Autoblog

Unloved as they are, let's give Chrysler's K Car its due. Thirty years ago, the K represented a sea change in the Pentastar lineup. Not only did the K and its derivatives return Chrysler to the black, the architecture proved versatile enough to underpin basically the entire lineup, from minivans to LeBarons to turbocharged Daytonas. Southern California now has an official K Car club – fitting, as that's likely the only place you could find an early '80s Chrysler without lots of rust. Club membership is open to the entire swath of cars that share this similar architecture, known as the "EEK" models, so you won't get kicked out for showing up in a Caravelle instead of an Aries. Now's the time to hunt one of these cars down if you're looking for a cheap, enjoyable way to get into the hobby. They're available for a song, don't yet command any respect (perhaps they never will), yet the K Car is edging its way toward official classic status regardless of what some traditionalists might argue. The K Cars are nearly classic, they're historic and significant and worth saving. The hobby must live on after all the boomers are buried in their Tri-Fives, and a Reliant would be a great way to show an interested kid the basics.

[Hemmings Classic Car - sub req]

John Draxler has loved Ford's personal-luxury coupe for decades, and he's been a tremendous resource for the Thunderbird community for nearly as long with his Thunderbird Ranch operation. Located in Wisconsin, the Ranch could be over-simplified as a yard full of Thunderbirds, and the Badger State thinks it's a lot more complicated than that. Wisconsin has determined that the Thunderbird Ranch is really a salvage operation, and called for all sorts of permits and fees. Rather than deal with the hassle and the expense, Mr. Drexler is razing the ranch. Now would be a good time to get those parts for your '57-'88 'Bird, or possibly even pick up that entire project car. Act fast, or the offer from the scrap metal yard will likely win out.

[Source: Hemmings]

Click above for a high resolution gallery Shelby's personal '69 GT500

Those who follow the classic car market are probably not surprised to hear that prices of vintage Detroit iron, especially those cars from the muscle-car era of the mid-'60s to early '70s, have shot up in the last several years, outperforming both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index, according to NADA Guides. Classic cars valued at over $125,000 performed the best, on average, by appreciating 47 percent between February 2004 and February 2008. By way of comparison, collectible cars in general increased in value at an average rate of 36 percent. Sounds like a good rate of return to us!

For those interested in the collector car market but who don't have deep enough pockets to afford some of these high prices, NADA Guides' research shows that the market has begun slowing in the last year and that even the lower-priced cars of $25,000 or less are increasing in value at a good clip.

Of course, Autoblog is not making any suggestions on how you should manage your money. If you are truly interested in getting in on the auction action, you may want to contact a professional. We imagine, though, that as time goes by, classic vehicles are only going to become rarer. Although new classics seem to sprout up all the time.

[Source: NADA Guides]

Click above image for huge high-res gallery of our visit to the Lyon collection.

A little while back, a very special invitation was dropped in our laps. As part of a celebration for one of our friends, the doors to the Lyon private collection were being swung wide open. The name might not be familiar to all of you, but here in Southern California, General William Lyon is a name that commands respect. General Lyon, as his title might imply, had a very distinguished military career that spanned more than 30 years from the onset of WWII through the Vietnam era. Fifty years ago, he also started building homes (originally for returning military personnel) in SoCal with his father and brother. William Lyon Homes, Inc. has gone on to be one of the largest builders in the area with nearly 100,000 homes built.

But all of that pales in comparison to the reason why we know him here at AB. The General owns one of the finest private collections of award-winning classics in the country. Some 60 of those vehicles are on display to the lucky few who get to visit his private estate and tour the small museum he had built to show them off. Perhaps calling this a "Warehouse" is a stretch, but it is a surprising find, and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have been allowed inside.

