Woodward Dream Cruise 2007: Reliving memories with options
Charles Colombo learned to drive behind the wheel of his older sister's 1950 Chevy convertible on the streets of Rochester Hills, Mich. That was in 1962, and even then, it wasn't a bad first car. After high school, Charles left home for med school, leaving behind the Chevy, expecting one day to drive it again. Returning home for Christmas, however, Charles learned his dad had sold the car. For $50.
"Even then it was worth more than $50, wasn't it?" I asked. He just chuckled. It took a while, but Charles got over losing his first car, and one thing that helped soothe the wound was finding another, better, 1950 Chevy convertible 20 years later.
Continue reading Charles Colombo's story from the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise after the jump, or see more photos of Charles and his 1950 Chevy in the gallery.
Over the 30 years he's owned his current Chevy, Charles has given it new paint and interior, but has left many original, but imperfect, parts. He and I agree the cracks in the vent knob and crazed lens covering the gauges add too much to the car's character to be repaired.
"My first car didn't have many options," Charles says. "A radio and a heater." But through the limitless parts shop that is eBay, Charles has optioned out his "new" first car with almost everything available in 1950.He points out the stoplight magnifier on the driver's A-pillar. Pull up to an intersection in a 50-year-old convertible, and that thick windshield frame makes seeing red turn to green literally a pain in the neck. The three-inch square piece of glass reflects the stoplights so the driver need not strain.
He's also added a gray plastic or Bakelite OEM tissue box mounted in the passenger footwell and then another option many may never have heard of.
"Look there in the glovebox," he tells me. "See that box?" He points to a yellowed cardboard container peaking from beneath a stack of similarly aged maintenance records and repair receipts. "That's a men's shaver. It plugs into the cigarette lighter."
The Chevy is a smooth-riding car, the seats deep and cushy as we lazily roll down Woodward. I notice a ring on Charles' left hand and, since I was taking up the passenger seat, assumed his wife didn't share his love of cars.
"She's around here somewhere," Charles says. Probably lounging with other automotive widows I assume. Incorrectly. "She's in the '34 hot rod."
Turns out, Reyna, Charles' wife, does indeed like cars, she just likes hers a little older and, "She likes the power," Charles says.
Charles has taken his 1950 Chevy to every Dream Cruise since it became an official event. Look for him next year, when I'm gonna try to catch a ride with his wife. Sounds like that could be one bad '34 Ford.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mr.ed 9:55PM (8/20/2007)
One reason older folks collect older cars is that they remember getting some action in the back seat of a similar ride. Getting some in this ragtop was easier in the front. Believe me.
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iQuack 12:05AM (8/21/2007)
Just look at that '50 Chevy convertible and you'll see why GM was King of the Hill among auto companies 57 years ago. That car is STILL beautiful IMO.
My parents had a '50 Olds 88 convertible with the Rocket V8 that was on the same body. The Cleveland, winter salt and rust killed it, but it was also a beauty for a few years.
Too bad GM lost its way and turned bland under the horrible, Roger Smith.
GM seems to be coming back now though.
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cowboy bob 7:37AM (8/21/2007)
My first car was a '58 Bel Air hardtop. I was 18 years old. It was a perfect condition two tone blue, blue naugahyde interior, and a killer 348 tripower V-8. I got drunk one night and put the car into a ditch. It had a minor dent in the passenger side door, and a scrape on the front fender, but otherwise OK. The next day I went outside only to discover that my father had sold the car to a junkyard, without paperwork,(which was in my name) for the sum of $25.00. I have never forgiven him for that, and remind him (at now 85 years 0ld) that this car is now worth about $30,000. Thanks Dad.
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iQuack 12:08PM (8/21/2007)
My mother had a '55 Chevy convertible that was given to me in 1960. I sold it for $600 when assigned a company car in 1962.
I think the young woman who bought my Chevy wrecked it--fortunately without injury.
I suppose a '55 Chevy convertible would be worth quite a bit now. For some reason, the '57 gets all the raves, but I thought the '55 was a classier car.
Your '58 was an all-new style. There was a recession during 1958 and a campaign to increase car sales with the slogan, "You Auto Buy Now." Then, GM redesigned its cars again for all-new 1959s.
Those were the days!