Driving golden era cars in the modern era

[John in Covina]

Played wedding chauffeur this weekend. I don't know these people; they approached me at a car show a couple of months ago. Money was offered, but it was just a few miles from the house so I did it to be neighborly. Now, to get those heel marks off the ceiling...

She's a beauty and the bride is pretty too. I have seen this car in person it's just a dandy. I have Buick envy!

 

[StraightEight]

Now all jokes aside, I have to say that what you did for those newly weds is very VERY cool and selfless! At the very least, you gave them something they'll always remember!

And since you're giving things away.... how about the pink slip for that sweet sled of a car!

Just look at the chrome!!!

Pink slips are always eminently transferable. At some point in the none too distant future the Buick will go on to its next caretaker. By the way, the front and rear bumpers and door handles are the only major chrome parts. The rest is stainless.

 

[Story]

IN a world of interactive, Imax-enhanced, iPod-guided automotive museums, the relatively modest historical collection here may hardly seem worth a visit. But America’s Packard Museum on Ludlow Street is something different, and decidedly worthwhile: it is not a re-creation, but an authentic artifact of the history of the Packard Motor Car Company.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/automobiles/collectibles/10PACKARD.html?_r=1&hpw

 

[C.K.Farnsworth]

Ah, Packards

Thanks for posting! What a swell museum, I must visit some day.

 

[p71towny]

As much as I love restored originals I also like performance. I like upgrades that help performance, safety and longevity of the vehicle. As long as I can swap it back to stock, I'll modify without too much hacking. I like it to look stock, but drive waaay better than new.

 

[TrenchGuy]

I just wonder, does anyone make cars that are the same style as 30's or 40's, but with modern engines, brakes etc.
Because that would be super.

 

[StraightEight]

I just wonder, does anyone make cars that are the same style as 30's or 40's, but with modern engines, brakes etc.
Because that would be super.

'60s muscle cars, yes. You can buy brand new '68 Mustang body shells, put whatever engine in it you like. This is the only one that I know of from the 30s, a replica of a Talbot-Lago, very expensive. I'm not sure they're even building cars anymore. It was one guy with one shop.

http://www.tlccar.com/talbo.htm

 

[HOP UP]

Here's my new daily....1947 Chevy Fleetmaster !!

HOP UP

 

[Tailor Tom]

You could go for a good used Excalibur, if you can find one. Built as both a Phaeton and coupe w/rumble seat....Hand-built in Milwaukee, with Corvette running gear (can always find parts). styled along the lines of pre-war Mercedes. Some love them, some think it was just a style gimmick. But many custom auto companies use existing and proven running gear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excalibur_(automobile)

 

[Fly Boy]

I just wonder, does anyone make cars that are the same style as 30's or 40's, but with modern engines, brakes etc.
Because that would be super.

These guys?

http://www.acautos.com/

 

[normanpitkin]

Lovely!Interior shots please...oh ,and you better have a suicide knob!Not only that ,why not get the rear window blinds ,so expensive but so cool!

 

[David Conwill]

I just wonder, does anyone make cars that are the same style as 30's or 40's, but with modern engines, brakes etc.
Because that would be super.

As Fly Boy's response indicates, there are loads of reproduction bodies and frames out there that are designed to be fitted with modern running gear for a new/old experience. Fiberglass '32 Ford bodies have been around since the '70s at least, and Model T bodies since the early 1960s.

Obviously these are aimed at wouldbe hot rodders and street rodders, but it's not hard to envision a build that takes a resto-type approach. I've often thought that one of the '41 Willys bodies that are designed to bolt to a Chevrolet S-10 truck frame would make a good daily driver done up with 1941-style parts.

-Dave

 

[Fly Boy]

As Fly Boy's response indicates, there are loads of reproduction bodies and frames out there that are designed to be fitted with modern running gear for a new/old experience. Fiberglass '32 Ford bodies have been around since the '70s at least, and Model T bodies since the early 1960s.

Obviously these are aimed at wouldbe hot rodders and street rodders, but it's not hard to envision a build that takes a resto-type approach. I've often thought that one of the '41 Willys bodies that are designed to bolt to a Chevrolet S-10 truck frame would make a good daily driver done up with 1941-style parts.

-Dave

That would be quality. How well does fibreglass hold up for general wear and tear?

 

[David Conwill]

That would be quality. How well does fibreglass hold up for general wear and tear?

The only fiberglass bodies with which I have direct experience are C3 Corvettes, which are great, but also benefit from about twenty years of General Motors engineering development, but my secondary information indicates that aftermarket bodies vary by manufacturer. Wescott bodies have a real good reputation, while some of the fly-by-night operations produce stuff that is prone to flexing and cracking.

To me, in Michigan, the best thing about a ‘glass body is that it’s immune to road-salt induced rusting.

If one really wanted the “real” thing, one could get a ’30, ’31, or ’32 Ford body stamped out of steel by Brookville Roadster. Despite the company name, they produce both Model A roadsters and roadster pickups; and ’32 roadsters, roadster pickups, and coupes.

-Dave

 

[Derek WC]

What do you guys think about the Imperial cars of 1961? My grandpa has one and was trying to figure out how much it would be worth.

 

[Mr. Hallack]

My brother when he was a teenager had a 67 Plymouth Sport Fury he didn't drive much. But I LOVED driving that car. It MOVED!! But kinda scary too cause it was so huge. If I get another old car, that's one I would love to have.

 

[StraightEight]

Here's my new daily....1947 Chevy Fleetmaster !!

HOP UP

Hubba! Nice machine.

 

[scottyrocks]

Here's my new daily....1947 Chevy Fleetmaster !!

HOP UP

Wow. Someone got those lines right!

 

[David Conwill]

Wow. Someone got those lines right!

Harley J. Earl? I love the streamline moderne looks of the upscale, 1940s Chevrolets. The Fleetline Aerosedan being the pinnacle.

-Dave

 

[AtomicEraTom]

My Buick's going up for sale soon, and I'm thinking about buying this....