Classic American May 2021

I realise that this is the opposite of the mantra which politicians and scientists have been parroting on TV and radio ad infinitum; however, the good news is that we actually have some dates – well several actually – for American car shows and events that hopefully will be taking place in the coming months. This time last year, event after event was cancelled and while we’re hopeful that most of these events will be going ahead, the very important caveat that must be borne in mind is that the onus is on you, or whoever is going, to check with the organiser that the event is actually going ahead. As we know only too well, things can be cancelled at very short notice and we’d hate for anyone to travel…

Who’s looking forward to a long hot summer of American car shows? Probably everyone reading this magazine – however, over the past 12 months we’ve become very cautious about announcing events that will go ahead and those that won’t, in part because things can change very quickly with Covid restrictions. However, assuming that there is not a sudden reversal of ‘unlocking’, these are the American car shows that we’re aware will be taking place this summer. It goes without saying that the only caveat is that if you’re thinking of attending one of these events, it’s of vital importance that you check the organiser’s website before setting off to make sure the event is still going ahead! If you’re a show organiser or show rep for a club, please email…

1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 EFI prototype, Barrett-Jackson It seems Shelby Mustangs… Shelby ‘whatevers’ are a dime a dozen at auctions these days, all with eye-watering estimates and actual hammer prices. What makes this one special or any different (apart from that incredible deep gold paint) are those three little letters ‘EFI’… yes, you read that right, 53 years ago Shelby was experimenting with what now is considered basic standard technology, electronic fuel injection. One of only two produced that year, it’s a pre-production test vehicle equipped with a 428cu in Cobra Jet motor, with a Conelec fuel injection system. Power is sent through a Ford C6 automatic transmission and special torque-sensitive, locking rear axle. The Mustang also boasts factory air conditioning and is painted in its original shade of Sunlit Gold…

We’re all familiar with seeing Crown Vics with their blues ’n’ twos, but they’re fast being de-fleeted and replaced with… F-150s?! No, not necessarily, but Ford has spotted a gap in the market and unveiled the latest version of its all-new 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder. It’s America’s only purpose-built, pursuit-rated pick-up truck and features an improved 120mph top speed and automatic four-wheel-drive mode with a torque-on-demand transfer case. Introduced in 2017 as a unique all-terrain law enforcement tool, the latest Ford F-150 Police Responder is built on the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 SuperCrew platform and engineered to meet a wide range of agency needs – from allowing officers to travel with more emergency response gear to transporting mobile command centres. “Law enforcement agencies told us they would love to add…

There’s an old saying that goes something like: “Give me the boy until he’s seven and I’ll show you the man.” I’d say that in my case, it’s pretty true. I was brought up in a pub just a few miles from Silverstone race circuit. Says it all really. When I was eight in 1963, my dad took me to Silverstone for my first race meeting. I was thrilled to bits as we walked around the colourful paddock, seeing all the cars and drivers, smelling the hot oil and molten tyre rubber, watching the mechanics beavering away, hearing the loud race engines and of course marvelling at the cars roaring around the track, slipping and sliding as they did back then. One car that made an immediate and long-lasting impression on…

This month we’re looking at the Plymouth Duster, a much-maligned muscle car in most pundits’ eyes. Smaller-bodied muscle cars tended to be the result of product developers’ efforts to stuff hot V8s into models that were designed to sip fuel. Plymouth’s Duster, which arrived in 1970, on the other hand, was conceived as a ‘mini’ muscle car and tamed for economy. The Plymouth line-up always saw the Valiant as the lower-priced budget offering and hence unsuitable for a sport model. So when funding for a styling refresh came down from Corporate Chrysler for the upcoming 1970 models, the Plymouth team jumped to it and turned the Valiant into a slick fastback. With newly designed rear quarter panels, deck lid and tail panel, coupled with Mopar’s bright innovative High Impact paint colours,…