I like the Cutlass models like yours and red certainly enhances the look. One odd thing for me, and it may just be a factor of coincidence, is that you see a lot of that era Cutlass at old car shows, but I seldom see a '69 model???
Actually I find it the reverse up here. My '68 is a model that is very rare in these parts, but for some reason the '69 model is much more common, and '70-'72 more common than either of those.
Just brought the mail in, and a beige low-line '63 Falcon two-door sedan, baby moons and trim rings, rear end jacked up some, obviously a six-cylinder with either a slight exhaust leak or non-factory muffler, went past my house. I'd never seen it before. I'm too used to looking at Larks I guess--that thing looked extremely nerdy to me, and again, I know, I like Larks! That said, I'm happy to see any old iron still on the road.
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I like the Cutlass models like yours and red certainly enhances the look. One odd thing for me, and it may just be a factor of coincidence, is that you see a lot of that era Cutlass at old car shows, but I seldom see a '69 model???
Actually I find it the reverse up here. My '68 is a model that is very rare in these parts, but for some reason the '69 model is much more common, and '70-'72 more common than either of those.
It's because they're so much newer.
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
Your '68 Cutlass is one of the sharpest looking that I've seen in a long time. I always enjoy when you and fintail post pictures of your treasured rides.
That is very kind, thank you. I am re-energized now in terms of care and maintenance for it. Might get the TH-350 that has been sitting here for years rebuilt and installed soon to replace the Jetaway 2-speed.
I had a friend with a 1969 442 in the same color scheme. Great car.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Pretty sure this belongs to one of the employees at our grocery store. I've always liked the 240SX, and this one looks to be in great shape inside and out.
Got to peek inside this one today. It's in really great shape, but unfortunately, an automatic
On Friday in rural Surrey / Sussex borders I saw a prewar Riley Kestrel - about 1935/37 I imagine and in lovely condition. Also a Rover P5 coupe being driven very slowly by its elderly owner...
fintail, not an old car, but I rode in my college friend's '08 S550 today--black, 68K miles. He loves it. I went with him to look at new M-B's yesterday, a new thing for me. I saw one new one that was built in Hungary; that surprised me.
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W221 S550 is a good car, not nearly as troublesome as the model that came before, I am not aware of any real Achilles heels - unlike some older models. They can be a lot of car for the money in the used market - one that age, even if pristine, will be in the mid-upper 20s.
CLA is built in Hungary, yes, which is odd to me as the GLA is built in Germany. Maybe makes sense, cut a few production costs for the entry model. Heck, most C-class in this market, along with all GLE and GL sold here are built in Alabama.
I like the '67-68 Mustang, but I wouldn't mind having a '67-70 Cougar XR-7 either. I really liked the sequential tail lights, hidden head lamps and upscale interior. Convertible would rock, but with a/c. A Cougar with the rare sliding sunroof would be nice, too.
I agree with you. The '67-'68 are the best looking Mustangs ever, in my eyes, and I also love the '67-'68 Cougar.
I'd definitely want a good PPI on that one - anything being welded worries me, and the language used in the ad doesn't help. What was that, a 20K car in 1996? If that?
What are those "factory fender welds" this example does not seem to have? Looks like a nice enough car.
Oh that refers to how the fender is attached to the inner fender. You feel along the edge of the inner fender and if it is not a smooth run of spot welds, then that means a new fender has been attached.
The Cougars were very nice looking, but go forward a year and take a 69 Mustang I think.
Back in the olden days when 69 Mustangs were new and I was a Math student, I spent a rally season in one as a navigator (SOP class; no calculation tools, not even a slide rule [anyone remember those?]). The driver was a skinny guy with somewhat unruly hair and glasses. Looked like a high-school librarian. Best driver I ever rode with. Good memories, including the standard post-rally cure for overused brain cells (lots and lots of beer.) Advantage of being the navigator instead of the driver.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The Cougars were very nice looking, but go forward a year and take a 69 Mustang I think.
Back in the olden days when 69 Mustangs were new and I was a Math student, I spent a rally season in one as a navigator (SOP class; no calculation tools, not even a slide rule [anyone remember those?]). The driver was a skinny guy with somewhat unruly hair and glasses. Looked like a high-school librarian. Best driver I ever rode with. Good memories, including the standard post-rally cure for overused brain cells (lots and lots of beer.) Advantage of being the navigator instead of the driver.
