Carl Bomstead was a longtime Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance judge and Classic Car Club of America Master Judge. He wrote his first story for SCM in February 1997. He was a panelist at the Gooding & Co. auction in Scottsdale in 2016, and a contributor to Linkage magazine and Hagerty. Watch Carl here at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Symposium, or listen to his podcasts on Cars Yeah here and here. Carl passed away in December of 2024.
Articles in Sports Car Market
Here are the latest articles from Carl:
1930 Cadillac V16 Roadster by Fleetwood – Established in 1902, Cadillac was bought in 1909 by the newly formed General Motors Company, which had begun to bring together several makes and wanted Cadillac as its luxury-car division. Cadillac had made a name for itself through innovation, the equipment fitted to its cars and the number of cylinders they had: V8, then V12… Read more
1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet – This 1932 Chrysler Imperial CH cabriolet not only carries all the swagger and allure of its time, but it is also an example of unrivaled provenance and matching body, chassis and engine numbers, as well as the legacy of being Bohman & Schwartz’s first joint build. Their name is not merely a brand that drives… Read more
1912 Kissel Kar Model D-11 Semi-Racer – One of several businesses created in the early 1900s under the ownership of the entrepreneurial Kissel family of Hartford, WI, was the Kissel Motor Car Company. The first Kissel Kar was manufactured in 1905, a 4-cylinder runabout with shaft drive. The earliest cars were bodied by a sleigh manufacturer and were powered by Beaver engines,… Read more
1933 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Sedan – “The Marmon Sixteen looks like no other car. It borrows little from the past. It will lend much to the future. It is the one example of unhampered coordination of effort by artist and engineer.” — Marmon advertising, 1931 The model Sixteen debuted in 1931. Extensive use of aluminum in the construction of the power… Read more
1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible – Dual-Ghia’s allure is more than its sheer exclusivity or the intrigue of an American-Italian co-production. It’s the style, the overcome-the-impossible swagger and Rat Pack panache. Very few concept cars in history have made it to production, but thanks to Eugene Casaroll’s tenacity, this one did and it’s every bit the star he dreamed of. This… Read more
1929 Duesenberg Model J “Disappearing Top” Torpedo – The most famous design from Pasadena, CA, coachbuilder Walter M. Murphy, the Duesenberg Model J “Disappearing Top” convertible coupe saw production of about 25 examples, all with the distinctive convertible top that hid neatly within the smooth rear deck when lowered. Yet there is a much rarer machine, the “Disappearing Top” Torpedo convertible coupe, which… Read more
1954 Kaiser-Darrin – The Kaiser-Darrin was America’s first production fiberglass sports car, with its prototype debuting in fall 1952 — just ahead of the Chevrolet Corvette (although production did not begin until 1954). It was powered by the reliable Willys 161-cubic inch “Hurricane” F-head 6-cylinder engine, and its design became a legend of 1950s motoring, with sweeping front… Read more
1955 Hudson Italia – Always one for creative thinking, Hudson designer Frank Spring thought he had just the right idea to improve sales of the small Jet. Spring worked with Italian coachbuilder Touring to design the Super Jet, a prototype that looked like nothing else on American roads in 1953, with its wraparound windshield, doors cut into the roof,… Read more
1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster – Twice certified Category 1 by the ACD Club CCCA Senior and National First Prize winner Supercharged “SC” model with Columbia rear axle One of the most stunning body styles of any era Meticulously restored with original components in the late 1990s Read more
1929 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Sedan by Murphy – Offered from 30 years of enthusiast ownership Original short-wheelbase chassis, engine and coachwork Equipped with a supercharger built using original components Featured in Beverly Rae Kimes’ The Classic Car: The Ultimate Book About the World’s Grandest Automobiles Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic Read more
1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible – Offered from the Gernatt Collection 275-hp, 352-ci V8 automatic Frame-off restoration 2016 White Jade, Zircon, Sapphire Power windows, seat, top, steering and brakes Clock and Wonder Bar radio Chrome wires, shod with wide whitewalls Packard’s most deluxe model for 1955 and one of only 500 produced Read more
1952 Muntz Jet – In 1949, Frank Kurtis started building an aluminum-bodied 2-seater sports car under his own name. However, by 1950 he sold the operation to Earl Muntz, who made his fortune selling used cars to returning servicemen, as well as Kaisers and Frazers along with his Muntz television sets. He was known all over Southern California for… Read more
1930 Cadillac V16 Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood – With its disappearing-tonneau windshield and second set of instruments for rear-seat passengers, the Cadillac V16 Sport Phaeton was a sleek beast that looked the part of a star’s car. And so it was with the car offered here, which was delivered via Los Angeles’ Don Lee Cadillac. Its original owner is long said to have… Read more
1965 Buick Riviera GS – Powered by Buick Super Wildcat V8 engine Console-shift automatic transmission Air conditioning, power windows, steering and brakes Interior features bucket seats and AM/FM radio Read more
Inaugural Audrain Concours a Huge Success – Newport, Rhode Island is synonymous with history, luxury and sport. It is home to the first U.S. Tennis Championship, the first international polo match and has been a central part of the America’s Cup. Nothing is more luxurious than the sprawling mansions — referred to as “cottages’ by their initial owners — that line select… Read more
