John D'Agostino makes beautiful cars, two were at the Rodeo Dr Concours

Read More

the glamour of advertising from the late 50's Cadillac ad campaign

found on http://carrosantigos.wordpress.com

Read More

a gullwing Mercedes found in Cuba, severely rusted and basically junk. Once a wonderful car... until a part broke and it was scavenged to keep others on the road I suppose

found on http://caristas.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-gullwing-watch-it-and-weep.html

for a full article on it: http://caristas.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-young-man-and-300sl.html

 awaiting that dream day when it will emerge better than new, this man's trophies are a Hispano-Suiza race car, a Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato "Double Bubble" coupe, even a Chrysler Special by Ghia show car.
   And, of course, that Gullwing,  a Mercedes-Benz 300SL, engine-less, rust creeping up its sides, lies beached amidst debris in a yard near Havana.
   In the photos Miguel took of that very car in Nov 2012, the rust has spread everywhere: door sills, window frames, the roof. Worse, the car bends up at either end, its trademark doors jammed open. Because it was transported and stored poorly, Miguel writes at This European Life, "it's almost broken in half."

Also in Cuba are other very rare and incredible cars like a 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom I. Its coachwork has been recognized as the handiwork of Letourneur and Marchand of Paris. http://caristas.blogspot.com/2012/11/rich-relics.html

farther into the archives of Caristas.blogspot I found 

and among other Vettes, this 1954:

http://caristas.blogspot.com/2012/10/cuba-correct-corvette.html

and I just learned... there is a car museum in Havana.. the Depósito del Automóvil http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dep%C3%B3sito_del_Autom%C3%B3vil
and inside it are :

1905 Cadillac
 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
1953 MG TD
 1920s Fiat Alfa Romeo roadster
1970s Daimler
1980s Chevy replica of a 1957 Maserati used by Juan Manuel Fangio
 Cadillac V16 1930
 1959 Oldsmobile, owned by Commander Camilo Cienfuegos
 1918 Ford T
1930 Baby Lincoln
funeral carriage
1977 Ducati 900SS owned by Fidel Castro
1915 Mack AC. Chain drive

the personal cars of Fidel and Raul Castro, as well as the Chevrolet Impala of Che Guevara, Mr. Maestre said he would like to secure what is perhaps Cuba's most important car: Ernest Hemingway's Chrysler.

The best online photo gallery is http://www.flickr.com/photos/riveranotario/sets/72157633360600664/with/8683984605/

Eduardo Mesejo Maestre, curator of the Depósito del Automóvil, the country’s official antique car museum arranged Treasury Department permission for Tom Cotter to travel directly to Havana from Miami on cultural exchange visas. Call it spark plug diplomacy.

We were told of the country’s dire economy, where street sweepers and doctors make the same wages. So auto repair for the island’s vintage cars becomes a creative endeavor: shampoo is used for brake fluid; iron pipes are cut up for piston rings; Coca-Cola is used to loosen rusty bolts; and cars are painted with sponges, then buffed with toothpaste.

“We call it the Cuban way,” Abel Contreras de la Guardia, our translator and tour guide, said. “We do anything to keep our cars running.”

Depósito del Automóvil is at Oficios No. 13, Habana Vieja, C.P. 10100, La Habana, Cuba. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/automobiles/03cuba.html?_r=0

Read More

The Cadillac as art, by Robert Longo

that is simple, perfect, and well designed!
Found on http://www.theworldsbestever.com/category/cars/page/14/ you can buy one of 30 copies at http://dossierjournal.com/editions/robert_longo/ for $1500

Read More

1933 Cadillac with a steering coloumn that incorporates the lights into the center section... I don't think I've seen that before

Read More

I came across an online source of Brass Era Cars For Sale

This 13 Cadillac includes: Restored from very crisp, low mileage original car Rebuilt engine, water pump, new timing chain, brakes and kingpins 25" restored wheels with all new wood by Amish Reproduction of original gas tank but in stainless steel Newly made radiator that keeps the car cool

 1911 Chalmers, Pony Tonneau  Converted to two pedal operation including full electrical system with: Starter Alternator Turn signals Headlights New stainless gas tank Dual Delco ignition New rear brakes & drums. Body sheeted in steel so the paint won’t crack. New horsehair stuffed leather upholstery with matching green carpet and linoleum. New tires and every part rebuilt for care-free touring. Sport model so she`s low enough to go under seven foot garage door.

This 50 HP 1912 Speedwell has a 5x5 (393 cubic inch) engine and a 3 speed transmission. Not modified, very correct --- including correct brass. Factory equipped with presto-lite starter. Needs engine work

This 1908 National, Model 9-40 is a Big and Powerful 7 passenger touring car with a 40 hp ball bearing main engine. One of only a few pre-1910 Nationals left. Not an assembled car. Twice "Best of Class" Concours winner and one time "Favorite American Car" winner.

This rare 1915 Peerless 48HP Touring Car is still in the ownership of the original family. Purchased new by a major PA cigar manufacturer. He kept it until his passing in 1933. It was then stored until 1963 when inherited by his great grandson and stored again for 40 years. Original speedometer shows only 24,500 miles.

http://www.hcca.org/sellit.php

how'd I find it? One of the sellers found that I'd posted a gallery on his 1912 Regal http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/1912-regal-underslung.html and used the link to my photos instead of taking his own. Oh well, so much for getting a thanks from that guy, but it's nice to be appreciated for the post.

Read More

50's Cadillac with a camper shell, in the movie Herbie Rides Again

Read More