Hemmings Classic Car March 2017

“We all benefit from owning old cars that are more entertaining, comfortable and, most important, safer to drive.” The 1957 Buick Special convertible that I had the pleasure of photographing last October for this issue was one of my more satisfying photoshoots in recent months. Besides the perfect autumn temps of 70-degrees, bright blue skies and the striking colors of the fall foliage that helped make the black Buick come alive, the enjoyable drive through the countryside made it a “special” day, indeed. Cruising in big Fifties-era American cars is always a joy, which is made all the more entertaining when driving down winding secondary roads loaded with curves and sweeping bends. You quickly realize that you’re not in a sports car. While these big, beautiful cars of the…

Working Class Heroes AMERICA’S CAR MUSEUM has opened its Tools of the Trade—Powering the Working Class exhibit, which pays homage to America’s work trucks and includes 15 vintage vehicles ranging from paddy wagons, grocer’s trucks, delivery vehicles and more. Exemplifying the changing sizes, shapes and configurations needed to usher in new economies and industries, the eclectic range includes a 1942 GMC one-ton stake-side truck (pictured) and features other working vehicles from 1907 to 1956. Supplementing the vehicle display will be an exhibit wall with informative video monitors. Few museums feature commercial trucks, so be sure to check out the LeMay America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, and visit its site at americascarmuseum.org. Chevy Sooner Scramble THE VINTAGE CHEVROLET CLUB OF America has its Northeast Oklahoma 20th Anniversary National Southern Spring…

Stateline Somethingorother BACK IN THE MID-1990s, Steven Christensen stopped along Woodswether Road in Kansas City, Missouri, just shy of the state line with Kansas, to shoot some photos of a dozen or so cars that had sat in the same fenced-off lot at least since the early 1980s. “I passed this area on multiple occasions, but could never find any information on the owner of the lot or how to contact him,” Steven wrote. “It was apparent that whoever he was, he had a soft spot for collectible cars.” And whoever he was, he wasn’t just collecting willy-nilly. In the lot he had a 1957 Ford retractable, a 1963 Riviera and a mid-year Corvette. But he also had an odd little homebuilt roadster with a swingset rollbar and a tri-fin…

SoCal Success MECUM HELD ITS ANAHEIM 2016 AUCTION this past November 17-19 and saw an impressive $11 million in sales with 308 cars finding new owners. Among those cars was this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible, which sold for $110,000. One of 1,800 produced in 1957, the original numbers-matching Cadillac was finished in burgundy with a black vinyl top and matching leather interior. To see the complete listing of all the cars that crossed the block, go to: www.mecum.com. Amelia Auctions IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO MAKE IT to Scottsdale this January, Amelia Island, Florida, offers an impressive array of auctions during the Concours d’Elegance weekend held March 9-12. Five different auction houses are now scheduled this year, with the type of cars ranging from high-end collectibles to nice daily…

Ford Convertibles 1952-1967 DLNARUS@YAHOO.COM  • WWW.NEWALBANYBOOKS.COM $18.95, PLUS $3.99 SHIPPING IN THE U.S. The latest title from automotive historian Don Narus applies his casual style and thoughtful detail to one of his personal-favorite topics: mid-century Ford convertibles. This primer introduces newcomers to the Dearborn automaker’s full-sized and compact soft-tops built between 1952 and 1967 — including the retractable Skyline and Mustang, but not the Thunderbird — and is enhanced with basic specifications and production numbers. More than 150 black-and-white photos and period advertising illustrations are contained in its 87 softcover pages, for ease of reference; it’s a fine go-to for the enthusiastic novice. 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z-16 888-910-2889 • WWW.AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM $79.99, WITH FREE GROUND SHIPPING IN THE U.S. Every time we encounter one of Ertl Collectibles’ 1:18-scale “Authentics”-line models, we’re excited by…

Chevy Gauges Classic Instruments introduces the Bell Era III Package, a near-stock gauge cluster that is a direct-fit for your 1955-’56 Chevrolet. It features a built-in ECM signal filter switch, turn signals, high-beam headlamps and a single-connector wiring harness for ease of installation. A new feature for added versatility and convenience is a fuel sender selector switch that allows for compatibility with any fuel resistance range by way of a simple switch set up during installation. The cluster is ready to install, including glass lens, in an existing housing, bezel not included. Four colors are available: black, white, gray and tan, with matching clocks and an optional gear selector with or without overdrive. Cost: $975 (gear selector not included); $250 (gear selector). CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS 800-575-0461 WWW.CLASSICINSTRUMENTS.COM Deluxe Grease Gun AMSOIL’s…