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

explorerx4

Might even be a Gremlin X.

tjc78

stickguy said:

I actually think the continental looks much better that way.

Blasphemy 

Mr_Shiftright

Well it might handle better

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well it might handle better

Whaddaya mean, "might"?

fintail

Spotted 2 P38 style Range Rovers beside each other in traffic today - the odds of one of these running and driving seems to be tiny these days to begin with, two in the same place is even better. Yesterday at work there was a late 80s/early 90s Range Rover classic style in the workplace parking garage.

stickguy

they might travel in packs, to serve as parts cars for each other.

bhill2

Mr_Shiftright said:

Don't exaggerate. I think it was only 107. I love hot weather. This is my inner lizard. Santa Rosa is a great place to spot Old Iron still on the road. Unfortunately, a lot of old cars were lost in the recent fires.

Them fires is what I’m talking about. I don’t know exactly what the temperature in my neighborhood hit, but the wheels on the Mercedes melted.

bhill2

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

Does it make me a bad person that I want to look at the purple gremlin for sale?

We're here for you, man. We don't judge.

I even have experience with people like you. My cousin had one. Color of Welch’s grape juice. Black vinyl interior. El strippo. He loved it and drove it with pride. Still, 30 years later he is an upstanding member of the community.

fintail

Are you going to replace the old dear?

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

Spotted 2 P38 style Range Rovers beside each other in traffic today - the odds of one of these running and driving seems to be tiny these days to begin with, two in the same place is even better. Yesterday at work there was a late 80s/early 90s Range Rover classic style in the workplace parking garage.

That was the national Range Rovers Club annual tour of all working vehicles.

Mr_Shiftright

bhill2 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Don't exaggerate. I think it was only 107. I love hot weather. This is my inner lizard. Santa Rosa is a great place to spot Old Iron still on the road. Unfortunately, a lot of old cars were lost in the recent fires.

Them fires is what I’m talking about. I don’t know exactly what the temperature in my neighborhood hit, but the wheels on the Mercedes melted.

Oh I missed that reference, sorry. Yep, the heat from those fires was unbelievable. I've seen entire cars that don't even look like cars anymore.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Well it might handle better

Whaddaya mean, "might"?

A Sumo wrestler on his first pair of ice skates?

fintail

Saw a Fisker Karma in traffic today, and a few cars behind it, a late model no-grille Model S. I can tell you which one is a more striking design.

bhill2

fintail said:

Are you going to replace the old dear?

It wouldn’t be the same, I’m afraid. We bought that car with 60K miles on it in 1991 (instead of a new something else) because it had been sold and serviced by the local dealer, and because they knew the car (it was immaculate) they offered a 2-year warrantee as well as complete service records. We figured it had plenty of good miles left in it. 200K+ miles later our faith had been fully vindicated. It had taken us on trips everywhere and been my wife’s daily driver when she was commuting great distances on crowded roads. It had done journeyman duty as getter of groceries and other household maintenance supplies, including things that a Mercedes should not have had to carry (we brought a toilet home in it one time). And a great drive through all of it. All told, it is the car that taught us the wisdom of “just shut up and pay the extra money”. Too many memories to replace. Sweet Jesus it was a great car.

fintail

Sad to read that. You had the car a long time and obviously bonded with it. Did you lose a house there too, or just store the cars? I can't recall where you live. Will insurance give a reasonable price for it? Nice old 126s aren't worthless, but they aren't worth a fortune either, and I can see an insurance company giving $500 for it. I feel the same way about my old car, lots of memories in it, and as long as I keep up with some maintenance, it rewards me.

