This picture was taken between 1963 and 1967. I'm trying to figure out around when exactly so I was hoping if someone could identify the model/year of the cars in the background, as it could help narrowing down the date range:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4683211813_5101731316_b.jpg
Also, what kind of car is the white one?

Background:
1961 Impala/Bel Air, too far away to get any specific details to nail it down.
http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53217448_pr.jpg
But a '61 without question.


Behind that 1965-66 Ford Galaxie, again, too far/obscured by the the '61 Chevy to tell, but a Ford Galaxie for sure, can't be sure of the year.
http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/hantscountycarshows/windsor2005/1965_Ford_Galaxie_500_fv=KRM.jpg


The white car to the right/foreground, really can't tell, not enough of it to see, the script on the rear is not clear, even blowing it up.
Best guess is a Chrysler or Mercury model, possibly a '66-'67 Chrysler Newport or Imperial? Or maybe a '65-66 Mercury Montclair or Monterey?

It could be a '64-'66 Olds or Pontiac too, thats just due to the way the tops of the rear fenders/tail-light treatments were back then, Olds-Pontiac/Chrysler and Mercury were all very similar. Got a better pic that isn't so tightly cropped?

No better cropped versions of that picture, however
I do have these screenshots from a home movie captured I believe the same day. They're very washed out and blurry but maybe they could help:


The white car:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4685397182_b4da1eb35e_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4684763561_caac232fe3_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4684756957_0c08f196af_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4685397056_088faa5033_b.jpg

The other two:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4685389030_83c48697d4_b.jpg

No better cropped versions of that picture, however
I do have these screenshots from a home movie captured I believe the same day. They're very washed out and blurry but maybe they could help:


The white car:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4685397182_b4da1eb35e_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4684763561_caac232fe3_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4684756957_0c08f196af_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4685397056_088faa5033_b.jpg

The other two:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4685389030_83c48697d4_b.jpg


That's a 1963 Buick LeSabre station wagon.

http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/08/1963-buick.jpg

Nice job AL-B.

That was kinda fun.

Ryan112390 (or anyone else), got any other old cars you need IDing?

We should start a new thread, called "identify that old car".  :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4686742619_68895fe23c_b.jpg

This picture is believed to have been taken between 1971 and 1975. The orange car upon which my dad is sitting is a Volkswagen, was my dad's and was used. However perhaps a make/year of the other cars might yield a closer date range.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4686742619_68895fe23c_b.jpg

This picture is believed to have been taken between 1971 and 1975. The orange car upon which my dad is sitting is a Volkswagen, was my dad's and was used. However perhaps a make/year of the other cars might yield a closer date range.


The station wagon could be a 1971 or 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Station Wagon


Dan

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4686742619_68895fe23c_b.jpg

This picture is believed to have been taken between 1971 and 1975. The orange car upon which my dad is sitting is a Volkswagen, was my dad's and was used. However perhaps a make/year of the other cars might yield a closer date range.

The other car could be a '67-'71 Dodge Dart, or more likely a GM product like a '69-72 Chevy Nova, hard to tell with the crumpled fender...anyone?

Nice job AL-B.

That was kinda fun.

Ryan112390 (or anyone else), got any other old cars you need IDing?

We should start a new thread, called "identify that old car".  :D


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4683211813_5101731316_b.jpg

Thanks, this is kinda fun.  ;)

If you look at the script on the tailfin of the white car, you can almost make out where it says "LeSabre," so I had a hunch right off the bat that it might be a Buick.

The other pics confirmed it.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4686742619_68895fe23c_b.jpg

This picture is believed to have been taken between 1971 and 1975. The orange car upon which my dad is sitting is a Volkswagen, was my dad's and was used. However perhaps a make/year of the other cars might yield a closer date range.

The station wagon could be a 1971 or 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Station Wagon


Dan

The other car could be a '67-'71 Dodge Dart, or more likely a GM product like a '69-72 Chevy Nova, hard to tell with the crumpled fender...anyone?


The station wagon is definitely an early 70's full-size Chevy, the bluish car is much more difficult since there's really not enough of it in the picture to tell for sure. But if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it might be a late 60's American Motors product, like perhaps a Rambler Rebel or an Ambassador.

I was wondering if there was any way to find out the sale information of a car? I ask because the white car in the pictures was my grandfathers, and yet later in life (he died in 1975) they don't remember him having the station wagon or any other car; I'd be interested to find out when he sold it.

There's also two other cars I'm interested in the sale dates of, two of my dad's, the dates of which pertain to my life and would help date a lot of childhood photos.

Thanks, this is kinda fun.  ;)

If you look at the script on the tailfin of the white car, you can almost make out where it says "LeSabre," so I had a hunch right off the bat that it might be a Buick.

The other pics confirmed it.

