I finally got around to scanning some old pictures today. I have probably bored many of you with my reminiscing about the Sunbird that I drove while I was in college. Well here are some pictures of it. The last picture is at the Mazda dealership when I bought the 80 626 coupe. Yes the wheels on the Sunbird where changed out about a year before I traded it. The poly rims that came with it were literally falling apart, so I bought used Vega GT rims, and put the Pontiac centers on them. I repainted the Sunbird in 82, sold it in Aug 84. It had 82000 miles on it, V6, 5sp, a/c, luxury interior (white/blue).
ab348--this is for you. 68 Cutlass S that my grandmother special ordered. 350 2bbl, a/c ps, pb, rear defrost, am radio, tinted glass, oyster white interior. Last picture is me in 1990, as the new owner was getting ready to drive it away. 45000 miles.
@sda - nice pictures. Reminds me of the Sunbird I had in HS/College.
Mine was a '79 coupe with the "Iron Duke" 4-cyl, a 4-speed manual, vinyl seats and no A/C. Pretty basic. Tan with tan interior.
I remember we paid something like $3850 for it in 1982 - it had less than 12,000 miles on the odometer.
I had the car almost a year before I left for college. In that time, my cousin and I installed an aftermarket sunroof, a killer AM/FM/Cassette stereo and a couple of speakers mounted on brackets on the rear panel (no room to cut holes for traditional 6x9's). Also mounted both fog lights and driving lights under the front bumper. I really thought I was sylin'!
In February of 1983 I moved from Southern California to Phoenix to attend college. No cruise control, but of course the speed limit was 55 back then.
As winter turned to spring, the lack of A/C and vinyl seats were becoming a bit of a problem for my personal comfort. Checked into installed A/C - I think the quote was around $1000. The other option was a nice set of real sheepskin seat covers. $350. Mom and Dad popped for the seat covers, and the rest of my comfort was covered by the 2/55 method - 2 windows down, 55 MPH.
Sadly, I was involved in an accident not too long after arriving in Phoenix. While the body work was repaired well, I think there were some mechanical issues that never got addressed, and caused the car to run poorly ever after. In addition, it suffered from a hot start problem. Randomly, I'd get no spark or starter turnover when I turned the key. Wait a few minutes, then it would crank up. No idea what the root cause was.
Repaired the heater core, then I started having transmission problems. I suspect it had to do with broken engine mounts from the accident, and the engine twisted enough to screw up the linkage to the tranny. Had a hard time finding reverse from time to time.
Only a few months from graduating in 1985, I was taking it to a shop to be looked at one last time when I was involved in a second accident. This one did enough damage to have the insurance company write it off. Got a check for $2000.
I liked the car, despite the unreliability. Took me on a number of road trips - often to Yuma, where I had family, and one trip back to CA between semesters.
We had a similarly-equipped 2-door '69 Cutlass growing up, that thing could scoot, even though it just had the 2 bbl. This was one of those body styles that looks much better with 2 doors, IMO. Wagons were fine, too.
Our next door neighbors had a Cutlass of that vintage as well. Early 70's, IIRC. Dark brown, inside and out. They bought a '73 or '74 Corolla in the same color, as well.
I was ready to gush about the rust-free condition of that '71 Vega GT--'til I noticed no "GT" emblem on the front fender, which would indicate that this is most likely a replacement set of front fenders.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I liked the looks of the Vega, but like the Kamback wagon even more. But my favorite picture posted is the Olds. Late 60's and early 70's GM intermediates really were nice looking cars.
I was ready to gush about the rust-free condition of that '71 Vega GT--'til I noticed no "GT" emblem on the front fender, which would indicate that this is most likely a replacement set of front fenders.
