An Eclectic Group – The Gary Ackerman Collection

January 13, 2012
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Gary Ackerman is a third-generation car enthusiast. After attracting Henry Ford’s attention with a customized truck, grandfather George Gaudin started with a single Ford dealership in California’s San Joaquin Valley over 80 years ago. Father Don Ackerman ran the family’s Gaudin Ford location in Las Vegas until handing it over to Gary. Today, Gary owns Gaudin Automotive Group, which includes Gaudin Ford, Ford Country and Gaudin Jaguar-Porsche-Aston Martin of Las Vegas. His eclectic personal collection includes vintage sports cars, Hot Rods and customs. The five special cars he’s “deacquisitioning” will no doubt make room for another round of additions to his ever-changing collection.

By far the rarest model of the iconic “Tri-Five” (1955-1957) Chevrolets is the two door Nomad wagon. For example, of the 1,574,740 cars that Chevrolet produced in model year 1956, only 7,886 were Nomads, at least partially because this was Chevrolet’s most expensive model aside from the Corvette. Understandably, Nomads were instant collector’s items and remain so today.

This ‘56 Nomad (Lot #951) from the Ackerman Collection is a multiple show winner. Less than 200 miles ago, it was treated to a total restoration on a rust-free car. Painted authentic 1956 Chevrolet colors of Dusk Plum and India Ivory, the body is totally stock and correct. All the window glass is NOS glass, and all chrome and stainless trim has been refinished.

Like so many Tri-Five enthusiasts, Ackerman couldn’t resist mildly Hot-Rodding his Nomad to bring the performance up to par with the appearance. In place of the stock 265cid V8, a 365hp, 327cid V8 now resides under the hood. Four-into-one headers feed a custom 2.5” dual exhaust that exits under the rear bumper.

This powerful V8 drives through a classic floor-shifted Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed. To handle this improved performance, the Nomad now has 605 power steering and power disc brakes as well as high-performance, low-profile tires on 18” front and 20” rear chrome five-spoke wheels. The interior features custom gauges and subtle gray velour and black vinyl upholstery with black carpets.

Any Tri-Five Chevy is a winner on the “fun per dollar” scale. As Chevrolet historian Pat Chappell wrote decades ago, “Everybody had one once!” You’ll get attention driving a new Ferrari, it’s true, but if you want smiles and “thumbs up” from every driver you pass and a crowd of knowledgeable new friends every time you stop for gas, drive a 1955, 1956 or 1957 Chevy…especially a custom Nomad with a burbling V8 exhaust. Try it. You’ll see.

Ford’s Thunderbird and Chevrolet’s Corvette were direct rivals in 1957: identical wheelbase, identical horsepower ratings, similar performance, similar price. But with 21,380 produced in 1957, the Thunderbird outsold the Corvette 3.4:1. Why? Well, the T-Bird had swoopier styling by 1957 standards, plusher ride, more convenience features and an indefinable sexiness. In “American Graffiti,” beautiful Suzanne Somers plays the mysterious blonde in a white T-Bird — not a white Corvette.

The Ackerman Collection’s Thunderbird (Lot #955.2) is one of the best in the world, having traveled less than 100 miles since a frame-off restoration. The frame was powder coated and detailed, then the car reassembled and restored throughout. The exterior is authentic Torch Red, with a contrasting all-white interior and white “porthole” removable hardtop. Every detail is correct, down to the white wall tires on red steel wheels with NOS full wheelcovers.

Thunderbirds were available with a variety of rugged Ford Y-block V8s. Out of 21,380 ‘57 T-Birds, only 1,499 were delivered with the 312cid, 270hp V8 with dual-quad intake manifold and two 4 barrel carburetors designated by an “E” code on the VIN plate. Only 200 E-code cars were equipped with the 3-speed plus overdrive transmission of this car. In addition to these rare performance options, this loaded-up E-bird has the rare optional Ford factory engine dress-up kit, power steering, power brakes and power windows. All it’s lacking is a mysterious blonde — that part is up to you.

1957 is generally considered the pinnacle of postwar American car design, with classic models from every manufacturer. No 1957 car is more collectible than the Corvette. This is the year the legendary 283cid V8 was introduced, along with fuel injection and a 4-speed manual gearbox. The clean single-headlight styling of 1956 was retained, a look that was ruined in 1958 when dual headlamps were jammed into widened fenders above a much more aggressive grille. No, 1957 is the C1 Corvette of choice. Only 6,246 were sold — which means there will never be enough to go around.

The Ackerman Collection’s ‘57 (Lot #957.2) punches all the right buttons. Under the hood is a 270hp version of the 283 V8, with the famous dual-quad manifold and twin 4 barrel carbs. This was the top-performance option in 1957, aside from the rare 283hp fuel injection V8, and was preferred by racers and street drivers because the infamous “Fuelie” soon earned a reputation for being both unreliable and difficult to service. The 4-speed gearbox was available on cars built only after May of 1957, so most 1957 Corvettes, like this one, came from the factory with a 3-speed manual.

