Refreshing the Alfa’s Exterior Lighting

November 10, 2023 RichardReina Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Jr., Events, Repair sessions Automotive bulbs, Sealed beam headlight bulbs

During a routine check of my Alfa’s exterior lighting, I discovered an inoperative right rear turn signal. Easy enough to change the bulb, I told myself, and removed that side’s tail lamp lens (4 Philips head screws, easily accessed). I have had the rear lenses apart before, several years ago, at which time I gave them a thorough cleaning. Then it occurred to me: I have never removed the front turn signal lenses. Even though all the front parking and signal lights worked, I decided that after 10+ years of ownership, it would be prudent to peek at those as well.

Here’s the thing about owning an older car (my Alfa will be 57 years old next year!): the list of preventative maintenance items never ends. I consider myself a good steward of the car, staying on top of fluid changes, brakes, tires, and various rubber bits. But the front lamps? Why did something so simple and so obvious escape my grasp? I have no excuse other than to rationalize that there was always something else that was a priority. So now was the time.

The front signal lenses were even easier to remove than the rears: just one Philips head screw. I pulled all the bulbs and was not surprised to observe that although functional, several of them had dark spots. They have all been in the car since at least 2013, the year it became mine, and how many years before that is anyone’s guess. Now I was ready to shop for bulbs.

They were all standard sizes: 1156, 1157, and 5007, front and rear. Ever so briefly did I consider going the LED route, but changed my mind, deciding that I didn’t want to tax the older wiring, or run into any overheating or physical interference issues. I checked online to explore my choices, and saw that Walmart had the best combination of brand, availability, and pricing. The front lenses are clear, and the 1156 bulbs for the turn signals were clear (white light), so the one upgrade I made was to swap in amber bulbs. The 4 packages of bulbs ran me around $12, and 48 hours after placing the order online, I drove to my local Walmart, pulled into one of their “online pickup” parking spots, called the phone number on the sign, and 5 minutes later, the bulbs were brought out to my car door.

Lens gasket (in white) perished a while back

Oh, the front signal lens gaskets: Without a doubt they were the ones that ‘Mario’ installed in March of ’67 as the car came down the Milano assembly line, as they crumbled in my hands. A plastic scraper removed the final traces of the old gaskets, and I placed an order with my #1 Alfa parts supplier, Classic Alfa in the UK, around 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday at 7 p.m. a DHL truck dropped the box on my front porch. This 48-hour turnaround is typical for them, and this, combined with the quality of their wares, is why they are my #1.

All the new Sylvania bulbs fit as expected and everything functioned on first try. I did not necessarily detect a substantial increase in brightness, but that was not the goal. I wanted new bulbs that would match left to right and would last for a few years. While working on the front end, I noticed (again, after 10 years of ownership) that the 2 headlight bulbs were from different manufacturers. I’ve never had the headlights out of the car, so back to the task of finding and ordering new bulbs. Amazon had Wagner sealed beam halogen bulbs and that’s what I bought. While the headlight bezels were off, I gave their undersides a quick coat of Rust-O-Leum paint to seal some minor rust, and polished the chrome which really spruced up the front of the car. Take a look at these before and after shots of the low beams and high beams:

Lesson learned! Modern cars spoil us with their state-of-the-art lighting (which in many cases require a complete assembly to be replaced if a lighting element fails). If you have a older car running incandescent bulbs, consider checking and replacing them with new, even if they are functional.

Harold “Pete” Wyman, 1933 – 2023

October 29, 2023 RichardReina Collector's Corner, Family cars

My dear friend Pete Wyman passed away on September 25, 2023. He was 90 years old. I first met Pete over 20 years ago when his daughter Pam, a good friend and former work colleague of my wife’s, was visiting our home. Walking past the garage where I was tinkering, probably with the Isetta, Pam uttered in the most nonchalant way, “Oh, you should meet my father, he likes old cars too”. A short time later, I did meet Pete, and we became good friends almost immediately, bonding over our shared automotive passions.

Pete was a man of few words, and even when he did speak, he was soft-spoken, so during that first meeting, he spoke a bit about his collection, but I had a difficult time grasping what he said. He invited us to his home in Fairfield PA, outside of Gettysburg, and we eventually made the trek. As we pulled into the driveway, I saw this gorgeous green Alfa Romeo parked on the front lawn. As soon as I exited my car, I pointed to the Alfa and exclaimed “sell me this car!” Pete immediately replied “No, it’s not for sale, but you can drive it if you’d like”. Of course, I had the first of what would be many stints behind the wheel, something I got to do at every visit.

ABOVE: The first visit. Me with the Alfa which would someday be mine; my wife Margaretanne and I with the DeSoto; Pete with the DeSoto.

