Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Comparing 1957 & 1967

Yellow and white Ford wheel well and tireHere are a few shots of how Ford viewed its prime offering in 1957, a Fairlane 500 post coupe or what the company called a Club Sedan. This model also came as a two-door and and four-door hardtop.

Some authorities consider The Club Sedan or post coupe nearly as stylish as Ford's hardtop convertibles. And, typical of the era regardless of make, a post coupe was more practical. Its hardtop convertible brethren were prone to poor fit over time. 

Gaskets would wear, slip, become brittle, or crack. Match-up between window-on-window was subject to misalignment allowing rattles, whistles, and then weather to seep in. Ford seemed to do a pretty good job of making a post coupe pass for a hardtop back then.


Side view of yellow and white Ford coupe

Big, round tail light mounted in yellow and white



Here's a very stylish hubcap and spinner treatment from a 1967 Ford convertible. Fairlane has been relegated to a lower status, and "Galaxie" is now top-of-the line.

chrome and ruby tail light against chrome bumper and blue

Big tail lights continue to rule, and 1967's is blended into the rear bumper with the backup light in the center of the assembly as in 1957. Not much protection these days.

rear view of blue Ford showing tail lights and hug open trunk

Trunks of the era were expected to be huge and accommodate a full-sized spare tire and wheel. No skimpy little doughnut thing to get you by until the next tire shop. Five wheels and tires were part of the rotation.


Sunday, May 1, 2016

More Oldies

Blue Oldsmobile front end view

1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 2 Door Brougham with 39,315 miles at $9500


Tan Oldsmobile, side view

1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham with 26,977 miles at $9000


white Oldsmobile 2-Dr, 3/4 view

1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham with 39,315 miles at $14,995


White Chev Sedan, 3/4 view

1987 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham LS, unknown mileage, $10,995



Black Chev 2-Dr, 3/4 view

1987 Chevrolet Caprice Classic with 59,835 miles at $14,995

Saturday, April 30, 2016

More "Oldies But Still Goodies"

White coupe with garage wall backdrop

1995 Buick Riviera with 92,000 miles at $7500

white coupe on grass with fence

1999 Buick Riviera, mileage unpublished,  at $8000

White coupe with dealer background

1983 Chrylser Cordoba with 77K at $5950

(This is a stunning car from the side view. Quite uncommon. The dealer/ Hemmings photograph does not show it off as well as could be.)

Marroon and white coupe with dealer backdrop

1981 Cordoba with 70K at $5750



1985 Parisienne with 50K at $11,995


Selection criteria is listed below when we inaugurated this feature of Country Cars, Trucks, and Tractors. Basically, low mileage for the age and priced accordingly. No rough stuff or project cars are listed. Just good, solid, well-cared-for vehicles a bit out of the mainstream that represent good to exceptional values in the overall market today.

More photographs and details at Hemmings.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

"Oldies But Still Goodies"

A new feature we're trying, debut this week. We're calling it "Oldies But Still Goodies" where desirable, workable cars from the mid-80s through and into the early 2000 years present good values considering today's market.

Selections include low-mileage coupes, sedans, and station wagons priced at one-half or a third of the sticker prices found on new car lots. Most are capable of decent to surprisingly good economy and offer comfort, safety, and convenience enough. Unless noted otherwise, these are offered by a dealer or private sale through the Hemmings organization and publications. 

Some are collectible. Most are overlooked family or personal vehicles. No project or muscle cars here; no vans, pickups, or off-road utility types. 

These photos are not ours and do not present these cars very well. However, one can find other angles and interior shots at Hemmings by searching through its make, model, year, and price filters. Shown are:

 1981 Coupe deVille with 6700 miles at $9950 









1985 Grand Marquis 4-dr with 10,675 at $12,995


1986 Grand Marquis wagon with 56,524 at $7995 










1988 Grand Marquis wagon with 126,182 at $7595








1986 Grand Marquis LS wagon with 107, 000 at $6500



1990 Grand Marquis with 74, 921 at $6900                 




Sunday, April 17, 2016

Some Auto and Show Resources for You

Yellow Ford Model A with trees and mansion


The Antique Automobile Club of America posts a terrific site and features sports car imports, trucks, and of course all ages and types of Detroit iron. Included is its 2016 event and show calendar.

We can't seem to list it here as downloading wreaks havoc with this blog.

So, if interested in all the AACA offers, you will have to go to the website,  http://www.aaca.org.

We cannot keep repairing the damage. It's the same old electronic glitchery we've all come to know, folks. Imports are often trouble, more trouble than they're worth, and here's another case.

