Oh, How We Adore Classic Cars…

Oh, How We Adore Classic Cars… Michael Breshears I've mentioned before that my father sold Chryslers for many years in Vermont. A small dealership called Farr's Garage in Bellows Falls, I was a regular there when I was a kid. My dad would take me along if he had an after-hours or weekend appointment and one of the things I found most fascinating was a warehouse across the street where the owner stored vintage Studebakers. I'd guess they were from the 40s and 50s and I can remember hopping in the driver's seat and finding the broad bench seat and the big steering wheel so weird. Their bodies were big and curvaceous and everything about them just seemed so cool. What is it about classic cars that have this enduring hold on our collective hearts? And is this fascination unique to the US? I did some poking around online and there's a voluminous amount of material to be found. Classic cars are an industry unto itself. In the US alone, revenue from classic cars exceeds $14 billion a year according to LaFontaine Automotive (www.lafontaineclassiccars.com). There are four primary reasons we love our classic cars: Nostalgia: One snippet I read mentioned vintage cars as time machines. They represent memories and youth; simpler times before technology grew to consume virtually every aspect of our lives. Distinctive Design: I know my biggest complaint about cars today is how blah and similar they look. I'll be tooling down the road and notice a current model Mercedes that could pass for a KIA with a simple nameplate change. The architecture and quality of craftsmanship of classic cars is a huge part of what makes their appeal so evergreen. Raw Driving Experience: The sheer feeling of driving a vintage car is a direct connection between the operator and the road. These vehicles were not wrapped in today's technology to the extent they are today. The layer upon layer of modern engineering creates a disconnect for enthusiasts who simply love driving. Simplicity & Durability: Classic cars usually have much simpler engines and mechanical components. Enthusiasts often like to work on their own cars and appreciate not having to be a computer programmer to do so. These cars were typically made to last as well. Several years ago, I bought a 1974 Mercedes 240d and I loved it. That cool Mercedes styling and the regal hood ornament, the hubcaps with matching paint and that gorgeous chrome grill. It was fun to drive even if it had a reputation for being the slowest/heaviest car in the world. The problem was I didn't trust it to drive very far. A couple times I had to have it towed when I couldn't get it to restart. I'm not at all mechanically inclined so it's not like I could just lift the hood and figure out what might be a simple problem. While that car was certainly made to last, it really needed an owner who had some aptitude with diesel engines. I sold it after a couple years, but I keep my photo of it right on my computer desktop to this day. So, what are the top 10 classic cars of all time? Well, there's a zillion different lists out there, so I guess it's pretty subjective. I chose this one from Velocity Restorations (www.velocityrestorations.com). It leans more into performance cars but still quite a variety lot. 10. 1959 Cadillac convertible Picture chrome and fins for days. 9. 1961-1965 Lincoln Continental convertible Subtle, long and sleek with suicide doors. 8. Aston Martin DB5 As James Bond's vehicle of choice, the 1963-1965 models are killer little roadsters. 7. The classic Ford Mustang No year given but it states that it took less than two years to sell a million of them. 6. Porsche 930 Turbo Complete with its whale-tail rear spoiler. 5. Plymouth Hemi Cuda The list creator called it perhaps the best American car ever made (though I'd never heard of it) and was one of the first "muscle" cars with its 425 high-performance engine. 4. 1961-1974 Jaguar E-Type "An evolution of the bubbly D-Type race car…" with the signature Jaguar very long hood. 3. 1954-1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Now this is what I'm talking about! One of the most recognizable cars of all time. One sold at auction in 2022 for $142 million! 2. 1962-1967 Shelby Cobra Another one I've never heard of but it's a British roadster racecar with a muscle engine from Ford! 1. 1962-1964 Ferrari 250 GTO With only 36 ever made, they command some of the highest auction prices. Speed, beauty and exclusivity are what these babies had to offer.