Memory lane! My mother put 162,000 miles on one of those in 18 months.
Haha; no doubt! She bought it as a pilot vehicle for those oversize rigs they use to move the monstrous wind mills all over the country. I believe the guy they piloted hauled blades, which were somewhere on the order of 120' long. Her husband used my grandparents' (former) 1997 F350 as his pilot vehicle. He still has the truck, which I think has somewhere around 350,000 miles on it.
The HHR met an early end while on the job due to a huffy soccer mom somewhere in middle America who didn't want to obey the flagging instructions while the big rig tried to maneuver an intersection. The lady started to speed through the intersection, saw the truck bearing down on her, and decided my mother's HHR was a more survivable target.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
Around these parts HHRs used to be a common sight on the roads but have gone the way of the dinosaurs in the last few years. Amazing how quickly they seemed to disappear.
@ab348 said:
Around these parts HHRs used to be a common sight on the roads but have gone the way of the dinosaurs in the last few years. Amazing how quickly they seemed to disappear.
With it being essentially a reskinned Cobalt I think most were driven as an economy car, not maintained and junked. I have seen many on the HHR forum go 200-300k. There is still a following for them, but that too is thinning quickly.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Around these parts HHRs used to be a common sight on the roads but have gone the way of the dinosaurs in the last few years. Amazing how quickly they seemed to disappear.
With it being essentially a reskinned Cobalt I think most were driven as an economy car, not maintained and junked. I have seen many on the HHR forum go 200-300k. There is still a following for them, but that too is thinning quickly.
Yes, I believe that is the case. I knew a road warrior who had one and drove it over 300K km. It was a handy rig for his business where he needed to move some light but bulky cargo occasionally.
HHRs seem to be really thin on the ground here, maybe as they weren't sold for a terribly long time. However, the PT Cruiser could still be called one of the official cars of Spokane - I see them all the time, in varying conditions, even a convertible now and then.
Memory lane! My mother put 162,000 miles on one of those in 18 months.
Haha; no doubt! She bought it as a pilot vehicle for those oversize rigs they use to move the monstrous wind mills all over the country. I believe the guy they piloted hauled blades, which were somewhere on the order of 120' long. Her husband used my grandparents' (former) 1997 F350 as his pilot vehicle. He still has the truck, which I think has somewhere around 350,000 miles on it.
The HHR met an early end while on the job due to a huffy soccer mom somewhere in middle America who didn't want to obey the flagging instructions while the big rig tried to maneuver an intersection. The lady started to speed through the intersection, saw the truck bearing down on her, and decided my mother's HHR was a more survivable target.
Oldest car is the light colored car in third row up. 1930s vintage but I don't know exactly what. Newest car is behind the boat. It has 4 headlights--'58 Foird or Edsel?
HHRs seem to be really thin on the ground here, maybe as they weren't sold for a terribly long time. However, the PT Cruiser could still be called one of the official cars of Spokane - I see them all the time, in varying conditions, even a convertible now and then.
No, it was actually the opposite (nearly)....
If I recall correctly, the small-town "ol' boys" club kicked in on this one because the lady was the wife of some official. They cited my mother as being at fault, her insurance had to pay for the other person's car, bogus medical bills, etc., and they ended up selling their business because the trucking company dropped their contract and their insurance costs went up so much that they couldn't justify continuing the work (even though it was pretty lucrative before that).
I'm sure I don't have all the details correct on that, but this was the gist of it.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
@xwesx said:
No, it was actually the opposite (nearly)....
If I recall correctly, the small-town "ol' boys" club kicked in on this one because the lady was the wife of some official. They cited my mother as being at fault, her insurance had to pay for the other person's car, bogus medical bills, etc., and they ended up selling their business because the trucking company dropped their contract and their insurance costs went up so much that they couldn't justify continuing the work (even though it was pretty lucrative before that).
I'm sure I don't have all the details correct on that, but this was the gist of it.
Wow
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
HHRs seem to be really thin on the ground here, maybe as they weren't sold for a terribly long time. However, the PT Cruiser could still be called one of the official cars of Spokane - I see them all the time, in varying conditions, even a convertible now and then.
No, it was actually the opposite (nearly)....
If I recall correctly, the small-town "ol' boys" club kicked in on this one because the lady was the wife of some official. They cited my mother as being at fault, her insurance had to pay for the other person's car, bogus medical bills, etc., and they ended up selling their business because the trucking company dropped their contract and their insurance costs went up so much that they couldn't justify continuing the work (even though it was pretty lucrative before that).
I'm sure I don't have all the details correct on that, but this was the gist of it.
This pic looks vaguely familiar to me but in searching here it did not come up, so I'll risk posting it because it's a nice picture and expands well. San Diego, mid-60s.
This pic looks vaguely familiar to me but in searching here it did not come up, so I'll risk posting it because it's a nice picture and expands well. San Diego, mid-60s.
Along with no parking sensors/cameras/automatic parking features. Of course, those bumpers could take a little bump without issue, and the cars had excellent visibility.
@fintail said:
Along with no parking sensors/cameras/automatic parking features. Of course, those bumpers could take a little bump without issue, and the cars had excellent visibility.
Visibility is key. I could parallel park my 04 Grand Marquis easier than my 2012 LaCrosse that had sensors and camera
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Yep, same for the fintail vs wagon. Modern car has surround view and sensors, but without surround view, some angles would be difficult. Fintail has fins for guidance, and lines of sight on body panels that end where the car ends, no guessing of how much larger the car might be vs how it appears - simple car to park.
Along with no parking sensors/cameras/automatic parking features. Of course, those bumpers could take a little bump without issue, and the cars had excellent visibility.
Visibility is key. I could parallel park my 04 Grand Marquis easier than my 2012 LaCrosse that had sensors and camera
Yep, same for the fintail vs wagon. Modern car has surround view and sensors, but without surround view, some angles would be difficult. Fintail has fins for guidance, and lines of sight on body panels that end where the car ends, no guessing of how much larger the car might be vs how it appears - simple car to park.
Along with no parking sensors/cameras/automatic parking features. Of course, those bumpers could take a little bump without issue, and the cars had excellent visibility.
Visibility is key. I could parallel park my 04 Grand Marquis easier than my 2012 LaCrosse that had sensors and camera
This is true. The easiest cars I have owned to park were my '69 and '72 Volvos. It's easy to park a box.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Early 60's Buick rope drive - can't think of the model name.
I actually had a ride in one, when I was a kid. Was on vacation in Tennessee, visiting my mom's oldest friend. Her family all drove nothing but Buicks, and her son had one of these. I went with him one night when he went to visit his girlfriend. This was the late 70's, so pretty old even at the time.
I remember it had the 3.5 V8 and he had kept it in pretty good shape.
That's a '61 Skylark. No rope drive (that was only in the Pontiac Tempest). This has the Buick aluminum V8 that GM later sold to Rover in the UK and went on to power all sorts of vehicles over there. These are very scarce now. They were not seen as "keeper" cars back when they were daily drivers and were not particularly durable.
Some interesting cars on the lot of Vinko Motors in Toronto, likely around 1970 or so. The neighborhood seems a bit shabby considering the types of cars available there. I wish this photo was of better quality. It expands a little.
That's a '61 Skylark. No rope drive (that was only in the Pontiac Tempest). This has the Buick aluminum V8 that GM later sold to Rover in the UK and went on to power all sorts of vehicles over there. These are very scarce now. They were not seen as "keeper" cars back when they were daily drivers and were not particularly durable.
Didn't Olds use the same drivetrain with the Gen-1 F-85 Cutlass but took it one step further and offered a turbo option? I think it was the same V-8 but not sure about the transmissions.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
That's a '61 Skylark. No rope drive (that was only in the Pontiac Tempest). This has the Buick aluminum V8 that GM later sold to Rover in the UK and went on to power all sorts of vehicles over there. These are very scarce now. They were not seen as "keeper" cars back when they were daily drivers and were not particularly durable.
