Mystery car pix

ab348

We almost bought one of them new in ‘77 as Dad wanted to replace his ‘75 Hornet Sportabout. It drove like most Fords of the era, quiet but with numb steering and a soft, floaty ride. What turned us off it were the sheer size of it compared to the Hornet and the fact that the floor under the pedals oil-canned when you put you foot there, which did not inspire confidence regarding build quality. 

fintail

The LTD II always reminds me of Brian Dennehy's car in the first Rambo movie, which isn't a positive association:



I also remember crashing my BMX bike into/under a parked one on the ice and snow when I was 8 or 9 years old.

imidazol97

The Cougar popped up in unusual places.

andys120

The small sports car at the bottom left is possibly the oldest but it looks in great shape for a car over a decade old (pic is from 1976). Unless the Chevy/GMC Stepside pickup near it predates the mid- 60s

fintail

I'll pick off the 70 Country Squire and the MB W114/115 behind it

lostwrench1

Brian Dennehy lives "up the road" from my town.
The next time I see him at the small restaurant which he patronizes, I'll check out what vehicle he is currently driving.

omarman

1969 Dodge Charger behind a 1971 LTD wagon. 1972 Chevy Malibu to the right side of the Charger.

lostwrench1

Atlanta, Ga.?

stickguy

nice 69 Charger. Before they all got painted up to look like dukes of Hazzard.

behind the Benz, I think a Volvo wagon. and 2 behind that, a Firebird Formula endura nose.

dead center, a 75ish Lemans (Andre mobile?) followed by a late 60s white Rambler.

omarman

Coming around the curve a 1971 International Transtar Cabover just behind a 1971 Chevy Impala. On the driver's side of the Impala, a Ford Pinto wagon (?) with roof rack behind the Firebird.
I thought the Formula option on the Firebird came with the fiberglass hood with twin scoops?
In the middle lane on the passenger side of the Firebird a 1970 Torino Squire wagon.

stickguy

could be right on the Firebird model. I finally got the picture blown up a bit. Helped a lot!

behind the Rambler, what looks like a Mazda station wagon. And behind the white Benz, a Datsun sedan (probably a 210). And about 3 behind the IH, an enduro bumper Corvette. And on the outbound side, a 1971ish Maverick.

oh, the van on the far left is also an International. one of my favorite all time truck models. And yes it is sad that I have favorite truck models!

andys120

lostwrench1 said:

Atlanta, Ga.?

Yup that's Atlanta

The dark color Porsche coupe on the left looks like a 356C (1964-65) based on the hubcaps, bumpers etc.

Anyone got a guess on the age of the GMC/Chevy Stepside in the right lane (left of the photo)-note wraparound glass?

andys120

omarman said:

I thought the Formula option on the Firebird came with the fiberglass hood with twin scoops?

.

Yup, the scoops were very prominent>

fintail

By the fender trim, maybe a 59 Chevy, last year of that design.

andys120 said:

Anyone got a guess on the age of the GMC/Chevy Stepside in the right lane (left of the photo)-note wraparound glass?

andys120

stickguy

1980s (maybe mid 90s) lancia delta integrale.

andys120

stickguy said:

1980s (maybe mid 90s) lancia delta integrale.

Yep, MY 1987. The last great performance car from a maker with a long history.

andys120

fintail

Aussie plates are a fun red herring.

andys120

fintail said:

Aussie plates are a fun red herring.

I hadn't noticed those, especially since the wheel is on the left.

fintail

Although RHD conversions of many US cars are common there, there are also plenty of private imports. I've seen Oz called "Arkansas with a beach"

andys120 said:

I hadn't noticed those, especially since the wheel is on the left.

qbrozen

the GP on the grille helped.

'67 Grand Prix

ab348

ab348 said:

Gang, I don't have a mystery car pic, but I do have a mystery car I need your help with.

