Old Cars Weekly – January 15, 2024

Summary

An unrestored 12,000-mile 1970 AMC muscle car — one owner since new — leads the "Meet the Industry Issue" of Old Cars Weekly (Vol. 53 No. 2, 15 January 2024) as editor Angelo Van Bogart argues the collector car hobby is not dying; it is just ageing into a different demographic.

The "Inside 5 Hobby Businesses" feature profiles companies that keep the restoration and parts trade moving across the US. A "Lovely Lincoln" Lincoln Zephyr story follows a buyer who gambled on a neglected example and won. From Australia comes the story of a 1974 Falcon XB panel van — proof the hobby goes global. Brian Earnest's interview with Darin Roberg touches on the appeal of "analog" vehicles versus computer-operated modern cars. B. Mitchell Carlson contributes an auction report from the winter sales.

Event coverage lists the 76th McCormick's Palm Springs Collector Car Auction (23-25 February 2024, over 500 cars) and the 39th Annual Carolina-in-January Auction & Swap Meet in Concord, North Carolina. The Carlisle Events Auto Mania celebrates its 50th anniversary with a January 19-21 weekend in the Pennsylvania fairgrounds.

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Content Guide

▸ Features

p.· Only-Owner AMR — Unrestored 12K-Mile 1970 AMC
A one-owner AMC muscle car with 12,000 original miles, untouched by restoration. The car's originality — factory paint, interior, and drivetrain — makes it a benchmark for the "survivor" category. If you are evaluating a low-mileage find, use the documentation standards shown here as your checklist for verifying claims.

p.· Inside 5 Hobby Businesses
Profiles of five businesses that support the collector car ecosystem — parts suppliers, restoration shops, and transport specialists. Each profile covers the company's speciality, geographic reach, and what makes them stand out. Save the list for when you need a trusted referral for a specific service.

p.· Lovely Lincoln — Zephyr Buy Was a Good Gamble
A buyer takes a chance on a neglected Lincoln Zephyr and discovers that the gamble paid off. The story walks through the purchase decision, the negotiation, and the early restoration work. The inspection checklist used here applies to any pre-war purchase: start with the same rust-prone areas and you will avoid the most common money pits.

p.· Down Under, But Not Down and Out — 1974 Falcon XB Panel Van
An Australian 1974 Ford Falcon XB panel van, a model best known internationally from the Mad Max films, documented at home and on the export market. The feature covers the import paperwork and shipping logistics for US-bound buyers. If you are eyeing an Australian classic, the import steps outlined here save you at least two Customs-related headaches.

▸ Auction / Events

p.· McCormick's Palm Springs — 76th Auction
Over 500 cars crossing the block 23-25 February 2024 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Entry fees run $300-$600 with a 6% flat sell fee. The Hilton Palm Springs hosts with an MCC promo code. If you are considering selling, the 68% sell rate from the last auction gives you a realistic probability to calculate against.

p.· Carlisle Events Auto Mania — 50th Anniversary
Pennsylvania's largest indoor heated automotive flea market runs 19-21 January 2024 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds plus the Allentown PA Fairgrounds Agri-Plex – 59,000 square feet. Kids 12 and under get in free. Arrive Friday at noon for the best parts selection before the weekend crowds pick over the inventory.

p.· Carolina-in-January Auction & Swap Meet
The Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina hosts this two-day event on 12-13 January. The featured car is a 1960 Chevrolet 348 four-speed. If you are coming for the swap meet, call the organisers ahead of time to confirm vendor counts — the January weather affects turnout.

▸ Opinion / Analysis

p.· From the Editor — What the Experts Say
Angelo Van Bogart counters the "hobby is dying" narrative by citing National Depot's Rick Schmidt, who has heard the same doom-and-gloom since the 1970s. The editorial argues that enthusiasts enter at 40-50, not 20-30, and that the key to survival is cross-generational exposure at shows and cruises. Take one older car to a show, park it where kids can see it, and talk to a parent about what made you buy yours.

p.· Auction Report — B. Mitchell Carlson
Carlson's regular column analyzes winter auction results, identifying which models sold above estimate and which slumped. The percentage-gap data between hammer price and pre-sale estimate is the most actionable metric here. Use it to adjust your own bidding strategy for the spring sales.

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Editor's Take

This "Meet the Industry Issue" delivers exactly what it promises — five business profiles that give readers restoration-service referrals and an inside look at the trade. The 1970 AMC survivor and the Australian Falcon XB add flavour, but the real value is in the business directory. Weakness: the editorial density is low — many pages are event advertisements and the auction previews repeat information available online for free. Best for mid-Atlantic and Southeast US collector-car enthusiasts who attend the auctions listed; too US-centric for Canadian or European readers.

Strengths
• Five hobby-business profiles with specific services, regions, and contact details
• 1970 AMC survivor inspection documentation — verification standards for collectors
• McCormick's Palm Springs auction data — 68% sell rate, 500+ cars, entry fees $300-$600

Weaknesses
• Event previews duplicate information already posted on the organisers' websites
• Feature count is low — only five real articles across the issue

Verdict: Selective read — Useful for the business directory and auction dates; the editorial ratio of ad pages to articles is below industry average.