Classic recollections: July Fourth special
The pinnacle of summertime enjoyment has got to be the sun-soaked July Fourth weekend. It’s the perfect time to get outside in this land of the free to celebrate our great nation’s liberty, as well as partake in some classic drop-top, American-made cruising.
And if there’s one area where the U.S.A. has loudly declared its independence, it’s been in our Detroit factories, where over the years workers have proudly cranked out iconic machines that are brash, elegant and simply irresistible — each one oozing a spirit of good ol’ fashioned red, white and blue.
Here are three local examples that spark fireworks with their timeless lines and patriotic color schemes.
Ÿ Joe Papier inherited his deep love of Pontiacs from his father, so when the GTO was rolled out in 1964, the youngster was instantly infatuated. The Buffalo Grove resident came close to persuading his dad to make a purchase, but the senior Papier, wary of the big power, bypassed what he deemed as a trouble-inducing two-door. Never having a change of heart, Joe, years later, is still drawn to the muscled model and now owns a Matador Red ’69. Under those twin hood nostrils and functioning tach, you’ll find the 400ci V-8, which rumbles regularly to Mundelein’s Park on Park cruise night. “Nothing can beat the joy of putting the top-down and watching the excitement of people’s reactions to one of the best of GM’s classics.”
Ÿ At age 17, Jim McHenry had a ’55 Thunderbird but, despite his best mechanical efforts, could never get the worn-and-weary Ford roadworthy. The Vernon Hills resident is no longer plagued with a malfunctioning engine as his stately Colonial White ’57 has a perfectly running 312ci V-8 underhood. “It has its own distinct canter and is very enjoyable to listen to. It’s loud enough to be appreciated but not annoying.” Not much was needed on the winged eye-catcher, save for rechroming the rear bumper, repainting the tail-fin tips and mounting a new set of treads. Jim and his otherwise unrestored darling can usually be found at Libertyville area events, reliving those boyhood motoring memories.
Ÿ The Plymouth Roadrunner was named after Warner Brothers’ lightning-fast, feathered cartoon character — and with Mike Kundit’s ’70 convertible packing a 426 Hemi behind the grille, nothing Acme Corp. produces can help Wile E. Coyote catch him. The standard 383 was replaced with the larger pavement-punishing powerplant, which, after some tuning, produces 750 horsepower. The Ingleside resident enjoys heading to his Fox Lake Miller’s Dog n Suds cruise night with the top down and the Air Grabber hood vent open. “I’m pleased that despite the performance nature of the car, it still maintains a great road personality for around-town errands.”