I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)

fintail · September 2006

Naugahyde...I've heard of that, in 30s cars. Sounds like something an old hot rod would have.

MB anyway didn't get into vinyl in large ways until the early 60s - it was all cloth and leather before then. But once the vinyl caught on, there was no turning back, most cars had it...kind of like in period American cars.

firemanjack · September 2006

Regards '57 DeSotos..My dad had one back in 1962 or so...I learned to drive with it...I decided to enter this conversation when you mentioned the seafoam green color...
That's what color it was..But it was the lowest priced model...The Firesweep...As I recall it had a two speed auto push button tranny. The seat material was a very industrial tough vinyl..Plain Jane DeSoto...But man...what a beating that car took...and kept on ticking..I raced a little Falcon with the little v-8 one time for several miles on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn, NY..He beat me...As I recall it was flatout at 120...No doubt an optimistic speedo...But when I think of those bald nylon ply tires..Geezuz...
Anyhow..I love looking at all these finned beauties..
The good old days.....Lucky to be alive, I guess
Thanks for the memories guys Jack

lemko · September 2006

There's a DeLorean parked outside the repair shop from which I bought my 1988 Buick Park Avenue last November. This shop has had a lot of cool cars for sale. Recently there was a beautiful red 1989 Cadillac DeVille and earlier a black 1964 Cadillac Sedan DeVille that didn't appear to need much work. Too bad I would have no place to keep all these cars as I live in the city. There's also a shell of a Metropolitan that's been there forever. The car was once seafoam green but is now primer gray.

explorerx4 · September 2006

out of town for the weekend. saw it on rte 6 in farmington.
passenger looked like a teenager.

explorerx4 · September 2006

instead of the 4-50 year project car, maybe someone could just make an offer on the 'same' car pictured in the link above it(red convertible), about 4-5 pictures down. :surprise:

andre1969 · September 2006

to get in a discussion over, but "Christine" was on the other night, and I was watching it with one of my friends. There's a scene towards the end of it where Arnie and Dennis are out driving on New Year's Eve, and they suddenly swerve onto the wrong side of the road and plays chicken with a '77 LeMans at high speed.

On the edited version, Arnie hollers out "CHICKEN!!" On the theatrical version he hollers something else.

Anyway, since I have a '76 LeMans, I said something off-the-wall like "Aw, that wasn't a nice thing to call the poor LeMans". My buddy said that a car like that SHOULD be chicken if something like a '58 Fury was coming towards it!

Kinda made me wonder though, which car would come off better in a hit like that? A '77 LeMans is actually a few hundred pounds heavier than a '58 Fury. The scene goes by in such a blur that I couldn't tell if it was a coupe or sedan, but the sedan was heavier still. Plus, the driving position of a LeMans is further back, and it would have a collapsible steering column and more padding inside. Oh, and one other little detail. The LeMans would have seatbelts! My buddy was trying to argue that the Plymouth would have thicker sheetmetal, but that's not going to help you in a high-speed crash.

Anyway, I wouldn't want to be in a high-speed wreck with either one, but shouldn't the LeMans come off a bit better? Oh, and just because I have a '57 DeSoto and '76 LeMans, I'm not about to try re-enacting that scene to find out! :surprise: And yes, my buddy did suggest it! :mad:

british_rover · September 2006

In a high speed off set front to front crash I think you would be dead in either one.

Those old body on frame cars don't take well to that kind of twisting force.

The LeMans would probably be better off though.

lemko · September 2006

Also, the '77 LeMans would have the heavier 5-mph bumper, not that it would help much in a high-speed crash. Unlike the '77 LeMans, Christine would simply regenerate herself. However, poor Arnie and Dennis would look like somebody threw-up all over her dashboard.

stickguy · September 2006

a late Convertible, getting washed outside of a repair place that usually also has a Delorean on the lot, and an early 60's falcon.

The COugar was probably about a '72-73, with the goofy taillights in the bumber (the model that looked like a baby Lincoln coupe). Looked to be in nice shape though.

explorerx4 · September 2006

you know your stuff!

lemko · September 2006

...an Audi 200 Turbo. Don't know much about Audis. When was this car manufactured? Looked mid-80s. Looked like the yellow lenses were bigger than the red lenses on the taillights.

andys120 · September 2006

Yep, mid-80s is about right for an Audi 200 Turbo which would've been sold here as a 5000S Turbo (in other words you likely saw a Euro-spec car).

