November 2014 - Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Association

Looking for your second vehicle?

It’s getting close to that time of the year again; the temperatures are dropping, weather is a little unpredictable, and we all just want to make it through.  Those who remember having car problems last winter probably want one thing for the holidays, another vehicle.  Having a second vehicle can be very beneficial, and the sense of security – knowing that you have a back-up is a great feeling!

MSN has compiled a list, “20 Great Second Vehicles”, taking into account the two main factors for many, budget and style.  MSN has set a budget of $10,000 and is featuring many different styles of vehicles – everything from sporty steed, straight commuter, family hauler or luxury ride.  “The twist is where to compromise: newer vehicle and higher mileage, or an older one with fewer miles.”  Keep in mind, the best used cars come from new car dealers!

View MSN’s 20 Great Second Vehicles list, here.  Remember to mark your calendar for the Cincinnati Auto Expo 2015, February 18-22!

Nearly 100, and still on the road

sr1 sr2 sr3 sr4

Scott Robertson, a 65 year old electrician, born and raised in Harris, Iowa has possession of a vehicle that is nearly 100 years old, and is still on the road in Iowa.  Years and years ago, Robertson’s grandfather saw a picture of a 1920 Willys-Overland Model 4 Sedan.  He ordered it for about $900, and it was delivered in pieces from the factory in Toledo, Ohio.  The local garage assembled it.  Robertson says that at the time, Willys-Overland was a thriving company.  Today, they’re best known for creating the military Jeep.

The car has never left the Robertson family, or even Harris, except to go on a drive to neighboring town.  “When I drive the car between two cornfields, I think, man this must have looked exactly the same when my grandfather drove this car down the same road almost 100 years ago…” Robertson said.  “My son lives in Las Vegas.  I would hate to see the car leave the Robertson family, but in a way, it also belongs to the town of Harris.”

If there is an antique vehicle in your family that you wish to show off, enter it into the 2nd Annual Cincinnati Auto Expo 2015 Forum Car Contest!

Bliss from the Depression-Era

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For those who were around in the 1930’s, it was a time of instability.  The Depression, which took place from 1929-39, left the economy in a rough state.  Though many things at the time weren’t dependable, one thing came to be!  The Chrysler Imperial Airflow, appearing in 1934, was an extremely revolutionary vehicle at the time; so says Chandler Smith, a 51 year-old finance rep from Fort Worth, TX, when interviewed by A.J. Baime of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Smith says he was 10 years-old on a family vacation, when his father first pointed out an Airflow to him.  Apparently, they were only built for 4 years, and there are very few of them left.  The Airflow was the first American car designed using a wind tunnel, and Orville Wright of the Wright brothers was one of its consultants.  The car proved its strength and dependability through multiple stunts.  “Chrysler engineers filmed it being pushed off a 110-foot cliff.  A man then jumps in at the bottom and drives away.  They also filmed the car getting shot in the tire with a shotgun to prove it would be safe in the event of a blowout.”

Smith purchased his 1936 Airflow from an expert in Seattle who’d restored it in 1983 with absolute authenticity.  Since owning it, Smith has driven the car to Reno, Nev., St. Joseph, Mich., Lexington, Ky., Durango, Colo., and to Phoenix in 116-degree heat.  “I’m just a caretaker,” he says.  “My job is to maintain it, use it, and share it with people.”

If you have an awesome antique, or otherwise rare or unique vehicle that you’d love to share with others, enter it into the Cincinnati Auto Expo 2015 Forum Car Contest!  Simply go to www.gcada.net/carcontest for your chance to win, and have your vehicle on display for the thousands of Auto Expo attendees to see and admire!

The 2nd Annual Cincinnati Auto Expo 2015 Forum Car Contest!

If you own an amazing car or truck that deserves the limelight, this is your chance to show it off!

The Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Association (GCADA) is kicking off the second annual Cincinnati Auto Expo Forum Car Contest. 

So, get ready to SHOW US WHAT YOU’RE ROLLIN’ WITH!! 

At least three lucky winners will have their vehicle featured at the Cincinnati Auto Expo!  We’re looking for unique vehicles that are going to excite the thousands of Auto Expo attendees.  Eligible vehicles include, but are not limited to:

Classic/Old School

Tuner

Muscle/Hotrod

Specialty

Exotic

Otherwise rare or unique

To enter, simply go to www.gcada.net/carcontest and upload a recent photo (within the past year) of the vehicle.  Contest begins today, Friday, November 14, 2014.  The voting deadline is Friday, January 16, 2015.

Good luck, and we’ll see you at the 2015 Cincinnati Auto Expo (held February 18 – 22, 2015)!!

A little Italy in the backyard

Kristy Duncan Johnson, a senior product manager at Adobe, of Los Gatos, California is one car lover with the luxury of having a little Italy in her backyard.  Ever since her grandparents took her to see the Harrah car collection as a kid, she’s been in love with automobiles.  Today, she and her husband, Grady, have nearly 50 cars in their backyard, but it’s the Fiat 500 – known as the Cinquecento in Italy – is her favorite.  For those of you with kids at home, you may know the Cinquecento as Luigi from the movie “Cars.”  Back in 1957, when the model first appeared, it was Italy’s answer to the people’s car – a small, affordable, four-seater.

Johnson and her husband have six classic Cinquecentos.  The most unique one is a right-hand drive 1969 model purchased from Australia on eBay; it’s been modified as a permanent roadster – no top, and it’s a blue-purple color the couple refers to as blurple.   “When Fiat brought an all-new 500 to the U.S. in 2011, we signed up for a Prima Edizione [first edition] and got the 237th car to roll off the assembly line,” said Johnson.  “There’s something about the ways these cars drive – both the new ones and the classics.  All are manual transmissions.  In a car so small, you get a visceral feel for speed.  Every time I get in one, it puts a smile on my face.”  To view Kristy’s flock of fiats, click here.

2015 Cincinnati Auto Expo Forum Car Contest

Do you own an awesome car or truck?

Have you been waiting for the perfect opportunity to show it off?

Well, this is your chance!  The Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Association (GCADA) is getting ready to kick off the second annual Cincinnati Auto Expo Forum Car Contest, where several lucky winners will have their vehicles featured at the Expo!  So get yours ready; whether it’s a classic – antique or old school, hot rod, tuner, exotic, muscle, doesn’t matter!  We’re looking for vehicles that are going to excite the crowd at the 2015 Cincinnati Auto Expo. 

The Expo will be held February 18-22, 2015, but kick-off for the Forum Car Contest, to judge which vehicles will be displayed, is right around the corner. 

Get ready to SHOW US WHAT YOU’RE ROLLING IN at the 2015 Cincinnati Auto Expo!