The station wagon is definitely an early 70's full-size Chevy, the bluish car is much more difficult since there's really not enough of it in the picture to tell for sure. But if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it might be a late 60's American Motors product, like perhaps a Rambler Rebel or an Ambassador.

Y'know, I thought AMC, Rambler or Rebel too, just that they all had vent windows and I couldn't make out that the blueish (or is that greenish/blue?) car had vent windows. Most GM cars of that era had already ditched vent windows, so I though maybe a GM product.

My Dad had a bluish/green, almost military colored '68 Rambler American (bought it with the insurance $$ he got after his '66 GTO got stolen and stripped. Talk about taking a step down in status).

So maybe that is an AMC, that color was all their own.
http://www.americandreamcars.com/1968rambleramerican.jpg

@Ryan112390, well you can start if you have any sales, title or registration records that have the vehicle identification number (VIN). If you have that then you've got a good start to get help from your local DMV with tracing its sale/ownership history (depending on how far back they keep records and how uptight they are about personal information). Also if you have the VIN, you can Google local or national Buick Car Clubs or registries (yes there are even registries out there for '63 Buick LeSabre station wagons, you'd be surprised). I'm sure one of the club members will get you all kinds of info on the car just from the VIN, where it was made, what options it had and even what dealership lot it sold off of...there maybe even some Buick aficionado out there that still has the car! (or parts from it).

@gumbypiz
I unfortunately don't have any of those records =/ Only the owner name and license plate numbers as well as the make and model year (1985 Astro Van, produced in California and bought by my father in New York in 1990 and re-sold by him in New York in either 1995 or 1996.) and a (1989 Ford Bronco II, black, bought in either 1995 or 1996 and sold in 2001).

@gumbypiz
I unfortunately don't have any of those records =/ Only the owner name and license plate numbers as well as the make and model year (1985 Astro Van, produced in California and bought by my father in New York in 1990 and re-sold by him in New York in either 1995 or 1996.) and a (1989 Ford Bronco II, black, bought in either 1995 or 1996 and sold in 2001).


Well even the license plate is tied to a registration of the car, and therefore the VIN. Again, check with the local DMV on their policy of records and how far back they keep registration information, you may need to fill out some forms describing why or what reasons you you have for past history of that license plate and the associated VIN.
Some states are very strict on giving out personal information, some can be cooperative, depends on what your purpose is for or about.

I'd start with contacting the local DMV, if they can't help, check out the employer or bank the car's owner was associated with at the time they owned or purchased it. Then check banks or credit unions that that might of had the car loan on the car, or employee records might just have registration or VIN information (usually used for loan processing, credit union records, employer discounts on car purchases or even parking permit info at the place of employment).

If they had life insurance, check with that insurance company as they may have had the car insured with that company too and have the VIN as well. It may be hard to get them to give up that information, but its a good place to look for it.

Think like a detective and find the most common way that that cars "footprint" has been left in the public domain from the past. Check car dealers or local repair shops in the area that they lived too.

Even a car thats been destroyed via a junkyard or written off as totaled by an insurance company has to have its VIN reported to the local states DMV before it gets squished by a crusher or parted out by a junk dealer.

So the info's out there, just on how you go about looking for it.

Well even the license plate is tied to a registration of the car, and therefore the VIN. Again, check with the local DMV on their policy of records and how far back they keep registration information, you may need to fill out some forms describing why or what reasons you you have for past history of that license plate and the associated VIN.
Some states are very strict on giving out personal information, some can be cooperative, depends on what your purpose is for or about.

I'd start with contacting the local DMV, if they can't help, check out the employer or bank the car's owner was associated with at the time they owned or purchased it. Then check banks or credit unions that that might of had the car loan on the car, or employee records might just have registration or VIN information (usually used for loan processing, credit union records, employer discounts on car purchases or even parking permit info at the place of employment).

If they had life insurance, check with that insurance company as they may have had the car insured with that company too and have the VIN as well. It may be hard to get them to give up that information, but its a good place to look for it.

Think like a detective and find the most common way that that cars "footprint" has been left in the public domain from the past. Check car dealers or local repair shops in the area that they lived too.

Even a car thats been destroyed via a junkyard or written off as totaled by an insurance company has to have its VIN reported to the local states DMV before it gets squished by a crusher or parted out by a junk dealer.

So the info's out there, just on how you go about looking for it.


Would even used car dealer ships (where he bought the cars) or private sales (the manner which he sold them) be of public record somewhere?

Would even used car dealer ships (where he bought the cars) or private sales (the manner which he sold them) be of public record somewhere?


All sales of cars have to be reported to the DMV (that is, if they want to the car registered) and of course the title has to be transfered to the new owner of the the vehicle or to the loan holder of the vehicle, all DMV records stuff.
Again, your local DMV should have those records.

