Features

The Mysterious Tucker convertible

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you want to start a fight, start asking around about the existence of a Tucker convertible. But later this year are promises that one will roll out of a Wisconsin restoration shop for all the world to see.

Packard was riding high in 1937

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The year 1937 marked the high point for the company's prestige and success.

In the '60s, Detroit was thinking BIG

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Smaller cars were in demand in the late 1950s when the economy was in recession, but demand for bigger American luxury cars rebounded to all-time highs in the 1960s.

Q&A with Kit Foster: March 19, 2009

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This week, Kit fields questions on an Edelbrock CA6 manifold and how to determine rpm's. Also, continuing discussion on possible condenser problems with a 1956 Lincoln Premier; and the search is on for spark plug wire configuration for a 1934 Ford flathead V-8.

Can he do it: 9 days 49 states in a '32 roadster?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dave Schaub, of Los Gatos, Calif., is a hot rodder on a mission.

Yee-Haw! Car buffs star-struck by �The General Lee�

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Dukes of Hazzard car, a Dodge Charger known by its moniker, 'The General Lee', has inspired a loyal subculture for those who grew up watching the popular TV show.

Car of the Week: 1968 Chevelle SS 396

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Larry Sebranek’s 1968 Chevelle SS is one of those cars that’s lived a very full life. It started off it’s days a Vietnam vet’s dream car, went on to ably serve as a mean street machine terrorizing the Wisconsin backroads, eventually became a grocery getter and all-around family hauler, then changed owners and started collecting pink slips at the drag strip. Now, it's a fully restored, retired and appropriately pampered trailer queen.

To Restore or Not to Restore

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The best answer for the vintage vehicle owner.

1965 Skylark GS was a first-year star

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Buick described its 1965 GS as “a howitzer with windshield wipers.”

Finding 'Lil Hanky', the Chevelle dragster

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A muscle car restorer purchased a Chevelle ex-drag car in time to save it from a hurricane, then went looking for its past.

Packard passed coast to coast test in '03

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Packard was one of several autos to make the first coast-to-coast trek in 1903.

Car of the Week: 1958 Oldsmobile 98 J-2

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Oldsmobile’s 1958 models were powered by its Rocket V-8 that rightfully holds a position of tremendous stature in American performance history. By the late 1950s, the engine had grown to 374 cubic inches, and if you were looking to get your big Olds really moving, you went for the "J-2" engine option.

Sightseeing Yosemite in a Tin Lizzi

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Adventurous vacationers can sight-see ‘old school’ in a vintage Ford

Car of the Week: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It took a pretty stunning car to steal the show from a lineup of Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Sally Field and Jerry Reed. But movie makers found one that was up to the task: The 1977 Special Edition Trans Am.

Chrysler history: the Chrysler Building

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sept. 28, 1929 marked an important moment in Chrysler Building history

AC Borgata sale to feature rare Packards

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A trio of rare Packards will cross the auction block in Atlantic City this month, 110 years after the founding of the Packard company.

A-1 Salvage: New Mexico yard lives up to A-1 billing

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Old Cars Weekly’s long-time readers are treated to a return visit to A-1 Auto Salvage, Roswell, New Mexico.

Car of the Week: 1958 Plymouth Fury

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1958 Fury was stylish, plush, plenty fast, and produced in relatively few numbers, making it a very collectible '50s crusier today. 1958 marked the third model year for Plymouth’s top-of-the-line performance model, the Fury two-door hardtop. In 1982, author Stephen King wrote a novel called "Christine” about a 1958 Plymouth Fury that terrorized its high school owner, introducing millions of horror fans to a car that was memorable for many reasons.

Car of the Week: 1948 Buick Super

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tom Pfeiffer is a lifelong Ford guy with a secret crush on Buicks. The retired Ford Motor Company employee from Sterling Heights, Mich., has had plenty of Fords, including his 1959 Edsel Corsair with only 27,000 original miles, but his real baby is a lovely 1948 Buick Super four-door sedan. Pfeiffer calls it his “mafia special.”

We call his black beauty our OldCarsReport.com “Car of the Week.”

Car of the Week: 1967 Iso Grifo

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Marty Schorr probably raised more than few eyebrows among his many car buddies when he went far off the beaten path and drove home one day in an Iso Grifo back in 1968. For an all-American performance car kind of guy like Schorr, who at the time was editor of "Hi-Performance CARS" magazine, it was quite the roll of the dice. But Schorr, a lifelong car guy, is still the owner of that rare and unusual 1967 Italian-built, Chevrolet-powered sports car.

Mighty Memorable Chryslers

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Chrysler engineers created a wild ride from a '49 business coupe.

When opportunity knocked, this car collector answered

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This all-original, all-Super Bee survivor was an unexpected discovery for a Delaware, Ohio collector.

Car of the Week: 1955 Ford Thunderbird

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ford introduced the legendary Thunderbird in 1955, and the car was immediately a smash hit. Buyers of all ages and all walks of life described the car as “wonderful,” a “masterpiece,” “advanced automobile” and a “morale builder that is real fun and sport to drive.” More than 3,500 orders for the new two-seat sports car were placed in the first 10-day selling period. The planning volume for the entire model year was only 10,000 units. Ford had explored an uncharted market for unique transportation and came up with a winner!

What is - and isn't - an 'orphan' car?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An orphaned car is really the norm, not the exception.

Two teens convert Porsche to electric in six weeks

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What do you get when you mix two ambitious 18-year-olds with one Porsche and a bunch of parts?

Collector beats termites to long-forgotten woodies

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A woodie good find.

A Cross-Country �Atta Girl!�

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Honoring Alice Ramsey’s 1909 feat.

Before the War: Advertising the Cord

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

1930 ads promised a new kind of motoring.

Car of the Week: The 1969 AMC SC Rambler

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When AMC trotted out its new products at the Chicago Auto Show in March 1969, one of the most eye-catching vehicles was a small hardtop with a patriotic color scheme and a massive scoop dominating the front portion of its hoods. This AMC Hurst SC/Rambler represented one of the company’s most unique models and the swan song for the Rambler American compact car.

Video of the first (1911) Indy 500 Race: Watch!!

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An Old Cars Weekly subscriber shares his rare footage of the first Indy 500

Buick beauty: '31 phaeton was a fabulous find

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It was advertised as ‘1931 Buick phaeton ... needs everything,’ Turns out, the classified ad for Maureen Bartron's fabulous droptop didn't do this car justice.

Prepping Packards for the War

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A former Packard-Milwaukee employee recalls the war years.

Car of the Week: 1965 Mustang GT

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1965 GT option package included quick-ratio steering, disc front brakes, chromed dual exhaust tips that exited through the rear valance panel, a new grille bar with fog lights built in and GT instrumentation. Throw in GT badging and lower body striping and you had a bargain for around $150, and a car that proved to be wildly popular.

Museum display gets rave reviews from movie buffs

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

“Movie Cars – Cinematic Stars on Wheels” wowing crowds in Reno.

Coast to coast in Alice Ramsey's tire tracks

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Emily Anderson, driving a 1909 Maxwell, re-creates a rare event in driving history

Cadillac maintained its popularity in 1978

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One look at the 1978 model line-up shows why Cadillac was still considered the gold standard for luxury cars in the U.S. in the 1970s. GM’s top-line division offered a range of automobiles designed to appeal to just about every segment or niche of the luxury car market. They were big and handsome — they were great automobiles.

Final call for the Torino cruiser

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With the the muscle-car era waning in 1971, the writing was already on the wall for the sporty Ford Torino. So when Bruce Andrews chose to go over to Kines Ford in Baltimore in 1971 to buy a Torino 500, one of the more upscale versions offered, he ended up with a disappearing piece of history.

Austie's 'Silent' Auction

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ground-breaking, unpublicized sale was for early hobby purists only.

Car of the Week: 1987 Buick Grand National

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Buick Grand National was the fastest production car built in 1987, and certainly one of the hottest, baddest, and most collectible American production cars of the 1980s — a decade often considered a barren wasteland when it comes to automobile excitement.

