Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2017 i Hemmings Classic Car

MERCY! WHEN WE ASKED FOR MORE DOUBLE-ENDERS A COUPLE YEARS BACK ( HCC #121 AND #127), WE DIDN’T EXPECT MANY MORE TO STILL be out there. Yet you responded with plenty, and we’ll try to get to them all here. Now the question remains: Why? 1978 PLYMOUTH HORIZON / 1979 DODGE OMNI Built by: Bill Brown; Egmondville, Ontario Where spotted: 2015 Mopar Fest Submitted by: Vincent Sowa; Wallenstein, Ontario AIRFLOWS Built by: ? Where spotted: on Facebook Submitted by: Jim Davis; via email DODGE PICKUPS Built by: ? Where spotted: Avondale, Arizona Submitted by: Frank Gorton; via email CROSLEY CCS Built by: ? Where spotted: Dog ’n Suds; Lafayette, Indiana Submitted by: Bob Palma; via email 1955 CADILLACS Built by: Robert Perkins and Jack Gunderson Where spotted:…

Trans Am Time 800-423-5525 • WWW.CALCARCOVER.COM  • $64.99 Is there a more famous automotive logo of the late-Seventies performance car era than Pontiac’s Trans Am hood bird, aka the “screaming chicken,” especially rendered in black and gold? This iconic décor has been commemorated — along with the dearly departed Pontiac division’s arrowhead logo — in a stylish and functional new neon-accented wall clock. This round timepiece (item NEO286) features vintage-style hand-blown glass tubing. The genuine neon gives off a warm, 25-watt glow within its 15-inch diameter, chrome-finished housing, and is electrified through a standard household socket, while the clock itself runs on an AA battery (not included). Ford Tough 612-344-8100 • WWW.QUARTOKNOWS.COM  • $45 From its 1917 Model TT to today’s F-150, the Ford Motor Company has been synonymous with best-selling trucks…

Chrysler had a tough go of it in the early Fifties. Its conservative styling and prewar engines couldn’t keep pace with the competition, most of which had delivered flashy new designs and powerful new V-8 engines along with true automatic transmissions by mid decade. Fortunately for the company that Walter P. Chrysler built, the winds of change blew strong and hard for 1955. Chrysler sales in the early Fifties didn’t suffer at first, what with its solid reputation built on sound engineering and sensible design choices. Its cars were economical, efficient, and a safe bet, if more than a bit staid. But they did little to enthuse a market with a seemingly insatiable desire for new, more and better things. By 1954, Chrysler Corporation had seen its sales shrink considerably,…

When did the American station wagon become a sacrificial lamb? Why were countless wagons, purchased and valued for their comfort and utility, later stripped of their useful components and solid body panels, and discarded, those remnants used to keep convertibles, coupes, and sedans on the road? Ponder what has the loss of those wagons meant for the greater old-car hobby, and how has it changed today’s automotive landscape. The rare survivor on these pages reminds us how millions of families once got around, and brings smiles to everyone who encounters it. This nine-passenger 1965 Chevrolet Impala station wagon was in the care of a single family until 2012, when Don and Tina McIntosh purchased it. It caught Don’s eye because it rekindled fond memories. “My mother’s father had a 1965…

It’s been 39 years since the 1978 Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni first began rolling off the Belvidere, Illinois, assembly line and ushered in a new era of design and engineering at Chrysler. The Omni/Horizon’s L-body platform was the “first front-wheel-drive car with a transverse-mounted engine ever built in North America,” boasted a 1978 Omni dealer brochure. Conceived for economy while retaining ample passenger and cargo space, the unitized construction sub-compact L-cars rode on a 99.2-inch wheelbase, were just 164.8 inches long, and a broad 66.2 inches wide. These hatchback sedans were based on the Horizon developed by Chrysler Europe, but the U.S. versions had different suspensions and drivetrains. Their target competitor was Volkswagen’s Rabbit. The Omni/Horizon was Motor Trend’s 1978 Car of the Year, though Consumer Reports cited a…

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, MY friend Ron, his dog, Rocket, my dog, Rose Marie, and I were mapping out a road rally, when in the distance, he (Ron not Rocket) spotted a Chevrolet Corsica. Ron’s father once owned a Chevrolet dealership, so he was familiar with Corsicas. He tried speeding up, so I could get a photo of it, but that Corsica was way too fast for Ron’s Chrysler minivan. It was probably a V-6 model. A Corsica is less a show car than a way to drive vintage daily. But, if you were to take care of your Corsica, maintaining it cosmetically and mechanically, in a few years, you would have an interesting car to show because this is one of those cars that sold like hotcakes, but…

