Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options

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

17217227247267271306

Comments

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,778
    sda said:

    kyfdx said:

    If you put it lower right on a 5-speed, it keeps it to three slots, left to right.. That's why RB noted that picture.. 4 slots, when you could do it in three.

    On a 4-speed, doesn't really matter... you are going to end up with 3 slots, no matter where you put it.

    Having reverse up and to the left probably started with 3-speeds (on the tree, too), with 1st gear down, below reverse, which kept it to 2-slots.

    My 76 Sunbird had a Borg-Warner 5 speed transmission. The shift pattern was not your typical H as Reverse was as at the top left of the H (with no lock out), 1st gear at bottom left of H. 2nd you had to pass thru the neutral gate and shift up to the top right of the H, 3rd shift down, 4th again thru the neutral gate and to the right, 5th directly below 4th. It was an awkward set up and the gates were very narrow so it was easy to shift to 4th when 2nd was what was desired, or grind gears with a horrible metallic sound. I think Datsun had a similar shift pattern on their 310. Though I never selected Reverse in error, it would have been an easy mistake to make. It was a balky and noisy transmission as well. GM used it in some other vehicles. I know you could get the 260 V8 with the same 5 speed in the Olds Omega and Cutlass, and Olds Cutlass 260 V8 Diesel, though I don't think it had many takers.
    That's a dog-leg transmission. Just like a 3-speed, with 4th and 5th added to the right.

    I think Datsun had that shift pattern in the late '70s on some cars..

    Shifter mechanisms are a lot better now.. I have a 6-speed with 4 gates, and they aren't hard to hit, but I'd rather just stick with a 5-speed and 3 slots..

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,362
    edited April 2016
    Didn't the Top Gear guys have a heck of a time with a dog-leg transmission in the MB 190 2.3-16?

    EDIT - BTW, I spotted a 50's Buick wagon last week. Looks like it had been restored, and was in great shape.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!


    MODERATOR

    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Saw an 86-89 Celica convertible today, I will call it "survivor" condition.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    Saw a 1979 Riviera at a local used car lot. White, white vinyl top, red leather interior. Looked very clean

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,582
    kyfdx said:

    sda said:

    kyfdx said:

    If you put it lower right on a 5-speed, it keeps it to three slots, left to right.. That's why RB noted that picture.. 4 slots, when you could do it in three.

    On a 4-speed, doesn't really matter... you are going to end up with 3 slots, no matter where you put it.

    Having reverse up and to the left probably started with 3-speeds (on the tree, too), with 1st gear down, below reverse, which kept it to 2-slots.

    My 76 Sunbird had a Borg-Warner 5 speed transmission. The shift pattern was not your typical H as Reverse was as at the top left of the H (with no lock out), 1st gear at bottom left of H. 2nd you had to pass thru the neutral gate and shift up to the top right of the H, 3rd shift down, 4th again thru the neutral gate and to the right, 5th directly below 4th. It was an awkward set up and the gates were very narrow so it was easy to shift to 4th when 2nd was what was desired, or grind gears with a horrible metallic sound. I think Datsun had a similar shift pattern on their 310. Though I never selected Reverse in error, it would have been an easy mistake to make. It was a balky and noisy transmission as well. GM used it in some other vehicles. I know you could get the 260 V8 with the same 5 speed in the Olds Omega and Cutlass, and Olds Cutlass 260 V8 Diesel, though I don't think it had many takers.
    That's a dog-leg transmission. Just like a 3-speed, with 4th and 5th added to the right.

    I think Datsun had that shift pattern in the late '70s on some cars..

    Shifter mechanisms are a lot better now.. I have a 6-speed with 4 gates, and they aren't hard to hit, but I'd rather just stick with a 5-speed and 3 slots..

    Dog leg is a good description of the shift pattern, wish I thought of that. My first car that I bought for $100, 62 Galaxie 2dr had a three on the tree, with non-syncro first. If the car wasn't at a full stop and I needed 1st gear, I learned how to double clutch to shift into first.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,582
    63 Buick LeSabre 2 door hard top. Medium metallic blue with white top. Very clean and straight. Handsome car.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Very clean Chevy LUV pickup----late 70s?
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    Several of the European market M cars and other quick Bimmers had dogleg Getrag five speeds.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    sda said:

    I know you could get the 260 V8 with the same 5 speed in the Olds Omega and Cutlass, and Olds Cutlass 260 V8 Diesel, though I don't think it had many takers.

