Classic Car Journal

There are certain purists who will only concede a muscle car has to be a mid-size vehicle, but then is a large Chevy with a 409 not a muscle car? What about a rare wagon with a big-block four-speed? Maybe the latter is taking liberties, but wouldn’t you welcome it to a muscle car show?

Thus, the Big Body Muscle Invitational and Performance Wagon Invitational displays at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) this past November. The promoters brought some very interesting vehicles that generally are off people’s radars because seeing the same, old same-old is not what MCACN is about.

Special mention goes to two interesting cars that were not able to attend due to inclement weather: a 1964 Buick Wildcat with a Super Wildcat 425/four-speed combination, and a 1968 Pontiac Catalina two-door sedan with a 428 HO four-speed. Ever see one of those? Maybe next year but, for now, here’s what was in attendance.

Out of all the manufacturers in the 1960s, Ford was the first one to cross the 400-horsepower threshold with the 1961 tri-carb 390. Unfortunately, the only transmission available was a column-mounted three-speed, though it is said a dealer-installed four-speed was available later in the year. This is a Galaxie Sunliner.

This elegant 1961 Pontiac is a Ventura, basically a Catalina that featured a fancier interior — “true luxury at moderate cost,” said the brochure. Featuring 8-lug wheels and a 318-horsepower Tri-Power 389, this vehicle is the quintessential early muscle car …

… unless you’re a Chevy guy, as the 409 was king of the street and AM radio. Truth be told, buyers preferred the Impala Super Sport while collectors prefer the Bel Air “bubbletop,” but smart racers went with the lightest and cheapest mode available, which would mean this 1962 Biscayne with a 409 and four-speed. This 409 features a single four-barrel, which means it’s the 380-horse 409.

In 1965, Pontiac upgraded the 2+2 package from a sporty trim option for the Catalina to an honest-to-goodness performance model that came standard with a 421. However, that doesn’t mean one couldn’t opt for a 338-horsepower 421 four-barrel and a four-speed in a regular Catalina convertible.

The 409 entered the 1965 model year by losing its 425-horse version, leaving 340- and 400-horsepower as the only choices. However, starting in January 1965, the all-new 396 replaced it. Horsepower was 325 or 425, the latter only available with a manual transmission. This is a 1965 Impala SS with the new big-block. Note its heir apparent, a 1967 SS 427, beside it.

Oldsmobile redesigned its full-size series in 1965, with the personal-luxury Starfire receiving special sporty styling features including distinctive taillights and novel side-exist exhaust. All were powered by an all-new 370-horsepower 425. Most came with GM’s new TH400 automatic, but 122 were built with a four-speed — how many of those were convertibles is anyone’s guess.

Pontiac introduced the Catalina-based Grand Prix coupe in 1962, creating an egalitarian personal-luxury model the likes which had yet to be seen (the Thunderbird and Starfire were much more expensive). However, by 1967, the Grand Prix had become paunchy, though it continued to offer distinction from other full-size Pontiacs as evidenced by its hidden headlights and concave backlite. This one features a 428 four-speed.

By 1970, Hurst Performance worked with Chrysler Corporation to produce around 500 Chrysler 300-Hurst two-door hardtops (and at least two convertible promotional vehicles). All came from the factory with the 375-horsepower 440 TNT V8 and feature Spinnaker White paint with gold highlights and brown and orange stripes. The tan upholstery was borrowed from the Imperial LeBaron.

Next to the 300-Hurst is a 1971 Chrysler New Yorker, which is the furthest thing from a performance (or even a sporty) car. However, this one was built with the TNT 440, which is about as fast as it got for big cars in 1971.

Legend says that a Chrysler Corporation executive overheard a conversation about General Motors downsizing its cars. It was a misunderstanding that led to compromised 1962 models though, in retrospect, they were perfectly sized. For 1963, Chrysler worked on damage control and lengthened the Plymouth to be more appropriate for market demands. This 1963 Belvedere wagon features a 330-horsepower 383.

For 1964, it looked like things were back to normal for Plymouth, though its full-size series was still smaller than the competition’s. Big news was the introduction of the 426-S, commonly known as the 365-horsepower “Street Wedge.” This unrestored Savoy is one of the few to have this engine.

This 1965 Chevrolet Biscayne wagon features the 325-horsepower 396, so it’s properly equipped for hauling duties. The original buyer selected the M20 four-speed manual transmission, making it one of a handful built.

