‘The Curb Cut’ Channel Trailer & 2021 Year-End Recap
With 2021 drawing to a close, we invite you to sit back and enjoy a highlight reel of our favorite moments from the past year. Major thanks to everyone who we met, collaborated with, and all who came into our lives to enjoy car life together. We’re looking forward to 2022 and have loads of content in store for the new year. Enjoy!
HELP! How to Remove Broken Studs From Your Engine
If you've ever spent time wrenching on an old vehicle, chances are you've snapped a stud or bolt off here and there. Everyone has suggestions on how to get them out - but how about one that works every single time!? Allow us to introduce our new HELP! segment as we follow John (@thegroundlevel) through the process of fool-proof stud extraction. Enjoy!
Corrections, Upgrades, and A Brand New Look for Our Honda N600 Build
In this episode, we follow along as John (@thegroundlevel) makes some major changes to the Honda N600. We correct our suspension height issues care of new parts from Swift Springs, install more special order parts from Japan, mount up our fender flares, and cap off the episode with a brand new look (and brand new shoes!) for the Honda. This episode is chock full of exciting new developments & well worth the wait. Enjoy!
Ground Level x Curb Cut Open House & Block Party IV - Recap Video
On November 14th, we rounded out the 2021 NYC car season with another Ground Level x Curb Cut Open House & Block Party. The event provided a chance to get our car friends, old and new, together one more time before we all stow away our projects for the impending winter chill. We put together this video to serve as a love letter to all of those who attended, as well as a postcard to any of you who couldn't make it this time around. It was a great time, as always - see you guys next year!
How To: Restoring Vintage Wheels for Your Classic Car In 11 Minutes
Join us in our latest how-to episode as John walks us through the process of a complete wheel restoration on a set of vintage 10-inch SSR Formula Meshes. We cover all the bases on what it takes to get your wheels from looking dingy to dazzling. And this is a job that can be completed by all enthusiasts, regardless of skillset! It doesn’t take the strongest guy to get the nicest polish. Truly anyone can do this job with the right amount of patience and attention.
Alternate Side: The Complete History of the Original Plastic Car - The 1966 TDX
In this episode of Alternate Side, we head out to Long Island to visit Joe Amendolia about a very special car: the 1966 TDX. Built by his father Pat Amendolia in the 1960's, the TDX is the one-and-only all-plastic car of its kind. Join John as we learn the complete, in-depth story of how this car came into existence; a story about vision, ingenuity, innovation, and the importance of what we leave behind. Enjoy!
Alternate Side - A New Sunday Ritual At Greenpoint's Cars & Coffee
In this episode of Alternate Side, we take a trip over to the local Cars & Coffee being held on Sunday mornings at Greenpoint Terminal Market in Brooklyn, New York. In a candid interview, John and Pete sit down with the men behind the event - Shmuel Avital and Oren Hod - and discuss what makes this event so special & surely one worth checking out if you're in the area!
Ground Level x Curb Cut Season-Opener Block Party Recap
With car season officially upon us here in New York City, we held our first Curb Cut Block Party of the year last Sunday (6/13/21) at John's shop, The Ground Level, in North Brooklyn. Once again, it was a day to be remembered, and we were thrilled with the turn out. Enjoy the recap video as a postcard for future events & we look forward to seeing you next time!
Adventures In Getting Our Honda N600 Back On the Ground
In the premier episode of Season Two here at The Curb Cut, John (@thegroundlevel) gets around to installing a new motor in the Honda N600 along with some fancy new suspension bits care of Richard Morris. And only until the car gets back on the ground do we learn just where this project is headed for us. Find out if we make it any closer to the road in our return for Season Two… Enjoy!
Alternate Side - The Secret Ingredient In NYC’s Hidden Garages
In this episode, we visit our friend Diego Martinez-Conde. We became familiar with Diego (@diego.sour) after he stumbled upon one of our block parties this past summer. In recent months, Diego has embarked on a journey that truly embodies the matchless passion and ingenuity of the metropolitan tuner - a story that deserves to be shared. For anyone who has ever felt encumbered by the daunting task of building a car in New York City - or for those looking to take on the mission themselves - this episode is for you! Come with us as Diego invites us into his well-cloistered workshop, sharing with us a story of persistence and eager ambition, all in the pursuit of a richer and more rewarding Car Life. Enjoy!
Making Sense of Our Starion-Swapped Montero (Part 1)
In this episode, we follow John (@thegroundlevel) through an assortment of "first steps" in readying his Starion-Swapped Montero for road duty. Nothing's easy when you're taking over someone else's project and - as the episode shows us - sometimes a few steps forward concludes in another step backwards. This is the first installment of many on this build. Join us for the ride!
How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Storage
In this episode, we introduce you to not one but TWO In this bonus episode, we take a break from our projects and ready our friend Pete's 1978 Datsun 280Z for long-term winter storage. John walks you through the process of getting your car ready for storage, from fluid stabilization to car cover tips. The winter months aren't for everyone, and if you plan on putting your car to bed for the season, take note of the procedures laid out in this episode. We hope to see everyone behind the wheel of a happy, well-sorted car come spring. Enjoy!
