Hannibal, Mo. ? Life was slow and the cars were fast. The ’50s and ’60s why couldn’t they last?

For many, that time brings back wonderful memories, partially because of the carefree times in an era when cars symbolized the freedom of the open road and expressed the individuality of a lifestyle as youth cruised the local drag strips and parked at car hops and movie drive-ins.

Described as a love affair with their old cars, collectors and hobbyists are feeling the past by driving, restoring, tinkering, exhibiting and admiring the relics of yesteryear.

“I like the old cars,” said Lynn Herrin of Hannibal, who owns a 1964 Buick Electra 225, which he drives to work every day.

“I have always been interested in the old collector cars, and felt like if I ever had one I wanted it to be a daily driver opposed to owning it and not being able to use it.”

Herrin, a real estate agent, is a Buick fan and has purchased three collector models. “The first car I ever bought for myself was a 1954 Buick Special two-door hardtop in 1962 for $300,” he said. “I kept it about six years and then bought a 1966 Buick Skylark two-door hardtop. Shortly after that I became more involved in raising a family than pursuing a hobby, so my interest in cars waned a bit.

Michelle Jennings, Lawrence, left, compares selections of wool fabric with her daughters Heather Hinshaw, 17, center, and Rebecca Hinshaw, 13, at a Make it Yourself with Wool district contest held at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. Thirty-two participants from 23 northeast Kansas counties competed Saturday for a chances to advance to the state contest in Manhattan. The contest, sponsored by the Kansas Sheep Council, features hand-sewn clothing made of 60 percent wool fabric. Each entrant was awarded Pendleton wool for future sewing projects.

His current vehicle, the 1964 Buick Electra. A large, expensive luxury car in its day, it was advertised as “today’s look of success.” It was equipped with power windows, seats, steering and other modern options.

The sentimentality of owning an old car includes working on it as well as driving it. “It was a time when you could open the hood and understand everything underneath it,” said Herrin.

Indulging in nostalgia, Herrin said he drives around to some of the popular old local spots in town. “Occasionally another couple will join us and we will cruise the circle down Palmyra Road and back up St. Mary’s Avenue, down Broadway and turn around,” he said. “Sometimes we pull into the Mark Twain Dinette where they wait on you, but it looks different now and the prices aren’t the same with Cokes a nickel and hamburgers 25 cents.

“I have always been one who could walk into a salvage yard and look around for hours,” he said. “It’s like looking in a museum and I really enjoy it. I remember Lady Bird Johnson’s campaign to clean up the highways and called for rules and regulations that all salvage yards have fences so the public couldn’t see them. I thought, what an arrogant position for somebody to have because they don’t like my art and want to block it off.

“There’s something absolutely beautiful about a salvage yard full of vehicles that have served their purpose, have great potential and are great examples of engineering.”