I HAVE ALWAYS SAID I WAS BORN IN a garage. That’s not quite correct, but I have been around cars for about 88 years. My dad was a mechanic. He had a garage, and my two older brothers worked with him for many years. Dad referred to it as a “Ford garage,” though it was not sanctioned by the Ford Motor Company; it was that Dad thought the Ford was the best and only car made. I can recall, at the age of five, I would go to his garage. We lived in a small town so it was alright for me, as a five-year-old, to walk to the garage, which was about five blocks from our house. Everyone in town knew everyone else, so there was no thought of…

Palos Verdes Returns IF YOU’RE IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA THIS FALL, BE SURE TO CONSIDER A visit to Torrance, where this year’s Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance returns after a one-year hiatus. This year’s show will take place in Zamperini Field and will feature some vintage aircraft, in addition to the automobiles. There will be 19 classes, including special ones like Shelby Automobiles; 1955-’67 Corvettes; American Speed, covering cars from 1949-1972; as well as Race Cars of Special Interest. The event takes place October 1. For accommodations and a full itinerary of events, visit www.pvconcours.org. Hotlanta Weekend THE ATLANTA CONCOURS d’Elegance takes place at the Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, September 30-October 1. Nearly 30 classes of high-end cars will be on display for the Sunday show. Over 200 cars…

Penn Station “OCTOBER” AND “PENNSYLVANIA” IS ALL A CLASSIC-CAR ENTHUSIAST NEEDS TO HEAR, AS THREE auctions will be taking place in the Keystone State around the time of Hershey. Bonhams will return to Philadelphia on October 2 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, with early consignments including a 1910 Regal Underslung and 1913 Stevens Duryea C-Six Touring. Also taking place on October 2, Morphy Auctions will feature automobilia, petroliana, and automobiles at its auction house in Denver, Pennsylvania. Of course, Hershey will have the RM Sotheby’s Auction, October 5-6 — coinciding with the AACA National Fall Meet — in which well over 100 cars are expected during the two-day sale. All three events are still accepting consignments. Visit www.bonhams.com, www.morphyauctions.com, and www.rmsothebys.com for more information. Branson Beauties THE BRANSON AUCTION…

It would be easy to pity the Ford Model B. When people think of the 1932 Ford, the first thing that springs to mind is the brand-new V-8 engine that set the world on its head. The host of that engine, the identical-appearing Ford Model 18, has become almost inseparable from its powerplant. Thus, when the four-piece hood is lifted on a Model B, exposing the 50-hp, 200.5-cu.in. four-cylinder, many will feel disappointed with what appears to be a carryover from 1931. That’s not true, of course. The 1928-’31 Ford Model A engine, with the same displacement but only 40 horsepower, is related but not identical to the 1932 engine. Ford engineers lavished many improvements on the newer four-cylinder, including full-pressure oiling, more compression, an improved intake manifold and carburetor,…

Central Pennsylvania is hardly the place one would think a world-class concours would be held, but thanks to the creative vision of a select group of members of the Antique Automobile Club of America, Hershey is now clearly on the map of must-attend Concours d’Elegance affairs. In a venue on par with the idyllic setting of Italy’s Villa d’Este on Lake Como and the calming Pacific waterfront scenery of Pebble Beach, The Elegance at Hershey brings that same level of quality of location to car enthusiasts here in the Northeast. The site is the posh Hotel Hershey, which is situated atop the hill that looks down upon Hersheypark and where the AACA’s Fall Meet and swap meet are held each October. The Hotel Hershey is classically grand, having been built…

Big 12-cylinder luxury automobiles, beautiful sports cars, fine-looking sedans and touring cars — over the years, Kissel made them all. In terms of beauty and style, Kissel was truly one of the top auto manufacturers of its time. So, how was a company that produced such well-regarded cars forced to leave the business? The men who founded the Kissel Motor Car Company were honest, hard-working fellows, sons of a German immigrant who moved to Hartford, Wisconsin, to become a farmer, but by dint of hard work, became the well-to-do owner of several businesses. Three of his sons, William, Otto, and George, decided in 1906 to get into the automobile business by producing a car of superior quality and style. With support from the family, they incorporated and by the end…

This is an extremely difficult car on which to perform a complete “nut and bolt” restoration. Unlike Chargers, Barracudas, Corvettes, and Mustangs, you can’t open a catalog and order any part you need. This took months and months of hunting and calling Chrysler dealers across the county and hoping they still had a 30-year-old part sitting on their shelves, and I accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to find everything. I’m almost certain this restoration can never be done again because many of the NOS parts on this car were the last remaining in the Chrysler dealer inventory system, making it a truly “one of one” car.…

MY PARENTS OWNED SEVERAL cars that they needed for their business, including a Nash, an Oldsmobile, and an ancient Chevy pickup. Somehow I became fond of the Nash, which was a very comfortable and sturdy automobile. The Nash was used mainly to transport food from our farm upstate to the family business in Brooklyn during World War II. Growing up in the mid-Hudson Valley in a community with very few kids my age, I busied myself with my interest in cars. After high school and two years of college, I decided to try working as a salesman at our local Pontiac dealer. That job didn’t last too long; however, I do recall selling one especially nice new Pontiac, a 1957 Bonneville convertible. During this time, I decided to join the…

