The "Hawks" were the last Studebakers to be designed by the legendary "Loewy's team." They were good looking and a blast to drive. They operated on curves like a true sports car and hugged the highway at high speeds. The Hawks were descendants of one of the most popular of all, the Starlight Coupe. The 1961 Hawk was up-dated receiving two-tone color panels and a four-speed gear box. Brooks Stevens was given the task to take over the design as an outsider of the "Hawks." One major change was the Mercedes-style grille, Studebaker was distributing "Mercedes-Benz" at the time. The optional 225 bhp would give this Hawk a top speed of 120 mph and 0-60 in less than 10 seconds.
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1964 Ford F-100 Custom Cab
Pickups like this never rolled off the production line unless it was for the CEO of Ford Motor Company. The owners of this truck purchased it new and treated it like one of the family. Jonas' dad ordered it with the factory 292cid V-8 & limited slip differential. Factory options included the spotlight and the AM radio. Now is when you wish you lived in the good old days, the price new was just $1979.49. In 1964 Ford offered a wide selection of pickups, Chevrolet tried to match them one-for-one which made for some great competion. The Ford's styleside box featured a double wall design which prevented the loads from ever making dents to the outer box panels. This was the first pickup to have a lever in the center to release the tail gate. This new F-series made available options like Air Conditioning, two tone paint. Another great feature was the tail gate height of just 24 inches, a far cry from the new pickups of today. White side wall tires were common on all F-100 pickups. Owner; Tim & Joan Sleeth Billings, Montana
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Shelby Cobra Replica The story as I was told. Lets call this a "Fathers Love." This car started out about a couple years ago in a secret location in Billings, Montana. This Father wanted to give his son a very special gift when the day came that he would be married. I was told this car was moved around and hidden like a child playing Hide & Seek with all of his or her friends. This car was truly built with all the compassion and love of detail a father could put into it. Rest assured that I was told about this from one of the many who had a part in making this a reality. Some may make a feeble attempt at a task like this, not this father, he did it right addressing every small detail to perfection. I was informed the son is on active duty as a Commander in the United States Navy. I believe the wedding has now taken place and this was the father's gift to his son and his new bride.
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1950 Ford Business Coupe
This is the body style that every classic car enthusiast searches for when he or she wants the true 60's show car. To find one would be like winning the lottery. This American Icon that you are looking at has over 400,000 miles on it. The couple who own this car lived in Florida where he was the president of a university, upon his retirement they made their last trip to Montana where their children live. Trips back and forth wore out two or three engines over the years. This car would be considered a mild award winning custom, at first it was purchased as a daily driver while he restored his '32 Ford. The car now has a 267 V-8 Chevy engine with a 700 RA overdrive transmission and an 8-inch 3.55:1 rear end. More than 40,000 have been driven going to car shows coast to coast. They plan to enjoy this jewel for many years to come.
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1953 Studebaker Champion
What a wonderful custom this car has become, only a master craftmen can pull this off and make it flawless. This car started off as a 2-door hardtop, Ron chopped the top 4 1/2 inches and made a flush mounted windshield, the rear window was slanted back 7 inches and made up with 3 fabricated pieces. It takes a lot of time to flare all four fenders to perfection. A new trunk lid had to be fabricated along with hawk fins and a Mustang spoiler. A Mustang 3rd tail light and Chrsyler door handles. Century rear view mirrors, the front end was nosed & decked along with smoothed bumpers. A special engine cover was fabricated. Power windows and seat along with keyless entry and a new alarm system was added. Montana weather requires both a heater and air-conditioning. A few of the add-ons were a cruise control, 8 speaker sound system and a complete Cobra interior. Firewall and transmission tunnel Mustang, Jaquar independent suspension front and rear. Also added were power steering, 4 wheel disc brakes, 3:03 posi, 4.6 L -4 overhead cam 32 valve engine. 5 speed Tremec transmission, remote twin oil filters - 9 quarts, complete EPA emissions.
Donar cars that were used: 1953 Studerbaker, 1986 Jaguar XJS and 1999 Mustang Cobra.
Paint: House of Color Kandy Tangerine, Black PPG Concept, 18 Gold Leaf strip.
Complete build/design by Ron Tesinsky / Westside Customs, Billings, MT
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1948 Chevrolet Suburban The future was upon us with this type of transportation. This Suburban was restored by a master rebuilder who has done many show cars in the past. With only 36,000 original miles, this 216 cid six-cylinder was still like new. This old engine had small cups at the end of the connecting rods to pull the oil up to the engine. Unlike most engines it was void of an oil pump, the later 262 six-cylinder motors did have an oil pump. The transmission was a four speed with a very low first gear. The factory radio and fog lights were factory options along with the sun visor over the windshield. Mark Tronstad of Billings, Montana restored this classic to factory specifications in 2014.
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1950 Hudson Pacemaker Coupe
Hudson used the term "Step Down" for their lower look of the 50s. It referred to the dropped floor pan surrounded by steel frame girders. The Supermatic were applauded for toughness and handling, as well as a smooth highway ride. When Hudson introduced the Pacemaker coupe, it accounted for almost half of the 1950 production of their cars. The Pacemaker used a 232 cid 112 bhp in-line six cyl engine. An available option in 1950 was the Super-six 123 horsepower aluminum cylinder. You could have your choice of three transmissions, mechanical overdrive, Drive Master, and new Supermatic, which had a new crusing gear with a button on the dash, which allowed you to shift gears by just letting up on the gas. "Step Down" meant that you would sit within the Monobilt frame, with box-section steel frame on all sides for safety. This was a full six passenger sedan with the most room of any car built to date. With a price of $1959 you would pay just $ .56 per pound to buy this car.
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
Red as Red can be. That is what this stunning Bel Air is. They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, make no mistake this car makes us all beholders. Many '57s have been restored, however few have obtained the clean, crisp elegance this car has became. The selection of engines were no less than six V-8's from 185 to 283 bhp. The 283 was courtesy of "Ramjet" a fuel injected engine. Their were few takers at $500 per add-on, it did however give GM the bragging rights for 1 bhp per cubic inch. The Bel Air Sport Sedan equipped with a four barrel 270 bhp would do 0 to 60 in just 9.9 seconds. Peddle to the metal in the quarter mile you would reach 110 mph in 17.5 seconds. We all look for a good buy in life, this car new was only $.70 per pound.
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1930 Desoto
I was the bride of Mr. Chrysler and Mrs. Plymouth. I came with 18-inch wheels and a six-cylinder engine. My air conditioner would consist of six windows down at 30 miles per hour. My new parents thought I should get a face lift to compete with the big boys, and here I am. My power train now has a 1978 440 cid with 1971 heads, I'm hopped up just a little with being bored .030 and with a Isky Cam. I added a Mopar suspension with a Volare front clip and a massive 30-gallon fuel tank. Talk about hard times, I have a touch of road rash, but I'm not to bad for one who was "born" when there were only 48 staties and has survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, and World War II. Added to that were several armed conflicts and 15 Presidents. I have earned my scratches and worn tires as I have traveled all over this great United States of America. I am proud that my owner went to war to defend our way of life. God Bless America.
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The Cactus Car
In America, we have a love affair with the cars we've owned through the years. The passing of time doesn't diminish our passion. This particular car fits into the category of worn-out-but-never really-abandoned classics. The great southwest holds the secret location of this sculpture .... and many others just like it. It may look like it has seen better days, however in time, a classic car lover will see a diamond in the rough and restore it.
1939 Plymouth
This was a workingman's car. Good reliable transportation that became the staple of the American dream. Most of these cars got about ten miles per gallon with an average speed of about fifty-five mph. Gas was about 10 cents per gallon and a quart of oil around 8 cents. When my wife was in High School in 1954, her parents had a car like this. She and her girlfriend would cruise around all evening on $ .50 cents worth of gas. The present owner has kept this car all factory and looking like it did in 1939. In that year many body types were available, coupes with or with out the Rumble seat (many would call it the Mother-in-Law seat). For 1939, that one year only Plymouth would offer a convertible with a rumble seat. A car like this sold for about $740 at the dealerships, by the end of World War II this car would sell for over $900. Plymouth. Ford & Chevrolet made up the top three cars in the United States. Back in the 30s Plymouth "Binder Twine" was used on almost every farm in America. That is the origin of the name Plymouth for automobiles...not Plymouth Rock.
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1932 Ford Pickup, The "Deuce"
Fords from 1932 are known as "Deuce" to the world of car lovers. There are national meets for the "Deuce's" that bring thousands together for reunions. The '32 probably has been customized and modified more than any other car. It is considered the ultimate hot rod or better known as the holy grail of hot rod builders everywhere.
OSHA would have fits if today they mounted the gas tank under the drivers seat like they did in '32. When production commenced in March 1932, a powered V-8 model was a sensation from the word go. It was the start of the end of the four cylinder as it was soon to fade into the history books. Introducing a new car in 1932 would prove a real challenge as this was the worst year for the great depression. Very few people had a desire to purchase a new car or truck, however the V-8 gave them a leg up on the other makes.
The marketing department only had in mind to sell the V-8 to the car buyers, that was until the truck buyers wanted it. Ford caved in and the rest is history.
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1954 Chevrolet Two Door Post - Bel Air
With a major face lift in 1964, GM sales increased over the previous year. The Bel Air was considered the top of the line and came with a high compression Blue Flame Six that produced 115 brake horsepower. Unlike the old 216 cid these engines now have oil pumps for greater performance. Chevy set the standards for automobile production with the World War II in the past. Over 1.17 million cars & trucks were sold during 1954, a welcome release to GM stockholders. Though sound and reliable the '54 lacked in excitement for style. With the coming of the V-8 that would change. The basic body style of Chevy starter in 1949 and would continue until the last production car of 1954.
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1934 Ford 3 - Window Coupe
There is something about the color red, when it is on a '34 Ford like this it stands out even more. I may place a different picture in our mind when we look at a street rod. Maybe this is what keeps us young at heart. Time doesn't diminish that feeling just because a gray hair may show up. You may describe a car like this as perfection.
A 1934 Ford 3 window coupe is the most sought after of all cars. This classic has a Kugel front suspension with disk brakes. The newly upholstered Ford Bronco seats is a great added touch. Want power? This has a 427 cid Chevy with a turbo 400 automatic transmission and a Corvette rear end.
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1957 Chevrolet BelAir Hardtop (The dream car)
This car had such special styling that everyone seemed to fall in love with it. True love is very hard to explain, yet this car could make it happen. You could say this is a mild custom with its Twilight Royal Metallic paint, Edelbrock Performer 50-100 Nitrous System, 2 inch Ceramic headers into 2.5 inch Flowmaster exhaust, GM 12 bolt positraction rear end. IDITTI polished steering tilt column, and the list goes on and on.
Chevy earned the term as the definitive car of the 50s. The new car buyer had a choice of seven engines, five of these were V-8s ranging from 185 to 283 bhp. One of these was introducing the "Ram-Jet" engine for a hefty $500 extra, sad to say but very few were ordered at that cost. A challenge for Chevy was to make a two year old body look fresh for the 1957 production year. A new cowl proved to be an expensive change. "Finny" would be the best way to describe the rear end with its several pointed fender tips. Properly equipped, the '57 Chevy was a formidable track competitor. NASCAR was one of the events where Chevy did very well.
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1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
Fun in the sun & wind in your hair, it doesn't get any better than this. The 1966 Ford Thunderbird proved to be a game changer in the automotive field. Thunderbird styling was superb with its full width tail lights, cruise control and steering wheel buttons which were offered as an option. This car is a true classic with only 5,049 convertibles produced. This car has the 428 cid engine that Ford offered for $64 extra and was rated at 345 bhp. But the desirability of this car doesn't end there, it has red leather seats, Candy Apple Red paint with three tone red-on-red interior. When you get a classic car that is 50 years old and still has matching numbers, it's rare. A popular accessory was the swing away steering wheel and the swivel drivers seat. With a price tag of $4879 the price per pound was just $1.09 per pound.
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1957 Oldsmobile Starfire Hardtop
A great car just floats down the road at 100 miles per hour. To this day the author can not understand why General Motors would discontinue this great line of cars. They had style and grace and were built with great quality. The Ninety Eights were the top of the line, perhaps they were just too good. The Rocket V-8 engine was equal in quality to the Buick Nail Head engine. It was a 371.1 cid with 277 brake horse power. An option was the Tri-Power (three carbs) lifting the bhp to 300. The wide mouth grille was restyled, the windshield pillars were reshaped with more of an angle. A stainless steel sweepspear would start at the beltline and flow to the rear for an ideal two-tone area ending with the tail lights. Only 17,791 of this model were produced with a cost of $.92 per pound.
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1986 Chevrolet Pickup ... "A Hot Ride"
This pickup was acquired in 2000, the best part of the purchase was all the parts were there. Most buyers would think it came from a salvage yard, but not a person with forward vision. This was an opportunity to make he dream truck that comes about once in a lifetime. The frame-off took three years to complete. It now has a 502 cid with a 871 blower and electronic fuel injection system. They installed an ATI turbo 400 transmission with a 4:11 Mark Williams rear end. This truck was clocked at 127 on an old airport runway with power to spare. This truck has came a long way from the "three on the tree" with a "six cylinder engine".
Sheridan, Wyoming
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1956 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Sedan
The "Rocket Circle" on top of the dash was an option offered from 1956 to 1960 by General Motors. It was for preferred customers which allowed a place for your initials and the number of Oldsmobiles the customer has owned to date. The engine was a 324 cid Oldsmobile Rocket V-8 producing 230 bhp. The transmission was a Jetway Hydra-Matic which gave it a snooth start and good mileage. 1956 brought about a "Panoramaic" wrap around windshield, power brakes and power steering. Distinctive spinner wheel caps to Old's were soon to be copied by most all automotive cars on the road. The 1956 gains a large gaping "mouth" front grill inspired by the 1953 Starfire Car Show. All models that were produced totaled 485,000 and sold for about $3,480 or about $ .85 per pound. Two and three tone paint were all the rage.
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1993 Mercedes-Benz 600SL
This 2 Door Roadster sold new for a whopping $119,500. It was considered to be the best built car at the time, for instance an electronically controlled hidden roll-over-bar that would pop up if the car started to roll. This car has two tops, remove the hard top and you then have a convertible top that can be used. The "sun chaser" will leave the hard top in storage and just use the soft top. The engine is a 7.0 L. which develops 496 brake horse power with a V-12 that completely fills the engine compartment. This is a true sports car and it rides like one. The number of features was considered very high with everything being electric. This car is considered to be very rare as only 150 "Limited Editions" were ever built, the top speed for this car is 185 mph. A family car it is not, only 2 can get in it.
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1968 Chevrolet Camaro "Super Sport"
A true classic, Camaro's don't go to the after life, they are given a second chance at life. Even a donor car will give life to another Camaro. General Motors would allow you to build your Camaro to match your life style. These are some of the changes you were allowed to make. Stiffer springs & shocks, D-17 Wide oval Tires, modified hood & insulation, bumble-bee nose strips and the ever popular "SS" emblem. You could add a 396 Big Block for another $400. Custom carpet along with bucket seats and a fold down back seat. A luxury interior with all the gauges and a console with a shifter for Turbo Hydra-Matic, heavy duty 3 speed or 4 speed manual. The Rally-Sport package added a hidden headlight grill for a $105 extra. Extras in 1968 were tinted glass, radio, heater, clock, cruise control and air conditioning. Want the time? Add a clock. Mechanical options were, sintered metallic brakes, vacuum brake booster with ventilated disc brakes power steering. If you wanted the steering used in race cars you could have Fast Rate manual steering. Positraction limited-slip differential and your choice of many axle ratios. The price could go from $2900 to $5000 in the blink of an eye.
With the 60s, Chevrolet responded to all the turmoil in our nation with a size and style car to fit every need, each car had distinct car lines. Unlike today, designers could be creative.
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1969 Dodge Charger ... "The General Lee"
A replica of the original General Lee from "Duke's of Hazzard." Mr. Bruce Ryniker designed this handsome car. Very few cars have ever enjoyed the popularity the Dodge Charger has as the "General Lee." The "General Lee" made history November 11, 1978 when it appeared on the History Channel. As this car was put thru its paces the doors had to be welded shut. The TV show lasted seven years before the ratings began to fall. As people would send mail into the program, over half of it was addressed to the General Lee. This car held such popularity that 24 out of 25 had a place in their heart for it. Around 256 and 321 "General Lee" were created for the seven years the show ran. It is known that only about 20 of these cars remain in disrepair in several states. One of the original cars is owned today buy Bubba Watson a professional golfer from Florida. What a car, no one was ever hurt with all the wrecks.
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1967 Plymouth "GTX"
This is a 49-year-old car in better condition than when it was new. This car happens to have matching numbers, a rare sight these days. This car underwent a major restoration after being purchased for just $300. Many cars like this were used for drag racing and also the oval track, we never knew that some day they would be worth a small fortune. It's amazing how a classic will bring smiles and become a great conversation piece among friends. This car has a 440 cid producing 375 bhp, 727 transmission coupled with a 323 posi-traction rear end. When you drive a car like this you need to know what it will do in the quarter mile. The one pass he made was 14.10 at 98 mph, not bad.
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1937 Ford Slant Back Sedan
This is considered a true classic, it is an all steel car and you will not find a lot of plastic to dry out and crumble away. There are times you don't want to know how much a car may cost to build, its just better to throw all the recipes out the window. A car like this you give it your all and look back in total admiration with pride. When this restoration was started it turned into months and even years to complete. It has an LS-1 engine, 4L60E transmission with a 9-inch Ford rear end. Real leather complements the interior. The tall split front grille with hood side grilles and the tear drop classic headlights add to its appeal. New this car sold for about $850, now it would be hard to put a price on it. How do you drive a car like this? Like you stole it!
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top
WOW! That about says it all when it comes to a car like this. I would like to list just a few amenities this dream car has. 1980 Firebird rear end, 502 CI big block w/ dual Four barrel carbs, Center Line Wheels Conve/Pro. Ken Wood Sound, four wheel disc brakes, Ididit steering wheel, Dakota Digital Dash, Air Tique Air, Full Power.
This became the "crown jewel" of GM when it produced 166,426 of the Bel Air Hard Tops. The production engine off the assembly line made one horsepower for each cubic inch of displacement. Their 1.5 million cars produced in '57. Ford was behind the eight ball playing 'catch up.' One of the main reasons car collectors love these cars is it reflects the wonderful life style we all enjoyed in the 50s. With a price tag of just $2299 or to put it another way it sold for $1.46 per pound. The cost today may well be over $50,000.
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1957 Chevrolet 2 door post
This is another of the Classic "Randash" cars of Billings, Montana. The '57 Chevrolet had its debut in September of 1956. It was a major make over from the former body style and proved to be a true classic with the test of time. This car would be considered a mild custom, It now has real leather interior, custom designed console, a Morrison frame, which makes it handle like a sports car. A Morrison frame can cost about $22,000 and up. The hood has been shaved, Bel Air chrome has been added. Custom wheels with all disc brakes on all four added to this cars safety. Ed Cole was the chief engineer and instituted most all major changes the '57 would have. The '57 was refered to by GM as the baby Cadillac due to the many styling lines that were similar. A padded dash was optional yet very seldom ever ordered as was the air conditioner. The radios were still the tube type and came with the option of a rear speaker for surround sound. One of the unique options was the electronic shaver, connected to the dash. Another option was the power seats and windows. If you wanted to dim your headlights automatically there was an item that you would bolt to the dash to do that. Of all the popular classics the '57 Chevrolet is considered one of the best.
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1961 Corvette " A true survivor"
From the factory paint "Jewel Blue" down to the original hub caps on the wheels. The production engine which is a 283 cid with 230 brake horsepower couplied with a powerglide transmission. This would be a "first" generation Corvette, this being the last year for the external trunk and the solid rear axel. This was not a state of the art design, also it was not characteristic of this time period but it gave the feel on the road that later Corvettes would not have. The sports car feeling was enhanced when GM gave it the label "elbow out the window." Aluminum was a major change in production when it came with an all aluminum radiator and the housing for the transmission. Contrasting color would not show up on the indent of the doors for the 1962 Corvettes. The rear end was an advanced design and would not appear again till the 1963 String Ray Corvette's would start production. With only 10,939 produced and a price tag of just $3,934 who could ask for more.
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1936 Buick Sedan
This was the first year as a full size car. A 40's series as it was referred to in the past will now be known as the "Special." The wheel base on the '36 was 118 inches only to increase to 122 inch the next year.
This Buick made the neighbors shudder with the thought of this rusty old car in a driveway around their new homes. Restoration took a long seven years to complete. There was just one way to do a car like this, a frame off. Different professionals were to get to know this car very well. It is a Montana car, however most of the work was completed in Seattle. The 350 cid engine and 350 automatic transmission are from a Nova. Production records are hard to come by 80 years later.
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1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
We sacrifice many things in our lives when we take the first step toward owning a business. This was the situation when Ron & Linda sold their beloved Mustang Mach 1 in 1985. It had been in their family for 15 years. They needed the investment capital and this would provide it. They sold it to their nephew knowing he would take care of it as they had.
A few years later, when the business was up and running, they decided to buy it back. Their nephew couldn't bear to part with her. This left Ron & Linda with a problem ... they still wanted a Mach 1. They turned to the Internet. After some time they were discouraged. Nothing was there that could hold a candle to their Mach 1. In an ironic twist of fate, they found a car on an Internet auction while they were on a vacation. They won the bid, but couldn't get the funds to the seller in time, so the bid passed to the next person. the next car Ron found was also at an auction. In another twist of fate, the seller was the same man who got the earlier car Ron & Linda couldn't fund in time. They had their doubts about the Calypso color, which was only used in '69 & '70 and only on a few cars. They replaced all the aftermarket parts with OEM parts. The one renaming issue was the Mustang emblem that was installed backwards behind the back window. They opted for a rotisserie restoration in the near future so it may compete with the best at car shows. There were 72,558 Mach 1s produced in '69. They retailed for $3,139.00 or about $1.01 per pound.
Ron & Linda Kesler Laurel, Montana
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1960 Mercury
Mercury, a car that captured a market that was a step up from the Ford, yet not in the richer class of the Lincoln. This car had quality that was unsurpassed for the working man with styling that would be lasting. The counterpart in the GM field would have been the Buick and the Oldsmobile. Chrysler and the DeSoto on the other side. In the production certain parts were shared with Ford but not Lincoln. The last production of the Mercury was in 2010, why many of us did not understand, it had style and durability. This car had a large market, United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands along with the Middle East. Problems started when the recession of the late 1950s started and the unibody construction proved to be to costly to make. Another problem came about with the Edsel having pricing the same as the Mercury. This car sold for about $2,630 or about $ .67 per pound.
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1930 Willys Knight
Rare, yes but what a car it is from our past. This automobile was hand made back in the '30s. This is considered a 100 point car, to get this rating there cannot be a mark on the car, every bolt, screw and trim must be perfect. A phillip's screw would not be allowed because they did not make them back then. This car has taken many of the nation's top awards at the major shows for the best-of-the-best. The engine is an 87 bhp 255 cubic inch in-line Knight sleeve valve 6 cylinder. It has a 3-speed transmission with synchromesh, four wheel mechanical brakes, front and rear leaf springs with Watson Stabilators. The wheel base is long at 120 inches. To the best of our knowledge only 8 of these cars exist. The value could be over a million dollars.
In the 30s you had to be very well-to-do if you owned a car like this. When this car was introduced in New York a top designer placed his touch on it with the stripes on the doors calling it a "Plaidside" and the name stuck. These cars became well known to the very rich many years ago and to this day you would be very lucky to find one in any condition.
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1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS 6
The dream of most every man and women, a classic Chevelle of the 70s. During the 50s, 60s, and 70s some of the greatest cars were designed by Detroit by such talent as David North "GTO" and Bruce Ryniker "Roadrunner." Both of these men are now retired and living in Billings, Montana. Chevrolet became consistent leader in the industry with over 2 million cars per year. The '70 Chevelle came with a 396 cid and packed a whopping 350 bhp. The racing stripes let everyone know to get out of its way. For a very short period of time the Chevelle could be ordered with swivel seats. Chevrolet spent large amounts of money promoting the Chevelle as a family sports car, and the sales just went thru the roof. Even though this car sold for about $2710 back in 1970 finding one today in excellent condition you will have to add another $50,000 on top of that price.
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1968 Dodge GTS
many changes have occurred over the years to this Classic Dart. It now has a 440 cid large block equipped with a Holley Dominator 1050 Carburetor. The transmission is a 727 with a 8 3/4 rear end which makes for a very fast car.
In 1968 the Dodge Dart "4th generation" underwent a facelift and became one of the best looking cars of its day. Low and long with larger windows, fuselages were also rounded and featured hidden headlights and a semi-fastback "flying buttress" roof line. The parking lights were moved inward and made round with side marker lights added. Mileage and performance were compromised on all cars produced due to the "Clean Air Package" which was a federal law.
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1986 Chevrolet Pickup ... "A Hot Ride"
This pickup was acquired in 2000, the best part of the purchase was all the parts were there. Most buyers would think it came from a salvage yard, but not a person with forward vision. This was an opportunity to make he dream truck that comes about once in a lifetime. The frame-off took three years to complete. It now has a 502 cid with a 871 blower and electronic fuel injection system. They installed an ATI turbo 400 transmission with a 4:11 Mark Williams rear end. This truck was clocked at 127 on an old airport runway with power to spare. This truck has came a long way from the "three on the tree" with a "six cylinder engine".
