I live in Australia,but travel a lot for work. At the time of the federation of Australian states 1901, it was more likely that New Zealand would join Australia, than Western Australia. There is free interchange between Australia and New Zealand and Sydney is supposed to have more New Zealanders than Christchurch!
Our cultures and laws are very similar and many of our professional bodies are integrated.
I work as an Insurance Loss Adjuster dealing with big disasters, so have seen a lot of Christchurch and Wellington. It takes me about the same time to get there as going to Perth. Even our accents are close except for the pronunciation of hard "I" s. Australians take great amusement from hearing Kiwis say "six" which sounds either like "sucks" or "sex" depending where the New Zealander originates. However my accent (educated Australian) is so close that I get mistaken for a Christcvhuch local (unless I say "'six").
Driving in New Zealand is almost identical to Australia but, due to erase of importing second hand cars, the New Zealand motor fleet is pretty weird. They are markedly older and less safe than the Australian average.
I'll grab the 54 Studebaker. The one in the foreground in picture 4 is a stumper. The nose badge appears to be Packard but the bumper is wrong. Canadian?
Crushed cars can be hard to ID, but this one is easy - maybe at the JC Penney building
The Alaska quake and liquefaction at Turnagain Heights fascinated me when I was a kid - as I had an interest in both natural disasters and structures. I had a cool little souvenir book of the event which showed a rental car agency where the pillared roof toppled near/on some cars, but I think it sold at a yard sale when I was a teen.
The Isetta and Mini strike me as really odd sights for Alaska then - but maybe not bad in snow?
@Stever@Edmunds said:
You missed the one of the JC Penny wall that fell in Anchorage and crushed a row of cars.
That was a brand-new car. My Mom and Dad's wedding car was my Grandpop's brand-new black 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne. There's a picture of my Mom getting out of the back seat in front of the church in out photo album.
I think the Isetta is on a 62 Ford, and the car nose down looks like an Austin A35.
My bad on the Ford under the Isetta, you're right, it's a '62, not a '61. The nose-down car in the third from bottom looks too crisp and stylish be the dumpy A35>
@uplanderguy said:
Yep, '70 Estate Wagon, sans its original woodgrain paneling.
That is most certainly a 1970 Buick Estate Wagon. I wouldn't know if this particular car originally had the faux wood sides but I'm fairly sure those wire wheels weren't stock original. It's true that a bunch of 50s/60s cars offered a wire wheel option but by 1970 those were usually snap on wheel covers rather than actual wire wheels, especially on heavy full-sized station wagons.
The base model Estate Wagon did not have woodgrain paneling, and the moldings on the car in the photo are the outline moldings for the optional wood paneling. Those were nice cars and the first full-size Buick station wagons since 1964.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Can't argue that the Buick wagon would be a nice cruiser, but for me personally, when it comes to wagons back then I always thought Ford products offered the best overall package, and some of the Mopars were very nice lookers. Now Uplander, when I mention "Ford" I know that is like Rambler in your mind - just kidding BTW, Rambler wagons were fairly popular in the latter 50's. I've always liked old wagons and if I was choosing a Buick, I'd probably be partial to something like a 49 Woodie and for Ford, a Mercury Colony Park from the 50's or 60's.
Yup, that's the BMW 2000 sedan, the top of the line BMW of the mid-1960s. The 2000 was a four-door version of the Neue Klasse (New Class) sedans that brought BMW into the mainstream of the European market. Only a few of the four doors came to the US market where they wore four round headlights due to regulations requiring sealed beam headlights.
The two doors were more popular in North America but it wasn't until they married the 2-liter engine to the 02 chassis that BMW became a real player in the US market with the introduction of the 2002. Some credit Max Hoffman, BMW's US distributor with the idea of bringing the 2002 to America.
Hoffman was a legend who was instrumental in create a mass market for Euro imports in the America, he is also credited with the introduction of the Merecedes 300SL, the 356 Speedster and others.
I've often wondered if he got the idea from Pontiac which introduced the LeMans GTO option in 1964 which made the 389 V8 from the big Ponchos available in the compact Tempest. If you think about it, putting the 2liter engine in a smallish 2-door is the same idea in a European scale.
@andys120 said:
Yup, that's the BMW 2000 sedan, the top of the line BMW of the mid-1960s.
I know that they were supposed to be wonderful, but they have always looked a little frumpy with those headlights and the rear end is not great either. Possibly one of those designs where the US round headlamp look is prettier.
@grahampeters said:
I know that they were supposed to be wonderful, but they have always looked a little frumpy with those headlights and the rear end is not great either. Possibly one of those designs where the US round headlamp look is prettier.
Graham, perhaps it has to do with what we're used to seeing, also flush lights were so new that stylists were still working out how to best integrate them.
I think the round headlights were standard in Euro versions of the big Neue Klasse sedans with the exception of the top of the line 2000 models.
@stickguy said:
at least 4 renault Dauphines in the same place. and a 1960ish Caddy in the far back. No clue what that goofy convertible at the far left is.
