Ken Gross is a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Chief Class Judge and a founding member of the International Chief Judges’ Advisory Group (ICJAG).
He served as Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, and his 15 critically acclaimed auto exhibitions have drawn record crowds at major fine-art museums nationwide.
The author of 25 books, and contributor to more than 40 publications, Ken has been writing for SCM for more than three decades.
Books
Ken has written many books on automotive topics, including the following:
Other Publications
Ken has written for a myriad of automotive publications, including Robb Report, The Drive, Playboy, Popular Mechanics, AutoWeek, and Hemmings. He also created a 12 episode series called “Behind The Headlights” for SPEED TV.
Events & Awards
Ken received the Distinguished Service Citation Award in 2014 from the Automotive Hall of Fame, the Drive for Excellence award from the Saratoga Automobile Museum, the International Motor Press Association’s Ken W. Purdy award, the Motor Press Guild’s Dean Batchelor Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Lee Iacocca award.
Articles in Sports Car Market
Here are the latest articles from Ken:
1932 Miller FWD Special – Compact, densely engineered and years ahead of its contemporaries, the Miller FWD Special featured full four-wheel drive and independent suspension, powered initially by Miller’s proven 308-ci, four-cam V8. The chassis had been laid out with characteristic foresight to accept either the V8 or Miller’s forthcoming 255-ci 4-cylinder engine, though the latter was not ready in… Read more
1911 Oldsmobile Limited Series 277-Passenger Touring – Oldsmobile, like its corporate cousin Cadillac, got its start in the automobile business building light, economical 1-cylinder cars. The famous Curved-Dash Olds proved rugged and robust, quickly becoming America’s best-selling model. Company founder Ransom E. Olds believed long-term success lay in small, low-priced cars, but boardroom disagreements led him to leave and start REO. Meanwhile,… Read more
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad – The Chevrolet Nomad is by far the rarest of Chevrolet’s so-called “Tri-Five” Bel Air models, produced from 1955 through 1957. The nameplate, which would live into the early ’70s, carries a level of cachet unique to the model. Marketed as a halo model of the Tri-Five station-wagon line, the Bel Air Nomad shared its long… Read more
1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster – In the days when Bugattis crossed France and 4½ Litre Bentleys tore through the British countryside, the American equivalent was the Auburn Speedster. The 1935–36 Speedsters were designed by the legendary Gordon Buehrig. Audacious by the standards of their time, they featured curvaceous bodywork with a straight hood line shooting back from the radiator to… Read more
1928 Mercedes-Benz 36/220 S-TypeSports Tourer – This Mercedes-Benz 36/220 S-Type Sports Tourer was delivered on December 19, 1928, to British Mercedes Ltd. London for a Mr. Cecil Harcourt-Smith of London and Cairo. According to the commission sheet, the S was delivered with a Sindelfingen 4-seater sports body, number 924 614. Recent research has established that it was anything but a standard… Read more
Body Double – After languishing for years in California’s high desert, the 1948 Norman Timbs Special — a Motor Trend cover car in October 1949 — was restored to a fare-thee-well and won its class at several major concours. Timbs was an acclaimed race-car engineer who’d designed the Indy 500-winning Blue Crown Specials of 1946, 1947 and 1948.… Read more
1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60HP “Roi Des Belges” – In 1890, after parting ways with Deutz AG, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach established Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG) in Cannstatt, Germany. DMG revolutionized the design and manufacture of internal combustion engines, inventing the world’s first four-stroke petrol engine and float-feed carburetor. Despite groundbreaking developments, Daimler and Maybach initially attracted little interest for their products in… Read more
