Photographing Classic Cars

Summertime Fun

The president of Chelsea Classic Cruisers, Victoria Kaiser, bought her 1955 Ford Victoria 20 years ago in 2002 and looks forward to celebrating the anniversary of her purchase this summer at classic car shows.

1955 Ford Victoria

She was born in 1956, and she wanted to find a car that represented the vehicle designs of that time: bold colors, long body lengths with sleek lines; lots of chrome trim; and tail fins. During the 1950s, automakers created some of the most distinctive car designs in history. It was often described as the “golden age” for the automotive industry. With the help of her husband Don, Vickie tracked down the red and white 1955 Ford Victoria, knew she found the one, and they bought it together.

They proudly drove the Ford in numerous parades and displayed it in local vintage car shows. After her husband passed away, Vickie fondly remembers traveling together in the car to shows. She is looking forward to continuing the tradition this summer. She welcomes classic car fans to stop by and see the vehicles or join the group and display their classic cars in Chelsea. They meet on the first and third Tuesdays beginning June 7, weather permitting, at the Breakaway in Chelsea through September 20. In addition, the club members will also have their well-cared-for vintage cars and trucks on display at the Sounds & Sights Festival in Chelsea at the end of July.

Photography of Steve Brown

Car enthusiasts described him as “one of the nicest people they met” at car shows. Steve was meticulous when he took photos of vintage vehicles, and his artistic eye and talent as a photographer created beautiful results. His appreciation for classic cars showed in his photos, capturing the automakers’ beautiful details and designs. Vickie frequently saw Steve walking around and chatting with the vehicle owners at shows as he photographed their cars and trucks. His photos, seen here and on the newsletter front cover, are a memorial to his work. They were published with his sister Mary’s permission. She recalls their mother suggested Steve get a job using his photography skills, such as working for a travel agency, but he liked the freedom to choose where and when he photographed his subjects. He was a well-liked co-worker at Washtenaw Engineering and still made time for his photography, forging new friendships and admiration for his work from the people he met along the way.