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

Mr_Shiftright

Triumph TR250---it's a TR4 body with a 6 cylinder engine, soon installed in the later TR6. Only about 8400 came to the U.S., so fairly rare. Nice ones are now $30K and up, about double a TR6 in value.

fintail

Today spotted an 86-87 Cavalier coupe, an 80s Bronco and a facelift Bronco II about 20 seconds apart in traffic, and a rare IWC edition MB CLS55 AMG.

fintail

Was looking at some real estate listings, saw thesecool then and now pics:





The house is listed around 700K, back when it was new and Ike was in office, it was probably 20K at most. I don't know if the car fared as well.

stickguy

My folks had a metro before I was born.

uplanderguy

That house would be under $200K where I live.

explorerx4

They sure parked that car close to the garage door. Maybe they were afraid it would roll down the driveway?

imidazol97

The driveway is a little closer to horizontal near the top. I'm surprised they didn't put chocks behind the wheels.

robr2

What happened to the driveway next door?

ab348

robr2 said:

What happened to the driveway next door?

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.

Mr_Shiftright

Bad design (both house and car for that matter).

fintail

That house is actually very well priced, probably the cheapest in its area. If it's on the market a week, I'll be shocked. That's the unpleasant reality of real estate in the suburbs east of Seattle, with many factors involved, some legit, some not.

The driveway appears to have been modified - as is typical here, a larger house has been built alongside the old house - a similar fate probably awaits the clean old one owner house with the steep driveway, it won't be there forever. From google:



This kind of thing happened in my grandmother's neighborhood some years ago, a mcmansion orchard sprung up behind her. It's just a matter of time before the neat modern 50s-60s ramblers start being razed for more pretentious things. Still some old cars on her block too.

uplanderguy

That's very very close to the angle of my driveway, although our garage door is flush with the rest of the front of the house. In 2008, when my Cobalt was six weeks old, I was trying to pinpoint an exhaust rattle in my '63 Lark and had the Lark running in drive with the parking brake on, at the top of the driveway, which I had done before. It started rolling down our driveway and I couldn't stop it. The wheels were turned to the left and the right-side wraparound part of the front bumper dragged across both doors of my new Cobalt which was parked in our turnaround on the right side of the driveway. I want to say it did $3,500 on the Cobalt and about $700 on the Stude. Same bodyshop did both. They did a super job on the Lark; not so great on the Cobalt. They couldn't believe the availability and low cost of an N.O.S. headlight rim and winguard (separate wraparound part of the front bumper) for the Lark--cheap and shipped to me still in the Studebaker boxes.

uplanderguy

Now that I look, I guess our driveway isn't that steep. Found this street view of my house online...ugh, the original roof looks terrible there. Had it replaced with a new red roof two years ago.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.160678,-81.36739,3a,75y,118.8h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sFiHWB4FM7TdL2rgQZdReqQ!2e0?dg=dbrw&newdg=1

stever

What's all that green stuff? You guys may want to check out this area for bargains on cheap mowers.

uplanderguy

I'm a little ashamed to admit, but when we bought this house in 1999, when it was seven years old, the very first time I tried to cut the grass, I hit something with the mower and it broke. Lawn was half-done and I called a guy to come finish it. I haven't cut my own grass since and am still using the same guy! The yard is .62 acre, not huge, but rather irregular...lots of trees and uphill geography.

andre1969

fintail said:

The driveway appears to have been modified - as is typical here, a larger house has been built alongside the old house - a similar fate probably awaits the clean old one owner house with the steep driveway, it won't be there forever.

I wonder if that house to the right is one of the original houses, but has just been added onto, somewhat haphazardly, over the years? It looks like it might have been a mirror reverse of the other rancher, and then was added onto and renovated over the years. I see that happen pretty regularly around here. In the next town over, Bowie, Levitt and Sons pretty much put them on the map in the 1960's with some of the biggest cookie-cutter suburban sprawl we've ever seen around here. The houses, in their original form, aren't bad looking. But many of them have been added onto and renovated over the years, and the results are often nothing to brag about.

As for that earlier pic, where the driveway seemed to disappear, I've noticed that sometimes real estate listings will show pics that are distorted, or with a wide angle lens or whatever, to make the houses look more impressive than they really are. For instance, here's the pic of a house I've had my eye on, from the real estate listing...


Kinda looks like a nice, if stuck-in-the-70's, sprawling rancher. At a quick glance, it looks like it has a hip roof. Well, here's the actuality, with my Ram parked out in front, on the day I went to look at it...


