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

sda

I'm on a roll today, a rusty '81 white Corolla wagon and an equally tired red Suzuki Verona. Rust isn't usually an issue around these parts so the Corolla must be a foreigner.

fintail

Within 20 minutes of each other, saw a W123 300D Turbo, and a W126 300SD (which were all turbo), The former, driven by a hippie looking guy, had seen better days and had moderate body damage, but seemed to be idling smoothly enough. The latter is a very clean old people-driven car I see now and then.

Mr_Shiftright

You'd probably be killed in a W123 300D in Bay Area traffic. A W126 300SD can get out of its own way though.

I like those old Panzers, but between cost of diesel fuel and cost of repairs, their original "raison d'etre" is non-existent.

fintail

I'd imagine a 300D turbo would be faster than a 300SD, same engine but lighter car.

No problem in crawling dawdly Seattle metro traffic.

Mr_Shiftright

Logically you might think so but specs seem to indicate the 300SD is faster by a few seconds. Maybe it's the gearing?

fintail

That could be it. They will both feel super slow to the driver of a modern car. Maybe a cure for road ragers.

Mr_Shiftright

No kidding. Driving a Benz diesel from that era really does mellow you out. It's a kind of sedative. By the time you get your window open to raise your fist, the target is long gone!

fintail

I notice I am a more mellow driver in the fintail than in a modern car (although I still swear a bit ). Even my modern diesel kind of does that - it's not slow per se, but not fast either, and just seems to communicate "don't get so excited".

Mr_Shiftright

That diesel hum is like saying OMMMMM when you meditate.

fintail

That's a good theory. The modern car has a faint hum too, and I like it - it has a mechanical feel absent in most modern cars.

sda

From a friend who had a Puegeot 504 diesel, yes a while ago, he said the real challenge was once he got up to speed to try to time lights and traffic so he could maintain speed and not slow down. That was a slow yet very comfortable car.

fintail

Driving an old car can hone that skill - I always try to keep up momentum and not come to a complete stop. The fintail can cruise along like a modern car, but 0-40 is a bit slower.

Saw an immaculate looking 1st gen Integra 2 door today, and a late 80s Corolla AWD wagon.

ab348

This popped up on BaT this week:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-toyota-mr2-2/

If I had the space to keep it, I would buy it. Finding these in even decent shape now is tough.

An '85 model much like it was my first new car, pictured below:

stickguy

Oh, I love those. would not mind having that as my spare car at all.

fintail

I bet those dissolved in the Maritimes. Every now and then I see one around here. The 2nd gen ones are more common, and many look kind of rough today.

uplanderguy

We saw the movie "Hidden Figures" today, about African-American women working at NASA on the Mercury space project in the early sixties. We enjoyed it, but I've since read that dramatic liberties were taken on some major plot points in the movie. And that doesn't take away anything from their accomplishments.

Is there anybody besides me that can't stand seeing a '64 Ford police car, twice, in a scene that is labeled "1961"? I said it out loud in the theater and my wife curtly replied, "Nobody cares". LOL

kyfdx

Other than present company, your wife was probably right.

ab348

Yeah, I sold it early in 1990 and it was already having rust issues. In '88 I dented the front valence below the bumper and had to have it repaired. I was shocked when the body shop discovered some rusty parts down there. Also the metal behind that black plastic triangle ahead of the rear wheels was also getting rusty. A 3 year old car already having rust was one of the reasons I decided to sell it.

The one on BaT is in CT but the pics do not look scary in terms of rot.

stickguy

and thanks. Every time someone posts a link to a BaT car, I get lost in there for an hour!

ab348

uplanderguy said:

Is there anybody besides me that can't stand seeing a '64 Ford police car, twice, in a scene that is labeled "1961"? I said it out loud in the theater and my wife curtly replied, "Nobody cares". LOL

A pretty obvious goof in terms of being faithful to the facts of the story they are telling. Makes one wonder what other liberties were taken with the story.

fintail

I always did this when I was a kid, drove people nuts, as anachronistic cars drove me nuts. I still remember the too-new junked Chrysler wagon in the enjoyable "The Wonder Years".

