Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2021 i Hemmings Classic Car

If you're looking to stand out in a sea of classic cars, a Kaiser is a great way to do it. Back in the late 1940's, an industrialist named Henry J. Kaiser, known for his ship-building empire during WWII, partnered with Joseph Frazer to manufacture passenger cars. The company only lasted a few years, offering several distinct body styles. The car shown here is a 1954 Kaiser Manhattan, a low-slung, comfortable four-door sedan that didn't get nearly enough fanfare when new. These cars are rare, but affordable if you can find a buildable example. Parts are tough to track down, but we have the right tires for them. Originally, it would've rolled on bias ply tires, but this owner upgraded to our Coker Classic wide whitewall radials, a great choice…

2-5 • AACA Eastern Divisional Tour Salisbury, Maryland • 717-534-1910 • aaca.org 4-6 • Carlisle Ford Nationals Carlisle, Pennsylvania 717-243-7855 • carlisleevents.com 6 • Sumter Swap Meet Bushnell, Florida 727-848-7171 • floridaswapmeets.com 7-11 • Packard Family Gathering Overland Park, Kansas 410-329-3022 • packardcars@comcast.net 17-19 • AACA Eastern Spring Nationals Saratoga Springs, New York 717-534-1910 • aaca.org 20-25 • MAFCA National Convention North Conway, New Hampshire 603-544-2230 • mafca.com 23-27 • IMOA National Show Golden, Colorado 847-997-8624 • mercuryclub.com 25-26 • Carlisle GM Nationals Carlisle, Pennsylvania 717-243-7855 • carlisleevents.com 25-26 • Congress of Motorcars Hickory Corners, Michigan 269-671-5089 • gilmorecarmuseum.org 27 • Oldsmobiles & Orphans Hickory Corners, Michigan 269-671-5089 • gilmorecarmuseum.org 29-7/3 • Professional Car Society Meet Perrysville, Ohio 419-938-5411 • theprofessionalcarsociety.org Please note that these events are active as of press time despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend you verify…

FOR A SHOP TOUR The owner should be happy to walk you through the facility and show you the projects in progress. Inspect the work on the other vehicles and ask questions about the extent of work such as rust repair that have been made to them. HOW LONG THE TECHNICIANS HAVE WORKED IN THE SHOP Turnover is high in the restoration industry, especially with bodywork techs and painters, so it’s an encouraging sign if the shop has a good track record of retaining its staff. ABOUT THE SHOP’S SPECIFIC SERVICES Some do engine work in-house and others farm it out. It’s the same with upholstery, so it’s important to be clear about the shop’s role in every aspect of the restoration. In some cases, you may leave the bodywork,…

McCORMICK’S AUCTIONS ANNOUNCED THE results from its 70th live auction, which took place February 26-28 in Palm Springs, California. This was the company’s second event during the pandemic, but it was still able to put 322 vehicles across the block, with 230 finding new homes. When the final numbers were tallied, more than $4 million in total sales was realized. Among the prewar-era cars to sell was this 1940 Packard 120 convertible. The comprehensive restoration included a fully rebuilt drivetrain and gearbox, and it only had two owners for the last 45 years. The California Packard would see spirited bidding that drove the final sale up to $96,460. Also catching our attention was a 1960 Ford Thunderbird hardtop. Said to be mostly original, the turquoise T-Bird rode on wide whitewalls…

“I continued my quest to garner insight into the techniques that would enable used-up, dilapidated cars to be returned to a former glory…” I can still remember the feeling I had looking at the rotten rocker panels of a neighbors’ MGB. This would have been around 1978, and the car was probably from somewhere between 1963 and ’65. I was about 10 years old, and already long infatuated with cars, so the sight of the completely rotten rockers saddened me —I assumed the car was facing imminent doom. Surely such deterioration could not be reversed — once the metal has rusted away, what could be done? The neighbors seemed very attached to that MG, for reasons no one would have questioned at the time. Sports cars had won many hearts…

“Is the Buick ready for a full restoration, or do we simply proceed… and continue an old tradition?” In October 1998, somewhere in the vast sea of Hershey vendors, I was looking at fabric samples assembled in book form by Bill Hirsch. My all-original 1952 Buick Roadmaster had seen some miles under its two prior stewards, which had caused the fabric behind each door handle to fray, while the floor carpet and driver’s-seat back had seen far more glorious days. With a snippet of the car’s upholstery in my hand for comparison, the debate running through my head was, “Which do I start with; what would be the easiest?” At 26 years old, I was determined to take the next step in automotive restoration. I had replaced the brakes, fixed…

