Innehållsförteckning för December 2022 från Classic American

Across the pond I’ve always been fascinated by Los Angeles, ever since I was a nipper. I’m sure TV shows like CHiPs and TJ Hooker had a lot to do with it, but as a car-crazy kid, the city’s obsession with personal transportation (and personalisation of said transportation) plus its 750 miles of freeways and almost endless boulevards held a particular interest. Growing up, I imagined myself cruising the City of Angels, in a big old sled or Detroit muscle car. When I finally realised that dream, at the age of 24, LA more than lived up to my expectations. With an old university mate in tow, I was able to borrow a Pontiac Firebird Firehawk and Saleen S281 Mustang and soak up the LA vibe for close to…

Back for its third year, the increasingly popular Redhill Dream Cruise took over Redhill town centre once again on August 20. Much of the appeal of the event lies in the sheer variety of cars which turn up, from unmodified vintage Model As, via a 1939 Dodge US Army staff car to later models customised in all manner of styles. A 1958 Chevrolet could almost have passed for standard but for the drastic roof chop it had received, and there’s no way that could have been an easy car to chop. Cadillacs were as plentiful as ever, but Fords, Chevys and Mopars were in no short supply either. A 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO convertible was one car I’d not come across before. Convertibles from the first year of GTO production…

Never go wrong with tools! There are some great gift ideas in the Machine Mart catalogue, which is packed full of all the tools and equipment a hobbyist, DIY enthusiast or professional could need or want. You’re bound to find something for you! Featuring more than 300 price cuts and new products, the new 484-page autumn-winter catalogue is a ‘must have’ for anyone seeking a huge choice of tools and equipment at unbeatable value. With more than 6000 items of tools and machinery in the new catalogue and a further 15,000 extra products online, you’ll be sure to find all the tools and machinery you need for a winter of fettling, rebuilding and repairing! To order your copy, simply go online to www.machinemart.co.uk, visit your local store or call 0844…

April 7 WHEELS DAY (TBC) Surrey Street Rodders' annual season-opening extravaganza to raise money for charity and kick off the UK car show season is due to take place on Good Friday, April 7. Expect to see Americans, hot rods, custom cars, British classics, VWs – basically anything interesting on four or two wheels. John Price will be on the P/A and there will be many traders and autojumble, with plenty of activities for kids and the whole family, as well as food and drink on sale. For more information and to register to enter, go to www.surreystreetrodders.com or see their Facebook page. Registration is necessary to enter, you cannot just turn up. 23 MIDLAND AMERICAN AUTO CLUB ALL-AMERICAN CAR, TRUCK & BIKE SHOW Opens to the public at 11am.…

1. Desert Valley Auto Parts of Casa Grande, Arizona has a pair of 1949 DeSoto Customs. While the worst of the two has been relegated to ‘parts car’ status, this one is being offered for a sale as a project. Back in the day, the upmarket Custom was definitely the model to go for, as it had a more luxurious interior than the base model DeLuxe and had some additional chrome too. DeSoto claimed that the body was rustproofed, and the company clearly wasn’t lying. Other than a patch on the door, this 73-year-old car is incredibly solid. But then the Arizona sunshine definitely helps. 2. Fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaros (1993 to 2002) appear to have hit the bottom of their popularity curve, and salvage yards are full of them. So…

News When I heard that no less than six of the finest Packards in the world would be on display in the beautiful grounds of Hampton Court, this was an opportunity that I could not resist. Nor could Prince Michael of Kent, as I saw him arrive in his classic Bentley convertible soon after my arrival. However, his next public appearance would be just 11 days later, but in very different circumstances – with other members of the Royal Family – in Westminster Hall at the lying in state following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. But now back to my report on this event. In fact, the number of Packards outnumbered all other American marques put together, but this was one of the best displays of rare and unusual…

Buick and turbocharging have a rich history stretching back to the pioneering days of the Sixties. General Motors did much to push forced induction into the mainstream, but the car pictured here wasn’t a production model. It was something that bit more bespoke. Scroll back to the Eighties and paint firm PPG Industries was the corporate sponsor of the CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) Indy Car World Series and this led to the creation of umpteen special vehicles that were touted at various rounds. The car pictured here was briefly a major draw, acting as a pace car during the latter half of the 1982 season, but nowadays it is largely forgotten. The Buick Skyhawk Turbo was based on the new-to-1982 front-wheel-drive J-Body platform and shaped within the GM Design…

Ever tried to overtake a ’68 Charger on a British B-road… while driving another ’68 Charger? There isn’t a lot of wiggle room. You become conscious of the steering, which is designed to make an easy job of manoeuvring a large car at lower speeds, but not really suited to placing it with inch-perfect accuracy. Trees and hedges bear down from one side and the graceful flanks of the other car seem close enough to swap paint − but if we can just hold it for a moment or two – yes, our photographer has his shot. One of the things that’s both a pleasure and a pain about owning American classics in the UK is that they’re just not built for our conditions. It’s a pleasure because it makes…

I am a firm believer that some people are born with a gift or a natural ability to do things that many others can’t or can’t do as well. I have always thought it would be marvellous to play a musical instrument well, excel at sport, have a great voice or, in the case of Tom Fritz, to paint superbly. Maybe it’s in your genes, but Tom says that his older brother and younger sister are not artistic at all. Tom’s father was a clever engineer who worked for Lockheed Martin’s ‘Skunk Works’ on its U-2 and SR-71 spy planes and yet Tom struggled with the sciences at school, but had this wonderful artistic bent. So, who knows where these talents come from? Tom, now 64, has a degree in…

The Hot Rod Supernationals is the biggest event for the National Street Rod Association, even more so this year with it being the club’s 50th anniversary. Attendance for the past couple of years was small or nonexistent due to Covid restrictions, but this year no restrictions were in place. Coupled with the NSRA Club’s 50th and the 32 Club’s 90th anniversaries, it was one hell of a weekend and not to be missed. This year, the event started on the Wednesday for pre-booked members, with me turning up bright and early for when the gates opened. More visitors arrived steadily throughout the day to get ourselves five full-on days of hot rod and custom heaven. Wednesday and Thursday were arrival and set-up days, with things really getting going on Friday.…