classicaldrive

Old Fords and Friends Picnic on Vancouver Island

Filed in archive As We See Things , Auto Shows , Ford , Fun Events on July 29, 2010

50's Fords


You have to know that any gathering of old Fords will bring out some beautiful and fascinating automobiles. And so it was last weekend when the annual Fords and Friends Picnic was held just a few miles from my Sidney, BC home. The site is a heritage park that acts as a museum of farming history, with old farm buildings and a collection of vintage farm machinery, most of which I didn't recognise.

Getting back to the Fords which, thankfully I can identify, my attention was immediately drawn to a row of mid-50's, as seen in the photo above. For this writer, 1950s cars are the most interesting among post-war classics, not because they're great automobiles but because they exhibit uninhibited flair, romance, and a let's-have-fun attitude. I'd like to have seen an entire field of cars from that era.

Oldfield Spirit

Not so incidentally, the organising club invites owners of other makes to its Ford gathering, thus adding a little spice to the mix. None more unusual, though, than this 1938 "Spirit of Tomorrow" (above) built by a Victoria, BC, man named H.B. "Barney" Oldfield. What? The fabled early-century racer? Sorry, no. The Victoria Oldfield simply acquired the nickname. His car consists of an aluminum skin stretched over a wood body built on a 1939 Dodge car frame, modeled after Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion vehicle. It originally had a flat-head Ford V8 but that was replaced by a modern 289 Ford when Oldfield restored the vehicle in 1967. The engine is situated ahead of the rear wheels for better handling.

1936 Ford sedan


1937 Ford coupe

In the late 1930s Ford cars were influenced by the aerodynamic streamlining that predominated in other forms of transport, including trains, ships and aircraft. Add a little art deco to the mix and you had some delightful designs, much influenced by the tastes of Edsel Ford, the most artistically talented of the Ford family. Two cars from that period appeared at the Ford picnic and although they weren't parked side-by-side they should have been, for they represent design progress over two years. The photo on top shows a 1936 Ford sedan, the photo underneath is of a 1937 Ford coupe. Both are quite lovely but the coupe epitomises the blend of streamlining with art deco. Only the 1939 Lincoln Zephyr did it better.

Lincoln Continental

And while we're paying homage to Edsel Ford, it seems appropriate to honor him with a Lincoln Continental, arguably the most attractive of the post-war line. The car above was almost overshadowed by the Skyliner convertible next door, with its magical roof in suspended animation. Another, similar, Continental had been parked elsewhere in the grounds. Opportunity missed: If I had just one bit of advice for the organisers of shows like this it would be to plan them so that related vehicles are parked together, preferably in model year sequence.

John Deere Model A

Finally, just because I like Model A's, I hope you enjoy this photo of an early (1929) Model A pickup as it might have been used by a John Deere farm equipment dealer. Appropriate to the farm heritage location, colorful and charming, it's a reminder of why we all love old Fords.

[Photos: Philip Powell]

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Sensational New Italians to Highlight Classic Show in Monterey

Filed in archive Italian Cars on July 22, 2010

Perana Z1

All those lucky people who attend the Concorso Italiano are in for a double surprise this year. In addition to the hundreds of magnificent Italian cars, mostly from years past but some representative of the present, two new stars will be unveiled, one a limited production sports coupe, the other a modern representation of Fiat's much revered "peoples car," the 500.

In the photo above you're looking at the spectacular Perana Z-1 coupe designed by Zagato. Originally intended for sale only in the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates, the car will now be available in the United States following a strong response from this market. It was first shown as a concept at the 2009 Geneva Show, then wowed the audience at the Villa d'Este Concours on the shores of Lake Como.

Hidden under that gorgeous body is a powerful Corvette V-8 engine matched to a specially built chassis, a reminder that Italy has a long tradition of high-torque American engines powering sophisticated Italian chassis clothed in voluptuous bodies. The Perana Z-1 will be marketed here by Superformance Distribution, whose representatives will be on hand along with Zagato's own marketing manager.

Fiats at Concorso 2009

At the very opposite end of the exotic class is the Fiat 500, a simple, sturdy, and fun-to-drive car that helped millions of Italians graduate from two wheels to four following WW2. A surprising number of 500s reside in North America, and Concorso Italiano has invited their owners to display them, regardless of condition (as long as they're still driveable).

That's a 500 at the left end of the Fiat group above, seen at last year's Concorso. Now imagine dozens of 500s (or maybe more) of these baby beauties lined up on the grass of the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch on August 13th. But why would the organisers want to attract cars that, compared to the exotica usually assembled at this event, are humble to say the least? Because, my friends, this will be the first American unveiling of the all-new Fiat 500, a totally modern rendition that invokes memories of the past while providing the best of contemporary design and engineering.