The Caddy is definitely a 1959. I'm not sure what accounts to the plethora of Dauphines, perhaps it's an overflow lot for a Renault dealership but it's worth noting that for a couple of years in the late 50sthe Dauphine outsold the Beetle/Bug (of which there are several tucked away in the back.).
The convertible on the left is something 1950s and British, perhaps a Hillman or Singer, does anyone know? Surely some can ID the car pulling in from the right. Next to the Cadillac is a well-preserved 52 or '53 Pontiac.
@andys120 said:
The convertible on the left is something 1950s and British, perhaps a Hillman or Singer, does anyone know? Surely some can ID the car pulling in from the right. Next to the Cadillac is a well-preserved 52 or '53 Pontiac.
The car behind the Cadillac and Pontiac says Oldsmobile to me. There's something about the headlight shape and the chrome bar for the windshield that just brings that to mind.
@tmart said:
The convertible is a 55 Ford, with a Tbird engine.
Close. It's a V-8, but not a Tbird V-8. That badge had an additional piece across the lower part of the 'V' that said 'Thunderbird'. I would guess it's got a 272 ci V-8.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Definitely not Virgil Exner's finest moment, for either one. Then you look at the very pretty 1960 Valiant, (with the fake wheel on the boot lid) which we got here in OZ a year or so later. We saw one last week and it still drew a smile from my wife.
I know they are both Chrysler products but not sure what. Happily neither of them came down under
Both remind me of a story told me by my small-town Studebaker dealer friend.
Our town lost its Dodge dealer in 1961 sometime. The Dodge 'road man' asked my Studebaker dealer friend if he'd consider Dodge. My friend was invited to attend the 1962 Dodge dealer introduction in Detroit. He went.
When asked what he thought afterwards, my friend said "Those look worse than any Studebaker!".
He didn't get the franchise.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Comments
'day
I live in Australia,but travel a lot for work. At the time of the federation of Australian states 1901, it was more likely that New Zealand would join Australia, than Western Australia. There is free interchange between Australia and New Zealand and Sydney is supposed to have more New Zealanders than Christchurch!
Our cultures and laws are very similar and many of our professional bodies are integrated.
I work as an Insurance Loss Adjuster dealing with big disasters, so have seen a lot of Christchurch and Wellington. It takes me about the same time to get there as going to Perth. Even our accents are close except for the pronunciation of hard "I" s. Australians take great amusement from hearing Kiwis say "six" which sounds either like "sucks" or "sex" depending where the New Zealander originates. However my accent (educated Australian) is so close that I get mistaken for a Christcvhuch local (unless I say "'six").
Driving in New Zealand is almost identical to Australia but, due to erase of importing second hand cars, the New Zealand motor fleet is pretty weird. They are markedly older and less safe than the Australian average.
Cheers
Graham
In the first picture, 52-53 Ford, 54 Ford, 56 Customline Ford wagon, 59 Chevy.
So, Kiwis drive on the wrong side as well.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I'll grab the 54 Studebaker. The one in the foreground in picture 4 is a stumper. The nose badge appears to be Packard but the bumper is wrong. Canadian?
Crushed cars can be hard to ID, but this one is easy - maybe at the JC Penney building
The Alaska quake and liquefaction at Turnagain Heights fascinated me when I was a kid - as I had an interest in both natural disasters and structures. I had a cool little souvenir book of the event which showed a rental car agency where the pillared roof toppled near/on some cars, but I think it sold at a yard sale when I was a teen.
The Isetta and Mini strike me as really odd sights for Alaska then - but maybe not bad in snow?
1964 Chevrolet Impala, Bel Air, or Biscayne.
The Alaska pic labelled 'stuck' is a '54 Studebaker, but several pics up, there is a '56 Studebaker Champion or Commander as well.
64 Chevy was a life cut short - I hope/assume it was parked and empty.
I think the Isetta is on a 62 Ford, and the car nose down looks like an Austin A35.
That was a brand-new car. My Mom and Dad's wedding car was my Grandpop's brand-new black 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne. There's a picture of my Mom getting out of the back seat in front of the church in out photo album.
My bad on the Ford under the Isetta, you're right, it's a '62, not a '61. The nose-down car in the third from bottom looks too crisp and stylish be the dumpy A35>
'
I think it might be a mid 50s MG Magnette ZA>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Oops my mistake, I meant A50 - I have a few Matchbox versions of this,
Porsche 928 behind the A50.
This one was the most heartbreaking to me 'cause of the "covered" Triumph TR-4.
Ouch!
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
???
Ford Zephyr - Australian?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
British - Mark III Zephyr.
Maybe that was the influence for the '60-61 Mercury Comet taillights.
Matchbox made a nearly identical model, here's mine (less common variant with grey wheels)
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
1970 Buick?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Yep, '70 Estate Wagon, sans its original woodgrain paneling.
