It?s not his father?s Oldsmobile ? but Lee Pritchett often tools about in a 1949 Olds. Sometimes he can be seen in a 1938 Olds “businessman?s coupe,” a 1956 Olds Super 88 four-door hardtop (affectionately known as a “lead sled”) or even a 1966 Cutlass convertible.
Car-crazy? Perhaps, but he?s not alone.
Nationally, many antique-car enthusiasts are members of the Antique Automobile Club of America, with which the Harford Region Antique Automobile Club is affiliated. For Pritchett, it was the lure of the HRAAC that led him to purchase his first antique car.
Car ownership is not a prerequisite for membership, but Pritchett said, “It?s tough to not get caught up in vintage fever.” Looking for the right car to begin his collection, the Bel Air resident decided to seek one like the car in which he learned to drive.
His two-year search ended in 1987 with the purchase of the ?49 Olds, which he drove from Colorado to Maryland. Once he returned home, Pritchett addressed some mechanical issues.
“I took it apart and put it back together again,” he said.
Pritchett thinks his selection was a good one. Determining which type of car to buy is crucial.
“Choose an American model,” he said, “not because of any bias, but because domestics are easier to repair.”
Although the Internet facilitates locating replacement parts, it can be difficult finding someone to paint an old car, according to Prichett. Above all, sentimentality makes a “new” old car meaningful.
There is a sense this is a growing hobby; however, exact figures of historic and vintage tags issued by the state are not available, said Buel Young, spokesman for Maryland?s Motor Vehicle Administration.
Vintage tags are a boon for owners, he noted. “They complete the look of a vintage car,” he said.
Although not every antique-car owner belongs to a club, Pritchett said organized activities provide an opportunity to meet with other car enthusiasts. Area parades and car shows encourage new members.
“I like the reaction you get when people see your car, and I enjoy the conversations that result,” he said.
