A GDYNETS® PUBLICATION © 2012, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Car Collector Chronicles ®
Volume V, Issue 12
Exploring:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Ca
• Car Collecting Today
High RPMs
• Classic Rides • Reports From the Field •
Oldsmobile (1897-2004)
•
Cadillac (1902- )
•
Allanté (1987-1993)
• Corvair (1960-1969)
IN THIS ISSUE:
High RPMs
1
GDYNets On the Web
1
Reality TV Car Shows
2
The Last Time I Saw ...
5
In the Year 19 and 62 (Ads/Events)
CCC® Forum EMail: OldsD88@gmail.com
December 2012
It looks as though the “Graying of the Hobby” is a never ending story? I keep getting more and more info on the topic. I just saw an article about the Hagerty Insurance Youth Program. Participation in it gives youth actual behind the wheel time in old rides, after attendance in a pre-drive course. The drive is in large parking lots, not on the open road. Hagerty reports (Link) the biggest need is to educate today’s youth on manual transmissions. Most have never seen or heard of one, let alone know how it works. Of course, Hagerty has a vested interest here. It is these youth who, hopefully, will become their customers in the future, as well as the owners and caretakers of our rides? With this issue we conclude our look back at the events and times that comprised the year 19 and 62. I trust you found
previously owned ‘60 Olds with a factory stick. Only recently was I able to ascertain that the tranny that came in the car was known as the M13 B-O-P HD 3 Speed (6 bolt cover). Not earth shattering news, but I can state that I have been seeking this precise ID info for years! - Care for and enjoy your ride(s)!
GDYNets® on the Web Find GDYNets on the web:
6
that exercise of interest and entertaining.? Here are a few more ‘62 facts to ponder; Cost of : Gallon of gas - 31¢ Gallon of milk - 49¢ Dozen eggs - 54¢ New home - $18,200 1st Class stamp - 4¢ Air mail stamp - 8¢ Unemployment: 6.7% Putting things in their proper perspective, the above amounts, today, would be equal to: 31¢ = $2.38 49¢ = $3.75 54¢ = $4.14 $18,200 = $136,212.30 4¢ = 31¢ 8¢ = 61¢ I have been planning to do an article on the plethora of car shows available on cable/ satellite. Every month the article has been pre-empted by other topics. Not any more, as we finally get to it in this issue! You have heard me comment, many times I am sure, on my
CCC® -THE FORUM http://ccc.activeboard.com Car Collector Chronicles-scribd 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.
Page 2
Car Collector Chronicles
Reality TV Car Shows It was not that long ago, it seems, that one had to undertake a search to find collector car related programming on television. Yes, there was “My Classic Car” and “Car Crazy,” but not much else. Now, such programming is hard to avoid. Is this a blessing or a bane? Let’s begin with a summary of the offerings. By no means is my listing to be considered definitive. After all, I do not get every TV channel known to mankind. I cannot afford such! In addition to the above mentioned shows, here are some of the of the programs and channels I am aware of, in no particular order:
“[E]even though we are referring here to reality television, from my perspective few of these shows depict the real collector car world.”
What’s My Car Worth? (Velocity) Fast ‘N Loud (Discovery) Texas Car Wars (Discovery) Hard Parts: South Bronx (Speed) Search & Restore (Spike TV) Overhaulin' (Spike TV) Graveyard Carz (Velocity) Restoration Reunion (currently in development by Hemmings) Reality Rides (Never made it into production; on DVD) Counting Cars (History Channel) Desert Car Kings (Discovery) Chasing Classic Cars (Velocity) I must admit that I have been known to watch some of these programs. I find that I am not the only viewer who is amazed at what is presented. It is important to understand that even though we are referring here to reality television, from my perspective few of these shows depict the real Lorraine McKiniry collector car world. The bottom line is, these shows are scripted entertainment, whose purpose is to make money for the producers. To that end some follow the age old formula of combining great looking cars with good looking women. The females do little-to-nothing in terms of hands on work. That they do not is demeaning to them. Nor does it speak too highly of the Sarah Flatt producers’ expectations of the male viewers!