SOMETIMES HISTORIANS NEED TO take note of the people who didn’t get to do what they intended. Arnold Lenz [above, right] is such a man. You may not know his name, but his life intertwined with some of the most pivotal times in General Motors history, and all along, he was right there making his contribution. Arnold Lenz was born in Germany, May 10, 1888. He immigrated to the United States in 1906. Two years later, he joined the world of metal casting when he entered the employ of the Browning Foundry Company of Ravenna, Ohio. In 1916, Lenz joined General Motors’ Buick Division as a foundry instructor. At GM, Lenz slowly but steadily rose through the ranks. During World War I, he was with the Michigan Motor Castings Division…

Oldsmobile’s factory literature stated that its 1957 models were the cars “that put the accent on you!” It was the latest slogan coined to bolster sales; however, the industry had long ago proven that it took more than a catch phrase to sway buyers. It needed to be bolstered by bold designs and, as the decade progressed, increasing power. Volumes have been written about the efforts by designers in Lansing, who bucked the growing fin trend by nixing increasingly crisp lines and sharp corners throughout the entire line in favor of sculpted rolling tunnels that crowned each quarter panel on every 88, Super 88, and Starfire 98 model. It seems only fitting that their continued vision of Rocket power was to carry through the design with taillamps recessed into the…

Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg: When the roar of the 1920s reached its crescendo and ended in the cacophonous failure that was The Great Depression, those three names evoked style, technical sophistication, and speed. With the demise of Errett Lobban Cord’s automotive empire, America would not create another vehicle on par for 30 years — some would argue it never has. Auburn predates E.L. Cord, with roots as a wagon maker in the 1870s that started the Auburn Automobile Company in 1900. The name comes from the town in Northern Indiana where the company was founded, would do business for its entire existence, and where a museum is now dedicated to its products. Auburn struggled to find success with either its original founders or the cartel of Chicago investors who took…

“The first automobile manufacturer to actually deliver his new cars to the public has been Ford, and even now here and there on the highway, we can see some of these 1946 jobs all decked out in their polished chromium and shiny paint. As soon as I heard that the new Fords were coming off the production line, I rushed to Dearborn, Michigan, and after getting the go-ahead from company officials, I was given a stock car and proceeded to ‘give it the works.’” The author was “Uncle” Tom McCahill, debuting in the pulpy pages of Mechanix Illustrated in February 1946. This was the opening salvo of postwar automotive journalism — actual hands-on testing and independent judgment rather than regurgitating a manufacturer’s press release. Thomas Jay McCahill III, was born…

1930 VIKING EIGHT FOUR-DOOR SEDAN  The new Viking is particularly outstanding in performance. Its 90-degree, V-type, eight-cylinder engine delivers 81 horsepower, with exceptional smoothness throughout the entire speed range. Its response to the throttle is remarkable, both in get-away from a standing start and in acceleration at the higher speeds. Its top speed is greater than the average motorist will use and it provides a mighty power reserve for steep hills, long grades, and hard pulling. Self-energizing mechanical four-wheel brakes of the new two-shoe, internal-expanding type assure smooth, sure deceleration in keeping with Viking speed and get-away. CONVERTIBLE COUPE WITH REAR DECK SEAT  Among the most enjoyable features of the new Viking are its driving convenience and handling ease. The entire front seat may be moved instantly forward or backward…

AFTER THE MYSTERIOUS SINKING OF THE USS MAINE IN HAVANA HARBOR, TENSIONS COME to the breaking point between Spain and the United States. Spain refuses America’s ultimatum to relinquish sovereignty of Cuba, and declares war against the U.S. AFTER A FEW YEARS OF FAVORABLE publicity and patent applications, Ransom E. Olds, with an infusion of capital from many around the Lansing area, incorporates the Olds Motor Works in August of 1897. The gasoline-powered vehicle is no stranger to those in the Lansing area, as Olds has driven it around and now plans to make it available to all. Early print ads list a price of $1,000, and it will be interesting to see if demand keeps pace with curiosity. HENRY FORD’S QUADRICYCLE RUNS ON FOUR BICYCLE…

Meticulously restored 1922 Essex pickups are not an everyday sight. In fact, you’ll likely never see another because Essex didn’t mass-manufacture light haulers. This particular example, which is part of The Bickford Collection — a truck museum in Yarmouth, Maine — and lovingly resurrected by longtime Bickford employee Wayne Devoe, is believed to have been built as a one-off alongside Essex’s new closed coach bodies that year. It’s exact origin story has been lost to time, but looking back at the history of this once-great automaker, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Essex toyed with the idea of a closed-cab, integral-box pickup, years ahead of other manufacturers. Long before automobile industry disruptor Elon Musk sunk millions of his own money into an electric vehicle startup called Tesla, Joseph Hudson…