Car Collector Chronicles 03-13 by Dave Yaros

Car Collector Chronicles ®

Volume VI, Issue 2

Exploring:

High RPMs

• Car Collecting Today • Classic Rides • Reports From the Field • Oldsmobile (1897-2004)

•

Cadillac (1902- )

•

Allanté (1987-1993)

• Corvair (1960-1969)

IN THIS ISSUE: ◄ = Clickable Link High RPMs

GDYNets On the Web

Cads at Amelia Island

Vehicle Marketing

Here we are in the dog days of winter. A recent trip to AZ is nothing but a memory. The holidays are over, This week alone I have had to shovel snow 3 x’s! Yet tomorrow the temps are to be in the low 60’s? Then by the end of the week the high temp shall make it all the way up to 7° F! You have to love WI in the winter? The one advantage to WI winters is that it makes for a lot of computer research time. Hopefully, in the coming months you shall be the beneficiary of some of that research. The drama in the desert has now concluded. For the first time, for me, I watched most of B-J online, instead of on t.v. Doing so makes for a different experience. No commercials is nice. The lack of display of the current bid price is not. I also find the online coverage does not include the infamous chassis cam, or the patter from Steve Magnante and Mike Joy. I do

Noticed on the Net 4

CCC® -THE FORUM http://ccc.activeboard.com Car Collector Chronicles

CCC® Forum EMail: OldsD88@gmail.com

not know that that is a loss? While B-J is doing its thing in the desert, Dana Mecum runs his version in Kissimmee, FL. It defininitely has a different ambience from Scottsdale. For example, in the FL sunshine a nice ‘69 Toro hammered at $4K. B-J would not waste its time and energy on a sale that would yield it only $720 (18%). Here is a comment on B-J to which I was privy, as well as a couple of personal observations: A poster on the net opined B-J has become a circus media event for the rich. That B-J sold a ‘64 Corvair for $39.6K does not belie that viewpoint, now does it? Mecum listed a 1960 Olds Starfire in its sale catalog. Really? Well that is indeed a rarity, as ‘61 was the first year for this model! Moreover, the photo showed a 1964 Olds S-F. Mecum also waxed eloquently about the “Alcoa wheels” on a ’56 Cad. Hmm? They look like

the turnbine/sabre wheels made by Kelsey-Hayes. Who writes this copy? It appears that Gooding Co., was far more selective in its AZ offerings, and their bidder’s were willing to pay more to get more; all out of the harsh glare of the camera lights. - Stay warm & enjoy your ride(s)!

GDYNets® on the Web Find GDYNets on the web:

Humor on Wheels

February 2013

Saved 62 - 1962 Olds web site http://www.freewebs.com/ jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville web site

SAVED 62: A website devoted

to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds.

THE GRAY LADY: This website features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy information.

DAVE’S DEN: A website devoted to a myriad of interests. Foremost is extensive information on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmobile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. George Yaros.

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Car Collector Chronicles

Cads at Amelia Island A fleet of Cadillac's rare and mythic Motorama and Detroit Auto Show Concept Cars will take to the field at the 18th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance on Sunday March 10, 2013.

“Its interior included a two-way radio/ telephone, ... lipstick holder, perfume atomizer, a back seat secretarial kit and leather seats. ”

Created under the supervision of GM's legendary styling chief Harley Earl, the Cadillac concept cars of the fifties were created as the stars of GM's Motorama shows. All are blood ancestors of the contemporary Cadillac Cien and Cadillac Sixteen concept cars of the 21st century. Many were created not to be driven. Rather; their fate was only to be shown and subsequently crushed. A few were sold to GM executives, celebrities, or people of influence. Fortunately, orders to destroy these spectacular harbingers of the future were often ignored or outright disobeyed. Nine Cadillac Concept Cars will be featured in the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance; a 1949 Cadillac Coupe de Ville prototype by Fleetwood, two 1953 Le Mans roadsters, a 1953 El Dorado Special, a 1956 Eldorado Brougham Town Car, the 1959 Cyclone, a 1961 El Dorado Chicago Auto Show car once owned by golfer Walter Hagen, the 2002 Cien and the massive, 1000-horsepower 2003 Cadillac Sixteen. The ‘49 de Ville once belonged to Charlie Wilson. He was chief executive of GM from 1946 through 1953, and secretary of defense from 1953 through 1957 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. GM gave Wilson the car when he left the company in 1953. Its interior included a two-way radio/telephone, power windows, power seats, lipstick holder, perfume atomizer, a back seat secretarial kit and leather seats. It was one of four prototypes built and reportedly is the only survivor. It was also the first Cadillac to sport the de Ville moniker.

Vehicle Marketing The above references to a lipstick holder and perfume atomizer provide a segue into the topic of auto manufacturer marketing geared toward women. By no means am I an authority on this subject. I am but a mere gatherer of info, and reporter of the same. The genesis for this article is an item I stumbled upon at the AACA Forum; ◄ which I frequent regularly. Originally, I conceived a very short article of the “This is interesting” variety. Well, one thing leads to another, and another and … . What started as a mention of a single accessory/option has grown into a column on a number of cars and vehicle accessories made available by automobile manufacturers in the post-war, pre-protest era of the mid-to-late 50’s. While perusing the message traffic on the aforementioned AACA forum, as I do

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Car Collector Chronicles

Vehicle Marketing—Cont’d. routinely, I saw mention of an accessory offered to the motoring public by Pontiac, with an accompanying pic. ► Note the two mounting holes at the top. The item in question is mounted on the door panel. It may be mounted on either the right, left or both sides of the car. The question is, what is it? It is in fact listed in the Pontiac parts manual as: Year 1954-55

Grp. Nr. 9.500

Description HOLDER, Purse (Exc. Station Wagon)

