Carl Bomstead

Contributing Editor

15-year-old Carl Bombstead's first car was a 1948 Plymouth 2-door sedan, bought with money earned mowing lawn and caddying at the local country club. As he had no driver’s license, his father allowed him to drive the car in the driveway only—which he did daily for the next year. A highly customized 49 Ford with a Carson top and 53 Merc flathead with a ¾ cam followed. Then came the military, a family, and a career in the computer business; it was about 20 years before collector cars again became a priority. Since then, Carl has more than made up for lost time, and couldn’t begin to count the number of Packards and other Full Classics and near classics that have filled his garage. Current residents include a 1932 Auburn Phaeton, a ‘36 Packard Roadster, a ‘47 Cadillac Convertible, a ‘56 Jaguar XK140 OTS and a ‘63 Thunderbird Sport Roadster. Funds to support this obsession come from his position as proprietor of Collector Auto Appraisal Company, as well as from writing for SCM for the past six years. (His understanding wife, Chris, claims her job at Microsoft also contributes.)

When not writing about cars, appraising them or fixing them, Carl finds himself judging them. He’s served as a judge at Pebble Beach, and as head judge at the Kirkland Concours d’Elegance the past two years, and as head judge at numerous Classic Car Club of American National events.