Some Major Regional Car Shows, 2016-17



Classic car shows provide attendees with the opportunity to sample automotive history, featuring cars that may date to the earliest days of motorized transportation. Such shows are held across the United States, especially during the warmer months. 
This list of America’s top ten classic car shows includes events from all regions.
1. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
The Concours is the signature event of the Pebble Beach, California, automotive week show. Concours — French for “a parade of vintage vehicles — is held on the third Sunday in August, bringing approximately 200 collector cars and motorcycles to the Pebble Beach Golf Links. 
2. The Woodward Dream Cruise
Detroit,  known as Motor City, has its own classic car event. The Woodward event takes place on the third Saturday in August. With more than 40,000 classic cars on display, it is unrivaled in size. Cars cruise Woodward Avenue with more than 1 million people in attendance.
3. Charlotte Autofair
Billed as the world’s largest automotive extravaganza, the Charlotte AutoFair is a four-day event held in April and repeated in September. Held at the famous Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, this show features auctions, a classic car corral and thousands of merchant spaces.
4. Amelia Concours d’Elegance
Amelia Island, near Jacksonville, Florida, is the destination for this Concours display. This three-day March classic car show at the Ritz-Carlton welcomes the finest vintage vehicles to compete for two awards.
5. The Elegance at Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania, is the host of a mid-June Concours event featuring some of the most beautiful vehicles of a bygone era. The vintage race is one of its signature events. 
6. Southwest Street Rod Nationals Plus
The State Fair Park in Oklahoma City is the venue for this three-day street rod event held in April. It is just one of 10 events sponsored by the National Street Road Association each year, with more than 1,700 vintage cars on hand for the Oklahoma show alone.
7. Hilton Head Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance
Spanning 10 days, this South Carolina exposition is more than a classic car show. Indeed, it offers a speed classic, car club showcase and an aero show, capping the festivities with a Concours display.
8. Telluride Festival of Cars & Colors
The newest classic car show takes place in Telluride, Colorado, and spans four days in September. This event celebrates fall foliage and old cars, including high-end restorations, vintage and exotic vehicles.
9. Iola Old Car Show & Swap Meet
Iola, Wisconsin, hosts this three-day show held in mid-July. The Iola venue features more than 2,000 show cars and over 4,000 swap spaces. A swap meet gives visitors the chance to procure historic automotive artifacts.
10. The Texas Hoedown
Located in Homestead, Texas, the Texas Hoedown brings pre-1972 custom hot rods, muscle cars and choppers to the Waller County Fairgrounds on the fourth Saturday in May. 
11. The Daytona Turkey Rod Run
Daytona, Florida, a four-day event held over the Thanksgiving weekend that hosts more than 7000 classic cars in the Daytona International Speedway infield.
Google these sites for greater detail and dates. Some charge admission (the tab for the Pebble Beach event this year is $325 per person!) So it behooves one to be plan ahead and be selective, picking those shows most appealing to his or her interest. Below are some regional shows of note. 
(Be aware, some of the events listed below may feature new or concept vehicles only. If you are interested in vintage only, these might not be the events for you.)

Northeast


Albany Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/04/16 - 11/06/16
Connecticut International Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/18/16 - 11/20/16
New England International Auto Show
Public Dates: 01/12/17 - 01/16/17
Pennsylvania Auto Show
Public Dates: 01/26/17 - 01/29/17
Northeast International Auto Show
Public Dates: 01/27/17 - 01/29/17
Washington Auto Show
Public Dates: 01/27/17 - 02/05/17

Midwest


Krusin Klassics Fun Run 2016
Public Dates: 06/03/16 - 06/04/16
Ault Park Concours d'Elegance
Public Dates: 06/10/16 - 06/12/16
Concours d'Elegance of America
Public Dates: 07/29/16 - 07/31/16
Oklahoma State Fair Auto Show
Public Dates: 09/15/16 - 09/25/16
Indianapolis Auto Show
Public Dates: 12/26/16 - 01/01/17

West Coast


Rodeo Drive Concours d' Elegance
Public Dates: 06/21/16 - 06/21/16
Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance
Public Dates: 08/20/16 - 08/21/16
Altcar Expo
Public Dates: 09/16/16 - 09/17/16
Orange County International Auto Show
Public Dates: 10/06/16 - 10/09/16
Sacramento International Auto Show
Public Dates: 10/21/16 - 10/23/16
Los Angeles Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/15/16 - 11/27/16
Central California Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/18/16 - 11/20/16
San Francisco International Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/19/16 - 11/27/16

South


Memphis International Auto Show
Public Dates: 10/28/16 - 10/30/16
Nashville International Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/18/16 - 11/20/16
Central Florida International Auto Show
Public Dates: 11/24/16 - 11/27/16
Tampa Bay International Auto Show
Public Dates: 12/02/16 - 12/04/16
Hampton Roads International Auto Show
Public Dates: 01/13/17 - 01/15/17
West Virginia International Auto Show
Public Dates: 01/27/17 - 01/29/17
North Carolina International Auto Expo
Public Dates: 02/09/17 - 02/12/17

Southwest 


State Fair of Texas Auto Show
Public Dates: 09/30/16 - 10/23/16
Houston Auto Show
Public Dates: 04/05/17 - 04/09/17

Alaska & Hawaii

First Hawaiian International Auto Show
Public Dates: 03/18/16 - 03/20/16
We assume "Public Dates" refers to the time period when enthusiasts can enter the venue. This, likely after the car writers and critics have had their sneak preview and conducted their interviews. As with any event of this nature, it is best to visit the show's website for details and directions. Events can be postponed, cancelled, or moved. So be aware. 

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Some from my Pinterest Collection: Fins!





Cadillac's finned era started with the 1949 model. We'll post a few of those later. 

Here are two examples where flamboyancy cruised the boulevard in 1958, top.The 1959 Caddy, of course, is celebrated or ostracized for its excess. Those lenses were quite exposed.

Chrysler became devoted to fins as well. Ford seemed more subdued as were some of the GM makes as well.

By the mid 1970s, the fascination with fins became passe', and rear fenders lost their allure, no longer the subject for comment.