These are a few of my favorite things

Now that my newfangled Substack has attracted a few readers, I wanted to pay it forward to a few of my influences and car ID resources in the old car space. With respect to old cars my personal taste runs more along the lines of old time hot rods and customs, which are reflected in some of the links you’ll see below; but all have a automotive history / heritage bent, and a wonderful design aesthetic. Hope you’ll give them a try.

Dan Stoner is my former Editor & Chief at the late lamented Garage Magazine and Autocult Magazine, and now is Creative Director at Hemmings Media Lab where he has a terrific column at Hemmings, the bible of the collector car world.

The Jalopy Journal and its affiliated H.A.M.B. message board is a long time meeting place for citizens of traditional (1930s-60s) style hot rodding society. Established by fellow Austinite Ryan Cochran, whose Atomic Industries also operate The Ford Barn which focuses more on factory stock prewar Fords. I recommend both, but a forewarning: you better know what you’re talking about before posting, lest you be scorched in the replies.

Just as the oldest democracy in the world was founded in Philadelphia in 1776, the oldest old car club in the world - the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) - was founded in Philadelphia in 1935, with roots that go back to 1931. I’m basically a fairly competent amateur hobbyist of old car identification, these guys are Oxford Dons on the subject. The AACA Museum in Hershey PA is a must visit for car nerds, as is their annual nearby swap meet. Keep an eye on the AACA calendar for events near you.

My buddy Bobby Green lives his best life, with a stable of amazing vintage race cars is a converted 1920s church. And with his partners at the 1933 Group operates a network of wonderful bars and restaurants across Los Angeles, many of which are restored iconic L.A. joints, like the Formosa Cafe and the jaw-dropping Highland Park Bowl. Drop in for a cocktail next time you’re in SoCal.

I can’t say enough about Charles Phoenix: historian, author, raconteur, comedian, bon vivant, and curator of all that is midcentury atomic boomerang starburst Googie goodness. And growing up as the son of an Ontario, California Oldsmobile dealer, he knows 1950s cars, and he frequently features them on his informative (and hilarious) Facebook and IG videos.

Simply put, Plan59 is the absolute best site on the internet for vintage automotive advertising illustration from the 1930s to the 1960s. Their scans are impeccable and provide a dazzling textbook for students of car identification. And they are affiliate of indispensible vintage photography site Shorpy.

My Houston friends Reuben and Toya Levi are the creative force behind Grits Co. and The Green Book Project, dedicated to celebrating the automotive heritage, style, and design of Black America. That spirit is embodied in their handsome swag and feathered cartoon mascot Roscrow. “Grits” isn’t just about breakfast dish; it refers to, as Reuben says, “the true American grit of working hard and living the ‘Gritty American Dream.’"

When it comes to automotive history there is nothing more American than the hot rod, and the American Hot Rod Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating that history. Their site is a treasure trove of vintage hot rod history and images, and as a 501(c)(3) your contribution to AHRF are tax deductible.

Dave Shuten and I go way back, when he was still restoring crazy 1960s show cars out of his garage in Michigan, and he graciously sourced me some rare 1960s custom dressup stuff for my 1931 Ford Coupe of Justice. Dave has moved on to the big time and now is the chief mad scientist at Galpin Speed Shop in Van Nuys, restoring all manner of wacky 1960s show rods like the Bathtub Car, The Pink Panther, and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s immortal and infamous Orbitron. You can also see Dave on the Discovery TV show “Car Kings” whose production was sadly scuttled after a partial season due to COVID. Hopefully there’ll be another season at some point.

My buddies Juan and Jesus Espinoza from Salinas CA run the best damn lowrider magazine/ website/ swag brand around, Deadend. Stunning photography of all manner of lowriders, bombas, and ranflas, often accompanied by very lovely ladies.

Keep ‘Em Flying! My old Chicago hot rod pal Chad Hill at Django Studios is a whiz at 1940s influenced graphic design, and in particular WW2 aircraft nose art. Among Chad’s accomplishments in this arena are recreating the nose art on “That’s All Brother,” the Douglas C-47 Skytrain that lead the Normandy invasion on D-Day, and after restoration reprised that flight on the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019. Hit him up for your next graphic design job or B-17 restoration.

Mel Stultz and the Oilers car club out of New Jersey run one of the best car events on Planet Earth, The Race of Gentlemen (TROG) held every year on the Jersey Shore. No tea sipping million dollar Delahayes or Delages here, just hard core prehistoric hot rods and Harley and Indian bobbers drag racing on the beach, and as photogenic as any champagne sipping Concours d’ Elegance or Mille Miglia.

That’s it for the link love now, but will provide more in future Substack posts. If you have other worthy sites of interest to the DCIDS community, let us know in in the comments.

Happy Motoring!

Dave