We had a blast in Scottsdale, and there’s so much going on there, we had to share some more of the killer collector cars, hot rods, and original creations.

We spent some time enjoying a number of collector cars and hot rods with the Minnesota Street Rod Association. Here’s a brief video with one of the members:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C575uqZl5hU]

Condon Skelly visited Scottsdale, Arizona last week to check out some unbelievable classic and custom cars. Scottsdale is actually a hotbed for collector cars, custom hot rods, and a gathering place for gearheads across the country to gather, share, and race. Here are some of the beauties we found.

We recently attended Salute the Troops in Media, PA.

Many things in the automotive industry have changed over the last 55 years. Even the ways we describe and perceive the automobile have changed. It can be fun and illuminating to explore the differences back to back, and interpret what they say about the cars themselves, but also about ourselves, as collectors, drivers, and people.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A8m3eDMrQc&w=640&h=360]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-pLZiWVA2k&w=640&h=360]

We attended the annual Pumpkin Run this year in Egg Harbor, NJ. It’s was a blast, as always. The focus of the show is on hot rods and antique engines & tractors. We love to cover these vehicles with antique car insurance and custom car insurance, but we love seeing them and driving them even more. Check out some photos from the show…

Corvettes represent one of the most recognized and significant collector car franchises of the automotive industry. In looks and performance, they were always top-notch. They cost more than typical American muscle, but they back it up with fine craftsmanship and exclusivity. This is especially evident in a number of models from the ’60s. Here Mike shares with us some info on his ’66 Vette.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_OpszAbjXY&w=640&h=360]

Horsepower, like many things, continues to grow with the times. Many want bigger, faster, cheaper. Technology and economies of scale are happy to oblige. In some ways, however, it’s remarkable that we’ve come this far, given the effects of the gas crises. The resulting fuel economy efforts devastated the market for power and performance. In the 80s, a typical Ford Mustang had between 88 and 140 horsepower – today’s equivalent of a compact or subcompact economy car. Despite the crises, and the need to clean up our act, the horsepower wars are raging now as much as ever before. Let’s take a look at what five decades will do.

In the 60s, the most powerful production car (by rated net HP) was the Chevy Camaro ZL-1, producing 376 bhp. Today, the list of cars with more power is nearly endless, but let’s focus on the ones that most people can afford. The Camaro ZL-1 was expensive in 1969, but not outlandish – about $43,000 in today’s money. Today’s cars under $43,000 with more than 376 bhp are as follows:

• Chevy Camaro SS – 426 bhp
• Ford Mustang GT – 412 bhp
• Dodge Challenger SRT8 – 470 bhp

It’s nice to see that Detroit has returned to its old hallmark of affordable power for the people. There’s a vast array of European and Japanese cars over 376 bhp, but most of them cost two or three times what these cars cost. The ZL-1 was a rocket ship in its day, and just 5 years ago, none of these cars were around. This decade, however, has marked the return of American Muscle. What’s to come in the following ten years?

We visited Levittown, PA to check out the Kruzers at the Knight of Columbus. There some beautiful collector cars and antique cars, and a great time was had by all. Here are just a few of the great vehicles brought to the event…

There are few things more exciting and potentially rewarding for a collector car enthusiast than a barn-find. Rare, untouched examples of an unbastardized car, they present a clean canvas for a collector to perform a basic restoration, a major restoration, a direct-to-auction sale, or even create a heavily customized vehicle. It’s an automotive stem cell, capable of becoming almost anything you’d like. Check out our video of a collector with ’68 Vette in Bristol, PA.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lKidUUxGyQ&w=640&h=360]