Hemmings Daily: Ending his brief retirement, Danny Thompson announces Challenger 2's return to Bonneville

Danny Thompson testing the Challenger 2 at El Mirage in 2014. Photo by Holly Martin, courtesy Thompson LSR. At mile 4.25, just 990 feet before the official timing zone starts, the Challenger 2 was running at an indicated speed of 415 MPH, already good enough for an FIA class record. Driver Danny Thompson had shifted from second to third gear, and shortly after a u-joint on the rear drive shaft let go. The ensuing accident left the driver intact but the Challenger 2 badly damaged, and without the record that he so [View in Browser | Subscribe] [Hemmings Daily] Friday, January 6, 2017 [Ending his brief retirement, Danny Thompson announces Challenger 2's return to Bonneville] [Ending his brief retirement, Danny Thompson announces Challenger 2's return to Bonneville] Posted by Kurt Ernst - Danny Thompson testing the Challenger 2 at El Mirage in 2014. Photo by Holly Martin, courtesy Thompson LSR. At mile 4.25, just 990 feet before the official timing zone starts, the Challenger 2 was running at an indicated speed of 415 MPH, already good enough for an FIA class record. Driver Danny Thompson had shifted from second to third gear, and shortly after a u-joint on the rear drive shaft let go. The ensuing accident left the driver intact but the Challenger 2 badly damaged, and without the record that he so... [Read More] [Sponsor] [Hemmings Find of the Day - 1977 Pontiac Can Am] [Hemmings Find of the Day - 1977 Pontiac Can Am] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Unrestored 1977 Pontiac Can Am for sale on Hemmings.com. From the seller's description: 2 Owner, 46k Original / Titled miles,, Fully documented w/ Original Window sticker, Original order form, Original books, Dealer inspection report, Key knockouts, Pic from 1982 with interesting story, and more. Numbers matching 6.6 Litre 400 Ci engine, Automatic transmission, Stunning Factory Original Paint & stripes, Wonderful original interior with minor wear. Options include, Bucket seats, Console, Custom steering wheel, P...[Read More] [Stanley Black & Decker to buy Craftsman brand, increase distribution and domestic manufacturing] [Stanley Black & Decker to buy Craftsman brand, increase distribution and domestic manufacturing] Posted by Kurt Ernst - Photo by Chris McFarland. In a deal announced Thursday, January 5, Stanley Black & Decker has agreed to purchase the Craftsman brand from Sears Holdings for an initial payment of $525 million, an additional $250 million after three years, and annual payments based upon sales growth through non-Sears channels for the next 15 years. In addition to increasing retail distribution of the brand, Stanley Black & Decker predicts an expansion of domestic manufacturing in order to meet anticipated demand. Tradem...[Read More] [Sponsor] [The Drive Home II, Days 9 & 10: Tailwinds] [The Drive Home II, Days 9 & 10: Tailwinds] Posted by Hemmings contributor - By William Hall. Photos by the author. Until today, the antagonist in the narrative of The Drive Home II has been the mechanical difficulties with the three classics, and not the much-anticipated winter weather. That narrative changed when lake effect snow blew into Grand Rapids for our last push "home" to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The morning started by winching the 1917 Crane-Simplex out of its trailer in Grand Rapids for another quick pre-dawn television spot, just as snowflakes...[Read More] [This or That: 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 versus 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100] [This or That: 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 versus 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100] Posted by Matt Litwin - Editor's note: This or Thatis not a comparison report between two vehicles, but rather a feature that enables us, in an idyllic world, to add a collectible vehicle into our dream garage on a weekly basis, but with a catch: We can only pick one vehicle fromthis pairing and it has to be for enjoyment purposes rather than as an investment. This episode of This or That features a pair of Detroit's full-size supercars:a 1969 Chevrolet Impala Custom SS 427 versusa 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100. Both are furnishe...