Definitely not as long and lanky in reality! It was listed at ~1700 square feet, plus a full, unfinished basement. Def didn't look that big in person. Still, I'm tempted, as it has a 2 car garage, plus a separate building that's advertised as an oversized 1 car garage, but is about 24x32 feet. Only problem is, it's cinder block, and has only one single-wide door, offset to the right. I guess I could always have another door put in, to the left, but I dunno how annoying it is to break through cinder block like that. It's nice and secluded, too, sitting up on a hill, on a flag lot, about 400+ feet off the road. I could probably get away with a few things, on the automotive front, without the county having a cow like they would where I currently live.

stever

uplanderguy said:

I haven't cut my own grass since.

. That was a fortuitous omen. I've finally convinced my sister just to pay to get her yard done even though she sweats over every close call with one of her plants.

Saw another Previa today, this one in green. Probably passed another half dozen classics, but it's the vans I notice.

fintail

I see the Cobalt. Now we can stalk you

I've always found it interesting how residential architecture can vary by region. Houses like yours are uncommon in this area - there might have been a flare up of that style in the late 60s-early 70s, but it isn't often seen. And all that land, I can't imagine. I guess your area is populated enough where you can't start a Stude orphanage.

I don't want to think what a NOS headlight bezel would cost for the fintail - luckily, they are pretty much the same on all W111 sedans, plenty of good junkyard parts out there.

uplanderguy said:

Now that I look, I guess our driveway isn't that steep. Found this street view of my house online...ugh, the original roof looks terrible there. Had it replaced with a new red roof two years ago.

fintail

I can't imagine being able to afford a lawn - not something attainable in my immediate area for single people who lack good six figure incomes, parental gifts, or aren't of an age where they got started in a more affordable world. For the under 40 set, it usually means a 60-90+ minute commute.

Maybe for the better, as I'd have parts cars, and the neighborhood meddlers frown upon that.

I see Previas pretty often here, still a lot of them around. The SC and AWD ones are the rarities.

On thread topic today, barely saw any old or odd cars, which is a shame as the weather is nice. Saw a 78-79 El Camino, a nice early 60s Beetle with wide-ish whites, a W114-115 parked with wipers in the up position, 68 Bonneville convertible under a tarp at an estate sale.

stever said:

What's all that green stuff? You guys may want to check out this area for bargains on cheap mowers.

fintail

Good catch on the house. With that lower front piece, you could very well be correct. There's a house like that down the street from my grandmother - put a second story on the 60s ranch.

I like that ranch you post there - I think a lot of those 50s-70s wide one level houses look like they'd have comfortable living. Reminds me of my grandmother's house, which is similar (less decorative garnish, as modern and simple was a thing here), with a hipped roof. I think the listing pic is quite old - first pic appears to have more lawn (could be the angle), I also notice the screen door at right is different, and an exterior light was added near the door at left.

How much land? Maybe you could put up a simple pole building out back and keep the hoard nice and dry

andre1969 said:

I wonder if that house to the right is one of the original houses, but has just been added onto, somewhat haphazardly, over the years? I could probably get away with a few things, on the automotive front, without the county having a cow like they would where I currently live.

stever

Those "atomic" ranch houses are terrific. Most all the 50's ranches didn't have much in the way of stairs either. We went to see "the" Falcon here today. Open house, and no, not the Ford. Great house but way too many stairs, including one step down to get to the kitchen.

andre1969

fintail said:

I like that ranch you post there - I think a lot of those 50s-70s wide one level houses look like they'd have comfortable living. Reminds me of my grandmother's house, which is similar (less decorative garnish, as modern and simple was a thing here), with a hipped roof. I think the listing pic is quite old - first pic appears to have more lawn (could be the angle), I also notice the screen door at right is different, and an exterior light was added near the door at left.

How much land? Maybe you could put up a simple pole building out back and keep the hoard nice and dry

It's definitely the angle of the pic. Here's the whole listing...
http://www.zillow.com/homes/1289-rossback-road,-davidsonville-md_rb/

The real estate listing pic was most likely taken down low, looking up up at the house, and close up, on the other side of where my truck was parked. That might be why they used the wide angle lens for it. It has something like 2.59 acres. Fairly big front yard, and a lot of room off to the back and either side, as well. It has a lot of forested area, so there really isn't too much grass to cut...at least compared to what I'm used to having to cut! Lots of oak trees too, and they tend to kill the grass around them. The house itself appeared to be high quality, well-maintained, but very dated, especially in the kitchen and hall bathroom. But for the amount of land and location, the price seems pretty good. There would definitely be room to put up a pole barn. Or add to the garage. Or both!

fintail

Looks like a good place for Andre's car orphanage. House looks comfortable - it does need a few updates, but the house looks solid and probably better built than many today. That much land in my immediate area would be well into 7 figures, and it would be broken up for cardboard townhouses with tandem garages at best, or mcmansions on 0.20 acre lots. It's always kind of culture shock for me when I see real estate elsewhere...my head was spinning when I'd visit my friend in GA.

andre1969 said:

It's definitely the angle of the pic. Here's the whole listing...
http://www.zillow.com/homes/1289-rossback-road,-davidsonville-md_rb/

But for the amount of land and location, the price seems pretty good. There would definitely be room to put up a pole barn. Or add to the garage. Or both!

fintail

Today spotted a Fisker Karma (I think 75% of them are here) and a military looking Unimog with a cloth canopy.

texases

Not a classic, for sure, but obscure - a Saab 9-7x.

Mr_Shiftright

Citroen Traction Avant on Highway 101 in Santa Rosa CA. Moving along smartly. I wonder if it was one of those popular Ford flathead V8 conversions? I was in an exit lane so couldn't catch up to it.

uplanderguy

Handsome, bright red '67 Galaxie 500 two-door hardtop, stock-looking and clean and straight except it had blackwalls and Cragar wheels... it was an automatic and sounded 'burbly' and sweet; couldn't read the engine insignia on the front fender from my upstairs office window, but it was a pleasant distraction from what I was working on. I'd never seen it around here before.

fintail

Spotted an obviously restored 18+ window VW microbus, an unrestored looking early 60s Beetle, a 560SL, restored looking first gen Bronco, uncut fenders

hpmctorque

I parked next to a well preserved maroon 2-door Plymouth Sundance in a mall parking garage today. It brought back memories of a similar 4-door in my car pool several years ago. It ran and rode okay for a basic K-car derivative, basic transportation car of its vintage, but it had skimpy rear-seat legroom.

Hadn't seen a Sundance or Dodge Shadow in quite some time.

andre1969

I just looked up some specs and wow...the Sundance/Shadow were actually on a shorter wheelbase than the Omni/Horizon! 97.0 inches, versus 99.1 for the Omni. For comparison, the Aries/Reliant, the K- that started it all, was on a 1003." wb.

Every once in awhile, I'll see a Sundance/Shadow around these parts. I think they're pretty attractive looking, when you consider other cars around that size. They were hatchbacks, but they were styled to look like sedans, sort of 3/4 scale Lancer/LeBaron GTS, so I think that helped make them look a bit more upscale.

They also were a bit pricey for a small car. In 1987, an Omni started at $5499. The Shadow was $7499/7699 (2dr/4dr). The Aries started at $7655, for both 2- and 4-door.

texases

hpmctorque said:

I parked next to a well preserved maroon 2-door Plymouth Sundance in a mall parking garage today. It brought back memories of a similar 4-door in my car pool several years ago. It ran and rode okay for a basic K-car derivative, basic transportation car of its vintage, but it had skimpy rear-seat legroom.

Hadn't seen a Sundance or Dodge Shadow in quite some time.

Same here, I saw one 3 days ago out in the wilds of Indiana, can't remember the last time.

toomanyfumes

There's a local muffler shop nearby that has a Shadow as a loaner car. At least it did last time I was there a few years ago. I actually used it, very basic by today's standards but it drove OK. I'm guessing it's well maintained if they're lending it out.

ab348

I remember test-driving a new Sundance here around 1990, I think. Liked the look, but did not enjoy the drive. Not sure if it was a shrunken K-car or and upsized Omni/Horizon. I had an Omni for a week's rental in 1984 and didn't think it was all that bad. It had the 2.2L engine and moved out quite well. In 1990 or so I also had a Dodge Spirit rental for a few days and thought it was quite good. If I had been in the market at the time I could have seen myself in one of those.