You are observant! That fender came off a 73 Vega, the rest of the car was rust free. I still have the GT badge in my tool box! I have couple more pictures. Let me see if I can find them Sunflower yellow--just as in the 71 ads. Not my favorite, but for $500, I overlooked the color.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Me too on the Kammback. They were built 40 miles from where I lived in PA at the time, and people in our town worked there. I can't think of a car introduced to more promise...sigh. I could still like a '75 GT Kammback, red, white side striping, white-lettered tires, stick, Custom interior. I don't think there are any survivors like that though.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
My grandparents bought the very first Vega our small-town dealer got in...really. They went from a '67 Impala Sport Coupe to a dark green Vega sedan (notchback), pumpkin-colored cheapo interior, rubber on the floor, 3-speed, only options AM radio and white-stripe tires! It served them well as they hardly ever drove. Theirs was such an early production car that it had the rubber-surrounded quarter windows, which very soon in production got changed to painted metal. My cousin and her husband (newlyweds) bought a much-nicer new dark blue '71 Vega Hatchback, automatic, 2-barrel engine, blue Custom Interior, wheel trim rings, whitewalls. They traded on a new '72 Impala Sport Coupe as their family started growing rapidly. He worked at Packard Electric which I think got a GM employee discount, too.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I was ready to gush about the rust-free condition of that '71 Vega GT--'til I noticed no "GT" emblem on the front fender, which would indicate that this is most likely a replacement set of front fenders.
You are observant! That fender came off a 73 Vega, the rest of the car was rust free. I still have the GT badge in my tool box! I have couple more pictures. Let me see if I can find them Sunflower yellow--just as in the 71 ads. Not my favorite, but for $500, I overlooked the color.
A couple more pictures. The front had been bumped thus the poor repair job and stripe that isn't rounded, but comes straight down. I took these just before picking up my Sunbird, 9/26/78.
And for an encore, or should I say Alliance...my 85 Alliance DL convertible. It was fully loaded, had the 'powerful' 1.7L. Bought it in 12/86 with 20k, sold with 44k. Needless to say it was less than trouble-free. src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5021145/uploads/editor/3v/dinl63uae6mm.jpg" alt="" /> It was as a fun car in its own way. I loved how it would go over speed bumps with its French soft suspension.
I finally got around to scanning some old pictures today. I have probably bored many of you with my reminiscing about the Sunbird that I drove while I was in college. Well here are some pictures of it. The last picture is at the Mazda dealership when I bought the 80 626 coupe. Yes the wheels on the Sunbird were changed out about a year before I traded it. The poly rims that came with it were literally falling apart, so I bought used Vega GT rims, and put the Pontiac centers on them. I repainted the Sunbird in 82, sold it in Aug 84. It had 82000 miles on it, V6, 5sp, a/c, luxury interior (white/blue).
Today I saw a couple of red cars. Early 70 Cutlass 442 W30 and a 1980 or so Corvette with black T tops. Corvette was for sale, some kind of papers under the windshield wipers. It was for sale last year, too.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
ab348--this is for you. 68 Cutlass S that my grandmother special ordered. 350 2bbl, a/c ps, pb, rear defrost, am radio, tinted glass, oyster white interior. Last picture is me in 1990, as the new owner was getting ready to drive it away. 45000 miles.
@sda : Awesome! I love that parchment interior - actually I thought of converting mine to that color but it is a ton of work to do. Beats the heck out of black, as mine is. I'm not sure but the paint color might be the same as mine was originally. They had 3 different but similar shades that year - mine was Ocean Turquoise originally. Had those same hubcaps too. It looks to be in fine condition in 1990. I bought mine in 1993 with 28000 miles, but while the interior was excellent, the body had suffered some from the Nova Scotia climate.
awesome group of pics, SDA. Thanks for posting! That Sunbird was a nice little car...love the color. It's somewhat similar to my 1980 Malibu coupe. GM did have a flair back then for making its small cars look good.
That Grand Am is pretty cool...you don't see the 4-door sedan very often.
awesome group of pics, SDA. Thanks for posting! That Sunbird was a nice little car...love the color. It's somewhat similar to my 1980 Malibu coupe. GM did have a flair back then for making its small cars look good.
That Grand Am is pretty cool...you don't see the 4-door sedan very often.