It probably looked like this '89 Audi 200 Quattro>

sprint260v8 · September 2006

Have you spotted a 64 Ford Falcon sprintV8. I need some advice on the details of this car. I just bought one in excellent shape and need some help on its restoration.

kyfdx · September 2006

The US went to the 100/200 designation at the same time they came out with the 80/90 models...

I'm guessing '89-'95 on that Audi 200?

As always, I could be wrong...

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

Basically a V8 Falcon Futura, with the Futura trim and a slightly tweaked suspension. Generally the 63s and 65s are a bit more desirable, but all are collectible right now. Some people think the '63 better looking, and the '65 is the "last of the breed" and has the 289 engine. 1964 is the highest production year, with 13,830 of them built (as opposed to only 2806 coupes for 1965).

This should be a pretty easy car to restore, as you can raid the more common Falcon parts bin.

The Sprint was popular but was immediately killed off by the Mustang.

I believe Sprints ran in the Monte Carlo Rallye---didn't win but it was a respectable showing in a very rough race.

Cute car. I recently saw an absolutely gorgeous '63 with a 4 speed 6 cylinder! How odd. It was a convertible and they were asking $20,000. That's pretty strong money but they might have gotten it, the car was quite nice. If it were a V8 they definitely would have gotten it, as a 4 speed V8 ragtop. Coupes of course sell for less but still for way more than ordinary Falcons.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

I think you are right about the start date but I don't think they were marketed as 200 turbos for that long--the car may have morphed into the S4 and V8 Quattros.

The 200 is not a car you really want to touch--it's a lot more boring than it sounds.

kyfdx · September 2006

According to Edmunds, it looks like the Audi 200 was available from '89-'91..

It looks like they introduced the V-6 in 1992, and they were all 100 models.... Also the first year for the Audi V8, I think..

fintail · September 2006

I still remember that red 63 Sprint I wanted before I was able to drive. It was a 260, original owner, very clean unrestored - old guy said he wanted to give it to his son, but he'd never pick it up. Then the old guy passed on, and it seemed like overnight the house was vacant and the car gone. Should have made an offer...

Audi V8 was in 90 or 91 wasn't it?

kyfdx · September 2006

Correct.. just checked again... V-8 available in 1990.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

Sprints are fun, and if you can work on the suspension and brakes, you can even fling them around a bit---otherwise, in stock form, go fast but stay in a straight line.

fintail · September 2006

I randomly peered out my window at work, which looks out onto I-90, and right then I spotted a beautiful black ponton cabrio, probably a 220SE , going east in the fast lane at maybe 75-80, top down. Wow.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

Now you know why the SE models bring more money than the carb-ed cars.

fintail · September 2006

There are so many reasons.

I let my fintail sit for 3 weeks and drove it last Sunday. It started on the first turn, and ran perfectly, warm up is like in a brand new car. I bet a carb (fintail) car can't do that.

fintail · September 2006

Today's commute featured a couple of goodies...a brand-new looking late W123 300D turbo, dark grey, even wearing period license plate frames from the local dealer. Shortly after in traffic I saw a big black ca. 1947 Buick 2 door fastback, sticking out as much as possible among the sea of Camcords and SUVs.

andys120 · September 2006

I saw a black '63 or so Falcon ragtop in my rearview when it passed me I spotted V8 badging on the fender and Futura badging on the back.

I assume V8 Futuras were also Sprints(?)

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

No don't think so. Sprint was a trim level of a Futura, 6 or 8.

chuck1959 · September 2006

probably a late '90's Plymouth Grand Voyager el. I never heard of this model Voyager does anyone know about these?

kyfdx · September 2006

Plymouth's version of a Dodge Grand Caravan...

Probably sold a couple hundred thousand of them..

magnette · September 2006

Really ! - the economy Brit cars of the 50s included the Minor, which was outstanding, the Standard8/10, which were slow as anything but so heavy they couldnt rust out, and the Austin A30/A35/A40 all decent little runners. I presume you mean the Vauxhalls, well they did rust out thanks to the tinplate bodies, but then over here the bigger ones ie Cresta PA (the one with the fins) were called yank tanks due to the excessive (to british eyes ) splurges of chrome and wrap around windows (like the Victor). The few that are left are now viewed with nostalgia. Incidentally the Cresta shown (E series) is part of a family of Vauxhalls launched in 1951 originally just as Wyvern and Veox, and they were the first British cars to dispense with starting handles - which was a pretty optimistic bit of penny pinching in those days by good old GM, but they rusted out so fast they probably never lasted long enough to actually break down. My dad used to say the Vauxhall Wyvern toolkit was a dustpan and brush to sweep the bits up....