New Fiat 500

I confess that I won't be attending the Monterey/Pebble Beach classic car week (Concorso is part of that celebration) for the same reason I've missed every year since 2006. Accommodation during that period is just too darned expensive. But if I could squeeze the room rate out of my slim wallet (actually it's in a losing contest with a long hoped-for cruise) the Fiat 500 would be a good enough reason.

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RM to Auction Her Majesty's Daimler

Filed in archive Auctions , British Cars , Jaguar on July 15, 2010

Her Majesty's Daimler

I once owned the Queen of England's car. Well, okay, one just like it. Okay, okay... almost like it, except hers was a 1984 Daimler long-wheelbase V-12 and mine was a standard-wheelbase 1984 Jaguar V-12.

But wait! In those years Jaguars and Daimlers were virtually the same except for the grille. Daimler, however, was a grand old name and some people simply preferred to drive one for the historic distinction. The Queen drove hers because the marque had long enjoyed the Royal seal of approval. And yes, I did indeed say "the Queen drove," for she was a driving enthusiast who, as a young woman, served in the transport corps of the British Army during the Second World War, driving ambulances and even changing wheels on the vehicles.

Realising that the Queen's Daimler is to be auctioned at RM's Monterey event on Friday, August 13, 2010, I'm suddenly angry with myself for selling my Jaguar a dozen years ago for just over $5000. The Queen's Jaguar (sorry, Daimler) is expected to bring from $150,000 to $200,000 US.

My car had 125,000 miles on the clock, Her Majesty's a mere 40,000. There were a few other differences, as well. The Daimler underwent extensive road testing by factory engineers for up to 3,000 miles to remove and correct any imperfections before being transported to Buckingham Palace. Mine was a gift from an advertising client who'd neglected it long before giving me the keys.

HM's Daimler Interior

HM's car was outfitted with a blue convoy light fitted in front of the rearview mirror to enable security teams to identify the car easily at night and to be more visible in the event of a security threat. This light is also recognized by the gate security at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. A rear antenna mount is still fitted to the car, through which the radio communications package allowed for a direct link to the Home Office and Downing Street. I was happy just to pick up KPLU, the Seattle/Tacoma jazz station.

The Daimler has recently been serviced at the current Royal-appointed garage (Guy Salmons in Royal Ascot Berkshire) who also charged the air conditioning at the same time. When my Jag was delivered by the ex-client the air-conditioning smelled as though we'd hit a skunk and had to undergo a costly replacement of the heat-exchanger. The Daimler is being presented in superb mechanical condition and drives as-new. Mine did not drive as-new but it was lovely to handle nevertheless. Smooth, quiet, fast, classy.

Obviously I won't be bidding on the Queen's car but the eventual buyer can be assured that it has been cleared of all red tape and restrictions and can be enjoyed in North America immediately with no changes to the specification. It is allowed to be registered as is, in its complete and original form. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for it has been confirmed that no more official Royal cars will be released by the factory.

Ah well, there's always Tony Blair's Jaguar, as seen many times on TV news. To be frank, I'd happily bid on any car that had picked up former Prime Ministers from Number 10 Downing.

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Gooding & Company to Offer Classic Fiat Berlinetta at 2010 Pebble Beach Auction

Filed in archive Auctions on July 8, 2010

1954 Fiat 8V

Enzo Ferrari, according to none other than Sergio Pininfarina, invented the word "Berlinetta." He derived it from "Berlina," which means sedan, but it was meant to designate his coupes which, aside from the racing models, were intended to blend the comfort of a sedan with the power and speed of Ferrari's open sports cars. Other manufacturers soon picked up on it until any 2-seater with a roof could be a Berlinetta. Remember the Camaro?

This beautiful coupe is true to the origins of the word. But it's not a Ferrari, even though it may resemble one. It's a Fiat 8V or "Otto Vu" as the coupe was more commonly known. The car came about when the mandarins at Fiat decided the company needed to add some excitement to the range. The project began with an engine, a sophisticated 2-liter, 70-degree V-8, but then it was decided that a significant engine needed a special Berlinetta body to show it off. The car above is one of 24 early examples and was intended for racing. Interestingly, the body was designed, not by Farina, but by Carrozzeria Zagato.

Fiat 8V Interior

This 1954 Fiat 8V is one of the highlights of Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach auction. Though the lineup includes cars of greater rarity and performance I've decided to show the Otto Vu here because it's a Fiat and I love the fact that a company best known for affordable family cars can produce such a desireable sports car. A two-time Mille Miglia participant, it has had an engine and bodywork restoration performed by top European specialists.

Suitable for touring, showing, or participating in vintage rallying, Gooding & Company estimates that this valuable Fiat 8V will sell for $675,000-$750,000 at its 2010 Pebble Beach Auction.

[Photos by Pawel Litwinski © 2010 Courtesy of Gooding & Company]

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