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

explorerx4

andre... go for the gnx. i would love to have one of those.
right now, i trying to figure out how get my wife to let me get another mustang. :sick:

jrosasmc

Even I consider cars like the Volvo P1800 and BMW 2002 to be much better pieces of engineering than old domestic muscle cars.

andre1969

My folks switched from Pontiacs to Buicks at about the time they were pushing 60.

Now that I think back on it, Grandmom was 60 and Granddad was just about to turn 67 when they bought their '85 LeSabre. Prior to that, they'd come from a long line of Chevies, although they did have a few used cars back in the 50's. I think they had a 1949 Pontiac, a '52 Buick, and then a '55 Pontiac. I think their first brand-new car was a 1960 Impala (or whatever they called the Impala equivalent) 9-passenger wagon.

Still though, at that time, I remember one of my buddies in high school (9th grade at that time) his parents had an '84 Electra with an awesome sound system. In 7th and 8th grade, I went to a private school where you paid extra for the bus, and it wouldn't come out this far anyway, so some of the families formed a carpool. One family had an early 80's Riv and an early 80's Electra coupe. One family had an '83 LeSabre diesel wagon. The other two had Mopars, a '76 Aspen wagon and a '78 Volare wagon, respectively. And these were parents that were probably in their 30's or early 40's, at the most.

My Dad was 57 when he bought his '03 Regal. I remember looking up some stats around that time, and I think the average owner age for the Regal was 57, most youthful of the Buick cars at the time. I think the Rendezvous had an average age around 48, but the Century, LeSabre, and Park Avenue were all around 70.

lemko

...yellow 1980 Chrysler Cordoba in fairly decent condition.

andre1969

just out of curiosity, can you tell a 1980 Cordoba from the 1981-83 models? I can't, and I'm actually a fan of those cars! Now statistically speaking, I think they made around 55,000 of the 1980 models, which was probably more than the 1981-83 combined, so your chances of seeing an '80 were probably greater.

ghulet

Today on the way to work I saw a fairly nice (condition, anyway) International, I think a Travelall (four doors, like a Suburban), definitely pre-1969 (when they changed the body). Guy was filling it up at a gas station, the fuel filler was in front of the RF door, nice touch (ka-BOOM!). Also, recently in the same block, I spotted a cool dark blue '67 Buick Wildcat four-door hardtop (one of my favorite tanks of all time, in my favorite body style) and a light blue '63-ish Plymouth Valiant wagon, which can't be too numerous any more.

lemko

I'll be honest. I wasn't sure until I checked it out on Google and looked up a picture and saw a picture that resembled the car I saw. The picture said 1980 Cordoba.

lemko

Cordoba Years:

1980:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dippy.org/photo/cousin/coucor0- - 1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dippy.org/photo/cousin/coucor.html&h=200&w=393&sz=49&- - tbnid=ZOLZEgws339toM:&tbnh=61&tbnw=120&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1980%2BC- - ordoba%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

1981:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://local.aaca.org/chesapeake/Augsburg- - /Vanderlinde81Cordoba.JPG&imgrefurl=http://local.aaca.org/chesapeake/augsburg.ht- - m&h=288&w=466&sz=26&tbnid=BX6JHHeUdWCNlM:&tbnh=77&tbnw=125&hl=en&start=6&prev=/i- - mages%3Fq%3D1981%2BCordoba%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

1982:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.moparautos.com/82cordoba2.jpg&- - imgrefurl=http://www.moparautos.com/cordoba81-83.htm&h=337&w=718&sz=191&tbnid=C7- - dmkjbCJy1_yM:&tbnh=64&tbnw=138&hl=en&start=35&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1982%2BCordoba%- - 26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

1983:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_imag- - es/9/web/597000-597999/597142_42.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cardomain.com/profile/- - obiewancordobie&h=188&w=250&sz=19&tbnid=caMrEyzpn6Xq_M:&tbnh=79&tbnw=106&hl=en&s- - tart=8&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1983%2BCordoba%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN- -

andre1969

to buying a 1980 Cordoba back in 2004. A guy in my Mopar club had one for sale. Now those websites say it wasn't available yet, but this one was a 1980 LS, which had the crosshair grille and more slicked-back, Mirada-like front. It also had bucket seats and a console. Originally it had been a slant six car, but it had a hopped-up 318-4bbl that had come out of a '75 or so Dart, and a smallblock TF727 tranny and 8 3/4 rear that had come out of a 1970 Charger.

