When 'cool' is assigned to people and things it is often done so with tinge of envy. Actions may fall into a different category; admiration. As example: it is cool to be a wordsmith and create journalistic art. The same can not be said if that talent is used to write a salacious account of past encounters. ... View more

If you read "Always thought that was the engine you wanted, with a Mustang" while listening to The Dark Side of the Moon, you will realize the story is really a creative recall of a fever dream. This will help to explain the Lancia Delta. ... View more

What level of celebrity must be achieved before a price premium adheres itself to anything being auctioned? ... View more

An excellent article about a wonderful car! As a Ghia owner, I still bristle at comments regarding the KG as being a 'poor man's Porsche'. The sentiment is alluded to in the article ("If you’re looking for a sleek, air-cooled 2+2, but can’t swing a Porsche 911, maybe a slightly hot-rodded Karmann Ghia will fit the bill."). The Karmann Ghia stands on its own merit and occupies its position in the marketplace because it is an interesting and enjoyable automobile. ... View more

Baruth has his own take on things. I remember some early R&T articles being heavily seasoned and for many readers, his style is an acquired taste. Hagerty seems to offer plenty of choices for articles and I'm not sure any of them merits dropping the insurance on your classic car(s). As the column banner implies, there is avoidable contact. I think if you keep reading you will find more to like. ... View more

For some odd reason, a '90's car with a stick-shift and roll-up windows makes me want to order a pizza. ... View more

"Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.” ... View more

What clear-coat do you recommend? ... View more

Are you using the Latin dictionary from Roadrunner and Coyote? I'm looking forward to the new cars because I enjoy racing and I have for many years. I used to think it would be awesome to see a Colonnade-era or last run G- body on a modern chassis and call it a Cup Classic. That would still be fun, but it would not be authentic. It would be a cover-band playing NASCAR's greatest hits. I'm ready for something new and I want it to be loud! ... View more

It is important for seasoned hobbyist to understand how the next generation is approaching car ownership. After all, they will be the buyers who determine demand and supply twenty, thirty, forty years from now. While I do not own an example, I would like to suggest a neo-collectible for your nephew. The mid-1990's Chevy Caprice/Buick Estate Wagon-Roadmaster/Olds Custom Cruiser wagon is a good option for a car that is unique and useful. These cars would meet mom's requirements and since the wagon is neither a Jeep, truck, or tired Civic, it would certainly be a stand out in any high school parking lot. ... View more

I suspect the Beetle and the Thunderbird will accumulate the most miles of the cars featured in this article. This may make them an even greater bargain. The million-dollar auction car articles are great but this this a refreshing counterweight to those stories. Great work! ... View more

Great article! Some additional ideas to consider: (1) Keep non-project items stored in another location. (2) If you have multiple project cars, do everything possible to keep one car road-worthy at all times. (3) Create a dedicated space for parts cleaning. (4) Sweep the shop floor at the end of each work session. This was my first job in my dad's garage when I was kid and it is the last thing I do after time in the shop. The task has a wonderful Zen quality. On more than one occasion I have discovered a solution to a problem while sweeping. ... View more

In 1993 I had the chance to visit a reputable Porsche tuner in southern Germany. I was surprised to see photos of the Pontiacs in this article displayed in the workshop. I asked why they would be studying such a car and the answer was very candid and revealing. This tuner was working on a modified 928 which had the potential to be called "Blackbird". The plan was for a turbo V8 and the hood vents would be functional and used for twin intercoolers. I inquired when the car would be available to customers and, as best as I can recall, this was the reply: "We have most of the engineering solved but we are challenged by three problems. How do we give the car t-tops, should it have an angry bird on the hood, and can we make the car talk? ... View more

Customer: "Why are you charging me an hours labor? You only worked on the car for fifteen minutes." Mechanic & shop owner (my dad): "I have thirty years of experience fixing that problem. Do you want to pay me or should I keep the keys for the rest of the hour?" If you are here, you love cars. When others see how we show respect and appreciation for those who work passionately to perfect their craft, we will be part of the solution. ... View more

I think the article accomplishes is main goals; make us think, encourage us to do. The article did get me thinking about whether or not I have caused such things to happen. I think I might be guilty of some gate keeping. Like many writers in the thread, I generally avoid shows and gatherings. I attend two per year and that is more to be part of an event and see old friends. It is also a brand-specific event so I guess we are meeting behind our own set of gates. I do have one observation not necessarily relevant to the article but I think it has some effect on younger enthusiasts. We are visual creatures and size up situations with remarkable speed. If a new old-car owner cannot see themselves as part of the tribe, they will most likely keep their distance. I had a great lesson when I was 18 and first started drag racing. An experienced driver saw we were having rookie issues with launching the car. A few tips led to a years long friendship and my deep respect for the man's talent and his willingness to help. If anything, the article reminded me of that experience. Pass on your skinned-knuckle wisdom when you can. You can't fix global warming but you can help fix a rookies car (you can fix cars, right?). ... View more

