That pink color might be called "Shell Pink". IIRC, in 1955, there was a cheapo version of the Firedome hardtop called the Special, while the nice one was called Sportsman. The higher-line Fireflite only had one hardtop, the Sportsman. For '56, they brought out the Seville, and again, it was a cheaper trim level for the Firedome. I might have seen one or two over the years, and seen a few online...they actually look pretty nice to me, for the stripper model.
DeSoto dusted off the Seville name again for 1959, but that time it was one of those "Spring Special" models that were common in the era. So that one might have been an upgrade to the regular hardtops. And in '59, I think they had both a Firesweep Seville, and Firedome Seville.
I think that isn’t pinkish trim but is a paint fill in that area that matches the roof, a deluxe two-tone. At $28K asking that’s not bad assuming the rest of the car is as nice as the outside.
This car could make a Mopar guy out of me! Other than a Fleetwood or Eldorado, I'd prefer this car to any '66 Cadillac or Lincoln. When I was a kid, I always heard of Imperial LeBarons but never saw anything but a "Crown" in our town.
Love those. MUCH better powertrain than the Lincoln. A bulletproof 440 cid thumper with a sturdy Torqueflite 8 transmission and the legendary Chrysler differential. Asking price is drooling ga-ga insane, but if someone offers him $20K, he should run with it to the bank.
The '66 was the last magnificent Imperial to my eyes. The '67 was nice, but sort-of 'meh' to me. Them adding a pillared four-door sedan with frames around the door glass I'm sure allowed them to offer an Imperial at a lower price point, but watered down the brand to me.
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Somewhere, some place, I remember seeing guys talking that the leather interior in a LeBaron of that vintage ('66) was expensive to make because of the large single panels of leather, as opposed to small pieces sewn together as was often the case in other cars. I don't know if that's all BS or not, but I can see what they are talking about in this particular Imperial above.
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I knew a guy back in the 90's who had a '65 Imperial 4 door hardtop. I can't remember if it was a Crown or Imperial, though. I knew him through a Mopar club, but sometime in the late 90's, he seemed to just disappear. I just looked him up online though, and he's still alive, so there's that, at least!
The '70 Dodge convertible I posted yesterday was nice, but this one might be the nicest on the planet, from both the description in the ad and some first-hand observations from people on a Mopar forum who have seen it:
It's a shame that Mopar didn't offer their large convertibles a few years longer. I think a '72-73 Monaco, with the hidden headlights, would have looked nice as a drop-top.
I didn't remember the GT in '70, but I'm not as knowledgeable about Mopar as others here. I remember a GT with strobe striping down the side where otherwise a body side molding might be.
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@ab348, That's not a Sport Fury, hood is wrong. Body style is right.
The fender badges would disagree with you on that. The ‘71 hood doesn’t have the two power humps that the ‘70 had. Here’s a pic of an original unrestored ‘71 hood.
Another Volo car, a 61 Bonneville. Is this an original color? It was really pretty in person, I liked the look of this car. The white interior works on it, too. Dopey wheel/tire package (redlines with wire wheels, what the heck?), but that can be fixed easy enough. Not one you see every day:
I've got plenty more where those came from - added to the pile today at Stude and the motorhome/RV hall of fame. Saw some obscure material at both places.
That ‘61 Bonneville is lovely. Agree that the wheels need replacing. I found their ad listing it for sale, $36K. Interior has been redone nicely but is not the original style from what I can tell. Aftermarket carb and catalog air cleaner under the hood, unfortunately. Worst thing about it might be the Slim Jim automatic transmission.
Pontiac made a metallic grey paint in ‘61 but that looks more like silver, which wasn’t offered.
It was kind of silver with a hint of blue, not something I recalled seeing before. It works on the car, and with the interior color. I'd want something more correct for that money though, and still not sure what they were thinking with the wheel/tire package.
That ‘61 Bonneville is lovely. Agree that the wheels need replacing. I found their ad listing it for sale, $36K. Interior has been redone nicely but is not the original style from what I can tell. Aftermarket carb and catalog air cleaner under the hood, unfortunately. Worst thing about it might be the Slim Jim automatic transmission.
