STORIES ON WHEELS

We adore original, unrestored vintage vehicles from all era, even the unfairly criticized 1970s. Take this 1973 Mercury Comet, for instance, which was factory equipped with a 210-hp version of Ford's 302 cubic inch V-8 engine that was paired with a three-speed, floor-shifted automatic. The compact Mercury also sported the Luxury Decor Option and federally mandated "park bench" 5 mph bumpers. This gem from the dawn of the disco decade has traveled 76,000 miles and counting.

The oldest car on the show field was this 1930 American Austin; the first year in which the company produced cars in Butler, Pennsylvania, under licence from the British firm Austin. The big difference between the American Austin and British version was the coachwork, the former managed by Hayes. This one has been under the care of one family since 1966.
Incidentally, American Austin went into receivership by 1934, after which it was revived as American Bantam, a company that developed the general purpose vehicle for the U.S. military ultimately produced by Willys and Ford during WWII.

As is often the case at this event, the Studebaker Club arrives in force. Among those on display was this visually warmed up 1965 Wagonaire, so named because the rear section of the roof panel was capable of sliding forward (much like a pocket door in a home), allowing the vehicle's owners to transport a new refrigerator home standing vertically. Remember kids, keep your arms and entire upper torso inside the vehicle while its moving

The event wasn't limited to just domest makes. A healthy contingent of cars from across the pond were on display, including this exquisitly restored Triumph

Henry J was a product of the Kaiser division of Kaiser-Frazer Corporation. The short-lived model had a strong following when new, but it wasn't enough to sustain long-term sales deep into the decade. This example was subjected to a home restoration that bordered on absolute perfection.

By the time 1970 model year vehicles went into production, traditional muscle cars had become expensive. Insurance companies and automakers had conspired against a slew of local hot shoes who packed very limited purchasing budgets, at least for the top dogs (GTO, GS, et al). There was a budget market, however, and some divisions, like Oldsmobile, capitalized on opportunity by producing "budget muscle" as exemplified by this Rallye 350. It had all the visual hallmarks of a wild street/strip racer, but with an insurance-friendly 350 cubic inch small block V-8 and a VIN tag that said the car was nothing more than a gussied-up Cutlass S. Gearheads knew better. Ample go, plenty of flash, and money left over for a a summer of Friday night dates.