Auto news and reviews from Car Buyer's Notebook.com: Vintage Archives

August 10, 2008

Volvo enthusiasts gather in Gothenburg

Coming up this weekend is this summer's VROM - the Volvo Rendezvous for Owners & Members, when Volvo enthusiasts from all over Europe flock to Gothenburg.

VROM is a three-day event for owners and fans of classic Volvos. It has been held in Gothenburg situated on the Swedish west coast every year since 1987.

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August 3, 2008

Volvo high-mileage ambassador names favorite small towns

IRVINE, Calif. -- Irv Gordon -- who as the first person to drive two million miles in the same car and has taken more road trips than anybody -- has some advice for families preparing a summer vacation on the road: ditch the fancy resorts and theme parks and take a drive to a small town.

Gordon, a retired science teacher from Long Island, New York, clocked his historic two millionth mile in his shiny red 1966 Volvo P1800 in 2002 while driving down Times Square in New York City.

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August 1, 2008

General Motors to Showcase Historic Motorama Vehicles

More than fifty years ago, General Motors' traveling Motorama showcased dramatic concept "Dream Cars" as interpretations of future automobile design.

From 1949 through 1960, expressive vehicles including the Cadillac Lemans and Firebird I traveled the United States as a statement of General Motors design leadership.

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July 22, 2008

Ford honors the 100th anniversary of Model T

RICHMOND, Ind., July 22, 2008 - A century after the Model T put the world on wheels, Ford continues building on its tradition with industry-leading, high-volume technologies including SYNC and EcoBoost engines, a new fuel-efficient powertrain lineup, a new small car for the world as well as America's most head-turning crossover and most-capable pickup.

"Henry Ford and his Model T helped reshape the landscape of America a century ago by making the automobile accessible to the average person," said Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company executive chairman.

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July 20, 2008

Volvo celebrates 50th anniversary of the 544

When the Volvo Amazon was presented in late summer 1956, most people were convinced that the PV with its already rather old-fashioned styling wasn't going to survive that much longer.

However, the PV with its loyal customer base and healthy sales figures both in Sweden and overseas experienced something of a second wind. On August 25, 1958, Volvo unveiled a thoroughly reworked PV model named the 544.

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July 9, 2008

Volvo marks 50 years in Germany

50 years of Volvo in Germany - a success story from the "economic miracle" until the 21st century. This year sees Germany holding the position of third largest market in the world for Volvo Car Corporation, following the USA and Sweden, Volvo Cars' home market.

The fate of the Swedish, premium-brand automotive manufacturer, which celebrated its 80th birthday last year (2007), is controlled in Germany by Volvo Car Germany GmbH based in Rodenkirchen in Cologne.

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July 7, 2008

Volvo's 164 turns 40

After more than ten years without a six-cylinder model to offer customers, it was time in August 1968 for Volvo to unveil its 1969 model range which included a new large car for the more prestige- and luxury-oriented segments.

The model was called the 164, with the figure "6" in the middle denoting that unlike the cars in the 140 Series, this model featured a six-cylinder engine.

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July 6, 2008

The Last Checker Cab in New York City

On coming out of Penn Station, I did a double-take when I seeing this Checker Cab. Luckily the driver's light was red and his window was open -- "Is this a personal vehicle," I asked.

Driver said yes twice -- I asked if I could take his pic, "You better hurry, before the light turns," he said, and there it is.

July 3, 2008

How the Ford Model T Changed the World

DEARBORN, Mich. -- This year, Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the car credited with "putting the world on wheels," the Model T.

Henry Ford's iconic vehicle, which officially brought the world into the age of the "horseless carriage," also is responsible for hundreds of innovations that jumpstarted the automotive industry as we know it. This list focuses on the 10 most important influences of the Model T and how the world was forever changed by them.