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible – This professionally restored, two-owner 1953 Buick Skylark is powered by its matching-numbers Nailhead 322-ci V8 engine and Twin Turbine Dynaflow 2-speed automatic transmission. It is the sixth of 1,690 Skylarks produced in 1953. The restoration was completed in 2012 and the car has been fastidiously cared for since. It is finished in its original Matador… Read more
1930 Ruxton Model C Roadster – Described as “The Most Turbulent Tale in Automotive History,” the Ruxton story of America’s first front-drive automobile is a saga worthy of a big-screen production. The car was launched at the onset of the Great Depression. Author Jeffrey Godshall described the Ruxton as “a brilliant machine that never had a chance.” The Ruxton journey was… Read more
1953 Hudson Hornet Sedan – Steve McQueen, at one time the world’s highest-paid actor, a racing driver, motorcycle enthusiast and pop-culture icon, needs little introduction here or anywhere else. McQueen acquired, drove and raced dozens of fabulous cars. McQueen purchased this Hudson Hornet 7C sedan in the mid-1970s, and it was registered in his name in August 1977. This Twin… Read more
1932 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria by Rollston – Many of the finest bespoke creations on Stutz chassis were produced at the Rollston Company of New York City, who, for three decades, was Manhattan’s most prestigious coachbuilder. Rollston produced an astonishingly diverse portfolio of work, encompassing everything from fleet roadsters to massive town cars, which were all distinguished by exceptional build quality and were… Read more
1910 Cadillac racer – The first multi-cylinder Cadillac was their 4-cylinder model introduced in 1905. It was a bit primitive in construction, but Cadillac knew they had to move on from the single-cylinder motors they had become known for. With this new model, Cadillac was able to offer a relatively powerful and good-performing car at an excellent price. Each… Read more
1909 Stanley Model Z Mountain Wagon – Former Antique Automobile Club of America First Junior and Senior Award winner Beautiful Mountain Wagon re-creation by Stanley enthusiast Carl Amsley Restoration completed in the early 2000s by Daryl Kendall New boiler installed in 2009 Read more
1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich – Offered from the Joseph and Margie Cassini Collection Best of Show, 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show, 2016 Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s Poster Car, 2015 Elegance at Hershey The world’s most beautiful Individual Custom Packard A unique factory show car with stunning LeBaron-style fenders A Dietrich Packard of peerless significance… Read more
1935 Duesenberg SSJ – This car is the ultimate Model J Duesenberg, one of only two SSJs built Special short-wheelbase chassis and supercharged twin-carb engine Sporting open coachwork designed by J. Herbert Newport Jr. Originally delivered to Hollywood legend Gary Cooper The car is in unrestored condition. It retains the original chassis, engine and bodywork. Just two owners —… Read more
1906 Ford Model K Open Tourer – By 1906 there were a number of struggles between entrepreneur Henry Ford and his board — the sort that are so frequent with “start-ups” and particularly in the early days of the motorcar industry. The battle raged between directors Malcomson and Gray, who were for building a car to satisfy their perception of a growing… Read more
1960 Edsel Ranger Convertible – Hen’s teeth, needle in a haystack, unobtanium: Any of these aptly describes a 1960 Edsel Ranger convertible, as only 76 were built. This one is especially interesting, as it was produced on the last day of scheduled production. It is literally one of the very last Edsels built. Equipped with the 352-ci 300-hp V8 engine,… Read more
1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible – By the early 1950s, Cadillac had finally displaced cross-town rival Packard at the summit of the American fine car market. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Cadillac and its General Motors corporate parent, the Motorama-inspired Eldorado crowned its model range for 1953. Equipped with Cadillac’s state-of-the-art 331-ci V8, the Eldorado was offered only one… Read more
1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible – This is not a restored car, but an original. It’s still in its original Dover White, Scottish Heather and Maltese Gray, with only minor touch-ups over the years to keep it in pristine condition. This is number 268 of the 276 Packard Caribbean convertibles produced in 1956, the eighth-to-last one ever produced. It has its… Read more
1959 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible – The 1959 DeSoto Adventurer convertible was powered by a high-performance 383-ci V8 engine offering 350 horsepower with dual Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors in tandem. The car has a push-button-operated TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This Adventurer has a dizzying array of features, including power brakes; power steering; power windows; a power-operated, swiveling driver’s bucket seat; and a… Read more
1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Pillarless Saloon by Vesters et Neirinck – Brussels coachbuilder Vesters et Neirinck produced some of the finest and most interesting designs to come out of Belgium during the Classic Era. They were particularly proud of their close relationship with Rolls-Royce and Bentley. One of their most stunning creations, this Rolls-Royce Phantom III, was ordered with such unique features as a speedometer… Read more