Sheridan, Wyoming
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1947 Willys Jeep CJ-2A
The CJ-2A was the first jeeps produced after World War II. With the end of the war they were in much demand on the farms and ranches. During the war production was halted on all tractors as the steel used went to make tanks & trucks. The Jeep underwent a few changes back to the civilian market. Large headlights were added, leaf springs went from 11 to 7 leafs for an easier ride and a tail gate was added with the spare moved to the side. This Jeep remains elegantly simple and still very appealing 68 years later. Osha would have a fit back then if they only knew about the safety risks, We sat on the gas tank, a gas heater was used on top of it to keep us warm. The passenger seat was $8.50 and the rear seat was $10.50. The Military tires used have a great background, with the center ridge they lacked traction as the tread design was made so the enemy could not tell which direction they were going. Brackets on the side were to hold a shovel and a axe. It came with options of about 14 types of farm machinery. A top was optional, a tall man had a problem as the seat would not adjust. The price tag was abut $1200 dollars. Speed, don't worry as it was only about 45 mph top. This Jeep has been featured in two separate editions of "The Story Of Jeep" & "The Standard Catalog of Jeep" as well as the coffee table book "Classic Cars of Montana & Wyoming."
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1957 GMC "General Motors Corporation" 4X4
When this truck was found it could have been considered a rust bucket. Only a true lover of the "classics" would take on a project as large as this requiring a total frame off restoration. This truck was considered the work horse of the GMC fleet. Many of the buyers were farmers, loggers, contractors and those who needed a truck that would hold up in all kinds of weather. The truck you are looking at is not your stock factory unit. This one has a 350 cid making 368 bhp adding a 350 turbo automatic transmission. Owning a true classic means "making it your own." A little known fact, the early GMC's were one gauge heavier sheet metal than the Chevrolet. The major body design occurred in 1955 which also included the GMC Suburban. It had the comfort of a car with an option of air conditioning. The front fenders gave a flow-through design, a wrap-around windshield and full flush pickup boxes. For the collector they are still out there for a price, One can be restored in most cases for around $30,000.
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1939 Plymouth Convertible
Plymouth came by its name in a very unusual manner. When Chrysler was deciding on a name the greatest fear was could anyone relate to it. Walter Chrysler was reminded of an item that every farmer was familiar with - "Plymouth" bailing twine. It was a household name. The name originated from none other than Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. The first Plymouth was produced in 1928 and was a success from the start. By 1930 they were allowed to sell them though both Dodge and DeSoto dealers. They never did outsell Ford or Chevrolet, they however did become a part of the top three cars of its day due to its advanced styling and safety features. They were producing an all-steel body when the standard was still using wood for framing. Plymouth was using rubber engine mounts along with rubber body mounts before their competition. They were also the first to install independent front coil suspension. The trunk would fold out to seat 2 adults, These were always referred to as the "Mother-in Law" seat.
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1930 Chevrolet Deluxe Panel Delivery Van
This 1930 Chevrolet was found buried in a ditch where it was placed to prevent erosion from heavy rain. It was located near the small town of Roberts, Montana. Like many abandoned trucks there was only enough left of it to determine what kind of a vehicle it was. In this case the name on the partial box was the only clue they had. I complete frame restoration was needed as only original parts would be used in the processed. It has the engine and three speed transmission it came with. The body was built using yellow oak shipped in from China. The Chevrolet wheels with the wheel well were stock on this truck. New this truck would have sold for about $495 and yes it came only in black.
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1930 Ford Phaeton
This vehicle, known as the "Hulk," is a testament to the man who created it. This car has been transformed in ways very few of us could ever imagine. When you open the driver's door, you see black carpet trimed in lime green, which is the theme throughout the interior. The dash is custom made of black walnut wood with a natural burl pattern. The Babbet instruments are all customized and set into this beautiful wood. The Hulk is all chrome from the steering wheel to the complete undercarriage. This car has a TCI Racing chassis, a 1969 Jaguar XKE rear suspension and is equipped with a 1932 front dropped axle. The engine is a small block Chevy with unique spark plug wires, which allow you to be able to follow the spark from the distributor to the plugs. Travel at highway speeds is made easier with its 700R4 overdrive transmission.This paint job if done today would cost well over $30,000. Credits for this paint job goes to Cal-Concepts of Bakersfield, California. The lightening bolts and blistering ghost flames add an artistic flair to this unique car.
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1971Ford Thunderbird
Ford termed this as an "Elegant town car appearance." This was a 5th generation series produced by Ford. This body style caused sales to decline as it did in the previous year. What they really did was to try and make a family sedan out of a proven sports car. Corvette stayed the course and look where they are today. The Landau sedan was not on the list as a practical design with its rear hinged back doors. This was a throwback to the 1930s. Production revisions for the 71' were minor with wheel covers, grill insert and minor trim only. Big block V-8's were the norm however the engines were not tuned to be a powerhouse. Thunderbird no longer had a performance image to keep it afloat. This was a 429 cid which had 360 bhp, when tuned to perfection it became a monster to deal with. Production of 36,000 was considered low by automobile standards for a car like this. Priced at $2500 below the Lincoln helped but what hurt the most was the new restrictive emissions. Performance suffered in all makes, not just Ford. With 11 to 12 mpg and a low acceleration speed of 12 seconds from 0-60 mph. Overall the quality of this car would be considered very good being quiet with great road ability.
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1966 Pontiac GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato)
General Motors launched this high performance family car in 1964 by chief designer David North, now retired and living in Billings, Montana. This car was to provide the excitement we needed in the '60s at a time when our boys and girls were returning from a very unpopular war. The 60s proved to be the start of the true muscle cars. The cost of a car was a big factor, about $.87 per pound compared to $10.78 today. For our returning men and women from overseas it was a car that they could afford. If you wanted a GTO equipped the way you wanted it, no problem. You could add the following to your basic car: floor shifter, 389 cid V-8, quick steering, stiff shocks, dual exhaust and premium tires all for about $300. A 4 speed gear box $188, Metallic brake lining, heavy-duty radiator and a no-slip rear end $75. Some people referred the Ferrari to the GTO, the Ferrari cost $20,000 and the Pontiac GTO $3,800. In a drag race the GTO would be the winner, the down side would be it would lose on a road course. When the '66 came out, the body had been extended 3 inches, the rear fenders had a "coke bottle" appearance along with smoother body lines. Vertical head lights would remain until the '67 production year. These cars have long been the choice for the serious car enthusiast who wants quality, styling and true performance for all occasions. Another important factor, as the family grew you did not have to deprive your self of your dream machine.
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1951 Mercury (more than a mild custom)
From the time this body style came off the production line it became a car of choice to customize. In the early days they gained the name "lead sled" because so much lead went into the process of customizing cars like this. This car is a work of art from the interior to its fender skirts. Mercury did not have a two door hardtop until 1952. Even the designer of this car referred to it as an "inverted bathtub styling that originated in the sporadic war time work." The styling was massive, streamlined and very clean. Many who customized these cars used the grill from a 1948 Desoto. Driving was made much more like sitting in your favorite chair due to the fully independent suspension. The rear end was a live axel on parallel longitudinal leaf springs. This Mercury was not going to be the stepchild of its sister Ford, it received a stroked V-8 255.4 cid with a two barrel downdraft Holley carburetor giving it 110 bhp. If you wanted an automatic overdrive transmission it would cost an extra $97. New this car sold for about $1950 or about $.58 per pound.
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1964 Chevrolet Impala Convertible This Impala for 1964 offered more luxury and style than any Chevy ever built. The interior was spacious with large bench sets. They offered foam cushioned seats, deep twist carpeting for that rich feeling. Chevy offered 7 engines ranging from 140 to 425 bhp 409 V8 which inspired the most popular song of the 60s, "409." Their heavy duty coil springs absorbed the shocks, comfortilt steering wheel just added to the driving pleasure. From the top of the line "Impala" to the plain Jane "Biscayne" the cost was only $230. Production for the year was about 1.6 million cars. This Impala Super Sport was the envy of the drag strip and could hold its own with the best muscle cars of its day. This car being long and low makes it a prime choice for the collector. Add west coast skirts and a wheel kit and you are back in the 60s.
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1926 Ford Model A
It may not look like the famous "A Henry Ford Model A." This one has been tweaked out. Who would have ever believed 89 years later we would be savoring this car that sold new for $350. This car has been transformed into a true hot rod. Modern suspension, a Chevy small block lots of other goodies. In 1926 this car was transformed in a Roadster Pickup, a 2 door Roadster and a 2 door Coupe, and yes even a tractor. A quote from Henry Ford "I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed from the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one-and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces."
The body's on these cars were steel with wood used for the pillars along with other parts. When you use wood in production you are going to have a lot of scraps left over. Henry Ford had a plant called "Ford Charcoal" His brother-in-law E.G.Kingsford brokered this selection and changed the name to "Kingsford Charcoal"
Owner : Truman Rogers Billings, Montana
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1950 Studebaker Starlight Coupe
A car that was ahead of its time by many years. Yes, there were a lot of jokes about which way it was going. Like many other cars of its day it has weathered the test of time. To find a "Starlight Coupe" today is very rare, yes there may still be one in some ones barn just waiting to see daylight. In the 50s an after market headlight could be used to replace the center grill piece. It had springs that would hook to the tie rods and would turn with the steering wheel. Just like a Tucker but with a lot less money involved. Another accessories was Venetian blinds for the wrap-around rear glass. After this car was designed Lowery - Exner Studios became known nation wide for this excellent work. This innovative design eliminated the bolt on fenders that were used on the pre-war cars. Many things changed for the 50's model, coil springs, automatic transmission with "Hill Holder." This envelope style body allowed them to extend the front seat six inches and the back seat 10 inches. New this car was about $1600.
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
Grace & Elegance, these are the two words that tell it all when it comes to describing the '57 Chevy. I had the chance back in 1957 to purchase a car like this and I have regretted it ever since. The distinctive body lines are like no other car ever made. This car has become so popular that you could order enough parts to completely assembly a '57 from scratch. This car more than any other defines the "Fifties," you knew what it was a block away. This car did not come with romance buster seats (Bucket seats) as later cars did. GM produced 166,426 Bel Air sport coupes with most of them loaded with all the GM extras. The engine choices were very good and ranged from a straight 6 to the fuel injected V-8 283 bhp power plant. Body paint was toned down from the '56's three tones to just two tones for 1957. All cars had extra attention given to matching interior designs. In the 50s and 60s our automotive designers were given the chance to show their talents. I feel sorry for the designers of today where every car looks the same from year-to-year. We as the buying public always looked forward to the new styles. Anymore, a car designed in 2000 could be mistaken for a 2015.
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1967 Chevrolet Nova
The Chevy Nova has become the classic car of choice for all ages, its appeal spans the generations. It will always be a question we have for the auto designers, why they gave up on the work of design starting just a few years ago. Cars of this age were what we liked, not so much the upside down effect that we have today. Place a 350 small block cid producing 370 BHP using a 5 speed floor shift with a 3:08 Posi rear end and you have a true Hot Rod. General Motors awarded the Chevy II (Nova) with its "Award for Engineering Excellence" for the design of this classy car. The publication "American Automotive Field" gave it very high marks. This car drove so well on the track with the quarter mile clocking in at 91 mph, it proved there was no limit what it could do. A comment was made by GM that if you put a stick shift in it the demand would increase the sales. Another source said they would sell like "cold beer on a hot Fourth of July."
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1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS
This power house has a LS1 engine for power. This is a top show car that will never have to take a back seat to any car. The Super Sport has a double dome hood, along with black-out grill which was European inspired and displayed the now famous "SS" emblem. Other options included power windows & locks, back-up lights which were moved from the bumper to the tail gate. The down side was they could not be seen when the tail gate was down. With production of this new model sheet metal changes gave it a more squared look. The graphs on the tail gate of this El Camino are striking to say the least.
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1957 Buick Special
Buick, a car for all seasons. Cars produced in 1957 are becoming very rare to locate for the collector. Many of the style lines were carried over from the 1955 and the 1956 like the fender wells and the wrap around windshield. The new grill resembled an electric razor to many. Added was the pillars to the back window. Buick has retained the well known portholes that sets it apart from any other car to date. The sculptured hoods and fussy decks were abandoned for the '57. The heavily chromed tail fins and the three piece backlight made this car destinct from the average car. A bigger engine was available for 1957 along with a more ambitious restyling over earlier years. Many standard luxury features were standard, not air conditioning as it would be some time before the public would demand it. Dynaflow transmissions, power steering and brakes, dual exhaust, automatic windshield washers and backup lights were in. The ladies loved the plush carpets and the seats to match. There were only 59,739 of this model produced selling FOB for $2,660.
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1934 Master Deluxe Chevrolet 4 Door Sedan
Back in 1934, Chevrolet was considered the best car of the day. They had to be built with quality to accept the harsh conditions of country roads. Tires, not what they are today. If you expected more than 10,000 on your rubber then you were dreaming. Basic, yet elegance all in the same car. This was restored to exact factory standards in detail. It has matching numbers, production 1333 out of 4901 built. General Motors referred to this car as a "Series DA" with a 112 inch wheelbase. The engine was a Stovebolt Six with 206 c.i.d. 80 horsepower.
Owners: Ralph & Sharon Hanser Billings, Montana
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1955 Dodge 1/2 ton Pickup
Ken & Vicki have owned this truck for 2 years. At the age of 14 Ken became the proud owner. As you can see a lot of work has gone into it to bring it to where it is today. He replaced the old mill with a Chevrolet 350 cid, 700 R4 overdrive transmission, Ford 9 inch rear end and replaced the front suspension with a Mustang II clip.
The series "C" was a completely new design for the Dodge pickups and was sold from 1954 thru 1960. The cab was referred to as a high visibility "Pilot - House design with a wrap around windshield that was new for '55. Dodge had a very good reputation as a rugged work horse. They were assembled in two locations, LA, California and Warren, Michigan.
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1935 Hudson Terraplane Business Coupe
Yes, this was an all steel body, built so strong. It was this body that was also used on their Terraplane trucks.Roads back in the 30s were not much to brag about, dirt and gravel and a few miles of pavement if you could find them. Small towns were the hub of life across America. Cars like these had to be built tough, Most cars today will go 200,000 miles, back then 50,000 and a car was worn out. Look at our speeds today, back then 40 mph was the norm. Air conditioning was rolling out the front windshield. A car like this is becoming very hard to find. They came with a Power Dome 6 cylinder engine and a floor shift 3 speed transmission. Mohair cloth was the interior of the day. Options were white side wall tires, hub caps, rear fender skirts, suicide doors, original owners manual.
1933 & 1934 the cars produced were named "Essex-Terraplane" when the 1935 rolled around the name "Essex" was dropped and the car became just "Terraplane." Due to the weight of these cars they never joined competitive events. One of the reasons was the 6 cylinder engine just did not have enough horse power. The Hudson and Essex were not built in America, England and Australia made most of them.
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1958 Chevrolet Cameo Carrier 1/2 ton Pickup A collector pickup, finding one of these is very hard for the one who wants a classic. It was 1958 when Chevrolet changed the numbering system giving the 1/2 ton the number 30. Larger trucks had other numbers. Another name for the “Cameo” line was “Apache.” The Cameo line started in 1955 with designers charting new ground with its smooth car lines like never before. It was late in ‘58 when GM replaced this design with the well known Fleetside pickup box which became the standard for the industry. In making this change GM referred to this as “Jet-Pod” sculpturing. Cameo was the driving force behind the Full Width Rear Body and the chrome grill with built in parking lights. Pricing of the Cameo was modest and only 1,405 were built. One of the reasons production was low the rescession was in full speed for 1958. GM did many up-grades for ‘58 like all new sheet metal, redesigning the grill by incorporating the parking lights. The hood was reshaped to make it level with the cowl. Also new was the series-designation name plates. 15 solid and 15 two-tone colors were available with colors like; Polar, Dawn, marine blue, Oriental, Glade green, Kodiak brown and Tartan turquoise. White side-wall tires were the norm during these years. Deluxe features were a full wrap-around rear window, chrome bumpers and a high quality interior.
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1967 Plymouth GTX
Many cars meet an untimely demise due to neglect. We are very fortunate to have those among us who still love this old iron. This car you see sat in an open shed for eleven years taking the brunt of the weather year after year. It was purchased from the original owner for $300 as it was very rough shape. The car had flared wheel wells and someone had installed a spoiler on the trunk for racing. The back seat and door panels were in great shape -- guess they never went to a drive-in movie, (we weren't always this old). Money remains an important part of restoration, they purchased parts for a year that they would need before starting the work. When they started they had two very good friends and had it together in a matter of two days. When they were ready they drove it to Virginia Beach, Virginia from Montana. For those skeptics who wondered if they would make it they were reminded back in '67 cars drove across the nation with out any problems. Matching numbers, a 375 horsepower 440 cid engine, 727 transmission and 325 posi-track rear end made for a great power train. The drag strip called and it answered with a 14.10 sec at 98 mph, not bad.
The GTX has proven to be a car that can stand on its own when it come to performance on the drag strip or the oval track. When this car was in the show rooms of America a sales tactic was to lay a $5 bill on the dash, on acceleration if the customer could reach it they could have it, none ever could. The senior designer Mr. Bruce Ryniker of Billings, Montana was a top designer of the GTX also he was the designer of the "Roadrunner." There is a passion to find and restore this car more than any other of this class. Restoration can cost up to $100,000, most will cost far less, how many of us car afford a $12,000 paint job or all leather interior, we do what we can with a lot of sweat and tears and don't forget to hide the costs from you know who.
Mike Hicks & Marilyn Moe, owner
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1956 Ford F-100 Pickup
Yes, the color is "Planetary Green" a unique color with a special paint from (House of Kolor) that has proven to be very hard to lay down. Not long ago there was a car show in Idaho where this truck took number one for paint out of about 1200 entertainers. When the restoration started this was an old $100 farm truck that had seen its share of work. A complete frame off restoration was to be done and I mean every square inch was attented to. The old suspension was replaced with a Volare front end, a 350 Ram Jet engine with a 700R4 transmission and a custom built exhaust system. Ron Tesinsky, a professional craftsman designed the consol adding a pearl inlay grip to the Lokar shifter. This pickup has real leather to top off this gem.
There was something special about the 1956 Ford pickup that made it special. yes, it was very well built to take the work load that would be required of it on the ranches and farms. It was a good looking truck with its new set back front axel and styling which gave it a nose heavy look. Safety was becoming an up front issue in the automotive industry and Ford was at the front of the line. Items like energy absorbing steering wheel and double grip door latches and an up-grade to 12 volt electrical system. If you were wanting a full rear window it would only cost you $16 more. The dash board sported a car-derived hooded instrument panel. With a base price of about $1589 we should have purchased several of them. The outlook for the collector of these trucks ranks very high, you can't get any better than that.
Current owner, Don & Marilyn Brocopp Billings, Montana
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1934 Chevrolet 3-Window Coupe
Dennis happens to be one of those boys who grew up with the dream of owning a '34 Chevy 3-window coupe. By sheer luck, one parked next to him at the Denver drag races. He tried to now show his excitement as he studied this beauty. Small talk turned serious when Dennis decided to make the man an offer.
"Not interested."
Determined, Dennis hung in there until he was able to convince the owner his interest in the car was restoration, not using it for a donor car. But purchasing the car isn't the same as making it your own by completing the restoration.
The old dash was upgraded with new Dakota Digital instruments and a new interior was topped off with an Alpine sound system. The 17-in front and 18-inch rear wheels are from Boyd Coddington. He installed a whopping 383 GM crate engine that produces 425 BHP, and a 350 turbo automatic with a 9-inch rear end. If you ever get a chance to see this car, you will understand just why it is always in the winner's circle! Dennis & Sherry Varner - Baker, MT
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1947 1/2 Ford Coupe
This car brings back many memories of the days when life was simple and carefree. This car was originally built in Great Falls to be used on the drag strip. We may never know the reason why it sat in total seclusion for about six years hidden away in a dark storage space. It did not have an engine, only a two speed transmission for drag racing, a Dana 60-C 4:10 posi-traction rear end. When you are born in 1947 it only makes sense to own a car the same year as yourself.
This little Ford has had its life changed for the better with an Eldelbrock '79 4 bolt main 350 Chevy small block engine. Added was a mildly beefed up 350 Turbo 350 transmission, new Gear Vendors Under/Over Drive. With this option it will cruise at highway speeds and not use a lot of gas. And yes, put your peddle to the metal and you are gone.The wiring from the 40s had to be replaced, Dakota Digital Dash, electric windshield wipers, Vintage Air Gen II air conditioning was a must. Topping off this restoration was a Walker radiator, front disc brakes and a Monte Carlo front end clip with GM leaf rear springs.
During the years of World War II there were no cars built as all the metal went into tanks, planes, etc. When Ford resumed building cars in 1946 they did many major changes that would do battle with Chevrolet on the sales rooms of America. Ford Deluxe and a Super Deluxe along with a convertible called the Sportsman designed by Bob Geogories from war time sketches and would have white ash and mahogany wood trim. An easy was to tell a '46 from a '47 was the parking lights, '46 were about 2 X 5 inches while the '47 were lower mounted round and round. A Super DeLuxe Coupe sold for about $1,251 or about $ .41 per pound.
Current owner : Mike & Laurie Antonio Billings, Montana
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1961 Chevrolet Impala
The Impala has proven to be a car for all the ages, you may be a blue collar worker, farmer or a teacher, the Chevrolet is a car that will fit into your life style. GM during the 60s would have their marketing follow the trend of Ford, they have proven to have their ducks in a row. When William L. Mitchell took the helm as GM Design Chief he toned down the cars for a complete new concept of smoothness. His approach was to make a Chevrolet for every type of market. Every model used the same 119 inch wheelbase, this was a new length for these cars. The width was increased be 11 inches from the 57's which also added about 300 pounds. Chevy offered many engines with the 409 Big Block that was so popular that it inspired a song that went to the top of the charts. They were to add stiffer springs and shocks, and ultra fast steering to become the best performing cars of its time. The price tag F.O.B. the factory was about $2700 or about $ .78 per pound.
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1973 Fiat CS124 Spider Convertible
The 124 Fiat Sports car is considered to be one of the greatest cars for hill climbing, it was very quick to respond to the curves. The 1600 cc 4 cylinder overhead twin cam produces great performance. The 5 speed transmission is smooth and very quick to respond when going thru the gears. The first Spider 124 was introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1966. The 1973 still had chrome bumpers that were styled for the car, in 1975 government got involved and made them have large tubuler bumpers. Starting in 1982, the name Fiat was changed to Pininfarina. For those who would like to own a true Italian sports car the '71 thru '73 are considered some of the best. Performance est. only: 0-60 mph 11.5 seconds, 0-90 mph 32.3 seconds, 1/4 mile 18.6 seconds @75 mph. with a top speed of 108 mph. The light weight of this car at 2,355 pounds makes it like a rocket on a feather.
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1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible The Ford Thunderbird has become very rare to find these days to restore. This also was the last year the seats were in the same configuration in the last 3 years. This was not a retractable top, however the trunk had its hinges at the rear like the retractable. this would allow the trunk to lift up when putting the soft top down. The 1960 T-Bird was known as the square bird, it had only minor changes from the '59 Bird. Substantially this Bird remained the same for three years. The '60 had a new grill with a main horizontal bar bisecting the three vertical bars ahead of a grill insert. Also added were new triple tail light clusters.
This car underwent a frame-off restoration starting in 1992. When you do a restoration and you live on a large Montana wheat ranch several miles from town you get to know your UPS driver on a first name basis. There was never a week that went by that they wouldn't receive parts for this car.
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1953 Fat Fender Ford Pick-Up
I bought the 1953 Ford pick-up in Pasco, Washington and drove it to my home in Laurel, Montana. It still had the original 170 6-cylinder engine with standard transmission (3 on the tree). We used it for a few years until I retired in 2004. I had little knowledge of rebuilding old cars, but here we go. I was fortunate to meet so many car guys who helped me in many ways with rebuilding this Fat-Fender pick-up and fulfilling my dream.
I cleaned and resealed the original frame. We installed a rebuilt Ford 1970 351W engine and a Ford C4 automatic transmission. We added a K-Clip front suspension, which gave me power steering and disk brakes, and a Chrysler posi-tract rear end, 2.94:1. I added a Holley carburator, HEI electronic ignition, aluminum radiator with 16-inch electric fan, and tilt steering column. I purchased a complete wiring harness with breaker box and rewired the entire truck. I then converted the original instruments from 6-volt to 12-volt. We added an awesome sound system, and for comfort "air conditioning."
We did the necessary body work on the hood, fenders and cab. The original box could not be saved so we purchased three panels and the tailgate new. The box flooring is solid oak stained ebony and sealed with clear coating. A friend did a carving of the pick-up, which we inlaid into the center of the box floor. The paint color is "Red Fire," which came from the 2007 Ford Mustang. The interior upholstery was done in black Naugahyde (Tuck & Roll), which includes the seat, the door panels, headliner, also the box tonneau cover.
I drive it as much as I can!! I tell people my job is to kill bugs! Ha!
Karl Dan Koch & Jeanette Koch
Laurel, Montana
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1962 Willys Wagon - Considered the first SUV
World war II was coming to an end in 1945 when this Jeep Station Wagon was produced for the first time. American's were changing their driving habits with camping and recreational use getting popular.