Pontiac made a metallic grey paint in ‘61 but that looks more like silver, which wasn’t offered.
Pontiac actually used the older 4-speed Hydramatic in the Bonneville and Star Chief. The Slim Jim was only used in the shorter wheelbase cars (Catalina/Ventura, Grand Prix). I never knew the rationale behind that, but just read on Wikipedia that it was rumored that Oldmobile sales volume alone was not enough to justify the development cost, so GM forced it on Pontiac, as well.
I like the '61 Bonneville--and I like its round taillights better than the oblong ones used on Catalinas and Venturas--but that rear overhang just slaps me in the face every time. It bothers me less on the shorter-wheelbase models.
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Here's a neat one from the Motorhome/RV Hall of Fame. Some displays there are restored, but some appear to be preservation pieces - this wildly striped GMC motorhome was a sight:
I remember reading years ago how each engine was built by a single man, and when installed had a label affixed telling you his name. Now I see how that came to be. The amount of hand work, and the associated cost, must have been staggering. Not mass production in any sense.
Much more "by hand" than the engine building AMG is proud of, which is hand assembly of modular components, so the engines still come together in volume. That video brings home why Aston might have had some financial issues. I have my doubts they truly run in the black even today in this new Belle Epoque.
I guess soon after Ford installed their streamlining methods, and you'd have Astons with Ford steering wheels:
I am pretty sure that's the same basic wheel as in my mom's old 93 Taurus. I think Ford and Aston also shared bits like key fobs. But without Ford's injection of funds, the brand might not have survived.
What struck me he most was the two guys using an English Wheel to shape a panel, maybe a hood, not sure. Followed up with use of a slap hammer and sandbags. Hard to imagine doing that for every car they made.
I remember reading years ago how each engine was built by a single man, and when installed had a label affixed telling you his name. Now I see how that came to be. The amount of hand work, and the associated cost, must have been staggering. Not mass production in any sense.
In 1968 Car and Driver tested a DBS and noted that the owners manual still called for decoking the cylinder head at a fixed mileage interval.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Here's a neat one from the Motorhome/RV Hall of Fame. Some displays there are restored, but some appear to be preservation pieces - this wildly striped GMC motorhome was a sight:
This one instantly made me think of "Stripes," though not because of them....
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
The ultimate motor home IMO. Must have gotten about 4 MPG though.
It is almost unbelievable how much more space efficient, comfortable, and reliable motorhomes became over the years. And, in something like this, a diesel pusher is the only way to fly: It can get out of its own way, and you don't have to measure fuel consumption in gallons-per-mile.....!
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
The ultimate motor home IMO. Must have gotten about 4 MPG though.
It is almost unbelievable how much more space efficient, comfortable, and reliable motorhomes became over the years. And, in something like this, a diesel pusher is the only way to fly: It can get out of its own way, and you don't have to measure fuel consumption in gallons-per-mile.....!
Comments
DeSoto dusted off the Seville name again for 1959, but that time it was one of those "Spring Special" models that were common in the era. So that one might have been an upgrade to the regular hardtops. And in '59, I think they had both a Firesweep Seville, and Firedome Seville.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/cto/d/1970-dodge-polara-convertible/6738952081.html
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I never thought "GT" went with "Fury"--but then I guess it didn't go with "Vega" either.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
That's not a Sport Fury, hood is wrong.
Body style is right.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Ok, I had a '70,so I will defer to you.
And celebrity car - this is the Zsa Zsa Gabor slap a cop Corniche:
For Andre. You mean the Harrier?
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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
IIRC, the ZR-1 option was $27K, the first year.
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Pontiac made a metallic grey paint in ‘61 but that looks more like silver, which wasn’t offered.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I remember reading years ago how each engine was built by a single man, and when installed had a label affixed telling you his name. Now I see how that came to be. The amount of hand work, and the associated cost, must have been staggering. Not mass production in any sense.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I guess soon after Ford installed their streamlining methods, and you'd have Astons with Ford steering wheels:
I am pretty sure that's the same basic wheel as in my mom's old 93 Taurus. I think Ford and Aston also shared bits like key fobs. But without Ford's injection of funds, the brand might not have survived.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.