Time Machines

What is cooler than a classic car? The lines, the design, the sound of the engine…all are intoxicating for automotive aficionados.

In 1978, my dad bought his dream car, an MGB, a nimble convertible with a whopping 65 horsepower. While driving home from Win Sports & Imports, I fell in love with it, so my dad left the car to me. Whenever I’m taking a curve, downshifting with the tunes cranked up to 11, my time machine takes me back as it moves me forward. It never disappoints, even if it breaks with like-minded Milfordites and check out their sweet rides.

Joe Mazzucco 1953 FORD F100

“It has a 1985 5.0 under the hood out of an 85 Mustang GT. It has a 1986 front clip out of a Dodge Diplomat State Troopers car,” says Joe Mazzucco. “I’ve always owned a truck as my daily driver so I thought a classic pick-up show, and the ride home is even nicer if you win a trophy. I listen to oldies when the radio is on, but most of the time I just enjoy the sound of the engine.”

James Romano 1977 FIREBIRD

“I bought it from the original owner who bought it brand new in 1977 in Long Island. It’s a car I remember when I was younger and had one in high school,” says James Romano. “Driving it makes me feel like I’m carefree and have nothing in the world to do but take a nice ride on a beautiful day. I like to listen to the Eagles and the Doobie Brothers which brings me back to my youth.”

Rick George 1956 MERCURY MONTCLAIR 2-DOOR HARDTOP

Rick George says, “I bought it last year from a friend. As to why I bought it how could you not just look how beautiful she is! When driving it the feeling is indescribable. The first day I drove it to the house, my son and his family were in the front yard. I ran into the house for a minute only, then I saw my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter pulling it out of the driveway! The feelings are contagious! When I’m cruising with the windows down, Chuck Berry blasting “No Particular Place to Go”...‘Riding along in my automobile, my baby beside me at the wheel…’ The engine purrs like a panther!”

Kip and Peggy O’Hara

1960 MCDONOUGH, MODEL B60 BUCKBOARD

“We bought it from a commercial airline pilot from New York in 2010,” says Kip O’Hara. “We like the oddball cars—we find them interesting—and this car is rare.

It feels great driving it, and it gets a lot of attention. Since it doesn’t have a radio, we prefer to listen to it run. Putt putt!” The O’Haras own numerous classics, some of which reside in museums across the country.

Warren Mitchell 1956 FORD VICTORIA

“I have enjoyed my old cars for over two decades now,” says Warren Mitchell. “Since I was a teenager, the Ford Victoria has always been one of my favorite cars. Driving on a warm, sunny day with all the windows down feels great. Instead of blasting music I prefer the sound of my dual exhaust. Part of the car experience is socializing with new and old friends at local cruise nights. I also enjoy a thumbs up from a stranger or, ‘Man I used to have a ‘56 Ford just like yours.’ It’s all part of what we call cruising.”

Thomas

Simmel

1963 STUDEBAKER

AVANTI R1

“I purchased it about five years ago after I found it for sale on Facebook Marketplace. I had always wanted one from the day I first saw it. It has a Raymond Lowey designed body—very unique and made of fiberglass,” explains Thomas Simmel. “It is very smooth and quiet and very relaxing to drive, especially with the working air conditioning. I rarely listen to music when I’m driving, I prefer the sound of the engine, but when I do its usually classic rock.”

—Susan Carroll Dwyer