One of the most famous lines from the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump” is “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get.” The Car Connections series is very similar because you never know which exact prompts I’ll use or how I’ll link to them to automobiles. For this installment, I took US Top 40 singles for the week ending November 12, 1966, and managed to find ways to associate them with cars. Those songs are “Dandy” by Herman’s Hermits (#5), “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes (#7), and “Hooray for Hazel” by Tommy Roe (#14). You’ll see how I connected those songs to Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Velocity Restorations, but how would you associate them with cars? Tell us in the Comments section below. (And click here for more Car Games!)
Photo courtesy of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
“Dandy”: The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a dandy as “a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal appearance.” Some would say a guy who wears the more colorful clothing options from Paul Stuart is a dandy. That name brings Paul Russell and Company to mind. Established in 1978, the Massachusetts shop has turned vintage automobiles into award-winning concours cars, including the sleek and sinister 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK “Count Trossi” that was named Best of Show at the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Who owns it? Another big name in high-end menswear: Ralph Lauren.
Photo courtesy of Ferrari
“You Keep Me Hangin’ On”: Ferrari! Why? This song has been covered by several artists over the years, including Rod Stewart, who featured it on his 1977 album “Foot Loose & Fancy Free.” Rod Stewart has owned several Ferraris, including an F50. Ferrari’s halo car of the ’90s differed from its 288 GTO and F40 predecessors with its carbon fiber monocoque, curvy bodywork, naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V-12, and six-speed stick.
Photo by Dustin W. Johnson
“Hooray for Hazel”: Sister Hazel, a band that was founded in Florida and performed the 1997 hit song “All for You.” You know who else is from Florida? Velocity Restorations, a company that specializes in “re-engineered classics.” Click the following links to check out our reviews of Velocity’s takes on the 1966 Ford Bronco and 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
Does today’s round of Car Connections make you want to add a Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, or a Velocity Restorations build to your garage? Find one on ClassicCars.com.
