Gearheads Rev Up Main Street For Classic Car Show

From Los Alamitios Patch: Gearheads Rev Up Main Street For Classic Car Show
Nothing says Seal Beach like sun, surf, and classic cars. Today, the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce’s 25th Annual Classic Car Show had all three.

The smell of car exhaust masked the smell of the ocean and marked the beginning of today’s event.

At 10:45 a.m. this morning, nine dragsters lined the Seal Beach pier and took turns firing up their eight-cylinder engines as the crowd plugged their ears and cheered.

Ed Oe, who supplied the show with several Ford F100s from 1953-56, summed up the event: “Nice vendors. Nice cars. Nice crowd.”

Main Street virtually glimmered as the sun gleamed off more than 500 perfectly waxed classic cars. There were roadsters and dragsters, muscle cars and even one Indy race car. Three bands set up along the strip provided classic rock ambiance to the spectators, who were never far from a variety of food and art vendors.

Always surrounded was the crowd favorite--an original Helms Bakery truck. Diane Thomson was one of many on-lookers who stood reminiscing by the car.

“Good memories,” Thomson said. The Helms truck would drive down her street when she was a kid and pulled out those long drawers in the back so she could pick out her 10 cent donut.

“And they were darn good donuts, too,” added Thomson.

Legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney’s 1977 Top Fuel Dragster was another highlight of the show.

Behind each car were the proud owners sitting in their fold-out chairs. Mark Demers, Gary Ulmer, and Bob Barker are three car show veterans.

Mark, who has six show cars, chose to show off the purple 1969 Camaro he bought several years ago and restored.

Gary, who has known Mark for 30 years, decided four years ago to buy the red 1960 Ford Mustang he’s always wanted so he could join the guys in showing off his classic car.

“It’s a guy thing,” Gary describes of the car show experience.

Don't tell that to the hundreds of women who turned out Saturday to indulge their inner gear-head.

Classic car surprise

From SunGazette: Classic car surprise
A Fairfield Township man's classic car recently earned a spot in the "Oscars of car shows" at the New York International Auto Show held earlier this month.

Michael Smith, who owns a fully restored 1965 Chevrolet 409 Impala, was sought out by Mark Reuss, the president of General Motors, North America, to have the car included in a special presentation unveiling the new 2014 Impala at the show.

Smith said Reuss was looking for months to find the right classic Impala to include in the unveiling. General Motors doesn't even own one of the classic 409s because of its rarity, Smith said.

"It caught me out of the blue when they called me up," Smith said about being contacted to give permission to have his Impala shipped to New York City for the show.

According to Smith, the General Motors president was put in touch with him from connections he made at a 2010 car show in Vermont sponsored by Hemmings Motor News. Smith's Impala won the "Favorite Chevrolet" award at that show.

The editor of that publication, Mike McNessor, forwarded information about Smith's classic car to Reuss.

Smith and his family received VIP passes for the New York International Auto Show and got to see his Impala in the spotlight before hundreds of auto industry reporters and enthusiasts.

"It was very impressive," Smith said. "There were cars from all over and every brand you can think of - Camaros to Rolls-Royces."

The 1965 409 Impala is rare because only about 2,800 out of 1 million Impalas from that year were built with the 409-cubic-inch engine, Smith said. Chevrolet discontinued the 409 early in 1965, he said.

"The styling of that car is very unique," Smith said of the 1965 409 - a car made famous in part from the famous Beach Boys song.

It might be seen as somewhat of a muscle car today, but the car was marketed differently.

"They pushed it as a big family car," Smith said.

Countless hours went into restoring his Impala. It took about two years to find parts and do the body work on the car, Smith said. He credited Ed Stroble, of Nesbit, with performing the restoration, while Smith tracked down parts from all over the country.

The Impala had a local connection before Smith purchased it at an auction. It originally was sold from a car dealership in Lock Haven.

Smith's car has won first place in its class the past two years at the Carlisle car show and won a national award from the Antique Automobile Club of America based in Hershey.

He estimates the value of his Impala is between $120,000 and $150,000.

Smith, an avid classic car collector, said he likes to add cars from all decades to his lineup. He has 12 classic cars - from a 1930s Model T Ford to a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette.

Hundreds of vintage cars converge on Payson this weekend

From Payson Roundup: Hundreds of vintage cars converge on Payson this weekend
The 19th Annual Beeline Cruise-In Car Show is not an official Arizona Centennial event, but you can bet it will be a party when between 200 and 300 antique, vintage and classic cars decorate Green Valley Park Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28.

See the The Rim Review in today’s issue for all the details, with features on the “before and after” look of many entries.

The popular cruise parade around Payson starts at 4 p.m., Friday at the park and heads west on Country Club, up Vista to Airport Road, and then down to Highway 87 — the Beeline for which this great spring event is named. It heads up Beeline to the roundabout at Tyler Parkway, where it will head east and then go south to Highway 260. From there, the parade goes west and hooks up with the Beeline again, heads south and then west on Historic Main Street, ending at the park.

