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

berri

So tifighter - how many clowns got out of it

Andre - that vinyl roofed Impala have Florida plates

uplanderguy

RE.: 2000 Impalas, and Monte Carlos, too....

The aluminum wheel that I thought looked OK was a lacy-type design. It was not polished, except for the center portion of the wheel.

For only a few months in 2002--the last model year this wheel was used--mid-way through the run, the entire face of the wheel was polished. I liked this! And on the Monte, at about this time, they removed the "knights head" emblem from the roof sail panel. I liked that emblem as a link to the Montes of old. I believe I saw two new late '02 Montes with the polished wheels AND the knight's head emblem.

I'd have searched inventories for that year's very deep green exterior color with a buff (my term, not Chevy's) cloth interior, those aluminum wheels and the knight's head, LOL!

uplanderguy

I wonder if any MBs ever drove there.

I'm sure they did. I had heard that all M-B's sold in the U.S. first went through South Bend, during that early-sixties time period.

Plus, Studebaker president Sherwood H. Egbert lived in the "mansion" (what it was called; stately home that's still there but not really a "mansion") on the Proving Ground property, and he drove a Benz and Avanti himself. He was supposedly a "hands on" guy so I could see him driving his own Benz on the track.

andre1969

ab348 said:

I have a similar story from when they came out. My GM-fanatical buddy and I visited the dealer one day and looked at a line of just-delivered new Impalas on the lot. We were not impressed in any way, either inside (I remember the "oak" color cloth seat upholstery being rather odious) and out (the headlight design and the use of only 2 round taillights on either side).

I wasn't overly wow'ed by the 2000 Impala when it first came out, either. My first experience with them was the day I bought my Intrepid. I didn't like the interior design at all, and the back seat was cramped, and the window sill line was too high, so it felt kind of like sitting in a bathtub. I also wasn't so fond of that "Bel Air/Biscayne" taillight treatment either, although I guess it was better than the '03 Accord treatment they got for '06! Now, I didn't think the Impala was so bad that I'd refuse one if the price was right...I guess anyone can be bought. And one with the 3.8 wouldn't be bad.

I guess when you compare base engine cars of that era, the 3.4 wasn't that bad. It had something like 180 or 185 hp. The Taurus was still using a pushrod Vulcan 3.0 as the base engine, and I believe it only had around 150 hp. The Intrepid seemed impressive on paper, with a DOHC 2.7 pumping out 200 hp, but the reality was that it was pretty peaky, and the transmission liked to upshift a bit early, so it was hard to stay in that peak power band. It was quicker than the Taurus. The Impala was definitely quicker from 0-60, but I think the Intrepid started to catch up in the quarter mile, so might have been a bit better at higher speeds. And, to its credit, the base Impala was fairly inexpensive.

We still have a fleet Impala here at work. I think it's a 2012 model. It has the 3.5 V-6. I drove it once or twice, and I don't like it at all. Somehow, I think the '06+ model got more cramped than the '00-05. Visibility to the rear is horrible. With the front seat all the way back, the back seat is useless. I also seem to remember it shifting funny, or doing something odd on acceleration.

fintail

\Maybe I should take the fintail to one of those meets. Don't know if the old dear is ready for a drive to South Bend though

Speaking of the Monte Carlo of that era, the proportion and details always seemed really odd to me.

uplanderguy said:

I wonder if any MBs ever drove there.

I'm sure they did. I had heard that all M-B's sold in the U.S. first went through South Bend, during that early-sixties time period.

Plus, Studebaker president Sherwood H. Egbert lived in the "mansion" (what it was called; stately home that's still there but not really a "mansion") on the Proving Ground property, and he drove a Benz and Avanti himself. He was supposedly a "hands on" guy so I could see him driving his own Benz on the track.

berri

The Taurus was still using a pushrod Vulcan 3.0

I replaced a 2000 Taurus with a 2009 4 banger Camry. The Ford was relatively reliable, but the Camry blew it away in both speed and comfort. Not even close in either of those areas.

uplanderguy

Speaking of the Monte Carlo of that era, the proportion and details always seemed really odd to me.

Yeah, me too, although it smarted to admit it then, LOL.

Interior disappointed; SS's wheels disappointed; Lincoln Mark-style humped decklid was a 'huh?'; but I did like a few of the "Monte throwback" things, like the script nameplates, "knights head" emblems and vertical taillights.

fintail

A friend of mine is what I consider a Monte Carlo enthusiast - he had an 83 for many years (his first car bought back around 1994, DD for many years, then sat neglected - I think wifey made him sell), and still has the 85 SS he bought back around 2000. He always loathed the 96+ models, especially the 2000+ style, called them all glorified Luminas, or something similar.

