Classic American - April 2014 - Preview

FREE 36 pagE amERican & Modified supplEmEnt! 276 APRIL 2014

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ng FB 1965 Ford Musta

❯❯ VintagE stylE

❯❯ 1960 oldsmoBilE

❯❯ staRtER REBuild

FoRd’s

BEttER idEa

Win tickEts to

atomic! £4.30

❯❯ scotsdalE auctions

PreWAr

1969 Ford Fairlane

pERFEction

1939 Buick

No. 276 April 2014

❯❯ mustang histoRy

GMC SHORT BOX PICK-UP

GMC TYPHOON

GMC TYPOON

HARLEY WLC

HUPMOBILE SALOON

1956, exc unfinished project, lots spent, cab and chassis restored by Bodyshop, in white primer, new clocks, tinted windows, lots chrome, need engine and gearbox, £5500 Tel. 07795 320209 for details. Dorset.

1993, original mechanics, not modified, two owners, 96k, v clean in and out, goes and drives well, uprated SSBC f/brakes, 1200w sound system, £7500 Tel. 07802 258026. Kent

Superb Condition inside and out, rare all white version, amazing performance refurbished wheels, needs nothing.

Tel. Nick on 07930 690333. N Yorks

1942, exc orig cond, extras include a hand clutch and panniers, £13,500 Tel. 07798 866071. Herts

Ivory over black, 4000cc, artillery wheels, Whitewalls, tax/MoT exempt, private collection, £25,000 Tel. 01252 658004; 07813 825849.

Surrey

INTERNATIONAL 4600

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

KAWASAKI KZ1000 C3

KURTIS OHV FORD

LINCOLN LS 3.9

Tilt & Slide, MoT exempt, V8 diesel auto, 1990, low mileage, taxed, no tacho, £15,995 ono Tel. 07802 254504. Leics

54 reg, black, 11 months’ MoT, 5 months’ tax, brand new alloys and wheels fitted, chrome interior, Sat nav, bluetooth, £3800 Tel. 07545 537571. Leics

1980, ex Virginia CHIPS police bike, excellent condition, correct screen, siren, pursuit lights etc, V5C, tax, MoT, £3995 Tel. 07798 866071. Middx

single seater, 2 sp auto box, imported, duties paid, many replaced parts, inc radiator, fuel tank, tyres, was road legal in California, £15,000 Tel. 01235 817157. Oxon

2004, V8, (NOT Town Car) Executive Sedan, 12 mths’ tax/MoT, leather, moonroof, etc. Many spares inc factory service manuals, recent full service, £6500 Tel. 00 335 61670758. Kent

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

LINCOLN TOWN CAR

LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMO

MERCURY COMET CYCLONE

2003, black, 5.4l, V8, tax 02/14, MoT 10/14, 119k miles, all usual Lincoln extras, captains chairs, folding, 3rd row. £8000 Tel. 01506 798340; 07707 963811.

Lothian

2002, Signature Series, pearlescent white with _ rear flexi roof in beige, leather interior, my daily car in Phoenix Arizona, and shipped by myself to UK, £6950 #NAME? Tel. 01489 575093. Hants

Classic American Car Insurance 0800 081 8989 adrianflux.co.uk

1995, 4.6, l/grey leather, r/air suspension, keyless entry, electric everything, full spec, drives superb, nice looking, needs sill welding, no MoT, £1295 firm Tel. 07985 533240. Essex

1964, 4-speed manual, 302 engine is seized from sitting since ‘83 but will come with fresh 302 instead, corrosion free California car that needs total restoration, £7250 Tel. 07896 787408. S Yorks

MERCURY COUGAR XR7

MERCURY MONARCH

MERCURY MONTERAY

MERCURY MONTEREY

MUSTANG

1971, convertible, electric hood, bare metal respray, green leather seats, V8, good runner, £8500 ono; or p/x for 50/60s pick-up Tel. 01427 875401; 07973 432484.

N Lincs

1978, 302, v low orig miles under 50k, tax discs from import date, one previous owner from new, factory r/h conv, c/c, orig hood emblem, kept off show, fast car and reliable, reluctant sale. Tel. 07432 145635. London

1954, featured in Classic American in 1999, 312 ci, V8.3 speed manual, v clean/straight car. £15,500 Tel. 0208 9238902. London

Marauder 390 auto, near all original, outstanding condition, 70k documented miles, new MoT, £8650 Tel. 01273 493250. W Sussex

1965, very nice running, freshened Small Block 302, 3 sp manual trans, complete full custom interior, rally wheels, white letter radial tyres, dual exhaust. Tel. 1-715-687-4522 (USA).

