About Maestro1

Maestro1

The last Rivian I saw was absolutely the best designed truck on the road without question. I'm concerned that someone thought the front end looked like an Edsel. And the comment on range from someone else vis a vis weight was interesting as well. Please remember that we are at the beginning of this phase of automobiles; a fully matured car/truck won't be available until 2050 in my view. That is, cars with less electronic BS and more range, a National Infrastructure to feed them when on the road, and folks who know how to fix them other than outrageously priced dealers taking advantage of a burgeoning market. Manufacterers, making big statements about being electric totally by such and such a date aren't realistic and forcing the consumer to buy something he/she may not want. Drive old cars and stay well.

Maestro1

John, thank you but a few things about this: First, Hagerty is an Insurance Company so this is another way of statistically quantifying your risk element. I live on the Left Coast and believe me folks out here drive their cars. It's a big State with lots of variety in it so it's always worth a cruise. Next, can we please stop naming Generations and simply define by Age. I have no idea what the Graph Designations mean and they are irritating. Naming a Generation is absurd and juvenile. We all are all individuals in a Generation. Not your fault. Some idiot in marketing must have started the labeling. Next: I have a 41 year old Japanese truck that is a member of the family, the girls drive it to go shopping, I use it for whatever reason, mostly parts store runs so it gets driven about 200 miles a month. It has an audience; I go down the street in it and people wave and honk at it. Because it's small we call it The Puppy. 0-60 indicated in five years and absolutely reliable. It's mechanically strong and cosmetically a mess. They will bury me in it.

Maestro1

Kyle, the much missed Richard Lentinello when he was Exec with Hemmings wrote an excellent article in Classic Car, their sister publication, about updating your older car. I think it was Issue#150 but I'm not sure. I have made a practice of adding disc brakes at least in the front. I had a Thunderbird that rode like a truck; I lengthened the springs and it was much more comfortable. Electronic ignitions. Air Conditioning if I drive it a lot, and so on. The point here is to add those things that make it safer and more comfortable without destroying its identity. Because I drive my cars. They don't just sit. Stay well.

Maestro1

Sajeev, well done. My Adored doesn't like big cars a la Chrysler New Yorkers with big inches under the hood, relaxed '60s Lincolns, and so on. Good friends of ours moved to Massachusetts, Bless them, after the fires in California and I ended up with their Honda Accord, old and slowly fainting. I fixed it and kept it, strictly for sentimental reasons and at 305,000 miles and change it runs like a prince. Adored loves it. Another member of the family is a 1980 Japanese Pickup which everybody loves, I'm not selling it and it has what we think are 160,000 miles original although I can't prove it. It''s a mess, runs like a prince VERY SLOWLY and she thinks it's "cozy".

Maestro1

The AC, if it will be as slender in design as the original, will be stunning and I hope a good seller. The Ferrari is wretched excess and adorable, as are the Bentley wheels.

Maestro1

Thank you for this, Adam. Well done. I would choose the Prelude, which I have driven. It belonged to a friend of mine who bought it new, I can;t remember the year, and used it as his driver. He lent it to me while he was out of town once. Lovely car and certainly a great value in its time and probably now although I haven't checked. I liked the design of the earlier Toyota Celicas, once again I can't say what years but I could tell you in a second by viewing. Stay well.

Maestro1

Rob, I don't do any of this any more because of a Stroke and age, but I always enjoy reading your articles for Hagerty. Thanks and stay well.

Maestro1

Eric, well done here. There was a rush, some years ago on the part of Chinese Investors as well as other nationalities to invest in real estate in that City and Enviorns as a way to get money out of their own Countries. As you know we have seen since then a specific advance in wealth on the part of a group of people who have the money to spend on muscle and interesting cars. I remember Vancouver when it had fewer tall buildings and a lot more charm. It doesn't matter; societies advance in their own stumbling way, and decline the same way. Stay well.

Maestro1

Brendan, thank you. I've never understood this as an on street vehicle. Certainly the military application I hope was a significant contributor to our efforts in that direction I hope. Having said that I know Arnold Schwartzenegger (I hope I spelled it right) had a few at one time, I know a Real Estate Lady who sold ranchland and unimproved property and is no longer with us had one with the Vanity Plate SNAIL, but she was a stand out. And there is a horse ranch not far from here that has one, unregistered, never leaves the ranch, and looks ex-military and a mess. But its Owner loves it and won't sell it, and uses it on his property every day. He says it will go anywhere. Slowly. Everybody stay well.