Tailor Your Restoration, Starting with the Steering Column Universal steering columns are a great option for your restoration when there’s no direct retrofit or the retrofit you’ve found won’t suit your modern-day needs. Universal columns come in numerous styles and are sold by length instead of vehicle application. Making these columns available by length accommodates driver comfort without sacrificing performance, style, or function. 1. Choose a universal steering column style: These columns come in several different styles to accommodate the different demands among roadsters, coupes, sedans, trucks, domestic and foreign makes. Since we created the first universal column, we’ve developed our own Classic, Old School, Shorty, Straight (floor and column shift), Tilt (floor and column shift), and Tilt-and-Telescoping (floor or column shift) styles to cover all your needs. 2. Measuring…

DO: Maintain insurance coverage Anything can happen during the course of the restoration and, while the shop’s insurance will provide coverage for some incidents, it’s important to maintain your coverage for others. The shop could go out of business overnight, leaving you with only pieces of your car — or missing pieces of the more valuable components. Hedge your bets. DON’T: Be afraid to ask questions What kind and/or brand of paint does the shop typically use? Is it going to media blast the body or chemically strip it? If it doesn’t do its own engine work, who does it typically use? Get into the weeds of your restoration, so you’re clear about hows and whys of the work. DO: Your homework Be the champion for what’s correct for your…

WE TYPICALLY THINK OF THE DESERT SOUTHWEST AS BEING THE hot zone for early in the calendar year auction action, but not in 2021. Florida has been the proverbial hotbed, with companies like Carlisle Events continuing to host live, in-person sales while complying with mandated COVID-19 pandemic social-distancing and other safety practices. Best known for its series of spring-to-fall shows in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the firm has hosted several events in the Sunshine State for more than a decade, which in turn places the annual Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction at the top of the calendar. This year’s sale, held at the Sun ’n Fun Expo Campus in Lakeland on February 19-20, delivered more than 400 automotive lots of all types to bidders. At the end of the weekend, muscle cars…

Klingberg Motorcar Event KLINGBERG VINTAGE MOTORCAR SERIES ANNOUNCED THAT THIS YEAR’S SHOW WILL take place June 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on its 40-acre campus in New Britain, Connecticut. All proceeds for the 29th-annual show, featuring Grand Marshal Wayne Carini, will directly assist Klingberg Family Centers’ programs that help children and families suffering from trauma and difficult times. Accompanying the show will be a unique drive-thru event — that will be COVID conscious and safe — during which participants will be allowed to travel along a predetermined 20-minute route. All old cars (1989 and earlier) will be placed into different display areas throughout the grounds, starting with prewar concours automobiles. All cars will have extra space between them to maximize social distancing and all fees for car owners…

1937 Delahaye 135MS Figoni et Falaschi AUTOMODELLO • 877-343-2276 • AUTOMODELLO.COM  • $249.95-$359.95 The model masters at Automodello have unveiled a limited-production 1:24-scale collectible tribute to a streamlined Deco masterpiece, the rally- and race-proven 1937 Delahaye 135MS with teardrop coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi. This exquisite model is available in three colors, and features perfect proportions highlighted with delicate bright trim and realistic lamp lenses. Typical of resin models, it has no opening panels, but its delicate spoke wheels roll, and the detailed interior is visible through the windows. Just 37 Tribute Edition examples will be built in Bleu Clair Métallisé (light blue metallic; $349.95); an additional 43 Tribute Editions painted Lark Métallisé (light green metallic; $359.95) will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Automodello’s ONE24 Series. The Standard Edition 135MS, in Aubergine ($249.95),…

“…the car’s owner approached me and asked what it was like to drive it on the highway.” As all of us are quite aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the vintage car hobby. Since spring 2020, dozens of national, regional, and local events have been postponed or, in most cases, cancelled. Last fall, when it was becoming apparent we’d lost the entire “old-car season,” a fellow car enthusiast commented that the pandemic would have an adverse effect on collector-car values since there were no shows at which to exhibit cars. And, he emphasized, many owners of vintage cars only display them at shows. I remember staring at him, then saying, “You know, I think there are other things one can do with a vintage car, don’t you?…

“In fact, a lot of things happened much earlier than we realize.” In journalism school they teach you that people love lists, and that they also love to read about the first, the biggest, the best, and the most expensive. So, in a naked attempt to grab your attention, I am presenting a list of automotive firsts, even though it seems that as soon as some innovation is touted as the first, someone uncovers an even earlier one. The great Packard automobile company gave us several firsts over the years, such as the taillamp. Packard came out with it in 1900, along with the steering wheel. The steering wheel had previously been used on French race cars, but Packard first offered it on a passenger car at the turn of…