OCW's Texas correspondent Greg Riley attended the visitation of recently deceased collector John O'Quinn and found a small cluster of cars at the visitation almost as impressive as the man.

As a Duesenberg fan, I can't help but point out J-572, a supercharged Bohman & Schwartz convertible coupe originally built for Prince M'Divia.

I figured I'd go with a new Challenger in a couple years, but adding Yenko goodies to a new Camaro isn't all bad either!

OFFICIAL 2010 YENKO CAMARO Prototype Debuts AT SEMA
 
Legendary Brand Remains Alive and Well
 
Westminster, Calif. – (October 28, 2009) General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) announced today that it will present its official 2010 Yenko Camaro Prototype to the public in the OER booth (# 23795) at the 46th annual SEMA Trade Show in Las Vegas, November 3-6.
 
The company will present the modern Yenko almost 44 years to the day that Don Yenko’s Corvair Corsa was officially recognized as a Class D Production Competition Car by the SCCA.
 
The official 2010 Yenko Prototype began its life on a 2010 Camaro SS platform. The vehicle then underwent several significant upgrades including modification to a “Phase I” Yenko Camaro Supercar. Preliminary highlights and specifications of this powerful vehicle include a high performance 600hp supercharged and intercooled LS-based engine, Tremec six speed manual high performance transmission, Hurst short throw shifter, 6-piston big brake package and Magnaflow high-flow cat-back exhaust system.
 
Plans call for three Phases to be available to take the fifth Generation Camaro from ordinary to extraordinary. This “Phase I” Prototype from GMCI maintains the unique retro appeal Yenko enthusiasts are so passionate about, while including significant performance upgrades to the stock GM specifications and keeping the car affordable. Phase II and III cars will have higher output engines and even more suspension and handling upgrades.
 
Additional Yenko branded upgrades to this prototype vehicle include: the Yenko stripe package, official emblems and badging, retro-styled 22” Yenko billet aluminum wheels, Yenko leather interior package featuring Yenko Super Car (sYc) embroidered headrests, Yenko/SC sill plates, Yenko/SC embroidered floor mats and more.
 
Nearly 45 years ago, racing legend Don Yenko embarked on a mission to build a race car that could effectively compete in the 1966 SCCA racing season. His inspiration resulted in the development of the Yenko Stinger, an SCCA race car based on the Corvair Corsa platform. It was in the last quarter of 1965 that Yenko’s plans for that vehicle came together changing automotive history forever.
 
Originally, the 60s era Yenko car was a special order vehicle, designed and built by Don Yenko Chevrolet in Canonsburg, PA. Don Yenko used the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program, a program GM used for fleet vehicles like police cars, taxi cabs, etc. to special order the vehicles and then modify them into some of the most powerful vehicles available. Today, an original Yenko is one of the most sought after Camaros in the world.
 
For more information about GMCI or Yenko licensing, please contact GMCI Corporate Headquarters, P.O. box 12049 Westminster, CA. 92683 or info@gmcilicensing.com.
 

The new 2011 Caprice lacks the boxy charm of the 1980s versions and bubbly personality of the 1990s versions, but it has a V-8 and rear-wheel drive. I'm sold.


GM press release:

All-New Chevy Caprice Police Car Reports For Duty in 2011

DENVER – An all-new Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) will join the ranks of law enforcement departments across North America in 2011. It’s a modern, full-size, rear-drive sedan that will offer both V-8 and V-6 engines, as well as a host of specialized equipment and features.

Chevrolet made the announcement at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, in Denver, Colorado. The Caprice PPV will be available for ordering next year and will hit the streets in early 2011.

“The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement,” said Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas.”

Vice President, Global Chevrolet Brand Brent Dewar added, “Along with Impala and Tahoe, the Caprice PPV gives agencies a greater range of choices for police and special service vehicles that are all available from Chevrolet.”

