Mystery car pix

fintail

I think the Torino was a mid year 68 model, maybe coinciding with the 302 replacing the 289 (via the 68 Fairlane my dad had alongside the 60 Ford, I got into random details about the car). Something intermediate or midsize in the US that was a boat in Europe.

I know I have mentioned it before, that Fairlane is one I wonder if it survives. White on white sedan, 289/3 on the tree, manual brakes, manual steering, dog dish caps, maybe no options save for the radio (which worked, I recall it clearly). I remember he bought it as a ~60K mile car for something like $600 - the PNW was a Klondike for less desirable old cars back in the 80s and early 90s (this was around 1990). It had medium width whitewalls, which while maybe not correct, really set it off. I found it to be a terrible chore to drive as a young driver, but my dad had a fondness for it and used it as a commuter for awhile, as he liked its simplicity. He sold it around 1994-95.

sda

Though my 62 Galaxie had clumsy handling overall, I think the non-power steering was 5-6 turns lock to lock but not overly heavy, it was fun to drive in its own way. Perhaps it was because it was my first car? I do remember the column shift for the three speed transmission had a long throw yet it shifted crisply. Clutch feel was progressive. Easy to drive overall.

fintail

I think I remember my dad saying something was off in the clutch on the Fairlane - a throwout bearing or something like that. He had no problems with it (he liked to just leave it in 2nd for in-town driving) but I found it cumbersome, especially low speed parking maybe as I was used to driving "easy" cars like the Tempo or Taurus or even the 66 Galaxie which had typical Ford steering.

fintail

As part of the country is headed for a cold snap this holiday weekend, here's a snowy scene - the place: Sheffield, the time: Malaise, crisp image zooms well:

explorerx4

Retracted.

roadburner

Austin Marina and Ford Granada

andys120

explorerx4

Blur Mini Traveller on the right. Both of the other cars have Ford blue oval badges.

ab348

The convertible is a Borgward Isabella cabriolet from 1955 or thereabouts. Not a bad looking car, although like many German products at the time it was equipped with a swing-axle setup at the rear.

fintail

In Sheffield, the Fords are a Mk II Escort and a Mk IV Cortina, both wearing "S" registration dating them to 1977-78. The Cortina is similar to Onslow's car on Keeping Up Appearances:

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

MBs of the era of the Borgward also have a swing axle.

fintail

LAX, 1966, only somewhat clear but zooms enough to see at least one relatively obscure vehicle:

tmart

First gen Mustang, VW cab, Chevy

sda

Is the red car with the man standing next to it a MB?

stickguy

Ford falcon 4 door

fintail

Yes the car next to the man in the foreground is a MB 220S/SE ponton coupe.

andys120

ab348 said:

The convertible is a Borgward Isabella cabriolet from 1955 or thereabouts. Not a bad looking car, although like many German products at the time it was equipped with a swing-axle setup at the rear.

Yep, that's a '55 Isabella convertible, a rare breed especially in the USA. I've never seen one although I once rode in the steel-top version (can't remember if it had 2 0r 4 doors).

fintail

Kamloops BC maybe late 70s - possibly from a postcard so a little grainy at zoom but several can still be identified:

stickguy

75ish black Camaro next to the early 70s red MB (280?). My favorite Mercedes design. Timeless and exuded quality.

Black duster with a swoosh stripe coming out of the side street. .

andys120

andys120

"Modenese masterpiece for the touring enthusiast"- Road and Track 1962>

texases

Maserati 3500 GT

stickguy

gorgeous car. in a wonderful color combo.

Michaell

stickguy said:

75ish black Camaro next to the early 70s red MB (280?). My favorite Mercedes design. Timeless and exuded quality.

Black duster with a swoosh stripe coming out of the side street. .

That MB is about the same color as the ‘72 220D my folks owned.

andys120

texases said:

Maserati 3500 GT

Yup, a lifelong favorite of mine, a 1962 Maserati 3500GT Spyder body by Vignale.

IIRC Maserati spells Spyder with a Y, whereas other Italian makes do not.

fintail

Wilshire Blvd, 1982, zooms enough to pick out several:

texases

‘74 Vega Kammback coming, ‘72 Pinto going.

andys120

tmart

Mercury Tracer?

Michaell

tmart said:

Mercury Tracer?

Topaz, after the mid-cycle refresh.

fintail

I believe an 88-91 Topaz with that grille, facelifted in 92.

gsemike

@fintail said:
Wilshire Blvd, 1982, zooms enough to pick out several:

I'm spotted an LTD II and a stacked headlight AMC Ambassador going. Also a 70 LTD coming

gsemike

Long island expressway 1972

stickguy

some of those cars might still be stuck in traffic. some fun stuff up front. 67/68 Camaro in the center, a later 60s Shelby Mustang on the right and an AMX on the left

explorerx4

xwesx's Ford van 4 back in the center lane.
Right side of the picture, not sure what the convertible with people sitting 3 across is, but a Roadrunner behind it and a 1st gen Firebird behind that.

fintail

looks like a 63 Ford beside xwesx's van

xwesx

fintail said:

looks like a 63 Ford beside xwesx's van

What the.... That IS my van!

No, I'm kidding. It's too new. That's a '72 grille.

laurasdada

gsemike said:

Long island expressway 1972

"Expressway." That's a LIE.

gsemike

laurasdada said:

gsemike said:

Long island expressway 1972

"Expressway." That's a LIE.

Oldest joke in the book

Michaell

gsemike said:

laurasdada said:

gsemike said:

Long island expressway 1972

"Expressway." That's a LIE.

Oldest joke in the book

I must be reading the wrong books, then, since I’d never seen that before.

fintail

This appears to be Dresden - the less common car in the pic I suspect is a postwar model, so it counts, zooms fine:

tmart

B & B…..Benz & Bug.

fintail

Yep those are the easy ones leftmost car is the challenger - someone like magnette might get it, but the location is also possibly a clue.

texases

An Opel Kapitan?

fintail

I believe the car on the left is an EMW, apparently an EMW 340. EMW cars were built in Eisenach, which ended up on the red side after the war. A BMW factory was located there, based on a factory producing cars of other makes since around 1900, and under guidance from the Soviet occupiers would produce cars and bikes with prewar BMW tooling postwar. This eventually became the location of Wartburg production.

fintail

Maple Leaf Gardens, must be very early 70s, zooms fine:



When this pic was taken, the Leafs last Cup was already years in the past, and that hasn't changed

gsemike

@fintail said:
Maple Leaf Gardens, must be very early 70s, zooms fine:

When this pic was taken, the Leafs last Cup was already years in the past, and that hasn't changed

A Bonneville, a dart, an older Mopar (not sure the model) and I think a Torino

texases

Black ‘65 Valiant up front.

edit - oops, '66 like @Lostwrench3 said, fat-fingered that.

sda

Is that a 70 Continental in front of the 65 Chrysler? Picture is blurry on my screen.

Lostwrench3

Oh, Canada..............1966 V A L I A N T Signet.

ab348

Looks like 1969 Ontario plates, so their last Cup win was just 2 years previous. Chrysler seemed to be doing well in the Toronto market back then.