We Bought Two Brown Japanese Cars From the 1980’s!
In this episode, we introduce you to not one but TWO new project cars recently picked up by the Curb Cut boys. John (@thegroundlevel) found himself (another) project car in a 1988 Mitsubishi Montero, and Jared (@wheelandtorque) - the man behind the lens - went out and picked up a 1986 Toyota Cressida. Both cars need work but promise big potential in their coveted clean chassis. And did we mention that they’re both VERY brown? What’s more 80’s than that?
A Classic Nissan Sunny Truck Sees the Light Again
In this episode, we travel to Pennsylvania with our friend Lea (@leaperian) to retrieve her Nissan Sunny Truck and deliver it to Connecticut so it can begin its cosmetic restoration. And why are we along for the ride, you ask? Well, we're rebuilding the original A12 for this project! Join us as we introduce you to this quirky little truck that hasn't seen its sunset just yet. Enjoy!
Project L-Series: Put Your Head On & Get Your Timing Right
In this installment of our L-Series Build, we follow John (@thegroundlevel) through the step-by-step process of assembling the new longblock for his 1976 Datsun 280Z. Indicated in the description are all of the particular topics covered in this video, from thread chasing your deck to timing chain installation.
Ground Level x Curb Cut Style Up! Block Party Recap
This past weekend (10/25/20) we held our last block party of the season at Ground Level Garage in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The event was host to a wide array of cars and nothing but good times. This is a thank you video for all who attended & an invitation to the rest of you to join us at our next. We all do this together & we were just delighted to be your hosts. Thank you.
By-the-Book Engine Removal On A Honda N600 Sedan
In this episode, John walks us through a by-the-book engine removal process on his 1972 Honda N600 Sedan. Following the procedure outlined in the official Honda N600 Shop Manual, we learn the value of factory literature (among other things...)
In a day and age where we seek out quick answers on forums & Facebook groups, we often ignore the well-catalogued textbooks of the past. And why? Because finding an answer is easy? Perhaps those answers don't make the job itself easier, and cases like this, it's important to educate ourselves as thoroughly as possible. Enjoy!
Two 280Z Owners Unpack the New Nissan Z Proto
In this episode, we join John and his good friend Pete for a ride around Brooklyn as they unpack & discuss Nissan’s announcement of the new “Z Proto” (aka the Z35; aka the 400Z).
Slated for release as a 2022 model, this newest member of the Z Car family appears to be the best Z yet... on paper. However - - does it excite the purists? Is it offering enough in one car to save Nissan? Will it re-inspire the tuner landscape at large? What does the Z35 say about the car market today and of the future to come?
A Tiny Old Car's New Home In the Big Apple
John introduces you to his newest project car: a 1972 Honda N600 Sedan. A chosen departure from both his project Z-Car & daily-driver Land Cruiser, the N600 promises tons of fun despite its miniature size!
In this episode we get acquainted with a piece of Honda's origin story & take inventory on what this particular N600 needs to live an exciting new life in New York City. We have an exciting new restoration project on our hands & certain modifications will be made to make this little car stand out in big city traffic! Enjoy!
How To Tune & Sync Weber DCOE Carburetors
Having trouble tuning your carbs? Not entirely sure how they work? Don't know who to ask? In this episode, John provides a comprehensive walk-thru on just how DCOE sidedraft carburetors work. From outlining the various parts of the carburetor & how they function to complete tuning & syncing - we tackle all aspects of what it takes to get some sidedraft Weber Carbs running right on your vehicle.
For those looking to edge up their tuning capabilities or if you're simply curious about how a Triple Carb setup works - this video is for you!
Project L-Series: A Long Walk Thru Shortblock Assembly
At this safe, social distance - welcome back for Episode 3 of our L-Series build! In this episode, John walks you through all points of assembling the shortblock for his Datsun street motor build.
There's resurfacing, block cleaning, channel prepping, and more! We walk you through some easy methods of engine balancing, piston rod assembly, ring gapping, and install! So please! Ride along with us as we make major strides in nearing the completion of this super exciting L-Series build!
Project L-Series: A Bored L28 With Exciting Potential!
Upon further inspection of his Craigslist Datsun motor, John decides what steps to take in order to bring this L-Series rebuild to the next level. In this episode, John expands further on the ideas of WHY & HOW building this L28 is the right choice for his Datsun 280Z.
We discuss things such as compression ratios, cam choices, and street tuning a classic car. Also, we take a look on how certain small choices can lead to big departures from stock in looking at another Z-Car owned by our friend Pete.
Gambling $800 On a Craigslist Datsun Motor
John takes a gamble on a "built" L-Series motor for his project Datsun 280Z. Find out if he strikes gold or strikes out NOW in Episode One of our S30 Build Series!
In our premier video for YouTube, we get introduced to John's 1976 280z, see what modifications have been done thus far, and unpack his philosophy on where he plans to take this build. Enjoy!