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The Legacy Run: 1973 Chrysler New Yorker – A Route 66 Centennial Project
1.The Legacy Run: A Tribute in Motion
Some journeys begin long before the engine turns over.
This one began with a friendship, a forgotten car, and a shared love for American roads.In the summer of 2024, I found myself standing beside a 1973 Chrysler New Yorker buried in weeds — a car that once belonged to my friend Hans Granberg, a fellow Finnish Mopar enthusiast whose passion for American automotive history matched my own. On his final visit to the United States, Hans used this Chrysler to tour across the country, especially throughout the Detroit area. He had plans to return, to drive it farther, to see more. But life had other plans.
After his passing, the car sat still. But it was never forgotten.
Bringing it back to life wasn’t just any project.
I moved to the United States for the very culture this car represents: the heritage of American engineering, the spirit of the open road, and the stories that live in chrome and steel. Reviving the Chrysler became a way to carry forward a piece of that culture.Then came the moment that changed everything. The car was part of a multi‑vehicle crash with almost no damage, a scene that quickly went viral and reminded people of the durability and soul of classic American automobiles. Suddenly, this wasn’t just a tribute — it was a symbol of resilience, craftsmanship, and the kind of engineering that built the legends of the American road.
Now, the Chrysler is heading down Route 66 as part of the centennial celebration.
The Legacy Run is more than a road trip. It’s a memorial in motion. It’s a way to connect past and present, to honor the people and machines that shaped our journeys, and to share those stories with others who understand what it means to love the road.We’ll be documenting every mile — from neon-lit motels to desert stretches, from roadside diners to historic landmarks. But more than that, we’ll be sharing Hans’s story, the car’s story, and the stories of the people we meet along the way. This project is built on friendship, heritage, and the belief that some cars carry more than passengers — they carry meaning.
This is our way of honoring a friend, celebrating a century of Route 66, and keeping the spirit of the open road alive.
Hans and the seller in Kansas 2013 Who We Are
Markku Jaakkola and Jacob Gilbert are the co‑leads behind The Legacy Run, working side by side to bring the 1973 Chrysler New Yorker — and the story behind it — back onto the open road. Together, they share responsibility for planning the journey, documenting the experience, engaging with communities along Route 66, and honoring the legacy that inspired the project.
Markku is a Finnish‑born automotive storyteller and Quality Engineer who moved to the United States driven by a lifelong passion for classic American cars and the culture surrounding them.Jacob brings a steady problem‑solving mindset, a deep love for American road‑trip traditions, and a commitment to preserving the stories found along the Mother Road.
As a team, they combine their strengths — heritage, technical knowledge, creativity, logistics, and a shared respect for the history of Route 66 — to ensure that The Legacy Run is not just a drive, but a meaningful tribute carried out together.
The RouteWe are starting from Detroit on Saturday August 1st from Pasteiner´s Autozone book store´s Cars and Coffee event. There is about 300 classic and exotic cars at the show. Then we will drive through Detroit to Chicago, take the Route 66 to Los Angeles and continue on Pacific Coast Highway up to Monterey, California. We will participate on Concours D´Lemons at Monterey´s Car Week on Saturday August 15th.
Source for Route 66 Map
The drive will start from Detroit and end up to Monterey 3. Support the Journey
This project is more than a road trip. It’s a tribute to a friend, a piece of automotive history, and a promise I made to keep a story alive.
In 2024, my friend Hans — a lifelong Mopar enthusiast from Finland — passed away unexpectedly. Before he left us, he toured the United States in his 1973 Chrysler New Yorker, a car that became part of his identity. After his passing, I brought that same New Yorker back to life and committed to continue its journey on the American road.
The car itself survived a widely reported crash a year ago, adding another chapter to its long and unlikely story.
In 2026, the car and I will take part in the official Route 66 Centennial, traveling the Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica as a living tribute to Hans, to American automotive culture, and to the people who keep these stories alive.
If you’d like to support this journey, you’re welcome to contribute.
Your support helps cover travel, documentation, preservation, and the costs of keeping a 50‑year‑old survivor car on the road for a once‑in‑a‑century event.Contributions are voluntary and are not payments for goods or services.
They’re simply a way to stand behind the story, the car, and the legacy that inspired this project.Thank you for being part of this road ahead — it means more than you know.
1973 Chrysler New Yorker, American road culture, Automotive legacy stories, Automotive storytelling, Classic American cars, Classic car revival, Cross‑country car journey, Historic Route 66 travel, Mopar history, Route 66 Centennial Project, Route 66 road trip, Route 66 travel blog, Survivor car restoration, Tribute road trip, Vintage Chrysler V8 -
Warehouse find: 1951 Packard Patrician 400
“Ask The Man Who Owns One”
It seems like everyone in Detroit area has heard the name “Packard” and knows the “Packard Plant”, but not that everyone know what Packard cars looked like. Or some people may not even put one and one together: Yes, the Packard automobile was build at Packard Plant. The plant is located at 1580 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48211. More about the plant later in a different story, let´s take a look at the featured vehicle on this article.
1951 Was the first year for Packard´s redesigned new, much more sleeker body style than it´s predecessor. 1951 lineup consisted of four different models: 122″ wheelbase 200 and 250, and longer 127″ wheel base 300 and 400 models. The 400 was called “Patrician”, and it was only offered as a 4d Sedan with 127″ wheelbase. The only engine option for 400 was 327 cid , 150 bhp, straight 8 engine.
1951 Packard Patrician 400 at Packard Proving Grounds. 1951, Detroit Public Library 1951 Packard Production Model name Production figures 200 71,362 250 4,640 300 15,309 400 9,001 Total 100,312
1951 Packard Production Figures
Comparison between “the old” 1950 Packard Super DeLuxe and “new” 1951 Packard 300. As you can see, the difference between the two is significant. The Black 1951 Packard Patrician 400 in the photos belongs to my brother, Mika. He was looking for a – preferably black – 300 or 400 1951 model for some time until he came across this example for sale in Tennessee. It was advertised as a part of a larger collection of about 50 cars with seller hoping to downsize. The car was covered in thick dust on the photos and had not been running in years. Based on the photos, the condition was great: it had only 40,000 miles; engine compartment looked clean; the original interior even had the factory plastic covers on them! There was only one problem, the keys were lost. The seller didn’t know too much about the car, so the mechanical condition remained a mystery.
Because the vehicle looked great otherwise, Mika decided to take the chance and got in agreement with the seller on price and next steps. Of course, the next steps meant that I have to drive to Tennessee and bring the car home to Michigan, before shipping it to Finland to my brother. Trip to Tennessee went without any problems and Packard was loaded on a trailer in about 30 minutes. The seller had some other cars up for sale as well, there were quite a few Packards. So, in case anyone is looking for one, you know where to find them. The entire trip took 1.5 days (1,200 miles).
1951 Packard Patrician 400 pulled out of a storage 
On our way back to Michigan from Tennessee. The Packard Cormorant (aka the hood ornament) on this thing is HUGE ! 
Once I was back home, assessing the purchase started. It was quite stunning how well the car had been preserved over the years. It’s year 2023, so the Packard is now 72 years old! The plastic seat covers looked like new, headliner looks like new, dash is perfect etc. Someone had definitely done some work to it in the past. It looked like fuel line/cooling lines have been replaced and someone had installed electric fuel pump and insulated the fuel lines – maybe because of vapor locking in the hot summer? The battery had a sticker from 2008 and it was covered in white oxidation, so that was the first thing on the list. By the way, in case someone is wondering – this is a 6 volt system, instead of the more modern 12 volt. However, 1951 Packards have positive ground! How weird is that.. But… no matter how much I searched, there were no keys anywhere. It was time to find a locksmith.
Finding a Locksmith is like finding a needle in the haystack
For some time, I had been wondering why the seller didn’t call a locksmith and get the keys for the car. You would think it would be easier to sell?
After calling through some more common locksmith companies, it started to sound like a mission impossible. Every time, I mentioned the make and model I was told “we don’t work on anything that old”. One company, even just said “no” and hanged up without even ending the call. It felt like lot of this places went to a call center somewhere, and they just did not have any interest of doing anything that differs from the daily routing work. Maybe the seller just gave up? Finally, I managed to find a local company that advertised they do keys for classic cars. It felt like a jackpot. The person on the phone even showed some interest on the vehicle and asked me to send photos of the car, locks, key blanks (yes, my brother had already ordered Packard key blanks) and any other info that I had regarding the keys. The only problem.. quote was minimum of $500 – possibly somewhere closer to $1,000. For two keys??! Either the person didn’t know what he was doing, or just wanted to cash out, because it was a classic car. Either way, I said no.
Finally, I found a company called Birmingham Locksmith Services. They were able to do it, and the quote sounded much more reasonable. It might be worth mentioning, that because there were no keys, I couldn’t open the trunk, glovebox or – obviously – start the car. Next day, the locksmith showed up and after a while he managed to pop up the trunk lid.test test
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1973 Chrysler New Yorker Crash in Madison Heights
Looks like I need to clarify some wrong information that has been floating around the internet and respond to some of you that have been sending me emails.
Yesterday, on Wednesday 7/17/2025 , I decided to take my 1973 Chrysler New Yorker to my company´s picnic.
While driving back home from the picnic on north of Dequindre (and before 14 mile road in Madison Heights, Michigan) I got into accident with 3 other cars. I´ll post photos below. The white car that hit my Chrysler tore off the rear license plate, but did no other damage on my car.As mentioned, I was driving north on Dequindre. I saw a white ( I think it was a Kia??) Kia passing me southbound on center lane. Next thing I know I feel a bump in the rear of my Chrysler, from right side passenger window I see black Chevy truck spinning on the right lane and through the grass area on the side of the road. My windshield´s rearview mirror was out of place after the hit, so I adjusted it and saw the Kia behind me completely smashed. I got out of the car and walked over to Kia to see how to driver was. I was not sure what I am going to find based on the condition of the car. I saw airbags had deployed and it was hard to see inside. However, the driver´s hand raised up and showed “thumbs up”. I assumed she was alright. Next I walked over to my Chrysler to see the damage. I saw debris all around from the Kia, but didn´t see any body/bumper damage. However, the license plate was on the ground : it had been torn off from the bumper on the collision.
Next the owner of the Chevy pick up walks over and tells me that the white Kia turn into his lane and hit his truck (truck was driving north on the right side lane), which started spinning and hit a Ford Fusion. The Kia turned 90 degrees when the truck hit it. This impact caused Kia to spin and hit my Chrysler´s rear and tear off the license plate.
The owner of the truck drives the car on the side of the road , on the driveway on the near business.
Ford Fusion owner walks by – his right rear door is completely smashed because the Chevy truck hit him.After talking and just wondering someone called the police and they arrived to scene.
Policeman walks on to my Chrysler, looks at the Kia – looks at the Chrysler and says…. “They don´t make cars like this anymore”.
After collecting all the information from all of us who were included in the accident, I ask him if I should move my car out of the way. He tells me to move it in front of one of the businesses – same shop where the Chevy Truck is parked.
Now the street is clear for car hauler to come and pick up the Kia.
Police told me to go on Ebay and get a new license place bracket – which i agreed. I have no claims against the Kia driver.Today I saw a reddit post, that the Chevy Truck owner called me a liar and I started getting mails that I backed up my car on the scene to take photos. Does someone really think that police would let me back up my Chrysler to take photos?
The Kia driver never hit me “straight” in the rear, she spun around and her car hit my Chrysler in the rear.
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Low mileage 1973 Chrysler New Yorker rescued from the Michigan weeds
After sitting for years, the Chrysler is “found” again 
Hans and the seller in Kansas 2013 The story of this 1973 Chrysler New Yorker 4 door sedan goes back about 11 years to 2013 when I was still going to Kettering University in Flint, Michigan doing my Master´s degree.
It belonged to Hans Granberg, “Hasse”, that I got to know when I was 20 years old and still in Finland. He was about 13 years older than me, but we shared the passion for classic cars and American culture. His plan was always to move to Sweden when I wanted to move to US. He also had so many classic cars that nobody really knew the exact number, I am almost sure he didn´t know that either.