Also in his possession at that time were 2 pre-war cars, a 1931 DeSoto and 1936 Oldsmobile. The other surprise was to discover that he was the original owner of a 1979 Volvo 265 station wagon, an AACA award winner. I would eventually visit Pete at his home once or twice a year. At each visit I would work on one of his cars for him, and get to drive one or more of them. Through the years, the collection grew and shrank. Pete’s taste was eclectic: he added an AMC Pacer and Hudson Jet, neither of which he kept for long. In a moment of candor, he admitted that both were ‘whim’ purchases, made without much deliberation. He went on to sell the DeSoto, the Olds, and the Volvo, and added some newer iron in the form of a 2006 Jaguar XJ, a retro Ford Thunderbird, and a Volvo XC70. The Volvo was purchased new, while the Jag and T-Bird were low-mileage used cars.

ABOVE: The AMC Pacer next to my 2003 Volvo V70; the Alfa, Pacer and V70

Pete was an electrical engineer; you could literally say that he was a rocket scientist, as he performed contract work on the Space Shuttle for NASA. One of his proudest possessions was a photograph, autographed by the astronauts who had flown one of the Space Shuttle missions. Like other engineers I’ve met, he was fastidious with the care and upkeep of his cars. Also like some engineers, he enjoyed making what he saw as “improvements” to them. For example, the ’79 Volvo had a 3-speed automatic transmission, and to Pete, the engine revved too high at highway speeds. He was determined to put in a Volvo-sourced 4-speed, but ran into all kinds of issues regarding bellhousing shape, driveshaft length, and crossmember location. He persisted, though, and found a mechanic willing to work with him on it. Despite my own words of discouragement (“Pete, really, you hardly drive the car, is it worth it?”), he successfully completed the project.

I drove every one of his cars except the Hudson (my recollection is that he owned that car for such a short period of time that he bought it and sold it in between my visits!). The DeSoto was my first time behind the wheel of a pre-war car – I was shocked at how easy it was to drive. The Pacer was competent and didn’t feel like an old car. I said this to Pete about the Jaguar: you could jump onto Route 80, set the cruise control, and arrive in San Francisco still refreshed. Driving the ’36 Olds convertible was a huge thrill. The torque from that straight-8 engine was endless; the ride and handling were sublime. Steering effort was manageable, but with that long, long hood, one had to plan for turns half a block in advance.

ABOVE: The Jaguar XJ, with Pete’s new XC70 in the garage

Finally, the Alfa: I’ve told this story so many times, and still get a kick out of telling it. After that initial “No!” from Pete, I persisted in asking him to sell me the car every time I saw him. Well, persistence pays off! It took 8 years, but Pete finally said yes, and that gorgeous ’67 Alfa Romeo became mine in March of 2013. The sale was contingent on a gentlemen’s agreement that I would keep the Alfa in as original condition as he had done during his 45 years of stewardship. I’ve kept to my promise, and even though Pete is gone, I intend to continue to honor it.

I attended Pete’s service and burial on Monday, October 2. His wife, four daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren were all there (one daughter predeceased him). Pete was in the hospital two weeks prior, and spent the final week of his life at his home in hospice care. My wife and I visited him in the hospital, and while he was physically very weak, his mind was as sharp as ever, proven by his recollections with me of many of our automotive adventures.

I will greatly miss my friend Pete. Even though one is aware that someone’s time is coming to an end, it’s still a shock to learn that a friend has passed. I am honored to say that Pete Wyman was my friend. Please read his obituary to learn more about this wonderful man:

https://www.myersdurborawfh.com/obituary/Harold-Wyman

ABOVE: Views from inside the garage, with the ’79 265 and the ’36 Olds undergoing service.

Pete, his wife Charlen, and Volvo 265 at Hershey

Pete under the hood of the 265. Silver canister to right of coolant overflow bottle is electric pre-oiler installed by him, which delivers engine oil to cylinder heads before cranking.

Pete inside the ’36 Olds.

Pete, his wife Charlen, and my wife Margaretanne (with Volvo 265) at Hershey

Pete under the hood of HIS Alfa

The T-Bird

1936 Olds with T-Bird and ’79 Volvo in their garages

ABOVE: Beauty shots of the 1936 Olds, taken after I returned from driving it.

AACA NJ Region at Bright View Senior Living, Oct. 22, 2023

October 22, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events Bright View Senior Living Facilty, NJ Region AACA

The NJ Region of the AACA participated in a display of special interest cars at the Bright View Senior Living Facility in Warren NJ on Sunday Oct. 22, 2023. The Region has hosted or co-hosted a number of these type of events throughout the Garden State. Facility residents are invited to come outside and enjoy viewing the older cars, while the facility supplies lunch and snacks for car owners and residents alike.

