CLASSICS TODAY

Thursday

SPEAKING OF LICENSE PLATES

If you need a plate for the classic sitting out in the garage you might want to check these people out. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Licenseplates.tv has been specializing in custom-made vintage plates from every state in the Union, as well as European and International plates, for over 20 years. Starting with a colored piece of aluminum, the blank is embossed with your custom numbers and letters from correct tools and dies. Raised letters are then painted and sealed in a clearcoat for long-lasting protection.

Check them out at http://www.licenseplates.tv/ or give them a call at 1-800-491-2068.

LICENSE PLATES

The Michigan Plate

Some people collect them and car collectors hunt high and low for a plate that is the same year as their car. Today I read that Adrian, Michigan has cornered the market on Michigan license plate production. One and a half million of them a year plus another 6,000 or more special plates. I always thought the plates were made in Jackson State Prison, but I was wrong. Well, not totally because they are made in prison. A smaller one in Adrian with a more controlable population. And Jackson did start making them in 1910.

In 1843 prisoners made harnesses and other farm equipment, woolen and cotton goods, carpeting, farm tools, saddle trees and trimmings, steam engines and boilers, barrels and copper ware. Other contracts were established for the manufacturing of shoes and laundry products.for outside companies. No wages, but the State was paid. This went on until 1900.

In 1922, the state began to operate its own factories but continued to sell the products on the open market. Over the years Michigan prisoners have mined coal, manufactured bricks and tile, cigars, tombstones and binder twine. In 1935 they could only made supplies for tax-supported institutions and state offices. In 1980, the state Correctional Industries Act was amended to allow the prisons to sell its products to nonprofit organizations, to governmental institutions in other states and to the federal government. It allows Michigan agencies, offices and departments to buy goods from them if they are comparable in price and quality to those produced elsewhere and can be supplied in a reasonable time period.

All leaving private industry with that job loss.

Cyprus Plate

You have to love Cyprus for this one. The plate is made of plastic and you can get it made up at your local key shop. When the front-end of my car got clipped a few years ago I needed a new plate. Off to the key shop, all I needed was the numbers and it didn't even cost me €5. They are probably higher now, but still cheap I am sure. No proof of the number required....I love it.

Monday

STOLEN VW APPEARS

A Volkswagen van stolen 35 years ago in Washington state has been found in a shipping container at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport.

Customs agents found the 1965 van on Oct. 19 when they opened a shipping container bound for The Netherlands, The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported. They ran the vehicle identification number and discovered it was listed as stolen.

Law officers said the van, which is in great shape, was stolen from an upholstery shop in Spokane on July 12, 1974 — while Spokane was hosting the 1974 World's Fair.

Authorities have not been able to find the original owner.

The operators of a vehicle restoration business in Arizona were the latest to have possession of the van, which they refurbished and planned to sell overseas. The California Highway Patrol the shop is also considered a victim in the case.

The van now legally belongs to Allstate Insurance Co., which paid off the original owner's theft claim back in 1974.

The van had been restored to pristine condition.

A spokeswoman for Allstate, said the company is looking through old records trying to find the original policy and theft claim.

The company will likely have the van appraised and go through the process of getting a replacement title before selling it at auction.

Some cars never disappear.

Sunday

THE MODEL 'T'.......THE FIRST 100 YEARS

Saturday

ENGLAND ON THE 8TH

1938 Morris

1973 MG Midget

CLASSIC VINTAGE CARS & MOTORBIKES

by Charterhouse

The Bristol Classic Restoration Car Show

Royal Bath & West Showground

Shepton Mallet, United Kingdom

http://www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk/

+44 (0) 1935 812277

1953 Morris

1975 Jaguar XJC

Wednesday

TOYOTA GONE FROM FORMULA ONE

Just like Japan, Toyota is in deep trouble. Today they announced that they were following Honda's lead of last year and pulling out of Formula One. This leaves three drivers flopping in the wind. Veteren Jarno Trulli, with 219 Grand Prix under is belt, and his teammate Timo Glock, with 36. The third driver was test driver Kamui Kobayashi who filled in for Glock in the final race. He came in at a respectable sixth place. The whole Japanese economy is in deep trouble. Even Bridgestone, the Japanese tire supplier is dropping out at the end of next year if it makes it that long.

Recently said about Japan, "The rate of deflation is shocking. The debt dynamics are horrible and there is the risk of a downward spiral." Downward, indeed!

Since Toyota recently committed to staying in Formula One until the end of 2012 the F1 governing board wants to see what legal stand they have. Can't get blood out of a turnip.