The W126 was probably the pinnacle of MB sedans in comparison to the market, they were just that good, and ahead of their time. A 10+ year production history from a company not known to lag behind speaks for itself. If you want another, good ones are out there with some searching, but I understand it won't be the same.

bhill2 said:

It wouldn’t be the same, I’m afraid. We bought that car with 60K miles on it in 1991 (instead of a new something else) because it had been sold and serviced by the local dealer, and because they knew the car (it was immaculate) they offered a 2-year warrantee as well as complete service records. We figured it had plenty of good miles left in it. 200K+ miles later our faith had been fully vindicated. It had taken us on trips everywhere and been my wife’s daily driver when she was commuting great distances on crowded roads. It had done journeyman duty as getter of groceries and other household maintenance supplies, including things that a Mercedes should not have had to carry (we brought a toilet home in it one time). And a great drive through all of it. All told, it is the car that taught us the wisdom of “just shut up and pay the extra money”. Too many memories to replace. Sweet Jesus it was a great car.

PF_Flyer

Here ya go. One from "the box" Date on the photo is August 1962. Mom & Dad in front of our 1960 Chevy, but y'all can have some ID fun with this

fintail

I'll pick off the Dauphine at far L, and leave the easy ones for others

PF_Flyer

And working on your own car in the Bronx in the 40's was dirty work

berri

I like the 61 Chevy 4dr HT

fintail

39 Chevy?

Mr_Shiftright

PF_Flyer said:

And working on your own car in the Bronx in the 40's was dirty work

That car looks like a late 30s model. I guess it ran over him?

PF_Flyer

How about a mystery game? There's been an accident in Vintageville (East Paterson, NJ) and an intrepid cub reporter (Dad) went out to help the police fill out their reports

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

PF_Flyer said:

And working on your own car in the Bronx in the 40's was dirty work

That car looks like a late 30s model. I guess it ran over him?

Like the license plate says, Keep 'Em Flying ::)

fintail

Looks like a 46-48 Plymouth woody met up with a 57 Ford sedan delivery - both quite rare cars now.

PF_Flyer

Looks like the woody was cutting the corner to make left as the Ford was making the right. This was right in front of the apartment we lived in. Nothing tricky about the intersection. Of course, if this had been two modern cars, there would have been many more pieces lying on the ground

PF_Flyer

berri said:

I like the 61 Chevy 4dr HT

I'm not sure what that is parked behind our car. Looks kinda importish, but it feels like that might have been pretty rare in our neighborhood, although we did have a family friend who drove a Peugeot

fintail

Even at those speeds, the drivers of both cars probably hit the steering wheels with some force.

Car behind the 60 Chevy is a Renault Dauphine.

PF_Flyer

I kind of like that

ab348

The Dauphine was sort of cute looking, but was the very definition of a tin can on wheels. Not a car you'd want to be in during a crash.

Mr_Shiftright

Nor a VW for that matter. Nor most foreign cars in the early 1960s.

stickguy

fintail said:

I'll pick off the Dauphine at far L, and leave the easy ones for others

well, to me, that was the easy one!

fintail

Another fun pic from the MB Museum, appropriate for recent weather in so many places:

xwesx

Wow! Does that rig have 4WD? That trailer would be one helluvan anchor in snow like that.

bhill2

fintail said:

Sad to read that. You had the car a long time and obviously bonded with it. Did you lose a house there too, or just store the cars? I can't recall where you live. Will insurance give a reasonable price for it? Nice old 126s aren't worthless, but they aren't worth a fortune either, and I can see an insurance company giving $500 for it. I feel the same way about my old car, lots of memories in it, and as long as I keep up with some maintenance, it rewards me. The W126 was probably the pinnacle of MB sedans in comparison to the market, they were just that good, and ahead of their time. A 10+ year production history from a company not known to lag behind speaks for itself. If you want another, good ones are out there with some searching, but I understand it won't be the same.