Understanding Resto-Mods – Resto-mods have become prevalent, particularly at sales conducted by Barrett-Jackson and Mecum Auctions. At the annual giant Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas last November, every crate-engine variant or upgraded component possible for resto-mod conversions was on display, even drop-in electric powerplants. There are many websites and car-oriented TV shows that feature… Read more
1901 Milwaukee Racer 6HP Steam Car – Founded in 1899 by WH Starkweather, Herman Pfiel and W.G. Smith to build steam-powered cars, the Milwaukee Automobile Company produced its first car in 1900. Having overestimated the demand for its products, the company was soon declared bankrupt, and it closed in 1902. This “Milwaukee Racer” was built by the company in 1901 for Dr.… Read more
1933 Auburn 12-160A Salon Speedster – In the tradition of great artists who became truly famous only after their death, Alan Leamy of the Auburn Automobile Company left behind 33 brief years of startling innovation in body contours — a portfolio that was appreciated in its time, but which only became legendary decades after his passing in 1935. Leamy’s finest design… Read more
1929 Packard Series 645 Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton – Always built to the highest standards, the Packard was unquestionably one of the finest American cars of the pre-war era. The Packard’s innovative engineering and superior build quality were soon attracting the attention of wealthy clients, with William D. Rockefeller purchasing two at the New York Automobile Show in November 1900. “Ask The Man Who… Read more
1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout – The Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout offered here, chassis 1967, hails from the final year of T-head production, 1914. This car features many subtle improvements that were implemented since the model’s introduction, most notably the desirable 4-speed gearbox that was unveiled in 1913. The car’s history is known since the mid-1930s, when it was owned by… Read more
1906 Thomas Flyer 50HP 7-Passenger Tourer – One of the most recognizable automobiles of this era and arguably the most important of all the pioneering brands, the Thomas was the car that conquered the globe and put the American industry on the map. For the 1906 season, all Thomas cars were built on a 118-inch wheelbase and powered by 4-cylinder, 50-horsepower engines.… Read more
1932 Chrysler Imperial Series CG Custom Eight Roadster – Seldom is an automobile more closely linked with its original owner than this 1931 Chrysler and Dr. William F. Whelan. A respected Philadelphia ears, nose, and throat doctor, he served for years both in private practice and as an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School before his retirement in 1963. His success… Read more
1957 Chrysler Ghia Super Dart 400 – Proudly offered as one of the most important cars from the renowned Ramshead Collection thoughtfully curated by the late John White, this stunning and impressive one-off Ghia-styled concept car boasts not just uniqueness in its visual presence and auto-show history, but also impeccable originality and preservation, having been collected by discerning custodians as a truly… Read more
1903 Knox Model C Runabout – Knox automobiles were built in Springfield, MA, from 1900 to 1914. The earliest production Knox three-wheelers were built in the Waltham Watch Company’s Springfield factory. For 1903, just one model was cataloged, the Model C, built on a wheelbase slightly extended over its predecessor of 72 inches. The clever, compact, runabout bodywork was retained, a… Read more
1935 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Rollston – The Rollston Company was inarguably New York’s finest coachbuilder — renowned for the proficiency of its designers in both open and convertible styles, with conservative or rakish lines. Few American shops of any era were so skilled at so diverse a catalog, all built with outstanding craftsmanship and rock-solid quality. It is a testament to… Read more
Remembering Dr. Fred – Dr. Frederick Anthony Simeone, whose extraordinary car collection featured many racing cars with Le Mans history, died on Saturday, June 11. He was 86. Fittingly, his last moments were spent at the hospital he regarded as a second home, as the 24-hour race was well underway. “Dr. Fred,” as many people called him, was a… Read more