The balance of Friday’s activities at Green Valley Park are geared for the car show entrants, club members and sponsors, and will include car registration, an evening barbecue and entertainment with music, stories of old Payson and dancing.

The free car show opens at 8 a.m., Saturday, April 28 and will include raffles, judging of the vehicles, oldies music, and items for sale, plus a food court.

At the close of the show, the raffle winners get their prizes and the car owners get their trophies. New awards this year include the Top 10 and the Best of Show.

The Rim Country Classic Auto Club will host the event, which had its beginnings in the early 1980s when a few people shared a common interest in restoring and driving classic cars. They met and talked about their cars — “lied to each other,” is how early member Larry Bertram described those first meetings, held at Phil White Ford in Star Valley (now Steve Coury Ford). Club membership has grown from 12 in 1933 to more than 72 today.

The Rim Country Classic Auto Club has it regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Tiny’s Restaurant and members participate in car-related activities ranging from day trips, breakfast or lunch, visits to local retirement homes or the Prescott VA Hospital, to longer cruises including the “Route 66 Fun Run” in Seligman, Ariz.

In 1994 Rim Country Classic Auto Club members held their first car show with six entrants to help charities in the town of Payson. This event has grown from a small, local event to one of the premier car shows in Arizona.

The past shows have attracted more than a 1,000 visitors each year and generated an estimated $450,000 in income for local business over the past 18 years.

Classic cars to tour Truro after 1,500 mile Cape to Cape Rally

From This is the West Country: Classic cars to tour Truro after 1,500 mile Cape to Cape Rally
Classic cars including Jaguars, Porsches and Volvos will be hitting the streets of Truro this week for the spectacular finale of a 1,500 mile rally from Scotland to Cornwall.

The Truro Classic Car Challenge will welcome more than 40 vintage vehicles on Sunday, April 29 for a circuit of the city’s roads and display on Lemon Quay.

It’s the conclusion to the 9th Grand Tour Cape to Cape Rally from Cape Wrath in the Highlands to Cape Cornwall, which attracts drivers from all over Europe.

Both the rally and the Truro Classic, which takes place from 10.30am to 12.30pm, will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, with hopes to raise a five-figure sum.

Dennis Greenslade, event director, said: “The Cape to Cape Rally has been described as the toughest classic car tour in Europe.

“The Truro Classic is the final test in this endurance event which tests driving skill, physical stamina, navigation and vehicle engineering. We also hope to raise even more money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

One of the drivers taking part is Barbara Morris, from Surrey, who has terminal cancer but is looking forward to taking part in her 1953 Singer SM.

Barbara: said “Competing in the Cape to Cape Rally gives me a personal challenge and gets the wind in my hair! This is me doing my bit to help other people benefit from the great support that Macmillan provide.”

Over the last eight years, the Cape to Cape Rally has raised more than £420,000 for Macmillan Cancer Car. Organisers hope to reach the £500,000 fundraising mark this year, and there will be a street collection throughout the Truro Classic Car Challenge.

If you wish to be involved in fund-raising, please email Chris Robins, Volunteer Chairman of Truro Macmillan fund-raising committee and Cornwall area Chairman on fundraising@macmillian.org.uk.

For more information about the Truro Classic Car Challenge, please contact Becky at Event Cornwall on becky@eventcornwall.co.uk or call 01872 888089.

Minnesota: Classic cars come to town for annual auto event

From Daily Globe: Classic cars come to town for annual auto event
WORTHINGTON — The Minnesota Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America descended on Worthington Friday and Saturday for its annual “Spring Fling.”

“The local chapter, Prairieland, is sponsoring this one, so we have people coming from all over Minnesota and some from Wisconsin,” said Jim Jose, who helped organize the event. “It’s called the Spring Fling. We do this every year. We get together somewhere and tour around and visit with each other and see the town that we’re coming to. Marv Spomer’s place is a featured thing that we’re doing.”

Through the club, approximately 60 people were in town showing off around 20 classic cars.

“Some people who came a long distance might drive a modern car,” Jose said.

The group picked Worthington for many reasons, but one of those being a chance to tour Marv’s Car & Sign Museum.

“I’m the Ford dealer in Madelia and I’ve known Marv for 35 years with both of us doing collector cars,” Jose said. “That’s the main reason we’re coming is because of Marv’s place.”

Jose brought his own classic car — and a rare one, as well.

“I’m driving a ’54 Ford with a glass top,” he said. “It’s a very rare car. It’s the first year they made them. They only made them for three years, ’54, ’55 and ’56, with the glass top over the front seat. This is my wife’s car; she’s owned the car for 37 years. We’ve had it all over the United States.”

He first started becoming interested in antique automobiles a long time ago.

“My dad bought his first collector car in 1949 and he bought a 1917 Model T, which we still have in the family,” Jose said.

Along with the annual “Spring Fling,” Jose’s love for automobiles leads him all over the country.