    Pontiac offered the 260/5-speed in the 1976 LeMans. I think that was the only year it was offered, in the LeMans at least. I can't imagine a car like that being much fun, although with a stick shift, maybe it would jerk you around a bit more so you at least felt like you were going fast?
  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,582
    andre1969 said:

    sda said:

    I know you could get the 260 V8 with the same 5 speed in the Olds Omega and Cutlass, and Olds Cutlass 260 V8 Diesel, though I don't think it had many takers.

    Pontiac offered the 260/5-speed in the 1976 LeMans. I think that was the only year it was offered, in the LeMans at least. I can't imagine a car like that being much fun, although with a stick shift, maybe it would jerk you around a bit more so you at least felt like you were going fast?
    That 260 V8, though a good engine, was only 110 hp. The 5 speed set up was probably better in the Omega than in the LeMans/Cutlass. The LeMans/Cutlass really needed the 350 V8 to give it any pep at all.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Saw an immaculate black 78-79 Coupe deVille silently moving through traffic.
  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,582
    fintail said:

    Saw an immaculate black 78-79 Coupe deVille silently moving through traffic.

    That is how a standard Cadillac should sound, quiet. No loud dual exhausts, that isn't in keeping with what a Cadillac should be---unless it is a late model V.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Spotted in a grocery store parking lot today:

    image

    Fairly immaculate. As I was leaving, I happened to run into the owner. He was maybe in his 70s, pretty sure he had a German accent. He pretty much said "I love this car".
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,869
    '77. Those had pretty nice interiors IMHO.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287
    That looks like an Andre special

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    A pea soup green VW Westfalia A last gen Gray rwd Cutlass.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,356
    an early K car convertible. The real square ones. Did not look too bad.

    and an earlier run Fiero. A Formula. Actually driving around. Looked in pretty good shape.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jwm40517jwm40517 Member Posts: 303
    A fairly nice Fiero with a decal on rear bumper. NFS
  • toomanyfumestoomanyfumes Member Posts: 1,019
    In the mid eighties, I worked at a grocery store, the manager had a Malibu wagon just like that, but more of a lighter beige. I would drive it occasionally, shuttling items from store to store. I remember it driving pretty nice, though the gas gauge dropped pretty quickly.

    Spotted a nice Porsche 944, a higher trim level 2-door Ford Fairmont, and the same sharp red Triumph TR6 in the morning and again later in the afternoon, so it must have ran well all day.
    2012 Mustang Premium, 2013 Lincoln MKX Elite, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Ran across this photo this morning. Seemed like the "birders" here are the group to identify ;)


    what.jpg 106.2K
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    Yesterday, An orange Triumph Spitfire and 2 Gen Olds Aurora's.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287


    Spotted a nice Porsche 944, a higher trim level 2-door Ford Fairmont, and the same sharp red Triumph TR6 in the morning and again later in the afternoon, so it must have ran well all day.


    Maybe you saw the Triumph on its way to the shop in the morning and then coming back home in the afternoon after repairs were completed. ;)

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,778
    Interesting stuff at the local "Cars and Coffee", yesterday.

    Dodge Charger with the "Superbird" aero package.
    Ferrari Dino
    Mid -70s Corolla with a 5-speed.
    Sunbeam Tiger (beautiful car, with a 289 swap).
    Triumph TR-4
    Early '70s Dodge Dart with 340/4bbl
    Dodge Challenger Hellcat (wow.. do those rear tires break loose easily)
    Ferrari 458
    Lexus LFA
    Porsche 911s of every vintage and variety.. they were really out, yesterday.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    1st Gen Mister Two yesterday...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287
    edited April 2016

    1st Gen Mister Two yesterday...

    Bought one of them new, a 1985. Just a gas to drive. You could get one golf bag in the rear trunk it it wasn't a big one. A soft carry-on bag would fit in the front trunk and a suit bag behind the seat. Mine was surprisingly troublesome over the 4 years I owned it. Lots of problems I didn't expect in a Toyota.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    A black Hummer H2 SUT.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,229
    edited April 2016
    Saw a few nice cars this weekend while out in the Magnette..