Part Nr. 984930

So, what one has is a bracket on which to hang a lady’s handbag. Reportedly Buick, if not all GM lines, also offered this option. What I do not understand is why it was only made available for 2 model years? Seems like a pretty handy item to me? Pontiac, Buick (and maybe all of GM) offered purse holders in the midfifties. Chrysler, on the other hand, went all out in 1955-56. One model in its line included not only a purse holder, but also a purse! In actuality, we are talking a trim option instead of a vehicle model. Dodge purposely, and consciously, marketed a car to the woman of the household. It was the La Femme. The La Femme was a rebadged Royal Lancer with special colors, interior and accessories. The La Femme trim option added $143 to the cost of the car. Pay the extra bucks and you received not just a purse holder, but a purse, compact, lipstick, comb, change purse, lighter, cigarette case, rain coat, rain hat and umbrella. These items were stored in special pockets incorporated into the seat backs. For 1956 Dodge discontinued the purse and contents, but did continue to offer the rain gear. In 1957 it discontinued both the accessories and the availability of the trim option. See: La Femme. ◄ There were other vehicle marketing efforts directed toward the female driving/buying public. The Cadillac Eldorado Baroness was one, as was the 1958 Chevrolet Impala Martinique. The Martinique ◄ was specially accessorized for a GM fashion show and featured a lighted vanity mirror and a cosmetic case tucked into the dashboard. In the trunk one found color coordinated luggage with matched the vehicle interior. To close the circle we now have an offering from Honda. Available only in Japan is the 2013 Honda Fit She’s. ◄ Like the La Femme, it is a special trim option. The pink exterior and unique interior refinements are not available on other Hondas.

“The La Femme trim option added $143 to the cost of the car”

Car Collector Chronicles

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Noticed on the Net Being the proud owner of a 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Convertible, I try to keep up with offerings of them on the net. I pay attention to prices asked and received in order to get a handle on the current value of my ride. The last week of January I spotted this ad: ◄ Beautifully restored and updated Dynamic 88 Convertible. High Compression 394 Olds engine believed original to car. 1960’s space age design. Power steering and brakes. Just serviced and sorted out. Rebuilt carb, front end, wiring harness, new top. Updated look with chrome wheels and new tires. Drives and runs excellent. Reduced to $29,995 to sell this rare car. Call Ken at Amelia Dream Cars Fernandina Beach, FL- Hemmings Seller Since 2011. On seeing the ad and photos I thought to myself, “Hmm? Is my ride worth that much?” My thoughts also told me, “Gee, something about this car seems familiar?” Then it dawned on me. Read this ad copy: ◄ Description: - Rare Dynamic 88 convertible - 394 CI high compression engine - Hydramatic auto transmission - Rebuilt carburetor - Great 1960s space age design - New top, front end and wire harness - Power brakes and steering - Updated 17'' chrome wheels with new tires To be sold at the Kissimmee, FL Auction, January 18-27, 2013. Visit the Mecum web site. Does the phrase “1960’s space age design” have a familiar ring to it? It should, since it appears in both ads. Further investigation yielded the fact this very same car, now offered at $29,995 hammered at $21K at Kissimmee on Wednesday, January 23, 2013. That it did, raises another question. Amelia Dream Cars claims the price has been “reduced to sell.” Perhaps I should call Ken and ask him how they define “reduced,” and what was the price before it was reduced to sell? This one I love. In the past I may have commented on the high cost of repairs due to the incorporation of technology into modern cars; prompted by the need to repair the broken speedometer in my 1997 Nissan pick up truck. The very expensive vehicle speed sensor I needed (as the truck does not have a plain, ol’, simple speedometer cable) was acquired online from Advance Auto Parts. As a result, I am now on its mailing list. This month I received an email, a friendly reminder. It said: Hi D, According to our Advance Auto Parts garage records, your 1997 Nissan Truck’s 2WD may be due for its 153,750 mile scheduled service. Learn More about what this service involves.

I wonder what services comprise the “153,750 mile scheduled service?” Strange the Nissan dealer did not say anything to me about this when I had the truck in for the $300 + speedo repair. Of course, that could be because the truck only has 59K on the odometer! On the owner bonding with his auto front, previously covered by me (CCC-Nov. 2012), is this bit of information. Audi has a car that both drives itself and parks itself. They, whoever they are (?), say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” and that “Seeing is believing.” Do not take my word for it. Watch it with your own eyes—the driverless Audi. ◄ I am able to report that Joy Rainey (CCC-Sep. 2012) did complete the London-to-Brighton 60 mile run in her 1904 Oldsmobile. I would also add that the weather for the run was not conducive to open air touring. Next up, the Los Angeles to Daytona Beach trek! At B-J, not a barn find, but: This 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88 (4-Door Post) was sold by Holmes Oldsmobile in Des Moines, IA with 10 miles on it. The customer drove 8 miles to his home and parked the new '67 Oldsmobile in his garage. He got sick that evening and was unable to ever drive again. The car sat in his temperature controlled garage for 20 years. His son inherited both the house and the '67 Olds in the garage. B-J sold the car for him in Scottsdale for $26,995 with the odometer reading of 00018!

Car Collector Chronicles

Humor on Wheels

It may be a little hard to tell, but take note of the guy doing a little “quality control” work on the right front fender of the 2nd car in line. The tools he is using are a ball peen hammer and a block of wood!

– Ok, I’ve had my say for the month. Now it’s your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and article contributions. I also ask that you please help spread the word about our publication. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC® at OldsD88@gmail.com. –– Now that you have finished reading this month’s issue of the newsletter, come start/ join an ongoing dialog with other CCC® readers and like-minded car collector folk on the CCC® Forum. Stop by, check us out and share your views … . ______________________________________

-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM! COMING NEXT ISSUE: •

TBD