It wouldn’t be the same, I’m afraid. We bought that car with 60K miles on it in 1991 (instead of a new something else) because it had been sold and serviced by the local dealer, and because they knew the car (it was immaculate) they offered a 2-year warrantee as well as complete service records. We figured it had plenty of good miles left in it. 200K+ miles later our faith had been fully vindicated. It had taken us on trips everywhere and been my wife’s daily driver when she was commuting great distances on crowded roads. It had done journeyman duty as getter of groceries and other household maintenance supplies, including things that a Mercedes should not have had to carry (we brought a toilet home in it one time). And a great drive through all of it. All told, it is the car that taught us the wisdom of “just shut up and pay the extra money”. Too many memories to replace. Sweet Jesus it was a great car.

Yes, all that was left of the house was the foundation with lots of unrecognizable rubble on it. I can’t complain too much about the settlement on the Mercedes. After showing some recent service records they gave us $2800. It was, of course, not an offer I would have taken before the fire but fate dealt the cards on this one. 

uplanderguy

I always heard from older guys that Dauphines were real cr*p cars, mechanically.

fintail

Oh no way, no AWD on a MB passenger car until the late 80s. I think the pic might be optimistic- the moving wipers and blurriness give the impression of motion, but we can't see how it is moving. On the other hand, it could have spiked tires or chains to help a bit, and the plate appears to be from the Swiss canton of Vaud, so they know how to drive in the snow.

The cars are actually very balanced and not bad in the snow, and competed well in winter rallies. I've had mine out a few times, but never pulling a trailer.

xwesx said:

Wow! Does that rig have 4WD? That trailer would be one helluvan anchor in snow like that.

fintail

Was that your primary house? I am sorry for your loss, and hope that you escaped with some heirloom items, and that insurance can make it all right. I suppose even with Hagerty or similar, the car probably would have been insured for maybe 5K at the most, so they didn't lowball you too much. I insure my car with them for just that reason, I know they'd handle it properly if something happened, and I don't trust a mainstream carrier to do likewise.

bhill2 said:

Yes, all that was left of the house was the foundation with lots of unrecognizable rubble on it. I can’t complain too much about the settlement on the Mercedes. After showing some recent service records they gave us $2800. It was, of course, not an offer I would have taken before the fire but fate dealt the cards on this one. 

bhill2

fintail said:

Was that your primary house? I am sorry for your loss, and hope that you escaped with some heirloom items, and that insurance can make it all right. I suppose even with Hagerty or similar, the car probably would have been insured for maybe 5K at the most, so they didn't lowball you too much. I insure my car with them for just that reason, I know they'd handle it properly if something happened, and I don't trust a mainstream carrier to do likewise.

bhill2 said:

Yes, all that was left of the house was the foundation with lots of unrecognizable rubble on it. I can’t complain too much about the settlement on the Mercedes. After showing some recent service records they gave us $2800. It was, of course, not an offer I would have taken before the fire but fate dealt the cards on this one. 

Yes, I fear that our financial stratum limited us to one house, but it looks like the insurance will be sufficient to rebuild. The number of saved heirlooms are a little thin on the ground, but all of the living members of the family made it out. Thank you for your sympathetic wishes. In retrospect, we might have been better off going with Hagerty or such for the insurance. It never occurred to me to do so because we worked the car like a rented donkey all the way up to its untimely incineration. If I ever get a classic again I will probably consider Hagerty.

explorerx4

A black Crossfire and a silver Saab 9000(looked like it was in nice shape).

Mr_Shiftright

uplanderguy said:

I always heard from older guys that Dauphines were real cr*p cars, mechanically.

They were cheaply made but they ran quite well. In terms of performance, braking, comfort, MPG and utility they were quite a bit better than a VW, and for a short time, even outsold the Beetle in the U.S. The Dauphine's downfall was lousy parts and service, but they were good little cars--even if rather tinny and plasticky.

fintail

In the insane place where I live, I have no chance to buy a detached house anywhere near where I work, so don't feel bad about that I hope you get some solace when the settlements are in, and that the car was the dearest thing you lost. Will you seek another old car, even if not a another 126? I try not to think about things like that, but if something happened to the fintail, I don't know if I'd get another - I'd constantly be comparing to the original, and that wouldn't be fun.

