Walter Gefrom

Project Manager in Civil Engineering

Classic Cars to Buy in 2022

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Which classic cars are expected to blow up in price in 2022? Walter Gefrom reflects on his favorites out of Hagerty’s Top 10 picks for the upcoming year:

Walter Gefrom Cadillac Deville

1967 Cadillac Deville Convertible

Stylish but not quite sleek or slender, this boxy beauty is a head-turner for sure!  In excellent condition, these cars run for $28K today.  But that’s expected to change in the new year.

1983 Mazda RX-7

With revving potential up to 7,000 rpm, 135 hp and a fuel-injected 1.3 liter 13B engine, the RX-7 is a little speed machine!  These cars are still relatively affordable for classic collectors, with an excellent condition vehicle drawing up to $17K.

1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible

This was the last year the GTO had a 389-cubic-inch V-8 with Tri-Power capabilities.  And that makes it the go-to Pontiac for many classic car collectors.  But you’ll expect to pay about $100K in 2021 for one of these beauties — and potentially much more in 2022!

Lucid-MS shows promise in restoring motor function

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Walter Gefrom Animal Model

A potential new Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) called Lucid-MS is showing great promise in an animal model. Walter Gefrom shares his thoughts on the revolutionary new chemical molecule:

FSD Pharma is developing a treatment for MS that may have the potential to restore motor function.  Thus far, the molecule, known as Lucid-MS, has shown promise in an animal model.  After 50 consecutive days of treatment, the animals tested appeared to regain lost motor function.  The recovery was so significant that these mice exhibited motor function similar to that of otherwise healthy mice.  In celebration of this achievement in the lab, the developers of Lucid-MS have now submitted an investigational new drug application, which will be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2022.

It is currently unclear what exactly Lucid-MS is targeting in its treatment of MS.  But it is certainly exciting to see that the drug could have the potential to restore motor function for MS patients — or anyone experiencing a similar neurological disorder. 

However, Walter Gefrom would like to offer some cautionary advice.  Do not jump to conclusions just yet!  Of course, there are always drugs in development.  Some make it to clinical trials, others simply underperform in mice trials and never see the light of day.  While it is exciting to hear that Lucid-MS is showing promise with mice, we must remember: humans are not mice.  A human individual with Multiple Sclerosis is going to react differently to medication or any other form of treatment than a mouse.  Although this trial may be a good indicator of things to come, it’s far too early to say if the promise will truly pack the punch.

50-year-old classic car restoration shop destroyed in fire

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Nickels Automotive Woodworking (affectionately known as the ‘Woodie restoration shop’) has burned to the ground. A heart-shattering tragedy, the fire left the Nickels with only a couple of their prized vehicles. Walter Gefrom shares the details of this unfortunate tragedy:

Walter Gefrom Woodie Restoration Shop fire

A GoFundMe page has been established in support of the Nickels family, who lost their 50-year-old classic car restoration shop in September 2021.  An unexplained fire claimed nearly all of their automobiles, leaving only a 1983 Town and Country and a vintage ambulance project.  Along with the vehicles lost, the Nickels also lost all of their woodworking equipment, including tools, patterns, templates and machines.  What’s the most heartbreaking, however, is the loss of precious keepsakes and mementos.  Among those irreplaceable items included Mike Nickels’ parents’ WWII military uniform and nurse uniform from 1928, along with many other keepsakes.

Walter Gefrom encourages you to contribute to the GoFundMe page for the Woodie restoration shop and Nickels family, if you are in the position to do so.

Richard Hammond’s Workshop restarts engines on Discovery+

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Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame has just released an all-new car restoration series. Walter Gefrom was excited to take a look at the show’s first episode, which is available now to stream on Discovery+.

Sure, Squid Game may be all the rage. But Richard Hammond’s Workshop is going to be all the rev for classic car lovers!!  If you’re looking for something to binge watch on Discovery+, you won’t want to miss this series — especially if you’re a fan of antique cars and restoration. 

In the all-new TV series, Richard Hammond from BBC’s Top Gear welcomes viewers into his new garage.  But the series and the garage itself are just about the only thing new about Hammond’s new workshop, The Smallest Cog.  Unless, of course, you consider the new life the car collector and local mechanics will be breathing into classic car restoration projects featured on the show.  That’s right:  this series is all about giving viewers an up close look at the car restoration process — and everything that comes along with it.

Much like BBC’s Top Gear, Hammond’s Workshop will be pumped with personality. So expect all the laughs of Richard Hammond’s antics mixed with restoration of lovable antique cars. 

If you don’t have Discovery+ yet, you can get a taste for Richard Hammond’s Workshop in the teaser on the car critic turned car restorer’s YouTube channel: