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Mystery car pix

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Comments

  • magnettemagnette Member Posts: 4,239
    Sorry I haven't been back to this but I was out last night. Graham has given the most comprehensive answer, and I am really pleased to see a Renault 3, as that was really rare even when new.
    The car to the extreme left on the front row is a Simca - probably 1301, I believe.Then we have a Renault 4, Opel Kadett and Fiat 1500 (although the caption on the picture says it is a 1300 - and there was a very upmarket version of the 1300 available.
    I'm pretty much with Graham and the rest of you on all the others but the car behind the Renault 3 is a DKW Junior or one of its F12 relatives, and I think the car s behind the Ponton MB on the rightin the distance are a light coloured Ford Taunus 12M and ahead of it a Mk2 Cortina ?
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    I just got a Fusion 2.0, which is the first turbo engine I've had since my '83 Turbo Coupe.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats, what did you trade?

    Share the story in chronic car buyers...
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    Yes, works just fine with Firefox.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    edited March 2013
    Traded in my 2011 Explorer. What those look like isn't much of a mystery. ;)
    Decided to roll the dice on my '02 Explorer lasting another few years as a winter beater without anything catastrophic happening.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    How is the 2l EcoBoost? Feel and mileage.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    image

    Regarding my Fusion, I've only put about 200 miles on it in just over 2 weeks, so mileage will continue to be a mystery for a while.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Ooooh, kinda ugly.

    Looks like a Merc Grand Marquis with a grafted Taurus/Sable wagon back.

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  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    Ooooh, kinda ugly.

    Maybe but still better looking than most Grand Marquis. :P

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

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    image

    Much BIGGER, lots more cars

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

  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,419
    1954?
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    edited March 2013
    That's the Saint Louis Auto Show of 1953 and I believe those are all 1953 model cars. The swept swing jet was the iconic aircraft of it's day, the F-86 Sabre, fresh from establishing air superiority over Korea and fervently worshipped by every 10 y/o boy in the land, myself included.

    The Sabrejet was a big influence on car designers of the day as well. Harley Earl's 1953 GM leSabre Concept car presaged the major styling trends of the 1950s>

    image

    Anyone want to guess make and/or models of the cars surrounding the jet?

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

  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    There's some interesting stories on how desperately the Soviets wanted one of those F-86's and how after they finally got a hold of one it quickly got reflected in the newer MIG's, but never quite matched up.

    I believe those are Packard's in the foreground.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    I actually saw one of those planes with a pilot climbing out of the cockpit in 1989(!), when I was visiting a friend at China lake.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Interesting place, as is Eglin AFB.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    edited March 2013
    Yup there are two Packards in the photo, the convertible under the near wing and a two door next to it. In addition I see several more identifiable cars

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    I see a couple of 53 Oldsmobiles. A 2 door facing straight ahead and a 4 door facing to the right , next to the security guard.
    Also, a 53 Chevy just behind the back of the jet.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • lostwrench1lostwrench1 Member Posts: 1,165
    I'll grab the Jeep pick-up and wagon upstairs.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    No one has mentioned the Willys Aero sedan under the Sabre's nose and next to it it is a Willys Jeep CJ3A.

    '53 Willys Aero brochure.

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

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    image

    Lots of domestics and imports from the early 60s in this movie I came across.

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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    The blue convertible looks like a Maserati of some sorts. The brown car to the left could be a Facel Vega?

    The blue convertible facing us looks like a 63 Impala. That's all I can guess.

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  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,755
    I'll let others have a stab at things, and just pick off the higher line MB Ponton just behind the guy walking on the driver's side of the Impala.
  • lostwrench1lostwrench1 Member Posts: 1,165
    1958 Cadillac.
    1954 Cadillac.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    edited March 2013
    You're doing Okay Boomer. You're correct on all three. The Facel Vega is an HK500 (powered by Chrysler Hemi)

    The convertible is a Maserati 3500GT Vignale Spyder, ca.1962. The Vignale Spyder is my favorite Maserati and IMO one of the best-looking cars ever. I first saw one in the 1962 Road & Track Road Test Annual but I finally saw the actual car at an auto auction in 2009 and I wasn't disappointed except that there was no way I could bid on it (it went for about $165K IIRC).

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

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    1958 Cadillac.

    1954 Cadillac.

    Yep, there's a pinkish '58 Cadillac just beyond the grey station wagon (I can't tell if that's a '53/'54 Plymouth or an International Traveall) and a white Caddy with smallish fins near the top of the picture (looks like a '55 or '56 to me but could be a '54)

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    There's also a big black Cadillac limo to the right of the picture, maybe a 55.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    A Facel Vega is certainly an odd fit in that pix! That may be a Renault Dauphine behind the Limo? Interesting pix and mix.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    That car brhind the limo was familiar, but I couldn't remember what it was.
    I think you are right, Renault Dauphine.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,625
    edited March 2013
    Just in front of the truck with a canvas bed shell (can anyone identify the truck?) is what seems to be a white Fiat spider (1500?) and then an early '50s Plymouth wagon.