I remember the knights head emblem and the taillight emblems on his 83, and driving the 85 once.

ab348

The late-90s Monte always struck me as just a Lumina coupe. The updated ones in the early 2000s looked worse to me at first but have grown on me over time. They at least had a unique dash and interior from the Impala of the day. But that was the era where GM was struggling with "brand management" and penny-pinching to the max, and the cars were often reflective of that dark time.

uplanderguy

I liked Monte Carlos for a long time; I had new '81 and '82 models, and my parents had new '80 and '84 models; all were good cars. I can remember telling my Dad about the new '94 (?) Monte Carlo. He saw one and said, "That's a Monte Carlo in name only", and of course he was right.

fintail

The 81 update really sharpened it up. Not entirely my kind of car, but the design wasn't bad for the era, and could be optioned pretty nicely for the time (t-tops and checkerboard wheels would be on my list). Definitely cooler than an 81 T-Bird.

My friend was/is really into those cars, but now he is married with kids. In his garage now? An Odyssey and the relatively unusual Mazda 6 5 door. He was able to keep the SS anyway, although it needs some freshening, it has sat for a long time.

uplanderguy

I thought the '81 was a big improvement in looks.

I put a down payment on an '85 SS, dark burgundy, but got nervous about it--money-wise, and having already had a Monte stolen by that time. I got my deposit back although the salesman grumbled. A few months later I ordered a Celebrity Eurosport coupe at another dealer.

I liked the way the SS drove, but in hindsight, I think some of the trim/graphics was 'boy racer' on a car that was styled like the Monte Carlo.

It seemed to me that Chevy really didn't advertise the Monte in those '81 to '88 years, hardly at all. Far-overshadowed by the Regal and Cutlass Supreme, although the Grand Prix seemed to share the Monte's fate.

I liked the '86-88 LS update, although not often seen.

tjc78

Out of the four I always liked the Regal best.  The Buick played both extremes well.  If you wanted Sport your had the blacked out T-types and of course the GN.  If you wanted full luxury your could get the plush velour interior and all the options.  

The Montes interior was always cheap looking and the Pontiacs dash was wierd with all the little circle vents IMO. 

uplanderguy

I liked the '83-84 Monte dash, with the dark, non-shiny faux wood trim, gold pinstripe-like outlining of the wood, gold emblem above glovebox, and bright (chromed) glovebox knob. They later made the glovebox knob flat black, and the '86 instrument panel, with a lot of black trim (not shiny like I'd like), did go downmarket although with that panel they finally added the radio with clock in it.

roadburner

I would like a Momte Carlo SS modified like the one Chevrolet built years ago(without the T-top), IIRC it had a LS376/525 hp crate motor, six speed manual, and an upgraded suspension as well as brakes. When all the GM sedans and coupes(save the F-Body and Corvette) went FWD I quickly lost interest.

Edit: Here it is.

berri

Personally, I'm still partial to the first gen Monte Carlo.

fintail

The first was the best no doubt. 454SS has to be somewhat collectible.

I recall a few things about driving my friend's 85 (his is black with a dark red interior). Sharp instant throttle response, which was a GM thing at the time, I think - and it sounded pretty good too, especially on a summer evening with T-tops off. I think it had aftermarket exhaust. Braking on the other hand, it seemed to eventually slow, but not like the cars I am accustomed to. I had my W126 at the time, which even though it had thrice the mileage, felt like a precision instrument in comparison.

When I was in school, someone in the building where I lived had one with the flush lights, checkerboard wheels, and I swear it had T-tops. That has to be a fairly rare car now.

berri

T-Tops = what happened to the structural integrity too often I think.

fintail

Not to mention leaks.

Went out for a walk, saw a Ferrari 328. Spring is here.

imidazol97

1975 or 1977 Cadillac Seville in light yellow, Bombay Yellow or Naples Yellow, with a yellow vinyl roof. Driven by a dandy fellow with a light straw hat. Looked like something out of Driving Miss Daisy. Car was perfect, color is rich and does not look like a repaint. I've seen it twice around our area now this spring.

Also saw a 1954 Victories in black. A really classy appearing car in those colors with the subtle trim they used bodyside.

ab348

That yellow Seville would be cool to see. Probably had a white or yellow leather interior too. From the era when interiors came in colors other than black.

imidazol97

I tried looking up the colors and hoped that would identify the year. But there was a Bombay Yellow in 1975 and in 1977 Naples Yellow. On the color chart the Naples looks a little less dramatic than the Bombay. I don't know which this car is. I didn't think they used that yellow for more than one year, but I was wrong. Hoping I'll see the car at a local cruise in or show this summer. It's really unique as a survivor.

It almost matches an Electra 225 that a local guy owns in a light tan or champaign. It's one of the long ones.

It's perfect and original. He said he had a car guru that refurbishes cars owned in the Middle East seek permission to inspect how everything was run and done on the whole car so he could restore cars owned in the other country. He photographed wiring under the dash, e.g..

fintail

When I was a kid, my dad knew a guy who had an earlier downsized Fleetwood or Sedan DeVille, probably a 77-79. It was yellow on yellow. I remember riding in it - it seemed very luxurious to me, the Cadillac ride was apparent.

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

Not to mention leaks.