1946 Ford Super DeLuxe Station Wagon – This amazing Ford woodie, incorporating numerous pieces of original Birdseye and Tiger Maple, was purchased new on January 2, 1947, by Jeanette Schaffer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It remained in the Milwaukee area until 1985. The body was refinished in its original color of Maize Yellow many years ago, which is the only major work that… Read more
1936 Cadillac V16 Convertible Sedan – The 1936 Cadillac Series 90 convertible sedan was one of only six built that year, the second-to-last season for Cadillac’s original V16. The original build sheet notes that it was shipped to New York City and then directed to Brooklyn for its original owner. The body was finished in wonderfully named Phantom Metallic, with Vincennes… Read more
1961 AMC Metropolitan Convertible – At a time in automotive history when American manufacturers were consistently arguing that “bigger is better,” Nash dared to be different. After creating a well-received concept car called the NXI, Nash believed that a small, efficient car could be successful amongst the sea of large cars being offered by the Big Three: Ford, GM and… Read more
1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow – This Silver Arrow is recognized as being body number 1, the first Silver Arrow produced, and was used to debut the wild new ideas at East Coast auto shows during 1933, including both New York and Boston. Pierce-Arrow clientele were notoriously conservative and not really the people who bought super-streamlined dream machines — something Pierce-Arrow… Read more
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ “Sweep Panel” Phaeton by LaGrande – Eleven LaGrande “sweep panel” phaetons were produced for the long-wheelbase Duesenberg Model J chassis. Of these, just three were supercharged SJ models, and only one of these, the car offered here, boasted unique styling features, most prominently the lack of a full second cowl. Instead, a folding windshield was fitted. That windshield collapsed behind the… Read more
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible – This Motorama-inspired Buick Skylark has undergone a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration. It is finished in correct and desirable Reef Blue. Powered by a 322-ci V8 engine with automatic transmission, it’s fully sorted and ready to drive. Read more
1954 Kaiser-Darrin 161 Roadster – In the bustling years after World War II, American roads were peppered with ever-growing numbers of European and British sports cars. American servicemen returning from overseas duty were bringing home nimble little cars with gutsy engines and sleek styling. American manufacturers wanted in on the action, but nobody had a suitable car ready to compete… Read more
1928 Packard Custom Eight Model 4-43 Convertible Sedan – Buying a Packard in 1928 was a no-questions-asked statement that you had arrived. But if it wasn’t enough to own one of the finest cars on the road, one could opt for custom coachwork. Relatively few Packards were fitted with such princely attire, and it is a very rare to come across one clothed at… Read more
1941 Packard One-Eighty Convertible Victoria by Darrin – The Packard Darrin was a special automobile in the maker’s lineup. It was a blending of all the glory that was Packard in the Classic Era and the stunning design work of Howard “Dutch” Darrin. The result was one of the more glamorous cars of the 1940s. According to its body tag, this Darrin was… Read more
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad – The first Chevrolet Nomad was conceived by Harley Earl and based on a Corvette platform. It debuted at the 1954 GM Motorama show. After a warm public reception, the Nomad was placed into production for 1955 and joined the top-echelon Chevrolet Bel Air passenger car line to become the first GM 2-door station wagon. The… Read more
1938 Graham 97 Supercharged Cabriolet by Saoutchik – Like many advanced American designs of the late 1930s, “The Spirit of Motion” caught on much stronger in avant-garde Europe than in its home country. The finest European coachbuilders took Northrup’s aerodynamic lines as their muse, among them Jacques Saoutchik of Paris. Saoutchik installed custom cabriolet bodywork on several “Sharknose” chassis, of which the car… Read more
1948 Tucker 48 – There is little about the Tucker automobile that has not already been said. No post-war American automobile has had every facet of its story so religiously studied and examined; none was more controversial when new, and fewer are more beloved today. Indeed, it would please a vindicated Preston Tucker that the 47 surviving examples of… Read more
1928 Mercedes-Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer – Silent streams of super-power… unbounded flexibility … comfort to carry you to the ends of the earth” — quoted period Mercedes-Benz advertising in America for the legendary Typ S The Typ S was created in a magical period for the company, shortly after the merger of Daimler and Benz, while Ferdinand Porsche was chief engineer.… Read more
1946 Chrysler Town & Country convertible – Such was the demand for vehicles in the immediate aftermath of World War II that the 1946 Chryslers — like most other American makes — reappeared looking much the same as they had in 1942. One difference in the model line-up was that the wood-embellished Town & Country model, previously available only as a station… Read more
1918 Stutz Bearcat Rumble-Seat Roadster – Built in just five weeks, Harry Clayton Stutz’s first car did sufficiently well at the 1911 Indianapolis 500, finishing 11th, despite numerous stops for fresh tires, to prompt its creator to set up the Ideal Motor Car Company to manufacture the Stutz. The first production models were closely based on the successful Indianapolis car and… Read more
1961 Chrysler 300G Hard Top – The Chrysler 300G was the last 300 to wear Virgil Exner’s famous fins. Major differences from the previous year’s model included a new front end with canted quad headlamps and a new rear treatment, which lacked the faux-continental spare of the 300F. The 1961 300G was tested by Road & Track magazine and it went… Read more