Essex Email: kuyothent@gmail.com

MUSTANG 289

MUSTANG 4.0 V6

MUSTANG 4.6 GT

MUSTANG COBRA SVT

MUSTANG FASTBACK GT 350

1966, A code, auto power steering, completely restored, top to bottom, too much to list, £15,995 Tel. 07711 500276. Essex

2007/57reg, rare manual shift, 35k, immac, red coachwork, black overstripes and black cloth int, 18” alloys, a/c, r/locking, serviced, t&t, stunning, £12,000 Tel. 07501 144363. Berks

Auto Premium, 2007, convertible 340bhp, LPG ? petrol, 36k miles, excellent cond, one owner from new, taxed 2015 Feb, £15,750 Tel. 07799 624558. Essex

Convertible, 2001, 320bhp, 43k, very rare model, excellent condition, many pictures available, £11,500 Tel. Clive 07799 624558. Essex

1965 Tribute, high performance 289 V8, 4 speed manual, disc brakes, fully restored, £25,000 Tel. 0121 4593130. B’ham

MUSTANG GT

OLDSMOBILE

PLYMOUTH FURY POLICE,

PLYMOUTH SAVOY

PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

2007, California special, full Cervini Dominator front, Roush side scoops, full power flow exhaust, auto, 4.6 V8 in shiny black, 26k, not UK registered yet, £9000 Tel. 7540526119. W Yorks

1977, Cutlass Supreme Brougham, 26,700 miles, interior is a vision in green crushed velour, new tyres, battery, MoT, featured in Oct 12 Classic American, £10,750 Tel. 01269 844918. Carmarthen

1971, rust free California car, V8, beautiful condition inside and out, gets loads of attention. You won’t find another. £5995 ovno Tel. 07899 913726. Essex

62’ drag car. Details on demand. £18,500 or £22,000 Tel. 00 33 7786 63907. France

1964 2-door hardtop, tax/MoT May 2014. 350 TH400, new Cragar SS wheels/tyres, good condition, a real head turner! £5750 ono Tel. 07768 603654. Fife

Welcome

Viewpoint

These days when a car manufacturer builds a ‘performance’ version it usually involves tweaking the electronics, changing the fuelling map, fitting bigger wheels and writing ‘sport’ on the boot.

Back in 1965 Ford had a little more ambition, building its K-Code Mustangs with a race-tuned motor under the hood (and a warranty of just 90 days). It plainly never expected them to last so driving Geoff Langston’s beautiful example some 49 years later was a real treat.

Like so many owners who came to American cars in the late 70s, Geoff didn’t realise what he’d bought. Back then the fuel crisis had made anything American about as desirable as prog rock and you could buy all sorts of amazing motors for peanuts.

Roll forward to 2014 and things are slightly different. American classics are seen for the beautiful mavericks they really are and even the proper classic-car brigade are starting to show an interest.

Whether that’s a good thing or not probably depends on whether you’re buying or selling, but the thing that matters most is that down-to-earth people like Geoff are still spending the time and the energy to keep these wonderful cars on the road.

Enjoy the issue.

Class-Am publisher

(dropped in the editor’s chair on press day when Ben fell ill overnight – get well soon fella)

classic-american.com 3

22

Contents 29 April 2014

49

56

41 Regulars 6 12 14 16 18

36

News Letters Tony Oksien Across the Pond From Here to Obscurity 20 Subscription Offer 54 Back Issues 68 Behind the Wheel 77 Discoveries 85 Drive Buy 88 Reviews 88 Readers rides 92 Club News 98 Events & Cruises 105 Service Directory 110 Merchandise 112 Private ClassiďŹ eds 122 Next Month & Credits

Features

73

22 1939 Buick Special 29 1958 Packard Series 58L hardtop 36 1960 Oldsmobile Super 88 sedan 41 1965 Ford Mustang K-Code 49 1969 Ford Fairlane 56 Mustang History Part Four 63 Scottsdale auctions for 2014 94 Grand National Roadster Show 73 Vintage style: The Tootsie Rollers 81 Tech Special: Starter Rebuild II

classic-american.com 5

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Owner Phil Hynes.

