“My Ride Postscript” – Behind Scenes At Classic Car Column

HARWINTON, CT – The weekly “My Ride” column on classic cars that I write and that Hearst publishes online and in 10 newspapers across the state has a formula and a format. In addition to an eyecatching model (whether in styling or quality), there must be a sufficiently interesting story to write a 1,000-word column on the owner and their vehicle. I also need to be able to supply maybe 10 photos and a produced video that runs about five minutes in length.

Once a column gets submitted on Tuesday (which is deadline day) for use on the coming weekend, it’s time to move on to the next subject. Sometimes post-publication, though, My Ride gets a reaction that has some news value or an anecdote occurs that’s worthy of sharing. Unfortunately, the format of My Ride isn’t suited to following up, and interesting feedback or consequences involving the column wouldn’t wouldn’t fill the space.

As a result, I’ve now decided to launch an irregular column here on RIDE-CT under the heading of “My Ride Postscript.” The purpose is to share some of the behind-the-scenes happenings and, when warranted, to provide updates on the doings of past My Ride subjects.

Here goes…

Saab Sonett Column Gets Request From Sweden

Let’s start with this past weekend’s My Ride column on the 1969 Saab Sonett II V4 sports car owned by Ed Davis of Guilford.

Within a day or so of the column being posted online, an email arrived from Jan-David Skaven in Sweden. He edits Club Sonett Sweden’s membership newspaper “Sonettvärlden” or “Sonett World,” and he asked permission to reprint the column with photos. He explained that his club is a non-profit with about 300 members in Sweden where Saabs were built.

I promptly replied that I’d forward the request to Hearst as the content that I provided was now the company’s property, while thanking Jan-David for his compliment of being interested in reprinting the column. Hearst declined the request as reprints are against company policy, but it was a treat to discover that the column had at least one reader in Sweden who had enjoyed it and wanted to share it.

Here’s a link to Hearst’s CT Insider channel on YouTube for the video on the Sonett.

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VW Camper Column Results In Offer Of Hammock

Going back one more week…

The mid-September “My Ride” column on the 1974 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper owned by Patty Nicolari of New Haven prompted an email from Mike Sopchak of Northford who had a dusty part from an old VW bus that he wished to share.

“I’ve been storing a canvas ‘hammock’ bed for over 50 years. It is original equipment. I would love to give it to the current owner,” he wrote. “The canvas measures 35”x54” and is supported by two metal rods. The rods fit into four slots in the cab area. When in position the bed is above the steering wheel.”

I immediately contacted Patty to see if she was interested into obtaining the hammock. She supplied her mailing address and I forwarded it to Mike.

Here’s a link to the video on the VW camper.

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Classic Caddy To Be Displayed At Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance

It was back in July of 2025 that “My Ride” profiled Bill Renda of Wallingford and his gorgeous red 1963 Cadillac Series 62 convertible. Bill is a true Caddy lover. On Sunday, he’ll display his ’63 Caddy at the Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance in Newport, RI.

Roughly 20 classic cars from Connecticut will be exhibited at the concours including a 1912 Locomobile, a 1907 Cadillac, and a 1929 Duesenberg. There will also be some old motorcycles from Connecticut being shown, including a 1925 Harley-Davidson JD. RIDE-CT plans to attend.

Here’s a link to the video on Bill and his ’63 Caddy.

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Hot Rodding Couple Add To Their Collection

And, finally, it was in June 2025 that I wrote about the “his” and “her” 1932 Ford hot rods owned and driven by Laura and Ron San Giovanni of Wallingford.

At the time, there was a work-in-progress third 1932 hot rod in the garage. Well, here it is 15 months later and the new hot rod stunningly painted in gold is now on the road. It had its unveiling on Tuesday night at the Connecticut Nostalgia Night & Connecticut Dragway Reunion in Wallingford.

Here’s a link to the video on Laura and Ron San Giovanni’s hot rods.

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That’s it for the premiere installment of “My Ride Postscript.” Hope there was an interesting tidbit or two here.