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I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)
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anyone want to count the number of chicklets in the grille of that Buick?
I want to say the Dodge has full wheelcovers with a 4 fin design - one can kind of see it in the pic. It was pretty tight in there, couldn't get a good profile - you can see the car beside it already encroaching at lower left. Like this:
Neat shots Fin. Like a model car collection blown up to full size! I'm not a huge fan of many 58's, but that Buick wears the light yellow very well. Those forward look Dodge and Desoto vehicles had nice dash's complimenting their exteriors. There are some interesting cars in your last picture post as well. 57 Buick Caberello (spelling?) wagon and those 57 "Hash's" actually were one of a very few models that did have a fair number of Continental kits on them back in the day.
Passed a quartet of TR3s headed north on I-75 this afternoon; they were all extremely clean. My favorite Brit car- next to the Jensen Interceptor...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That '57 Dodge is a really nice looking car, in that color. Fairly rare, too. Only 2462 built, according to my old car book.
Very nice looking Triumph TR6 in my 'hood.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
A buddy in high school bought, from an old lady (she may have been 50) a four door 1957 Dodge. It was gold and white and had the D-500 package.
The guys with their Chevy 327's would make fun of it....until they were foolish enough to do a stop light Grand Prix!
That Dodge was FAST! It could (and often did) lay a patch of rubber a half block long and MY GAWD, did it drink GAS!
Yesterday, I spotted a barn fresh bug eyed Sprite that was driving down the road. It needed a total restoration but I think I would drive it as is.
Now that is a car I wouldn't want to get hit in!
The '57 D500 had three engine choices...a 325 with either 285 or 310 hp, or a 354 Chrysler Hemi with 340 hp (D501, technically). I'd imagine that even with the most basic engine, a D500 was a quick car. My '57 DeSoto just has a 341-2bbl Hemi with 270 hp, and Consumer Reports actually complained about the DeSoto's being too overpowered that year!
Back in college, I waited tables at Denny's. The store manager mentioned that he had a pink and white '57 DeSoto Fireflite 4-door hardtop in college. He paid $500 for it in 1965. It had the 290 hp 4-bbl 341 Hemi. Naturally, people teased him, and he sort of had the trifecta here...a man driving a pink car, towering tailfins (high fashion one year often becomes the butt of jokes a few years later), and an orphan brand. Yet, that car could embarrass plenty of much cooler cars. When you think about it, the car that kicked off the musclecar craze, the '64 GTO, was only good for 0-60 in about 7.8 seconds, with the 389-4bbl and a stick. I'd guess that '57 Fireflite was good for low 9's (I saw a test of a '57 Firedome that put it at around 9.7). So if you had a GTO with an automatic, or weren't that good driving a stick, or even wasted too much time showing off burning rubber, there's a good chance that DeSoto would just dig in and go.
Anyway, he got rid of the DeSoto and upgraded to a '57 Chevy Bel Air convertible. Also pink. With a 283. He said it was a much more socially acceptable car, but wasn't nearly as fast as that DeSoto was.
One thing you have to also remember was that the Chevy (and the GTO) automatic transmissions of that time (mid '60s) were two-speeds. The Dodges and DeSotos had 3-speed Torqueflites. That gave the Mopar drivers a real advantage in stop light drags. In fact, I used to be able to beat a 327 Powerglide Chevy off a stop light with my dad's '64 Rambler (287 V-8 and 3-speed auto). You would have to have been a teenager at the time to appreciate what it did to you to lose to a Rambler.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
I know a guy who bought a retired LAPD Matador at an Police Auction. It was a 401 and it really flew!
You know, I read that somewhere. A major reason that the LAPD chose Matadors was that in the comparison tests used to choose the new cars, it essentially walked away from everything else there.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Yeah, the 3-speed Torqueflite definitely had an advantage. In addition to being a 3-speed, versus a 2-speed, I've also heard that it was faster shifting than other transmissions of the era.
Theoretically, the '57 Firedome came standard with a 3-on-the-tree, with a Powerflite optional, and then the Torqueflite. Same for the Dodge-based Firesweep, which used a 325 Poly-head instead of the DeSoto Hemi. The Fireflite supposedly came with a Poweflite standard, and Torqueflite optional. However, I've never seen a Firedome or Fireflite with anything but a Torqueflite.
I've always wondered if it was one of those things where, even though those more basic transmissions were available in theory, the factory ended up building them all with Torqueflites, knowing that the others would be poor sellers? Kinda like how you could theoretically get a Lexus ES with cloth and no sunroof...but good luck finding one! And even there, maybe you can't, anymore.
I've seen a few Firesweeps with a 3-on-the-tree, but most were Powerflites. Never seen a '57 with a Torqueflite. The only '58 Firesweep I even remember seeing in person was back in 1995. It had a 350-2bbl Wedge and a Powerflite. It was for sale locally, and I briefly considered buying it, but had just bought a condo and didn't have much in the way of disposable funds. By '59, I think most of them were using Torqueflites.
Back in the 60's, when Consumer Reports did their low-priced big car test, they'd usually compare a Catalina with a 389 or 400 (depending on year), a Galaxie with a 292 (I think) and later 289/302, a Fury with a 318 (sometimes they'd throw in a Polara I think), and an Impala with a 283.
The Catalina would almost always be the fastest AND most economical. Its bigger standard engine allowed it to dust the other cars, and also allowed for a taller axle ratio, so at highway speeds it was just loafing. The Fury was usually #2 in acceleration (not sure about fuel economy), as its 318 was enough engine for the car, and the Torqueflite helped. I think the Ford tended to be spotty, as in some early years they might have just had a 2-speed automatic. And even with the 3-speed, I think the Mopars were usually a bit quicker. Chevy was almost always at the bottom of the heap, as its 283 was just too small, and it was stuck with the 2-speed. In early years, it probably did best the Fords when they were still using 292's or whatever. But by the time Ford was using the 289 or so and a 3-speed automatic, that changed.
Going back a few years earlier though, to 1957, I remember the Chevy 283/Powerglide coming in faster than the Ford and Plymouth that CR tested. None of them were screamers, but I think the Chevy was good for around 12 seconds, and the Plymouth was the worst at 13. I don't remember the details, but I think they were all 2-speed cars.
Fast forward 15 years, and CR tested a '72 Impala with a 350-4bbl, 165 hp, and a 3-speed THM. It also managed 0-60 in 12 seconds. That's progress for ya! Of course though, a '72 Impala was a lot heavier than a '57 Bel Air. And, just a couple years later, the Impala, LTD, and Gran Fury would need engines around 400 cubic inches to get 0-60 in around 12 seconds.
Couple of towns over - looks to be a daily driver.
Like this? My great-grandfather's last car was a brown 1972 Matador. He was a chronic alcoholic and his cars looked like a 6 year-old NYC taxi pretty quickly. His previous car was a light blue 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne that looked like it had been in a demolition derby by the time he got rid of it.
I heard a story from my Grandpop from back in the 1940s. Great-grandpop,(my grandmother's father) drove a 1939 Chevrolet at the time and came over to see Grandpop's family. He was drunk, hit three parked cars, and tried to drive home. A cop stopped him and told him, "You can't drive home like that!" Great-grandpop got indignant and said, "Why not?" The cop pointed at the front of the '39 Chevy. One front wheel was going left and the other right. It wasn't because my great-grandpop was wasted, but because his vehicle was disabled. Nowadays, great-grandpop would've been taken straight to jail, his car impounded, and he'd have lost his license forever!
I miss the good old days.
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Nowadays, given the consequences, there's a good chance he'd have a designated driver, or wouldn't drink if he was going to drive.
That Matador makes me think of Police Academy
I went with one adam 12.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I have to admit that I always kind of liked the looks of the early/mid '70s Matador and Ambassador sedans and wagons. Never warmed up to the Matador coupe, though; that sucker just looked weird to me.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
That big protruding nose kind of puts me off. The side profile of the car is fine. The coupes are bizarre, kind of 70s style before disco chic took over.
Oh yeah, Steve's Falcon, a 62-63 I guess.
I kind of liked the coupes- before they cluttered them up with vinyl roofs, gaudy trim and two-tone paint jobs:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Back when the LAPD were using those Matadors I once had to get out of the way of a cop that was after "something" He screamed by me lights and siren blazing. I mean, this guy was really flying!
Soon, there or four more black and whites ripped by be and zig zaged through traffic.
Alas, a few blocks down the street I came upon an accident scene. One of the Matadors had failed to make a left turn and hit a fire hydrant! It looked like Old Faithful!
Two door base 1967 Ford Falcon; my dad got one after throwing a rod in his Valiant in front of a Ford dealer.
Valiants, especially the Slant-Sixes, had the reputation for being indestructible. The V8s were also very rugged and durable, but the sixes were legendary in that regard. I wonder whether your dad's may have been low on oil.
Yeah - based on the respective vehicle populations at the time, the Falcon would have been a lot less reliable/long-lived car than the Valiant. The thin-wall Ford sixes were not my favorite engines.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
@hpmctorque, it was a six cylinder. My brother sitting here is insisting that the Valiant had 4 speed, but I remember it having a push button transmission. We're both old LOL.
I don't know if I've ever seen a Matador coupe in real life that wasn't a tacky "edition". The wheels on the car roadburner posted look kinda cool.
