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The collector car season has pretty much come to an end in northeast Ohio, that is, the driving portion of the hobby.  Once the white stuff appears in the skies and—more ominously—the dreaded salt trucks begin their rounds most collectors put their cars in mothballs—in many cases, literally.  I own collector cars with wool interiors and I place a canister of mothballs inside the cars when I put them away for the winter; the stronger smelling the better.  I don’t want moths—or small critters—nesting in the car over the winter.  Does that actually happen?  You bet!  Ask one of my collector car friends.  A few years ago he opened the door of his vintage in April to learn that his car had become home to mice, who used his car’s upholstery for their nests.  Amazing as it sounds, mice can get through the smallest openings.  They are very determined creatures.  Protecting your car’s interior is only one step you take for winter storage.   Anti-freeze should be checked to make sure it’s not only at  proper protection level but that it’s not going to cause any motor damage.  At the very least a battery disconnect switch should be installed and at best the battery should be removed for the winter.  Some collectors like trickle chargers.  If that’s your preferences, read the directions carefully.  I also recommend washing your collector car before putting it away and covering it with a soft, breathable cover.  

What precautions do you recommend?

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I have great memories of the toy cars I had as a child. Matchbox and Corgi miniature diecasts were my favorite because they were a window into the world of foreign automobiles we didn't often see on Northeast Ohio streets. The German Schuco brand provided nicely detailed models with exquisitely functioning wind-up mechanisms. Marx and Toostsietoy examples were a bit primitive but cheap and fun as were the Auburn rubber tractors. Of course, I was enthralled with building model cars of all kinds from manufacturers such as AMT, Revell and Monogram. I remember pleading for nearly a year for my parents to buy me a highly detailed and very expensive Tamiya model of a period Honda F1 car. I was so excited when I unwrapped it that Christmas, that I started building it that same day. Now, 43 years later, I can honestly say it's almost done!

 OK, I'm already rambling and I haven't even started on Tonkas, Hot Wheels or slot cars. What special childhood memories do you have with toy cars?

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It has been announced that, in its quest to free itself from U.S. Governement ownership, General Motors is preparing for an initial stock offering to the tune of $13 billion. When completed, this will reduce our share of "Government Motors" from 61% to 43%. Even though these numbers disregard massive loan forgiveness and made-to-order tax breaks, it is a step in the right direction.

This news comes on the heals of outstanding auto sales reports for the month of October. Overall industry sales were at their highest level since August of 2009, which was the absolute height of Cash for Clunkers hysteria. All domestic manufacturers showed positive growth, although GM was the only American company that didn't show a double digit increase with only a 3.5% increase.

Given these circumstances, my question to you is, are you ready to buy GM stock or is the memory of their financial collapse still too fresh?

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An incredible one-of-a-kind Duesenberg was named Best in Show at the Glenmoor Gathering on September 19.  The car is a 1933 Duesenberg SJ (which indicates supercharged) with a custom-built Beverly Berline body by Murphy Body Company of Pasadena, Calif.  The car was purchased new by Cincinnati millionaire Powell Crosley Jr., who, among other things, owned Crosley Radio Co., radio station WLW and the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.  Crosley even built a car in the late 1940’s, a subcompact named, what else?  Crosley.  The attached photo was taken at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens on the Saturday preceding the show.  The Duesenberg’s owner is a New Jersey state judge and he drove the Duesenberg on an 80+ mile Countryside Tour, which is part of the Glenmoor Gathering weekend experience.  Can you believe that?  This is a solid seven-figure automobile and the owner drives it and enjoys it!  Good for him!  That’s the way these old cars should be treated!  Once again, the show field was terrific.  Very diverse grouping of cars.  Special class of Bizzarrini-designed sports cars plus American and European cars that have to be seen to be believed.  And, they had a large group of “Super Italian Motorcycles, including some super-rare, high-speed machines I wouldn’t dream of riding!  Where else can you see stuff like this?  Can’t wait until next year.

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One of the most iconic model names in Porsche history is due to reappear for a very limited run in 2011. The Porsche Speedster, originally introduced in 1954 as an entry level model to the 356 series was built through the 1958 model year, with production totaling just over 4,000 units. These original Porsche 356 Speedsters are highly sought after today as collectors' items.

Porsche resurrected the Speedster name for limited edition models in both 1989 and 1994. Both runs were quickly snapped up; many by speculative collectors. Although they have not depreciated at the rate of a regular production Porsche, they have not proven to be the wise financial investments many buyers had hoped for.

