Mystery car pix

andys120

fintail said:

55 Nomad middle-right of the nearmost row. The obvious oldest car is in the same row.

The oldest car is that black MoPar 4-dr in the nearest row, it's a 49-52 version , I guess it's a Chrysler.

There's a black sedan on the other end of that row w a rounded roof. I think it's a Jaguar Mk.1

stickguy said:

Is that Jeep one of the overseas licensed units? Mahindra or some such?

andys120

stickguy said:

Is that Jeep one of the overseas licensed units? Mahindra or some such?

Nope, it's good ole US made 1945 Willys Jeep CJ-2
only slightly different than the military Willys MB.

Michaell

I find it amusing that folks then couldn't part any better than folks today. The lines look advisory.

tjc78

Michaell said:

I find it amusing that folks then couldn't part any better than folks today. The lines look advisory.

At least they had an excuse.... manual steering, no cameras or sensors!

fintail

I think the dark colored rounded sedan is a just-prewar or just-postwar GM trunkback/4 window sedan, year and make hard to determine:





And that 57 Ford is indeed parked in a very 2019 manner.

Michaell

tjc78 said:

Michaell said:

I find it amusing that folks then couldn't part any better than folks today. The lines look advisory.

At least they had an excuse.... manual steering, no cameras or sensors!

Yeah, but men were MEN, back in the day.

ab348

andys120 said:

stickguy said:

Is that Jeep one of the overseas licensed units? Mahindra or some such?

Nope, it's good ole US made 1945 Willys Jeep CJ-2
only slightly different than the military Willys MB.

Actually I believe the production version was the CJ-2A. There were only a handful of CJ-2 models made as prototypes or preproduction models used to help transition from the military model to civilian models. This is likely one of those as it lacks the embossed lettering found variously either on the side of the hood or below the windshield.

omarman

ab348 said:

andys120 said:

stickguy said:

Is that Jeep one of the overseas licensed units? Mahindra or some such?

Nope, it's good ole US made 1945 Willys Jeep CJ-2
only slightly different than the military Willys MB.

Actually I believe the production version was the CJ-2A. There were only a handful of CJ-2 models made as prototypes or preproduction models used to help transition from the military model to civilian models. This is likely one of those as it lacks the embossed lettering found variously either on the side of the hood or below the windshield.

When I didn't see lettering on the hood or windshield frame I just thought it was a replacement body tub for a regular production post war Jeep CJ-2A.

Here's a few pics of Jeep CJ-2 #26 built with the model B style windshield, grill and recessed headlights. JEEP is stamped on the windshield frame and hood.





Found these pics in an interesting forum topic The Resurrection of CJ2-26 started by the guy who wrote Selling The All-American Wonder: The World War II Consumer Advertising of Willys-Overland Motors, Inc.

andys120

fintail said:

I think the dark colored rounded sedan is a just-prewar or just-postwar GM trunkback/4 window sedan, year and make hard to determine:





And that 57 Ford is indeed parked in a very 2019 manner.

Nope, the roof on those is just not as rounded as on the Jag>

fintail

But the GM is taller, and the car in the pic looks taller to me. I'm sticking to my guess

andys120 said:

Nope, the roof on those is just not as rounded as on the Jag>

ab348

fintail said:

But the GM is taller, and the car in the pic looks taller to me. I'm sticking to my guess

The rear door quarter window on the Jag looks to be narrower and differently shaped than what is in the 1958 picture. Whether it is one of the GMs or something else I can't say, but I don't think it is that Jag.

berri

Didn't MG make some sedans?

kyfdx

berri said:

Didn't MG make some sedans?

Magnette

kyfdx

fintail

The MG badge was on a number of sedans over the years (few sold here, mostly or all Magnette I think):

ab348

fintail said:

The MG badge was on a number of sedans over the years (few sold here, mostly or all Magnette I

I remember being fascinated by seeing ads for the MG ADO16 version in US magazines like R&T, since they were never sold here despite British cars being very popular in Canada. I gather they came with a twin-carb version of the 1100 engine.

I was surprised to read that out of all the ADO16 models built over the years, less than 1000 remain on the roads in the UK. I have fond memories of our family’s little beige over red ‘68 Austin 1100 despite it being a true slug with its 58 hp or whatever.

fintail

If the MG 1100 never made it to Canada, I will assume it never made it to the states either. I know the Austin variant made it south. The small town where my mom lives had a British/foreign (mostly VW and Volvo) shop when I was a kid. It had been an MG dealer back in the day, and had a little junkyard behind it, with several 1100s.

I know the 1100 most via the Matchbox variant. I was into older diecast when I was a kid, and one of the more common 60s Matchbox is a 1100, complete with a dog in the back. I had a few of these, already old in the 80s but easy to find:

ab348 said:

I remember being fascinated by seeing ads for the MG ADO16 version in US magazines like R&T, since they were never sold here despite British cars being very popular in Canada. I gather they came with a twin-carb version of the 1100 engine.

I was surprised to read that out of all the ADO16 models built over the years, less than 1000 remain on the roads in the UK. I have fond memories of our family’s little beige over red ‘68 Austin 1100 despite it being a true slug with its 58 hp or whatever.

ab348

fintail said:

If the MG 1100 never made it to Canada, I will assume it never made it to the states either. I know the Austin variant made it south. The small town where my mom lives had a British/foreign (mostly VW and Volvo) shop when I was a kid. It had been an MG dealer back in the day, and had a little junkyard behind it, with several 1100s.

I have a distinct memory of seeing a MG 1100 ad in a mid-60s car magazine, either R&T or C&D. Plus I recall seeing one on the road in New England during a late '60s vacation in New England. I suspect not many were sold but I am pretty sure they were sold in the USA. A story in Hemmings also quotes a 1965 R&T review:

"It was in MG guise that the ADO16 landed in America for the 1963 model year. Called the 1100 Sports Sedan, to drive the point home to us Yanks, it joined a lineup that also included the old Farina-bodied Magnette, the Midget and the sparkling new MGB. The two-door version stickered at $1,898, while a four-door could be had for $2,169, making both more costly than the rear-engined competition from Renault and Volkswagen.

The car got a warm reception from the motoring press, with most reviewers singling out the Hydrolastic suspension for praise. “The cornering power of the MG 1100 sedan is higher than any other small sedan; indeed, it is higher than many sports two-seaters,” Road & Track wrote. “The car can actually be drifted at 70 MPH, and without an oustandingly good driver at the helm.”"

fintail

Interesting, Maybe there was one in that junkyard all those years ago. I've seen a couple of Austin America on the road over the years, but no other related vehicles, I definitely don't recall a MG 1100. I've never seen an MG Farina in person either, but per that data, they were sold here. I know a couple other Farinas were sold here, so it is believable. Probably some small numbers, and if they were sold in rusty areas, that's the end of that.

I think these 60s BMC cars are interesting and nice looking. The landcrabs in particular are interesting to me, and I think a handful were sold in NA back in the day, I have seen a couple LHD examples here. In fact, here's a pic of one I spotted over 15 years ago - vintage phone camera quality:

ab348 said:

I have a distinct memory of seeing a MG 1100 ad in a mid-60s car magazine, either R&T or C&D. Plus I recall seeing one on the road in New England during a late '60s vacation in New England. I suspect not many were sold but I am pretty sure they were sold in the USA. A story in Hemmings also quotes a 1965 R&T review:

"It was in MG guise that the ADO16 landed in America for the 1963 model year. Called the 1100 Sports Sedan, to drive the point home to us Yanks, it joined a lineup that also included the old Farina-bodied Magnette, the Midget and the sparkling new MGB. The two-door version stickered at $1,898, while a four-door could be had for $2,169, making both more costly than the rear-engined competition from Renault and Volkswagen.

The car got a warm reception from the motoring press, with most reviewers singling out the Hydrolastic suspension for praise. “The cornering power of the MG 1100 sedan is higher than any other small sedan; indeed, it is higher than many sports two-seaters,” Road & Track wrote. “The car can actually be drifted at 70 MPH, and without an oustandingly good driver at the helm.”"

stickguy

I am in a facebook "back in the day" group from where I grew up in NY. Today someone posted a shot of the local paper from 1961, which happened to be a list of used cars at the local Dodge dealer (where I bought my colt 20+ years later!)

anyway, the usual domestics. Ford, CPD, a Stude. and, a few foreign cars. Showing how long ago that was, the list included a Vaxhaul, a Simca and a Renault.

andys120

The MG 1100 definitely was imported to the US, I rode in one on several occasions that belonged to my buddy's dad who had a knack for buying oddball cars. I recall being impressed by the amount of room inside a car that was small on the outside and by the handling. It seemed fairly peppy for only 1100cc (much slower Beetles had 1200cc).

ab348

fintail said:

I think these 60s BMC cars are interesting and nice looking. The landcrabs in particular are interesting to me, and I think a handful were sold in NA back in the day, I have seen a couple LHD examples here. In fact, here's a pic of one I spotted over 15 years ago - vintage phone camera quality:

Up here the 1800 was fairly popular, at least locally, in the latter half of the 60s. Their size and vast interior room meant that they were suitable for families while being much smaller than the typical domestic car of the time and provided much better fuel economy. Of course they were very prone to rust in this environment and so did not last very long, and the sole local dealer was notoriously bad in after-sale service and support, which hastened their demise. But they were a common sight on the roads, and even the Mayor of our city drove one as his personal car for a while in that era.

The styling was always considered a handicap, particularly the proportions. The long mid-body section that gave it such vast interior room seemed too big for the front and back ends, the rear end styling was awkward, and the rear doors appeared oversized.

andys120

stickguy

63 ford falcon sprint? Not stock.

ab348

Normally I don't like restomods, but to my surprise I like that lowered Falcon 2-door. Looks much better than stock.

fintail

I guess overall, British cars were more popular in Canada, due to simple demographics. In the US, such cars would have sold to enthusiasts and eccentrics, not very mainstream. I kind of like the weird look of the landcrab, and it is technically interesting. At least they were trying, which by the mid-70s couldn't be said (although I like a few bemoaned BL cars too).

It also might be because the Griswold's have a later variant as a rental car (already an older car then) in England in the silly/stupid but underrated "European Vacation" - this is the car that knocks over Stonehenge and hits Eric Idle:

ab348 said:

Up here the 1800 was fairly popular, at least locally, in the latter half of the 60s. Their size and vast interior room meant that they were suitable for families while being much smaller than the typical domestic car of the time and provided much better fuel economy. Of course they were very prone to rust in this environment and so did not last very long, and the sole local dealer was notoriously bad in after-sale service and support, which hastened their demise. But they were a common sight on the roads, and even the Mayor of our city drove one as his personal car for a while in that era.

The styling was always considered a handicap, particularly the proportions. The long mid-body section that gave it such vast interior room seemed too big for the front and back ends, the rear end styling was awkward, and the rear doors appeared oversized.

tjc78

"Hey Kids .. Look, Big Ben / Parliament"

fintail

"I cannot get left!"

ab348

fintail said:

It also might be because the Griswold's have a later variant as a rental car (already an older car then) in England in the silly/stupid but underrated "European Vacation" - this is the car that knocks over Stonehenge and hits Eric Idle:

That's the unloved Austin Maxi or 1500, slotted in between the 1100 and 1800. It used the doors from the 1800 so it too suffered from bad styling and was ill-proportioned.

ab348

Lots of Detroit iron in this parking lot shot from Menands, NY circa 1960.

sda

ab348 said:

fintail said:

I think these 60s BMC cars are interesting and nice looking. The landcrabs in particular are interesting to me, and I think a handful were sold in NA back in the day, I have seen a couple LHD examples here. In fact, here's a pic of one I spotted over 15 years ago - vintage phone camera quality:

Up here the 1800 was fairly popular, at least locally, in the latter half of the 60s. Their size and vast interior room meant that they were suitable for families while being much smaller than the typical domestic car of the time and provided much better fuel economy. Of course they were very prone to rust in this environment and so did not last very long, and the sole local dealer was notoriously bad in after-sale service and support, which hastened their demise. But they were a common sight on the roads, and even the Mayor of our city drove one as his personal car for a while in that era.

The styling was always considered a handicap, particularly the proportions. The long mid-body section that gave it such vast interior room seemed too big for the front and back ends, the rear end styling was awkward, and the rear doors appeared oversized.

If I recall, the Wolseley was based off this model. When we lived in England (1975) my parent’s friend had one. It was a solid maroon color, with matching maroon interior, with a dashboard finished in a handsome wood veneer. I believe it was an in-line 6 with automatic. It was fairly distinctive looking, however I liked dad’s 74 Ford Cortina E 2.0 better. It seemed more contemporary.

tmart

ab348 said:

Lots of Detroit iron in this parking lot shot from Menands, NY circa 1960.

I’ll tag the 59 Ford Fairlane 500. There might be another one farther down the line, but I don’t have the resolution to fully make it out for sure.

ab348

From L to R, # 3, 4, and 7 have me stumped.

bhill2

I am also stumped on number 3. Number 4 is a '55 Dodge, lower trim level. I peg number 7 as an early '50s Chevy or Pontiac wagon, but am not sure. Incidentally, number 9 is a '60 Ford, which is the latest model I can make out.

imidazol97

tmart said:

ab348 said:

Lots of Detroit iron in this parking lot shot from Menands, NY circa 1960.

I’ll tag the 59 Ford Fairlane 500. There might be another one farther down the line, but I don’t have the resolution to fully make it out for sure.

#6 is a 59 Ford also, but it looks like a Custom 300 Fordor backed in.

#18 also looks like a 59 Ford rear in a dark color, and the length of the rear looks like it might be the retractable hardtop, Skyliner?

Nice picture @ab348

fintail

#3 is a 40 Chevy

I like how the owner of the Fairlane at far left sprung for the fancy 2 door HT but got blackwalls.

fintail

The one in the movie was a posher 1750. As John Hughes was involved in production, no doubt this was chosen to represent a somewhat awkward foreign car:



They drove a similar color Citroen DS (also an older car at the time) later in the movie, also chosen with intent no doubt.

ab348 said:

That's the unloved Austin Maxi or 1500, slotted in between the 1100 and 1800. It used the doors from the 1800 so it too suffered from bad styling and was ill-proportioned.

kyfdx

bhill2 said:

I am also stumped on number 3. Number 4 is a '55 Dodge, lower trim level. I peg number 7 as an early '50s Chevy or Pontiac wagon, but am not sure. Incidentally, number 9 is a '60 Ford, which is the latest model I can make out.

I like the look of the '55 Dodge (at least from the rear... )

omarman

I like the blacktop parking without stripes.

I like all the '59 Fords which must have been garage kept to survive so well to 1960 or 1959 1/2.



This pic of a '59 Ford (which sold for $200 in 2005) shows the same rust pattern that ours did by 1966. That passenger side fender rusted out so bad on ours that a replacement headlight only illuminated the trees on the right side of the road. I think dad also sold ours for $200 as well. In 1966. In the daylight which showed the rust but not the cross-eyed Mary look at night.

fintail

I remember a Red Green car book said something like "these new Fords don't rust like they used to". I think there might be something to that in the right climate. And even here: My dad's 60 Ford, a low mileage west coast from new car, was pretty solid save for the front floors. The car had been parked outside for several years, and it Flintstoned the floors, while the rest of the panels were pretty good.

bhill2

kyfdx said:

bhill2 said:

I am also stumped on number 3. Number 4 is a '55 Dodge, lower trim level. I peg number 7 as an early '50s Chevy or Pontiac wagon, but am not sure. Incidentally, number 9 is a '60 Ford, which is the latest model I can make out.

I like the look of the '55 Dodge (at least from the rear... )

I actually kind of liked the '55 and '56 Dodges. I did find the tacked-on silver finlets that they put on the upper trim '55s to be a little humorous though.

andys120

stickguy

it's certainly a Morgan. A plus 4?

ab348

That's the new Plus 6. Bring your checkbook, maybe several.

andys120

Yup the new Morgan Plus Six comes with a BMW Turbo DOHC 6 packing 335hp which will make it faster than any Bimmer so equipped while it retains the Morgan styling and traditional side curtain soft top.

How cool is that?

andys120

kyfdx

andys120 said:

'70 Trans Am

stickguy

I love that Pontiac

kyfdx

I’ll guess those are $100K plus, now

andys120

kyfdx said:

andys120 said:

'70 Trans Am

Yup, the best Looking T/A of them all.