Well stated! One day I was in my workshop and had the door open. The shop faces a relatively busy street and I always enjoy an impromptu visit when someone sees what is in the garage. On one (and I hope its the only) occasion, a fellow pulls up driving an old Austin-Healy. It was a driver that had a nice patina and only smoked a little. I complimented his car and asked the polite questions about the year, engine, how long he had had it etc. When it was his turn to ask the same questions, he promptly criticized my car. I asked him to leave. He is the type of person, who, if that sort of behavior persists, dampens enthusiasm. Enjoy your ride. At the end of the day, it's all about what you like to drive. ... View more

The Dodge Magnum is the surprise sale to me. The wagon had limited enthusiasm when new. I seem to recall only @150,000 were sold in the US for the entire production run. Ten years from now we may see nostalgia bidding on the Magnum and similar cars (find your Mercury Marauder now). In twenty years piston-powered cars will be in high demand so the Magnum may be a farsighted investment! ... View more

Well stated! ... View more

I have used one of the enclosed trailer carriers mentioned in the article. They did an excellent job of communicating with me and delivering the car as scheduled and in 'as-sold' condition. I wish to add a couple of items to the conversation: (1) Have a clear understanding with the seller regarding the shipping. The seller of the car I purchased understood how the shipping process worked and was willing to store the car until the carrier coordinated the pick-up. I count myself fortunate in this regard. All sellers may not be so agreeable. (2) If you live in a location which makes it difficult to off load the car, agree upon a site which makes this process easier. It will be safer for your car and more respectful of your neighbors. Thank you to those who offered the reminder about insurance. Great article! ... View more

Can we expect an exclusive Hagerty index for cars owned by Colin Comer? ... View more

Fascinating article! Thank you. Each featured card depicts some type of action or motion, not unlike modern advertising. Let's fill in the blank: The driver in the Packard-tourist is shooting at _____________. ... View more

 A story to share.   An old VW can take you to places and let you meet people you did not expect. This is one of those stories.    A few years ago I was attending the NHRA race at Z-Max Dragway in Charlotte, NC. (I was not driving a VW at the race. Racing is another story.) Drag racing allows for ample time to move through the pits and on occasion, interact with crews or a driver. There is always a break between the top tier classes and during one of these breaks, it was announced that Don Garlits was signing books as parts of a fund raiser. I immediately told my wife we were going to buy a book. I rushed out of the bleachers and found one of my racing heroes standing under a awning surrounded by stacks of books. No one else was there. I bought a book and got two autographs. And then the story gets good.    In the mid-1980s I toured the Don Garlits museum in Ocala, Florida. I had read about two air-cooled cars he owned in HotVW's magazine and they were on display during my visit. When I met him in Charlotte, I asked the one question I really wanted to know. It was almost one of those you-only-get-one question moments. I asked, "Do you still have that Ghia with 26 miles on it?"  His eyes lit up! He pointed a 300 mph finger at me and said, "It's got 28 now, we had to move it around some!" For at least the next ten minutes I had an exclusive audience with the man most responsible for modern top-fuel drag racing. We didn't talk about 5000 hp record setters. We talked about the least powerful cars in his collection. The excitement with which he told how he came to own the cars was evident. It was if I had asked the magic question. Or maybe I was the first person in a long time to ask about something other than supercharged hemi dragsters. We only spoke about his Ghia and split-window Bug. The whole conversation was amazing! Eventually someone wondered up to the tent and my wife made me leave so they could buy a book too. I will always appreciate his time and enthusiasm.   So, what interesting people have you met because of your passion for VW's?    ... View more

At some point, someone is going to write about the inherent evil of building a tribute car. They will probably offer up pedantic points about authenticity and the ultimate truth belonging only to the original production run. I hope they think twice and read the article again.   Most, if not all, of the touchstone racers, commissioned one-off's, and the cars Steve McQueen washed by hand are owned by serious collectors. Considering those facts, I think it is a compliment to the museum pieces for someone to invest themselves in a tribute car. The tribute edition must mean something deeper to the owner and if changing the aesthetics or running gear makes the owner happy,  more power to them and the car!   At the end of the day, it's your car. If the tribute issue causes an ethical dilemma, the next time you are behind the wheel, if you like, ponder whether your favorite band remains original when only one founding member is still on stage. If you go far enough and fast enough, I don't think it's going to matter.  ... View more

 Dajiban. 360 cid.    ... View more

Any Country Squire wagon.  ... View more

Lightning McQueen was chased by Frank the combine harvester. Coincidence? I think not.  ... View more

It looks like the builder omitted two popular options; matching deep pile shag carpet and the reflective headliner. Maybe the next owner will fix the oversight.  ... View more

A base model Challenger of either generation should make the list.  The entry-level cars may not be the car an enthusiasts wants, but it does not mean they are not important machines. A Challenger with an inline-six is a rare sight at a car show. If that's the car you owned, that's probably your favorite.  ... View more

This imitation is not flattery, it is theft and mockery.  ... View more

While it may not be my rusted cup of t-bucket, I can see how it would be a fun challenge to build a car and participate in TROG.   ... View more

 Looks like I'm opening up the VW forum! Let's start at our beginning. Whether is was air-cooled, water-cooled, or a toy, what was your first Volkswagen?    My first VW is a toy. My father was a mechanic at a Volkswagen dealership in the 1960's. VW ran a promotion which gave away a Bus toy box to families who took a test drive. I think the promotion was in '64 or '65. Dad brought home three of the Bus-boxes for me. I still have them.  ... View more