Follow the jump for more details about the collection, and don't forget to check out the huge gallery, as well.

click above for a HUGE gallery of concours entrants

For the second year in a row, the Assistance League of Southern California (ALSC) presented a pretty exceptional Concours d'Elegance for the greater Los Angeles area right in the shadow of the historic Rose Bowl. While Greenwich needed two days to present all of its automotive gems, LA managed to pack its 300 or so cars onto a golf course adjacent to the Bowl and made it a one day affair. Last year's featured marque, Ferrari, was again well-represented with an alloy 275 GTB/4, a trio of 330 GTCs, Dinos, Daytonas, a Lusso, Boxer, 308, and a familiar 375 MM to name a few. Rolls and Bentley had a strong showing that included a jaw-dropping custom Hobbit-door Roller that is owned by the nearby Petersen Museum.

Sports and GT cars from Porsche, Jaguar, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Morgan, Austin Healey, Jenson, Facel, Mercedes, Renault, Lancia, Fiat, Maserati, AC, and Lamborghini lined the fairways and greens. There were plenty of Woodies and other American and European classics from the '40s, '50s and '60s with their full figures and exaggerated fins. Even a few dream cars from Desoto and Hudson showed up. American muscle also had a decent turnout that included the mandatory Corvettes and Mustangs, as well as an AMX, Chevelle, and whole flock of Cobras among others. A stellar display of race cars really makes this show a standout. A fleet of go-karts, tons of midgets and sprint cars, an LSR motorcycle, Keke Rosberg's F1 car, a March GTP car, a Trans-Am Benz, and something from just about every other form of racing was on display.

But the concours circuit really thrives on the classic and vintage cars. Packards, Delahayes, Bentleys, Duesenbergs, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Model Ts, Auburns and the like were particularly well-represented with examples plucked from some local private collections and museums, many of which have appeared at Pebble Beach over the years. Although not quite on par (despite the golf course setting) with top-tier shows like Pebble, Meadowbrook and Amelia Island, for such a young show, the cars and people they have managed to attract are first-rate. The show's official site is available by clicking here.



All photos Copyright ©2007 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

If we needed any more convincing that you can find more delicious things on eBay than old movies and great deals on ecco golf spikes, this auction would have done the trick. AutoHaus in Los Gatos, Calif. is auctioning off this flippin' fanTAStic restored 1968 Ferrari Miura P400 (for Posteriore 4 litre) with apparent SV upgrades done by a retired pilot who owned the vehicle. The eBay summary says the vehicle has a mere 44,000 miles on the odometer, but a magazine article included in the listing pegs it at 66K.

The Miura is powered by Lamborghini's 3.9L V12, which was also used in the 400GT. Unlike the latter, the engine is mounted transversely in the Miura and produces 350 HP. Frank Sinatra, who owned a 1970 Miura P400SV, remarked, "If you want to be famous, drive a Ferrari! If you are famous, drive a Miura."

At the time this was written, the current bid was $135,100.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

Billed as the only automobile museum that "takes you for a ride," the Automobile Driving Museum recently found a new home in El Segundo, CA. Visitors to the free museum (donations encouraged) get to see some of the greatest vehicles in automotive history on display, and even better, get to go for a ride in one. More than 70 restored antique, classic and special interest cars are on display, ranging from a 1904 2-cylinder Schacht to a 1982 Delorean. Names like Cadillac, Packard, Stutz, Pierce-Arrow, Frazier, and Lincoln dominate the list, but visitors will also find cars from Austin Healy, Mercedes, Porsche and MG. There are even a few muscle and pony cars in there.

Most museums are strictly hands-off, but here they encourage people to sit in the cars. Interacting with the vehicles gives visitors a chance to really relive automotive history. And on Sundays, anybody who shows up between 10 and 4 can stand in line for a ride in one of the select driving vehicles. Passengers must be at least 10 years old, and there are a couple of other rules (no food), but basically anybody who wants to see what classic motoring was all about, can hop in for a spin.

