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

17897907927947951306

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  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    All we had was big Detroit iron....

    At a family gathering there would literally be 4-5 Town Cars, same amount of Park Aves/Lesabres, and a few Caddies.  

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

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    My family's Mopars were many things. Quiet was not one of them. 
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280
    texases said:

    My family's Mopars were many things. Quiet was not one of them. 

    Unibodies. In '70 and '71 they moved the big C-body cars to a rubber-isolated front stub frame to quiet them down and it helped a bit, but they still had the inherent issues of noise transfer that all unit bodies suffer from.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I don't recall ever owning a quiet car my entire life--I think it would spook me. :p
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    As a highway cruiser, there was nothing like a nearly-completely-silent car. Ahh, memories.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280
    Oooh! I am fully in love with this:

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-oldsmobile-vista-cruiser/

    What an incredible survivor. The interior is absolutely mint, even in the back.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    That driver's seat almost looks like leather, but I'd doubt it in a wagon, and a mid-size wagon, to boot.

    A kid I knew in school had parents with a light green metallic '67 Vista Cruiser with woodgrain. It had blackwall tires with the full wheelcovers, so I'll assume those were not its original tires. I was amazed at the glovebox door that hinged up instead of down.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    Geez AB348, Thanks for sending us down that BAT rabbit hole. :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    I looked at the Cruiser and got out quickly!  I had to finish a few things up at work :open_mouth:

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    This is one I oddly fell in love with. Was wondering what it would go for. Cheap entry into a fun "classic" car for weekend cruise ins.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-chevrolet-camaro-2/

    I assume this bid is from Road Burner.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-honda-civic-type-r-for-charity/

    And one for QB

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-maserati-spyder/

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

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,184
    stickguy said:

    This is one I oddly fell in love with. Was wondering what it would go for. Cheap entry into a fun "classic" car for weekend cruise ins.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-chevrolet-camaro-2/

    I assume this bid is from Road Burner.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-honda-civic-type-r-for-charity/

    And one for QB

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-maserati-spyder/

    Are gold chains included with the Camaro purchase?

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    I can find my own. Not normally my thing but that was a nice one.

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

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280
    I was kinda hoping that someone with a car crusher and good taste in styling would buy that Civic, but $200K is probably not that. :o

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280
    Michaell said:


    Are gold chains included with the Camaro purchase?

    That image sadly developed over time but I remember when that gen Camaro was introduced in '82 it was seen as a fairly sophisticated design, especially compared to the previous edition.

    I do remember being wholly unimpressed with a new '82 Z28 that was given to me for the day by a car salesman friend of my dad's with the expectation I would buy it. It wasn't much quicker than my '77 LeMans and it rode like a buckboard. It was surprisingly easy to give him back the keys the next day.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    Yeah, that gen Camaro made a big impression on me when it came out. Couldn't keep my eyes off it. 
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    I loved the '82 Berlinetta, with the gold wheels and subtle trim, velour buckets, etc. I also liked that year's clock that sat flat in the console.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Something that bugged me about the F-cars of that era was the depth of the dash - it felt like you were sitting miles from the windshield. Maybe that was just my youngster perception.

    The SO of a family member had a new 87 IROC, and I got to ride in it several times. I liked it for the T-tops, but I knew it wasn't the most refined thing in the world :)
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    edited June 2017
    Lots of crinkly black plastic on that dash, too. And no glovebox besides the one in the console.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    The only gloves I wear I carry in my coat pocket. So no worries there!

    Speaking of the F bodies, I saw a nice (looked new) Firebird turbo indy 500 pace car edition. complete with all the decals. looked just like this.


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

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280
    Ah, the Turbo Pontiac 301, better known as the "Grenade". ;)

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Michaell said:

    stickguy said:

    This is one I oddly fell in love with. Was wondering what it would go for. Cheap entry into a fun "classic" car for weekend cruise ins.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-chevrolet-camaro-2/

    I assume this bid is from Road Burner.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-honda-civic-type-r-for-charity/

    And one for QB

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-maserati-spyder/

    Are gold chains included with the Camaro purchase?
    And don't forget the handgun in the glovebox.
  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702

    Michaell said:

    stickguy said:

    This is one I oddly fell in love with. Was wondering what it would go for. Cheap entry into a fun "classic" car for weekend cruise ins.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-chevrolet-camaro-2/

    I assume this bid is from Road Burner.

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-honda-civic-type-r-for-charity/

    And one for QB

    http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-maserati-spyder/

    Are gold chains included with the Camaro purchase?
    And don't forget the handgun in the glovebox.
    Packing an Iron Duke under the hood.
    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    Here's an '84 Berlinetta:

    https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e7/4b/a4/e74ba477a9c1ae3e4c18278306502d45.jpg

    I still like the styling details.

    Before I ordered an '85 Celebrity Eurosport, I put a deposit on a Monte Carlo SS (cancelled it; I had had '81 and '82 Montes already), and I test-drove a new '85 Berlinetta in red. I was let down. I was used to quieter cars and it was raucous-sounding I thought--that, and I wasn't used to 'hatch' cars which are noisier I think, then and now. And the '85 had the ridiculous digital instrumentation and turn signal controls on a stalk you had to hit with your fingers--one button for left and another for right. Total turnoff. The plasticky '82-83 panel was even better.

    One reason I hurried up to order my '85 instead of waiting for the '86's (I took delivery of my '85 on June 3), was that I didn't want a third brake light. Thought it looked stupid. I thought they looked downright egregious on Camaros and Corvettes when I first saw '86's.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    When I was in high school, I knew a kid with a 4cyl Berlinetta. Not a quiet smooth car, nor fast, but it looked the part.