Maestro1

I had, as a commuter, one of these stock standard Renault boxes in San Francisco, 100 years ago, an old city, which can be difficult to negotiate in a big American unit. It was absolutely reliable, roomy interior, and the French miracle of having it ride like a Buick. The switchgear was a little tender, but I can tell you that it was perfect for getting across the City in a hurry. I also remember that a small girl in my science class had a 4CV; we tried to put 6 students in it and drive it. I doubt we accomplished that but I know everybody loved the car. Thank you for this and stay well.

Maestro1

Sajeev, well done indeed. I've wanted one of these as a Ghia (I'm showing my age) but time and life interfered. Very handsome cars.

Maestro1

Adrian, well done. A few of my favorite American designs are the '57 Thunderbird, the '53-4 and 7 Corvettes, '53 Studebaker Starlight Coupe (actually a hardtop) and an '81 I think, Ford Durango, actually a Fairmont of that era as a pickup truck. very rare and once again integrated restrained and tasteful styling. I may have the wrong name for the Fairmont. They are very rare. Stay well.

Maestro1

There is a two lane mountain road on the way to a friend's that I always use because it's a blast to drive, no matter what I'm in. And I have some fat American cars. I also had a '93 Lincoln Continental Signature with Airbags and lots of early technology that could run the doors off most of the competition (not Porsches). Much fun.

Maestro1

Sam, it's wonderful reading and Jack has the right idea. If folks you guys know write as well as you two it's time to get the show on the road. Thanks to both of you and stay well.

Maestro1

No,OldFordMan, it doesn't make sense regarding the Volvos. I've seen a Dymaxion, in the flesh, but I can't remember where, somewhere in the Eastern Part of the US. It's a fascinating idea, borderline practical, but I wonder what would happen if you let some design engineers loose on it but keeping the concept and drive train as is.

Maestro1

David, well done. The early Mustang represents a faded America. If I had the room I would buy one for no other reason than that they have achieved their own celebrity.

Maestro1

My Father dated my Mother in a Jordan Playboy. 1000 years later I had among other things a 1967 Beetle, which I bought as a repossession from a Leasing Company in California which became a possession of my ex-wife. I used the VW to run around town and do errands in; it was perfect in many ways especially in parking scenarios. Thank you for this and stay well.

Maestro1

I think Hagerty should arrange to have Aaron's column above, which is excellent work as well as Jack Baruth's work published nationally so that anybody thinking about buying an electric car will think twice. Both business and finance types think that the EV won't be fully matured until at least 2150 if then, and it won't look like anything anybody is using today. There's too much hysteria about this and other issues now, the general circulation press having lost its balance. I also think that the price of the cars has to come down before there's any real threat to the parts business. Drive old cars.

Maestro1

I had a '66 Corvair and I'm sorry I sold it. Craig, well done. The Silver Car is stunning with the exception of the design around the B Pillar. The Red car is equally so, and a sort of wonderful Targa concept. I've never seen these before. Thank you for this.

Maestro1

Nik, the celebrity aspect has nothing to do with the bike. It's either good or it isn't. And the price is irrational. Stay well.

Maestro1

I have driven a Sunbeam with the Ford v-8 in it, and the car is absolutely nose heavy. The Gordon Keeble coupe is stunning and should be built even know, at a price point. I've never been a fan of Cobras although the AC Ace was a beauty. And the Trident Clipper is distinctive. Stay well.

Maestro1 · ‎03-07-2021

Sam, great work and very funny. Thank you and stay well.

Maestro1 · ‎03-07-2021

Andrew, well done. I'm not a fan of the car in general, but I loved the First Generation design both interior and exterior. My next was the '57, clean, but absolutely a statement on the road or parked. Then '63 to '66; once again, coherent design, beautifully thought out. At school I drove a '53 6 Cylinder on City streets for a while. I loved it, but it rode like a truck and of course had the early Corvette Creaking Panels Issues and I didn't care. What you do is you drive it, park it, at all times with the top down, no side curtains, and just look at it. Thanks again and sty well.