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Runabout – In 1930, as Detroit was in the middle of an escalating horsepower race, Packard unveiled the 734 Speedster — an understated high-performance model that is perhaps the finest sporting machine built by an American manufacturer during the Classic Era. Despite its limited production, the 734 Speedster was offered in five distinct body styles: runabout, phaeton,… Read more
1952 Muntz Jet convertible – In 1950, Earl Muntz bought Indy car builder Frank Kurtis’s design and all the tooling for a 2-seat sports car and renamed it the Muntz Road Jet. Muntz stretched the Kurtis “sports car” 13 inches to add room for a back seat. The styling was simple but streamlined. With an unerring eye for exposure, he… Read more
1949 Ford F-1 Pickup – Flathead V8 engine with modern upgrades Floor-shift manual transmission Mild custom with bucket seats Dash and gauges period-correct Ford step plates Chromed bumpers Beautiful finish Radio The brilliant blue paint immediately draws your attention to this restored and mildly customized 1949 Ford pickup. The interior features complementary blue cloth bucket seats in an otherwise seemingly… Read more
1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe by Ghia – Admiring the car offered here, one would be hard-pressed to guess its origins as anything but Alfa Romeo in the early 1950s. Only its very American size and presence belie its roots, as do the subtle Cadillac script and badging. Underneath its design, the creation of Ghia principal Luigi Segre is the same Series 62… Read more
1960 Chrysler 300F Hard Top – Road & Track magazine called out the Chrysler “letter cars” as being a very significant automobile. They stressed to their European-favoring readers that it was not a sports car, but it was the best that Detroit had to offer in its luxury “sedan class.” They succinctly summed up an evaluation as “an athletic, but lovable… Read more
1933 Cadillac Series 355 Roadster – Offered here to the discriminating collector of fine luxury cars is a Cadillac that has splendor, luxury, and rarity all in the same package. In fact, this 1933 Series 355 Cadillac Roadster is number two of only three V8 roadsters produced — and the only one in existence today. It presents in the present day… Read more
1927 Falcon-Knight Model 10 Speedster – This 1927 Falcon-Knight Model 10 has a one-off 2-seat speedster body believed to have been commissioned by James Harvey Howe III, grandson of the inventor of Tums. He donated it to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation in the 1970s. The car was later part of the John O’Quinn Collection before being acquired by the… Read more
1935 Packard Twelve Sport Coupe – Packard’s most beautiful automobiles of the 1930s were arguably produced as part of the Eleventh Series, and they boasted the first gentle hints of streamlining, such as a slightly angled radiator shell, more deeply skirted fenders, and vee’d headlamp lenses. The 12-cylinder models of this series were the ultimate Packards, and the ultimate of the… Read more
1940 Oldsmobile Dynamic Series 70 Woodie Wagon – In 1941, the station wagon body was only offered by Oldsmobile on the bottom-of-the-line Special 60 Series. Sharing its wheelbase and dimensions with the Chevrolet Special Deluxe Wagon, it offered the brand engineering for which GM was famous. As was the standard practice then, coachbuilding for special models such as the labor-intensive wagons was… Read more
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton – One of the few automobiles deemed worthy of inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art in New York — and arguably the most easily recognized American car of all time — the Cord 810 debuted in November 1935, receiving a rapturous reception at U.S. automobile shows. The work of a team led by Duesenberg designer… Read more
1927 Miller 91 – The Miller 91 was a true tour de force of rear-wheel-drive racing technology. It was so successful and its domination on speedways of the 1920s was so complete that it was effectively responsible for its own demise. The AAA’s rule change for 1930 to the “Junk Formula” was, in fact, adopted to stop the Miller… Read more
1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special Motorama Concept Car – It’s said that Harley Earl, director of GM styling, got the idea for a GM concept car while watching world speed records being set at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. It would be a sports racer called a Bonneville Special. That was when 1954 models were being readied for production, and no GM… Read more
1958 Lincoln Continental Mark III Convertible – The 1958–60 Lincolns and Lincoln Continentals were the most massive American passenger cars produced since World War II, as they were built on a 131-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 229 inches. The Mark III convertible tips the scales at an impressive 4,928 pounds, and only 3,048 were produced. This stunning Mark III… Read more
1961 Chevrolet Corvette convertible – This beautifully restored 1961 Corvette is powered by its 283/270-hp engine with two 4-barrel carburetors and a 4-speed manual transmission and its original shifter. This car was built with performance in mind. Painted in Roman Red with white side coves, this Corvette features a white soft top and red interior throughout. All the trim looks… Read more
1930 Cadillac V16 Roadster – On January 4, 1930, Cadillac stunned the fine-car market at the New York Auto Show with the introduction of its breathtaking new V16. With it, Cadillac instantly catapulted itself to the head of the luxury class in one brilliant stroke. Until then, only Bugatti had produced a 16-cylinder engine, and it was accomplished by bolting… Read more
1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout – The Mercer Automobile Company was established in 1909 by the Roebling family, creators of tensioned wire-rope suspension bridges — embodied by the Roebling-built Brooklyn Bridge. The company was crippled early on by the deaths of its Roebling family leaders, but it survived until 1925, when it was renamed the Mercer Motors Company, signaling its acquisition… Read more
Tucker vs. Tucker – Chassis 1036 (RM Auctions) A factory report dated October 28, 1948, held in the Tucker archives at the Gilmore Car Museum, indicates that chassis number 1036 had been completed on October 20, with body number 33 and engine number 33585. It was one of a dozen cars painted Maroon (paint code 600). No transmission was… Read more
Flying High Without Leaving the Ground – The Motorworks Revival — known simply as the Jet Center Party — has been hosted for the past 23 years by Gordon McCall and takes place on the Wednesday preceding the Pebble Beach Concours. In the beginning, it was a low-key, invitation-only party for concours entrants and select friends that set the tone for the… Read more
1955 Packard Caribbean convertible – Packard’s last prestigious, low-production offering was the Caribbean convertible of 1955 and 1956. This top-of-the-line model was completely redesigned for ’55, and it sported a new high-output overhead-valve V8 engine with dual four-barrel carburetors, which could produce an amazing 310 horsepower, put to the rear wheels through a new push-button Twin Ultramatic transmission. An innovative,… Read more
1934 Chrysler Custom Imperial CX Airflow – The Chrysler Airflow was a brilliant and revolutionary creation with the promise of cutting-edge design and technology. Easy flowing lines swept to the rear and allowed air currents to slip by while passengers relaxed and settled into seats as big and soft as divans. Artistry of the highest order was apparent in every detail of… Read more
1957 Continental Mark II – Mark II Continental with 74,000 original miles. Beautiful example of an original well-cared-for car with documented service and owner history. Loaded with functional factory options. Factory air conditioning and power windows, recent service and tune-up just completed. This car still retains a lot of its original paint, chrome and stainless trim. Lots of paperwork, books… Read more
1937 Packard One-Twenty Pickup – This Packard pickup is based on the 138-inch wheelbase 138D One-Twenty chassis. The original, factory touring limousine bodywork was truncated aft of the front doors and the back of a compatible pickup cab was grafted on. An original box from another period truck of comparable size was added, and it features a ribbed steel floor.… Read more
1935 Auburn 851 Boattail Speedster – In 1949, this exceptional Auburn Boattail Speedster was discovered in an old garage in Omaha, NE. The Auburn required some refurbishing, so a restoration was undertaken in 1951, and it was decided to restore the car as a 1936 852, perhaps in an attempt to make the already rare Speedster seem even more desirable, as… Read more
1912 Stutz Model A Bear Cat – By any standard, Harry C. Stutz was an unlikely artist. Perhaps a few in the stands at Indianapolis in 1911 saw Stutz’s creation coming, but they were in the minority, as they were engineers and fellow veterans of the early automobile industry, and they knew Stutz’s genius. The car that he built under his own… Read more
1952 Hudson Hornet Sedan – Hudson highlighted the 1951 model year with the new Hornet model, empowering the already dramatic step-down design with a larger engine. The heart of the Hornet was an evolution of the new Super Six engine introduced in the step-down in 1948, but enlarged to 308 cubic inches. The most powerful Six on the market, it… Read more
1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster – There have been many great automobile designers who have left their mark on the motoring landscape. Among these greats would have to be the contributions of Howard “Dutch” Darrin, whose design talent was favored among many of Hollywood’s elite. Quite simply, if you were famous and you wanted a car with a bit more flair,… Read more
1914 American Underslung Model 644 Touring – The innovative American Motors Company of Indianapolis, IN, is best remembered for their famous “Underslung” models. These striking designs placed the frame rails below the axles, giving a significantly reduced center of gravity along with a sporting profile. Significantly oversized wheels remedied the problem of ground clearance. This design innovation resulted in a chassis with… Read more
1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet – The 1932 Chrysler CH Imperial offered by RM is believed to have been the first car to receive a Bohman & Schwartz body. In many ways, it represents a watershed moment in California coachbuilding. While the car could easily have been built on the longer CL Imperial, choosing the 135-inch-wheelbase CH chassis created a design… Read more
1948 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible – A woodie with Full Classic status This 1948 Chrysler Town and Country shows only 77,630 miles, which is believed to be from new. The interior is finished completely in striking blue leather upholstery, a rare option in 1948 (supposedly only 10% were ordered with the leather option). It is complemented with gray Wilton wool carpeting… Read more
1950 Nash-Healey Roadster – What emerged from this two-year restoration process is nothing short of remarkable — Donald Healey’s own Nash-Healey, exactly as he built it, with no expense spared to ensure 100% historical accuracy. Restored by Tsikuris Classics — under the supervision by noted authority Bill Emerson. All major components are original to this car. With ownership history… Read more
1954 Chrysler GS-1 Special by Ghia – During the 1950s, Italian coachbuilder Ghia built numerous one-off “dream cars” for Chrysler Corporation. One, the slab-sided and extremely modern “Thomas Special,” named for Chrysler export executive C.B. Thomas, was so well received at European shows that a limited run of duplicates was produced for European customers. Others soon followed, including the so-called Ghia Special.… Read more