The Detroit Electric is great. About ten years ago there was an article in one of the magazines about one from circa 1914 that was still in daily use on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, which is only about 20 mile long, so perhaps the range didn't matter...

andys120 · September 2006

Apparently someone in my town has acquired a 1965 Shelby GT-350 or a pretty convincing clone thereof. I've seen it several times in the past week and it's a very nice one in Oxford White with blue stripes.

Up close it shows just enough wear and tear to know that though well kept, it's no garage queen. :shades:

bumpy · September 2006

silver Plymouth Prowler last night, with the matching silver storage trailer.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

HAving owned some Minors and Austins, the word "outstanding" is not the first one that jumps into my mind. I remember them more as the products of a war-ravaged economy...something like the cars of East Germany. The Minors were charming though, and I forgave mine----many times---for the bad things they did. I guess my main complaint is that the lower priced sedans were all so cheesy. Even a '53 Chevrolet felt like a Rolls Royce in comparison.

I liked the MG Magnettes a lot, though. They were a good quality car for the money; and of course the Jaguar Mark series were decent.

fintail · September 2006

Surprised it has an original body...better off back home

Good old name

Uncommon old name

People just love these things

You don't see these every day

Wow

"most luxurious AMC built" just doesn't have much cachet

Andre-mobile

Not a bad looking old thing

Another project with a 40 year turnaround time

Nice driver

Very early fintail

Another odd W126

Andre and lemko can fight over this

Not many of these left

<A href=

Mr_Shiftright · September 2006

On the Chrysler Woody, I like the comment about how you can use the wood on the left side to make a "mirror" copy of the right side.....uh, I'm afraid not. Each piece is different and must be hand made and hand fitted.

Peugeot 504 -- neat old car but why are people LYING about mpg so much? Over 30? Try 23. I've had a few, I know about this.

prosa · September 2006

I've noticed a number of these "Andre" references. What do they mean?

andys120 · October 2006

-Boy that Talbot is a great looking car. You'd have to be friendly with a very good mechanic to keep it going tho.

-Haven't we seen the '56 Imperial before? The honesty of the seller is refreshing as he admits th car doesn't look as good close up as in photos but still.....gunsight t/ls, pillarless hardtop and the best styling of the Exner era makes that one very tempting to me.

kyfdx · October 2006

andre1969.. lover of crappy '70s cars and late '50s DeSotos... (did I say crappy? I meant classic..

)

One of andre1969's posts

prosa · October 2006

andre1969.. lover of crappy '70s cars and late '50s DeSotos..

Ah, so that's it. For some reason I suspected there was some reference to Andre the Giant (really, I did).

lemko · October 2006

...blue 1971 Chevrolet Impala convertible.

fintail · October 2006

If you must have a Delorean, at least do it up like this

kyfdx · October 2006

..in pretty good shape...

White, of course..

vivalabam · October 2006

I saw the nicest silver '67 camaro. Man I wish I owned that car.

Mr_Shiftright · October 2006

First year was one of the best for that car.

kyfdx · October 2006

I like the '69 rear end...

Mr_Shiftright · October 2006

yes they did some nice face-lifting in 1969; certainly everybody likes the '69 Z-28 more than any other Z.

kyfdx · October 2006

There is a nice example of the '69 Z-28 in front of the Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum in Gatlinburg.. believe it or not..

fintail · October 2006

I saw another silver C43 this morning...it was about 5:30am, still dark, and I saw a xenon-light Mercedes coming down a side street. As it got closer, I could see it was a W202, and as it approached the intersection I could see the C43 bumper. The odds of that meeting have to be somewhat remote.

bhill2 · October 2006

just cruising down the street. Refrigerator white, and as clean as the day it came from the factory. I don't know exactly why it was that meticulously cared for, but my hat is off to the owner.

andre1969 · October 2006

of pics I took last Saturday at the Fall Carlisle swap meet in PA. Pics are kinda sparse this time, as the weather was off-and-on icky and I wasn't in that much of a picture taking mood.

Anyway, the Hershey show is tomorrow, so hopefully the weather will be nicer!

boomchek · October 2006

I like that red Mercedes coupe model car. Looks bigger than 1:18 scale.

I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)

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