Mr_Shiftright

'69 Impala SS, 427/ 4-speed. Immaculate condition. Last of the Impala SSs, at least for a while. A very large car and not nearly as popular as the Chevelle.

hpmctorque

I sometimes see an elderly man who parks his very well maintained, maroon 1985 or 1986 Dodge Aries 4-door in the same parking garage where I spotted the Sundance. I once spoke briefly to the owner of the Aries, which he bought new, and he mentioned the mileage (it was relatively low, but I don't recall whether it was in the 60,000s or 70,000s). He volunteered that he could afford a new car, but the Aries serves his local needs well, particularly since he and his wife spend the winter months in Florida.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

'69 Impala SS, 427/ 4-speed. Immaculate condition. Last of the Impala SSs, at least for a while. A very large car and not nearly as popular as the Chevelle.

Just over the last couple of weeks I have discovered the Impala 427 SS, thanks to a website dedicated to them. They are cool cars, and rare. The '69 was the last of the line as you say and probably the least desirable of the 3 years they were made. I would love a '67 or '68 model, despite the size.

Mr_Shiftright

I've driven them. They feel BIG, too, with pinky-steering. But they have lots of grunt and in a straight line going down the road, there's nothing quite like 'em.

uplanderguy

I like the '69 in the Sport Coupe bodystyle; the Custom Coupe not so much. With the Sport Coupe, the front fender emblems say "Impala SS"; with the Custom Coupe, it has "Impala Custom" on the C-panel and an "SS" emblem only, low on the front fender. I can't get past that.

andre1969

Did GM change the design of the power steering between 1967 and 1969? I had a '69 Bonneville 4-door hardtop for a few years, and I was impressed at how well it handled for its size. Despite the extra bulk, it seemed to handle better than my '67 Catalina. If anything, I'd say the Bonneville's handling and steering feel seemed to have more in common with GM's more modern RWD cars, like my grandmother's '85 LeSabre, Mom's '86 Monte Carlo, or the '82 Cutlass Supreme I had.

The Bonneville had 225/75/R15 radial tires on it, while the Catalina, at the time, had 215/75/R14's. And the steering wheel on the Catalina is a bit larger. Strangely, it's out-of-round...about 16.5" wide and 15" tall. The Bonneville is long gone so I don't have it as a reference, but I measured my LeMans and New Yorkers, and they're 15" in diameter. So, that odd steering wheel and the tires might have had something to do with it, although now the Catalina has 225/70/R15 tires on 7" wide Rally wheels, but IMO they didn't really make *that* much difference.

Even though the '65-70 is the same basic design, I know they did substantial refreshes for '67 and '69, and both of them involved suspension changes as well. At least, when I bought a front-end rebuild kit for the Catalina years ago, I remember it would work on a '67-68 only.

As for the big cars in general, did GM ever get to the point that they standardized suspension parts? For instance, when I bought that front-end rebuild kit, I remember it was Pontiac-only, and would not have worked on a Chevrolet.

ab348

I believe there was a lot more standardization with the '71-up models, though I don't know if it was universal. I think some C-body stuff would not interchange with B-bodies.

Dad's '67 Pontiac had one of those elliptical steering wheels. I can't remember if the shorter diameter was top to bottom or side to side, but I suspect the latter, to give more leg clearance. In the days of manual steering and the need for leverage using the steering wheel, that probably made some sense.

stickguy

Up in N. Jersey, on the roads passed a nice looking 4 door MB Ponton. very clean

and today, a nice, stock looking white 58 Chevy (Implaa i guess).

and on the turnpike, a VW bus with a big bag on the roof. Surprised it could move on it's own power with all that extra drag.

and today in the pep boys lot, a nice clean looking 70ish (chrome bumper) MGB. red. Looked sharp.

fintail

Does an Acura ZDX count? From the rear at a distance, I imagined it as a wildly customized Rambler Marlin.

stickguy

well, it is certainly obscure.

kyfdx

Out to dinner last night, and this was in the parking lot..

explorerx4

Convertibles spotted today, White Saab 900, Yellow big 70's Pontiac. Four headlights with a round vent looking detail between them. Blue later K-car. Not sure which brand. Maroon MGB.

stickguy

nice looking shoebox Chevy. 55 I think. maybe a 210 post? whatever it was, it was a base model. No fancy 57 bel air here!

berri

KYFDX - Shouldn't that thing have a Confederate flag or something?

andre1969

berri said:

KYFDX - Shouldn't that thing have a Confederate flag or something?

Either that, or Charleton Heston needs to be behind the wheel! I remember him driving some kind of customized full-sized Blazer in "Earthquake"

robr2

Here it is:

fintail

That was on TV here not long ago. Very cool rig, I wonder if it still exists - would be cool to make a copy of it.

robr2 said:

Here it is: