There are many reasons why automotive restoration projects don’t always succeed. Sometimes, the hobbyist finds himself over his (or her) head, and frustration overwhelms interest in finishing the car...
In Vermont, we’re still in the grips of winter, but one sure sign of spring is the increasing hours of daylight. That alone is enough to make one optimistic that warmer days (and in Vermont, plenty o...
It’s said that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step, and applying that same logic, a restoration of 1,000 parts begins with the removal of the first rusted fastener (or, perhaps, the s...
Once again, ‘tis the season for short days, cold nights, and at least in the vicinity of Hemmings World Headquarters in Bennington, Vermont, snow. For those lucky enough to have heat in the workshop,...
Like Rodney Dangerfield, the 1980s is the decade that can’t seem to get any respect. The 1950s and ’60s stand on their own, automotive-wise, and though few would declare the 1970s the pinnacle of aut...
Usually, but not always, there’s a theme that holds each installment of the $5,000 challenge together. It may be cars that need assembly, or unusual finds, or cars from a particular decade, or it may...
The beauty of the old car hobby is this: There’s something to interest just about everyone, across a wide variety of price points. Most editions of the $5,000 Challenge have focused on automobiles fr...
The problem with owning a perfectly restored classic car is this: using it as a regular driver is bound to induce a certain amount of paranoia. After spending more on a paint job than you did on your...
Everybody, it seems, has a story about how cheap cars were in the old days. From gently wrecked Ferraris, now worth millions (or tens of millions) of dollars that sold for the cost of a three-year ol...
When it comes to cars and driving, each of us dream differently. For some, bliss is a winding mountain road and an agile sports car, while for others it’s a plush, family-sized station wagon and a st...
Since starting this series in 2014, we’ve received more than a few requests to broaden our horizons and include motorcycles in the $5,000 Challenge. As someone who once counted a bike as his only mot...
No great road trip story ever ended with, “…and absolutely nothing went wrong on the entire trip.” Epic stories are filled with drama, punctuated with intervals of sheer terror, and wrapped up with a...
What makes a car rare? In some cases, it’s low production numbers, while in other cases, it may be the number of survivors remaining intact. While none of the cars below qualify as low production (wi...
In the United States, Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 19. Trust us when we say that dad doesn’t need another tie, or a set of golf clubs, or even a fancy dinner out that requires wearing a tie (pot...
To some, the collector car hobby is about driving a classic car, a fairly broad term that encompasses a wide variety of vehicles and manufacturers. To others, the hobby is about preserving or restori...
One good thing about the collector car hobby is this: Somewhere, there’s a car that appeals to everyone with a passion for four wheels. Shopping at an entry-level price point typically limits the sel...
For many in the classic car hobby, their first vehicle came as a hand-me-down from a relative, or was purchased from an estate sale. Both represent an affordable way to break into the hobby, as long ...
To some, the appeal of the collector car hobby is bringing a tired car, perhaps just a few skinned knuckles away from being sold for scrap, back from the brink. To others, the allure lies in the driv...
One man’s trash, it’s said, is another man’s treasure. While none of the cars gathered for this edition of the $5,000 challenge fall into the “trash” category, each has the potential of being a treas...
Our friends across the pond have a wonderful description of disorder, calling it “the dog’s breakfast.” While most $5,000 Challenge installments have a common theme, this one does not. There are spor...
Every generation of auto enthusiast has a decade that resonates with them, for better or for worse. While the cars of the 1970s may have been crippled by emission regulations and plagued by occasiona...
While we try to adhere to the under-$5,000 rule whenever possible, sometimes it’s a bit refreshing to see what else is out there in a slightly higher price range. This batch of $5,000 Challenge candi...
A few weeks back on Hemmings Radio, we kicked around the topic of what makes a car collectible. While rarity comes into play, perhaps the biggest single factor is relevance, which explains why once-c...