Posts Tagged ‘classic car’

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum – Return to Mecca

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

This weekend I had a chance to visit the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. For me this is a return to Mecca. ACDAM is the place that probably ignited my interest in collectible autos. If you are ever in the northeast corner of Indiana, you have to visit ACADM.


1936 Cord convertible coupe

1936 Cord convertible coupe
Copyright © 2011 Dennis E. Horvath

Let me tell you about this automotive gem. ACDAM is the only auto museum occupying an original factory showroom and administration building. The art-deco structure was built in 1930 for the Auburn Automobile Company and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Galleries on the first floor showcase Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles. Some of these are one-of-a-kind automotive icons, while others are original unrestored examples.

The museum dedicates a large portion to Indiana-built automobiles from the 1890s through 1960s. In addition to the namesake cars, the Cars of Indiana Gallery on the second floor shows a cross section of cars like Marmon, Studebaker, and Stutz that brought world wide acclaim to the Hoosier state. One of my favorites here is an Indianapolis-built 1919 Cole Aero-Eight TourSedan.


1919 Cole Aero-Eight TourSedan

1919 Cole Aero-Eight TourSedan
Copyright © 2011 Dennis E. Horvath

Second floor galleries feature design examples across a wide spectrum. The Gordon Buehrig Gallery of Design focuses on the process of design at the company. Buehrig is probably most famous for designing the 1936 Cord Model 810 in addition to the 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster and many Duesenberg Model Js. E. L. Cord’s office and design studios remain with period correct trappings from the company’s heyday. One item I particularly like is the many clay styling models of the Cord Model 810. These give an idea of the attention to detail required in designing this creative auto.

I always enjoy finding new treasures during my visits to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. Everyone I recommend it to agrees with my accolades for this Indiana automotive gem. You should be sure to visit ACDAM on a trip to the midwest.

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My reflections on the Chevrolet Centennial

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

November 3, 2011 marks Chevrolet’s Centennial. What a great time to reflect on this automotive icon.

My connection to Chevrolet goes back to my childhood because all the cars that my dad owned were Chevys. The first one I remember well was a 1953 Two-Ten 2-door sedan with a Blue Flame Six engine. This car was replaced by a coral pink with white top, 1957 Bel Air 4-door sedan with a 283 V-eight engine. I remember washing this car many times and cleaning the vinyl interior with saddle soap. This probably launched my desire to own a 1957 Chevy of my own.


1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe Copyright 1957 General Motors

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe
Copyright © 1957 General Motors

Yes, my first car was a 1957 Bel Air sport coupe, that I covered in an earlier blog. This iconic car would be the first in a line of my Chevrolet ownership. I ordered a LeMans blue with black vinyl top 1969 Chevelle 2-door coupe with a 307 V-eight engine before I got out of the Navy. I drove this sporty car through college, when I entered corporate America.

The Chevrolet brand served me well as company cars. The first of these was a silver with black vinyl top 1975 Malibu 2-door Colonade Coupe, followed by a two-tone blue 1980 Citation 2-door hatchback coupe and a 1985 Citation 4-door hatchback sedan.

As you can see, I owned some of the brand’s best over some 30 years. The 1957 Chevrolet is still popular in today’s collectible marketplace. The mid-1970’s Chevelles and Malibus were respected in their market. The 1980’s Citations were somewhat popular as economic models.

It was great owning one of Chevrolet’s most popular models. I salute the Chevrolet Centennial and wish the company much success in its next 100 years.

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Cord Model 810 celebrates 75th anniversary

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Cord Model 810, which is probably the most well-known product of the Cord Corporation.

Gordon M. Buehrig’s original work on the Cord Model 810 began as a “baby Duesenberg” in 1933. By December 1934, the design of the new front-wheel-drive model was essentially complete and then shelved. When the project was revived in July 1935, there was less than four months in which to build and test a prototype, tool up, and get the cars into production for the New York Auto Show on November 2, 1935. The company made the deadline, but without some items in place. The missing parts didn’t matter.

The Cord 810 stopped the show. People had to stand on surrounding cars just to get a glimpse of Cord’s exciting new design. Cord received over 7,600 requests for more information on the 810. Unfortunately, due to unanticipated production start-up problems, almost six months would pass before any deliveries were made.


E.L.-Cord's-1937-Cord-Beverly-photo

E.L. Cord’s personal 1937 Cord 812 Beverly
Copyright © 2008 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

The Cord Model 810 was available in four models: the five-passenger Westchester Sedan, four-passenger Beverly Sedan, five-passenger Convertible Phaeton Sedan, and the Convertible Coupe with rumble seat.

