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Bill Stroppe was one of America’s greatest race car builders. He won the Carrera Pan-American Road Race with Johnny Mantz in a Lincoln, the USAC stock car championship and the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb with Mercury and Parnelli Jones, and became the god of offroad racing in the Baja with Ford Broncos and again, Parnelli Jones. He built now famous drag racing cars including the Ford Thunderbolt, A/FX Mercury Comet, and the 1968-1/2 Cobra Jet Mustangs. In addition to that, he fabricated 650 special Baja Broncos for Ford to sell at dealers from 1971 to 1975, and was known to build a special car for a celebrity or a friend from time to time.

The Mustang Special Service Package was originally known as the Mustang Severe Service Package, and was conceived for limited use by the California Highway Patrol in 1982. Released as a limited law enforcement option package in 1983, it was renamed the Special Service Package (SSP) and utilized by more than sixty local, state and federal agencies during its 1982-’93 production run. Based on the “GL” or “L” (’82-’84), then the “LX” (’85-’93) model Mustang coupe, the SSP package contained unique standard and optional items not available on retail models. Approximately 15,000 SSP Mustangs were built by Ford from 1982 to the end of production in 1993

Here’s an interesting discussion – hobbies. Since you’re reading this, classic cars are obviously one of yours. Are they at the top of your “hobby list”? Meaning, out of all the things you’re interested in, do they hold the Numero Uno spot?

Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches, long screwdriver or pry bar, gasket scraper

Cost: approximately $50 for pump, $50-$250 for pan

Tinware: pan and pump, oil pan gasket, gasket sealer

Tip: When working with an engine on a stand, make sure it’s on a flat level surface and the rotation lock pin is in place.

Performance gains: Swapping on a high-volume oil pump and an aftermarket pan can produce up to a 10-15 hp gain on some engines.

Yes, I know it’s still winter and drive-in movie theaters are probably not on your radar– well, yet anyway. How did I possibly get onto this subject you ask? I recently went online and checked out one of my old haunts– the 99W Drive-In, in Newberg, Oregon. Of course, being in the northwest, their marquee currently reads “Closed for the Season, see you in 2016”. I’m sure you’ll find most of the drive-ins across the country shuttered ’til spring, unless you happen to live in a southern clime. Here in Florida, they seem to operate year ’round. Spring will be here before we know it and it’ll be that time again; time to polish up your old Chevy and take your favorite date (or, the whole family) to the big screen under the stars. This has always been a summer tradition for my wife and me. It’s always a special treat waiting for dusk, watching the kids play on the swings in front of the screen, and hitting the snack bar before the big show starts.

1966 Chevy Impala 427: Heavy Hitter

This super sweet ’66 has all the good stuff – the blockbuster L72 427, M21 close ratio 4-speed, 3.31:1 Posi-Traction axle, and F41 Special Suspension. Hold the power steering, brakes, A/C, buzz windows and all that jazz. It’s not even a Super Sport, just an Impala. It’s what is used to be called “a man’s car.”