Maestro1 · ‎01-07-2021

The car Ford should of built. I can live without all the body appendages, and certainly the interior was much better than what was stock at the time and one of the reasons I passed on the car at the time, and I really wanted an automatic with air conditioning. And yes, the body integrity was awful but still the car in general was a wonderful idea, poorly executed. Thank you Sam.

Maestro1 · ‎29-06-2021

Great taste, lovely cars, thank you.

Maestro1 · ‎28-06-2021

Phillip, thank you. I would not buy it. It's fat, the look of the thing is terrible, and I detest overdone technology in anything which is one of the many reasons I drive old cars. I can afford this but I'm going to look at Jeeps instead with as little technology crap as possible. I'm not a Luddite; I just think we're overdoing it and becoming prisoners of something we don't use intelligently. Hagerties: I hope you are all well and the deal on the Cadillac fell through at the last minute. Found another, I don't know what's with Cadillacs suddenly, I'm being watched carefully by my Lady..........

Maestro1 · ‎25-06-2021

Brendan, thank you. As much as I love Dagmars (wretched excess) I want Numbers 10 and 11. 10 because I think it is a flower car, to be used as a pickup when shopping, and 11 because I suspect a Seville. This is wonderful British eccentricity.

Maestro1 · ‎23-06-2021

DeJoy has selected a company that builds "strategic military vehicles" in Wisconsin. The whole thing is politically motivated and corrupt. Another intelligent business is to build them in Spartenberg, which is on the East Coast, thereby raising the freight rates as the trucks head West. There are experienced truckbuilders such as Rivian and others in the Midwest who could design and build something smarter (look at that windshield; if that thing ever suffers a front end collision can you imagine its replacement cost?) at lower freight cost and probably fabrication as well. I'd really like to know how that deal was made. Everybody stay well.

Maestro1 · ‎23-06-2021

Absurd.

Maestro1 · ‎23-06-2021

Adam, I agree with the person who said this is bizarre, similar to Porsche prices. Once again, herd lust, this time for a sensible truck. But not at this price level. The concept of buying the best of anything you can afford still holds, but not irrational numbers. Thank you for this and stay well.

Maestro1 · ‎22-06-2021

I'd like to see a reincarnated Corvair, and I've always been a Thunderbird man (most models) and the Avista is an interesting idea as well. Gremlins because, well, it's a Gremlin, great City car. I've always thought the current Chargers aren't very attractive but the Dodge Brand is not notorious for aesthetics. The Charger shown here is much better.

Maestro1 · ‎19-06-2021

Thank you for this and in comments, thank you Gary and Paul. This is about control and ignorance. Politicians are ignorant and refuse to listen to the Hobbyists who make up a substantial and enthusiastic part of the market place. Let me put it this way: If my cars are legislated off the street I'll drive them anyway. Technology is destroying us. And it's too late for the Planet. Why do you think Musk and Bezos are looking at other Planets?

Maestro1 · ‎18-06-2021

Sam, wonderful. Like you and Swamibob I talk to my little Japanese (in English) Truck which had a 41st Birthday last month. And similar to your Labrador simile when I take it to the Market or the girls do the same it gets loved by all the locals. It's not very nice now, I keep meaning to make it nice (the road to hell is paved with good intentions) and still it sits, anxious to go somewhere, very slowly, it's a small engine along with the eccentricities of its age and time. Many Blessings.

Maestro1 · ‎18-06-2021

This is fascinating and very well done. I would like to know how I can get a Hagerty Price Guide and its price.

Maestro1 · ‎17-06-2021

Fascinating. Thank you.

Maestro1 · ‎16-06-2021

Thank you Rob. I have a Cadillac that is early 90s and will need various levels of surgery including its a/c. I won't do it myself but I am lucky to have an ASE guy about 18 miles from here who does excellent A/C work. Hagerties don't worry; I bought it for practically nothing. Which is what it's worth in its current state. But it's all there, suffering from neglect. Everybody stay well.

Maestro1 · ‎16-06-2021

Thank you Andrew, well done. I've always liked the Nissan 200-300 series sports cars; I had a 280ZX which was lovely, and no slouch in the corners. I've also admired the Toyota Supra without the Turbo, Turbos give me nothing but trouble. I should of jumped on one when they were cheap. I still think the market is overheated; even though if you want one of these the time is now.

Maestro1 · ‎15-06-2021

The ads are wonderful and I thank you. I remember the VW ads when the cars were new, and BBDO did a great job of making the owners family. Of course none of it would of happened without the blessing of the factory and the American Distributor, one in each region of the country. In the Citroen ad, it's the prettiest car of the three! And my lady (at the time)'s Mother did not like the MGB. And Lamborghinis seem to be everywhere. It was quite something in those days and still is. Well done.

Maestro1 · ‎15-06-2021

James, well done. I still think the market is overheated in general.

Maestro1 · ‎11-06-2021

I've only had the chance to drive one, belonging to absolutely one of my greatest loves, for a year or so in San Francisco traffic, a long time ago. I loved the car, life interfered, and I went shopping for one years later when prices started to inflate. I still don't have one. As soon as I have more room........ Thanks for the memories. Wonderful cars. Stunning design.

Maestro1 · ‎09-06-2021

Sam, very well done. Hildebrand has a lot of things right. What he's talking about is stepping into one's Power. Which brings with it the focus and commitment necessary to be the best possible performance. Another important aspect is being centered in your head about what you are doing; and leaving all other cares, issues, and so on out of your head so that the only thing that exists for you in performance is what you are doing right now. And his Cadillac is terrific.

Maestro1 · ‎09-06-2021

Nathan, thank you. What's going on here with Ford is sanity. The regular trucks are totally out of hand. I know a Vintner here on the Left Coast who has a couple of Chevy Colorados which he will trade for Mavericks after seeing some road tests to make sure the trucks are what Ford says they are.

Maestro1 · ‎09-06-2021

I've had a couple of Buicks with V-6s Craig and they were excellent. Trouble free, decent mpg, and all the rest of it. Well done.

Maestro1 · ‎08-06-2021

John, thank you, the Packard is absolutely stunning. Which is what I think it is. I have a sense that the Prewars as you say, will be a steady and appreciating influence in the Market and the Hobby for a long time.

Maestro1 · ‎08-06-2021

Jack, you're trippy! And so is the person with the imagination with the '57 Ford. I was around in '57 and remember all the design trash. But I have to say the cars were exciting to look at, as many were absurd as they were, but traffic was a hell of a lot more interesting then than now. Thanks for this. Well done.

Maestro1 · ‎07-06-2021

The strain of hostility in comments is justified. Things are getting overheated, people are paying irrational money for cars not worth it and continuing to do so. I have had both Porsche and a 280ZX and loved them both. It was years ago, before hysteria overwhelmed the market. Let me remind everybody that the Hobby is the only place generating consistent yields over time similar to Fine Art. So the demand is there and the supply is shrinking. It also serves to bar entry level enthusiasts from getting into the Hobby. I respect and admire Hagerty, as opposed to Hemmings, to which I am a serial subscriber, that went through some sort of fiscal and editorial revolution and is now an in your face Auction Site which is disgusting. I wish Hagerty would advice its readers (we're all not Rockerfeller) about how to get into the Hobby without sacrificing your first born.

Maestro1 · ‎04-06-2021

Ronan, very interesting and I didn't know anything about this! I have seen but not driven a 4 wheel drive in Chicago. Only one. Years ago. I have driven a Samba across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco in heavy cross winds which was pretty exciting. Stay well.

Maestro1 · ‎03-06-2021

Sajeev, well done. It's the Bronco that should have been made instead of the nightmare currently in the market. And I can live without the interior design, although it's very interesting that it made it into a Nissan. Both Ford and Chevrolet are tied for first place in Ugly

Maestro1 · ‎02-06-2021

Sajeev, well done. I had a '56 when I lived in the Midwest, bought new from a Chicago Import Dealer whose name is long forgotten (advancing age on my part) and the two of us lived through Winters and hot Summers together. The car as I remember was absolutely reliable with a few cranky days and though other owners complained about the electronics in the car (The Prince of Darkness) I had no issues except for the directional signals as I remember now, which worked when they felt like it. I finally resorted to hand signals. Thank you for this.

Maestro1 · ‎02-06-2021

This is what happens when legends overtake reality.