The car count was strong at this one: 22 vehicles in all, most of them AACA-original spec cars. Several custom, modifieds, and “hot rods” were also displayed. As usual for an AACA showing, there was a wide spread of makes and model years. The oldest vehicle among the stock cars was a 1933 Pontiac, closely followed by a 1938 LaSalle. A beautiful 1953 Cadillac was also on display, as were a large number of models from the ‘60s through ‘90s.

The day was sunny if a bit breezy; in other words, a great autumn day. The event ran from 12 noon to 3 p.m., and the instant feedback from organizers was that the cars were greatly appreciated by the residents.

Mustang Car Show, Columbia NJ, Oct. 15, 2023

October 15, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events Ford Mustang, GSRMC

The Garden State Region Mustang Club (GSRMC) held its “Mustangs & Merlot” car show at the Brook Hollow Winery in Columbia NJ on Sunday Oct. 15, 2023. The GSRMC President is also a member of the NJ Region of the AACA, and he requested a team of AACA volunteers with some judging experience to judge the Mustangs. Doing it this way would maintain impartiality, as none of the 6 judges were displaying cars. I agreed to be one of the 6, and we were split into 3 teams of 2.

Cars were divided into classes: first, either “stock” or “modified”, then by generation. (The “modified” distinction was made by GSRMC officers, and not the judges. Any cars with 3 or more mods were placed in the modified class.) My co-judge and I judged 5 stock classes: 1964-1966 cars, 1967-1970 cars, Fox-body cars, 1994-2004 cars, and 2015-2023 cars. While that sounds like a large number, there were 6 cars in the ’64-’66 class, only 2 in the ’67-’70 class, only ONE Fox-body car, and only 2 cars in the 1994-2004 class. The big numbers were in the 2015-and-up class which had 11 cars. (Again, these numbers reflect cars in the STOCK class only.) I estimated that there were about 50 cars on the show field.

As a former Mustang owner and GSRMC member, I was genuinely surprised at the very low turnout for all pre-2005 cars. Mike D., GSRMC President whom I’ve known for many years, told me a while back that club membership has taken a decided turn toward late-model vehicles. At least this speaks well of the continued enthusiasm for the Mustang among newer and presumably younger owners.

Cars were judged on workmanship and appearance (condition and cleanliness) only, so none of us were expected to be Mustang experts. Still, especially among the newer cars, judging became very tight when points were being subtracted for demerits as small as dirty floor mats, paint nicks, and less-than-stellar engine compartments. Our task was made easier because we only had to select one winner per class. We were not looking for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners.

I took my photos before judging started, knowing that cars would leave as soon as winners were announced. In many cases, as you can see, hoods and trunks were open as required, so I had to accept that in my pictures. After the previous day’s rain, everyone was thrilled that it was dry, but a brisk breeze and a peek-a-boo sun meant jackets stayed on. I greatly enjoyed being immersed ever so briefly among Mustangs again, and I saw one or two that would look really nice in my garage!

**The only car in the Fox-body class, he took 1st place, natch**

ALL of the cars were in great shape; judging was challenging and came down to examining the tiniest details.

Hershey 2023 Part 3: The Car Show

October 13, 2023October 14, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events AACA Hershey

If you’re an enthusiast of classic cars, especially those restored to original condition, there is but one word which signifies the most anticipated day of the car show season: “Hershey”. Hershey as in the chocolate bar, and as in the quaint Pennsylvania town named after the chocolate company located there. About 70 years ago, local members of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) decided that this town would be a great place to hold an annual combination flea market / judged car show. These founders could never have predicted what would occur in the ensuing decades: that their event would snowball into a mammoth spectacle known across the country and around the world.

Wednesday and Thursday were sunny and unseasonably warm; the forecast for Friday, car show day, was for rain. Based on the conversations I overheard, you would think that it was time to build another ark! When show day dawned, it rained for about 15 minutes (I missed it; I was told it rained around 8:30 a.m.) and then stopped. While we had overcast skies for the remainder of the day, it stayed dry, and the cars came out to play. Lots of them.

Show cars are in one of three categories: Class Judging, with class assignments based on model year and/or make (cars are restored to like-new and judged on a 400-point scale); HPOF, for Historical Preservation of Original Features (unrestored yet still kept to original specs); and DPC, for Driver Participation Class (cars don’t fit into the other two classes and are allowed “some” modifications). AACA’s introduction of the HPOF and DPC classes has been successful in opening up the hobby to a greater number of participants.

Someone from my AACA NJ Region told me that the show field can hold 1,000 cars, and I don’t doubt it. I would guess that the field was about 90% filled, so let’s round it down to about 900 vehicles in attendance. It’s always a challenge for me to decide which cars to see, as there isn’t time to see them all. While I did not see every car on the field, I did get to spend time with an assortment of vehicles from all 3 categories.

CARS IN CLASS JUDGING

Class 19E: Classic Car Club of America vehicles, 1940-1948

Hershey is the place to see all the pre-war classics:

The LaSalle marque would not live past 1940

Dave and his 1924 Dodge Brothers Touring

I met Dave at the AACA Nationals in Saratoga Springs in 2021. My blog write-up from that show featured his 1955 Thunderbird. He was kind enough to reach out to let me know he’d be at Hershey this year with a different car. This Dodge Brothers Touring has been in his family since 1973, and the car was there to be judged for its Repeat Preservation, which I’m happy to say for Dave’s sake was awarded!

Howard and his 1979 Volvo 265

I met Howard and his wife for the first time on Friday, but it was far from the first time I had heard his name. He didn’t know it until I introduced myself, but we have something in common: both of us have purchased cars from Pete Wyman: in Howard’s case, this Volvo, and in my case, my Alfa Romeo. I told Howard that I knew much of the history of this car, and had even wrenched on it a few times while it was in Pete’s possession. Howard, a true Volvo fan (he also had a 1987 245 in the DPC class), had chased Pete for years, trying to get him to sell the car, before Pete finally relented. Based on its appearance here, I have no doubt that this 265 is in good hands with Howard. Like Dave, Howard entered the car in hopes of earning its Repeat Preservation, and I’m proud of both Pete and Howard, because the car was successful in earning that!

This 1938 Lea-Francis, which was recently on the cover of Collectible Automobile magazine, was one of the prettiest cars in the show:

CARS IN HPOF

Larry and his 1980 Olds Cutlass sedan

Larry is a 30+ year friend, going back to our days together at VCNA. He and I co-hosted our Sunday Morning Breakfast Drives for about 15 years, and his ride of choice for those outings was his 1972 Chevrolet Nova. A dedicated GM guy, I knew that he had the itch for something different when, earlier this year, he stumbled on this 1980 Olds Cutlass sedan. It was on eBay, and located in New Hampshire. He took a ride, checked it out, and bought the car, driving it back home to NJ without incident. This was the first time Larry had entered a car at an AACA meet. He was extremely proud to learn that his Cutlass achieved its HPOF certification. That’s Larry with his wife Linda in their incognito shades next to the car.

James and his ’51 Packard

I have a thing for Packards; I’ve driven them, and have admired them for a long time, but have never owned one. Depending on the year and model, I’ve seen some which were incredibly affordable. This car, in HPOF, immediately caught my eye based on its wonderful condition. I struck up a brief conversation with its caretaker, who was the kindest and most soft-spoken gent I met all day. He told me that except for some touch-ups, the paint was all original, and that he owned the car for about 10 years. He invited me to open the door to take a closer look if I so desired. James was there to try to win a Repeat Original HPOF award for his Packard, and the announced results sheet showed me that he did!

CARS IN DPC

When the week’s events catch up with you, and you need a place for a quick snooze…

Hershey 2023 Part 2: The Car Corral

October 8, 2023October 8, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events AACA Hershey, car corral

A review of my Hershey blog reports from 2016, 2017, and 2018 provides visual documentation to support the notion that the car corral is less crowded than it used to be. This is not to say that it wasn’t still alive with activity: the corral was full or close to full across the entire front of the Giant Center. However, as one followed the road toward the back of the Giant Center, it was almost completely vacant. To be brutally objective about it, I’d guesstimate that the available spaces were about 60% full.

The past 5 years or so have seen the expanding success of online collector car auctions take over much of the action which had been the domain of shows like Hershey. The Bring a Trailer website in particular has changed the game, offering 100+ special interest cars a day, 7 days a week, stopping only for the infrequent major holidays. The BaT sell-through appears to be around 65-70%, not phenomenal, but do the math: conservative estimates show BaT selling over 20,000 collector cars a year. It must be affecting what happens at Hershey and elsewhere. I’m not even going to comment on eBay Motors, a site I almost completely avoid.

Despite this doom-and-gloom-sounding message, sellers brought cars to Hershey, potential buyers walked the aisles, and some transactions occurred. There is no substitute for seeing your next toy car in the metal first. I saw enough “SOLD” signs to reassure me that some business was still being conducted. I walked the car corral all 3 days of my visit: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. While many asking prices struck me as above market, I continued to spot affordable cars, defined this year as $20,000 and under (inflation, you know), and remember, these were asking prices. Everything is negotiable. A handful of the ones I found interesting are documented below. I did not perform a detailed inspection on any of these vehicles, so the usual caveat emptor rules apply (I hope you were paying attention in Latin class). Cars below are arranged in asking price order from low to high.

