Linda Clark and I were selling car books at the "World of Wheels" in Green Bay, Wis., yesterday, when we saw a young boy walking past with a shirt that said "Street King" on it. Below the words was ae picture of an old car. We both noticed the boy, but Linda said it first. "Cool shirt for a kid, huh?" Then we both realized that the Shopko Hall at Brown County Areana, which hosts the show, was loaded with young boys and girls.

Show manager Bob Ashton and his hardworking crew make a point of reaching out to kids. Their attractions this year include Ben Jones who playsed "Cooter" on the "Dukes of Hazzard" TV show (plus a "General Lee" Dodge Charger of course, cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants, Jason Earles who stars as "Jackson" on the popular "Hanna Montana" TV series, the "Tow-Mater" tow truck from the Pixar-Disney "Cars" cartoon movie and Ron Kramer of the Packer Hall of Fame.

Many people in the car-collecting field talk about the problem of getting young people involved with old cars. This is something we have to do if we want our hobby to survive and grow in the future. It seem to us that the World of Wheels shows (produced by Championship Auto Shows) are reaching out to get kids to come to these events. Those boys and girlds may come to see a TV star, but when they get there, they are exposed to many old cars, hot rods and tuners that will help turn them into car enthusiasts.  

The Green Bay World of Wheels continues Sunday, March 9. Why not come and see the show - and bring the kids along.

The past 12 days were fun for me as I got to take one of my road trips. I don't travel as much as Angelo or Ron, but when I travel I pack in the stops. This time I drove my 1989 Caprice 9C1 state trooper car around 3,000 miles and it ran faultlessly, although you do have to watch those "cop car" ABS brakes, which were trouble when new). I left Iola on Feb. 23 and touched base with my old photographer buddy Mike Carbonella on Staten Island. Then I made three stops in Valley Stream, N.Y. Austin Azzeretto, a big Buick collector, runs a Goodyear store in the Green Acres Mall. He tackled a wheel alingment for me and I watched his '34 Ford hot rod being detailed for the Atlantic City Auction. About a mile from Austin's tire store is Corvette Repair, Inc., a famous shop that does Corvette racing cars. After stopping there, Kevin Mackay directed me to an old speed shop nearby, where the man who got him started in Corvettes still fixes 'Vette engines and injection units. What a day! On Wednesday night I scooted down to Atlantic City and I spent the next four days at the auction there. You have already read about some of the doings down there. Sunday I left AC and went to the outskirts of Philly for a next-morning stop at Ragtops & Roadsters, a British restoration shop of note. From there I went up to Eastwood to test some of their new tools and products. Then I headed to Pittsburgh to visit Glassworks/The Hardtop Shop, which I have already blogged about. On the way home I made one stop in Elkhart, Ind., to see a trailer maker. They make a very cool little trailer that breaks down so you can carry it in a minivan. Think about that. You could drive to a swap meet in an economical minivan, but if you find something big that you just have to have, you can assemble the trailer and get it home very cheaply. This trailer is called "Port-A-Chopper" because it comes in motorcycle form, but for swap meets you'd want the utility kit that makes it into a cargo hauler (there's also a boat kit).  For info call QC Metal Fab at 1 800 828 1374 or visit www.portachopper.com.

The past 12 days were fun for me as I got to take one of my road trips. I don't travel as much as Angelo or Ron, but when I travel I pack in the stops. This time I drove my 1989 Caprice 9C1 state trooper car around 3,000 miles and it ran faultlessly, although you do have to watch those "cop car" ABS brakes, which were trouble when new). I left Iola on Feb. 23 and touched base with my old photographer buddy Mike Carbonella on Staten Island. Then I made three stops in Valley Stream, N.Y. Austin Azzeretto, a big Buick collector, runs a Goodyear store in the Green Acres Mall. He tackled a wheel alingment for me and I watched his '34 Ford hot rod being detailed for the Atlantic City Auction. About a mile from Austin's tire store is Corvette Repair, Inc., a famous shop that does Corvette racing cars. After stopping there, Kevin Mackay directed me to an old speed shop nearby, where the man who got him started in Corvettes still fixes 'Vette engines and injection units. What a day! On Wednesday night I scooted down to Atlantic City and I spent the next four days at the auction there. You have already read about some of the doings down there. Sunday I left AC and went to the outskirts of Philly for a next-morning stop at Ragtops & Roadsters, a British restoration shop of note. From there I went up to Eastwood to test some of their new tools and products. Then I headed to Pittsburgh to visit Glassworks/The Hardtop Shop, which I have already blogged about. On the way home I made one stop in Elkhart, Ind., to see a trailer maker. They make a very cool little trailer that breaks down so you can carry it in a minivan. Think about that. You could drive to a swap meet in an economical minivan, but if you find something big that you just have to have, you can assemble the trailer and get it home very cheaply. This trailer is called "Port-A-Chopper" because it comes in motorcycle form, but for swap meets you'd want the utility kit that makes it into a cargo hauler (there's also a boat kit).  For info call QC Metal Fab at 1 800 828 1374 or visit www.portachopper.com.

I don't know about you, but I love seeing restoration work that qualifies as a "work of art." Sometimes that description applies to a whole car and sometimes it applies just to a part of the car. Today I stopped to see a couple of guys in Crescent, Pa., who have turned the restoration of early Corvette windshields and fiberglass hardtops into a true art form.

 Chances are, you or I could probably buy a Corvette and live pretty well with the windshield or hardtop it has. Or we might try to restore these parts ourselves and do a real decent job. HOWEVER - if we wanted the car to look like a "crown" jewel and win Top Flight Awards - then it's probably time to send our parts to Matt, Larry and Joe at Glassworks/The Hardtop Shop.

Youthful though they are, these talented craftsmen have literally perfected the job of making a car with one of their windshields or tops stand out from the pack.

But don't take my word on this. You have a computer (or you wouldn't be reading this blog) so visit U-Tube and search for Joe's videos on Corvette windshields and Corvette hardtops. He has created four informative presentations that any early 'Vette collector will definitely want to see.

If you can't find the videos, visit www.thehardtopshop.com or email Joe at glassworksjoe@yahoo.com.

"I won't sell it to you," is a hard thing for a collector car dealer to say, but that's exactly what Tony Averso, of South Hackensack, N.J. told a man who wanted to buy a clean, classic Cadillac and turn it into a customized car. "It's my car, it's too nice for that and if that's what you're planning to do, you can't buy this car," were Tony's sentiments.

Tony likes Cadillacs too much to let something like that happen. A few days ago, I told you about the "book end" '41 Cadillacs he was offering at Atlantic City and misidentified his business as Toby's Classic Cars. The correct name is Torby's Memory Lane, 67 Leuning St., So. Hackensack, NJ 07606 201-981-6420. If you want to buy a near-perfect '41 Caddy convertible and treat it properly, call Tony. If you want to turn it into a hot rod -- don't bother! 

It seemed to be a good year to be selling an Oldsmobile muscle car or a postwar Lincoln product at the Atlantic City Classic Car Auction. A gorgeous No. 1 condition 1970 Olds 4-4-2 Convertible was the high-priced car on Saturday. Grant Miller of Grant's Classic Cars in Lock Haven, Pa., paid what was probably a World's Record price of $195,000 to buy the shiny black car. Miller holds his own classic car auction in the Lock Haven area the third week of July each year.

A matching-numbers 1967 Olds 4-4-2 hardtop in No. 2 condition also traded hands for $33,500. Lincolns carrying "Sold" signs on their windshields included a No. 3 condition 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet that fetched $48,000, a 1950 Capri two-door sedan in No. 3 shape that brought $24,000 and a similar-condition two-tone Yellow and Black 1956 Premiere two-door hardtop that found a new owner at a bargain $17,500.

 In order, other top sales of Saturday were: 1956 Mercury Montclair two-door hardtop in No. 3 condition ($31,000); Customized 1948 Chevy 1/2-ton pickup in No. 1 condition ($35,000); 1964 Pontiac GTO two-door hardtop in No. 2 condition ($36,500); 1967 Pontiac GTO convertible in No. 2 condition ($37,000); 1968 Camaro SS in No. 2 condition ($39,000); 1970 Dodge Charger 500 in No. 2 condition with 440-cid V-8 and four-speed ($47,500); 1970 Camaro RS/SS No. 2 condition Coupe with 396-cid V-8 and automatic ($54,000); 1961 Corvette No. 2 condition roadster with 327-cid 365-hp V-8 ($67,500); 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible in No. 1 condition ($70,000) and 1969 Camaro RS/SS No. 1 Convertible with 396-cid 375-hp L89 V-8 and four-speed ($100,000).