Did anyone else see Lee Harvey Oswald.  I know he was in one of those photos and I'll find which one if it takes me all week!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/09/sheep.gif

Did anyone else see Lee Harvey Oswald.  I know he was in one of those photos and I'll find which one if it takes me all week!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/09/sheep.gif


Didn't see Oswald in any of those photos.

I could've sworn I saw Sasquatch in the 4th picture down though.  :o :o :o

All sales of cars have to be reported to the DMV (that is, if they want to the car registered) and of course the title has to be transfered to the new owner of the the vehicle or to the loan holder of the vehicle, all DMV records stuff.
Again, your local DMV should have those records.


Yup.  If you've got the paperwork, it doesn't matter how long it's been, it's still your car.

Every few years, someone gets their car back.  Here's this year's success story: Ford pickup stolen in LA recovered after 38 years.  

Nice job AL-B.

That was kinda fun.

Ryan112390 (or anyone else), got any other old cars you need IDing?

We should start a new thread, called "identify that old car".  :D



Gumbypiz, check these two, do you remember them?

Here's a good one for you:

http://www.trombinoscar.com/oldsmobile/om700501.jpg

;)

Here's a good one for you:

http://www.trombinoscar.com/oldsmobile/om700501.jpg

;)


It's a great photo!  is it a Olds Toronado? or Buick Riviera?

It's a great photo!  is it a Olds Toronado? or Buick Riviera?
You are correct sir!  ;)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/applause.gif



It is a 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado.

I picked the straight on photo because any view of the side of the car would've been a dead giveaway.

http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/07/ToroGT_resized.jpg

I don't recall ever seeing any of the early Toronados without the hideaway headlamps, this particular year has a cool and unique look to it.

For some reason it reminds me of something Elvis Presley would've driven in the early 70's.

You are correct sir!  ;)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/applause.gif



It is a 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado.

I picked the straight on photo because any view of the side of the car would've been a dead giveaway.

http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/07/ToroGT_resized.jpg

I don't recall ever seeing any of the early Toronados without the hideaway headlamps, this particular year has a cool and unique look to it.

For some reason it reminds me of something Elvis Presley would've driven in the early 70's.


I'm going to look for a photo of my son's Toronado, I think it was a used 87' it was loaded with all kinds of factory stocked gadgets that he loved and why he bought it.

You are correct sir!  ;)



It is a 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado.




Yeah, you're driving through northern Manitoba in that thing.  The heater don't work too good, one of the headlamps is starting to flicker, and it's starting to snow.
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/sqcold.gif

Yeah, you're driving through northern Manitoba in that thing.  The heater don't work too good, one of the headlamps is starting to flicker, and it's starting to snow.
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/sqcold.gif


Max he's trying to sell it, you ain't helping!

When I was a kid I used to see the old Ford C-series cabover trucks all the time, especially in use as fire trucks. But they quit making them in 1990 and now you don't really see them around much anymore.

http://www.tirekickercarplace.com/1966_ford_truck_cc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3752602176_5c414c4461.jpg

I used to think they were ugly but now I think they're kind of cool, and I know this sounds goofy but now that I know how to drive a truck I really wish I could take one out for a spin.

When I was a kid I used to see the old Ford C-series cabover trucks all the time, especially in use as fire trucks. But they quit making them in 1990 and now you don't really see them around much anymore.

http://www.tirekickercarplace.com/1966_ford_truck_cc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3752602176_5c414c4461.jpg

I used to think they were ugly but now I think they're kind of cool, and I know this sounds goofy but now that I know how to drive a truck I really wish I could take one out for a spin.





They were bad on the kidneys for the over the road drivers, bouncing and noise from the engine were work hazards driving them all day. The later Volvo cabovers were better then Ford for long hauls.

They were bad on the kidneys for the over the road drivers, bouncing and noise from the engine were work hazards driving them all day. The later Volvo cabovers were better then Ford for long hauls.


These were used mostly for local delivery/construction and fire apparatus, I don't think they had sleeper bunks in the cab.  I certainly wouldn't want to drive one of those things for more than 100 miles!  :o :o :o

Today you might see them every now and then in use as grain trucks.

These were used mostly for local delivery/construction and fire apparatus, I don't think they had sleeper bunks in the cab.  I certainly wouldn't want to drive one of those things for more than 100 miles!  :o :o :o

Today you might see them every now and then in use as grain trucks.


My father was a Teamster local 478 and drove trailers locally, mostly NYC, Brooklyn docks, but at times he'd drive South Jersey routes. His company used Mack and Internationals and were standard model tractors, around early 60's the company bought a couple of cabover tractors, I don't know for sure what truck company they bought, but the he drove the new one for a while in his NYC route and after a few long runs down south Jersey he refused to drive them any longer because it gave him back and kidney problems from the shaking of the light cab and driving in NYC traffic the noise and the vibration of the engine was driving him batty, after a few months with other drivers complaining of the same problems, the company got rid of them. I'm sure the improved the models since then, ask an old tractor driver if he drove one and see what he says about them.

They are only good for light hauls in straight jobs trucks. I have a commercial license for straigth job trucks and helped my friend a few times with his business and he had a 27 foot cabover Volvo and it was a beautiful truck to drive, quite comfortable easy handling, the seat had all kinds of adjustments for your comfort, I guess with all these improvements my old man would have loved this cabover.

     

1970 Plymouth Valiant.  My friend's mom had one of these.  I laughed at it, but it started every morning, even if it was a sub-zero temperature, and it kept the passenger compartment nice and toasty.  My parents' funny little foreign cars failed on those counts!

http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/1970%20Plymouth%20Valiant.jpg

1971 Fiat Sedan.  My old man thought it was a great idea to tool around hilly New England in the snowy winter!  It caused him considerable misery on said sub-zero morning, and if it snowed, furrrrgit it! He'd spin out into a snowbank making his way down the big hill, then the chiefOpolice would have to come and tow his sorry ass out!  Mind you, the chief was the only full-time cop in town and he and his wife also ran the general store.  I'm talking old timey NH here! 

So your fathah drives that little eye-talian cah, huh?"

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/1971_Fiat_850_Sedan_For_Sale_Front_1.jpg

1970 Plymouth Valiant.  My friend's mom had one of these.  I laughed at it, but it started every morning, even if it was a sub-zero temperature, and it kept the passenger compartment nice and toasty.  My parents' funny little foreign cars failed on those counts!

http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/1970%20Plymouth%20Valiant.jpg

1971 Fiat Sedan.  My old man thought it was a great idea to tool around in one of these things around hilly New England in the snowy winter!  It caused him considerable misery on said sub-zero morning, and if it snowed, furrrrgit it! He'd spin out into a snowbank making his way down the big hill, then the chiefOpolice would have to come and tow his sorry ass out!  Mind you, the chief was the only full-time cop in town and he and his wife also ran the general store.  I'm talking old timey NH here!  

"So your fathah drives that little eye-talian cah, huh?"

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/1971_Fiat_850_Sedan_For_Sale_Front_1.jpg

1970 Plymouth Valiant.  My friend's mom had one of these.  I laughed at it, but it started every morning, even if it was a sub-zero temperature, and it kept the passenger compartment nice and toasty.  My parents' funny little foreign cars failed on those counts!
http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/1970%20Plymouth%20Valiant.jpg

It's the car from Duel!!!  :o :o :o

Oh yeah!  I love "Duel"!  That poor henpecked guy versus the demonic trucker!  Spielberg's first film (one of the first anyway), and yeah, the "Duel" car is a 1970 red Plymouth Valiant.  The one my friend's mother had was blue.  It was a big hunk of junk, but it was a powerful V8, which is handy if you need to bust out of the snowbank! 

Oh yeah!  I love "Duel"!  That poor henpecked guy versus the demonic trucker!  Spielberg's first film (one of the first anyway), and yeah, the "Duel" car is a 1970 red Plymouth Valiant.  The one my friend's mother had was blue.  It was a big hunk of junk, but it was a powerful V8, which is handy if you need to bust out of the snowbank! 


I liked that movie too, but being a truck driver I have to say that Dennis Weaver's character was kind of a nimrod.  Believe me, there's no good reason why anyone in a car can't ditch an 18-wheeler (especially a bombed-out old 1950's Peterbilt pulling a fully loaded tanker in the mountains).  ::)

I liked that movie too, but being a truck driver I have to say that Dennis Weaver's character was kind of a nimrod.  Believe me, there's no good reason why anyone in a car can't ditch an 18-wheeler (especially a bombed-out old 1950's Peterbilt pulling a fully loaded tanker in the mountains).  ::)




You also know the economics of trucking.  There's no way a truck driver would waste his time and money hassling motorists.  Truckers will bully motorists on the Interstate from time to time but generally not without provocation -- or perceived provocation.  However, if the motorist slows down and drops back in traffic, it ain't like the trucker is going to sit and wait on the side of the road. 

But that's the movies 4ya!

I've been to Madison Old Fashioned Days today and I'll probably be going to the Milan Melon Festival this Labor Day Weekend.

And my Grandfather LOVED Packards!

Duel

Here's the complete movie...

http://www.classiccinemaonline.com/cinema/suspense-thriller/duel.html




Dan

You were the coolest of the cool if you owned this in the 50's. This was our friend Henry's car, he put duel exhausts, snub the nose,and put sand bags in ths trunk to lower the rear and lift the front. Some guys would put spark plugs at the end of the exhaust pipes to ignite the excess gas that the engine didn't burn and flames of fire would shoot out the exhaust pipes looking like a rocket ship taking off...cool!

