Bang... ZOOM! Sorry, I couldn't resist. ... View more

ALL fantastic tool suggestions, Kyle, and most can be used even when not "fabricating". I love your inclusion of Cardboard... who of us, as children, didn't already find innumerable uses for what would otherwise be thought of as trash. ... View more

Confession first: I have never owned a new car and never plan to. Now, I’m no conspiracy-theorist, but I also know that many business practices are more than just mercenary, they’re predatory. Carnivorous Capitalism, if you will. Auto sales probably the most. I have known FAR too many decent, innocent folks who bought a new car because they thought “Well, at least there’s a guarantee and the dealer HAS to be the expert...” Oh they’re expert, alright. In the true-life experiences of all those new-car purchasers I’ve known, their satisfaction with pretty much every post-purchase dealer interaction was a resounding negative. ESPECIALLY when service and repairs were involved. If a dealer’s Service Department is really “factory-trained”, and they basically ONLY HAVE TO WORK ON ONE BRAND; then why is the quality of that work so often subpar? They certainly SHOULD be the experts, right? I’ve often said that the only way I’ll buy a new car is if I’ve bought the dealership first. I still feel that way. ... View more

As someone who has worked in Information Technology, I honestly don't consider myself a Luddite, but many technologies have been far more problematic over time. A-bombs and television are but two that changed history. So-called Social Media is now anything but. The whole idea of autonomously-driven private cars is, of course, multi-faceted. Convenience, sure. Now what about every other aspect of current human/car interaction (or NON-involvement)? We've had self-parking cars for a few years now. How do those figure into your Driver's License Road Test? Parallel parking only for those without automation? One less skill for humans. Too many "drivers" are already distracted by their personal devices, and now cars' "Info/Entertainment" panels are only making everything worse. I touch one button to change radio stations, and I don't have to look at anything. Same thing with Fan/Blower, Cabin Temperature and many more. Almost NO attention needed to effect the change. What I am absolutely CERTAIN will be happening is that owners of autonomous cars will proceed even further into pure "passengerhood" and thus lose the ability to actually take control and DRIVE a car. Varying levels of licensing will be needed. Computers, electronics etc. are never absolutely, totally dependable or glitch-free. That's how I made a living for a while. Now think about what happens in a moving vehicle having no able person in it when something of a "bug" occurs. The current distracted asses purportedly "driving" on our roads today might actually be considered skilled someday. It reminds me a bit of the joke: "My Uncle died very peacefully and quickly. The passengers on his bus did not." ... View more

Another nod and Like, to Hyperv6. I, like millions of other Americans, swooned at the first sight of the original 240Z. As the article states, they did indeed sell for $3500... if you could GET one. I knew of numerous instances where a new Z was purchased, enjoyed for a month or two, and then SOLD, for a handsome profit! Though lusting after one for years, I never got to own one. I did have a fortunate coincidence in that a young female neighbor was dating the son of the local Datsun dealer. Within a month of the Z's introduction, one showed up in her driveway. YES!! Dave, the boyfriend, treated me to a still-memorable "ride" which, I would have sworn at the time, left my physical impression in the seat-back. And ITS impression further onto me. It's a real shame that, for some years, the steel used in many Japanese cars, and others, I'm sure; was incredibly rust-prone, resulting in the paucity of viable examples. My ex-wife had a 280Z which, though less than nine years old, had its FRAME rusting out. To this day, it is to me, the second-most-beautiful car design ever, behind Jaguar's E-Type. (And I STILL believe that someone should license and produce "body kits" of these two cars, to ride on modern chassis' — 'Vette, Mustang, various Toyota/Nissan/Mazda... whatever works.) ... View more