    Circa 1964 Ford Galaxie convertible
    Austin A30
    Rolls Royce 25/30 (I think) - mid 30's and bedecked in ribbons for a wedding
    MGBGT 1967
    Triumph Stag
    Bedford CF van (1972 and preserved by the look of it)
    Riley 4/72

    We have an event next Sunday 24th April)called "Drive It Day" which is supported by pretty much every car / bike / whatever club and basically is supposed to encourage everyone to go out on the road in their old car - loads of clubs organise runs or shows and I have n the past just gone along and found a group of old cars and motorbikes outside a country pub or somewhere - its very informal.

    This year there is a run from somewhere out in Essex to a Stately Home about 50 miles from here called Audley End and I plan to take the MG there (not the run as that involves an early start but we are near the finish - we'll have a picnic in the grounds anyway, as there are grades etc if it isn't raining - and on the way I am also going to try to pass through a village near Stanstead Airport where the abandoned railway station is some sort of heritage centre and and the (pre-war) Austin Seven club are apparently having a run to somewhere else starting from there, so we should see them too.

    There is also a Ford rally in North London with people coming from half of East Anglia and my route to Audley End via the Austin event probably crosses the route of a lot of those Fords too - most people se the old lanes and by-roads for these runs - so hopefully a good day out seeing loads of different cars..

    Even gave the Magnette a wash and polish this weekend...




    The bonnet shut line is bad, but not that bad - it was slightly open when I took that..
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,964
    Saw a burnt orange Pantera cruising around.  I'm not sure I've ever seen one in the flesh. 

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,778
    @magnette Great looking car!

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    @magnette,
    Your car looks fantastic! It's not often we get to see a 4 door MG, even in pictures.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,229
    It looks better than it did a few years ago...

    The interior is still a work in progress as are a few of the features of the engine bay, but it was effectively off the road for about thirty years in total so it needed a bit of TLC.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    The Magnette really does look nice in the new pic, great color. Something just never seen here. I'd like to have a national "old car day" like you mention.

    Lovely weekend here, but not a lot out. I did see a min looking bathtub Packard sedan, a couple old Porsches, a couple nice condition El Caminos in the same driveway, and an early dustbuster Silhouette van.
    magnette said:

    Saw a few nice cars this weekend while out in the Magnette..

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    magnette said:

    Saw a few nice cars this weekend while out in the Magnette..

    Circa 1964 Ford Galaxie convertible
    Austin A30
    Rolls Royce 25/30 (I think) - mid 30's and bedecked in ribbons for a wedding
    MGBGT 1967
    Triumph Stag
    Bedford CF van (1972 and preserved by the look of it)
    Riley 4/72

    We have an event next Sunday 24th April)called "Drive It Day" which is supported by pretty much every car / bike / whatever club and basically is supposed to encourage everyone to go out on the road in their old car - loads of clubs organise runs or shows and I have n the past just gone along and found a group of old cars and motorbikes outside a country pub or somewhere - its very informal.

    This year there is a run from somewhere out in Essex to a Stately Home about 50 miles from here called Audley End and I plan to take the MG there (not the run as that involves an early start but we are near the finish - we'll have a picnic in the grounds anyway, as there are grades etc if it isn't raining - and on the way I am also going to try to pass through a village near Stanstead Airport where the abandoned railway station is some sort of heritage centre and and the (pre-war) Austin Seven club are apparently having a run to somewhere else starting from there, so we should see them too.

    There is also a Ford rally in North London with people coming from half of East Anglia and my route to Audley End via the Austin event probably crosses the route of a lot of those Fords too - most people se the old lanes and by-roads for these runs - so hopefully a good day out seeing loads of different cars..

    Even gave the Magnette a wash and polish this weekend...




    The bonnet shut line is bad, but not that bad - it was slightly open when I took that..

    You almost certainly already know this, but your Magnette''s twin has a bit part in the series Call the Midwife; it's driven by the character Dr. Turner:




    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709

    Sunbeam Tiger (beautiful car, with a 289 swap).
    Triumph TR-4

    These are both sweet rigs!


    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,229



    You almost certainly already know this, but your Magnette''s twin has a bit part in the series Call the Midwife; it's driven by the character Dr. Turner:







    Yes - several times people have asked me if my car is that one. He has non-original indicators though and missing trim for the front wings.

