American Collectors at the Ault Park Concours

One of the sections of the annual Ault Park Concours that I always enjoy is the American Collector cars. These are automobiles made from 1946 through 1968 and demonstrate some of the great advances made by American car companies following World War II. One example is the top car shown here, a 1953 Buick Roadmaster Sedan, the first year they had the 322 cubic inch V 8.

A 1956 Chrysler St. Regis two door hardtop is an example of one of the lesser known cars that the folks at the Concours manage to get displayed.

Then there are the classics such as this mint condition, first generation 1956 Ford Thunderbird. This was supposed to be Ford's answer to the Corvette but veered away from it's initial sports car styling.

By the fourth generation, the Tunuderbird had drastically changed. It was no longer a two seater sports car but had been transformed into what might have passed for a family car; that is if it didn't have a 390 cubic inch V 8 that churned out 300 horses.

One of the most recognizable luxury cars of the late 1950s was the Cadillac. Though they're not included in this picture the tail fins on the 1959 El Dorado models were some of the largest and most unique ever created.

When most people think of Packards they think of the large luxury machines that were put on the roads prior to World War II. But this 1954 convertible is an example of how they were competing against Detroit in the heyday of the automobile.

Back in 1956 it wasn't uncommon for dad to come home to the suburban house with a brand new station wagon. But if it was a Chrysler Town and Country like this one it came equipped with a 354 cubic inch Hemi V 8 that generated 280 horses. Nice station wagon.

One of the most unusual front grills from the era belonged to a 1950 Studebaker Commander convertible. This is a totally unrestored model and is equipped with a 246 cubic inch in-line six capable of 102 horse power.

Car companies are always looking for cool, catchy names. I'm not sure if this one really hit but it has to be one of the longest and most visual names going. This is a 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak 8 Torpedo convertible. Yeah. The "8" represented a 246 cubic inch straight eight engine.

One of only seven Cadillac stations made for 1955 was this Custom Viewmaster. What makes this automobile even more special is that this is body number one.

The last of the American Collector cars on display was this 1954 Cadillac El Dorado convertible which was designed by the famous Harley Earl.