To Hyperv6: thanks for the 'like". My Operating System stopped being compatible with Hagerty's new "Like" & "Reply" buttons configuration about a month ago... I would have "Liked" most or all of your postings. I used to have a green, molded Brontosaurus from one of those machines at the Fair. Don't know what happened to it, but I still have the Dinoland Booklet. I loved every visit — living only about 35 miles East, on LI, it was a simple and short trip. Some odd bits about that '64-'65 Fair are that Michelangelo's "Pieta" was on display, and the most popular item sold was the previously undiscovered "Belgian Waffle". You're so right about having World's Fairs — they really can bring people together. One of the Chicago Fairs, in the 1890's, I think; was where many people first saw incandescent lighting, and on a grand scale. Coney Island would later follow. It was courtesy of Misters Tesla and Westinghouse, whose AC System worked just fine, as opposed to the very distance-limited DC System being promoted by Edison. The personal and professional histories of these three men is about as fascinating as could possibly be, and as influential on every person now alive, as much as Henry Ford, Salk and Sabin, and so many others still are. A book I highly recommend is "Empires Of Light". ... View more

I was there. A few times. Remember that 1964 was when the movie "Goldfinger" was released. In the movie, Bond is "racing" a lady driving a car that had never been seen before: the Mustang. He (dastardly) ripped her tires with his extending "knock-off" hubs. What?? That's right, this was the Q-Branch tricked-out Aston Martin DB5! So we got two great cars introduced. Incidentally, that DB5 was ALSO at the Flushing Meadows, Queens, NY World's Fair! To my ten-year-old brain, that, and Sinclair's Dinoland, were dreams come true. ... View more

I think you forgot a very large part of the mileage... You didn't even MENTION it. It's called Canada. So, your "longest contiguous route in America" is really "longest contiguous route in NORTH America". Or was the plan to board a ship in Washington State? ... View more

Et tu, Lotus? Is Harley-Davidson next on the SUV bandwagon? Maybe Vespa? Mr. Chapman evidently skipped his Physics courses — you REMOVE WEIGHT, you can't "add lightness". Unless you've got some helium balloons handy, but think of the drag... ... View more

In response to Greg_I Hagerty Employee, I have no doubt whatsoever, that a car such as this would be overwhelmingly welcomed. Probably, it'd be PAID for an appearance. Still, given its astronomical value, any risk would be prohibitive. They'd want "Air Force One"- level security... wouldn't you? Maybe this is, (hopefully an outlier of,) where upper-echelon collectors, (of ANYTHING...) will drag an entire market toward. Myself; I kind of doubt it — there will ALWAYS be the ultra-rich, who simply need to flaunt their wealth, along with reckless spending displays. BTW — I've been unable to either "Like" or properly "Reply" for weeks now. It's from some new change within Hagerty's site. Ask Sajeev — He's been aware AND incredibly helpful, (but mine is a hopeless case, of outdated software.) That's why I'm forced to reply this way. Regards — Carmine. ... View more

Hmm... assuming such a sale happened; when, where and why would you even drive this car? With pockets as deep as this, the owner must have a huge estate somewhere, to drive it in some safety. Maybe a small country. ... View more

Love... It really does cause blindness. Poverty too, if not reined in. Lincolns are almost always great cars, so shame shouldn't apply here. But C'MON, Sajeev; all you're missing is the "Kick Me" sign with the Lincoln cross/star/logo in the center. Photo #2 ought to be one of twelve... in a calendar for masochistic car-nuts like us. As proof — I'd buy one! ... View more

GREAT article, Cam. I wonder how many readers see themselves in more than one of the characters written about. I think i have been two or three of them — as that former newt said in "M.P. & the H. Grail: "I got better." ... View more

Part Jaguar E-type, part Miata, and with a dash (fender vent) from Aston-Martin. Still — one helluva car! BMW really struts its stuff when they want to. Sure wish I'd thought of a horse named Rich Strike. Oh, for a Time Machine... ... View more

Photos — the "whole car" shots... CROPPING. Text very good, (but it's "the violence inherent in the system".) ... View more

"barn-fresh" made me laugh out loud. Good article, though, and some decent finds. ... View more

