CAR RESTORER REVIVES HISTORY.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer When David Floyd answered a classified ad for a 1948 Chrysler New Yorker yorker Noun Cricket a ball bowled so as to pitch just under or just beyond the bat [probably after the Yorkshire County Cricket Club] , he found it sitting in a field where it had been for 18 years. He bought the car - which still had all its parts - for $600, then spent weekends and evenings for 2-1/2 years - and about $4,000 - restoring it. ``Every time I look at that I think of how good it feels to have created it by myself,'' said Floyd, a NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. Dryden Flight Research Center The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. aircraft mechanic. ``Just being able to look at it makes it worth it.'' Floyd's cars over the years have included a 1948 DeSoto, a 1978 Corvette corvette, small warship, classed between a frigate and a sloop-of-war. Corvettes usually were flush-decked and carried fewer than 28 guns. They were widely employed in escorting convoys and attacking merchant ships during the great naval wars of the late 18th and and a 1941 Plymouth. ``It's just part of the game,'' said Floyd. ``You continually buy and sell and trade.'' He is hoping to come into contact one day with his dream car, a 1959 Cadillac convertible. ``I'd like to find one in restorable condition,'' said Floyd. ``It would be my ultimate dream.'' Currently Floyd is president of the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley chapter of the Antique Car An antique car is generally defined as a car over 25 years of age, this being the definition used by the Antique Automobile Club of America and many other organizations worldwide. However, the legal definition for the purpose of antique vehicle registration varies widely. Club of America, made up of 68 families. The local chapter started 37 years ago, initially meeting at a garage. ``Now, we have (a) monthly meeting where we get together and talk about things,'' said Floyd. The topics include: crime, smog, Henry Ford, or a member's first ride in a Model T. Members drive their cars in parade and organize events of their own, including a 60- to 80-mile rally, an obstacle course obstacle course n. 1. A training course filled with obstacles, such as ditches and walls, that must be negotiated speedily by troops undergoing training or participants in an obstacle race. 2. called the Old Car Games and an annual barbecue. Open to anyone who loves old cars - they don't need to own one - the club meets at 7:30 p.m. the last Friday of each month - except November or December - at the Antelope Valley College Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of 1,945 square miles covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties. Auto Shop, 3041 W. Ave. K. Currently, Floyd and his oldest daughter, age 17, are restoring a baby blue 1974 Volkswagen Beetle This article is about the original Volkswagen Beetle. For the one introduced in 1997, see Volkswagen New Beetle. The Volkswagen Type 1, more commonly known as the Beetle . ``She brought all the parts and is working on the whole thing,'' said Floyd. ``We did all the upholstery, engine, tires and wheels. I'm confident that if she broke down anywhere she would know how to fix her car.'' Floyd enjoys driving his Chrysler around town and says the comment he gets most often from people is how it brings back memories about how their parents or somebody else had one just like it. ``It's like a time machine. It brings out a lot of nostalgia.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1--color in AV only) David Floyd of Lancaster wh o has a passion for fixing up autos spent 2-1/2 years and $4,000 restoring his 1948 Chrysler New Yorker. (2--ran in AV only--color) ``It's like a time machine. It brings out a lot of nostalgia.'' - David Floyd (3--ran in AV only) David Floyd, president of the area chapter of the Antique Car Club of America, is searching for his dream car, a 1959 Cadillac convertible. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion