Jeff Fromer says that he first became interested in collector cars in the 1960’s, when he was eight- or nine-years-old. It was then that he first noticed the power and speed behind the muscle machines of those days.

By the time he was a senior in high school, he owned his own big block Buick, with a rag top and air conditioning.

“It was irresistible to buy” says Jeff.  “It had a pointed dash lens, and it was one of the early production cars for that model year. And.... the car was like new with only 16,232 miles on it!”

This 1970 Buick GS 455 convertible was Jeff’s first vehicle ever, and he still owns it today, 35 years later.

Jeff says that since he purchased this car in the fall of 1972, he has gone on to own between 30 to 40 other collector vehicles throughout the years. Today, Jeff’s collection includes his convertible, a ’72 Buick hard top and four Harley Davidsons. 

But, the only car that he has held onto dearly is his ’70 Buick GS.

This vehicle stands out as Jeff’s first car, but there are also many memories and sentiment attached to the Buick, including a cruise to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1975, and trips to San Diego to see family.

Also, Jeff says that he worked on the car with his son, who passed away at age 19, in August 2005, when involved in a motorcycle accident.

“He was an excellent mechanic,” says Jeff.  “Before his accident, we were restoring the car, mostly cosmetics… repainting and rechroming.”

Work on the vehicle was temporarily put to a stop, but unbeknownst to Jeff, the car was secretly repaired and repainted in memory of his late son, in 2006.

“One Saturday, in March, when I went to the garage with a fully-charged battery to get ready for the season, I opened the door and there was no car. I was ready for the big sky! First I loose my kid, now I lose my pride and joy.”

But, to Jeff’s surprise, the car was revealed in tip-top shape at a fundraiser held for his son.

There is no wonder Jeff is so attached to this very special car.  And it’s not a shock to learn that he attends collector car events on a regular basis, showing off his Buick. 

During the car show season, Jeff attends one or two local cruise nights each week.  But, you can’t expect to see his car at any shows in the winter.

“I attend some indoor shows in the winter time without the car,” he explains.  “If I can’t drive it there, I don’t attend with the car.”

Jeff says that driving his Buick and other collector vehicles is his favorite part of the hobby, along with working on the cars and attending flea markets for parts.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin