1960-1969 - # - HVA's Photos

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This 1964 Buick LeSabre (with the big Wildcat 455) was a beauty. At about this time my family bought a motel in Traverse City, Michigan. My dad had come up to Traverse City first to get things going. Mom and us kids headed up in early 1965. Not having my driver’s license yet my mom let me help with the driving on the expressway. That was outstanding. I will never forget that.

My 1st adventure with classics is this 1969 Austin Healey Sprite. I purchased it 4 years ago because it wasn’t perfect but easy to work on. I've had the engine and transmission out, replaced the fuel tank, and swapped shocks - all done on my garage floor. My wife and I love taking it for drives. I've been on some nail-biting trips where I was sure some sort of failure was just around the corner. My Sprite has taught me about the engineering of 1960's British Leyland and assumptions of Lucas wiring. Intermittent lighting and hesitant starts always keep me chasing the next repair. I know the car - its squeaks, clunks, drips, and smells. I'm extremely proud of my Sprite.

My 1964 Buick Electra 225 matters to me because it’s the car that got me into the crazy and wonderful world of classic cars. It came into my life in 1996 when I was in 8th grade after it spent 26 years hibernating in a garage under a cover. I had always been interested in anything mechanical and particularly loved working on engines. The work this car needed to get it roadworthy was right up my alley. It was during this process that I started to appreciate antique cars and began to pay more attention to other “old” cars. That led to me attending the Automotive Restoration Program at McPherson College and I now work in the classic car industry that I grew up playing in.

A family tradition was my two sisters and I got to choose the car we wanted to restore with our dad. At 13 (1981) my Dad and I located a 1967 Porsche 911S for sale locally. For $1,000 the car came with a spare 1966 Porsche 912 parts car & a Century wooden boat. The car was very rusty. I spent hours in the garage with my Dad doing the entire restoration ourselves. I still remember the first time we fired up the engine - my Dad and I hugged each other with tears in our eyes. I drove this car through high school and years after. If I was only allowed to keep one car for the rest of my life, it would be this car. We grew up together and its value is priceless for me.

I’ve owned my 1960 Porsche 356B Speedster since I was 15 (in 1974). I had my heart set on a 60's vintage sports car. When I found my Porsche it had been rolled and essentially totaled. It looked a little funny at the time, but it said Porsche, was blue and cool. I mentioned it to my dad and we went to take a look. It started on the first try. We purchased it for $650, driving it home sitting on milk crates and without a windshield! Other than the body work, we restored it completely ourselves, forming a special bond between me and my dad. We spent hours in the garage together working while listening to great music! Of course, the car will never be for sale.

I am one of those very lucky people who purchased their antique car new. I actually ordered my ‘67 Rambler Rogue, taking delivery 3/31/67. I installed a 390 short block in the Rogue in ’69 to make it more like the SC/Rambler I wanted. In 1993, I had a friend paint it the original Sungold and, by ’94,decided to reinstall the 343. While the engine was out, we detailed the engine compartment, and at the AMCRC Grand National in 1995, I surprisingly won Best of Show. I have since taken the Rogue to many meets, shows and events, winning several awards. I used to race it at nostalgia events and loved racing it. This photo was taken in the pit area of Atco Dragway - I still have the helmet.

The fully redesigned 1961 Thunderbird became our family car, serving 5 generations. Our stream line azure blue Thunderbird was purchased new by my 84 year old great granduncle. My sister and I learned to drive from this car. In 1984, we moved our mother to San Francisco for life-saving surgery. As we had no secure parking for the car in the City, we sold the Thunderbird, with a mere 33,000 original miles on it. In 2004, I bought the car back from the man whom we had sold it to. Through an incredible change of events and little miracles, I ended up with the Thunderbird. Now, I have been able to share it with yet a 5th generation, my 16 year old nephew.

I was in a bad car accident in 1991. I was in a coma for 2 months and my wife at the time was told if I woke up I would never again walk or eat and breathe on my own. Then, 2 months later, I woke up and couldn’t talk. I had tubes everywhere and I didn’t remember anything that had happened. Since I am stubborn and determined, the work I did in therapy amazed the doctors and my therapist. It took me 4 years but I walked out of rehab with a walker and proved everyone wrong. A year later, I retook my written drivers test and road test and passed. I went to a cruise night and saw my dream 1969 Camaro and bought it the next day. I slowly had the car restored and this is my 8th year with her and she has won 110 trophies. I LOVE my Camaro and drive her to every show I can!

This car matters because it set several records, was the first American car to win a GT championship, and is still in completely original, unrestored condition. This 1964 Shelby Daytona Coupe was one of six on the championship team, and the only Shelby Daytona to be built in America. In 1965, after winning a GT championship and competing in international racing, this car set 23 records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, nearly all of which had stood since 1936, many of which were achieved with Craig Breedlove behind the wheel. After its many record-breaking runs, it sat in dry storage for over thirty years, perfectly preserved in its original, as-raced condition.

This 1964 Buick LeSabre (with the big Wildcat 455) was a beauty. At about this time my family bought a motel in Traverse City, Michigan. My dad had come up to Traverse City first to get things going. Mom and us kids headed up in early 1965. Not having my driver’s license yet my mom let me help with the driving on the expressway. That was outstanding. I will never forget that.

Original size: 496x340 |

Current: 496x340 |

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