I've had and currently have Hagerty Insurance for my "Classic Cars"; love their coverage, love the Magazine but to my surprise; as a "Weekend Picker" in my search to find out more on one of my vintage, Midgetoy VW diecast; I hit "Google" and BANG! Here comes a great article on Midgetoy autos and who is it by; "Hagerty". Wonder if I search "Best foods to take on a road trip" if Hagerty has something to say about that. Love the info, keep up the good work in all you do Hagerty! ... View more

Well; I'm sure the tools noted in the article can be useful, come in handy but as an "Old Guy"; my classic cars I try to keep running, maintained so breakdowns (understanding they do and will happen); just don't happen. With that said at this point in my life here are my "Cruise-In" tools I carry: Cell Phone (freshly charged or plugged in) Fresh, Hot Cup of Coffee and a good set of Road Flares With my Hagerty Coverage; a simple call on the phone, set the flares (if on a busy highway) and wait for some help. I will admit I do have some "Duct Tape", a Schrade Multi Tool and a Flashlight in the glove box; just in case its' a simple "DIY" repair; but if she stops running, won't shift or whatever; "Hello Hagerty"....good article though. ... View more

What a "Really", "Really" - Cool hobby and the results the same. These classics show what most of those cars ended up looking like. Ok Ok, I'll admit after I read the first few paragraphs and understood what was going on I simply scrolled and looked at the pics.....but still enjoyed the article and now want to get a few models and see how bad I can make them look; although thinking back to my model making days that may not be that difficult. Anyway, cool, enjoyed it article. ... View more

I will admit; as soon as I see "Any" Hood Scoop on a vehicle; well it turns my head. To me (although I realize it is not necessarily true) it suggest this car is either a "Muscle" or "Sports Car"; yep the hood scoop is like a "Tattoo", suggesting there may be trouble (we all know that tattoos have now become somewhat common place and don't suggest any type of radical, ready to fight individual sporting such, especially the one of "goofy" or some other Disney Character, but I digress). When I was young, just becoming the "Gear Head" I am today, when you seen a car with a "Hood Scoop", well that was a "Custom Job". Growing up in my area we had a little shop in the "Uptown Area" called "Hollywood Auto" (I live in Ohio, so the name itself suggested it was "Cool"); there you could go and buy everything from "Window Tint" (rattle can spray on, yep that's how it was done back then) to, "Scoops".. My first "Scoop" was a (biggest you can buy) "Tear Drop Scoop". I was smiles all the way home. Got out the grinder, got out the can of Bondo and attached that baby to my "62 Ford Falcon". Now my Falcon still had the 6 cylinder but with me sanding it down, painting it all "Black Primer" (rattle can), putting on a "Thrush" muffler, some chrome "Beauty Rims" and "Baby Moons", spraying that "Window Tint" (red was the tint, yep red) and now with that "Tear Drop Scoop"....come on now you have to admit (or maybe not), it - "I" was "Cool". ... View more

I'll admit I didn't know, never seen, never heard of the "Mustang Pickup" and now that I have, well not a fan. As for "oddball" vehicles; I've always been the one in our group to show up with a few, but not the ones, high priced ones noted in this article. My "what - where - why did you buy that" oddballs included a Ford Pinto Wagon with a 289 VW - old local newspaper delivery vehicle, a 4 door Ford Maverick - Police Interceptor (shouldn't got rid of this one, great car), a AMC Pacer that I really should have kept simply for value reason, but it was a little "rusty", and a 1978 mercury zephyr which I had, then gave it to my daughter when she turned 16, then to my nephew, then back to my son, then I fixed it up, cleaned it up and like others sold it; those are my "Oddball" cars; all I enjoyed and loved. ... View more

I recently picked up what I call (although it wasn't in a Barn per say) a true "Barn Find". Friend of mine said he had to get rid of his Grandfathers Truck who passed away. Original owner, less than 20K miles, been parked for the past 7-10 years, covered in his garage, not driven. Still has the original tires and everything on it. I went to take a look, unbelievable, beautiful, deep green (racing green) 1985 Dodge, short bed, 6 cylinder, manual, floor shifter Ram - Prospector. I bought it, brought it home, put it in my garage wanting to drain all the fluid, new filters, plugs etc. and start her up. Well, winter hit, Covid hit (family) and I haven't got to it. I know that the 1985 Dodge Ram Prospector may not be on this list, but this is one original beauty. Plan to get it up and running and then flip it. Love my trucks. ... View more