This 1968 Tempest Safari wagon with a 1969 GTO nose has been a drag car since new. For you enthusiasts, you can find a feature on it in an issue of Popular Hot Rodding magazine from the 1970s.

This original-paint 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser features 455 power and some mild modifications. Though perhaps not as performance-oriented as other wagons in this display, the owner has demonstrated its prowess in the Hot Rod magazine’s Power Tour.

Not many people are aware that when Chevrolet redesigned the Chevelle for 1973, the product planners also expanded Super Sport availability to the station wagon. No numbers exist how many were built, but chances are most had the 350 and not the 454 like this one.

Click here to view more coverage from the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2022!

If you’re not experiencing the mild weather we are in Phoenix, we’ve got just what you need to brighten your day. Below is a selection of vehicles with auctions ending the week of January 9-13 chosen by The Journal writing team. Maybe this Friday the 13th will be your lucky day. Make sure you check out all of our listings here.

Monday January 9

1965 Austin-Healey Sprite MK III convertible

This Austin-Healey received a four-year restoration. It’s powered by an upgraded 1,275cc inline-four engine paired with a four-speed manual.  Click here to view this listing.

1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL roadster  

Under the hood is a M117 5.5-liter V8 engine with a factory-rated 227 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.  Click here to view this listing.

Tuesday January 10

1979 Ford F-150 4×4

Finished in metallic slate blue over a two-tone gray cloth and vinyl interior this F-150 features a fleet side long bed with a spray-in bed liner. It’s powered by a 351ci V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case.  Click here to view this listing.

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle

This Chevelle has a custom paint job with pinstriping, off-white flames and racing stripes. It features a 454ci big-block V8 engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt Positraction rear end with 3.70:1 gearing.  Click here to view this listing.

Wednesday January 11

1980 Datsun 280ZX

This 280ZX 10^th Anniversary model features removable roof panels with a two-tone gold and black exterior. Power is provided by a 2.8-liter inline-six engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission.  Click here to view this listing.

1982 Land Rover Series III

Not into trucks at all, but there’s something about this Land Rover that is pulling me, maybe because it looks like nothing from our side of the pond. Indeed, it was built under license by a Spanish company and features a 2.25-liter diesel four. Click here to view this listing.

Thursday January 12

1980 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Here’s a vehicle in a similar vein, though a Toyota built under license from a Philippine company. Even more interesting, it was restored in Columbia before being brought to our shores last year. This should be a nice pick for fans of covert CIA operations or narco TV miniseries. Click here to view this listing.

1974 Dodge Charger SE

Triple black with 440 power, there’s a lot to like about this B-body aside from the fact the 1971-72s are sportier. This was the time when Charger was evolving into more of a personal-luxury car, so if you would enjoy an effortless highway cruiser with remnants of the muscle era, this Charger may be your jam. Click here to view this listing.

Friday January 13

1990 Shelby Cobra Replica

I don’t lust after a Cobra, but I know if I drove one, I would have a perma-grin that would require a surgeon to fix. Most of the big-block Cobras featured a 427, but this one is powered by a 428 Cobra Jet, which is in the same engine series so it fakes it nicely. Click here to view this listing.

1968 Ford Mustang GT

Mustangs are everywhere but, when you hone in on equipment, some can end up being pretty unique. In this car’s case, it has a bench seat with a four-speed, which is quite unusual. Though the 302 is no powerhouse, it is backed by a four-barrel, so the fun quotient is there. One of the more unique Mustangs you’ll find.  Click here to view this listing.

The Dodge Challenger won the Detroit pony car war again in 2022, managing to outsell the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro for the second consecutive year. Not bad for a basic design that dates back to the 2008 model year.

U.S. sales figures show Dodge sold 55,060 Challengers in 2022, which was up about 1% from the previous year.

Mustang sales continued to slide. Ford’s 2022 total of 47,566 units was down 9.2% from the previous year, which in turn was down 14.2% from 2020. The 2022 figure was the lowest annual total in the nameplate’s history.

The Mustang is traditionally the fastest horse in the sales race, and it’s still ahead if you count sales of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover. Mach-E sales were up 45.4% in 2022, with Ford moving 39,458 of the crossovers. Sales of the traditional Mustang could rebound once the redesigned 2024 model reaches dealerships.

A 2022 sales total of 24,652 units temporarily halted the downward streak Chevy’s Camaro has been on for the past few years. An increase of 12.6% over 2021, the growth came despite a lack of major updates for the Camaro. Chevy’s disinterest has fed rumors that the Camaro will go away after 2024, with the nameplate potentially getting recycled for an electric performance sedan.

As for the Challenger, 2023 will be the coupe’s final model year in its current form. Dodge has been rolling out a series of “Last Call” special editions of the Challenger and its Charger sedan sibling, with the seventh and final Last Call model set to debut March 20 in Las Vegas. An electric muscle car inspired by the Charger SRT Daytona concept will serve as a replacement for both the Challenger and Charger when it launches in 2024.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on October 21, 2020. While we realize it’s too late for some of you, we hope we can help prepare you for impending weather.

I could almost hear Will Robbins smiling at the other end of our telephone conversation. I’d just shared the story of how a set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires had transformed a Mazda Miata from a device of danger that had just spun on an icy interstate into an automotive snowmobile.

He said he’s heard similar stories from dozens of people. 

“A lot of tire stuff is really subtle,” said the senior product manager for Bridgestone’s Blizzak winter tire line, “but you never get the ‘aha’ moment like you do when they drive on all-season or summer tires and then put Blizzaks on their vehicle.” 

Or as Matt Edmonds, an executive with TireRack.com, a major national tire retailer with an extensive website of tire tests and customer feedback, notes, four-wheel or all-wheel drive may get you moving on snow and ice, but it won’t necessarily help you turn or stop. But specialized winter tires will.

Of those tires, Robbins admits that Blizzak has a majority share of the market. 

However, he adds, “We have a big target on our back and a lot of competitors have products that are very close to the Blizzak level of performance.” 

Indeed, in TireRack’s most recent tire tests for higher-performance winter tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin and Dunlop SP Winter Sport challenged Blizzak’s supremacy. In TireRack’s customer survey, Blizzak is rated No.1 with Michein’s X-Ice a close second.

By the way, the winter tire market has come a long way since the days when your father put a pair of “snow” tires on the back wheels of your family sedan or station wagon. Those tires likely had tread more suited for providing traction in the snow, but that was about it. 

Today, winter tires not only have specialized tread patterns for digging through snow but sipes that provide an escape for ice turned to water from the pressure of the vehicle’s weight and from changes in temperature. Modern winter tires also are produced with compounding designed for cold weather.

“Summer tires are great for track day,” Robbins explains. “The compound is sticky and soft and deals with all that heat. But it gets hard and brittle in the cold. Winter compounds are designed for the cold environment, even on dry pavement.”

Forty degrees and below is where winter tires excel, he said. However, he suggests that “when you can see your breath,” it’s time to put the Blizzaks on your vehicle.

Oh, and you put them on all four wheels, not just those that put power to the pavement.

Noting that the overall performance of winter tires has improved through the years, Robbins explained that instead of a pair of tires designed to improve grip in snow, “today’s winter tires have such different traction levels that you need all the axles to be balanced for proper performance.”

Yes, it means buying an extra set of tires for your vehicle, but there are a couple of benefits to consider beyond enhanced safety in winter. For one thing, changing tires means you’re not putting as many miles on your warmer-weather tires so you’re not replacing them as soon. 

For another, you can drive year around in the same vehicle rather than having to acquire a second vehicle with 4-wheel-drive or as was popular in some locations, a “winter rat” – an inexpensive second car purchased in the fall, driven through the winter and then abandoned in the spring, if not when it stalled out or became buried during a major winter snowstorm. 

But what about studs or chains for driving in the winter? 

“Chains are a useful tool for what they’re designed to do, for emergency situations,” Robbins explained. “The downside is, if not used correctly, chains can do more harm than good,” damaging both road surface and tires. 

In fact, it was damage caused by studded tires and chains in Japan that led to the development of the Blizzak winter tires. Metal chains were banned in Japan in the 1980, so Bridgestone set out to develop winter tires that worked just as well, and thus the Blizzak line.

Typically in the tire world, the newest tires are the best as tire companies work to leap-frog each other. Robbins notes that the Blizzak development team doesn’t “sit on the success,” but is continually working to improve the product and its cold-weather performance. 

The latest Blizzak lineup includes:

WS90 for cars and minivans

DM-V2 crossover and sport utility vehicles and light trucks

LM-25 for cars equipped with run-flat tires

LM001/LM-32 for high-performance sedans and coupes

LT for commercial light trucks and vans

Prices range from $91 to $183.

“I don’t know a person who has regretted the purchase,” Robbins said, adding that people typically go from considering Blizzaks to trying them to “Wow! This is amazing!”

