First generation Monte Carlos have a timeless beauty about them...the super rare SS454 models are near impossible to find in pristine condition today...I owned a body shop back in the 1980's so our team decided to build a totally accurate MC SS454 convertible from scratch...some NOS parts were still available from GM...as luck would have it we had recently junked a 1969 4spd Grand Prix hardtop that had the "boxed extended wheelbase frame" which is required for authenticity...we used a rust free Chevelle convertible body and heavily modified NOS MC coupe quarter panels to match the convertible sheetmetal...we salvaged many parts from a rusted MC SS454 coupe including the driveline, the rear air shocks system and bucket seats...the interior vinyl was replaced using a coupe kit but the upholstery had to modified to fit the narrower rear seat...we found a 1970 MC early owner's manual that details how to put the convertible top down...upon completion we entered it in a national Chevy show but was placed in the "custom class" as there was no category for a MC ragtop...during the show an older gentleman asked if he could crawl under the MC to examine details...he announced later..."it's a phony"...of course it was...he told us that he was worked for GM design when they were creating the MC convertible prototypes and ours did not have "gussets" on the frame that were necessary to avoid convertible instrument panel shake over railroad tracks...he would not provide us info where these gussets were welded in...he said "that's for me to know, not you"...every show we have entered gawkers tell us how a "friend" or an "uncle" had a MC convertible when new and they wish he still had it...right on...if there was a REAL MC SS454 ragtop it would be worth a fortune today... ... View more

I grew up in a small rural Iowa town...deep winter snow was quite common...after a blizzard my father mounted tire chains to get about town...any speed over 25MPH had a broken chain link beating the heck out of a rear fender...when "going to the city" he took off the chains and put bags of sand in the trunk...this caused the headlights to illuminate the tops of trees rather than the road...oncoming cars were constantly flashing their lights indicating "turn off your brights"...when he turned on his bright lights in retaliation this started a war of flashing and dimming until they passed each other...he bought a used Frazer as a work car...the headlights seemed stuck on bright since stepping on the floor switch changed the radio station instead...he discovered that the Fraser headlight switch was the one closest to the clutch pedal...with tire chains on the Frazer it would plow snow like a modern SUV until melting snow under the hood shorted out the ignition system...I learned to drive in that Frazer...fond memories... ... View more

In 2008 I bought a new Viper ragtop...word was that the convertible version would be discontinued in future models...it still doesn't have a thousand miles on it mainly because the bucket seat is much narrower than my bucket...short trips required but so much fun...the biggest problem Viper pilots have is wiping the smile off their face when back at the garage... ... View more

too bad that that the same team of designers is not with GM today...GM's current crop of "sports cars"...the Camaro and the Corvette...are in dire need of a styling remake that harkens back to the mid 1960's when smooth lines and creative interiors were street creed top dog...the evidence is in the value of a perfectly restored early Camaro and any C2 Corvette... ... View more

My father's best friend was the Ford dealer in our small Iowa town...the dealer had taken in trade a 1953 Corvette from a young fellow who did not like the poor performance...the dealer told Dad it was "the car for him" so he loaned it to Dad for a day...that evening Dad put the top down and we drove up to the town north of us and back...it was my first ride in a convertible and I still remember how thrilling it was...Dad was offered the Corvette for $1,500.00 but he told me could not afford it as there were bills to pay...so it was returned to the dealer...as an avid Corvette fan I still dream about that missed opportunity... ... View more

the whacked on Corvette deserves to go to Corvette heaven as it has already been to hell and back... ... View more

it's amazing that a 1988 Pontiac Fiero has better styling cues than the 2020 Corvette...it makes me wonder if GM stying assigns one team to do the front...one team to do the rear and they don't like each other... ... View more

I totally agree on the Dodge Magnum...the SRT8 only came in RWD but a AWD Hemi version was available...the Magnum AWD, equipped with Blizzak snow tires,  are very stable on ice and will plow through deep snow with amazing traction...the 2021 Mercedes E450 wagon is now a clap boarded wannabe SUV...how sad for such a cool wagon... ... View more

the collectible car market is fascinated with "barn finds" that barely escaped the crusher...these seats have little value unless one of the 5 pre-production Corvettes can be found in similar destroyed condition needing seats...obviously these seats have sat out in the weather for years...what happened to the car they came out of? ... View more

I would have included the 1960-1965 Ford Ranchero...equipped with a V8 automatic these were fast little trucks...my sister admitted many years ago that she never lost a drag race when our father let her use it on weekends... ... View more

If vinyl stripes "back in the day" are bad...how about the "wraps" of today commissioned by owners to look "different"...recently at a show there was a C7 Corvette wrapped totally in shiny gold...it looked like a giant nugget on wheels...I felt sorry the Vette but not the owner whom was standing near hoping someone would make a positive comment... ... View more

