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

kyfdx

ab348 said:

Why are writers for a car site riding bikes to work?

It's Santa Monica .... the weather is beautiful... and LA traffic sucks..

oldbearcat

Saturday, I was at a local junk yard buying a used engine for a car my son is working on. A really nice 82 Jaguar XJ6 pulled in at the yard office. I got to talk to the owner for a bit. The guy is doing his own work on the Jag, and, indicated that he's getting ready to have the car repainted its original color. These cars are really graceful looking.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

kyfdx

Great looking car... and, by "pulled in", do you mean by a tow truck? Because that would be the normal mode of transport for an old Jag.

andre1969

fintail said:

The cars with dual lights seem a lot more modern looking than the 56-57s, and they give the appearance of sitting lower, too - maybe just an illusion based on trim. I'm not aware of differences in 56 vs 57 that are visible with the hood closed, or without FI badging.

The '58 seems a bit more fleshed-out, under the headlights, than the '56-57, so giving the car more mass down low might give the illusion of a lower car. And the way the rear bumper curves around and comes forward on the '58, makes the car appear longer to me.

uplanderguy

I'm not a fan of the two chrome strips down the decklid of the '58, which was removed for '59. As much as I love the '62, I don't like the '61 that much, as it still came with wider whites, a white cove, and more trim. I could like owning a '59 or '60 though, as the rounded rear to me looks more natural with that extra trim and such.

Mr_Shiftright

Just read about this strange auto accident up here in Northern Cal. A 1948 Dodge Coronet flies off a curve at 3 am in the morning (???), ejecting both passengers, who weren't belted in. One dead, one injured. What the hell?

fintail

I saw that neglected old 116 again today, barreling down a city street.

I suspect it doesn't take much to get killed in a 48 Dodge.

oldbearcat

kyfdx said:

Great looking car... and, by "pulled in", do you mean by a tow truck? Because that would be the normal mode of transport for an old Jag.

Nope - the guy drove it in. It ran like just like new. I figured there was a Chevy 350 conversion under the hood - but - nope - the original engine. The guy that owned it must be a really good mechanic.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

Just read about this strange auto accident up here in Northern Cal. A 1948 Dodge Coronet flies off a curve at 3 am in the morning (???), ejecting both passengers, who weren't belted in. One dead, one injured. What the hell?

The Law of Natural Selection in action...

andre1969

Mr_Shiftright said:

Just read about this strange auto accident up here in Northern Cal. A 1948 Dodge Coronet flies off a curve at 3 am in the morning (???), ejecting both passengers, who weren't belted in. One dead, one injured. What the hell?

That's why I'm making the mechanic put seatbelts in my '57 DeSoto before he's finished with it. I might still get stuck on the steering wheel, but at least I won't get ejected!

uplanderguy

All three of my Studes had belts front and rear, and I used them. I agree andre; they're better than nothing.

Although I hate the looks of them, I think if I bought another old car, I'd have a high-mounted brake light installed. Two of our cars have been rear-ended while stopped near here, with the dumb lights! I do think they grab your attention though, generally. I ordered my '85 Celebrity Eurosport early, when I heard the '86's would have CHMSL's, to avoid them.

fintail

My fintail has lap belts up front too, ancient webbing with airplane style buckles. Not sure if they'd hold me in, but at least it has crumple zones.

I remember when I was a kid, I could tell "newer" cars, and some model years, by the CHMSL (aftermarket ones looked obvious).

oldbearcat

andre1969 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Just read about this strange auto accident up here in Northern Cal. A 1948 Dodge Coronet flies off a curve at 3 am in the morning (???), ejecting both passengers, who weren't belted in. One dead, one injured. What the hell?

That's why I'm making the mechanic put seatbelts in my '57 DeSoto before he's finished with it. I might still get stuck on the steering wheel, but at least I won't get ejected!

I own a stock 48 Chevy, and, anybody that thinks a car of this vintage can handle a curve at speed is nuts. They handle like an oxcart. I've been debating whether or not to put seatbelts in too. My considerations:
1. Even with seatbelts, not sure what the seat mounts themselves are up to handling much of a hit.
2. Some recommend anchoring the belts to steel attached to the chassis in these old cars. However, in a serious hit, cars of this vintage have a nasty habit of the body coming loose from the chassis - so I'm told.
3. If I anchor the belts to bolts and big heavy washers through the Chevy's floor pans, would things be sturdy enough to offer much protection. This seems to be the most recommended installation for a 40's car.
Would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

andre1969

Now that I think back on it, when NHTSA did that crash test of the '59 Impala and '09 Malibu, I seem to remember one (of many) strikes against the Impala was the the seat came forward. I don't know if it simply slid forward on its track, or if the bolts actually ripped out of the floor. I guess you could chalk that up to old age...but my DeSoto, and your Chevy, are even older than that! I guess though, it would still be better (or less worse?) to be belted in, and have the seat come lose and squash you, then having you AND the seat pitch forward.

My mechanic has the seats out of my car. It was up on a lift for the longest time, as he had pulled the body off of the frame. I had walked under the car a few times, but never thought to look at the part where the seat bolts in, to see how sturdy it's braced up. I do remember the under-side of the body having some bracing, at least, so it wasn't just a floorpan and nothing else.

As for the body pulling loose from the car...I never thought about that...yikes! That is a scary thought, if the belts are anchored through the floor into the frame. I'm definitely going to ask the mechanic about that, and how he intends to anchor the belts.

Whatever my mechanic ends up doing, I'll keep you posted!

stickguy

Is that beast ever going to be finished Andre? Getting close?

andre1969

Well, the body is back on the frame, so little by little, some progress is being made. Still no idea on when it will be finished. They tend to do a lot at once, then let it sit, then get gung ho on it again.

imidazol97

oldbearcat said:

3. If I anchor the belts to bolts and big heavy washers through the Chevy's floor pans, would things be sturdy enough to offer much protection. This seems to be the most recommended installation for a 40's car.

I saw a car of the 1949-1952 era Chrysler product that separated during an accident. It was a blockish older car in the 1960s that hit a concrete roadside bridge rail. Body went over the concrete abutment and the chassis went backwards about 20 feet. The boys had been driving fast..

I'd want the seat belt held by a circular reinforcement to make the force pulling against the floor pan spread over an area so that it would still give and deform the floor pan with the forward pull of the seatbelt. But the area has to be large enough that the reinforcement (washer) doesn't easily pull through. Careful though as to the metallurgy of the washer. It needs to be a metal that doesn't interact with the metal of the floor pan to corrode one away with galvanic energy.

fintail

Spotted a pristine 90-93 Integra with 5 spoke "directional" wheels that were straight out of my high school parking lot. Parked at a real estate office, so probably an older person one owner car.

boomchek

fintail said:

Spotted a pristine 90-93 Integra with 5 spoke "directional" wheels that were straight out of my high school parking lot. Parked at a real estate office, so probably an older person one owner car.

I like those. Most that are left nowadays are beat to death, rusty, or modified with mismatched unpainted body kits and other tacky mods.

fintail

They were a very clean design, with the tall Honda greenhouse of the period, and the low dash, for amazing visibility. I remember when I was in high school (back in the day before the proliferation of sketchy money, and in a small town), a kid had one of those - just a couple years old at the time, and it was definitely one of the nicest cars there, including teacher cars. Then a kid got one of the new 1994+ bugeye models (also a pleasant design), and people were visibly jealous.

Acura, very relevant then.

boomchek said:

I like those. Most that are left nowadays are beat to death, rusty, or modified with mismatched unpainted body kits and other tacky mods.

stickguy

out driving on I85 in NC, a Ford Fiesta. not sure if late 80s or early 90s, but certainly a rare bird to see out running around.

and today around town, a 1974ish Ford LTD 4 door. Looked all original, though the whole front end looked like it might be in primer. rest of care seemed to be original, and very tired, paint.

boomchek

Honda's peak was in my opinion during the 90s. Anything they built then was groundbreaking in terms of technology, simplicity, and reliability. The Acura NSX, the Legend, the Integra, the Integra Type R; and from Honda, the Accords, Civics, Preludes, CRX's, and the S2000 at the end of the decade.

Speaking of 90s' Hondas, I just sold my 93 Civic last night. Since I get to take home cars from work, I didn't need this one.

The young guy came with his gf who was driving of all things an early 90s Dodge Shadow convertible with manual transmission. We talked regarding how rare those were, she said there are only a few hundred around. This one looked like it was in excellent shape too.

fintail

Late 80s Ford was a Festiva. A Kia-built car, based on the Mazda 121. I still remember the ads..."Drive a Ford, Drive a Festiva".

And I agree, the 90s belonged to Honda - so many top notch cars from the era.

Haven't seen a Shadow convertible for some time. In the middle 00s, by brother had a Sundance Duster with the V6, those are pretty thin on the ground now. Speaking of him, his "new wave" 83 Toyota pickup is no more. He'll probably replace it with something old and odd. He mentioned he wants a 4x4, but I don't know if he realizes nice unmolested 80s Toyota 4x4s are actually desirable now, and not cheap.

boomchek

Ford did have a Fiesta here in the late 70s early 80s. Identical to a European model iirc. I have seen a few on the road in the late 80s still.

stickguy

yup. the Fiesta like that. I drove one in HS (a friends parents bought one). I liked that car!

The festiva was another POC based on a Daewoo. The Fiesta at least was a british Ford.

fintail

Yep, that was the Fiesta. Maybe sold in the USA from model years 76-80 or so. I remember when I was in 1st grade, a friend's mother drove one - I liked it, as it seemed sporty to me, like a rally car. I think all US spec ones were German built. There's a few still around in the Puget Sound area, now special interest cars, I'd guess.

I see a Festiva now and then too.

roadburner

I was all set to buy a new Fiesta S in 1980. Problem was, the A/C was dealer-installed- but only on cars that came from Germany with an "Air Conditioning Preparation Package"- I couldn't find a car so equipped. One idiot plaid sport coated sales guy told me to wait for the new 1981 Escort, because "It would make the Fiesta look like garbage." Of course we all know what a POS that Escort turned out to be...

oldbearcat

andre1969 said:

Now that I think back on it, when NHTSA did that crash test of the '59 Impala and '09 Malibu, I seem to remember one (of many) strikes against the Impala was the the seat came forward. I don't know if it simply slid forward on its track, or if the bolts actually ripped out of the floor. I guess you could chalk that up to old age...but my DeSoto, and your Chevy, are even older than that! I guess though, it would still be better (or less worse?) to be belted in, and have the seat come lose and squash you, then having you AND the seat pitch forward.

My mechanic has the seats out of my car. It was up on a lift for the longest time, as he had pulled the body off of the frame. I had walked under the car a few times, but never thought to look at the part where the seat bolts in, to see how sturdy it's braced up. I do remember the under-side of the body having some bracing, at least, so it wasn't just a floorpan and nothing else.

As for the body pulling loose from the car...I never thought about that...yikes! That is a scary thought, if the belts are anchored through the floor into the frame. I'm definitely going to ask the mechanic about that, and how he intends to anchor the belts.

Whatever my mechanic ends up doing, I'll keep you posted!

Yes - please let me know what he ends up doing. One incident that I know of - Back in 59 or 60, my father had a Dodge wagon( A Lancer, I think) that he used as a delivery car for his drug store. A stock boy spun the car on a 2 lane road at speed and hit a telephone pole. The entire front clip, hood, and subframe were torn off, along with the engine. The kid had only a large bruise. When he hit the pole, the driver's seat came loose from the floor, tipped backwards, and threw him into the back seat. Talk about lucky. I still remember seeing them loading the 4 or 5 large pieces of that car onto a flatbed truck to take it away.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

oldbearcat

fintail said:

Yep, that was the Fiesta. Maybe sold in the USA from model years 76-80 or so. I remember when I was in 1st grade, a friend's mother drove one - I liked it, as it seemed sporty to me, like a rally car. I think all US spec ones were German built. There's a few still around in the Puget Sound area, now special interest cars, I'd guess.

I see a Festiva now and then too.

I had a 1980 Ford Fiesta. From what I remember, they imported them from 1978 through 80. They were built in Germany, and, the 1.6 Ford Kent engine under the hood performed pretty good. I souped mine up with headers, dual exhausts, etc., and, it was blast to drive.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

fintail

It seemed very sporty to my 6 year old self - maybe my friend's mom was an aggressive driver, or maybe because it was a manual and so much different from my mother's car. Knowing how well things were built then, it was also probably a 4 year old car with a failed exhaust or something. Also, to my young eyes, being a manual made anything cool.

roadburner

I remember Car and Driver testing the Fiesta S and liking it better than the Golf(Rabbit). It was a nice car, but Ford has a horrible track record WRT captive imports...

stever

When I had my uber-reliable Tercel in the early 80s (and beyond), the only friend who could compete on war stories drove a Fiesta. She always claimed hers was more fun to drive too. Our Subaru driving friends had different war stories - ease of winter travel but epic rust. Reliability was never particularly noted.

Recently spotted a clean convertible "old" Beetle and a less obscure but very nice Protégé. And a Genesis Coupe, which is a bit obscure if not classic.

isellhondas

oldbearcat said:

andre1969 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Just read about this strange auto accident up here in Northern Cal. A 1948 Dodge Coronet flies off a curve at 3 am in the morning (???), ejecting both passengers, who weren't belted in. One dead, one injured. What the hell?

