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

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Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Understandable, since this misconception often finds itself in print or in the Internet.

    Donald Healey wanted nothing to do with the MGC, and didn't want his name associated with it in any way.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,368
    These always have low miles because people are embarrassed

    A real SUV

    These have some weird cult behind them

    A new car of sorts

    They all end up on ebay

    Odd survivor, keep away from snow and salt

    The last gas crunch gave us things like this

    "European sport coupe"

    Or a more basic model

    Or a model with more doors

    Good luck

    I don't see where the "sports" is

    "Factory 2 tone"...ummm...

    Odd hearse

    Lemko-mobile
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Golden Spirit --- that's rather sad, that nobody even upped his $200 starting bid. Does that suggest "sale-proof"?

    Suburban NAPCO -- these are rare and sought after. Perhaps the first truly collectible SUV. Look at those bids!

    Peugeot 504 -- yes, it's a cult all right, but a rather penny-pinching cult I must say. Actually they are good cars. Of course you have to join the cult to get into the spare parts network, and to worship and adore the few mechanics willing to work on them anymore. I really have nothing bad to say about the 504.

    63 Benz -- factory two tone if you were an Afghani cab driver maybe.

    58 Packard Hawk --- GEEZ, look at the bids on that rat. Why spend $40K to restore the ugliest car in the world? I just don't get it, I don't I don't, lord knows I've tried but I don't.....

    59 Loewy Cadillac -- no wonder he got fired so often. Was it those loud clothes he wore or the 3 martini lunches? Actually he did a few nice things in design, he really did, but he was also a loose cannon sometimes. Not a consistent type of talent IMO.
  • toomanyfumestoomanyfumes Member Posts: 1,019
    I'd really like to see that hearse get "at least 25 miles per gallon"
    2012 Mustang Premium, 2013 Lincoln MKX Elite, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,368
    The coolest car in the parking lot

    I also saw this in traffic yesterday:

    image

    Beautiful day here, but not many oldies out. I saw a 65-66 Mustang convertible, a 64-65 Continental convertible, an early MG Midget, and a Model A hot rod.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 264,162
    My son's friend came to pick him up... His father was driving his '33 Buick coupe... Straight-8, rumble seat.. In black, of course..

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  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I was driving my 1989 Cadillac Brougham yesterday to limber her up for the trip out to the Carlisle GM Nationals this coming weekend. Seems some other folks brought out their old iron for a sunny Sunday:

    pale green 1950 Plymouth sedan
    medium blue metallic 1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport convertible
    teal blue 1966 Chevrolet Nova two-door hardtop
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,084
    But I saw a BMW E36 M3 4-dr sedan last night - why'd I notice? No sun roof! That's what I wish I could get today!
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,227
    Been away for a week and a bit, up in northern England. So I missed your last two e-bay selections.
    Liked the Suburban - a real truck
    The Peugeot estate is popular everywhere as a real workhorse - they go for ever - pretty much indestructible - just look on the news - if it is somewhere in Africa with no roads, the locals will be buzzing round in these, 404/504/505, it doesn't matter which.
    As for the Loewy designed barge - well it is unique, but sometimes that is a good thing.
    And from your previous selection, the one that caught my eye was the BSA - great little cars, with a real pedigree. BSA stood for Birmingham Small Arms - they were suppliers of rifles and other guns to the British Army - from about 1700 (muskets) - and they made cars from before WW1 to the outbreak of WW2 in 1939. ( They also dabbled with micro-cars in the 50's, like most motor-cycle manufacturers) They owned Daimler and Lanchester from about 1910, but they are of course better known as motor-cycle manufacturers, at one time they owned Triumph and Ariel motor-cycles, and they were also one of the largest suppliers of (pedal) bicycles in the UK. - my first new bike was a BSA when I was a kid...
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,227
    Mostly in Liverpool, the English lake district, and points in between;
    Riley RME
    Lea-Francis - not sure what model but late 20's
    Austin A110 Westminster - 1960's
    numerous proper Mini's ( some with sliding windows, so Mk1/Mk11) - they had a run through the Windemere area, I think
    MGA 1600
    and a couple of really old military trucks on the back of more modern trailers, ie from WW1 era, and a Chevy truck from WW2, with Canadian markings, I think.
    Also a real rarity in UK - a Saturn - one of the early ones - it drove off before I could get a good look or a photo
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Just helped a friend bring home a BSA Goldstar. These bikes are bringing serious money now--double the value of a Triumph Bonneville.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Isn't that the bike that would break your shin on a regular basis if you didn't kick start it just right?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I think that was the 441 Lightning single cylinder. The old "Thumper".
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Ahh yeah you are right it was the Lightning because of the odd firing single cylinder setup.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    You were supposed to use the compression release lever.

    Equally ornery were old Harleys in a different way. If you kicked one of those over and it sputtered but did not start, that meant "tomorrow, try again".

    My 53 BMW started first time every time (you could bet on it) but it wasn't very fast, or noisy. It had an exposed driveshaft that used to spin. I loved that.
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    It had an exposed driveshaft that used to spin.

    Same idea.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I once saw, in a museum in Paris, a bicycle made of wood, with a 3-speed transmission in a brass case, and a shift lever coming up toward the seat, just aft of the pedals A Peugeot, very old. Gorgeous thing.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...rather nice looking 1974 Plymouth Valiant sedan in a bronzish color with a tan top.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,084
    Like this?
    image
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    I had to run out, and spotted a '73 Dart hardtop, in a neon-looking green. It looked a bit louder than that "SubLime" color they offered in the late 60's/early 70's. I can't remember if that color was even still offered by '73. Anyway, it looked decent from a distance, but as it got closer I could see it was rusty in the lower rockers and quarters. It had oversized wheels and tires on it, too. They weren't like those blingy 22's with the little rubber band tires, but more like fat, old-school chrome wheels with oversized ~70 series tires on it. It looked lowered a bit, and I'm sure he'd rub if he hit too big of a bump, or tried to turn too sharply.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,662
    at a local wrecker that often has oddball cars, an Austin America ca. 1970, the oddball version of the BMC 1100 (Maxi) that featured an A/T for sale in the US.

    It looked like this, except it was pale yellow and badly banged up>
    image

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,084
    "'73 Dart hardtop, in a neon-looking green"
    Like this? (it's a link, large pic).
    green dart
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,084
    My interest in these goes back to my '72, which looked like this (exact same color), except for 2 things - white stripes on the outside, and a 198 under the hood - more show than go, that's for sure!
    image
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    Yep, pretty much that, except that it didn't have a vinyl roof, and no bumblebee stripe. I'd imagine a non-vinyl roof Dart was pretty rare by the 70's, although it's possible this one had it originally. My '69 Dart GT had a black vinyl roof that was getting a bit trashy when I bought it, so I just pulled it off completely. Pain in the rear, getting all that adhesive off! I probably would've been better off just getting it re-done.

    I always liked those rally wheels. I wanted to get a set for mine, but never got around to it.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Yes, except it had different hubcaps. I think that stand-up hood ornament means its a Premier model - a "luxury" version of the Valiant. Dodge called the Dart version the "SE" or "Special Edition."
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    Close..."Premier" was the top trim level of the Volare. For Valiant, they just went with "Brougham".

    Those Valiant Broughams and Dart S/E's were pretty nice little cars for their time. They had enough velour, shag, ploodgrain, and thickly padded vinyl to do any Cadillac or Lincoln proud. Although I always thought the split bench seat up front was a bit odd. It was a 40/20/40, where the center section was stationary and the two outer sections moved fore and aft. Must have made for a horrible center seating position!
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,084
    "I'd imagine a non-vinyl roof Dart was pretty rare by the 70's,"

    Come to think of it, mine had a white painted roof - kinda odd, part of some (possibly local) option package.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    my '76 Grand LeMans 3 years ago, I guess I'd be tempted to bid on this one today. Dunno if I'd be willing to go all the way to Florida to pick it up though. Cincinnati was far enough the the one I got!

    Still, this one doesn't look too bad, IMO. The rear bumper looks like it might need rechroming, and in one pic the hood looks faded. I like the console and bucket seats on this one, and it looks like it's the color that mine was originally. This one has the grille I prefer, too, although I ended up buying that grille to put in my own car, if I ever get the urge. Interestingly, this one has crank windows and power locks, whereas mine has power windows and regular locks. A car this wide inside really needs both of 'em to be powered, though!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I think it's been hit hard in the rear end or had rust cut out. Look at the rear bumper/ trunk floor paint.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    I noticed that shiny black trunk paint, but I guess I didn't give it too much thought. Also, the more I look at the pics, I can see that the passenger side door looks really faded at certain angles, compared to the rest of the car. Guess if I was serious about this one, asking for more detailed photos would be in order. When I bought mine three years ago, the guy sent me pics that were so hi-res that I could see practically every flaw in the car. There were no nasty surprises when I went out to see the car.

    So, if I hadn't satisfied my lust for the '76-77 LeMans three years ago, I'm guessing this would be one to pass up?
  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,227
    The 1100/1300 was a large range of cars here( Austin / Morris / MG / Wolseley / Riley / Vanden Plas), but it wasn't the same as the Maxi. The latter was bigger, it was a hatchback unlike the 1100/1300, and it had larger engines ( initially 1500, but also 1750). It was only ever sold as an Austin and shared many components with the larger 800 series ( which was nicknamed Landcrab, although that wasn't an official name that British Leyland would have acknowledged)
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...white 1940 Oldsmobile business coupe at the Auto Zone on Oxford Avenue in NE Philly.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,629
    i saw a nice white mga, and a brick colored tr-6. maybe i have seen that one before.
    also, a blue viper coupe in the driveway on a side street.
    the other day i actually saw a datsun 210. until someone mentioned them a few days ago, i had forgotten about them and even then i couldn't remember what they looked like. they are boxy. it was blue.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...a beautifully preserved dark green 1972 Ford LTD two-door hardtop...WITH DUBS ON IT!!!! AAARRRGHHH!!! :mad: I bet some no-taste idiot bought a perfectly preserved survivor off eBay and had to go ahead and ruin it!!!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    I finally got around to uploading the pics I took at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle PA the other week. The Buick sportwagon was sitting outside the fairgrounds, and the DeSoto was on a used car lot, of all places!