I enjoyed going thru a large envelope of old pictures, can't believe time has flown by. Took a while to scan some of the pictures. I have a whole lot more that I may share at a later date.
Even when we had the Grand Am in the early 80s, not many 4 doors were around. It really drove well for a car of the era. A tight and comfortable ride, quiet and roomy. The bucket seats, console, and real wood veneer on the dash gave it a bit of sport and luxury. Even with the standard 400 2bbl and single exhaust it was eager to move out. Gas mileage was awful, around 9-12 mpg. It did like to over heat from time to time. The mechanics changed the radiator, fan, water pump, etc. with little improvement. Dad instructed my sisters to keep an eye on the gauges and turn off the a/c when the temp gauge approached hot. I guess it was the nature of the beast yet gave many years of good service.
fintail--it was certainly coincidental that the Cutlass, Sunbird and 626 were of similar color.
kyfdz--no the stache went away in 93! Unfortunately I've gained some pounds and gray hair in the meantime, thou I still have a full head of hair! I will be 57 a week from tomorrow.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
awesome group of pics, SDA. Thanks for posting! That Sunbird was a nice little car...love the color. It's somewhat similar to my 1980 Malibu coupe. GM did have a flair back then for making its small cars look good.
That Grand Am is pretty cool...you don't see the 4-door sedan very often.
I enjoyed going thru a large envelope of old pictures, can't believe time has flown by. Took a while to scan some of the pictures. I have a whole lot more that I may share at a later date.
Even when we had the Grand Am in the early 80s, not many 4 doors were around. It really drove well for a car of the era. A tight and comfortable ride, quiet and roomy. The bucket seats, console, and real wood veneer on the dash gave it a bit of sport and luxury. Even with the standard 400 2bbl and single exhaust it was eager to move out. Gas mileage was awful, around 9-12 mpg. It did like to over heat from time to time. The mechanics changed the radiator, fan, water pump, etc. with little improvement. Dad instructed my sisters to keep an eye on the gauges and turn off the a/c when the temp gauge approached hot. I guess it was the nature of the beast yet gave many years of good service.
fintail--it was certainly coincidental that the Cutlass, Sunbird and 626 were of similar color.
kyfdz--no the stache went away in 93! Unfortunately I've gained some pounds and gray hair in the meantime, thou I still have a full head of hair! I will be 57 a week from tomorrow.
We are about the same age... While my hair is still mostly brown, the stache is definitely all gray/white, now.
I've only shaved it off twice, since I was a teenager. The last time was about 7 years ago, and my wife and son both said to let it grow back (lol).
In a driveway in McLean VA, a nice clean looking 1970ish LTD wagon. Odd sight.
I always liked the 69-70 LTD Country Squire and 69-72 Mercury Colony Park that had hidden headlights. Chevy, Dodge and Plymouth also wagons during this time frame that had hidden headlights. I miss that feature, made the cars look somewhat elegant and mysterious.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
In a driveway in McLean VA, a nice clean looking 1970ish LTD wagon. Odd sight.
I always liked the 69-70 LTD Country Squire and 69-72 Mercury Colony Park that had hidden headlights. Chevy, Dodge and Plymouth also wagons during this time frame that had hidden headlights. I miss that feature, made the cars look somewhat elegant and mysterious.
That is, until one of the vacuum lines failed. After that they looked awful because they weren't designed to have exposed headlights, much less one exposed headlight.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
There were a couple Benz sightings in my neighborhood over the past couple days. Nothing *too* erotic, but not exactly everyday occurrences, either. I do spot them both every once in awhile, but finally captured them on film. Well, okay, digital... Caught this one at the local Safeway parking lot on Saturday. Didn't look too bad from a distance, but up close, the paint is a bit faded (and filthy, but the color hides it well). Some body damage around the front wheel opening, and it looked like someone tried to fix it with bondo.