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July 2, 2008

Ford Honors the Legacy and Impact of the Model T

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Company will mark the 100th anniversary of Henry Ford's groundbreaking Model T with a special presentation and collection of automotive masterpieces for 2008 Centennial "T Party" -- the world's largest gathering of Model Ts since they left the factory -- July 21-26 in Richmond, Ind.

The event in Richmond -- the largest of dozens of Model T celebrations planned during the next six months -- is expected to draw nearly 1,000 Model Ts and 15,000 enthusiasts from around the world.

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June 26, 2008

Model T: Driving it was only half the fun

DEARBORN, Mich., June 25, 2008 - More than one Model T owner has joked that he's not too worried about somebody stealing his historic car.

"If you don't own one, you probably wouldn't be able to drive one," said Mike Skinner, a Model T owner and board member of the group restoring the car's birthplace, the old Piquette Plant in Detroit.

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May 21, 2008

Third Annual Cruise Nights Rolls Into the Walter P. Chrysler Museum

Auburn Hills, Mich. -- Cruise Nights are returning to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich. Thursday, June 12, and continuing every other Thursday through Aug. 21 from 6 – 9 p.m.

Presented by the Chrysler Jeep Superstores and Motor City Dodge Dealers, the third annual series kicks off with a back patio meet and greet featuring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Kurt Busch and the #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

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May 20, 2008

BMW's 70th Anniversary at the Mille Miglia

Munich/Brescia -- It was 70 years ago that BMW first entered its 328 model in the Mille Miglia. For this year's anniversary appearance, BMW will be following the historic example by deploying four of these legendary roadsters in the event.

Joining them will be the BMW 328 Berlin-Rom racing variant from 1941 as well as a BMW 327 Convertible and a 327/28 Coupé. With nine private teams entering, a total of 16 BMW cars will be lining up in Brescia for the start of the 2008 Mille Miglia.

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May 16, 2008

Volvo P1800 Owners Converge on Sweden

47 Volvo P1800 cars from German and Swiss Volvo Owner clubs visit Sweden and Volvo Car Corporation in connection with the clubs' 30 year anniversary. An impressive sight.

The German Volvo P1800 IG and the Swiss Volvo-Sport Club P1800 are both celebrating their anniversary with a week's visit to Sweden. The group consists of 38 cars from Germany and 9 from Switzerland.

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May 15, 2008

Porsche 959

There had never been anything like the 959 – an everyday sports car with a top speed of 315 km/h, costing 420,000 DM, and packed with technology. The roof, the wings and the back of the bodywork were made of Kevlar. The front skirt was polyurethane and the bonnet and doors were made of aluminium.

Under its outer skin the 959 throbbed with the finest technology. The all-wheel drive was on all the time but depending on the preloaded driving program, different amounts of torque were applied to the front and rear axles.

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May 13, 2008

VW Beetles Keep Going and Going and ...

It's always cool to see well-cared for vintage cars being used as a daily drivers, such as this original Beetle convertible with the tag, "I BUGD OUT."

You have to figure with over 21 million original Beetles produced, there are more than a few still delivering dependable transport, while recently VW annnounced the New Beetle has reached over 1 million unit sales since being introduced in 1998, with over half a million of those on American roads.

VW's New Beetle Reaches a Decade as Pop Culture Icon

Henry Leland, Father of Cadillac and Lincoln

Investor's Business Daily has an interesting article about Henry Leland, a hard-working engineer who was involved in the early day of three iconic American car brands -- Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Lincoln.

Around the turn of the 20th century, the American auto industry was struggling to invent itself, and in the early days, most of the cars were miraculous for the fact that they ran at all, never mind for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Henry Leland was an engineer who pioneered the concept of identical mass production of parts, machined to exact tolerances, so that they could be switched in and out of models. His reputation landed him transmission and engine work at Oldsmobile, and that reputation got him the job of taking over the early Cadillac. Once he turned that brand around, the firm was sold to General Motors -- prompting Leland to go off on his own to found the Lincoln brand of cars, which was later sold to Ford.

April 28, 2008

BMW Design Honors Iconic M1

Munich/Cernobbio -- To mark the 30th anniversary of the BMW M1 super sports car, BMW Group Design is presenting a homage to this legendary model as part of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2008.

The BMW M1 designed by Giorgio Giugiaro was a car of superlatives and a highly emotive vehicle that was uncompromisingly primed for the race track.

Continue reading "BMW Design Honors Iconic M1"

April 22, 2008

1948 Buick Roadmaster Sells for $300,000

BOISE, Idaho -- Hot Web, Inc. today announced the completed record sale of a 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible "custom," named "Lowla" to an undisclosed buyer based in the United Arab Emirates capital city of Abu Dhabi.

The $300,000 paid for the one-of-a-kind automobile built by Startup, Washington-based Divers Street Rods, is believed to be the highest amount ever paid for the particular make and model.

Continue reading "1948 Buick Roadmaster Sells for $300,000"

April 21, 2008

Ford's Model T Turns 100

LOS ANGELES – A century after the Model T put the world on wheels, Ford continues building on its tradition with industry-leading, high-volume technologies including SYNC and EcoBoost engines, a new fuel-efficient powertrain lineup, a new small car for the world as well as America’s most head-turning crossover and most-capable pickup.

“Henry Ford’s Model T was simple, affordable and reliable. It changed the way we live, work and play, providing mobility and prosperity on an undreamed-of scale,” said Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO.

Continue reading "Ford's Model T Turns 100"

Ford Model T Facts

-- October 1, 1908 marks the anniversary of the first Model T built for sale.

-- The Model T was the first low-priced, mass-produced automobile with standard, interchangeable parts.

-- The Model T was equipped with a 20-horsepower, four-cylinder engine with a top speed of approximately 45 miles per hour, weighed 1,200 pounds, and achieved 13-21 miles per gallon.

Continue reading "Ford Model T Facts"

April 17, 2008

Mercedes-Benz brand: History of the three-pointed star

The invention in the 1880s of the high-speed engine and the automobile enabled Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz – independently of one another – to lay the foundations for the motorization of road transport.

With the help of financial backers and partners, they both invested their private developments in their own enterprises – in Mannheim, Benz founded the firm Benz & Cie. in October 1883, and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) was formed in November 1890.

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April 2, 2008

Spectacular Collector Cars Highlight Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Record crowds, over $1 million raised for charity, interactive experiences, expanded live SPEED coverage and scores of new bidders for a strong group of collector cars were the hallmarks of the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in West Palm Beach, Fla., from March 26-30, 2008.

Bidders from around the world competed for 509 vehicles that sold at No Reserve for a total of $23,301,250 at the automotive lifestyle event.

Continue reading "Spectacular Collector Cars Highlight Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach"

March 29, 2008

BMW M1 Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Munich -- The star came in pure white: When the 64th Paris Motor Show opened its gates in autumn 1978, sports car fans and lovers had only one destination - the stand of BMW Motorsport GmbH.

There they were able to admire a super-low, dynamic new model which made it clear at very first sight that this was Germany's fastest road-going sports car: the BMW M1, 1,140 millimeters (44.9" ) high, 204 kW (277 bhp) strong, and well over 260 km/h (160 mph) fast. "Everybody was crowding around BMW's new mid-engined sports car", wrote the press.

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March 28, 2008

SPEED and Barrett-Jackson Extend Partnership

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The world’s premier collector car auction company, Barrett-Jackson, and SPEED, the automotive lifestyle network, have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract to continue live broadcasts of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Events in Scottsdale, Ariz., and West Palm Beach, Fla., and extend coverage to include Barrett-Jackson’s new Las Vegas auction.

Continue reading "SPEED and Barrett-Jackson Extend Partnership"

1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Coupe

Although it was officially named Carrera GTS, it opened a new chapter in Porsche's sporting history under the internal designation 904.