1951 “Hirohata” Mercury Custom Coupe – Uniquely American in many ways, the custom-car craze truly found its calling in the late 1940s, blossoming throughout popular culture in the following decade. For many owners, the restyled early post-war Mercury coupes have been the way to go for these changes, and the 1949–51 cars quickly became an open canvas for custom “lead sled”… Read more
1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet” – The Classic enthusiast will behold this Duesenberg at first glance and wonder what looks so familiar. Finally, it will click: The body resembles a Packard roadster of 1930–31. The reason, of course, is that the body is a Packard roadster of that vintage. The body, as noted by prominent Duesenberg historian Ray Wolff, was bought… Read more
1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 Type S – The Mercedes-Benz “S” was created in a magical period for the company, shortly after the merger of Daimler and Benz, while Ferdinand Porsche was chief engineer. He built a powerful-yet-versatile automobile — a true all-rounder, at home on the racetrack, at hillclimbs and providing exhilirating driving for the road. The signature engineering feature was its… Read more
1934 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K Spezial Roadster – The sensation of the 1934 Berlin Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz’s legendary 500K supercar was the creation of the gifted engineer and former racing driver Dr. Hans Nibel. What set his supercharged Mercedes apart from the big, blown Mercedes of the previous decade was the model’s advanced chassis design, which combined swing axles at the rear with… Read more
SCM’s Oregon Odyssey – To celebrate his magazine’s 30th anniversary, SCM Founder and Publisher Keith Martin, a veteran of countless driving tours in vintage cars, planned a tour of his own — and invited magazine subscribers to join him. Keith’s impressive guest list included Miles Collier, SCM columnist and founder of the Revs Institute; David MacNeil, chairman of WeatherTech;… Read more
1936 Ford Cabriolet – First car built by Ken “Posies” Fenical for his shop, Posies Rods and Customs, Hummelstown, PA Chopped 3.5 inches, with a Carson-style padded top 350-ci small-block Chevrolet V8 with three Rochester 2-bbl carburetors Featured in over 20 hot rod magazines worldwide Built in 1981 and restored in 2011. Known as “The Smooth ’36” Read more
1936 Ford Deluxe Roadster Custom – Traditional-style hot rod with modern drivetrain and conveniences 406-ci small-block Chevrolet engine with 700R4 transmission Custom built by Joe White’s Performance and Machine, Austin, TX Windshield and folding-top assembly chopped two inches Authentic 100% stock Ford steel roadster body Read more
1932 Ford Roadster – Offered from the collection of Jack Dunning Professional build by Glenn and Randy Hatcher Brookville steel body and chassis 1939 Ford flathead V8 engine and driveline This car, Lot 431, sold for $65,450, including buyer’s premium, at RM Auctions’ sale in Hershey, PA, on October 11, 2019. Read more
1927 Dick Williams Ford Roadster – Built by Dick Williams in 1952 1953 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award winner SCTA Bonneville timed speed of 123 mph Featured in Hop Up magazine, June ’53 Entered in the inaugural Historic Hot Rod Class at Pebble Beach in 1997 Read more1930 Chrisman Bonneville Ford coupe – Among the most historic 1950s Bonneville racers Built by Art and Lloyd Chrisman and Harry Duncan Multiple Bonneville record-setter in 1953 Featured on the cover of the February 1954 issue of Hot Rod as “The Most Fantastic Coupe” Third place in the Historic Hot Rod Class at Pebble Beach in 2001 Read more
1925 Spurgin-Giovanine Chevrolet Roadster – Among the most historic 1940s California dry-lakes roadsters Built by Albata Club members Chuck Spurgin and Bob Giovanine 1948 SCTA Class A Roadster Champion: perfect 1,800-point score Featured on the cover of the March 1949 issue of Hot Rod Displayed in the Historic Hot Rod Class at Pebble Beach in 2010 Dry Lakes Racing Hall… Read more
