We begin this week with a nice restoration on a straight, solid, original 1916 Paige Ardmore Roadster powered by a 6-cylinder engine coupled to a 3-speed manual transmission. It features sumptuous leather, folding windscreen, and a convertible top. It is period-correct throughout, and the dash and steering wheel are in good condition. This roadster features a side mount and a MotoMeter (a patented device to read the temperature of the non-pressurized radiator).
I was not familiar with Paige automobiles but Wikipedia came to my rescue — "Paige was a Detroit, United States-based automobile company, selling luxury cars between 1908 and 1927." Their earliest models were two-seaters powered by a three-cylinder, two-stroke engine. In 1910, they upgraded their product line to a four-cylinder, four-stroke engine.
Beginning in 1914, they added a six-cylinder engine and eventually dropped the four-cylinder motors. Again from Wikipedia, "On January 21st, 1921, a Paige 6-66 broke an American stock car speed record by covering a mile in 35.01 seconds at a speed of 102.8 miles per hour."
Although the dashboard has a simple layout, I don't think I could drive one off the showroom floor without instructions. Of course, the same is probably true of an early 20th-century motorist attempting to drive my Lexus with keyless entry and ignition (the key fob only has to be in my pocket) plus the automatic transmission (no clutch).
I like the lines of this model but the brand did not survive — they went out of business in 1928. It appears that some other folks like this obscure model too since it sold at auction for $16,500.
This 1929 Packard convertible coupe is an older restoration that features the optional dual side-mounted spare tires fitted with rearview mirrors and locking covers. They match the wire-spoke wheels and wide whitewall tires. The front end has twin Trippe spotlights and a radiator stone guard, and the back has a trunk mount behind the rumble seat. The 319ci inline 8-cylinder engine boasts the original aluminum L-head design with the Packard exclusive updraft carburetor mated to a 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission and a dash-mounted self-lubricator for the chassis.
The top folds down and the windshield tips out for a conversion from a 2-seat coupe to a 4-seat convertible. This Packard has been professionally maintained.
I confess that I am very fond of Packards — perhaps it is the name connection to my former long-term employer, Hewlett-Packard, although there is no connection between the two companies as far as I know. Or, more plausible is the Antique Automobile Museum in Fort Lauderdale which has an extensive collection of Packards, seemingly a sample from each model year. My dad and I toured the museum in his later years — it was a great father-son adventure — and I shared photos in Life After HP back in 2012.
This Packard sold for $115,500 — I guess I'm not the only admirer of these wonderful automobiles.
Here we see a 1932 Chevrolet Confederate Deluxe Sport Roadster which was a National AACA First Prize winner in 1983. It is powered by a 194ci inline-6 flathead engine mated to a synchromesh 3-speed manual transmission with a free-wheeling feature. It rides on wire-spoke wheels with dual matching spares and is equipped with cowl lights, dual chrome horns, and engine vents.
It features an eagle mascot radiator cap, rumble seat, and rear trunk rack. This Chevrolet has dual rear mirrors sitting on fender-mounted spare tires, adjustable side wing windows, and an optional wiper on the tilt-out windshield with a rear-view mirror. This Confederate has been professionally maintained. The sale price was $40,000.
This 1947 Cadillac Resto-Mod convertible combines classic-era styling with modern technology.
The interior was well-designed even though it appears dated next to current models.
The beginning of a fin is starting to appear. You'll recall that Cadillac went through years where they created a hump in conjunction with the taillight before fully committing to fins. You can also spot the photographer in the mirror-like paint job of this rear fender.
It’s powered by a new fully assembled 8-cylinder crate engine mated to an electronically controlled overdrive automatic transmission and is equipped with electronic control modules. The auction brought a price of $101,200 — definitely a Cadillac price.
