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Featured Cars and Trucks

Interviews with the owners of champion classics, customs, hot rods, and more!


Features by Jerry F. Boone


1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Exactly what is it about the 1955 Chevrolet that -more than a half a (more)

1971 Chevrolet Chevelle 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle

SCOTTSDALE, AZ. -- Perry Dodd watched the numbers on the big board above (more)

1940 Ford Pickup 1940 Ford Pickup

Garth Bonney can give you lots of reasons he has a thing for 1940 Fords. (more)

1970 Plymouth Superbird 1970 Plymouth Superbird

There is nothing subtle about a Plymouth Superbird. And that’s exactly (more)

1955 Chevrolet Cameo Pickup 1955 Chevrolet Cameo Pickup

Pat Melton recalls looking into a barn full of classic cars from the 50s (more)

1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger

Don Phillips remembers exactly when he decided he wanted to own a Dodge (more)

1955 Dodge Royal 1955 Dodge Royal

Dick Pedro flips the toggle switch below the dash on his 55 Dodge Royal (more)

1947 Ford Two-door Coupe 1947 Ford Two-door Coupe

When Leo Logsdon went looking for a restoration project, he set his sights (more)

1959 Austin-Healey 100-6 1959 Austin-Healey 100-6

Orvar Litsjo never lost the faith. Not when the brand new wiring harness (more)

1963 Thorgeirson Special 1963 Thorgeirson Special

The truck and trailer were barely south of Vancouver when first drops hit (more)

1961 Porsche Cabriolet 1961 Porsche Cabriolet

The 50-year-old engine comes to life with a mechanical clatter that is (more)

1935 DKW Luxus Cabriolet 1935 DKW Luxus Cabriolet

Considering when and where it was made, the tiny DKW seems simply out of (more)

1967 Citroen 2CV Truckette 1967 Citroen 2CV Truckette

The streets are crowded. The cost of gasoline is on the rise. Car shoppers (more)

1960 DeSoto Adventurer 1960 DeSoto Adventurer

Brad Groff remembers the car his grandfather drove. It was huge. The kind (more)

1965 Ford Mustang GT350 1965 Ford Mustang GT350

It was Carroll Shelby who turned the rather mundane Mustang into the (more)

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

The pair of 1957 Chevrolets sit side-by-side in an Arizona church parking (more)

1971 AMC Gremlin 1971 AMC Gremlin

There are cars you restore -let’s say a ’46 Ford -- because you admire the (more)

1953 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup 1953 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup

There are times that it is a bit difficult to believe everything Jeff (more)

1930 Ford Model A Tudor Two-door Sedan 1930 Ford Model A Tudor Two-door Sedan

For the casual observer, Darrel Freimuth’s Model A Ford is more than just (more)

1964 Ford Fairlane 1964 Ford Fairlane

Dale Robley admits he was smitten. “As soon as I saw the car, I knew I (more)

1969 AMC AMX 1969 AMC AMX

Tom Hafner’s bright red coupe draws attention for what it is...and for (more)

1965 Pontiac GTO 1965 Pontiac GTO

Little GTO, you’re really lookin’ fine Three deuces and a four-speed and a (more)

1911 Columbia Mark 85 1911 Columbia Mark 85

Steve Weber remembers when the mighty Columbia rolled from coast to coast. (more)


Features by Jeff Zurschmeide


1964 Ferrari GT Berlinetta Lusso 1964 Ferrari GT Berlinetta Lusso

Restoring a Ferrari is always a unique project. The legendary Italian (more)

1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight 1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight

A good restoration is always a labor of love. If it wasn’t, few people (more)

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Muscle cars occupy a special place in the world of restoration. The (more)


Features and profiles by Jeremy Wilson


1948 English Ford Anglia 1948 English Ford Anglia

This Anglia has it all: looks, speed, and it gets 20 miles per gallon. But (more)

1941 Buick Special Sedanette 1941 Buick Special Sedanette

At a recent cruise-in, a custom rolled in that seemed to catch everyone’s (more)

1956 Ford Ranch Wagon 1956 Ford Ranch Wagon

Here’s a happy twist on an often-told story, one you might know first (more)

1963 Ford Falcon Sprint 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint

Here’s an example where less is truly more. When he saw an (more)

1946 Chevrolet 3100 Half Ton Pickup 1946 Chevrolet 3100 Half Ton Pickup

When Norm Schmidt bought his 1946 pickup he had no idea of the surprise (more)

1927 Ford Model T Roadster 1927 Ford Model T Roadster

This ‘27 Model T Roadster is really a restoration of a re-creation. It was (more)

1957 Ferrari 410 Super America 1957 Ferrari 410 Super America

Putting it in perspective, the 1957 Ferrari Superamerica was the fastest (more)

1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Street Roadster CSX2546 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Street Roadster CSX2546

Without doubt the Kirkland, Washington Concours d’Elegance is the (more)

1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide

The Lagonda name has been associated with fine motor vehicles for over a (more)

1911 Oakland Model 33 Touring 1911 Oakland Model 33 Touring

Everyone knows that provenance (the origin and ownership history) adds (more)

1966 Ford GT40 Mk I 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I

In 1963, Enzo Ferrari sent a letter to Ford Motor Company with an offer: (more)

1936 Packard 120-B Convertible Sedan 1936 Packard 120-B Convertible Sedan

Monte and Elaine Glud’s Packard 120-B Convertible Sedan’s grand appearance (more)

1974 Sebring Vanguard Citicar 1974 Sebring Vanguard Citicar

At the turn of the century, electric vehicles were outselling gasoline and (more)

1932 Packard Deluxe Eight Coupe Roadster 1932 Packard Deluxe Eight Coupe Roadster

Knowing you’ve made a good investment is one of the joys of owning a (more)

1912 Cadillac Model 30 Touring 1912 Cadillac Model 30 Touring

Imagine the prestige felt by a Cadillac owner in 1912! While your (more)

1956 Packard 400 1956 Packard 400

In 1956 the automotive press was abuzz with excitement about the new (more)

1920 Ford Model T Roadster 1920 Ford Model T Roadster

Success with any craft requires skill and tenacity--and tenacity, as a (more)

1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet 68-C 1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet 68-C

One summer over 50 years ago, a college-bound student named Dave McCready (more)

1951 Packard 200 Deluxe Sedan 1951 Packard 200 Deluxe Sedan

Packard’s Twenty-Fourth Series was introduced on August 24, 1950 for the (more)

1953 Packard 300 Convertible 1953 Packard 300 Convertible

In 1952, Packard’s newly elected president and general manager, James J. (more)

1954 Packard Pacific 1954 Packard Pacific

Knowing the tricks of the trade can make the difference between a (more)

1954 Packard Patrician 1954 Packard Patrician

A while back Tom Taylor owned two Packards: a 1953 300 convertible and a (more)

1950 Ford Country Squire Woodie Station Wagon 1950 Ford Country Squire Woodie Station Wagon

In 1950, Ford’s most expensive passenger car was the Custom Deluxe V-8 (more)

1938 Packard Super Eight Rumble Seat Coupe 1938 Packard Super Eight Rumble Seat Coupe

Take a look at Hemmings or eBay advertisements for classic cars and you’re (more)

1947 Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight 1947 Packard Custom Super Clipper Eight

In the April 1946 issue of Mechanix Illustrated, legendary automotive (more)

1953 Nash-Healey Roadster 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster

Nash-Healey was America’s first postwar sports car and was marketed by (more)

1949 Packard DeLuxe Eight 1949 Packard DeLuxe Eight

Last year the President of the Classic Car Club of America issued a plea (more)

Ken Krolikoski Ken Krolikoski

Lately there is plenty of talk among classic car owners about the shifting (more)

Dave and Jeanette McCready Dave and Jeanette McCready

Have you ever wondered why classic car collectors are so passionate about (more)

Tom Taylor Tom Taylor

It’s no wonder Tom Taylor became a Packard collector. His family’s (more)

Matt and Karla Hackney Matt and Karla Hackney

You might want to take notes on this couple’s approach to car collecting. (more)

Gary Browne Gary Browne

At a recent Packard Club meeting one of the senior members announced he (more)

Norm Schmidt Norm Schmidt

Since he was a teenager, Norm Schmidt has owned more than 200 cars. Buying (more)

Recommendations
Click on any item below for more details at Amazon.com

Matt Joseph
Collector Car Restoration Bible: Practical Techniques for Professional Results
Krause Publications, Paperback, 2005-10-14

This book covers it all, from buying a restorable car to the finishing touches. And in between, it touches on every part of the car, from sheet metal repair to engine internals. If you were to have just one book as a guide, this would be that book. The book is photo-rich and provides both procedural details and collected wisdom from experienced restorers.