Unlike other police cars on the market, the Caprice PPV is not based on existing “civilian” passenger-car model sold in North America. It has been developed in key areas specifically for police duty, containing modern equipment and features:

• Powerful 6.0L V-8 with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability delivers expected best-in-class 0-60 acceleration (sub six seconds) and top speed; a V-6 engine will also be offered, beginning in the 2012 model year
• Optional front-seat-only side curtain air bags allows a full-width rear-seat barrier for greater officer safety
• Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one of them dedicated to powering various police equipment
• Designed for five-passenger seating, meaning the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without the concern of air bag deployment interference
• Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer technology
• Special front seats designed for the long-term comfort of officers whose car is their effective office, including space that accommodates the bulk of a typical equipment belt

The front seats are sculpted to “pocket” the equipment belt, which greatly increases the comfort for a great range of police officer sizes. The foam density of the seatback and cushion insert surfaces are designed to conform to the shape of an equipment belt’s various items, too, allowing the officer’s back to rest properly on the seatback surface.

“The Chevrolet Caprice PPV’s seats represent a revolution in comfort and utility for officers who spend long hours in their car,” said Bob Demick, lead seat design manager. “The shape also enhances entry and egress, making it easier for officers to exit the vehicle quickly. The seatback bolsters, for example, have been purposefully contoured to help pocket the equipment on the belt, which includes the gun, Taser and handcuffs, which rest comfortably in the sculpted lower bolsters. That also increases the longevity of the trim cover surface.”

Along with comfort, the materials used in the seats were also carefully selected. High-wear materials were chosen to stand up to long hours of everyday use, while breathability, long-term durability and ease of cleaning were also important criteria.

Engineers worked on several iterations of the seat, testing a couple of versions in the field to get real-world feedback from police officers, who used prototype seats in their cruisers for a month. Their input helped determine the final design.

Class-leading space

The Caprice PPV is based on GM’s global rear-drive family of vehicles that also underpins the Chevy Camaro. It uses the longest wheelbase of the architecture – 118.5 inches (3,010 mm) – along with a four-wheel independent suspension that delivers responsive high-performance driving characteristics that are crucial in some police scenarios.

Caprice PPV’s long wheelbase also contributes to exceptional spaciousness. Compared to the primary competition, its advantages include:

• A larger interior volume – 112 cubic feet / 3,172 liters – than the Ford Crown Victoria, including nearly 4 inches (101 mm) more rear legroom
• The barrier between the front seat and rear seat is positioned farther rearward, allowing for full front-seat travel and greater recline for officer comfort
• At 18 cubic feet (535 liters) free space (beyond battery located in trunk), the Caprice’s trunk volume is large enough to accommodate a full-size spare tire under a flat load surface in the trunk storage area.

The Caprice’s 6.0-liter V-8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) with an estimated 384 lb-ft of torque. It is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission that is performance-calibrated for police duty. Additional, police car-specific powertrain and vehicle system features include:

• High-output alternator
• Engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers
• Standard 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps
• Large, four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads
• Heavy-duty suspension components
• Police-calibrated stability control system
• Driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature.

A host of complementary features are also offered, including special equipment packages such as spotlights; lockouts for the power windows and locks; and an “undercover” street-appearance package (9C3).

To enable more room for interior equipment, the standard radio can be relocated to the trunk, allowing for an in-dash, touch-screen computer to be used.

Caprice on patrol: A brief history

Chevrolet’s history with law enforcement is almost as old as the brand itself. Police departments have used Chevy sedans as police cars for decades, ordering them with basic equipment and powerful V-8 engines – including some special engines that weren’t available in regular-production models, such as the 1959 Biscayne that was offered with up to 315 horsepower.

The full-size Chevrolets joined the force in 1976. All Caprice police cars – including the new, 2011 model – have carried the 9C1 order code. Here’s a quick look back at Chevys on patrol:

1959 – Chevy Biscayne police model capable of 135 mph with specially tuned, police-only version of the 348-cubic-inch V-8 engine

1965 – The new “big-block” 396 engine is offered in Biscayne and Bel Air police cars, making them among the most powerful on patrol; a 427 V-8 was added in 1966

1976 – The 9C1 order code is given for the first time to a full-size Chevy police car package. It carries the Impala name.

