Fort Pitt Classic Cars Mechanical Services PA State Inspection

The PTS NCRS Tech Session was conduct on February 19^th at the main facility of Fort Pitt Classic Cars, hosted by PTS NCRS member Ron Libengood. This Tech Session was a little different from the ones held in the past. The theme of this session was ‘Fix or Replace’. Ron and his staff presented several scenarios where fix or replace might be best choice. There were about 18 PTSC members in attendance plus members from both the local Buick and Oldsmobile Clubs and the North Hills Corvette Club - a total of 29 attendees.

Members started to arrive at Fort Pitt at 8:30AM and enjoyed coffee and donuts while socializing and looking over 17 classic cars in storage and 7 other cars in various stages of rebuild and/or restoration.

Roger Zrimsek, Chairman of the Pittsburgh Tri-State Chapter, welcomed all and gave a short talk about the events of the day, then called on Ron to explain the day and approximate time table.

The group looked at the body of a 1964 Buick Skylark that had just been media blasted, and the damaged original frame and replacement frame for the car.

Ron and his staff presented the cost and schedule factors regarding whether floor pans, doors, and quarter panels of the body and the frame should be fixed or replaced. We were shown either the actual parts or photos of the part the parts that were discussed, and the analysis of the total cost and other factors that resulted in the final decision.

From the Buick we move to a photo album review of the restoration & rebuild of a 1965 Malibu convertible that has been underway for approximately 6 months. Here we were shown photos of the before car, disassembly, reassembly and the finished car itself. Again it explained how, working with the owner, decision was made on what to replace and what to repair or rebuild.

Following, we went to Fort Pitt’s second building we were introduced to body shop work in progress on a 62 Corvette, an original 65 GTO and a 69 Camaro.

PTS NCRS Tech Session

Bodywork was being performed on the 62 Corvette to repair some stress cracks and damage to a front fender. Complete restoration of the frame had been completed. The 65 GTO had recently been media blasted and was waiting for final body work. The Camaro had been converted to a race car earlier but now the owner wanted to return it back to a street legal ‘pro street’ style of car. Again the body shop guys explained what they had done and what they have left to do to each car. They explained what they needed to do to fix the body problems without creating more work or a higher cost to the customer. In some cases, complete replacement of body parts was the most economical approach to the repair.

We returned to the main building where we enjoyed lunch of pizza and pop and socializing.

Roger Zrimsek thanked everyone for coming and recognized the members of the other clubs. Bill Gilbert talked about the Swap Meet at Tom Henry’s on March ?? , mentioned the club’s need for a secretary, and the possibility of moving the meeting location to Monroeville. Following, Roger turned the meeting back to Ron Libengood who introduced Jeff Lutz the builder and driver of Fort Pitt Racing’ steel body, street legal, 57 Chevy that has set ¼ mile track records going over 200 MPH in 7.1 second. Jeff talked about the construction of the car, the twin turbo set up, and 2009 and 2010 Hot Rod Magazine’s Drag Week that he and his son participated in, and his plans for 2011.

Ron showed us a UTube video of Jeff’s 2010 run at 206 MPH and a second run at 201 MPH where Jeff had to do some creative driving to stop the heavy 57 when the chutes did not open. For those that did not make the meeting, the several video of the fast 57 can be seen on Hot Rod Magazine’s 2009 and 2010 Drag Week web site, and at UTube/Lutz/200.

The Tech Session had something for everyone. Thanks go out to Ron Libengood and the Fort Pitt Classic Cars staff for hosting this informative event.

Mechanical Services & PA State Inspection

Fort Pitt Classic Cars Hosts NCRS, Olds & Buicks Clubs