1936 Ford Jack Calori 3-Window Coupe – Hot Rod magazine cover car November 1949 Built by rodding pioneers Jack Calori and Herb Reneau Bored and stroked ’46 Mercury 59AB flathead Clay Smith cam; Eddie Meyer high-compression heads Three-inch chopped top, La Salle grille, ’40 Chevy headlights Best in Class at Pebble Beach Early Custom Class in 2005 Dean Bachelor Award for the… Read more
1932 Ford “404 Jr.” Roadster – Virtually unbeatable on Los Angeles-area drag strips in the 1950s Former NHRA Street Roadster Class world-record holder Fully restored by Dave Crouse, formerly Custom Auto, Loveland, CO Powered by a full race 314-ci Ford flathead V8 with 4 carburetors, Harrell heads and an Isky “404” radius-tappet camshaft Featured in The Rodder’s Journal, Issue 32 Dean… Read more
1922 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup – Credited with starting the T-bucket craze Hot Rod magazine cover in October 1955 Featured on TV in “Mr. Kagle and the Baby Sitter” in 1956 Paint, crab-claw flames and pinstripes by Dean Jeffries Car Craft cover: April, 1957 Starred on the TV show “77 Sunset Strip,” in 1958, and was called “Kookie’s Kar” after show… Read more
1936 Ford DeLuxe Cabriolet – Desirable open-top ’36 cabriolet model with rumble seat Elegant black with Apple Green pinstripe 221-ci Ford flathead V8 with dual exhaust Classic styling and reliable engineering Read more
1955 Ford Thunderbird Custom convertible – 2012 Detroit Autorama Don Ridler Award winner 2012 Goodguys Custom Rod of the Year 2012 SEMA Mothers Polish Excellence in Design winner 2012 Legend Cup winner Featured in Street Rodder Premium and AutoWeek 1150-hp twin-turbo V8 by Gale Banks Engineering Read more1932 Ford Roadster – The famous ’32 Ford roadster that raced the quarter horse in 1944 Russetta Timing Association tag: 120.9 mph at Harper Dry Lake, 1944 Starred in several hot rod B movies in the 1950s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance “Best Historic Hot Rod” Named as one of the Most Significant 1932 Fords of all time in 2007… Read more
1952 Allard K2 Custom – Modified by legendary California customizer George Barris Painted and pinstriped by the incomparable Von Dutch Updated for performance and reliability Previously owned by Hollywood actor Jeff Cooper Colorado Grand participant Displayed at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Read more1932 Ford 3-Window Drag Coupe – Inaugural 1954 ATAA World Series of Drag Racing Class AB Champion Same owner for more than 60 years; driven less than one mile since 1954 Built by Francis Fortman and driven by Kenny Kerr Competed in only one drag-racing event, then stashed away Documented with the title from 1952, vintage racing photos, discovery photos and… Read more
1933 Ford 5-Window Custom Coupe – 1951 Cadillac V8 engine with three carburetors GM 700R4 automatic transmission More than 60 years of documented history 1955 Ford Rotunda Custom Show Sweepstakes winner 1955, 1956 and 1957 Detroit Autorama award winner Awarded 32 trophies in 21 shows beginning in 1955 10 Best of Show Awards Built by Oliver Hine; later owned by his… Read more
1932 Ford Tudor Street Rod – Less than 2,000 miles on a frame-off restoration 426-ci Hemi V8, headers and dual exhaust 700R4 automatic transmission Solid front axle/independent rear suspension 4-wheel disc brakes Custom two-tone red and beige paint with accent striping Read more
1929 Ford Boyd Coddington “Alumatub” – Called the “Alumatub,” this hand-crafted Boyd Coddington creation was built on the popular “American Hot Rod” TV series on the Discovery Channel. It has a hand-formed all-aluminum body by Marcel Delay on a specially constructed Coddington aluminum frame and chassis. It’s powered by an aluminum 350-ci Chevy engine, with Barry Grant Demon Six-Shooter three-deuce carburetion,… Read more
1954 Chevrolet 210 Custom Hard top – Built on the hit TV show “Monster Garage,” this car was chopped and sectioned by Gene Winfield, Dick Dean and Bill Hines with frame and running gear by Fat Jack. The interior features a handmade skull in the dash by Norm Grabowski. The dash and headers were done by Jesse James, and the paint is… Read more1932 Ford Miller Automotive Roadster – This Highboy not only looks the part, it is the part. Built by Miller Automotive, of Chino, CA, it was timed at 142.97 mph at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats on August 21, 1954. Powered by the venerable flathead, with Offenhauser aluminum heads, three 2-barrel Stromberg carburetors, a Harman and Collins magneto and a Halibrand quick-change… Read more