The museum was first opened in another location in 2002, and plans to make itself available for school trips, car clubs, business meetings and other interest groups in the future. There are also memberships that allow private visits and more extensive access to the vehicles. Check it out for yourself by following the read link.

[Source: Automobile Driving Museum]

We've all heard the stories. Some mid-century family stows their gorgeous car, which they used minimally and of which they took excellent care, in some old barn, where it was forgotten until fifty years later. Half a century later, some lucky sot happens on (or tracks down) the sleepy classic, at which point it emerges dry, still relatively beautiful, and turns over like day it was put  away. But that's just an automotive fairy tale, right?

Not for a 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe that was recently uncovered in a dry barn, ready for restoration. The vehicle, which sports original equipment ranging from the radio and brown leather upholstery to the headlamps, will be auctioned off at H&H's upcoming Buxton, Derbyshire, UK (July 25/26) sale. It's expected to fetch between about $65,000 and $78,000.

Ever encountered any 'barn finds' of your own? Any great 'The one that got away' stories to share? Assuage your conscience in 'Comments.'

[Source: Gizmag]

Will the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and the upcoming Nissan Versa join the Buick Le Sabre and even the Toyota Camry as "Grandparent's Most Favorite Ride?" That's what analysts think about the new wave of subcompacts arriving in America. According to John Wolkonowicz, automakers are once again making the mistake that younger buyers' primary concern is cost. "This is not a meek generation. They (Generation Y) want you to see them arrive," says the Global Insight analyst. "A car is like clothing."

Other analysts agree with Wolkonowicz's statement, saying while some Gen Y buyers will purchase vehicles based on cost, they'll abandon them as soon as they can afford something more "interesting" like a Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, or Hummer H2. The analysts are a bit perplexed, since sales of MINIs and Scions illustrate Gen Y's priority: good-looking, "cool" cars that evoke emotions. Of course, those brands have a fair percentage of elderly buyers themselves. Automakers can be forgiven, though, since it takes three to five years for them to bring a new vehicle to production, during which Gen Y likely changes its mind about a dozen times. Damn video game generation.

There is a trend of younger drivers coveting more classic vehicles, and it would be interesting to read analysts' views on that phenomenon, as well. Perhaps there are some readers out there who were born in the '80s that can testify to the allure of a good classic.

Related:
Will the American market's new small cars resonate with young buyers?
Gen Y gets automakers' attention

[Source: Chicago Tribune via South Coast Today]

At least one of Autoblog's staffers is a sucker for the monthly 'Discovered' and 'Lost & Found' features British rags Thoroughbred & Classic Cars and Classic and Sports Car. Great 'barn finds' make our hairs stand up on end and constantly have us peering into farmyards whenever we drive through the countryside.

In this regard, at least, Cubans have it easy. Their streets fairly team with vintage iron, particularly American classics from the 1940's and 1950's. While this isn't exactly 'news,' Reuters has put a big number to the phenomenon: 60,000. That's how many of the buggers it believes are navigating the communist nation's roads, most of which are in states of tune that would make the cars' original engineers scratch their heads in wonder.

Given a 40+ year trade embargo with the U.S., modern vehicles are essentially unavailable, so many American classics have been pressed into service as cabs and private transports. With the availability of quality, affordable replacement parts being similarly non-existent, locals have taken to jury-rigging their rides with whatever bits they can muster- ancient Russian diesel engines, tatty Kia bits, baling wire, used cigar wrappers, anything. From the sounds of it, they're raising a generation of MacGyvers over there.

Cuban grand pooh-bah, Fidel Castro has announced plans to supplant privateer hacks out of business by buying some 8,000 Chinese cabs and busses. If El Presidente grinds the vintage iron to dust, it'd be a real shame. As it is, there are apparently some genuinely important classics lurking in Cuba, though efforts by American restorers and collectors have largely proven fruitless in getting around trade barriers.

[Sources: Reuters via CNN.com; HavanaJournal.com]

(Top tip, Evan!)