Thread Number: 81819
/ Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
your Teenage lust cars... |
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Post# 1058314 , Reply# 1   1/21/2020 at 19:14 (1,527 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Post# 1058320 , Reply# 2   1/21/2020 at 19:54 (1,527 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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At 15, I had a Rambler Classic station wagon, then a 65 Galaxie with 3 on the tree, 69 Fairlane, 72 Vega and if I had the $ back then I wanted a Vette. I got it and love my Silverado. This is what I wanted and got.
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Post# 1058321 , Reply# 3   1/21/2020 at 19:57 (1,527 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)   |   | |
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With me it was any of the big GM front wheel drive luxury sedans. My first car was a 1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham, exact colors pictured here. I got it in 1990 when I was 17. What I really wanted but could not yet afford at the time was a Sedan deVille or a Fleetwood. I always loved the medium sized GM luxury boats and anything that had that wonderful GM 3800 V6 engine in it. |
Post# 1058323 , Reply# 4   1/21/2020 at 20:25 (1,527 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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My first car was a 1969 Olds Delta 88 with a 455. Dark forest green coupe with a white vinyl roof. (Photo shows similar model but different colors.) Stepfather sold it to me a few months before getting my license in 1975. Kept it through college before selling to a friend in June of 1982. Great car.
My favorite car was a 1986 Camaro Z28. Dark metallic red with gold ground effects (which in my opinion looked much better than the silver shown in photo #2.) Black louvers on the back window. Spent WAY too much on the car stereo, but it sounded fantastic. Super, super loud, but completely balanced from tweeters to subwoofers without a trace of distortion. That car made many road trips across the country. Ah, youth.
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Post# 1058331 , Reply# 5   1/21/2020 at 22:20 (1,527 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)   |   | |
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When I was 15 I wanted the 1983 lincoln town car, or an Audi 4000 or 5000. Later I wanted an 82 Lincoln Continental Mark VI sedan or a Mercury Colony Park wagon.
Never did I think about how these might be viewed by others and being kind of stodgy. But when I faced the fact that they are gas hogs and maintenance pigs in the long run, I down sized.
But my first car was a very nice 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis LS.
When I can pop out that gas engine and put in an over-the-counter Tesla motor and battery I'll be back in the game. LOL Seriously, though, there are companies converting old gas hog vehicles into supercharged electric vehicles. Big billies though $. |
Post# 1058333 , Reply# 6   1/21/2020 at 22:28 (1,527 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)   |   | |
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Those 88 & 89 Eldorados were good looking. They had scaled them as a smaller version early 80s eldorado.
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Post# 1058341 , Reply# 7   1/22/2020 at 00:38 (1,527 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 1058364 , Reply# 8   1/22/2020 at 09:19 (1,526 days old) by superocd (PNW)   |   | |
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Eventually got one after my first car, a 1999 Accord coupe, lost a transmission. |
Post# 1058367 , Reply# 9   1/22/2020 at 09:35 (1,526 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)   |   | |
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boring. I wanted a Volvo 265. I shared a 1977 Plymouth Volare 4 door with my sister. We laugh about the Plymouth now. Lawrence/Maytagbear |
Post# 1058377 , Reply# 10   1/22/2020 at 12:07 (1,526 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)   |   | |
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Well let's see. I think for the longest time I lusted for a 1965 Galaxie 500 LTD 4-door. Just loved the lines and massing of that body and roof. We had a plain ol' Galaxie 500, but that wasn't nice enough. And next in line would have been a 1966 Mercury Park Lane 4-door. Same roof and greenhouse, just larger; but still great body!
However, the parents of a fellow HS classmate had a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Vista, triple black. Each time I saw that car pass the house it just took my breath away and turned me green with envy. The real frustrating part of that lust was I knew that if it were me behind the wheel of that big ol' car I would look like the world's biggest goober. Just too small to be driving a car like that. It was an awesome sight.
lawrence |
Post# 1058380 , Reply# 11   1/22/2020 at 12:32 (1,526 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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Got my license at 16 in 1972. I had zero interest in small or medium sized cars foreign or domestic and only like full size land yachts. I lost all interest in those as well in the downsizings and fwd changeovers of 77-80. I'm still searching for a reasonably priced 71-73 boat tail Riviera or 75-76 Electra Coupe preferably, like my old 75. All the cars I've had since have been "meh" as far as the "I just love this car" feeling I had with that one. At least I still have my bike for some thrills.
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Post# 1058389 , Reply# 12   1/22/2020 at 13:32 (1,526 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)   |   | |
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"I shared a 1977 Plymouth Volare 4 door"
I can't share my crown of boringness, Alex. I don't want to forfeit this game.
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Post# 1058403 , Reply# 13   1/22/2020 at 15:06 (1,526 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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Post# 1058430 , Reply# 15   1/22/2020 at 19:05 (1,526 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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The only car I really really, wanted was a 2010-11 E63 AMG. 6.2L na that made 519 hp.