I used to run rallies quite a bit. Wound up as a navigator a couple of times attempting to operate a Timewise 798A TSD Rally Computer. My head hurts just thinking about it.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
My favorite Mustangs were the 1966 and 1968 GT fastbacks as well as the 1970 Mach 1 and Boss 302. I suppose the 1970 is my favorite; I like the shaker hood, rear spoiler, and lower side moldings(on the Mach 1):
1968 Mustang "California Special". Interesting car, and somewhat rare with those Shelby bits, but oddly enough unless you ordered the big block engine option, the car isn't worth any more than a run of the mill /289 or 302 Mustang GT. This one was a kind of Lime color--I think Ford called it "Lime Gold". Engine looked like a 289 or 302 (hard to tell the difference without poking inside somewhat intrusively).
1968 Mustang "California Special". Interesting car, and somewhat rare with those Shelby bits, but oddly enough unless you ordered the big block engine option, the car isn't worth any more than a run of the mill /289 or 302 Mustang GT. This one was a kind of Lime color--I think Ford called it "Lime Gold". Engine looked like a 289 or 302 (hard to tell the difference without poking inside somewhat intrusively).
In all fairness, there wasn't a thing in the California Special package that made the car accelerate, stop, or handle better. The package was all cosmetics and gee-whiz (OK, I thought at the time that the sequential turn signal lights were cool, and I still kind of like them). There isn't any reason for them to be anything more than nominally more valuable.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Continental Mark III. All white. Wire wheel covers that looked perfect for the car with wide whitewalls. Turned into a body shop a mile up the road. I suspected it was being worked on there although it looked perfect to me. Being test driven. Wheels were like the ones in this link to a Wiki picture. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/69MarkIIIa.jpg
If I remember correctly, the Mark III outsold the Eldorado, certainly a shock to the pride of Cadillac at the time! I often remember Mark III's being maroon with a black top, or a medium-to-dark green. I never liked any Mark after that as well.
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On my drive to an interview this morning I saw a very nice '68 Dodge Super Bee convertible. It was red with the white stripe on the back, white dual hood scoops, 440 badge on the front fender. White interior, I think it was a bench seat as I could see the column shifter, and could see the horizontal speedometer with factory tach to the right. I can't remember the last time I've seen on of these. It was a beautiful 70 degree morning, driver enjoying the top down. http://www.amcarguide.com/wp-content/gallery/super-bee/1968-dodge-coronet-super-bee-convertible.jpg
If I remember correctly, the Mark III outsold the Eldorado, certainly a shock to the pride of Cadillac at the time! I often remember Mark III's being maroon with a black top, or a medium-to-dark green. I never liked any Mark after that as well.
I think the FWD thing really hurt the Eldorado, at that time.
If I remember correctly, the Mark III outsold the Eldorado, certainly a shock to the pride of Cadillac at the time! I often remember Mark III's being maroon with a black top, or a medium-to-dark green. I never liked any Mark after that as well.
They did but only in 1971, not earlier. Outpaced Cadillac that year by some 7000 units.
Didn't those Mark IIIs have some quality control issues? Either way, they definitely set the stage for the successful Marks of the 70s.
Sorry, meant to reply to fintail, clicked on the wrong entry..
IIRC Mark IIIs and Thunderbirds were plagued with electrical gremlins. I remember dad test driving a '67 T-bird 4dr around 1970. It was navy blue with a black vinyl top and black vinyl interior. It didn't have many miles on it, and yet none of the windows or door locks worked and the a/c only on high. I was bummed because I loved the suicide doors and rounded back seat and other neat features of the car. Dad bought a '69 Olds 98 instead.
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I looked at a couple (suspect) sources online about production numbers. One had '69 Mark III production slightly ahead of Eldorado; another, just the opposite. But even if the latter is true, to be within 500 or so units out of 23K-some, Lincoln had to be happy and Caddy, sad.
