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

ab348 · October 2

sda said:
Mom's first car with ac was a 63 Olds Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe that they bought used in 65 at Bert Smith Olds in St Petersburg. It had been special ordered by a elderly man who selected heater delete but factory ac. He was unable to keep driving so sold it back to the dealer. When we moved to New Orleans we liked to froze in the winter without heat. Mom kept blankets in the car.

I didn’t think you could order A/C without a heater component. Learn something new every day.

Funny you mention Bert Smith Olds. My Olds-crazed buddy who moved up-country several years ago now, bought his first Olds in Florida in the late ‘80s, an ‘71 Cutlass SX, and brought it up here to restore it, driving it back. It was originally from Bert Smith Olds, and he still has the dealer license plate frame. Apparently it wasn’t an uneventful trip, but he made it. This was well before I knew him. He did a lovely job on the restoration. I don’t have great pics on this device but here are a few. The color inside and out is called “Sienna”, a ‘71-only color.

This is his car on the left, my ‘68 in the center, and our mutual friend Steve’s ‘70 Cutlass SX on the right. I actually liked the blue ‘70 better - it had a gorgeous blue interior, and the high-compression 455, so it really moved. I actually had a chance to buy it and turned it down, a mistake.

explorerx4 · October 2

I like the one in the middle.

uplanderguy · October 2

Wasn't the SX originally only a convertible?

I remember seeing one at the Olds dealer in Greenville (rode there on my bike, LOL).

Even then, I thought something along the lines of, "SX? Brilliant subliminal advertising!".

texases · October 2

My favorite GM mid size of that era.

stickguy · October 2

that is a handsome car. and from that back quarter view, as a bit of a Benz Pagoda vibe.

ab348 · October 2

No, the convertible versions are very rare. That same buddy of mine has one that’s been in a resto shop for close to 3 years.

fintail · October 2

I see one of those notchback Cutlass on a jogging route - Street View has been updating my area, this is it as of July. With the old boat and truck, if not for the modern recycle bin this pic could be from 35+ years ago (which is a Spokane vibe):

ab348 · October 2

The grille proclaims that to be a ‘72.

sda · October 3

Never been recalled. Classic. Other makes would love to brag that, especially now. Recalls are too common and frequent today.

uplanderguy · October 3

In the national club magazine in the late '80's I think it was, one of the last guys who worked at South Bend, for eight years after production stopped, and had written shop and parts manuals, said an attorney in SC had written a letter in 1970 or 1971 wondering if his '66 Cruiser with Chevy engine (actually, used in Canadian trucks and Pontiacs), was going to have the motor mount recall like Chevy did.

I think I remember him saying they tested one at South Bend with a deliberately broken mount to see what would happen. I can't remember reading anything bad really happened. But he was tasked with seeing what number of '65-66 motor mounts they were selling compared to prior. As a percentage of production of the cars, the percentage was no higher than with the Stude motor mounts previously, so management said 'no recall'.

My old '64, with the "Never Been Recalled" plate (LOL), even though it was Canadian production, still had the Studebaker 259 2-barrel V8 (180 hp). Even Canadian '64 Studes had Studebaker engines, all built in South Bend. The South Bend engine plant operated through April '64 to provide Canada engines through the end of the '64 model year.

The guy who bought that '64 new had had previous Studes. That he bought it in Aug. '64 makes me wonder if he'd read in a magazine or something, that they'd be using GM engines for the '65 model year (usually starting Sept.), and didn't want that.

andre1969 · October 3

Here's an interesting article on the history of heaters in cars:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/warm-comfort-what-was-the-last-american-car-available-without-a-heater/

Studebaker was actually an early adopter at making heaters standard, across the board in 1957, even in their cheapest cars. But for '59, they made it optional again. And, according to the article, Studebaker was the last car you could buy, without a heater, if you really wanted to go that route. GM made them standard on everything in '62, Ford in '63, and Chrysler in '65.

I think the government actually made them mandatory starting 1/1/1968, because they required all cars to have some means of de-fogging/defrosting the windshield, and for that you needed a heater. It was a moot point by then, I guess. But I wonder if perhaps there were still some import models that didn't have heaters standard, around that time? And trucks, maybe? Trucks were often held to different, more lax standards than cars.

stickguy · October 3

Combination of a lot less complicated back then and nobody pushing on the recalls that should have been done.

andre1969 · October 3

They'll do recalls over the most minor things these days. My 2000 Intrepid was technically recalled three times, that I remember. One time, it was because the bolts in the backrest of the driver's seat were prone to failure, so that in instances where considerable force was placed on the seatback, like getting rear-ended for example, could cause the seatback to instantly recline. I can still remember making the appointment with the dealer and asking if it was just a quick in and out, or if I had to leave it. They said it was something like a half-day job. I asked them, a half-day for two bolts? "Well, we have to take the seat out, first". So when I said, "So a half-day, for SIX bolts?!" well, they weren't overly amused at that!

One of the recalls was actually for the owner's manual! They had forgotten to include instructions on how to probably install a child car seat! But for that one, they just mailed an insert along with the notice, and said keep it with the owner's manual.

