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

omarman

I didn't see that one but I remember the earlier TV movie with Susan Dey locked up at a "school" for troubled girls.

ab348

I had no idea that British coppers used Austin 1100s. Hopefully they weren't in pursuit duty. This pic is from 1967.

uplanderguy

We saw "Green Book" today in the theater. It is getting a second wind in the theaters after its Oscar nomination. I enjoyed it more than any movie I've seen in probably a couple years. Takes place in 1962, "inspired by a true friendship", and full of old cars. The main characters drive from NYC to the deep south in a 1962 Cadillac four-window sedan.

Here's the trailer--note the house from "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" at ten seconds in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZxoko_HC0

stickguy

was that good? We considered seeing a movie today but didn't end up going. If we had it would have been that one.

fintail

Saw a red on white (top and interior, I believe) early 90s Mustang GT convertible, maybe ~70 International pickup, 67 Mustang.

uplanderguy

was that good? We considered seeing a movie today but didn't end up going. If we had it would have been that one.

I'm a fussy movie goer. Most previews even give me a headache. Hate "action" flicks. But I haven't enjoyed a movie as much in a couple or three years probably. It had everything I like in a movie--'60's period, old cars, music, the Kennedy era, good story, based on a real story, etc.

A smallish section of the movie dealt with an event that was supposed to be in Raleigh, NC, but the scene was definitely Houmas House near New Orleans, where my favorite movie, "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" was filmed. That was a pleasant surprise to me in this film.

uplanderguy

Pardon if posted before, but I just saw it yesterday for the first time. 1961 Auto Show in Detroit in color (mistakenly-labelled "1962"). I wish I could step right into that picture. Let's see, I would've been not-quite-three and comfortably living in our old house in manufacturing-busy little Greenville, with grandparents, cousins, and aunts also nearby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps5uS0ZmVdk

stickguy

The models certainly dressed different back then.

uplanderguy

I'll still never understand '61 Comet taillights, LOL.

I read not terribly-long ago that they were '60 Edsel taillights, just canted, and I can see that.

berri

That's correct. originally, the Comet was supposed to be an Edsel, not a Mercury.

imidazol97

berri said:

That's correct. originally, the Comet was supposed to be an Edsel, not a Mercury.

I had never heard that before. 

explorerx4

The film even made the Rambler American look a little bit special(in a good way).

uplanderguy

I believe that American was a one-off/showcar. Pretty sure Ramblers weren't using white interiors then.

But I thought that too when I saw it.

berri

The intent at Ford was to make Edsel a full line competitor to better compete with Pontiac and Olds, then move Mercury upscale to compete with Buick and Chrysler.

explorerx4

So you want to buy a car from CCC Wayne? Come on, man.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ford/gran-torino/2134091.html

berri

Starsky and Hutch. I liked the 72 Torino fastback better myself.

Mr_Shiftright

I hope they put brakes on that thing.

stickguy

I hate the hood, but at least it is on there for a reason! Interior is bland. Pet peeve though, I can't stand that style Ford steering wheel with the droopy spokes.

but that sucker must be fast. Too much motor for the chassis most likely though.

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe it already has some big fat Wilwood discs all around? Could use modern suspension as well. Coil-overs, rack and pinion, adjustable A arms, the whole enchilada front and rear.

texases

"Maybe it already has some big fat Wilwood discs all around? Could use modern suspension as well. Coil-overs, rack and pinion, adjustable A arms, the whole enchilada front and rear. "

Looks like stock disc/drums...

ab348

Can’t do the slide across that hood. Doesn’t strike me as something Carini would normally bother with.

Mr_Shiftright

Scary.

andre1969

berri said:

The intent at Ford was to make Edsel a full line competitor to better compete with Pontiac and Olds, then move Mercury upscale to compete with Buick and Chrysler.

Yep...Mercury had been really more of a Dodge and Pontiac competitor, from its inception in 1939 through 1956. And, Mercury really didn't start to take off until the 1949 models were introduced. Still, there was a huge gap between a top of the line Mercury and a Lincoln.

For 1957, they moved Mercury upscale, to where it competed more with DeSoto, Olds, Chrysler, and Buick. By that time though, there was getting to be a lot of overlap in the market, in general though. At Mopar, Dodges started getting nicer, while DeSoto started creeping downmarket a bit. Chrysler also started a bit of downward creep. With GM, the Buick Special actually uncut the cheapest Olds 88 in price, while the the Roadmaster was pretty close to Cadillac territory. By '58, when the Limited came out, it reached even higher.

For '58, Mercury reached higher too, with the Park Lane. When Edsel came in, the cheaper Ranger/Pacer series were more in range with Pontiacs and Dodges, but the Corsair/Citation, which were Mercury-based, were a bit up there in price.

All these product moves had been planned a couple years before, where it seemed like the middle priced car field was a new market just waiting to explode, and the prosperity would go on forever. But by '57, as the market got more crowded, it shrank. Among mid-priced brands, I think only DeSoto and Dodge actually saw increases in sales that year. Chrysler was off, just a bit. Pontiac, Olds, and Buick were off. And the more upscale '57 Mercury didn't sell as well as the '56 had.