1937 Pontiac Deluxe Six Woodie Wagon – • Reported to have sold new to the Wrigleychewing-gum family in Chicago, 1937 • Sold by Wrigley family in 1977 to family mechanic, then to a collection in Arizona in 1983; stayed there until 2013 in dry storage • It is said that this rare and interesting woodie is one of four known to exist… Read more
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe – As advanced as the Model J Duesenberg was upon its introduction in 1929, most of the technical advancements contained within were confined to the body and chassis. The design of the front end and fenders — as well as that of most coachbuilt bodies — still bowed toward late-1920s convention, albeit stylishly. As a result,… Read more
1932 Auburn 8-100A speedster – The 1932 Auburn 8-100A Speedster was the Auburn Automobile Company’s most spectacular 8-cylinder offering — an ideal Depression-era road machine for those who could afford it. It offered outstanding performance for a dashing couple, with the flexibility of a 2-speed rear axle providing a low ratio for city use and a high ratio for open… Read more
1955 Hudson Italia – Hudson designer Frank Spring (who left Murphy Coachbuilders in the 1930s to join Hudson) contracted with Carrozzeria Touring of Milan to build 25 production models of his dream sports car. Touring created a Superleggera coupe with an aluminum unibody built over a steel tub frame. Unique to the Italia were aircraft-style doors, custom bucket seats,… Read more
1930 Cadillac 452 V16 ambulance – Quiet, strong, flexible and powerful, the Cadillac V16 defined luxury in the golden age of classic luxury automobiles. As brilliantly styled under the hood as its Harley Earl exterior, it exuded quality and exclusivity that were reinforced by the refinement of its drivetrain and chassis. The Cadillac V16 was also durable, which explains the… Read more
1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible – For much of its history, Chrysler was a frontrunner in building some of the most interesting and exciting high-performance cars Detroit had to offer. Foremost among them are the formidable early Hemi-powered Chrysler 300 “letter cars” of the 1950s, which, by virtue of their cost and long list of standard and optional features, were reserved… Read more
1903 Ford Model A Rear Entry Tonneau – The first Ford Motor Company product was called, not surprisingly, the Model A. It was powered by an opposed 2-cylinder engine that displaced 100 cubic inches and developed 8 horsepower. Built on a wheelbase of only 72 inches, it weighed roughly 1,250 pounds, depending upon the body fitted. Its light weight made the most… Read more
1909 Stanley Model R Roadster – Whoever called this car a Stanley Steamer wasn’t a friend of the Stanley brothers, as they hated that designation. It was a Stanley Steam Car, although Stanley Steamer has become a part of the American language. The brothers were identical twins who went by their initials, F.E. and F.O. They set about building what was,… Read more
1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Woodie Aerosedan – • Recent high quality frame-off restoration • Beautiful woodie Aerosedan• Inline 6-cylinder engine• Standard 3-speed transmission• Front and rear bumper guards• Fender skirts• Sun visor• Dual exhaust• Color-keyed wheels• Bright beauty rings and hubcaps• Wide whitewall tires (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) Read more
1928 Cadillac “Al Capone” Series 341A – The continuous history of this 1928 Cadillac V8 Town Sedan has been established since 1932. While the provenance of the “Al Capone” armored Cadillac has never been questioned, its origins were never confirmed beyond reasonable doubt until now. Thorough documentation begins with the purchase of this 1928 Cadillac by Harry LaBreque in May of… Read more
1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible – Patterned after other GM luxury specials, Pontiac’s Bonneville convertible was a low-production luxury liner with power to spare. One of just 630 built, this mostly original 1957 Bonneville shows a believed-actual 53,032 miles. It was in careful storage from 1961 to 1980, when its Kenya Ivory paint and red interior were refinished to as-original condition.… Read more
1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe – The fast rise and eventual collapse of E.L. Cord’s massive industrial empire, with the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg marques at its core, remains one of corporate America’s most fascinating and tragic stories. From the dramatic turnaround of Auburn in the mid-1920s, which is a textbook case of selective marketing, Cord’s companies manufactured and sold some… Read more
1911 Rambler Model 65 7-passenger touring – In 1904, the Rambler Company relocated from Chicago to a factory in Kenosha, WI, where they pioneered assembly-line procedures and took their annual production to almost 4,000 units. By the turn of the next decade, with the last two-cylinder models phased out in favor of four-cylinder models, the Rambler became known as one of the… Read more
Italian Bicycles Join the Festivities at Concorso Italiano – Many say Italians are at the vanguard of bicycle design and engineering. After all, bicycles have long been associated with Italy, with the oldest bicycle company, Bianchi, originating from Italy in 1885. This year, Concorso Italiano will host a display for Italian bicycles. Welcoming all Italian bikes, from the early 1900s to current models, attendees… Read more
1936 Cord 810 Convertible Phaeton – Chassis number: 2037H The 1936 and 1937 Cords were often referred to as “Baby Duesenbergs,” and the innovative series remains an undisputed collector favorite today. Like the L-29 that came before, the 810 was fi tted with an advanced front-wheel 81 system. But the new 810 had a V8 engine from Lycoming, one of E.L.… Read more
