Old Copies of Mechanix Illustrated

[Chuck Most]

These things are worth their weight in gold, just for Tom McCahill's reviews on the cars.

(If you don't know who he is, check this out- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_McCahill)

The rest of the magazine is cool too, full of all sorts of nutty DIY projects and such, but it's always the McCahill stuff that grabs me, and whenever I see an old copy of MI for sale somewhere, I jump at it!

Yeah- I've got the AMT Tiger kit (not an Alpine, but close), and I think that Crosley bodied hunting rig and Mini Moke would make great modeling subjects!

[Harold]

McCahill rocked. I loved his comments on cars:

'57 Imperial. "Stands out like a beer ad on a pulpit."

'61 Lincoln. "Howls through corners like an editor being asked for a raise."

'58 Ford. "As rugged as an Irish riot in a Russian saloon."

[Chuck Most]

McCahill rocked. I loved his comments on cars:

'57 Imperial. "Stands out like a beer ad on a pulpit."

'61 Lincoln. "Howls through corners like an editor being asked for a raise."

'58 Ford. "As rugged as an Irish riot in a Russian saloon."

And people think Car and Driver's John Phillips was the car mag industry's first devastatingly opinionated writer!

[oldscool]

Cool stuff! from the days when liability lawsuits didn't stifle creativity.

oldscool

[Jim Gibbons]

"Uncle" Tom was the best; reading his road tests were a treat. I wish that a book would be published of his car reviews. I have been thinking about that for years. It'd be worth researching his estate and the copyrights that would have to be addressed. Thanks for the memories!

Edited September 29, 2010 by Jim Gibbons

[impcon]

I always liked reading his articles and I have a bunch of those old magazines stored away. For the '59 Chevy review, Tom declared that that year's Chevy's decklid had "enough room to land a Piper Cub". Here's an editorial that is worth reading about Tom - yeah, he came from a time when life was far more simple, people had freedom, morals and principles and they weren't afraid to give an hoinest day's work for an hoinest day's pay. Plus, the music was DEFINITELY a whole lot better.. IMHO

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/editorial-in-praise-of-tom-mccahill/