Didn't Olds use the same drivetrain with the Gen-1 F-85 Cutlass but took it one step further and offered a turbo option? I think it was the same V-8 but not sure about the transmissions.
Yes, that's right. If you got the turbo, you had to also keep the "turbo rocket fuel" topped up, which I believe was either pure alcohol or a water-alcohol mix which got mixed into the fuel-air stream.
The '61 Buick compact is a Special Skylark. The Special part was dropped in '62 and it became the Buick Skylark (not to be confused w the concept cars of '53-'54.)
The Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass similarly became simply the Cutlass in '62 and was the most popular model name in the 70s.
That's a '61 Skylark. No rope drive (that was only in the Pontiac Tempest). This has the Buick aluminum V8 that GM later sold to Rover in the UK and went on to power all sorts of vehicles over there. These are very scarce now. They were not seen as "keeper" cars back when they were daily drivers and were not particularly durable.
Didn't Olds use the same drivetrain with the Gen-1 F-85 Cutlass but took it one step further and offered a turbo option? I think it was the same V-8 but not sure about the transmissions.
Yes, that's right. If you got the turbo, you had to also keep the "turbo rocket fuel" topped up, which I believe was either pure alcohol or a water-alcohol mix which got mixed into the fuel-air stream.
Some interesting cars on the lot of Vinko Motors in Toronto, likely around 1970 or so. The neighborhood seems a bit shabby considering the types of cars available there. I wish this photo was of better quality. It expands a little.
Comments
I had 3 relatives with HHRs (I think one might still have it) - all from eastern WA now that I think of it, might have been a local thing.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The HHR met an early end while on the job due to a huffy soccer mom somewhere in middle America who didn't want to obey the flagging instructions while the big rig tried to maneuver an intersection. The lady started to speed through the intersection, saw the truck bearing down on her, and decided my mother's HHR was a more survivable target.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
With it being essentially a reskinned Cobalt I think most were driven as an economy car, not maintained and junked. I have seen many on the HHR forum go 200-300k. There is still a following for them, but that too is thinning quickly.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
With it being essentially a reskinned Cobalt I think most were driven as an economy car, not maintained and junked. I have seen many on the HHR forum go 200-300k. There is still a following for them, but that too is thinning quickly.
Yes, I believe that is the case. I knew a road warrior who had one and drove it over 300K km. It was a handy rig for his business where he needed to move some light but bulky cargo occasionally.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
HHRs seem to be really thin on the ground here, maybe as they weren't sold for a terribly long time. However, the PT Cruiser could still be called one of the official cars of Spokane - I see them all the time, in varying conditions, even a convertible now and then.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
If I recall correctly, the small-town "ol' boys" club kicked in on this one because the lady was the wife of some official. They cited my mother as being at fault, her insurance had to pay for the other person's car, bogus medical bills, etc., and they ended up selling their business because the trucking company dropped their contract and their insurance costs went up so much that they couldn't justify continuing the work (even though it was pretty lucrative before that).
I'm sure I don't have all the details correct on that, but this was the gist of it.
Wow
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Visibility is key. I could parallel park my 04 Grand Marquis easier than my 2012 LaCrosse that had sensors and camera
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Visibility is key. I could parallel park my 04 Grand Marquis easier than my 2012 LaCrosse that had sensors and camera
This is true. The easiest cars I have owned to park were my '69 and '72 Volvos. It's easy to park a box.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I actually had a ride in one, when I was a kid. Was on vacation in Tennessee, visiting my mom's oldest friend. Her family all drove nothing but Buicks, and her son had one of these. I went with him one night when he went to visit his girlfriend. This was the late 70's, so pretty old even at the time.
I remember it had the 3.5 V8 and he had kept it in pretty good shape.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
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The Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass similarly became simply the Cutlass in '62 and was the most popular model name in the 70s.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
In the back row I see 2x MB W108/109 and a W114/115, wit a Silver Cloud III at the end, right. Looks like a W111 coupe behind that row, at left.
Front row from left, a S1/S2 or Silver Cloud, MB W100 600 (!), Bentley S1/S2, Miura (!) , 2x Silver Shadow
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93