[Read More] [Las Vegas, 1955] [Las Vegas, 1955] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Date: June 1955 Location: Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada Source: Vintage Las Vegas What do you see here?...[Read More] [Sponsor] [This Day in Automotive History] THIS DAY IN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY 1/6/1917: Gold-plated Studebaker displayed at N.Y. Auto Show at Grand Central Palace 1/6/1925: John De Lorean born, Detroit 1/6/1954: Kaiser Darrin goes on sale UPCOMING EVENTS [Model A Ford Swap Meet] January 14, 2017 - Shepherdsville, KY [The Simeone Museum Demo Day-Sexy Tails] January 14, 2017 - Philadelphia, PA [Supercar Saturday Florida at Lamborghini Broward Happy New Year] January 14, 2017 - Davie, FL [Fireball Tim's Wheels & Waves] January 15, 2017 - Malibu, CA [Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show] January 15, 2017 - Pomona, CA [Mopar Super Swap 18] January 20, 2017 - Melbourne, FL [See All Events] [Sponsor] FEATURED CLASSIFIEDS Sponsored By: [Sponsor] [1969 Jaguar XKE] [1969 Jaguar XKE] [$78,500] [1964 Mercury Park Lane] [1964 Mercury Park Lane] [$88,000] [1953 Chrysler New Yorker] [1953 Chrysler New Yorker] [$42,500] [1992 Dodge Stealth] [1992 Dodge Stealth] [$10,000] [1967 Ford Galaxie 500] [1967 Ford Galaxie 500] [$23,000] [1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo] [1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo] [$11,500] [1964 Chevrolet Impala] [1964 Chevrolet Impala] [$38,000] [1979 Buick Regal] [1979 Buick Regal] [$6,250] PRO SELLER LISTING [1975 Triumph TR6] [1975 Triumph TR6] [$22,500] PROMOTED LISTING [1969 Chevrolet Corvette] [1969 Chevrolet Corvette] [$29,900] [1969 FORD GALAXIE FRONT FENDERS AND OTHERS] [1969 FORD GALAXIE FRONT FENDERS AND OTHERS] [$1,000] [View All Classifieds] FEATURED IN THE BLOG Sponsored By: [Sponsor] [The Z16 that got away] [The Z16 that got away] [The strange, sad tale of Big Ed, Ford's most unloved GT40 roadster] [The strange, sad tale of Big Ed, Ford's most unloved GT40 roadster] [See All Featured Blog Posts] FOLLOW US: [Get RSS Feeds of Hemmings Blog] [Follow us on Twitter] [Join us on Facebook] [View our Flickr pool] [View Newsletter Archives] WEEK IN REVIEW Thursday, January 5, 2017 [Showing just 68 miles, the last-built Buick GNX heads to auction] [Showing just 68 miles, the last-built Buick GNX heads to auction] Posted by Kurt Ernst - 1987 Buick GNX, number 547. Photos courtesy Mecum Auctions. To give the popular Buick Grand National a fitting end-of-production send-off, the GM division planned a production run of 500 "super Grand Nationals," ultimately named the Buick GNX. When demand for the GNX far outstripped supply, constructor ASC/McLaren agreed to build 47 more, upping the total production run to 547 units. GM was supposed to get the first and last examples, but when the quantity was upped the very last car, GNX 547, inadvertently ended...[Read More] [Hemmings Find of the Day - 1988 Toyota BJ73 Land Cruiser] [Hemmings Find of the Day - 1988 Toyota BJ73 Land Cruiser] Posted by Kurt Ernst - 1988 Toyota BJ73 Land Cruiser for sale. From the seller's description: This is a Left Hand Drive BJ73 manufactured in 1988 in Japan with the original 3B engine. Volcan 4x4, LLC is a Florida based bonded dealer and specialist in sourcing, restoring and importing quality vintage 4x4s. Volcan 4x4 owns this truck. It is currently in Europe awaiting export and we can customize some options for the buyer. Delivery will be Tampa, Florida for $19,900. We will arrange shipping to your state. Truck will be Florida title. Can...[Read More] [In the same family since 1928, a 1907 Renault 35/45 Vanderbilt racer joins the Simeone Museum] [In the same family since 1928, a 1907 Renault 35/45 Vanderbilt racer joins the Simeone Museum] Posted by Kurt Ernst - Photo courtesy Simeone Museum. The widely recounted story goes like this: William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., impressed by Renault's win in the 1906 French Grand Prix, asked the automaker to build 10 scaled-down replicas of its 13-liter, 90-horsepower Type AK Grand Prix racing car for his enthusiast friends. These smaller cars, based upon the production Type AI chassis, would be powered by a 7.4-liter four with 35 taxable horsepower and 45 brake horsepower, giving them the Renault 35/45 name. Of the original batch constr...