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

benjaminh

Mr_Shiftright

Some say the prettiest car that Ford ever made. Belongs to an old guy too sick to drive anymore.

fintail

Quite the color on that Citroen, I assume that's an early 50s model.

Cars like that 39 Ford may retain value better than early postwar models due to their styling.

Mr_Shiftright

Most of them have been hot-rodded. It's getting harder and harder to find a stock '39 Ford coupe or sedan.

benjaminh

Evansville, Indiana....

ab348

Some amazing footage of the 1955 Belgian GP at Spa. Note the various road cars in the background of some of the scenes, including a large American convertible (Packard or Buick?) at one point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpj90K3g_M

uplanderguy

I loved the Monza 2+2 when it came out. Our dealer did not get one until Feb. '75. They seemed to trickle out at first. As it ended up, two school friends of mine got V8 versions new that year. I liked the sound that V8 made in a car that size--most other cars that size sounded like sewing machines.

That said, both cars wore out their Firestone 500's prematurely, as well as front brakes. I believe the brake problem was solved for '76. Both cars also tended to lose their stylish factory wheelcovers. I believe that too was fixed for '76. The '75 interior styling is more pure IMHO though.

uplanderguy

The DeSoto looks great, andre! Thanks for posting!

uplanderguy

I agree with Shifty on the 5/50/500 thing. I've always tried to do that too.

Today I was planning on driving my Studebaker to a memorial service for a fellow from our Ohio Studebaker Club. His family asked for Studebakers to attend. Until this morning I was planning on it, but there's a chance of a thundershower this afternoon, plus the 'real feel' temp today is supposed to be 97 and I'd rather not drive 30 miles one-way and arrive wringing wet at a memorial service. On top of that, it would be the first trip of this distance since I noticed it seeping a little coolant after the replacement intake manifold was put on (by a friend of mine, sigh). Oil continues to look clean and not over-full, but I am aware of course that things like this tend to not fix themselves.

fintail

Cool video, I notice quite a few MB Pontons too, those were still quite new. To think, that was just a decade after the end of the war.

I think large convertible is a 46-48 Buick.

ab348 said:

Some amazing footage of the 1955 Belgian GP at Spa. Note the various road cars in the background of some of the scenes, including a large American convertible (Packard or Buick?) at one point.

andre1969

While it's on my mind, here's a few more pics from when I picked my DeSoto up the other day. These first two are of it sitting at the shop, waiting for me to pick up...




It's funny how camera angles and perspective and such can throw things off. In these pics, my DeSoto looks pretty dainty, but in real life it's noticeably bigger than that '60 Dodge Matador and especially the '58 Plymouth.

Here's my first view, looking out the windshield...


And here's a close-up with "Christine"...


Oh, and you gotta love the irony of this last one...this is what the guy from the shop, who came out to gas me up, was driving. I'm sure the treehuggers would love this...

sda

uplanderguy said:

I loved the Monza 2+2 when it came out. Our dealer did not get one until Feb. '75. They seemed to trickle out at first. As it ended up, two school friends of mine got V8 versions new that year. I liked the sound that V8 made in a car that size--most other cars that size sounded like sewing machines.

That said, both cars wore out their Firestone 500's prematurely, as well as front brakes. I believe the brake problem was solved for '76. Both cars also tended to lose their stylish factory wheelcovers. I believe that too was fixed for '76. The '75 interior styling is more pure IMHO though.

I liked those too. The V8 was a tight fit and required much effort to change spark plugs. I thought the Olds Starfire SX and Buick Skyhawk (same body as the Monza) looked good and were probably better balanced with the 231 V6 than the Monza with the 262 V8. They all were around 110hp, though the V8 had greater torque and that V8 sound. The dash board in the '75 looked better with a better gauge layout, though some of the contols and vent placement were Vega carryover. The '76 tried to make it look more upscale with faux wood, etc. I don't think it was an improvement. My '76 Sunbird V6 with 5sp, ps, pb, ac that I drove while I was going to college served me well, but liked to eat clutches every 30k or so. With the exception of the Sunbird, I've never had to replace a clutch.

andre1969

I always thought the Sunbird was a sexy little car. I also like how Pontiac used the same front-end for the notchback and hatchback...although the wagon never escaped that Vega/Astre look. I never cared for the front-end of the notchback Monza. It made me think of a scaled-down Laguna S-3. Maybe that's what they were going for, but I just didn't think it fit all that well.