PS...If you saw the movie "Grease" you saw the character Leo drive off in one of these with flames shooting out of his exhausts.

You were the coolest of the cool if you owned this in the 50's. This was our friend Henry's car, he put duel exhausts, snub the nose,and put sand bags in ths trunk to lower the rear and lift the front. Some guys would put spark plugs at the end of the exhaust pipes to ignite the excess gas that the engine didn't burn and flames of fire would shoot out the exhaust pipes looking like a rocket ship taking off...cool!

PS...If you saw the movie "Grease" you saw the character Leo drive off in one of these with flames shooting out of his exhausts.


The famous, or infamous '49 Mercury Coupe. An un-molested, (not chopped) version.
http://www.adclassix.com/images/49mercurycoupe.jpg

A more "traditional" chopped Merc Coupe
http://www.texasescapes.com/BillCherry/1949MercuryBC.jpg

You also know the economics of trucking.  There's no way a truck driver would waste his time and money hassling motorists.  Truckers will bully motorists on the Interstate from time to time but generally not without provocation -- or perceived provocation.  However, if the motorist slows down and drops back in traffic, it ain't like the trucker is going to sit and wait on the side of the road.  

But that's the movies 4ya!


This is my favorite part of the movie (well, besides the climactic crash at the end of course), it's downright hilarious the way Dennis Weaver screams like a woman at 4:08 when his car overheats.  Plus you just gotta love his old school amber aviators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnkXLLu8A4o&feature=related

Serves the cheap bastard right for not shelling out a few more bucks for the V-8!  :D

1910 Maxwell

http://www.dochemp.com/images4/1910Maxwell.jpg

1910 Maxwell

http://www.dochemp.com/images4/1910Maxwell.jpg


2010 Smart

http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/rW/2010-smart-fortwo-de.jpg

8)

2010 Smart

http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/rW/2010-smart-fortwo-de.jpg

8)




Very clever.  Karma!
;D

I liked that movie too, but being a truck driver I have to say that Dennis Weaver's character was kind of a nimrod.  Believe me, there's no good reason why anyone in a car can't ditch an 18-wheeler (especially a bombed-out old 1950's Peterbilt pulling a fully loaded tanker in the mountains).  ::)


I've driven a early '70s model Plymouth Valiant before and with power steering they were great for city driving but on the interstates and highways they were awful.
If they had power steering it wasn't speed adjustable power steering like they have in cars now.
The slightest touch on the steering wheel got it to move in the desired direction, which really isn't needed when you're doing 70 mph on an interstate.

When he's being chased by the Peterbilt at times the stunt driver is all over the road, and I know why.

I've driven a early '70s model Plymouth Valiant before and with power steering they were great for city driving but on the interstates and highways they were awful.
If they had power steering it wasn't speed adjustable power steering like they have in cars now.
The slightest touch on the steering wheel got it to move in the desired direction, which really isn't needed when you're doing 70 mph on an interstate.

When he's being chased by the Peterbilt at times the stunt driver is all over the road, and I know why.



But that's what I loved about the old cars, especially from the 1960's. When I was in high school I had a 1968 Impala and the steering was so light I could drive that car with just my thumb on the steering wheel, and I could wheel it around a parking lot with just my pinky if I wanted.

Everyone seems to go nuts over the old muscle cars, but not me. I've always dug the old land yachts. The bigger the better. You know, like something Mr. Drysdale from The Beverly Hillbillies would drive around in. Just a big, obnoxiously huge 5000 lb mass of chrome and steel with a 400+ cubic inch V-8 and a convertible top.

I'd love to have something like a 1965 Chrysler Imperial convertible, for nice days and parades.  ;)

http://www.imperialclub.com/Events/California97/65_47.jpg

http://babuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/3175289962_184fae905b-300x217.jpg

1970 Plymouth Valiant.  My friend's mom had one of these.  I laughed at it, but it started every morning, even if it was a sub-zero temperature, and it kept the passenger compartment nice and toasty.  My parents' funny little foreign cars failed on those counts!

http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/1970%20Plymouth%20Valiant.jpg





My dad had a Valiant convertible for the longest time. I can't remember the year-196_ (something) 4? 5? I don't recall. He named it "Pwecious" (as in Lord of the Rings). He finally retired it less than 10 years ago. He loved it so much that he convinced my grandmother to buy a Valiant (not a convertible). Hers was a later model than my dad's. In fact, hers looked a lot like the photo (only green). I looked for a photo of my dad's but couldn't find one. I KNOW I have a photo of it somewhere around here. I will post it if I ever find it.




Cat

My dad had a Valiant convertible for the longest time. I can't remember the year-196_ (something) 4? 5? I don't recall. He named it "Pwecious" (as in Lord of the Rings). He finally retired it less than 10 years ago. He loved it so much that he convinced my grandmother to buy a Valiant (not a convertible). Hers was a later model than my dad's. In fact, hers looked a lot like the photo (only green). I looked for a photo of my dad's but couldn't find one. I KNOW I have a photo of it somewhere around here. I will post it if I ever find it.