I forget what the third recall was for, but I don't think it was anything major.

My 2012 Ram had one recall notice. Apparently some of them had an issue with the straps holding the gas tank in place rusting, and the tank falling out! But, before I was able to take it in, I got another letter in the mail saying that mine was not part of that particular batch of 2012's.

Recalls can be annoying, but I'd rather them be overly cautious and nitpicky, than take a cavalier attitude about them and just overlook potentially major things.

andre1969 · October 3

On the subject of engine mounts, I had one go bad on my '68 Dart, which had a 318 in it. The passenger side mount had collapsed, and the engine settled just enough that the oil filter touched the exhaust pipe, and it burned a small hole in the filter. Clearance between the oil filter and the pipe was extremely tight to begin with, and when you changed the filter it was almost a guarantee you'd spill oil on the pipe.

You would think that as the engine settled down on the flattened mount, the exhaust would drop, as well, but it didn't. I guess the exhaust hangers further back caused the system to bend, just enough to touch the filter.

With GM's '65 mounts, I used to hear that the failure would cause the engine to lean over towards the driver's side, and mess up the steering, jam open the throttle, screw up the brakes, and even the transmission shift linkage. But, I'm thinking a lot of that sounds like some embellishment, plus the plot from an old "CHiPs" episode! I just googled it, and it looks like it actually made the engine lean to the passenger side, which would jam open the throttle and possibly rip out the power brake vacuum hose. Although, I guess that's bad enough!

I also saw something pop up that said said there was a total of 172 incidents, that resulted in 63 accidents and 18 injuries. https://www.chevyhardcore.com/news/motor-mount-recall/

uplanderguy · October 3

I seem to remember the recall was for 7 million cars. Again, I saw something fairly-recently that said the Chevelle wasn't included. That doesn't make sense to me.

EDIT: 6.68 million. All V8's. We had a '67 Chevelle six so it wasn't included. My grandparents didn't have the recall on their '67 Impala V8 because they had sold it prior to the recall--and bought a new '71 Vega, LOL!

ab348 · October 3

The Chevy six probably didn’t produce enough power to cause any problems.

fintail · October 3

That "never been recalled" thing seems malaisey to me, maybe snark made during the era all of the early 80s recalls that made the news - today there are so many, many of them almost irrelevant, that I don't think the general public cares much.

On the Spokane 90s vibe thing, I was looking at street view of a real estate listing, and noticed this next door - the Cadillac of minivans and an Accord EX. This image is from 2 months ago, not from 1993:

explorerx4 · October 3

Was under a cover when I moved here 3 years ago.
Came out of the garage this year.

roadburner · October 3

My favorite M5s are still the E28 and E34 with the S38 inline six- an actual detuned race motor- and 3 pedals.

gsemike · October 4

Not exactly obscure or classic, but once ubiquitous and now getting thin on the ground. I'd bet this still has under 100k on it

uplanderguy · October 4

RE.: Recalls:

My C8 had a seatbelt retractor recall, and also a 'bulletin' to correct where an over-the-air software update could result in a battery drain. Both were done the same day with a free oil change I had coming. I had dropped the car off so no idea how long either would've taken. The dealer did the 'bulletin' before I even got the letter in the mail from Chevrolet about it.

Before that, I can't recall when I've had a recall. Our '19 Equinox hasn't had any, and I don't believe the old Cruzes I and my daughter are driving have had any either.

tjc78 · October 4

@gsemike said:

Not exactly obscure or classic, but once ubiquitous and now getting thin on the ground. I'd bet this still has under 100k on it

My mom had one of these. A 92 in gold with the 3.1 V6. Totally unremarkable car but it was the most reliable thing we had in the 90s. I don’t think anything ever went wrong with it in the 6-7 years it was around.

Of course the other two family cars at the time were a 92 Caravan and a first year Neon. The Neon was absolutely the worst. It puked transmission fluid in the first month all over my stepdad’s brand new concrete driveway… and that was only the start of transmission troubles

uplanderguy · October 4

That '72 Cutlass SX hardtop is beautiful, but it has one thing that bugs me.

Seems like lots more cars have white-lettered tires now than ever had them then.

The only Chevelles I ever remember seeing with white-letters new were SS models. I'm sure 442 models could be had with white letters.

The SX might well have been available new with them too. Just, with the formal top, my guess (only that) is that that car was born with whitewalls.

I know finding correct-width whitewalls is a problem today.

I see Colonnade Monte Carlos and Grand Prixs with white letters, all the time, and I know the Monte couldn't be had with them new, and I'm pretty sure the GP wouldn't have, either.

Also--I see far-more cars today with dog-dish caps than I ever saw new. Yuck.

I even see C1 Corvettes with them, when they were only available on 'big brake' cars. Full wheel covers were standard equipment otherwise. I see more with dog-dish caps now than were built then!