During the Saturday auction, it was announced that hot rodding legend Boyd Coddington had died at age 63 and (wouldn't you know it) a hot rod 1947 Chevy two-door that crossed the block turned out to be a car that the "Boydster" had once signed. The No. 2 condition truck brought a strong (but not outrageous) $26,000.  

The auction continues on Sunday March 2 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. If you're in the area, come over to AC and meet the Old Cars Weekly staff.

Today was an interesting day at the Atlantic City Classic Car Auction Ron Kowalke has been taking down the auction results for Old Cars Weekly and estimates that 30-40 percent of the cars are selling. He hasn't spotted any real trends or swings in interest, but he thinks that all the cars being sold are trading at levels off the high prices of the past few years. In some cases, I spotted great buys. Future Classics of Lakewod, N.J., sold a beautiful, unrestored '40 Pontiac Six Coupe for $15,000. It was a fabulous original car that could easily win car show trophies. Tony Averso of Troby's Memory Lane in South Hackensack, N.J., let a gorgeous, restored '41 Cadillac coupe go for under $50,000. It was another stunning looking machine. Among the top "barn finds" in the sale was a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 sedan. This one needed some work for show, but it was fully driveable and would be a fun car to use for a summer or two, before refurbishing it. How about a 1929 Plymouth Model U coupe with a 45-hp Silver Dome engine in running condition? The asking price was justy $7,50 for this all original Mopar. People we talked to described the venue as a "buyer's market." Whether you wanted an old car, a '50s car, a muscle car or a sports car, there were plenty to choose from and the prices were the most reasonable ones we've seen in years.

The regular Thursday auction at Atlantic City is kind of a warm up for the weekend. A lot of newer cars crossed the block, so that the big crowd days -- Friday and Saturday -- will be loaded with more Classic cars.

Things picked up steam at the Borgata sale on Thursday night, which offered 50 "higher end" cars. Eighteen of these vehicles were actually sold. Here are the successful sales:

2007 Shelby GTH Convertible ($62,000); 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Conutry Club Aero Coupe ($29,000); 1936 Ford Hot Rod Woody Wagon ($60,000); 1936 Chevy Coupe with dual sidemounts -- Old Cars Weekly cover car ($35,000); 1956 Pontiac Star Chief convertible ($67,000); 1957 Ford Tunderbird ($51,500); 1935 Auburn Custom hot rod ($67,500); 1952 Muntz Jet ($72,000); 1939 LaSalle convertible ($39,000); 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 convertible ($76,000); 1965 Buick Riviera GS Sport Coupe ($41,750); 1966 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 convertible ($33,000); 1957 Ford Skyliner Retractable ($45,000); 1961 Chrysler 300 G convertible ($79,000); 1936 Packard phaeton ($100,000); 1962 Corvette with added FI ($80,000); 1969 Chevelle SS-396 ($45,000); and 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T with custom paint ($36,000).

Some of these cars, like the '39 LaSalle, were excellent buys.

The Atlantic City Classic Car Auction will continue tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday so we'll be bringing you daily reports.

You've probably been wondering, "Where's that darn Gunner?" Well, this "antique" antigue-car writer has been pretty busy trying to catch up with the young 'uns on the so-called "technology curve."

Late last year, knowing that I was going to start my own free-lance writing business, I invested in a big digital camera and a laptop computer. About a week ago I took both contraptions to a motorcycle show in Indianapolis. The Dealer Expo Show was great, but I had no luck hooking up to the Internet with the laptop and though I got the camera to work fine, I found it a little cumbersome dragging a big Nikon around a show. It's fine for shooting pictures of cars, but it got real heavy as a piece of luggage. So when I got home, I bought a smaller digital camera.

Almost immediately, I took off for the Atlantic City Classic Car Auction. That's where I am right now. As you can tell, I have learned a little bit about laptops in two weeks and my smaller digital camera is great. I can carry it around the auction on my belt.

So I guess I'm all set to give you the very first HIGH TECH Gunner auction report over the next few nights. Stay tuned and I'll try to do the "News at 11" thing. For beginners, I can tell you there are more cars consigned than probably ever and definitely the most in years. A lot of Corvettes are already on the floor and more are rolling in by the minute. Another thing I noticed was at least three really hot and really cool (at the same time) Novas. For prewar car lovers, a Pennsylvania dealer named Toby's Classic Cars or something like that has a '41 Caddy coupe and convertible that would make great book ends, not to mention the same dealer's twin gold "Shark" Corvettes.

