MSCC AUGUST 24 STAR OF THE WEEK: 1959 DODGE, 1959 PLYMOUTH–EXNER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME

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24-imgp2406-001MSCC AUGUST 24 STAR OF THE WEEK: 1959 DODGE, 1959 PLYMOUTH–EXNER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME

Virgil Exner was an unsung hero in automotive history because his accomplishments flew under the radar.

He was the man behind the ’47 Studebaker that became the blueprint for the lower, wider, integrated front fender look of the ’49 Mercurys and Fords.

Ex’s crowning achievement came in the mid-50s when he added fins to the Chrysler lineup with his “forward look”.

1959 was a vintage year for this legend – take a look at the MSCC Star of the Week 1959 Dodge Custom Royal and Plymouth Belvedere from a show yesterday.

Virgil Exner…he may have been an unsung hero but he left some classic legacies behind.

MSCC AUGUST 23 STAR OF THE DAY: ’63 MERCURY MONTEREY CONVERTIBLE – A TOP DOWN RIDE BECKONS IN SUMMER

23-imgp0502-001These are clearly the waning days of summer but that doesn’t mean you pack away the convertible in storage before the rush.

If anything, you extend the season and run that baby with the top down into the waning days of autumn.

This MSCC Star of the Day 1963 Mercury Monterey convertible is a textbook example of how impressive a roofless ride can be on a balmy summer afternoon.

So impressive it would even work on a warm winter day.

 

MSCC AUGUST 22 STAR OF THE DAY: A CHEVY LONG ROOF – THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

22-101 0726-001Station wagons had two roles in the world of vintage iron for many years.

One role was a short, but spectacular career as a star in the exciting world of demolition derbies.

The other role was far less glamorous because wagons were great parts donors for their more desirable cousins…two door hardtops and convertibles.

Times have changed because wagons are the new kid on the block now for car guys so long roofs have spiked in value.

This MSCC Star of the Day Chevy wagon was on the street back in June showing off the newfound cool factor in the humble station wagon.

 

MSCC AUGUST 21 STAR OF THE DAY: THE CLASSIC HOT ROD – IT COMES IN MANY FORMS

21-imgp9842-001There is no specific or rigidly enforced design for a classic hot rod but most observers agree that the best decades for these automotive works of art are cars and trucks from the 1920s and 30s.

That’s because the hot rod era took flight when the first guy figured out that a fender-less Model T with a tricked-out engine slapped around a stock Model T like Godzilla slapped around buildings in New York.

Hot rods can be garish, subtle, loud, mild, wild, flamed or plain but they’re always cool.

The MSCC Star of the Day is the hot rod – well represented by these great examples at a June show.

MSCC AUGUST 20 STAR OF THE DAY: 1956 FORD CROWN VICTORIA – TOP OF THE HEAP FOR THE BLUE OVAL GUYS

20-imgp7360-001Ford was neck and neck in sales with Chevy back in 1956 but the biggest difference occurred in the top-end models.

Chevy had the Bel Air on the top rung in 1956 and it didn’t look markedly different from the lower level 210 model.

Ford was different because the top rung Ford Crown Victoria was a remarkably upscale version of the Ford Fairlane.

This MSCC Star of the Day 1956 Ford Crown Victoria was at a show back in early May.

 

MSCC AUGUST 19 STAR OF THE DAY: ’58 IMPALA – AMERICAN GRAFFITI PUT THEM ON THE MAP

18-imgp0580-0011958 was notable for two reasons – Elvis was drafted into military service and the Chevy Impala was born.
Both became cultural icons.

’58 Impalas were a reflection of the times because they were flashy and extremely cool.

These were important traits in an era when rock and roll music duked it out with Doris Day and Perry Como for AM dominance.

This MSCC Star of the Day ’58 Impala was at a show two weeks ago…no Elvis sightings were reported.

 

MSCC AUGUST 18 STAR OF THE DAY: 383 ‘CUDA – COOL FISH IS A GREAT NICKNAME

E-body Mopars are at the apex of the food chain in the car hobby.

They’ve grown in value faster than real estate in Manhattan thanks to fiercely loyal Mopar guys.

These E-bodies were hot commodities from Day 1 because they were clean, perfectly-sized, street machines with an engine option list longer than an 8-year-kid’s letter to Santa Claus.

They are timeless in their appeal because a new generation still sees the built-in cool factor in these vintage Mopars.

Maybe that’s why this 383 ‘cuda at a show yesterday was nicknamed “cool fish”.

For past MSCC Stars of the Day please follow this link.

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