Classic American

no to noughties

My recent editorial discussing a reader’s request for newer American cars to be featured in Classic American seems to have unlocked a maelstrom of comment, both for and against. Not ‘new’ cars, you understand, but cars in that murky ‘no man’s land’ where they aren’t old enough for many to consider them classics, but not new enough to be considered ‘new’. Cars from the Nineties and Noughties specifically… Eighties cars? Not a problem, most people seem to be cool with those, which begs the question if in 10 years’ time, Nineties cars will be looked upon similarly favourably as Eighties cars seem to be now. In the meantime we’ll be sticking to content that our readers have told us they want to see in the last three reader surveys. Interestingly, this…

classic american

EDITOR Ben Klemenzson bklemenzson@mortons.co.uk DESIGN Michael Baumber, Fran Lovely, Tracey Markham, Jake Sidebotham PICTURE DESK Jonathan Schofield, Paul Fincham CONTRIBUTORS Simon Browse, Paul Bussey, Richard Coney, Huw Evans, Keith Harman, Steve Havelock, Richard Heseltine, James Mann, Tony Oksien, Mike Renaut, Matt Richardson, Will Shiers, Jonny Smith, Zack Stiling, Toby Phillips, PRODUCTION EDITORS Pauline Hawkins, Sarah Spencer PUBLISHER Tim Hartley GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER Sue Keily ADVERTISING Jordan Stocks jstocks@mortons.co.uk 01507 529582 Andrew Bruce abruce@mortons.co.uk 01507 529416 SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Paul Deacon CIRCULATION MANAGER Steve O’Hara MARKETING MANAGER Charlotte Park cpark@mortons.co.uk PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Dan Savage COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Nigel Hole…

gm and uaw end 40-day auto strike

On October 25, General Motors announced that it had ratified a four-year labour agreement that covers workers at 55 United Auto Workers-represented facilities across the US. The agreement put an end to the longest strike witnessed by the automaker since 1970, which crippled production and almost led to the demise of certain models, including the much-loved Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. This time around, in a very different economic environment, GM has said the new agreement will provide hourly workers at UAW-represented manufacturing facilities with a world-class wage, as well as benefits and a profit-sharing package. Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO said, in reference to the new agreement, that “we delivered a contract that recognises our employees for the important contributions they make to the overall success of the company,…

ford v ferrari hits the screens

In case you’ve been living under a rock the last year, this year’s most anticipated American racing/ motorsports film has hit the big screens. Ford v Ferrari is the new film from Logan and Walk the Line filmmaker James Mangold and stars Oscar-winners Christian Bale and Matt Damon as the lynchpins in Ford’s victory over Ferrari back in ’66. The story is set against the backdrop of that year’s 24 Hours Le Mans race and follows legendary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) who sets out to build a revolutionary car that would allow Ford to challenge Ferrari, with Bale playing fearless British racer Ken Miles – who gets behind the wheel of the new Ford racing vehicle. It’s on general release at the cinema now, perfect for escaping the crazy…

historics at brooklands

On September 21 classic car auction house, Historics at Brooklands, returned to its namesake, the Weybridge-located auto and aero museum, for the last time this year with another eclectic mix of classic cars and motorcycles, old and relatively new. Unlike their July auction, when they had consigned a considerable number of American vehicles, this time there were only two on sale. Both were pick-up trucks, presented in the currently fashionable ‘rat rod’ style. The older of the two, a 1949 Chevrolet 3100 Thriftmaster, sat low to the ground, courtesy of a full air-ride suspension system, though we were unable to see it in action. The usually deep rear bed suffered as a result. Powered by a 5.7-litre Chevy V8, its lacquered rusty patina and uniquely pin-striped ‘bullet holes’ made for an…

classic sports car club meeting.

One of the things I really enjoy at club race meetings is that you can still find plenty of owner/drivers fettling their cars, or sat beside them eager to tell you all about them, rather than hiding away in some drivers’ club. Such was the case at Thruxton for the Classic Sports Car Club’s grass roots meeting which extended an invitation to Bernie’s Sports Racing and V8s. As I wandered through the paddock I spotted four American cars that I hadn’t seen race before. First up was Marcus Bicknell’s 1999 Ford Fusion Ascar sporting an ‘in your face’ red and yellow No. 22 Joey Logano NASCAR livery. Not what I was expecting to see thundering around Thruxton, but a most welcome addition. Marcus told me that his space frame chassis car…