A Timeless Beauty

Like many of us during this crazy pandemic, we at the Brophisticate are often looking to our phones for means of escape. Being cooped up for this long got us pining for a more nomadic lifestyle, so we found ourselves looking on Insta under the hashtag #vanlife, which, in case you didn’t know is a modern lifestyle trend centered around living in Volkswagen vans and their ilk. There, you can find lots of shots of van yoga, van cooking, van sleeping and even bathing in streams. Fun fact: Most #vanlifers are also influencers and/or YouTubers.

That hashtag led us to these others, #vanning #vannin #vannerbabes, which, in all honesty, were a tad more titillating. It also had us pining for the good old days, when all you had to worry about was gas in your tank, food in your belly, beer in your van’s mini-fridge and a date for Saturday night. While scrolling through the Insta hashtag feed, we found several cool shots in a row of model Elizabeth Anne Jetstar. Her look is so authentic, we thought someone uploaded some awesome shots from the 70s! To our delight, she’s a model very much in the present who loves all things automotive. She even gave us an exclusive interview along with these NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN photos. So, join us as we visually take a step back in time to examine the timeless beauty of Elizabeth Anne Jetstar and her present-day obsession with classic automobiles…

 

Your look, coupled with these serious street beasts really can take viewers back in time. Are you aware of the nostalgia your particular shots provide?

I have been told this many times, yes, and though I was not going for a particular era, I do find this likeness flattering.

Your wardrobe always looks classic and timeless. Often what you’re wearing has just the right amount of appeal while still preserving posterity. Do you put a lot of thought in the selection of outfits, such as trying to match the color scheme of the car, or play to the vehicle’s era?

Thank you for noticing that! I am attempting to do just that with the styles chosen. I also like to leave a little something to the imagination. Oh, and you’re right! I do try to contrast or complement the vehicles, yes. The car club I model for in the calendars prefers contrasting while I prefer to match in an attempt to allow the car or motorcycle to “take center stage.” Many of my instagram photos are at car cruises, so it was whatever I wore that day.

These particular feature ensembles I chose to contrast the vehicles. I had a 30 lb weight loss last summer and went crazy at a famous lingerie semi-annual sale! I also had to re-purchase the scrunch butt shorts and bralettes I traditionally wear out in the summer to car events in xs sizes and that is the clothing I wore in these shots, my daily summer togs, along with my fancy “underthings,” from my shopping spree!

Your instagram page is covered with vehicles! Is it fair to say you’re an automotive enthusiast?

I have been ever since I can remember! I had every matchbox car growing up and a cute garage with a bell that would ring when the cars rounded the bend into the service station! My father and mother would take me and my sisters to the toy store to pick out cars.

And I always observed my father and my uncle working on cars on a daily basis as “in those days,” you didn’t buy new cars, you worked on the ones you already owned! My husband and father and I also started attending local and Pittsburgh area car shows and cruises regularly when my husband and I met at the age of 21.

 

A Matchbox car collector? That’s somewhat unique. Normally, we just hear about people’s Hot Wheels and their childhood memories. What cars are you posing with for our exclusive shots in this gallery, and what customization has been done to them?

Our 1970 Buick GS 455, which was extensively worked over by the previous owner, has Hotchkis suspension, a rebuilt engine to Stage 1 specs and headers. This car does need a ton of work.

The 1966 Plymouth Satellite is a stock 4 speed car, originally purchased at McConnell Airforce base in Witchita, Kansas by a serviceman. This car will not be restored and is complete with years of patina.

The 1967 Dodge Coronet 440 is currently has a 383 motor but will soon be a 522 stroker.

The 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass, white, and the 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar-1, light blue, where my Instagram profile name came from, are both stock and belong to my father.

I generally prefer stock vehicles, including steel wheels or steel and dogs or factory wheels and hubcaps. I am also into “sleeper,” cars appearing to be “granny,” but very fast!

What are your absolute favorite cars, as in make, model, year and any additional performance specs?

I started wanting a 76 Nova that my grandpap owned. I then liked 69 Novas then 64 Novas.

But at some point, my taste changed and I turned to admiring the 1940’s “bomb,” styles, but specifically more stock. I especially like a 42 Pontiac, one in particular that I always go out of my way to observe at local car cruises whenever I see the owner, but I am not make specific.

I also like 1940’s era Ford, Dodge, Oldsmobile and Chevy. I love the Art Deco styling, the sun visor, the dashboards, including instrument panels, clocks, Bakelite stereo knobs, the bright work, thin pin-striped or mohair fabric interiors, every last detail.

Which ones do you currently own, and which would you like to own someday?

I personally own the red and black 1970 Buick GS 455 pictured, which we rescued from what seemed to be sure destruction, at a home in the Pittsburgh area. As one an see, it has not been touched mechanically or outwardly since the purchase 4 years ago, but this is as we have 3 classics, full time jobs, a 2 acre property, 3 bedroom home and 22 cats. So time and money are tight.

My husband and I also own the 1966 Plymouth Satellite pictured and the 1967 Dodge Coronet pictured. The Coronet we purchased from the original owner for $100.00 more than she paid new, in our home state of Pennsylvania. The Satellite we purchased from a man out of state on eBay advertising a “rolling drive train,” for the 4 speed, to cut out and put into the Coronet, but when it arrived on the flatbed as a complete car, we just had to “save,” it as well.

I would, of course, dream to one day own a car from the 1940’s.

 

You also like to go for a cruise in these cars and go to drag races. A girl after our own heart! Do you actually drag race? And, if so, what’s your best E.T.?

Not yet but I would like to try the Buick when it is complete, and I have been secretly winning “road races,” on local highways with my daily driver for years, in preparation for this event, and i am very fast “off the line!!!”

My husband drags the Coronet, running 7.29 in an 1/8 mile. This speed will of course increase with the higher powered motor swap. I love the event of drag racing, the excitement of walking the pits, the odors of the exhausts and race gas, the sound of the engines and watching the launches off the line, preferring of course nostalgic runs.

NOS or Boost?
Neither

Hmmm… so, you’re an all-motor, naturally aspirated kind of gal! We thought sure you’d say boost over nitrous, but you surprised us, and we dig it! If that’s the case, then what’s your opinion on modern muscle? We’ve got a feeling your answer will be a good one. 

Take them to the track but please keep them away from car shows and cruises as they are daily drivers!!!!

Unless of course you are a young person. Then I say bring what you have as I am a firm believer in introducing the Instant Gratification Gaming Generation to car shows and cruises to get them out of the house, into the sun and enjoying the outdoors and healthier a hobby.

Speaking of cars of certain generations. We’ve also seen you pose next to some pretty sweet vans, which is what initially got our attention. Are you happy they’re making a comeback? Are you a vanner who goes vannin? Tell us about that!

I am ecstatic about them and I have special friends, instagram @gsxchuck, his wife Krissie and his daughter @laurenn_jackson, who are vanners extraordinaire! I have never actually been vannin’ yet but I have hung out with Chuck, Krissie and Lauren at cruises, gotten my pictures with their vans, Chuck made a Chicks and Vans photo book with me inside and I have posed with many vans from the members of Twisted Metal Car Club of Pittsburgh for calendars. I have many vannin’ followers and I also follow them on Instagram and I am happy that vans are making a comeback!

(Interview and photo galleries continue after an Insta pic of Jetstar and this sweet van…)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elizabeth Anne Jetstar-One (@elizabeth_anne_jetstar1)

Cars don’t entirely comprise all of your interests. For example, a birdie told us you might have a cat or two?

