Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i Hemmings Classic Car

Moore or Less a Ford OUT OF A ONE-CAR GARAGE IN NELSON, ILLINOIS, EMERGED THIS LITTLE LOTUS-LIKE homebuilt special that Shay Moore completed in 1958. According to Shay’s younger brother, Terry, Shay built it on a shortened Ford frame with a souped-up Ford flathead V-8. “Used a lot of thin wall tubing and aluminum to shape the body,” Terry wrote. “He gave me a ride to grade school in it. It was quite fast being light weight.” However, as Terry reports, Shay sold the special in 1960 and they subsequently lost track of it. Now they’re hoping that somebody out there knows what happened to it and, if it’s still around, where it is now. One Big Buick WE HAVE TO ASSUME AT LEAST SOME of our readers drove or…

Nash Rubber METRO MOULDED PARTS • 800 - 878 - 2237 • WWW.METROMMP.COM  • $99.95/PAIR Headlamp bar pads for 1932-’33 (Series 970, 1070, and 1170) Nashes are now available from Metro Moulded Parts. Each pad is made of a dense rubber compound for maximum protection against moisture and doesn’t feature any fillers that can cause premature deterioration. The pads are backed by Metro’s 15-year warranty. Drip Defender SPLATTERGUARD PRODUCTS • 833 - 801- 9334 • WWW.SPLATTER - GUARD.COM  • $24.99 - $39.99 Keeping the garage or shop floor clean is always a challenge, as messy drips and leaks are difficult to avoid. These new durable drip mats boast an absorbent protective layer to help protect your floors and keep them clean. The drip mats are available in several designs, and each mat can be used multiple…

You sit somewhat low in a 1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner. The seats are a touch shallow and your legs stretch out before you. The driving position seems to suit the car’s rakish lines, however, which puts you in the role of potential astronaut rather than mundane commuter. From the broad grille to the ribbed stone guards and the afterburner taillamps, the big Ford seems eager to gobble up miles on the brand-new and growing interstate system of its youth — or potentially to ferry First Class passengers on interstellar vacations. Ford styling in 1961 said spaceship, but Ford’s marketing said sports cars — which is the phrase most used for performance-oriented vehicles before the muscle car era. One brochure illustrated a Starliner parked at the power boat races. The big…

“ Because Pontiac decided to build a compact with punch, they went for the knockout,” asserted the 1977 dealer brochure description of the Ventura line. For ’77, these cars received a modern front-end treatment and interior revisions. A two-door coupe or hatchback and a four-door sedan in base or upscale SJ trim offered a step up from their slightly lower-priced Chevrolet Nova siblings. Conversely, the Oldsmobile Omegas and Buick Skylarks cost a bit more than the Pontiacs. Though various styling cues, trim, and equipment differed between them to instill brand identity and justify prices, they all shared GM’s X-body platform. Fuel efficiency became a high priority during the energy-crisis-riddled 1970s and automakers responded. Buick’s 231-cu.in. V-6 became the Ventura’s standard engine for 1977 and had higher EPA fuel mileage ratings…

The year 1967 was a period of change around the world, and one of major transition for Jaguar’s sedan lineup. Preparing to launch the 1968 XJ6 — that single automobile would replace the compact Mk 2, midsize S-type, and large Mk X — the Coventry automaker would shuffle the names and engines of its four-door trio that year. The model on these pages wasn’t sold here new, but proved itself as adaptable and endearing to America as every Jaguar sport sedan. Prospective buyers visiting U.S. Jaguar showrooms in 1967 may have received a surprisingly pleasant sticker-shock, thanks to the lower price asked for the Mk 2. This car’s $4,490 MSRP was a substantial $782 less than what was charged in 1966, the reason traced to less luxury content and a…

Among the thousands of immigrants arriving in America in 1913 was a 19-year-old Russian named Morris Markin. According to family legend, Markin had but $2 in his pocket, which was not enough for the $25 minimum cash assets required to enter the country, so a sympathetic janitor lent him the difference. Markin moved on to Chicago, where he had relatives, and managed to land a job as a tailor’s assistant. He worked hard and saved his money, so that when the shop owner eventually died, Markin was able to purchase the establishment from the widow. He and one of his brothers partnered to grow the business, and in time expanded it into a pants factory. After landing a World War I contract to make uniform pants, Markin soon became a…

