Page 24 - June 2022

else to enjoy.

He is a born curator, which is what he became for Nissan when he
developed the company's Nissan Heritage collection. (More about
that a bit later.) If you were to visit Bishop's Barn today, you'd find a
Morris Minor 1000, vintage 1967, a classic VW Bug, and an Austin
Marina GT ( "The model Jeremy Clarkson likes to drop pianos on to
destroy," Bishop says with disapproval in his voice) and of all things,
unexpected, a 1966 Dodge Coronet, roughly the size of a small ocean
liner. He is the third owner and a Coronet enthusiast.
Find a Nice Car and Keep It Nice or Make it Nicer

The Dodge came loaded from the factory with tinted glass, factory
air, and a fancy interior. It entered the Chrysler Leasing Program
where it remained for 12 months before being sold to owner #2. This
owner had the car until at age 90 it was taken away by concerned
family members after its driver was ticketed for going to slow on the
expressway. The all original Coronet headed to a car auction and
Having 4F status is not something
dropped into the waiting arms of Dave Bishop. A friend, who is a
that is traditionally considered a
talented upholsterer. returned the "tatty" bits of the interior to
positive thing, but in Bishop's
factory condition, even duplicating original materials in the
case, the 4 Fs that can be applied-
upholstery. Bishop took car of the rest and the creme colored land
focused, fastidious, forward
yacht was returned to the roads it was born to cruise.
looking, and frank- are traits that
serve everyone with whom he
comes in contact.
Where some come to classic cars
with rose colored glasses, Bishop
comes armed with a practical
approach that he shares if asked
for an opinion.
"No one in my world," he says, "
has unlimited space, time or
money to devote to classic cars
and that includes me. You have to
do it on a budget and if you're like
me you want to experience
diversity with your cars. "
Ergo, Bishop doesn't "own" cars.
The Coronet's style and condition is in sharp contrast to the
He thinks of himself as a curator
Minor, whose canvas top, can just be seen here peeking over
for cars.
the roof line of the Dodge. This Morris Minor was shuffled back
His approach is to find a car ( or and forth by an owner, with a background as a military pilot,
two) that interests him, preferably between its east coast home and summers in Newport, Rhode
one with a back story, work on it, Island. It is now on Dave's project list. It is as weather beaten
hold onto it for four to six years as the Coronet is slick and even though it is only a year older
and then move it on to someone than the Dodge, its styling is pure British circa 1930s.
24