“We go all over the United States from the East Coast to Phoenix and we’re in three different car clubs,” he said. “This is our vacation every year. This year we’ll be in Ohio, and we’ll be going up into Canada and all over the country.”

Jose also has his own museum behind his house, where he can show off some of his collector items.

“It’s something like Marv’s, but not quite as big,” he said.

The group had a full schedule during the two-day event.

They started with a bus tour of Worthington and also visited Buffalo Billfold Co. and Panaderia Mi Tierra bakery on Friday.

On Saturday, the group toured Pioneer Village in the morning and had lunch at the Dayton House.

“The Dayton House has been a big draw for us, too,” Jose said. “Everybody across the country is familiar with the Dayton family.”

In the afternoon, group members went to Marv’s to take a tour of the museum.

“We do a lot of running around,” Jose said. “We don’t really display our cars during this kind of deal. We’re in to see the area. It’s not a car show, it’s a car tour. We’re touring around Worthington.”

Following the museum, the group took a car tour around Lake Okabena.

The event concluded Saturday night with a banquet at BenLee’s.

“I’m impressed with them; they are doing a good job at BenLee’s,” Jose said. “And Darlene (Macklin) at the Chamber has been just super. I’ve never had anybody so enthusiastic and so organized to help show off Worthington to us.”

And for Worthington, it was a chance to show off the sights to a group of people from around the region.

“This is the Minnesota and part of Wisconsin chapter,” Jose said. “People will be coming from northern Minnesota and Minneapolis over into Wisconsin. This one is a regional event.

“There are a lot of neat things in Worthington to show off and see.”

English classic cars under the hammer

This 1946 Jaguar Mk IV saloon is just one of a number of beautiful machines on auction at Stephan Welz next week.

From IOL Motoring: English classic cars under the hammer
Auctioneer Stephan Welz & Company has announced the inclusion of four distinctive lots in the Collectable Cars section of its Johannesburg Auction set for next week.

The event will open with a 1946 Jaguar Mk IV sedan, complete with wire wheels, a sliding roof and a 3.5-litre engine. This fully-restored classic is expected to fetch between R240 000 and R280 000. Second, a 1993 model Bentley Turbo R luxury sedan in excellent condition will go for between R450 000 and R480 000, say the organisers.

There’s also a 1958 Austin Healey 100/6 BN-4, estimated to sell for between R320 000 and R350 000, a fine example of a vehicle notable for durability and power. The well known three-litre was originally supplied with extra rear seating to accommodate a sporting family Sunday drive.

FERRARI MEMORABILIA

A Ferrari Memorabilia Collection, expected to go for around R25 000, offers an excellent opportunity for collectors of the legendary brand. Included are a Ferrari banner; a large out-of-print poster of Ferrari cars, numerous Ferrari books, brochures and pictures, a small Dino tin gas pump, a Momo Volante F1 Ferrari steering wheel (no 88/14), a labelled bottle of Champagne and a ceramic bottle model of a 246 Dino.

The auction will take place from Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 April at 13 Biermann Avenue in Rosebank. - Star Motoring

Danville Vintage Cars Museum, Blackhawk Museum, Announces Lecture with West Coast Racer Lou Brero Jr.

PR: Danville Vintage Cars Museum, Blackhawk Museum, Announces Lecture with West Coast Racer Lou Brero Jr.
Blackhawk Museum, a nonprofit vintage automotive museum in Danville, is hosting a Saturday morning lecture featuring West Coast racer Lou Brero Jr.

Danville, CA (PRWEB) April 20, 2012 -- Blackhawk Museum, a Danville, East Bay and Bay Area museum featuring vintage cars, classic cars and rare cars, is excited to announce the latest featured guest in its Saturday morning lecture series: West Coast racer Lou Brero Jr. The lecture with Brero will take place on May 5 at 10 a.m. and is free with regular admission to the museum.

"Join us for the return of racing champion Lou Brero Jr. to the Blackhawk Museum,” Jon Snyder of Blackhawk Museum said. “You will be on hand to hear some great stories about West Coast Racing in the 1950s and 1960s."

Both Lou Brero Jr. and his father were known for their driving skills and highly competitive spirits. The Breros raced everything from their Kurtis-Cadillac to C-Type Jaguars, as well as the 1953 Ferrari 375 Spider--the same car that had been driven by Phil Hill, Ken Miles and Carrol Shelby.

“Both Breros were legends that managed ‘superior performances with hard to drive machinery,’” Snyder said.

The Blackhawk Museum features a wide array of exceptionally immaculate vintage cars that span the entire course of automotive history. The Blackhawk Museum’s automotive exhibition of International Automotive Treasures presents and displays historically significant and artistically inspired classic cars for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.

For more information about the lecture or Blackhawk Museum, call 925-263-1857, view the museum on the web at http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org or visit 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville.

About Blackhawk Museum

Blackhawk Museum is an East Bay classic cars museum. This Bay Area rare cars museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during special holiday hours every Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, and every Monday and Tuesday after New Year’s Eve. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and free for children 6 and under.