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

magnette

This one was sold as the Standard Gazelle, I think, and wasn't sold in Europe - the Triumph Herald wasn't made as a 4-door car over here.

uplanderguy

andre, we had a '67 Chevelle with 250/155 gross hp, and a '73 Nova with the 250 with 100 net hp. My sister had a '73 Chevelle Deluxe wagon with the 100 hp 250!

Both 1973 250's in our family were just awful about driveability--absolutely impossible to not stall at least once, if not twice, maybe thrice, in the morning while attempting to back out of the driveway. The wagon had a tendency to diesel when shutting it off, too. The Nova was a stick and the Chevelle wagon, a Turbo-Hydramatic.

Our '74 Impala 350, bought new, was much, much, much better in this regard. It was purchased in Aug. '74 after our Nova was involved in a pretty major accident. The '75's were trickling in already but Dad wasn't interested in paying for unleaded gas!

andre1969

The only car from the malaise era that I really remember being a problem, when it came to warming up, was my Mom's 1980 Malibu. However, in those days, when it was cold we tended to let the cars warm up for as much as 4-5 minutes, which was probably not good, in and of itself. Still, I remember you could let that thing warm up, and then, pulling out of the driveway, it would still stall out.

It would diesel on after you turned it off on occasion, as well. Usually during hot weather.

My '82 Cutlass Supreme could be a bit finicky in cold weather as well, but I give it a bit of a pass because it was 11 years old when I got it. I remember the Malibu being bad even when it was fairly new!

I remember my '69 Dart GT, which had a 225 slant six, didn't like cool, damp weather. If it was downright cold, below freezing, it seemed fine. And in more temperate weather it was fine as well. But, a cool, drizzly morning with temps in the 40's and it was miserable.

My '79 5th Ave also gets a bit cranky in cold weather. It'll start up just fine, and fast idle works great. But, once it's been running for a few minutes and has kicked down to normal idle, it'll sometimes stall at traffic lights, sudden stops, etc.

Mr_Shiftright

I've only seen one 4-door Triumph Herald in my life and it was right hand drive, so it could have come from India or some other "colony".

stickguy

sounds like your dart had a distributor or wire issue? Something in the electrics that was not completely moisture sealed. Not that I know what I am talking about!

jljac

I knew two people who owned Chrysler products with the slant 6 motor and they liked it a lot. One was a high school friend who had one in a Valiant and the car seemed almost as strong as a V-8. When I see the posted horsepower figures, they seem too low. That Valiant seemed to be almost as fast as a standard Studebaker Lark 259 ci. in V-8.

The other person was my father, who inherited his father's 1963 Studebaker Skybolt 6-cylinder Lark and hated it. He traded it in for a 1967 Plymouth station wagon. at Freeman-Spicer, the official Studebaker factory that switched to Plymouth after Studebaker went out of the auto business.

My dad was very impressed with the slant 6 and said that if Studebaker built a 6-cylinder motor like that, they would still be in the auto business. I am not saying that his statement is true, but he was very impressed with the slant 6 it and kept that car longer than any other he owned.

Mr_Shiftright

The Slant 6 was a good motor. They had a few problems, like manifold cracking (pretty common) and wet-weather stalling (you had to put on weatherproof cap and wires), ballast resistor failure, and sometimes timing chain stretching, but generally speaking, pound for pound, they put out better power than similar Ford, Chevy, or AMC or Studebaker units.

One reason was an efficient manifold system.

They weren't hi-revving motors. They produced their best HP at lower rpm. This is probably why they made such good industrial engines.

andre1969

I always thought it was a shame that they didn't offer the slant six 2-bbl in the US, like they did for export markets in the 1960's. It put out 160 hp gross (120 net) which was a nice little bump from the 145 gross/110 net the 1-bbl put out.

But, for the most part, there wasn't a lot of interest in stronger 6-cyl engines in those days. Most buyers were more interested in a V-8.

For comparison though, the 273-2bbl V-8 from 1964 only put out 180 hp. The Chevy 283 started at 195 hp. The Ford 260 had 164 hp, although the newly-released 289 started at 195.

For one or two years, they even put the hot 4-bbl "Hyper-pak" on the 225, and that got it up to 197 hp.