The 904, designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (known as "Butzi"), anticipated, from a technical point of view, much that did not become the norm in racing car manufacturing until later: mixed steel/plastic construction, low weight, small frontal area.

Continue reading "1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Coupe"

March 8, 2008

The Henry Ford Acquires First Steel-Bodied School Bus

DEARBORN, Mich. -- The Henry Ford, America’s premiere history destination in Dearborn, Michigan has acquired the first steel-bodied school bus, Blue Bird No. 1, it was announced today by Patricia Mooradian, president of the institution.

Blue Bird No. 1 was the first steel-bodied school bus built by Albert Luce, Sr. in 1927. Luce was the owner of Ford dealerships in Fort Valley and Perry, Georgia when one of his customers requested a vehicle to transport workers to a cement plant.

Continue reading "The Henry Ford Acquires First Steel-Bodied School Bus"

February 26, 2008

Vintage Volvo Gets a Hot Rod Makeover

Hot Rod Jakob is a unique combination of classical car-building craftsmanship allied to modern technology and design.

In February 2008 the car will be unveiled at the Volvo Museum in Göteborg before setting off on a tour of the Nordic region and the USA.

From 1925-1926, the prototypes of what would eventually become the first Volvo slowly take shape in a simple workshop on the island of Hisingen in Göteborg on Sweden's west coast. Volvo's enthusiastic founders Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson and their skilled craftsmen proceed with immense skill and precision.

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February 21, 2008

Volvo reaches 15 million car milestone

The very first Volvo car left the factory on April 14, 1927. It was called the ÖV4 because the letters ÖV are Swedish for "Open Car" and 4 denoted the number of cylinders powering the new Swedish car.

On February 20, 2008, it was once again an open car that is under the spotlights. That's when car number 15,000,000, an attractive convertible Volvo C70, left the factory in Uddevalla.

Continue reading "Volvo reaches 15 million car milestone"

February 16, 2008

Michael Madesen's Reservoir Dogs Cadillac Fails to Sell on eBay

Michael Madsen's star power was not enough to sell this vintage 1966 Cadillac DeVille, the vehicle used by his character Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs.

Bidding ended last night at $12,600, which did not meet the reserve, so no sale.

We kind of find this hard to believe, as counting Mr. Madsen, the car's cinematic heritage and the Caddoo itself, it really hits the trifecta of celebrity car power. The actor was also throwing in a personal meet and greet with photos, a signed edition of R-Dogs and an autograph on teh car itself -- and no one was willing to bid more than 12.6?

After the jump, Mr. Madsen's description of the car and extras -- warning ALL CAPS ahead!

Continue reading "Michael Madesen's Reservoir Dogs Cadillac Fails to Sell on eBay"

February 11, 2008

100th Edition of Chicago Auto Show Features Historic Display

CHICAGO -- They say it was an adventurous, but finally rewarded man who first discovered the true joy of a lobster. Getting to all that delicious meat takes some work, but ultimately it's very much worthwhile.

The Chicago Auto Show's 100th Showcase isn't dissimilar, with showgoers who work their way to the north end of the North Building of the nation's premier exposition center being rewarded with an astounding array of rolling automotive history.

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February 5, 2008

Custom '57 Chevy to Benefit Armed Forces Foundation

WASHINGTON -- The Armed Forces Foundation, dedicated to promoting the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces community, is proud to announce the completion of Super Chevy magazine’s custom-built 1957 Chevy convertible that was built under the name Project American Heroes.

The project, which was created to financially assist families of fallen or disabled Veterans through the Armed Forces Foundation, will be featured at one of Washington’s most widely attended and prestigious galas – the 2008 Armed Forces Foundation Congressional Gala.

