Of special interest to me was a 1921 Brewster 91 Double Enclosed-Drive Sedan. Frank and Patricia Wisner, the owners, are from Stratford, Connecticut, and have owned the car for two years. If you are not familiar with the Brewster, it’s because only 473 were made. At present, only 23 are known to be still in existence, with this car being the only known Brewster with a double enclosed drive. The car has been driven for less than 27,000 miles and is completely unrestored. The original owner was Mrs. H. D. Auchincloss, the step-grandmother of Jacqueline Kenney Onassis and Gore Vidal.

The Wismers in front of their 1921 Brewster

1921 Brewster

Two other cars of particular interest were a 1937 Horch 853A Cabriolet owned by James W. Taylor of Gloversville, New York, and a 1938 Talbo-Lago Type 23 Teardrop Coupe owned by the Cantore family of Oak Brook, Illinois. The Horch car has fewer than 36,000 miles in it and is unrestored. The Talbo-Lago was once owned by Standard Oil heiress Beatrice Cartwright and was restored in 2000.

1937 Horch 853A Cabriolet

1938 Talbo Lago

This show was held at the Hershey Hotel, which provided an “elegant” backdrop. You definitely want to go to our gallery to see additional pictures.

As soon as I arrived, I met Charles Chubbs, who was showing a 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Hardtop. He purchased the car in 1981 from an older gentleman who decided he was going to discontinue driving. With the exception of some cosmetic repairs, such as a paint job, the car is all original. Though it has been painted, the car maintains its original color—honeydew yellow—and only has 70,000 miles on it.

1966 Ford Thunderbird

Charles Chubbs with his 1966 Ford Thunderbird

During the show I noticed a bit of hullabaloo surrounding a 2007 Mustang GT Steeda. All the attention this car was getting was well deserved as it is one of only 95 made in 2007. Once things had settled down, I spoke to Alec, who was at the show with his uncle, Adam Alimonti, the owner of the car. Alec told me his uncle was shopping around for a car for his girlfriend when he saw this Mustang. It was love at first sight. Adam purchased it on the spot for himself. His girlfriend had to wait a bit, but she did eventually find an Audi for herself.

2007 Ford Mustang

2007 Ford Mustang Steeda Interior

Adam has modified the car by adding carbon fiber and chrome. This car is rare in that it is as pretty underneath the hood as it is on the exterior.

2007 Ford Mustang Steeda

2007 Ford Mustang Steeda

Engine:
Steeda Cold Air Induction w/90mm MAF
Steeda Performance ECU Tune
330 HP / 350 TQ

Wheels/Tires:
Steeda Ultra-Light 1 18×9.5 Wheels Silver
BF Goodrich T/A KDW 275/40/18 Ultra High Performance Radials
Steeda Locking Lug Nut Set

Adam Alimonti with his 2007 Ford Mustang Steeda

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On Saturday May 12, 2012, I attended the Tenth Annual Boy Scout Car Show at the Southampton Municipal Complex on Route 206 and Retreat Road in Southampton, New Jersey. The proceeds from the show go to Boy Scout Troop 31.

George Hohenstein (left) & Lou Pinto (right)

While at the show I met two great guys, George Hohenstein and Lou Pinto, both members of the Cruisin’ Classics Auto Club. George was showing a 1951 pick-up. When he purchased it, it was just a body stored in a school bus. If you are wondering, as I was, why it was stored in a bus, the previous owner did not have a garage, so he removed the bus interior and used it as such. Anyway, George did all the work on the pick-up, and it now has a 357 Chevy crate motor, a 204R overdrive transmission, disc brakes, and power steering.

This 1951 Chevrolet Pick-up is a Crowd Pleaser

1951 Chevrolet Pick-up. A Closer Look.

Lou was showing a 1953 Mercury Monterey purchased in 1995. When he got the car, it was completely stock. He redid the engine, frenched the headlights and taillights, removed the door handles, installed electric solenoids, bored out the engine to increase the horsepower, and put in a mild cam. The car was also painted and given an elegantly styled custom interior.