Spotted this one on the way into work this morning. Despite being a Diesel, it had no trouble keeping up with the stop and go traffic. Much better than the Escalade EXT in my rearview mirror...which actually ran a stop sign to get in front of me, and then proceeded to go extra slow, delayed too long every time the stop-and-go traffic moved forward (probably on the cell phone), and seemed to do everything possible to add to the congestion. Anyway, this Benz was also bit rough, some rust along the lower door edges. And also pretty dirty, although the combination of that color, plus being wet, made it more photogenic.
Old MBs of that era can go at the wheelarches like in the pic, especially after 25 or so years of use. The W126 is 1986 or later, impossible to tell what model - I suspect US sales in descending order for a LWB car would be 420SEL, 560SEL, 300SEL, 300SDL, 350SDL. The wagon is 1981-85, and I suspect the performance of that old Escalade was not atypical.
I think the left is S450 or SL450. put it all together and that is why I thought it was not even a benz but a cheap car with those badges slapped on.
Yeah, it's badged as an MB S-series AMG, but it is actually a Ford Crown Vic. I couldn't get a shot from the side before it was my turn, but those wheels.... Somebody was sure dreaming on that one! LOL
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
I see the pic was taken from a nowadays kind of obscure car, too.
What? No. I see myself coming and going all the time. Bit annoying, really.
Yeah, that badge did say S450, which didn't ring any bells for me, but I figured that was just part of the gag. I mean, one might be able to pull off a 450, but everyone would see right through a 550.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
What? No. I see myself coming and going all the time. Bit annoying, really.
Yeah, that badge did say S450, which didn't ring any bells for me, but I figured that was just part of the gag. I mean, one might be able to pull off a 450, but everyone would see right through a 550.
Didn't Ford offer a trim package for the Crown Vic called LX-Sport, or something like that, for a few years? IIRC, it was the same time as the Mercury Marauder was offered, and it had bucket seats and a console/floor shift. BUT, it just had the regular 4.6, and not the hotter 4.6 the Marauder had.
and no, tjc78, you're not the only member here who likes Panthers! Every once in awhile, I've thought about getting one. And, I still haven't replaced my Park Ave yet, although I'm starting to lean more towards a V-6 Charger when that time comes. Nothing's set in stone, though.
I rode motorcycles for many years----and I always tell the young 'uns never to buy a motor scooter. They are really dangerous compared to a big wheel bike.
Today I'm going to see a pretty obscure car---a 1969 Citroen DS21. I'll take a few pix.
Panthers - I owned the Mercury Colony Pak version once. My last hurrah with an old fashion rwd V8 and some "real" chrome! Not a bad car until it got up around 70K miles, then the repairs started.
I remember Cushman from the parking ticket cop scooters years back.
Comments
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
ab348--this is for you. 68 Cutlass S that my grandmother special ordered. 350 2bbl, a/c ps, pb, rear defrost, am radio, tinted glass, oyster white interior. Last picture is me in 1990, as the new owner was getting ready to drive it away. 45000 miles.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
I always thought that that era and model Mazda reminded me of the '78 two-door Chevy Malibu.
Mine was a '79 coupe with the "Iron Duke" 4-cyl, a 4-speed manual, vinyl seats and no A/C. Pretty basic. Tan with tan interior.
I remember we paid something like $3850 for it in 1982 - it had less than 12,000 miles on the odometer.
I had the car almost a year before I left for college. In that time, my cousin and I installed an aftermarket sunroof, a killer AM/FM/Cassette stereo and a couple of speakers mounted on brackets on the rear panel (no room to cut holes for traditional 6x9's). Also mounted both fog lights and driving lights under the front bumper. I really thought I was sylin'!
In February of 1983 I moved from Southern California to Phoenix to attend college. No cruise control, but of course the speed limit was 55 back then.
As winter turned to spring, the lack of A/C and vinyl seats were becoming a bit of a problem for my personal comfort. Checked into installed A/C - I think the quote was around $1000. The other option was a nice set of real sheepskin seat covers. $350. Mom and Dad popped for the seat covers, and the rest of my comfort was covered by the 2/55 method - 2 windows down, 55 MPH.