    I've never actually watched the programme, funnily enough.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023

    @magnette,
    Your car looks fantastic! It's not often we get to see a 4 door MG, even in pictures.

    Agreed, that's a beautiful car...I LOVE the color. I've always been a sucker for a nice shade of green.

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    I'd go for a 1964 Triumph TR-4. B) Did Triumph even offer an automatic tranny in the 60's?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Older Isuzu pickup (P'up?) of the Luv generation.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287
    Uncovered the '68 Cutlass today, reconnected the battery, and started it up for the first time this year. Just as in every other springtime first firing in the 22 years I've owned it, after a few cranks to get some fuel into the carb and build a little oil pressure, I set the choke one time, cranked it again, and away it went! Great old car. Only issue, as always, is that the Jetaway transmission leaked out some fluid during storage. I took this pic at this time last year when I did the same thing.


    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481

    I'd go for a 1964 Triumph TR-4. B) Did Triumph even offer an automatic tranny in the 60's?

    I don't think so, but the MGC did.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    @ab348,
    Your car is my all tine favorite GM design. I like even better than the 63-64 Riviera.

    Saw a beautiful red C2 Corvette. Pretty stock ,except maybe lowered a bit. Looked great going down the road.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,362
    stever said:
    Older Isuzu pickup (P'up?) of the Luv generation.
    My first wife had an '85 P'up. 5-speed stick. No AC. I commuted to LA one summer in it. Ugh. 

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!


    MODERATOR

    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287
    Thanks, @explorerx4 . I always thought so too. Story apparently was that Olds designers went on a theme of being inspired by the '66 Toronado, hence the full arch wheel openings with the flares and the horizontal taillights. I love the greenhouse side view. The designers diverged on some of those things for later years and I never thought they looked as good.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Sharp Olds, the more pure design before all the clutter.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,869
    Beautiful Olds. As mentioned to you previously, next month I'm going to a memorial service for a late friend of mine and I and another friend were asked to climb around his wife's '68 4-4-2 which she has owned since the late '70's, to see if we think it's logical to restore. She drove it in NW PA for about five years as her daily car and it has been sitting inside, but on a bare-ground floor, for thirty years. I'm not optimistic, but she said she knows she will be several multiples of five figures in if she decides to go ahead.

    Hers is a dark maroon, black vinyl top, full wheelcovers, red buckets, factory air, and floorshift automatic. It almost looks like a Cutlass Supreme when you walk up to it, but it does have the 442 nameplates in the right place, and the dual-exhaust-cutout rear bumper. She's never doubted this, but is there a way to determine 442 from the serial no.?

    Thanks.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287

    Beautiful Olds. As mentioned to you previously, next month I'm going to a memorial service for a late friend of mine and I and another friend were asked to climb around his wife's '68 4-4-2 which she has owned since the late '70's, to see if we think it's logical to restore. She drove it in NW PA for about five years as her daily car and it has been sitting inside, but on a bare-ground floor, for thirty years. I'm not optimistic, but she said she knows she will be several multiples of five figures in if she decides to go ahead.

    Hers is a dark maroon, black vinyl top, full wheelcovers, red buckets, factory air, and floorshift automatic. It almost looks like a Cutlass Supreme when you walk up to it, but it does have the 442 nameplates in the right place, and the dual-exhaust-cutout rear bumper. She's never doubted this, but is there a way to determine 442 from the serial no.?

    Thanks.


    Take a look here:

    http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/of442.htm

    A '68 4-4-2 should have a VIN starting with 34467, 34477, or 34487.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287
    stever said:
    There's one of those here locally, in those exact colors. It was on my street visiting someone a few years ago. I just about fell over when I saw it.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,869
    Thanks for that info, ab. I'll print out the page from that site, and take it with me.

    I guess 35 years of auditing/accounting makes me a skeptic right out of the box! ;)
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,229
    andre1969 said:

    @magnette,
    Your car looks fantastic! It's not often we get to see a 4 door MG, even in pictures.

    Agreed, that's a beautiful car...I LOVE the color. I've always been a sucker for a nice shade of green.


    Thanks Andre - the colour is nice too Heh Heh Heh
This discussion has been closed.