Nostalgia Highway

By Robert D. Cunningham
The Old Motor

(January 26, 2021) For a time in 1944, when World War II gasoline rations were just two gallons per week, many automobile owners drained the precious fluid from their tanks, filled the engine cylinders with oil, and put their cars up on blocks. However, a few fortunate owners of obsolete electric-powered and steam-powered cars pressed their relics back into service. And one clever Los Angeles inventor demonstrated what he claimed was a greatly improved version of the steam-powered motor that any mechanic.

By Larry Edsall
Classic Car Journal

(January 20, 2021) On Jan. 17, 1921, a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost rolled off an assembly line, but it wasn’t in Derby, England. Instead, that car and 2,945 that followed were assembled in Springfield, Mass. “These Rolls-Royce ‘Springfield’ Motor cars benefited from the creativity of U.S. coach builders including Brewster, Willoughby, Merimac and Hollbrook, and brought us some wonderful early commissions,” the British automaker noted in a news release celebrating the centennial of its American production effort.

1948 Tasco prototype

By Sports Car Digest

(January 17, 2021) On May 23, the 26th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will feature a special class that will showcase The Amelia’s affection for encompassing a wider view of the established normal and traditional Concours concept. With the previous “Cars of the Cowboys” and “What Were They Thinking” classes being appreciated despite their non-traditional status, this year’s special class will be the "Weird & Wonderful."

Source: The Old Motor

(January 10, 2021) The South Bend Lathe Works, named after the city in Indiana, where it is located was formed in 1906 by John J. and Miles W. O’Brien, twin brothers, who were born in Ireland. The pair were trained tool and die-makers that started the manufacturing firm after receiving their mechanical engineering degrees from Purdue University in Indiana.

(January 6, 2021) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.  — Barrett-Jackson and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, and the City of Scottsdale have announced the revised dates for two major automotive events at WestWorld of Scottsdale in 2021. The flagship Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction will be held March 20-27, while the Goodguys 11th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals is slated for April 16-18.

(December 31, 2020) HERNDON, Va. — On Dec. 27, 1945 series production of the Volkswagen Limousine began. Referred to internally as “Type 1,” and later becoming world-famous as the “Beetle,” the vehicle’s unique success story started in Wolfsburg thanks to the strategic vision of British Major Ivan Hirst.

1967 Volkswagen Type 2 double door camper at America's Car Museum

(December 23, 2020) Automotive museums across the U.S. have helped preserve some of the world’s rarest Volkswagens and feature everything — from a never-been-titled 1974 Karmann Ghia to a 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus that is a piece of civil rights history. With expansive collections available to the public, anyone can admire these classic cars.

(December 17, 2020) While the Volkswagen Beetle may be one of the most recognizable cars in the world, one of its most eye-catching variants is lesser known – the GSR yellow and black striped speed racer.  The GSR is a flashy, sporty, bumblebee-colored car that was the answer to years of requests from Beetle fans for a sportier version of the classic coupe.

1941 Ford Custom pickup

(December 10, 2020) — Mecum’s classic and collector car auction held in Houston last weekend resulted in $14.7 million in total overall sales. The event topped off a successful run of six such large-scale, live auctions held by the company in various major cities around the country over the past eight weeks.

(December 8, 2020) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Hagerty’s fourth annual Bull Market list features the enthusiast cars, trucks, and motorcycles that the company’s market experts predict will increase in value over the next 12 months. But the list isn’t tailored to get-rich-quick flippers, it’s aimed at prospective owners who want to find, buy, and drive a cool vehicle they love.