Ultimate Garage 2.0: Car #2

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”

– Oscar Wilde

“Don’t forget to look out for Number 1, but make sure you don’t step in Number 2!”

– Rodney Dangerfield in Back To School, certainly uttered in earlier times by others

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The first of two “original hybrids” in Ultimate Garage 2.0, the 1959 Facel Vega HK500 is an amazing looking car to me and it was powered by a Chrysler V-8.

See the source image

The top photo is from inspirationseek.com, the bottom from classicandsportscar.com.

Facel was a French construction company founded by Jean Daninos in 1938, rather unfortunate timing obviously. They initially manufactured machine tools for the aircraft industry. After World War II Facel began manufacturing office and home furniture as well as car bodies for makes like Panhard, Delahaye and Bentley. Daninos wanted to make cars of his own and first showed original designs at the 1950 Paris motor show. The Facel Vega was introduced in 1954.

This car was really designed for export as France had very high taxes on high-output automobiles. The first Facel Vegas were powered by the 276 cubic-inch/4.5 liter DeSoto (Yeah!) Hemi; subsequently the engine was either a 291 cubic-inch/4.8 liter DeSoto Hemi or a 330 cubic-inch/5.4 liter Chrysler Hemi with output of 250 HP/340 LB-Ft of torque. The transmission could be either the two-speed Powerflite automatic or a 4-speed Pont-a-Mousson manual. By 1959 the engine was the Chrysler wedge-head 383 cubic-inch/6.3 liter V8 that produced 360 HP/460 LB-FT. The automatic transmission had been upgraded to a three-speed Torqueflite, but the manual was the same. Disc brakes were an option on the 1959 model, but became standard in 1960.

Facel also produced other cars such as the Excellence (a four-door hardtop sedan with rear suicide doors) and the Facellia (a smaller two-door design that could be purchased in convertible form, it was doomed by its engine designed by Westlake in Britain but built by Pont-a-Mousson). Believe it or not there’s a Packard connection to Facel. Most Packard aficionados have heard the tale of the proposal to re-badge the Facel Excellence as a Packard. While Jean Daninos said he was unaware of such a proposal (although he never said he would have been opposed to it), the rumor continued to surface in numerous places over the years and made it into print in some of the very few books printed on the Facel Vega. Supposedly, the end of the idea came from Mercedes-Benz whose cars were, at the time, being distributed in the US by Studebaker-Packard and M-B didn’t want the competition. Would Packard still be around if that idea had come to fruition? We will never know…

Famous auto journalist Tom McCahill wrote this about the HK500, “[It] is sexier than the Place Pigalle and throatier than a Russian basso…[it is] a remarkable and wonderfully satisfying road companion.” Motor Trend wrote this about the Facel Vega, “[it] has as much show-stopping quality as the Continental (and maybe more), is finished in the impressive Rolls-Royce style, performs with the agility of the hottest American cars and handles as well as an Austin-Healey.” Famous people like Tony Curtis and Ringo Starr owned the Facel Vega. Unfortunately, the cars didn’t sell well enough to keep Facel afloat. The last Facel Vega was manufactured in September, 1964 and the company was liquidated in 1965.

As I have written before in this blog I do not believe in the famous axiom that if you build a better mousetrap the world will beat a path to your door. I certainly don’t believe that it’s always true. By the way, according to Hagerty the average value for a 1959 Facel Vega HK500 is $99,000. I have seen them sell for a lot more than that.

As always I welcome comments on the Facel Vega or on any other topic.

#UltimateGarage2.0

#1959FacelVegaHK500

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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Ultimate Garage 2.0: Honorable Mention & Car Number One

“Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.”

– Shakespeare

“No good deed goes unpunished.”

