OCTOBER 16 STAR OF THE WEEK: 1965 FORD GALAXIE- A LEGENDARY COLLECTOR'S LAST NEW CAR

OCTOBER 16 STAR OF THE WEEK: 1965 FORD GALAXIE- A LEGENDARY COLLECTOR'S LAST NEW CAR

Charlie Parker was a visionary car collector. He started collecting classic iron long before the hobby became a hedge against inflation.

He had the talent and the foresight to acquire rare cars at a time when they were considered more of a nuisance than a sound investment in an automotive past.

He saw old cars as an important part of history and he saved numerous examples from a terrible fate.

That's why this 1965 Ford was so interesting-it was the last new car he purchased and for that reason it was an easy MSCC Star of the Week.

OCTOBER 15 STAR OF THE DAY:1954 AERO WILLYS-LAST OF THE SPECIES

This 1954 Willys spelled the end of the road for the automotive side of this iconic name. Willys Jeeps lived on but the Willys car had only a few months to live in North America.

South American cousins spawned from the dies sent south but Aeros were the sunset brand for Willys in the U.S.A. and Canada.

This Willys was spotted at a world class car show in 2010 and very few people took notice of the plain Jane sedan as it took a parade lap at the show.

That's too bad because they missed a future MSCC Star of the Day.

OCTOBER 14 STAR OF THE DAY-THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE MOPAR GUYS

This is a picture from a very recent Cruise Night in Red Deer Alberta and it really sums up the commitment Mopar guys have to the hobby.

This isn't California so the leaves are gone, the wind has switched to the North and the sun drops out of the sky earlier every night. Snow is just around the corner.

That didn't stop these Mopar guys. Despite the brisk nature of the weather, they had a team meeting and a mini Mopar show because the classic Plymouth and Dodge brotherhood is so strong that it makes Harley owners jealous.

Star of the Day-the Mopar Brotherhood.

OCTOBER 13 STAR OF THE DAY: CLASSIC CHEVY TRUCKS IN A MISLEADING SITUATION

Initially this scenario looks obvious-two classic Chevy trucks and police lights usually means a bad day for somebody.

Veterans of car shows know that putting on a "hazer" with a high powered muscle car or classic rod will inevitably attract official attention from local law enforcement.

That wasn't the case here-a kid wanted to see the police car light up at a car show so the guy behind the wheel obliged.

The Chevy truck was just driving by.

Star of the Day-a PR moment at a car show...

OCTOBER 12 STAR OF THE DAY:1950 JEEPSTER-THE PROTOTYPE OF THE SUV

The Jeepster was the answer to the customer who whined about the ride found in the civilian version of the military Jeep.

Apparently the Jeep was good enough for soldiers fighting for freedom in World War II but Aunt Betty's sciatica precluded civilian use.

Thus the Jeepster was born. This was a lower. wider, more civilized Jeep-more like an overweight cousin with flabby arms. It was  2 wheel drive and underpowered but at least you could park this baby in front of the country club instead of behind it in the alley beside the kitchen.

This was a nice example of the Jeepster and its story is found in the Feb. 2010 MSCC archives.

It was long overdue as a Star of the Day.

OCTOBER 11 STAR OF THE DAY:A 1950 PLYMOUTH-BEFORE THEY MUSCLED OUT...The Plymouth name was built on dependability with a nod towards affordability. Buying a Plymouth was something your accountant would do because it made so much economic sense.

This 1950 Plymouth followed that mantra to the letter-it's a sensible 4 door sedan and it could only be purchased with a thrifty 6 cylinder engine. That was Plymouth until 1956.

That's when they put a high powered V8 in a Plymouth and called it a Fury.Just behind this 1950 Plymouth is the next generation and they called that one a Roadrunner.

But in 1950 this indestructible sedan symbolized everything that was Plymouth...toughness and reliabilty.

That makes this warhorse a Star of the Day.

OCTOBER 10 STAR OF THE DAY:1965 FORD GALAXIE THE LAST NEW CAR FOR A WORLD CLASS CAR COLLECTOR

This 1965 Ford isn't going to cross the auction block at any world class car auction like Christies but it does have one significant distinction in its history.

This was the last new car for a world class collector.

He owned cars that were distinguished, historical automotive icons but when he needed something that could handle the daily demands of a northern climate, he picked this Ford.

He loved rare cars with a genteel pedigree but when it came to picking a frontline car, he chose one from North America.

The collector is gone now but his most mundane car is a true blue collar-not blue chip MSCC Star of the Day.

Here's link to past Stars of the Day-http://www.mystarcollectorcar.com/2-features/star-car-tunes/1283-october-2-star-of-the-day-a-famous-1960-nash-rambler-american.html