vintage cars Archives - Old Cars Weekly

Last chance at a closed yard

Old Cars Weekly — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:11:41 +0000

Clock is ticking to purchase Missouri yard’s project and parts cars

Story and photos BY Leroy Drittler

As you enter the small community of Theodosia, Mo., from the west on State Highway 160, one of the first things you’ll notice is an old Fiat sedan sitting atop a building marking the location of Ray Jackson’s recycling and auto salvage business. The faded orange Fiat is lettered with the name of Jackson’s business, and if you ask him, he’ll reveals that it was hoisted to the top of the building using a front-end loader.

Jackson was born and raised in Texas. In 1965, he opened a used car lot, a recycling and salvage business with a portable crusher and a trucking business. After 16 years, he sold that multi-faceted business and in 1981, he bought some property just outside Theodosia and opened his current recycling and salvage business.

The five acres Jackson purchased contained several buildings including a theater that was being used by an auto repair business that worked on race cars. The 1940s theater still showed movies at the time of Jackson’s purchase, and it also had a stage where it hosted musical shows. Performers who played there before they became famous included The Carter Family, Johnny Cash and Porter Wagoner, who was born and raised about an hour away in West Plains, Mo. The concrete block façade of the building itself is an eye-catcher.

Another building had been added to the back of the theatre and was being used as a shop. Jackson has used the theater as an office and for parts storage.

Like most people in the salvage yard business, Jackson has a special car that he hides for himself. He keeps this mildly customized 1951 Chevrolet that he’s owned for 45 years under cover in a garage. The beautiful blue ’51 Chevy is a two-door sedan with a 261-cid truck engine equipped with dual carbs and twin exhausts. The interior of the Chevy has Naugahyde upholstery.

Jackson is now in his eighties and has retired. About six years ago, he shuttered the recycling business and crushed all of the yard’s newer inventory. He also sold his crusher, big loader and trucks. For the past several years, he has taken parts and cars to swap meets, but expects to discontinue those efforts. What remains in the yard is about 250-300 mostly American vehicles from the 1940s to the ’70s. There are a few imports including a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, a couple of VW Beetles, a VW window van and others. He would like to sell all of the vehicles in the yard as soon as possible as complete units only. Many of the remaining vehicles would make good projects while the others are strictly for parts. Jackson says he will not sell parts off of a vehicles unless it is almost completely parted out. And even then, the buyer would need to remove the part himself. Jackson said he does have a few loose Ford Model T parts ready to go.

Jackson will accept customers by appointment only. Un-escorted browsing is not allowed and is further discouraged by Jackson’s security detail of guard dogs.

If you need a parts car, or a new project, the clock is ticking to contact Jackson. He encourages interested people to contact him soon by email, phone or mail.

Ray Jackson
80 Jackson Road
Theodosia, MO 65761
rustycars75@yahoo.com.
417-273-4329

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The Gilmore Car Museum goes back in time

Old Cars Weekly — Wed, 09 May 2018 19:17:37 +0000

Hickory Corners, MI-The Gilmore Car Museum, near Kalamazoo, MI puts more than a hundred pre-WWII vehicles in motion during its annual Pre-1942 Showcase Car Show held on Saturday, May 19th.

The show is dedicated to all motor vehicles built in 1942 and earlier representing both the first fifty years of the automobile as well as cars that established the Gilmore Car Museum collection when it opened to the public in 1966.

At the Pre-1942 Showcase you’ll enjoy seeing several unique cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles from the earliest days of motorized transportation. What makes this event unique is that rather than remaining static in one parking spot all day, most of the vehicles at this show will be in motion.

Owners, often dressed in corresponding vintage attire, are encouraged to start their vehicles and drive them throughout the Museum’s historic campus. Don’t be surprised by encountering an 1880s High Wheeler bicycle (also known as a “Penny Farthing” or “Ordinary”) peddling past the small-town train depot or a 1928 Model A Ford pulling up front of the Model A Ford dealership building.

Guests will enjoy special demonstrations that include the 1886 Benz—an authentic re-creation of the very first motor car—being started and driven. You’ll be fascinated by witnessing a rare Stanley steam-powered auto, much like a steam train, being fired up and driven. When a 1908 Baker Electric car quietly passes by, you could be stunned to realize its 110-year-old technology.

The Gilmore Pre-1942 Showcase, heldon Saturday, May 19th, will feature early vehicles rarely ever seen, a narrated drive-by parade, vintage-style carnival games for children, and free Model T rides.

One of the Museum’s newest educational programs, “The Abernathy Kids,” will also be unveiled to guests. This is the true story of how two brothers—aged 9 and 6 years old—traveled in a 1909 Brush Runabout from New York City to Oklahoma City in 1910 by themselves. In an era before dependable roads the boys drove over 2,500 miles, came to West Michigan with a special stop in Battle Creek (to see how their morning cereal was made!), before continuing home. Meet the two local youths playing the part of the Abernathy Kids and an identical 1909 Brush Runabout that will be making its way to area schools this year.

Besides the wonderful trip “back in time” throughout the Museum’s historic campus—complete with a working 1941 diner, a 1930s service station, and a recreated dealership row—guests will discover one of the very first Model T Fords built, coming out of the factory in late 1908 as the 131st car completed out of the more than 15 million produced. Inside the 1928 Ford dealership you’ll find the very first Model A produced, which was given by Henry Ford to his close friend and noted inventor Thomas Edison.

Admission for the Gilmore Pre-1942 Showcase held Saturday, May 19th is only $14 per adult, with kids 11 and under admitted FREE. Gilmore Car Museum Members are also always free and, as part of Kalamazoo’s Cultural Exchange, members of six additional area attractions (The Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Bird Sanctuary and Manor House, and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the Gilmore Car Museum) share FREE admission to their current card-carrying members during the month of May 2018.

The Gilmore Car Museum—North America’s Largest Auto Museum—is located midway between and just minutes from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek, MI. It displays nearly 400 vehicles year-round, presents several special events and cars shows, and offers ever-changing special exhibits throughout the season. Visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org to learn more and plan your visit.

GILMORE CAR MUSEUM
6865 Hickory Road,
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org

The Gilmore Car Museum is a public, 501(c)3 non-profit educational institution, dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the American automobile.

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10 questions with Peter Kumar of Gullwing Motor Cars

Old Cars Weekly — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 14:06:58 +0000

By Brian Earnest

Peter Kumar has been working in the car business since he was 14 years old and began running his own dealership in 1988. The inventory at his Gullwing Motor Cars operation in Astoria, Queens, is a testament to Kumar’s work ethic and his love for old iron. His building is packed nearly bumper to bumper with a dizzying display of European collector cars, including the company’s namesake, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Kumar is always on the go, scouring the country for interesting vehicles that he can buy and sell.

Kumar has been around long enough to see plenty of peaks and valleys in the oldcarbusiness, but like a disciplined stock market investor, he has kept the faith and stayed the course.

Recently we caught up with Kumar and fired some questions his way regarding the state of the old car hobby and his high-profile place in it.

Has business been busy this spring?

Yes, I just bought a couple cars today. I just bought a 1969 [Mercedes-Benz] 280SE convertible here locally this morning. I’ve been running around to Massachusetts, California, other states, everywhere. A lot of cars I can go check on myself. If I can drive it in 200 miles or so, I drive. Or else I fly.

What has the import market been like lately for you?

It’s been steady. I’ve been dealing with a lot of European cars: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati… It’s been steady, not bad; not booming, but still going steady… It seems like there should be less and less cars around, but they are still coming. I used to think 15, 20 years ago that “This will be the last XKE I will ever be buying,” but they are still coming around. I bought 45 cars already this month, and two cars just today.

What has been the biggest reason for your staying power in the collector car business?

I would say, not bragging about myself, but it’s important to have a good reputation. We’ve been around 30 years … If I say I’m going to do something, I do it. We pay a fair price for the car and our margins our not big margins. We buy at a fair price and sell at a fair price. When we look at a car, we make a decision within 5 minutes, then we wire them the money. If we get a phone call [about a car], we move.

How many cars do you like to have in your inventory?

I like to have no more than 100 to 120 cars. Sometimes they don’t sell fast enough, sometimes we sell them within one hour, sometimes the cars sit for a year. You never know. Right now I have 175 cars. That’s a lot of cars — more cars than the room I have.

Everybody probably likes to ask the question: What’s hot right now?

Porsches are hot; 911 Porsches … 356s are hot. Old Jaguar XKEs are hot. All old Mercedes are good. The Gullwing, never in my dreams did I think it would go to a million, but it has surpassed that. Right now we have five in stock — two Gullwings and three SL roadsters.

What’s cooled off recently?

Some of the million dollar Ferraris, the prices have been cooling off. The $500,000 Ferraris have cooled off a little bit. That has surprised me a little, but I have seen it before. They cycle up and down, but they have been going up for seven, eight years.

Why the Gullwing Motor Cars name?

That’s my favorite car. That’s my dream car. A lot of times I wind up buying them because of my company name. People think of a Gullwing, they think Gullwing Motor Cars and we do have at least one all the time.

Besides Gullwings, what else to you consider your bread-and-butter cars?