The United States had a very large number who live in the rural heart of this great nation. Willys Jeeps sold more units in Lewistown, Montana during 1947 & 1948 than any other part of the country. They came with a four-cylinder 230 cid overhead cam that would produce 140 bhp with 210 pounds of torque. They had a Hi-Lo transfer case which was very strong with only one weak part, if you were in second gear Hi range 4 wheel drive you may chip a tooth in 2nd gear. 1962 Willys added the model name "Jeep Traveler" to the station wagon line which also came with new color schemes. They were made with strong steel and held up under the worst of roads and weather conditions
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1957 Ford Thunderbird
The legend of the Ford Thunderbird is that of a true sports car. This bird had both the comfort and the styling of the European sports cars. With the owners wanting more trunk space the continental wheel kit became the answer to more trunk space. For the '57 they added a softer suspension, which gave it a much smoother ride. The portholes were so popular that they were now a no extra cost item. With a decrease in production for 1957 of 15,631 sales were still five times that of the Chevrolet Corvette. In 1958 the Ford Thunderbird true sports car enthusiast were dismayed to see their sports car become a four door sedan. In '57 Ford motor Company once again placed the spare in the trunk, also giving it a longer deck and a new bumper and grill. Black has always an expensive looking color going back in time to Henry Ford when he said "you can have any color you want as long as its black." This Bird was a great buy for a sports car with an average cost of under $3500. This car is completely factory original with matching numbers, soft top, hard top, and racing top cover.
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1953 Studebaker #2411 " A Bonneville Salt Flats Car"
In June of 1999, Gail & Ron purchased this Studebaker from Gene & Betty Burkland of Great Falls, Montana. This Studebaker was in Wendover, Utah Museum for 18 years. They were able to acquire this car when the Museum ceased operation. Burklands started running this car in 1971 obtaining a top land speed record of 255.863 miles per hour.
Gail & Ron knew the car would need substantial safety upgrades to make it ready to return to the Bonneville Salt Flats. By August of 2000, all of the required updates and were completed by Gail's husband Ron. One of the major updates was the extra interior roll cage and the spoiler on the rear. All new Lexon windows and roof rails were also required. The 1st event on the Salt Flats was a World of Speed in September 2000. A reunion with all 3 of Burkland's salt cars (Studebaker, Datsun & Streamliner) was great.Finding the Hemi to run in it again was a must. They found a 1954 - 336, after lots of work and 9 long years of trial and error, Gail received her class "A" license ( which means speeds no less than 200 mph and no more than 250 mph), during Speedweek
2009 with exit speed of 221.808 mph. Ron has been a master car builder most of his life knew cars but needed to learn the skills he would need to build and tune racing engines. He would continue to learn this engine rebuilding to be able to afford the cost so that his wife (Gail) could accomplish her goals on the Salt Flats. During the next nine years of running the Studebaker, she managed to ruin 4 transmissions, more pistons and valves than they could count and completely blew up a fresh 372 cid donated by Bob Lindstrom. They battled with the "salt germlins" on many issues. With the nine years it took for Gail to get her class "A" license she was able to get the experience needed to become a professional driver. To drive this Studebaker, practice is out of the question, when you get on the Salt Flats you must be at your best.
In 2004 they were invited to be part of a movie, "World's Fastest Indian" starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, a documentary of Burt Munroe. Their photos with A.Hopkins will always be treasured, as well as his autographed signature on their car. Gail's goal when they purchased the car was to hold the record again in honor of the Burklands. Through the passing of time, technology has boomed, and with that the record has increased to over 300 mph. They have been asked to place the Studebaker in the new Wendover Museum when it is completed.
In 2010 Gail was offered a ride by some great friends that have a lakester to go after a landspeed record, once again the weather and germlins slowed her down. In 2015 they are hoping for a great year!! All in all they have an amazing opportunity and a unbelievable experience - so fortunate and yet so blessed to have this virus, "Salt Flats Fever".
Gail & Ron Tesinsky Billings, Montana
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1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster
Mother nature works in very strange ways. We are talking about a man who dreamed of owning a "Chevrolet" from even before he was able to have his own driver's license. One day the traffic was very heavy and he missed a turn he had to make. This was before the time of GPS. It was with this miscalculation he was to find the car of his dreams.
It happened to be a car that had a full frame-off restoration; a 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster. For a car that is over 65 years old, it is no small task. This car has been lowered to look like the old school era of the 1950s. Some of the modified items include a Griffin all aluminum radiator, Mustang II Fat Man Fabrication suspension, and air conditioning. Chevrolet in their wisdom to produce the 350 small block (390 bhp), never knew the popularity this engine would have for the classic car builder. The automatic transmission along with the 10-bolt rear end makes this a driver's dream come true which is just what his vanity plate stands for " DMCMTRU" .
By the end of WWII, the '46 to the '48 Chevy's were given slight modifications from the 1942 model year. The grill medallions and some of the exterior trim was added, while the basic power train remained the same. Only 59,661 cars were produced in the year following the end of the greatest war ever fought by the United States. With the selling price of $1,281.00 it was still out of the reach of many because there was no financing of cars.
Owner's Truman & Carol Rogers Billings, Montana
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1967 Ford Galaxie XL
A couple of years after Sandy and Roy got married, they bought a 1968 Galaxie XL GT 428 cid with a four speed, it had a white interior with bucket seats and a console. The car was all red with a gold stripe at midline for the full length, It would be a gorgeous car and fun to drive. They kept it until their twins were born and then with three girls in tow, they jumped into life.
Looking ahead in time with the kids on their own, they got to thinking how fun it would to be to have a car like that again. Many sales and shows later, they came across this car at a weekly Saturday McDonald's Car Show (billed as the longest continuous weekly car show in the nation) in Scottsdale, Arizona. They looked at the car but thought it wasn't quite what they wanted (a '67,not a '68) and left. They drove a couple of miles down the road, looked at each other and said they better go back and get serious! It was gone.
The following Saturday, they returned to the show on the chance the car might be there again. It was! After looking at the car again and getting as much info from the seller as they could, they told him they wanted to look at it again in the daylight and if it looked as good as it did at night they would take the car and yes it did. The car new was sold in Winsted, Connecticut, They get a lot of enjoyment showing their car. The car is completely original.
There were only 18,174 made and sold for $3,243.
Owners: Roy & Sandra Rose Livingston, Montana
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1979 Corvette
This is an original 1979 factory Corvette T-top. This car was acquired in September 2004, the actual miles was an buyers dream with only 1,596. It was located in the small town of Crosby, North Dakota, a small town of about 1300 population. It proves a dream can sometimes be located where you least expect it. To make it even better the storage was also heated for the 25 years until it was sold. The only time this 'Vette saw the light of day was a home coming parade for the local high school.
This is a Third Generation, which covers the years of 1979 to 1982. When this sports car was new it came with every option GM had to offer, the engine was a L-82 / V-8 350 cid (5.7 L.) 370 bhp. GM was able to perpetuate the rumor "there will be a brand new Corvette next year" every year. By 1983, there really was a new Corvette, this was a plan to up-grade the chassis at the end of 20 years. The upheaval the industry went thru proved the Corvette body was on the fast track to becoming a major player in the sports car field. In 1979, lighter seats, designed for the pace car, became standard along with bolt on spoilers as an option. The wind tunnel proved effective in reducing the drag by 15%, which helped in the sales with 53,807 Vett's to come off of the production line.
Owners: Craig & Karen Swenson Billings, Montana
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1929 Ford Model A
The secret to building a street rod is to make it different than anything you have ever dreamed of in your lifetime. Take a step back in time to the 1981 U.S. Nationals in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This street rod was judged good enough to qualify as one of the top 10 in the entire United States. It is cars like this that set the standard for the best there is to offer in restoring and rebuilding the classics for many years to come.
This 1929 Ford Model A with its 5-inch chopped top is a far cry from the days when it rolled off Mr. Ford's assembly line. The engine is a 327 cid Chevy with a 400 automatic transmission coupled with a 9-inch Ford rear end. The front end has a Kugel independent suspension with disc brakes. The man who owns this classic purchased it in 1989, with the reputation of being one of the best painters in the area he gave it a stunning paint job. The Opal "Signal Green" was a very popular color in the 1980s. Drive this car in a parade and you will be sure to have heads turn only to dream of the day they will have their own classic.
Owner: Ken & Dilys Neibauer Billings, Montana
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1955 Chevrolet BelAir Hardtop
Life can be good and it has been great for Charlie who has earned his retirement. He now has the time to devote all his attention to his classic 1955 Chevrolet BelAir. He has never used the term "Classic" lightly, this car has been restored from bumper-to-bumper, iron frame to the front suspension. When this car was purchased it required a fair amount of work, every part was rebuilt or replaced with OEM parts. He also replaced the 327 cid small block, its 350 turbo transmission along with the 3.08 rear end.
1955 proved to be a great year for Chevrolet, Two-tone paint was all the rage, including pastel shades with matching interior to match. The egg crate grill was inspired by the great sports car "Ferrari." This application helped to keep excess chrome to a minimum. Point of sale by GM said it was a "Blue Ribbon Beauty" when it introduced in the fall of 1954. GM also liked to use the term "Motoramic" when they talked about their new found success. The image of stodgy associated with the past several years was now fading away with the birth of this new model. Style and power were to be the next standard to captivate a new generation of buyers who were making more money. Back then this car sold for $1,888 or to put it another way $.60 per pound. On November 23, 1954 a 1955 Chevrolet BelAir hardtop gold-trim rolled off the line which was the 50,000,000 car produced by General Motors .
Owner: Charles Deshner Butte Montana
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1940 Ford Sedan Delivery
The chances are very slim that you have ever seen a 1940 Ford Delivery like this, Mick was able to purchase this in '75. It was the victim of major vandalism by someone with a hammer who just liked to destroy everything they could. A complete restoration would be needed to bring this Sedan Delivery back to its formal glory. it now has a 350 cid/396 bhp, a turbo 400 automatic and a '68 Corvette rear end. One man's opinion, "The beautiful lines of the 1940 Ford coupled with the reliability of all Chevrolet power train. It doesn't get any better than that." (Author unknown) Many designers said it was the best body ever built. The lines were smooth and had an art deco dash-board with contrasting colors. the post was era proved to be some of the greatest and lasting designs made. Restyled, the Delux had a lowered vee'd grill, clean front fenders with head lights set into the fenders. Hydraulic brakes and a column shift was added.
David North, Chief Designer for General Motors got it right when he designed the GTO. The timing was perfect, many of our military were in the process of returning from overseas and in need of good transportation. The "GTO" would provide just that—style, muscle, performance and lots of power. There were several add ons you could get to make this a first "Factory hot Rod." The cultivated image, the "GTO" or even better known as the "Goat" which to this day is as well known as the letters "GTO". They started with a 325 bhp engine sporting a standard 4-barrel carb, next you could get a 348 bhp with a triple 2 barrel carb setup which this car has. To make it your own you could add a heavy duty suspension and brakes, bucket seats now referred to as romance busters, and a floor shift in manual or automatic. Fast? You bet is is. It would 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds thru a quarter mile at 14.8 sec doing 95 mph. When the "GTO" was sold they called it a Hard Top, GM in their wisdom had based their sales at just 5000 GTO's however the "GOAT" struck gold and sold over 32,450, it was to set a new record for Pontiac for production in a given year. During production the wheelebase was extended to 115 inches which placed it in the intermediate size range. The body was actually shared by Buick, Olds F-85 and the very popular Chevelle. The "GTO" was to be the first of the true "Muscle Cars." Yes, when you put your foot in the gas it was like flushing a (you know what) however gas was only about $.22 per gallon back when this car hit the show rooms. Ferrari was a fast car until it came to a drag race, that's when the "GTO" would come out on top. At a $1.08 per pound selling price it was a great buy.
Current owner: Roy R. Wherley
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1956 Ford Thunderbird
This is a sports car that Ford was very proud of. If you dream long enough, the day will come that your wishes will come true. Wendy's dream was to own a "Baby Bird" a Thunderbird to the rest of us car enthusiasts. When they were married in 1999, her husband promised her he would fulfill her dreams. Imagine Wendy's stunned surprise when she got her '56 Baby Bird for their 7th wedding anniversary. This car was purchased from a wonderful couple in Arizona who had completed a complete frame off restoration in 1978. During the winter months, Baby stayed in a heated garage waiting for the spring rays of a warm sun before getting out among the public.
The 1956 Ford Thunderbird offered "flipper" vent windows, a continental wheel kit and vents on the front fenders. It came with two tops, a convertible soft top and a hard top with "port hole's" for windows. The engine was a 312 cid V-8 with an automatic transmission, which produced 225 bhp. New, this car sold for just $3,151 dollars with a limited production run of just 15,631 vehicles. The color of this Bird is very rare, and yes it was a factory production.
Owners: Terry & Wendy O'Neill Belgrade, Montana
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1956 Ford Victoria "Thunderbird"
When the '56 Ford Victoria came out the changes were minor from the 1955. Safety was on the mind of the designers with a dished steering wheel, break away mirror and crashproof door locks that all became standard. If you wanted a padded dash and sun-visors you would have to fork out another $16 dollars. Factory installed seatbelts were not considered a large item however if you added them from the factory that would add $9. The 312 cid "Thunderbird " engine produced 225 bhp using an automatic transmission and was a factory limited package. One of the big selling points Ford used was "performance" for '56. Financing a car was something new to the public, Lee Iacocca came up with an idea of offering a "56 Ford for $56 per month. Three tone paint was common on all cars and white side walls were the norm. The chrome was real and excellent quality that would last, not like the paper covering of today.
This car was placed in a museum with only 11,000 miles where it stayed for the next 39 years, after that it was moved to a private home for the next 9 years. When the current owner found this car it had not enjoyed sunshine for 48 years. A heavy layer of dirt was on the outside and the covering plastic was still on the floorboards, even the tires were in good condition. This car received a good bath and a much needed polish before entering its first car show.
Owners: Jerry & Kim Watson Billings, Montana
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1956 Ford Crown Victoria
This 1956 Ford Crown Victoria was one of the most exciting cars built during the '50s. They offered a bold "New Lifeguard Design" to protect both driver and passengers. This design was the culmination of two years of research by a university, medical associations and safety experts. They made a dish steering wheel, added safety door latches and cushioned the hard surface of the dash. Seat belts were available for only a few dollars. Most dealers, however, did not order them with their new cars because of the up-charge of $9.00
This car has Ford's top engine choice, a 312 cid V-8 with 225 bhp. Lee Iacocca, just a young man at the time, came up with a new marketing strategy that offered a payment plan of $56 per month for a Ford.
The owners purchased this car from their neighbor, a highway patrolman during the '70s and it had been well used. They had to rebuild the power train and give it a new paint job. The patrolman who sold them the car had buyer's remorse when he saw the completed restoration. Ford produced 9,201 Crown Victoria hardtop coupes, which sold for $2,337 or about $ .71 per pound.
Current owners: Gary & Diana Gray Billings, Montana
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1957 Chevrolet BelAir
The 1957 Chevrolet BelAir hardtop can be all things to all people provided you are a true car lover. When this car rolled off the show room floor in '57 it captured a place in our hearts. We, the car buffs, have chopped, lowered, removed emblems and even taken part in a drag race or two. The most important aspect of it all, we made it our own. The body style known as the "double nickel" seriously commands our attention even more today than when it was built.This car was acquired in a moment of frustration from the previous owner in 2004 who had been in the military stationed in San Diego, California, back around 1979. Upon his arrival back home, he parked it by a few trees by an old barn where it sat for the next 25 years. This car could be seen from the highway and thru the years, many people stopped to ask if he wanted to sell it. This one morning, while having coffee, he realized the only way to keep people at bay was to sell it. Another coffee drinker overheard him and asked what he wanted for it. $6,000 was the reply. A check was written for $6,000 on the spot. It was in rough shape. The new owner gave it a frame-off restoration, which took a full year. This car has a 283 cid Power pack, automatic transmission with 3:35 gears for the rear end. This car sold new for about $2,229 and weighed 3,278. General Motors produced 166,500 of this body style.
Current owner: Joe Richardson Ennis, Montana
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1972 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup It was the year 2005 and a man needed money and wanted to sell his C-10 as a bankruptcy boom was lowering. Derek had been looking for a truck like the one he had when he went to high school and the price was right. It was a short box in very good condition with a good paint job and rust free. The body and box were kept original, however all parts were replaced with oem factory parts, which added about $40,000 to the cost of the restoration. He installed a Ram Jet 350 with a Pro-Charger 15 psi boost producing 600 brake horsepower on the Dyno to the rear wheels. He added 4 wheel disk brakes drilled and slotted with 20 inch wheels for looks and safety. In completing the power train, he installed a 400 transmission and 373 Posi rear end. Many people are not aware of the performance and power that can be obtained with the knowledge of engines. A naive local patrol officer was given the white-knuckle ride of his life and came out with a lot of respect for what a high powered machine can do. This truck is a consistent winner at car shows through the Great Northwest where it is driven for enjoyment. Owners: Derek & Steph Dickinson Butte, Montana
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1990 Cadillac Brougham d'Elegance
The last of the Great American land yachts
The man that owns this classic Cadillac has been an admirer of GM's luxury line of cars for most of his life. He has a very impressive photo gallery of both past and present Cadillac's. He believes the ride should be soft with comfort for long cross country drives. This Cadillac represents the top-of-the-line in transportation with a 121 1/2 inch wheelbase. The longer wheel base made far more leg room with rear seat passengers enjoying more than 43 inch additional space. This time honored Brougham Sedan has long been a very profitable addition to the GM lineup.
The year was 1990 when GM added anti-lock brakes and featured an optional 350 cid (5.7) engine producing 175 bhp. This power train has 295 foot pounds of torque with a 8.5 inch ring gear with a 3.08:1 final drive ratio. This V-8 proved to be the largest engine Cadillac ever placed in their cars.
New this car sold for about $27,000 FOB at the factory.
Owner: Larry Dilts Denver, Colorado
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1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Convertible
A stunning beauty painted in factory pink and black, in the '50s colors like pink, corral, salmon were among the most popular colors to grace the new cars. They were combined with other colors to make three-tone paint jobs stand out. If you were driving down the street in this 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner you were definitely turning heads. This is where the term "chick magnet" got its start. Dave purchased this car in 1975 where it had weathered many long years of Montana winters. It underwent a frame-off restoration with all the body work and painting completed by a master craftsman Bill Hardy, Coachworks. The upholstery was all factory material original to when the car was built. This car was equipped with a standard 312 cid engine, Ford-O-Matic transmission and a stock rear end. 1956 saw the introduction of the dish steering wheel, break-away rear view mirror and crash-proof door locks. This was the first year padded dashes were standard equipment, if you wanted sun visors they would cost you $16 with seat belts another $9. Performance came first over safety and cost with only 20% of the cars coming equipped with seat belts. History will look back on the '50s as a time when cars were developed with style and personality that would last and make it the classics for endless years to come. This was a time when girls may not have known the name of a boy but they knew what kind of a car he drove. This classic is owned by Dave & Gloria Harmon of Billings, Montana
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1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top
With the production of the 1955 Chevrolet, the phrase "Double Nickel" started. It referred to the '55, '56, & '57 Chevy's. These three years of production have been the most popular years ever for Chevrolet Classics. General motors spent over $40,000,000 to retool for what was to be one of their greatest design changes. It would be recognized by the automotive world as the definitive car of the '50s. The properly equipped 1955 was a major fast track competitor, only to have the Cherry's withdrawn from racing in 1957. This car underwent a five-year, frame-off rotisserie restoration. The engine is a 350 cid coupled with a 350 Turbo automatic transmission and a Pontiac rear end. A Firebird sub frame, air conditioning were but a few of the new additions that were added.
By the time the '55 Chevy was gaining sales, Ford was making a big push trying very hard to take the number #1 spot in the nation. For a time it looked like they may just pull it off. It was not to be as Chevrolet held on to the number #1 spot. To let you know just how good Chevy was, in NASCAR and other tracks in 1957 Daytona Speed Weeks they took the first three places in a two-way flying mile for class #4 (213-259 cid) thirty three places out of thirty seven places on class #5 (259-305 cid) the average speed would top 131.076 mph. In the Pure Oil Manufactures Trophy Ford had 309 points to Chevrolet with 574. Even with the ban on racing, Chevy still got a lot of support provided by "underground-racing."
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1922 Hispano~Suiza Phaeton
This Hispano~Suiza H6 was built from 1919 to 1934. During that period, approximately 2,500 cars were produced. When they were introduced in 1919, there were a number of technical features including; 6-cylinder engine with 7 main bearings, full pressure lubrication, overhead cam and a 12-volt electrical system. This car also came with 4 wheel brakes. The 16 inch aluminum drums were made with cast in steel liners. This car holds a patent for power assisted brakes The interior is unique to a 4-door phaeton (side curtains) not roll up glass windows. Top speed of this car is about 95 mph with 135 bhp. The cubic inch displacement is a large 402.6. An updraft carburetor that was designed with a serious flaw, the breathing was restricted. With a wheel base of 145.201 inches is one of the largest cars ever built. The cost of 5 new Michelin tires is in the range of $2,400. This car exemplifes the quality and excellence of cars produced during the 1920s. The owners have gone to great lengths to make this car able to compete in world class events like Hilton Head Concours and in Hershey, Pennsylvania and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Owner: Bill & Sandy Culhane Billings, Montana
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1974 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Picture in your mind's eye, a man recently retired, the corporate world in his rear view mirror when his wife Beverly spots a 1974 candy apple red Corvette parked in a shopping center. It was love at first glance. Gary asked the owner if he could take it for a drive. The rest as they say is history.
This L-82 happened to be in excellent condition. The former owner was a Montana Highway patrolman had given this 350 cid with a 3/4 cam, Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold adding a 2500 stall converter. This Corvette is unique, In 1974 when we faced an oil embargo from the middle east, Corvette sales accerelated while other sales declined.
Corvette had a 102 inch wheelbase until 1962 when it was shortened to 98 inches. In 1984 it was again shortened to 96.2 inches where it remained through 1996. Production in '74 was 32,028 with a dry weight of 3,309. The price was just $6,082 or to put it another way $1.84 per pound. Even the new body style, which was introduced in the middle of the great middle east oil embargo, did not dampen sales, on the contrary sales rose. By the end of the year GM would no longer offer their big block.
Gary & Beverly Tieszen Billings, Montana
Current Owner: Kathy Carson Billings, Montana
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1970 Oldsmobile "442"
There were many muscle cars produced during the '60s and '70s that would become among the most sought after classics of our time. Oldsmobile produced just such a car with its 442. This car came with a 455 cid V-8 engine producing 370 bhp and a functional hood scoop. Acceleration isn't a problem with its 400 automatic transmission. Oldsmobile came up with what could be termed a cartoon character when they were marketing the 442 as "Dr. Oldsmobile's W-Machine." There were quite a few problems due to the government new emission control standards.
Fortunately for Oldsmobile, they had the type of cars that the public wanted, and their sales showed it. They were among the top three in the nation. Brian's first car was a 1973 Olds 442 2-door hardtop. He was not aware at the time that he had a rare car. This turned out to be only one of 830 ever produced that combined the Hurst 4-speed transmission with the 455 cid engine. He liked the body lines better on the '70s and decided to sell his '73 when he purchased his '70 442. The '70 was in good shape. In the years since he purchased it, only minor restoration has been done on an ongoing basis. He recently had the 442 engine balanced to perform as it was intended. Brian is a Oldsmobile kind of guy- he's never driving anything else and he plans to keep it that way. GM produced only 1,688 of this model only which sold for only $3,151.
Brian Vannoy Billings, Montana
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1953 Cushman Scooter "Barrel Spring Eagle"
This Scooter was completely restored from the frame up, they retained the original power train with all matching numbers. A few enhancements have been added: chrome, burgundy red paint and naugahyde dyed in a checkerboard pattern. This "leg over" Barrel Spring Eagle model came with an 8 horsepower cast-iron engine and a centrifugal clutch with a two-speed transmission . Top speed is about 40 mph ... with a good tail wind. It originally came with a side car which will be restored to match the paint and the upholstery.
Cushman started in 1903 in Lincoln, Nebraska, by 1910 the company became Cushman Motor Works. In 1913 they started making the Husky four-stroke engine. In 1936 they began production of the Auto Glide Scooters to increase the sales of their Husky engines during the great depression. Our Armed Forces used these as a way of saving gas and as an alternative to the use of cars both before the war and after. The Eagle was in production for 16 years.
K Dan & Jeanette Koch Laurel, Montana
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1967 Pontiac "GTO" (Gran TurismoOmologato)
In the 60s, we were presented with one of the most dynamic cars to give us the muscle, style, durability and price all in one. As our war heros were returing from Viet Nam they had a car to meet their every need, this car was designed by David North of Billings, Montana. A hot car got even hotter when they dropped big block engines in these cars. Until now you could only dream of going 0-60 in just 6.6 seconds. The quarter mile took only 14.4 seconds achieving 99 mph. You were able to build your GTO starting with the Tempest coupe hardtop or convertible. You would get the GTO package, a 389 V-8, floor shift, power steering, stiff shocks, dual exhaust, premium tires all for about $300. A 4-speed gear box for $188. Add a heavy-duty radiator, metallic brakes, no-slip rear end, or a big block of 360 cid and you have a lead foot special for just $190 more. This car was compared to the Ferrari... "It will beat it on the drag strip and lose it on the race track." The Ferrari in 1967 cost $20,000 while the GTO was $3,165. Pontiac produced 728,734 cars in 1967 with only 65,176 destined to become GTOs.
Augie & Patsy Bentz Billings, Montana
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1974 Plymouth Roadrunner Absolutely nothing was spared in the building of this roadrunner from Wyoming. The beauty of it is matched only by its performance on the road and on the track. To the speed buff, this car has it all, a 528 cid Hemi with all aluminum cylinder heads. It will produce 729 bhp with 629 foot pounds of torque using pump gas. A Kesslew 5-speed transmission with a 410 Currie rear end complete the power train. Brett purchased this car in 1981 at the age of 17. His car payments were $ 60.50 per month. He then started a low budget restoration in 1991 before the car was placed in storage for the next 15 years. The major frame-off rotisserie was started in 2005 and almost every part of this Roadrunner had to be made to order. That's where the superb talents of Tim Thielen were put to the test building building this one-of-a-kind car. It is not unusual for expenditures to total over $150,000 for a project like this. Bruce Ryniker of Billings, Montana, designed the Plymouth Roadrunner for the Chrysler Corporation in the 1970s. Brett & Annetta Sayer Sheridan, Wyoming
1956 Airstream Bambi 16-Foot
1956 was a great year for those who were to travel the highways of our nation. The "Bambi" proved to be a perfect choice due to the fact almost any car could pull it down the highway without any effort. Airstream created the "WOW factor" when they made this unit. This "Bambi," with its featherweight of only 1850 pounds and its aerodynamics, made pulling up hills a snap. They came with several floor plans to suit the buyer needs, including sleeping for four and a fully self-contained bathroom. Just as an airplane can glide thru the wind with out any effort, so can this Airstream Bambi. Using a monocoque construction with an all steel chassis, alloy body framing, all metal under-body with a Duro-Torque suspension they would add a classic interior to top it off.
The Airstream you are looking at has undergone a complete 100 % restoration back to the original factory speciations when it was built in 1956. On a scale of 1-10 this would deserve a 10 every time.
Don & Marilyn Brocopp Billings, Montana
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1935 Ford Coupe Togetherness would be a way to describe this 1935 Ford Coupe because two people had to sit so close together! Ford called this "The Universal Car." There wasn't any other car in the world used by so many people as the Ford. It gained its reputation as being the symbol of faithful service. This new model provided an improved ride along with smooth body lines. It out sold all other cars produced in 1935 largely due to its performance driven 110 bhp flathead V-8 engine. Speed could easely top 100 mph if you dared to drive it this fast. This was also the year Ford would have external horns on their cars. You had to spend an extra $20 if you wanted the Tudor trunk over the fordor fast back. Production totals were over 87,326 for the year. The cost of this car was about $ .20 per pound.
When Zane and Karen Gray purchased it in 1993, it was from a very good friend who needed the money more than the car he loved so much. This good friend who later passed away, was a professional mechanic with a vision for building classics. A good friend, Mike Nutting, has adopted this car taking it to shows and now enjoys it as much as the Grays. Keeping this car original has led to great excitement among car buffs. Zane & Karen Gray, Billings, Montana
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1948 Frazer 4 door sedan
Frazer .... "A post war car" .... made for population in the United States at a time when there were a very few to options to choose from. A new company in a sellers market at the end of WWII should have been a piece of cake, at least that was went thru the minds of Joseph Frazer and Henry Kaiser. Joseph Frazer was a young businessman with big ideas. He enrolled in a technical college learning his sales skills with Packard, General Motors and the great Pierce-Arrow. He gave Plymouth its name in 1928. He purchased an old line company, Graham Paige Motors from which he was able to build the now collectible "Frazer". Money problems persisted and he was soon to merge with the the famous Henry Kaiser, the tycoon of the west coast sand & gravel, and war time builder of the war time builder of the United States Liberty Ships used during WWII.
Built as a 4-door sedan only, the interior space was a large, at 64 inches the front seat was to be the largest for a sedan. 80 percent of the inside could be used for interior room. The Red Seal Continental 6 cylinder engine was a 226.2 cid. They produced about 100-115 bhp and were manual 3-speed transmissions only made by Borg-Warner, If you wanted an overdrive it would cost you another $80.00. Selling price was $ 2,712.00 or about $ . 80 cents per pound.
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1956 Chevy BelAir We are entering into the world of Dan & Nancy’s 1956 Chevrolet “BelAirette” as they call it. They both grew up with the double nickel cars, ‘55, ‘56 and ‘57. To them, they were the most popular cars of all time. As young people, they loved them, drove them, and now they own them. They were at a Show & Shine car show in Cody, Wyoming, in 2003, shortly after purchasing their ‘56. They were introduced to Rick Moore of Belfry, Montana. He was considered to be a top body and paint man. If ever there was a bond between families, this was it. Rick was given the task of restoring their ‘56 Chevy. He turned out to be very good at his chosen profession. They asked him to complete the restoration on two pickups they owned for some time as well. The two families have become great friends and spend time at car shows and family outings. This car was driven to Santa Clara, California, to have the upholstery done by Finish Line. They used Austrian Leather—the trip was worth it. In making this BelAir their BelAirette, they added an L-S2 400 plus bhp Corvette engine, GMPP 4165 overdrive transmission and stainless steel exhaust. They complete the restoration with air, tilt, cruise and power windows. They added Goodyear Eagles and had them mounted on Budnik wheels for looks and safety. This car retailed for $2,025 with a production run of 104,849. —Dan & Nancy McDonald Cody, Wyoming
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1970 Dodge Challenger
When Cathy's husband, Pat, drove up to their home with this car on a trailer, she couldn't believe what she was looking at. The first thing that came to her mind was a "rust bucket." There was no front end, no glass, not even a grill. After a long, agonizing look at this car, she still found it hard to share her husband's vision.
After about 3 long years working endless hours, the car started to come together. Once the primer was on, Cathy started to share his enthusiasm. The truly exciting part of this build was when the old 318 cid engine was removed and the new 360 cid with dual Edelbrock was installed. After all, Cathy had just to walk around it on the garage floor for more than three years! This highly modified engine puts out an estimated 400 plus bhp. Cathy was in the kitchen the first time Pat revved it up -- the windows shook, the dishes rattled and then a beastly noise was coming from the garage. She admits, she was hooked from that point on. The paint wasn't cheap, about $1,000 per gallon, but they both admit it was worth every cent, Cathy now has the car of her dreams, thanks to a loving husband.
Pat & Cathy Bentz Billings, Montana
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1950 Willys Jeepster Phaeton Convertible
Duane purchased this rare 1950 Jeepster with a factory 6 cyl. in 2000. It was a basket case as it came from the eastern states and suffered badly from the rust where salt was the demon on winter streets. A frame-off was the only option for restoration. The factory power train was in very good condition. The designer of this during WW II was a man named Brooks Stevens. His inspiration came from the Willys Jeep and he wanted to make a sporty touring car. The convertible top had to be operated by hand. The term "Phaeton" relates to "no windows to role up or down." Curtains would only be plastic or other material. The front passenger seat would fold down for easy access to the rear seats. The bodies were all steel and the chrome was very good quality. The Jeepster came only in a two-wheel drive. A paint option was a two-tone on the belt line which flowed into the windshield frame. The 1950 Jeepster was so rare that only 1778 units were sold nation wide. To look at it another was, it cost only $ .60 per pound new. Factory selling price was $1,490
Duane & Joanne Demars Billings, Montana
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1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass
It may be referred to as the "rite of passage," and then again, it may just be the high point of a young man's life -- his 16th birthday. On this special occasion, Mark got the keys to his first car, a 1964 Olds Cutlass.
This car took him through high school, college, his first job and a wonderful honeymoon when he married his best friend Julie.
As the family grew, the Olds went into storage where it stayed for the next 18 years. Finally, the time came when he wanted to restore it. His dad Jerry Weitz, owns a successful trim shop and thats where they spent most of the next five years working on it. Kelly Martin of Billings, MT did the body and paint. The engine and transmission were rebuilt elsewhere. The rest of the car were restored to original new condition with both son and dad working together.
The engine is a 330 cid with 310 bhp. 15,440 were produced and sold for $2,644 factory fob.
Mark & Julie Weitz Sheridan, Wyoming
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1973 American Motors Javelin AMX 401
With a limited production of 4,980, the Javelin has become a highly desirable muscle car from the 1970s. This car is a testament to Ted & Jean's ability to accomplish a task once they commit to it. They found this car in a junk yard. It had done battle with a phone pole in 1982...and lost. The windshield spoke of the need for seat belts.
During the cars restoration, which spanned 26 years, they used it for their family car. They were able to keep the Pierre Cardin interior in perfect condition. Everlast of Bozeman, Montana, did the body and paint using the original factory colors. In the last few years, the 401 Go Pac engine was rebuilt using a Holly 670 carburetor, Headmon headers and a Torker manifold. The hood has a functional cowl induction built into it. Only a few cars made it off of the production line with the BW-T10 four speed transmission. While at a car show, they were surprised when the original owner - the same one jousted with the telephone pole - introduced himself.
With a price tag of $3,190 and a curb weight of 3,170 pounds, the car cost about $1.00 per pound.
Ted & Jean Basler Belgrade, Montana
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1957 Chevrolet Pickup
Mike & Katie became the second owners of this Indian Turquoise 1957 Chevy Pickup when they purchased it from the original owner in October of 1991. This pickup was purchased to haul lawn mowers that needed repair for a high school business, this is something that had never been done until now. June of 1994 brought the completion of a full frame-up restoration paid for by many repair jobs on lawn mowers and an untold number of lawns that were mowed.
Mike's 57 has been a continual project ever since they declared it finished. In 1998 they added a 350 turbo transmission and a custom console. In the summer of 2000, they replaced the sub frame from a late model Camaro. This gave them a better ride and added power steering. They also added a 10-bolt posi-traction rear end. Unable to leave well enough alone, they replaced the 283 in 2004 with a tunnel ram 355 small block. This pickup is a part of the family and is often driven by both Katie & Mike. They give a great thanks to their parents along with Clint's Restoration.
Mike & Katie Mills Glendive, Montana
1967 Plymouth GTX
The proud owners of this 1967 GTX 2-door hardtop are Michael Hicks & Marilyn Moe. This car was neglected in an open air shed for eleven years. They purchased it from the original owner for $300. It was in rough shape and had flared wheel wells and a spoiler on the trunk for drag racing. Nobody really cared back then! The back seat and door panels were in perfect shape -- guess they never went to the drive in! They ordered as many parts as their budget would allow for a year. Two good friends, Steve and Justin Cooper helped them put the car together in a mere five days. What fun they had! The car is far from perfect as none of them had attempted a complicated task before. It's amazing how a classic brings smiles and great conversation. There longest drive was from Billings, Montana to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Many people asked if they would make it. Their reply was " what did they drive back in 1967." This car has all matching numbers, a 375 bhp 440 engine, 727 transmission geared by a 323 posi-traction rear end. Mike's fastest time at the drag strip was 14.10 at 98 mph. And yes, Marilyn also raced it also.They are hooked on the 60s muscle cars. New this car sold for about $3,178 or about $1.12 per pound.
Mike Hicks & Marilyn Moe Joliet, Montana
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1956 Ford Thunderbird
Dick & DJ Rosekelly purchased this beautiful 1956 T-Bird in 1980. It had been kept in its original condition factory condition. This red Thunderbird has both tops, a hard as well as a soft top. Jim Schmid, a professional mechanic, rebuilt the power train to Ford factory specs. Don Lennick completed the upholstery and replaced the soft top.
This V-8 with an automatic transmission will produce about 225 bhp. Production began in 1955, however the idea was born in October of 1951 at the Paris Auto Show. That was when Ford General Manager Louis Crusoe and styling consultant George Walker encouraged Frank Hershey who headed the team to put the T-Bird into production.
This car sold for $3,151 and weighed 3.038 pounds. Their were 15,631 produced in 1956.
Dick & DJ Rosekelly Red Lodge & Billings, Montana
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1936 Ford Sedan
This 1936 Ford four-door sedan was truly a work of art, designed for the working man. Rollie & Dee Dee purchased this sedan in June of 2006. They wanted a classic that they could enjoy now, not in later life. This car went through a complete frame off restoration. Knowing that the old power train would not be the best for long drives the decision was made to do some up-grading. They added a 350 cid small block along with a 350 Turbo automatic transmission and a 8 inch rear end. A Mustang front end was added which gave it all the modern front driving components along with a smooth ride.
They were now able to go to car shows that they only read about or were told of by their friends. This was the way they choose to relive their youth and just be able to reflect back on the cars they owned in their youth.
Rollie & Dee Dee Topp Billings & Baker, Montana
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1962 Chevrolet Corvette
The owner of this 1962 Corvette made a tongue-in cheek remark ... this is the one with the trunk. Indeed it is. When the final 1962 Corvette rolled off the line, along with it went the last externally opening trunk lid. many things were put to rest with this model year. It was the last year for exposed headlights and side cove molding and narrow white wall tires were on their way in.
Jon found this car in Aurora, Colorado in 1983 and purchased it from the second owner. The car was in very good condition. He loved the Sapphire Blue color, but the finish needed help. He gave it six coats of hand rubbed lacquer along with several layers of clear coat, giving it a professional show car finish.
This 'Vette has a 140 bhp engine with a solid lifter cam giving it a 11:25.1 compression ratio. The transmission is a four speed with 3:366.1 Positraction rear end. A new add on was a 2 1/2 inch exhaust pipes with dumps behind the front wheels.
There were only 14,531 'Vetts made in 1962. They sold for around $4,038 at just a shade under 3,000 pounds. This car has been driven to ahows in Idaho, Colorado, the Dakotas, Montana and to our neighbors to the north.
Jon Bourassa Park City, Montana
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1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air 2 door post
When the '55 Chevy came on the scene, the image that Chevrolet was saddled with in the earlier years became moot. This blue-ribbon car carried with it the excitement the designers so desperately needed to jump start their sales. The Bel-Air was the greatest success story of all time. It was lower, longer and had a two-tone interior to match the outside colors. When Ernest and Myrna purchased this car back in 1986, they never dreamed it would become the icon it is today.
Andy Anderson, the former owner of Frontier Chevrolet in Billings, Montana, was retiring and decided to sell his collection of cars. This one only had 22,000 miles on it and still had the original tires on it. A 235 Blue Flame engine provided good fuel economy while using the 3 speed manual transmission.Gasoline prices when this car was made averaged only $.28 per gallon. They have only driven her 4,800 miles in the past 22 years. This car is considered a true survivor as it remains in its original condition. There 168,313 of this model made and sold for $1,888.00 or about $.60 per pound.
Ernest & Myrna Henschel Billings, Montana
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1963 Ford 1 &1/2 Ton "Navy" Pickup
Old Navy trucks never die, they are re-born as classics for our future generations to enjoy. The early history of this Ford 1 1/2 ton stake truck was to lend support to our military. After they served their time, they too are returned to become a part of our past. Mike's father purchased this in 1970 to use as a farm truck to haul hay. They lived in Washington state and always parked it behind their barn. As everyone knows, Washington gets a lot of rain fall. When Mike got it from his father in 1994, their was moss growing an inch thick under the box and on the floor boards of the cab. He used it to haul freight for about a year before placing it in to storage where it remained until 2005.
Restoration began with custom made box and a rear bumper that will hold about 30 gallons of water for the horses when they pull their horse trailer equipped with living quarters. The engine for this F-500 was built by a speed shop in Washington as a high performance 312 V-8. This is one heavy hauler that can cruise at 100 mph. Mike did all the body work and paint with Charlies Paint & Glass of Lewistown, Montana, doing the interior. Mike kept this a secret project from his wife 'til the time was right. The dash still bears the nameplate of the "United States Navy."
Mike & Jean Little Lewistown, Montana
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1973 Dodge Challenger
One of the most interesting aspects of acquiring a classic car may be how we obtained it. Darrell was looking for parts for a current restoration. He answered an ad offering a large collection of Dodge parts for $3,000. He called the seller and found out the parts were for a 1973 Dodge that had been dismantled with the idea of restoring it. Darrell knew he could use most of the parts and offered him a deal.
The fellow car buff took Darrell to another garage where he saw the shell of a '73 Challenger looking much worse for the wear. The man commented, "get it out of my garage and you can have it." Darrell held his breath and said, "I'll take it."
The Challenger underwent a rotisserie restoration. It was an original Challenger with a 440 six pack magnum with 289 bhp, a 5 speed transmission with 81/2 inch 323 gears for the differential.Its three carburetors were sent into Dodge to be refurbished at a cost of $1,200. Two years later with the help of Ross Campbell for body and paint and Darrell on the upholstery, this '73 has become an award winning show car.
Darrell & Jan Otteson Huntley, Montana
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1969 Chevelle Malibu Convertible
Paul & Debra purchased this car from its original owner in 1978. The original owner drove this beauty off the show room floor at City Chevrolet in Great Falls, Montana. They started a complete frame-off restoration in 1995, which became a very lengthy process. They finished it in 2005. During that time, they installed a new, crated 454 big block engine along with designing new interior. The color is retained from the factory and is a stunning yellow. In 1969 Chevelle, still with its split-wheelbase, the A Body was restyled to look more like the full size Chevy's. This car is one of the most coveted collectibles among all of the classic cars.
Production of the Chevelle Malibu's convertible with a V-8 in 1969 totaled just 27,300 and sold for $2,743. Freight would add another $275. this would be delivered in Montana. If you were to look at it another way it would be $1.14 per pound.
Paul & Debra Nardella Livingston, Montana
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1955 Chevrolet 2 Door Post
This is a 1955 Chevy that anyone would want for a daily driver ... that is if you have the nerve ! This beauty is equipped with a 350 cid fuel injected engine using twin turbo's and delivering 500 plus horsepower to the rear wheels. Take note of the special valve covers that read "Bill's Toy" and the remote tail light assembly that folds away for fueling up. The craftsmen restoring this '55 are all from Butte, MT: Wally Norley, body work; Burts Upholstery; Grey O'Leary, paint. The power train is rounded out with a 700 R4 transmission and a 9 inch rear end. Bill drove a car like this to high school and has been in love with cars like this ever since.
Chevrolet had a major body change from the '54 model. A sweep side windshield and twin-cove dashboard design with a central glove box added. Tubeless tires were just coming out on the market and dealers wanted customers to know they could be repair them. Now you know why Bill enjoys this Chevy as his daily driver --- it has power, speed, performance all in one. This car sold new for $1,888 new or about $1.66 per pound.
Bill Dickinson Butte, Montana
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1961 Chevrolet Impala 2 Door Hard Top
The lines of the 1961 Chevrolet Impala were smooth and not as pronunced as earlier models. Taut new finless styling had arrived. Chevrolet followed the marketing strategy of Ford for several years during the 60s and yet continued to out pace their production each year. They did this with a winning team of designers who came out on top every model year except 1966. The era's most beautiful big Chevy might just be the 1961 hard top with its sculptured lines like a raised convertible top. Starting with 1966, all the automakers were trying to make a car that would appeal to every market they could think of.
This car was purchased new in August of 1961. Tim & Mindy became the second owners in 1998. Even though the car was in very good condition, it under went a frame off restoration. This original looking hard top has a 348 cube big block and a four speed transmission. The rear end is still the original that was in the car. Body work and painting was done by Kevin VanLarrshoven who is the owner of Trackside Auto Body of Billings, MT. Don's upholstery did a top quality job which adds to the beauty of this Chevy.
Tim & Mindy Brocopp Billings, Montana
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1964 Ford Falcon Sprint
In 1964, the Ford Falcon Sprint came into its own when it appeared in the Monte Carlo Rally and finished second overall. Another Ford Falcon won the GT Class. In 1964, with a 109.5 inch wheelbase, the Falcon got its first major re-styling. This sporty two-door hardtop has a 302 cid, V-8 racing engine.
Bret first spotted this car at a show in August of 2000. It had so caught his eye, it felt like it was the only car at the show. Indeed there was a lot of work to be done, however he knew it had a lot of potential and knew it was the only car that he would ever want. The engine had to be rebuilt. The body rust needed to be repaired along with everything else. The factory 4-speed and 3.08 rear end were in good shape. Kevin's Customs of Billings painted it "Night Train Red." Mangum's of Laurel, Montana completed the upholstery.
Bret Ortgies Billings, Montana
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1967 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport
The dream of a lifetime came true when Sky got his classic completely restored in 2004 - a Camaro Rally Sport SS. It was factory equipped with a 350 cid small block producing 295 bhp, a turbo 400 automatic and 4.11 gears. This makes for one sweet ride. Although it was exclusive to Camaro for '67, it was soon to become Corvette's most popular engine. The only way you could have this engine was to order the Super Sport package, which was comprised of stiffer springs & shocks, D70-14 Firestone wide oval and SS emblems. Also included were the modified hood with extra sound insulation and the "bumblebee" nose stripes.
GM added excitement to the Camaro line with their introduction of the 1967's. General Motors chief designer, Bill Mitchell, watched over every aspect of design and production. Styling was perfect with its long hood, short deck and its chiseled profile added enhancement to the low-flowing body lines. When you add in the Rally Sport package, you got a grill with hidden headlights, tinted glass, air and cruise control. Other performance items, sintered-metallic brake linings, power front disk brakes, power steering and more. Base price on this car was $2,572. Options could add several hundred more to the delivered price.
Sky Dykema Manhattan, Montana
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One-Off Tin Jalopy
While completing the book "Classic Cars of Montana & Wyoming" we turned down quite a few cars for this book because they weren't up to our standards. Somehow, this jalopy slipped past the review committee. It is truly a work of art and was built by David H. Masters of Joliet, Montana. It has its own permanent parking spot in front of another classic ..... the "Quick Stop Drive-In" located on highway 212 in Rockvale, Montana
1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible
When Mike & Frieda located this '67 Pontiac Firebird in 1992, it was in running condition.
However, a lot of long hours were needed to bring it back to its pristine condition. The long winter that was to follow proved to be just what was needed to complete the transformation into a show car. This Firebird 400 convertible came with Tri-Powered carburation, automatic transmission and a 3:23 posi-trac rear end. It was equipped with factory air conditioning, power top, windows, antenna and a hood mounted tech, all new to this era. Added factory equipment power steering, tilt, spoiler and a console, all part of the 400 package.This car would do 0 to 60 off of the assembly line in 6.2 sec. with a top speed in the quarter mile of 98 mph in just under 14.4 sec. It sold for about $3,800 with only 15,528 produced.
Mike & Frieda Tyler Moore, Montana
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1968 Chevrolet Pickup (Convertible)
The major transformation of this 1968 Chevrolet pickup started when a Yellowstone Park ranger truck was sold to the GSA through Whiting Motors in Livingston, Montana. It saw some very hard use in this law enforcement agency for 10 years. It was purchased at a public auction by a friend Gordon Williamson, who drove it for another 10 years. Roger purchased it in 1992 for $250 in fair condition after selling his 1969 Firebird convertible. Once again he felt the need for the wind in his hair and he knew he needed a new project. After he removed the top from a perfectly good cab, he welded the windshield panel from a Chevy Blazer to the side posts. he then installed a tuned port fuel injected 350 small block. After placing the computer under the dash, he installed a Doug Nash 5- speed transmission.
1992 Chevy truck bumpers were cut and scribed to fit the front and rear. He built a front tilt hood by using the stock hood latch and rollers in the rear with guide plates. A reverse latch tailgate was made out of conduit and tubing with a steel skin. The gas tank filler was welded shut on the cab and gas tank, installing the gas tank between the rear frame rails. An aluminum tube framework was built for the removable gas cap cover. Another aluminum frame work was built for the bi-fold box cover. He covered it with the same material as the top.The seat was made from a late model Chevy truck with a power amp and speakers located in back of the seat. An old Pontiac gave up the tilt along with a Vega donating the steering wheel. The 16 inch wheels added yet another touch.
All the work was completed at his home except for the engine top work, upholstery & aluminum welding. After 14 years in the making, and lots of smiles later, Roger and Debbie have the wind in their hair again.
Roger & Debbie Boom Bozeman, Montana
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1932 Ford Sedan Delivery
This '32 Ford is truly a gem that can compete with the very best at any car show in this great nation. I would simply describe it as perfection at every level and is only one of twenty six known to exist in the United States. The last "Deuce" Ford body to go into production was the sedan delivery, only 400 units were ever built mostly for commercial use. There are very few that remain today. Henry Ford built the delivery sedan by converting the very popular two door sedan by removing the quarter glass, adding a large rear door with window glass and a drip rail.
Don & Marilyn Brocopp Billings, Montana
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1956 Ford Thunderbird Dick and DJ Rosekelly purchased this beautiful 1956 Thunderbird in 1980. It had been kept in its original factory condition. This red Thunderbird has two tops, the hard top as well as the soft top. Jim Schmid, who is a professional mechanic, rebuilt the power train to Ford factory specifications. Don Lennick was chosen to refurbish the interior and redo the soft top for the car. The battery, tires and even the carpet meet factory specs.
This V~8, with its automatic transmission, produces 225 bhp. This car sold new for $3,151 and weighed 3,038 pounds or about $1.04 per pound. Only 15,631 of these cars were produced in 1956. Dick & DJ Rosekelly Billings & Red lodge, Montana
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1932 Ford Tudor Coupe
In 1976, Steve traded their just-completed 1949 Mercury Coupe for this 1932 Ford Tudor sedan, which was in excellent condition. It still had the original '32 flathead and all the stock running gear. They kept the car original for four years before installing a '59 AB Flathead V-8 and a '39 Ford tranny along with a '40 Ford rear end. From 1985 through 1987, they completed a full rebuild using a small block 350 Chevy, automatic, air, disc brakes, etc.
At that time Butch Adams and Chuck Burns of Sanford, Florida, helped with the body and paint. They have driven this car to several NSRA Nationals and other events throughout the southwestern United States. They have logged over 140,000 since the summer of 1987. In 2006 they moved to Montana. Then in January of 2007, they drove to Pomona, California, for the 75th anniversary of the Deuce Celebration. This car is now in the early stages of a complete rebuild again featuring a 1966 Buick Nailhead Engine and a four speed transmission. This remains a great fun car for all of their family to enjoy.
