Heads up, Larry~! 1930 birthdate for this Packard... 1910 birthdate for the driver....

[audifans]

I try to be an ambassador for the shows while trying to dispel the associated myths. I can't think of a better opportunity to see cars that you would never see in a hundred years, all in one place. Unlike a huge museum collection you get to interact with people that know more about their cars than anyone else.

My first Concours was nearly 30 years ago. My wife and I would sit on the hill watching the parade of cars getting their awards. Realistically, we were not in a position to join that crown until we were nearly 50 years old. We're actually youngsters at near 60, amongst the owners. The crowd is a bit younger. About 10 years ago we were sitting on the hill and my wife said, "I think we're ready." I already owned the '77 Town Car with under 13,000 miles, but it was too new to show. After getting over the mid-life crisis of wanting to own a big bike, my brilliant wife said, "Why don't you just get a big convertible instead?"

I took her advice, and the rest is history. When we bought the Mark II convertible I said, "I think we just bought ourselves a new social life." We did. We have made more long-term relationships in the last 10 years than the previous 30. Car people are the best, no matter your social standing.

And you are doing a good job for all of us here who have been walking thru the shows in our minds, car after car in this thread.

Thanks, Barry.



Just remember. Ambassadors can also get Blue Ribbons as well as the cars.

[barry2952]

Thanks, that was a cool response.

[barry2952]

The Grand Dame and her owner. My wife talked to her for awhile. Sweet lady.

[Richard Directo]

Well thru your ambassadorship, I've gained a much better appreciation for why she loves her Packard so much!

Thanks!

Ms. Dunning has owned the Packard since 1949. She cannot recall how much she paid for the car and said it was unclear how many miles were on its in-line 8-cylinder engine.

“I love that car a great deal,” Ms. Dunning said. “I mean, I honestly do love it.”

[Balderdash]

Hi-res???

nope... lucky enough to find that one

although there were other packard swimsuit shots




Hazel Forbes with a '34 Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria.

[Jesarray]

Looks like the kids have a blast at these events

Luca Bigioni from Toronto sitting in his fathers car a 1952 Champion Special Indy car

[barry2952]

This is one of my favorite kid shots. If you were admiring some stranger's car at a Concours and he asked if you if you'd like to sit in it, what would the look on your face be?

[Massive Attack]

I found one more shot of Margaret Dunning. She seems energetic enough to stay up to speed with her automobile.

[Balderdash]

She's got enough moxie to handle that big (and I do mean big) old beast.

[Powderkeg]

I give this lady lots of credit to standing tall and not being all stooped over like so many old folks.

Perhaps the stature of the Packard is inspiration for her to stay proud

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

This lady is awesome!! Bravo!!

[Bazooka]

I found one more shot of Margaret Dunning. She seems energetic enough to stay up to speed with her automobile.

thanks.

I'll look forward to more pictures of her.

[Wheelstand]

Big 'ol car indeed!

:p

[Jesarray]

Big car.... tiny inside

But beautifully done.

[kowabonga]

Big car


Big block of iron to move it

[Lightnin']

[barry2952]

I met the Grand Dame at a CCCA gathering. Sharp as a tack. She bought a 1941 Cadillac while I was standing next to her. Sealed the deal with a kiss.

[Jesarray]

That is some impressive shot there, Barry!

A shot of how the top is supported

[barry2952]

She joked, "I'll stand up in the next picture." She's an itty-bitty thing with a presence as big as a house.

OK, I'm only 6'5". How tall to you think she is? 4'8", maybe?

[Lightnin']

Just in case some of you were wondering whether this lady was still breathing in the good air and active as ever:

Thanks to Barry for this photo.

The woman on the right is Margaret Denning, who is 102 years old and as sharp as can be. That's her 81 year old 100-point Packard that she has owned for 60 years. Amazing woman.

[barry2952]

She's 102 now and still doesn't need a cane to get around.

A good friend interviewed her for Hagerty magazine and asked about her longevity. She said she doesn't drink milk or eat potatoes, but loves rare steak and alcohol. She says, "If the world gets you down, pour another White Russian. Obviously, that works for her.

[Air and water do mix]

She's 102 now and still doesn't need a cane to get around.

A good friend interviewed her for Hagerty magazine and asked about her longevity. She said she doesn't drink milk or eat potatoes, but loves rare steak and alcohol. She says, "If the world gets you down, pour another White Russian. Obviously, that works for her.

Awesome. Just awesome.

She's right. Potatoes and milk aren't good for you. Cut out that, wheat, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners and I wouldn't be surprised if you could live 10 healthy years longer.

Damn, I love potatoes, though. I like my steak medium rare, however.

[Arsigi]

Neat to see this again.

[barry2952]

She's mentioned in this article.

http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2...athering-2012/

[Mike!]

Mrs. Denning is still awesome. I only hope I'm still as healthy at 102!

[barry2952]

Ms. Denning. Maybe that's why she's lived so long.

[arethirdytwo]

LOL was going to say it must be that she was single

Ms. Denning. Maybe that's why she's lived so long.

[lil' thumper]

It’s the first car ever to be awarded 100 points, a perfect score, by the Classic Car Club of America, a distinction it earned more than 50 years ago.

[Massive Attack]

She's going back to college on a full scholarship

[barry2952]

[QUOTE=Elizabe55th;79247628]Electricity existed before she was born,

Great post, not.

[vwlarry]

She's going back to college on a full scholarship

Photoshop out several undesirable background details, and that photgraph is a very nice image of iconic America. Agriculture, automobile, and indefatigible human spirit. Beautiful.

[Terandyne]

Thanks, Larry. Now you got me imagining the scene back in the day.

She'll be hittin' the books. (In between polishing the car )

Margaret, a lifelong auto enthusiast, grew up on a dairy and potato farm not far from Henry Ford's residence, and her father taught her to drive at the age of 8. After graduating from high school, Dunning set off to U of M, but was forced to drop out during the Great Depression to help her widowed mother. Auto products manufacturer The FRAM Group decided to help send Dunning back to U of M's School of Business, after seeing a story about her lifetime devotion to cars.

[vwlarry]

Somehow, the combination of those lacey wire-spoked wheels in that deep red finish, the fine chrome trim rings, and the wide whites combine to make the wheels on her Packard among the most lovely round objects I've ever enjoyed looking at.

BTW, has it ever fascinated anyone else, the way a wire-spoked wheel is like a rolling suspension bridge? The car is hanging by the upper spokes, while the lower spokes are at rest. Amazing, even on something as simple as a bicycle.

[barry2952]

It is becoming a lost art to true those wheels, too. American Arrow, maker of replacement wheels for classic cars, has an old truing rig. Unlike Ford wheels, with welded spokes, most have threaded ferrules for adjustment and truing. I completely took apart the wheels for my '33, sand-blasted all the parts, chased the threads and loosely reassembled. He was able to get them within .020 of true taking a wobbly car to a smooth one.

Margaret is going to resume her college career at U of M, where she started 60 years ago.

[turbinepowered]

It is becoming a lost art to true those wheels, too. American Arrow, maker of replacement wheels for classic cars, has an old truing rig. Unlike Ford wheels, with welded spokes, most have threaded ferrules for adjustment and truing. I completely took apart the wheels for my '33, sand-blasted all the parts, chased the threads and loosely reassembled. He was able to get them within .020 of true taking a wobbly car to a smooth one.

Margaret is going to resume her college career at U of M, where she started 60 years ago.

I wonder if the art is still around for motorcycle wheels. Still a LOT of wire spoke motorcycles, even new ones, and most have threaded ferrules for adjusting and truing.