    Lemko, I emailed you those pics I took of your DTS, so check 'em out and let me know if you like 'em. They're almost identical...with this new camera I couldn't always tell if it took the pic or not!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,368
    Nice stuff, the MB W114/115 drag car is very amusing. The Aussie Fords are cool too, I think I've only seen one of those in person.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Thanx for the pix of my DTS! I just put 'em up on my CarSpace page! Like the third pic the best! One of these days I gotta break down and buy me a digital camera. All the other pictures on my CarSpace page other than those you sent me are scans of snapshots.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Now we don't want you rushing into the 21st century. You take your time ;)
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,629
    not 1, but 2 starsky and hutch cars, both from ct! i am pretty sure i saw one of those 2 the other day. :surprise: how many can there be? it was parked in an employee parking lot not far from where i work. if i go by there and see it again, i will have to see which one it was.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,368
    I've heard of this before, never seen one

    And one with the same name, but different approach...motoring for the globalized brave new world...oh the humanity

    This has been on here before...anything could get into Florida...pics are definitely shot in Japan

    Commendable preservation

    New models of this make are hardly better looking

    Swedish style

    Black beauty

    Little gnat

    Surprising bids

    Depreciated model name

    Pimpy

    Or a his and hers combo with the car above

    Lots of doors

    Unusual way to renovate a car

    You rarely see this much green on a car...interesting the owner didn't bother to clean it either
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    The Soarer is old enough to get in legally, but it's not a car much in demand on this continent. A '90s Soarer 2.5TT would be, but those need some work done first.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    WILDFIRE -- this was America's concept of what a "sports car" was in 1953, F-head engine and all.

    Sir Peter Ustinov made great good fun of this car ( or type of car) in his hilarious recording "Grand Prix du Roc"

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000APVC4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    In the recording, it's called I think the "Wildfowl". Click on the "samples". *Every* sound effect, every voice, comes from his mouth except the sound of a hammer on metal.

    Saab 95 Wagon -- I drove cross-country in one of those. You don't ever want to do that.

    Renault R5 -- well at least we know what the best and rarest Le Car is worth---about as much as a banged-up 15 year Honda Civic.

    Honda S600 -- this is a fun little car to drive, highly recommended and yes, you can take it on the freeway. I had the coupe version and it would do 80 mph. Motorcycle engine with chain-driven transmission, so high RPMs were okay.

    AMC Matador Wagon -- those ARE surprising bids. Boy, if you ever wanted an example of 1970s "engine bay chaos" just look at that engineering mess under the hood. Looks like the first A-bomb photos from the mock-up in the New Mexico desert. All that's missing is duct tape.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,629
    huge open top packard today! i had previously seen it in the memorial day parade about a month ago. it was buttery yellow with caramel colored accents.
    there was a black 4 door convertible right behind it, maybe a model a, but i kind of doubt it, the grille came to a point at the bottom and jutted out a bit.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Boy, if you ever wanted an example of 1970s "engine bay chaos" just look at that engineering mess under the hood.

    It even has a junkyard replacement radiator, if I'm reading it right and someone scrawled "75 Matador" on it with a yellow paint pen.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,662
    -A ca. 1970 BMW 2002 in Golf Yellow, absolutely perfect paint and chrome, looked like it had about 14 miles on it.

    -A 1959-60 Corvette, top-down looking very sharp, red w cream cove insert. It's nearly impossible to tell a '59 from a '60 unless you're conversant w color combos.

    2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,015
    That '79 Catalina actually looks like it might be a decent car under all that dirt. That's not really my favorite shade of green on that car. There was another, that was kind of a deep, dark emerald/forest type of green that was really attractive. Still, this one doesn't look bad. A nice bath and vacuum would probably do it wonders...although it does look a bit rough under the hood. And is has the 301 that I fear. Although I did get to see a 301 actually move under its own power over the weekend...a '77 Grand LeMans sedan at the GM show in Carlisle PA. I'll post pics as soon as I get the ambition to upload them.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Spotted a '57 T-bird - yellow with white hard top. Looked to be in great shape.

    Also saw two 70's era Corvettes - probably '73 or '74. OK condition.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,368
    Today I saw a few oddities...a 69-70 Mustang convertible, an 80s Porsche targa, a MB W113, and a number of Ferraris no older than the 90s...must have been a meet somewhere.
  • toomanyfumestoomanyfumes Member Posts: 1,019
    Saw an unusual vehicle this weekend. It looked like an older El Camino but it had a Pontiac front end. It was kind of beat up and sitting in someone's side yard. Did Pontiac ever make a version of these?

    I suppose someone could have put a clip from a Pontiac on an El Camino.
    2012 Mustang Premium, 2013 Lincoln MKX Elite, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,368
    I've never heard of that...probably a backyard custom, certainly couldn't entail more than swapping a front clip...could also be some weirdo one year Canadian model or something.
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