1990 Chrysler TC by Maserati, white, tan interior, removeable hardtop, 87k miles, 3.0L V6, sutomatic.

Asking: $6,500

Some call this “Lido’s Folly”, as it was Lee “Lido” Iacocca who spearheaded the project, which he envisioned as a modern-day 2-seat T-Bird, complete with porthole hardtop. I think these have mellowed nicely with age. They will never be worth a lot of money, but think of it as a ‘90s Italian/American hybrid.

1985 Olds Toronado, green, tan “carriage roof”, 120k miles, owned by same family since 1987, AACA HPOF certified.

Asking: $8,500

This car looks so similar to the same-year Riviera that you would be forgiven for failing to distinguish them from each other (a common ‘80s GM malady). I much prefer the Riv, and really dislike the dealer-installed padded roof, but at this price, you could join the Olds club and tour in comfort with this.

1985 Ford Mustang SVO, red, grey interior, 66k miles. All SVOs had 2.3L turbo 4-cylinder engines and 5-speed transmissions.

Asking $10,650

Hmm, where have I seen this car before? At last year’s Hershey car corral, with an asking price $4,000 higher, that’s where. The owner must be extremely patient, or is not advertising it anywhere else.

In 2022:

1998 Ford F-150 pickup truck, regular cab, long bed, 160k miles, 4.6L V8, 5-speed manual, 2WD, tan metallic, red interior.

Asking: $11,500

I remember reading an article in the 1990s about collector vehicles. The author of that story proclaimed: “Trucks will never become collectible”. Reminds me of Yogi Berra’s quip: “It’s difficult to make predictions, especially about the future”. Of course, trucks are THE hottest thing in the new vehicle market and have been for years, so the trickle-down effect applies here. This F-150, with a V8, 5-speed, and rear wheel drive, is like a Mustang with a pickup bed.

1991 Chevy Corvette coupe, dark red, 69k miles. Interior color and transmission not noted. Sign claims $5,000 recently spent on “upgrades”.

Asking $11,998

There are always a multitude of C4 Corvettes for sale. This one was from the first year of the styling refresh, which in my opinion improved its looks. Depending on what is meant by “upgrades”, this could be a lot of performance for the dollar.

1940 Ford Tudor sedan, dark red, tan interior, presumed Ford flathead V8 under hood.

Asking $13,500

I’m shocked to find an iconic 1940 Ford for sale at this price. Yes, it’s not a coupe or convertible, but you’ve got that fabulous front end design with a flattie engine, and lots of aftermarket parts support. Looks like fun for not a lot of cash.

1959 Volvo 544, white, grey interior, dual fender-mount mirrors, chrome aftermarket wheels.

Asking $17,500

I’ve driven a few 544s and they can be a blast to drive. Just don’t expect a smooth and quiet ride. This car looked very solid but was perhaps overpriced by a few thousand. Cash talks!

1947 Fiat 500 Topolino, grey, tan interior, 569cc 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed, sign claims recent engine rebuild.

Asking $22,750

Rarely seen in the U.S., the Topolino (“Little Mouse”) was one of Fiat’s biggest successes. You might have the only one at the next meeting of the Fiat Club. Just don’t be in a hurry to get there.

1963 Buick Riviera, gold, beige cloth interior, factory A/C, sign claims front disc brakes which must be aftermarket (’63 Rivs had finned drums all around).

Asking: $24,000

This is the first year of the Riviera, which helped GM kick off its attack on the 4-seat T-Bird. These two cars and a few others begat the whole personal-luxury car segment which would live for the next 20 years. The colors on this Riv were great, and it had an honest look to it. I’ve been following this market a bit, and this asking price was in the ballpark, especially with the unmolested interior and the factory air.

1987 Porsche 928 S4, yellow, auto, 54k miles, sign details number of small defects.

Asking $29,500

I never saw a 928 in this color. In a word, it was ugly, and its ugliness only grew when one noticed the faded paint on the bumpers and side rub strips. Nothing about the car’s appearance exuded any confidence that there was a good car underneath. And while 928 values have risen of late, that is for “fine to excellent” cars, which this example is most definitely not. Pass.

1959 Messerschmitt KR200, red, black cloth top, red interior. Aftermarket front “bumper”.

Asking: $39,500

When I had my Isetta and would attend “microcar and minicar” shows, there would always be a small supply of these. Parking my rolling egg next to a “Schmitt” made the Isetta look normal. These have 2-cycle engines, 8 inch tires, a single rear wheel, and tandem seating. There are no doors: the roof tilts to the side to allow ingress and egress, much like a fighter plane. I’m including it here only because it’s a Messerschmitt.

1974 Alfa Romeo GTV coupe, silver, black interior with red piping, mileage not noted, bumpers removed but included, factory A/C removed but included, Panasport wheels.