Yes, we have 22 cats to be exact! All rescues from the streets of nearby small towns and Pittsburgh. We feel it is our duty to care for whomever has been cast aside, whether they are feral, tame, disabled or in good health! This is of course an enormous undertaking and no one grows up saying “one day I will own 22 cats,” but sometimes it happens due to the neglect of others.

You’re also into horses, animals of all kinds and, even… art deco? Tell us a little bit about that.

I grew-up riding horses with an old friend and my younger sister. I have many living around me at this time but not one of my own, however, that is also a dream of mine and I do love all animals. I do love to bass fish but I catch and release!

I have been infatuated with the Art Deco Era of design almost my entire life as well. I love the decor of old time movies and even love vintage office supplies! My home was built in 1937 and has many of the era’s appointments throughout.

I am a big fan of Turner Classic Movie and stars such as Ginger Rogers and Barbara Stanwyck, though my taste in pinups and women’s clothing and even body styles has also evolved. I started out in elementary school in love with Betty Grable then Marilyn Monroe. I then liked Catherine Bach, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Now i am more attracted to a 1930s/1940s style of dress and body build as featured in classic movies. I prefer a more streamlined style of dress and physical build, not as buxom as in the 50s. I was born into the wrong era for sure!

I am also an antiques collector.

 

Speaking of all of those famous actresses, tell us about you aspiring to become a model. When was the moment when you decided to grab that brass ring and just go for it?

I was told by many people in my teens that I should be a model, and I had always wanted top be one, reading Top Model Magazine constantly! Back in those days, there was no social media and you had to go to “open calls.” I attended one with a friend and made it but my parents would not allow me to travel to Rochester, New York, so that was over. I was then approached by a Pittsburgh based motorcycle company at The World of Wheels in my 20’s and they wanted me to pose with motorcycles, but I was too shy to draw attention, though I did sit on a friend’s mini bike, to the motorcycle company’s detriment, and people started running to take pictures.

I had all but given up the thought of modeling though when at the age of 39 I was approached by brother/sister duo Troy Lentz and Sandy Kemp of Twisted Metal Car Club of Pittsburgh, at a large Pittsburgh area park car cruise. They asked me if I would pose for their car club calendar, and being that I was of what I thought to be an advanced age and not in the shape I had been in my 20’s I thought they were crazy but gave the my contact information. Three years of calendars and a strict diet and exercise routine and I am a model!

Your varied interests are truly vast! We can also see a little of Catherine Bach, Audrey and Sophia in these shots. We’d argue you’ve got the best of all three. You’re not only model, you’re also a calendar girl, correct? How can readers get a copy of the calendars that feature you?

I have posed in three car, truck and van calendars for Twisted metal Car Club of Pittsburgh. We are currently working on a motorcycle calendar and will also do a big rig calendar! The calendars I am currently in are sold out but the motorcycle calendar may be out for 2021 and there may also be another car/truck/van calendar in the works for the same year this fall. They can be inquired about and purchased, once finished, through Twisted Metal Car Club president and photographer, Troy Lent, email troylentz1969@gmail.com, facebook.com/twistedmetalcarclub or @twistedmtaalcarclub on Instagram.

 

Who took these awesome exclusive photos and does he have a website or Instagram page? The photographer is John Spina of Donora/Monongahela Pennsylvania, instagram @jspina_photography or facebook.com/jspina000/ on facebook.

John and I attended high school together!

Well, he did an awesome job with these! Both you and the cars look fantastic and really take us back in time. Thank you so much for taking these exclusive shots to debut for us here at the Brophisticate! Where can our readers find more shots of you?

@elizabeth_anne_jetstar1 on Instagram

Yes, of course. Readers, be sure to give them both a follow! Will you keep in touch and send us more?

Definitely!!!!!

Awesome! We’re looking forward to more photos, soon.

For any of you who may be a model or photographer, or, if you know someone you’d like to see profiled here, please send some details about you to brophisticate@gmail.com. Be sure to include photos and links to your Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and/or website.