I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)

ghulet

...for this car to be a mutt, but it clearly had Cordoba badges on the side, also with a round, gold crest of some underneath. The 300s, IIRC, had like a red, white and blue round badge with '300' inside. This car definitely has Cordoba taillights, didn't note anything about the grille. I imagine a lot of the parts could just be swapped in between the 300 and Cordoba; was the Mirada even built back then? I thought it debuted in '80 with the second generation. In any case, the car is like a block away from me, sits on the street all the time, I'll have to check it out during the day.

lemko

...450 sedan in my old neighborhood, (had Euro headlights). I recall looking at a used green 450SEL(?) sedan over 15 years ago but rejecting it because I didn't like the placement of the window switches and the hard ride.

Spotted this morning - a 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass two-door sedan painted a garish yellow with Cragar wheels.

bhill2

The 380 has 'interesting' performance characteristics, probably due to its European heritage. It is a bit of a dog up to about 40 mph. Above that, it will hold its own nicely, and in highway acceleration it is actually fairly impressive. The other thing I have observed, based on my '85 380SE with 250K miles, is that it is about as bulletproof as the 6 cyl MBs; which is saying something.

fintail

As I am sure you can attest to, I think 85 would be the 380 to have, final year being the most refined. No knock on your car (I think W126 cars are one of the best cars built by anyone anytime, and it's cool to have a fellow 126 driver here), it just doesn't seem to put out the power that one would think MB could make a V8 produce. I suspect energy concerns and emissions standards of the day did most of that though. I suspect my 300SE is performs just about the same, but it is a 6 of course.

Where were the window switches on that car, lemko? I've actually never experienced a 116 firsthand.

Today I saw a 2 door Caprice from the mid 80s, which are semi-unusual nowadays, a c.67 Dodge Dart 2 door, very plain jane in white, a neglected but driving 65 Galaxie 2 door HT, and this green fintail I have seen around town a couple times. It's in decent shape...maybe a notch or two below mine...but it has factory mudflaps! VERY rare accessory and the only set I have seen in real life.

ghulet

...I think only put out 155-160hp, so Fintail, your 300SE might be marginally quicker since it has 177hp, IIRC. Not sure of the torque values for either, though.

I'm fairly certain the window switches on a 450SE are on the console, same as in your car (or any Benz made from 1973-98 or so). If you're accustomed to an American car and switches on the doors, the console switches take a bit of getting used to.

fintail

My factory spec chart (the 300SE came with a ream of info) sats torque is at 188lbft, identical to a 300E of course. 0-60 at 9.3, which isn't a race winner, but is good enough for me. It's the competency at 70-80mph that matters more IMO. That engine is a winner.

I don't have a problem with console window switches...it's easy for me to reach down with my right hand and use them, as I am right handed and all. I've never owned different, though. IIRC, a strangely loaded to the gills 85 Tempo that my family acquired and was used as a third car also had console switches.

jrosasmc

You know what's also a great MB engine? The 4.2 V-8 used in the 420SEL...it was an excellent runner and had lots of pulling power, but the gas mileage wasn't so super. I have heard that they are just the right engine for the W126 series and will go for plenty of miles before needing any major work.

Oh yeah did you know they also made a 420SL not offered here in North America? That must have been a great car!

fintail

I've heard those are a good balance, yes. Less complexity and expense than a 560, but still a nice V8. I think that's the one lemko saw with like 200K and still going strong.

Yeah, Europe got a 420SL and a 420SE too, which is the SWB version. Other markets got SWB versions of all the big engined 126s...they are interesting in their own way, sportier somehow, but less imposing/menacing.

Awhile back talk was about old Fleetwoods. Here's one of those, a gorgeous looking car. I'd rather it in the same blue of the top as opposed to white, though.

An amusing pimped out version

lemko

Too bad I'm afraid of buying things off eBay. I'd definately like to bid. The person's New York address makes me a little leery of the car's condition.

Mr_Shiftright

A 300E should beat a 300SE handily, as it weighs considerably less. Probably a second faster 0-60.

I think the 300E is the best postwar Benz ever made personally--by that I mean the best overall compromise of attributes, not the best in everything all at once.

bhill2

Yup, the 380SE had 155 hp. Not exactly a powerhouse. I think I read that the engine was being developed during the oil crises of the '70s, and was designed for economy rather than power. To some extent they succeeded, I've seen low 20s in the car; not often, but I've seen it.

Mr_Shiftright

Depends a lot on how you drive. The 70s Mercedes V-8s are real gas hogs however unless you get them out to a leisurely 60 mph all day long. But in city driving they'll bust your wallet these days.

fintail

300E would do 0-60 in 8.4 according to my 1989 spec book, although I swear I recall it being well under 8 when the car was released in 86 here.

I can get in the low 20s in not too spirited highway driving in my 126. The fintail can do just as well or even slightly better. City mileage is not so hot for both, probably 17-19

I didn't spot any crustiness on that Fleetwood, lemko. You should go check it out, an early car to go with your late one.

andys120

For some reason or anther, I am seeing a lot of last Gen CRXs around town lately, mostly in decent shape and stock.

Honda's having trouble holding onto the youth market. The CRX should be brought back IMO.

I also saw a first gen MR2 with a jury rigged Bimini top (boaters will know what I mean)in place of the T-Tops, it was raining at the time.

ghulet

...I don't know why the CRX was universally loved as much as the Del Sol was universally panned. Maybe because the Del Sol was too expensive and the lack of hatch made it less practical?

Mr_Shiftright

The CRX (original) was REALLY fun to drive, the Del Sol isn't particularly.

jrosasmc

Did you ever have an original CRX?

kyfdx

CRX.. light, zippy, sporty

Del Sol.. not light, not zippy, two-seat econobox, (but, cute).

fintail

Today I spotted a big c.1980 Pontiac Bonneville, the type that kind of had built in fender skirts, and a pretty light yellow and black c.1970 AMC full size 2 door hardtop.

ajvdh

Hypothetical question: You're an English guy, living in your native land but working for an American company. Your employer offers you a relocation to the U.S.. You decide to go. You find out that you can bring one car with you without having to pass EPA or NHTSA requirements, providing the car is at least 25 years old. Given that opportunity, what would you bring?

I'll bet it'd be something different from what the guy who just transferred here brought. He coulda come in with any number of intersting vehicles: Lotuseseses, TVRs, Bugeye Sprits, Jensens, Bristols, whatever. But no. He brought a 1972 Trabant 601. It's sitting right outside my office. He has another that he left in England so he has something to drive when he goes back to visit.

What a marvel of safety - less crush space than a Honda Gold Wing, and the loosely anchored gas tank sits right above the engine, right in front of the windshield.

I think I have him talked into bringing it to our next autocross.

Mr_Shiftright

Nope, never did. I will drive Japanese cars once in a while, and have owned a few for a short time, but generally I have no interest in them, except for perhaps an older 4X4. But basically, Japanese passenger cars are not on my radar screen.

fintail

I saw not one but two Plymouth Sapporos this morning

I also saw a nice 2002 that was keeping up with me through some twisty streets...but it slowed down too much in a narrow part and it vanished.

fintail

Unusual BMW from the seller of that Toyota Century...so yep, the irresponsible accountability-free overprotected powers that be will keep it out of this country...yet it's good enough for anywhere else. I'm sure the others are all wrong and our policies are right. Indeed. Protect me from non US market cars!

Custom bodied Caddy...interesting history, unusual style

If I was in the position and was the type of person who wanted to be driven around in a limo, I'd take something like this over anything new

This ended up bringing a pretty penny

Hahahaha weird

A coat of wax and some lemon oil for the wood, and she's ready to go

A really pretty old Bonneville, but the buy it now is kind of steep

Low miles Fiat with rust at every corner.

Funny little wagon, another buy it now dreamer

This is pretty and interesting

Pretty and painfully expensive Adenauer

Nice unusual woody, just found a buyer

Mr_Shiftright

People simply have to learn that if you want top dollar for your restoration YOU HAVE TO FINISH IT FIRST!!

jlawrence01

I am beginning to believe that some of the people posting these old rust buckets take pictures of the cars to see if they can get a good price and THEN buy them from the farmers whose fields they are resting in.

But then I am a skeptic ...

andre1969

but I have a feeling that it would have the same problem that I've encountered with hearses and ambulances...the partition between the front and the back takes a lot of the fore-aft travel out of the front seat, so the seat doesn't go back as far as it normally would.

A guy let me sit in his '57 DeSoto ambulance at the Carlisle Mopar show over the summer, and I also sat in an '84 or so Buick LeSabre hearse as the fall show. Both of them had me practically up against the steering wheel. Reall a pity...a car that big, but it's too cramped for me to drive! :-(

That '61 Bonneville is really beautiful, too. The '61 is one of my favorite years for '60's Pontiacs.

Mr_Shiftright

commercial vehicle collectors are pretty odd ducks--you have to be born into it, it's not a taste one easily acquires.

lemko

...would love to have that '58 limo if I had a garage long enough for it. The trouble with collecting commercial/professional vehicles is that you need a place big enough fot them and few people own warehouses.

That '61 Bonneville is a beaut. Trouble is, it's a four-door. Collectible Automobile has an article on the '60-'61 Ventura in its latest issue.

Spotted many cars this weekend:

1975 Buick Electra Limited, white with maroon roof in good condition.

1977-78 Buick Riviera, all white in excellent condition.

1972 Chevrolet Impala sedan with crummy dark blue repaint.

1972 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, black, slightly customized.

