Engine upgraded on ’63 Ford Econoline pickup in Danville
The first Ford Econoline pickup was introduced in September 1960 as a 1961 model along with a cargo van and a passenger van. Ford, along with GM and Chrysler, had …
collectors' items
San Ramon owner has no plans to ever sell 1940 Ford sedan
The 1940 Ford is said to have been one of the most influential cars of its era. America was just coming out of the decade-long Great Depression of the 1930s, …
Lafayette owner’s 1969 Datsun restored to flawlessness
Most car people know that Nissan is the owner of the Datsun, brand but what came first? The beginning of Datsun goes back to 1911, when Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works …
1931 Ford Model A in Dublin a masterpiece hot rod
The world of hot rods dates back to the 1920s and ’30s, when young guys would soup up Model A and Model T Fords in their garages. Each year, Ford …
Piedmont owner’s ’63 Volvo has been with him through thick and thin
In researching the Volvo company’s history, I learned that it has had many partners, joint ventures and owners over the years (I counted 15) but that there never was a …
Oakland man’s ’92 Allanté one of Cadillac’s unique models
Did you ever have a friend tell you that they just bought a major appliance, maybe a new refrigerator, and they say “It’s the Cadillac of refrigerators?” To that friend, …
Pleasanton man owns first-, last-generation Thunderbirds
Looking back, I think it’s fair to say that up until 1953-1955, the American auto industry was pretty bland. General Motors was clearly the leader, selling approximately twice as many …
’71 Pantera in Livermore proved to be a good investment
It’s a mighty good-looking car, this issue’s 1971 De Tomaso Pantera. It’s Italian, of course (“pantera” is Italian for “panther”), designed by the company Carrozzeria Ghia. The De Tomaso company …
Brentwood owner loves his 1947 Willys Jeep pickup truck
When the U.S. involvement in World War II became obvious, the Army wanted a general-purpose four-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicle. The U.S. military contacted 135 companies with required specifications and asked …
’56 Studebaker in Pleasanton a ‘face-lift’ of an earlier model
It will be 60 years on Dec. 31 since the once-great Studebaker Corp. closed down its plant in South Bend, Indiana and laid off thousands, including a young man who …