In 2012, When I moved to US, he left Finland and moved to Sweden.In 2013 he came to visit US for one his epic road trips. You can read about it here, at Moparts. There are also lot of really good photos: New Yorker is included too. For the trip Hasse picked up 1973 Chrysler New Yorker from Kansas. This was going to be his ultimate road trip vehicle and he drove it from Kansas to Detroit area. Before he started his journey, he did replace the fuel tank and had optional Mopar wheels installed with Dunlop Elite tires. While he was driving to Michigan, he had some carburetor issues and the left rear wheel bearing failed.
Hans and Chris inspecting the “Bent” axle shaft in 2013 
Me, standing in front of the New Yorker somewhere on Woodward Avenue in 2013. Below is a video, when I was still living in Flint and studying at the university. Hans arrives from Kansas with the Chrysler New Yorker.
After Hans´s trip to US, the car was put away in a storage in Flint area. However after few years, the warehouse went up for sale so the vehicle was moved to my friend´s garage. From the garage it ended up to outdoor storage lot, where it sat couple more years. Hans was going to come to US the next year to get the car, but he never did. Unfortunately, Hans passed away late summer of 2024.
Because the Chrysler sat in a storage lot and the monthly payments were recurring, I decided to contact Hans´s estate and purchase the vehicle. At this time the car had been sitting 11 years total, so I wasn´t sure how good (or bad) the Chrysler was going to be. Luckily, it was almost the same how I remembered it: 62,000 miles, original paint and -nice- interior, couple rust spots (but nothing major).
Below is the “to-do-list”
- The keys were lost
- bad battery
- Engine doesn´t crank
- left rear door doesn´t open
- Exhaust damaged when the car was lowered from the trailer
- Left Rear wheel vibrating
- Brakes need to be completed
- Interior smells like wet dog (or should I say, wet mouse)
- some of the tail lights and turn signal doesn´t work
At the time of writing thIs, almost the entire list has been solved. The Chrysler went to even local car show “Parking at Pasteiner´s” on Woodward and 14 Mile (Birmingham, Michigan). I can say that after all these years, it will and has been cruised on the Woodward Avenue again, like when Hasse owned it. Rest in Peace.
Chrysler is ready to go to a new home 
Hans installed “God Bless Ronald Reagan” Sticker on the rear bumper. It will stay with the car. 
At home driveway 
At home driveway -
Steering Wheel Restoration using Eastwood Products
Repainted steering wheel for my 1950 Ford turned out nicely! When I got my 1950 Ford Custom Deluxe Convertible project it came with a “Crestliner” model (optional) steering wheel. It happens to be one of my favorite steering wheels of all time, so Thanks Marty for including it! These Crestliner (or “Deluxe”) Steering Wheels are sought after and rare, although there are reproductions out there.
Anyhow, as you can tell from the photos, it has been kustom painted ages ago and was in need of restoration. Eastwood was kind enough to send me some products to prepare and repaint the steering wheel. It didn´t have any cracks on it and even the chrome ring is intact. Steering Wheel just needed a good sanding and repaint.
Steering wheel before the restoration. (above)
Eastwood’s Steering Wheel Restoration products Here are the products that I used for the steering wheel restoration project.
- 2x Sandpaper 120 Grit
- 2x Sandpaper 220 Grit
- 2x Sandpaper 400 Grit
- 2x Plastic and Leather Prep
- 2x 2K Aerospray Chassis Black
I also had the 2K Aero-Spray Clear Coat, but because the end result looked good, I decided not to use it. These all can be purchased from https://www.eastwood.com/
Eastwood also offers this restoration kit, but in my case it was not needed.After sanding with 120 Grit. (above)
The repainting process itself is pretty straightforward, but time consuming. You start by dis-assembling the wheel and removing all the chrome and whatever pieces you can take off. Then first you sand it with 120 grit sandpaper. I tried to get as much old paint off as possible. However, if I would have sanded all of it off, I would probably be still sanding it. I made sure that the surface is as even and smooth as possible. After I was done with 120, I moved to 220 and finally to 400. After finishing with 400 the surface was really smooth.
Next I cleaned everything with Eastwood´s Plastic and Leather Prep and made sure there is no dust left on the steering wheel.After cleaning the steering wheel, it´s ready for spray painting with Eastwood´s 2K Aerospray Chassis Black.
I sprayed two coats of the chassis black. The first one I did, didn´t cover everything – Make sure you have enough light to see where the layer is too thin! In between the coats, I used 400 grit sandpaper to make sure the second layer sticks well. And again, before the final coat, I cleaned the surface well after sanding.
See the photos for final results. I think it turned out really good!
After sanding with 400 Grit. (above)
After painting the steering wheel – looks smooth! (above)
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2024 Detroit Concours – Cancelled!
Hagerty has announced that one of the coolest car show´s in Metro Detroit has been cancelled for 2024. Although, I think the idea of bringing the show to City of Detroit was great on paper, it looks like it just didn´t work. Previously Detroit Concours D´elegance was at St. John´s golf course in Plymouth, Michigan. Hagerty bought the show and moved it to Detroit in 2022. Looks like the new Detroit location at Detroit Institute of Arts premises has been a challenge. Also, many people online have said they won´t be bringing their cars to City of Detroit. Well, just because it´s Detroit and the crime is still high.
On both Detroit shows, 2022 and 2023, it looked like Hagerty has had hard time to find enough quality vehicles for the show.
Detroit FreePress seems to have some statistics:2023 attendance:
- The Amelia, March 2024: 27,000 attendees
- Detroit Concours, September 2023: 5,000 attendees
- Greenwich Concours, June 2023: 10,000 attendees
- Radwood 2023 (across 7 events): more than 16,000 attendees
5,000 attendees seems really low number, especially when compared to other shows.
The other Hagerty event, The RADwood on September 14 at Hart Plaza for ’80s and ‘90s vehicles, is still on for this year according to press release. However, there´s not much said about the future of Detroit Concours.
What are your thought about Detroit Concours D´Elegance ? Should it stay at Detroit Institure of Arts ? Go back to St John´s ? Move somewhere else, like Belle Isle for example? Share your thoughts below.
Sources:
Photo: Hagerty
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2024/04/04/detroit-concours-classic-car-show-taking-2024-off/73208589007/ -
Ed Gein´s Ghoul Car – 1949 Ford 4 Door Sedan
As an automotive and true crime fan – I am sure there are more than just me out there – I thought it would be a great idea to gather all the info there´s is about the Ghoul Car on one page. The Ghoul car was a 1949 Ford Sedan that was used by notorious murderer and grave robber, Ed Gein (Plainfield, Wisconsin) , to transfer dead bodies from graveyard. After Ed Gein was arrested, the car was auctioned off and shown at local State Fairs where visitors could see it for a fee. Nobody knows what happened to the car afterwards, but i am almost sure that someone has some information – or more photos from the auction, state fairs, etc., than what I have been able to find.
Who was Ed Gein?
Edward Gein was born on August 27, 1906 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was suspected serial killer and grave robber. He was questioned in 1957 after the murder of hardware store owner Bernice Worden, in his hometown, Plainfield, Wisconsin. When police inspected his property they found Worden´s decapitated body in a shed. In the house authorities found human bones, wastebasket made of human skin, chairs covered with human skin, skulls on bedposts etc. you get the picture. He got the name “The Butcher of Plainfield”. He passed away at age 77 on July 26, 1984 at Mendota Mental Health Institute, Madison, Wisconsin. The movies Psycho, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho are based on Ed Gein story.
Edward Gein Auction
Edward Gain Auction sale was held on Sunday March 30, 1958 from 12pm to 4.00pm in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Entrance fee was 5 cents. There were multiple items offered for sale: Stoves, Kitchen Cupboard, Dishes, Beds, Sewing Machine (not sure who would like to buy this one), and all kinds of machinery and farm equipment etc. The poster also lists two vehicles: 1940 Chevrolet Pick-Up Truck and 1949 Ford 4 door Sedan. The 1949 Ford is said to be the vehicle that Ed used to haul the dead from the graves. According to article on the Wisconsin La Crosse Tribune Newspaper (March 31, 1958) the Chevrolet truck was purchased by Chet Scales, a Highland junk dealer for $210 as a souvenir. Ed Gein´s 1949 Ford Sedan sold for $740 according to same article. There´s a video by Joe Brown on youtube (LINK) from the auction that does have 1949 Ford Four Door Sedan and 1940 Chevrolet Truck. However, it´s impossible to say, if the Ford is the actual Ed Gein car. See photos below.
