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I have a passion for life and love the outdoors. I am still physically fit and want to remain that way as long as possible.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Celebrating an American Icon on His Birthday


Marion Robert Morrison was born May 26, 1907. Although he was born with the name Marion, to us he will always be John Wayne or "The Duke."


John Wayne was a man's man (a ladies man too at times). He was larger than life on the big screen and in person. He was always a straight shooter, and not just the kind from the movies he was famous for, that's what we loved about him. He told it like it was, did what he wanted and made no apologies. He inspired us to hitch up our bootstraps, fight for what we believed, and to get the girl.

So today, we tip our hats in honor of the man, the actor, and the American legend-- John Wayne.

Also in honor of The Duke, we have a special on our Facebook page today only. Details at http://www.Facebook.com/OldGuysRuleInternational

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Paul Newman's Beetle is "Winning" nearly 40 years after it was made


A Volkswagen Beetle with Paul Newman Provenance and a $250,000 Price


By RORY CARROLL

Oldbug.comThe Volkswagen Beetle convertible once belonging to Paul Newman.

Before the actor Paul Newman became infatuated with auto racing on the set of the 1969 film “Winning,” he owned a red 1963 Volkswagen Beetle cabriolet. By all accounts, he loved the car. What Mr. Newman did not love, however — according to the car’s current owner — was being teased by the fellow actor and Porsche owner Robert Redford for the Beetle’s lackluster performance.



Modifying a Beetle for speed was, and still is, a straightforward affair, but Mr. Newman wanted something special. More importantly, he wanted something that would bury Mr. Redford’s Porsche.



What he created was more beast than bug. Now, his car is being offered for sale at $250,000 by a former acquaintance of the actor, Sam Contino, who took possession of it after retiring as an instructor at Chaffey College in Southern California.



Mr. Newman’s handlers had pressured the actor to rid himself of the car, which they believed to be far too dangerous, said Tom Contino, Mr. Contino’s son, when reached by telephone. After a chance meeting with his father, who was head of the college’s automotive technology program, Mr. Newman donated the car to the school, where it served as a promotional tool and teaching aid.





For the build, the actor enlisted Jerry Eisert, a manufacturer of racecars for the IndyCar series, to create the ultimate sleeper. The Beetle was wholly disassembled and rebuilt. A midmounted, 351-cubic-inch Ford V-8 was installed ahead of a 5-speed ZF gearbox, and the whole affair was ensconced in a lovely custom-made engine cover that may look familiar to anyone who has been a passenger in older, midengined water-ski boats.



Oldbug.comThe Beetle’s midmounted V-8.

The original bodywork was maintained, but the suspension and steering components were replaced with custom bits similar to those used on cars that Mr. Eisert built for the Indianapolis 500. Mr. Newman’s commitment to maintaining a stock look was nearly total. Details like drum brakes were maintained, though they were upgraded to finned aluminum units from General Motors. The actor even lobbied against the inclusion of a roll bar, though ultimately he acquiesced, said Tom Contino.



The finished car was featured in several magazines, all of which made subtle nods to the owner’s identity while never quite revealing it outright. According to Tom Contino, it was important for Mr. Newman that his Beetle maintained a degree of anonymity — the better to surprise and humiliate other drivers in stoplight drags and on canyon runs.



Upon his retirement, Tom Contino’s father acquired the car from Chaffey College and embarked on a five-year restoration project with his son. As reported recently by Inside Line, the car is for sale and listed at Oldbug.com, a vintage-Beetle enthusiast Web site.



Tom Contino admitted that the price may seem high “due to the association with Paul Newman,” but added that the quality of the build would not disappoint buyers. He also recounted that a period magazine had estimated the cost to build the car in the late 1960s at “somewhere upwards of $15,000,” which would equal almost $90,000 today.



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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A man's age is something impressive, it sums up his life: maturity reached slowly and against many obstacles, illnesses cured, grief and despairs overcome, and unconscious risks taken; maturity formed through so many desires, hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves. A man's age represents a fine cargo of experiences and memories. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry




We can certainly relate to that quote and yet, it isn’t just experiences and memories that we’ve had…it is the ones yet to come. The next ride on the open road, catching the next wave, the next ride in a hot rod, catching the next game or the next fish with a friend. Where you have been is part of the fabric of who you are; the “next” thing will be a part of who you will be. We’re never too old to do something new…that’s why Old Guys Rule.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Thanks Mom!

Normally we are talking about all the great stuff that Old Guys are doing and how Old Guys Rule, but this week we thought it would be great to honor the moms out there. Mother’s Day is just around the corner and we want to say thanks to the moms who have made us who we are. We also wanted to share some ideas about what you can do for the ladies that you are honoring on Mother’s Day (in case you don’t have a plan.) We have also included 5 things not to do for Mother’s Day.




Here are 5 simple ideas that can make them happy and keep you out of trouble…

1. Send her to the spa – give her the pampering that she deserves and might not get for herself.

2. Get her something that is personalized – jewelry, picture frames…something with her name or children’s birthstones.

3. Photos make great gifts, now you can put photos on canvas or create photo blankets. Use a photo that she loves or take a new one.

4. If you are out of time or can’t choose, get her a gift card to her favorite store and pair it with a greeting card.

5. Last, but certainly not least, and in addition to any of the above…dinner at her favorite restaurant.



What not to do:


1. Make her cook her own Mother’s Day dinner.

2. Buy something at the gas station to give her.

3. Buy her a gift card to your favorite store…she’ll know you weren’t thinking of her.

4. Give her dandelions…unless you’re 5 years old, it isn’t cute.

5. Give her grief for any reason, Mother’s Day is only once a year, be extra nice.



Hope our suggestions help. We’d love to hear if they did. Feel free to add your suggestions to the list.