Page 3
Car Collector Chronicles
Reality TV Car Shows-Cont’d. It is hard to say which show is the worst when it comes to rebuilding old rides? If I had a vote, it would be cast for “Desert Car Kings.” Buying parts from them may be one thing, but buying a restored car from this outfit is an entirely different ballgame! While I cannot pinpoint the reason, I also feel that Ron, the father/owner, simply does not look trustworthy. I particularly recall a show where they rebuilt and sold a GTO. While the purchaser drove off as happy as a lark, to me there was a real question if the car would survive the drive home. I also find it really hard to believe the amounts of money some of these folk seem to have. The most outrageous in this respect is Danny ‘The Count’ Koker of the “Counting Cars” program. He throws around dollars like they were toothpicks. After spending big bucks on a car and its restoration, he is then known not to sell the car, but keep it for himself! Here is a guy no one ever heard of until his cameo appearances on “Pawn Stars.” Now, he goes around acting as though he is one of the monetarily elite on the Forbes 500 List! Turns out, his net worth is a mere $10 Million (Link)! Of course, what I, and I assume you also, am interested in mainly are the cars. I had no idea Texas was such a treasure trove for old rides. If “Texas Car Wars” is to be believed, it is. They certainly have no problem finding relics and putting them back on the road. Of course putting them back on the road is no indication that the car is in fact road worthy. It only means that someone let their heart rule, instead of their head, at the time of purchase. Turning to the cars, on “Fast ‘N Loud” a Woodill Wildfire (Link) was featured. I have to admit the make was unkown to me. But then, that could be because fewer than 20 were ever produced between 1952 and 1956, and only 2 factory built cars are believed to still exist? After acquiring this rarity, the boys proceeded to resto-mod it! During their resto they replaced the OEM wire wheels with Dayton wire wheels, cut down the original windshield, shortened the back bumper brackets, moved the gas tank filler, recovered the nice original seats with black leather and painted the hood of the car black. The reaction from a Brit to this pretty much sums it up:
“[F]ewer than 20 were ever produced between 1952 and 1956, and only 2 factory built cars are believed to still exist? After acquiring this rarity, the boys proceeded to resto-mod it!”
Page 4;;
Car Collector Chronicles
Reality TV Car Shows - Cont’d. This show has just been aired here in the U.K. Fast and Loud is a poor show and plays to the lowest common denominator. If this is the standard of your motoring programmes you have my sympathy. Butchering classic cars is in my opinion deviant behavour and this kind of show gives a false impression to the general public of what our hobby is all about.
This sentiment again echoes with respect to the show where Aaron and Richard pick up a rust bucket Nash Rambler wagon. They do nothing to it, other than spruce up the interior, proclaim it a surf wagon, and sell it for $20K! In whose world does this happen? Let’s try and talk positive. There are what I consider to be some good reality TV car shows out there. First and foremost would be “Chasing Classic Cars.” Yes, the host lives in a far different world from mine. However, it seems to me that Wayne Carini pulls no punches. He does not gloss over defects and problems. He enjoys what he is doing. His chief mechanic is a “to know him is to love him” type of guy. My only question is how much does it cost to have Wayne search for a car? Do you get a discount if your search is filmed? Another show which I thought had merit was “What’s My Car Worth?”. Yes, it had the obligatory beauty in Lorraine McKiniry, but it also provided real info on car values in the form of auction results. Another plus for me was the dry sense of humor exhibited by cohost Bill Stephens. In later years the show veered too far into the entertainment realm when it went to the 3 car guys making offers on previewed cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It seemed to me the proprietor of Hyman Motors (Link) was always trying to buy at rock bottom prices? And I know for a fact that he only sells at highly inflated prices. The nature of the biz, right? I also find the show “Hard Parts: South Bronx” to be in touch with reality. While not a restoration show, it is auto related in that it puts one behind the counter at an auto parts store. The owner, Joe Ferrer is entertaining; all the while being his sweet lovable self! But at least, this shows deals with real people, real cars and the solutions to real car problems. That is far more than one is able to say for most of the other shows mentioned. The bottom line however remains, TV is not the place to learn what the car collecting world is all about. Based on what I have seen on the majority of these shows, I would run as fast as I could in the other direction from anyone trying to sell me an old ride! Utilizing the info from reality television car shows, one cannot help but be left with the impression that all car collectors are utter fools who are filthy rich and care far more about the impression they make on others than they do about automobile iron. Does that sound like the folks you know in the hobby? I didn’t think so! Take these shows for what they are, scripted entertainment meant to satiate the masses. If you do, you will find them a bit more understandable and enjoyable.
Page 5;;
Car Collector Chronicles
The Last Time I Saw . . .
Oldsmobile Toronado
– 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 C C C ® a t OldsD88@gmail.com. Plymouth XNR
–– 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
Car Collector Chronicles
In the Year 19 and 62
The World Which Greeted Saved 62 — December ‘62
December 2 – Vietnam War: After a trip to Vietnam at the request of President JFK, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield becomes the 1st American official to make a non-optimistic public comment on the war's progress. 1962 was the era of the TV western (Wagon Train, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Rawhide) and the variety show (The Red Skelton Show, The Danny Thomas Show, The Garry Moore Show, Sing Along With Mitch, The Ed Sullivan Show) Five of the top 20 shows were sitcoms (Hazel, The Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, The Real McCoys and Dennis The Menace). There was just one crime drama (Perry Mason).
Page 6;;