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    edited March 2013
    Good eye on the Fiat, the pretty little Pininfarina bodied cabriolet was built as a 1200, 1500 and 1600 between 1959 and 1963.

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,755
    Truck gives me a 53-55 Ford feeling.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    We're still missing a couple. The tailights to the left of the Maserati belong to a Hillman Minx, one of the most popular imports of the early 60s, it came in convertible, coupe four-door and station wagon form. Nobody has mentioned the most popular import of the era, there's a white Volkswagen near the Ponton.

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

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    A Facel Vega is certainly an odd fit in that pix!

    A Facel is unusual in any context but it was common in the early 60s for shops to sell and/or service a variety of European imports and typical to see a potpourri
    of makes and models on site.

    The clip comes from The Killers (1964), a remake of a 1940s film noir based on an Ernest Hemingway story. The original revolved around a fighter (Burt Lancaster) fallen on hard times who gets involved in a major robbery.
    For some reason they changed it to a sportscar racer (John Cassavetes) who falls out of the big time. There are some great racing scenes of Cassavetes racing a Shelby Cobra as well as of other racing cars.

    I think whoever made this movie was hip to the racing scene of the day. Claude Akins who bears a resemblance to Carroll Shelby was cast as the guy who owned Cassavetes' Cobra.

    image

    Racing aside The Killers is chock full of period cars and it's a pretty good story featuring Lee Marvin (next to the Chevy), Angie Dickinson and others, it was Ronald Reagan's last movie.

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

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 21,025
    That sounds like a movie I'd want to watch.
    How about a 63 Falcon on the other side of the wall from the Cobra?
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    That sounds like a movie I'd want to watch.
    How about a 63 Falcon on the other side of the wall from the Cobra?

    Either version of The Killers is readily available from Netflix. If you like a good noir, I recommend both.

    I noticed the Falcon with the LeMans stripes, it's a wagon. I've always wanted to acquire a Falcon wagon or Ranchero and install the Shelby GT-350 suspension and engine mods (305HP!). I'd do the paint scheme in reverse though (blue body/white stripes.)

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

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    image

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

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    LeFastCar. ;)

    I forget what they called those, but that's gotta be as close to strapping yourself to a torpedo as you can get.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Renault 5 Turbo with the mid mounted Turbocharged motor.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    edited March 2013
    Yup. It's a 1984 Renault R5 Turbo 2, essentially a LeCar with a powerful turbo-motor behind instead of in front of the driver.

    Must have been scary to drive. :surprise:

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

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 270,655
    That reminds me of an MG from the local car show, last year... part of the Lane Auto Museum collection..

    image

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That looks fun as heck!
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 270,655
    That's what I thought... :)

    A mechanic from the museum flat-bedded it up to the show (about a 4 hour drive..) He knew a lot about it... none of which I can remember, now... :surprise:

    Seems it was a combo race and rally car.... you could lower it to race on pavement (like you see it there), or sort of jack it up for rallying..

    It's a 1985 MG Metro 6R4

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 270,655
    This Group B rally car is designed and built under contract by Williams Grand Prix (Formula 1) engineering. Unlike other rally cars at the time, it is fuel injected rather than turbocharged. Acceleration is zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds. The 6r4 is designed with a normally aspirated v6 engine. It is basically a Rover v8 engine with 2 cylinders removed. The fuel injected motor, as well as the radiators, are mounted at the rear of the car where the back seats would be in a standard MG Metro. This car can achieve 400 horsepower. The 6r4 won one major rally. Just as developments were beginning to make the car successful, Group B rally cars were banned in 1987. The 6r4 continues as a major force in rallycross and hillclimbing where its sheer brute force, light weight, and aerodynamics continue to make it a very competitive car.

    Specifications:
    Manufacturer: Austin-Rover Group
    Country of Origin: Great Britain
    Drivetrain Configuration: Mid engine, four wheel drive
    Engine: V-6, 3.0 liter, 400 hp
    Transmission: 5 speed manual
    Top Speed: 120 miles per hour
    Years of Production: 1983-88
    Number Produced: 200
    Original Cost: 25,000 Sterling Pounds

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  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,755
    I was just going to post this:

    "I miss group B rallying"

    I remember those cars vividly from when I was a kid, and watching the "Havoc' VHS series.
  • andys120andys120 Member Posts: 23,682
    Did somebody say "Group B"?>

    image

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

  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

    Lancia Stratos. That was an era of outrageous excess for motorsport, but fiendishly dangerous..

    I remember the exhaust note more than anything. All were tuned to within an inch of explosion; quite terrifying.

    Cheers

    Graham
  • au1994au1994 Member Posts: 3,766
    Just a stunning car, with a heck of a rally record. If you have not seen the Top Gear episode where Jeremy and the Hamster drive one hit YouTube, it is (of course) hilarious!

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  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The Lancia Stratos is, to most car enthusiasts, immortal. It's almost beyond mere praise, it is so much fun to drive and look upon. 99% of the cars in the world pale in comparison IMO.

    Practical? No.

    Competent? You bet. :)
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,419
    Why all the lights on these cars?
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,177
    100+ mph racing in the dark on narrow dirt tracks - I'd want all the lights I could get!
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