1960 Mercury Colony Park “the Lizard King” – 533-ci big-block Ford V8, (estimated) 450 hp, modified for E85 fuel FAST ECU fuel injection, Edelbrock intake manifold Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission, disc brakes Air Ride Technologies 4-link suspension Built by Boyd Coddington and Hot Rods by Boyd Featured on “American Hot Rod” TV Series Boyd Coddington teamed up with the SoBe (South Beach)… Read more
1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster – The first of three one-off custom speedsters built for Edsel Ford Designed by E.T. “Bob” Gregorie and constructed by Ford Aircraft Division Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance major award winner A highly significant landmark of Ford history and design Offered for the first time in over 70 years Read more1950 Buick Custom “Truly Rare” – 1950 Buick “hard-top” coupe 350-hp, 364-ci Chrysler Hemi V8 Six Stromberg carburetors 3-speed manual transmission, drum brakes Popular Customs cover car 1965 Built by Gene Howard Chopped, channeled and hard-topped “Truly Rare” was built around a 1950 Buick. The body was channeled six inches and rides on a frame fabricated from a ’50 Buick and… Read more
1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe – 650-hp, 427-ci SOHC “Cammer” V8 with two 4-bbl carburetors Rod & Custom cover car in January 1998 Built by an all-star cast of hot rod greats: Art Chrisman, Steve Davis, Pete Eastwood, Ron Mangus, Stan Betz and Bob Kennedy Chosen as one of “The 75 Most Significant ’32 Fords” Beautifully maintained with low mileage Read more
1955 Ford Custom “Beatnik Bubbletop” – Fresno Autorama Sweepstakes Award, 2005 “Top 5 Customs” at Paso Robles, 2005 “Outstanding Custom,” Grand National Roadster Show, 2006 George Barris Kustom d’Elegance Award, 2006 $20,000 prize, Darryl Starbird’s National Rod and Custom Show, 2006 First Place, “Hand-built Custom,” Detroit Autorama, 2006 For this extensive, four-year project, Gary “Chopit” Fioto started by removing the roof… Read more
1939 Ford Model 91A DeLuxe Coupe – This nicely restored and very mildly uprated DeLuxe coupe is a perfect example of how it was done back in the period. The subject of a complete, frame-off restoration, the original steel body was refurbished, while the original flathead V8 was rebuilt to have a bit more juice. The engine was bored 0.125 over, fitted… Read more
1932 Ford “Jim Khougaz” roadster – Clocked at 141.95 mph at El Mirage Dry Lake in 1949 Winner of numerous concours awards and featured in many hot rod publications Driven on the Colorado Grand, the California Mille, and Monterey Historics An iconic and historically important hot rod Read more
1933 Ford “Harry Warner” Roadster – • Well-known So-Cal period hot rod • Featured in Hop Up (1953) and Street Rodder (2003) • Purchased new and modified by Harry Warner • Accompanied by a Wayne 12-port 6-cylinder engine Read more
1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe Custom – • Built by Regal Roadsters, Madison, WI • 6-liter, 600-hp Aston Martin/Cosworth V12 • 4-speed overdrive GM Hydramatic transmission • Original steel body, custom-built chassis • Independent front suspension, 4-wheel power disc brakes Read more
1933 Ford Roadster “Boydster III” – • Boydster III body by Deuce Customs • LS6 Corvette V8 • Winner 2010 Milwaukee Best Rod in Show • Winner 2010 Pittsburgh Most Outstanding Rod in Show • 502 miles since completion Read more
1931 Ford Model A “unknown roadster” – • ’31 Ford roadster body channeled over a ’32 Ford frame • An authentic “barn find,” intact since the early ’60s • Fresh 286-ci Vern Tardel-built three-carb flathead V8 • Featured in Pat Ganahl’s book Lost Hot Rods II Read more
1936 Ford Model 68 Deluxe Phaeton – • Original steel body sectioned 2½ inches, top chopped two inches • 427-ci Dart Ford V8 with Kinsler Fuel Injection • Heidts’ IFS with Corvette C5 disc brakes • C5 Corvette IRS and disc brakes with Winters quick-change • Goodguys finalist for “America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod” Read more