– Who Knows

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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the two “most important” cars in my life. First, this one:

See the source image

This picture of a 1956 Buick Century is obviously from Car-from-UK.com. A ’56 Century was the first car I ever drove, but just as important it was the first car I really remember. My father bought the car from the original owner in 1961, I believe. He owned the car for about 20 years so I grew up with it in a way, almost like a sibling. John Kraman (@CarKraman), this car did indeed start by turning the key to “On” and then fully depressing the gas pedal.

The steering box had a lot of play and in my first attempt to drive it I could not keep the car straight. My father ended that session quite quickly. However, I eventually got the hang of it and enjoyed driving it even after I acquired this car:

Two faded pictures I have shown before of my 1967 Pontiac GTO. This was MY first car and at first I didn’t really appreciate what my father had done for me. My friend and neighbor, Larry, made me aware of how special this car was. I have already told the sad story of this car’s end; anyway, I am here to celebrate this car and my entry into car ownership.

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I will reveal the cars for Ultimate Garage 2.0 one at a time in chronological order. Sometimes the year will not really be important.

No doubt existed that the 1956 Packard Caribbean would be on this list. The only question was whether it would be the convertible or the hardtop. I decided on the convertible. I mean, how could I leave a car off the list that literally made me cry at a car show?! (Actually that Caribbean was a ’55, but it was a convertible.)

See the source image

The top photo is from Mecum (the lot was offered at Chicago in 2014); the bottom photo is from supercars.net.

The ’56 model was the last of the Caribbeans and, of course, the last “real” Packard as for 1957-58 the cars were badge-engineered Studebakers built in South Bend. Total Caribbean output for model year 1956 was 539 with 276 of those being convertibles. The Caribbean was powered by Packard’s own 374 cubic-inch V8; the Caribbean spec had two four-barrel carburetors, a 10-to-1 compression ratio and was rated at 310 HP/405 LB-FT of torque. That HP rating probably was not an accident as it was five more than Cadillac’s most powerful engine for 1956. Here is something unusual offered in the Caribbean:

Yes, reversible seat cushions! These pictures appear in Packard: A History Of The Motor Car And The Company edited by the late Beverly Rae Kimes.

I think the 1956 Packard Caribbean is the epitome of 1950s American car style. Of course, the fact that it was manufactured by a defunct American make tugs on my heart strings a little more. Subjectively, they make an impression on me like no other car. I think they are magnificent.

One feature I’m going to try for Ultimate Garage 2.0 is to show the value of each car. Hagerty gives an “average” value for a 1956 Packard Caribbean convertible of about $67,000. I have seldom seen one listed that low on Hemmings. However, I expect that these cars will no longer appreciate as their market is disappearing. Price is usually determined by supply and demand.

Any thoughts on this selection? I’m sure 56packardman will like it. 🙂

#UltimateGarage2.0

#1956PackardCaribbeanConvertible

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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Ultimate Garage 2.0: The Cars That Missed The Cut, Part Two

“The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement.”

– George Will

Similarly, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”

-Voltaire

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Let’s start:

1968 AMC Javelin

See the source image

From classiccars.com a picture of a 1968 AMC Javelin. Sorry, V Squared, this just missed the cut for me. I think this is an exceptionally clean and sharp body style. According to Encyclopedia of American Cars by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide® the 390 cubic-inch V-8 that was rated 315 HP/425 LB-FT of torque was available in the Javelin although, of course, this car would be a restomod candidate for me, anyway.

(2014) Aston Martin DB9

See the source image

From greencarreports.com a picture of a 2014 Aston Martin DB9. I don’t think the cars changed much between model years; this just seemed like the best non-copyrighted photo to me. Another internal Supreme Court 5-4 decision as I could have just as easily put the car in Ultimate Garage 2.0 as not. If I were to pick an Ultimate Garage by history of makes then Aston would certainly be in.

The last four cars all have something in common that I will reveal.

1958 BMW 507

I took this picture at a local car show in 2017, I believe. On looks alone the 507 is in my all-time top five or six cars.

Jaguar E-Type Series 1

See the source image

Picture from tomhartley.com. How else should one show the E-Type except in British Racing Green?