The recipient of a magnificent frame-off restoration, this Corvette is nearly perfect in every way. The paint scheme of Venetian Red with Polo White coves is authentic and desirable, as are the white wall tires and “knock-off” wheel covers. The restored red and white interior with waffle-pattern vinyl on the seats and door panels, and the round tones of Doo-Wop from the tube-type Wonder Bar radio are enough to make anyone wax nostalgic. All in all, a stunning car that will be a crowd-pleasing display at any concours and a satisfying addition to any collection.

Ford’s “fat fender” 1953-1956 F-100 pickup has been an enthusiast’s favorite for almost 60 years. A few of these neat little trucks have been restored, but it seems like most have been chopped, channeled, lowered, sectioned and given front-hinged hoods and monstrous big block V8s. If there’s such a thing as a classic pickup truck, the F-100 is it. From a collector’s point of view, these trucks are timelessly styled, reliable, easy to maintain and no matter what you do to them, downright cute.

The fat-fender to have is a ‘56 with the very rare full-width rear window, and that’s what we have here in Lot #956. It’s been repowered with a Ford Cleveland small block that’s been stroked to 418cid, balanced and blueprinted with all sorts of high end hop-up gear including JE forged pistons, Manley valves, Crane roller cam, Pro Magnum roller rocker arms, Edelbrock 351C aluminum heads, Holley 750cfm carburetor on an Edelbrock Air Gap manifold, MSD ignition and headers feeding a stainless steel dual exhaust with high-performance Magnaflow mufflers that exit ahead of the left rear wheel. It’s rated at 525hp, and that’s probably conservative.

This bruiser is bolted to a new L-4 AO Dominator 4R70W 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The transmission has a special deep cast aluminum pan and dedicated radiator for cool running. There’s also a separate oil cooler. The engine and transmission are cradled in a front frame clip from a big block Chevelle SS that bolts to a fully boxed and detailed F-100 frame. The front suspension arms have been chromed. The rear suspension is a complete Jaguar independent unit, chromed and detailed, with posi-traction DANA 44 differential running 3.90:1 gears.

Bilstein shock absorbers are fitted all the way around. A Wilwood Dynalite Big Brake kit was used to add front and rear disc brakes with cross-drilled rotors and four-piston calipers. An AGR billet Super Box provides variable ratio power steering. Wheels are Boyd Coddington 17” alloys wearing Nitto 555 Extreme Performance tires, size 245ZR-17.

The interior is done in subtle light gray leather and features a Momo Sport leather steering wheel on a tilt column, power windows, power seats, tinted glass and air conditioning. A vintage 1956 Sun Super Tach is bolted to the side of the steering column, a rare detail that will delight knowledgeable enthusiasts.

Flawless black paint highlights the impeccable bodywork, accented with custom pin stripes on the body, frame and even inside the bumpers. The hood tilts forward on stainless steel hinges, and there’s special door-handle hardware, stainless steel “no bolt” strips over an oak bed, custom tail lights, molded antenna, relocated fuel filler, etc., etc. The attention to detail is amazing. It’s over the top, of course, but that’s what makes this one of the best fat-fender Fords in the world, with only 300 miles on the odometer since its cost-is-no-object construction.

For what turned out to be the final model of the classic Shelby Mustang, Ford designers extended the nose and hood over the stock Mustang using lightweight fiberglass parts, then added a full-width grille and Lucas driving lights. There were scoops on the front and rear fenders, a fiberglass deck lid and 1965 Thunderbird tail lights. A variety of Shelby specific items were sprinkled throughout the interior, and unique 7×15” five-spoke Shelby wheels were fitted to every car. Reflective side stripes were labeled GT350 or GT500, depending on whether the car had a 351/290hp small block or 428/335hp big block.

Carroll Shelby terminated his agreement with Ford in September 1969, so some 1969 Shelbys were sold as 1970 models. Out of the total 1969-1970 Shelby production of 3,153, there were 1,534 GT500 fastbacks. Ackerman’s is especially collectible for a variety of reasons. Lot #1243.1 is an unrestored, unmolested survivor with less than 50,000 miles on the odometer. It’s rare Pastel Gray with Neon Blue stripes over a black interior, and has a close-ratio 4-speed with 3.50:1 Traction-Lok differential. Among the rare options are power steering, tilt-away steering wheel, power disc brakes, Sport Deck folding rear seat, tinted glass, visibility group and AM radio.

Not only does it come with the original factory invoice, this Shelby has the real factory Build Sheet, full Marti Report and a complete book of the service history. It may be the most documented Shelby in existence. It was a “Showcase Award” winner at the 2009 Muscle Car Nationals. As they say, “You can only be virgin once.” Original Shelbys don’t get any better than this.

— By Rich Taylor