It looked pretty good in pictures, but when I saw it up close I could tell it needed a ton of work. Probably best that I didn't get it, because less than a year later, found my '76 LeMans. And if I'd had the Cordoba, I'd be kicking myself because here was something that I wanted MORE!! Although I guess that always happens...you find something you like and then something else comes along.

jrosasmc

The new issue of "Collectible Automobile" has a great article on the 1969-73 Imperials with the fuselage body. They wrote that while it was arguably the finest Chrysler product for the times, it just couldn't hold its own with Cadillac and Lincoln. Have you ever seen an Imperial from that era? (I could sure see you in one!)

imidazol97

1969
http://www.dealsonwheels.com/database/cars/000038-200507-000003big.jpg
1970
http://www.carphotos.org/data/516/1970_Imperial_Lebaron.jpg
1971
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1971/Scott/Mvc-685s_small.jpg
1072
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1972/Genie/Side2tn.jpg
1973
http://home.highertech.net/~soule/cars/images/atlnyb.jpg

Take a look at all the Chryslers and Imperials on this fella's site! Andre take heed.

andre1969

I always thought they were good looking cars. The hidden headlight treatment gave them a clean, almost futuristic, exotic look compared to a Lincoln or Caddy at the time. Even though Lincolns were sporting hidden headlights, they had those upright, pretentious grilles and just lacked the sleekness.

I think one reason the Imperial couldn't compete with Caddy and Lincoln is that it just never could shake its Chrysler lineage. Also, by this point in time Lincoln was using 460's, Cadillac was using 472's, while Imperial was just using a 440. Same engine and hp as the New Yorker.

Imperial even went so far in their ads to say that they didn't build the '69-73 Imperials for speed. They said if you wanted to go tear up the quarter mile or whatever, then go get a Cadillac or Lincoln. "We built our cars for luxury" was Imperial's way of trying to put a positive spin on that shortcoming.

Now by 1972 or so, compression was getting cut big-time on many GM and Ford engines, while Chrysler still offered some pretty gutsy (for the time) mills, so they might have had an advantage then. But, of course, by the end of 1973, having the highest HP was NOT something to brag about!

When I delivered pizzas, there was a guy in our zone who had (might still have) a 1971 or 72 Imperial 4-door hardtop. Nice, rich medium/dark blue with a vinyl top. Can't remember if the top was black or white, though. It was a sharp looking car. Interestingly, I think this is one design where the 4-door looks better than the 2-door! The roofline on the 2-door is just too small for the body!

Oh, how's this for obscure? That same guy had a Somerset Regal. Not the little N-body version of the Grand Am, but the RWD G-body. It was around a 1983. It was a sporty package that gave you bucket seats and a console, and cool rims, but no performance. Kinda like the Olds Calais of the same timeframe. I think this one had T-tops, as well.

fintail

I saw an early 80s Eldo convertible today - a real convertible, not just a pimpy landau.

Mr_Shiftright

1984 and up I think.

andre1969

IIRC, the Eldorado convertible was only made in 1984-85. The Riviera convertible was offered a bit longer though, coming out in either 1982 or 1983. And there was a Toronado 'vert as well, but it may have been solely aftemarket and not officially counted with GM's production. I think the most popular of them all was the '85 Eldorado, with maybe 3000 built.

andre1969

but on the way home from work I saw a 2nd-gen Acura Legend sedan stopped at a red light, with a Vigor (or might have been one of the earlier TL's that had the frameless windows) right beside it in the turn lane. Just thought it was kinda odd to see two cars from the same maker of about the same vintage like that.

fintail

Whatever the Eldo was, it was't a garage queen anyway. It was white with a white top and I bet a white interior - out in the 9000th day of pouring rain.

I never liked that Vigor, kind of an awkward position and an odd car.

imidazol97

9000 days of rain? You guys should share. There was somewhere in SW that had a drought--so many days without rain-- mentioned on the news recently.

Car seen yesterday. Dodge Challenger. Early 70s? It was a slightly orange red with a broad white stripe that went along the side of the car and up the C-pillars and over the back of the roof.

What year was it? What model? The hood had 340 on it, maybe in white stripes, written parallel to the front
fender.

I know this is backwards. I'm supposed to supply the picture. I've searched and can't find one. It's a little like this one in paint scheme; lot like it, shape.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/2321-1.jpg

boomchek

Someone traded one in last week on a used Camry. This Eldorado was early 90's vintage.

Saw one of those Japanoid cars, JDM only mini Nissan a few days ago imported into BC. It's a Nissan Pao.


"Pao, how you like me now!"

jrosasmc

Was that early '90s Eldorado of the small generation from '86-'91, or the one that was redesigned in '92?

The former generation did not sell well because it looked almost too much like the GM N-bodies of that time (Grand Am, Cutlass Calais, Skylark).

jrosasmc

My apologies, Boomchek- I saw the Canadian flag symbol and thought you were Fintail! Lol

andre1969

Imidazol97, if it was that particular model that you posted, that's a 1970 Challenger T/A (Trans Am). It was only offered that year, and had a 290 hp 340-6pack (3-2bbl carbs). That's gross hp, but Chrysler tended to under-rate their 340's back then. Supposedly it really put out around 350. The T/A was supposedly advertised in 1971, but never actually made it to production that year.

Here's a link that highlights the history of the Challenger.

Now if it wasn't this specific model, but still a 340, it could be a 1970-72 or early 1973. The 340 was replaced during the 1973 model year with a high-output version of the 360, which was cleaner when it came to emissions and didn't choke down as bad as the 340 would have.

lemko

...a brown 1972 Buick LeSabre two-door hardtop in fairly decent condition. It was parked at the same place I got my 1988 Park Ave. His customers must have a thing for Buicks.

imidazol97

I browsed that site, didn't find the paint pattern. It did not say 6-pack but the 340 was in 5 inch letters on the hood. The white stripe was 6-8 inches wide along the side and up over the rear of the roof. I can recall seeing one of these long ago but it must have been a hard-to-get model.

andre1969

was that '72 LeSabre for sale? I know I shouldn't be entertaining the idea, but I've always liked those...

Besides, the Intrepid's getting kinda old, might need to be replaced soon! :shades:

fintail

What's the company that imports those? I've seen some of their stuff and their website before. Lots of little vans and a Toyota Sera.

There's also a place that imports Citroens and Euro spec MB, 'Eurocars' or something to that effect.

lemko

I believe it might be as there are no tags on the car. Darn! Too bad he didn't have that car on the lot back in November. Oh well, I'd have gone broke feeding that monster anyway. He has had a fairly nice black 1963 Cadillac DeVille on the lot - needed some cosmetic restoration, but overall solid. Unfortunately, he wanted an unrealistic amount of money for it, else, I'd have bought that car in a New York second. There is also a beautiful white 1968 Cadillac DeVille for sale at another nearby garage with another fantasyland price. It's been there since November - yet another vehicle I'd have purchased if the owner wasn't smoking huge boulders of crack per the price.

jrosasmc

How is the Park Ave. running these days? Do you keep it in mint condition just like with the Brougham and STS?

jrosasmc

Check this gem of a car out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-AUDI-5000s-1984-AUDI-5000s-104K-miles-Excell- ent-Condition_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6055QQitemZ4608792252QQrdZ1#ebayphotoho- sting

When was the last time you saw a mint-condition, working 1984 Audi 5000? I bet Shifty will have a few comments about this particular vehicle.

jrosasmc

I'm going to try posting the link again:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-AUDI-5000s-1984-AUDI-5000s-104K-miles-Excell- ent-Condition_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6055QQitemZ4608792252QQrdZ1

Mr_Shiftright

Nah, I don't beat dead horses....no fun.

lemko

The Park Ave runs excellent despite its age. I've been driving it almost exclusively this past month. I keep the car extremely clean as I do my girlfriend's car and the others. The only problem is the paint is pretty much scratched to heck though it still holds a shine. There is also a shallow dent on the left rear door. If I pulled the dent and painted the car, it would look really nice. The interior is pretty much like new.

lemko

...yellow Lamborghini Gallardo at lunchtime. Nice!

andre1969

aren't Audi 5000's a pretty quick performer? I've always heard people, and even the news stories mention how sudden the acceleration was! :shades:

Mr_Shiftright

only if you put a swimming pool in front of one.

Actually a PERFECT example of the greatest sin in car manufacture---"brilliant idea, badly executed".

boomchek

The company's name is japanoid.com

They have lots of funky stuff.

