Celebrated the 10th Anniversary With Three Nights of Auction Excitement and Three World Records
Monterey, CA (Aug 17, 2010) -- With its traditional “rolling preview,” the online webcast, and interactive auction experience the Monterey 2010 event was once again held at the downtown Monterey Marriott Hotel August 12-14, 2010. Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles celebrated its 10th Anniversary by kicking off its 3 nights of auction with a cocktail reception that left the Marriott Hotel bursting at the seams.
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Published on 08-23-2010 02:01 PM
Number of Views: 1877
Plymouth Success and the Model Q
By: Margery Krevsky
Walter P. Chrysler founded Plymouth Motor Corporation in 1928. The first car was the Model Q, which sold as a 1929 model. The Model Q was built in the Highland Park Plant, which Chrysler received from the purchase of the Dodge Brothers earlier that year. This Plymouth model was designed to be an entry level automobile competing primarily with Ford and Chevrolet. Plymouth’s were actually priced a little higher than the competition, but they offered more standard features such as internal expanding hydraulic brakes along with a 4 horsepower 4 cylinder engine. The bodies were also mounted on rubber mounts to create a smoother ride. The competition did not provide these features. Sold exclusively through Chrysler dealerships at first in 1930 they became available to Dodge and Desoto dealers too in the following years. The sales motto of the day was “If you can get someone in the car they will buy it” alluding to the almost vibration free ride.
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Hershey, PA (August 17, 2010). If you’re a car lover there’s only one place to be in early October and that’s the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey, PA. As part of “Meet Week” festivities this year, nationally recognized automotive artist David Snyder will display his award winning paintings and prints in the Upper Level Rotunda of the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum (AACA Museum).
David Snyder started drawing cars, airplanes and trains at the age of six. His passion for transportation history continues today. David graduated from Central Academy of Commercial Art in Cincinnati, Ohio. A successful career in advertising as a designer, art director and illustrator left him yearning to paint the transportation history he remembered from his youth. The artistry of the automobile never escaped his attention. David's art portrays memories of growing up with cars from the '50's through the American Muscle era. He takes you down memory lane inviting you to "step right in" to his paintings and visit the past. The period architecture, signage, oil cans in the garage bay-no detail is too small- all are a part of his passion. Known for fidelity of detail he spends countless hours on research before even beginning a painting.
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When car cruising begins each summer, the heads still turn to see the classic Ford Thunderbirds. Over their history from 1955 to the present day, they underwent many changes of size and styling, but always have kept a unique, iconic look.
The Thunderbird was introduced in 1955 with the intention of competing against the Chevrolet Corvette. The Bird was a classy looking two seater with clean styling, creature comforts and V8 refinements—more of a personal luxury car than a racy sports car. And that theme, of being a personal luxury car, permeated most of its 50 years of production.
The Thunderbird surpassed easily the sales of the Corvette in those first years of production. However, Ford saw early on that a two-seater would not continue its popularity in the long run—this was a small niche. People wanted the convenience of more passenger and cargo room. Thus the 1958 to 1960 model of the Thunderbird was transformed into a four-seat car. This first transformation of the Thunderbird had boxy lines, a wide pillar roof for the hard top, but the fine interior definitely said it was a personal luxury car indeed. This revamping of the Thunderbird was an instant success. It was named Motor Trend Magazine’s Car of the Year.
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The Gilmore Car Museum received a grant from MotorCities National Heritage Area for the Gilmore Garage Works Program. The Gilmore Garage Works program helps teens learn life lessons as they restore a classic car at the Gilmore Car Museum during an after-school program.
The grant is currently underway and is expected to be completed this year. Stay tuned for news updates, pictures, and completion information!
Published on 08-11-2010 11:16 AM
Number of Views: 1933
In the summer issue of Hagerty’s magazine, we listed the “10 Cars to Buy Now”: our picks for the next cars to take off in the market. Now we're narrowing our scope a little; here are our top 5 picks of muscle cars we expect to do well in the coming years.
This is admittedly an eclectic list of muscle cars; it could easily have included 15 – or 50 – cars, so we’ll rely on you to weigh in with your own choices in the comments. Our picks fall into two categories: Sleepers that haven’t quite caught on despite plenty of horsepower and good looks; and a couple of blue chippers that have taken it on the chin recently in values. We think they’ll be among the first to come back when the economy rights itself.
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One of the most successful car launches in automotive history was the entry of the DeSoto in 1929. The vehicles were built until 1961. Produced by Chrysler as a mid-priced vehicle it entered the market at a highly competitive time and helped lay claim to an empire. GM had the slogan a “car for every purse and purpose”. The Chevrolet to Cadillac philosophy helped establish GM as the world’s largest and most successful auto company. So Walter P. Chrysler, head of Chrysler, conceived the DeSoto to add to its nameplate “ladder”. It is possible the creation of this vehicle also propelled the Dodge Brothers and their bankers to sell the Dodge Company to Chrysler. After the introduction of the DeSoto the Chrysler/ Dodge sale took place giving the newly formed company two mid-priced vehicles. Thus, with the stroke of a pen Walter P. Chrysler purchased Dodge Brothers and created a sibling rival for the Desoto.
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At car cruises and shows across the state this summer, you can bet there is plenty of talk about not only how a car handles but how it looks. But, it’s also a good bet that the name Harley Earl won’t be mentioned during these conversations. Which is unfortunate because, with the possible exception of Henry Ford, no other person has single-handedly contributed more to the evolution of the modern automobile industry.
Earl’s accomplishments during his 30 years at GM included introducing the “concept car,” crash safety testing and the use of clay models in the design of the automobile. But his most important and enduring contribution was to convince the brass at GM that a car’s appearance is just as important to the auto-buying public as the way it performs.
IN THE EARLY 1950s, Southern California MG owner Charlie Weber wanted his car to stay clean while parked. His wife thought up a fitted cover that she had sewn by a local tent maker. That first cover spawned the MG Mitten Company and a line of covers. By 1966, MG Mitten offered fitted covers for 30 cars, thanks to fledgling cover manufacturer Covercraft. Today, Covercraft offers fitted covers in more than 55,000 different patterns.
Holman and Moody Factory-backed Cobra Team Car Offered at Russo and Steele’s 10th Anniversary Monterey Auction
Monterey, CA (Jul 8, 2010) -- Located in the heart of the historic downtown Monterey at the Marriott Hotel Russo and Steele will showcase over 250 collector automobiles to the thousands of enthusiasts that descend on Monterey during what has become known as one of the most prestigious week in the collector automobile hobby.
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