Hemmings Classic Car May 2021

Chevrolet had a tough time keeping up with Ford during the 1930's and 1940's, but really turned the corner in 1955 with the introduction of a brand-new frame, body style and of course, the new 265ci V8 engine. Chevrolet would continue refining the design for the next two production years, culminating with the iconic 1957 Bel Air. It's hard to choose a favorite from those three years of automotive gold, but I'm really liking this 1956 Chevy Bel Air convertible, which is sporting a set of our Firestone 670-15 bias ply whitewall tires. We're proud to offer authentic tires for all three years of the iconic Tri-Five Chevy, and we also offer whitewall tires for thousands of other applications. Choose from Firestone, BFGoodrich or U.S. Royal for authentic bias ply…

“Thanks to everyone who has helped get us here; let’s raise a glass to many more issues yet to come.” As we began work on this issue, someone pointed out what we ought to have been anticipating at least several months ago: That this is the 200th issue of HCC. But it’s been a frenetic and challenging year for everyone, the world over, with many adjustments and allowances to accommodate. So, as we pressed on with our efforts to keep Hemmings’ publications rolling forth — occurring as each of us on the staff are still working from our respective homes —we overlooked the fact that the magazine’s version of an odometer was about to click over another century mark. But, once elements for the issue began to come together, that…

Coker to be Grand Marshal at Chattanooga Motorcar Festival ORGANIZERS OF THE CHATTANOOGA MOTORCAR FESTIVAL RECENTLY ANNOUNCED that Joseph “Corky” Coker has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2021 event. The festivities will take place October 15-17, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with many activities for car fans currently in the planning stages. Corky’s father, Harold, opened Coker Tire Company in Chattanooga in 1958. Later, Corky would assume the leadership role of the family’s BFGoodrich tire dealership and Coker Tire would grow into the largest supplier of collector-vehicle tires and wheels in the world. Corky retired in 2014 and later sold the company to a group of its managers, led by Coker President and Chief Operating Officer Wade Kawasaki. Concours Chairman Ken Gross said, “If there’s one person who personifies…

1-2 • Keels & Wheel Concours d’Elegance Seabrook, Texas • 713-521-0105 • keels-wheels.com 1-2 • Lawrence Swap Meet • Lawrence, Kansas 785-843-2222 • lawrenceregionaaca.com 1-2 • Rhinebeck Antique Car Show & Swap Meet Rhinebeck, New York • 845-876-4000 rhinebeckcarshow.com 2 • Sumter Swap Meet • Bushnell, Florida 727-848-7171 • floridaswapmeets.com 6-8 • Chickasha Spring Swap Meet Chickasha, Oklahoma • 405-224-6552 chickashaautoswapmeet.com 14-15 • Import & Performance Nationals Carlisle, Pennsylvania • 717-243-7855 carlisleevents.com 20-23 • Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Amelia Island, Florida • 904-636-0027 ameliaconcours.org 20-25 • AACA Founders Tour • Davis, West Virginia • 717-534-1910 • aaca.org 28-30 • Springfield Swap Meet & Car Show Springfield, Ohio • 937-376-0111 ohioswapmeet.com Please note that these events are active as of press time despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend you verify the status before making plans to attend.…

Avancier IT’S EASY TO SEE HOW INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CARS CAN go missing over the course of several decades, but Mark Mundorff has known of his 1959 Thunderbird since 1967, and has yet to find out who customized it. All that he and his father were told by the used car dealer in Omaha who sold it to them was that it was fast (180 mph fast), that it was one of two built that way, and that it was intended to be raced as a convertible. A quick look under the chassis revealed that it had been reinforced with double shock absorbers, a Pan-hard rod, and traction bars. Though the VIN said it came with an automatic transmission, it sported a T-85 three-speed manual with overdrive behind the big…

Multifunction Jump-Starter WORX • 855-279-0505 • WORX.COM  • $99.99 This small and portable jump-starter with an LED light can boost 12-volt car batteries and serve as a charger for cell phones, tablets, and other small electronics. Gasoline-powered engines displacing up to 4 liters and diesel engines up to 3 liters can be jump started with this unit, and it can handle up to 30 jump-starts when fully charged. It’s also compatible with motorcycles and other machines with 12-volt batteries. Each kit comes with battery jumper cables and a power port cable for charging in vehicles. The side panel features a rubber flap enclosure with a port to charge the jumper, two USB ports, a 12-volt power supply port and a connection for the jumper cables. The unit’s lighting options include a solid…