In response to “hyperv6”: I have no doubt that the horse-traders of the early 20th century sounded just like you. There’s more than a tinge of “conspiracies abounding” in what you’re saying. If, as you say, lies are behind “everything”; then focus on one topic and present the evidence. Have manufacturers lied about stuff? Certainly, as the recent Volkswagen Diesel scandal shows. Does our government lie to us? THAT list is long... Automotively, technological change is inevitable. What seems to bother many; the freedom-loving, no new restrictions, “Don’t Tread On Me” adherents, is that some changes will be forced on them. Yes — forced. Just like dual-reservoir braking, seatbelts, airbags, etc. I once worked in the autopsy room of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, so I have an abundance of first-hand experience with violent car-related deaths. We ALL are now in a brand-new age, one of human activity causing multiple extinctions worldwide; rampant pollution in every physical form; the loosing of germs and viruses upon ourselves, usually from our invasions into nature, and a basic lack of regard for decent animal treatment; planetary warming allowing what were previously tropical insects, invasive plants, and diseases, to now find new homes far further North than before. Are there real answers and solutions to any of these existential issues? Yes. Like our “war effort” of WWII, unless we recognize our common enemy, and start to work TOGETHER to fix things, then whatever future our Earth has in store might be a very hostile place for humans to continue their existence. Humans are, without question, the MOST destructive species to ever exist. Is “Mother” now attempting to rid herself of a parasite? To paraphrase you: “It is a matter of survival for the World”. ... View more

Rob; I'm sorry to read about your string of ill-timed transactions. Me — I'm the opposite of a flipper: I buy cars that hold a bit of mystique, and that I intend to keep for the long haul. That Riviera is the perfect example, for me, at least. ... View more

Le Yarde de Junque. ... View more

...” it lies between the pit of man’s pockets; to the summit of his fiscal impudence. This is the dimension of Automotive Fantasy; It is an area which we call: .... “ Hey Folks; here’s where YOUR contributions come in! THIS particular article needs Rod Serling concluding: “You’ve just entered, the Siegel Zone!” ... View more

I LOVE these wagons! Sure, Chevy, Pontiac and Buick all had nice wagons, but to me, the Vista Cruiser was the best. I drove one occassionally as a "company car", and always wished it were mine. Very comfortable, smooth and powerful. The featured model in the article is just gorgeous, with its sculptured body lines and even its wheels. I'd still love to have one. ... View more

Brendan, this is a very fascinating article on the long history of a company AND country. Most informative and well-researched, (though I'd add that the Zaibatsu were a Military/Industrial Complex too, who pushed the Emperor to continue the War. Eisenhower warned of our own in a famous speech.) Mitsubishi's manufacturing and engineering history notwithstanding, they're the last Japanese company I'd buy from. A neighbor had one that seldom ran, and most seemed to rust-in-place too. They DID have some truly remarkable cars though; the 3000 GT series in particular. A friend had one of those and loved it when it ran — overly complex was his description. First to last, my own overall quality and reliability rating would be: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, Mitsubishi. ... View more

An amazing-looking car! I can see a bit of the Charger-to-come in the rear roofline. Way back in the early 1970's I met someone who had been on the Andrea Doria. There's something more than awe-inspiring about giant ships — something almost frightening; to me, at least. ... View more

C’mon Brandan, what’s an FE? What’s an MEL? We may all be car enthusiasts, but we’re not all engineers or mechanics. Anyway, those T-Birds are mighty hot, suicide doors and all. My Dad drove us in a rented ’64 or ’65 down to DC. I recall it had a sort of overhead display or control panel just over the mirror. Fancy! And fast. Think about it — if you wanted to drive sporty and performance, then Mustang... Luxurious with all the bells-and-whistles, Lincoln. Want both? THUNDERBIRD! ... View more

All fine and good... now, try instructing on open roadways with absolute beginners. Yes, the under-appreciated Driving Instructor, the one who you entrust your children's lives to, (and he to them.) I know — I was one for about four years. Sure, I had some harrowing experiences and great stories to tell, but it was an extremely satisfying experience overall. One particular day, a "regular" teacher made some casual condescending remark about the job, and I told him that "trigonometry may serve a couple of students in their futures — I only teach them how to keep themselves and others from being killed." As a side benefit, after any school vacations, the students would relate whatever exciting things they'd done, such as visiting theme parks like Great Adventure, etc. When they finished, I would say "Hey, when I go to work I get a thrill ride every day, and get paid too!" ... View more