Ferrari 365 GTB “Daytona”

See the source image

“Daytona” picture from autoevolution.com

(2000) Honda S2000

See the source image

This picture is from cool-carwallpapers.blogspot.com. (When you need the thief you take him down from the gallows.) Any first-series S2000 would do; I chose one from model year 2000 for symmetry.

OK, the BMW 507 would be excluded on the basis of HP/Torque in addition to another characteristic. Ultimately (see what I did there), I decided to exclude cars for which automatic transmissions were not (readily) available, like the 507, E-Type, 365 GTB “Daytona” and the S2000. I have not driven a vehicle with a manual transmission for 40+ years and just didn’t think including such cars would be true to my vision of my Ultimate Garage.

Now, I am really going to wade in it…I know that many enthusiasts who prefer a manual do so for genuine reasons. They like the feeling of control by manually going through the gears, of testing their skills or they grew up driving a manual and that’s what they know and like. However, I also know that many people who look down with disdain on cars with automatics are doing nothing but signaling that “I’m a real man” or “I’m a real automotive purist.” How do I know? From the reaction I receive when I indicate I prefer automatics. For example, on another automotive website I posted that I prefer automatics and haven’t driven a manual in 40+ years. One poster replied, “Well, I haven’t taken a shower in 40+ years.” That’s just one example of many.

The only constant in the world is change. Early automatic transmissions, while being marvels of engineering, were often “slushboxes.” However, that is no longer the case and hasn’t been for quite some time. No human being can shift as optimally or as quickly as an 8L90E. Also, if someone wants to shift gears manually modern automatics have that option. If you want to drive a manual more power to you, just don’t assume that your way is the only way. It might be the only way for you, but you don’t speak for everyone.

The 11 cars that missed the cut have now been presented. Beginning tomorrow Ultimate Garage 2.0 will be revealed one car at a time. I welcome comments on these choices or on any other topic.

#UltimateGarage

#TheCarsThatMissedTheCut

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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Ultimate Garage 2.0: The Cars That Missed The Cut, Part One

“There are more things in heaven and Earth…than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

– Shakespeare

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Welcome to the beginning of the reveal of my highly idiosyncratic Ultimate Garage 2.0. In some instances I cannot really articulate why I included or excluded a particular car. As this Ultimate Garage is larger than the first (which was seven cars), the number of cars that missed the cut is also larger so I decided to show those cars in two posts. OK, without further ado and in no particular order:

1968 Dodge Charger

To borrow a phrase/concept from March Madness/Bracketology this car was the last one out of the Ultimate Garage. Until very recently I was sure this car would be included, but my internal Supreme Court voted 5-4, at least for now, to exclude this car in favor of another.

See the source image

From eBay a picture of a 1968 Charger R/T. I am a big fan of the styling and performance of the second-generation Charger and the ’68 is my favorite of that generation. The main reason I like the ’68 the best is the grill, which is clean and unadorned compared to ’69 and ’70. If you asked me again in a month this car might be in instead of out.

1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk

This car also just missed the cut for my first Ultimate Garage. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

See the source image

From Bring a Trailer a picture of a slightly modified 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk.

1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman

From en.wheelsage.org a picture of the ’56 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman; this picture has been shown multiple times before in Disaffected Musings. Why is this car out instead of in? Not sure I can articulate the reason(s).

The next two cars were excluded because familiarity breeds contempt; I’ll explain later.

2006 Cadillac XLR-V

See the source image

In what I assume is a still from a YouTube video this is a picture of a 2006 Cadillac XLR-V (duh). The “V” designation means the car had a supercharged engine.

