Crossing the USA 2023 - Hershey Car Show - Ep 3: Classic Restos - Series 54
The Hershey Car Show is one of America's largest prestige automobile shows, featuring 1,500 cars on display. It's held in conjunction with the Hershey Swap Meet, located across the road. The Hershey Car Show has run consecutively since 1955.
Fletch, dressed in camouflage due to inclement weather, doesn’t miss an opportunity to seek out some exceptional vehicles in attendance this year.
Viewers of Classic Restos may recognise Murray Park, a personal friend of Fletch. Murray is at the Hershey Car Show with his 1960 Desoto Adventurer, an 8-year restoration project. It was a challenging restoration due to the difficulty of accessing the original parts for this rare model. It’s a 383 Hemi Cross Ram Induction model with torque flight automatic transmission, one of only 93 ever built. This limited-edition model was the highest-priced model in the range and had some unique features, such as a 45rpm record player with 14 records and auto swivel seats on entry and exit, which were only present in the 1960 model. The model is a picture of opulence.
Next is Jim with another Mopar, a 1957 D500 Custom Royal with 325 Hemi and a unique story. Jim first sighted the car at a dealership where he worked as a boy in 1967, just ten years after the car was manufactured. He inquired about the price and was told $50, which seemed great. However, Jim only earned 75 cents an hour at the time. Jim bought the car and drove it for a while before the engine failed, and he parked it up in a barn for 48 years. Jim started the restoration after his wife coaxed him into doing it before it rusted away completely. The restoration was completed in 2 and a half years and is a stunning example of the model today, thanks to Jim’s wife.
Other cars in concours condition include Hank’s 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible soft top, which is the result of a massive 10-year restoration project, with everything being original. For a car built in 1960, it had some remarkable features, such as air-ride suspension, auto-eye, cruise control, and air conditioning.
A very rare 1967 Mustang Branded with a 289 Windsor V8. This model was developed by Ford in conjunction with the Ford dealers. Owner Marlene said they found the car in Texas in pretty bad shape but identified it as a Branded model and rare. The restoration is in concours condition, with great attention to detail.
One from a different era is a 1938 Lincoln Model K Convertible V12 with a Le Baron Body, one of only four ever built and one of only two remaining, both in the original colour of Crimson Yellow. Owner Manny has only owned the vehicle for three years and completed the restoration in 12 months, working day and night. He says he has thoroughly enjoyed working on it and now enjoys showing it off.
The journey continues….