'Junkyard Dog' Ron Kowalke strikes again

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ron Kowalke, aka "The Junkyard Dog," loves salvage yards. We mean, he REALLY loves salvage yards. Frankly, he loves them a little more than a grown man should. So Ron was pretty much as close as he's going to get to heaven here on Earth recently when he showed up at Klinger's Auto Parts in Pine Grove, Pa.

Business First, Pleasure Second

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After my promise to restore her 1938 Chrysler Royal to a condition her deceased dad would be proud of it, one dear Texas lady decided that the car was “going to a good home.”

Car of the Week: 1953 Corvette

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To call the 1953 Corvette an iconic automobile would probably not do it justice. Although it took a few years for the American buying public to warm up to the idea of a domestic-built sports car, the little Chevy, with all its first-year warts, certainly went where no American car had gone before.

Car of the Week: 1946 Volkswagen Beetle

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Few people who were alive at the time of the Beetle’s rise to prominence need to be reminded of its appearance. Many described the two-door sedan, with its rounded profile, as an “ugly duckling.” As everyone would eventually realize, the shape of the Beetle would change little over the next three decades, but Volkswagen still promoted a continuous sequence of mechanical and detail improvements.

Model A reform school for teenage couch potatoes

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ford Model A clubs involve, reward young people in the hobby.

Car of the Week: 1932 American Austin Roadster

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The American Austin automobiles of the 1930s were some truly unique machines. Almost cartoonishly small, they gained their share of fame and attention, finding roles on the big screen and catching the fancy of some noteworthy celebrities. Alas, the little car with seemingly big potential never got very far with the buying public, and joined a lengthy list of small cars that became orphans at a young age.

A Final Check-Out for Checker

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Museum honors ex-Checker employees

Car of the Week: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Two-Door Sedan

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fred Lossman has one of those stories that is just so hard to believe and “out there,” you know that is has to be true. Nobody would believe him if he just made the whole thing up.It isn’t just that Lossman wound up with a splendid, extremely collectible, low-mileage, almost-all-original 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door sedan. That would be amazing enough, regardless of how he got it. But it’s how he got it that’s so mind-boggling.

Thomasville Classics puts the yard in salvage yard

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Saving old cars from their demise is a large part this Tarheel's life.

Local Hero: 1939 Chevrolet Master 85 Sedan

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Old Cars Weekly reader's '39 Chevy project comes full-circle.

Car of the Week: 1934 Ford Sedan Delivery

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A total of 9,021 Ford sedan deliveries were built for the 1934 model year. It’s anybody’s guess how many are left, but they seem to be about as common these days as wolly mammoths. And it’s a fair bet you’ll never see a 1934 sedan delivery nicer than the near-perfect rig owned by Darrell and Lela Sago, of Festus, Mo.

Car of the Week: 1969 Camaro Z/28

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1969 Camaro Z/28 was fast, especially for a small-block car. But its main attraction was that it was a racing car that was perfectly happy being street driven. The Z/28 combined excellent handling with a powerful and responsive small-block V-8 and was a blast to drive anywhere.

Treasured Signs of Past Automobile Age

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cheap gas, economically-priced American made automobiles, miles of open highway, and a gleaming gas station on every corner. That was the golden age of the automobile in America. Today little remains of that sweeping era except for the surviving signs that once marked the landscape. From Aeroshell Gasoline to Willard Batteries, signs emblazoned across the countryside, forever beckoning to merry motorists.

"The Last Duesenberg" - VIDEO!

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

John O’Quinn has assembled perhaps the most significant collection of Classic automobiles since Bill Harrah.

The Junkyard Dog: Sniffin' around Kansas

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

He didn't exactly didn’t discover the Emerald City on a recent trip to Kansas, but Ron "The Junkyard Dog" Kowalke did find a salvage yard that had him tapping his ruby slippers together.

Car of the Week: 1928 Essex Sedan

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It’s only really been about three years since Larry Jarvis stuck his toe in the old car hobby waters and mustered up the courage to buy his first collector car. And even though he’s still a bit of a rookie these days, Jarvis has to laugh at just how naive and green he was when he broke the ice and took delivery on his 1928 Essex sedan.

Nebraska Ford dealership is 5th oldest at 100

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A small town in Nebraska was overflowing as people came from afar to celebrate 100 years of Swanson Ford

Car of the Week: 1966 Olds 4-4-2

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For some reason — temporary insanity being the most plausible excuse — Paul Tyler sold his beloved 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 back in 1976. He had dreamed about owning such a car from the moment he saw a picture of one for the first time, enjoyed every minute of the 10 years he had the car, and to this day isn’t sure what possessed him to sell it to an acquaintance back in 1976.
But fate eventually smiled on the Tampa, Fla., resident. He got his 4-4-2 back. And this time, he's keeping it.

Mad for the Nomad at 'Back to the 50s'

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It wasn’t the GM Motorama, and it wasn’t 1954 again, but the 1954 Chevrolet Nomad again appeared before ogling crowds. This time, the location was the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s 36th annual Back to the 50’s event in St. Paul.

Car of the Week: 1970 AMC AMX

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

AMC said the 1970 AMX was made tougher because 1970 was a tough year. Unfortunately, the high-powered little two-seat muscle car had tough sledding in showrooms, which makes it hard to find and very collectible today.

Car of the Week: 1954 Hudson Hornet

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The last of the Step-Down design Hudson Hornets — the 1954 model — upheld the winning record established by the 1951-53 models on the nation’s stock-car ovals, but it eventually lost the bigger battle, which was to remain in production

More Q&A with Kit Foster: March 3, 2009

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Questions and answers on 1950 Pontiac L-head engines; 1977 Camaro Rally Sport transmission and shift knobs; Tom McCahill's 1955 T-bird; and Vibrasonic reverb unit for a radio.

Q&A with Kit Foster: March 26, 2009

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Another word on finding the earliest rear window defrosters (was it on the '52 Rolls-Royce?); discovering the assembly location for a '49 Cosmopolitan; an unidentified radiator shell; and a reader hunts for a horn ring for a '57 Ford Fairlane.

Car of the Week: 1956 Pontiac Chieftain & Star Chief

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A new era started for Pontiac when Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudson took over the reins as general manager. He proceeded, without fanfair, to make over the rather staid Pontiac image, and the 1956 Pontiac lineup began fulfilling some of Knudson's lofty visions.

1958 Bonneville flew high with new aircraft style

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1958 Pontiac had an aircraft look and all 16 models carried “guided-missile” side trim and “jet-pod” rear fenders.

Unbelievable Barn Find

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Just when you thought all the great cars had been found, another set of doors open to reveal an amazing collection of heavy metal. That was this enthusiast’s good fortune when he stumbled upon more than 20 rare and desirable vehicles laid to rest in a Maryland barn.

Putting the Ticktock Back in Your Old Car Clock

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today, many of the clocks in the collector cars I see are no longer functioning. Yet, it is not that difficult to get them running again and keep them running. With no more than a little patience and some simple tools, it is quite likely you can have your clock back in action in less than an afternoon.

Experimental Eldorado

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A rare look at the original GM styling report.

Car of the Week: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1957 Chevy Bel Airs were in tune with the times. They were “ Sweet, smooth and sassy,” according to one ad. And they are just as popular today, more than 50 years after their debut, as they've ever been.

Car of the Week: 1969 Boss 302 Mustang

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1969 Boss 302 Mustang: If you’ve had a chance to own or drive one of these cars you’d probably agree with its original admirers: “Hey, man, this car is Boss!”

Car of the Week: 1961 Chrysler 300G

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1961 Chrysler 300G was still considered a part of the high-performance market by those who appreciated brute horsepower in a luxury automobile. It was a limited-edition automobile, precision built for the connoisseur of careful craftsmanship and superb engineering.

Car of the Week: The 1909 Ford Model T

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1900-09 Ford Model T was, quite simply, a car that changed history. The "Tin Lizzie" was probably the most noteworthy automobile ever built, and launch to Ford Motor Company to unmatched heights.

Car of the Week: 1930 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

America was sliding into an economic disaster called the Great Depression when the 1930 Cadillacs arrived in September 1929. Things would be tough on the U.S. economic front for much of the next decade, but there was some good news for car buffs in 1930: The great V-16 Cadillacs arrived.