Hagerty has some restrictions - garaged, not a daily driver, I think a mileage limit, but they are easy to work with, being an agreed value system.. When I applied for my car, many years ago, I simply sent in a few detailed pics and what I thought the car was worth. If they agree, they issue the policy. The rates are quite low. My mainstream provider (Farmers) wanted a written appraisal, just too much expense and hassle for what likely will not be a better rate.

bhill2 said:

Yes, I fear that our financial stratum limited us to one house, but it looks like the insurance will be sufficient to rebuild. The number of saved heirlooms are a little thin on the ground, but all of the living members of the family made it out. Thank you for your sympathetic wishes. In retrospect, we might have been better off going with Hagerty or such for the insurance. It never occurred to me to do so because we worked the car like a rented donkey all the way up to its untimely incineration. If I ever get a classic again I will probably consider Hagerty.

bhill2

Mr_Shiftright said:

uplanderguy said:

I always heard from older guys that Dauphines were real cr*p cars, mechanically.

They were cheaply made but they ran quite well. In terms of performance, braking, comfort, MPG and utility they were quite a bit better than a VW, and for a short time, even outsold the Beetle in the U.S. The Dauphine's downfall was lousy parts and service, but they were good little cars--even if rather tinny and plasticky.

The parents of my childhood best friend briefly had one of those, until the father managed to peel the teeth off of one of the gears like the rind off an orange. I always thought that the Dauphine was just not geared (pun intended) for the “jam and pop” shifting methods and the “change the oil once a year on its birthday” maintenance attitude of US drivers.

Mr_Shiftright

Well, that's true enough. American drivers of that time were used to engines built like wood stoves and truck-like transmissions. The Dauphine really was a "feminine" car, from the dainty gear shift to the little wheels. It's like something Barbie would drive.

I think it took a while for European and Japanese manufacturers to engineer their cars to American conditions. VW eventually came out with the Rabbit, Volvo got rid of the weak B16 engine and gave us the B18/20, and the Japanese produced the first Accords.

I don't think the British ever got the message--their products struggled well into the 90s, and the French just gave up. The Italians soldiered on in the USA, but poor Alfa, which was a pretty decent car, suffered under the reputation of their parent Fiat.

uplanderguy

The Rabbit looked good on paper, but where I live, there were considered throwaway cars, despite the VW heritage which made people expect more.

jwm40517

A 59 or 60 Chevy 2dr HT with the flat roof arrived by trailer recently to a house a couple of blocks away. Not bad looking , but a project condition.

Mr_Shiftright

uplanderguy said:

The Rabbit looked good on paper, but where I live, there were considered throwaway cars, despite the VW heritage which made people expect more.

I think it was the GTI version that got people's attention. That was a fun car!

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

uplanderguy said:

The Rabbit looked good on paper, but where I live, there were considered throwaway cars, despite the VW heritage which made people expect more.

I think it was the GTI version that got people's attention. That was a fun car!

In the late '70s, Consumer Reports named the VW Rabbit, the best overall vehicle available. They were very, very popular. Similar to the Accord, dealers asked over MSRP. Of course, those that actually bought one turned out to be very, very sorry (generally). And, that's saying something, because cars generally sucked in the late '70s.

fintail

Car shopping must have been fun in the late 70s. 40 years ago, 1978. What would I buy? If I had money, a W123 300D would probably be the sanest choice. If I had normal means, maybe an Accord or Cressida (or offbeat choice, 810) or downsized GM full sizer. A T-tops T-Bird would be tempting, but I suspect I wouldn't like the drive. A well kept 60s car would work too, a MB W108 was probably as modern as most new cars.

roadburner

1978? If I had the means a 911 or 528i. A 280Z wouldn't be bad either. The Z28 Camaro handled surprisingly well, I'd possibly check that out.

Mr_Shiftright

Yes, a Porsche SC series. 280Z was a porker IMO. Camaro might have been okay back then. Alfa Spider 2000 would have worked for me.