The first Cord 810 rolled off the assembly line in Connersville on February 15, 1936. Innovations on the Cord 810 included disappearing headlights, concealed door hinges, rheostat-controlled instrument lights, variable speed windshield wipers, Bendix Electric Hand (steering column mounted-electric gear pre-selection unit), and factory installed radio. The model was the first automobile in the United States to adopt unit body construction in its full sense. (Chrysler Airflow and Lincoln Zepher used modified forms.)

In November 1936, the company introduced the Cord 812 for the 1937 model year. The 1937 Cord Model 812 had a 190 h.p. supercharged engine and boasted chrome-plated external exhaust pipes. An example of the model’s claim-to-fame was its use as the official chief observer’s car for the 1937 Indianapolis 500 mile race.

The year, however, witnessed a soft auto market, and Cord production fell to around 1,100 units. In 1937, only the wealthy few could afford the $2,500 to $3,500 needed to buy this exceptional automobile. Some of the internationally known celebrities purchasing Cord automobiles were the movie stars Sonja Heine and Tom Mix. In fact, actress Jean Harlow ordered a Cord with paint and upholstery to match her platinum blonde hair.

When production of the Cord automobile was terminated in October 1937, fewer than 3,000 Model 810/812 units had been produced. The automotive operations of Cord Corporation died when E.L. Cord shifted his focus to other interests.

In their day, these Cords stirred the imagination of the motoring public. Their clean simplicity of line, exciting innovations, and luxurious appointments won much admiration and many awards. At the 1951 Museum of Modern Art exhibit titled Eight Automobiles, MOMA curator Arthur Drexler declared: “We regard the Cord as the outstanding American contribution to automobile design.” This popularity still rings true some 75 years later.

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Top five car culture web resources

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

Over the years, I have discovered a number of car culture web resources while doing research for my writing and website development.  So, I would like to share my “Top five car culture web resources.”

Jay Leno’s Garage

 Jay Leno’s Garage has to be my number one source for all things about collectible cars.  I enjoy how Jay shares items from his vast antique car collection as well as other auto enthusiast topics.  Weekly he produces a video about the latest happenings around his shop.  Recent videos featured the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, Lee Iacocca’s 45th Anniversary Ford Mustang, 1910 White Model O-O steam car, and 1914 Premier.  He also likes to interview other auto hobbyists on topics like all about gas, the perfect paint job, and other tips and tricks.  I visit this site weekly for my fix on Jay’s slant on car culture.

Autoextremeist.com

My second choice is Autoextremeist.com  written by Peter M. De Lorenzo, a 30 plus year automotive advertising and marketing veteran.  I like his unbiased take on happenings in the American auto manufacturing industry and auto racing scene.  PMD pulls no-punches in analyzing how things like the rise in gas prices may affect auto manufacturing and the buying public.  He presents an interesting perspective on auto industry executive decisions and how they might pan out over time.  He has an interesting take on American auto racing and what might be done to improve the product on the track.  There are few other places to get this insider information.

eBay Motors Blog

The eBay Motors Blog  presents overviews of significant collectible cars currently offered on the popular eBay auction website.  Capsule summaries discuss the significant items regarding a particular car like current price range, plusses and minuses, and why this might be a good value.  Some recent cars have been a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster, 1977 Fiat 500, 1965 Shelby Cobra replica, and one of my dream cars, a 1971 Jaguar E-Type coupe.  This blog covers vintage cars across the automotive spectrum.  Where else can you find a 1968 Chevelle Nomad wagon that could be a collectible daily driver?

Jalopnik

Jalopnik  offers a daily plethora of eclectic automotive items.  Recent unusual articles had topics like a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III Continenchero pick-up truck conversion, General Motors recent recall of Chevrolet Cruze models for steering problems, Microsoft and Toyota announcing a strategic partnership on next-generation auto telematics, 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Zo6 Centennial edition announcement, and auto centric wallpaper selections for your browser.  If it’s wild and wacky, you might find it on Jalopnik.

The New York Times Collectible Cars

The New York Times Collectible Cars  section covers a range of classic cars.  One story details a 1963 Buick Wildcat coupe that is still owned by the daughter of the original purchaser, who lives in her childhood home in Brooklyn, NY, almost 50 years later.  The daughter recounted how her father solicited her help in servicing the car many years ago.  She goes on to describe the car’s luxurious interior features and the documentation of all service in a diary.  These features paint pictures of collectible cars over the years.  Celebrating 50 years of the Jaguar E-Type is featured here also.

