Hello, During our photo shoot days, we found out that tax breaks are a good thing. If we wanted to declare a business expense for our hot rods we used as part of our photo shoots, then it would help in the calculations. The 1965 El Camino was one that could be considered as the number 1 tax write off as we used it almost daily. 100k later, it still did not have a permanent sign on the tailgate or side of the doors. Our friendly Tax guy we knew from Long Beach was great in getting us payments back after every April 15 of those early years. We were lucky. But, the daily use of our El Camino was definitely a business expense, but we did not want a flashy painted sign on the side of the doors or on the back bedside panels advertising the “Photographic Works.” Although the tax guy did say if we had it painted, it would qualify for a tax discount every year. It was primarily used for business purposes, since we had another car in the family. So, to solve our problems, a local sign shop said they could make a nice red trimmed border with a white background and black letters showing the “Photographic Works” logo. Each panel surface on the doors would be the place it would be stuck on each day or night. Vnak Photo When we went to our own date night or movie nights, we would have no insignia on either door. The magnetic signs would be able to come off and stored away. Safety for possible photo equipment that could have been inside would not be a bright invitation to break in and take things… Yikes. Jnaki So, that was the road we were headed. But, our tax guy said the signs had to be permanent to qualify for a tac write off for our business. Down the drain on that idea. We just made nice business cards and notepaper for letters to businesses and customers to keep in touch for future builds/photo jobs. That worked all over So Cal and when we went to Northern California, we met some nice builders and the cards went flying out of our pockets. Note: One other idea when we got the 327 powered 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery was that after we got the handling and safety issues taken care of, we now had a secure enclosed rear cave to store all of the necessary equipment. Our idea was that with no prying eyes when we left it alone during our lunches, dinners or movie nights out in town, we could walk away safely, whether or not there was actually some photo equipment back in the cave. The idea derived from a huge 7 foot tall electric sign given to me from the old Meyers Manx shop in Fountain Valley and the 405 freeway. The side signs, designed and made smaller, would have fit on the sides of each door of our sedan delivery. But our plan was to get two signs made for the sides of the 327 powered 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery for our business adventure. It was a nice plan, but plans and lifestyles change… The sign would have ruined the look of the original sedan delivery and we still wanted a hot rod to stand out on its own without any outside influences. YRMV Westside of Long Beach
Hello, Ever follow any year Corvair from the 1960 to the last versions of the model? The first year versions were ones that had the problems for most enthusiastic economy minded buyers. A different design, a copy of the European Porsche as it was sometimes known as the “American Porsche…” ha! A turbocharged version of the flat-6 engine was introduced in 1962 with the Corvair Monza Spyder. But, there was no getting around it… it leaked oil in the flat 6 motor and did not have the instant power of the flat 6 from Germany upon acceleration. The design was a forward way to look at the set up similar to the very popular VW/Porsche design. It just did not have the oomph of the Porsche and was a plodding car for the masses. Low cost, good economy and for some low maintenance. For others, the ones that tried going around corners like normal front engine design cars had to adjust to the sway and control or lack thereof. So, as the unsuspecting folks who normally drive a front engine car, the rear engine car gave them problems. My wife’s 62 Corvair was a fun driver. But, the mysterious oil leak multiplied even with new gaskets and sealed motor repairs. Then despite tuning, the motor began to sputter, it failed in the wrong place and it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. After getting it fixed, we gave it away to a desperate uncle that needed a car for his daily driving. Jnaki As nice as the later models are/were, the overall program was doomed. The fancy hardtop version with 150 hp turbo motor was nicely put together. But, despite the stiffer suspension parts, better handling components, the word was out and so was the Corvair. If we could, we would have liked the hardtop turbo charged 2 door sedan. It was a nice copy of a well proven design, but it just did not have what it takes to be successful and fun all in the same package. YRMV
From a circa 1949 newsreel (colorized) comes this still of Glendale Blvd. at Locksley Place, Los Angeles. Note the CA-2 shield.
The Jalopy Journal