The 2011 Speedster will be limited to worldwide production of only 356 units. It will only be available in Pure Blue or Carrera White and can be readily identified but a cut down windshield and a "humpback" hard tonneau which has gotten mixed reviews from the automotive press. The 408 horsepower, turbocharged engine will be good for a 4.2 second 0-60 time and a top speed of 190 mph. About 100 units are slated for sale in the United States at a price of $204,000.00 per copy. This will guarantee you entry into the Glenmoor Gathering's World Class Supercar display next year!

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That should be an easy question for someone who is into cars as much as I am but it's not. You see, I mostly worry about the best craftsmen to take care of our old cars and I have a long list of specialists to go to. My dilemma is primarily my wife's modern daily driver. It's not an exotic car but the dealer which performed all the routine service on it since it was new was closed down by the manufacturer about a year ago. Since then, we've tried a couple different places but the chemistry just wasn't there. The dealer has other area locations but driving twenty miles for an oil change is a bit excessive.

So, we need your help. Where do you recommend as the best and most honest auto repair facility in the Akron area?

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Classic Motorcar Auctions has teamed up with the Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles to present the first ever collector car auction to be held in conjunction with a concours in the state of Ohio. This exciting event will take place Saturday, September 18 from noon until 5:00 p.m. on the grounds of Glenmoor Country Club in Jackson Township, near Canton, Ohio.

 A wide array of collector cars will be offered, including vintage sports cars, beautiful Classics, beefy muscle cars and other nostalgic vehicles. An original Porsche 356A Speedster will be among the one hundred or so vehicles to be auctioned, as well as a pre-war, twelve cylinder Lincoln. In addition to the great cars, the auction will begin with a special offering unique and original automotive memorabilia. There will be items and vehicles for every taste and budget and you won't have to fly all the way to Scottsdale to get the auction experience. Check out www.classicmotorcarauctions.com for a full listing of all consignments and more information. I hope to see you there!

 

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Labor Day may be the “official end of summer” but for us here at Car Chase it means the Glenmoor Gathering is right around the corner! For one weekend the center of the car universe is right here in northeast Ohio. Car owners and car enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada come to Canton for what has become one of the top concours events in the country. Even if, like me, you are not a car expert you can certainly find plenty of things to appreciate during the event. My husband and I plan to enjoy a night out on Saturday for the Artists’ Reception and Gala Dinner and then return on Sunday with the kids. I challenge you to find a better family day value than the Sunday concours. (Children 12 and under and military personnel in uniform are admitted free.) The kids enjoy the coloring books, Junior Judges contest and the Glenmoor Garage “Christmas Tree Challenge”.  Chef Meeker’s cooking demonstration is always entertaining and the automotive art is world class.

…and then there are the cars! I could fill a week’s worth of blogs reciting the unbelievable cars that I have seen at the Gathering. Names you know like Packard, Lincoln, Porsche, marques you think you know like Duesenberg and Rolls Royce and lines you may have never heard of before like Horche and Bizzarrini.    

The folks at the Glenmoor Gathering have given us the opportunity again this year to offer free tickets through Car Chase. The first 10 people to email Sue Kirby, skirby@glenmoorcc.com, at the Gathering office  and tell her you read about the Gathering on Car Chase will receive 1 free admission ticket to the show on Sunday, September 19. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Gathering or any of the car events that you've enjoyed over the years.

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Just found out from a friend who’s on one of the Glenmoor Gathering committees that this year’s show field will be loaded with more great cars you never see in northeast Ohio.  He said there will be at least eight Duesenbergs (they aren’t German; they’re American) plus a group of cars designed by an Italian auto designer named Bizzarrini, who also worked at Ferrari.  There will be another great group of motorcycles this year called “Italian Super Bikes,” which will include bikes by MV Agusta, Ducati, Laverda and Benelli.   The feature is “Historic Motorcars of Cleveland” and, believe me, I had no idea how many cars were built in Cleveland.  The rarest one is an all-original  1932 Peerless 16-cylinder sedan that is one-of-a-kind.  I added photos of two of the cars I know will be there—a 1929 Duesenberg phaeton and a 1968 Bizzarrini Spyder S. I. Targa .  Show date is Sunday, Sept. 19 but there is other stuff happening on Friday and Saturday.  www.glenmoorgathering.com

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I'm not talking about when he tees off on the golf course. Most everyone knows that Government Motors did not renew Tiger Woods' longstanding role as the face for its Buick division at the end of last year. I never really could picture him in a Rendezvous anyway. Also, after "the incident" last year, we can probably be assured that there's bad karma for him surrounding Cadillac Escalades.

We all know that the golf pros in town for the Bridgestone Invitational generally drive themselves in new loaner cars. My question to you is: what make and model of car do you think Tiger has chosen? If you really want to get creative, I'd love to hear why you think he chose that model. I have my idea which I will share after I have read some of your comments.

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