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line

See the source image

From complexmania.com a picture of a 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line. OK, what did I mean by familiarity breeds contempt? The reason I didn’t include the XLR-V—the same reason I didn’t buy a used one in 2016—is that a friend of mine told me that he had purchased two XLRs and that both had to be repurchased by Cadillac under our state’s lemon law. As for the Sky, my wonderful wife and I both test-drove one (not a Red Line, though) and the interior of the car just felt cheaply made. I love the looks of both cars and they have enough performance to have made Ultimate Garage 2.0 (in my head I had an informal minimum for HP and torque), but getting a close look revealed some warts.

I heartily welcome comments and it’s not too late to submit your Ultimate Garage if you haven’t done so. Barring unforeseen circumstances tomorrow I will post the second and final list of the cars that missed the cut.

#UltimateGarage

#TheCarsThatMissedTheCut

#somanycarsjustonelife

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Frugal Friday, Solstice/Sky Edition

Since last night’s Big Bang Theory series finale I cannot get the show’s theme song or “Soft Kitty” out of my head. I thought it was a good, not great, end to the show. I know it’s TV and I have to “suspend my disbelief,” but Sheldon’s reverting to his obnoxious and self-centered personality after winning the Nobel Prize in Physics only to have an epiphany of selflessness while accepting the prize seemed somewhat forced and inorganic to me. Yes, it’s America and people want a happy ending. That was delivered, for sure. Once again, while no one connected with the show will ever read this I offer my thanks to the cast and crew. I am sad that The Big Bang Theory will no longer be produced.

See the source image

From lifeandstylemag.com a picture of the cast of The Big Bang Theory.

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A recent photo by yours truly of a Pontiac Solstice Coupe. I don’t think I had ever seen one in person until this. While a Solstice has been featured in a previous Frugal Friday, and I have written about it and its close cousin—the Saturn Sky, I have not featured both of them in a Frugal Friday post.

Obviously I am a big fan of these cars. While they shared the same platform they did not share any sheet metal. I like the looks of the Sky more than the Solstice, but I think both cars are quite handsome.

My wonderful wife and I have both test driven a Sky, although not in Red Line spec. The Sky Red Line and Solstice GXP had a 2-liter/122 cubic-inch, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 260 HP/260 LB-FT of torque, which still might be the highest specific output of any GM engine ever. An available dealer installed option was a modified computer tune and two new sensors that resulted in an increased output to 290 HP/340 LB-FT.

Today’s Frugal Friday, therefore, is the “best” deals on a GXP and Red Line. Much subjectivity is involved as it’s not necessarily the least expensive car offered for sale in the US, but a combination of price and perceived quality. The Solstice first:

Used 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Convertible APALACHIN, NY 13732 - 515556646 - 1

Picture via Autotrader; it is a 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP in Yellow over Black with a manual transmission and just 37,000 miles. I limited my search to cars with fewer than 60,000 miles. The seller is asking $14,490.

Used 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line Fredericksburg, VA 22408 - 504746622 - 3

Also from Autotrader and, obviously, offered by Lucky Line Motors (in Fredericksburg, VA) is a 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line in Black over Red. This Red Line has 51,000 miles and has an automatic transmission. The dealer is asking just $10,990.

It’s hard for me to imagine two more interesting cars that are so affordable. For the nth time the average “transaction price” of a new vehicle in the US is approaching $40,000. The list price of both of these cars combined is only about $25,000. A shout-out to David Banner who suggested a feature like this.

Since it is likely I will begin revealing my Ultimate Garage 2.0 tomorrow and since that reveal, along with the cars that just missed the cut, will take about two weeks, Throwback Thursday and Frugal Friday will not appear until after Ultimate Garage 2.0 is finished.

The straw that breaks the camel’s back doesn’t even have to be as heavy as the other straws…

#BigBangTheory

#FrugalFriday

#SaturnSky

#PontiacSolstice

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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Throwback Thursday, The Big Bang Theory Edition

Tonight the 279th and last episode of The Big Bang Theory will air on CBS. The show is the longest running multi-camera (usually meaning live audience) sitcom in TV history. While in my opinion it is not as funny as it was in the first five seasons or so, it is still an enjoyable half-hour of TV, of which there are very few as far as I am concerned. I have to admit that I am sad that the show is ending.