    Those early factory CHMSLs often looked like the $9.99 aftermarket kind. Some makers integrated them better than others.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    Must've been a V6, as there were no 4-cyl. Berlinettas. They did offer that in the base Sport Coupe. I think I only ever saw one on a new car lot.

    At the time, I was ready for a newly-styled Camaro. Geez, talk about long-in-the-tooth--the '81, yeesh. And the trunks in those cars were like a second glovebox, LOL.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Maybe it was a 6, just neglected. I am sure it was a Berlinetta, I remember the gold nameplate. Now that I think of it, the noise seemed similar to the 2.8 in an S-10 Blazer my dad back in the day. The Camaro was no faster than that, either - I remember thinking it might beat the Tempo, but the 66 Galaxie I drove to school felt like it could dust the Camaro.

    The 81 looks like an antique for the time, but I have to admit those late run Z28s are kind of cool looking, maybe in a retro way from a time I am too young to clearly remember.

  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    '63 T-bird, owned by the same guy who owned that Eldorado



  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,597
    edited June 2017
    Tastes differ, so I may get flamed for this, but I always thought that Ford must have hired a team of experts to beat each completed '61-'63 T-bird with an ugly stick before delivery to the dealer. My father referred to them a 'Blunderturds', and I have to say I agreed with him (a fairly unusual event at that time in my life).

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    The cigar Bird front ends are definitely not to the taste of everyone. I think the rear ends with the large round lights are kind of cool, and the interiors were pretty well done for a ritzy space age theme.
  • uplanderguyuplanderguy Member Posts: 16,860
    edited June 2017
    I thought they went to great extents to make them look like a bird--the '63's with feathers tucked in on the sides. I like the interiors, but never understood why they had the huge console but no floor shifter, like everybody else.

    Most of this era T-Bird are pretty reasonable to buy, too.
    2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I've driven them and I have to say that GM was miles ahead in engine smoothness, seamless shifting, basic handling and stability and overall build quality IMO.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,325
    A friend of mine worked at a Pontiac dealer during that era. The underhood heat was so bad that it percolated water out of the windshield washer nozzles.Then there was the digital boost gauge built into the hood scoop- it
    melted. The fix consisted of heavily insulated and more robust "boost lights."

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Saw a pretty blue mid 60s Stingray convertible today, and a heavily chopped ~50 Mercury coupe.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    How about some lap belts and a hula dancer? :)


  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280
    That Hornet interior reminds me of our family's '75 Sportabout in terms of the dash and steering wheel though we did not have the Gucci package with the fancy upholstery. That steering wheel was not a favorite - seemed too big and old-fashioned. And you haven't experienced "hard plastic" until you touched that under-dash parcel shelf on one of these, just the cheapest-feeling stuff imaginable. The main part of the dash, however, was cast metal, unusual these days.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    I didn't need. The hornet nameplate to recognize that as an AMC dash. Same one I had in my hornet and my gremlin!

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

  • toomanyfumestoomanyfumes Member Posts: 1,019
    Hey that Hornet has carpeting. That's one step above my Gremlin!
    2012 Mustang Premium, 2013 Lincoln MKX Elite, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    XLR-V, 323 wagon, E30 sedan.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,681
    I saw a Subaru XT-6 yesterday as I was leaving work. Pretty rare beast these days in general, but this one looked to be cherry. My four-year-old cars have more visible wear and tear than this thing had!
    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
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    edited June 2017
    A lifted Brat.  It looked beat but was obviously someone's trail rig. 

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    In the rain today, a very unrestored looking ~1970 Chevy pickup, and a kind of harvest gold mid 70s middle sized Mopar woody wagon.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited June 2017
    Morris Traveller "woody" station wagon. Asked owner about it--it has a Datsun engine and transmission in it--apparently a very popular mod.

    1968 Porsche 911 "S" soft-top targa. Incredibly rare car! Not "spotted"--I was appraising it.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited June 2017
    Today spotted a square light Rabbit diesel with teenaged looking girls in it, and a BMW E30 cut down into a pickup.
  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,579
    A very nice pearl white Infiniti J30. Not necessarily classic, three Chrysler 300Ms from around 2000, all within 1 mile and 5 minutes in varying condition. One looked well kept, one looked like a hooptie.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    a Jag XjS. Looked kinda tired. parked next to a dingy gas station, with no plates on it. Sad

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

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    stickguy said:

    a Jag XjS. Looked kinda tired. parked next to a dingy gas station, with no plates on it. Sad

    A common fate for those and most XJ6s as well. Too much to restore, no value on the other end.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited June 2017
    I think many an XJS went from shiny prize to derelict in record time. I remember when I was a kid, there were plenty neglected ones (esp V12s) laying around. Depreciation must have been brutal, especially by the 8-10 year mark.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    They are very seductive cars---you get a very nice ride and driving experience when you test drive your first XJS---and the price is always right, so quite a few people pull the trigger and it all goes downhill from there. I had one client who sunk $30K into one in a few years before he finally pulled the rip cord. Ended up donating it.

    I find the XJS very awkward-looking.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,280

    They are very seductive cars---you get a very nice ride and driving experience when you test drive your first XJS---and the price is always right, so quite a few people pull the trigger and it all goes downhill from there. I had one client who sunk $30K into one in a few years before he finally pulled the rip cord. Ended up donating it.

    I find the XJS very awkward-looking.

    A former co-worker had/has one she used as her daily driver 365 days a year. I dunno how she kept it running, from rusting out, and looking good. She told me she "had a guy" who took care of it's needs, and she had new leather installed on the seats. I think she still is driving it.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    There's a guy I assume is a realtor who works in a realty office next door to the building where I live, who DDs an early 90s era XJS cabrio. Must be a labor of love keeping that on the road for the commuting grind.
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