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November 8, 2007

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October 26, 2007

Carroll Shelby’s Personal 1969 GT500 on the Auction Block

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Carroll Shelby will sell his 1969 GT500 convertible, which he has owned since it was new, at No Reserve during the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

It is the only Ford-based Shelby Mustang that he has owned continually since it rolled off the assembly line. The historic muscle car will be showcased during the SEMA show in Las Vegas from Tuesday, Oct. 30 – Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in the Barrett-Jackson booth (#20765), located in the “Racing and Performance” area of Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Continue reading "Carroll Shelby’s Personal 1969 GT500 on the Auction Block"

September 29, 2007

From England to Notre Dame, Chrysler Designer Still Resonates 50 Years Later

by Mike Ellis, Chrysler Communications

Sitting on the hood of a Dodge, a Yankees cap on his head, until he opens his mouth, you’d have no idea that Peter Grist is British.

It was 1950s rock and roll, from America, that turned him on to cars – Chrysler and Dodge in particular- and a career in automotive journalism.

“I was keenly into the 1950s rock and roll music. And it goes hand in hand with the cars really. And the cars that best fit that, and the sexiest cars of their day were by far the Chrysler cars,” Grist said in an interview.

Grist recently wrote two books about Chrysler. “Dodge Dynamite” was released just a few weeks ago and celebrates 50 years of Dodge performance cars. And in a few more weeks, “Virgil Exner: Visioneer”, a biography of the famous auto designer, will be released.

Continue reading "From England to Notre Dame, Chrysler Designer Still Resonates 50 Years Later"

September 27, 2007

Mopar Announces Final Four “Top Eliminator” Award Winners for 2007 SEMA Show

Center Line, Mich. -- Mopar Performance Parts and the editors of Mopar Muscle, Mopar Action and Mopar Collector’s Guide have chosen the final four 2007 Top Eliminator award winners.

Mopar, the Chrysler LLC’s original equipment (OE) parts manufacturer, developed the year-long program to recognize the most passionate and skilled Mopar enthusiasts and their restored or modified cars. The seven winners and their vehicles will attend this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30 – Nov. 2, 2007.

Continue reading "Mopar Announces Final Four “Top Eliminator” Award Winners for 2007 SEMA Show"

September 11, 2007

Saab Turbo X Celebrates 30 Years of Turbocharging at Frankfurt

The new Saab Turbo X high-technology model, making its world debut tomorrow at the first press day of the Frankfurt auto show, celebrates that it was Saab who put turbocharging on the automotive map. It all began exactly 30 years ago, at exactly the same place, when the first Saab 99 Turbo model was presented to the world media at the 1977 Frankfurt auto show.

At that time Saab was alone in pursuing turbocharging as a reliable and realistic means of extracting more power and efficiency from a production engine. Saab’s success over the next three decades shows that imitation is, indeed the sincerest form of flattery -- there are now few manufacturers who do not offer turbocharged models.

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August 30, 2007

Rare GM Vehicles on Display at Salisbury Automobile Classic

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Several multi-million dollar automobiles will be making rare appearances at the eighth annual Salisbury Automobile Classic on Sunday, September 9.

The Salisbury House Foundation, in cooperation with General Motors and a local dealership, Betts Cadillac, has secured the arrival of the 1938 Buick Y Job, the 1951 Le Sabre and a 1953 - 59 Cadillac Le Mans, all part of the private GM Heritage Collection of rare and concept vehicles. Also joining this year’s event is the unique Futurliner.

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August 9, 2007

GM's launches IGotShotgun vid channel with 4-part series of Detroit's Vinsetta Garage

Detroit - General Motors is helping to fuel Dream Cruise fever with the production of a four-part video series profiling the Vinsetta Garage, which is located on Woodward Avenue in Berkley, Mich., and which has been a fixture on the Detroit automotive scene since 1919.

Shot documentary-style, the video series introduces viewers to Vinsettta Garage owner, Jack Marwil, his staff and the inner workings of this Detroit-area landmark.

Continue reading "GM's launches IGotShotgun vid channel with 4-part series of Detroit's Vinsetta Garage"

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