I do hope that car had at least enough power to get it up to speed for safe merging onto the freeway. LOL
I had at least a short period of dreaming of a Mercedes when I was a teenager. IIRC, I saw some ad that talked about "shrinking 500 miles of European roadway into a routine 4 hour run." Or something like that. |
Post# 1058451 , Reply# 17   1/22/2020 at 21:38 (1,526 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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Post# 1058456 , Reply# 18   1/22/2020 at 21:47 (1,526 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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It's the only one I have of my 75 Electra 225. THe models are my nana and my mom, taken in Stanley Park Vancouver in 1976 iirc. Being as I lived in a one bedroom apartment they stayed in the trunk.
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Post# 1058458 , Reply# 19   1/22/2020 at 22:18 (1,526 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)   |   | |
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"I guess I didn’t respect cars enough as a teenager."
The younger generation (30 or less) do not seem to have automobile lust like other generations grew up with.
They seem to realize it's just an appliance and renting a ride is a better option than buying the cow.
I never wanted to drive. Didn't get my first vehicle until I was 19. Got my lic. at 18. I drive because I need to. When I can efficiently rent-a-ride, I will.
My sympathies for those who ever owned a european vehicle. When I was growing up these car were highly sought after, but they are terrible. Over priced, not reliable, expensive parts, complicated to repair, difficult to find someone to repair them. What a scam. Saabs aren't even made anymore. Starting this year Volvo will only make electric vehicles so that's good. The rest are dying with Tesla and electric car makers eating their lunch.
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Post# 1058459 , Reply# 20   1/22/2020 at 22:22 (1,526 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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Post# 1058478 , Reply# 21   1/23/2020 at 04:24 (1,526 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Well the best car I've ever owned is the one I bought new and still own and drive with almost 277K miles on it...my 2001 VW New Beetle TDI. Even in single digit temps it still fires right up. Other than routine timing belts/water pump changes it has been super reliable. I just replaced the brake pads and rotors on it FOR THE FIRST TIME since my commute is mostly all interstate driving. Original clutch. Ten or fifteen years ago I replaced the AC compressor with a Chinese one from ebay that STILL WORKS! I've always wanted an old bug, but my grandparents who paid for half my first car said NO. So when I had my turning 30 crisis I bought a new one. Not the same but still....I love that little white bug.
I also have always liked the late 80's GM big sedans. My dad had an 87 Delta 88 Royale Brougham with leather seats. It was a fine car. My ex bought it from him when my mother bought her new 97 Lumina and my dad took her 90 Buick Century. Tony and I have had a 92 and 93 Cadillac Sedan DeVille and we loved both of those cars...way back when... This post was last edited 01/23/2020 at 06:17 |
Post# 1058493 , Reply# 23   1/23/2020 at 08:13 (1,526 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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My first Mercedes was a 1989 190E 2.6 with 239K miles on the clock. We flew up to Chicago, picked the car up, did some touristy things and drove back to Tennessee. That thing was bullet-proof with the inline six engine. Our last one was an S-500. I loved that car but Tony didn't. We traded it for a Cadillac (our last one with a Northstar engine). |
Post# 1058558 , Reply# 25   1/23/2020 at 19:38 (1,525 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)   |   | |
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I have to admit, I did like the looks of 80s mercedes convertibles........ and the 500SEL
However, these days, old mercedes don't age well, especially if they are diesel. Today I saw a 70s modle in the Walmart parking lot, various parts covered with moss (as you can frequently find in FLA.), and filthy dirty from being parked outside, with the rear of the vehicle black from tail pipe soot. |
Post# 1058560 , Reply# 26   1/23/2020 at 19:52 (1,525 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)   |   | |
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"My wife's 2014 Mercedes"
Have you thought of what you're going to do when you need to replace a $4000 muffler, or rebuild a $6000 engine, maybe replace a $5500 computer?.... perhaps all at the same time?
Refinance the house or take from kids college fund? Or maybe you can afford to pay out of pocket?
If you've actually got this far without serious repairs, I'd count my blessings, be thankful for the good times,.... and unload that puppy as fast I can. Get out while the getting's good.
20,000 miles a year? That's steep.
Scotty Kilmer talks from experience.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO bradfordwhite's LINK
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Post# 1058562 , Reply# 28   1/23/2020 at 20:52 (1,525 days old) by Lorainfurniture (Cleveland )   |   | |
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Some of my old beaters , I still have the 2 station wagons. In order: 89 300se, 88 300e 5 speed (grey market car) 92 260e 5 speed, (in Greece) , 93 300te 4matic, 89 300e, 11 e350 |
Post# 1058619 , Reply# 29   1/24/2020 at 06:28 (1,525 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )   |   | |
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As a teen there were a handful of cars I listed for, all being full size
My biggest lust was the 91-96 Buick Roadmaster Estate wagon Other things I loved were the same generation Fleetwood Brougham and Roadmaster sedans The then-current model 00-05 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI with the supercharged 3800 Also loved the 00-05 LeSabre Limited and the 97-05 Park Avenue and Park Avenue Ultra The 91-96 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Elite The then current 98-02 and 03+ Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis Also was quite fond of the 88-93 FWD Sedan deVille and Fleetwood I’m school I drove a 1990 LeSabre Custom then right before graduation I got a 2 year old 02 Impala I did end up owning some of the cars I wanted. In 09 I bought an 06 Town Car with 6k miles Over the years I’ve had 3 Park Avenues and a LeSabre which I really loved About 5 years ago I had a 95 Roadmaster Estate I kept for a year then sold because the leaking vista roof had me so pissed. That wagon was by far my favorite car to drive, loved how huge and floaty it was, with plenty of power to do 100 mph on the highway. My Roadmaster Limited Estate wagon was fondly named “The Street Beast” Really hope to find a nice one again to put collector plates on |
Post# 1058621 , Reply# 30   1/24/2020 at 06:57 (1,525 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Tony has always wanted one of the last Cadillac Broughams with the Corvette engine in it...1996 but personally I would like to have the Buick Roadmaster sedan with the same engine. I'm still partial to Mercedes but I am not happy with their current interior stylings. The only way I'd own a BMW, MB, or Volvo now is to lease it and be done with it before the warranty goes out. I do most of my own work on my bug except things that may need a specialty tool or would just take too much time and break my back leaning over it. I did my brakes with genuine Made in Germany parts for a fraction of the cost even of Autozone's Made in China crap. They guarantee their parts. When it wears out, return it to them and they will send a new replacement! I have it in writing. |
Post# 1058653 , Reply# 31   1/24/2020 at 10:06 (1,524 days old) by joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)   |   | |
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Any rotary-engine Mazda. Yes, even an R100 coupe.
They keep hinting that the rotary engine is coming back. Not holding my breath.
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Post# 1058757 , Reply# 34   1/25/2020 at 07:19 (1,524 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Interesting you should mention WWII Jeeps! My dad received permission from the Army to keep the Jeep he drove during the war (and a Baretta pistol, as well). They had planned to remain in Italy after the war--he met and married my mom there--but came to the States in 1947 when his mom suffered a major stroke. He had the Jeep shipped to America and they continued using it as the family car for a couple of years until he could afford to replace it.
Here's a picture of him in the Jeep in Italy. Too bad it has coffee stains on it. There exists somewhere in the multi-box chaos of photos from that time period a photo of him, my mom and sister (who was about 2 years old) standing next to it. Will have to locate it. I also have the Army paperwork that gave him permission to keep the Jeep and the Baretta.
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Post# 1058785 , Reply# 36   1/25/2020 at 14:35 (1,523 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 1058819 , Reply# 39   1/26/2020 at 00:36 (1,523 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)   |   | |
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Post# 1058835 , Reply# 40   1/26/2020 at 05:39 (1,523 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Violet arrives at church in an S class Mercedes.
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Post# 1058846 , Reply# 41   1/26/2020 at 08:20 (1,523 days old) by Lorainfurniture (Cleveland )   |   | |
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I had a 540i at some point, it was an amazing car that was a thrill to drive. It had a 6 speed manual. I always wanted a 78 ish trans am. With t tops and the bird on the hood I can’t think of a more impressive car. |
Post# 1058859 , Reply# 42   1/26/2020 at 13:24 (1,522 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)   |   | |
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"Violet arrives at church in an S class Mercedes." IMCDb lists it as a 1990 300 SE. License expired in September 1994. Apparently it didn't last long. By series 5 Violet has a C class. CLICK HERE TO GO TO fan-of-fans's LINK |
Post# 1058861 , Reply# 43   1/26/2020 at 14:03 (1,522 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Jonathan, a Subaru Baja might be a good compromise. I really like my 2003 5-speed stick and so do my friends. I also get compliments on it from other drivers at times when stopped in traffic or at a signal. The Baja is based on the TOL Legacy/Outback and is just as comfortable. It's a manageable size and has hauled 12' long pieces of lumber thanks to the fold-down access panel behind the rear seat/at the front of the cargo bed and the optional bed extender. The rear license plate can be flipped down for instances when the tailgate is lowered to accommodate the bed extender. The Baja tops out at 1/4 ton weight limit, but that's more than enough for most appliances.
