Q. Have classic car prices suffered because of the worldwide economic woes? --E.N., Chicago

A. Prices have fallen for marginal-condition collectible autos. Those in really good shape -- and "original" desirable cars that haven't been restored -- continue to command high prices, judging by amounts paid at major collectible auto auctions, which generally set price levels for such cars. For instance, a 1963 Gulf Oil Chevrolet Corvette Z06 sold last month for $1.1 million at Illinois-based Mecum Auction Co.'s Florida collector car auction. That auction's sales of 750 cars totaled $16.5 million, up from $15.2 million last year, Mecum Auction said.

Q. I've long heard you're supposed to use a car's air conditioning during warm-weather driving and not lower a car's windows for the best fuel economy because lowering windows increases aerodynamic drag that hurts economy. But I recently heard you use less fuel by shutting off the air conditioning and lowering the windows! That's what our family did on hot days when I was a kid in the 1950s and auto air conditioning wasn't common. What's up? --J.S., Chicago

A. This might come as a surprise: An article in Car and Driver magazine's December issue found in tests that involved driving around a 2.5-mile oval at steady speeds (35, 55 and 75 mph) while measuring fuel economy that you use less fuel at those speeds by rolling down the windows and shutting off the air conditioning. However, it said losses caused by running the air conditioning decrease at higher speeds (55 and 75 mph) "because the engine produces more power as revs increase, reducing the (fuel-eating) burden on the engine of running the air conditioning compressor." But you still use less fuel with windows open and the "air" turned off at those speeds. The magazine also found that driving with an open sunroof and closed windows "is [fuel] wasteful."

Q. I removed the two crossbars and end supports from the roof rails on my Subaru Forester to more easily wash it. Will removing the crossbars and supports increase fuel economy? --J.P., Chicago area

A. The crossbars between the roof rails add to wind resistance and lower fuel economy. If you're not using the crossbars to haul stuff, such as a bicycle, mattress or kayak on a long trip, remove them.

Q. Which vehicles won the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards? I suspect these are the most legitimate awards because I hear independent auto journalists pick the winners, with no advertising interference. --J.H., Evanston

A. The new Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan won the car award and Ford's revamped F-150 pickup truck won the truck award. The vehicles are selected by 50 auto journalists from America and Canada, including this writer.

Q. I have a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo I drive four miles to work and use for local commutes. Why doesn't General Motors put something like a sexy sports car body on the car to greatly broaden its sales appeal? And why are great-looking cars so expensive? --J.O., Des Plaines

A. The utilitarian Aveo would lose much interior space, and thus utility, with such a body. Most great-looking cars are designed for driving kicks, not utility, and often have costly mechanical components for superior performance to match their sexy styling.

Q. I long have enjoyed your classic car articles and have a 1928 Chevrolet driven hardly any miles. Its first owner drove it to his garage after buying it, partly disassembled it for some reason and never drove it again. It's since had a few owners. One finally put it back together with its original parts and it was bought by my father-in-law. I feel that the car would make an interesting article. Agree? --A.P., Chicago area

A. I'm glad you enjoy it, but there's nothing special about it, as there would be about, say, a Duesenberg.

Q. Do gas/electric hybrid autos offer heat and windshield defrosting when they shut down briefly at stop lights so they don't waste gas, then automatically restart when a driver wants to get going? --T.C., Chicago area

A. Hybrids are designed to provide heat and windshield defrosting during such shutdowns.

Q. What's the most unusual car preview event you've attended? --D.W., Western Springs

A. One of the most unusual recent such events was dining in the (empty) hospital ward of the former Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay during a Volvo media new car preview.

Q. I'm restoring a 1960 Buick and feel that its rusted body panels should be replaced with new sheet metal, not body filler. Can some shops do such quality work at reasonable prices? --M.R., Elmhurst

A. Beware of "reasonable prices." Such work often is very expensive if done right. One problem is that external rust often hides hidden serious rust that has spread all over the place.

Q. I'm looking for reputable sellers of 1970s muscle cars. Advice? --E.B, Chicago area

A. Most such autos are from the very early 1970s and were driven into the ground after being bought. Some have been restored, but often with nonoriginal parts, which significantly lowers their values. Try Hemmings Motor News, a monthly publication that contains thousands of collectible car ads from across the country. And bring an expert with you before inspecting any old car.

Q. Can I put unused snow blower gas mixture in my 1985 Chevrolet Camaro? --D.C., Wood Dale

A. Heavens, no. Why would you want to?

Q. My son was left a like-new, low-mileage '69 Cadillac Calais coupe by his late uncle. He doesn't want to sell the car, but I'm curious about its worth. --L.W., Darien

A. About $14,000, says the Cars of Particular Interest value guide. It's not as collectible as a '69 Cadillac convertible or Eldorado hardtop, but it likely will grow modestly in value each year. I'd hang on to it.

Car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago 60654, or e-mail dan@danjedlicka.com. Include name and hometown.