“Some people are fishers, some are hunters,” says Delaware resident Fred Golden.  “Then, there are car people.  I just like old cars; that’s how I was raised.”

Fred says that he has been interested in the collector vehicle hobby since he was about nine-years-old, dating back to the days that he worked at his uncle’s Texaco station, “just to buy a soda at the end of the day.”  It was there that Fred was exposed to all types of cars, as they drove in and out.

Eventually, Fred’s interest in cars turned into passionate involvement in the hobby, when he purchased his own collector car… a 1958 Chevy Bel Air 2-door hardtop.  Since the mid-70’s, Fred says that he has owned “well over 100 collector vehicles,” including Corvettes, street rods and muscle cars….

“You name it, I’ve had it,” he says.

Currently, Fred owns 10 collector vehicles: a 1953 Studebaker and nine (yes, nine!) 1937 Fords, including a Cabriolet, two coupes, a Woodie and a Delivery (pictured).

So, why all those 37’s?

“They’re the ugly ducklings, yet some of the most sought after cars.”

Fred is so enthused about his Fords, that he has two barns full of solely 1937 Ford parts.  He believes that he has more ’37 parts than any other person.

And, parts, in general, are no stranger to Fred.  For a living, he designs and builds collector cars, while running Mid-Atlantic Auto Restoration Supplies, which also offers buffing supplies, master series paint, fuel tank sealant, rust cure, body shop tools, rubber weather and stripping.

His job and general interest in the hobby lands Fred at about 34 car shows a year as a vendor and 20 shows, each year, as a participant.

“I live, eat and sleep cars,” says Fred.

“I’ve been all over, from Florida for the Turkey Rod Run, Minnesota for the Back to the 50’s show, Georgia… I’ve gone to Texas and Oklahoma and as far north as Maine and Canada.”

This weekend, Fred plans on attending the 17th Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City show, in Ocean City, M.D. and will try to also head up to Goodguys’ 3rd DuPont Great Nationals, Presented by Grundy Worldwide in Hershey, P.A.

Fred is also a member of two car clubs.  In 1987, he started the Southern Delaware Street Rod Association, which is 100 members strong, today. (Be sure to check out Grundy’s exhibit at their Jamboree, June 22-24, 2007.)  Three years ago, Fred co-founded a smaller, 25-member-club, called the Bay Area Hot Rodders.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin