CLASSIC CARS
DAVE WOOLLEY So many of us who enjoy classic cars go into
withdrawal this time of year and it seems like forever since we’ve enjoyed the special ride in our classic beauties. One of the first signs that spring has arrived
is the start of the Barrett Jackson Auction from Scottsdale. It is always interesting to see which makes
and models are hot. Every year there are lots of Mustangs, Vettes, Chevelles, Camaros . A few years back the 1955, 1956, and 1957
Chevs were drawing the big bucks. The following year it was GTOs followed by the 1970 Dodge Super B Hemi and the 1970 Dodge Challenger Hemi, and now the pickup trucks. Barrett Jackson Auction has done a lot to create
awareness and pleasure for classic car enthusiasts. Most of this awareness has been positive, but there has also been a negative aspect in how people over- inflate the value of their automobiles. They see the big bucks being shelled out at the auction and assume their car is worth much more than it really is.
The cars that we see in the main tent are
usually the best of the best and gain momentum as the week goes on. There are small auctions outside the main tent for some of the less-valued cars. The main tent vehicles we see on TV have often had frame-off restorations with matching numbers and multi-thousand-dollar paint jobs. Some people assume that by getting some rust removed and a
little body work done and a $3,000 paint job it constitutes a restoration. Other main tent vehicles are shown as
“customs”. In order to clearly understand the basics of
restoration and customs, I dropped by Riverside Restorations in Manotick and spoke with Bob Brown, Rob Warnock and Noel Norenius, who gave me a quick overview. With both frame-off restorations and non-
frame-off restorations, basic principals apply: Start at the bottom and work to the top. With frame-off restorations the car is stripped
down to the frame then the plumbing (brake lines, transmission, gas lines, exhaust systems etc.) are added to the frame. Next is the main body, followed by the hood, trunk lid, doors, fenders and bumpers. Then comes the wiring, and at last the interior: the headliner, glass, carpet and trim work. “Matching numbers” is a term used to describe
the fact that the body and motor are authentic to that car. Years ago the numbers were hidden and used for verification for security reasons. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is usually posted on the driver’s door jam or the dashboard, up under the corner of the windshield. The matching number will often appear on the frame, radiator support, rear under-panel near the gas tank, or engine block on some manufactures.
continued on page 52
Sure signs of
50 BOUNDER MAGAZINE
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Spring
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