Cruising cool Californian roads in his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS, CTEK partnerships director Brian Dowdy and Steve Marsocci from the Audrain Automobile Museum celebrated a new partnership between CTEK and Audrain.

CTEK chargers will be used to charge and maintain the batteries of the more than 400 classic and modern cars and motorcycles at the museum in Newport, Rhode Island.

The battery chargers will be helping the team at Audrain keep all their outstanding vehicles – from century-old veteran cars to the supercars of today – in optimum condition.

Partners with passion

Steve, Audrain's media production manager and creative lead, said they've had CTEK chargers in the museum for years but now all Audrain's cars will be on them.

Brian said: "When a partnership like that emerges, it's fantastic. And what you guys have – the best of the best in your collection – why not use the best of the best in chargers."

CTEK and Audrain is a great fit, said Brian, as both are all about the cars: "We are enthusiasts. I love driving cars, I love having cars, playing with cars, being around car people. It's just a fun fraternity to be in."

The two talked cars and more for the Audrain Museum Network's YouTube channel, which is gathering thousands of views right here: youtube.com/watch?v=08Ogon7hzxg

Original and better

The duo got into the detail of the Camaro which Brian acquired about 15 years ago and brought with him when he moved from Virginia to California a decade ago. Described by Steve as a "true California hot rod", the Camaro has its original 350 engine and Muncie four-speed gearbox.

Brian has pursued several upgrades over the years, most notably to improve the car's handling. As Steve says: "Which I think is the best way to approach a car. You start with the handling and then you add power as necessary." Brian agrees: "Make it handle, make it stop, then worry about power."

The Detroit Speed upgrade, QA1 sub-frame connectors and JRI coil-overs provide superior cornering grip and high-speed stability. Also making a big difference is the Red-Head steering box which has changed the steering ratio.

Described by Brian as "a constant work in progress", the Camaro has done way more miles in California than it ever did in Virginia. He told Steve: "I wanted something from the Seventies aesthetically at least, the old dash gauges, so I haven't gone crazy with it."