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Backfire - letters from July 2011 Backfire - letters from July 2011 from Hemmings Motor News

July, 2011

Thanks, Richard, for the excellent article on engine rebuild costs (Automania, HMN, June 2011). Readers might also want to budget money for correct paint and application for their engines.
Dennis Barbre
Highland, Michigan
First, as I am traveling to St. Louis this year, I was pleased to find an article on the Museum of Transportation (Museums, HMN, June 2011). I'll be sure to visit, as I am not only a car enthusiast, but a rail fan, as well. Regarding the Chrysler Turbine: Of the nine cars saved from the scrap heap, I know of at least one more operational example, owned by Jay Leno. I do believe there is a third running car, as well.
Great magazine!
Mark Scatena
Via e-mail I'm a longtimeHemmings subscriber, and thought your readers might be interested in a photo of my 1929 Ford Speedster, called the "Superwasp." I built the body in 2002, using a '37 Ford windshield. The lowered chassis has the original drivetrain with 16-inch wheels. In the photo, I'm holding the last small Hemmings Motor News, issued in July 1969. One ad is for a "1932 V-8 coupe, good condition, $750." At 93 years of age, I still enjoy driving my boattail speedster and reading Hemmings Motor News!
Dick Renk
Boise, Idaho That was a great point Daniel Strohl made (The Sound of Speed, HMN, April 2011) about original hot rod culture being green pioneers. I've always felt that buying something like a used flathead engine from a neighbor is the same as not buying a new, imported flat-screen from a big box retailer. Or, buying an old BSA Thunderbolt means one less international flight for a couple. Their carbon footprint will be smaller versus the jet ride, they stand to make more memories with the Thunderbolt and they'll be able to sell the bike when they get bored. Also, the reliability-limited riding distance of an old British motorcycle is sure to keep them spending and consuming locally. I'm trying to convince my girlfriend, who wants a European vacation, of this BSA-is-green argument right now.
Josh Oman
Madison, Wisconsin My first couple decades with Hemmings were just "cars for sale"-specific. If you'd told me back then that one day I'd start from page one, I'd have asked, "Why on earth would I do that?" Well, now I always start from page one, and it's because of writing like Mike McNessor's Between the Lines that adds a certain something to each issue. Keep up the good work! We out in subscriber land appreciate what you do.
John Post, MD
Via e-mail Great, great narrative about the "sales experience," as the backstory behind your family's purchase of the late '70s Pontiac Bonneville (Between the Lines, HMN, May 2011). My wife (who is highly skeptical of my upcoming car-buying adventure which will span six states) wanted to know what was so funny. I read the article aloud to her, and she also laughed. Having Hemmings engage my wife is quite an accomplishment. Thanks for your always fine work.
Jeff Jordan
Glendale, Arizona I am writing to you as a loyal Hemmings reader and frequent hemmings.com visitor to share my strong disappointment over the May 2011 issue. As a mid-'60s full-size Pontiac owner and fan, I was intrigued by the cover story featuring a buyer's guide to 1965 full-size Pontiacs. Once I opened the issue and found the article, I was immediately dissatisfied over the content of the article. It just happened to be the SAME story, SAME car, and SAME pictures as a feature article from about three years ago. Couldn't your team write a new feature instead of resurrecting past work? Weak! I should have peeked at the pages before buying it--I would have left it on the shelf! You should expect and demand better from your organization.
K. Exelby
Clarkston, Michigan I believe you're referring to a Buyer's Guide that appeared in the April 2007 issue of our sister title, Hemmings Classic Car, featuring that Bonneville. Many of the photos inside the May HMN Buyer's Guide were used in HCC four years ago, and some information was used from that story. However, as an enthusiast, I'm sure that you noticed how that story was expanded upon and some of the finer points clarified. The entire editorial staff reuses information and photos from our three other titles in the Hemmings Motor News magazine section, but there is also a great deal of original content generated each month, as well.
- Mike McNessor Not since Casablanca when Captain Renault said to Rick (Humphrey Bogart), "I'm shocked, shocked to find gambling going on in here," has anyone been as shocked as I upon seeing McNessor's new picture in the April Hemmings. For some time now, I have been greeted in Between The Lines with a confident visage peering across the hood of a piece of rugged all-American steel...a face that demanded confidence as it peered unsmiling across a rugged New England landscape. But that guy is now gone...replaced by a smiling comrade in a rumpled shirt, with an easy grin and the hint of stubble on his once clean-shaven face. And where is the stately truck? It has been replaced by a background of aluminum siding. Is this my beloved Hemmings...or an issue of This Old House?
Wallace Kemp
Malakoff, Texas I miss my truck too, Wallace, which is at the moment completely disassembled. It will return more stately than ever, though, I promise. The face, unfortunately, I can't do much about, so please accept my apologies.


