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2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
and driving around my neighborhood while we were walking the dog, a guy down the street from me was out cruising around in his C2 Vette. Blue (same as Hoovies) 4 speed and side pipes convertible. Sounds really good.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Studebaker made its largest profit in its 107-year history in '59, and the Lark still sold well in '60 even with the Big Three competition.
My hometown dealer friend said he had to hire a salesman in '59, a delightful dilemma for him.
As a result, they were probably roomier inside than the Big Three compacts. Probably better headroom, and I'd imagine they were easier to get in and out of, than the newer cars. So that was probably a fairly big draw for them...a compact car that didn't feel quite so "compact".
I don't think the term "Intermediate" or "midsized" really came into use until the '62 Fairlane/Meteor, but I always thought of the '53+ Studebakers as more midsized, than their Ford, Chevy, and Plymouth counterparts. With exterior dimensions, they'd often look comparable, but I seem to recall the Studebakers tended to be a bit narrower inside. So it was probably easier to take a midsized car, trim some excess, and come up with a compact ,than it would have been to take a Ford, Chevy, or Plymouth, and try the same trick.
I like the reverse-slant C-pillar on that green Lark hardtop. For some reason, I always thought a reverse-slant C-pillar gave a car sort of an upscale, exotic look to it. Well the right car, at least. I'm sure there's examples out there where it doesn't work. I just can't think of any, off the top of my head. I'd imagine it's also better for visibility, for the back seat passengers, since a forward-slanting pillar is going to cut your view a bit, and make you lean forward and duck a bit, if you want to look out the window.
I've posted this car in the "Postwar Studebakers" thread before, but I would buy this car in a heartbeat and sell my '66 if it were available I think. '63 Cruiser with Skytop sunroof and optional broadcloth upholstery. I do know who the current owner is. Excuse the poor photography.
I couldn't see any upscale Fords using something like that, or even a Mercury, unless it was a really high-line Mercury, but I could be wrong. Usually, that type of interior release came with a full-length armrest, and those were usually reserved for luxury cars.
In 1957, DeSoto Fireflites used a handle like that. They didn't have a full-length armrest, but they had one that was integrated into the door panel, and bulged out, giving it a more expensive look than your typical bolt-on armrest, which is what my Firedome has. Apparently they thought it was important enough to showcase in the sales brochure...
Of course, they don't mention that if you wanted it, you had to get the Fireflite. The brochure gives the impression that all DeSotos had it.
I think eventually, the Feds made the auto makers get rid of these types of handles, because they were TOO easy to grab. On my Firedome, it's just a chrome handle mounted at about a 45 degree angle, that you grab and pull back, and the door opens right up. No lock plunger, or anything. If you want to lock the door, you push the handle away from you. To modern drivers and passengers, it probably looks like a grab handle. My '67 Catalina has similar handles, although they're mounted a bit more horizontal. The Bonneville, which used a larger armrest, has the door handle coming straight, off the front of the armrest.
My guess is that it was 1968 that the Feds stepped in and put a stop to these types easy-release door handles. At least, looking at '68, the big Pontiac handles look like they're not quite as easy to just casually grab.
For some reason, I'm thinking the handles like what the Lincoln used (and the '57 Fireflite) were called "Aircraft style" door handles. Probably tied in with that "Jet Age" fetish the auto makers had back in the 50s?
Then a game show staple, Buick Opel. Described as having stripes, steel belted radials, AC. MSRP $4361:
I've probably related this here before, but my Dad's friend went to order a new '73 Blazer. The top, and any seating besides the driver's bucket, were optional. He said he asked the salesman "Is the steering wheel optional too?". He ended up buying a Fleetside pickup with optional sliding rear window and put a cap on it.
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2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_T_platform_(1973)
Finally, after all this time, they're breaking ground on my garage.
It looks like you should maybe take this opportunity to remove some of that dead/declining wood in the right foreground before there are more obstacles to work around...
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It will be nice to have it finished, and all of the cars over here. That way I can take pics of things a bit more interesting than that 5th Avenue!
Congrats on the Garage-Majal, hopefully it won't be impacted by the insane framing lumber spike.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Speaking of Mercury Bobcats, I can't remember the last time I saw one of those. I think even at the Ford show in Carlisle PA, they're a rarity. They usually have a good turnout of Pintos, but not the Bobcat. Personally, I think the Bobcat would be a bigger draw, for the rarity, and also the kitch factor. The Pinto was just cheap, basic transportation for the most part, but the pretense of the Mercury trimming gives the Bobcat an odd sort of charm, in my opinion.
The lady I bought the house from said she had seen a coyote on occasion, but I think she was just seeing things. About the most exotic thing I've seen is a really good-sized fox. I used to see them occasionally at the old place, and they were usually pretty small, about the size of a cat or small dog. My next door neighbor used to feed them! She could almost charm them out of the woods like Snow White or something! This one I saw looked considerably bigger, though.
There's also a few stray cats around here, and one of the neighbor's cats, a friendly, plump, overfed thing, comes over from time to time. I'd think if there was a coyote lurking around though, we wouldn't have stray cats running about!
I'm sure your cars will appreciate the extra love. You're making the new one a six-bay garage, right?
C2 'Vettes don't do much for me, but this one on FB did!
Color, white interior, the special 427 hood, the five-slot Rally Wheels (yes, even though they were available on lower models!), the headrests....people have long-said the '67 is the best C2, for workmanship, by then had disc brakes, Turbo-Hydramatic, etc., the side vents are simplified and the rest of the styling cleaned up (no more fake vents behind the doors, etc.).
I always wondered if the side pipes, even with that metal cover, were hot to the touch getting in and out of the car.
I love the C2 coupes
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I also recall the Airflow and Stude coupe pickup.
https://youtu.be/BVHJA9wVWAM
Also saw a clean 78-81 Celica notchback, the old guard may object, but they can probably be called "classics" now.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
In 2016, this was in its spot (also note the old RX-7 in the background, and the car at right is a Fiat 500 with a retro package):
In 2008, this was there:
And in 2007, a Stude:
Also a couple of 80s 300ZX across the street in a couple pics.
I like seeing these photos of the museums I'll likely never get to go see.
But I'm curious as to your camera that you're getting all these great photos using?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,