[Read More] [Reminiscing - My old 1950 Ford] [Reminiscing - My old 1950 Ford] Posted by Richard Lentinello - 1950 Ford Custom Tudor. Photo courtesy Art Bruns. Back in the early 1950s I was particularly attracted to the 1949-'51 Fords. When the new 1949 Ford was first introduced I thought it was the most modern, beautiful, stylish car ever designed. Compared to all the postwar models of 1946-1948, it was special and revolutionary. To my delight, my favorite uncle purchased a new, white 1950 Ford Fordor, and I always enjoyed riding in it. It was smooth, sleek, and powerful with that V-8 engine. Until then, most car...[Read More] [Yosemite National Park, 1960s] [Yosemite National Park, 1960s] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Date: circa 1960s Location: Half-Dome, Yosemite National Park, California Source: Rondal Partridge, Library of Congress, via Jim and Chester's Garage What do you see here?...[Read More] Wednesday, January 4, 2017 [UK racers claim controversial EU ruling will kill motorsports across Europe] [UK racers claim controversial EU ruling will kill motorsports across Europe] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Photo courtesy Goodwood Estate. A two-year-old European Union high court ruling became the center of controversy in the United Kingdom last month after racers there raised an alarm that the ruling's unintended consequences could decimate motorsports there and across Europe. Lambasted for potentially requiring owners and operators of every motorized vehicle from mobility scooters to bumper cars to race cars to obtain liability insurance for their vehicles, the European Court of Justice's September 2014 ruling i...[Read More] [Hemmings Find of the Day - 1977 Chrysler Newport] [Hemmings Find of the Day - 1977 Chrysler Newport] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Driveable dream 1977 Chrysler Newport for sale on Hemmings.com. From the seller's description: The basics - 151,300 miles, 400 4-bbl, 4 door sedan, light package, manual windows and door locks but power trunk release, A/C converted to 134a and blows cold. I added search turn radio and digital clock. The car is all original. The mechanicals, body and interior are in great shape. Highlights: Paint is still deep and rich and you can see the metalflake when the Sun hits it. Body is straight. Engine and transmissi...[Read More] [Hot rod pioneer Nick Arias Jr., 1929-2017] [Hot rod pioneer Nick Arias Jr., 1929-2017] Posted by Kurt Ernst - Photo courtesy Nick Arias Jr. Racing Components. Even before a high school aptitude test confirmed it, Nick Arias Jr. knew that his future would involve the industrial arts. Born to a railroad machinist father, young Nick built his first hot rod in 1946, at age 17, and fully immersed himself in the growing Southern California car culture. After a lifetime of designing and building both go-fast parts and companies alike, Nick Arias Jr. died on January 2, 2017, age 87. Following a stint in the Army during ...[Read More] [The Drive Home II, Days 7&8: Like A Rolling Stone] [The Drive Home II, Days 7&8: Like A Rolling Stone] Posted by Hemmings contributor - By William Hall. Photos by the author. Driving these three classic cars from the LeMay - America's Car Museum across the eastern United States to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit has been like going on tour with The Rolling Stones. Early mornings, late nights and a dizzying series of media interviews are interrupted only by hours spent on the road. Each night we stand in a new hotel hallway, a pocketful of old room keys from the past week, trying to find our beds and remember what city we are...[Read More] [Germany's Baby 'Vette: 1970 Opel GT brochure] [Germany's Baby 'Vette: 1970 Opel GT brochure] Posted by Mark J. McCourt - Images are from the brochure collection of Hemmings Motor News, courtesy of Bruce Zahor. There was an outlier on the shelf, among the brochures for Skylarks/Gran Sports, LeSabres, Wildcats, Electras, and Rivieras, just as there was an outlier sitting on the showroom floor, among vehicles nearly twice its size and double its weight. In 1970, it was General Motor's Buick division that marketed and sold the Opel GT in America, and they did so with this stylish 12-page flyer. The GTwasintroduced here in 1969, ...