Month: February 2019

I walked into a dealership this week that was doing a “gypsy sale.” It reminded me of this fictional tale that I wrote almost exactly five years ago, so I thought I’d repost it here. Fun fact: this story was based on many, many true things, not the least of which is that I knew…

Retro Show: Live At The 1983 Chicago Auto Show

It seems that I’ve been neglecting the Retro Show posts. I have all of these excellent photos from my buddy Jim Smith from various and sundry Chicago Auto Shows from 1973 through 1991. Jim himself has attended every Chicago Auto Show from 1968 to 2019. But you know how it goes. I get distracted by…

1974 Jaguar XJ12 L:  A White Whale, In Mustard Yellow

Jaguar, it seems, has always had a reputation. At least, since the 1970s. Remember the V12 E-Type that wouldn’t start in the 1976 movie, The Gumball Rally? Of course you do. They just can’t get a break, can they? Tell any non-automotive person, and many gearheads as well, that you are thinking of buying a…

1976 Cadillac Sedan de Ville: Firethorn Fantasy

Okay, you know the drill. I like Broughams. I like Nimitz-class 1970s yachts. I like poofy seats, vibrant colors and power everything. And I like Cadillacs. The bigger, the better, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve written enough about these over the past year that I think we can forgo my usual spiel. Want more?…

1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car: Your Best Bet’s A…Well, You Know…

As a member in good standing of the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club since 2015, I always have an eye out for interesting old Lincolns. That includes when I’m on the way to work, stuck at a red light, or perusing CL and ebay. Just last week I spotted this one on the electronic bay,…

Ever since my childhood, the BMW brand has been part of my life. I vividly remember my dad’s excitement when brought his first BMW home. Owning one of Bavaria’s Motor Werks had been a lifelong dream of his, and his pride in accomplishing it was worn transparently on his face. I was 12 at the…

The musical form I had the most commercial success in (as a classical-music record producer and label owner), was the string quartet. Granted, my remarkably successful string-quartet recordings consisted of quartet arrangements of sacred and traditional Christmas music. But those recordings are a lot more “classical” in character than “crossover” in character. In other words,…

1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria: Matlock Approved

It seems that I’ve been on a Cadillac kick lately. Talisman, Coupe de Ville, Laurie Kraynick’s most excellent 1970 Fleetwood Brougham…the list goes on. So let’s switch gears just a little, and check out the Broughamier Ford offerings of the late 1980s. The LTD Crown Victoria. So buckle up, we’re going back to Broughamville, ladies…

This one’s a firecracker! I’ll let the writer claim it in the comments if he likes… otherwise, consider this an anonymous contribution with a lot to say — JB Do you like trucks and SUVs? Pardon me for reducing you to a statistic, but you probably do. In fact if you are a part of…

Refurbishing The Ark: 1970 Fleetwood Brougham Update!

Last year, I shared my friend Laurie Kraynick’s relationship with her 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. While the Caddy looked great in the pictures, it needed refurbishment. New top, new headliner, some metalwork and eventually, a repaint in the original factory color of Lucerne Aqua Firemist. Such things take time, but progress took a huge jump…