Moving the 1940 Chevrolet Truck Nov.20.1957. Photo from allthatsinteresting.com 
1940 Chevrolet Pick-up truck seen on Gein Auction film. 
1949 Ford Sedan seen on a Gein estate auction film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb5O888V8JE&t=185s) The Ghoul Car That Hauled The Dead From Their Graves
Ed Gein’s car was a hit attraction at the Outagamie County Fair in Northeast Wisconsin. Source jsonline.com The 1949 Ford Four Door Sedan had 14 bids and highest bidder was funfair owner Bunny Gibbons from Rockford, Illinois. He purchased Ed Gein´s 1949 Ford Sedan to exhibit in State Fairs and named it “Ed Gein Ghoul Car”. He put mannequins in the car to represent Gein and his final victim, Bernice Worden.
The Ghoul Car was first displayed at Seymour, Wisconsin at Outagamie Country Fair and around 2,000 visitors saw the vehicle in first few days in July 1958 for a fee of 25 cents.The exhibit caused a lot of controversy as Gibbons was trying to cash out with such a horrific crime. The officials from Mental Health America of Wisconsin fought to close down the exhibit.
The car made it’s final appearance in Slinger, Wisconsin at Washington County Fair, where the local sheriff shut down the display.
After that the state banned the Ghoul Car Exhibition for good.Nobody knows what happened to Ed Gein´s 1949 Ford Sedan after the exhibitions ended. There are online rumours, that the car might still exist in Wisconsin.
Has anyone seen any other photos of the car at the Auction or State Fairs ? Or do you know what happened to them? Please, comment below or send a private message – CONTACT.
Sources:
https://www.wisconsinology.com/the-weird/ed-geins-car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb5O888V8JE
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM2022
https://allthatsinteresting.com/ed-gein-house
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gein
https://www.jsonline.com/picture-gallery/news/2023/09/15/images-from-the-strange-highly-disturbing-case-of-ed-gein/70863276007/ -
Revving Strong: Why Classic Cars Are Making a Comeback, Not Saying Goodbye
Hey car enthusiasts, buckle up! In a world full of electric vehicles and futuristic tech, the classic car hobby is not just surviving; it’s roaring back to life. So, why is this vintage vibe making a comeback in the 21st century? Let’s take a joyride through the reasons why classic cars are revving strong.
1. Timeless Beauty: Picture this: the curves of a ’67 Mustang, the sleek lines of a vintage Jaguar. Classic cars are not just vehicles; they’re works of art on wheels. The timeless aesthetics and jaw-dropping designs are enough to make any car lover’s heart skip a beat.
2. Nostalgia on Overdrive: Ever hopped into a classic car and felt like you stepped into a time machine? That’s the power of nostalgia. Classic cars carry stories, memories, and a whole lot of sentimental value. Whether it’s your dad’s old ride or the dream car you had posters of, these beauties bring back the good old days.
3. DIY Dreams Come True: Unlike today’s tech-filled cars that practically require a NASA engineer to fix, classic cars invite you to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Restoration projects and customizations are not just for the pros; they’re for anyone with a passion for reviving automotive history.
4. Cruise into Community: The classic car community isn’t just a bunch of gearheads; it’s a family. Car shows, rallies, and club meet-ups are like family reunions, where everyone shares tips, stories, and a deep love for all things vintage on four wheels.
5. More Than a Hobby: Think classic cars are just for show? Think again. These timeless rides aren’t just a hobby; they’re an investment. Some classics appreciate over time, turning your passion for vintage wheels into a cool financial move.
6. Everyone’s Invited: Contrary to the myth that classic cars are only for the elite, there’s a seat for everyone in this hobby. From affordable starter classics to dream rides, the classic car community is diverse, welcoming, and ready to share the love for all things vintage.