While no one associated with the show will ever read this, thanks to all the cast and crew for so many wonderful moments over 12 seasons.

See the source image

From popculture.com a picture of the original cast of The Big Bang Theory.

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The Big Bang Theory debuted in September, 2007. Speaking of 2007, this is a picture of my 2007 Corvette. My life was much different then than it is today. Then, I had a successful baseball operations/player personnel consulting business. My wonderful wife and I were living in Texas. The iPhone was first released in 2007; over one billion of them have been sold.

When I sold this Corvette after the collapse of my business in October, 2010 I didn’t think I would ever own another one. Thanks to my wonderful wife and to years of successful investing in the equity and fixed income markets I, of course, am back in the Corvette saddle again. However, the ’07 remains the only Corvette that I purchased new and that may never change.

#TheBigBangTheory

#2007

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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Goodbye, Mr. Tudball

My condolences to the family and friends of Tim Conway. He brought so much laughter to so many people he could be considered a national treasure. Not a fan of YouTube as it is part of the Google Evil Empire, but here is a Mr. Tudball/Mrs. Wiggins sketch.

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I am, once again, “under the weather.” I have a viral infection in my throat that last night gave me the second worst sore throat I’ve ever experienced, second only to the throat pain I felt when I was stricken with mononucleosis in college. It’s only been two months since I got over the nasty upper respiratory bug that knocked me out for almost a month. Any ideas as to how I can avoid being sick like this?

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What was Albert Einstein doing when he wrote the four papers that marked his annus mirabilis? Surely he was a professor at an esteemed institution. Wrong! He was working as a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office.

It was a priest (Giovanni Caselli) who invented the fax machine, not someone with a Ph.D. in a science discipline. By the way, the fax is older than the telephone. Caselli’s fax system used telegraph infrastructure.

As I have written before (including here) America is drowning in credential-ism. I must once again rant against the system. My alma mater bestowed upon me an Alumni Award of Excellence. Despite receiving rave reviews from the students I taught there in a couple of classes, the school could not see its way clear to allow me to teach 1-2 classes a semester of my choosing probably because I don’t have a Ph.D. I have accomplished more in sports than any Ph.D. in Sports Management. I have accomplished more in my field than most Ph.D.s regardless of field.

My recent talk at my alma mater received rave reviews from the education professionals in the audience. How is it that the school cannot find a role for me?

Academic achievement is not the only type of achievement that matters or should matter, even in the venue of academia. Accreditation and other such fiefdom-protection schemes are solely for the purpose of limiting and controlling competition. Institutions of “higher learning” have become ossified structures overcome by political correctness and fiefdom protection. Maybe I’m just howling at the moon, but if I don’t express these thoughts on occasion, I will really go crazy.

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To soothe my soul:

The Red Rocket aka my 2016 Corvette Z06.

#TimConway

#AlbertEinstein

#GiovanniCaselli

#saynotocredentialism

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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C/2’s Ultimate Garage

C/2 and I are friends. My wonderful wife and I ran into him at a car show this past weekend (imagine that!…sarcasm) and I think that spurred him on to submit his Ultimate Garage to me. He worked for Ford at two different dealerships, I believe, for 40+ years and is now retired. Unlike me, he seems to be enjoying his retirement.

Given his history, C/2’s Ultimate Garage should come as no surprise:

#1 1959 Edsel Citation convertible

#2 1967 Shelby GT350

#3 1969 Ford Bronco Wagon V-8

#4 1963 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster — M code Engine

#5 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster — 2 Tops, Fuel Injected, 4 Speed

#6 1935 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster

#7 1971 De Tomaso Pantera

and a +1

1976 BMW R90S motorcycle in Daytona Orange. Just because I can.

In the interest of full disclosure, C/2 owns a ’66 T-Bird and a ’99 Corvette. I won’t show pictures of all the vehicles, but here is an interesting one:

See the source image

From wsupercars.com a picture of a 1967 Shelby G.T. 350. According to Hagerty the “average” value of one of these is $115,000. For 1967, 1,175 were produced. The car was powered by a “souped-up” 289 cubic-inch V8, which after some modifications like a high-rise intake manifold and free-flowing exhaust system, produced 306 HP/329 LB-FT of torque. They are handsome and desirable automobiles.