Went for a drive today, as I am suffering from a pinched nerve and heated seats work better than any painkiller. Saw maybe a ~70 Super Bee, a ~65 Riviera, ~70 Coupe deVille (like on Slaughterhouse Five), original Mini, E-Type Roadster - I was coming up in traffic and smelled fumes, then as traffic scattered I could see where they were coming from
. I also went to look at a fintail parts car I saw on Craigslist. Medium pastel green, 1963 220S, halfway scavenged already, but some bits left. I didn't find the chrome clips I want/need, but I met another MB enthusiast, and he showed me some cool cars hanging around his garage. He has an untouched original plates/paint W112 300SE coupe, white on blue, very sound rust free original car. A 280SEL 4.5 sedan, a couple of parts cars, and his favorite along with the coupe, a 220S fintail, 1962, kind of a powder blue with off white original leather, clean straight solid car, but the previous owner disassembled the engine and it got corroded, so he needs a new one. It'll be a cool car once he gets it back on the road, and he will. Funny the things hiding in the woodwork around here.
What is the 220 coupe that came after the fintail? Saw one of those at our local Saturday morning cruise-in.
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You're probably describing a 220SE coupe, on the same W111 platform as a fintail - essentially a fintail coupe (but with fancier trim). These were introduced in 1961, and started the hardtop theme that has continued to today. This one brought 79K at auction, more big money for a 6cyl car:
@kydfx- do you go to Fuel Coffee? I'll be there next weekend weather permitting...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That's the one... although the one I saw had quite a bit more.. patina.. still nice.
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Yes... I don't go that often, but let me know and I'll see you there... Pretty awesome collection this past Saturday.
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What time does it start?
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Spotted several British cars: maroon Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud convertible, 1930s MG roadster, and a white Rolls-Royce Corniche.
SC convertible, that should be big bucks these days.
$75K for a 220SE coupe? Outrageous price. $50K should buy you the best one in the world, as we speak. Well I guess if you have unlimited money then what you pay doesn't really matter.
Auction car at Pebble Beach which explains a bit I am sure. As we're in a new gilded age, I suppose wacky outliers should be expected.
Yes, that's a good observation. We are entering a world of extremes between rich and poor. Very bad thing it is, too. Oh well, the world keeps spinning 'round.
I got there at 0930.... and, it was well under way.. Stayed longer than usual until about 1115, and by then, about half the cars had turned over, and there were still about 2/3 of the original amount of cars.. It really breaks up, close to Noon..
I'd say 0900-1030 is the prime time. Coffee is good, and the biscuits and gravy are awesome (which is about all they have to eat, except for a few pastries).
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It's not going to create a rosy future. The camel's back always breaks, eventually.
Kind of on subject, a noted car hoarder/speculator is disposing of his entire collection - probably good for the cars.
We saw one of those Futureliners one year at the Hershey PA car show. Wild looking thing...kind of a combination of the Mammoth Car and the Big Bus.
Wouldn't he be better off selling, say, 10% of the collection at 10 different auctions? Would seem like he could over saturate any one auction...
Yesterday I saw a 57 Chevy coupe, mint looking in what I think is a color called Dusty Rose. I think it was headed here: ctnow.com/entertainment/photos/hc-pictures-3rd-cruisin-blue-back-car-show-20140601,0,3405219.photogallery
Nah, money comes out of 12" standpipes at Barrett Jackson these days. People just turn the wheel and it pours out.
Actually he might be smart to not dump all at once--I imagine capital gains taxes are going to be pretty severe---of course, he probably has some scheme to not pay them. What was I thinking? DOH!
I'd think that collection would be enough to be a major auction in itself.
I've read that the owner operates the collection as a business, deducting expenses etc - no doubt taxes will be dodged upon sale. Have your cake and eat it too.
Today spotted a very nice 450SL, collector plates, in a cool period correct and likely original paint color of bright gold. Also a less mint 380SL, and a 560SL. Summer is coming soon. As well, saw an early 70s Duster, and an 87-88 Nissan minivan - I thought those were all recalled or something.
I actually saw a mid year Duster this weekend. It was yellow, just like the one I had. even had a white patch panel on the rear quarter, just like mine! That piece was hand crafted and pop rivited on by me and my dad. And yes, it looked like it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Been there, done that. Back in 1996, I cut out most of the rusty part of the right rear quarter on my '68 Dart, and shaped a piece of aluminum, the best I could, to fit up in there, and pop rivited it into place. My plan was to take some bondo and work over the seam, but never got around to it. Anyway, here's a pic I took of it around 2005 or 2006, and you can get the idea...
Unfortunately, the rust kept on working, forward, around the wheel opening. And, I wiped out in the rain once, in 1997 I think, and hopped a high curb backwards, which caused a stress in the rear quarter, popping the paint loose on that spot above the rear wheel. I'm sure that couldn't have been good for the car overall if it did that, but I drove it for about four years after that point.
Saw an oddball today - 94-95 E420 in red - rare model and rare color.