In '71, there were two Eldorado bodystyles as opposed to one for Mark III, and the Eldo was all-new that year. That the Mark III outsold the Eldo had to smart. I'm a GM guy, particularly in that era too, but as much as I like the '67-70 Eldo, I do think the interior disappoints a little. And, I'd especially say that for the new '71.
I can remember seeing the first new '71 Eldo coupe at our local dealer (who was also the Chevy dealer). I liked the 'coach' window idea, but it blew my mind at the time that it didn't go down.
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I remember that GM took a big strike in the fall of '70, right at introduction time of the '71's. I've heard that used as a reason that '71 sales weren't up to expectations. Don't know if that could be said of the Eldorado or not that model year.
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I remember that GM took a big strike in the fall of '70, right at introduction time of the '71's. I've heard that used as a reason that '71 sales weren't up to expectations. Don't know if that could be said of the Eldorado or not that model year.
I know it certainly cost them at least one sale, to my parents. They were in the market for a new full-size car at the time and had a '69 Impala Sport Coupe to trade. They had been GM buyers for their last 6 cars at that point. But the dealer had next to nothing in inventory to show them - I seem to remember a dark green Caprice 4-door hardtop with black vinyl roof and green interior, which they were not thrilled with for some reason, being the only thing close to what they were looking for that they could find locally. They looked at Ford LTDs at length but Mom didn't like them for whatever reason. So they ended up ordering a Dodge Monaco 4-door hardtop. I loved that car but I know they would have probably bought GM if they could have ordered what they wanted.
Forgot to mention that on the weekend I took a drive to various communities in about a 60-mile radius of where I live just to see some late-summer sights. In an area about 40 miles west of here it seemed all the summer cars were out and about - 3 new Corvettes, some restored Willys Jeeps, various and sundry muscle/pony cars, and one like this in these colors, which I did not recognize.
It was parked at the curb in a small town's business district, and I assume the driver was probably eating at an adjacent restaurant that had a crowded patio. I had no idea what it was so I drove around the block and returned for a closer look, which let me make out the badging. My first thought was maybe it was one of those mid-90s Aussie Mercury Capri convertibles, which I had not seen in years, but I was wrong.
Turned out to be a Mk 3 Toyota MR2 convertible, probably from 10-12 years ago, which was not sold here. What a huge step backwards in the styling dept. It did not really look like a sports car as much as a boulevard cruiser. Interesting place to find it.
Forgot to mention that on the weekend I took a drive to various communities in about a 60-mile radius of where I live just to see some late-summer sights. In an area about 40 miles west of here it seemed all the summer cars were out and about - 3 new Corvettes, some restored Willys Jeeps, various and sundry muscle/pony cars, and one like this in these colors, which I did not recognize.
It was parked at the curb in a small town's business district, and I assume the driver was probably eating at an adjacent restaurant that had a crowded patio. I had no idea what it was so I drove around the block and returned for a closer look, which let me make out the badging. My first thought was maybe it was one of those mid-90s Aussie Mercury Capri convertibles, which I had not seen in years, but I was wrong.
Turned out to be a Mk 3 Toyota MR2 convertible, probably from 10-12 years ago, which was not sold here. What a huge step backwards in the styling dept. It did not really look like a sports car as much as a boulevard cruiser. Interesting place to find it.
Extremely tight cockpit as well. Definitely for the smaller of stature, maybe nice car for a college coed.
If I remember correctly, the Mark III outsold the Eldorado, certainly a shock to the pride of Cadillac at the time! I often remember Mark III's being maroon with a black top, or a medium-to-dark green. I never liked any Mark after that as well.
I think the FWD thing really hurt the Eldorado, at that time.
At least there was a Eldo convertible. I remember my first visit to the orthodontist in '71. In the Dr's parking spot was a brand new (sticker still in window) dark blue with white top and interior Eldo convert. I remember being amazed that it cost over $10k. Two years later he was driving a Rolls Corniche.
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I didn't know they didn't sell those in Canadia. Plenty of them here on the west coast.
Really? I never saw an article or a mention of them in the N.A. market, and I never saw one previously. Having owned a 1st-gen MR2 I paid a lot of attention to the updates and model changes but was unaware this even existed.