You are not going to see the Atlantic City sale on TV, so if you are interested, you better hop on the Parkway or Expressway and get down here.

Starting on August 28 in downtown Milwaukee, Harley-Davidson will be hosting a big party to celebrate the motorcycle maker's 105th anniversary. Advertisements for this event are comparing the company's 105th anniversary to Haley's Comet, which also rolls around every 105 years. The company has a complete fleet of slate-and-orange limited-production anniversary edition bikes for sale, as well as posters and other memorabilia.

To me, the most exciting thing will be the opening of the Harley-Davidson Museum during the birthday party. Last week, workmen started putting up the replica Board Track that will be part of the museum. Both motorcycles and cars were raced on these board tracks between 1910 and the mid-1930s.

An interesting thing is the company Website has a webcam feature for those interested. They can tune in and watch the Harley Davidson Museum being built piece by piece. It's a fascinating thing to watch. Check it out at www.HarleyDavidson.com.

I think this is going to be a big year for Harley and Harley enthusiasts.

When you are planning your show travel this year, check the dates carefully - AND DON'T RELY ON INTERNET LISTINGS!

I have found that there are many wrong show dates on the Internet. For instance, I was planning to go to the World of Wheels event in Green Bay and wanted to find the dates quickly, so I entered the name of the show in my search engine and got a page that said the show was at the end of March. Luckily, I double checked by contacting the show manager, Bob Ashton, and I found out that this show has been moved up this year. It will take place at the Brown County Arena's Shopko Hall on March 7-9, rather than in late March.

There are many good and reliable places to find car show dates, but I truly believe that the Calendar of Events in Old Cars Weekly (www.oldcarsweekly.com) is the best in the hobby. The information is updated every week and all of the listings are sent in by show organizers themselves, rather than being picked up on the Internet.

If you enjoy car shows, you should have a subscription to Old Cars Weekly so you get up-to-date event listings every week.

Lots of Internet chatter between Wisconsin old car clubs about a number of "casting calls" to line up 1930-1935 cars for a new movie that will be shot in different locations around the state very soon.

The movie "Public Enemies" about Depression era gangster John Dillinger will star Johnny Depp. It's natural to shoot it in Wisconsin, as Dillinger's infamous hideout in Little Bohemia was in the Badger State. I'm told there is even a man living here in Iola whose Uncle once had his Plymouth coupe commandeered by the Dillinger gang for awhile. 

From what I hear, there's a possibility that some filming will take place at an old bank in Baraboo (where my oldest son teaches) and at a courthouse in Darlington (where my middle son works on the newspaper). Other locations I've heard about are Richland Center, Milwaukee and Fond do Lac.

The old-car casting call has appeared in several newspaper stories and the car club Internet chatter is about certain precautions collectors should take when doing filmwork. How much is the pay, if any? How is insurance handled? How will the car be used? How will it be treated? Who will drive it?

This is all very good advice. But let me add that when I was younger - about 28 I believe - I had one of my cars in a film called "Next Stop Greenwich Village" that was shot in New York City. Now the '53 Pontiac sedan I owned then was not very valuable. I think I paid $175 for the car. The pay for working on the film was low - about $50 a day. The insurance thing never came up. No one drove the car but me. (My elbow even got in the movie!) We got some perks (a free lunch with some actors) the first day and nothing after that.

Was it worth doing? Yes. After my expenses, I did not really make anything, but it was fun. I never forgot the experience. To this day, I stil have the fake "Empire State" licensae plate they made for the car out of painted fiberboard. And I love seeing the old film when it's on TV.

Most papers that ran the casting call story did not give contact information. Car owners were simply instructed to go someplace to see if their car qualified. So in case you're interested and missed your cue, you can contact Howard Bachrach at (312) 287-7950 or email him at PEChicago@gmail.com.

Personally, I think that Universal Studios should get in touch with Wayne Lensing at the Historic Auto Attractions Museum in Roscoe, Ill. (www.HistoricAutoAttractions.com) and see if there's any way to get his "John Dillinger" 1932 Studebaker in the film. This car was used in an Indiana bank robbery. Just think how much publicity could be generated by advertising that a Dillinger film will have a real Dillinger car featured in it. That's better than seeing Johnny Depp (unless you're my youngest granddaughter, who goes ape over him).

If you're not into movies but love famous old cars, click the link above and check out Historic Auto Attractions. You may want to visit there someday. It's cool!