I hope your dealer will give your C2 current market value trade in...then you will own a new C8 and have cash in the bank too! ... View more

The underpinnings maybe world class...albeit a few missteps...but why did GM wrap the C8 exterior with an odd assortment of design elements that makes one wonder if the rear stylists had a beef with the front stylists...the interior group put an interior sea wall console between the driver and the passenger whom feels claustrophobic and neglected...GM should have included previous Corvette owners on their design teams as advisors...there are "styling traditions" that foreign manufacturers have fine tuned through generations that enhance the loyalty of owners with older models...I don't see the new C8 as "timeless styling"...not matter how proficient the C8 is as a "track rat" the bulk of Corvette pilots use their steed for driving enjoyment which requires comfortable seats and a rear window you can see out of...I do hope it sells well as I have been a Vette fan since 1966...but I would not trade my C2 for a C8... ... View more

Stashing brand new hot rides for future financial appreciation is a crap shoot...it depends if replacement computers, screen gizmos and battery packs will still available...aging hybrids and battery propulsion might find failed components as difficult to obtain and extremely expensive...even the "all gasoline" hot tickets today depend heavily on computers and video screens...the repair technicians of today might not have the testing equipment or redundant training to repair your aging brand new collectible...it seems best to stuff away something that you can tune and repair yourself...and also stuff away the parts needed like spark plugs, distributor parts, brake pads, fan belts and windshield wipers to keep your collectible drivable...even new tires in proper sizes might be tough to find...as to the new C8 Corvette...too many will be built and it does not have "timeless styling" like the C2 Corvettes do...most C2s have today's market values up to 20 times their original MSRP...I really doubt that a stuffed C8 can match that appreciation...if you yearn for the current assortment of hot rides...buy it, drive it like you stole it...and dump it before the warranty runs out... ... View more

If you store your classics in an unheated shed (particularly in the rust belt states) cover concrete floors with discarded carpet and park on that...this somewhat prevents the buildup of moisture on the concrete when the sun warms the shed...this "bath" of moisture will attack all steel suspension components...the concrete acts as a "cold sink" during the cold months...when your shed warms up the moisture in the air will deposit water on the top of the concrete...and Mother Rust starts her nasty business... ... View more

Does anyone know where the front page photo was taken?...it looks like a museum display...credit to  Brandan Gillogly with Hagerty...but no email contact info... ... View more

I think we should go one more step with Corvettes...a "task force" seems OK too...all of the way from ZR-1 "destroyers" to the C8 "guided missile cruisers" and topping it off with the whopping L88 "battleship"...rare...expensive...conquering and feared by all would be combatants... ... View more

Your best bet are national car magazines...like Hemmings...place an ad in the "tri-five" section that you are searching for a '55 you owned previously...details unique to the car..engine, paint, interior...other mods...a location you suspected it went to after sale...and...a post a photo of it if you have one...GOOD LUCK! ... View more

It's not an usual engine to look at...but the 70s GM 350-V8 diesel was a shot at a fuel sipping torquey car and pickup power plant...a "beefed up" Oldsmobile gas V8 block retrofitted with diesel components...it was a valiant effort but the result was less than sterling...it leaked oil like the Exxon Valdez due to inadequate crankcase ventilation, it was necessary to carry extra fuel injectors so you could do your own replacements when convenient, double stacking the air filters helped some with performance...it doused the house garage with oil and diesel fuel odors  which required parking outside to keep the wife from grumbling about her home smelling like a truck stop...owning one of these sharpened your shade tree mechanical skills...I loved that diesel wagon in spite of it's shortcomings... ... View more

these super high horsepower C8s will be difficult to insure...the first time a rich dude, with no common sense, plugs his high horsepower C8 into the side of a family van...the high horsepower option will be restricted to "track only" just like the '67 L88 was...sold to known racers only...once past the 500HP mark do you really need more? ... View more

wouldn't be cool to have this assortment of real Pontiacs in your garage?...they all look so wide...which was the Pontiac "wide track" promotions...the '61 Bonneville bubble top is one of best full size stying efforts followed closely by GTO's and Firebirds...how sad that GM cancelled the brand when it was the one of the major showroom draws for new customers... ... View more

Isn't it interesting that just about any high performance C2 is worth more in the market than a brand new C8?...this says something about the timeless design and performance options that has made the C2s the one to collect and cherish long term ... View more

Count me in on a new Magnum wagon...I still have my 2005 hemi powered AWD...and recently sold my 2006 SRT8...I didn't drive it much due to the uncomfortable front seats and stiff ride...it was very fast but that did not overcome it's marginal usage... ... View more