I may have commented on this article prior (original print) but allow me to comment once again. As the title stated "Under Appreciated"; that being considered the writer isn't suggesting that these are truly "Classics", that is "dated vehicles", simply they have been overlooked by many of us "Car Guys" (Girls) for their enjoyment, power and design. For me, the 92-96 Corvette really hits home.. I recently obtained (few years now) a 95 Corvette; the car was in immaculate condition, interior, body, drivetrain and it only had 40K some miles on it, add to the fact that it was "RED" (any Corvette that isn't Red is still a "Great Corvette", it was possibly just a mistake). The price on my Vette was very, very do-able; they just haven't increased as some of us would like, but.....IT IS A CORVETTE! I love driving it, the handling, the power, the profile and you still get the "Thumbs Up". Most think you paid a pretty penny, but for under $10K it is probably one of the coolest cars you can get and enjoy. So the "Under Appreciated" title of the article is what the reader should focus on, not necessarily the "Collectability", "Valuation" or "Classic" aspect. Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Stay SMART HAPPY NEW YEAR! ... View more

As the writer stated and I share; I'm not big on New Years Resolutions but I do often use the years beginning to "schedule" what I plan on doing, it just seems a good "starting point". To reflect, comment on the "5" noted in the article; I offer the following (my personal view): 30 Minutes Each Week: I sort of like this and I somewhat do it; the problem is often the set aside "30 Minutes" ends up being 30 minutes of "considering", "wanting", "identifying" what I should or needs to be done and then after that I return to doing whatever I was doing. But this year I am going to jump right into that project and give it the entire "30 minutes" of my time unless I'm just not in the mood or something else pops up, like watching a baseball game on TV, going fishing or just sitting back having a beer and cigar, we'll play it by ear. Read More Books: I like this one and I love reading the "Hagerty Magazine" - is that considered a "Book", can't wait until it arrives in the mail; so I'll try to read the entire mag rather than just flipping through it and reading article of interest to me. Now this expanded reading depends on what I had for dinner, most of my reading is done after dinner, upstairs, in the "reading room", if you know what I mean. Schedule 5 Drives: No problem here, once the Spring and Summer season arrive (Ohio); I try to get either of my classics out and take a nice cruise - at least once a week, that's 4 times a month, April, May, June, July, August, September squeeze one or two in on October; heck that's far more than 5 but I aint cutting back. Quite Smoking: At first I thought how, why would you squeeze this one in, thinking it was associated to tobacco; I thought I'm not quitting my 2-3 times a month good cigar, then I read on. I'd love to entertain this resolution, but one of my classics is a VW Bug, I mean 3 things that makes the Bug a Bug, the "Horn", the "Oil Leaks" and yes a little "puff of smoke" when she's been sitting for a while and you start her up, not changing any of that - cross this of "My List". Volunteer or Donate: Is this comment considered "Volunteering" or "Donating" ? If so - "DONE". Hope every one has a great New Year - 2021, we made it through 2020, looking forward to a better cruising, gathering 2021. Stay Safe Stay Healthy Stay SMART ... View more

List of Cars that "Won't Make It" to 2021. I'm not too sad, NONE OF THEM were in my "Considering to Buy" wheelhouse: As I read the story on the BMW I noticed this statement: Some 20,465 owners were happy to put up with the artificial sounds from the engine Just another reason why as of yet I just can't put my head around the "Electric Auto Movement" - "artificial sounds", man all that work we used to do to INCREASE the "Natural Sound" of those combustion engines; and now this - reminds me of putting "Baseball Cards" or "Balloons" on the spokes of our bicycles so they would sound like a motor cycle....????? ... View more

This was an interesting article (to me anyway) for a number of reasons but the one that seems relevant for today is the involvement GM and Ford had in the foreign market, for years and currently.. Here's why: Being an "Old Guy" when it comes to cars; add to that - being a one time GM Lordstown (Home of the "Vega") employee, and being an organized labor supporter the "Buy America" drum beat (slogan) was one that I and my fellow Union Brothers and Sisters would constantly beat out. As I grew older, the market became the "World-Wide Market" and what was once considered a "Foreign Auto" was now being made here in the USA (Honda-Marysville Ohio for example-largest of all US Honda Plants). You would offend see the "Don't Put Your American Flag On A Foreign Car" sticker and during my time at the GM Plant you would NEVER, EVER pull into that parking lot with anything but an American Made - Big Three (preferably a Chevy) car; it wouldn't start when you left the plant or may not even be there. Today; well the "Buy American" is a tuff sale, even when it comes to autos and according to the article, to the American Auto Manufacturers, this is nothing new. Their involvement in the "Outside of America" market has been going on for years; that "Buy American" car I (we) used to be forced to buy due to our loyalty, well those profits were sent over to build the models shown in this article. I'm not complaining, I'm simply pointing out that it's a different world today (market wise) and has been for some time. Oh well, we change as we get older; myself - my two "Classics" that I love and enjoy, ready for this: A 1995 Corvette (Red - is there another color a Vette should be?) and my 1972 VW Beetle. How's that for "sharing the love". God Bless America! ... View more

