I smelled it this morning. Dad gave it to my sister just before he past ,390 2 barrel single exhaust 38k original miles and it's all factory except tires. That's his 8 car garage .His '59 Fleetwood too!when I smashed up my 65 stang in high school she let me drive it for 3 weeks "chicks dig it" lol
We had a small A&P in the early 1960's my Mom had a new '61 Ford 4 door hardtop. Just checked the old tin Eight O'clock bank....empty.
Methanol fumes! Either from an injected small block or from a Blizzard 340 cc engine, if you could get it fired at 10 degrees F. Loved that Castrol Nitro Blend oil also
I hate using it but a freshly opened can of bondo is one of the best smells there is. The smell of paint cooking off a newly broken in engine. Even my wife likes that smell but it only lasts for a very short time. Race fuel.
The best smell IMO, Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. The worst, death smell of burnt engine oil back in the day when taking the cap off the dry sump oil tank, made my wallet twitch. I do like the smell of alcohol burning race engines, the smells, noise, dirt, dust of dirt open wheel racing still can give me goose bumps. Goose bumps story, took my wife of 41 years now 45 years together to a race on our first date, I was not racing that night, she noticed I got goose bumps watching, asked what's that about, my answer, I'm a raceaholic, she said, I can give you goose bumps, she did and rest is history.
Reading this thread sure brings back memories! For me, my Grandfather’s shed, old tools, penetrating oil, leaded gas, and especially a heavily oiled tarp that covered his old SBC race boat engine, I’d pull the tarp back and just stand there staring at that engine for a good long while - dreaming about what I’d have when I could drive. WOW thanks guys! Dan
The Jalopy Journal