The Eldorado we traded in was the last generation one, 92 and up.

boomchek

A late 90's or early 00 Opel Corsa.



Just like this one but in white and really beat up and it was parked in the customer parking lot.

Had local BC plates on it. Opel never sold this car here but i believe they do in Mexico, and it had some kind of a Mexican insurance sticker on the window. Pretty rare to see a non Canada/USA car here.

fintail

Yeah must be from Mexico.

I saw a Mexican plated SEAT in coastal WA state last year. I saw a few Mexican cars in Vegas.

Mr_Shiftright

http://www.edmunds.com/news/column/carmudgeon/108706/article.html

explorerx4

an 80's audi 4000 cs quattro (pretty good shape, but the red paint needed buffing) and a vw passat w8 sychro wagon.
on the way out of the 'hood' today, i saw a 70's texas sized eldorado convertible, creamy yellow with a white top.
i did NOT stop to take a closer look at it.
it was 60 when i got home today, and i almost took the cover off the 'stang to start it, but was a bit late. maybe we will have another warm spell this month.

explorerx4

andre... forgot to put in my earlier post.
today i saw an intrepid covered from front to back in primer.
boy, it was nasty looking, although the alloys still looked good. the front even had damage on it, which must have happened after the primer paint. not only that, i was raining out. :sick:

kyfdx

Mazda 929... late '80s, early '90s... I think..

The square one that looked like a stretched 626.. not the swoopy cool one that came out in '92 (?)...

These were a rare sighting when new... I'm surprised there are any left..

fintail

Kind of a cute little freakshow

Shifty-mobile

I wonder if damaged titles hurt old cars as much

Pretty Riv, but come on, show the seats

Now this is a Caddy

Someone gave up on a fintail restoration

"Worlds coolest car" well....maybe

Those weird rear lights

Andre-mobile

I bet this is fun on train tracks

Nice old dinosaur with funny period touches

These weren't bad looking at all

prosa

I'm surprised that the reserve on the 1905 Cadillac has already been met even though the current bid is only $35K and change. Wouldn't a vehicle like that easily fetch a price well into the six figures?

Mr_Shiftright

Nah, you can buy these cars in this range all day long. In fact, it is already overpriced at $35K, especially with no history and bogus serial numbers.

If cars of this type are 1904 and older they are a little more valuable (eligible for more historic events).

Cadillacs don't get really valuable until 1929 or so.

You can buy excellent Model Ts Fords for $7,000 these days....these old cars have very limited use, but are really excellent buys right now IMO.

fintail

I like those really early cars. I've always wanted something like that, something before a Model T (I think I would only want a brass T). I saw a 1906 Caddy at a local show a couple years back, and it was really charming with the way it ran and the primitive engine. I think they are good buys. Someday I think I'll have a veteran car. The really cool ones like a Mercedes Simplex or anything big and powerful still bring huge money though - the exotics of their day.

kyfdx

...that is seriously into the "brass era" cars... He used to collect everything.. has some Indy racers, etc.. but, a few years ago he started concentrating on brass...

His house is even designed around them... He has a car in every room!! I've never been there, but the local paper did a story on it recently.. His son goes to school with my child..

His daily driver is a Corvette Z-06...

andre1969

I just saw a 1983 or so Cutlas Ciera convertible. Okay, so it was on the "A-Team", but I still saw it! :P Y'know, it's kinda funny, but those GM personal luxury coupes of the era, like the Monte and Cutlass Supreme, just don't seem to work as a convertible. At least, not the way they get chopped. But those Cieras actually don't look half bad. Pretty good conversion, all things considered. And considering they got Murdoch, Starbuck, er, Face, and B.A. Baracus all in the back seat, they must be pretty roomy inside!

Oh, also saw a pale blue '77 LeMans sedan with copcar hubcaps slide into a pond. But that was also on tv, in the opening credits...damn this was a violent show to 70's cars! Any moment now, I'm expecting to see a St. Regis or Monaco/Fury copcar go summersaulting through the air!

andys120

A spotted a '47 Caddy convertible on a flatbed. It looked like a real beauty with it's split Vee windshield, torpedo fenders and dainty tail fins.

Mr_Shiftright

it's really not a very valuable car, so they aren't risking much by driving it if that's what you meant.