I'd also do it for US spec cars being used in "foreign" settings. Those lights and bumpers in France? Nope!

uplanderguy said:

Is there anybody besides me that can't stand seeing a '64 Ford police car, twice, in a scene that is labeled "1961"? I said it out loud in the theater and my wife curtly replied, "Nobody cares". LOL

uplanderguy

I loved "The Wonder Years" as Kevin would've only been two years older than me, but you're right--the '67 Dodge Polara wagon was referred to as a "'61". Arggghhh!

Mr_Shiftright

sda said:

From a friend who had a Puegeot 504 diesel, yes a while ago, he said the real challenge was once he got up to speed to try to time lights and traffic so he could maintain speed and not slow down. That was a slow yet very comfortable car.

Oh I had a Peugeot 504 Diesel...I just loved that car. I wish I still had it. Yeah, kinda medium-slow but better than a n/a Mercedes 300D------ but it rode so beautifully---I couldn't wait to get in it. After a while I just couldn't find parts for it, nor anyone to work on it for me. The Peugeot guys retired and the parts car got picked clean.

I miss it

Mr_Shiftright

uplanderguy said:

We saw the movie "Hidden Figures" today, about African-American women working at NASA on the Mercury space project in the early sixties. We enjoyed it, but I've since read that dramatic liberties were taken on some major plot points in the movie. And that doesn't take away anything from their accomplishments.

Is there anybody besides me that can't stand seeing a '64 Ford police car, twice, in a scene that is labeled "1961"? I said it out loud in the theater and my wife curtly replied, "Nobody cares". LOL

I'm with your wife on that one.

berri

Well, Home Alone II showed an intercontinental Mad Dog (MD-80). Must have had some KC-135 tankers keeping it airborne Also took off from Chicago in a DC10 but landed in Paris in a B767. Like cars, my wife would give me a big "who cares", so I keep these things to myself.

roadburner

I don't like to see cars from the wrong era either; sometimes it almost ruins the whole movie for me.

uplanderguy

I think years back, a lot more guys would notice this kind of thing than today's audience. I won't say it ruins the movie to me, but it seems lazy, LOL.

A couple times in the movie is a shot of what's supposed to be an employee parking lot at NASA Langley back then. It's a quick scene, but you can tell the cars are animated or photo-shopped, for lack of a better word--drawings. '57 Nomads, '57 Thunderbirds, etc.

uplanderguy

I want to see the movie "Jackie" today, which is in limited release near us. I think it'll be a tough sell for the wife. I know it's not uplifting.

jpp75

Saw this yesterday while out riding around. It looks good in person but I have no idea if the price is reasonable.

http://fleet-lease-remarketing.ebizautos.com/detail-1979-cadillac-sedan_deville-used-15561330.html

sda

Dad had a '78 Sedan de Ville d'Elegance. It was a nice driving and comfortable car. That big 425 V8 , quiet and smooth, is surprisingly weak and likes to swill gas. IIRC it has a 27 gallon fuel tank. I have a soft spot for that car.

Mr_Shiftright

jpp5862 said:

Saw this yesterday while out riding around. It looks good in person but I have no idea if the price is reasonable.

http://fleet-lease-remarketing.ebizautos.com/detail-1979-cadillac-sedan_deville-used-15561330.html

Yeah, it's market correct if it's a nice clean driver with no issue or excuses.

jpp75

Mr_Shiftright said:

jpp5862 said:

Saw this yesterday while out riding around. It looks good in person but I have no idea if the price is reasonable.

http://fleet-lease-remarketing.ebizautos.com/detail-1979-cadillac-sedan_deville-used-15561330.html

Yeah, it's market correct if it's a nice clean driver with no issue or excuses.

It looks good and clean in person, maybe repainted though.

This place is interesting, as the name suggests 90% of what they sell is some generic fleet vehicle but off to the side they always have some older GM vehicle.

jpp75

sda said:

Dad had a '78 Sedan de Ville d'Elegance. It was a nice driving and comfortable car. That big 425 V8 , quiet and smooth, is surprisingly weak and likes to swill gas. IIRC it has a 27 gallon fuel tank. I have a soft spot for that car.

I'd be happy to go drive it for you.

ab348

sda said:

Dad had a '78 Sedan de Ville d'Elegance. It was a nice driving and comfortable car. That big 425 V8 , quiet and smooth, is surprisingly weak and likes to swill gas. IIRC it has a 27 gallon fuel tank. I have a soft spot for that car.

I wonder is that is due to an overly low (numerically) rear end gear? The Olds 403 in my Park Avenue was the same way, surprisingly wimpy thanks to a 2.41 rear end.

tjc78

Most of the late 70s barges have stupid low rears to cope with the lack of overdrive. My 79 Continental had a 2.50.

sda

I hadn't thought about the rear axle ratio on the Cadillac, looked it up it was a 2:28 with 3:08 opt. No wonder it struggled. The 425 was 180 hp, the Olds 403 190. Torque was greater in the Cadillac. I remember the Olds being quicker. Both were smooth and quiet with a nice moan if you were really pushing it. Mom had a '78 98 Regency coupe with astroroof and the 403 at the same time dad had the DeVille. The Olds was a good car that mom drove for over 10 years.

stickguy

wow. looked at that site, and found this. Figured that the heading must be wrong, but no. It really is a 3 speed stick on the floor! I had a bunch of those in the old days (Duster, Gremlin, Hornet, Nova)

not a barge I like though. Other than that particular component! Must be a real unicorn at this point. And was also one when sold.

http://fleet-lease-remarketing.ebizautos.com/detail-1972-mercury-cougar-xr_slash_7_convertible-used-15224734.html

texases

Since the tranny is out any way, could put in a 4 spd and add a 4bbl with a new intake manifold for more fun. Keep the old parts I guess, but would this ever be a classic?

edit - just looked at the pics - lots of needs. For the same total money I'd get an older Mustang.

uplanderguy

Saw the movie "Jackie" today. I'm glad I did, but it is dark. I don't see it ever being in wide release.

Only one car goof that I could spot--a Checker cab with side marker lights.

Less egregious than the '64 Ford in '61 in "Hidden Figures", LOL.

fintail

That cougar has to be pretty rare with a manual. Probably not more desirable though.

stickguy

desire is a matter of personal taste.

besides the obvious difference with having to shift, one thing I hate about Fords of that era is the AT shift lever. Just looks terrible to me. The other thing is the 2 spoke steering wheel they used. Combine the 2, and add in their crappy seats, and takes a lot to overcome that.

fintail

I don't know if I would want the "suddenly it's 1935" feel of the 3-speed.

uplanderguy

For Fords of that period, that's a pretty nice instrument panel IMHO.

kyfdx

Nothing wrong with a floor-mounted 3-speed, as long as you have a tourqey motor. I had one in my '76 CJ-5. You just learn to love 2nd gear..

jwm40517

Was in a friends office recently and saw his framed copy of the purchase order for his 69 Camaro convertible.
Base $2996.00
console 53.75
spoiler 32.65
tilt wheel 45.30
power steering 94.80
am radio 61.10
rally wheels 35.85
aux lighting 6.85
ducted hood 79.00
indy 500 pace car 36.90
rally sport equip 131.65
SS equip 311.75
custom interior 110.60
delux belts 9.00
4 speed trans 195.40
tax & lic 197.70
gas & service 16.00

Total 4414.30

That is a lot of individual options compared to today's choice of a few packages,

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

That cougar has to be pretty rare with a manual. Probably not more desirable though.

3 speed manual would be at least a 15% deduct off value.

sda

kyfdx said:

Nothing wrong with a floor-mounted 3-speed, as long as you have a tourqey motor. I had one in my '76 CJ-5. You just learn to love 2nd gear..

2nd gear was your friend especially if 1st gear was non-synchro as in my first car that I bought in '77 for $100, '62 Galaxie 2dr sedan with a slug 292 V8. It never left me stranded. Other than being my first car it wasn't much fun. Manual steering, brakes, a plain Jane.

Mr_Shiftright

You could buy Camaros and Firebirds with 3 speed manuals in the early 70s as well.

fintail

I remember my dad was like that in his 68 Fairlane with a 289 and 3 speed column shift - he kept it in 2nd all the time, at least in town. I didn't like driving that car.

berri

2nd gear start helps in snow and ice