New Product: Radio adapter for classic cars

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you enjoy listening to CDs, MP3s or tapes, even satellite or FM radio, a new radio adapter now makes it possible to listen through any classic car AM radio and speaker system; a new product from Brew City Engineering, Inc.

Old Cars Weekly launches online data resource

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Old Cars Report connects classic car owners with comprehensive pricing and data through a searchable online database.

Car of the Week: 1955 Nash Ambassador

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Nash merged with Kelvinator in 1937, but unlike an appliance, the 1955 Nash Ambassador was a take-notice automobile, even at a time when other automakers were beginning to offer high performance or chrome-enriched glitz.

Car of the Week: 1932 Pierce Arrow Model 54

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Somehow, Pierce-Arrow managed to lose $3 million in 1932, and the following year the company was sold to a new group of investors. But it seems hard to imagine that the company could have been struggling so mightily in the 1930s, even with the Depression gripping the country, when it was producing vehicles as nice as Joe Cyr’s 1932 Model 54 coupe.

New Products: coated pistons for vintage cars

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kanter Auto Products is now supplying its popular pistons with a high-performance, antifriction coating.

Car of the Week: 1957 Pontiac Bonneville

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pontiac accomplished a lot when it unveiled the new fuel-injected Bonneville for 1957. Not only did the company have itself a beautiful luxury cruiser that could blast down the highway at 130 mph, but it managed to completely change how the car-buying public perceived the Pontiac nameplate.

'Grapes of Wrath' Hudson part of film history

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Like the film family it carried from the dusty fields of Oklahoma to broken promises of California, this Hudson survived despite bad times. Now a California car collector is the proud new owner of what is believed to be the original “Grapes of Wrath” movie car.

Historic Hatchback

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kaiser's innovate Traveler and Vagabond models broke the mold in 1949-1950 with lift-up hatches and drop-down tailgates. The extra storage area appealed to consumers, but it was a bad time to sell cars.

No rest for auto restoration shops

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Smaller restoration shops are finding that size matters when it comes time to deal with a tough economy.

Ford salesmen kept on pitching afer the deal was sealed

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 1933, Ford dealers and salesmen received a one-page flyer from the Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Mich., containing selling hints. The flyer included a number of points for salesmen to keep in mind when making a sale, and following the sale.

The Saga of the EX-122

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The story behind the 1953 Motorama Waldorf Astoria Show Corvette.

One fine fish: the '69 Plymouth Barracuda

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though not a muscle monster, this refined ’69 Barracuda proves to be a keeper catch.

Decades of great Buicks in Urbana, Ill

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Twenty-three Buicks spanning models from 1908 to 1983 were included in a special display at the 12th annual Motor Muster in Urbana, Ill. The display marked the 100th anniversary of General Motors.

Wisconsin salvage yard "wonderland" of vintage parts

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A large portion of the 5,000 vehicles in this yard are vintage.

Forging New Ground: Ford Set a New Direcion for Americas

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The world would have been a different place without the Model T Ford.

Car of the Week: 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Prepping Your Car for the Spring Shows

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Of course, you're also going to want to make sure your beauty is looking her best for the spring car shows, especially after a winter wrapped in tarps in a cold garage, so here are nine things you should do before you drive further than around the block, all of which will make sure that your insurance quotes and car looks and sounds like the classic vehicle it is and help to get a lower insurance rate.

Car of the Week: 1946 Ford Super Deluxe 'Woodie'

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The “woodie” wagon, while offered with a great many different nameplates over the years, is perhaps most closely associated with the Ford, and with good reason. Ford simply built more of them than anyone else.

The complete story

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rhode Island salvage yard offers unmolested old cars.

Remembering the Rocket: The 1949 Olds Rocket 88

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The first domestic performance car to be introduced after World War II was the Oldsmobile Rocket 88. This hot-running “small” Olds came about as the result of an afterthought, rather than a master plan.

1913 Hudson was "Gator Aid"

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This Hudson helped carry Florida’s ‘Alligator Man’ and his reptile.

Atlantic City Swap Meet Attracts Old Car Hobbyists

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Atlantic City flea market is part of the Classic Car Show & Auction tradition. While looking ahead at this upcoming event, OCW takes a look back at the 2008 flea market.

Reader �Whatsits?�: More mystery car photos

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks to the enjoyment many readers get from the weekly “Readers Photo” section of Old Cars Weekly, we get quite a few requests to identify the vehicles in old photographs. Here’s a variety of some recent “Whatsit?” photos we have received.

A high school hot rod

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ken Gross asks, 'Where are youuuuu little car?'

Punks and Geezers: Can aging car clubs get younger?

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Is the lack of young people entering the hobby hurting the collector-car world? We asked the experts to debate that important question that has no answer.

Old Cars Weekly's Garage Gallery

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We asked readers for pictures of their garages, and here are some great results.

Q&A with Kit Foster: April 2, 2009

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Discussions on 1933 Chevy serial numbers; the HT-4100 engine; and the Consul Classic 315 sedan.

Watts Repair & Salvage: 40 Acres of the Right Stuff

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While 40 acres seems like an immense tract of land, when you’re parking roughly 4,500 cars and trucks within that confines, things get a little tight even among the wide open expanses of the "Corn Husker" state.

Rise of the 'Red Rocket' Roadster

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It took 51 years of dreaming by its owner, but a 1935 forlorn Ford has finally gotten a bright new makeover.

Fab Four: Cadillacs, Pontiacs, Packards & Olds

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Quartet of 1940s favorites from St. Louis show provides fitting salute to memorable decade in auto evolution.

Get Your Timing Right

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Getting the ignition timing right of your car can mean the difference between success and sour-grapes.

Illinois collector looks to sell collection

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lew Lazarus has been in the car business since 1966, but now eyes retirement.

Rare 1923 Stutz touring heads home

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A 1923 Stutz seven-passenger touring, the only known surviving example and found in exceptional original condition, is headed back to its origins - Indianapolis. Like many rarities in the A.K. Miller collection, it was hidden away for decades.

Q&A with Kit Foster: March 12, 2009

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Q&A tackles tire codes, volatility of today's gasoline, and ethenol condensation.

The Bergholt Streamline Car

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At least a month before the Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow was introduced, a remarkable car had been running on the streets of far-away Minneapolis that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Silver Arrow. It was the Bergholt Streamline, an innovative new car designed by Fred Bergholt and built under his direction.

Car of the Week: 1963 Buick Riviera

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thundering into Battle: the '57 Ford 'Battlebirds'

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the spring of 1957, auto racing buffs were treated to a battle royal when Thunderbirds and Corvettes went head to head in straight-line racing and sports-car competition. Ford was poised to pull out all the stops when it decided to create four special Thunderbird racers that became known as the “Battlebirds.”

Nebraska yard's new owner picks up the pieces

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A 2004 tornado destroyed Jim Schultz's Nebraska salvage yard, but he picked up the pieces and is starting over as owner of the former Paneitz Salvage.

Ouch! Wreck of the Week Part III

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Another look back at some of OCW's popular Wreck of the Week series photos.

Wreck of the Week - Part II

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the most popular features in the print version of Old Cars Weekly is the 'Wreck of the Week' photo showing the aftermath of some colossal collision involving cars from the past. This is a look back at some of those wrecks.

'Old School' Rods from South Dakota

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Old Cars Weekly reader Coy Thomas is always on the lookout for great photos to share with readers. This group of photos features cars from around the Sioux Falls, S.D. area.

Car of the Week: Long live the King, the 1970 LS6 Chevelle

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

To keep the Chevelle in the muscle car race, Chevy had to do something drastic in 1970. The result was the legendary SS 454 LS6 option — probably the king of jungle when it comes to classic muscle cars.

Razzle, dazzle and fizzle of the Legendary Tucker

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There have been plenty of one-year wonders in automotive history, but there may never have been a shooting star that shone as brightly as the Tucker.

Q&A with Kit Foster: Feb. 13, 2009

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Get answers to your car questions, or help someone else answer theirs.