Tom Benford
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Restoring Collector Cars
Alpha, Paperback, 2004-08-03
The first 150 pages of this book are dedicated to the process of finding and deciding upon a restoration project and determining your restoration strategy. This part is covered in detail, and covered very well. The last 50 pages or so cover what to do with your car after the restoration is done, which leaves just over 100 pages to cover the actual work. For example, the chapter on engines assumes that the basic mill is in good shape, and simply covers tuning, carb adjustment, and freshening the engine bay. This is not a step by step mechanical manual - but it offers some of the best coverage on every other aspect of restoration.

Tom Brownell
How to Restore Your Collector Car
Motorbooks, Paperback, 1999-12-24

This book has a great deal of information on selecting a potential project car and setting up the workshop, plus a lot of detail on cleaning, stripping, blasting, derusting, bodywork and trim restoration, but comparatively less (just 1 chapter) on engine and mechanical restoration and 1 chapter on brakes. The book includes many nice color photos, however, and would be a good addition to a restoration library.


Greg Donahue
How to Restore Your Muscle Car
Motorbooks, Paperback, 2005-11-07

This book covers all aspects of restoration in detail, with a focus on the special issues found in 1960s and 70s muscle cars. From car selection through engine and interior restoration, this book is full of photos, illustrations, and step by step procedures. Examples are given from all domestic automakers. Reviews have been generally positive, for example (from AutoWeek): “With clean vintage muscle cars skyrocketing in price, this second edition has good timing, providing updates on parts sources and restoration techniques. We didn’t use the book to restore a muscle car, but we found it clear and concise, with user-friendly disassembly diagrams and 1,300-plus step-by-step photos, from choosing tools and which muscle car to restore, to completing the restoration.”


Don Taylor
Automotive Detailing: A Complete Car Guide for Auto Enthusiasts and Detailing Professionals
HP Trade, Paperback, 1998-06-01

This is a good basic book that covers all the bases of automotive detailing. With several chapters on paint care, the rest of the book looks at each functional area of a car and offers instructions for detailing. Also covers detailing as a business.


Dennis W. Parks
How to Restore and Customize Auto Upholstery and Interiors
Motorbooks, Paperback, 2005-09-29

This book primarily focuses on creating custom upholstery and interiors for hot rods, but the basic practices are all the same, and the techniques apply well to any restoration job. Seat uphostery, dash, headliner, and interior panels are all covered.


Martin Thaddeus
How to Restore Classic Car Bodywork
Veloce Publishing, Paperback, 2004-09-27

This book goes into detail about all facets of body and frame metalwork, with detailed, photo-rich procedures for such tasks as wheel arch and door sill repair. Hammer and dolly, pick and file techniques are explained and illustrated. This book does not cover paint prep or mechanical issues - this is strictly “panel beating.” This book was written and published in Britain for a British audience, but is perfectly applicable to American restorations.


Lindsay Porter
The Car Bodywork Repair Manual: A Do-it-yourself Guide to Car Bodywork Repair, Renovations and Painting
G T Foulis & Co Ltd, Hardcover, 1985-05-01
This is a good comprehensive manual that is not limited to metalwork, but also covers repairing dashboards, trim, and gauges, and also covers adding accessories to a car such as roll bars, mud flaps, feelers, and so on. The book uses many black and white and several color photos to illustrate all its procedures.

Ron Fournier
Race and Custom Car Metal Fabricator’s Handbook
HP Books, Paperback, 1987-01-01

This book covers all aspects of custom metal fabrication. While not aimed at the restoration market, if you find yourself having to create your own replacement pieces, this book has good information on tools and techniques.


Eddie Paul
Eddie Paul’s Custom Bodywork Handbook
Krause Publications, Paperback, 2005-10-19

This book covers the process of custom metalwork for show and movie cars. Obviously, there’s a lot of skill and experience behind the book that can’t be expressed, but this is an interesting read. Not strictly applicable to restoration, though.


Clockwork Media Pty Ltd
Bodywork: A Comprehensive Guide to Repair and Modifications
Clockwork Media Pty Ltd, Hardcover, 2001-07-06
This is an Australian publication devoted to wild custom bodywork. Well-illustrated, but probably not the best choice for a restorer. Other books on bodywork and paint are just as detailed with less emphasis on major modification.

John Pfanstiehl
Automotive Paint Handbook: Paint Technology for Auto Enthusiasts and Body Shop Professionals
HP Books, Paperback, 1998-08-01

This is an excellent resource, with plenty of detail provided by paint manufacturers and professional tips based on experience. Basic prep and painting is covered in detail, and extra information is offered on custom paint styles and techniques.


Dennis W. Parks
How to Paint Your Car
Motorbooks, Paperback, 2003-10-12
This book is an excellent choice for the restorer who plans to paint his or her own car. The text covers modern paint chemistry, offers air pressure drop tables, and covers often-overlooked areas such as masking and paint gun settings. The bodywork section is light compared to some other books, but offers great details in surface preparation and paint application technique.

Pat Ganahl
How to Paint Your Car on a Budget
S-A Design, Paperback, 2006-06-30
This is a great basic paint book. If you just want to throw a nice coat of paint on a car, this book will tell you how to do it. If you are going for the complete 100-point absolutely perfect show car paint job, this is not your book. Basics of bodywork are covered, as is paint prep and the sanding/cutting/blocking process. Paint jobs at several different levels of commitment are detailed in step-by-step procedures.

Larry Lyles
Revive Your Ride: Secrets from a Body And Paint Restoration Pro
BowTie Press, Paperback, 2006-04-30

This is a great book about the bodywork and painting process. Clear directions and well-supported rules for a quality paint job are laid out for the amateur. Lyles does a good job of explaining why the rules for a good paint job are correct.


Martin Thaddeus
How to Paint Classic Cars
Veloce Publishing, Paperback, 2005-08-28
This is a very basic book. There are only 5 pages devoted to panel beating and metalwork, and not much more than that to many other topics. All in all, not the best book for the do-it-yourselfer.

Pat Kytola, Larry Kytola
How to Paint Flames
Motorbooks Intl, Paperback, 1990-11
This book describes several processes for painting different styles of flames on cars. While not a restoration book, it’s loaded with great photographs and provides good information on custom painting in general.

Don Taylor
Automotive Upholstery Handbook
California Bill'S Automotive Handbooks, Paperback, 2001-11-02

This is the book to have for upholstery work. The author provides illustrated step-by-step instructions for virtually all necessary restoration procedures from rebuilding a seat to creating a convertible top. Tool tips and custom work information is also provided.


Don Taylor
Custom Auto Interiors
California Bill'S Automotive Handbooks, Paperback, 2003-11

This is a fun book, full of color photographs that illustrate the process of creating a custom interior from scratch. Although the emphasis is on custom work, the same principles will apply to restoration, especially if you are in the position of having to re-create a stock-looking environment, rather than installing reproduction pieces.


Jeff Lilly
How to Restore Metal Auto Trim
Motorbooks, Paperback, 1997-07-12

This is the book to have if you do a lot of trim work. Sections cover safely removing trim, marking flaws, repairing flaws, sanding and buffing, and unusual trim pieces made of copper, brass, aluminum, and so on. The book is photo-rich and includes detailed instructions on repair and restoration.


David H Jacobs Jr
Ultimate Auto Detailing Projects
Motorbooks, Paperback, 2003-09

This book covers detailing in a series of easy projects, such as using a clay bar, cleaning wire or mag wheels, trunk detailing, and so on. The book is divided into chapters based on the area detailed, such as “Under the Hood” or “Tires and Wheels” and includes many photos and detailed instructions for a solid detail job.


James Mann
How to Photograph Cars
Motorbooks, Paperback, 2003-01-26

This is a great book if you want to take professional-quality photographs of your cars. Good photos are critical to judging in some shows and concourses, and can add to your enjoyment of your ride. This book has it all, with a special section on restoration photos.

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