EDIT: I see ab's Cutlass S has white letters in that pic. The fastback roof seems way-more compatible (sporty) with white letters to me. Yeah, that's it.

stickguy · October 4

out driving around today, a last gen RX7 TT with the big hoop. rare sighting these days up here at least.

thebean · October 4

Saw this little cutie at the gym after my workout today. Kei truck? Certainly JDM.

stickguy · October 4

from Honda.

fintail · October 4

Honda Acty I believe, several of these in my area, I recall the arborist I hired a few years ago drove one.

thebean · October 4

Thanks for the info. 👍

fintail · October 4

Speaking of that, looking in the archives I even took a pic of it:

benjaminh · October 5

kyfdx · October 5

FedEX guy with the brown Audi..

gsemike · October 5

@fintail said:
Speaking of that, looking in the archives I even took a pic of it:

There are a couppe of those by me lately. I guess they're more than 25 years old?

gsemike · October 5

@uplanderguy a lot of these cars had Whitewalls but they always looked dowdy and out of place to me.

Mid 80s, the Eagle GTs and Radial TAs had that cool lettering and they were everywhere. Good upgrade IMO

gsemike · October 5

@tjc78 my folks had 2 Cierras. On was an 85 w the 4 cyl and the other a 90 (I think) w the 3.1.
The 4 cylinder felt old fairly fast, like it couldn't go uphill w the AC on by the time it had 50k. Went through a lot of CV joints but we did have it for some time. It transitioned pretty quickly to my Mom's local car so I am not sure how many miles it ran up to.

The 90 I recall running well and my Dad used it to commute 25 miles each way for a number of years. I know for sure that got ran to 160k. Was mostly still running alright but body and interior were so worn when it was traded in.

gsemike · October 5

https://www.facebook.com/share/19nmjN89Ec/

Needs some love but rare site these days and looks ok enough for the money

stickguy · October 5

Celica is probably worth a fair amount clean and sorted. And is a cool car. That one though, looks like it is going to money pit hard and fast. The undercarriage pictures are scary.

fintail · October 5

gsemike said:

@fintail said:

Speaking of that, looking in the archives I even took a pic of it:

There are a couppe of those by me lately. I guess they're more than 25 years old?

Yep, mid 90s I think. Several years ago when this JDM stuff started popping up it was really cool and unique, but there's a ton of it around today, doesn't make me look much unless it is something very unusual.

ab348 · October 5

There are a bunch here as well. They do not look like much fun to drive but I guess that wasn’t important for their originally intended use. I would not want to be in a crash with one of them.

My neighbor up the street has a business among many different interests that sells coffee/espresso out of a near-similarly-sized Vespa Piaggeo van that I guess is no longer registered for the roads, so he trailers it back and forth to its place of business.

uplanderguy · October 5

A girl I dated in the mid'80's had parents with an '80 Ninety-Eight four-door with white letters and wire caps.

It did indeed look ridiculous.

ab348 · October 5

White letter tires on a 4-door, especially a big barge, never look good to me.

explorerx4 · October 5

I thought they looked good on this car.

texases · October 5

What’s under the hood?

stickguy · October 5

probably an engine.

thebean · October 5

Burt Reynolds behind the wheel? White Lightning (1973 movie)?😁

fintail · October 5

ab348 said:
There are a bunch here as well. They do not look like much fun to drive but I guess that wasn’t important for their originally intended use. I would not want to be in a crash with one of them.

My neighbor up the street has a business among many different interests that sells coffee/espresso out of a near-similarly-sized Vespa Piaggeo van that I guess is no longer registered for the roads, so he trailers it back and forth to its place of business.

You are the crumple zone. The similar cabover vans also look like something not to be taken on the highway, but these were made for city use no doubt.

I see a few ordinary 90s era JDM sedans around too - Toyota Crown type material. Maybe a Century will turn my head just to see if it is a V12 model. Old cars are big in Japan too, the really cool stuff stays at home - it'll take money to bring over a Kenmeri type Skyline etc. Japan also has plenty of rust, so these cars may not always be pristine.

White letter tires with wire caps are a choice I wouldn't make, but white letters on a sedan with wheels are fine to me.

That Celica All-Trac could be a viable project if it was in the PNW and had a typical lack of decay for this area, but an east coast car would scare me a bit.

explorerx4 · October 5

@thebean,
Yes, the car is a tribute to the one in that movie.
Most likely has a 429 under the hood.

stickguy · October 5

on the highway tonight, got passed by a 67 or 68 Firebird coupe.

and the pre-65 Corvair that lives around the corner from me, for the first time in the 2 years since I first saw it, is in a new place today. Instead of up at the top of the driveway next to the garage, it is down parked next to the road.

fintail · October 5

Took the old dear out for a drive today, far fewer oldies on the road, only spots were a maybe 69-70 Mustang under a car cover and a 70s Datsun king cab nearby, along with that ~59 or so Corvette that seems to always be outside.

gsemike · October 5

When is the last time you saw an Acura TSX wagon?

benjaminh · October 6

Back around 2012 I wanted an Acura TSX wagon, but the price was a bit steep for me at the time. Finally, in 2018 I got the Acura I'd wanted since the late 1980s lol. And our Subaru Outback is kinda like a slightly larger awd Acura wagon from my pov.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15123250/2011-acura-tsx-sport-wagon-test-review/

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

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