Asking $42,500

This was the final year for this generation GTV in the U.S. market and was one of two Alfa GTVs parked near each other, presumably on offer from the same dealer. This car was the cheaper one by $27k, and despite the mods, none of which I cared for, there was some potential value here; it would be an even better value at $37,500.

CODA

There was a Series 2 Jaguar XKE (E-Type) OTS (Open Two Seater, or roadster) in the car corral. It was in one of my fave Jag color combos: primrose yellow with a black leather interior. I stopped to admire it. It was a ‘driver’: lots of nice things about it, mainly that it appeared unmolested, but it was a #3 condition car (on a scale of 1-to-5), with wear-and-tear here and there. The shock was the asking price of $125k which was way high. This was on Wednesday. On Thursday, the car was still there, I stopped again, and the $125k had been crossed out; the ask was now $100k. I kept walking. On Friday, once again, the Jag and I met. Now the sign indicated a “Friday” price of $75k and THAT was crossed out, replaced with $70k! I didn’t photograph the car, but I memorized the price slide! The car was probably worth $60k-65k based on recent sales. If someone had been looking for such a car, patience might have rewarded them!

Hershey 2023 Part 1: The RM Sotheby’s Auction

October 7, 2023 RichardReina Auctions, Events AACA, Hershey Auction, RM-Sotheby's

The auction company RM Sotheby’s continued their October tradition by hosting a collector car auction at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey PA during the AACA Fall Eastern Nationals. RM (for Rob Myers, company founder), based in Canada, is one of the premier automotive auction houses, hosting events around the world; their appearance here is one of the few times they’re on the East Coast. Hershey Lodge is less than 2 miles from Hersheypark, where the AACA was holding its flea market/car corral/judged show (more about that in Parts 2 and 3). When Hersheypark decided to extend its open weekends into October, they forced the AACA to move its agenda back by a day (so the judged show, which for 50+ years had been on Saturday, is now held on Friday). RM similarly adjusted its two-day schedule to coincide, so their auction is now on Wednesday and Thursday.

RM Sotheby’s continues to attract consignments which are what I describe as pre-war and immediate post-war American classics, with a smattering of European cars. Despite pundits’ predictions that the ageing of the hobby would eliminate all interest in the classic cars of the 1910s – 1930s, that has not occurred: interest in well-restored examples of fine cars remains strong, even if prices have leveled off or dipped somewhat. By my casual observation, RM’s strength in filling their lots with high quality machinery at reasonable reserves results in a very strong sell-through rate. Of the dozen cars that I report on below, all sold. This is helped of course by the no reserve status of most of them, so high bid takes the car home. At the same time, RM’s published pre-sale estimates tell an interesting story: most of these cars sold below their estimates, at numbers which in some cases strike me as relative bargains.

My report covers only cars listed on the RM Sotheby’s website as “sold”. As I was not in attendance during the auction, sale prices are taken from their website; they include the 10% buyer’s premium which is backed out by me, so my numbers are “hammer” prices. Cars are listed in sold price order from low to high.

Lot 453, 1962 Volvo PV 544, grey paint, two-tone blue interior, dual outside mirrors. Appears well-restored on the outside, interior shows some wear. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $12,000 – 16,000

Sold: $19,000; one of the few cars reported on here which sold above its high-end estimate. Seemed a bit pricey for an old Volvo.

Lot 456, 1957 BMW Isetta, two-tone light blue & white, off-white interior. Relatively rare European-spec version of the Isetta: no front bumper overriders, small headlights, large amber “repeater” lights, original style tail lights. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $30,000 – 40,000

Sold: $20,000; This is under other recent sales by $5,000-10,000, and the keen Isetta observer will enjoy its uniqueness compared to the much more common U.S. versions.

Lot 457, 1949 MG-TC, green, tan interior, tan top, silver-painted wire wheels. RHD as all TC’s are. This is the model vehicle credited with igniting the sports car craze in the U.S. when WW2 vets returning from the UK brought some of these back with them. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $30,000 – 40,000

Sold: $25,000; a slight bargain compared to what some TC’s sell for on sites like Bring a Trailer, and possibly sold for less than what it cost to restore.

Lot 196, 1959 Fiat 600 Multipla, two-tone red & white, red interior, very rare in the U.S. This was Fiat’s successful attempt at building a really (really) small 6-passenger vehicle. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $30,000 – 40,000

Sold: $27,000; some recent examples have sold on Bring a Trailer for $50,000+, so buyer did well here.

Lot 213, 1953 Lincoln Capri convertible, red, grey/black/red interior, black top, wide whitewall tires. Lincoln styling was beginning to enter the modern age; note the futuristic dash design. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $30,000 – 40,000

Sold: $27,000; CPI has a #3 car at $35,000, so advantage to the buyer here.