Steve & Judy Sorg Bozeman, Montana
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1966 Buick Skylark GS
Dale started out like many of us searching for a car that would bring back the memories we cherished in our youth. He found it in this 1966 Buick Skylark, which was in very rough shape, yet all the parts were there to aid in the restoration. The problem arose when he could not locate a front fender anywhere in the country. He made a lot of phone calls; weeks turned into months. He just knew there was one out there with his name on it.
That's when lady luck smiled on him.
A friend told there was a Buick Skylark in an alley just 12 blocks from his home. Dale's search had taken him everywhere but under his nose. Much to his surprise, it turned out to be a 1966 Buick grand Sport, one of only 308 ever produced with a 4 speed transmission. The condition was, in his words, " barely salvageable". As of that day work stopped on the first car and started in earnest on the Grand Sport. During the next year, two cars were transformed into one with only a handfull of parts left over. A stunning black finish was created by the paint Doctor of Billings, Montana. Ken Metzker added his touch of class to the upholstery. Factory equipment included a Wildcat 445 cid with dual quad carbs, BW-T-10 4 speed transmission and 3;53 rear end gears.
Dale Ebersviller Billings, Montana
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1961 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 900
The 1961 Corvair Monza 900 was among the most popular cars produced in this year. As the years went by, it was evident that small cars were here to stay. One of Corvair's main selling points was that one never had to buy anti-freeze, the car would heat up very fast when the weather was very cold. The Corvair was the only car to out sell the VW Beetle in the '60s.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader intensely disliked the Corvair and sparked many angry protests when he penned, "Corvair unsafe at any speed." A 1965 exposé of the safety flaws of the Corvair. Many loyal owners showed their disdain for Nader by altering their cars after the fashion of Ferrari.
GM only made the Corvair from 1960 to 1969. The body style was only in production for four years. The air-cooled engine is a 145 cubic inch producing 80 bhp, and came with two single barrel carbs.
When Leighton & Sherri purchased this car in 2005, it needed a lot of work along with tender loving care. The restoration took two years. Kelly's Customs did the body and paint, Harold's Upholstery crafted the interior; both are from Billings, MT. The manufacturer's suggested retail price as about $2,200 and approximately 109,945 rolled off the production line. Detailed for show, yet a great car for fun.
Leighton & Sherri Petersen Billings, Montana
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1949 Packard
Dan & Carol are simply a couple who enjoy their time together cruising in their '49 Packard. They revel in the smiles it puts on the faces of strangers. We have all dreamed of winning the lottery or finding a gem of a car under a haystack in a long forgotten barn. While this story isn't quite that romantic, it is interesting nonetheless. This old car was hidden under an old khaki army tarp and buried under 50 years of junk.
Dan thought their might be something interesting under that tarp while he was looking at an old building for his business. He knew it was a vintage car, but wasn't certain about its condition. He carefully and thoughtfully negotiate building with the following stipulation, "if I have to take the trash, I get to keep the treasures." There were worn out trucks and debris from years of construction. After many contentious meetings, Dan got his way, the building and the Packard.
A frame-off restoration by Bill Leslie of Rocky Mountain Autobody was followed by a trip to Harolds Upholstery. Dan & Carol kept the original straight eight engine with the 3 speed transmission. They added a new battery and a few seals. With that she purred to life. A very special thanks to the craftsman who brought her back to pristine condition.
Dan & Carol Austin Billings, Montana
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1967 Chevrolet Nova II
Few of us have had the same family car from our childhood. This story was relayed to me from the daughter and son-in-law who care for a lovely lady in her 90s. In 1967, at the age of 41, Priscilla Streeter purchased the car of her dreams, a Chevy Nova II. This car has become a member of the family and will remain so for years to come. It was this car that Jackie learned to drive on during her high school years. When her mother reached the age when she could no longer drive, she gave it to her son-in-law. This car is a true classic, yet it was nothing more than transportation to the family. A frame off restoration evolved with Butch & Jackie, and took 2 1/2 years to complete.
Everthing had to be taken apart, cleaned, sanded and made to look like new. After the frame came the powder coating and new parts. They installed a crate 350 small block GM engine producing 370 bhp and a 5 speed transmission. The power train was enhanced with the addition of a 3:08 posi rear end. Brian Schmidt provided the craftsmanship for the body, paint and upholstery. This is an award winning car. It became part of many car shows, parades and the "Burn the Point" in Billings. New this car sold for $2,435.
Butch & Jackie Renner Billings, Montana
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1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne
The truck that was named after a famous western town that was made famous by the great cattle drives of the 1800's.
On their way back from Las Vegas, Alan & Sharon drove thru Sheridan, Wyoming, they spotted this beautiful 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne pickup. They fell in love with it and purchased it on the spot, largely because it was in such great shape. Ther power train has a 402 big block, coupled with a 400 automatic transmission and a 323 rear end. They hired Triple T Inc. to paint their classic this stunning black color. Although it may be in top shape they intend to do a frame-off restoration. This will result in a major up-grade in the near future.When they arrived home with their new purchase, Allan asked his wife to pull it into the garage. A very loose cam had allowed it to idle at 13 - 15 hundered RPM. By the time she got it running and in gear she was headed for the garage where she got half way in before it stalled. The long and narrow of it is, he had 2 black marks on the floor where the truck went sideways and almost hit the garage door opening. She doesent drive it much anymore.
Alan & Sharon Bull Billings, Montana
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1971 Pontiac LeMans
Tom purchased this 1971 Pontiac LeMans December 31, 2005, in Great Falls, Montana and the work began. Here is a list of what he did to make this his dream car.
Shaved door handles Custom made dash Painless wiring system
Autometer gauges Aluminum radiator B & M Shifter
Ididit steering column Flexite cooling fans March pulley system
Air Conditioning Full Roll cage Procar seats
389 gears Turbo 400 transmission Crane 8 mm wire set
Coil over rear shocks,150 lb pound rating Electric exhaust cutouts on 3" exhaust
Interior: Miller's Upholstery, Great Falls, MT Original Parts door panels
I had the car painted in Pennsylvania. Ninety-nine percent of the work was done in our shop north of Joplin, Montana. Future endeavors: Tunes & a 700 R4 transmission.
Tom Wood Joplin, Montana
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top The car-buying public gave this 1957 Chevrolet their greatest compliment with the words "sweet, smooth and sassy." When this car came off the production line with Ed Coles Turbo-Fire V8, it became the first production engine to make the horse power per cubic inch. The Bel Air became the king of the street with the production that broke the barrier of 1.5 million cars made and made Ford run to try to catch up. These are among the most coveted cars by collectors because they reflect the mid-fifties for all of us. General Motors produced 166,426 Bel Air 2-door hardtops, which they sold for just $2,299. At 3,360 pounds, this car cost $1.46 per pound.This restoration was completed in 1998 and has been driven about 3,500 miles per year to car shows through the western United States. Don & Marilyn Brocopp Billings, Montana
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1956 Ford Sunliner Convertible
This 1956 Ford Sunliner convertible, acquired in 1986, has provided the best enjoyment they could have asked for. They found it in an area that a local rancher used for his junk yard. Not thinking it would ever run again he left it to just rust away. The 292 Thunderbird engine produces 200 bhp, the automatic transmission is a three speed. A frame off restoration was the first order of business. This was completed after spending many long months ... and many dollars. Larry Baumgartner did a masterful job painting their dream car. Ford's facelift in 1956 included a few safety features like a dished steering wheel, break away mirror and crash prof door locks. If you wanted a padded dash and sun visors you would pay an extra $16; seat belts cost another $9. Only 20% of the 1956 production had seat belts, performance on the road had a much higher priority. Ford made 58,147 Sunliners, which sold for $2,395 and weighed 4,384 pounds. Cost per pound was $1.41 to build.
Paul & Barbara Etchart --- Mitch & Donna Etchart Glasgow, Montana
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1932 Ford Victoria "Perfection" Completed in the summer of 2004, it was painted by Jerry Gray and Bret McGinler. The body work was completed by Down's Mfg. using a fiberglass body with extensive support on a TCI "rolling chassis." Interior was installed by C & B upholstery in Spokane, Washington. During the building of this Street Rod, a 350 Chevy Ram jet engine was installed using a 700-R-4 transmission. A Currie 9" posi rear end with 3.70:1 gears, 11" front disc and 10" drum in the rear were added. This car was built with all the amenities to produce an award winning show car. The paint is Vermillion Red/Harley and Vivid black and custom pin stripping by Von Rago of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It was chosen to be shown at "Hot Rod's and Harley's" an invitation-only at the Tacoma Dome. In 2005 it wan 15 awards in 15 shows/events including "Gotta Drive Em" category at Good Guys West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, California. Jerry & Suzy Gray Belgrade, Montana
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1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Convertible..... This '55 Ford Fairlane Sunliner convertible was purchased in 2005 in great shape. The former owner had spent hundreds of hours to make this the show piece it is today. It has a custom convertible top with the rear window of a 1940 vintage era. This car has the original 272 cid with tri-power set up to produce about 185 plus bhp. The black paint is in very good condition due to only 40,077 actual miles on this beauty. With a cost new of $2,224 this Sunliner out sold the Crown Victoria to the amazement of top management. The continental wheel kit, fender skirts and dual exhaust gives the impression this car is long on style with power to spare. In 1955 only 8% of the households had more than one car. Ford set out to change this with an add campaign of "Fords By The Pair". They suggested a station wagon and a convertible as a perfect match. Ford produced just 49,996 cars with an average weight of 3,315 pounds during this model year. The average price was just $2,224 or to look at another way it sold for $.67 cents per pound. Dick & Diana Anderson Great Falls, Montana
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1954 Chevrolet Pickup When Mark and Heide purchased this truck back in 2002 at an auction, they never dreamed it would become what it is today. They paid $4000 for it and for the next year or so it remained parked in their barn getting driven very little. One day Mark decided it just wasn't that much fun. There was not much excitement in doing 55 mph tops ! The work then began in earnest with a frame off restoration, adding a 350 blown small block, turbo 350 automatic and a 9 inch Dana rear end. Thanks to Loran Chase of Billings, Montana., this interior is one of the finest and will compete with the very best from coast to coast. Mark and Heide also wish to thank Kevin of Trackside Auto Body for an unbelievable paint job. A painter for many years, he has become a true professional with the ability to produce top quality show cars and trucks. In 1964 this Chevrolet pickup received its first major re-styling with a large triple row of horizontal grill bars bisected with a verticle bar. Chrome grills were rare due to the increased cost, most all were just painted. The parking lights were incorporated in the new grill and were the same ones used on the GMC of the same year.
Mark & Heide Ventling, Laurel, Montana
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1965 Chevrolet Impala SS The 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS is in a class by itself when it comes to luxury and style. This '65 has a high performance small block Chevy engine coupled with a 350 turbo 350 automatic transmission. The paint and its many layers of clear coat add depth and beauty to this convertible. Typical features included the SS emblems, leather bucket seats, and a central gear shift console with an optional tach. The SS had stiffer springs and metallic brake liners. The ultra-quick power steering had the best performance in the history of Chevrolet. Of the 1.2 million General Motors made, 46% were Impalas. The SS convertible sold for $3,199 and weighed 3,600 pounds. There are no production numbers available for this SS impala. Jim & Mileen Vanderburg Billings, Montana
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1967 Ford Mustang Convertible The best way to describe this 1967 Mustang Convertible when it was found would be "A very broken basket case." In truth, it was just a shell. What a difference a full frame-off restoration made. Bodywork and paint was completed by a master at both, Jim Garretson, who placed ghost Mustangs on the hood, doors and the trunk. The 351 Ford Windsor engine was blue printed and balanced using Chevrolet oversized valves, rockers with an Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold. The transmission is an automatic coupled with a stock rear end. A deeper grill, revised tail lamps, and sculptured side panels that come together with twin simulated air scoops, mark the 1967 Mustang. When this car was made, there were 44,808 produced and sold for $2,698. They weighed in at only 2,738 pounds which made the cost just $.99 per pound. David C. Anderson
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2005 Ford F-350 Harley Davidson Edition Named "Mans Ruin" this is a class act. This 2005 Ford F-350 Harley Davidson Edition #2416 was built for the SEMA Automotive Show.
The equipment is as follows: Kellerman 12 inch Air Ride lift, Super Star wheels by KD with 43 inch Nitro tires. Pioneer Sound System with GPS, DVD with six monitors in dash, head rest and external cased. Sound system done by Rob at Hayloft Auto, fabrication by Steve of Fabcraft, lights by PIAA, running boards and rear step by ATS, push bar by Westin, Banks 4 inch exhaust system, design by Hayloft Graphics & Design. Air brushed by Matt Hubbard, powder coating by Armor Powder Coating, parts & assembly by Hayloft Autobody & Sales.
If you want a high-rise view of a race, the aluminum box rises 9 feet in the air, complete with video and sound recording equipment. Open the door and the step drops down for easy entry. Many of the items featured are specially made of this truck. The murals painted on each side are true works of art featuring the Viet Nam War on one side and the Hayloft Girls along with racing cars on the other. Frank Miller Lolo, Montana
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1929 Ford Model A 170-A Sedan This model is one of the rarest of models, primarily because it was first produced in late 1929 and only produced for a few months when the new 1930 models appeared. The model 170-A is refered to as a Blind Back because of the lack of a rear quarter window.
Ford made another four door sedan without these windows that are sometime confused with the model 170-A. These are the "leatherback" model 60-A with a brown simulated leather top produced in 1928 and model 60-C, called the steel back, which also appeared later in 1929 and had no leather on the top, just steel (with the traditional top material in the center, of course).
This Model-A was restored by Frank Politelli of Southern California and first shown at the 1998 Reno National Model A Convention sponsored by the Model-A Club of America. The cars are judged according to how closely they resemble the condition of the car in comparison to the month and year the car was built and would have appeared in the Ford showroom. This vehicle qualified for blue ribbion judging but was entered in touring class judging at Mr. Politelli's insistence. However the cars are judged the same in both classes. This car received 451 points, well over the 400 out of 500 needed to receive the First Place Award. As I recall, it was the 5th highest scoring in this national meet, a very impressive achievement ! This car was later shown at the Southern California Regional Model A meet held in Temecula, California and also received a first place award. Jim Beley purchased the car shortly after this meet. Craig and Karen purchased this car May 22, 2006. Craig & Karen Swenson Billings, Montana
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1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible Richard & Pat purchased this 1957 Pontiac Bonneville new when they got married from Jim Brooks Pontiac in Helena, Montana. This was the very first year for the Bonneville, all of which were convertibles. The emergence of the Bonneville from the old man's car to a young man's car was made possible with styling that was bolder, and more youthful, with performance that would move it to the forefront. Many amenities; power steering, electric seats, windows, and an electric antenna. Power brakes and longer leaf springs were added for an easier ride. This car was equipped with a 300 brake horsepower fuel-enjected engine, hydraulic lifters and a racing cam. Only 630 of these convertibles left the factory. At $5,782, they were the costliest and fastest Pontiac ever made. This fuel-injected version was timed at 18 seconds in the quarter mile. As strictly private entries, Bonnie cars raced with distinction in NASCAR. Richard & Patricia Proul, Helena, Montana
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop They acquired this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hardtop in 1982. It was in showroom condition and completely stock. The 283 small block with a four speed transmission and 411 gears make for smooth driving at highway speeds. There were not many cars that had electric windows and electric seats. Like most cars of the '50s era, the '57 Chevrolet would be considered the defining car based on public perception. Only 166,426 of these Bel Air sport coups were made, selling for about $2,299. The car weighed 3,278 pounds on a 115 inch wheelbase. Typically, they were loaded with many extras, adding large profits for General Motors. Seven engine choices were available from the basic 140 horsepower six, all the way up to the 283 CID V-8 "Ram Jet" fuel injection, producing a full 283 brake horsepower. In June of 1957, Chevy became the formidable competitor on the NASCAR track and other stock car events. During the 1957 Datona Speed Week, cars in class 5, (259-305 CID) were able to take 33 of the top 37 places. The fasted car averaged a speed of 137.076 mph. This was in the Pure Oil Manufacturers Trophy points award, Chevy won 574 points to the runner up Ford, with 309 points. When these cars were built, the average worked made $4,230 a year. The average family income was $5,034 with doctors earning over $22,000. If you were the everyday workingman, your earnings were about $2.08 per hour. Work for women beyond the family was limited, their wages were much lower than men and good paying jobs eluded them. Ken & LaDeen Dykema Manhattan, Montana
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1957 Chevrolet Pickup
cool ride by any standard, this '57 Chevy half ton has it all. Charlie installed a 350 cubic inch crate motor equipping it with an Edelbrock 600 carburetor and a cast iron crank case. A Durashine manifold with a mild blower cam gives it just enough acceleration. The turbo 350 transmission makes an excellent choice for the road trips, which are quite frequent in this family. Steve Johnson did an excellent job chopping the top and then appling a showroom paint job with flames and graphics.
In 1957 General Motors did a mild facelift for this new model, including a new grill and oval fender badges. They flattened the hood and gave it two longitudinal bulges that many used to install the windspit ornaments that were found on the Chevy cars. A collector will give it "thumbs up." It has enormous cargo and people capacity. Replacement parts are in good supply. Charlie & Eileen Fisch Townsend, Montana
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1951 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery Their dad looked for several years trying to locate a 1951 Chevrolet Sedan delivery. He wanted to fix it up to look like the original one that he and his wife started the business with.
Mick spotted it in the rear view mirror of a pickup that he was driving. It was in October of 1978. Unfortunately, his father passed away in June 1978, four months before they found this vehicle. Two doors were welded shut, bumpers welded on, roof and hood caved in. The engine was not running as the oil was like tar. The original 216 engine and three speed column were still in the vehicle. Mick shared the story of his dad's dream with a group of his friends called the Big Sky Street Rod Association, of which he is a member. These guys adopted this project and turned it around in just 45 days, complete with painting, graphics and lettering.
His folks called this car their "Panic Wagon" and his mother was the driver. She handled all the deliveries of flowers daily throughout the community, along with 3 kids bouncing around in the back. The rose etched in the back window was the original logo for their store.
The Gainan's delivery van was presented the 1st Christmas without their loving dad, in loving memory of "The Founder" to their mom, Betty "Gramma G" (Panic Wagon) Gainan. Mick & Lynnette Gainan Billings, Montana
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1932 Hupmobile - Model 216-B There are only nine of these beauties registered. Scott found this car in Fort Collins, Colorado in a garage where it was parked for 35 years. He began the restoration by powder coating the frame. All of the original suspension was used. The body, which is all wood, was found to be in very good condition. He treated the wood to retain its original construction. The body remains completely uncut and unchanged. The car has drum brakes, no heater or air conditioner and no windshield wipers. he reworked the wiring and steering column, added new gauges, race seats and more interior wood. There was not any rust found on the body. The engine is a chevy small block with a 700R4 transmission. The body work and painting took only about two months. He is one lucky guy ! Scott Remus Loveland, Colorado
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1957 Plymouth Fury Sport Coupe The 1957 Plymouth Fury Sport Coupe was a product of chief designer Virgil Exner of the Chrysler Corporation. It was known for its "Forward Look." Purchased in 2000 by Howard & Rosetta, this original Fury is painted off-white with gold trim, a new production color for 1957. Even the air cleaner had gold color on this new V-800 dual-carb 318 cid. This engine was new to the Fury hardtop, was the biggest in the low priced field. It developed 290 bhp and 320 foot pounds of torque. The transmission was a torque flit push button 3 speed. Designed more than four inches wider and three inches lower with tall "shark fins". It was truly one of the best styled cars of the year. Production was 7,438. Selling at $2,925, built on a 118 inch wheel base it weighed 3,595 pounds. Howard & Rosetta Barrick Bozeman, Montana
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1949 Mercury Coupe One of the most beautiful and sought after cars is the 1949 Mercury Coupe. This one is amazing in every way. It is a complete customizied version with a chopped top, suicide doors and flame fender skirts. When Dick purchased this car in 2001, he could only visualize what it would look like in the years to come. The ghost flames are some of the best quality I have seen, and from every angle they appear a different shade of blue. From the reset custom tail lights, shaved door handles to the graphics of this car on the fire wall, you will find an eye for detail. The interior can only be described as striking with its blue and white trim through out. When you find a car in great shape like this one was, building it into a dream car was made much easier. Retained was the 302 cid and the automatic transmission. Building a car like this may take years and it also takes a loving wife to give encouragement when things are not going well. Dick & Diana Anderson Great Falls, Montana
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1950 Ford F-1 Pickup - "The Green Lizard" Trucks of the post war years were some of the best ever made. This truck belonging to Jeff Richardson, is no exception. Rugged style and durability are hallmarks of this classic. Jeff restored this F-1 in 1982 only to up-date it in 2000 - to a certain point. It has a 302 cid with a B&M blower, a C-6 automatic transmission with a Ford 9 inch rear end and 3:55 gears. The front suspension is a Mustang II IFS, giving it a lower look and increased road handling ability. He was able to use the original stock seat with crushed velvet covering. This pickup is known to all the car buffs as the Green Lizard. Ford spent $1,000,000 yes one million dollars to design and tool this cab with the comfort of your best arm chair. Ford styling rebounded from the 1948 models with a popular multi-national grill. Ford also used the term "Bonus Built" for their trucks. Jeff Richardson Billings, Montana
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1969 GMC Pickup General Motors Corporation has a very colorful history. Included in that history is this 1969 GMC pickup. Founded in 1901 under the name Rapid Motor Vehicle, GMC's very first engine was one cylinder. Two companies decided to merge in 1911. The name change followed in 1912 - General Motors Truck was born. Their first new truck became the star of the New York Auto Show. In 1916, they drove from New York to Seattle in 30 days. GMC made 600,000 of these trucks for World War II. Their solid reputation lives on.
When Brett & Annetta first saw this truck in 1990, they fell in love with it. They both felt it would be a wonderful Valentine's gift to each other..... something to enjoy for years to come. They have been customizing it ever since. They finished the truck in 2007 with a Ram Jet 502 with factory air, tilt steering wheel and an automatic 700R4 transmission. Tim Thielen did the mechanical work and added a 4:56 rear end. Tod's Custom Paint did the body and paint and TTT Upholstery did the interior. Both companies are located in Sheridan, Wyoming. Brett & Annetta Sayer Sheridan, Wyoming
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1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible There's nothing like the thrill of the chase! General Motors called it the thrill of the ride. They dubbed the 1968 Camaro the "Hugger" for its ability to give the feeling of a true sports car. GM had to play catch up because Ford had a two year headstart with the Mustang.That being said, the Camaro production figures rose sharply in each of the years '67 to '69. Bill Mitchell was the chief designer of the Camaro and gave it the long hood, a short rear deck, and a chiseled look to appeal to the sports car minded who needed room for the family. Mark and Kathi sold their '62 Chevy and were experiencing that empty feeling that only a car buff knows. They yearned for another classic and had been looking around when a co-worker told them about this Camaro convertible. It had the original 327 engine with an automatic transmission. The person lost interest after failing at the restoration.
After purchasing this car, or shall we say the parts, they began a total, frame-off restoration which took two years to complete. The flaws were numerous and took many hours to correct. Rod Stoddard did a remarkable job on the body and paint; Mark did his own upholstery. This car has won many major car shows throughout the north west. It is one classy convertible. Mark & Kathi Tronstad Billings, Montana
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1972 Ford Mustang Boss Mach 1 The last BOSS?! Will we ever know? This 1972 Mach 1 may have been the last Boss 351 engine ever placed in a Ford Mustang. This car has matching numbers and rolled off the production line in early October of 1971. It is also the 181 st car built in 1971. Ford had planned to continue production of the Boss 351 into 1972, but pressure from the insurance industry and rising gas prices put the kibosh on what was possibly the fasted production car ever made. The last four Boss 351 engines were cast and assembled in June and July of 1971. This car has one of those engines. It was custom ordered by a Ford district manager in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nate purchased it in 2005 when it was just partially restored. The restoration took three years at the nation's top restoration school, Wyotech of Laramie, Wyoming, for the body and paint. Nate completed the upholstery himself. The transmission is a C-6 automatic. The value of a car like this will be determined as the few remaining cars become even more rare. New this car sold for about $4,124 and weighed 3,281 pounds. Nate Murphy Billings, Montana
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1932 Ford Highboy From the time Bill was just 8, he had this fascination for the '32 Ford. He got his glimpse of the '32 in Pismo Beach, California. 42 years later, he got envolved with cars in earnest. Bill and Karen starter Gold Top Restorations, specializing in building and restoring Corvettes. But in the back of his mind was his dream of owning a '32 Highboy.
In 2002, he purchased a Rod Bods '32 to build using the parts he collected over the years. He just didn't have the time needed to complete it. he realized he was going to have to bite the bullet and purchase a '32. In April 2007, they went to the N.S.R.A. event in Bakersfield, California. He found the '32 of his dreams at the T.C.I. booth. The owner Jerry Schultz, and Bill hammered out a deal. After all these years, Bill & Karen had their Highboy.
The body work was done by Jerry Schultz, paint by Bills Hot Rod Shop, both of Oakdale, California, Sid Chaverz of San Francisco did the upholstery. They installed a ZZ4 350 Chevy engine with a 700R4 transmission and a Currie rear end. They're now having the time of their life traveling the National Parks in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, Riding in style where ever the winds may take them. Bill & Karen Verboon Tetonia, Idaho
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1957 Chevrolet BelAir Four Door Hardtop The greatest way to relive our youth is through the creation of one of the happiest moments of our lives. Jerry and Cheryl did just that with their unrelenting dedication to each other by recreating a car like the one that carried their worldly goods when they went off to college. The average person would never think of starting a project of this magnitude, but then you haven't met jerry & Cheryl. They purchased it in the northern city of Sunburst, Montana, where it was stored inside for at least twenty years. A journey of six years started with a rotisserie frame off restoration and required three donor cars to complete the job. You may ask why they chose the two-tone colors of Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige. Simple, it was the original color scheme of their first car. Steve Dahl of Dahl's Auto Body in Three Forks, Montana, completed the body and paint work; Mount Helena Upholstery of Helena, Montana, completed the interior. Jerry installed the 327 cid, which produces 395 bhp, adding a 4-speed Saginaw transmission and topping it off with a Dakota Digital dash. The '57 Chevy was regarded as the defining car of the '50's .... an honor it holds today. Jerry & Cheryl Lehr Three Forks, Montana
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1956 Chevrolet Nomad A lady with a sense of humor, flare for life, or simply adventuresome, no matter how you say it, it fits Karen Gray. This mother really didn't want to buy this car. After all, there are more important things to spend money on. This '56 Chevy Nomad was up for sale at a sheriff's auction. On a lark, she asked a friend to throw in a ridiculously low bid as she left for work. The next thing she knew she owned a Nomad.... and did it need restoring! She thought the entire matter would bring about a divorce, the money was needed elsewhere. However, when she took a look at what she had, she fell in love. It's now her driver. Who ever thought a station wagon would be cool. Thoughts of her mothers station wagon brought back many good memories. She recalls her mother cruising at around 60 mph, taking her foot off the gas, and the station wagon just rumbling. After all, it was loaded with Cub Scouts, golf clubs and dogs. It was an adventure, GM said this wagon stole the thunder from the high priced cars. Today it is a true classic to car collectors. Only 7,886 were made and they sold for $2,608. Karen & Zane Gray Billings, Montana
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1962 Chevrolet Corvette The right place at the right time ... it happens! So it was when Chris came upon this 1962 Corvette for sale. His father always had a Corvette, so it was natural for his son that he would have one of his own someday. There were only 14,531 cars produced during the '62 model year.
Equipped with a Chevy 327/360 bhp and a four speed transmission and sporting a Positraction 3:36 rear end, this is a true sports car. This car needed a lot of TLC and during the next year, Chris spent many long hours, not to mention a lot of money, giving this car the attention it deserved. His goal was to get rid of all the after market items and replace them with GM Corvette parts.
The car can be traced back to Butte, Montana, where it was originally licensed in 1967. The owner paid $600 for a new '68 Corvette engine from the factory. Later, the car changed hands many times. Each new owner added his own touch to it.
This car predates both Chris & Dillie. They have the privilege of enjoying it nonetheless. The will also enjoy the day to come when it is passed to their children.
The 1962 Corvette was the last to have the solid rear axle, which was typical of this time period. It gave a feeling of handling the later 'Vettes did not have. The quality of craftsmanship slipped a bit with later models due, in part, to increased production runs. Corvette enthusiasts use the term "Classic" on cars made through the '62 model year. It sold new for $4,038 and weighed 2,925 pounds. Chris & Dillie Schaff Worden, Montana
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1969 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup
In America, the pickup is a way of life. We have grown up with it and embraced it as a symbol of the American work ethic. Travel to Europe and the pickup as we know it is scarce to non-existent. Ed and Linda purchased this one from a student attending Montana State University in 1998. The student was then able to pursue a degree of her choice.
They drove it to Anchorage, Alaska, where the basic restoration began. Work was incredibly slow until they returned to Bozeman, Montana. That's when Andy Rizdol was selected to complete the body and paint. After installing a 350 cid small block Chevy engine, they added a 350 Turbo automatic transmission. The bed of this pickup was crafted out of a very unique Mountain Ash wood. Red Barn Upholstery of Chino Valley, Arizona, installed the interior completing the restoration that spanned five long years. The truck now lives the good life in Prescott, Arizona, occasionally making the trek north to Montana ... during the summer. Edward & Linda Harter Prescott, Arizona
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1957 Buick Special Rivera With its innovative styling, this 1957 Buick Special Riviera became one of General Motors crown jewels. This 2-door hard top model 46R has a 122 inch wheelbase and a 250 bhp nail V-8 to power it. The body lines were longer and lower than previous years. Reliability was considered excellent and featured better gas mileage than the '56. The body is very quite with great attention given to the interior design details including comfort and convenience for driver and passenger alike.
When Gary purchased this car in 1986, it was sitting on a K-Mart parking lot for sale. He drove the car as-is for two years before putting it in storage for the next 14 years.
Wives being what wives are, they have a way of making a point. Gary wanted to buy another car. Patti agreed, but with the stipulation that he had to complete the Buick. Note: Gary's newer car is still unfinished. The Buick, although in fair condition, needed restoration. American Auto Body did the body and paint. Gary had the skills to do the interior by himself. A friend Clark Elliot, rebuilt his nail head engine. All-in-all, the restoration took a mere two years to complete. The black paint has a heavy pearl, which shows off very in the bright sunlight. It sold new for $2,704 and was one of 64,425 manufactured during the '57 model year.
Gary & Patti Ugrin Billings, Montana
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1967 Chevrolet Corvette You've probably heard the one about the 'Vette found in a barn ... yep, that's the story with this gem. When John & Ann purchased this 'Vette in 2006, they became the fourth owner. There was still a speeding ticket in the glove box from 1974.
This 1967 split window coupe is a true survivor with all matching numbers, a 327 cid, 350 bhp engine with an M21 4-speed transmission and a 3:70 Positraction rear end. The paint code is 988 -- Marlboro Maroon with a black leather interior. the starbust aluminum wheels were an option, made for only one year to accommodate the new wider tires used for this years Corvette.
John added some safety features such as power steering and brakes and spiced it up with an impeccable paint job by Rimrock Collision Center of Billings, MT
The 1967 Corvette became a car that never should have been built. Chevrolet had plans for an entirely new body, which got delayed by a year. The new body did appear on the 1968 model. This delay resulted in the '67 being regarded as a premium collector ca among sports car enthusiasts. Most of the emblems were left off of the '67, which made it the most appealing and sleek of all the Sting ray bodies.many of those who opted to wait for the 1968 model regretted their decision later on as the '67 became regarded as one of the "best of the best." The GM Mark of Excellence appeared only on the '67 Vett's door jamb and was exclusive to this model year. John & Ann Peycke Billings, Montana
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1966 Mustang Convertible This car was purchased in Glendale, Arizona, in 2007. The 55 year old grandmother who owned it referred to her Mustang as "Sally." She mentioned that her little "girl" was kind of shy, but once she was out in the sunlight with the top down, she warmed to everyone. "Mustang Sally" had plenty of sunshine living in Arizona.
This car is an original C code with a balanced 289 cid V-8, C-4 Cruisematic with a 2:80.1 posi traction rear end. It was professionally restored by Chandler Auto Body Restorations of Chandler, Arizona. It has a Pony interior, factory air and allow street wheels.The dual Valance Trumpet exhaust tips provide a mellow tone to the pipes. With the GT package, it has firmer suspension, power front disc brakes and a wood trimed steering wheel. There were 72,119 convertibles made in 1966, with a total Mustang production of 197,190. The show room price was $2,653 ... or about a buck a pound. In 1966 the median age buyer for the Mustang was 31 as compared to 42 for the full sized cars. Craig & Karen Swenson, Billings, Montana
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1955 Chevrolet half Ton Pickup Chevrolet pickups were at the top of their game when they made the '55 Chevy Half Ton. Its styling was innovative with the first wrap-around windshield in the industry. There were many features for the '55 like the egg crate grill and the unique hoods that covered the headlights. Visibility was enhanced with a full size rear window that was also a trend setter. New creature comforts included power brakes, a key start ignition complete with a 12-volt electrical system. Dennis purchased this Chevy in 1993 in very good condition. He was, however, not totally satisfied by it and began his own customizations. He started with a frame off restoration. He added a 350 cid small block, a Camaro 3-speed with a Camaro differential. Jim Vannoten did the body work and the very talented Kevin VanLaarhoven added the masterful ghost flames. Both men are from Billings, Montana.
The tombstone in front of the "Hot Rod Garage" serves as a testament to "Friends Building Hot Rods." Three good friends, Ed Jensen, Terry McConnell & Dennis Kaercher are in the process of building a '67 Camaro 502, a '55 Chevy Convertible 502 and a 1930 Chevy delivery van. This 6000 square foot garage was built by Dennis and his friends. it has an 1800 sq. foot luxury home at one end, complete with a pool side hot tub, which is great for parties and invitational car shows. Dennis Kaercher, Billings, Montana
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1951 Ford Woody Country Squire The 1951 Ford Woody Country Squire will forever be remembered form the films made on Malibu Beach --- a surf board strapped to the top or hanging out the tail gate. The mystique of that era is still fresh in our minds when we see one of these beauties driving down the road. The Country Squire had very low production numbers (29,017), making them highly collectible today. Most are found in museums. The automatic transmissions were called a "Ford-O-Matic," and cost an additional $159. New for Ford was the Safety Glow Control panel with "Chanalited" instruments and recessed dash controls. This car recently went through a frame-off rotisserie restoration in California. As an homage to its surfing' history, this car features a unique surf board inside mirror and a few other amenities; Tan leather interior, bucket seats, 460 ci Ford engine, louvered hood, 10 inch front disc brakes, 9 inch rear end, maple frames, panels, 3-speed "Ford-O-matic" power steering, air conditioning, smooth fire wall, mahogany wood doors.
Also new wood on the wooden tail gate and a signed outside mirror complete this restoration done by Heiden Woodworking of Southern California. Milton & Rebecca Nickel Polson, Montana
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1973 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 The previous owner decided to take this Firebird Formula 400 apart, then he lost interest in the project. After a ten to twelve year hiatus, he probably forgot how it went back together. It was literally was packed into boxes. Nathan had always loved the '73 Firebirds and vowed to own one someday.
As a Master body & paint specialist, Nathan had a perty good idea of what needed to be done. After many long hours -- and the help of a friendly neighborhood banker-- Nathan built the car. It took him one grueling year.
This black beauty runs down the road as smooth as it looks. Of course it is helped down the road with a 400 ci block, a Tremec 5 speed transmission and a 3.08 differential. Nathan did all the body work and paint by himself. This award winner is a true testament to his skills and abilities.
These cars have a great history. John "The Duke" Wayne used a car like this to shoot McQ. This film put the Firebird through its paces chasing the bad guys. The Formula 400 gives the impression it's a fast car even while its parked. Only 10,166 were ever made and they sold for $3,276.00 Nathan Hale Bozeman, Montana
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The Tank Car The man who owns this car refers to it as his "Outrageous Hot Rod." Randy Grubb originally built the car for a friend. It was crude by most standards and needed work done in all areas. This was a project with potential beyond what any man could ever wish for. Its fate was placed in the hands of a trusted and talented friend, Bernard Juchli, who has built many winning race cars throughout his illustrious career.
The guts of this car comes from a 2,100 pound, AV-790-5B tank engine originally designed for a M-47 Patton tank. This V-12 engine cranks out 810 horse (equivalent to approximately five 350 cid Chevy engines). Juchli installed an Allison 6-speed transmission geared to generate 800-900 rpms at 80 mph. The torque on this beast is monstrous ... more than 1,500 ft-lbs requiring heavy-duty torsion bars to prevent the body from twisting upon acceleration. They also added a new electrical system and massive brakes to rein this beast in. This air-cooled, 16 foot long, 10,000 pound machine is truly the ultimate hot rod ! The man pictured with Jay is none other than David North of Billings, Montana who designed the world famous "Toronado." Jay Leno, Car Guy
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1961 Chevrolet Impala Finding a piece of junk. That's how Don Myers described this restoration project. With his knowledge of body work, Don was able to restore this '61 Impala in just two short years.
The restoration included a 350 crate engine coupled with a 3 speed overdrive, which makes for some great fuel economy.
A masterful paint job by Ron Henly and stunning interior work by Carol's Upholstery has made this an award winning show car. A rare bowtie hood release located just above the front license plate adds a special touch.
The Myers limit the amount of miles put on this beauty each year. They travel about 300 miles per year attending shows. it will never be in danger of becoming a "trailer queen." Don wanted a driver, something he and his wife could enjoy. Their delicate handling is sure to keep this car in showroom condition for years to come.
The bubble top Chevrolet is popular partly because its smooth lines give it both style and grace.
The car added a few inches and pounds beginning with the 1959 models. They were seven inches wider and about 300 pounds heavier than their predecessor. In 1961, the Impala's styling went in a new direction under the leadership of William L. Mitchell who replaced the retiring Harley Earl in 1958. Don & Georganne Myers Billings, Montana
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1947 Nash Coupe The Nash automobile has had a very colorful past beginning with its debut in 1918. A man known as "Crusty" Charles W. Nash was president of General Motors, when he retired to build his own car, the Nash. The company he purchased in Kenosha, Wisconsin, produced a lackluster car called "Jeffory."
During 1947, there were 101,000 cars made. The Nash was the 10th in the nation. Profits were considered high. The decision was made to drop the 8 cylinder and concentrate on their proven 6 cylinder engine. George Mason, Nash's successor, knew a merger was the only way to guarantee their survival. Companies mentioned for merger were Hudson, Studebaker and Packard ... all now relegated to history and kept alive through restoration.
Dale's acquisition of this car was pure serendipity ... Dale had land for sale and a man had this Nash. The swap was completed in 2007 making both men very happy. The restoration was accomplished using a chassis, engine, transmission and rear end from a 1965 Rambler Station Wagon. Frank Momenson of Sheridan, Wyoming, did the conversion including body, paint, upholstery and mechanical. New, this car sold for $1,415. Dale Milligan Columbus, Montana
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1967 Ford Galaxie XL A couple of years after Sandy and Roy got married, they bought a '68 Galaxy XL GT 428 cid, 4 - speed, white interior with bucket seats and a console. The car was all red with a gold stripe at midline -- full length. It is a gorgeous car and fun to drive. They kept it until the twins were born and then, with three girls in tow they jumped into life.
Looking ahead in time when their kids were on their own, they got to thinking how fun it would be to have a car like that again. Many sales and shows later, they came across this car at a weekly Saturday McDonalds Car Show (billed as the longest continuous weekly car show in the nation) in Scottsdale, Arizona. They looked at the car and thought it wasn't quite what they wanted (a '67, not a '68) and left. A few miles down the road, they looked at each other and decided they better go back and get serious! IT WAS GONE.!
The following Saturday, they returned to the show on the chance the car might be there again. IT WAS! After looking at the car again and getting as much info from the sellers they could, they told him they wanted to look at it in the daylight and if it looked as good as it does at night, they would take the car. It did and they did.
Their car was purchased new July,1967 in Winsted, Connecticut, and was passed to a son in Alanta, Georgia. It was then purchased by a collector in Phoenix who specialized in Fleetwood cadillacs (his parents had a Galaxie XL exactly like it) and they were in the right place at the right time when he ran out of space.
They got a lot of enjoyment from showing the car. Most people just look and then walk on. From time to time, however, it registers with someone that less than 1000 miles per year of it's life and is completely original with the exception of the top of one fender that had to be repainted due to an unfortunate incident with battery acid.
They have received many trophies, but the one they liked the most is the one they received from the Sports Depot Cruise in Manhattan, Montana. Of all the cars in the show, it was chosen "most likely to experience a romatic encounter." Roy thought Sandy might be upset about this, however her and her girl friends keep wanting to take the car out for the evening.....hmmmmmmmm
There were only 18,174 manufactured. They sold for $3,243 new and weighed in at 3,594 pounds. Roy R. & Sandra Rose Livingston, Montana
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1970 1/2 Chevrolet Z 28 Camaro Beauty and the Beast best describes this muscle car of the '70s. Scott found this car in 1998 on a back street in Laurel, Montana. This is the 17th, 1962 to 1970 Camaro Scott has restored. The comical part is that he is a Lincoln automobile dealer, which makes his friends ponder his magical attraction to the Camaro. he simply replies, as so many of have before, "it's just an old love affair."
Every Wednesday evening for the past 16 years, you can find Scott working on a Camaro restoration. A lot of close friendships have evolved around the barbecues hosted on Restoration Wednesday's. They have chewed up tons of ribs -- and scraped a few knuckles -- all in the interest of the Camaro and camaraderie.
A close friend, Jimm Greer, did the body, paint and upholstery. The Z28 has matching numbers with an LT-1 350 cid engine producing 360 bhp. The transmission is a M-21 4-speed with a 12 bolt Positraction rear end. the ultimate sports car for GM was the Camaro Z28. Production figures reached 112,323 and the list price was just under $2,900.00 The car had a curb weight of around 3,190 pounds. Scott & Marcie Smith Billings, Montana
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1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS GM produced just 63,006 of the 1967 Chevelle Super Sport (SS) muscle cars, creating a legacy that carries on to this day. Chevrolet marketing coined the phrase "quick size" when they referred to the Chevelle. Its handling ability made it nimble in the corners and it would stop on a dime, as they say. The 396 cid SS had many new safety features like a new shock absorbing steering column and push button seat belt releases for both front and rear. They also created smooth contoured levers and dash knobs to prevent injury in an accident. The face lift kit for the '67 was subtle and refined for a lean aerodynamic forward look. Tom found this car in Missouri for sale through a Classic car Sales office in Nebraska. It's 100% stock and in excellent condition with the ID/Warranty plate intact. This car is a driver, yet it's super clean. Only a hand full of cars out there have never been driven in the rain--this happens to be one of them. When this car was new, it sold for $2,825 ... or about $.83 per pound. Tom Lala Sheridan, Wyoming
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1934 Ford 3-Window Coupe When we look at a street rod, we all have a different picture in our mind. It usually relates back to the time when we were young. Maybe this is what really keeps us young at heart. Ken is a car guy through and through. Time doesn't diminish that feeling just because a gray hair may show up. Perfection would be the way to describe the work Ken does.You see the details when you look at his collection.
The Street Rod you are looking at is a 1934 3-window coupe, one of the most sought after classics of all time. It has a Kugel independent front suspension with disk brakes. As an added touch Ken upholstered Ford Bronco front seats.
This, by the way, was the first car Ken ever owned. It was his main form of transportation for his first two years of college. many of us have wondered what ever happened to our first car.....Ken knows.
Ken is a professional automotive painter who started back in the days when he was a teenager. He painted this 1934 red and then added orange pears for a stunning appearance. It runs down the roar with a 427 Chevy engine, turbo 400 transmission and a Corvette rear end. The restoration took years --- not uncommon timing when you build a dream. Ken & Dilys Neibauer Billings, Montana
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1970 Plymouth Magnum Cuda Ed Randash is a true Mopar guy who has a flair for perfection when it comes to the restoration of his favorite Dodge cars. What he has done for this 1970 Plymouth Magnum Cuda is nothing short of the impossible. He has taken this Cuda to an entire new level of excitement. "Famous Dave Frank" of Bunzie's Rod Shop in Billings, MT had accrued 1800 hours of build time for this project. It was built from a 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 6.1 Hemi 5 speed automatic.It has an Altercation tubular front end. It has Custom Wildwood powder disk brakes on all wheels.The rear end is 8 3/4 inch with 4 link and adjustable coil over shocks. It uses 20 inch Dub wheels and directional tires with TPMS. Both the front and rear glass has been flush mounted with the drip rails shaved, the bumpers both front and rear have been narrowed.
He installed a Dodge Magnum dash, seats, center consol, climate control with electric windowed and door locks. In addition to the intermittent wipers it has a tire pressure monitor system and air bags. All of its electronics and wiring were transferred from Magnum to the Cuda. A custom engine cover, front and rear spoilers were added. This Cuda is an award winner with "Goodguys". Ed & Linda Randash, Billings, Montana
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1930 Model ACoupe Close friends and co-workers often can be the best source for locating the car of our dreams. This was true in the case of the '30 Model A Coupe. Vern wanted an old car to fix up. Perhaps his father or grandfather had owned one in the past. His co-worker's mother had a '30 Model A that, much to her dismay, none of her children wanted.
When he first saw the condition of the car, he shook his head. He knew the car was worth less than he offered, but he wanted it. His offer was rejected outright. His desire out weighed his concern for the cost. He upped the offer and trucked the car back to Montana.
The frame off restoration took more than four years to complete. Vern wanted this car to be as authentic as possible, right down to the 24 1/2 horse power motor and the three speed transmission. He was able to find everything that he needed. It was as if Henry Ford was handing him the keys to a brand new car.
Vern did the upholstery and trusted the paint to Everlast. This stunner has appeared in dozens of shows and has won a total of 60 trophies to date. Style was key to the designers of the '30s. They reduced the size of the wheels by two inches and added larger tires to lower the car. The gas filler remained on the newly designed cowl in front of the windshield for a smoother appearance. Vern & Irene Johnson, Bozeman, Montana
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1965 Chevrolet Corvair Ron Hill, a GM designer, made major changes to the '65 Corvair. The lines he applied were sleeker and highlighted the pillarless hardtop as in the Italian sports cars. This Monza has a true independent suspension that allows for superior driving performance. Years ago, Mark and Kathi owned a Corvair. They loved it. That affection lingered for years. On a warm Sunday afternoon they were on a typical afternoon outing. They spotted this '65 Corvair that had been parked in one spot for so long, it was taking root. The paint was faded, the tires were flat and the sun had destroyed the interior. They really wanted this sweet thing.
With no one home, they took a chance and left a note on the door. When the owner returned home, he told them to come back and pick it up. They were truly surprised. Three years and a total restoration later, the car is a gem. Mark did the body and paint. Harolds Upholstery of Billings did the interior. It still has the flat, 6 cyl engine 110 bhp with a factory automatic. Only 88,954 of these cars rolled off of the assembly line in 1965. They retailed for $2,347.
Mark & Kathi are thrilled to have this beautiful little car that's fun to drive and has so many unique qualities. Mark & Kathi Tronstad, Billings, Montana
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1963 Mercury Comet Convertible
This 1963 Mercury Comet Convertible remains completely stock dating back to 1962 when it was new. Like many owners, Robert Eggebrecht traded it for another car. In the spring of 1991, he was looking through a local junkyard for parts and found this old convertible. That's right. It was the same convertible he had purchased some thirty years earlier. It showed the ravages of time, but was still in one piece and, more importantly, it was restorable. He took it home and started to work on it. Soon it became apparent that the restoration was going to cost more than he could afford.
In 2001, Dan Koch bought the '63 from Robert Eggebrecht and began the daunting task of a full restoration . Dan rebuilt or replaced everything on the Comet. It has the original 6 cyl. ,170 cc engine with the Dagenham 4-speed transmission and factory 3.50:1 gears. Custom interior, carpets and a convertible top combined with all new chrome was just the start. The paint color was kept the original "Carnival Red." Dan added electronic ignition, a Holly carb, baby moon wheels and many extras to make it his own. Dan and Jeanette enjoy driving and attending car shows in their iconic 60's Comet. K.Dan & Jeanette Koch, Laurel, Montana
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1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport This 1971 Chevrolet "Chevelle Super Sport" was a mean muscle car developed during the 1970s. This car was in the category of "I just gotta have one." The man or women who lived for and loved extreme performance, felt right at home behind the wheel, whether it was on the drag strip or burnin' the point on the main drag. It was all about the horse power.
This car has a 383 stroker with a 100 shot of nitrous that can be applied if ever needed. The transmission is a tubro 350 coupled with a 12-bolt posi traction rear end. This power train has less than 600 miles on it. It has a "rev" limited with a BNM shifter complete with a lookout on the front. There is a computer chip installed to regulate the engine along with the Nitrous Oxide. The interior is in excellent condition with a rust free body. More than $34,000 was invested with this frame off restoration.
It's an age old story. A person puts in their blood, sweat and tears into a car and then must sell it for personal reasons. This is how this car landed on the block of a classic car auction in 2005. It has been an award winner at many shows throughout the country. Seanesy Gray, Billings, Montana
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1931 White Bus A piece of our history has been preserved for others to enjoy with this 1931 Yellowstone Park Bus. This would have to be termed 99% original for those who study the past. Bus # 361 was repainted to its original yellow in 2004 for the Centennial Celebration of Old Faithful Inn. Historical records show this bus delivered passengers in 1931 when the Inn was only 27 years old. Eight buses were made for the Yellowstone Park Company, all still exist today. The new enclosed buses proved so popular that the wealthy would pull strings just to ride in them through the park. This 14 passenger bus has four long brown real leather seats, four doors on the passenger side and only one door on the drivers side.The floor and running boards are covered with tan linoleum. The tan canvas roof was designed to roll back, giving tourists an open view of the park. North Star Body & Trailer Repair completed the new paint job and Jerry Weitz crafted the upholstery. We owo a lot to people like Bruce Austin who understand the value and importance of preserving the treasures of Yellowstone National Park. Bruce Austin Nye, Montana
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1929 Ford Highboy Roadster
A Highboy 1929 Ford Roadster like this one is meant to be driven. That is exactly what Rich & Sue enjoy doing. They live in a part of Montana surrounded by tall mountain peaks and lush green forest. The only problem they encounter is that the summers are just not long enough !
This Highboy was built during the winter of 1989 -90 in southern California by "Magoo", a respected car builder who is retired and enjoying the good life.
This car was bought and sold five times over a span of just a few years. Rich was able to contact all five previous owners and document his car's history.
It traveled the nation ... from California to New York, back to California, on to Minnesota, North Dakota and finally, Montana.
She's had a few modifications to the fuel and electrical system, and louvers were added to the hood. Of course paint chips are always an issue on a "driver", but that's a small price to pay. This Highboy is equipped with a Chevy 350 cid and a Turbo 350 automatic transmission.
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1936 Buick Sedan Did you ever wonder what the neighbors may think when they see you dragging an old car home with the lower four inches rusted away ? Ask jay, that was the condition of this '36 Buick when he brought it home in 1985 - a recommendation from their local paperboy.
Restoration was a daunting seven year task. He did all the work himself. When you tackle a frame-off restoration and have to fabricate you own metal, you learn the hard way. Body, paint and everything but the interior, which he farmed out to Sea-Tac Auto Upholstry of Seattle.
The 350 small block Chevy with an automatic transmission came from a Nova that had plunged over a cliff. When you promise something special, she won't let you forget it. jay told his daughter that if he ever won a first place trophy, the car would be hers. He was chewing on those words as he watched his daughter, Nikki, load up his prize winning Buick in the back of a trailer and move it from his home in Seattle back to Montana. She loves the car and it has become a part of the family. "Thanks owed" to a loving Dad who kept his word.
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1972 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup The year was 1969 when Brian's father was growing up. Like many young men, he was cruising around in his prized possession - a Chevy pickup. He told his son that someday his old truck would belong to him - it happened sooner than he thought. One day his "pride and joy" was driving his "pride and joy." A few years later, Brian spotted a 1972 short box Chevy in Nashville, TN. Someone spent many thousands of dollars and countless hours in a frame off restoration. When you examine a classic in depth, the trained eye looks for flaws in the most unlikely places. There were none. This pickup is not just for show, it's for a driver to enjoy, which simply adds to the fun. Power comes from a 350 small block with an automatic transmission and a 373 rear end. The Chevrolet short box pickup remains a collector's top choice for both investment purposes as well as personal appeal to the true truck enthusiasts. When the first V-8 was introduced to the Chevrolet line of pickups, the year was 1955. American culture was changing at a rapid pace. Shops specializing in restoration and customizing had become a big business.
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1957 Chevrolet BelAir 2 Door Post One of the most popular cars of the '50's has become the classic of choice for many enthusiasts. These cars have activated the lure and appeal of a generation that today has made this one of the most popular classics ever. Who knows just what it is - the classic fins, bullet nose cones on the bumper or just overall styling in general. Perhaps it is a combination of style and performance. this beauty has a big block 454 with a 750 Holly carb. Couple that with a 6-speed and 373 gears and you are pumping out over 425 bhp, so fasten your seat belts and hold on for the ride of your life.! This car retained its heavy chrome bumpers and trim that it came with. Bill commissioned a fantastic flame job to J&C Body of Butte, Montana. A beautiful interior was added by Gotcha Covered Upholstery, also of Butte, who designed it to match the outside flames. Bill's youngest son has laid claim to his dad's car. No wonder!
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1937 Ford Slant Back The 1937 Ford was a real trendsetter. It led the way by streamlining the body to reduce air resistance for better gas mileage. This car was pro-built by Sam Foose, father of Chip Foose of "Foose Wheels" and the popular "Overhaulin" television program. This is an excellent "driver" hot rod. The car is all steel with the exception of the hood sides. The body is pin straight and painted with a late 1990 Cadillac green. The original frame has been fully boxed in with square cross members added. They installed a Mustang II sub frame with 11 inch powder disc brakes for added stopping power. The engine is a ZZ4/350 with aluminum heads producing 350 bhp. A classic brass radiator was added for cooling along with powder coated headers and a Flomaster for the exhaust system. The transmission is a turbo 350 automatic with a Currie rear end. The electrical is supported by a 160 amp alternator with dual batteries to run the doors, windows, hood and trunk. Additional power was also needed for the 400 amp equalizer with its 14 speakers (mostly hidden) and the AM/FM Cassette 6-CD changer. Rounded door corners, Bear Claw latches and '48 frenched tail-lights add beauty to this stunning machine. The interior is leather and tweed and features 6-way power seats from a late model T-Bird. The steering column is from GM. It has a beautiful hand-painted wood grain dash with VDO gauges and a power retractable license in the rear. This car is a professionally built, turn key and just plain gorgeous.
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1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Ron purchased this 1961 Corvette in Huntington Long island, New York, in 1963. It was in excellent condition. Now that he had this beautiful car, all that was missing was the beautiful women to ride around in it. Ron asked Maureen to marry him in the 'Vette ..... she agreed and the picture was complete.
After their marriage in 1965, they drove the car to Miami Beach, Florida, for their honeymoon. The Vette and their marriage are both classics of today.
The car is a true survivor ---- everything is original, including the Jewel Blue paint, which was only used on the '61s. It is equipped with a 283 cid 230 bhp engine and Powerglide transmission. An optional power top was added when it was purchased new. this car in considered a first generation Corvette. This year was the last with the external trunk and solid rear axel. The sports-car feeling is enhanced "elbow out the window" seating. '61 was also the first year for aluminum radiators and transmission cases along with a temperature control fan. The quality was at its peak in 1961, but started to slide in later years as GM started ramping up production to meet demand.
Only 10,939 were made and sold for $3,934. Ruppe's Corvette is truly a member of the family after 49 memorable years together. The family now lives in Hudson, Florida.
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1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible The 1966 Thunderbird became a proud moment for Ford. The styling was superb with its full width tail lights, cruise control and steering wheel buttons offered as a new option. In 1965 Clay and Joyce purchased this car sight unseen in Fayetteville, Ohio from its original owners. It was advertised in a newspaper by the Heartland Thunderbird Car Club.
Ford produced only 5,049 convertibles. Unique to this car was the 428 cid engine offered by Ford as an upgrade for a whopping $64. But the desirability of this car doesn't end there. It has red leather seats, Candy Apple red paint with a three tone red-on-red interior, and -- most important of all -- it has matching numbers.
It was a cold December day when they made the drive to Ohio to bring their new "honey" home in a trailor. A frame off restoration started in 2000 revealed major undercarriage damage from an earlier accident. This challenging restoration took a full five years to complete. Procraft Carstar did the body and paint work, Miller's Auto Interior did the upholstery; both business are located in Great Falls, Montana
Clay and Joyce have driven their honey to several Vintage Thunderbird Club Invitation Events where it now has senior car status. It sold new in Gary, Indiana for $4,734.23 and weighted in at 4, 496 pounds or about $1.05 per pound.
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1966 Ford Mustang Convertible Detroit enjoyed its greatest success in 1966 with the production of the incomparable Ford Mustang. It caused quite a stir .... housewives entering contests to win their dream car, truckers crashing thru showroom windows while gawking .... you get the picture. Demand exceeded supply by 15 to 1. This frenzy was the work of car designer and automotive phenom, Lee Iacocca.
In the midst of the fray, was Steve Solberg's father. He sold this handsome new car to a couple from Great Falls, MT who taught school. In the '70s the car was placed in storage where it remained for more than 30 years.
Steve's persistence in trying to buy this car paid off. He purchased the car from its original owners with a mere 64,000 miles on it. It needed a new top, upholstery and fresh paint, Springtime yellow. The car is equipped with a 6 cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. It produces 12 bhp. Ford sold this car for $2,653 and produced just 72,113 convertibles that year.
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1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Many years ago, Larry and Rhonda owned a car like the one you see above. Larry was carving out a future for himself and his new bride. That's when opportunity knocked in the form of a parcel of land that he simply could not pass up. He needed this property more than a car. The choice was tough. The car was sold. This car, which was the second love of his life, was gone but not forgotten. Many years later, they found a car similar to the one they had previously owned. This '65 Chevy had all matching numbers, a 327/300 hp engine, power windows, tilt steering wheel and power brakes. It was loaded. Larry retained the original color scheme, Evening Orchid with black leather interior. The graceful lines of the fastback were limited to the convertibles and the hardtop coupe models. This car features the SS emblems, bucket seats, and a central gearshift console with an optional tachometer. GM considers this SS to be the best performing Chevy in history, with its stiffer springs and shocks, 4-speed gear box and ultra quick power steering. Only 243,114 Super Sports were built making it a prized collectible. They weighed in at 3970 pounds and sold for $2,947 at the Detroit assembly plant for GM.
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1955 Chevrolet BelAir
Whenever a '55 Chevy BelAir goes by, heads turn, especially when it's a striking yellow like this show car. The ride in this car is one of the smoothest ever experienced. The deep pile carpet is pure white with the yellow Chevy "bow-tie" emblem sewn into it. The restoration time was a full two years. Rimrock Collision Center did the body and paint; Harolds Upholstery did the interior. Both businesses are from Billings, Montana. A professional frame off restoration made this car a contender on the show circuit. Features on this Chevy include: 454 big block, turbo 350 transmission, dual 500 cfm Edelbrock carbs, MSD electronic ignition, Dakota digital dash, power windows, Pioneer sound, LED tail lights. It also has braided stainless hoses, 9 inch Ford diff, disc brakes, air, keyless entry, remote entry, white leather interior and many more special items.
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1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible
What better way to enjoy life than cruising along with the top down on one of the most coveted convertibles, the '67 Pontiac GTO. Ed always wanted a "goat" from his days in High School. He had the itch but not the scratch. With a family to raise, the dream would have to just remain just that. For a while.
Ed worked hard to build a successful business. When he spotted this 1967 on the Internet, he convinced his brother-in-law to fly to California with him to check it out. He was pleasantly surprised, the car was exactly as advertised. The GTO Association of America has examined this car and determined it meets the judging standard for earning the Concours Gold Award.
This car has: 400 ci 360 bhp engine, hood tach, his & hers Hurst shifter, original bucket seats, Rally 1 wheels with wide oval red line, GM Gardner exhaust system, complete PHS documents, original Harris radiator, re-built factory gauges, original factory radio, all matching numbers. Only 9517 of these beauties were built. They sold for $3,165 new ... that's about $ .90 per pound. Ed & Marsha Neeriemer Sheridan, Wyoming
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1965 Mercury 100 Pickup
Powerful and smooth. The 1965 Mercury 100 rides like a car with its Twin I Beam front suspension. There are two front axles --- a shock felt on one wheel is not transferred to the other. This has helped Mercury eliminate the dipping and diving associated with sudden stops. This rare truck has Mercury's new 352 cid V-8 engine with a factory Positraction rear end. Mike added the factory tri-power carburetors with the Mercury air cleaner, power steering and power disc brakes. Very few came with an automatic and the custom trim package. This package consisted of a custom cab, gauge package, tinted glass and chrome reversible bumpers front and rear. Another interior item was the zippered door pockets. Mike added the tuck and roll white leather to the roof. The rarity of this original truck has made it a true collector's item. It has won top awards at every show that it has been entered in.
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1927 Cadillac Touring Car This 1927 Cadillac was one of eight purchased by the Glacier Park Transport Company, which succeeded the Glacier Park transportation Company in 1927. These cars were purchased with the intent to gain publicity for the touring operations in Glacier National Park and Waterton International Peace Park. they hoped this would help attract the President of The United States to visit the park. Correspondence in the park archives indicates they had been successful in achieving a Presidential visit. The owner of GPT Co., Howard Hays, had influential friends in the Park Service and with the railroads. All of their efforts paid off when Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his family toured the park in August of 1934.
This car, and seven others like it, were used for the Presidential visit; only four of the cars have survived. This one remains its original color, Ripe Mountain Ashberry. This was the Presidents favorite color and was used for the park fleet. This car was removed from the park service in 1950 and later sold to the heir of the park company. It spent the next 55 years as an event car for Glacier national park. In 2005, a non-profit educational Montana public service company, The Jammer trust, was organized to preserve vehicles such as these for future generations.
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1946 Ford Pickup
Tell a man that you just can't do this and then stand back and watch.! ! ! This pickup owner proved it could be done. We all agree it is a Ford, however is it more Mustang or More Pickup.? A 1998 GT Mustang 4.6 V-8 Front clip was covered using the hood and front fenders from his 1946 Ford pickup. The complete power train had to be extended 13 inches. The Ford GT dash was used but had to be shortened 12 inches on each side yet he was able to use the GT gauges, Mach 1 stereo sound system with AM/FM CD radio and air conditioning. A give-a-way happens to be the Mustang wheels. He used a Green Titanium paint accented with black trim. This was created in his garage doing all the work without hiring any outside help. His wife dubbed it a "pick-tang" for the first three years. As more Mustang parts were added to the '46 she decided it should be called a "mus up". It took about 9 years and 3 months to complete working 3 days per week.
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1970 Buick Grand Sport Convertible
The beautiful 1970 Buick Grand Sport qualifies as a survivor and is one of the very best preserved cars that I have seen. Jim purchased this car new off the showroom floor when he returned from overseas duty in the military. He also acquired a new love by the name of Sylvia, whom he married in 1972. This car was their only transportation and served them well in the early years for work, play, and moonlight drives with the top down. They knew they wanted to keep this car and placed it in storage for many years. It does get a chance to enjoy the sunshine for a few days each summer. Actual miles on this convertible are only 3,800 miles and still has the original bias red line tires which appear new. The top is dark brown to match the interior as well as the exterior. Jim & Sylvia drive it about 100 miles each year -- just enough to ensure that this Buick will be in their family for many generations to come. This Buick is a stage one. It has a 451 cid engine, a high lift cam and a quadrajet carburetor. Everything is heavy duty including the function air scoops. The 360 bhp engine delivers 510 foot pounds of torque to the rear wheels. When GM came out with the saying "light your fire", they really did do it right. Only 1,416 were made in 1970. They retailed for $3,469.00
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1970 Pontiac GTO - The Judge
When you lose a car that was a large part of your life, you lose a little bit of yourself with it. Loren purchased his "Judge" new when he graduated from UW in Madison, Wisconsin. Ten years and three children later, his "Judge" pulled a trailer from Wisconsin to Wyoming. In 1980 he was forced to sell his "Judge," something he refers to as a huge mistake. In 2005, he began to search for his original car, to no avail. He did, however stumble upon a restoration shop in Nebraska that specialized in GTOs. The shop owner knew of a GTO body in fair shape in Arizona. Loren jumped on it the very next day and made arrangements to have it shipped to Nebraska for a frame off restoration. He located a rebuilt GTO 455 cid engine, 4-speed transmission and a Posi 3.55:1 rear end along with new suspension. An Edelbrock 850 carburetor and manifold to help generate more than 390 bhp. The interior and paint were designed to match his original in "Grenada Gold." The owner of the car said, and I quote, "There is no doubt that I am trying to "relive" my college days, it's fun! Driving a "classic" makes me feel young again. All the work and money is well worth it when you get a thumbs up from a stranger." A special thanks to Loren's son-in-law for his technical advice on rebuilding options, even though he is a Mopar guy. Only 3,269 Judge Coupes were made and they sold for $3,500. This is truly "Old School Muscle."
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1929 Ford Tudor
If Henry Ford were around today to see what we have done to his beloved '29 Ford, he would be amazed. through the years, the "Tudor" has been changed in a thousand different ways. they have been made into trucks, snow coaches, dune buggies, and rat rods ..... just to mention a few. In this case , an LSA Corvette engine with 375 bhp was installed and making it look like it belonged there. A 700R4 transmission was added with a 9 inch Ford differential, making this truly a street rod to recon with. This application has left many shaking their heads wondering how they fit it in where they did. Barbara wanted this to be an award winning street rod. that's just what she got. The body work was done by Wally Norley, Butte; upholstery by Kirk Grantham, Billings; paint by Jamie Loehr of Anaconda, Montana. The total restoration has taken just under four years to complete. Barbara Dickinson, Butte, Montana
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1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible It's not unusual for a car enthusiast to take on a monumental task, one from which others would shake their heads, shrug their shoulders and walk on. Many of our spouses do just that ... shake their heads and wonder what we are thinking. They are also the first to cry "Shotgun" when the task is complete. A farmer had this car stored for more than 20 years in a barn. It was a total basket case. Ray had to take it down to the bare frame to begin the restoration. Nine years and untold hours brought this beauty back to life ... and what a beauty it is.
It has a 348 cid Turbo thrust V-8 tri-power with a power glide transmission that tosses out 315 bhp. This car has full power assessories plus a Wonderbar radio and a continental wheel kit. Tom's Body Shop of Grand Forks, No. Dakota., did the body and paint; Queen City Upholstery of Dickinson, No. Dakota; completed the interior.
Impala served as Chevrolet's only convertible. It came all dressed up with fender skirts, white wall tires, color coded door panels and steering wheel. Brand spanking new this gem would set you back about $2,841.00
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1932 Plymouth PB Coupe Beauty and craftsmanship go hand-in-hand with this 1932 Plymouth PB three-window coupe. The car was resurrected from a farm in western Massachusetts and was in pretty rough shape. After harvesting parts for many years, the 12-year-long restoration began. The car was built by Lazer Automotive in Granby, Mass., by Chuck Lofand, Leo Martin and John Cook. The old frame was damaged; new rails were fabricated from the firewall forward boxing both front and rear and adding a 6 inch dropped front axel. John's friend, Charlie Strand, found a 392 Hemi in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The engine was rebuilt by Dutcher Automotive in Greenfield, Mass. Bob Walker owner of Hot Heads in North Carolina, helped supply the needed parts including his High Rise Manifold. The valve covers are replica Donovans and were a birthday gift from his wife Charlotte. It has a 9-inch Ford 3:70 Posi rear end with a 727 tourque plate transmission. Scotts Sheetmetal of Chicopee, Mass., made the 19 gallon stainless steel tank. Ed Ruggeri crafted all the stainless items; John gave them the final polish. Wood body parts were replaced with steel, Masserati bucket seats were covered with Ultra Leather by Bill Newth of Springfield, Mass. Prior to painting with a Dupont Merlot red base, the body was coated with epoxy primer then recieved cool car undercoating. This car has been driven more than 14,000 miles in the last three years. They trailer it behind their motor home and drive it at their various stops accross the nation.
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1968 Dodge Coronet R/T Convertible Only a convertible can offer you the freedom of the road, the wind in your hair and the warmth of the sun for an experience unlike any other. This is the feeling Doug and Paula look forward to when they go cruising in this classic Dodge convertible. Doug acquired this car in 1994 and took four years to complete the restoration and make it his own.
The body and paint were done by Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting of Billings. Jim's Upholstery and did a superior job on the interior making this a true show piece.
The 1968 Coronet R/T was revised to make it the best looking mid-sized Dodge yet. The body was rounded like a fuselage, long and low. It ranked among 1968,s quickest and most roadworthy performance machines to become part of the "Scat Pack." This car remains a top choice for car collectors. The price remains at a premium for a convertible. These cars sported an enlarged 273 ci engine that produced 275 bhp. Only 10,849 were built and they sold for $3,613 .... just a mere $1.00 per pound.
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1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 The Mach 1 Mustang fastback coupe is one of the most coveted of all muscle cars. This candy apple red beauty has a history that is bound in a storied past. It has survived two divorces and a 351 Winsor engine with Ram Air induction that never received a bath and had to be taken apart and rebuilt to factory specs. This car remained in storage for ten years. A Ford 999 report confirmed that the matching numbers on this car were indeed correct. With a little TLC, this car earned "Wyoming Muscle Car of the Year" for 2006 at the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous Car Show in Riverton, Wyoming. The 1969 Mustang, with its longer nose, quad headlights, and a seven inch longer body than its predecessor made for a very significant upgrade. Built on a 108 inch wheelbase, it weighed in at 3,175 pounds. Only 72,458 rolled off of the assembly line and retailed for a whopping $3,139.00
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1948 Mercury Convertible
Edsel Ford created the Mercury in 1939 to fill a special place in the Ford Motor Company line up. Production had a rocky start with World War II looming on the horizon. By 1942, Mercury, along with other car manufacturers, ceased production for the war effort. Production resumed in 1946. By the time this car was built in 1948, sales approached 7,586 convertibles. This car sold for $2,002.00. Oldsmobile,s similar car sold for $2,003.00 and the Dodge was $2,189. This was the price range that Edsel Ford wanted to compete in. This car has a colorful history. Jimmys parents, Art & Marlene were married in this car before selling it in 1954 or '55. By 1974, Jimmy's father got word that the car was in a boneyard 450 miles away in Glendive, MT by the North Dakota border. Art paid $700 to retrieve it. The car was in rough shape. It took a frame-off restoration that lasted for nearly 20 years, Art, the dad along with his sons Jimmy & Jason and a good friend David Kemp completed the work to make it a dream come true. The original Maize Yellow was created and looks stunning under the black convertible top. Don Lennox of Billings did the tuck and roll naugahyde interior to match the paint. The 239 cid engine with 100 bhp and "three on the tree" transmission are still part of this beautiful automobile.
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1956 Ford F-100 Pickup
Ford scored a big one with the 1956 F-100. It proved to be an instant success among pickup fans. The buying public spoke when they referred to its styling calling it solid, well built body, rugged, yet it appealed to women. When they moved the front axel back, it gave it the appearance of being nose heavy. Safety was a major concern, so in 1956, they made major changes to prevent government regulations from taking effect. They added a collapsible steering column, double grip door latches, a new wrap-around windshield and a twelve-volt electrical system. The restoration consisted of a frame-off rotisserie, low car floor shifter with a no-limit chrome dash. The engine was a crate 392 cubic inch on a Mustang II front suspension. A C-4 overdrive transmission, tilt forward hood with a diamond plated box bed was a must. A chrome tilt steering column, VDO gauges, bucket seats with a M/T Classic II polished wheels sporting ultra touring tires, four inch wider rear fenders make this a real show truck. They then added a new designed console and used a Russ Francis wiring harness.
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1970 Plymouth Superbird The Superbird of the 70s earned its wings when Richard Petty won eight major victories in just one year. They were designed for the NASCAR racing circuit. There were only 1,920 Birds ever built. The cars built for the racetrack were slightly modified with roll bars welded to the frame for protection at high speeds. On the racetrack, they would run up to 220 mph. Street-legal Birds topped out at around 140 mph. Its speed was proven when Pete Hamilton averaged 150 mph to beat every Dodge and Ford.
Both on and off the track, they all used bias ply tires with inner tubes. The rear wing was adjustable to prevent the tires from shredding with too much down force.
The Superbirds accounted for 21 of 38 Grand National wins in 1970. This car was purchased at a Silver Auction in Idaho in 1996 from the original owner, who purchased it new while living in California. When he went out to look the car over after the auction, he found the husband and wife in the car crying. He asked them if they were happy or sad regarding the sale. Their reply was “both.” The only item ever added to this car was an ARA air conditioner hanging below the dash. This low-mileage car is equipped with a 440 engine and a 4-barrel carb. The engine produces 390 bhp, has a 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic with an added torque converter and 323 gears in the rear.
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1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409
A yellow convertible on a warm summer evening, a beautiful girl beside you and the wind blowing through your hair - it doesn't get any better than that. The history of this car was relayed to me by Wayne is a classic all by itself. In 1967, when Wayne was just 19, he saved every penny, nickel and dime for the day he could purchase his "409". This car was sold in Cody, Wyoming, to a policeman, who years later sold it to Gordon Tomlinson, a friend of Wayne's. Gordon sold it to Wayne with one stipulation... he had three months to pay the $1400 asking price before he (Gordon) left for Vietnam. Working three jobs, Wayne still needed $200, which his buddy Lyle Jones loaned him at the last minute. In 1984, the 409 had about 133,000 miles on it. Wayne decided to park it in hopes of restoring it in the furure. Twenty two years later the restoration began and took more than 2 1/2 years. He employed Clint Patterson of Clint's Classic Restoration, in Glendive, Montana to restore his "409". Albert Allan of Richland upholstery, Fairview, ontana , installed the top and also all the interior work. Don Whitcomb, a master mechanic from Billings, rebuilt the "409" engine, M-21 Muncie 4-speed and the 4:11 posi rear end. This car has all matching numbers and retains its 204 barrel carbs. His wife Laurie has given him 100% support in building this car - and also kept writhing the checks needed so that we could complete it. A very special thanks to the "Badlands drifters Car Club" of Glendive, Montana, who made all this possible. Wayne & Laurie Bauer, Billings, Montana
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1969 Dodge Charger “The General Lee”
Watching the Dukes of Hazzard on television has inspired many kids to want to be like them. More importantly, that someday you will have the chance to own and drive the General Lee. This dream came true for Gabriel in 2004 when he purchased this 1969 Dodge Charger. It was a mess when he acquired it. But a mere four years later, the restoration was finished, complete with the Dixie horn just as in the show. His four year old son calls it the du,du,dut,du car for the sound that the horn makes. As for the license plate, it reads “YEEHA 01.” This Dukes of Hazzard Tribute sports a 383 big block, 4 speed transmission and 8 3/4 inch posi rear end. It has custom interior with a 01 and rebel flag embroidered in the seat and door panels. The bush pusher is home made. Gabriel & Teresa Hink, Billings, Montana
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1933 Buick Sedan Series 60
Buick has a long and storied history. A pioneer in the car market that blazed its way into the hearts of the American family for the next 90 years and still going strong. The 1933 Buick Victoria was to be one of the most elegant cars produced for its time. Featured in the book Hot Rods & Classics by Duane Demars on page 58. This car was sold new in Odgen, Utah in 1933. When you take on the task of restoration on a car this old, parts and trim can be very hard to come by. And yes, this car was rebuilt to 1933 factory specifications which included a coat rack behind the front seat as well as a "bud vase" for your flowers. This all steel car would prove its worth in the years to come.
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1929 Ford Model A
The secret to building a street rod is to make it different than anything you have ever dreamed of in your lifetime. Take a step back in time to the 1981 U.S. Nationals in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This street rod was judged good enough to qualify as one of the top 10 in the entire United States. It is cars like this that set the standard for the best there is to offer in restoring and rebuilding the classics for many years to come.
This 1929 Ford Model A with its 5-inch chopped top is a far cry from the days when it rolled off Mr. Ford's assembly line. The engine is a 327 cid Chevy with a 400 automatic transmission coupled with a 9-inch Ford rear end. The front end has a Kugel independent suspension with disc brakes. The man who owns this classic purchased it in 1989, with the reputation of being one of the best painters in the area he gave it a stunning paint job. The Opal "Signal Green" was a very popular color in the 1980s. Drive this car in a parade and you will be sure to have heads turn only to dream of the day they will have their own classic.
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1966 Pontiac GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato)
General Motors launched this high performance family car in 1964 by chief designer David North, now retired and living in Billings, Montana. This car was to provide the excitement we needed in the '60s at a time when our boys and girls were returning from a very unpopular war. The 60s proved to be the start of the true muscle cars. The cost of a car was a big factor, about $.87 per pound compared to $10.78 today. For our returning men and women from overseas it was a car that they could afford. If you wanted a GTO equipped the way you wanted it, no problem. You could add the following to your basic car: floor shifter, 389 cid V-8, quick steering, stiff shocks, dual exhaust and premium tires all for about $300. A 4 speed gear box $188, Metallic brake lining, heavy-duty radiator and a no-slip rear end $75. Some people referred the Ferrari to the GTO, the Ferrari cost $20,000 and the Pontiac GTO $3,800. In a drag race the GTO would be the winner, the down side would be it would lose on a road course. When the '66 came out, the body had been extended 3 inches, the rear fenders had a "coke bottle" appearance along with smoother body lines. Vertical head lights would remain until the '67 production year. These cars have long been the choice for the serious car enthusiast who wants quality, styling and true performance for all occasions. Another important factor, as the family grew you did not have to deprive your self of your dream machine.
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1964 Ford Fairlane 500
This 1964 Ford 500 is all stock with matching numbers; 21,431 Sport Coupes were to come off the line in 1964. Only 4000 of them had the K-code. As we found out, only 110 have known to have survived. The color, Guardsman Blue is a true factory color. This car has a sportier trim, bucket seats, console and gauges. The engine is a Hipo 289 with a 4-speed top loader transmission and a 3:89 rear end. A Ford Hipo power plant will add about 1 bhp per 1 cubic inch of displacement. On the drag strip the Chevy 309 was great competition . This car was smooth yet with a lot of power and very good gas mileage.
From the day of Henry Ford, cars of this size have been the mainstay of the family home. It may have been a convertible, a station wagon or just a plain four door sedan. Detroit has come a long way from the 1940s when 50,000 miles were considered the maximum life for a car. By the 1960s, we were driving 100,000 miles, yet today 200,000 is not out of the question. It was about this time when a once-in-a-while car would come with electric windows and, yes, air conditioning. The tires were still bias ply with radial tires not very far away. A ride like this one sold for about $2,500 and gas was about 25 cents per gallon.
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2001 C-5 Corvette
An American dream come true. The Chevrolet Corvette is a true American sports car. The C5 featured a hydroformed box frame that offered an improved structural platform. They then moved the transmission to the rear of the car. This would form a rear mounted transaxel assembly. The engine is a 5.7 LS 7 with a 4-speed automatic. The top panel provides a clear vision to the stars and could be considered a semi convertible as it can be removed and placed in the rear compartment. I also have a Buick Park Avenue Ultra 3.8 turbo and this gets better gas mileage than the Vette. Yes, it will take some practice to learn how to get out of it. I remember the very first Corvette to be sold in Montana and wonder why I ever waited so long to own one.
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1968 Chevrolet Camaro "Super Sport"
A true classic, Camaro's don't go to the after life, they are given a second chance at life. Even a donor car will give life to another Camaro. General Motors would allow you to build your Camaro to match your life style. These are some of the changes you were allowed to make. Stiffer springs & shocks, D-17 Wide oval Tires, modified hood & insulation, bumble-bee nose strips and the ever popular "SS" emblem. You could add a 396 Big Block for another $400. Custom carpet along with bucket seats and a fold down back seat. A luxury interior with all the gauges and a console with a shifter for Turbo Hydra-Matic, heavy duty 3 speed or 4 speed manual. The Rally-Sport package added a hidden headlight grill for a $105 extra. Extras in 1968 were tinted glass, radio, heater, clock, cruise control and air conditioning. Want the time? Add a clock. Mechanical options were, sintered metallic brakes, vacuum brake booster with ventilated disc brakes power steering. If you wanted the steering used in race cars you could have Fast Rate manual steering. Positraction limited-slip differential and your choice of many axle ratios. The price could go from $2900 to $5000 in the blink of an eye.
With the 60s, Chevrolet responded to all the turmoil in our nation with a size and style car to fit every need, each car had distinct car lines. Unlike today, designers could be creative.
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1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air When General Motors designed the "Chevrolet Bel-Air" they hit the nail on the head. There had never been a car produced that would capture the buyers of all ages like the Bel-Air. It was a major departure from the body styles that would be the 49s through the early 54s. Looking back it was a very practical well built car with lots of leg room and would seat six adults. As the years would roll by the new term "aerodynamics" would start to rule the automotive design of all cars. It would be in the 60s that the personality would start to fade. Those of us who grew up in that area considered it the start of Classic Cars
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Bone Yards ... One Man's Trash
To the undiscerning eye, a bone yard is just a bunch of rusting vehicles --- dinosaurs from our not distant past. To the men and women bitten by the restoration bug, these sites are not unlike an archaeological dig. It is in these bone yards that they find the parts to reconstruct the hot rods and classics from the golden age of automobiles. The true car enthusiast sees beyond the dented fenders, broken glass and even past the rusted floor pans and rocker panels. He or she will go to great lengths to convince a spouse that "it's not as bad as it looks". Once the objections are overcome, there is no turning back. The restoration is under way. Visits to bone yards become routine, we scavenge for the perfect "donor" car. If we locate the right one, we will use as many parts as we can. Every part we find saves us money. It may be something as simple as a fender or a piece of chrome...a find is like winning the lottery. Bone yards come in all sizes, from a few cars to thousands. They are just located just over the rise or fifty miles from civilization. Some are easy to find, others, well that's a different story. Perhaps a cup of coffee and a casual inquiry in the local diner will elicit directions. Who knows ? It's all part of the quest to fulfilling a dream. A dream that began in a bone yard.
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1929 Ford Tudor
If Henry Ford were around today to see what we have done to his beloved '29 Ford, he would be amazed. Through the years, the "Tudor" has been changed in a thousand different ways. they have been made into trucks, snow coaches, dune buggies, and rat rods ..... just to mention a few. In this case , an LSA Corvette engine with 375 bhp was installed and making it look like it belonged there. A 700R4 transmission was added with a 9 inch Ford differential, making this truly a street rod to recon with. This application has left many shaking their heads wondering how they fit it in where they did. Barbara wanted this to be an award winning street rod. that's just what she got. The body work was done by Wally Norley, Butte; upholstery by Kirk Grantham, Billings; paint by Jamie Loehr of Anaconda, Montana. The total restoration has taken just under four years to complete. Barbara Dickinson, Butte, Montana
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1935 Ford Coupe
Togetherness would be one way to descrbe this 1935 Ford Coupe because two people had to sit so close together! Ford called the "The Universal Car." There wasn't any other car in the world used by as many people as the Ford. It gained its reputation as being the symbol of faithful service. This new model provided an improved ride along with new smooth body lines. It out sold all other cars produced in 1935 largely due to its performance driven 110 bhp Flathead V-8 engine. Speed could easily top 100 mph if you dared to drive it that fast. This was also the last year Ford would have external horns on their cars. You had to spend an extra $20 if you wanted the tudor trunk style over the fordor fast back. Production totals were over 87,326 for the year. When the owners purchased it in 1993, it was from a very good friend who needed the money more than the car he loved. This good friend, who later passed away, was a professional mechanic with a vision for building classics. Another good friend of the owners has adopted this car and takes it to shows for them. Keeping this car original has led to great excitement among car buffs.
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1932 Ford Roadster
This is what dreams are made of. This is a "Montana Fiber Teck Body" by Roger Krug. The great upholstery in this car was installed by Kirk's Upholstery located in Lockwood, Montana. Eric's Cylinder Service of Billings, Montana installed a 389 small block giving it all the power you will ever need. A 700R transmission was installed by Ron Struss of Big Sky Transmissions with a 8-inch Ford 373 posi rear end from Wes Nelson of Pro Fab Motor Sports. All Extra Chrome of Salt Lake City Utah did a great job producing show room chrome. The fabrication and assembly along with the paint by Reggie's Rod Shop, Reggie Dangerfield has 30 years as a primer body shop and "ROD" builder doing business in Billings, Montana.
The popularity of the '32 Ford roadster just keeps getting better. Age has nothing to do with it, 16 to 90 years we all love to get behind the wheel and cruise with the wind in our hair and an eye out for the local police patrols.
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1956 Ford F-100
This 1/2 ton Ford Pickup was one of the best success stories Ford ever envisioned.
Built with heavy gauge metal, no way can you dent these trucks with a kick to the body. If you can find one of these trucks today, I would pick it over a 2018 any day of the week. Yes it was basic with no electric windows, carpet or a fancy heater, but the truck was everything you would want.
For 1956, Ford introduced the "Wraparound" windshield. This was also the year that the interstate highway became connected to a nation wide 41,000 miles to travel. The stock 272 c.i. V-8 engine
offered 167 b.h.p. The way it was geared you never had a lack of power. A newly designed grill and dash it gave it a "Back To The Future" look. The truck you are seeing has become an award winner from paint to the drive train.
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1970 C10
In 2015 I purchased this 1970 C10. It had a Standard small block Chevy 350 that appeared old and used and covered in oil from leaky valve cover gaskets and who knows what else. The engine bay was yellow while the exterior paint was blue and the carburetor appeared older than me! I loved driving this truck and it quickly became my pride and joy. But after driving it for a year I quickly began to realize that the truck was lacking power and performance, so I began to transform the guts of this truck from mini to mighty. I began this journey by ripping every bit of the old Chevy 350 out and painting the engine bay black. I then purchased a small block Chevy 400 and had it bored 30 thousands over making it a virgin block. I then added a Crane Camshaft with .572 lift; transforming this engine to 406 cubic inches of basically a power-hungry gas guzzling motor begging to tear up some tires. After installing the engine, I also added a self-tuning Fitech EFI 600hp Throttle body for the finishing touch. My truck now glows both outside and under the hood thanks to some hard work and a little bit of elbow grease! Thanks, CMYRYD, for this opportunity to show off my pride and joy!
Zach Wallis
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1967 Cadillac Convertible
One of the greatest gifts a man can give his best friends is something they will truly love. That is exactly what Ed did when he purchased this pink Cadillac for his wife in 1995. One of the challenges we face as restorationists, is to make it our own. Ed is a master body and paint specialist, so customization wasn’t a problem. With Cadillac excellence in mind, Betty chose high quality leather, the color and the ornamentation. This car has won many a “women’s choice awards”. This car is the most sought after for parades in Butte, from high school events to the famed, annual Evel Knievel Days. It remains a symbol of the great Elvis Presley. Even Bruce Springsteen had a hit in 1984 with a “Pink Cadillac.” The styling was state-of-the-art with its forward racked grill and front fenders. New features on the ‘67 included the Mylar instrument cluster, automatic levelers and a telescoping steering wheel for driver comfort. A price of $5,639.00 made this car a favorite of the well-to-do. The factory produced 18,202 Cadillacs, that was considered a successful run by GM top management.
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1950 Ford Business Coupe
One of a kind mild custom coupe, the man & wife who own this car have put several hundred thousand miles on it. Before moving to Bozeman he was the President of a college in Florida. Upon retirement they decided to move to Montana where their children live. Ford only produced 35,120 making it one of the rarest collectible cars of the day. The new price at the time was only $1,333.00. The designers of the '50 Ford had creative an American icon in the world of classic cars. Trips to Montana and many car shows from coast to coast where it won many awards for a mild custom.
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1934 Ford Coupe
This beautiful green 1934 Ford Roadster is the result of many hours of dedicated detail to what was once a “farm fresh” project car. The price paid was $250 in 1968, which at that time, was considered to be a lot of money. All of the body work, upholstery and paint were completed by the owner, Tom McGarry and his wife Rita. This car had a complete, frame-off restoration, at which time a 302 V/8 was installed using a C-4 transmission and an 8-inch rear end. When Ford produced these cars, they ran over 100 mph with their new flat head engine. They are as popular today as they were then.
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1933 Buick Sedan Series 60
Buick has a long and storied history. A pioneer in the car market that blazed its way into the hearts of the American family for the next 90 years and still going strong. The 1933 Buick Victoria was to be one of the most elegant cars produced for its time. Featured in the book Hot Rods & Classics by Duane Demars on page 58. This car was sold new in Odgen, Utah in 1933. When you take on the task of restoration on a car this old, parts and trim can be very hard to come by. And yes, this car was rebuilt to 1933 factory specifications which included a coat rack behind the front seat as well as a "bud vase" for your flowers.
This all steel car would prove its worth in the years to come.
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1964 Pontiac "GTO"
GTO = Gran Turismo Omologato (Grand Tourer)
The GTO made its mark in automotive history. It was designed by Mr. David North, chief designer for General Motors for 33 years. David is now retired and living in his home town of Billings, MT. The car you are looking at is just as it came from the factory with its tri-power, only the wheels have been changed. GM was all a buzz with excitement for this new GTO, which attracted a younger buyer with its style, power, and performance on the roadways of our great nation. It was to become the first of what would be known as the "Muscle Cars" of the '60s. The GTO package included a 4-speed floor shift, 389 V-8 with Tri-Power, optional. Quick steering, stiff shocks, dual exhaust and premium tires. Metallic brake linings, limited slip rear end and a heavy duty radiator. The driver just had to supply the lead foot along with a lot of gas which sold for $.30 per gallon in '64. This GTO sold for about $3250 off the production line. If you find a GTO you will have hit the jackpot.
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1958 Chevrolet Impala
In Coffee Creek, Montana a good friend of mine purchased a new 1958 Impala, When he drove it over 100,000 miles, everyone was taken back, no one ever thought a car could go that far. Its still running and looks like new today. In 1958 Chevrolet underwent a major body update making it heavier, about by 600 pounds, it became longer by stretching the wheel base from 115 to 119 inches. Chevrolet was looking to a new market and found it with the all new designed Impala. Sadly to say, this body style would be a one year only for this great style. A not-so-new 348 big block was available that was a modified truck engine (which Chevy understandably failed to mention). The standard engine was a 283, 185 bhp. Chevrolet deserved credit for bucking the trend of tailfins in '58 however made up for it the following year. Today it is more popular than it was in 1958.
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1950 Mercury Coupe
Perfection. A dream come true in the eyes of Ike Reisenauer and his wife Rita. Ike is a retired pipe fitter that has decided to follow his dream, designing his classic car and following up by touring this great United States taking in car shows. About a month after this photo was taken at Flathead Lake in western Montana it appeared in a spread of Good Guys publication.
They purchased this car in Dallas, TX, then drove it back to Casper, WY, where the restoration would take place. The top was chopped 5" before adding channel molding and frenching in the headlights and laker pipes. A Cleveland 351 engine coupled with a C-6 transmission. Cadillac hub caps just added that special touch. Cars of this quality are out there, but only a few will compete on this level.
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1956 Ford Victoria Sunliner
It was a wonderful time in our lives when a car like the "Ford Victory" could be spotted a block away and we would immediately know what it was. A special thanks to the owner for many months of dedicated work to recreate this masterpiece. The 1956 received a mild face lift over the '55 along with a more powerful engine. Safety was a main concern with Ford with their new dished steering wheel and break-a-way rear view mirror. The crash proof door-locks and padded dash along with the sunvisors would add $16 to the price. Ford's suppliers could not keep up when it came to seat-belts, as a result only 20% of the cars had them. Over the next several years performance was stressed more than safety. The 272 was the standard V-8 producing 173 bhp, while the new 312 produced put out 225 bhp. Ford also offered a mid-range 292 that would make 200 bhp. You would pay about $2400 for this car back in 1956.
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1956 Plymouth Belevdere Convertible
The designers were busy at work when they designed the '56 Plymouth, which introduced the forward look 'meaning the new tail fins.' Along with this came the new revolutionary pushbutton Powder Flight, a 12 Volt electrical system, with an optional Highway Hi-fi, a record player that used special platters with a tone arm that kept it in the groove on bumpy roads.
It was in late 1955 when Plymouth burst onto the scene with dramatic all new styling and a new V-8 power, exactly the tonic it needed. Modest fins sprouted from the rear fenders with the '56 models.
Later in the year Plymouth would introduce the Fury which was an upgrade with more power. It would do 0-60 in just 10 seconds and reach 110 mph. With a few tweaks it would run 145 mph on the Daytona speedway. For about $2475 you could buy a new convertible off the show room floor.
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The Batmobile ... Made famous by "Adam West"
Yes, Billings has its own replica of this famous car, It is a 1966 crime-fighting machine that has become the most famous car in the world. Adam West was known as a super hero in his films during the 1960s on ABC with a career that spanned 63 years. No other actor ever played the part of Batman in any television series. H earned his Star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame as Batman. His other works included such titles "Lawman," "Cheyenne," "FBI Story," "Colt .45," and more recently, as a voice actor on "Family Guy." The famous Batman logo was used to light up the L.A. Harbor upon his death at age 88. In the early years, the Batmobile had no real name or any resemblance to the iconic car of today—it was bright red. After the car had its initial appearance it was made into the "Batmobile" as we now see it. George Barris of southern California was the genius car designer who did this work of art. Built on the frame of a concept Lincoln Futura, this car sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction for $4,620,000. The very first two Batmobile cars are owned by a doctor in Virginia and are un-restored, the 3rd is owned by a man in Arizona. If you were a child growing up in the days of "Batman & Robin" you will remember the good guys always would win. We would lay down on the floor by the radio mesmerized by the tales during his radio show.
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1956 Ford F-100 1/2 Ton
Quality beyond most trucks. Many bold and true stories have been written about this truck - sustainability and working design. A major selling point was the height of the tail gate, 24 inches which allowed for better loading which was easier on the back. This I know to be true as I had a '56 on my ranch way back then. These trucks had the proven Ford V-8 for power. The bigger lure was the was that of the ruggedly tough but handsome styling the designer came up with. It was equipped with a set back front axle that gave it a nose heave look as though it was hunkering down. Ford emphasized safety with energy absorbing steering wheel and double grip door latches along with an all new 12-volt electrical system. A new grill, wrap around windshield with a wraparound back glass. The $1500 "Custom Cab" would be pocket change by today standards. I for one would love to once again own one of these trucks.
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
After 60 years there still is not a classic in this category that has been able to knock this car out of the number one spot. It has remained the crown jewel of General Motors throughout all these years. Expect to pay premium dollars to get one of these in any condition. The '57 was known as the definitive car of the '50s with its styling along with a choice of seven engines. Five of these were 283 V-8's ranging from 185 to 283 bhp. The last of these was a "Ram-Jet" fuel injection which added $500 to the cost, unfortunately it attracted very few buyers. It did give GM the bragging rights to claim 1 bhp per one cubic inch. The Corvette was a popular choice for the fuel injection. The Chevy equipped with a four-barrel 270 bhp could do 0 to 60 in 9.9 seconds. It could also cover the quarter mile in less than 17.5 seconds at over 110 mph. It became a star at NASCAR and other events when on the track it averaged 131.076 mph. Thru the next few years the Bel-Air received several accolades for its performance.
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1969 Mach 1, Mustang
A "FORD" all the way! It's built for both men and women who enjoy high performance in their sport cars. We may have different tastes yet we respect great muscle cars whenever we see them. Where else can you get that great feeling of acceleration that sets you back in the seat. The Ford Mustang "Mach 1" made its debut in April of 1964. It was designed to attract a younger type of buyer. The 426 cid (7.0) Cobra Jet engine was introduced in late '68 in the GT models and the GT500KR. The color of this car is "Calypso" which was used only in 1969 and 1970. Ford produced 72,558 Mach 1 in 1969 which retailed for $3,139.00
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1960 Mercury Hardtop
Who in their wildest dream would ever believe a car with this styling and quality would become a thing of the past. Sad but true, it happened here in the good old United States of America. Mercury could tell as far back as 1957 that they would have to change their way of designing cars as everyone was looking to the compact cars. They had so many old timers who still believed in the full size cars for both safety and room that handled the highway with ease. By 1960 compacts were ruling the highway and was the choice of the retired and new families due to the lower cost of operation. The '60 Mercury definitely had a bigger body and a four-inch longer wheelbase. Styling was still square but more sculptured, marked buy a mile wide grill, huge bumpers at both ends enormous front and rear windows. 1960 production would top 271,000 for a very good year. It is the opinion of the author that "Mercury" should never have been discontinued, it was a great car .
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1949 Packard Coupe
A true barn find, well very close. The man who owns this car found it in the most unusual way, this business man purchased an old building in downtown Billings, Montana. The basement was full of the remnants of old construction equipment from days gone by. Try to picture in your mind construction debris eight feet deep, He told the seller if he had to clean it out he could also keep the spoils. After a few days of removing debris, they found a large tarp covering up something. Upon removal they found this '49 Packard underneath in perfect condition except for the hood where some form of fluid had destroyed the paint. After a short time at the body shop followed by a detail shop it arrived at a local car show. This car sat on a 127 inch wheelbase and came with a 282 cid engine producing 120 bhp straight eight. It was considered a true luxury car for its time. Its style remained traditional with an upright sloping radiator and a chisled hood. Craftsmanship was excellent on all models. FOB factory pricing ranged from $3900 to $4800 depending on the Packard model.
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1956 Chevy 1/2 Ton Just look at what you can do with a truck, the sky is the limit. Out west we have a way of life that includes at least one truck per family along with our other cars. The choice we make reflects our life style. This '56 you see has had major renovation, built in southern California using a 78 Camaro frame, channeled in the rear so it could accommodate a five-inch drop. Air suspension was added allowing this truck to be lowered within two inches of the ground. The frame will only have a 1/2 inch clearance at the door. Original wheels have been replaced with Foose wheels, 18-inch in the front and 19-inch in the rear. The engine is a 305 Chevy small block coupled with a 350 Turbo Automatinc Transmission. The truck bed is solid oak flooring with all new chrome and the latest digital dash. The paint that was chosen is a Pearl White 3-stage giving that appearance of 3-D depth.
1957 Ford Thunderbird
This '57 Ford Thunderbird proved to be the fun sports car he always wanted. The special "diamond black exterior & white diamond leather exterior"would make any owner proud. This car also has three tops for you to enjoy depending what you desire for the day. New for 1957 Thunderbird styling were a redesigned bumper and grille along with a 312 c.i.d 285 bhp. The tail lights were canted and were special for the 1957 Bird. Optional port holes on the top along with the spare tire could be on the outside.
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1950 Mercury Coupe Full Custom
Enduring the test of time - even after 67 years this car is still desired by collectors. A product of Ford Motor Company, it was built to withstand every type of abuse mother nature could throw at it. The Desota grill was a popular add-on even to this day. These cars were chopped, dropped, lowered, well to say it all, it was a dream machine to customize. When Ike & Rita found this car for sale it was in Dallas, Texas. They drove from Casper, Wyoming to buy it. In doing so they had a bonus when they met the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. They are now retired and have a very nice motor home with an enclosed trailer to keep their baby in.
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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
The classic that never faded from the most popular of all cars. What ever kind of car you ever wanted, this was it. Style, comfort, ride, speed, room and a very low cost of operation. Thru the years we have chopped, lowered, removed emblems and just made it our own. From the 1955, 56, 57 these cars became know as the "double nickel cars". These cars command our attention more now than when they were in the show rooms around our nation. Sometimes the story of how a person ends up with a car can also be very intersting. Upon returning to Montana to the family farm he just parked this car next to the barn where it sat for the next 25 years. The car could be seen from the road and thru the years many have stopped to buy it. He was getting tired of this as every week at least one person would stop. Then one cold morning while at the local town cafe out of frustration he said I'm going to sell that Chevy just to get it out of my hair, another man overheard him and asked what he wanted for it. He thought for a moment and said $6000, the other man said "sold" and paid him on the spot. This car sold new for $2,229 with only 166,500 made.
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1923 Ford T-Bucket
1923 Ford T-Bucket The 1923 Ford Model "T", one of the greatest cars of all time for the car buff to work on. Far more of these cars have been the project of the chop shop than ever were restored to their production glory. As we all know the final image is in the eyes of the beholder. Components of this car will show up with a Harley-Davidson under it or yes, even a VW Bug. The 1923 T-Bucket in the photo has a General Motors 406 big block that has been stroked and bored. The Dino has peaked this mill at 460 bhp. This car was purchased unfinished about 12 years ago. It's Fast , try zero to sixty in just 1.5 seconds. Henry Ford was in heaven when the first Ford Model "T" rolled off the production line in 1922. He tilted the windshield back a slight bit on the runabout model. If you wanted an electric starter with an ammeter that would cast an extra $65. Most of these cars sold for about $298 & $295, compare that to today's price. The Turing car and the Runabout accounted for about 2/3 of all their sales.