Well once again I am going to "Date Myself". I grew up in the period when Harley Davidson were used for "Traffic Control", "Parts Runner" and "Funerals". The chosen "bike" for us "Motorcycle Guys" were (sorry for not being "Politically Correct" but "chicks" - adding to the incorrect "Politically Correct" comment just didn't ride MCs other than being on the back, ooops, there I go again, to continue); Triumphs, Nortans, BSA or a Royal Enfield. They were light, quick and very easy to "Chop". My first "Chopper" was an early (60s) Triumph and man did I "chop" that. I put that "Hard Tail" (terrible ride) on, the "King and Queen" seat; "Straight Pipes" and being young, short of cash simply put the "Tube Extension" on - a true "Don't Do That" process (tube extension), but hey; "It looked cool". Today; I like the Triumph Choppers and even (hope none of my old MC Dudes are reading this) the "Rice Burners" (many will know what I mean). I've seen a few of those CBX 6 cylinder choppers and those "6 Cylinders" really look cool. As for the HDs, just sold my "Road KIng", not doing much touring anymore and yes I am in the market for a "Classic" English bike. OK, that's my "2 Cents-Old Guy" comments. ... View more

Some great and very beneficial ideas for your "Daily Driver". I always found that I usually spent more time on my "Classics", which I put away during the winter months and as many of us somewhat neglected my "Daily Driver". After spending all weekend on the classic, cleaning, waxing, changing oil, minor repairs ensuring that "she" was ready for that enjoyable "Cuiz"....well, yep the "Daily" was ignored. I thought about, I accepted my neglect, so I fixed it. I LEASED MY DAILY DRIVER! MERRY CHRISTMAS ... View more

Look; being an "Old Car Guy" and loving the "Classic Combustible Engine Models"; I truly understand and accept that the "Electric Auto" is coming and is the future means of self transportation; No Augment there;......BUT......for me, being that I'm just figuring out my Iphone, and have to call my grandkids when something goes wrong with my phone or computer; well at this point I don't see me jumping in this "Stang"! I have to laugh......my grandson just turned 16, when I was assisting teaching him to drive I wanted him to learn on a standard shift vehicle (it's a man thing); so I grabbed one of my "Classics", probably the easiest of all vehicles to learn "shifting" on, my "72 Super Beetle"; his remarks; "man this is difficult"....LOL, and you want me to drive this Mustang.....my remarks would b...."man this is difficult". ... View more

When I receive these emails from Hagerty that identify specific vehicles I always forward them to some of my "Car Friends" who either don't have classics or not Hagerty for coverage (sorry Hagerty) and I ask; "Ok, money is no object nor consideration, what one would you want"?  It's amazing the choices are based on "Age"; younger ones will take the somewhat "newer models", like in this group they would take the Chevy SSR; and us "Old Guys" would take the vintage 37-42 Pickup or (like me) the "they were cool when they came out" 60-65 Ford Ranchero, which was my pick.  Interesting how "age" directs one to their chosen "Classic", probably why the foreign late 80-90s are becoming what car guy/girls are buying and why Harley Davidson is just not selling like they use to.  Always enjoy the articles, especially during the untraditional times and add to that these "get's dark at 5pm and it's cold" Ohio winters.  Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay SMART! ... View more

I always ....no really always wanted to build one of these "Kit Cars".  Many of them, at least the ones I looked at used a VW Beetle Engine and Drive Train and other components (some entire frame).  So; few years back I went out and found a 66 VW Beetle, full intentions to build a kit (MG).  Beetle ended up being far too repairable to strip, cut up so I finished that and enjoyed the Beetle; in search for another for my "Kit Project".  Found another, na far to nice, and another, and another; I'm now on my 5th (restored) Beetle.  Never did do that "Kit Car".  Like to find a finished one. ... View more