'55 Buick Century was ahead of the power curve

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When Buick engineers stuffed the big Roadmaster V-8 into the small Special chassis, they created the ’54 Century and it galloped to the front of the horsepower race. But the 1955 models took a big, power-packed jump up the power curve and delivered 236 hp from 322 cubes.

1951-54 Henry J

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As a way to continue profitability, Kaiser-Frazer Corporation sought to enter the small car field. The Henry J was the result, and like seemingly all K-F projects, it was surrounded with controversy.

What's it Worth? Value Trends Show the Way of the Future of the Old Car Hobby

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How are values “running” these days? Gerald Perschbacher has done some heavy research recently, so sit back and check out his findings.

One 'Plum Crazy' Barn Find

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One-owner 1970 Road Runner found 50 miles from new owner's home

Rambling Ranch: Ford excelled at building driver-friendly wagons by early 1950s

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ford resisted the move to all-steel station wagons longer than General Motors and Chrysler, but in abandoning wood construction for 1952, it produced a modern design that broke completely with its predecessors and corrected two of their shortcomings.

Save on transport: buy a tow truck

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hobbyists who do a lot of buying and selling, or dealers who dabble in collector cars to make their living, probably find themselves facing higher vehicle-transportation costs today. If you are an active buyer, one option is purchasing an old tow truck and doing your own hauling.

The 1940 Ford Turns 70

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yup, it's been seven decades since the iconic 1940 Ford hit the streets, but who's really counting?

Life of a Volvo salesman wasn't all bad

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For a young car salesman back in the 1970s, Volvos were "old folks" cars. But there were plenty of things to like about the late'70s Volvos, too.

35 years of salvage for Rustic Auto Parts

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The owner of Rustic Auto Parts in Peru, New York has collected a wide variety of diamonds-in-the-rough over 35 years in the business.

Sedan deliveries: The handsome, handy haulers

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sedan deliveries might be the first crossover vehicles, as they were a hybrid between trucks and cars.

Snakebitten

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Torino to take the song out of the birds, the bees and the judges.

Hooked on Hot Rod Wreckers

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In his spare time, this Cleveland tow man hits the shows with his vintage wrecker.

1918 'Liberty Cadillac' lives on

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

During World War I, Cadillacs, Dodges and other passenger cars were pressed into service. Until recently, it was believed that no Cadillacs used by the U.S. Army in World War I survived. That was until a 1918 Cadillac Type 57 touring car, serial number 57-A-704, was retrieved from a Spokane, Wash., storage facility a few years ago and its history was unraveled.

Ulibarri�s Salvage: Hitting the jackpot in the �other� Las Vegas

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Just off the main street, hidden behind a beauty fence, was Ulibarri’s Used Parts & Towing. A quick peek over the fence revealed lots of vintage iron, and much of it complete and rust-free. At that point, I felt better than hitting triple cherries on a quarter slot machine.

Chevy Townsman no ordinary grocery-getter

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This big red stationwagon with a big-block was likely one of only 28 made for dealer drag races.

The '67 Barracuda was a fearsome fish

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The sleek, muscular 1967 Barracuda Formula S had a distinct personality.

Golden Celebration

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Rajah Silver 1958 Eldorado gets restored to help celebrate anniversaries car clubs and General Motors.

Buick's 'Chrome Domes'

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Gilded 1958s were the last in a line of 1950s auto excess.

Stainless Steel Brake Job

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Many old cars with original brake systems only have a single-circuit brake system. On such cars, the master cylinder has only one chamber, and if a brake line should blow, hydraulic pressure is completely lost, and the driver has nothing but the emergency brake to prevent disaster.

"The King" was first with back-to-back at Daytona

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Despite its half-century long racing history, there have only been three back-to-back winners at Daytona. The first was 'The King': Richard Petty.

A different kind of hot rod�

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Completed in 1937, Tommy Lee’s one-of-a-kind Speedster was said to have cost $25,000, a princely sum in the midst of the Depression.

Passing the Deuce: A Special Deuce and its Special Owners

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We all know that, eventually, our toys will be passed on to relatives or they will find a new home. One such car is 1950s hot rodder Bill Marshall’s 1932 Ford roadster.

Kansas salvage owner observes 50 years in business

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

OCW 'salvage hound' Ron Kowalke does it again. He finds a Dodge City salvage yard whose owner of few words has a yard full of old vehicles that speaks volumes about his 50 years in the business.

Unsung '67 Comet packed a wallop

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The success of the Mustang had caused everyone in Detroit to scramble for a similar car. Mercury’s new Cougar debuted in 1967, and with a 427 cubes stuffed under its hood, this ho-po Comet was one of the great plain-clothes muscle cars of its era.

Packard cut no corners with its trucks

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In addition to the luxury car market, Packard appealed to light haulers, too.

Long Hidden Jordan Speedway Ace Revealed...Somewhere East of Anchorage

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For many years, rumors of a “Cleveland mystery car” circulated around the city, its exact location hidden and precise identity unknown. By the 1970s, at least two people knew that mystery car was a 1930 Jordan Model Z Speedway Ace roadster. Among those people who knew about the rare Jordan, a car whose name was made famous by the company’s “Somewhere West of Laramie” ads, was well-known car collector and casino owner Bill Harrah. The other was Cleveland car collector Jim Stecker. How Harrah learned of the “Cleveland mystery car” is probably a secret that died with him in 1978.

Rare Ragtops

Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kaiser/Frazers are among the scarcest of an unusual breed: four-door convertibles.

'The Boss' and Beyond

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

NASCAR versions of Ford’s Boss 429 were part of Owen Russell’s many engineering endeavors.

1909 Peerless Found in New York barn

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In recent years, automotive barn finds have drawn huge amounts of attention, both because of the importance of the find and because of the preservation classes that are popping up at major events.

Kaiser, Jaguar are this year's Iola poster cars

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two vintage beauties highlighting the theme "Independents and Imports" grace this year's Iola Old Car Show poster.

'27 Model A is British Treasure

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

English-built Model A reflects paint company’s proud heritage.

Rebel with a cause: 1957 Rambler blazed a trail

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The 1957 Rambler Rebel ranks as one of the finest muscle cars ever made. It was offered in this format for just the single season and is now a rarity that AMC enthusiasts covet for their collections.

Car of the Week: 1970 Hemi 'Cuda

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Plymouth's resounding message to insurance companies in 1970 was: “Damn the torpedos— full speed ahead!” And so the Hemi 'Cuda was born, one of the quintessential American muscle cars and perhaps the most coveted Plymouth ever built.

Star Cars Rolling into RM Auctions' Next Sale

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder used in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and John Travolta's 1955 Ford Thunderbird will get the mainstream U.S. press, but what about an ultra-rare 1938 Horch 853 Special Roadster? All of these will be at RM Auctions' London event.

Laying Down a Tradition

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the last five years, loyal hot rodders have gathered at the MOKAN Dragway in Asbury, Mo. MOKAN is the oldest extant purpose-built drag strip in the U.S.A.

A Duesenberg Dream

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about Shawn Miller's 1922 Model A with a Fleetwood rumble seat coupe body

Automatic transmission fluid: What�s happening

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Changes in lubricant specifications are not limited to just engine oils — automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is also undergoing its own transformation.

FOREIGN FAVORITES: Saab's sweet Sonett

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This sporty 1970s coupe might be one of the hobby's last true sleepers.

Shelby Mustangs Get Star Treatment in 'Mustang Masterpieces'

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New book focuses on one of the mainstays in automotive history – the Mustang. Author Jerry Heasely has used photos of both original and restored Shelby Mustangs to tell the story of the fabled Ford-Shelby partnership that began in the early '60s and continues today.

Car of the Week: 1933 Studebaker President Eight

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The mighty were falling in the Depression-plagued 1930s. Deusenberg, Pierce-Arrow and Auburn were among the casualties. But Studebaker soldiered on, thanks in part to its commitment to produce timeless vehicles like the 1933 President Eight.

French Connection: R�tromobile 2009 salutes alternative energy

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This year, Rétromobile, France’s premier old car event, looked back on some of the industry's historic challenges, choosing alternative energy as a theme.

