There were more GM vehicles; Pontiac GTOs, Chevelle SS396 and 454 models, Novas, even a chopped and channeled Buick Riveria. I found a Jade Gold, 1968 SS396 virtually identical to the one I used to drive in the late Sixties.

I remembered Warren had once owned a Rambler Marlin, just as a slick looking, 390 cu. in., AMX arrived to represent AMC. I pointed it out to him.

Then I spotted this very well prepared '55 Chevy. Had to get a picture!

I'm always a little shy to ask the owner of a car to put the hood down, but I did, and he was happy to do so. It makes a much better picture.

I thanked him, gave him the URL for this site so he could check it out, and moved on.

I could have used eyes in the back of my head that morning, to do a better job of looking for the Corvairs I'd come to photograph. I spent a good part of the morning with my head spinning like Linda Blair in The Exorcist. I wasn't disappointed, but I had to be sharp.

After an hour or so at the State Fairgrounds, I saw only one Corvair, so we headed back to Woodward to grab the free shuttle service provided by the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) that would cruise Woodward all day, ferrying people 14 miles up the street to Pontiac.

Passing through the parking lot, we spotted Andy Pieper's '64 409, Impala SS. According to Andy, every moving part, gasket, seal, bearing and stitch has been replaced or rebuilt. In the summer months this Chevy is driven several times a week. Never a trailer queen, the car is driven everywhere. This was its third trip to the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise.

The 400 hp 409 cu. in. machine is equipped with automatic transmission and Positraction rear end. The option list is long and includes a full compliment of power accessories; power steering, brakes, windows, vents, door locks and seat. In also has the tachometer equipped dash, cruise control, tilt steering with wood wheel, deluxe wiper/washers, factory air-conditioning, AM/FM radio, SS wire wheel covers, special order Corvette Red paint, bumperettes, a vacuum-powered trunk release, the courtesy lamp group, and even the accessory tissue dispenser.

Andy has owned the car for over 20 years. In that time it has undergone a frame-off restoration on a Southern Missouri unit. He did all the restoration work himself except for top and interior installation. Everyone who sees it agrees, this is one fine piece...one fine 409!

A few feet away, we noticed this cherry looking Nova.

Traction bars like the ones under the rear of this modern day deuce (Chevy II) coupe keep axle tramp to a minimum.