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I have here in Canada for the 190D models, for obvious reasons. A winterfront was a must for the old-skool diesels without glowplugs. Craig

What really lets these cars down are those ghastly 5-mph bumpers that stick out like an afterthought with the hardly upscale poor-fitting plastic filler trim between the body. And the interior was compromised with acres of FAKE plastic 'wood' trim. Hardly befitting of what is supposed to be a 'luxury' car. Give me a 1967 Lincoln any day, but If it really has to be from 1979, go across the pond to Australia and buy a Ford LTD P6 Town Car. (Google it!) NO big ugly bumpers, and real wood inside! Craig

What difference does it make? Go with the one YOU like! The six-window Electra 225 is more imposing, but the shorter wheelbase model is probably more rare. Craig

The Vega was certainly NOT a sales flop, as the figures show. It may have been an engineering flop in its introductory state, but as others have stated, once the engine received steel liners, and better cooling, most of its problems were solved, A 1922 copper-cooled Chevrolet it was NOT! Craig

Did anyone else see the 1971 Yenko Vega at this year's Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals show in Rosemont (Chicago) two weekends ago? Craig

Sounds like one of Lee Iacocca's brilliant marketing ideas in increasing sales, like "$56 for '56", except this promotion/incentive was aimed at inside sales, and not the general public. I suspect it was introduced in late 1957 when the recession hit, when at the time, Ford used '300' and '500' titles in their model names. Craig

Unlike the GM's Hydramatic, it was not an 'automatic transmission'; but a manual transmission with a mechanical device that shifted it and worked the clutch at the same time on demand. Of all the independents, Reo was probably the most advanced with the concept, but Hudson, and even Duesenberg were working on perfecting it. Even after the Hydramatic came out in late 1939, Studebaker and Lincoln both had abortive attempts self-shifting overdrive transmissions mated to a torque converter in 1942, with their Turbo-matic and Liquamatic transmissions. The 'self-shifting' manual transmission has come full-circle since Ferrari introduced its 'F1' transmission which uses straight sequential shift pattern, sophisticated interactive electronic engine & road speed management, and extremely fast hydraulic operation to perform shifting actions far faster than any driver can. (.03 seconds). And others, including BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, et al, all have self-shifting manual transmissions having its origins going back to the Reo self-shifter in concept and design on the market as well. Also, big rigs and buses have offered Eaton-Fuller 'Auto-shift', ZF (Zahnradfrabrik-Friedrichshafen) 'AS-tronic' self-shifters for a number of years now. What is old is new again!! Craig

I've seen at least two of them here. Once its over 15 years old, they can be legally imported into Canada. Craig

I have heard they require 'proof of ownership' as well as the serial number of the vehicle. The only other avenue would be to email a letter to their Classic magazine: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/lifestyle/classic-magazine/ and see what kind of response you will receive. I've noticed that magazine likes to focus on the 'odd & unusual' vehicles that were special ordered over the years. Craig

I wonder if that car survives. DBAG does keep records of all their cars. If one was able to procure the serial number, they could determine if was factory ordered two-toned like that. Craig

That is why I would discount any theories it had one, not to mention, I believe 1936 was the last year Packard offered "Startix". Craig

A candidate for the MCACN show, but it will have to be for next year now, as this year's is booked. Craig

General Motors Craig

Is there a light behind it? If so, you probably have a rare accessory; a Mustang running light. They were banned in some states as running lights were not allowed. If that's the case, it has to be removable to access the bulb. Craig

There is far more to a new car, than a vintage car, and is like comparing apples and oranges. In a newer car, there are sophisticated electronics under the seats, (amongst other locations within the vehicle) which are easily damaged by flooding. Air bags, engine management, and other safety devices are compromised once the ECM and the CPU and the individual components themselves get inundated with floodwaters. In a worst case scenario, an air bag could unexpectedly deploy at random from a water-induced short circuit. Craig

Wheel chocks are mandatory at the ATHS annual vintage truck show. Perhaps any vintage car event held around large bodies of water such as this should adopt a similar policy. Craig

Here's a link to a photo of a 1906 Pungs Finch: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?52564-Orphan-of-the-Day-07-04-1906-Pungs-Finch-Limited Craig

Boy! when I see the term 'coffee cans' on a Chevrolet frame of that era, (1958; 1959), the "Levelair" option comes to mind!!! Craig

I would contact the Rolls Royce Owners Club as well, as there would be a lot more interest found within that group. Craig

Thank you for your following up on this. I aware that Louis Vuitton did, and still does identify their products with a serial number, but I was not fully aware of how far back they retained their records. Your post now confirms this. Thanks again. Craig

I know Japan is very stringent on those mirrors, and appear on the leading edge of the front fenders. And their vans all have a mirror above the tailgate window angled down so one can see immediately below the bumper, not unlike what one sees here on a motorhome. Of course, the backup camera has probably replaced that one. Craig

That is the prime reason design cycles have gotten way longer than the common 3-5 years in the 1960's when one expected a significant major redesign, and annual minor redesigns that were different enough from the previous year's model. With some models, it can take up to ten years or more to produce a million examples. Even Rolls Royce has not done a major redesign to its Phantom line since it was introduced in 2003. Craig.

If that happens, maybe Apple will buy them. Craig

That is because there is almost NOTHING worth listening to on AM (or 'BC' as those older sets used to read on the selector.) anymore!! The entire broadcast radio market has gone wholeheartedly to the FM dial. And shortwave has no reason to be around anymore with satellite radio, so a beautiful vintage radio is not a lot more than a nice conversation piece these days. I believe it was 1948 when a very few sets started to offer FM, and even then, it took years for Frequency Modulation to catch on over Amplitude Modulation. Craig

Devo.