Bob Marcks Designer, Chrysler Corporation BOB PALMA’S COLUMN, “WHITHER the Convertible” in HCC #168, was excellent in covering the realities of the convertible’s rise and fall that culminated in the production of the “last American convertible,” the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. When Lee Iacocca arrived at Chrysler, he overcame formidable odds and saved the corporation. He deserves full credit for every accomplishment that contributed to it. However, he obviously didn’t personally initiate all of them. The convertible was a work in progress when he heard about it. But he did like the idea (in contrast to his sales and market VPs, who reluctantly signed up to sell 5,000, if sold at cost!) so much he had the Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters in California build him one, but it was unrelated to the…

THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TWELVE IS A NEW OFFERING FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR Company. The V-type engine features six cylinders per side, en bloc, at a 60-degree angle, generating more power with its 338 cubic inches. Conveniences include aisle-way front seats, angled windshield to decrease wind resistance and reflections, and a larger body and new tire holder allowing for the transport of two tires requiring only one strap. The Highway Twelve is available for as low as $1,990. SALES RACE (total model-year production) 1. Ford ...............................734,811 2. Willys-Overland................140,111 3. Buick .............................124,834 4. Dodge ............................. 71,400 5. Chevrolet ......................... 70,701 6. Maxwell ........................... 69,000 7. Studebaker....................... 65,536 8. Saxon.............................. 27,800 FORD CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE market with over one-million cars in service today. Known for its dependability and simplicity, the Model T…

Eastern Divisional Tour THE AACA HAS MOVED BACK ITS MAY EASTERN DIVISIONAL TOUR, HOSTED BY THE Maryland Eastern Shore Chapter, to August 12-15. This tour is centered around Cambridge, Maryland, and is a great chance to see the state’s marshes, shores, and woodlands while touring in your classic. Stops include visits to the Richardson Maritime Museum, the Harriet Tubman Museum, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and the Classic Motor Museum. Spots are still available; visit www.aaca.org for more information. De Soto Dreaming THE NATIONAL DESOTO CLUB CONVENTION IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE JULY 29 to August 2 in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with a judged car show marking the culmination of the event. Driving tours and bus tours, revolving around the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel, are still being put together. Check the club’s…

Amelia Island WITH AN APRIL THAT WAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, WE’LL GO BACK and take a look at some of the sales at Amelia Island last March. Bonhams saw a 63-percent sell-through in American classic cars with total sales eclipsing $590,000. Two of the more successful sales were a pair of Thomas automobiles that were part of the Harold Coker Estate. A 1903 one-cylinder Model 18 sold at $89,000, while a 1910 M6-40 Flyabout, finished in a two-tone green paint scheme and assembled from parts collected over more than 40 years, including an original 640 engine, found a new home at $112,000. At Gooding & Company, there were few American choices, but a nice 1941 Cadillac Series 62 convertible sedan did sell among the lots, and was believed to be…

SPECIFICATIONS PRICE BASE PRICE $2,713 OPTIONS Thunderbird 390 Special V-8; Cruise-O-Matic transmission; air conditioning; two-tone paint; power brakes; power steering ENGINE TYPE Ford FE OHV V-8; cast-iron block and cylinder heads DISPLACEMENT 390-cu.in. BORE X STROKE 4.05 x 3.78 inches COMPRESSION RATIO 9.6:1 HORSEPOWER @ RPM 300 @ 4,600 TORQUE @ RPM 427 lb-ft @ 2,800 VALVETRAIN Hydraulic MAIN BEARINGS Five FUEL SYSTEM Autolite 4100 four-barrel carburetor; mechanical pump LUBRICATION SYSTEM Pressure, gear-type pump ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12-volt, breaker point ignition system; generator EXHAUST SYSTEM Single exhaust TRANSMISSION TYPE Ford Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission RATIOS 1st 2.40:1 2nd 1.47:1 3rd 1:1 DIFFERENTIAL TYPE Ford 9-inch hypoid, semi-floating type GEAR RATIO 2.91:1 STEERING TYPE Recirculating ball, power assist RATIO OVERALL 18:1 TURNING CIRCLE 41.2 feet BRAKES TYPE Hydraulic, drums, power assist FRONT 11…