1953 Mercury Monterey. Notice: No Door Handles. Frenched Headlights.

1953 Mercury Monterey

Pretty girls and pretty cars go well together, so when Danielle Gurden passed by I asked her to pose in front of Jimmy Hawkins’ 1960 Pontiac Bonneville.

Danielle Gurden in Front of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville

Oh, also, there was a wedding during the show. The lovely couple, John and Virginia Bowker, met at this very show in 2010. That just goes to prove what my brother always says, “If women want to meet men, they should go to a car show.”

Wedding Picture

Wedding Picture

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On April 28, 2012, I was at the Olde Stone House Village Car Show in Sewell, New Jersey, which featured cars and trucks of all makes and models 25 years old and older. Despite the chilly and overcast day, I met a number of really nice people with really nice cars.

The first person I met called himself “Monte Carlo Man” and, of course, was driving a 1972 Monte Carlo. My eye then spotted a 1963 Ford Falcon with a 260 V8 engine. The owners, Ron and Doretta Scott, have had this car since 1993. At that time they were in the market and because Doretta learned to drive in a Falcon and Ron had a Falcon when he got out of the army, this car was their choice. Did you know that the Falcon was the forerunner to the Mustang?

Monte Carlo Man with his 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Ron and Dorretta Scotts' Ford Falcon

While wandering around, I could not help but notice a 1931 Ford A owned by Billy Young. Parked nearby was Bob Driscoll’s 1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown, purchased online in July 2011. In 1965 this car listed for $6194.00; according to Bob’s calculations, that would be $52,799.00 in today’s dollars.

Billy Young's 1931 Ford A

Bob Driscoll's 1965 Imperial Crown

Ford Thunderbirds are distinctive, so when I passed by Charlie Holmes sitting in his I just had to stop and investigate. Charlie has had this 1955 model for 50 years. It spent 20 years in the garage, but in 1998, after his wife died, Charlie decided to restore it. It took him eight months to get it on the road and he has been working on it ever since.

Charlie Holmes in his 1955 Ford Thunderbird

I was leaving the show when I spotted my favorite model of car, the Buick Riviera. I could not believe I almost missed it. This particular Riviera is a 1970 and is owned by Marty Pinder, who was at the show with his son. The car has 43,000 miles on it, is all original, and Marty is the original owner.

Marty Pinder's 1970 Buick Riviera

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On April 21, 2012, I attended the Buick Club of America–Jersey Shore Chapter car show at Straub Buick in Keyport, New Jersey. The show featured all makes and models, including stock production and classics through 1987, hot rods and customs through 1987, and special-interest vehicles through 2012.

1975 Buick LeSabre owned by one of the Straub brothers

While I was there I was lucky enough to meet one of the Straub brothers. And, in case you are wondering, yes, he was driving a classic Buick—a 1975 LeSabre that had originally been purchased by the dealership for his mother and has been in the family ever since. Currently it has approximately 24,000 miles on it and everything including the paint job is original.

I also met the owner of a 1985 Buick Somerset, who boasted that his car has never needed a repair. While I am somewhat of a Buick enthusiast, I have to admit I was not familiar with this model. A quick Wikipedia check told me why: The Somerset was only produced between 1985 and 1987.

1985 Buick Somerset

William Zeiman was at the show with his 1966 Buick Special that, with only a few minor exceptions such as seat belts, is also completely original. Also at the show and noteworthy was a 1975 Buick LeSabre Special with a convertible parade cap.

William Zeiman with his 1966 Buick Special

1975 Buick LeSabre

I did not stay long enough to find out who took home which trophy, but I can tell you that every head turned when a 1930 Cadillac Dual Cowl Phaeton
rolled onto the lot.

1930 Cadillac Dual Cowl Phaeton

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