1955 Ford “Glass Wonder” show car – This one-off hand-laid-fiberglass-bodied special was located in 2003 in partially restored condition. Built in California on a 1933 Ford chassis (and titled as a 1933 Ford, despite the “1955” catalog designation), it’s powered by a 1942 59L Ford flathead V8, with a ’39 Ford 3-speed manual floor-shift transmission. The engine block has been bored to… Read more
1940 Mercury Custom – • One of the very first California customs • Built in 1940 by Charles Marr and Gerry Huth • Owned for four decades by Carl Morton • Equipped with the best speed equipment and trim of the period This Mercury is a work of art and one of the earliest, most important “lead sleds.” It… Read more
1929 Ford Dick Flint Roadster – • 1952 Hot Rod magazine cover car • Clocked at 143.54 mph at El Mirage dry lake • Class winner at the Grand National Roadster Show • First in Class and Dean Batchelor Award at the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Dick Flint and a friend stop at a crosswalk, watching a voluptuous coed pass… Read more
1933 Ford Model 40 Highboy Roadster “The Mexican Blackbird” – • Period style chopped ’33 Ford highboy • SCoT-supercharged Ford flathead • Vintage speed equipment and instruments • Dash panel signed by Billy F. Gibbons Read more
1936 Ford Model 48 roadster – • A period all-steel Ford hot rod • Well-known car from the Pacific Northwest hot-rod scene • Striking color combination of Cadillac Ivory over dark green • Beautifully presented throughout • A usable hot rod for cruise nights or local shows Read more
1933 Ford Woodie Custom “Coupe” – Six figures worth of fun? Starting with a Squeeg’s Kustoms concept and a Jimmy Smith rendering, this woodie was built from the ground up with a ’33 Ford roadster cowl from Steve’s Auto Restorations, custom SAC frame rails (patterned from the Vern Luce 3-window coupe by the late Boyd Coddington), round-tube cross members, a hand-made… Read more
1955 Lincoln Capri Custom “Mucha Muchacha” – “Mucha Muchacha” is a fantastic cruiser that runs and drives well. The first known ’55 Lincoln chopped radical custom, it looks as perfect as when it was finished in 2009. It was built by some of the best contemporary custom practitioners, including John Aiello, Bob Divine, Ferby Miguel and Alex Gambino. Its many awards include… Read more
1932 Ford “Golden Rod” Roadster – This little roadster was built in 1953 by Jack Lentz after he returned from service in Korea. “I built a new auto body shop in Bedford, New Jersey,” Lentz recalled. “I liked the ‘Deuce’ Fords. There was a guy in the next town with one. I made a deal with him for $75. I went… Read more
1966 Batmobile – The 1966 Batmobile by George Barris is the most recognized car in entertainment history. This vehicle marks a time in television history where the car became the star. Still as beautiful as when it first came out of the paint shop, this former 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car has been a part of George Barris’… Read more
1956 Chevrolet Foose Custom Roadster – Owned by comedian and actor Christopher Titus, one of Hollywood’s true diehard hot rodders, this ’56 was created by Foose design. Chip and his dad, Sam, massaged virtually every panel to match Chip’s concept sketch. The TV Show “Rides” covered the build at Foose Design, and again covered the car as it went on the… Read more
1952 Astra Coupe – When Jay Everett unveiled his hand-built coupe at the Petersen Motorama in 1953, it marked a new direction in custom cars. At the time, most American customizers were basing their work on pre-existing cars from Detroit. Everett took the more difficult and more rewarding path of building his own full-bodied creation from scratch, and that… Read more
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster – Baroness Gisela von Krieger, the only daughter of an aristocratic German family, was renowned for her exquisite beauty, glamorous lifestyle and impeccable fashion sense. After moving to Paris in 1933, Baroness von Krieger became the darling of European Society. In her 20s, the refined socialite lived at the grandest Parisian hotels, was voted one of… Read more1932 Ford 3-window coupe – This 1932 Ford has everything, including an LS1 fuel-injected powerplant backed by a 4-speed automatic transmission. Suspension parts include a polished aluminum nine-inch Currie rear end, four-link, and coilovers in the rear. Up front is a chrome dropped I-beam axle, chrome Pete & Jake’s split wishbones, chrome shocks, rack-and-pinion steering and So-Cal finned polished aluminum… Read more