I imagine that, if GM and Ford put their minds to it, they could have gotten some guts out of their 6-cyl engines as well. GM did try, somewhat, with the Pontiac OHC-6cyl, but I think buyers still preferred the V-8 options.

jljac

"They produced their best HP at lower rpm. This is probably why they made such good industrial engines. "

Now that you mention it, I worked at a sheet metal shop that had a Hobart welder/generator to make power for welding metal roof deck on the construction site and it had a Slant 6. It was very reliable, had tons of power, started in the coldest weather and was quite light for an engine that size. I think it had an aluminium engine block.

I am modifying my post to say that although I am not a big fan of the Studebaker 6 cylinder motor, in its defense it was originally developed as a small motor for the 1939 Champion while Studebaker had a larger six cylinder motor at that time for the Commander and trucks. After WW II Studebaker decided to build a small displacement V-8 rather than a new big six motor.

Therefore, it always was an economy engine that worked quite well in the Lark 20 years later, except for cold weather starting. It started with only 70 HP and eventually reached 101 hp before being cut back to 90 hp for the Lark, which was the same as the 1960 Ford Falcon. I don't attempt to defend the later Skybolt six ohv modification.

andre1969

The slant six was offered as an aluminum block for a few years, but they stopped production because they had a high scrappage rate on the assembly line.

They were pretty lightweight by the standards of the time when they came out for 1960. Something like 475 lb for the iron block. I'm not sure what Ford's standard car 6-cyl weighed at the time, but probably more. Chevy's old stovebolt/"Blue flame" 6 was over 600 lb! Ford's little Falcon 6 was lighter, but was also a smaller engine, starting off at just 144 CID. I think Chevy's newer 6-cyl, the one that started off as a 194.5, but grew to a 230 and finally 250, was around 450 lb.

uplanderguy

Studebaker's OHV six, which came out for the '61 model year, I've heard had a tendency towards cracked heads, although I've heard more than a couple guys say they had significantly-improved power over the flathead six. But because of the head issue, I don't think I'd consider one even if I thought the rest of the car was in terrific original/authentic condition.

explorerx4

in my rear view mirror. It was sitting low, so the springs were probably worn out.

ab348

It's still snowy and a bit salty up here in Nova Scotia and certainly quite cold - spring conditions have yet to arrive here and it's been a long, bad winter - but yesterday while out running errands I saw a '66 Chevelle 4-door out running around. It was either Marina or Mist Blue metallic, and someone had put a set of mag wheels on it. Probably was some old fella's car up to 5 or 10 years ago. Nothing special but it was in pretty good condition. A nice early sign of springtime at least.

fintail

Nice dry relatively warm day here - but not much on the road. Oldest and oddest thing I saw was a Chevy Luv.

texases

Drove down to Fredericksberg, TX from Dallas - 66 in Dallas, 88 in Fredericksberg. The Ft. Worth Model A club was there too, about 10 of them, all looked in good-great shape. No a/c, though :P

boomchek

Nice to get away from this crappy Vancouver rain we've had for 2 months now. I'll post some pics of curiosities once I get back.

fintail

Be sure you keep your camera with you - comes in handy in Europe, you never know what will cross your path. Have fun!

A beautiful ~15C day here today - maybe you are taking the rain with you :shades:

This morning saw a yellow 914, and the black 68 Impala 4 door HT I see now and then.

lemko

...brown early 1980s Mercedes-Benz 300 SD. It had the non-flush sealed beam headlamps.

fintail

I often don't like brown cars, but a brown W116 or early W126 can work for me.

This afternoon saw a 66-67 Chevelle SS obviously restored, 86-87 Tempo, beautiful mint looking silver 300CE ca. 1990.

fintail

Saw a very nice dark blue Volvo Amazon/122, a couple of W123s, decent 87-88 Toyota Xtra cab 4x4 with full factory graphics.

fintail

Spotted an old BMW "airhead" style motorcycle in the workplace parking garage, I would guess late 70s vintage.

Mr_Shiftright

chromed "toaster tank" ?

stickguy

a couple of times recently across from a restaurant we hit occasionally. A decent looking white BMW 2002 (fairly early, chrome bumper car) parked at a garage. body looks OK, and it has aftermarket period wheels.

fintail

Painted tank, but that big kind of square shape. Also had some kind of lightweight wheels.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh yeah, maybe a late 70s model 90S.

hpmctorque

A green Dodge Dynasty exiting I-95 on an off-ramp. Not too many of these left.

uplanderguy

if not, fintail, I hope you haven't had breakfast yet!

http://www.businessinsider.com/super-rare-mercedes-gets-totaled-after-mechanics-- take-it-for-a-joy-ride-2013-3

lemko

...burgundy 1985 Pontiac Grand Am in nice condition near Hellerman and Bingham in NE Philly.

fintail

I had seen that, but didn't know the driver was from Mechatronik - which is a hugely respected shop. They are known for putting high performance modern powertrains in old cars, and their work doesn't come cheap. Means the loss will be insured, I guess.

Mr_Shiftright

Somebody from Mechatronik is having a very bad day right now.

uplanderguy

Reminds one of Cameron and Ferris Bueller.

stickguy

and while I was at the same stop light. Down in TJC land (And Tom, so sorry to hear about losing your step dad that young).

First, a 75ish MB (couldn't see the model, not sure if it was a diesel). But the fun part, it had a big pizza delivery sign on top!

then coming the other way, a pretty clean looking '75ish (big bumper) 2 door dart fastback. White with a white vinyl top.

Made me think I was back in HS again!

fintail

Saw a nice 380SEC today, in an unusual kind of dark gray-green, and a beat up barely running 560SEC.

tjc78

so sorry to hear about losing your step dad that young).

Thank You.

Yesterday I saw a brown Pinto with something nasty under the hood (at least it sounded that way). I may have seen it before.

explorerx4

with a big butterfly injector poking out of the hood.

andys120

Early 300SLs were notorious for their handling quirks so I'm sure quite a few have been wrecked. Not withstanding the headline on that article I don't think you can "total" a Gullwing. The VIN plate alone is worth a couple of hundred thousand. The article does note that the car will likely be restored.

Mr_Shiftright

If the damage really was estimated at $850,000, then it was totaled as far as insurance goes... I don't think anyone will get away with the VIN plate trick---these cars are all pretty much known by VIN #, so that # will always carry a stigma in Gullwing circles. It's branded for life. It's hard to get top dollar for a salvaged car of this type.

Now if they DON'T total it, that would make the car more valuable when it is re-done. Might be cheaper to have it rebuilt in former East Germany.

fintail

Mechatronik probably should do it themselves. They have the ability. High end buyers like to have cars from known restorers, too.

Saw a W123 230E Euro today, dirty and neglected, poorly driven by a middle aged woman.

tjc78

Early 70s Bronco looking pretty bad in multiple colors and primer. It was obviously a work in progress.

jpp75

I'd love to have one of those, such a classic vehicle.

jpp75

Saw an early 80's Cutlass Supreme on the interstate yesterday, looked rough but at least it was still running.

fintail

A few oddities today - VW Dasher wagon, early 20s Model T roadster flying along in 35-40mph traffic, ca. 1960 Bentley sedan with a large sunroof, red 65-66 Mustang fastback, what I think was a 67 Galaxie or Mercury fastback spotted from a distance.

ateixeira

Saw an old school Skyline in the Cayman Islands, a pit stop on a cruise I just returned from.

Wish I had more time there. It was a very interesting place. I'll have to go back some day and spend a few days at least.

fintail

Had a "Back to the Future" moment this morning - first saw an E23 733i or 735i like George McFly had at the end of the first film, then 30 seconds later saw a DeLorean.

robr2

Saw a Corvair convertible with a continental kit parked in a driveway in Abington, MA this afternoon.

Mr_Shiftright

I trust you reported the owner to the police?

uplanderguy

Was the Continental kit in the front of the car?

berri

The owner probably felt he had to take on the Nissan Juke or the similar looking goofy Hyundai.

fintail

ha, good one.

Continental kit on a Corvair, never seen that before. Sounds atrocious. A quick google confirms they exist.

berri

OMG - there are more than one? Yikes, what's next with them, a Corvair Greenbrier van with a vinyl roof! Maybe they can stretch a Corvair sedan into a Limo that those old K car ones that Budget rental used to ferry passengers to and from the terminal in.