American

Billy Carter’s 1977 Chevy Pickup

“I’m a real Southern boy. I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer” My mother went into the Peace Corps when she was sixty-eight. My one sister is a motorcycle freak, my other sister is a Holy Roller evangelist, and my brother is running for President. I’m […]

1954 Buick Skylark

Was this sale a market indicator or auction fever carried to an extreme? {vsig}2006-6_1939{/vsig} There were just 836 Buick Skylarks produced in 1954. Each came fully equipped with leather interior, full power equipment, special ornamentation, and open wheel wells with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. This low-mileage 1954 Buick Skylark received a […]

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt

Last year’s $3.2 million Oldsmobile F-88 sale has collectors scouring barns and museums for ’50s dream cars {vsig}2006-5_1927{/vsig} The business of building “show” or “concept” cars was in its infancy in 1940, with the notion of showcasing future styling and innovations. The idea dated back to Harley Earl and his […]

1953 General Motors “Parade of Progress” Tour Bus

One of twelve built by General Motors, this self-contained display and transport vehicle was created in 1940 by the GM design staff under Harley Earl’s direction. The Futurliner has opening sides, interior and exterior floodlights, a retractable stage, distinctive center cockpit driving position and dual-wheel front and rear axles. The […]

1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable

Even if the Commies had beaten us in space exploration, we had both the hideaway hard top and the Edsel The Ford Fairlane Skyliner can claim to be America’s first production convertible to feature a retractable hard top. Introduced as Ford’s top-of-the-range model in 1955, the Fairlane was rival to […]

1957 Chevrolet Corvette “Fuelie” Convertible

In 1956 Chevrolet introduced a restyled Corvette that was a complete departure from earlier models. The new Corvettes gave the American sports car a new identity that was much more sporting. They were fast, sleek, and extremely clean in their appearance. Recognized by collectors as benchmark years in Corvette styling, […]

1937 Cord 812 SC Convertible Coupe

E. L. Cord was a master salesman who acquired Auburn in 1928 after saving it from bankruptcy by unloading about 700 sedans languishing on the lot. He spiffed up the orphans with bright paint schemes and applied his considerable sales talent to move them. His reward was the company, which […]

1947 Buick Super Series 50 Woody Wagon

This was the Mercedes G-Wagen of its day, most often sold in high trim levels to affluent customers   {vsig}2005-12_1898{/vsig} Buick’s biggest and most elegant woody wagons owe their genesis to a cocktail party in Hollywood in 1941. Movie director Norman McLeod and his wife Bunny invited Buick designer Harley […]

1965 Shelby GT 350

This is a very rare and original ’65 Shelby, one of the few remaining two-digit cars in existence as car #18. Celebrity status is also bestowed on this car as it was previously owned by Reggie Jackson. The car has recently undergone a complete and professional restoration and a professional […]

1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda 2-Door Hard Top

What kept production numbers low was the staggering cost of the Hemi option, at just under $900-or nearly a third of the base price of the car   {vsig}2005-10_1884{/vsig} In a day when clones and replicas are so commonly seen, it is a pleasure to see an authentic, factory-built 1970 […]