1950 Chevrolet Wagon Tin Woodie – This award-winning, handcrafted beauty was built and finished by Brad Starks Rod & Custom. It began its life as an Arizona-based 1950 Tin Woodie four-door wagon. It has been extensively modified throughout, including the redesign and fabrication to convert it from a four-door to a two-door. The car is powered by a General Motors performance… Read more
1951 Mercury Custom Convertible – Chassis number: 51LA39108M The 1949–51 Mercury is considered by many enthusiasts to be the defi nitive custom car. Its somewhat bulbous stock shape and semi-slab sides were the perfect canvas for a legion of talented California customizers, led by Sam and George Barris, and joined by Gil and Al Ayala, Gene Winfi eld and countless… Read more
1932 Ford Highboy Roadster – Chassis number: 181727931 This Dearborn Deuce all-steel body rod is powered by a complete chrome and polished 454-ci big-block Chevy that’s been bored 0.060 over. It has polished aluminum Edelbrock heads and polished 650 Holley carburetors. The transmission is a Turbo 350, and it has a Ford nine-inch rear end with 3.56 gears. Additionally, this… Read more
1932 Ford Highboy Roadster – Ford’s classic 1932 roadster, better known as “the Deuce,” has been, and always will be, the quintessential hot rod. Great-looking, with elegant, timeless lines that transcend its age, lightweight — especially when shorn of its fenders — equipped with a modified Ford or Mercury flathead V8 developing three to four times its original output, “Deuce”… Read more
1932 Ford Khougaz Lakes Roadster – Ford’s classic 1932 roadster, better known as “the Deuce,” is the quintessential hot rod. Great-looking, with timeless lines, light weight, especially when shorn of its fenders, equipped with a souped-up Ford flathead developing three to four times its original output, and transmitting that power through a 3-speed top-loader with a Lincoln-Zephyr close-ratio cluster, this historic… Read moreEdsel Ford’s 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster – A determined, wealthy collector slugged it out with Ford family representatives, resulting in the $1.76 million price{vsig}2008-6_2180{/vsig}As president of Ford Motor Company from 1925 until his untimely death in 1943, from cancer and undulant fever, Edsel Bryant Ford had a considerable influence on Ford styling, first with Lincoln, then with the 1928 Model A, the… Read more
1911 Mercer 35R Raceabout – Mercers remain four to five times more expensive than a comparable Stutz, proving that a Raceabout is the most desirable pre-WWI car built in America Restored from a highly original and complete car, this is one of very few authentic Mercer Raceabouts. Like the 1911 Simplex in the Chandler Collection, it was once owned by… Read more
1937 Cord 812 Westchester Street Rod – Purists cry out in despair when custom cars are made from desirable models, but in this case the builder told me he had found four Cord Westchester bodies in a Texas wrecking yard and used “the worst of the four” {vsig}2004-10_1423{/vsig} This all-steel, all-real 1937 Cord Westchester 812 started life as a four-door sedan but… Read more
1938 Lincoln Zephyr Street Rod – The ringmen worked this sale hard, and at its dramatic conclusion the owners were high-fiving as though they’d just won the lottery {vsig}2004-6_1232{/vsig} The Zephyr Street Rod on offer here is one of the most famous street rods ever created. This custom, all-steel Lincoln Zephyr three-window coupe was nationally selected by Goodguys and judged winner… Read more
1932 Ford Ricky Nelson roadster – This is the real thing, in a sea of fiberglass-bodied imitators with their ubiquitous 350 Chevy V8s and TH400 transmissions{vsig}2004-2_1258{/vsig}If this channeled ’32 roadster looks familiar to nostalgia-prone baby boomers, it is because it’s the same car that David and Ricky Nelson drove in a memorable episode of the Ozzie and Harriet television series. Legend… Read more