When purchasing a car or truck, regardless of whether it’s new, used or classic, the transaction is usually fairly brief. Spot it, make an offer, strike a deal and bring it home. End of story. For Glenn Nielsen of Newtown, however, acquiring his Bolero red 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS was …

WETHERSFIELD, CT – It’s a question of which came first? The classic cars and trucks or the burgeoning number of car shows in Connecticut? The number of registered motor vehicles bearing classic license plates rose 3,356 over the past year. According to data supplied today by the state Department of …

WATERBURY, CT – Jermaine B. Atkinson of Waterbury was 17 years old and attending Kaynor Technical High School when his father, Clarence B. Atkinson, purchased a new 1996 Ford F-350 XLT in December 1995. The pickup was soon nicknamed “Black Beauty” for its exterior looks. “He’s always been a Ford …

TORRINGTON, CT – It was a memorable slogan that suggested exclusivity and owner passion back in the early days of automobiles: “Ask the Man Who Owns One.” It was applied to the Packard brand, which began in 1899 in Warren, Ohio and lasted until 1958. “They were extremely well made …

JUPITER, FL – It’s a challenging problem involving a luxury SUV that has a potentially high price tag to rectify; as much as $20,000 or more. There’s no easy solution for a friend who owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG that has developed an engine issue. Simply put, my …

PLEASANT VALLEY, CT – Styling-wise, Chevrolet cars designed and built for the 1953 and 1954 model years were evolutionary rather than revolutionary. They were decidedly less flashy than the memorable “Tri-Five” offerings of the 1955, ’56 and ’57 model years that followed, providing Jim Fenn of Pleasant Valley with incentive …

WATERTOWN, CT – It’s not farfetched to think that Ed Montambault of Watertown was perhaps born with motor oil in his veins. His full name is Edward Montambault III and he’s the third generation owner of Montambault’s Auto Supply and Service Center in Waterbury.  Montambault’s grandfather, Edward Montambault Sr., opened …

SOMEWHERE IN NORTH CAROLINA – Whether they have classic beauties or more modern models that somehow stand out, car owners tend to be proud of what’s parked in their garages. And, over the years, most of us have learned to be diplomatic when commenting on another person’s vehicle, especially if …

UNIONVILLE, CT – Good deeds sometimes get rewarded. So does patience. Ken Griffin of Unionville wasn’t expecting any gratuity some years ago when he noticed a shaggy lawn behind the house of his elderly next-door neighbor and offered to help out. “I asked him what was wrong and he said …

THOMASTON, CT – Long before so many classic car enthusiasts adopted their preferred hobby, they built model cars and played with electric train sets as kids. The renown Lionel toy train brand has long produced locomotives and other rolling stock bearing familiar railroad names. It’s now adding a boxcar bearing …