Went out for a walk, saw a Ferrari 328. Spring is here.

or a maddening cacophony of squeaks.

berri

Spotted a beautiful medium blue 57 Buick with excellent chrome to go along with it while driving this morning. I generally prefer the 55/56, but this one between it's color and condition really stood out.

fintail

I thought those came with period GM build quality?

I remember when my friend's Monte was in a fender bender, and an insurance adjuster came to look at it. My friend asked me to be present, as I was nearby, and he was away that day. The adjuster joked "this is the kind of car that rattles for 30 seconds when you slam the door" (or something like that). I assume he wasn't a GM loyalist

Mr_Shiftright said:

or a maddening cacophony of squeaks.

kyfdx

fintail said:

When I was a kid, my dad knew a guy who had an earlier downsized Fleetwood or Sedan DeVille, probably a 77-79. It was yellow on yellow. I remember riding in it - it seemed very luxurious to me, the Cadillac ride was apparent.

My aunt had a yellow on yellow '78 DeVille, with plaid cloth interior. Looked nicer than it sounds.

berri

Those light yellow and baby blue GM cars looked nice, but if you were part of the country club set back in those days I believe the appropriate attire while driving it was white belt and white buc shoes, and maybe a leisure suit to go with it all.

Mr_Shiftright

Anyone ever see one of these? I never have:

berri

Never saw that specific model trim line or the ad with Don Knotts (wouldn't really expect him in a pickup ad). But those 61 era Dodge pickups were a little different looking to my eyes at least.

fintail

I don't think I have seen one of the plaid interior Caddys in person, but I can see it being big with the white shoes and belt crowd. The cloth Caddys of that era seem to be less common here. Never seen a Don Knotts truck either.

I spent yesterday afternoon at my grandma's, which is often a another den of odd cars - residential parts were mostly developed in the 50s to early 70s, and seems to have stuck there. Spotted: ~72 LTD coupe, ~77 LTD II sedan (same house), 4 door Rabbit, ~67 Mustang fastback, 61-62 Pontiac 4 door HT, early Cougar.

ab348

These '76 and '77 Caddy interior choices might make you wish you had sprung for the leather option, or at least crushed velour.

texases

Yikes! It's like I'm back in '74:

ab348

The Seventies were a strange time indeed. A '75 Cadillac buyer might have chosen one of these:

Michaell

All of a sudden, the monochromatic interiors of today's cars are looking pretty good.

fintail

I almost don't mind the green one, reminds me of 60s era brocade cloth, but not quite there.

Meanwhile, a MB 450SEL cost twice as much, and was a bit more straightforward:

uplanderguy

RE.: Monte Carlo doors--I'd only say that those were among the very few frameless-door-glass cars of that time period, in my memory.

I could still enjoy a clean original.

Mr_Shiftright

Ironically, the '75 Cadillac and '75 450SEL are worth about the same today. So the market must see equal merits...or demerits...as the case may be. Perhaps a case where outrageous beats good taste.

fintail

High restoration costs for a 450SEL can't help it, whereas anyone can restore a 70s Caddy. Much easier to live with day to day.

uplanderguy

I like that green cloth interior in the Caddy. I'm really a sucker for the plaid cloth used in '75 and '76 Calais models, not often seen even then. White shoes and belt required.

I know it's high-quality, and this feature adds to the 'breathability', but I was never a fan of perforated leather or vinyl, and especially not a fan of woven vinyl. "1973 Chevelle Deluxe" always comes to mind with the latter.

xwesx

ab348 said:

The Seventies were a strange time indeed. A '75 Cadillac buyer might have chosen one of these:

We need an "oh, god, my eyes!" emotorcon....!

berri

Probably take an hour for my eyes to adjust from those test pattern seats

uplanderguy

I always got a chuckle of what they always placed on Cadillac seats back then in the brochures, for effect. I can remember opera glasses at least once or twice, LOL.

Mr_Shiftright

More like Grand Ole Opry

uplanderguy

I miss the distinction between European luxury back then, and American luxury. Of course, now the American luxury brand just tries to ape the European and Japanese brands.

imidazol97

ab348 said:

The Seventies were a strange time indeed. A '75 Cadillac buyer might have chosen one of these:

I am trying to figure out the demographics for which they chose the eclectic daisy group to be placed on the seat. I like the green seat pattern. It would look nice viewed in context of the car's color around it. By itself, it comes across as brazen. But the gold/green tone give a sense of taste and class.

The blue plaid in the other picture--yuck. The black/white herringbone is neat. Reminds me of my Mustang Grande 1970 seats.

Mr_Shiftright

He would be named "Buck" or "Cap'n Ed" and she would be "Jewel" or "Fern".

tifighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

Anyone ever see one of these? I never have:

Seems like FCA had grounds to sue the Coen brothers for copyright infringement. Or at least forced them to cast Don Knotts for a juicy role. Which would have been awesome.

explorerx4

...in No Country for Old Men?

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

...in No Country for Old Men?

The Big Lebowski