The MuscleCar Place

The Real Players in the Hobby Listen to Ask Rick!

After our recent discussion about Revology, something pretty cool happened. Revology founder Tom Scarpello heard Rick Schmidt's comments on The MuscleCar Place and responded personally.

Rick had praised the quality, engineering, and craftsmanship behind Revology's Mustangs, while also helping explain why building a world-class reproduction vehicle isn't cheap. It didn't take long for those comments to make their way directly to the people at the top. That's a reminder that the leaders, innovators, and decision-makers in this hobby are paying attention.

The collector car world may seem huge, but it's a surprisingly small community. The people building the industry's best products are listening, and conversations like these matter.

Early Reproduction Bodies Were a Nightmare!

Today, reproduction muscle car bodies are better than they've ever been—but according to Rick Schmidt, it wasn't always that way. In the early days, many manufacturers struggled with poor fitment, alignment issues, inconsistent dimensions, and countless hours of extra labor just to make the bodies usable.

For companies trying to build turnkey muscle cars and restomods, the cost of correcting those problems often turned a promising business plan into a frustrating and expensive challenge. Before a single car could be sold, builders were spending countless hours reworking brand-new bodies that were supposed to save time.

The good news? Decades of improvements have transformed the industry. Today's best reproduction bodies are far better than the early versions—but Rick remembers just how painful those growing years really were.

Why Did Rick Call the 1950 Oldsmobile a "Blue Chip" Car?

When the budget cap came off, Rick Schmidt's favorite car wasn't the Shelby GT350R or the 1969 Charger R/T—it was the beautifully restored 1950 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible.

Rick described the Olds as a true "blue chip" collector car. The restoration was mature and proven, the styling was timeless, and the quality was obvious from every angle. Unlike many projects that still need work, this Oldsmobile was the kind of car you could buy, enjoy immediately, and feel confident owning for years to come.

Sometimes the smartest collector car isn't the fastest or the most famous—it's the one that combines quality, rarity, and long-term desirability.

A Real 1969 Charger R/T... But Rick Still Passed!

Most Mopar fans would jump at the chance to own a genuine 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. It's one of the most iconic muscle cars ever built and a dream car for collectors everywhere.

But Rick Schmidt had one major problem with this example—the color. Originally a factory Bright Blue car, it had been repainted a non-original electric blue years ago. While the car checked many of the right boxes, Rick knew the first thing he'd want to do is repaint it back to its original color. Once you start adding restoration costs, the numbers simply stop making sense for a summer cruiser.

Would the color change be a deal breaker for you, or would you happily drive this Charger all summer long?

1950's Oldsmobiles Are Absolutely Stunning!

When Rick Schmidt saw the 1950 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible, he didn't hesitate. Beautiful chrome, flowing body lines, a gorgeous red interior, and the kind of craftsmanship that defined post-war American automobiles.

While everyone else chases the latest muscle car trends, Rick pointed out that a well-restored 1950s Oldsmobile offers something increasingly rare—timeless styling, proven collectability, and a level of elegance that's hard to find anywhere else. For Rick, this wasn't just the best car of the group, it was the easiest buying decision of the entire episode.

Would you take this gorgeous Olds over a modern muscle car?

What Happens When You Remove the $50,000 Budget?

For round two of Ask Rick, we threw out the budget and changed the rules. The goal was still the same: buy a collector car, enjoy it for the summer, then sell it later without taking a financial beating.

The contenders couldn't have been more different—a modern Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition, a beautifully restored 1950 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible, and a real 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. Which one would Rick choose when money was no object?

His answer may surprise you—and it wasn't the Shelby or the Charger.

How Silver Springs Helped Create One of Florida's Greatest Car Shows

For more than two decades, NPD's Silver Springs Ford and GM shows attracted thousands of enthusiasts, but Rick Schmidt says the real star was the venue itself. Silver Springs is one of Florida's most beautiful and historic natural treasures, offering attractions, entertainment, and activities that made the event enjoyable for the entire family.

When Silver Springs returned to its roots as a traditional Florida State Park, many of the attractions that helped make the car show experience unique were removed. While the change preserved and protected this incredible natural resource, it also eliminated many of the elements that allowed NPD's legendary events to thrive. Rather than watch the show slowly become something less than it once was, Rick chose to end it on a high note.

Sometimes the best way to preserve a great tradition is to let it go out with a bang rather than fade away.

Why Was NPD's Silver Springs Car Show So Successful?

According to Rick Schmidt, the secret wasn't the cars—it was the experience. While many car shows focus solely on trophies and parking rows, NPD's legendary Silver Springs events were built around the entire family.

With glass-bottom boats, shopping, food, live music, attractions, and activities for all ages, spouses and kids had just as much fun as the hardcore car enthusiasts. The result was more than a car show—it was a full-day destination that kept people coming back year after year.

Rick's advice is simple: if you want a successful car show, create something the whole family can enjoy.

Does This Reproduction Body Even Have the Proper License?

One of Rick Schmidt's biggest concerns with new reproduction muscle car bodies isn't the sheet metal—it's the licensing. Before a company starts stamping Chargers, Camaros, or Mustangs, there are serious questions that need answers.

Do they have the rights to reproduce the vehicle? Are the trademarks licensed? Will the manufacturer allow it, or could legal challenges stop the project in its tracks? Rick explained that even a beautifully built body could become a disaster if the licensing and supplier relationships aren't in place from the beginning.

Would you take a chance on a brand-new reproduction body from a company with no track record?

How Do You Vet a Reproduction Muscle Car Body?

With new reproduction bodies hitting the market, how do you know what's actually worth buying? On Ask Rick, Rick Schmidt explained that it starts with fit, finish, and real-world testing—not marketing claims.

Before NPD offers a reproduction body, it has to be evaluated on an original, unmolested vehicle to verify panel alignment, dimensions, and overall quality. Rick also points out that supplier reputation, licensing, manufacturing consistency, and long-term support all matter just as much as the sheet metal itself.

Would you build your dream muscle car using a reproduction body?