1977 – The full-size Chevy is downsized. The 9C1 police package is retained, as is the Impala name.

1986 – The Caprice name replaces Impala, as the car is updated for the mid- and late-1980s – including the option of a powerful, 5.7-liter small-block V-8.

1991 – A new-generation Caprice is launched, with the 9C1 police car still on the beat.

1994 – The 260-horsepower (194 Nm) LT1 V-8 engine is offered in the Caprice 9C1, making it one of the fastest full-size police cars ever offered.

1996 – Caprice police car production ends, as GM’s full-size, body-on-frame car architecture is discontinued.

2011 – The Caprice PPV returns to active duty.

Well, I finally purchased a garage to story my cars (oh yeah, there's also a house on the lot), and I was reminded of why I put off buying a place for so long: leaves. I've rented a house for several years, but the stress to keep the lawn looking nice wasn't too relevant. Being a renter, and what the neighbors probably considered "rental trash," I was not too concerned with when the leaves were raked as long as it was done by spring. But now that I own a house, the stress is on to keep the leaves out of the yard and the dirty looks away from the neighbors. So when I got my '55 Cadillac back from being tweaked by the shop following an engine rebuild last week, I was torn.

The weather was finally nice last Sunday, and with a yard full of leaves and a dirty Cadillac (and some dirty Chevys), I decided to try working on the yard and cleaning the cars.  I started out raking, and after about three hours, I moved on the cars. I can say that I finished washing the '55 Cadillac and the '85 Caprice, but only half of the leaves were cleaned up. When it comes down to it, I'd rather see a dirty stare from the neighbors than a dirty car. Chalk a win up for the cars.

Maybe next spring I'll cut the trees down and pave the yard. More parking, less hassle.

I hate to see a fine collection of cars spread to the wind, but this isn't a perfect world. Oldsmobiles and Duesenbergs aren't in production, my favorite drive-in is closing for the season and '57 Heaven Museum in Branson, Mo., has closed its doors. Even when bad things happen, there can be a bright side, even if it doesn't shine as brilliant. I'll appreciate that pizza burger in spring a lot more when the Dari-Ette drive-in opens next spring, people value Duesenbergs for their place in history and the cars of the '57 Heaven Museum are in appreciative new hands that may expose the cars to car events the vehicles have never appeared.

The Oct. 24 sale of the contents of the '57 Heaven Museum was conducted by Mecum auctioneers with mighty results. What shocks me is that a 1957 Cadillac convertible outsold a '57 Chevrolet convertible at this sale, and the Chevy was an ultra-rare Morocco. It's always amazed me how a Chevrolet, which was far less expensive than a Cadillac, could regularly outsell its spendier GM sibling. But not at this sale. (Fellow Cadillac nuts will also notice the high-selling Cadillac was a Series 62 convertible, which also outsold a generally more-valuable Eldorado Biarritz. Perhaps condition was a factor here.)

It also surprises me that neither of the collection's 1957 Oldsmobile convertibles made it to this list, and 1957 Ninety-Eight and Super 88 and Rocket 88 convertible sales have been very strong in recent years. We'll get the details from John Lee's report of the sale in Old Cars Weekly.

If you want to do your own comparison of auction results for cars, go to Old Cars Report.

For those curious, here's the official press release from Mecum:


MECUM '57 HEAVEN MUSEUM AUCTION TOTALS $7 MILLION IN SALES
Classic Cars, Vintage Signs, Memorabilia from the Era
Crossed the Block during One-Day Event

MARENGO, Ill. - It was a standing-room only event as thousands of collectors packed into the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Mo., for the Mecum '57 Heaven Museum Auction on Oct. 24, 2009.  
      
Mecum Auction sold hundreds of items from the museum's unique collection of 1957 vehicles, authentic storefronts and automotive memorabilia, with total gross sales over $7 million (excluding buyer's premium).
      
"The Mecum team gathered a record number of pre-registered and registered bidders to buy pieces from the museum's incredible collection of cars, collectibles and re-created '50s-era storefronts like a drive-in movie and service station," said President Dana Mecum.  "The '57 Heaven Museum drew an international crowd as well, with interested buyers from around the world - including Australia, Japan, South Africa and England - making purchases."  
 