Glasspacks, Pinks; yep some more "Hot Rod" terms; now if you want to get a little juvenile delinquent and I'm not saying its' a term used by "Hot Rodders" but remember we were young and stupid way back then, but remember the "Lawn Jobs"; you know for the guy or girl or teacher that really got you mad! I can remember when I would borrow my Dads car, drive down the street, away from the house and: "Pop" the hub caps, open the hood and put the air-cleaner lid on upside down just to get that "air sucking" sound, made it look as if it was "My Ride", should have taken that Steel Mill parking tag of the mirror. One more quick "way back then" what we did; I was working at a gas station (didn't we all work at gas stations); and we put my 67 Mustang up on the rack to do something (forgot what); my buddy said hey: if you put muffler clamps on the shock when you let her down the shock won't depress and you'll have an instantaneous "Lift Job"; so....clamps went on the back shocks, let her down and my Stang had that "Rear End Lift" that looked cool. Took her out to the local "Street Drag" area; little Comet pulled next to me, Light turn Green, I popped the clutch, start doing some "Wheel Hops" (forgot that term) and BANG!, Both shocks went through the trunk floor pan, Dam those unibodies; those were the "Good Ol-Days" ... View more

I recall, knew most of the names but I thought the article was going to be more inline with "Hot Rodder Terms", you know the way we spoke back in those "Hot Rod Days" ; terms like: (explanations provided but for some not needed)   Fish Tail - making a bend or burning out and having the rear end go side to side.   Lay Some Rubber - burning out, see who could put a bigger, blacker strip on the pavement.   Spin Out - Sort of the same as "Fish Tailing".   Pop The Clutch - getting those RPMs up and then, well "popping the clutch".   Roll Back - Mostly with automatic transmission and low horsepower rides; you'd put it in reverse, get it going backwards then slam it in drive and...yep "lay some rubber".   Power Break - Again, only in automatics, holding the brake firmly, getting those RPMs up and then quickly releasing the brake, and once again "laying some rubber".   Title for Title - If you knew you had a fast ride and somebody pulled up next to you on the local roadway (always was a special road in the area where you would cruise and race); windows down, you're both revving, and you would yell; "Title for Title", whoever wins gets the other guys car (title) - I actually heard it allot but barely ever seen either driver follow through; sort of a "flexing muscle" type thing   Cherry Bombs - Those "Thrush" RED mufflers you'd put on after you took off the original big flat ones - they sounded great and the decal you got looked cool on the side window.   Cleveland Lean - This was probably only used in my area (Ohio); it was when you were driving your arm would be hung over the steering wheel and you would lean to the right where you were actually almost in the middle of the front seat while driving, just a "Cool" look while cruising.   I can give many more and most of these terms applied to something you did that wasn't really that great for the car itself, but its' how we got to be good "Shade Tree Mechanics"; we kept blowing clutches, popping pinion gears, ruing drive shafts; so we had to fix them.  Hey before I go; anybody remember that when you wanted your "windows tinted" you would do it with a "spray (rattle can) tint".  You would spray the tint as close to the window and let it drip down - wait for it to dry - BANG! You got your tint.  Took a little talent; I was the got to "Window Tint" guy in the neighborhood.     Just a few of the "lingo" I grew up with and heard when you we were hanging out at the local burger joint or Pizza Shop. Guess I'm getting.......na, got there - OLD ... View more

I appreciated the work, idea-ism (is that a word ?) that goes into these "custom" jobs but I guess I'm "Old School" and like the "Classic" - "Original" - vehicles; and ones that you can actually use for what they are designed for.....that's just me. ... View more

"Pup" Cats?  Never heard of these before.  So:  If I call the local Dodge dealer and ask if they can get me a new - replacement "Pup-Cat" are they going to:   a)  Hang Up b)  Laugh Out Loud c) Ask me the year and model of the vehicle.   Thanks for the reply; I will check into it.   JPL ... View more

I guess I'm just getting or I am "Too Old" for some of these articles.  These "Picks" look like cars that I'd buy for my grandkids as a daily driver, newer style vehicle; they don't have any "Classic" appeal to me....but again, this coming from an "Old Classic (emphasis on Classic) Car Guy" ... View more

Great list and I agree, probably because I went out and purchased a great, low mileage 1995 Corvette (Red).  I've always had some sort of "Classic" in the garage and now have the Corvette which provides me with my "Muscle Car" quest and also the "72 Beetle" which; well is simply a "Fun", "True", "Always gets Comments" - "Classic".  Yes sir, although $15K is not "jump change", it is an affordable price that can get you into enjoying the weekend cruises in a "Classic".  Thanks. ... View more