That is most certainly a 1970 Buick Estate Wagon. I wouldn't know if this particular car originally had the faux wood sides but I'm fairly sure those wire wheels weren't stock original. It's true that a bunch of 50s/60s cars offered a wire wheel option but by 1970 those were usually snap on wheel covers rather than actual wire wheels, especially on heavy full-sized station wagons.
Pretty car I think. with or without wood.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Neue Klasse>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The base model Estate Wagon did not have woodgrain paneling, and the moldings on the car in the photo are the outline moldings for the optional wood paneling. Those were nice cars and the first full-size Buick station wagons since 1964.
Can't argue that the Buick wagon would be a nice cruiser, but for me personally, when it comes to wagons back then I always thought Ford products offered the best overall package, and some of the Mopars were very nice lookers. Now Uplander, when I mention "Ford" I know that is like Rambler in your mind - just kidding
BTW, Rambler wagons were fairly popular in the latter 50's. I've always liked old wagons and if I was choosing a Buick, I'd probably be partial to something like a 49 Woodie and for Ford, a Mercury Colony Park from the 50's or 60's.
G'day
Latec1960's BMW 2000 = before BMW sedans looked really pretty! I think the design was called "New Class"
Cheers
Graham
Yup, that's the BMW 2000 sedan, the top of the line BMW of the mid-1960s. The 2000 was a four-door version of the Neue Klasse (New Class) sedans that brought BMW into the mainstream of the European market. Only a few of the four doors came to the US market where they wore four round headlights due to regulations requiring sealed beam headlights.
The two doors were more popular in North America but it wasn't until they married the 2-liter engine to the 02 chassis that BMW became a real player in the US market with the introduction of the 2002. Some credit Max Hoffman, BMW's US distributor with the idea of bringing the 2002 to America.
Hoffman was a legend who was instrumental in create a mass market for Euro imports in the America, he is also credited with the introduction of the Merecedes 300SL, the 356 Speedster and others.
I've often wondered if he got the idea from Pontiac which introduced the LeMans GTO option in 1964 which made the 389 V8 from the big Ponchos available in the compact Tempest. If you think about it, putting the 2liter engine in a smallish 2-door is the same idea in a European scale.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I know that they were supposed to be wonderful, but they have always looked a little frumpy with those headlights and the rear end is not great either. Possibly one of those designs where the US round headlamp look is prettier.
Cheers
Graham
Y'all know what this is but this is a great picture innit?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Graham, perhaps it has to do with what we're used to seeing, also flush lights were so new that stylists were still working out how to best integrate them.
I think the round headlights were standard in Euro versions of the big Neue Klasse sedans with the exception of the top of the line 2000 models.
Here's an 1965 1800TISA>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
at least 4 renault Dauphines in the same place. and a 1960ish Caddy in the far back. No clue what that goofy convertible at the far left is.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The Caddy is definitely a 1959. I'm not sure what accounts to the plethora of Dauphines, perhaps it's an overflow lot for a Renault dealership but it's worth noting that for a couple of years in the late 50sthe Dauphine outsold the Beetle/Bug (of which there are several tucked away in the back.).
The convertible on the left is something 1950s and British, perhaps a Hillman or Singer, does anyone know? Surely some can ID the car pulling in from the right. Next to the Cadillac is a well-preserved 52 or '53 Pontiac.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The car behind the Cadillac and Pontiac says Oldsmobile to me. There's something about the headlight shape and the chrome bar for the windshield that just brings that to mind.
Anyone else?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
1955 Ford Sunliner.
1950 Pontiac.
Did some poking around the net and found a match for that little convertible
Just as I thought it's an early 50's Hillman Minx.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I'm thinking 57 Ford.
The convertible is a 55 Ford, with a Tbird engine.
Close. It's a V-8, but not a Tbird V-8. That badge had an additional piece across the lower part of the 'V' that said 'Thunderbird'. I would guess it's got a 272 ci V-8.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
You've got much better resolution than I do!
Well, I've got a Mac. Just saying.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Is this the ugliest car ever made in the USA?>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
This would be my candidate.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
G'day
Definitely not Virgil Exner's finest moment, for either one. Then you look at the very pretty 1960 Valiant, (with the fake wheel on the boot lid) which we got here in OZ a year or so later. We saw one last week and it still drew a smile from my wife.
I know they are both Chrysler products but not sure what. Happily neither of them came down under
Cheers
Graham
Both remind me of a story told me by my small-town Studebaker dealer friend.
Our town lost its Dodge dealer in 1961 sometime. The Dodge 'road man' asked my Studebaker dealer friend if he'd consider Dodge. My friend was invited to attend the 1962 Dodge dealer introduction in Detroit. He went.
When asked what he thought afterwards, my friend said "Those look worse than any Studebaker!".
He didn't get the franchise.
1961 Dodge Polara.
1961 Plymouth (Which came with an alternator!)
Anyone going to the NY Auto Show next week?
To my eyes, a '60 Plymouth looks worse than either of the cars posted above. Check out the front fender styling online sometime!
The B&W picture is a 1961 Dodge. Not sure which model.
Funny how everybody bashes the 1961 Plymouth when Lexus copied its grille.