That's why I'm making the mechanic put seatbelts in my '57 DeSoto before he's finished with it. I might still get stuck on the steering wheel, but at least I won't get ejected!

I own a stock 48 Chevy, and, anybody that thinks a car of this vintage can handle a curve at speed is nuts. They handle like an oxcart. I've been debating whether or not to put seatbelts in too. My considerations:
1. Even with seatbelts, not sure what the seat mounts themselves are up to handling much of a hit.
2. Some recommend anchoring the belts to steel attached to the chassis in these old cars. However, in a serious hit, cars of this vintage have a nasty habit of the body coming loose from the chassis - so I'm told.
3. If I anchor the belts to bolts and big heavy washers through the Chevy's floor pans, would things be sturdy enough to offer much protection. This seems to be the most recommended installation for a 40's car.
Would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

I think using several large washers would be the way to go with those seat belts. Unless your floors have rust that would be a lot better than nothing.

Back in those days it didn't take a very severe accident to kill people.

I wonder if a shoulder harness could be installed somehow?

texases

Warm weather brings out the pony cars - '65 Mustang, '67 Firebird, '76ish Trans Am hitting the gas under a bridge. Sounded good, no smoke, must have had some work.

oldbearcat

isellhondas said:

oldbearcat said:

andre1969 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Just read about this strange auto accident up here in Northern Cal. A 1948 Dodge Coronet flies off a curve at 3 am in the morning (???), ejecting both passengers, who weren't belted in. One dead, one injured. What the hell?

That's why I'm making the mechanic put seatbelts in my '57 DeSoto before he's finished with it. I might still get stuck on the steering wheel, but at least I won't get ejected!

I own a stock 48 Chevy, and, anybody that thinks a car of this vintage can handle a curve at speed is nuts. They handle like an oxcart. I've been debating whether or not to put seatbelts in too. My considerations:
1. Even with seatbelts, not sure what the seat mounts themselves are up to handling much of a hit.
2. Some recommend anchoring the belts to steel attached to the chassis in these old cars. However, in a serious hit, cars of this vintage have a nasty habit of the body coming loose from the chassis - so I'm told.
3. If I anchor the belts to bolts and big heavy washers through the Chevy's floor pans, would things be sturdy enough to offer much protection. This seems to be the most recommended installation for a 40's car.
Would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

I think using several large washers would be the way to go with those seat belts. Unless your floors have rust that would be a lot better than nothing.

Back in those days it didn't take a very severe accident to kill people.

I wonder if a shoulder harness could be installed somehow?

I was under the car today - replacing a suspicious piece of rubber gas line. Her floor pans look good and solid, so I think the heavy washer route is the best way to go. I'm going to try to do the install this Spring.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

fintail

Saw a gorgeous pristine later LWB W126 today, kind of a bronze-grey. Easily the classiest thing in that parking lot. And not obscure but odd, saw a 2004+ style Sienna smoking in a way that would shame the fintail. I am used to that from similar era x45 BMWs.

isellhondas

Yesterday I spotted a Datsun 510 Station Wagon driving along. Probably a 1968-1969. Blue with a primered rear tailgate. I hadn't seen one in years! They were primitive but very good cars.

isellhondas

oldbearcat said:

fintail said:

Yep, that was the Fiesta. Maybe sold in the USA from model years 76-80 or so. I remember when I was in 1st grade, a friend's mother drove one - I liked it, as it seemed sporty to me, like a rally car. I think all US spec ones were German built. There's a few still around in the Puget Sound area, now special interest cars, I'd guess.

I see a Festiva now and then too.

I had a 1980 Ford Fiesta. From what I remember, they imported them from 1978 through 80. They were built in Germany, and, the 1.6 Ford Kent engine under the hood performed pretty good. I souped mine up with headers, dual exhausts, etc., and, it was blast to drive.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

Those Fiestas were excellent cars that were fun to drive!

I remember under the hood they had a sticker saying NOT to install air conditioning!

roadburner

isellhondas said:

oldbearcat said:

fintail said:

Yep, that was the Fiesta. Maybe sold in the USA from model years 76-80 or so. I remember when I was in 1st grade, a friend's mother drove one - I liked it, as it seemed sporty to me, like a rally car. I think all US spec ones were German built. There's a few still around in the Puget Sound area, now special interest cars, I'd guess.

I see a Festiva now and then too.

I had a 1980 Ford Fiesta. From what I remember, they imported them from 1978 through 80. They were built in Germany, and, the 1.6 Ford Kent engine under the hood performed pretty good. I souped mine up with headers, dual exhausts, etc., and, it was blast to drive.

Regards:
Oldbearcat

Those Fiestas were excellent cars that were fun to drive!

I remember under the hood they had a sticker saying NOT to install air conditioning!

There was a sticker warning about installing A/C, but it was only placed on cars that did not have the A/C preparation kit installed at the factory- that was how you knew whether you could put dealer-installed A/C on a particular car.

boomchek

isellhondas said:

Yesterday I spotted a Datsun 510 Station Wagon driving along. Probably a 1968-1969. Blue with a primered rear tailgate. I hadn't seen one in years! They were primitive but very good cars.

I haven't seen a 510 in ages. I loved their styling, very simple yet elegant.

andre1969

Here in the DC area, I don't know if Datsun was enough of a presence back in the day for very many of those early 510's to make it into our area. Or maybe they all rusted away by the time I started to notice cars? Now, the later 510s, that were made in the late 70's and early 80's, and gave way to the Stanza...those things seemed pretty common for awhile.

I know the earlier late 60's/early 70's 510 was commonly referred to as a "poor man's BMW", but did the later models have similar qualities?

fintail

I actually kind of "had" a 510 wagon for a short time right before I found the fintail. A old guy my dad knew was retiring to Florida, had the Datsun sitting around, didn't want to bother moving it or spend time selling it. It was far from a mint car, but ran and drove, and wasn't rusty. He literally gave it to me. My dad and I replaced the windshield ourselves. It was orange-red with a black vinyl top, I think it was a 1971. I was going to clean it up, but it had constant carb issues that I couldn't solve and my dad didn't have the patience for - so we sold it. For like $600, which kind of hurts, even though this was in 1994. Oh, and it was automatic, so it was pretty slow.

fintail

Saw both a Reatta and a Chrysler Maserati TC today. Also a well kept early 70s Toyota 2 door wagon, and a red 64-66 T-Bird with wide whites (game show wrong answer buzzer sound). Rounded it out with a W123 coupe with grille badges, probably mileage based as it appeared to have more than a few miles on it.

boomchek

That's some good sightings. I haven't seen a Reatta is years.

fintail

Saw a blue and white 56 Bel Air this evening, 70s looking with mags and slightly off ride height, sounded like maybe a 350.

roadburner

Saw a Fiero 2M4. I thought that they were all gone. Typical for GM of that era, after a few years of refinement it became a very nice car- at which time Pontiac pulled the plug on it...

robr2

Spotted another GLA, this time it was red. Did they use all the gray and silver on the new C class?

Speaking of new C class, I'm not a fan. It looks like they left it out in the sun for too long. Is MB trying to bring back Ford's 1980 era jelly bean styling?

andre1969

There's always a good showing of Fieros, as well as Reattas, at the GM show in Carlisle, PA. People aren't running them around as daily transportation anymore, but they're preserving them, maybe taking them out on nice days. Oh, and at the Mopar show, there's always a good show of the TC by Maserati. In fact, they even have their own club.

I always thought the Reatta convertible was a neat car...a nice flagship. The closed coupe seemed like kind of a waste to me. I look at a 2-seater as a frivolous toy, kind of a plaything for the rich to begin with, so if you're going to go that far, might as well just get a convertible. I can see the case for something like the Fiero, which was supposed to be an affordable commuter car with a bit of spice thrown in, or a Corvette, which is a sports car first and the glamour is secondary. But once you get to something like a Reatta, I just think it needs to be a convertible.

uplanderguy

As a GM new-car guy, I wanted to like the Reatta, but I simply couldn't equate that car with the sticker price. That, and it seemed to me that they only came in red with saddle interior, or that pale blue that looked like a brush job. I did like the Riviera-like interior. I can't tell you when I've last seen one.

uplanderguy

Totally off-the-subject, but andre, as a Mopar guy, generally, do you like the Dodge Custom 880? I like the '64, with the horizontal taillights. Not being a Mopar guy, I've never kept track of where what models fell into the lineup; seemed that Chrysler was changing the lineup a good bit and moving names around about then. When I was a kid, an elderly neighbor of ours had a very clean '64 Custom 880 4-door sedan, in that very dark turquoise color which I find very attractive. It looked like a new car, even in salt-laden western PA in around 1970.