I see them all the time here, and as you say, they seem to be more of a boulevard cruiser. The sportier choice was the S2000. The MR2 sold to more "mature" buyers, I think.
Really? I never saw an article or a mention of them in the N.A. market, and I never saw one previously. Having owned a 1st-gen MR2 I paid a lot of attention to the updates and model changes but was unaware this even existed.
the S2000 was a real sports car, like a Miata. The toyota was a cute sporty convertible.
I test drove one when they first came out, and it was fun. But it really had no storage, at all. I don't think 2 people could go away for a weekend with it, unless they slept in their driving clothes.
If I remember correctly, the Mark III outsold the Eldorado, certainly a shock to the pride of Cadillac at the time! I often remember Mark III's being maroon with a black top, or a medium-to-dark green. I never liked any Mark after that as well.
I think the FWD thing really hurt the Eldorado, at that time.
At least there was a Eldo convertible. I remember my first visit to the orthodontist in '71. In the Dr's parking spot was a brand new (sticker still in window) dark blue with white top and interior Eldo convert. I remember being amazed that it cost over $10k. Two years later he was driving a Rolls Corniche.
Well that should have taught him a painful lesson in abandoning GM.
Continental Mark III. All white. Wire wheel covers that looked perfect for the car with wide whitewalls. Turned into a body shop a mile up the road. I suspected it was being worked on there although it looked perfect to me. Being test driven. Wheels were like the ones in this link to a Wiki picture. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/69MarkIIIa.jpg
Ah, the ultimate in 1970s personal luxury. Nice car!
Another from a movie that I happened across today. Dudley Moore was driving this beauty
It's not that Novas or Valiants were beautiful cars, but I always just detested Mavericks! I think even Hornets were nicer-looking. Your results may vary.
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Comments
It does look like 4th gen trans am LS1 under the hood.
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
CLA is built in Hungary, yes, which is odd to me as the GLA is built in Germany. Maybe makes sense, cut a few production costs for the entry model. Heck, most C-class in this market, along with all GLE and GL sold here are built in Alabama.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Turned into a body shop a mile up the road. I suspected it was being worked on there although it looked perfect to me. Being test driven. Wheels were like the ones in this link to a Wiki picture. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/69MarkIIIa.jpg
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
http://www.amcarguide.com/wp-content/gallery/super-bee/1968-dodge-coronet-super-bee-convertible.jpg
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Sorry, meant to reply to fintail, clicked on the wrong entry..
IIRC Mark IIIs and Thunderbirds were plagued with electrical gremlins. I remember dad test driving a '67 T-bird 4dr around 1970. It was navy blue with a black vinyl top and black vinyl interior. It didn't have many miles on it, and yet none of the windows or door locks worked and the a/c only on high. I was bummed because I loved the suicide doors and rounded back seat and other neat features of the car. Dad bought a '69 Olds 98 instead.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
In '71, there were two Eldorado bodystyles as opposed to one for Mark III, and the Eldo was all-new that year. That the Mark III outsold the Eldo had to smart. I'm a GM guy, particularly in that era too, but as much as I like the '67-70 Eldo, I do think the interior disappoints a little. And, I'd especially say that for the new '71.
I can remember seeing the first new '71 Eldo coupe at our local dealer (who was also the Chevy dealer). I liked the 'coach' window idea, but it blew my mind at the time that it didn't go down.
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It was parked at the curb in a small town's business district, and I assume the driver was probably eating at an adjacent restaurant that had a crowded patio. I had no idea what it was so I drove around the block and returned for a closer look, which let me make out the badging. My first thought was maybe it was one of those mid-90s Aussie Mercury Capri convertibles, which I had not seen in years, but I was wrong.
Turned out to be a Mk 3 Toyota MR2 convertible, probably from 10-12 years ago, which was not sold here. What a huge step backwards in the styling dept. It did not really look like a sports car as much as a boulevard cruiser. Interesting place to find it.
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2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I test drove one when they first came out, and it was fun. But it really had no storage, at all. I don't think 2 people could go away for a weekend with it, unless they slept in their driving clothes.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It's not that Novas or Valiants were beautiful cars, but I always just detested Mavericks! I think even Hornets were nicer-looking. Your results may vary.
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