Showtime Shine: Last-Minute Detailing Tips for Classic Car Owners

 

What can you do the night before? How can you do a bit more detailing to get ready? After all tomorrow is the Car Show, The Cruise, or the Cars and Caffeine Event you’ve been waiting for all week. You want your car to look it’s best. 

Here are some tips: 

Let’s not wash the car, it’s already clean. 

You just need to get rid of the garage dust, smudges, and finger prints. Assuming your car has a great ceramic coat or a great wax job, lightly spray with a “quick detail spray” working in sections drying with fluffy microfiber towels. Don’t rub hard you might pick up small hard elements. 

Using microfiber towels and the detail spay wipe down the wheels, rockers and trim. 

Next grab a synthetic clay bar pad (clay bars are old school). This should remove any contaminants left in the paint. 

Then spray lightly with a ceramic sealant and buff out. I spray my wheels with the ceramic sealant just to give them that extra bling!

Don’t forget the interior. Vacuum, dust, wipe down with vinyl dressing, and pick up any loose items. 

An hour well spent, you are ready! 

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******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving! 

Classic Car Dreams & Seller’s Remorse: The $125K Jaguar XKE That Got Away

1969 Jaguar XKE

 

 

 

 The Restoration Symphony: Where Grit, Grits, and Grit Shine Through

There’s a certain music to a classic car restoration shop. The steady hum of sanders, the rhythmic whirl of drills, and the lively banter between craftsmen create a melody only true gearheads can appreciate. It’s not noise—it’s harmony. It’s the sound of history being reborn.

On my latest visit to the *Olde Restoration Shop, the atmosphere was alive as ever. Four or five dedicated craftsmen surrounded bare metal shells—each destined to become a masterpiece. Among them: a ’66 Corvette, a Shelby Mustang, a ’54 Ford Pickup, and a Mercury Cougar—just a typical day in the life of vintage metal.

But what really revved things up was the ever-animated shop owner, Justin. When Justin’s in a talkative mood, you know a great classic car tale is coming—and he didn’t disappoint.

The One That Got Away: A Jaguar XKE and a Change of Heart

Years ago, a client approached Justin with a mission: help him find a rare, elusive piece for his prized classic car collection. A 1969 Jaguar XKE—the kind of beauty that completes a serious collector’s dream garage.

As luck (or fate) would have it, Justin knew of such a car. But it wasn’t for sale—not officially. It belonged to another private collector, notorious for hoarding rather than parting with his treasures.

Still, Justin figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. At a local car show, he casually inquired if the Jag might be up for grabs. Instead of the expected “none of my cars are for sale,” the collector surprised him:

“Yes, if the price is right. $125,000. Cash only.”

Without hesitation, the buyer wired the full amount—sight unseen. The deal was done… or so it seemed.

Pickup Day Turns Into a Plot Twist

Justin scheduled transport, hired a professional enclosed carrier, and set out to retrieve the Jag. The location? Less a garage, more a private classic car museum—home to over 150 immaculately maintained vintage cars in climate-controlled perfection.

Upon arrival, the driver and Justin were treated to a full tour. Even though Justin had been here before, the driver was wide-eyed, soaking in the elegance of a life’s work in chrome and curves.

Finally, they reached “the car.” But something felt… off.

The seller appeared tense, fidgety—struggling with the idea of letting go. As they discussed the safest way to extract the Jag from its pristine parking spot, the seller suddenly snapped.

“Get out! Get out! Just get out!” he screamed, his voice echoing through the polished steel sanctuary.

Stunned, Justin and the driver stepped back. The garage door slammed behind them and locked with a metallic finality.

Peeking through a side window, they saw him—the seller had climbed into the Jaguar and shut the door. He wasn’t letting it go. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Seller’s Remorse Hits Hard

Justin knocked. Then pounded. The driver waited, confused. Finally, a voice called out from inside:

“I changed my mind. Go away!”

And that was that.

Despite the buyer wiring $125,000 and the transport truck already on site, the sale was dead.

A costly lesson in classic car seller’s remorse.

In the vintage car world, deals are sealed with a handshake, but sometimes passion outweighs profit. When you’re dealing with true classics, emotions often ride shotgun.

Love Classic Cars? So Do We.

If stories like this make your motor hum, you’re in good company. At All About Detail, we’re all about the roar of a perfectly restored V8, the beauty of hand-finished chrome, and the legends behind every hood ornament.

Want more insider tales and restoration stories?

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Here are a few of OUR TOP PICKS car care products available on 

Our Amazon Store 

View "how to" videos and our list of recommended car care products

Restore. Protect. Admire.

Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving! 

Plymouth GTX: The Mopar Muscle Legend That Burned Bright and Fast

 

 

1968  Plymouth GTX Convertible

 

Some cars don’t just roll off the production line—they thunder into history. One such machine was the Plymouth GTX, a true heavyweight in the golden age of American muscle cars. Built for performance and dressed to impress, the GTX earned its title as the “gentleman’s muscle car” while leaving rubber and rivals in the rearview.

1967: The Birth of a Mopar Icon

When Plymouth unveiled the GTX in 1967, it wasn’t just another mid-size performance car—it was a statement. With only two engine choices, both were brute force options:

• 440 cubic-inch Super Commando V8 with 375 horsepower
• The legendary 426 HEMI rated at 425 horsepower (though many agree it packed far more in reality)

Either option could launch the GTX from 0-60 in just over six seconds—lightning fast for its size and era. And it wasn’t just straight-line speed. According to Motor Trend Magazine, the GTX was also one of the best-handling full-sized cars of the decade. Nearly 13,000 units were sold in its debut year—a strong start for a new nameplate.

1968: A New Look and More Power to Burn

In 1968, the GTX got a full redesign in step with the rest of Chrysler’s intermediate line. Sharing styling cues with the Dodge Charger, Super Bee, and the newly introduced Plymouth Road Runner, the new shape was sleek, aggressive, and unmistakably Mopar.

Performance stayed top-tier, and so did the accolades. Car Life Magazine hailed the GTX as “the fastest and most powerful standard car built in America,” giving major kudos to the 440 as well. Sales surged to over 18,000 units, making it the high watermark for GTX popularity.

1969–1970: The Muscle Car Zenith

While the body remained mostly unchanged in 1969 and 1970, Plymouth knew better than to mess with a winning formula. Cosmetic tweaks were limited to grille and taillight updates, but under the hood, the GTX remained a beast.

The big news in 1970 was the introduction of a third powerplant: the infamous 440 Six Barrel. Sporting a trio of dual-barrel carbs, it was not only wild to look at—it packed an extra 35 horsepower punch. It was pure Mopar magic.

• 1969 sales: ~15,000 units
• 1970 sales: Dropped to ~7,000, not because of the car—but the times.

Insurance premiums, rising gas prices, and a cooling economy began to dim the bright lights of the muscle car era.

1971: The Final Form of a Legend

Plymouth redesigned its intermediate line in 1971 with a futuristic, jet-inspired look. The “fuselage” styling turned heads, but not all in a good way. It was a love-it-or-hate-it design that marked the end of an era.

The GTX still offered potent powertrains, but the market had moved on. Only 2,600 GTXs were sold in 1971. By 1972, the GTX was no longer a standalone model, surviving only as an option package on the Road Runner.

The GTX Legacy: A Star That Still Shines

Though its production run was short-lived, the Plymouth GTX left a lasting impression. It entered late into the muscle car wars, but it arrived with power, presence, and poise. Today, collectors and enthusiasts prize these machines for their:

• Muscular performance
• Aggressive, timeless styling
• Low production numbers (especially the HEMI and Six Barrel variants)

If you’re lucky enough to find a clean GTX—especially from 1967–1970—you’re looking at a true piece of Mopar history and a surefire head-turner at any car show.

Are You a GTX Fan?

Whether you grew up dreaming of a HEMI-powered boulevard bruiser or you’re just discovering the legend, the Plymouth GTX is a must-know name in classic American muscle. From its bold beginnings to its lasting legacy, the GTX didn’t just keep up with the muscle car pack—it often led it.

 

1969 Plymouth GTX

If you love Classic Cars like we love Classic Cars join “All About Detail Classic Car Newsletter” 

***** 

Here are a few of OUR TOP PICKS car care products available on 

Our Amazon Store 

View "how to" videos and our list of recommended car care products

Restore. Protect. Admire.

Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving!