The 1957 Pontiac Safari: A Classic American Station Wagon with Timeless Style

 

Back in the mid-1960s, Rod Kister drag raced a ’60 Pontiac Catalina two-door hardtop in Junior Stock class. It had a 389-cubic-inch engine with a 4-speed. Rod set several national records with this car and was NHRA world points champion in 1968. In 1969, he raced a new factory-backed ’69 Ram Air IV GTO Judge with a 400-cube, engine and 4-speed. The next year, he switched to a new Ram Air GTO Judge with a 400-cube engine and 4-speed. Both cars were national record holders.

During most of those years, this ’57 Safari was Rod’s everyday driver and even served as a tow vehicle for the race car. He bought it in 1965 from the Pontiac dealer in his hometown, Scottsbluff, Neb. When he put it in the garage in 1973, he said, “I better save this car (GM made only 1,292 Star Chief Safaris in 1957).”

In the meantime, Rod and some friends restored several classic Pontiacs. Two years ago, he said, “It’s time to do something with the Safari. It’s cool, but we’re going to change it some!” He put in a battery and drove it to the shop. After two years, this is what he came up with.

The crew at Verle Stevens Enterprises in Denver bored out a later 389 engine to 396 cubic inches and then installed new TRW 10.25:1 pistons with Sealed Power rings and a solid lifter Lunati cam and kit. They blue-printed and balanced the entire assembly. A set of 1963 421 heads (No. 9770716) was reworked with Chevrolet valves installed. A ’63 Super-Duty manifold (No. 9770859) is fitted with two 625cfm Carter AFBs. Ignition is Pontiac point type. All external engine components are polished aluminum. The headers and entire exhaust system are custom built, HPC coated and hung with custom aluminum hangers.

The transmission is a TH-400, and the rear is a ’57 Pontiac with 3.90 gears, Posi-traction and Mark Williams axles. Rod installed 2-inch dropped spindles in front. The front and rear springs, control arms, rear end and other undercarriage components were chrome plated. Polished 8-inch Halibrand Sprint wheels in the rear mount Remington 255/70R15 tires, while the front wheels are 7-inchers with 225/70R15s.

Stacy’s Paint Trix handled the necessary bodywork and sprayed the PPG black finish. Auto Stitch in Aurora, Colo., did the leather upholstery in black and light gray in the original “off-the-shoulder” design. The steering wheel is a LeCarra. Special thanks go to Al Metzler and Jack Farland of Country Club Auto Detail in Englewood, Colo.

Even though this model is quite rare, Rod still decided to personalize it, so now he has the best of both worlds: a ’57 Safari that you rarely see anywhere and a cool street machine to cruise in.

The legendary vintage car Mercury Cougar XR-7 1967 of agent 007 from the exhibition costs up to 3 million USD.

The series “Spy 007” is not only famous for its plot and fascinating details and scenes, but also known for its huge “cars” used in each different part of the series. For example, Aston Martins, this series has used many different lines from DB5 to DB9, DB10, DB11, etc. There are also other iconic models, such as a mechanical car. American corn Mercury Cougar XR-7 1969.

This Mercury Cougar XR-7 was used in the 1969 “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” starring Australian actor George Lazenby as Mr. Bond. This car was made in the US and shipped to the UK and registered on February 13, 1969 for the filming of this movie. According to some sources, this is one of three XR-7s finished with Candy Apple Red exterior paint with a black roof.
All three cars with these paint colors are used in the film and appear in the opening scene and some action chase scenes. During filming, one of the three was destroyed, the other is in a collection in Spain and the last remaining car is currently being auctioned online through a specialist. Bonhams site.

This Mercury Cougar XR-7 has gone through 7 owners and has recently been restored by the owner to the entire system of screws, bolts as well as overhauled the entire engine, refreshing the chassis. Therefore, this car is ready to be able to roll on the street smoothly for many years to come.

The Mercury Cougar XR-7 is powered by a 428-4V Cobra Jet Ram Air V8 engine, which sends power to the rear axle through a C-6 Selectshift automatic transmission. The car uses black steel wheels wrapped in F70X 14 Belted Raised White Letter tires. At the rear is a normal 3.50 axle, the car is equipped with disc brakes at the front wheel.

This car owns a luxurious interior compartment with red leather on all details such as seats, dashboard or door panels. The car is equipped with AM radio. One of the biggest differences for this Cougar is the rack for actress Tracy’s Kneissl skateboard located in the back of the car.

Mercury Cougar has a total of up to 8 generations in the more than 30 years since the first generation was released. Usually, the classic car models of the first generation are always symbolic for this car line. The Mercury Cougar was launched by Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury division on September 30, 1966.
Far beyond initial sales predictions, the Cougar accounted for nearly 40% of Lincoln-Mercury sales in 1967. The Mercury Cougar was the same model that received the 1967 Motor Trend Five Award, and it was the same car. Lincoln-Mercury was the first to achieve this title.

This Mercury Cougar XR-7 not only carries the value of a classic American muscle car, but also a commemorative car for fans of the 007 spy series. The car could be sold at auction with a final price of between £100,000 and £150,000.

The 1969 Ford Torino is a legendary car produced by Ford Motor Company

 

The 1969 Ford Torino is a legendary car that has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts and collectors alike. This classic American muscle car was produced by Ford Motor Company from 1968 to 1976, with the 1969 model year being one of the most popular and desirable.

The Torino was designed as a mid-sized car that would offer both style and performance. It was available in several body styles, including a 2-door hardtop, a 4-door sedan, and a station wagon. The most iconic version of the Torino was the fastback, which had a sleek, sporty look that perfectly captured the spirit of the muscle car era.

Under the hood, the Torino was powered by a range of V8 engines that offered impressive performance. The top-of-the-line engine was a 428 cubic inch V8 that produced 335 horsepower, giving the Torino the power to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Today, the 1969 Ford Torino remains a highly sought-after classic car, with collectors willing to pay top dollar for a well-maintained example. Its timeless design and impressive performance continue to capture the imaginations of car enthusiasts around the world, ensuring that it will remain a beloved classic for generations to come.

Hunting for Coveted Classics: The Thrill of the Hunt for Classic Cars

 

Classic cars have long been a source of fascination for car enthusiasts around the world.

These vintage vehicles are prized for their unique designs, historical significance, and timeless appeal.

Owning a classic car is often seen as a symbol of prestige and status, and collectors are willing to pay top dollar to add one to their collection.

The hunt for classic cars can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Some collectors search for years to find the perfect vehicle, traveling to different countries and attending auctions and shows.

Others stumble upon a hidden gem in a barn or garage, discovering a rare and valuable car that has been hidden away for decades.

Once a collector has found a classic car, they often embark on a restoration project to bring the vehicle back to its former glory. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process, but the end result is a beautifully restored car that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.

Some of the most coveted classic cars include the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche 911. These iconic vehicles have stood the test of time and remain highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, the hunt for classic cars is a passion that continues to capture the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world.

Whether it’s a rare and valuable find or a beloved family heirloom, classic cars hold a special place in the hearts of their owners and are sure to be treasured for generations to come.

Discover the Classic Beauty of the 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Super D500 Convertible

 

This 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Super D-500 Convertible is a special limited production model and one of a few high performance dual-quad 383CI Super D-500 models known to exist. The car features many luxury options detailed below and was given a body-off restoration in 2005 by model specialist Tom White, which was the subject of two-part feature article (here and here) in Hemmings back in 2007. The car is sold with a clean Connecticut registration and Q-1 from its long-term owner and several awards from two Meadow Brook Concours, Greenwich Concours and the New England Concours.

The 2005 nut and bolt restoration sought to return the car to its showroom original condition. Some minor bodywork and rust-repair was needed in the trunk floor only, and aging paint was stripped and reapplied in proper single-stage PPG acrylic urethane. In the 10 years since, the car has picked up a chip in the paint at the top of the passenger’s door, and a stain is present in the top well liner from washing the car. Panel fitment and alignment are very good, and the folding top is a quality piece by Haartz. The car is an impressive 217.4″ long.

Chrome was sent out for replating and trim holds a deep shine throughout. Lenses are clear and overall finish is said be be show-worthy.

Cool badging can be seen around the body and original-type wheelcovers are fitted, sporting the model’s distinctive late medieval Close Helmet logo set over a black background.

The interior was restored by Jonathan Chase of Skin and Bones Upholstery. Correct front-seat covers in yellow and black and correct NOS fabric and vinyl were sourced. Rear seats, door panels, rear interior panels and beading for the rear seats had to be custom fabricated.

The car is well optioned from the factory with six-way power adjustable seats which swivel for easier ingress and egress, $95.70 and $58.95 options when new respectively. The large instrument cluster is flanked by Chrysler’s push-button gear selector at left and is topped by an upholstered dash and instrument cluster pad. The car also has its original Autronic Eye option.

Also fitted are power windows, a $70.95 option, the Mirrormatic auto-dimming rearview mirror and model-correct tritone upholstery. This particular example is fitted with power steering and power brakes.

Standard Custom Royal Lancers made due with the 361 cubic inch Super Ram Fire V8 engine with wedge combustion chambers, while this Super D-500 was specced with the optional 345 horsepower, 383 cubic inch V8 engine and fed by dual 4-barrel Carter carburetors. A high lift cam with heavy duty valve springs, dual exhaust, and a Torqueflite transmission were also included on D-500s.

This car is fitted with a correct-type ML engine that is reported to be in proper factory specification. It was rebuilt with correct Carter carburetors and intake & exhaust manifolds, double breaker distributor, and dual heavy duty air cleaners. Several rare original equipment items remain, down to the foil that separates the carburetors on the manifold. These parts are irreplaceable and cannot be sourced easily.

Tom White has reportedly decoded the chassis number as a genuine Super D-500. This L.A.-built car has the chassis number at the top of the VIN tag, while examples built in Hamtrack, Michigan put the chassis number in the door jamb. Photos from Tom White’s restoration of the car can be viewed in the gallery.

This Custom Royal Lancer Super D-500 includes an original owners’ manual, and per the seller it is ready for shows or extended cruising. The owner’s representative is handling the sale on his behalf.