| Our hosts are classic car enthusiasts and invited us to a local
car show. To get in the mood we drove there in their 1967 Pontiac GTO. More perfect models can be worth
considerably more than a modern equivalent. |  |
 | Most American car
names are unfamiliar to us so we have had guidance as to what all these are.
This is a 1935 Ford which has been restored. But it could be something else
as creating 'wolves in sheep's clothing' is a popular variation. |
| This is one of several 1955 Chevrolets which were at the show.
You either love or hate the colour. |  |
 | Another standard
classic which we had heard of is this 1957 Ford Thunderbird. It really does
look in beautiful condition. |
| Most cars are something more than they were originally. This is a
1957 Chevrolet with a bored out 350 engine developing MUCH more power than
was in this car originally. Most of these engines are chromed and
immaculately presented. |  |
 | This is much more
familiar although far less common over here. This is an English 1960s MG A. It would
be worth a fortune in England, never mind in the US. |
| I am advised that cars like this are known as Rat Rods. It is a 1930's
Ford with parts from other Ford models. |  |
 | This is an amazing 1932 Ford
'High Boy'
roadster although it is difficult to believe that anything but the basic
design dates from the 1930s. |
| For example the engine is a small block Chevy generating in the
order of 400hp. And a pretty cool paint job! |  |
 | This is for the real
afficionados. It is a Shaker air filter on
a Dodge/Chrysler. See - I have the words and I know what an air filter
does.... |
| Now this is a bit more understandable. An Austin Mini as designed
by Alex Issigonis. This one looked to be basically standard although the
engine had a paint job. You have to be careful because you might open the
bonnet and find a Chevy V8. Mad! |  |
 | This is a 1960 Edsel
Convertible. Our hosts went into ecstasy. It is very rare. This is one of
only 76 ever made. It does look pretty good but I wouldn't have appreciated
how different it is without guidance. |
| I don't know why they describe these as being from the 1930s.
This is a 1935 Willys Coupe hot rod. I just think the bonnet shape is
pretty unique. |  |
 | There were bikes
there as well. This is a Harley Davidson with a pink
stripe on the fuel tank. A definite 'Girlie' bike. She was a 'cool' mom aged
about 50 and very chatty. The bike was OK too. |
| It's only a small block Chevy V8 generating 400hp. But in a
bike??? Now he was a pretty big fellah but how the hell do you pick it up if
it falls over? |  |
 | However for real style
you can't beat an Indian. They stopped making them in the 1953. But in 1999
the marque was bought by Kriss Kraft, the powerboat people, and they started
making them again. This one has been customized with extended forks etc. As
the owner said, he doesn't even want to think about what it is worth, much
less how much he has spent on it. |
| The trademark is the Indian Head emblem, here on the front
mudguard complete with light inside. I want one! |  |
 | Perhaps the most
bizarre exhibit was the Japanese car with an identical radio controlled
replica with a radio in it. It was the new Toyota Scion. It must be in the
running for the worlds ugliest car. |
| Just as we left someone turned up in a Camaro Drag racer. Now you
can't exactly ignore that. It has little wheels on struts out from the back
to prevent it from turning over when you apply the power, and I'm told it
has a nitrous kit. Rough estimates are 900+hp. I don't think you could
drive it on English roads - apart from anything else the engine noise is way
above legal limits. |  |
|