So, there you have my picks for the “Top five car culture web resources.”  Check them out, and then share your picks of car culture web resources.

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Centennial Events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

A couple of weeks ago I talked about the Ultimate Winning Car exhibit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, which is one of the Centennial Events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This week I would like to share information on some other events of interest to auto enthusiasts.

The premier event for collectible car lovers is the 100th Anniversary Indy 500 Celebration of Automobiles on Saturday, May 14th. Race fans can view all of the cars on display as part of their gate admission.

Approximately 250 participants have been invited to display their vehicles in two divisions of automobiles manufactured between 1911-1961, the first 50 years of the Indianapolis 500. A good representation of automobiles representing the manufacturers that competed in the race during that time span is expected. This should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see many unique cars such as the Mormon Meteor Duesenberg. Of course, I’ll be there documenting Indiana-built autos.

Saturday, May 28th, at the Speedway is chock-full of activities for the Indy 500 aficionados. The “World’s Largest Autograph Session” is comprised of two groups. The first is from 9-10 a.m. for all 33 drivers in the starting field of the Indianapolis 500 plus most of the 27 living winners of the “500”, and the other group from noon-4 p.m. for veteran drivers of the race. If the lines at the autograph session on March 20th are any indication, it is advisable to get in line early for your favorite driver’s autograph.

My friend Charles Leerhsen will be signing his latest book: Blood and Smoke: A True Tale of Mystery, Mayhem and the Birth of the Indy 500 (http://www.charlesleerhsen.com/index.htm) along with other authors of new books about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its history. Other events include a racing memorabilia show, a display of vintage sprint and midget race cars. Plus, the Ultimate Winning Car exhibit continues at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

So, If you are obsessed with the Indy 500, I invite you to join me at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Events on May 14th and 28th. These activities should provide memories for a lifetime. Tell us your experiences.

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Swapping tales of the great auto treasure hunt

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

We are now entering the season for auto shows and swap meets, and I have been thinking back on some of my finds at these events over the years. I’m also wondering about the great treasures that others have found. What’s your story? For me, two of my best finds have to be Studebaker catalogs that collectively span the company’s time in Indiana automotive manufacturing, 1902 – 1963.

The first is a Studebaker Electric Vehicle catalog from 1902. This catalog’s copy talks about the company’s concern about offering an electric automobile that it could recommend and not discredit its standing in the vehicle market. The Studebaker electric line offered three models: a runabout, a trap, and a Stanhope, which are well illustrated. The last page remarks on the four gold medals and two bronze medals awarded for Studebaker vehicles and tack won at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The company produced 20 electric cars for the year.

My second great find is an Avanti 1962 advertising brochure at the other end of the Studebaker’s Indiana automotive story. The document is a great example of 1960’s era automotive marketing materials. This brochure’s copy is quite a contrast from that for the electric vehicles. I especially like some of the claims for performance: “More horsepower than you’ll ever need – the Avanti, with its supercharged engine and disc brakes, can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in true competition time and stop from 100 mph in well under 450 feet – about two thirds the distance required by conventional braking systems.”

These two catalogs tell the Studebaker story at both ends of an automotive saga.

So, what’s your great swap meet find?

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Jaguar E-Type

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

The subject of one of my earlier posts was “What is your dream car?” In my response, I was considering contemporary dream cars, and chose the Cadillac Sixteen. Recently, I was reminded of one of the dream cars of my youth the Jaguar E-Type, also known as the Jaguar XK-E in North America.

1965-Jaguar-E-Type Copyright 1965 Jaguar
1965-Jaguar-E-Type – Copyright © 1965 Jaguar


This spring marks the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type’s introduction. The British manufacturer produced over 70,000 E-Types from 1961 to 1975. Celebrities Steve McQueen, Brigitte Bardot, and Tony Curtis owned them. Enzo Ferrari called the E-Type “the most beautiful car in the world.” That’s some praise from one of motoring’s influential builders. An E-Type is a permanent exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

So what is the draw of this dream car? In convertible or fast-back coupe form, the XK-E sported flowing and athletic lines. The exhaust note from the 3.8-liter straight six-cylinder engine was a siren for motorsports enthusiasts around the world. The engine increased to 4.2 liter in 1964. XK-E’s were reported to be capable of 150 m.p.h. Series 3 (1971-1975) XK-E’s featured a 5.3-liter V-12 engine. This combination of sensuous looks and high performance mark it as a motoring icon.