Lot 452, 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible, red, white top, two-tone red interior, buckets & console like all Starfires. Second year for the model. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $35,000 – 45,000

Sold: $28,000; Only a grand more than the ’53 Lincoln, and with much more “modern” driveability compared to that car.

Lot 228, 1968 Olds 442 convertible, dark blue paint (looks almost black), light blue interior, white top, white stripes on front fenders, 4-speed stick shift, buckets, console, RWL tires. First year for this generation Cutlass body style. This car stood out for its less-than-stellar presentation. Paint looked slightly dull, some chrome pitted, interior looked unkempt, driver’s seat showing wear. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $35,000 – 45,000

Sold: $32,000; bidders ignored condition and bid based on model and equipment.

Lot 221, 1961 Olds Starfire convertible, triple red: red paint, red interior, red top. First year for Starfire, and all were convertibles. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $40,000 – 50,000

Sold: $33,000; five grand more than the ’62, and there are those who prefer this year’s styling.

Lot 216, 1959 DeSoto Adventurer Sportsman Coupe, black paint, black/white/gold interior, Chrysler’s Forward Look styling still holding up despite some additional fussiness; certainly compares well next to some GM offerings of that year. Getting near the end for DeSoto. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $45,000 – 55,000

Sold: $45,000, right at low end of estimate. DeSotos of this decade continue to be strong sellers.

Lot 419, 1937 Cord 812 Custom Beverly 4-door sedan, black paint, red interior, FWD & V8 engine like all Cord 810/812 models. According to RM’s website, the “Custom” models were built on a 7-inch-longer wheelbase for increased rear seat room. No reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $50,000 – 60,000

Sold: $67,500, above high estimate, and deservedly so, for condition and rarity.

Lot 442, 1956 Imperial Southampton two-door hardtop, black paint, white/grey interior, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, “gun sight” tail lights, optional record player mounted under dash. At this time, “Imperial” was its own make, separate from Chrysler. Offered with unrevealed reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $75,000 – 90,000

Sold: $69,000, 6 grand below estimate; only 2,094 two-door hardtops built for ’56, this one was for the true Imperial enthusiast.

Lot 237, 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, white paint, stainless steel roof, suicide rear doors, grey & white interior. The Eldorado sub-brand featured exclusive styling in 3 different body styles: the 2-door hardtop Seville, the 2-door convertible Biarritz, and the 4-door hardtop Brougham. This was one of America’s most expensive cars when new, costing over $13,000 when a ’57 DeVille 4-door hardtop could be had for $5,188. Offered with unrevealed reserve.

Pre-sale estimate: $90,000 – 120,000

Sold: $92,500, just clearing its low-end reserve. This distinguished car will always have value, and will always have a following.

Cars & Coffee, Mahwah NJ, Oct. 1, 2023

October 1, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events Cars & Coffee, Dunkin' Donuts, Mahwah NJ

The last time my driving club buddy Larry and I organized any kind of get-together for our misfit group of car enthusiasts was October 23, 2022, just under a year ago. In the interim, we had announced to our compadres that the days of arranging drives to breakfast destinations were over. However, during a recent conversation with Larry, he suggested that we could again “host” a Cars & Coffee which would involve no more work than sending an email. So we did, and we did, and the result was good!

We scheduled the shindig for Sunday October 1, and after a week of significant rainfall, we lucked out with a day that was sunny, warm, and clear. I counted 14 individuals who showed up, the vast majority of whom know each other from sharing office space at Volvo corporate. In my case, I’ve known some of these gentlemen for over 30 years. Ten cars which qualified as “special interest” were driven there, while a few souls drove modern iron, which was fine with us, because we were really there for each other’s company.

Thanks to Mike for taking the snap (after driving here from PA in his Volvo C40 EV!)

Cars started arriving at 8:30 am and we successfully occupied most of one row in the lot. The Dunkin’ in Mahwah had bagels, donuts, and coffee, and what more could a bunch of old guys want on a Sunday morning? We stood in the parking lot with our food and drink and gabbed the morning away. Cars started to depart around 10:30 and I made my own getaway a little after 11 am to get home for some personal business. After driving the Alfa as my classic car of choice for most of the year, I brought the Miata to this event so that I could put fresh fuel into it! Aside from a few local trips, I had hardly moved it. The ride to and from added another 120 miles to the odometer, which was good for it.

Larry and I decided that while we will adhere to the “no more drives” decision, hosting a Cars & Coffee once or twice a year might be worth it, so we’ll calendar this for a repeat performance in the spring of 2024. Sounds far away, but it isn’t!