One way to have the experience before you buy a set is the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The school has been in operation for more than 30 years. It opens when the weather gets cold enough, offers a variety of classes taught by experienced professionals — many with experience in rallying — and uses a variety of Toyota vehicles. 

For more information, visit the Blizzak and winter school websites.

Even exotic supercars are occasionally subject to recalls. Lamborghini just issued one for every 2022 Countach LPI 800-4 delivered in the U.S. so far. The recall affects nine cars.

The new Countach is being recalled because of rear glass panels that may detach from the car, according to the NHTSA. Lamborghini blames a supplier error, saying in a recall report that the supplier didn’t correctly bond the glass panels to the engine covers of affected cars.

The incorrectly-bonded panels could detach from the car while driving, creating a potential road hazard, Lamborghini noted in the report. The automaker first became aware of this problem in October after receiving a report from a dealership in Qatar about a problem with one of the four glass panels on the Countach’s engine cover. Lamborghini isn’t aware of any issues with cars in other markets, however.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the glass free of charge. Lamborghini plans to begin mailing letters to owners notifying them of the recall by Jan. 13, 2023.

Unveiled during 2021 Monterey Car Week, the Countach LPI 800-4 was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Countach’s debut. Its styling is a modern interpretation of the iconic wedge-shaped original Countach, but the LPI 800-4 is based on the outgoing Lamborghini Aventador, and features a hybrid powertrain producing 803 hp.

While it’s just one of several Aventador-based special editions to launch ahead of that model’s replacement, and isn’t any quicker from 0-62 mph than the non-hybrid Aventador Ultimae coupe, the Countach LPI 800-4 had no trouble finding buyers. The entire 112-unit production run reportedly sold out shortly after the car’s reveal despite a price tag estimated to be well within the seven-figure range. Lamborghini began delivering cars earlier this year.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Slap bracelets, Walkman radios, and Reebok Pump sneakers were a few of the many memorable symbols of the 1980s and 1990s. It was a time of rich culture, bright colors, and distinct automobiles.

RADwood – an event that first launched in 2017 – has the era cornered when it comes to celebrating the culture of the 1980s and 1990s. The term “classic car” typically evokes mental images of Chevy Bel Airs and Plymouth Furys. But as time moves on, the definition of “classic” moves with it. Some people – myself included – find it a little shocking to realize that a car from 1982 is now 40 years old.

While RADwood has gone on to span various parts of the country in its five-year history, one of its signature annual events is held in Southern California. This year, for the second time in a row, the American Honda headquarters in Torrance hosted the event. I registered my 1994 Acura Legend GS six-speed sedan as part of the “Royalty” contingent because its higher $100 entry fee meant more prominent parking and earlier roll-in.

The journey began on the western outskirts of Phoenix, where I met up with fellow RAD road-trippers in a 1987 Honda Civic Si, a 1989 Mazda MPV, a 1989 Mazda MX-6, a 1993 Honda Accord coupe, a 1989 Acura Integra LS, and a 1998 Ford Contour SVT. Fellow motorists and bystanders enjoyed seeing us along Interstate 10 for the 400-mile trek, I’m sure. We paused for a group photo at an abandoned gas station in Desert Center, California.

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American Honda’s campus in Torrance was the perfect venue for the program. The music, fashion, and pop culture of the 1980s was alive and well, with hits from Madonna and Duran Duran setting the mood over the grounds. My friend Becky had her hair crimped for the occasion, and others dressed in leggings or track suits. Honda’s hospitality included food trucks, entertainment, and posters. I took the opportunity to wander the grounds and reconnect with many friends – many of whom I hadn’t seen since the RADwood show a year ago. Some of my favorite cars included an original and well-preserved Infiniti Q45, a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SL with a rare five-speed manual transmission, and very clean FJ80-series Toyota Land Cruiser.

On display during the show was Honda’s latest iteration of the venerable Civic Type R. A long-time tuner favorite, the Type R was available in Europe long before it first came to the United States in 2017. Since then, it has become a popular platform for performance upgrades and customization, akin to a modern-day muscle car. The all-new 2023 model year Type R will come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 315-horsepower engine.

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RADwood leader Art Cervantes took the stage later that afternoon to help conduct an awards ceremony. In addition to distributing awards for the top cars in various categories, special recognition was also given to the “raddest dressed,” which went to a couple dressed in what looked to be period-correct prom attire. Best of show went to an incredibly rare (and very deserving) white 1998 Ford Explorer Saleen XP8 driven by Nick Roshon.