Cat


That's what Americans were buying until the mid'70s.  Big American boats.  Only weird beatniks like my parents drive those poky little foreign cars!

That's what Americans were buying until the mid'70s.  Big American boats.  Only weird beatniks like my parents drive those poky little foreign cars!


My dad grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota and was about as far from being a beatnik as one could possibly get, yet in 1976 our station wagon crapped out and he needed a vehicle that could haul 6 kids around in, so he bought a 1974 Volkswagen Bus.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/IMG_1506.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/IMG_1505.jpg

He finally sold it about 6 months ago.

It's funny though, I have a few hippie friends and when I tell them my dad had a VW Bus they're like, "Oh my God..your dad had a Bus? That's so cool!" And I'll get mad, because anyone who has actually spent time in a VW Bus knows that they're one of the most unf**kingcomfortable vehicles ever built. No A/C in the summer and since it had an air-cooled motor, when you had the heater on full blast it was about as powerful as a newborn baby blowing on you, so you could just count on freezing your nuts off in January.

Not to mention the damn thing topped out at 60 mph. And every summer my dad would take his 2 weeks of vacation, pile us all into the bus and take the long trek from Nebraska up to North Dakota to visit all the relatives.

I just went up there a month ago. I drove the Crown Vic from KC to Lincoln, picked up my sister and her daughter, and once I got past Omaha onto I-29 I just set the cruise at 75 and it seemed like we got to Bismarck in no time.

Compared to that, with 6 kids crammed into a VW Bus in the last week of June, plodding along at 55 mph I swear we were almost like the Ingalls family in their covered wagon. And it's a good thing that my parents had so many of us because it seemed like every time we were on our way back home we'd be halfway through South Dakota and sure enough, the damn thing would crap out and all us kids would have to jump out and PUSH that f**king thing.

I feel so weird bitching about how rough I thought I had it because I heard the exact same BS from all the older people when I was a kid, but when I'm on the interstate and I see a new SUV pass me with a kid sitting in the back watching a DVD in air-conditioned comfort I can't help but think, "You little TURD! You have NO idea how good you've got it!"  :D :D :D

My mother had 3 of these:


http://www.amccf.com/mainokset/77amc_09_hornet_sportabout.jpg 

She had a red one, blue one and a red with the faux wood on the side.

I'm sure very few people here KNOWS what kind of car this actually is. (But a few of you do.  ;) )




Cat

My mother had 3 of these:


http://www.amccf.com/mainokset/77amc_09_hornet_sportabout.jpg 

She had a red one, blue one and a red with the faux wood on the side.

I'm sure very few people here KNOWS what kind of car this actually is. (But a few of you do.  ;) )




Cat


Me! Me! I know! I know!  :D :D :D

My mother had 3 of these:


http://www.amccf.com/mainokset/77amc_09_hornet_sportabout.jpg 

She had a red one, blue one and a red with the faux wood on the side.

I'm sure very few people here KNOWS what kind of car this actually is. (But a few of you do.  ;) )




Cat


I thought you were talking about the airplane. 

I remember those Gremlins.  They were something awful.  Were the cheap or something? 
???

My dad grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota and was about as far from being a beatnik as one could possibly get, yet in 1976 our station wagon crapped out and he needed a vehicle that could haul 6 kids around in, so he bought a 1974 Volkswagen Bus.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/IMG_1506.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/IMG_1505.jpg

He finally sold it about 6 months ago.

It's funny though, I have a few hippie friends and when I tell them my dad had a VW Bus they're like, "Oh my God..your dad had a Bus? That's so cool!" And I'll get mad, because anyone who has actually spent time in a VW Bus knows that they're one of the most unf**kingcomfortable vehicles ever built. No A/C in the summer and since it had an air-cooled motor, when you had the heater on full blast it was about as powerful as a newborn baby blowing on you, so you could just count on freezing your nuts off in January.

Not to mention the damn thing topped out at 60 mph. And every summer my dad would take his 2 weeks of vacation, pile us all into the bus and take the long trek from Nebraska up to North Dakota to visit all the relatives.

I just went up there a month ago. I drove the Crown Vic from KC to Lincoln, picked up my sister and her daughter, and once I got past Omaha onto I-29 I just set the cruise at 75 and it seemed like we got to Bismarck in no time.

Compared to that, with 6 kids crammed into a VW Bus in the last week of June, plodding along at 55 mph I swear we were almost like the Ingalls family in their covered wagon. And it's a good thing that my parents had so many of us because it seemed like every time we were on our way back home we'd be halfway through South Dakota and sure enough, the damn thing would crap out and all us kids would have to jump out and PUSH that f**king thing.

I feel so weird bitching about how rough I thought I had it because I heard the exact same BS from all the older people when I was a kid, but when I'm on the interstate and I see a new SUV pass me with a kid sitting in the back watching a DVD in air-conditioned comfort I can't help but think, "You little TURD! You have NO idea how good you've got it!"  :D :D :D


My father had a VW Bus for a while in the late '80s.  He bought it for a song at a yard sale or something.  Drove it around for a couple of years and got rid of it.  Any major repair would max out the book value!

We did indeed have that Volkswagen Squareback in the 1970s.  We carpooled to the Waldorf school with other families so that Volkswagen Squareback might have seven kids in it.  One up front, three in the back, three in the way back.  At least it didn't feel so miserably cold when it had seven kids jostling in it.  It was lost on me how Germans could design a car with such poor heat circulation. 

I thought you were talking about the airplane. 

I remember those Gremlins.  They were something awful.  Were the cheap or something? 
???



That isn't a Gremlin. This is a Gremlin:


http://www.wps.com/AMC/Gremlin/Gremlin1.JPG

The care we had was a Hornet Sportabout by AMC (who also made the Gremlin). My sister named my mother's car "Horny."  :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat

Bump

What models/years are the cars behind the white here? I THINK the photo was taken sometime between 1965 and 1967. I can't determine exactly what time of year it was, but I know it was taken in Connecticut. Was hoping the cars might narrow down the date range
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6610/img4092cf.jpg

Bump

What models/years are the cars behind the white here? I THINK the photo was taken sometime between 1965 and 1967. I can't determine exactly what time of year it was, but I know it was taken in Connecticut. Was hoping the cars might narrow down the date range
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6610/img4092cf.jpg


Green car in front is a 1961 Chevrolet. The black car behind it is a little more difficult to make out. It appears to be a Lincoln Continental from the side but I can't tell what year it is because I can't see the front grille.

Green car in front is a 1961 Chevrolet.


Good eye!

Al-B: It's a Chevy Impala, right? 

Love the chrome on the early 60s Impalas.

Good eye!

Al-B: It's a Chevy Impala, right? 

Love the chrome on the early 60s Impalas.


I can't tell.

All the full-size Chevrolets from the 1950's through at least the 1970's had identical front ends for each model year. It was the roof line, the side trim, and especially the taillights which distinguished the models from each other.

From 1958 until 1965, the full-size Chevy line-up consisted of 3 models: the Biscayne, the Bel Air, and the Impala. In 1965 Chevy introduced the Caprice, which was a more formal/luxurious model. The Biscayne was discontinued in 1972 and Bel Air production was ended in 1975.

The taillights were the biggest difference between the models.

1961 Biscayne:
http://www.carsandracingstuff.com/library/b/biscayne28.jpg

1961 Bel Air:
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2007/11/26/18/53/1961_chevrolet_bel_air-pic-54761.jpeg

1961 Impala:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3995001568_467ab88970.jpg

As you can see, the Biscayne and Bel Air only had 4 taillights, while the Impala (and later the Caprice as well) had 6. This was a styling trademark of Chevrolet that was used from 1958 all the way up until 1975 (with the exception of 1959).

You guys make sure these neato videos survive the apocalypse, I mean the next one, the real one.

You guys make sure these neato videos survive the apocalypse, I mean the next one, the real one.


What's the next doomsdate?  ??? :o

This was our car in 1964 or 1965.
I forgot what type/make of car it was.

Anyone  know?
Can someone help? 

This was our car in 1964 or 1965.
I forgot what type/make of car it was.

Anyone  know?
Can someone help?

That's a Chevrolet Corvair, and given the timeframe for that photo it would have to be a 1965 model since that was the first year for that body style.

That's a Chevrolet Corvair, and given the timeframe for that photo it would have to be a 1965 model since that was the first year for that body style.


The Corvair, yes! I had forgotten.
I just zoomed into the photo and saw the license plate as 1965.

Thanks for your help, buddy.

That's a Chevrolet Corvair, and given the timeframe for that photo it would have to be a 1965 model since that was the first year for that body style.


http://home.comcast.net/~mkellstrand/corvairs/images/myvair3_med.jpg

Beaten to the punch - the slats behind the windshield indicating a rear engine, but I can't let it go without linking to a couple of pages describing a couple of well-preserved examples of a Corvair Corsa.

A couple of interesting differences - the rear views indicate a difference in the bumpers and inner taillights - warped's being white backup lights (or covered over with tin?!?!), and most of the pictures I was able to find indicating red on all four tail lights, with that vertical bar in the bumper.

A couple of interesting differences - the rear views indicate a difference in the bumpers and inner taillights - warped's being white backup lights (or covered over with tin?!?!), and most of the pictures I was able to find indicating red on all four tail lights, with that vertical bar in the bumper.