Aftermarket air con unit hangs under the dash.

Phil Hynes’ 1960 Oldsmobile Super 88 four-door Sedan may not be as obvious an American classic as a ’57 Chevy or a ’59 Cadillac, but there’s no arguing with its near-perfect condition.

Words & Photography: Paul Bussey

F

or Phil Hynes, ownership of American cars has been a way of life since the Seventies, when he first tested the water with a 1966 Ford Galaxie convertible.

After this came a Buick, the same model that Telly Savalas used to drive in the hit television series Kojak. And later on he acquired his first Oldsmobile, a 1959 model that he saw at a show at Billing Aquadrome, Northants.

“I kept this car for a while, until I was chased by an enthusiast at the Rally of the Giants and ended up selling the car to him,” remembers Phil.

“I then purchased a cadillac which ended up being sold to some very keen Irishmen, but by then I’d already acquired a 1958 Oldsmobile that I had started to restore. I ran this car for 10 years, during which time it picked up a good many awards at shows.” And indeed that very car graced the pages of Classic American back in November 2005.

By now Phil decided he wanted a change from his ’58 Olds and was surfing the internet one day in

the summer of 2012, when he glimpsed a cropped photo of a 1960 Oldsmobile Super 88 four-door Sedan that really appealed to him.

The Oldsmobile was located in Washington, US, had covered only 26,000 miles from new, and Phil’s pulse started to race. “I emailed the owner and asked if the car didn’t sell in the US, if he’d be prepared to ship the car to the UK, to which I received a favourable response,” he recalls.

“There was still a day and a half to go until the end of the auction, so there was plenty of time for nail biting.

“An hour or two before the close, up popped some bids, and I thought: ‘oh dear here we go, that’s it, someone else will purchase it…’

“I emailed the seller a few days later. I was surprised to receive an email from him later, informing me that the deal had fallen through, and the car was mine if I still wanted it, and he’d lower the asking price by $2000!”

The next step was to get the car inspected in Washington before shipping. This took slightly

longer than Phil had anticipated and eventually John Kincl completed the job around a month later, at a cost of $358, which was money well spent, confirming the Oldsmobile was indeed a superb example.

“The first photos I received from John showed the underside of the car had been powdercoated and looked immaculate,” Phil remembers.

He wasn’t disappointed and everything proved very positive after scrutinising the written report, stating the Oldsmobile was a Number 2 car, which is a whisker short of concours.

The car was subsequently shipped by Hill Shipping www.hillshipping.com from Tacoma, Washington, and later arrived in the UK midNovember 2012 at Southampton.

“I had arranged for the car to be transported in a covered truck to my Bedfordshire home, and received a telephone call from the driver,” says Phil.

“He described the car, stating all the wheel arches were shot, plus a lot more nasties. ❯❯

Like other 1960 sedans, the Olds was also available with a flat-top roofline.

classic-american.com 37

ColleCtif www.collectif.co.uk Vanity ProjeCt by limb www.limb-clothing.com feVer london www.feverdesigns.co.uk What Katie did www.whatkatiedid.com

Words: Douglas McPherson

F

Douglas McPherson meets the sassy sextet bringing girl power to the vintage scene…

rom putting the fizz in Coca-Cola’s 100th birthday party to singing to Richard Branson on stage with a vintage version of Like A Virgin, they’re the must-have vintage accessory for every event. With their inimitable mix of classy harmonies, contemporary sass and retro style, they’re also the group most likely to take the vintage revival on to the charts.

Meet Katy ‘the Poppet’ Heavens; Lisa ‘the Diva’ Millar; Anna ‘the Sweetheart’ Gilthorpe; Khiley ‘the Siren’ Williams; Flo ‘the Bombshell’ Dawson; and Meg ‘the Peach’ Gallagher.

Together: The Tootsie Rollers.

The sexy sextet have been described as the Andrews Sisters meet the Spice Girls, but the Tootsies are no manufactured girl band. The six singers came together by chance in a revival of Hollywood-set musical Mack & Mabel at the Broadway Theatre in Catford. “We were cast as the bathing beauties,” says Katy. “For most of us it was our first job or near our first job after drama school, and anyone who’s been in an offWest End show will know that a wartime make do and mend spirit prevails. We were making our own costumes and got on like a house on fire.”