Ah, 1970 — pretty much the penultimate year of the Great American Automobile. (Sure, we made some more great cars, but it took nearly twenty years.) I agree, Thomas; this one really is a perfect color combination, (only I'd have the tires be of the "redline" type.) Fantastic, to be sure. Hoping your Dad's '70 Mustang fared better than that '67 GTO. I'd bet he wishes he still had it — the Mustang. I still dream about my '71 fastback with the 351 Cleveland... ... View more

"the most concerning detail appears to be the vinyl top … " What?! I didn't know that vinyl tops came on 1957 cars. I had a '57 Sedan de Ville for 22 years, and had done huge amounts of research on the '57 Cadillacs... never once hearing of a vinyl top. They're that rare. I just now read that the '56 Seville could be had with one. Live and learn! ... View more

Ronnie: both you and Snailish make some very salient points, particularly with regard to recording and broadcast practices— i.e. extreme dynamic compression, etc. Your history of Fender and Marshall was most informative, though I'd argue that it's the Fender Twin Reverb that was the most influential over time. Lastly, the title is really misleading. I expected to read about in-car audio systems such as Blaupunkt and others. Not vehicles with custom names. I don't believe that Fender and Marshall wish to be described as "audio brands" despite forays into things such as headphones. They were, and are, musical instrument manufacturers. ... View more

Reply to Humblejoy: I thought/think the very same thing. That BMW doesn't look too bad, considering. A few years ago not too far from where I live, an AUDI TT was literally squashed between a bus AND an 18-wheeler... You'd think the ME's office would need spatulas at the scene, but the driver, who was the only occupant, survived. https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/audi-tt-crash-today-in-ny-lie.2502253/ ... View more

The 1800ES... Simon Templar — married with children. I still miss my '83 240DL. ... View more

Unbelievable! As gorgeous as it is unusual. Every angle shows its unique beauty. And talk about fender skirts! We'll see a Yeti riding a Unicorn before anything else like this one. ... View more

Great car, but I'd need sunglasses to view that interior. BTW — MOST Cadillacs had stand-up hood ornaments, from near the beginning. They were "Flying Goddess" designs, "Herald" ones, and even one showing an explorer! ... View more

Other than the Classics part, we had one "fantasy car" and FOUR SUV's. What's wrong here, folks? ... View more

I am guessing that this won’t see publication; at least here, on Hagerty. I may be wrong... There is always Hope. —————————————————————————————— WHOAH!! Something went missing, and really quickly, from the original content of this article... DAMN, I knew I should’ve saved it. WHY did you abridge and purge your original article? Allow me to refresh your memories — there were LOTS more connections and references to “the Rap and Hip-Hop Community’s” embrace of these cars. Maybe it’s not the whiskey in my coffee. The purely automotive aspects of ANYTHING; are typically without any sort of cultural or racial speculation — why would there be any need? OK, so far... What I mean, is that — when we talk CARS, we’re all OK. HOWEVER... Your: “But why did the hip-hop community and the urban culture as a whole embrace the 300?” query sparks a plethora of truly honest questions, concerning America’s developing culture. There needs to be some discussion around why such an influential part of today’s America feels the need to demonstrate beliefs as physical Misogyny; Gun and Murder Culture; (and that gun ownership is of paramount identity;) and also other ridiculously-inflated ideologies as “dissing” — where SO many murders result. These are all too-“well”-expressed in almost all “Rap/HipHop” “music”. And they’ve now become entrenched in far too many minds. - Carmine Fergo ... View more

When you expressed how beautiful the parts looked in their copper plating, it brought me back to when I was restoring a 1957 Cadillac. While some bumpers and other parts were being re-plated, I stopped by to view the progress. They had finished being copper plated and were being readied for the nickel plating. I almost wanted so say "Wait! I'll take them like this, right now." I didn't however, but it was tempting. ... View more

Cue pedal-steel guitar... "You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Loose Wheel". ... View more

I have no personal experience with Benz's, so I'll agree with their overwhelming reputation for quality and engineering. It's interesting that the author owns one AND owns a Pontiac... He knows whereof he speaks/writes. Pontiac is probably the most-missed GM division, and for good reason. They were usually in the forefront of GM's forays into performance (a la the GTO,) and the brand always built "excitement" into their vehicles. OK, Cadillac usually had the most advanced technology, but a Trans-Am had the street-cred. As a much earlier article on Hagerty's pages attested, even the Fiero was finally becoming the car it was meant to be, when GM pulled the plug. ... View more