Showroom shine in seconds

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Detailing tips for the ultimate finish.

GS Xtra Special

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When most people think of Buick, they think…well, quite frankly, stodgy. However, like the rich guy who brought Heineken instead of Budweiser to a college beer bash, when Buick showed up on the performance radar, they were there with the best.

Racing rarities from the pioneering days of racing

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A look back to the days when stock cars were actually stock automobiles driven to and, with luck, from the track.

The Olds F-85 Jetfire: the first U.S. car with a turbo

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Oldsmobile won the race against its sister division, Chevrolet, to be the first American manufacturer to offer a turbocharged car with the introduction of the Jetfire in April 1962.

A '41 Ford worth restoring

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It all began with my 1941 Ford pickup truck that I purchased for a whopping $100 in July 1960. This original-owner beauty was an old farm truck with 22,000 miles and came with a four-cylinder engine that threw a rod.

Daredevil Blackstone Dared to be Dramatic

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Al "Daredevil" Blackstone tested the limits of man and machine.

Chevy hit the jackpot in 1950

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Buyers turned out in record numbers as the good times rolled.

Car Museums Start With a Dream

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about the St. Louis Car Museum

Houpt-Rockwell: Connecticut luxury

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It is very likely that you will never see one of these cars at a car show, let alone read much about them, but the Houpt-Rockwell has a unique history, with a possible a connection to the famous yellow taxi cab tradition of New York City.

Old School Racing, TEXAS STYLE

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Early hot rods and drag cars were an interesting mix of machines created by local speed hounds. OCW reader Bill Burns takes us back to the July 1958 Rio Grande Valley Drag Races in Texas to take a look.

Death by Oil?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With so many changes in lubraction, hobbyists question whether modern oils will work in old cars.

Found: Last Auburn Twelve Speedster Salon

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about this special Auburn Twelve Speedster Salon that recently became available

Ford's 1934 Repair Revolution

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When times got tough, savvy Ford depended on its parts program to keep customers coming back.

British Invader: the Allard roadster

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The racey Allard is still a bit of a mystery for many American car buffs.

True Blue Mustang Fan

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Maryland car buff finds ‘73 Mach 1 worth waiting for. What he found was probably a little more than he bargained for. The car was one of the few Mustangs that rolled out Michigan for that 1973 dressed in Light Blue, and not only did it have the hard-charging 351 Cobra-Jet engine — 1973 was the last year it was offered – it was in almost pristine shape (less than 50,000 miles) and had been owned for most of its life by a car-coddling Ford employee.

Father's Day Ford

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Unique track roadster finished as a gift to Dad

Those Z-licious Z-Cars

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

First-generation Z/28s take no back seats among vintage muscle machines.

A Stellar Stash of Vintage Iron

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A chance church meeting led an OCW reader to a stellar collection of old cars. Was it divine intervention?

Miss Meta's Buick

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It took nearly 20 long years for an OCW reader to secure a 13,000-mile 1964 LeSabre.

Q&A by Kit Foster

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Answers to auto restoration questions from OCW readers.

Resto Basics: spark plug care

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William C. "Bill" Anderson offers some advice on cleaning and caring for spark plugs and oil for old cars.

Flipping a flop: Re-creating an Edsel

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Former Edsel dealer's son creates a Citation for the 21st Century using a Crown Victoria.

Operation heat! Replacing under-seat heat ductwork

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Replacing the rotted heater ductwork for a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner and 1953 Catalina.

Dentist Celebrates the Old Days Every Day

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dr. Phil Ruben is a prominent Beverly Hills dentist who had has some very famous patients. When it comes to his car collection, it comes down to old, older and ancient.

Friendly Fiat

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Like Mickey Mouse, the Topolino is popular everywhere.

A Wonderful 1941 Packard Woodie

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about John George's 1941 Packard woodie wagon

Driver of vintage Nova killed in PA crash

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A Pennsylvania hobbyist was killed in a fiery crash while driving his collector car Sunday, May 9 on Pennylvania State Route 309.

Twin Hudson anniversaries to be celebrated

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's a big year in Hudson history. Celebrated will be the 100th Anniversary of the Hudson Motor Car Co.

Manifold Destiny: Ford's flathead had countless intakes

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It’s no surprise that intake manifolds were such popular flathead Ford performance parts. Even those with limited mechanical knowledge realized that feeding more fuel and air to an engine would increase its performance, and the best way to do that was with multiple carburetors

Bon voyage to old cars?

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. is losing its cultural icons as more vintage autos are migrating overseas.

Early electrics tried, but died

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last weekend the Daily Telegraph in London published an 1884 photo claiming to show Britain’s first electric car. Although Parker did not pursue the electric car very far, other companies did, including several in the U.S.

Packard Darrin: One of One

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Chris Goes of Lake Geneva, Wis., owns a unique, unrestored Full Classic car that is unlike anything anyone else has parked in their garage. He is the lucky owner of the only 1941 Packard Darrin Sport Sedan ever made.

Special Delivery: Model A panel truck gets new life

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Technically, Jim and Suzan O’Neale’s dandy 1931 Model A panel delivery probably can’t qualify as a “barn find.” Jim actually uncovered the relic, literally, in an old garage. The O’Neales will never know how many miles the truck has actually traveled, because the original odometer was broken when they bought it. Since Jim gave the noble truck a complete restoration, however, they’ve logged more than 9,000 miles in the venerable working man's Ford.

Still dealin': Savvy collector car dealers know how to survive

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Veteran collector car dealers are sticking with what they know best: good decisions, good attitudes and good cars.

Oldsmobile's Sporadic Star

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Starfire swung high in the swinging '60s.

Buffing Soft Metal Carburetor Parts

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you work slowly and skillfully, you can buff aluminum parts to the point where they have the luster and sheen of a piece of chrome.

�Sleeping Beauty� Type 57 C Bugatti and 102-Year Old Stanley Steamer �Barn Finds� Unveiled at Sarato

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about the "Barn Finds" exhibit at the Saratoga Automobile Museum

Bee-yutiful!: Rare 1955 Ford is hard to miss

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Around St. Paul, they call Cindy Dudeck the “Bumbl-B Lady,” but she isn’t yellow and black, nor does she does fly. However, that description fits Cindy’s 1955 Ford Sunliner convertible, one of the few Fords painted in the striking Goldenrod Yellow and Raven Black paint scheme featured in many Ford ads and showroom floors after the ’55 Ford’s mid-November 1954 introduction.

Fairlane Fancy

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Plenty of car buffs seem to be feeling the love for these gone-but-not-forgotten Fords from the 1960s.

A one-of-a-kind '33 LaSalle Truck

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On the showfloor of Jeremy and Dani Thomas’ Unique Specialty & Classic Cars in Mankato, Minn., sits a Classic not featured in any LaSalle catalog or coachbuilder’s porfolio.

Top-Notch Mopars: Chrysler-Sponsored Contest Winners Headed to Vegas

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Mother Mopar has spoken, and she’s picked the top examples of the marque and saved them a spot on the SEMA Show floor.

Reader snapshots: At Harrah�s in South Lake Tahoe, 1966

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An Old Cars Weekly subscriber shares photos from a 1966 antique car show at Harrah’s Club in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Readers share their great garage get-aways

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Old Cars Weekly magazine asked readers to share photos of their special garages, and so far the results have been spectacular.

New style for Nash

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Redesigned styles were introduced for Nash's 1952 anniversary year.

Tracing Your Car�s Ownership History

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are many reasons that car collectors seek previous-owner information. First, it is simply fun to know the ownership history of a vehicle. Second, a previous owner might be able to tell you more about your car and verify that it still has the same standard and optional equipment it left the dealership with.

Weathered wheels: the ones that didn't make it

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The sad-but-true photo feature of “weathered wheels” found at an abandoned salvage yard.

1910 Chase has been in the family for 83 years

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A 1910 Chase express that’s survived in its native New York probably owes its existence today to a series of strange flukes, the last of which occurred in 1931.

Fender benders & motoring mishaps

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Photos of vintage auto wrecks.