After the show closed, Anna’s sister asked the

girls to sing at a charity event.

“We did a song from Mack & Mabel,” says Katy. “From that, someone asked us to do something else, and it wasn’t long before we thought, hang on, there’s a market for this.”

The group took their name from the way they addressed each other backstage: “Hello, Toots.”

To make themselves more memorable, the Tootsies then decided to each have an individual persona, much as the Spice Girls had Scary Spice and Sporty Spice etc. hence the Bombshell, the Peach and the Siren. ❯❯

classic-american.com 73

“Some of them were very obvious,” says Katy.

“Lisa is the Diva and couldn’t possibly be anything else.”

“I was the studio diva in Mack & Mabel. So when the girls came in the dressing room I’d be there in a long satin dress and fur coat doing my make-up. So they started calling me Diva basically,” said Lisa.

“I’m the Poppet because I have dimples and I’m the smallest,” says Katy. “Also, we each have a retro icon around who our styling is based. I actually have two: Doris Day and Mitzi Gaynor, who’s the lead in South Pacific. She’s another bubbly, fireworky, short curly hair type.”

“My icon’s Rita Hayworth,” puts in the Diva.

“She was the redhead of the era and I’m the redhead of the Tootsies. I grew up wanting to look like her.”

“I didn’t label myself the Sweetheart!” Anna points out modestly. “But the girls said ‘You’re always happy, always smiley’. Judy Garland is my retro icon. I’m the girl-next-door type. People

seem to have latched on to the personas really well. Everyone has their favourite within the group.”

One of the first high-profile gigs that established the Tootsie Rollers on the events circuit was actor Colin Firth’s 50th birthday party.

“His wife booked us and I don’t think you could have heard more excited squeals from six girls,” Anna recalls.

“There were about 100 guests,” says Katy, “and I felt like I knew everyone in the room because they’d all been in costume dramas throughout my teens.”

The group have also harmonised at Royal Ascot and vintage festivals such as Twinwood. They’ve also gigged with DJ Yoda, blending their vintage voices with dance beats, scratching and video screens.

It’s their ability to mix the old with the new that sets the Tootsie Rollers apart from other vintage acts. With a debut album of original songs in the pipeline, their catchy blend of dance

Website www.prettymevintage.co.uk

beats and boogie woogie can currently be best appreciated in the video for their signature song, The Boys Go Wild. Filmed with a stylish cast of gentleman admirers at Proud Cabaret in London, the flick can be seen on their website, www.thetootsierollers.com “We love the authentic retro sound,” says Katy.

“But for us the important thing is to make it relevant to an audience today. So we like to give the oldies a contemporary twist, and we also like to do contemporary songs by people like Lady Gaga in the style of the Andrews Sisters or Glenn Miller. We do sometimes simply recreate the old stuff, but it’s nice to think we’re bringing something else to the party too.”

As much as their music, the Tootsie Rollers have made an impact with their seemingly endless parade of vintage-inspired outfits by designers such as Fever London and Collectif. “We have a stylist called JP from effortmade.com and he’s shaped our look from the beginning,” says Anna.

“We’ve been very lucky in that we’ve had companies that have said they’d love us to wear their dresses. My friends are so jealous because I’m having to get another wardrobe to house them all.”

“The other person who makes for us is my mum.” adds Katy. “At the beginning she made our polka dot shorts which became a bit of a signature.”

To create the perfect vintage look from scratch, Lisa says a good starting point is a red lip. “That immediately sets the tone for a retro look because red was the main lip colour from the Twenties through to the Fifties.” But you can’t go out wearing red lippy alone. For a classic vintage silhouette, Anna says you have to start with your underwear. “We have fantastic vintage-inspired underwear from What Katie Did and you can nip in your waist or accentuate your bust. You can do so many things because the undergarments are making the shape.”

Having stocked up on bullet bras and girdles (the label is also favoured by Madonna and Rihanna) Anna recommends high-waisted trousers with some nice heels and a blouse, and for the finishing touch, turning to retro hair tutorials on YouTube. “Just learn to do one victory roll and you’ll be sorted for the vintage look.”★

Website www.thetootsierollers.com

74 classic-american.com

1964 Cadillac De Ville

1965 Shelby GT350R

On Sale April 17

Next Month 1966 Dodge Charger

1968 GMC C20 Truck

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’71 Olds 442 W-30 vs ’72 Buick GS 455

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