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My 800-mile round-trip journey was 100% worth the effort and expense. I’m eager to see how RADwood grows and evolves in the coming years. Stay tuned to the RADwood website for a calendar of upcoming events.

Happy Sunday, and hopefully you are having a good holiday week despite having to watch the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. For those that have started Christmas shopping, or if you have yet to draft your holiday shopping list, I present a pair of souped-up Chevrolets on AutoHunter that would make a great gift for the collector car fan in your life.

The Chevy S10 pickup is a good foundation to build a sleeping hotrod with its nondescript exterior and association as a work truck, the exception being its GMC Syclone sibling.

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This 1989 Chevrolet S10 available on AutoHunter features a 4.3-liter V6 engine that has been bored 0.030 over with a new camshaft, Vortec heads, Edelbrock carburetor and an aluminum intake. The engine is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

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It’s finished in navy blue, and the only signs that it’s built for performance (and not utility) are the cowl induction hood and lowered suspension. This Chevrolet truck’s auction ends on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. For further details, check out its listing on AutoHunter and happy bidding.

The second half of our double feature is not subtle, nor a sleeping hotrod. Quite the opposite, but isn’t it nice to let the world know why you bought a particular car? For that bold person in your life, I present a 1,041-horsepower 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7R.

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This Chevrolet pays homage to Corvette Racing and looks ready for the track with a black exterior, carbon fiber body accents, rear spoiler and titanium Akrapovic axle-back exhaust system with quad outlets.

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Exterior aesthetics aside, this Corvette makes a great gift because of its reported 1,041 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. The robust power comes from a supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 upgraded with ProCharger F-1A kit. As a proper sports car, it features a seven-speed manual transmission.

The auction for this high-power ‘Vette ends on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. (MST). For more details, visit its AutoHunter listing.

Most new-car warranties offer coverage for a maximum of five years, but when was the last time you came across a 70-year-old car under any kind of warranty? offer coverage for a maximum of five years, but when was the last time you came across a 70-year-old car under any kind of warranty? 

In recognition of its upcoming 70^th birthday, the Pick of the Day is a 1953 Chevrolet 150 two-door sedan listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Homestead, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)

“One owner car with original title and original bill of sale,” the listing begins. “Same family for 69 years.”

Best of all, in addition to having received cosmetic refurbishment, this 210 also received work to the drivetrain that included a recent rebuild of the 216cid inline-six engine, the three-speed Synchromesh manual transmission, and the rear end. The work that was performed carries a three-year warranty that is transferable to the new owner, according to the listing.

The restoration of this 210 involved a comprehensive two-year build with “every nut and bolt” being replaced accordingly. Some of the photographs included in the gallery show the car in various phases of the process. The brakes, suspension, glass, weather stripping, wiper system, instruments, and lights were all replaced during the tear-down. Most of the equipment remains period-correct, although a newer Bluetooth radio was added to provide more modern sound with a retro look.

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The 150 model first launched in 1953 as an economy-minded offering in the Chevrolet lineup. It was distributed largely through fleet sales and was light on amenities to keep costs down. Even things like ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and mirrors were options for an extra cost.

This example from that initial model year shows well in its two-tone Surf Green and Woodland Green, and a set of new Coker wide whitewall tires add to the period-correct look. True to the low-budget 150 original intent, the car is void of side moldings, although it does have a set of wheel skirts over the rear fenders.

On the interior, the upholstery carries through with the same two-tone color scheme. Even the trunk is lined with vinyl material and Chevrolet bowtie-branded embroidery. The seller has included a video showing the underbody, exterior, and interior.

The seller is asking $33,000 for this 150 which is complete with a three-year warranty for added peace of mind.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Bulky car speakers and speaker grilles could become a thing of the past if LG’s new Thin Actuator Sound Solution technology takes off.

The Thin Actuator Sound Solution is a speaker roughly the size of a passport, measuring just 2.5 mm (0.1 inch) thick, with a weight of approximately 1.4 ounces. LG was able to develop the inner workers by leveraging its film-type exciter technology used in digital displays.

Instead of vibrating a cone like in a conventional speaker, the thin speaker can vibrate materials found inside the car. LG said the speaker can be installed in various elements around the cabin, such as the dashboard, headliner, roof pillars, headrests, and even display panels. Multiple units can be installed to create an immersive, 3D sound experience, the company said.

The light and compact design means car designers will be able to free up space within the cabin, while also reducing a vehicle’s curb weight.

