I think it was a prestige thing - the automatic was usually an expensive option, and those who'd be into it might not be luddite types who only want a manual. Show it off.
Like the stickers boasting Air Conditioning typically displayed on the back glass of cars in the late 50s-60s.
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Out of college in 1981 my sister needed a car for her new job (down by philly) and had little money. Ended up buying a Datsun 310 (I think, little FWD hatch). 4 speed, vinyl interior, no AC. whined like it had square cut gears or was a 1950s farm truck. Couple years later she moved to Virginia right outside DC. terrible car for that area but she kept it a few years before upgrading to a 5 speed Mazda 323 cloth sedan AC
I think it was a prestige thing - the automatic was usually an expensive option, and those who'd be into it might not be luddite types who only want a manual. Show it off.
Like the stickers boasting Air Conditioning typically displayed on the back glass of cars in the late 50s-60s.
Chrysler products kept the "Airtemp" stickers well into the 1960s, maybe even later.
Edit: Google tells me that Chrysler Corporation vehicles with A/C had the sticker in the lower corner of the rear or rear side window through 1973.
I think it was a prestige thing - the automatic was usually an expensive option, and those who'd be into it might not be luddite types who only want a manual. Show it off.
Like the stickers boasting Air Conditioning typically displayed on the back glass of cars in the late 50s-60s.
MB took it a step further. No factory AC on mainstream models until around 1970, and they placed a "snowflake" windshield sticker like this on AC cars until maybe just after 1980:
The "Automatic" badge was a big deal too, starting around 1965 and in use into the very early 70s, even appearing on sportier models:
A dark 53 Mercury waiting to take a left at the light. 3 Corvairs's, one in lower left, one to the left of the Mercury and another to the right of the Mercury at the light.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
A neighbor in Knoxville had a 53 Corvette stored in his garage. It had not been moved for years, thick in dust. This was back in 1985 before I moved to the Charlotte area. I think it was originally his dad’s. He was keeping it because it was a collector’s item. I wonder what happened to it. The neighbor would be easily 90+ today.
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The early ones were like that. Amazing what a foothold English cars obtained in Canada back then, even on the west coast.
I was confused when I saw the "Dominion" sign on the theater. I thought it was a supermarket at first since there was a chain by that name here that was nationwide.
The Morris Minor caught my attention too - a very early car, referred to as a "low light" car.
I believe the old looking car driving away from the camera is postwar, Austin A40/Devon (also sold in USDM). The old looking car driving towards the camera looks like an Austin and might be a van or pickup variant of the A40, both of which existed and I suspect made it to this side of the pond in small numbers.
The other thing that confused me on the Morris was the fender-mounted spotlight, almost like very old-fashioned headlights; I convinced myself there was a pair. The actual headlights don't look much like headlights.
I get an impression the "low lights" are serving as parking or driving lights, and maybe the odd spotlight type units are headlights. Maybe even a period regulatory issue? This is the stock look:
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My '82 Accord had a "5-Speed" emblem
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In our younger days 5 speed was definitely the “you be rich” made it badge.
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Out of college in 1981 my sister needed a car for her new job (down by philly) and had little money. Ended up buying a Datsun 310 (I think, little FWD hatch). 4 speed, vinyl interior, no AC. whined like it had square cut gears or was a 1950s farm truck. Couple years later she moved to Virginia right outside DC. terrible car for that area but she kept it a few years before upgrading to a 5 speed Mazda 323 cloth sedan AC
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Edit: Google tells me that Chrysler Corporation vehicles with A/C had the sticker in the lower corner of the rear or rear side window through 1973.
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The "Automatic" badge was a big deal too, starting around 1965 and in use into the very early 70s, even appearing on sportier models:
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
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Lots of everything. First 8 cars include a Buick, Chevy, AMC and Studebaker. Plus FoMoCo products.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I’ll claim the Country Squire. Andy be nice about Kmat shoppers! Hard to beat a Blue Light Special. Kinda sad they’re gone.
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LA, 1961, zooms fine, cool billboard for the new LAX "theme building" :
can't quite tell what the little sports car in the intersection is. Doesn't look right for a Triumph.
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The 58 Caddy looks so bloated. It wasn’t a good year for GM styling.
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I’ve always liked the 59 Ford especially the Skyliner.
3 Corvairs's, one in lower left, one to the left of the Mercury and another to the right of the Mercury at the light.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
1st gen corvette. No idea how to distinguish the year so I will guess 1954
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2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The headlights on the Morris look very odd.
Was restored last year.
I was confused when I saw the "Dominion" sign on the theater. I thought it was a supermarket at first since there was a chain by that name here that was nationwide.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
56 Ford at right.
I believe the old looking car driving away from the camera is postwar, Austin A40/Devon (also sold in USDM). The old looking car driving towards the camera looks like an Austin and might be a van or pickup variant of the A40, both of which existed and I suspect made it to this side of the pond in small numbers.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Yellow rambler
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59 and 61 Fords
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
1961 Rambler.