7. Keepin’ It Alive: Classic cars are a living museum on wheels. Enthusiasts are not just preserving these beauties; they’re educating the world on automotive history, mechanics, and the pure joy of a good old-fashioned drive.
8. Hollywood Glam and Garage Glory: Classic cars aren’t just confined to garages; they’re Hollywood stars. From James Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause ride to iconic movie moments, these cars have left tire marks on the silver screen, ensuring their place in popular culture.
9. Spread the Love: Use those hashtags, share the stories, and let’s get more people behind the wheel of classic cars. Whether you’re a die-hard enthusiast or just catching the vintage bug, there’s a place for you in this revved-up resurgence.
10. Join the Movement: So, are you ready to join the classic car revival? Cruise through time, celebrate the beauty of the past, and become part of a community that’s keeping the classic car spirit alive and well.
Buckle up, folks; it’s a classic ride worth taking! 🚗✨
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The Rebirth of GM´s Lost 50 Millionth Car – The Golden 1955 Chevrolet Sport Coupe
Nine years ago, in 2013, when I was volunteering at Buick Gallery (now Sloan Museum of Discovery) in Flint, Michigan, we did a trip to North Carolina. The purpose of the trip was to authenticate what was left of a General Motors milestone vehicle: GM´s 50 Millionth car – The Golden 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe.
The Golden 1955 Chevrolet Sport Coupe was built to celebrate GM´s 50th Millionth Car. It was a 2 door Hard top Bel Air, painted with gold exterior paint, all the 716 (or 600, depends of the source) exterior trim pieces were plated with 24-carat gold. The car was assembled on November 23, 1954 at Chevrolet´s Flint Assembly Plant (in Flint, Michigan) and was put on a float and taken to a “Golden CARnival” parade through Flint downtown. The parade included 72 GM cars and trucks. GM held open house for it´s 125 plants and training centers and around 200,000 people participated on the even nationwide. After the parade the Golden Chevrolet toured the GM´s Motorama shows and disappeared.
1955 Golden Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe on Golden CARnival Parade in Flint. Michigan 
1955 Golden Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe on Golden CARnival Parade in Flint. Michigan Anyways back to our trip to North Carolina…
The car had been destroyed in the garage fire, but the frame, and many of the trim pieces still existed. Some of them had turned black from the smoke and some of them were re-plated and looked like brand new. The original owner had passed away, and his wife was showing us the photos of the vehicle when it was acquired. It had been re-painted black and white, but had still golden trim pieces on it. The paint had peeled off the doors where the “50th Millionth” medallions had been. She also had the car´s original “50 Millionth” license plate that was found under the front seat of the car.
However, Buick Gallery did not purchase the car. I guess there wasn´t enough car left.
Unfortunately, I have only two photos from the trip to N.C.. This photo shows photos of some of the gold plated parts and picture of the vehicle when it was purchased 
“50 Millionth” plate found under the seat The story above takes us to present day, and back to Flint. Michigan. On December 5th, 2023 the Sloan Museum of Discovery was displaying the restored, gold painted – and plated – Chassis for a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. It is a project that Real Deal Steel, Snodgrass Chevy Restoration and Steve Blades started in April 2023. This 1955 Chevrolet will be exact recreation of the GM´s 50 Millionth Car #3 with the 24k gold plated parts, screws, bolts and washers. Yes, you read correctly – Car #3. According to Steve´s research there were actually three golden Chevrolets built in 1954.
From the Golden Star Classic auto parts brochure:
Car #1 was build in October, 1954 and was used in publicity photos and was the car portrayed to be the 50,000,000th car at the five 1955 GM shows. This car was sold to the public after 1955 and was destroyed in a garage fire in 1996. The Motorama car.
Car #2 was built in late October, 1954 and is the car shown in the ten minute General Motors film titled “Achievement U.S.A.”. This car was only seen in this film and a few still photos. This car has not been seen since and its whereabouts or fate are unknown. The Movie Car.
