vLane Blog

Articles Matching “antique”

• Rachel Veitch and her 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente

  Banovsky on July 2, 2009

  What a difference the Internet can make. It's doubtful anyone would have taken interest in a 557,000-mile 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente.

  

  Veitch describes her car as more loyal than "any of her three husbands"

  But thanks to the folks at GrowingBolder.com, this remarkable story of 90-year-old Rachel Veitch and her car can be enjoyed by all.

  Through countless years, she describes how reliable her chariot has been ("…more than any of my three husbands"), how she always goes for the lifetime warranty (16 batteries and counting…), and her unique method of theft protection (a handgun hidden within reach.)

  Even better, though, is that Veitch genuinely appreciates the act of driving and doesn't take it for granted. She even mentions that older drivers should be tested regularly to keep their skills sharp.

  Click through to watch the video.

  [Source: GrowingBolder.com via Detnews.com]

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under driving, Classic, Feature, WTF, Sedan, History, Misc, maintenance, women, women, Detroit, women, antique, US, 1964, Mercury

• Old school Bentleys on the road

  Fred Cox on July 1, 2009

  It's not often you see a museum worthy car being driven at all, much less on the road where gawking drivers can run into them, but here are a couple of 80 year old Bentleys in all their glory.

  

  I was lucky enough to come across these on Vancouver Island last week. They had just returned from an adventure up the West Coast of Canada and Alaska with other Bentleys of various vintages. According to the event's website, one of these cars had 13 tire changes, so it wasn't easy going by any means.

  These were the days before almost any safety rules or equipment existed, so no bumpers, even. Active safety was the word of the day.

  Read full article | Comments (1) | Filed under safety, speed, Classic, Bentley, lifestyle, tires, windshield, rubber, rims, maintenance, Vintage Motorsports, brakes, shock absorber, exhaust, headlights, antique, sports sedan, performance, muscle car, Cash for Clunkers

• Driving the Ford Model T

  Banovsky on June 3, 2009

  Ford Canada invited a few journalists out to drive not only the new Ford Fiesta (more on that later), but also sample some of their bread and butter products…circa 1920.

  

  Click through for the video

  The Ford Model T, or Tin Lizzie, was produced between 1908 and 1927. Thanks to Henry Ford perfecting the assembly line, it took only 93 minutes to assemble a car — far faster than its competitors…if you could call any "other" car a competitor.

  How successful was the Model T? In 1914, there were more Model Ts produced than all other cars combined. At its peak, 10 per cent of all cars in the world were Fords. And between 1917 and 1923, it was so successful that Ford didn't have to purchase advertising.

  Henry Ford said of the car:

  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 of 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.

  Even though it is considered the car that put America on wheels, it wasn't exactly the easiest car in the world to drive. If you want to see a video of that (hand throttle and all!) plus a gallery of Model T pics, click through…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, Feature, History, Misc, Ford, Convertible, Ford, Detroit, Model T, antique