Reply to Flashman: why call it "pie-in-the-sky fantasy" when a working, production car came into being just a few years later, that fulfilled the "fantasy" of the Automoboat? Publications like Mechanix Illustrated, Popular Mechanics, and especially Popular Science, did MUCH to inspire, predict, (and sensationalize, for sales purposes,) any and all future technological possibilities, staying only inches shy of "The Jetsons". Hey, with great cover art like this issue had, any (OK- maybe not self-respecting) male couldn't resist. That'd be me, back then. Any other admissions out there? C'mon, you're among friends. ... View more

INTERESTING, but not especially attractive, even though it looks like a mating between a Lotus Europa and a Pontiac Fiero. Those Mercedes powerplants did much to assuage any buyer's doubts. ... View more

I occasionally saw an Amphicar around Long Island, where I live. The true "action moment" was when I saw one take to the water, from a boat ramp in Port Jefferson, to (ostensibly) cruise across Long Island Sound to Connecticut. Slightly related was witnessing a number of cars driving across the FROZEN Great South Bay, to Fire Island, sometime in the '70's. I have photos. ... View more

Man, I LOVE those cars! A “friend” took me for an amazing, harrowing spin in one, where I’m certain he tried his best to flip it over; (no way.) They’ve got TWO trunks, and the Targa roof even fits into the lid of one of them. THAT’S design! Too bad they’re so spartan and under-powered, (the standard engine ones.) Your article reads like the Most Honest Description Ever of a project car for sale. Why do you still have it? Wait, wait — it’s because it can’t be stolen... ... View more

Station Wagons — Yeah! The Volvo 240 series is indeed iconic, perhaps even eternal. I had a 240 Coupe, but would have traded it for a wagon in an instant. And all that glass! Then there’s the P1800 ES... I’m not sure the Cadillac qualifies as a wagon — a hatchback maybe. See; the distance between the rear AXLE and the rear END is woefully short for a wagon. A side-view is reminiscent of a Pinto. Since Oldsmobile is mentioned, surely a late-60’s/early 70’s Vista Cruiser should be included. They were magnificent vehicles: plush, roomy. smooth and powerful. Remember too, that no less a Cool Dude than Matt Helm drove a big wagon in “The Silencers”. Stella Stevens was not included, though (alas!) ... View more

The man sounds like a WONDERFUL acquaintance. Anyone who gets accolades from both Jay Leno and P.J. O'Rourke should be listened to. On Cadillac pickups: there had been some gorgeous ones made, years ago. They were called Flower Cars. ... View more

Interesting and informative article. Why "we" seem to need a new superhero introduction movie every five years makes no sense, except for Hollywood's dearth of ideas and its monetary greed. Everybody already KNOWS how Batman and Spiderman came to be. Enough already! OK, I realize this should be about the cars, so — why aren't there any "normal" images of this latest iteration? I suppose that only movie frames/stills were provided, but hey; we can't tell what the damn thing LOOKS like. It would be great to have a chronologic gallery of all the Batmobiles. Please... ... View more

Rob — a superb "Mea Culpa" with a fantastically practical lesson attached. Your: "Because we are more emotionally invested in our own past decisions than we’d like to admit." is wisdom for ALL events and occasions. Thanks! ... View more

At this point in time, "Cadillac" means huge SUV's to most citizenry. The venerable Sedans and Coupes of yore are disappearing from our roadways faster than from the memories of younger folk. What a shame. In its long history, the Cadillac brand has brought more advances than nearly every other marque. Comfort and power were always hallmarks, but did you know that the first "self-starter", (our starter motors,) appeared in a Cadillac? It was due to a tragedy befalling a close friend of a Cadillac exec, caused by an engine backfire shooting the starting crank into the friend's jaw. He died from it. So many milestones, and we're now mostly left with hulking behemoths sporting Antoine de la Mothe's crest. ... View more