As a youth in the early 1960’s, I can remember going to the Jaguar dealer in downtown Indianapolis and salivating at the luxurious lines of the display British Racing Green XK-E coupe. It sported a tan leather interior with bucket seats, wood rim steering wheel and chrome spoke wheels. I can still imagine driving along on a winding two-lane highway and hearing the reverberations of the dual exhausts off the nearby trees. What a day in paradise for any genuine car nut! Perhaps my auto obsession started with an XK-E?

Jaguar plans to celebrate the car’s Golden Jubilee with features at motoring events around the world. Possibly, you’ll see one at a car show this summer. Ask the exhibiter to start it up, and reminisce about this motoring icon.

I hope to see you there.

Tell us about your thoughts in your dream car.

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My First ride in an old car

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Keeping up with a theme of “My First,” I would like to share the story of my first ride in an old car. In the late 1950’s, old car is what it was called before other terms of auto endearment became popular. Car clubs and antique car shows were just in their infancy.

In that era, my family always visited our relatives during a two-week summer vacation in late August. While visiting my maternal grandparents in Lansing, Michigan, I discovered my Uncle Dick working on an early 1920’s Ford Model T coupe. This was a new experience for me because my father always drove contemporary cars. I had never seen anyone working on an old car.

The high stance of his Model T coupe was a stark contrast to our 1957 Chevrolet sedan. The small four-cylinder engine was another difference compared with our 283 V-8 engine. I was thoroughly intrigued about learning more.

My uncle allowed me to sit behind the steering wheel, if I promised not to touch any controls. When he finished up working on the engine, he asked if I would like to go for a ride. I was eager for a new experience, so I moved over to the passenger seat. He adjusted the throttle and spark advance, and then went around front to hand crank the engine.

The engine caught with the characteristic clackita-clackita-clackita roar of the Model T engine. He then climbed into the driver seat and engaged the planetary transmission. Sitting up high in the passenger compartment gave me quite a different sensation of speed. The primitive cross-leaf suspension definitely rode harder than newer cars. The breeze flowing through the split windshield was an interesting twist on summer ventilation.

Needless to say, I was soon captivated on my first ride in an old car about the streets of Lansing. Ford Model T coupes originally retailed for around $520 in the mid 1920’s. Today, number 2 condition examples go for about $12,500.

I have to say, that I owe it to my Uncle Dick for getting me interested in old cars in the late 1950’s. This magnificent obsession progressed to an interest in rods and customs in the early 1960’s, with a return to antique automobiles in the 1970’s. With an over 50 year interest in old cars, many have said that I am a “Genuine Car Nut.”

So, that’s the story of my first ride in an old car. I would like to hear about your first ride in an old car. Let the comments begin.

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My First Car

Friday, February 18th, 2011

An Internet search on the term “my first car” yields over a million results. I would like to share the story of my first car and hopefully start a discussion on the topic.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe Copyright 1957 General Motors
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe – Copyright © 1957 General Motors

During my school break in the summer of 1965, I worked at an engineering company and one of my fellow employees announced that he had a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air sport coupe hardtop for sale. This was an opportune event for a genuine car nut in the making. Ever since their introduction eight years earlier, I was drawn to the styling of these cars. So, I quickly arranged a meeting to inspect this automotive icon.

Upon arriving at the meeting, I saw “My First Car” in the flesh. It was a two-tone hardtop with an India Ivory top, Canyon Coral body, and black interior with silver accents. This was one of the most popular combinations for the sport coupe. It was powered by a 283 V-8 and a Turboglide transmission. The car passed the test drive, and I purchased my jewel for only $300.

I was proud of my purchase and couldn’t wait to get home and show this gem to my buddies. That night, we cruised to the Teepee and Pole drive-in restaurants to show my cool car. We also used my car to go to drive-in movies and the weekend drag races at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Those weeks with “my first car” were ideal.

In the fall, I noticed the engine had high oil consumption. After some checking around, I found out the engine needed some major work that I couldn’t afford on my college student earnings. Sadly, I decided to sell the ’57 Chevy and look for another car.

If only I knew then what I know now. I wish I would have kept this automotive icon. Today, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air sport coupe hardtops in number 1 condition go for $77,500. If “my first car” was still in this condition, I’d be in one happy auto enthusiast.

There are thousands of stories like mine. So, now it’s your turn. Tell us about your first car.

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