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible – * 322-ci Nailhead engine* Automatic transmission* Power convertible top* Power windows* Power antenna* Chrome wire wheels* Wide whitewall tires Read more
1953 Buick Skylark Convertible – 322-ci Nailhead engine Automatic transmission Power convertible top Power windows Power antenna Chrome wire wheels Wide whitewall tires Read more
1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Convertible Victoria – This 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Custom Convertible Victoria by Waterhouse was produced on June 15, 1931. The known history dates to 1939, when Calvin Collins of New York purchased it from the McCormick garage. The Collins family enjoyed the car for several years, but it was almost lost to the scrap metal drives of World… Read more
1934 DeSoto Airflow coupe – Chassis number: 6078798 Engine number: SE8458 In 1934, the entire DeSoto lineup featured Chrysler Corporation’s new streamlined Airflow design. Walter P. Chrysler expected the streamlined and futuristic Airflow models to take the nation by storm and reap huge profits. A design far ahead of its time, the Airflow featured built-in headlamps and wider front seats… Read more1934 Packard Super Eight 1104 Tourer – Highlights from the Mecum Auctions catalog:• Vacuum assist brakes• Synchromesh 3-speed transmission• Push-button start• Secret Service jump seat• Original 384/145-hp engine• Mostly original interior• Record log from 1948 indicates passengers included General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Admiral Chester William Nimitz and many others Read more
1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Coupe – The Duesenberg presented here, one of six Model Js that Capt. George Whittell Jr. purchased new, is arguably the finest example of the coachbuilt American automobile. Penned by legendary designer Franklin Hershey and executed by Murphy, the coachwork is a study in elegance and individualization, distinguished by Whittell’s inimitable motifs. At its foundation is Duesenberg’s… Read more
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible – Without side rails there was no lateral-impact protection, but safety was not a major concern in the 1950s In 1953, General Motors wowed the automotive world with the introduction of a 50th Anniversary Buick, the Skylark, as well as the Oldsmobile Fiesta, the Cadillac Eldorado and a fiberglass sports car called the Corvette. All four… Read more
1967 Volkswagen 21-Window Samba Bus – As readily recognizable as the immortal Volkswagen Beetle itself, the VW Type 2 and its derivatives enjoyed an even longer period in production than their progenitor. The original was conceived in the late 1940s by a Dutch Volkswagen agent, Den Pon, who drew up plans for a van based on the Beetle floorpan and running… Read more1954 Dodge Firearrow III Concept – Chysler’s financial crises of the early 1950s couldn’t stop the string of Virgil Exner’s Ghia concept cars{vsig}2009-4_2307{/vsig}In 1953, Dodge unveiled its first concept car, the Firearrow, a sleek out-of-this-world roadster that provided a glimpse of what everyone’s new automobile would look like in just a few years. While this stylish open-top car looked like it… Read more
1937 Oldsmobile L37 Convertible Sedan – This is the only Oldsmobile to have been recognized by the Classic Car Club of America as a Full Classic {vsig}2008-12_2256{/vsig} There was a time when neither Ford nor Chevrolet were America’s leading automobile producers. You have to go back to the dawn of the auto industry, but from 1903 to 1905, Oldsmobile was… Read more
1965 396/425 Convertible – When the new-for-1963 Sting Ray was introduced, it is unlikely that its creators understood the impact it would make on the automotive world. Long considered a modern classic, the Sting Ray was an unqualified success, outselling the 1962 models by 48%. Meanwhile, a second shift was added at the St. Louis assembly plant to meet… Read more1959 Jaguar XK 150 S Roadster – Jaguar people may argue, but I believe the 150’s appeal lies in the “creature comforts” our traveling companions often demand {vsig}2008-7_2195{/vsig} Jaguar’s series of XK sports cars established the company’s reputation as a manufacturer of good-looking, fast automobiles sold at a reasonable price. The 1949 launch of the XK 120 caused a sensation and,… Read more
1963 327/340 Convertible – After a decade of production of the classic “solid-axle” Corvette, Chevrolet pulled out all the stops to present a brand new Corvette for 1963. Although the various engine and transmission choices were carried over, every aspect was otherwise redesigned, and a beautiful new fiberglass body was offered for the first time in either coupe or… Read more1941 Chrysler Town & Country Barrel Back Estate Wagon – Built for a limited time, the Town & Country remains arguably the rarest, most desirable pre-war Woody produced {vsig}2008-4_2154{/vsig} Conceived in 1939, the Town & Country Estate wagon represented Chrysler’s desire to create an entirely new car that was both luxurious and dramatic. It had to be elegant enough for city driving and chauffeur… Read more
1970 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder – If Italias offer style and performance, why would they sell for under $50,000? Well for one thing, their handling is a bit suspect {vsig}2008-1_2118{/vsig} In 1959, chemical engineer Frank Reisner combined his fascination with automobiles and professional talents to establish Carrozzeria Intermeccanica. Born in Hungary in 1932 and raised in Canada, he raced sports cars… Read more
1957 283/283 Race Car – Although Chevrolet introduced the Corvette to great acclaim at the 1953 Motorama, few realized it would, in time, become America’s iconic sports car. The sporting transformation didn’t come until 1956, a year after Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov inserted a 265-ci V8 into the previously sluggish 6-cylinder-powered fiberglass two-seater. For 1956, Arkus-Duntov improved the car’s… Read more