For '55 Cadillac, second time's a charm

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cadillac fan has the same special affection for his ’55 as the car’s original owner.

Milady's Murphy convertible

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There’s no record of Hollywood starlet Katherine Hepburn ever owning a Duesenberg. However, Katherine Hedburn of Chicago, Ill., has owned one since 1961.

Mystery Merc: Vintage custom has holes in its history

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Every so often, an early custom car surfaces from unknown origins. Little is known about Patrick Orosco’s ’39 Mercury convertible, but this much is certain: someone with a torch did some extensive metalwork on this car, it appears to be professionally done, and it's cool!

Britons gather to celebrate 100 years of Cadillac

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What better place to celebrate the award of the Dewar Trophy to honor the Centennial of Cadillac than where it all happened 100 years ago — at Brooklands, the birth place of British motorsport.

Time warp hot rod: Martin's '32 five-window

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Fifty years ago, month after month, Hot Rod Magazine, Rod & Custom and Car Craft featured souped-up cars from all over the country. If you were a hot rodder in the ’50s, your fondest dream was to have an early ’30s Ford roadster or a coupe. Then, you wanted to get your car featured in a major car magazine. For most hot rodders, that was only a dream. But not for a guy named Dick Martin. His full-fendered, jet-black five-window was the subject of a full feature in Car Craft, and thankfully, this car remains almost exactly as it appeared so long ago.

Pure Speed: Bonneville 2007

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about cars built by people of ordinary means with extraordinary passion and mechanical skills

Beauty or Beast? 1963 Polara had a look all its own

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Polara was considered the top trim level Dodge back in 1963. There aren't that many of them around today, but they are easy to spot. Some would say they have a face only a mother would love!

Holiday Gift Memories

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the second year in a row, several readers answered Old Car Weekly's call for stories of their favorite childhood automotive-related gift found under the Christmas tree.

Delightful, Dependable, De Soto

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Galen and Fay Erb’s original, 110,000-mile 1959 Adventurer has been a family member since 1961.

FORD�S EDSEL: THE TITANIC OF DEARBORN

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The fanfare surrounding the development of the Edsel was filled with startling numbers

His Maverick Was His Home

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the city of Shoreline, Washington a man and his vintage blue Ford Maverick became inseparable in most people’s eyes. It was an association that took years to develop, as man and machine became entwined as a fixture on the streets and among the rows of parked cars that make up the seaside community. Now that the "Maverick Man" has passed, the community is left wondering who this man truly was.

Junkyard treasures in Kansas

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Junkyard Dog has been out roaming the country again. This time, The Dog, aka Ron Kowalke, turned up in the northwest corner of Kansas, where he found that Wagoner & Sons Colby Wrecking Yard has anchored the local business landscape for almost 70 years.

Last Norwalk Underslung Returns Home

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thought to be the only one of its kind remaining, The Friends of the Norwalk Foundation brought back a 1914 Norwalk back home to Martinsburg, W.Va.

The Humble Rambler

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The humble Rambler: It's fun, affordable and fixable. What more could you ask?

Stephens brought fine car building to Midwestern farmland

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For a time, a very brief time, Stephens automobiles offered good return for the money. Who could ask for anything more in an American-made car with a true Midwestern heritage?

It was 'Independents' Days' for carmakers in 1940s

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nash & Studebaker were bright beacons following WWII, and a sure sign that there was still room in the market for the smaller independent automakers.

'Turn-key' Custom Cars

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

'Turn-key' custom car builders produce no-hassle hot rods.

The �72-�74 Dodge Challengers: The Horse Race Comes to an End

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With the pending revival of the Dodge Challenger for model year 2009 by Chrysler LLC, enthusiasts are waxing nostalgic over the original Challenger, which bowed as a 1970 model, the last of the pony cars to come to market. Styling of the new Challenger is very close to the original, and with Hemi power promised from the start, it’s deja vu all over again.

A Star is Reborn

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the miles of credits following at least 14 Hollywood films, there’s one supporting role you won’t find mentioned. Yet to any car hobbyist, this overlooked star stole the show.

Nova was Chevrolet�s 1970s versatile role player

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By the 1970s, the Chevy II, introduced for the 1962 model year, had gone through the 1960s in various economical and muscular roles, but still was usually overshadowed by the full-size Chevrolets, the flashy Corvette, the popular Chevelle and the spirited Camaro.

Loyal Companion: LaSalle

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

LaSalle never eclipsed the flagship Cadillac, but for 14 years it was a worthy sibling.

Chevy Success: 1936 Was a Year of Greatness During Depression

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Chevrolet was rolling from success to success by 1936, and little wonder. GM’s lowest-priced car had become the darling of driveways across America due to value, motoring luxuries, improved ride and styling.

�57 Chevy Raises a Ruckus

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A roadside display at Volo Village Road and Route 120 near Volo, Ill., is dropping the jaws of car-savvy travelers. Volo Auto Museum placed a cherry red, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible with lustrous chrome at its corner pedestal sign. The intention was to grab attention, and attention it is grabbing.

DANDY DELIVERY TRUCKS

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A look at some of the trucks that made Ford number one in 1937 for their custom delivery bodies.

History comes full circle for Panamericana Cadillac

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In 1924, when General Motors opened its Milford Proving Grounds, the company also began pulling a new car from each marque off the line to store them for posterity. This event occurred once every 10 years. Today, there are more than 700 barely driven General Motors vehicles sitting in a warehouse whose model years end in the number four.

Found: Iowa 'Letter Car' stash

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Finned-car collectors find a pair of 300 ragtops, and more.

1966 Hemi Charger: Part of the 'Dodge Rebellion'

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With its low and wide roof line, the 1966 Charger showcased a drastic interpretation of fastback styling. Its “electric razor” grille was also quite distinctive. With a Hemi under the hood, it was one of the meanest muscle cars of its era.

Rambling Downhill

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

“Bigger is better” was a theme the domestic automobile manufacturers used to the extreme in the 1950s and beyond, although that theory often proved to be untrue. In the case of the 1956 Rambler from American Motors, for the most part, bigger actually was better.

A Project Worth Saving

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bob Drake Reproductions unique booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas last October featured a rustic scene that included an old school ’35 Ford hot rod. The five-window coupe — restored to look like a low-bucks, early postwar hot rod — drew a lot of attention. We have the exclusive story behind this car.

1914 Case Gets New Lease on Life

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At some point in the past 40 years, Chet Krause got it in his head to own one of every car manufactured in Wisconsin. He hasn’t quite met that goal, but he is one step closer. He recently put a 1914 Case Complete Forty back on the road.

Chrysler Town & ... Classic?

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Owner of 1948 Chrysler Town & Country convertible campaigns to join list of Classics.

The JFK Parade Car

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

'Camelot I' and the slab-sided Lincolns.

Wreck of the Week - Part I

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the most popular features in Old Cars Weekly is the 'Wreck of the Week' photo showing the aftermath of some colossal collision involving cars from the past.

1955-56: The last true Packards

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On April 9, 1956, the Packard Executive was introduced. The Executive was a Clipper Custom with Packard front fenders and grille. It also bore the Packard name in the that perhaps that is what buyers valued after all. It was all to no avail. Drowning in a sea of red ink, Detroit production of Packards and Clippers ceased Aug. 15, 1956. This was the end of the true Packards.

Auburn '08 loaded with Salons, Classics

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg fans, the annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Reunion in Auburn, Ind., is about as much fun as one can have around cars. Although the values of these cars are high in the sky, the owners are actually down-home collectors who simply enjoy the company of others with similar automotive tastes. They are also happy to share their cars with the world.

Stepping Up to a Step-Down

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For one die-hard Hudson lover, the dreaming never ends. The cost to tow the 1952 Hudson Wasp sedan was more than this owner paid for the car.

The See-Through Stingray

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kevin Mackay’s crazy ’69 L88 leaves little to the imagination.

More Muscle on the Beach

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The new Muscle Car City Museum in Punta Gorda, Fla., that opened March 1, 2009 features the 200-car collection of Rick Treworgy.

Henderson�s Used Cars & Salvage: A Southern Missouri Staple

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Old Cars Weekly Editor Ron Kowalke has been on the road again seeking out unique salvage yards across the country. This time his wanderings led him to the little town of Monnett, Mo.

Star Cars:Period cars take center stage in Dillinger movie

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

“Public Enemies,” starring Johnny Depp and directed by Michale Mann, will debut in the summer of 2009.

Explore Options Before Starting Restoration Project

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The process of restoring a car starts much earlier than removal of the first bolt. The initial steps can lay a groundwork of success, if properly followed.

Long lost Northern finds a new home

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A brass-era car buff takes a chance on a long-lost 1905 Northern in need of a little TLC.

1916 Rocky Mountain Madness for the automobile

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 1916, more than 200 brands of cars and trucks were traveling the rocky terrain of Colorado.

'71 was last hurrah for high-compression 340 'Cuda

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The 1971 340 'Cuda might not blow the doors off a 427 Camaro, but we have a feeling that this car may have been some middle-aged executive’s last hurrah, a chance to get in on the tail-end of the muscle era in a street machine that could be driven regularly, if needed.

Connecticut Man Still Driving �First Car� After Nearly 70 Years

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about Clarence Curtiss' efforts to keep his '29 Model A Ford on the road

A '41 Ford with 6,000+ miles? Get outa here!

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It came from a little old lady in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. And it was Ron Dewoskin's dream car: a 1941 Ford convertible with only 6,450 actual miles. The car looks, feels and drives like a new car because, basically, it is almost new!

Nash-Healey love affair started in '54

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For years, Jim Rugowski treasured the photo he took back in 1954 of a Nash-Healey LeMans. He still owns the photo - and now he owns a Nash-Healey.

Horch Gets Nod as Best of the Best at Glenmoor Gathering

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A 1938 Horch 853 Special Roadster by Erdmann & Rossi owned by Judge Joseph Cassini of West Orange, N.J., received top honors at the 14th annual Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles.

Hip to be Square: The 1958-1960 Ford Thunderbird

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In spite of the occasional negative comments and the disappointment that the sporty two-passenger ’Bird was gone, there is no question that the ’58 Thunderbird was a huge success. This car created a whole new type of automobile, the “personal luxury” coupe.

Time Tested: Wagoneer was long-running staple for Jeep

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When the Jeep Wagoneer made its debut on November 14, 1962 it created a worldwide sensation. It featured an all-new overhead-cam six-cylinder engine, optional automatic transmission (an industry first when mated to four-wheel drive) and offered independent front suspension. The suggested retail price was $3,526. The Wagoneer’s appeal was primarily to the gentrified and genteel weekend farmer, referred to within the company as "the horsey set."

'66 Chevy pickup had fresh new look

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Mention the year 1966 for Chevrolet and most people think of the Coke bottle-shaped Impala, Chevelle, Corvair and El Camino. In direct contrast, Chevrolet’s light-duty pickup based on a truck frame had boxy, straightedge styling.

The smallest big Mack: The ED

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Although not everything Mack has built over the years is a monster, the company has rarely produced a vehicle that could be considered less than serious. Allowing that “small” is a relative term when discussing trucks, the smallest of the E series is the ED that Mack brought out in 1938.

Southern Survivor: a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

MoPar enthusiasts Tim and Pam Wellborn care for a coveted final-year Hemi Road Runner.

1969 GTO: Return of 'The Great One'

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The times-were-a-changing in the muscle car world by 1969, but hot iron was still coming out from Detroit as fast as the assembly lines could build it. For Pontiac, that included a new vehicle called the The Judge and some new engine technology that made for a pretty awesome GTO lineup.

Retractable Hardtops Identified 1950s Skyliners

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You’ve seen them at many car shows. If they were human, they might be considered something of a show off — the type that gains attention in a group through card tricks or hand stands. These Ford Skyliner extroverts were one of the most unique feats of technology and style in the 1950s.

21st Century Ideas in Model T Days

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Both recycling and alternative energy research were done at Ford beginning in 1913

Model T never seems to go out of style

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ford Model T was an immensely popular and beloved car. Rugged, adaptable and straightforward, it was useful as everything from a delivery vehicle to a station wagon to a pickup, not to mention a touring, a roadster and a coupe. The Model A was a better match to contemporary roads and the demands then being made on cars, but many Model T owners were very loyal.

On the Skids

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One accessory that never really caught on was the Connecticut D-Skidder, an aftermarket product that applied sand near the wheels to aid in traction.

Seal Surface Repair: Seal Replacement Step-By-Step

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One thing old cars and trucks have is a lot of seals. And, like brakes and oil, these “expendables” wear out and must eventually be replaced. Replacing the seal is easy: just pound out the old one and carefully press in a new one. But what do you do if the surface that the seal hugs is shot?

Those Precious Pedal Cars

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A photographic look back at pre-World War II pedal cars.

Flight School for the Dodge Daytona

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 'Wing King' flew into racing history.

Return of the Renville: Custom sportscar back in spotlight

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What has been called ‘One of America’s First Sports Cars’ is back in the spotlight. It has been consigned to sell at the upcoming Borgata sale in Atlantic City.

Auto Trivia 2/27/08

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Q. What was the single model year for the Mercury four-door convertible?

The Studebaker Lark: little and lovable, even today

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What's so appealing about a Studebaker Lark? “It’s one of things that you really can’t get tired of,” according to one Lark owner. “Because it’s so different and so unique. It’s just one of those cars that you take one look at (and) you want to adopt it and take it home with you.”

Vintage Muscle: the Rambler Rebel

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Rambler Rebel was one of the fasted cars on the road in 1957.

Cruising for Ford Customers

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

South Dakota Ford salesmen had a unique approach to finding customers back in the 1930s: find people who need a car and drive them to work.

Retro Racing: Factory support no sure thing

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Detroit’s “Big Three” looks for ways to cut costs, their across-the-board support of auto racing will likely be a target for the chopping block.

For Corbitt trucks, the road ended in 1954

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Richard Corbitt built his first buggy in 1899 and continued to build buggies through 1907. During that time, there were four buggy manufacturers in Henderson, and Corbitt was the only survivor. In 1907, he manufactured his first automobile, called a “horseless buggy.” In 1912, he built 13 automobiles. He had imported some labor from Detroit to have workers knowledgeable about automobiles, but he was losing money on every automobile. In 1913 he decided to build trucks instead of automobiles.

What a Drag!

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Michigan's Pure Stock Musclecar Drag Race has carved out a niche within the hobby as a car show where the owners race their vehicles down the 1,320.

Daytona Destiny

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A 1959 De Soto’s adventure from assembly line to the starting line.

Collecting Chryslers: A mighty fine '39

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Jack Eeles' 1939 Chrysler Royal sedan was once so babied that it was parked in a living room. Eeles bought the car in 1975 with 17,000 miles on it, and he's had it on the road a lot since then.

Back in �58, Austin-Healey sprang the Sprite

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 1958, Austin-Healey set out to greatly increase its sales volume. It was then that the company expanded its lineup into lower price ranges with a new sports car tagged at just $1,795. It was the Austin-Healey Sprite.

Buick�s Wild One

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In 1964, Buick added four-door sedans to the Wildcat line, an act that went against the original idea of the sporty machine

Head for the Hill!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Hershey Vintage Hillclimb brings out veteran and rookie drivers. In the end, you either conquered the hill or you became just another victim.

Winterizing Your Wheels

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If you live in a climate with "real" winters and you need to winterize your collector car every fall, you might as well do it right. Here's how.

Getting Peace of Mind: The Path to Proper Insurance Coverage

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about the proper way to insure your classic

Remembering the Comanche Eliminator

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Jeep Comanche was unique with a unibody pickup based on the downsized Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer XJ platform. Comanche Eliminator represented a high point in American performance trucks, and today is one of the more coveted vintage Jeep vehicles.

Never too young for a '34 Ford

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A 33-year-old collector patiently waited 10 years before he was able to buy this 1934 Cabriolet in showroom condition.