Larry’s newest acquisition, a 1980 Olds Cutlass

An Alfa Romeo in 1/18 scale

September 17, 2023 RichardReina Ephemera 1/18 scale car models, Road Signature models

Saw my friend Pete last week. He’s the family friend whom I met through his daughter Pam, who is long-term best buddies with my wife. Pete sold me his Alfa Romeo 10 years ago, in 2013. When I saw him, he generously gifted me a 1/18 scale model he had of an Alfa Giulia coupe. I stopped collecting car models long ago, but as I placed this new Alfa on the shelf with the other models, I saw that I’m back up to eight, most of them presents from others. It’s ok, because this way each model has some emotional attachment, and a story to go along with it.

This Alfa model is labeled a 1965 GTA, but I can’t say I ever saw one of those in black. The GTAs were special lightweight racing models, with aluminum body panels and Perspex windows. Real ones today are worth something in the neighborhood of $200,000 and up (compared to “normal” Giulia coupes which sell between $30k and $60k, very dependent on condition). This model isn’t quite that valuable. Yet the details on it are quite good.

I find that with many car models, getting the exterior proportions correct can be the trickiest. Often, the bumpers are too large, or the wheels and tires are too small, things like that. This car is nicely proportioned. My only beef might be the grille. A true GTA had a silver grille devoid of trim; this grille is rendered in black.

Perhaps on a 1/18 scale model I should not have been surprised about the opening panels, but I was. The hood, trunk, and both doors are hinged. The engine compartment is accurate with the crossover air plenum, side draft carbs, and battery location. The interior detail is a little sparse, but I’ll give them an A for effort with the wood wheel and shift lever. I suspect that the incorrect wood steering stalks speak to the commonality of materials. And although you’re least likely to see this, the most accurate details are in the chassis. They nailed it with the oil pan, exhaust, front A-arms, differential, gas tank, and spare tire well. Kudos to Road Signature, the manufacturer, for this level of attention.

The new-to-me Alfa has taken its place alongside 4 (!) BMW Isettas, 2 Lancia Fulvias, a Fiat 124 Coupe, and a Volvo 1800. It looks especially bizarre because the Alfa is the only one in this scale. The other models are a mix of 1/25 and 1/43 scale. But that’s it. When you’re considering a gift for me, I’m at critical mass with models!

The Lime Rock “Sunday in the Park” car show, Sep. 2023

September 4, 2023 RichardReina Car shows, Events Lime Rock Park, Sunday in the Park

Another Labor Day weekend, and another trip to Lime Rock Park for their vintage car weekend. The signage at the track made it clear that “Historic Festival 41” marks the 41^st year for this treasure. As I have related in previous posts, racing is done on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, with Sunday racing banned by local ordinance (to give the locals a break from the noise). Cleverly, this becomes an excuse for the track to host a car show known as “Sunday in the Park”. I’ve been attending for over 30 years, and Lime Rock never fails to disappoint with the uniqueness and quality of the motor vehicles on display. Along with Greenwich, I consider it one of the premier car shows in the Northeast.

There were a number of featured classes again this year, and two which stood out for me were the letter-series Chrysler 300s, and the pre-war MGs. The 300s on display were stunning, but I was disappointed in the small number of vehicles. The factory produced them from 1955 through 1965, but only a few of those model years were represented. Conversely, the display of pre-war MGs was plentiful. I had remarked in my recent New Hope post that one of the highlights was a ‘30s MG; at Lime Rock, there were close to a dozen such vehicles. Given that they were never officially imported into the States, I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout.

Other specialized classes included Chrysler concept cars, Japanese performance cars, and American station wagons (which basically duplicated the wagons on display at Greenwich in June). And as we have seen every year for the past decade or so, the “Gathering of the Marques” gives owners of interesting daily drivers a chance to park with cars of the same make and/or model around the track. Sightings included groups of Corvettes, Volvos, Miatas, BMWs, Alfas, and Fiats among others. But large swaths of the track were empty this year. Notable by their absence were large-scale representations of Shelby Mustangs, BMW 2002s, and domestic vehicles of any brand. At previous shows, the Shelby Mustangs alone numbered in the dozens, driven by strong club support. I’m not sure why the turnout was low; I’m just hoping that this is not a sign of diminished participation in car shows in general.

The entire day was sunny and it got quite warm by late morning, with the temps hovering just under 90 degrees F. The round-trip was greatly helped by my friend Tony, he of the NJ Alfa club, who assisted with the driving both directions, and was great company for the entire day. We got to the show just before 10am, and were headed home by 2pm, with the heat having gotten to both of us. Lime Rock is a Labor Day tradition which I plan to continue as long as possible!

CHRYSLER 300 LETTER CARS

The canted headlights were a feature of all ’61 and ’62 Chryslers

CHRYSLER CONCEPT CARS

No signage accompanied this car above. I thought it was the Thunderbolt, but Google shows a 2-door with a retractable hardtop for that one. Can anyone identify this car?