IN HCC #187 THE LITWIN-LENTINELLO duo did the 1961 Ford Country Squire proud! As usual, engaging text and fabulous photos. Thank you. Our family had a 1962 Country Sedan and even with its massive chrome luggage rack and tasteful chrome trim I couldn’t keep an envious eye from those wood-sided Squires. The featured Squire is a rare beauty, with its options adding a fascination for “loaded” wagon fans. I’ve always wondered, however, why Ford didn’t plunk a colorful Ford crest in the center of the steering wheel instead of that boring chrome button, or at least somewhere else on the dash for a splash of color. A boyhood friend’s family bought a new 1961 Galaxie; we waited for his father to drive it home after work. I’ll never forget eyeing…

Through the years, there were probably way more independent auto manufacturers in England than in America. The larger and more popular companies were Austin, Bentley, Daimler, Hillman, Humber, Jaguar, Land Rover, MG, Morris, Riley, Rolls-Royce, Rover, Standard, Singer, Sunbeam, Triumph, Vauxhall, and Wolseley. Yet, there were literally hundreds of other car manufacturers based there, although many of them were extremely small cottage industry types. Here’s a brief description of the more “popular” British independent marques, and why most no longer exist. AC: Having produced what was arguably the most adored shape ever bestowed on a two-seat roadster, the Ace’s success wasn’t enough to sustain this great little company and keep its talented craftsmen employed. But if AC had exported the great looking mid-engine 1979-’84 3000ME sports car to the U.S.,…

Britain, Britain, Britain! A land of rolling green hills, and seemingly a thousand carmakers vying for business in the early days of motoring. Many failed, many others merged, some achieved significance and volume sales. Many remain today, but plenty have fallen by the wayside in decades past. But the cars they built oozed charm, and many, in their way, changed the face of motoring. Maybe they were high-performance specials that received fame on the racetracks of Europe, or maybe they simply helped England change over from the horse to the automobile. All are significant in their own way: Thus, these are the definitive pre- and postwar automobiles of a given marque. Each car is a standout in its own way and is well worth getting to know. Due to space…

Chevrolet’s Suburban turned 85 years old in 2020, easily making it one of history’s most enduring nameplates. The all-new 2021 edition, due out this year, is like a 19-foot-long rolling pleasure boat, and its 8,000-pound tow rating means it can pull most pleasure boats to the lake. The latest ’Burb rides, for the first time, on four-wheel independent suspension, with optional adaptive air ride. Power comes from one of two V-8s or the 3-liter Duramax diesel six, all paired only with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there are amenities that were once unthinkable in a light truck: 10-speaker stereo, touch-screen infotainment, 12-way power seats, and more. Luxuriously appointed Suburbans aren’t a new concept, as our 1990 feature truck demonstrates. It’s part of the GM North American Heritage Collection and a…

IT WAS THE WINTER OF 1968, AND I had been without a car since being drafted into the U.S. Army the year before. Upon leaving for the service, I had sold my Chevrolet Impala to my brother Marlon; we both enjoyed that car immensely. In December 1968, I got leave to come home for Christmas. As I was enjoying my time back home, I ran across a pale yellow 1957 MGA 1500 coupe at a used car dealer in Long Beach, California, and fell in love. It was listed at a reasonable price, though more than my available funds, but I still attempted to buy it. Servicemen at that time were considered to be high risk for loans. I was told that I would need a civilian to cosign for…

CAR 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible AUCTIONEER RM Sotheby’s LOCATION Amelia Island, Florida DATE March 6, 2020 LOT NUMBER 136 AVERAGE SELLING PRICE $67,000 SELLING PRICE $56,000 THE CARIBBEAN WAS GIVEN AN OHV V-8 engine for 1955 and featured Senior-line styling, tri-color paint schemes, and a dual-scooped hood among the many redesigns. Production saw a limited run of 500 units, making the Caribbean one of the rarer and more collectible Packards of the 1950s. This example bucked the flash of the tri-colored Caribbeans with its triple onyx scheme and white convertible top and boot cover. It remained under the same ownership from new and showed only 19,513 miles on the odometer. Equipment included power seats, windows, convertible top, steering, and brakes. The interior had its original leather and working instruments like…