From Barrett-Jackson a picture of a 1965 Corvette convertible, because I’ve never shown a picture of such a car on this blog. (Hey, why is my nose growing?!)

See the source image

Sorry, C/2, I don’t think this is a fuelie, but it is the best looking American car ever, in my opinion. OK, maybe I would rather have a ’67. Still, with the auxiliary hardtop in place, the side pipes and the knock-off wheels, I mean WOW! For many Corvette enthusiasts 1965 is the ultimate year for the C2. It was the last year for the original fuel-injection system, it was the first year for a big-block (the 396 cubic-inch V8 producing 425 HP/415 LB-FT) and it was the first year for disc brakes, four-wheel discs as it happened. Maybe C/2 had to have a C2 Corvette in his Ultimate Garage…Hagerty values an “average” ’65 fuelie convertible at about $73,000. That figure actually sounds low to me, but it is true that restomods have taken off in value, perhaps at the expense of original cars. Only 771 ’65 Vettes were equipped with fuel-injection whereas 2,157 had the 396 cubic-inch big block.

See the source image

Finding a good photo of one of these cars without a copyright mark on it was not easy. This picture is from myntransportblog.com. Of course, these cars were part of E.L. Cord’s car “empire” consisting of Auburn, Duesenberg and the eponymous Cord. The Great Depression claimed Cord’s car company (alliteration!) as one of its many victims. In calendar year 1935 Auburn produced 6,316 cars in total. How many of these particular cars were built is not known. The number of 851/852 Speedsters built for 1935 and 1936, the last years of Auburn production, has been estimated at between 180 and 600.

See the source image

From topcarrating.com a picture of a 1971 De Tomaso Pantera. Of course, the Pantera is an “original” hybrid meaning it has European styling (in this case, Italian sort of…Tom Tjaarda, an American, designed the exterior while working for the Italian coachbuilder Ghia) and an American engine, the “legendary” Ford 351 Cleveland V-8. These cars were sold by Ford in the US through Lincoln-Mercury dealers until 1975 after which De Tomaso continued to produce them, but in much smaller numbers.

Everyone reading this knows that I LOVE the De Tomaso Longchamp, but I also like the Pantera. As a teenager I remember seeing one around town on occasion; it was driven by the son of a local appliance magnate.

Thanks to C/2, 56packardman, Muscleheaded Blog, L Weaves Words, David Banner, David Burge (unknowingly) and My Wonderful Wife for submitting their Ultimate Garages. Right now, I think I will begin revealing my Ultimate Garage 2.0 on Saturday, May 18th. That will begin with the Cars That Just Missed The Cut.

#UltimateGarage

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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56packardman’s Ultimate Garage

First, my condolences to the family of Peggy Lipton. I must admit that I had quite a crush on her when I was young; she was the main reason I watched The Mod Squad.

Image result for peggy lipton

A picture of Peggy Lipton from Pinterest.

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Spring, my ass! I don’t live in the Northern Plains. For someone having enough difficulty with the non-harsh winters where I live (and where I was born and raised), 45° in the middle of May is another kick in the teeth.