But, maybe the Monza hatchback's front-end was a bit too "racy" for the notchback, and wouldn't have worked on it? The Sunbird front-end seemed just right, for both styles.

kyfdx

My '77 Cobra II would eat Monzas and Starfires for lunch!!

explorerx4

A nice looking red Honda S2000.
Also a modified original Mini. Had 4 inch fender flares and a wheel/tire combo the reminded me of little kegs.

kyfdx

kyfdx

‘93 Skyline (not GT-R)

berri

Andre, I think that is Christine parked by your DeSoto!

omarman

Oh, and you gotta love the irony of this last one...this is what the guy from the shop, who came out to gas me up, was driving. I'm sure the treehuggers would love this...

Well the treehugger cars can't do things like this.

explorerx4

@omarman,
Is your job looking up old social media/tweets on people?

andre1969

explorerx4 said:

@omarman,
Is your job looking up old social media/tweets on people?

Did they even have the Twitter yet back when I took that pic?

fintail

I see those early Prius on the road here now and then, I suspect they have had battery refurbishment by now.

omarman

On that forum page I posted a link to an ebay sale for this 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 #184 with a $185k asking price. ( even with NOM engine and other mods.) The old ebay link which I posted is long gone but the BAT page is still up and includes comments by the seller at that time.

There was a discussion/debate on BAT regarding the "driver" status of any $100K plus collector car. In the original ebay ad the Shelby was wearing current Wisconsin plates and the seller pointed out that he did tag and drive this and other collector cars he had owned.

When I was 12 I had a neighbor across the street with the same restore+drive philosophy about his turn of the century antiques. One of his cars is now in the Leno collection - another guy who can afford to drive what he restores!

And just like then, it's still been a long time since I've seen a real Shelby GT cruising around Orange Barrel Metro Columbus.

It's good to see the '57 DeSoto is still getting driven but I doubt that the so-called "Real Deal Driver" Shelby GT350 #184 is tagged and driven in 2018.

RE: twitter
I have a few questions and no answers about that social media outlet. Why do people tweet after committing crimes against law and humanity? (Same for FB and other users.) Why do people take ambien and tweet instead of sleep? Why does twitter need to add twice the number of characters for a tweet?

jpp75

@andre1969 Andre, great to see you finally got the DeSoto back, great looking car!!

thebean

omarman said:

RE: twitter
I have a few questions and no answers about that social media outlet. Why do people tweet after committing crimes against law and humanity? (Same for FB and other users.) Why do people take ambien and tweet instead of sleep? Why does twitter need to add twice the number of characters for a tweet?

Those are easy. 1) They're stupid (the police pretty much always catch the dumb ones. 2) They're both stupid and egotistical. 3) They don't. Just more space for the stupid and egotistical to demonstrate those exact traits.

fintail

Twitter is either the worst invention of the century - as it gives idiots a mouthpiece, or the best - as it lets people exhibit for all to view what they are really about.

omarman said:

RE: twitter
I have a few questions and no answers about that social media outlet. Why do people tweet after committing crimes against law and humanity? (Same for FB and other users.) Why do people take ambien and tweet instead of sleep? Why does twitter need to add twice the number of characters for a tweet?

uplanderguy

andre1969 said:I always thought the Sunbird was a sexy little car. I also like how Pontiac used the same front-end for the notchback and hatchback...although the wagon never escaped that Vega/Astre look. I never cared for the front-end of the notchback Monza. It made me think of a scaled-down Laguna S-3. Maybe that's what they were going for, but I just didn't think it fit all that well.

But, maybe the Monza hatchback's front-end was a bit too "racy" for the notchback, and wouldn't have worked on it? The Sunbird front-end seemed just right, for both styles.


You could optionally get the sloped 2+2 front end on the Towne Coupe in '77 or '78. I can remember a new one at our dealer which showed up at an apartment only half-a-block from the dealership, Guy traded in a dark green '74 or '75 Vega Panel Express on it.

Kind of goofy-looking.

andre1969

uplanderguy said:

You could optionally get the sloped 2+2 front end on the Towne Coupe in '77 or '78. I can remember a new one at our dealer which showed up at an apartment only half-a-block from the dealership, Guy traded in a dark green '74 or '75 Vega Panel Express on it.

Kind of goofy-looking.

I just found a pic online of one, and yeah, I agree, they do seem a little off, somehow...



Still, I kinda like it, in a goofy sort of way. But yeah, it definitely looks better on the hatchback.

berri

Twitter
When I was younger it seems to my recollection that "Twit" was slang for an annoying simpleton. Surprised me that something with this name would have taken off. For me, the whole thing is just a "WC" as in Who Cares.

fintail

Or a WC as in Water Closet.

sda

andre1969 said:

uplanderguy said:

You could optionally get the sloped 2+2 front end on the Towne Coupe in '77 or '78. I can remember a new one at our dealer which showed up at an apartment only half-a-block from the dealership, Guy traded in a dark green '74 or '75 Vega Panel Express on it.

