Camino LS6

This area is pretty weak on pick-a-parts.

I may have found the ultimate parts truck for this project.

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and get a new control panel. Even if the old one is ok, the mounting tabs are broken off and it's loose in the dash. $250 But it will take that variable out of play.

Thanks for the input. -The blower motor problem is likely to be the resistor - known issue with these. -Most of the problems stem from the hack previous owner installing a "system", and then removing it. -I've pulled various bits of dashboard and HVAC casing, with no sign of obstructions. -This syatem has at least three electric actuators for the air doors and I don't know if two of them work at all. -At least 1 of the air doors doesn't move regardless of the position of the knob on the controller. The other two doors move a little bit (there may be more doors too). - My main suspect is the control panel (a very expensive part).The plastic housing has been damaged for sure, and I suspect the circuit board to be bad. -The previous owner claimed to have "just replaced" the heater core (and it does look new), but I don't know what else he screwed up. Considering that he removed to of the levers that connect the actuator to two of the air doors (I replaced them today), anything is possible.

It's actually fairly complex and very tough to get to. But the biggest problem is that the previous owner screwed things up quite a bit. I'm just fixing each problem as I identify it, at this point I don't know if the heater control panel is at fault or the actuators. But the air doors are not doing what they should be doing and I am not getting enough heat in the system. The blower motor also stops now and then for no good reason.

I wouldn't count on that just yet... Mothertruck will be getting done, however. It will be waiting until I get the friggin Tahoe squared away though.

OK, I no sooner got the windows working and the driver's door handle broke! So, I left another 80-some dollars at the chevy place today for a new handle and 2 levers that were missing from the HVAC system under the dash. The previous owner is climbing higher on my hate list. I installed the new handle and the levers, but still don't have adequate heat and defrost. This is getting frustrating.

Actually, the Dodge crapped out at the second-to-last turn getting there - had to wait an hour or so for a jump start. It did fine on the way home though. And I'm very sorry to say that I didn't get pics this time around. There were just under 500 cars there, and I ran out of time before seeing the last of them.

It was a really good show - huge variety. Lots of brass era cars, at least 4 Stanley steamers, a gorgeous V16 dual-cowl Cadillac Phaeton from 1930, commercial vehicles (including 2 Mack trucks), at least 5 Colonnade cars, A huge section of national show winners, a chalk-mark perfect LS6 Chevelle SS, a '53 Jag driven to the show by its 99 year-old original owner, a full-on Maverick race car, a purple Gremlin with side pipes, a Triumph GT6, a TR3, a Sunbeam Tiger, some gorgeous E-types, Hot rods of all eras... Gorgeous day too, if a bit windy at the end.

Mothertruck is no longer offered for sale.

Well, I'm off to go wake up the Dodge. Looks like it will be a good day for the show.

What a great way to start my day, roll on!

Thanks for posting these, lots to like.

Love it, keep rolling with this!

Here you go, Roger: http://www.historicalcarclub.org/calendar/calendaritem.aspx?id=126

I like the style so far...

I do believe that the top engineering priority has to be weight at this moment in time. It's absolutely critical. But if it isn't wrapped in a compelling design, it won't matter. People will just walk past it without caring.

The rules for this poll clearly state that you may only pick one. Obviously, all listed aspects are critical (as well as those not listed). That part is a huge "DUH". I approached the question by picking what I saw as most critical - and then explaining why. I stand by both the choice, and the reasoning. If the customers aren't looking, GM isn't selling.

OK let's imagine a random encounter between the owner of a new GM car and a passer-by. Assume that the car has an especially nice exterior design and that all of the other topics of this poll have been addressed well. Passer-by: Nice looking car. Proud owner: Thanks! Passer-by: What kind is it? Proud owner: It's a Chevy (Buick, Cadillac) Passer-by: Is it nice inside? Proud owner (opening door): Here, check it out. Passer-by: Oh, that is nice. Does it get good mileage? Proud owner: Best in class. Passer by: How about the warranty? Proud owner: 100,000 miles. Passer by: I guess it was expensive... Proud owner: I think I got pretty good deal, it is definitely worth what I paid. Passer-by: Well, thanks for showing it to me. Proud owner: My pleasure. This conversation made possible by great design. GM's biggest hurdle is getting people to stop and look. Until they do, all of the tech, the interior, the drivetrain, the weight,the warranty, and the price never come into play. Bold design is the way to get people looking. And talking. In the above hypothetical the owner goes away with a sense of satisfaction in his purchase decision, and the passer-by gains a favorable impression of the new GM car. And it only happened because of great exterior design.

I can't believe my little rant thread turned into such a big deal! Wow!

Happy birthday YJ/BK

I'd argue that styling is the gateway to improving perception.

Interesting. Time to press that advantage.

That wasn't the question. Top priority was. In a crowded market where most new cars are at least competent, styling is what makes a car stand out. And, it is the one category where we haven't seen much action from GM in quite some time. We know that they have been hard at work on everything else. It's time to make us ooooh and ahhhh.

Creating bold exterior designs. If you can't get people to look, nothing else will compel them to give your products a chance. Looks get you noticed, and GM desperately needs people to notice. A close second would be weight reduction. But styling sells, first and foremost.