A close up of the rear bumper from my dad's car. The license plate says '65. Looks like tin covering 2 lights.

A close up of the rear bumper from my dad's car. The license plate says '65. Looks like tin covering 2 lights.


Yup, that's tin alright.  Probably some US/Canada law about rear-facing backup warning lights.  Not having them at all might have been acceptable, but having them in red might have been unacceptable.

Yup, that's tin alright.  Probably some US/Canada law about rear-facing backup warning lights.  Not having them at all might have been acceptable, but having them in red might have been unacceptable.


Girls are good at leaving their in laws in the dirt.

Does anyone else have ideas about the last car?
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6610/img4092cf.jpg

Does anyone else have ideas about the last car?
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6610/img4092cf.jpg


Upon re-examination I was incorrect with my initial guess of the second car being a Lincoln Continental.

Impossible to say for sure, but it looks like it could be a 1967 Ford Galaxie.

http://autoclassix.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/galaxy500001.jpg

Hey AL, might it be a dodge Coronet?  1967?

http://www.kzclassiccars.com/pictures/1967-Dodge-Coronet-1.jpg

Ok a last one:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8359892915_ab4505666e_k.jpg

Trying to narrow down a date for this photo using the cars.

Ok a last one:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8359892915_ab4505666e_k.jpg

Trying to narrow down a date for this photo using the cars.


Tell those damn cops to move out of the way and maybe I could get a better idea.  :D

In the very late 1960s and early 1970s, lots of cop cars were either Plymouth Fury's or Dodge Polara's. Our family had a Dodge Polara for  short time in the early 1970s. Huge car.

Looks like the Polara we had. I don't know the year though. AL_B is my car guru,  ;D    maybe he can help.

In the very late 1960s and early 1970s, lots of cop cars were either Plymouth Fury's or Dodge Polara's. Our family had a Dodge Polara for  short time in the early 1970s. Huge car.

Looks like the Polara we had. I don't know the year though. AL_B is my car guru,  ;D    maybe he can help.


I want to say it's a 1965-66 Chevy but I can't tell for sure with the cops in front of it.  :P

They're Security Guards...There's another picture from the same day but you still can't see the relevent parts of the car. I thought the shape/body might be enough. The picture, I estimate, is from sometime between 1966 and 1970. My grandpa--man on the far right--was first employed by the Security Company whose car is in the photo as far as I can tell in March 1966.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8359892915_ab4505666e_k.jpg


They're Security Guards...There's another picture from the same day but you still can't see the relevent parts of the car. I thought the shape/body might be enough. The picture, I estimate, is from sometime between 1966 and 1970. My grandpa--man on the far right--was first employed by the Security Company whose car is in the photo as far as I can tell in March 1966.


I almost want to say that the car is a 1965 Chevy Malibu but what's stumping me is that damn side fuel filler door to the extreme right of the picture. The shape of the car looks like a '65 Malibu but I can't find any pictures of that model with the side fuel filler door.

http://www.riverroadauto.com/100_1091.JPG

As far as the year of the photo goes I think 1966 would be probably your best bet but I'm not 100% sure on the car.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8359892915_ab4505666e_k.jpg

I almost want to say that the car is a 1965 Chevy Malibu but what's stumping me is that damn side fuel filler door to the extreme right of the picture. The shape of the car looks like a '65 Malibu but I can't find any pictures of that model with the side fuel filler door.

http://www.riverroadauto.com/100_1091.JPG

As far as the year of the photo goes I think 1966 would be probably your best bet but I'm not 100% sure on the car.



I want to a Valiant but what do I know?  :-\\



Cat

Ok a last one:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8359892915_ab4505666e_k.jpg

Trying to narrow down a date for this photo using the cars.


Upon further review I can say with about 98% certainty that the car in the background is a 1966 Ford Fairlane.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2217/4781/5542390001_large.jpg

Note the curvature of the A-pillar and the placement of the driver side mirror, as well as the shape of the rear wheel well.

Still cant figure out the fuel filler door though, perhaps it was something they used on the more base models (which were used mostly for fleet applications--taxicabs, law enforcement, etc...).  While the car I used as an example is a top-of-the-line Fairlane 500, the security car is easily identified as a base model due to its lack of chrome trim as compared to the 500.

http://www.hemmings.com/story_image/91197-500-0.jpg?rev=2

It was a hunk of junk, but it started like a charm on sub-zero mornings!

http://www.hemmings.com/story_image/91197-500-0.jpg?rev=2

It was a hunk of junk, but it started like a charm on sub-zero mornings!


Unfortunately, as poor Dennis Weaver found out, it was not the most ideal vehicle to be in while being pursued by a mad truck driver.* :o :o :o

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s78/AL-B_photos/duel_zps4d4142e8.jpg





*At least not when equipped with the standard Chrysler Slant-6 engine.