1968 Plymouth Sport Fury two-door hardtop in an unusual lavender metallic with fender skirts and black top. Needs a repaint.

andre1969

a '61-62 Caddy hearse, but unfortunately, the hearse and ambulance I sat in have somewhat shattered that dream for me!

So who used to drive hearses and ambulances back in the day...retired jockeys?

lemko

...in my car club that has a beautiful black 1961 Cadillac hearse. During our last meet, a guy showed up with a RWD 1989 Cadillac hearse.

fintail

If that Caddy limo is considered a commercial/professional vehicle, would the same hold true for a MB 600, esp the LWB version?

Mr_Shiftright

Actually a limo isn't by definition a commercial vehicle. I was referring to ambulances and hearses. Stretch limos however are devalued just as much as hearses and ambulances vis a vis normal cars of the same make and year, because they are such a pain to drive and park. About all you can do is show them now and then or take them to a parade. They are pretty useless so collectors are fewer. Not much supply but also not much demand.

andys120

Andre, I'm a shortlegged 5'7" and I couldn't fit comfortably behind the wheel of our '76 Caddy hearse when we had one at the radio station.

The seatback had to be right against the bulkhead separating living from dead, creating a rigidly upright seating position.

andre1969

I really wished I had a hearse back when I used to deliver pizzas. I thought that would've been really fun! But then, when I used an ex police car to deliver pizzas, sometimes I'd have a problem getting people to come to the door, so maybe the hearse would've been worse?!

jlawrence01

One of the painting contractor bought a hearse and mounted a ladder rack on top of the rook and uses it for his work. It is much easier to get the ladders off of the hearse than off of a full sized truck or van.

Mr_Shiftright

I bet using one for a camper would be pretty creepy.

kyfdx

This discussion reminds me of the movie "Harold and Maude".. Bud Cort takes the XKE that his mother gives him, and turns it into a hearse..

andre1969

didn't Superior try marketing the hearse/ambulance body style as a "Vacation Special" back in the late 50's/early 60's, before "true" motorhomes came out?

andre1969

I want one of these!
http://www.phantomcoaches.org/literature/57Desoto.jpg
Or, preferably, both of them! ;-)

Mr_Shiftright

Another bit of brilliant marketing--LOL! What did you do, slide your wife out the tailgate in the morning?

andre1969

it might have actually made a bit of sense. Remember Nashes and Ramblers were marketed to the camping crowd, and often tried to be an alternative to the motel room by having reclining seats and even offering mosquito netting for the windows!

Mr_Shiftright

Well I think the term "the public has spoken" pretty much sums up how good those ideas were.

andys120

drove a beautiful black '56 Caddy hearse in the 60s. When he wasn't having keg parties in back he used to haul his Triumph (bike) around in back.

I'm surprised it didn't leak all over the nice purple upholstery (could apply to either the bike or the keggers, LOL).

jlawrence01

>>Well I think the term "the public has spoken" pretty much sums up how good those ideas were. <<

Times have changed. Camping in cars during that first half of the last century was an asset. Now with all the money floating around, who wants to do it.

The hearse as a camper .. umm, that's an idea. We have three for sale up the street ...

andre1969

that just about every car today has reclining seats like the old Nash, yeah, I'd say the public HAS spoken...and was heard!

Those old Nash seats were cool though, because they actually folded flat. You'd slide the front seat up, and the backrest would drop down flush with the backseat cushion, making about the best sleeping surface you could get out of a car seat!

I've tried sleeping in my Intrepid though, on trips, and it just doesn't make for a very comfy bed! My old '68 Dart was actually better!

fintail

A fintail hearse would be something, but preferrably the 111 rather than the 110. It just looks gothic and morbid.

Mr_Shiftright

I remember seeing those Ramblers marketed in old car magazines. They would show the passenger seat made up like a bed, with a pillow and blankets. I think most journalists either laughed their heads off or made lewd comments about teenagers.

I'd have to rate that one as one of the silliest car ideas of the last 50 years. Just about everyone in the 1950s camped by towing little travel trailers, or they slept in "auto courts", which we now call "motels".

"Auto courts" had a pretty sleazy reputation until the chains opened up. My favorite is an old photo of the "Wigwam Motel", which had little rooms in cement wigwams.

jlawrence01

My parents had a Rambler and they used it in that way. They could fold the seat down and make a bed for the three of us ... and often did.

The Wigwam Motel that was on Rt. 66 also featured a swastika on each of them (an Indian symbol of peace). That worked until WWII broke out and they were told to get rid of them ... or else.

Mr_Shiftright

You camped out in a Rambler with your family? Really?

Ah, Route 66! I was thinking the old Lincoln Highway, but that was Route 40 wasn't it?

jlawrence01

My parents liked to do the "driving all night" routine on the trips to the coast. We would drive all day. Then we would stop for dinner for an hour, set the back seat up for sleeping and my parents would drive all night.

Maybe it was Rt 40.