Author: John Gunnell

John Gunnell has been writing about classic cars since 1972. He is also the owner of Gunner’s Great Garage in Manawa, Wis. He owns 11 cars and seven motorcycles.

Wiring Harnesses: Plug, Then Play

This main harness has an authentic look with braided cloth wire covers that have color patterns to match those in electrical diagrams in the original factory shop manual.

This article originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Automakers may be facing a chip shortage that’s hindering their production and hurting their sales. However, there’s no shortage of wiring harnesses for pre-computerized cars that may come into your shop for restoration work or a hot rod or custom build. In… Continue reading Wiring Harnesses: Plug, Then Play

Living Legends: Pre-War Projects On the Rise

With cars like this selling for less than $15,000, many owners are having shops restore them as police or fire chief vehicles to have a little more fun with them.

This article originally appeared in the April 2023 issue of THE SHOP. We recently bought an original 1927 Oakland for $9,500—that was $6,500 more than we paid for a 1917 Oakland in the fall of 2016. Our “new” car had its original paint and upholstery and 28,000 original miles. It also came to us with… Continue reading Living Legends: Pre-War Projects On the Rise

Pirelli Marks 150th Anniversary

Italy’s Ministry of the Economy and Finance and the State Mint and Printworks even debuted a new stamp collection to celebrate Pirelli’s 150th anniversary…

Vintage Shop Equipment: Wholesale Screw Machine

“The ‘Acme Automatic’ in your shop means more money in your pocket,” The National-Acme Mfg. Co. told auto shop owners in 1907. Which didn’t tell them much about what the device did. It was not only a wholesale screw machine—it was the most progressive and economical machine tool on the market for the making of… Continue reading Vintage Shop Equipment: Wholesale Screw Machine

Moss Motors Buys Victoria British

Moss Motors Ltd., a supplier of sports car parts and accessories headquartered in Goleta, California, is acquiring Victoria British Ltd., a former competitor from Lenexa, Kansas, the company announced. Victoria British LTD. was founded in 1981 and is a manufacturer and retailer specializing in British sports car parts and accessories for MG, Triumph, Austin Healey… Continue reading Moss Motors Buys Victoria British

Pontiac Parts Specialist Steve Ames Passes Away

Steve Ames, 78, of Marlborough, New Hampshire, passed away on Dec. 20. After graduating from Columbia University with an engineering degree, he went into the National Guard. His next job was with a large paper company in Maine. Corporate life didn’t agree with him, so he ran a machine shop and drag raced from 1961… Continue reading Pontiac Parts Specialist Steve Ames Passes Away