I like everything, but I like the more original cars [best]. I like them original, but sometimes with the cars we are dealing with, you don’t have much for choices … Most of them were built before ’74, so they stopped building them more than 40 years ago. You don’t have much choice… I like the XKEs…any older Maseratis, Austin-Healeys, older Lamborghinis… any older cars.

Do you get involved much with auctions, either buying or selling?

I go to auctions mostly to meet people. I go to Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Hershey, Scottsdale, but it’s mostly to see people. I buy sometimes, but not usually.

How long do you plan to continue on?

As long as I can go — as long as I have energy and good health. We started in ’88 … it’s been almost 30 years. You’ve got to love what you do, otherwise it gets boring. I’m into old cars. It’s a passion.

When you’re buying a Honda or Toyota or even a new Mercedes, they are boring. The old cars are much more interesting. And you always meet nice people in this business.

Phone: 718-545-0500
Fax: 718-545-8125
Email: sales@gullwingmotorcars.com
www.gullwingmotorcars.com

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The rights of summer

Old Cars Weekly — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 13:33:58 +0000

It seemed like it took forever, but summer is finally here. The official “car season” is in full swing and all is right in the world of car junkies.

If you are like me, your attention turns to the road and your keen eye for vintage iron is alert to the classics that have awoken from their dreary winter slumber. For the most part you recognize the local cars that are a staple on your hometown streets, but every so often you spot a few new faces on the road. A casual thumbs up is always a welcomed gesture, signaling that you appreciate all the hard work they have poured into keeping their piece of history on the road.

The yearly game of “guess what make, model and year” a car is from a distance is makes daily driving more enjoyable. I have to confess that I find myself going a bit faster than I should trying to close distances on the highways to get a closer look at cool cars. To all of the highway patrol officers out there, please be understanding of my plight. I also find myself giving my kids a dissertation on the subtle differences between years of a car model. I get the usual blank stare and occasionally get a response when they find the car interesting enough to pull themselves away from their phones.

In the North, summer also brings one of the greatest aspects of the car hobby that many lucky souls in the South take for granted – windows down road tripping with your favorite tunes. Nothing is better than driving down a wide open country road with the 2-60 A/C blowing (2 windows down going 60+mph) with your tunes providing the soundtrack for whatever you are feeling that day. Call it stress relief, call it meditation, I call it being in the summer driving zone. It doesn’t’ t matter if you’re into country or metal, it is about being in the moment in tune with the car, the road and the music. No matter how crappy your day may have been, driving in that zone gives you a sense of calm and clarity.

I would be remiss if I did not touch upon one other glorious gift that summer bestows upon us – our local car shows and gatherings. We are all one family when it comes to our love of cars. Appreciation is abundant and the shared dedication we have for the hobby keeps the joy alive. Even if you see a car at a show that does not appeal to you, you still respect the passion and car the owner puts into their ride.

We are in the heat of show season, and I am fortunate enough to work at Old Cars, where we are associated with the Iola Car Show. The Iola Car Show also happens to be one of the Midwest’s largest car shows. I have been attending the Iola Car Show long before I became part of the Old Cars team. Now I get paid to ogle the classics and talk to fellow car fanatics. Life is good!

If you are anywhere near central Wisconsin July 6-8, stop by Iola 2017 and say hello. If not, check out our car show calendar listing and enjoy the summer the way it was meant to be enjoyed… with good friends and cool cars.

Click on the link below for a car show listings.

http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/showcalendar

Click on the link for information on the Iola Car Show.

http://www.iolaoldcarshow.com

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Bear hugs: Teddys ‘drive’ vintage cars to hospital

raustin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:32:03 +0000

It was a cold December day as four vintage automobiles made their way to Harrison Hospital in Silverdale, Wash. Along for the ride were over 200 teddy bears.

The Olympic Vintage Auto Club has been collecting and donating teddy bears to the hospital for the past 12 years. They are used in the Emergency Room to comfort young children who arrive there.

For the 2012 holidays, the special delivery cars were a 1933 Packard, 1940 Buick, 1941 Packard and a 1950 Ford.

About the club

The Olympic Vintage Auto Club was established in 1959 with the goal of preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of vintage motor vehicles in stock condition. Ownership of a vintage vehicle is not a requirement for membership. Located west of Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula, this active car club has held annual Swap Meets since 1969. These annual meets have continued to grow over the years to include thousands of buyers and well over 400 vendors. Enthusiasts all over the Pacific Northwest attend this event held at the Kitsap County fairground site on the first weekend in November

To learn more about the non-profit club, go to www.ovac.us or make contact by mail at P.O. Box 1614, Silverdale, WA 98383.

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