1903 Cadillac Runabout Rear-Entrance Tonneau – Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company of Detroit completed its first car in October 1902. The firm’s superior manufacturing technology-precise gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer’s specialty-soon established it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the United States. The company was formed using funds supplied by two of… Read more
1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster – The Corvette was introduced at the General Motors Motorama at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York and it was a sensation. Its two-seater body was wrapped around the conventional perimeter frame chassis with independent front suspension and live rear axle. The body itself was a revelation, constructed from a revolutionary material called fiberglass that was… Read more1961 Mercedes-Benz 300d “Adenauer” – From the onset, the 1951 Mercedes-Benz 300 was aimed at the American market. The car’s outstanding quality was matched only by its breathtaking price-it cost as much as three Cadillacs. But the price ensured exclusivity, and early customers ranged from renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to actor Yul Brynner. The 300 was also the choice… Read more
1955 Lincoln Indianapolis by Boano – Felice Mario Boano and his coachworks may be little known but the influence that he, his son Gian Paolo and their companies had on the evolution of modern automotive design is vastly out of proportion to their size.Felice Mario Boano and his coachworks may be little known but the influence that he, his son Gian… Read more
1940 Lincoln-Zephyr Continental Cabriolet – Without hard evidence of Babe Ruth’s ownership, the extra $300,000 paid for this car represents a giant leap of faithThe Continental is acknowledged as the crowning achievement of Edsel Ford and the head of his design department at Ford, Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie. Like many great accomplishments, it was the creation of a gifted designer… Read more
1954 Buick Skylark – Was this sale a market indicator or auction fever carried to an extreme?{vsig}2006-6_1939{/vsig}There were just 836 Buick Skylarks produced in 1954. Each came fully equipped with leather interior, full power equipment, special ornamentation, and open wheel wells with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. This low-mileage 1954 Buick Skylark received a complete professional restoration, which was completed in… Read more
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt – Last year’s $3.2 million Oldsmobile F-88 sale has collectors scouring barns and museums for ’50s dream cars{vsig}2006-5_1927{/vsig}The business of building “show” or “concept” cars was in its infancy in 1940, with the notion of showcasing future styling and innovations. The idea dated back to Harley Earl and his 1938 Buick Y-Job, which was such a… Read more
1901 Panhard et Levassor Rear-Entrance Tonneau – The first Panhard rolled out in 1891, and in 1892 this pioneer firm created the mechanical layout nearly all other successful manufacturers would follow: front engine, midships transmission, and driven rear wheels. Called “La Systeme Panhard,” it was the beginning of many innovations this company would bring to automotive development, such as wheel steering and… Read more1932 Alfa Romeo P3 Bronze Sculpture – Behind the wheel of a P3, Tazio Nuvolari bested the Third Reich on its home turf, winning the 1935 German Grand Prix in one of the great come-from-behind drives of all time{vsig}2005-1_1804{/vsig}The P3 Alfa Romeo sculpture offered here is patterned after the fantastic and dominant single-seat, eight-cylinder Alfas of the early 1930s. Cast in bronze… Read more
1933 Cadillac V16 Convertible Victoria – As the Depression raged, the market for these cars turned as dry as the Oklahoma dustbowl{vsig}2004-4_1244{/vsig}Cadillac’s introduction of the magnificent V16 in 1930 sent the competition reeling. While others were working on new V12s, Cadillac leapt right past them. Then in 1931, while they were still struggling to respond, Cadillac introduced its own V12, creating… Read more
1931 MG Montlhery Supercharged C-Type Midget – Keen to increase car sales, MG decided to attempt to set the Class “H” 750-cc World Speed Record at over 100 mph. A prototype racing car, called the C-Type, was prepared for the 1931 season and George Eyston promptly took the Class “H” record over 5 kms at Montlhéry in January 1931 at 103 mph.… Read more
1967 Shelby GT350 Competition Fastback – Highly original, genuine Shelby American Mustangs such as Carroll Shelby’s 1967 competition car, production number “20” shown here, very rarely emerge onto the US market. Individual records indicate that only 26 such cars were produced by Shelby American for the 1967 season and that the 20th car’s rarity is heightened by the fact that, among… Read more
1967 Camaro RS/SS Convertible – In April 1964, Ford introduced the Mustang and started the pony car era. It set sales records that have yet to be broken and caught the powers-that-be at General Motors completely off guard, as they had nothing in their line-up that could compete.A contingent within Chevrolet wanted to counter with a modified Chevy II but… Read more
1937 Cord 812 SC Convertible Coupe – In 1929 Errett Lobban Cord, expanding his automotive empire, introduced a front-wheel drive automobile that he named after himself. The Cord L29 offered a distinctive, sporting appearance and great performance for its price. Unfortunately, when the stock market crashed shortly after the car’s introduction, so did the market for the L29. The Cord’s distinctive styling… Read more
1965 Mustang Convertible – Wilson Pickett caught the mood of the nation when, in his blues song, Mustang Sally, he sang “I bought you a brand new Mustang ’bout nineteen sixty-five.” Sally’s was only one of the 680,000 Mustangs that were sold in 1964-65 as the car that Lee Iococca and his committee of eight designed wildly exceeded sales… Read more