Then, in '58, it all came crashing down, and the mid priced market was hit extra hard. I believe the only domestic brand to see sales increase for '58, over '57, was Rambler. Had Edsel stuck around, it would have made sense to issue the Comet under that brand, but since they decided to phase Edsel out for 1960, Mercury got it instead. And, for 1961, the big Mercurys themselves moved back down to the Ford platform, and took their place again, as more of a competitor to Pontiac or Dodge. Although, to be fair, by that time, cars like the Buick LeSabre, Chrysler Newport, and whatever the cheapest Olds 88 was (they kept switching up names, so I lose track!) had moved downmarket as well, into territory that, a few years earlier, would have been Dodge or Pontiac range.

berri

I believe there was also a lot of debate about how far GM should go up the model change with compacts. Foreign cars showed there was some demand, but on the flip side there was concern that a cheaper compact might dilute the brand, Had to be a lot of analysis before GM included Buick in the 61 compact debut. Chrysler took a pass, deciding instead to put a slightly higher priced Dodge Lancer over the Valiant. The Valiant initially had no stated brand when it came out in 60, but was pretty much considered a Plymouth, and formally became one in 61. The 61 upscale GM compacts upsized within a short couple of years after their debut, while Chevy inserted the Chevy II and then the Malibu. During the early 60's Ford seemed maybe a bit more focused on the potential in the Intermediate size market bringing the in between sized Fairlane and its Mercury sibling to market in 62. But the compact (and very traditional) Falcon sold well and provided the basic underneath platform for the Mustang. History states that the downsized 62 Plymouth and Dodge was the result of rumors Chevy was downsizing the Impala. Sometimes I wonder though whether the Ford Fairlane Intermediate was part of the Chrysler corporate decision. Interesting stuff.

andre1969

Had the brand name stuck around, there were plans for a shrunken '62 DeSoto, as well. From what I've seen of the prototype though, perhaps it's a good thing the brand died when it did.

But then, who knows? I think Chrysler division was initially planning a shrunken '62 as well, but then backed off at the last minute. So, perhaps the same would have happened for DeSoto? I've also heard that Mopar had briefly considered offering a '62 DeSoto that would be a clone of the Newport. From what I've read, it would literally be just a Newport, with DeSoto badging and emblems. Not even a different grille, taillights, or other easy-swap items, just badging!


As for the Fairlane/Meteor, I think they might have had some influence, but the decision to shrink the Plymouths and Dodges was probably more a result of rumors of GM doing the same. When the Fairlane/Meteor first came out, they were pretty much bargain-basement cars...6-cyl and small V-8, no hardtops or convertibles, etc. With the shrunken '62 Plymouth and Dodge, Mopar put more effort into offering a full lineup that included hardtops and convertibles, and a wide array of engines on up to the big-blocks.

andre1969

Hmm, this is kinda interesting...I found some stuff online about Motortrend's forecast for the compact Mopars for '61. They were under the impression that Mopar was actually going to try and keep some sort of hierarchy going on, with the Dodge version on a 111" wheelbase, and the DeSoto version on a 114" wheelbase, which in my opinion is pushing the limits of "compact". For reference, the Valiant, and '61 Lancer as it was released, were something like 106.3".

Anyway, here's what they thought the DeSoto would look like...

I doubt the finished product would have looked nearly so nice, but I think the sketch is actually pretty attractive. The name, however, might have been a bit offputting... "Adventuress"

Here's the site I found the pic at. Lots of cool old prototype sketches and photos...
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=29648&posts=182&mid=266168&highlight=&highlightmode=1&action=search

berri

IIRC the pictures of the Mopar clay models you see in some places were prototypes for the original full size vehicles that were then suddenly ordered chopped down by corporate leadership. The original longer chassis may have made those lines a little less extreme looking, but they still would have certainly stuck out. Gotta wonder how sales would have been if the 62's had stayed competitively sized. I suspect still noticeably down, but Mopar loyalists may not have fled as much. Personally, I didn't mind the greenhouses, but the body lines were definitely different.

imidazol97

That greenhouse on the DeSoto sketch looks a lot like the Valiant greenhouse.

berri

I've seen a clay in a book about car designers that showed the prototype for the 62 DeSoto more like the Dodge and Plymouth, but with canted headlights. It was perhaps the weirdest of the three to me at least. One view also experimented with oddly different taillights on the left and right sides of the back. But I'm guessing there were likely several different prototypes and clays. It would have been interesting if Chrysler brought out the DeSoto as an Intermediate. if so, I wonder if it would have also had a larger companion model. But several years of continued declining sales probably killed off the DeSoto name anyway like it did with Edsel.

stickguy

not real old, but odd and not very common. A Saturn Skye turbo (yellow), and a white Acura ZDX. Goofy looking thing, and haven't seen one in ages.

andre1969

Not exactly an obscure car, but showcased in the opening credits of an obscure tv show...anyone want to take a guess?


The dialogue in the show made me think of Uplanderguy. After getting tired of hearing his wife going on about an annoying relative saying this and saying that, he finally says "Charlotte says, Charlotte says...you know what I say? Hush-hush, Sweet Charlotte!"

sda

A red 59 Impala convertible with a white top, good driver condition driving 60 on a state road. Looked pretty good.

uplanderguy

LOL, andre! The car's a '72 Impala, but I have no idea of the show.

andre1969

I'll give away the show in a bit, in case anyone else wants to take a bet. Oddly though, the show was shot indoors, in front of a live audience, although the opening credits give the illusion that it was going to be a mixture of indoor and outdoor sets, like the old Columbia/Screen Gems/Warner Bros Ranch tv shows, or Leave it to Beaver and such. It only lasted one year, and while I haven't seen all of the episodes yet, it doesn't look like they feature the Impala (or any car for that matter), anywhere in the actual show.

It just really caught my eye, because it's "Sequoia" green, the same color as the '72 4-door hardtop my grandparents used to have.

Oh, on the obscure front, I spotted this out in the parking lot today. A bit odd to see it, as we've had bad weather lately, and the roads are covered in salt and grime...

Mr_Shiftright

Those V-8 SLs seem to be actually dropping in value---down 5% from a year ago, say the auctions, and 7% the year before.

fintail

I assume a 450SL maybe 380SL, Euro headlights US bumpers, period correct aftermarket Centra wheels. Like Shifty says, no real value upside to these, might as well drive it. Tape on the top might say something too. Only the best of the best have decent prices, and even those aren't insanely expensive.

Mr_Shiftright

These are great "boulevardiers"--perfect for daily drivers in milder weather.

fintail

Lots of style for the money, you'll still turn heads with the top down, and people will assume it is worth a lot more than in reality.

texases

re: Dropping SL prices, I guess the "Dallas" fans are dying off...

Mr_Shiftright

All except the 280SL--those just won't quit.

andre1969

texases said:

re: Dropping SL prices, I guess the "Dallas" fans are dying off...

Funny, I always think of "Dallas" as well whenever I see one of these! This one was a 380.

One of my co-workers bought a 450 back, oh, around 2000 or so, for his wife I think it was a 1974? I remember he paid around $15K or so for it. He was bad with money though. He had bought some 1982 Corvette special edition, that he paid around $18K for. Had to put a little money into it, but then decided he didn't like it. He got $12K in trade when he swapped for the Benz. So, effectively, I guess you could say that Benz cost him around $21K!

From what I can recall, he had the Benz a few years, but then had some issues with it, and sold it for around $7K. I believe the transmission went out soon after that.

omarman

That '72 Impala pic might be from the Paul Lynde show in the 70s.
I remember a particularly funny character he played on an old episode Bewitched as a driving instructor. Later he played Uncle Arthur too.

andre1969

Bingo!! That's it...The Paul Lynde show! I had actually never heard of it, until I was flipping through the channels one Saturday night and noticed Antenna TV was showing it. I always thought he was pretty funny, so I gave it a try. I'd call it "stupid, but funny"

Interestingly, according to the IMDB at least, Paul Lynde was only in 11 episodes of "Bewitched". First, as that driving instructor, and then ten times as Uncle Arthur. I thought he had been in more, but I guess that just shows he was pretty memorable!

kyfdx

I would have guessed a lot more appearances, as well. I loved that show, when I was a kid. Thursday nights.

explorerx4

On the way home from work, a blue Trailblazer SS, black Dodge Stealth convertible with the top down.
Phil's prediction looking good so far.

berri

Uncle Arthur with Samantha

bhill2

kyfdx said:

I would have guessed a lot more appearances, as well. I loved that show, when I was a kid. Thursday nights.

I enjoyed that show too. Very light-hearted and amusing. I have one frozen memory of it. The set-up was that Aunt Clara (Marion Lorne) had met a warlock the same age (Charles Ruggles) and was smitten. She recruited Samantha to accompany her on dates and stay in the shadows to backstop her failing magic skills. Near the end of the episode it is revealed that her suitor had done the same thing with one of his younger relatives. The two youngsters depart, leaving Marion and Charles to play the scene of two embarrassed people discussing the travails of their diminishing skills. They took the opportunity to exercise their acting chops. That was TV magic.

uplanderguy

I liked that show too. I think "I Dream of Jeannie" was a cheap imitation of it.

Elizabeth Montgomery was beautiful.

I'd have thought that Paul Lynde was in the show more than that, too. Supposedly he was a mean drunk in person but he was funny, even though, really, looking back, he had just pretty-much one shtick!

They always implied that Sam's father and Endora were divorced, which was unusual then!

I liked Dick York, the first Darrin, better. Even my Mom used to say about the second Darrin, "...he doesn't get mad enough like the other Darrin", LOL.

And of course, at the time, I loved all the Chevys on the show and the 'teaser' ads before new-car introduction day.

kyfdx

I like Paul Lynde as the center square..

Darrin #1 was definitely superior

omarman

Last weekend I saw Maurice Evans playing a con man on a Mod Squad marathon. He was the perfect foil for Endora and always the hero to daddy's girl Samantha. And everybody went ape over Dr. Zaius.