Yesterday I was driving in traffic and a smallish (Miata-sized, maybe a bit larger) roadster passed me. It was a non-metallic coral or pale orange shade, looked fairly recent. Not sure if it had hidden headlights or not as the only clear view I had was of its rear. It had twin taillights on each side, each side with 2 vertical rectangles set into the rear panel, each maybe slightly bigger than a playing card or a cigarette pack. I know I have seen that design somewhere before but I can't recall where or on what. Any ideas?

Remember this? I never did find out the answer until today when I again encountered it again in traffic. Here is one like it, same color and everything:



I'll hold off IDing it to give others a shot.

thebean

I had to Google it, but since that's not playing fair, I'll not ID it either. I've never seen one of these before.

fintail

Ah the stuff seen in Canada, with its far more reasonable private import rules.

stickguy

Must be Italian based on the Barchetta liscense plate.

Really looks like a modern remake of a Fiat 850.

ab348

Stick is right. It's a mid-90s to mid '00s Fiat Barchetta roadster. It actually seemed quite good-looking in the flesh. 1.8L engine up front.

stickguy

I would take one. if I fit.

andys120

The Barchetta was conceived as a successor to the Fiat 124 Sport Spider. As such it had one glaring fault, front wheel drive (drivetrain from the Fiat Punto)-an absolute no-no for us sports car guys from the glory days of the 50s and 60s.

andys120

tmart

1950 Olds 88

lostwrench1

There were 35 different models of 1950 Oldsmobiles!

andys120

tmart said:

1950 Olds 88

Yup, my Uncle Charlie acquired one when I was 6 or 9 and he'd take us for rides. When he hit the gas the acceleration would slam us into the setbacks and we'd yell, "do it again, do the Rocket!" I think those "Rocket 88" rides may have had a formative influence on my becoming a car nut. OTOH my uncle who was basically a mild-mannered guy never again owned a car that was remotely cool.

andys120

Mr_Shiftright

Possibly the only Audi to be considered "collectible" at this point in time.

andys120

Mr_Shiftright said:

Possibly the only Audi to be considered "collectible" at this point in time.

Well there's this one similar to the above but smaller & faster(a multiple rally winner)>



Then there's the first of the RS line, a( joint project w Porsche)>

fintail

Those SWB Sport Quattros are probably the most valuable Audi, maybe only equaled by one of the very low volume prewar coachbuilt open cars.

andys120

fintail said:

Those SWB Sport Quattros are probably the most valuable Audi, maybe only equaled by one of the very low volume prewar coachbuilt open cars.

That's my understanding as well.

qbrozen

andys120 said:

Looks like that silly little bra has fused itself to the hood and is slowly consuming the paint.

andys120

Vegas AKA Whitewall City>

ab348

What a great name for a 1950s Vegas place, the New Frontier! I don't remember ever hearing of that one before, though maybe it became just the Frontier later on?

andys120

ab348 said:

What a great name for a 1950s Vegas place, the New Frontier! I don't remember ever hearing of that one before, though maybe it became just the Frontier later on?

It's a new one for me as well and it precedes the use of the phrase as a political slogan by half a decade (1955 photo).

Mr_Shiftright

Forgot about the RS 2 estate--I've never even seen one. I suspect they are collected in Europe but not known much here. It doesn't even show one sale on my classic car auction database. But if asking prices are to be believed, they bring good money in the EU.

tmart

andys120 said:

Vegas AKA Whitewall City>

On left, 54 Ford Sunliner, 57 Ford Country Squire, 54 Ford two tone wagon, 55 Ford. On right a 56 two tone red and white Ford.

fintail

55-56 Mercury on the road at far right. I think the Squire is a 56.

tmart

You’re right. I missed the Tbird emblem above the bumper. The 57 didn’t have them.

lostwrench1

On the right, a 1953 Studebaker.
No Elvis fans here? His first Vegas appearance was at the New Frontier.

andys120

White over Blue Pontiac convertible just past the white Ford Squire wagon; Im not sure if it's a '55 or '56.

andys120

Mr_Shiftright

Last of the "Marks". When Jaguar had delusions of competing with Rolls and Benz. I must confess these cars are something of a guilty pleasure of mine. All they really need is a better transmission and better electrics.