Nerd Cars

Revenge of the nerd cars

Excerpt:

McKeel Hagerty began noticing the trend a few years ago. As chief executive of Hagerty Insurance, the largest provider of insurance to classic-car collectors, Hagerty could see that the so-called "nerd cars" — the ugliest of automotive beasts — were nonetheless increasing in value. Ford Motor's Pinto and American Motors' Pacer and Gremlin — cars that were punch lines from the decade of disco — suddenly seemed hot. They weren't increasing by much, Hagerty admits, from maybe $500 to a few thousand dollars. But still, money is money.

Hagerty couldn't resist. He plunked down $2,300 for a dark green 1976 Pacer three years ago. "I happen to think it's a cool car," he says, even though it came without an eight-track tape player, which must have been an option when the car was new. "How am I going to listen to Foghat?" he asks.



Comments: My Father had an AMC Pacer (long after I had moved out). I drove it once - from Louisville to Cincinnati. Kathee and I had flown to Louisville for a job interview. My Brother drove down from Cincinnati and met us there. The three of us took a leisurely drive back (through Southern Indiana) to my folks' house.

Other unusual cars that my Father had:

The above is a Henry J.. Dad bought it for $ 35. My Sister drove it from the house to the bus stop where she picked up a bus to ride to the University of Cincinnati. I learned to drive with this car. Ours was blue (with a lot of rust). I think our's was a 1951.

Dad bought a Nash Metropolitan to replace the Henry J. Our's was a black and white 1961. I took my driver's test in this car. I wrecked it in the homecoming parade!

The Dodge Dart replaced the Metropolitan. I think it was a 1965. I wanted Dad to buy a Mustang but this car was pretty cool. It had a V-8 and was very fast.

Along the way, Dad also had a Ford Falcon. I think this was after the Dodge Dart. This is the last of the "Dad" cars that I drove.