Excerpts taken from world famous ‘Hemmings Auto Blog’
Image courtesy of Graffiti Publications. On June 11, legendary hot rodder and journalist LeRoi “Tex” Smith passed away in his adopted country of Australia after a “lingering illness.” He was 81. Not from Texas, but Oklahoma, Smith was born in 1934 and claimed both Cherokee and Choctaw heritage. Still in Read more
If you need to have just one book in your library on American-built station wagons and woodies, Great American Woodies & Wagons by Donald Narus is it. Without question, it’s the best and most in-depth book ever published on the subject. Part of the Crestline book series that was published Read more
Cars on the cruise circuit at the 2015 Street Machine Nationals. From 1986 through 1998, the Street Machine Nationals was one of the most popular events held annually at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Illinois. Like many such events, it became a victim of its own success, Read more
Along Mesa’s Main Street in the 1960s, one could see – if one squinted hard enough – palm trees and the distant mountains. Or, if we’re to believe this postcard photo that we came across on the Phoenix 101 series, every parking meter in use and a handful of cars Read more
While the Toyota four-cylinder engine under the hood of this 1962 Facel Vega Facellia for sale on Hemmings.com is far from stock, apparently few if any Facel Vega enthusiasts want anything to do with whatever original Pont-a-Mousson-built Facellia four-cylinders remain, and the Toyota engine makes just as much sense as Read more
Photos courtesy Barrett-Jackson. Maybe he needed space for a new couch? After telling the world he planned to install the original Batmobile in his living room two years ago, Batman fan Rick Champagne has decided to put the car up for sale once again. Champagne, founder of a logistics company Read more
Hans-Joachim Stuck. Photo by Flickr user Freewheeling Daredevil. Hans-Joachim Stuck has run the 24 Hours of Le Mans 18 times, resulting in two overall wins and an additional class win. His experience on the fabled “Green Hell,” which he first drove at age nine, is nearly unmatched, and he’s delivered Read more
Is there room in the June calendar for one more car event in New England? The organizers of the well-established British Invasion in Stowe, Vermont, believe that there is. Their new event, the British Motorcar Festival, was held June 12-14 in Bristol, Rhode Island, with the Concours d’Elegance taking place on Read more
We’ve seen plenty of shorties built from tri-five Chevrolets, and they often look pretty slapdash – more built for futzing around than for show. This 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air shorty convertible for sale on Hemmings.com, however, looks as professionally finished as any shop-built street rod and even has a working Read more
Given the importance of the one-of-three Chrysler parade phaeton to Los Angeles history and Leno’s proximity to it, we’re surprised he’s taken this long to feature it on Jay Leno’s Garage. We’re glad he did, though, and we’re glad to see it still on the road and in tip-top shape. Read more