Sadly, I was involved in an accident not too long after arriving in Phoenix. While the body work was repaired well, I think there were some mechanical issues that never got addressed, and caused the car to run poorly ever after. In addition, it suffered from a hot start problem. Randomly, I'd get no spark or starter turnover when I turned the key. Wait a few minutes, then it would crank up. No idea what the root cause was.
Repaired the heater core, then I started having transmission problems. I suspect it had to do with broken engine mounts from the accident, and the engine twisted enough to screw up the linkage to the tranny. Had a hard time finding reverse from time to time.
Only a few months from graduating in 1985, I was taking it to a shop to be looked at one last time when I was involved in a second accident. This one did enough damage to have the insurance company write it off. Got a check for $2000.
I liked the car, despite the unreliability. Took me on a number of road trips - often to Yuma, where I had family, and one trip back to CA between semesters.
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
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
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
It was as a fun car in its own way. I loved how it would go over speed bumps with its French soft suspension.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
@sda : Awesome! I love that parchment interior - actually I thought of converting mine to that color but it is a ton of work to do. Beats the heck out of black, as mine is. I'm not sure but the paint color might be the same as mine was originally. They had 3 different but similar shades that year - mine was Ocean Turquoise originally. Had those same hubcaps too. It looks to be in fine condition in 1990. I bought mine in 1993 with 28000 miles, but while the interior was excellent, the body had suffered some from the Nova Scotia climate.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
That Grand Am is pretty cool...you don't see the 4-door sedan very often.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Even when we had the Grand Am in the early 80s, not many 4 doors were around. It really drove well for a car of the era. A tight and comfortable ride, quiet and roomy. The bucket seats, console, and real wood veneer on the dash gave it a bit of sport and luxury. Even with the standard 400 2bbl and single exhaust it was eager to move out. Gas mileage was awful, around 9-12 mpg. It did like to over heat from time to time. The mechanics changed the radiator, fan, water pump, etc. with little improvement. Dad instructed my sisters to keep an eye on the gauges and turn off the a/c when the temp gauge approached hot. I guess it was the nature of the beast yet gave many years of good service.
fintail--it was certainly coincidental that the Cutlass, Sunbird and 626 were of similar color.
kyfdz--no the stache went away in 93! Unfortunately I've gained some pounds and gray hair in the meantime, thou I still have a full head of hair! I will be 57 a week from tomorrow.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I've only shaved it off twice, since I was a teenager. The last time was about 7 years ago, and my wife and son both said to let it grow back (lol).
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Caught this one at the local Safeway parking lot on Saturday. Didn't look too bad from a distance, but up close, the paint is a bit faded (and filthy, but the color hides it well). Some body damage around the front wheel opening, and it looked like someone tried to fix it with bondo.
Spotted this one on the way into work this morning. Despite being a Diesel, it had no trouble keeping up with the stop and go traffic. Much better than the Escalade EXT in my rearview mirror...which actually ran a stop sign to get in front of me, and then proceeded to go extra slow, delayed too long every time the stop-and-go traffic moved forward (probably on the cell phone), and seemed to do everything possible to add to the congestion. Anyway, this Benz was also bit rough, some rust along the lower door edges. And also pretty dirty, although the combination of that color, plus being wet, made it more photogenic.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I see the pic was taken from a nowadays kind of obscure car, too.
Yeah, that badge did say S450, which didn't ring any bells for me, but I figured that was just part of the gag. I mean, one might be able to pull off a 450, but everyone would see right through a 550.
(Spoken from the only member on Edmunds who likes Panthers)
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
and no, tjc78, you're not the only member here who likes Panthers! Every once in awhile, I've thought about getting one. And, I still haven't replaced my Park Ave yet, although I'm starting to lean more towards a V-6 Charger when that time comes. Nothing's set in stone, though.
Looks like it was designed in prison.
Today I'm going to see a pretty obscure car---a 1969 Citroen DS21. I'll take a few pix.
I remember Cushman from the parking ticket cop scooters years back.