Aged To Perfection

Clark Ballard says many collectors drive their antique cars, but his wife gets nervous whenever he takes his 1929 Model A Ford on a long trip.

 Jerry Seinfeld and Ralph Lauren are hooked. Jay Leno calls it a romantic relationship, and Newsday says it’s a sickness. Seinfeld, Lauren and Leno are just three among thousands who collect old cars. Last year’s annual Antique Automobile Show at Riverside Park brought in over 6,000 people and 274 fabulous old cars. To give you an idea of how popular collecting old vehicles has become, the Antique Automobile Club of America has 60,000 members and the Classic Car Club of America, 4,500. 

Local aficionado Clark Ballard says that the interest in collecting old cars is multifaceted. He says some collectors have a desire to connect with earlier and better times, some want to preserve history, and others collect vintage vehicles for the satisfaction that comes from bringing an old car back to life. 

Ballard says contrary to popular opinion, many collectors drive their antique cars, although he admits his wife gets nervous whenever he takes his Model A on a long trip. “I told my wife, I never failed to get home, did I?” says Ballard. “I always said I was going to put a sign on my Model A: ‘If you see this car on a trailer, call 911. It’s being stolen.’”