There’s one additional benefit: LG said the Thin Actuator Sound Solution also avoids using rare earth materials such as neodymium, which is a common material in conventional speakers.

LG plans to showcase the Thin Actuator Sound Solution at the 2023 CES in January and said the speaker will be commercialized starting in the first half of 2023.

LG isn’t the first company to showcase such technology, though it’s likely to become the first to commercialize it at scale. German firms Continental and Sennheiser presented similar technology at the 2020 CES, but the companies haven’t rolled out a production version.

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

When I received a press release mentioning that the Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum was conducting the Spirit of Giving Cruise and Coat Drive on November 12, 2022, for “Lions Appreciation Day,” I not only knew I had to attend but also wanted to see the Lions Museum once again as I did when it opened three years ago. I got my start in drag racing photography at the iconic Lions Dragstrip, Irwindale Raceway, Orange County Raceway, Pomona and Ontario Motor Speedway shooting for Hot Rod, Popular Hot Rodding and Car Craft magazines back in the day and most importantly, I am a U.S. Army veteran so this tribute occasion was a must for me to attend.

Armistice Day, now called Veterans Day (President Eisenhower signed this in 1954), is observed on November 11 as a federal holiday in the U.S honoring military veterans of the US armed forces and marking the anniversary of the end of WWI. Interestingly, WWI ended with a ceasefire on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918.

The Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum, founded by Rick Lorenzen, was built to honor car culture and it consists of an enormous collection of drag racing cars set against a 4,000 sq foot diorama of the starting line bridge from Lions with hand painted bleachers featuring images of spectators devouring the historic drag racing action.

Lorenzen himself is a veteran, having served in the Coast Guard, so this charitable venture was close to his heart in addition to honoring the fallen, helping families who lost vets in the line of duty. As Lana Chrisman, executive director at the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum states, “The drive will benefit the U.S. Vets Long Beach bringing together Southern California automotive enthusiasts and veterans during the holiday to collect warm coats for homeless veterans and those in need.”

Ms. Crisman recently was honored by SEMA as “Woman of the Year” through Businesswomen’s Network.

In addition to the recreated the Lions Drag Strip starting line, there is a Main Street Gallery highlighting Southern California car culture and motorsports history. In the Main Street gallery, classic cars are placed in front of an unbelievably authentic 1950s diner where you’re tempted to get on a stool and order a milkshake. An onsite restoration workshop keeps the classics in top shape and is a learning facility for young adults.

Lorenzen grew up near Lions Dragstrip and was always infatuated with modified Willys, so he bought a 1941 Coupe for $65 in 1960 and worked on it in his friend’s backyard. His passion for Willys has remained intact and through the years he amassed an impressive collection of about 50 Willys. Of course that first ’41 Coupe is at the forefront in the museum. Over 100 vintage muscle cars, hot rods and classics are beautifully staged next to neon signs and movie marques in diorama fashion. One of the pristine condition1966 Batmobiles, authenticated by Gorge Barris, sits in front of a skylight mural with the Bat-Signal in the sky indicating a way for the police in Gotham City to call on the caped crusader.     

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The Price Automobilia Group is part of the Price Transfer Trucking warehouse that is a family business and is the main stay for the Museum Foundation, which is a nonprofit 5063c. It was exciting to return after the grand opening in 2019. The grand opening event included a panel discussion with rod legend Ed “isky” Iskenderian (now 101 years old), “TV Tommy” Ivo, Danny Thompson (Mickey Thompson’s son), Carl Olson, Larry Sutton and Steve Chrisman. Ivo’s words about his time at the drag strip stayed with me as I explored on this visit. He said he loved the track because, “I could drive my Model T to the track, run the day and drive it home.” Someone also once said, “Lions was Fantasy Island on Nitro.” The dragstrip operated between 1955-1972, and unfortunately closed due to neighbor complaints about the noise.

Attending this event, I met veteran George Morgan, who served in the U.S. Airforce (1960-1961). He was stationed at the Strategic Air Command working on B47s that were flying out to Cuba for security reasons. Morgan has a friend who works at the museum, so he and his wife decided to come for a visit and donate some coats. Morgan is a real “car geek” so much so that he uses “Nailhead V8” as his online handles. The museum will continue to accept coat donations during the upcoming months, as well as host a toy drive on December 10 (click here to learn more).

Even though the dragstrip had been gone for 50 years, thanks to the Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum, the track “remains in the hearts of all as the greatest drag strip of all time.”