How I envision myself back in the day……painting by Tamara De Lempicka, I have always loved her work.

Yes, it is true, I am in love and who would have thought it would be with a car!!!!  I don’t drive (actually, I know how to drive, just have chosen not to do so although it would be nice to be able to get myself around when I am visiting in Indiana and Michigan, oh well!!!) and have never owned a car (not even as a child, my Father preferred public transportation!), but I have fallen hard for a vintage car that my dear friend, Tom Mantel, owns for his new business Chicago Classic Limo www.ChicagoClassicLimo.com

I realized that I know more about cars than I thought I did but learned so much more from Tom on this fantastic 1940 Packard.

Why don’t they make cars like this anymore!!!!  Such a pity! Photo courtesy of Tom Mantel.

Last weekend we took the car to the Randolph Street Market www.randolphstreetmarket.com and had a blast talking with all the people who stopped by to admire the car.

At Randolph Street Market.  Photo courtesy of Tom Mantel.

What was, even more, fun was riding in it to and from RSM, people were literally hanging out their car windows with cell phones at the ready, smiling and giving us thumbs up…I must admit most of the admirers were men…come on ladies, it is a beauty!!!! Thankfully we made it both ways without incident and made a lot of peoples day!

The front seat with its original mohair upholstery.  Nena’s photo.

The original steering wheel and dashboard, of course, it has been updated for modern times and is air-conditioned.  Photo courtesy of Tom Mantel.

The back seat with its jump seats, I loved jump seats when I was a little girl, I thought they were there just for me!  Also notice the shaped windows, all of which open.  Photos courtesy of Tom Mantel.

The front grill.  Nena’s photo.The luggage rack, it pulls down, at the back of the car. Nena’s photo.

Photo courtesy of Tom Mantel.

I am particularly fond of this photo. I think it looks like a watercolor if I do say so myself.  Nena’s photo.

Whitewall tires….I love seeing Tom’s reflection, it looks like he is driving, doesn’t it!  Photo courtesy of Tom Mantel.

I am crazy for this hood ornament. why don’t we have them anymore, what happened to the glamour of cars…and I must admit that I am very happy with my photo of it!  Your thoughts!?  Nena’s photo.

Here is the sketch for the piece, I found it on Pinterest photo credit unknown. Needs more research on the artist. Here are some more hood ornaments including the 1940 Super 8 in the upper right-hand corner.  Pinterest photo credit unknown.