Although only offered for two short model years, the Starliner name captivates car enthusiasts even today. When it was introduced for the 1960 model year, the radical fastback roof was unlike anything Ford had offered since 1948, and it was attached to one of the most flamboyant designs ever to come from Dearborn. When it returned for 1961, it was perhaps the only recognizable feature from the year before, and it has been perennially identified with the resurgence of Ford performance in the early ’60s — both in its absence for 1962, and in the way it led to the creation of the memorable 1963½ semi-fastback Sports Hardtop. While the name Starliner sounds like a passenger ship for the cosmos, it was a natural extension of Ford styling and marketing…

In late September 1909, about 80 miles east of New York City, the Long Island Stock Chassis Derby took place. The race was held on September 29, and started and finished just north of Riverhead. This small town is located at the point where eastern Long Island is met by the Great Peconic Bay, and the land divides out to a V shape to form the north and south forks of the island. The Long Island Derby course was 22.75 miles long, and was a somewhat oval-shaped route with a sharp, V-shaped turn at its most eastern end, in the hamlet of Mattituck. The entire race was run on public roads. Given the year that the race was organized and held, it’s a wonder it happened at all at that…

“ Export or die” was the rally call for British automobile companies in the years following World War II, a period when that island nation’s economy was heavily dependent on American dollars to repay its wartime debts. The British cars that U.S. buyers took most to heart — and purchased in great numbers —were the rakishly attractive, engaging sports cars that were so unlike the mainstream transportation produced by automakers on this side of the pond; more affluent buyers also looked to the U.K. for its incredible selection of fine and sophisticated sporting motorcars. Ship after ship came Stateside carrying sporting automobiles with venerable nameplates like AC, MG, and Singer, bearing newer ones like Austin-Healey, Lotus, and TVR. Enthusiastic American buyers embraced these sometimes impractical, always life-affirming roadsters and coupes,…

No matter why an automobile was created, or how it was destined to be used, most — if not all — left an indelible impression upon a young life at least once. Whether it was a striking body design, gleaming trim, the throaty growl of an engine, or the elegance of open-air travel, its impact survived for decades until the perfect moment when youthful dreams become mature reality. Among the many who know this path of ownership destiny is Michael Stemen. A resident of Grahamsville, New York, during the summer months, his moment of automotive revelation occurred at the age of eight, when a family friend arrived in a newly acquired 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible. According to Michael, “I looked at the Buick and said to my father, ‘Look at…

After all the required metalwork has been completed, and once the body shell has been painted, the most time-consuming part of any restoration is the final assembly. It’s a tedious task to install all the trim and make it fit perfectly, all the while being extra cautious not to damage the new finish. That’s why it pays dividends to test-fit every exterior part that gets bolted to the body, prior to applying the paint. It’s similar to that old familiar carpenter’s adage: measure twice, cut once. When Mark Macy and his talented crew at Macy’s Garage in Tipp City, Ohio, decided to restore Mark’s wife Tonda’s TR4 to a never-before-seen level, with the objective of attaining a perfect 100-point score, they set in motion a goal that all before discovered…

Heavy Traffic Leads to Strong Bidding NEVER FAR FROM THE PULSE OF THE ACTION ON THE COLLECTOR-CAR market, we are now closer than ever with our online-only Hemmings Auctions, where we immediately see trends and surprises alike. We are able to tell not only which cars are selling or which ones end in a bidding war as time winds down, but also the volume of people that are visiting our auctions site. Perhaps one of the most positive signs of the strength of the collector-car market during the first couple months of the pandemic has been the record levels of traffic we are seeing at hemmingsauctions.com. And that has led to some strong bidding as well. The 1957 Chevrolet Nomad detailed below was one of three, two-door ’57 Chevy wagons…