[Read More] [Washington, D.C., 1960] [Washington, D.C., 1960] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Date: circa 1959 to 1960 Location: U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. Source: Architect of the Capitol on Flickr What do you see in the parking lot here? UPDATE: Flipped the photo back around. Now the UFO is on the left side. And the watermark is backwards....[Read More] Tuesday, January 3, 2017 [All seven remaining Lotus 49s to appear at Autosport International show] [All seven remaining Lotus 49s to appear at Autosport International show] Posted by Kurt Ernst - Graham Hill drives his Lotus Type 49 to victory in the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix. Photo courtesy Ford Motorsports. Throughout much of the sport's history, the evolution of the Formula 1 racing car has been a gradual process. In 1967, Lotus shattered that perception with the debut of the Type 49, a car (and engine package) that would quickly set a new benchmark for performance in racing's highest tier. On January 12-15, 2007 2017, Classic Team Lotus will gather all seven of the remaining Lotus Type 49s in its booth ...[Read More] [Hemmings Find of the Day - Dean Batchelor's Silver Bomb] [Hemmings Find of the Day - Dean Batchelor's Silver Bomb] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Dean Batchelor's completely handbuilt 1956 Silver Bomb for sale on Hemmings.com. From the seller's description: The Silver Bomb represents one of the first American Special creations with proven success of the formula in Sports car racing of the time continuing to vintage and period races now. Dean Batchelor, credited as the creator of modern automotive journalism, was a racer, Harrah museum curator and author. Considered the Father of the American Special awards in the Hot Rod class at Pebble Beach ho...[Read More] [When a Crosley Hot Shot is too much car: the Kleinschnittger F125] [When a Crosley Hot Shot is too much car: the Kleinschnittger F125] Posted by Kurt Ernst - 1954 Kleinschnittger F125. Photos by Robert Dening, courtesy RM Sotheby's. Like Henry Ford, German engineer Paul Kleinschnittger wanted to park a car, or more accurately, a four-wheeled scooter, in every driveway. After a decade of dreaming, he constructed a prototype from salvaged pots, scrapped aircraft and wrecked military vehicles in late 1949, and the following year the convertible Kleinschnittger 125 entered production. Of the 1,980 examples built by the Arnsberg, West Germany company from 1950 - '57, rough...[Read More] [The Drive Home II, Days 5 & 6: Pennsylvania Dutch] [The Drive Home II, Days 5 & 6: Pennsylvania Dutch] Posted by Hemmings contributor - By William Hall. Photos by the author. The Drive Home II, the LeMay-America's Car Museum's classic car expedition to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, has stuck to a grueling schedule and Saturday's early morning start upheld the pace. The team began a leg that would take them 250 miles from the Potomac to the Alleghenies and ring in the New Year in surreal elegance. The crew left Arlington at 5:30 a.m. for the popular Katie's Cars and Coffee event in Great Falls, Virginia. The event draws...[Read More] [From the Toolbox - A reader-submitted challenge] [From the Toolbox - A reader-submitted challenge] Posted by Kurt Ernst - Photos by Jake Schreiber. It's been a while since we've run an installment in the "From the Toolbox" series, but we recently received a pair of photos from reader Jake Schreiber that, quite frankly, has us baffled. As Jake writes, the tool that is shown in the two photos may end up not being car related. My daughter's father-in-law recently found it and asked me to help him identify it, but I have run out of ideas. It is 5" long and 2.5" wide at its widest point. That isn't a lot to go on. We don't k...[Read More] [San Francisco, 1960s] [San Francisco, 1960s] Posted by Daniel Strohl - Date: circa 1960s Location: somewhere in San Francisco Source: Framepool.com What do you see here?...[Read More] Hemmings Motor News will not sell or share your e-mail address with other companies. For more information about this newsletter, email webmaster@hemmings.com or write to: Customer Service, Hemmings Motor News, 222 Main St., Bennington VT 05201. If you do not want to receive this newsletter from Hemmings Motor News, you can [change your email preferences here].