Hemmings Classic Car April 2018

“What I like most about the look of early ’40s cars is the simplicity of their shape.” If you think you need to own a lavish Auburn, a high-end Duesenberg, or a V-16 Cadillac to enjoy the old-car experience to the fullest, you’re not only mistaken, but you are missing out on some of the best cars to ever roll off a Detroit assembly line. While many of us fantasize about owning a coachbuilt Classic such as a Darrin-bodied Packard, or an equally rare high-performance muscle car like a Super Duty Pontiac Catalina, the truth remains that most old cars, regardless of their pedigree, will provide a level of fun and excitement to satisfy even the most jaded of aspirations. Take the 1942 Hudson that’s featured elsewhere in this issue.…

Great Race Cities THE 2018 GREAT RACE WILL BEGIN JUNE 23 in Buffalo, New York, and meander its way through upstate New York, northern New England, New Brunswick, and finally conclude in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on July 1. The journey will cover more than 2,200 miles with overnight and lunch stops in 16 different cities. The race is open to all collectible 1972 and older cars and trucks, and will feature five different divisions based on experience from Grand Champion to X-Cup, which is reserved for college and high school teams. If you’re planning on being near one of the scheduled stops and want to see all of these wonderful cars, be sure to visit www.greatrace.com for location details and more information. Lincolns in Florida THE 2018 EASTERN NATIONAL LINCOLN…

Huxley’s Crosley? MOST BACKGROUND CARS IN OLD PHOTOS TEND TO BE EASILY IDENTIFIED garden-variety everyday automobiles. But when researching a 1961 Hollywood Hills wildfire, Chris Hoffman found in the Los Angeles Examiner archives on the USC Digital Library a photo of a destroyed residence with an utterly uncommon custom. Frustratingly, details are scarce. As Chris pointed out, the car is parked in front of a house that belonged at the time to Malcolm Small, but “I’m not even sure the car belongs to that house, the news photographer, or someone else,” Chris wrote. Curiously, author Aldous Huxley, who also lost his house in the fire, lived nearby. Given the size and the distinctive gauge set, we’re confident in describing the car as Crosley-based, but we’re left wondering who built the…

Spring Carlisle Auction MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR APRIL 19-21 AS THE SPRING CARLISLE AUCTION RETURNS AND, FOR the second year in a row, will be a three-day event. Last year saw record sales for Carlisle as they hammered home $4.7 million in sales with a 60-percent sell-through rate. It was a given to keep the third day, and consignments are already being accepted. Over 500 consignments are expected and, as usual with the Carlisle Auction, cars that are more than 25 years old and don’t sell, will be refunded all registration fees unless it’s a featured vehicle. Visit carlisleauctions.com for up-to-the-minute information and consignment listings. Fort Lauderdale Festivities RM SOTHEBY’S HAS TAKEN THE BATON from Auctions America to run this year’s 16th-annual auction at the Broward County Convention Center in…

Looking Backward 760-799-9795 • WWW.WAGONBOOK.COM  • $24.95 While minivans became America’s de-facto family-movers in the 1990s, followed by rugged-looking utility vehicles in the 2000s, there has always been a small segment of the enthusiast population that never outgrew its appreciation for the traditional station wagons that were once ubiquitous on our roads. Two of those enthusiasts — photographer John Jordan and author Will Bodine — have collaborated to offer an appealing tribute to this largely postwar phenomenon in this self-published book, subtitled, “America’s Love Affair with the Station Wagon” (ISBN 978-0-692-59420-9). This body style evolved from its utilitarian prewar roots to cover every stratum of the car market, from the cheap compacts to full-sized luxury wagons. This 132-page softcover highlights that range using 26 American wagons built between 1941 and 1992,…

Start it Up NOCO • 800-456-6626 • WWW.NO.CO If you need a small yet powerful battery charger, the G15000 from NOCO is it. It’s a multi-purpose 15-amp charger capable of charging 12- and 24-volt lead-acid batteries as well as lithium-ion batteries. It features a built-in desulfator that will rejuvenate sulfated batteries and features a powerful “JumpCharge” start mode for dead batteries. The small and efficient unit also features reverse polarity protection and is spark proof. NOCO offers a full line of chargers and jump starters; visit their website for the one that’s perfect for your needs. Cost: $199.95 (pictured); $37.95-$249.95 (multi-charging product line). Cool Controls VINTAGE AIR • 800-862-6658 • WWW.VINTAGEAIR.COM Vintage Air announces the release of new Generation IV Ellipse control panels as part of their aftermarket air conditioning systems. Available…