Cosworth Vega: A trend-setting hi-po coupe

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Back in the early 1970s, what the Chevy Vega needed was an “image” model that would appeal to high-performance buffs and weekend racers. The result was the Cosworth Vega. For muscle-car history lovers, the Cosworth Vega has a lot of significance. It started a trend, for domestic car makers, towards modern high-performance sport coupes with double overhead cam four-cylinder engines.

Beaulieu Autojumble: car swappin' British style

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After reading about the Hershey’s AACA Eastern National Fall Meet in the 1960s, Michael Ware, now-retired director of Britain’s National Motor Museum, got to thinking: maybe a similar car event could be held in England. Thus evolved the Beaulieu Autojumble.

'67 Galaxie 500 ragtop is a blast in blue

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This unrestored 1967 Galaxie 500 ragtop has been a hit since day one.

Pair of Rare 8-Liter Bentleys Reemerge After 30 Years

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Barn find" is a term that might be slightly overused these days, but it certainly applied to a recent discovery in Ohio. Abarn there recently yielded thirteen classic cars, including a pair of rare 8-liter Bentleys.

Abarth 750 GT Zagato was Economical, Yet Sporty

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Anyone who knows at least a little about Italian cars will quickly recognize Ferrari’s prancing horse, Maserati’s trident, or Lamborghini’s charging bull. But Abarth’s scorpion most often will draw a blank — a shame since the Abarth badge always promised performance and charisma alongside economy and a relatively low purchase price.

Collecting Chryslers: Don't forget the four-doors!

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Most car enthusiasts would probably agree that the four-door is well down the desirability scale when choosing a hobby car.
Many of us seek out either 1) the make and model we owned in our youth, associated with many fond memories, or 2) the make and model we wanted back then, but were prevented from owning, usually by the cost.

Americans have always loved luxury cars

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Even in the early days, there was always a place for the American luxury car.

N.C. yard owner looking for buyer

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With other interests to pursue, this yard owner is looking to change gears and leave the business.

1984 Impala Fit for a President

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An Impala squad car that first served duty for a prairie town in Kansas now stands guard at Reagan Library.

The Corvette was GM's "Little" Gamble

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Corvette was risky business for General Motors when first introduced.

One-Year Wonders: The 1958 Chevrolet

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about the "all new" 1958 Chevrolet passenger car line

An old-time Ford Christmas

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The spirit of Christmas was always apparent in the pages of Ford's in-house publications, Ford Times and Ford News.

Comet Cyclone stormed onto the stage in �65

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Mercury's Comet Cyclone was the hot rod brother to the Mercury Caliente.

The Edsel: wrong car, wrong time

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The ill-fated Edsel was like the pretty girl who just couldn't find a date for the prom.

Cadillac's Golden Year

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

1952 anchored Cadillac's position in the luxury-car market.

The strong survived 1907 Bankers' Panic

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Car makers weathered the economic storm a century ago.

Retro Racing: Remembeing Marv Jenkins

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Automotive history in general, and auto racing in particular, lost one of its legendary pioneers Sept. 14, when Marvin Edward Jenkins died at home in St. George, Utah, after a recent illness. He was 88.

Chrysler Cars Were Late To The Collector-Car Hobby

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the early days, Chrysler was far from having the leading edge in the old car hobby. Why? Did it relate to the cars? Lack of innovations? No excitement? Poor style? Bad performance? Probably none of these. More than anything, it was timing.

Vintage Muscle: the '57 Thunderbird F-Code

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The 1957 Ford F-Code was a formidable bird.

The dream team of Kaiser and Frazer

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Frazer joined forces to make their mark in the 1940s.

Readers Respond to Halt the Rush to Crush

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about how the rush to crush old cars will damage the old car hobby in the near term.

Getting your car appraised? Here's some expert advice

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of reasons to get your collector car appraised these days. Jeff Lock is an expert with an insider's knowledge of how appraisals should work. His advice: be involved.

�51 Saratoga featured FirePower Hemi V-8

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The contribution of the Chrysler FirePower hemispherical head V-8 to the domestic-car horsepower race of the 1950s is widely known and unquestioned

Roadmaster hit a road block in '90s

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

GM's gamble with the station wagon didn't pay off in the 1990s with the rising popularity of SUVs and minivans.

Mighty Mercer A magnificent independent

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Mercer didn't survive in the rough-and-tumble U.S. car market, but while it was around the company rolled out some cars that are certainly worth remembering.

Q&A .. With Kit Foster

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Answer man Kit Foster tackles questions on Ford databases, state-issued pseudo-VINs, and an exhaust for a 1957 Chevy.

For 1953-'54, Plymouth tried smaller approach

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There was some grumbling among the Plymouth faithful in 1953 when the cars of their favorite began to shrink. But one thing is clear today: The two-year 1953-’54 Plymouth model run is in a class of its own.

Auburn Allure

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

‘Barn-find’ 1935 Speedster helps revive collector’s love for Classic marque.

Squashing Bugs photo feature Old Volkswagen wrecks

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A look through a crash photographer's lens at Volkswagen wrecks in California between May 1956 and April 1961.

Bleeding Ford Blue

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For this family, car collecting is in the blood. And for most of them, their blood is Ford blue.

Early Broncos broke the mold

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ford’s first SUVs still have plenty of loyal fans.

Oklahoma collector goes for best of the brass era

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This Oklahoma collector has a passion for old cars, but his interest is in the oldest of the old — the horseless carriages and brass-era vehicles that launched the automotive industry.

2009 Spring Carlisle: The kickoff to the show season

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Spring Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet and Corral marks the beginning of the swap meet season each year. This year's edition figures to be another monster event.

The Cure for Corvette fever

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Perhaps it’s the loss of their 1961 Corvette that led the Rehfeldts to buy their second Corvette, a 1964 Sting Ray, from the showroom floor, then never let it go.

Country Classics: Growing in the Heartland

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Russ Noel has found success farming for old cars at Country Classics in Southern Illinois.

Oven-Fresh Haulers

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Bakery fleet shows sweet sedan deliveries and panel trucks from the past.

Ford flashbacks

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Back in 1983, FoMoco offered a solid lineup and set the stage for future success.

'68 Yenko racer: Never titled, never registered

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the racing tradition, this Yenko was never titled, registered or street-driven. It’s been a “track star” all of its life.

Arizona man found the highway to hot rodding

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lyall Herwig likes to think ahead. He’s looking forward to his 50th high school reunion behind the wheel of his restored 1957 Ford Fairlane convertible.

What's the real story behind the "rare" LaSalle truck?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the March 12 issue, Old Cars Weekly featured a unique 1933 LaSalle truck with the Henney coachbuilder’s name stamped in the tailgate. Was it a funeral vehicle? Was it a transporter for a Cadillac and LaSalle dealer? Was it Henney’s own in-plant vehicle? None of these turned out to be the case.

Studebaker Daytona now a rare 'sleeper'

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With a top speed of 132 mph and 0-to-60 acceleration of 7.8 seconds, Studebaker’s R4 Daytona could show its taillights to any production sedan.

Loveable Loser: The unforgetable AMC Pacer

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Back in the early '70s, AMC spent millions of dollars conjuring of up a new compact car. What came of this effort was the much-maligned and impossible-to-forget Pacer — a poster child for ugly cars that failed.

For its owner, Studebaker truck is a true Champ

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Like cats, some vehicles have nine lives. Brian Tappan’s rare 1962 Studebaker Champ pickup has already had several.

Classics and customs coexist at Glenmoor Gathering

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Read more about the 2005 Glenmoor Gathering

Ford Fixation

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It may have started with a Corvette, but Valenti Classics can’t help its Ford Fixation.

GM survived 1920 despite flamboyant leadership

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William C. Durant was both respected and criticized for his leadership of the car company he created. How would General Motors survive the economic crisis of 1920?

A Lifelong Love of "Vettes"

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With so many great choices in Corvette’s six generations so far, it was hard to narrow down a ‘theme’ for a collection I started more than two decades ago. But I did. My goal throughout was to assemble a ‘mini-history’ of America’s only true sports car.

Road Trip: Indy or Bust!

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Adventurous teens took to the road in a ’34 Ford.