Car #3 was built on November 23rd, 1954 and was the true GM 50th millionth automobile produced in the United States. This car was only seen in a few assembly line photos, in the background during Harlow Curtice´s speech at the end of the Flint assembly line, and finally on the parade float during the “Golden CARnival” parade through downtown, Flint, Michigan. Unfortunately this historic piece of automotive history has also been lost to time and its whereabouts or fate are unknown. THE 50 Millionth Car.
Car #1 on the right lower corner at GM Motorama 1955 Car #2 “Achievement USA”
Car #3 on Assembly line with Harlow Curtice, The President of GM The recreation of the Golden Chevrolet will be completed in few months and will be displayed at Detroit´s Autorama 2024, March 1st-3rd. Link to website
Link to Steve Blades´s 1955 Chevrolet 50,000,000th GM Gold Cars Facebook Group
Below are some photos from the display in Flint, Michigan. The 50 Millionth car was one of the most important celebrations of Flint´s Automotive History, so it will be exciting to see the final product. The chassis by itself looks amazing!
Some salvaged parts of the Car #1 from North Carolina. See gold plated moldings on the door. 
Photos of the Body work. Looks stunning! Update 5-18-2024
On March 2nd, 2024 The Golden Chevy replica made did made it´s debut at Detroit Autorama. It looked stunning with the gold plated exterior trim and golden interior! I took some photos from the show, but they seem to be damaged. If I ever figure out how to get them “working” again, I´ll add them on the page.
On May 18rh, 2024 The car was auctioned at Indianapolis Mecum. It sold for whopping $395,000! Hopefully it will be attending shows and not stored away. Here are some photos from the auction.
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Monterey, California : Vintage Car Advertising at Cannery Row Antique Mall
Every time I come to visit my brother in California I visit Cannery Row Antique Mall. Located on Cannery Row. Monterey. Address is 471 Wave Street.
They claim to be the largest antique mall in Central Coast of California and I can easily believe that. It has over 21,000 square feet of space and has over 100 dealers. The mall has been open since 1996. It’s in one of the last authentic 1927s Steinbeck era buildings. From 1927 it housed canning supplies.
The reason for visiting, if you ever end up to Monterey, California, is – in my opinion – the enormous section of vintage auto literature/advertisements they have for sale.
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Fresno, California : Turner's Auto Wrecking
Visit to Turner’s Auto Wrecking
I am spending the month of October at my brother’s in California, so I thought it was time to finally visit Turner’s Auto Wrecking which is about 3 hour drive from my brother’s. I have knows about Turner’s since I was a kid and reading classic car magazines.
I have planned to visit there for a long time, but haven’t got it done.
When I got there, it was a bit difficult to find the office – at least for me – so I called their number. In case you happen to visit, it’s right by the railroad tracks. Turner’s Auto Wrecking has over 10,000 vehicles from 1928 to present. I think you need a building just to store the titles!The owner himself was behind the counter and told me, they opened 63 years ago. That would be 1960.
The place was amazing, but the area where I walked around, looking for parts for my 1950 Ford Convertible, was all more or less incomplete parts cars. They do sell projects too.
Anyways, there were all kinds of vehicles from Packards, DeSotos, Studebakers, Edsels to more common Mercurys, Chevrolets and Fords.They had bunch of 1963 Imperials (main photo). I wonder if they came from Lowell Howe’s Imperial Yard.
Here are some photos from the visit.
40s/50s DeSoto – do you know the model year? Comment below 
1966 Chrysler 
Squarebird (aka 1958 – 1960 Ford Thunderbird) Collection
1958-1959 Edsels
1956 DeSoto Fireflite and it’s pink! But looks like the Hemi engine is long gone 
1949-1951 Shoebox Ford Section. Tudor and a Coupe, but pretty far gone.
These Packards look like they could still be restorable. White one is a 1952.
1959 Ford Four Door Hard Top 
Row of Imperials. First some 1963s and then 1965 or 1966 LeBaron
This 1957 Lincoln was behind the fence on the other side of the street. I assume it’s part of Turner’s Auto 
They even had Ramblers! 
1953 Buick, missing it’s teeth 
1961 Ford 4 door Sedan 
Looks like a late 1940s Chrysler ? 
Lincoln Cosmopolitan – can you tell the year? 
DeSotos
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