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My thanks to 56packardman. Despite having a real life he has been a faithful reader and commenter on this blog. He is the only person with 100+ published comments on Disaffected Musings. Without further ado here is his Ultimate Garage, which to no one’s surprise has a lot of Packards and Studebakers. Different strokes for different folks…

• 1934 Packard Twelve Dietrich
• 1941 Packard LeBaron
• 1941 Packard-Darrin 4 door convertible
• 1947 Packard Clipper Custom Super Eight
• 1949 Studebaker pickup truck
• 1953 (or 1954) Studebaker Commander Starliner
• 1955 Studebaker Speedster
• 1956 Packard Caribbean hardtop (I prefer the hardtop over the convertible)
• 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk
• 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2/4 speed
• 1964 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk
• 1964 Studebaker Daytona hardtop or convertible
• 1969 Porsche 912 5 speed with sunroof
• Any Mazda Miata RF with a manual transmission
• Morgan Aero Coupe

The first car is very familiar; from My Wonderful Wife’s Ultimate Garage:

See the source image

From enwheelsage.org a picture of a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria bodied by Dietrich. Like me, my wife did not really have any affinity for pre-war cars until just 3-4 years ago. This is a model 1108 that had a long 147-inch wheelbase. This car weighed over 5,000 pounds, was powered by a V-12 (duh, it’s a Packard Twelve) that produced 160 HP and cost $6,080. The most expensive 1934 Chevrolet cost $675.

I don’t know if 56packardman prefers the convertible over the other Packard Twelves bodied by Dietrich. The Studebaker Commander Starliner is his pick for the most beautiful car ever made. It was also the basis for the subsequent Hawk models all the way through 1964.

See the source image

From someone’s YouTube video a picture of a 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner Coupe. This car was powered by Studebaker’s small-displacement V8, in its third model year, of 233 cubic inches. These cars were supposed to be introduced for the 1952 model year as a celebration of Studebaker’s centennial, but that did not happen.

See the source image

From flickriver.com a picture of a 1956 Packard Caribbean hardtop. I have shown pictures of ’55 Caribbean convertibles before, but I don’t think I’ve shown a hardtop.

The Avanti and Gran Turismo Hawk have been shown on this blog many times. One or both may or may not be in my Ultimate Garage 2.0. Here is a non Packard/non Studebaker:

See the source image

From autoevolution.com a picture of a Mazda Miata RF. I can’t tell from the photo what transmission is in this car.

Once again, thanks to 56packardman. By the way, we have never met nor spoken voice-to-voice. That is an example of the potential “good” of the Internet, but I think the good is swamped by the bad.

#PeggyLipton

#56packardman

#UltimateGarage

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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An Ultimate Garage

In my Twitter feed David Burge (@iowahawkblog) revealed his “Ultimate Garage” although he called it his “wish list.” (He didn’t just reveal it in my Twitter feed, obviously. I follow him on Twitter, on the recommendation of Bill James.) When I saw the list of vehicles I tweeted him if I could use them as an Ultimate Garage in my blog. He has never replied. Since he put them on “social media” I’m just going to run with the principle that they are in the public domain. I will be pasting them from his tweets and sometimes Twitter has some hidden codes that can ruin spacing in other venues. Forewarned is forearmed. From David Burge:

1957 Ford Fairlane 500 convertible with F code 312

30/31 Model A pickup

39 Ford or Mercury coupe or convertible

39 Lincoln Zephyr

41 Buick or Caddy Sedanette

1924-30 Excelsior-Henderson

47-53 Indian Scout

OK, I have no interest in the motorcycles, but the cars from ’41 are interesting to me. To wit:

See the source image

From connorsmotorcar.com a picture of a 1941 Buick Super. Below, from hymanltd.com, is a picture of a 1941 Buick Sedanette, which I don’t think could have been a Super (Series 50), but had to be either a Special (Series 40) or a Century (Series 60):

See the source image

About 98,000 Special Sedanettes and about 6,000 of the Century Sedanettes were sold in 1941. OK, what do you think? Are any of these vehicles in your Ultimate Garage? Do you think I am dragging out the reveal of mine too much?

Compulsion defeated disappointment…

#somanycarsjustonelife

#disaffectedmusings

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