Attendees at the '57 Heaven Museum Auction bid on more than 75 classic cars and motorcycles of all makes and models.  Also up for bid were neon and metal signs; vintage men's and women's clothing; furniture; books; magazines; vintage movie posters; and children's toys.  
      
The '57 Heaven Museum Top 10 Sales (all sales reflect hammer prices) were:
1. 1957 Chrysler Dual Ghia Convertible (Lot S7) at $300,000
2. 1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible (Lot S61) at $250,000
3. 1957 Cadillac DeVille Convertible (Lot S56) at $245,000
4. 1957 Chevrolet El Morocco Convertible (Lot S26) at $230,000
5. 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible (Lot S55) at $210,000
6a. (Tie) 1957 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible (Lot S28) at $195,000
6b. (Tie) 1957 Buick Super Convertible (Lot S29) at $195,000
8.  1957 Pontiac Chieftain John Zink Co. Record Setter (Lot S60) at $192,500
9.  1957 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Convertible (Lot S4) at $190,000
10.  1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible (Lot S31) at $172,500

It's been nine years since I moved to central Wisconsin to work for Old Cars Weekly, and I'm still surprised what treasures lurk around the the area. Last weekend, I found a new 'field of dreams,' and it was right under my nose.

Since winter is coming early to central Wisconsin this year, I took advantage of the reprieve from the rain and the slightly warmer temperatures last weekend to scout out a salvage yard I had never been to.

I learned about the yard at the 2009 Iola Old Car Show. A vendor there had several fenders in his booth, plus photos of cars in what appeared to be a salvage yard. I always stop to check out these photos in hopes I’ll spot a car like one of my own, and sure enough, there was a mid-1950s Cadillac coupe in the photos. Then I noticed the yard was within a half hour of my home! I inquired and grabbed a business card with the plan to stop at the salvage yard this summer. Well, I missed summer, so I wasn’t going to let the fall pass without a visit.

It turns out, I had actually driven past the yard this summer without my internal salvage yard diving rod going off. Thanks to the thickly wooded landscape, the yard wasn’t obvious until you drive well behind the owner’s home. My visit last weekend showed the fun begins about 100 yards beyond the house and past the tree line in an obscured but open field.

There aren’t a lot of prewar cars at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts, but there are plenty of mid-1950s to early-1980s cars. And while the yard isn’t huge, it’s certainly worth a visit since the cars are desirable and many are complete. A more in-depth story will appear in Old Cars Weekly, but in the meantime, enjoy these pix from Tom’s Classic Cars & Parts, located at 10281 Buelow Road, Amherst, WI 54406 (715-258-0362).

A cute little 1941 Buick fastback that could be resurrected.




A thought occurred to me upon seeing this 1946 to early-1949 Plymouth two-door sedan: Why do you never see these cars street rodded? If it weren't for the dented roof, this one would definitely be worth saving. Perhaps a fan with good skills will still drag it home and restore it.




Given its rusty front fenders and sedan status, this '49 Buick Roadmaster will probably remain a parts car. Perhaps if Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise had driven a '49 Buick sedan instead of a convertible, it would be a different story. As it is, this Buick's story won't have the happiest of endings.




Here's why I came to Tom's Classic Cars & Parts: a trio of mid-1950s Cadillacs. The siren that called to me from a photograph isn't pictured, but I was told there were three to four 1954-1956 Cadillacs. I spotted three, including the pictured 1956 Coupe deVille and 1954 Series 62 coupe. The '56 had some engine parts yet, including the desirable air cleaner with an asking price of $150, exactly what they sell for in online auctions.

 


A trio of new arrivals: A 1966 Chevrolet four-door sedan, 1946 Nash coupe and a 1957 Cadillac Series 75 limousine. Iola Old Car Show attendees who have been behind the downtown district may recognize the limo -- it has been rotting behind a local business for many years, and now it's found safe haven at Tom's no-crush yard.




Yup, a '57 Chevy two-door sedan, and it has relatives at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts, including an equally stripped hardtop, plus more complete sedans and station wagons.




Tom's Classic Cars & Parts is surrounded by a county-imposed metal fence, but you get a taste for the treasures inside by the early1960s Comet coupe and 1960 Chevrolet sedan outside.

 


You don't see too many 1960 Ford Starliners in salvage yards. This one is getting stripped and its getting rusty, but I'm sure there's a rare part waiting to be found on the car yet.




Like bubble tops? There are at least four of them in this yard, two Buicks and two Chevrolets. I regret I didn't determine whether this 1961 Buick was an Invicta or LeSabre.




One of the two 1961 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtops at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts (the hood and rearview-mirror for the second is visible in the foreground of this image). At least one more resides in Tom's personal collection. Watch for pix of this car's twin in OCW.




If you like mid-1960s Chevelles, pay Tom's a visit. This is one of at least two 1967 Chevelle two-door hardtops; the second is even more complete. Watch for pix of this car's twin in OCW.




My great grandma drove a 1967 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan, so I have a long-standing affinity for '67 Chevys. This rust-colored Impala sport coupe tripped my trigger.

 


The owner of Tom's Classic Cars & Parts is a true enthusiast out to save cars. While many would have crushed this 1969 Buick GS 400, Tom saved it. Even though the engine, bumper and front clip are gone, he notes there are many rare options remaining inside the car, not to mention all of the GS emblems.




The hobby puts 1969 Chevelle SS convertibles on a pedestal,
and at Tom's Classic Cars & Parts, that's literally the case.
It's rare but it's too far gone to even consider for restoration.
Now, this 1969 Chevelle SS convert is simply salvage yard art,
a position it accomplishes beautifully. During my visit to Tom's,
a previous owner of this car was looking for partd for another car
and hinted at some of the wild adventures he had with the Chevelle.

I have some pretty evil friends who enjoy a good taunt. When we were in high school, and I was driving my ’62 Cadillac Coupe deVille and they were driving trucks (1980s Dodge Rams and Chevy 1500s), the song “Pickup Man” by Joe Diffie came out.

If you know the song, you know the lyrics include the line, “You can set my truck on fire, and roll it down a hill, but I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe deVille.”

Well, they played that song over and over and over again, just because they knew it drove me nuts. But now, after all the taunting has died down, I can admit there’s a little bit of “pickup man” in me, too.

I haven’t sold any of the Coupe deVilles, but I bought a truck to use as an everyday driver, particularly in the winter. And I love it.

Other than being pretty good-looking vehicles that remain as easy to work on as rear-wheel-drive cars, there’s also a huge aftermarket parts network to personalize trucks. Headlamp covers. Brake lamp covers. Custom grilles. Lift kits. A huge custom wheel selection. The combinations are absolutely endless to make a truck your own.

I haven’t tacked on any accessories to my two-wheel-drive 2000 Silverado 1500 yet, but I have been eyeing a few covers and grilles. I’ve already snapped up a used flat lid to cover the truck bed and bought a set of factory wheels that are in better condition than what was on the truck.

My friends have since stopped playing that song to taunt me, but I’ll have the last laugh yet. I plan on using that truck to save my Coupe deVilles from the ravages of winter, and to carry around parts for the finned machines. And while I love the way the truck rides and drives, you could set that truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I’d be happy to trade it for a Coupe deVille. Preferably a white 1960.

I guess you can put the man in the pickup, but you can’t take the Cadillac out of the man.

Here's a recent picture, with the bed cover removed to haul and after a wheel switch. These steel wheels have what I believe is a stainless face so they won't corrode like the aluminum wheels originally on the truck. Plus they are shiney, and shiney is always good.

While on vacation, I swung through a couple dealerships to scout out the "gross-polluting clunkers" that were traded in for $3,500-4,500 during the cash for clunkers program. I didn't spot the 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante, 1998 BMW Z3, 1984 Buick Riviera convertible or the ultra-desirable 1987 Buick GNX that appeared on the government's list of "clunkers" that were traded in. Such cars were exactly what my were fears were: some pretty desirable cars such as these went to the scrap heap in the sky: 19 1985 Buick Riviera convertibles, 240 rear-wheel-drive Monte Carlos from the 1980s and countless Cutlasses built on the same platform and other cars that will make you scratch your head (including the three 1987 Excalibur phaetons). Also, it's worth noting that the intercooled turbo Buick GNX was clumped among 10 other ASC products from 1987 states as "unlisted" models; what were those other ASC cars? Were there more GNXes among those "clunked," but the sales people was just too lazy to complete all of the blanks, or just didn't know what they were receiving?

I did, however, see one of the 1,021 1992-'96  Buick Roadmaster station wagons (a car appearing in good condition and loaded, so you know there was an LT1 under the hood) and one of the 978 1992-'96 Roadmaster sedans traded in under the program.

What I also saw were some very good-looking trucks that looked like they could carry many more loads of lumber, yard supplies and furniture. But not anymore. There was also a sharp-looking late-1990s Cadillac Seville with the desirable red pearl metallic paint (an additional $500 when new) just as my dad was shopping for such a car.

My brother, who recently graduated from high school, just started a job at White Bear Dodge in the Twin Cities and has seen the process for destroying the engines of clunkers. As he explained it, the oil is drained from the vehicles in the parking lot. They are then driven without oil into the area for clunkers where the engine-destroying formula is poured into the crankcase. Within a few seconds of running, the engines quickly seize in an anti-climatic moment.

The good news is, these cars will soon be available for parts, as long as you don't need an engine!

View the list of clunkers traded in here.

Remember that story about the crazy guy who was going to drive his 1932 Ford roadster to 49 states in 9 days? Turns out he's not so crazy after all. According to Ken Gross, who featured Dave Straub in his "Speaking of Hot Rods" column earlier than this year, "Dave Schaub made it to Hyder, Alaska, driving his Roy Brizio-built, Edelbrock Chevy V-8-powered '32 Ford in 8 days, 16 hours and 48 minutes...his goal was '49 in 9!' and he actually did even better, finishing in under nine days.

"As this is written, he's very close to his goal of raising $100,000. He's still accepting contributions for the Ronald McDonald House in Stanford, Calif.," said Ken.

"It's a remarkable example of what one determined guy can do, when he sets his mind to it. And it's a great tribute to hot rod ingenuity, endurance, good will and generosity."

Well said, Ken.

Ken also included photos of Dave visiting him in Virginia, showing the contrast between his traditional '32 roadster and his more modern highboy, as well as Straub in Hyder, Alaska.

Read the original story here.

To learn how to donate to Straub's cause, click here.

We now embark upon the second quarter century of this truly different family-oriented event. Our guests describe the event as peaceful, safe, homey and just extraordinary. We believe that you, too, will experience a great day. We believe this show to be unique above all other car-related shows in that it is actually a celebration of America’s heritage and history represented through our historic displays and demonstrations of crafts and skills that include blacksmithing, wheel making, quilt making, spinning, lace making, sauerkraut making and woodcarving.

An important part of the show is our Hill and Valley Tour.  The tour is about 22 miles (or 1 hour) in length through the many hills and valleys in Cross Plains, Wis. Tour participants leave the park in two segments, each going different directions. Midway through the tour, they meet and pass, which is reminiscent of days long gone by.  At 1 p.m. there will be car games for Model T and A Ford owners.

It is believed that there are generally more prewar vehicles at this show than any other in the state that we are aware of, so if you are an owner of a very old vehicle you will be right at home. Although Model T Fords are showcased, we wish to emphasize that all collectable vehicles 20 years old and older are most welcome.

This is not just about vehicles. There will be food, live and recorded music, and an arts and crafts show.  Our musical entertainment, namely “The Good Times” have been invited back and have agreed to return again.

The traditional pancake breakfast will be served from 6:45 to 10:30 am. Later in the day, “corn-on–the-cob” will be served near the “antique steam engine display”.  

This event is free to the public.  Registration for those bringing a car for display is $8.  We encourage you to come out and spend what we hope will be a most pleasant day with us.