Kind of goofy-looking.

I just found a pic online of one, and yeah, I agree, they do seem a little off, somehow...



Still, I kinda like it, in a goofy sort of way. But yeah, it definitely looks better on the hatchback.

I thought I've seen every H-body offering, but never this one. Seems a bit front heavy with that nose. I was actually looking for a nicely equipped Monza, Starfire, Skyhawk, V8 or V6 with a/c, 4 or 5sp when I found the Sunbird I bought. It was 2 yrs old, 9/78 and had 18k. The owners found it too small and traded it for a new Bonneville. I paid $2900 for it at the Pontiac dealer and it was as new. As nicely equipped as the Sunbird was, upgraded interior, wheels, trim, V6, 5sp, a/c ps, pb, tinted glass, it had the basic instrument panel. 80 mph speedometer, gas gauge, idiot lights. I really wanted the full gauge package that included a tach, clock, voltage and temp gauges. I thought I might be able to add the factory package, but it was just too expensive, especially for a money challenged college student.

sda

andre1969 said:

While it's on my mind, here's a few more pics from when I picked my DeSoto up the other day. These first two are of it sitting at the shop, waiting for me to pick up...




It's funny how camera angles and perspective and such can throw things off. In these pics, my DeSoto looks pretty dainty, but in real life it's noticeably bigger than that '60 Dodge Matador and especially the '58 Plymouth.

Here's my first view, looking out the windshield...


And here's a close-up with "Christine"...


Oh, and you gotta love the irony of this last one...this is what the guy from the shop, who came out to gas me up, was driving. I'm sure the treehuggers would love this...

Nice! More detailed pics of the interior, engine, trunk, please!

Mr_Shiftright

It's meant to remind you of the twitter of a little bird, only less intelligent.

omarman

WC? I see that on a lot of wound care supplies.

Spotted a '73ish Dodge Dart at the same intersection on the north side of Columbus where I spotted a Maverick last month. The Dart looked restored, very correct/stock with a smooth V8 rumble as it went past. Again I was riding up front in an ambulance with a good view of traffic.

Just before spotting the Dart I saw a 3rd gen Integra with faded red paint and not looking like a type R.

fintail

Saw a Samurai yesterday and today (different cars), also a Porsche 914 in traffic today.

xwesx

Some sort of Volvo.... I'm sure one of you will pick this thing out in a heartbeat.

Mr_Shiftright

P1800---a cute little two seater of modest power, It has its quirks but it's a very rugged automobile. Definitely could be a daily driver.

stickguy

Ire Gordon certainly thought so.

Mr_Shiftright

Good 'ol Irv! The only really tricky part of a P1800 is rebuilding the overdrive unit---otherwise as straightforward as you could wish.

fintail

Saw a Porsche Speedster in downtown Bellevue traffic today. I suspect this one might be real, as it had late 50s style plates - year of manufacture plates are allowed here on old cars. Might not work on a 72 Beetle conversion, but it might on a 57 Beetle conversion, I suppose.

Mr_Shiftright

Hard to say without lifting the hood or getting under the car. There are some outstanding replicas around.

Pretty risky driving a real Speedster around. Pity the fool who rear ends one and has to cough up 1/2 million bucks.

sda

Mr_Shiftright said:

Good 'ol Irv! The only really tricky part of a P1800 is rebuilding the overdrive unit---otherwise as straightforward as you could wish.

I tried to look Irv up to get a current status. Is he still racking up miles?

roadburner

I always wanted an 1800 ES.

Mr_Shiftright

I would have bought one except for the dreadful sitting position. The base of the window is at your ear.

ab348

Sort of like a new Camaro, then?

fintail

To have those plates, the vehicle must be titled to the same year. I don't know if that can be done with a replica, unless the basis is a same-year VW, I guess.

There's so much money floating around here (some of it less dirty than others), that there's a good probability the car was just an affordable toy to the driver.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Hard to say without lifting the hood or getting under the car. There are some outstanding replicas around.

Pretty risky driving a real Speedster around. Pity the fool who rear ends one and has to cough up 1/2 million bucks.

fintail

Not my pic, someone on another venue saw this today - someone out there has a pristine first generation (I believe this is also a first year car) Tempo:

berri

Looked at the picture and three things popped into my mind; Mercury Topaz (god knows why), Rube Goldberg mousetrap automatic seat belts and rental cars. I have to admit though, like them or not, Ford styling kind of stood out in traffic back in those days until the cars became more numerous on the road.

benjaminh

Saw this today on a bike ride in Indiana....

berri

One of the last Falcon's ?