99.1 PLR

AJ’s “Badass Friday” Car of the Day: 1969 AMC SC/Rambler-Hurst

Car: AMC SC/Rambler-Hurst

Year: 1969

What makes it special: Having already dipped into the performance world with their Javelin pony cars in 1968, Detroit’s number 4 automaker AMC expanded even further into the budget muscle car arena with a Rambler Rogue compact, then getting direction from Hurst Performance Research Inc, they followed the simplest hot rod principle: Stuff the biggest available V8 into it. In this case that would be the AMX’s 315hp, 390 cu in 4-barrel, coupled up with a Borg-Warner 4-speed with Hurst floor-mounted shifter and 3.54:1 limited-slip rear completing the package. The car had ET’s in the low 14’s out of the box.

What made it famous: All S/C Ramblers started life as appliance-white with two-tone mag wheels, racing mirrors, blackout grille and tail panel. Hurst badging, and a real ram-air hood scoop with an up-thrust snout. Around 1,200 Scramblers went patriotic with broad red body stripes, wild hood graphics and fat blue dorsal stripe.

Why I would want one: This is by far one of the coolest, ballsiest factory hot rods ever offered.

Fun fact: The car debuted midway through the 1969 model year as the AMC SC/Rambler-Hurst, but most called it the Scrambler.

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle El Camino

Car: Chevrolet Chevelle El Camino

Year: 1967

What makes it special: The El Camino was produced the Chevrolet for model years 1959 through 1987. It was an adaptation of a two-door wagon platform that married the cab and cargo bed into the body.

What made it famous: The 1967 El Camino received a facelift and new styling for that model year. New grille, front bumper, trim included. It had air shocks as standard equipment for larger loads. Disc brakes, a collapsible steering column, and a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission also became available for the El Camino that year. It was the second year for the availability of the L35, L34, and L78 396 cu in V8, and the L35 325hp, 396 V8 was the base powerplant for the SS396 series.

Why I would want one: It’s the best of both worlds. Hot rod and truck.

Fun fact: A GMC badge engineered variant of the El Camino called “Sprint” was introduced beginning with the 1971 model year.

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1971 Plymouth Valiant Scamp

Car: Plymouth Valiant Scamp

Year: 1971

What makes it special: The Valiant was produced and sold by Chrysler’s Plymouth division for model years 1960 through 1976. It launched the company into the compact car market, and was known for its reliability and durability.

What made it famous: In 1971, Scamp was the top-of-the-line, two-door hardtop Valiant. Powered by a 318 V8 rather than the usual 225 Slant-6, this badge-engineered Dart Swinger sibling used the Dodge Dart’s 2-door hardtop body shell with Plymouth Valiant’s front sheet metal and dual taillights from the 1970 Dodge Dart.

Why I would want one: Love any time you put a V8 in an economy-based model. Instant factory hot rod.

Fun fact: The Plymouth Valiant in all it’s variants was one of Chrysler’s best-selling cars of the 60’s and 70’s. It kept the company afloat through very hard economic times.

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1962 Ford Fairlane

Car: Ford Fairlane

Year: 1962

What makes it special: Manufactured and sold by Ford for model years 1955 through 1970, the Fairlane went from a full-sized to intermediate family car by the 1962 model year.

What made it famous: Moved to the new intermediate models for the 1962 model year, Fairlane was the fill-in between the compact Falcon and the full-sized Galaxie. It was competition for General Motor’s A-Body senior compacts, Plymouth’s Belvedere and AMC’s Rambler models. Standard was the 170 cu in inline-6, but the new, lightweight, 145hp 221 cu in Windsor V8 was optional, along with a 164hp, 260 cu in Challenger V8 mid year. Also, a Sport Coupe option arrived mid-year, that featured bucket seats and floor console.

Why I would want one: I actually have a 1963. Huge fan of the Fairlane line.

Fun fact: The Fairlane name comes from Henry Ford’s estate, “Fair Lane” which was situated bear Dearborn, Michigan.

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1957 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer

Car: Dodge Custom Royal Lancer ( * Car shown at Road Ready Used Cars in Ansonia CT )

Year: 1957

What makes it special: Dodge refreshed their model lineup, continuing the three-line scheme with the entry-level Coronet, Royal and the more ornate Custom Royal.

What made it famous: The Custom Royal was Dodge’s flagship model. Equipped with the 350 cu in Ram-Fire V8 with a standard 2-barrel carburetor, but the optional 4r-barrel carburetor delivered 300 hp. A feature of the Custom Royal was its bumper-mounted exhaust ports which were only available to the Royal and Coronet models as part of the D-500 options. Identifying marks include Custom Royal script at the trailing edge of the belt-line molding, the pronounced check-mark, gold anodized Dodge block letters on the hood, and gold anodized Dodge script on the passenger side of the trunk. Fin cap inserts were anodized and had a unique rectangular pattern. All Custom Royals included a stainless molding above the bumper, on the flat edge below the trunk opening. Body styles offered were sedan, two-door hardtop, four-door hardtop, and two-door convertible. Lancers were also identified by a lance and shield emblem on each fin.

Why I would want one: It’s showy, it’s over-the-top, but it well represents the 1950’s style.

Fun fact: Dodge shared their basic mechanicals with the De Soto, but featured special styling.

East Haven Town Invasion

Thanks for having us East Haven. Did we see you there?

PODCAST – Friday, June 28: Last Show Before Vacation! Firework Fails And Crazy Tribe Jury Stories!

Tribe firework fails (0:00), Dr. Ron Clark on serious injuries he’s seen in the ER caused by fireworks (9:34), Dumb Ass News – moron teenager calls 911 because of a spider (21:39), jury stories from the Tribe – Who would’ve guessed the guy with the glucose meter would have the best story? (25:09), and Boss Keith’s Top 5 driving distance destinations for the Fourth of July (48:51).

AJ’s “Badass Friday” Car of the Day: 1970 Plymouth GTX

Car: Plymouth GTX

Year: 1970

What makes it special: The GTX was introduced as the Belvedere GTX in 1967 by the Plymouth division. It was positioned as a mid-sized upscale-trimmed performance muscle car through the 1971 model year. The 1970 GTX received a minor redesign with a new grille and rear taillights. Sales were low as the car did not look much different from the Road Runner. Stylists made the lines smoother, and a “power bulge” hood was introduced, as well as non-functional rear brake air scoops. The convertible body style was no longer available.

What made it famous: The Air Grabber hood returned, but instead of having two narrow openings running length-wise as in 1969, it had one opening scoop located on the power bulge. The GTX was available with the standard 440 4-barrel carburetor. Optional were the 440+6 barrel, consisting of three 2-barrel carburetors, and the 426 Hemi V8’s. In keeping with the GTX marketing strategy, the 1970 model included many standard features.

Why I would want one: I love the Road Runner for it’s raw, factory Hot-Rod design, but for that same power but creature comforts, I love the GTX, even though the added comforts slow it down slightly due to added weight.

Fun fact: The GTX was positioned as a “Gentleman’s Muscle Car.”

Chaz and AJ Show Rundown: June 28

6:00. A Connecticut guy has an idea on how to deal with bears in his neighborhood that has outraged many in his town. Charles Munn is on the phone.

6:13. Sports.

6:20- 6:40. What not to do with fireworks. Everyone on gets in the running for Rangers/Islanders tickets! 877-764-2535

7:00. Dr. Ron Clark is on the phone to tell us horrible fireworks injuries seen in the E/R.

7:13. Sports. Comedian Pat Oates in studio.

7:20. Dumb Ass News.

7:30. Scot Haney is on the phone!

7:40. Vacation playlist songs.

8:00. What’s it like being on a jury.

8:13. Sports.

8:20 – 8:40. Loser of the week.

9:00. News.

9:13. Sports.

9:20. Dumb Ass News.

9:30. Boss Keith’s Top 5.

PODCAST – Thursday, June 27: Gilbert Gottfried, Concert Stories, And Ashley Goes Off The Rails

The first statement made by Fotis Dulos, and the new defense investigation that made Chaz and AJ feel sick to their stomachs (0:00), National Guard Staff Sergeant Joe Herndon talking his decision to sign up and some of the cool training he’s done (15:04), Jon from the Tribe was just in the Dominican Republic and about the recent horror stories making news (24:01), questions from the Tribe about bands they’d like to come to Connecticut, and Jimmy Koplik’s list of the Top 5 bands he’s booked in his career (35:33), Ashley completely goes off the rails while praising Mark Olshaker’s call (55:34), and Gilbert Gottfried talks about the ashtray that helped him to remember visiting places (1:03:04).