My other truck is a 1950 GMC. My dad bought it used in 1960 after The Bell System retired it. I use it for big and/or dirty jobs. Of course, it turns more heads than the Baja does, and its 3-speed column shift is fun to drive. |
Post# 1058862 , Reply# 44   1/26/2020 at 14:19 (1,522 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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I was hoping to see at least one person say their teenage dream car was a Model T so I wouldn't feel so ancient. I never dreamed of sports cars. My head was stuck in the luxury category. My best friend and I mowed the lawn of his neighbor on Saturdays They lived in an upscale area. They were seldom home and spent a lot of time in Tahoe and Reno. They had two Continentals. How much I wanted a car like that even though I was only about 13. I remember the lady saying "oh, they're wonderful to drive...you can go 80 or 90 on the freeway and it feels like 35". They paid us with a personal check, not all that easy for a kid to cash, but no problem. She said "just take the check to the neighborhood liquor store...they know us there". When we peeked in their trash can it was filled with bottles.
I always wanted one of these. They were a world apart from my parent's awful '59 Ford station wagon.
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Post# 1058866 , Reply# 45   1/26/2020 at 15:18 (1,522 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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I was hoping to see at least one person say their teenage dream car was a Model T so I wouldn't feel so ancient.
The Model T might have been my dream car, but it hadn't been released yet.
My dream was to have an extra horse with the covered wagon, as I went to school each day in 10 feet of snow (and uphill both ways).
LOL
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Post# 1058877 , Reply# 46   1/26/2020 at 16:47 (1,522 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Joe, that's a very odd perspective in the photo of the Continental, which appears to be a '61. It kind of looks like it's a CGI, and that there's no back seat, or actually no front seat, even though there are four doors, and I'm pretty sure the interior color scheme isn't original either.
For me, my dad's '69 Continental Mark III was even more luxurious to drive than his '65 sedan (one car magazine's review described it as "loafing along at 70 MPH"), but the '65 was a far better built car. The '64 convertible I had could really move. I think it was broken in by a lead foot driver.
And for what it's worth, I wanted a Model A before I even knew how to drive. I learned a column shift and a stick, but never had the opportunity to learn the spark and throttle levers on a Model A. I don't know off hand when Ford finally decided to go with hydraulic brakes, but mechanical ones struck me as kind of scary, so that limited my options.
These days, the old Jimmy is enough of a relic and a novelty to drive, so I'm long over any desire for something older. |
Post# 1058880 , Reply# 47   1/26/2020 at 17:32 (1,522 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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I wanted a 63’ or 64’ Chevrolet Impala 2 dr HT with a 283 or 327. Since my Mom controlled the money from my Dad’s VA survivors benefits, which she had saved every month for my education, she insisted, at my stepfathers prompting that a Volkswagen Bug was the most sensible first car. I was going to be traveling at least 110 miles per day round trip to school and work, and the gas and maintenance were a major concern. So I got a new VW one month before I graduated from HS for $1995, $707 down from the VA acct. and $53.00 per mo for 36 mo. at 4% int., which I paid from my part work as a busboy/waiter. I put 33,000 miles on that car in 11 mo, then totaled it.
Then I was finally able to get the car of my dreams, since I had moved out on my own and was no longer under my parents thumb. I bought a 64’ Chevy Impala SS, maroon with black vinyl bucket seats and a 327 V8 with dual glass pack mufflers which a paid $995 for, financed thru Household Finance at $54.00 per mo. That Impala really hauled ass!
Sadly, I was not a very well informed or knowledgable car buyer at age 19 and the 64’ Chevy Impala had over 100,000 hard miles on it and only lasted me about 6 mo. before the engine blow up. Then I was right back to a sensible VW Bug again. But that Impala was sure fun while it lasted.
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Post# 1058886 , Reply# 48   1/26/2020 at 18:45 (1,522 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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That pic in my post isn't a real photo. I used it because I like it. This is nice too, partly because like appliances, I love yellow. The architecture adds a lot too.
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Post# 1058898 , Reply# 49   1/26/2020 at 21:40 (1,522 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Thanks for clearing that up, Joe!
My favorite of the "Kennedy" Continentals is the '63. It still had the curved windows and I think was the first year for AM/FM (transistor?) radio. As sleek as the instrument panel was on the '64 and '65, I feel the '61-'63 models were more sporty inside and out.
The best change (again IMO) was on the '65, when they placed front turn signal and parking lamp lenses at the front of the fenders. As a result, they had effectively integrated side marker lamps at front and rear, three model years before they became mandatory and were slapped onto most makes.
All of these Continentals had the best windshield wiper system ever. It was operated by the power steering pump and had an infinite sliding lever control. You could get some really looooong intervals for intermittent swipes. I've never used a better manual system before or since. Today's moisture sensing systems are pretty good though, I have to admit.
The front hinged hoods offered full access to everything at or near the top of the engine. Why this isn't the standard is beyond me. |
Post# 1058904 , Reply# 50   1/26/2020 at 22:49 (1,522 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)   |   | |
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When I was 14 or so one of our neighbors had a 63 Continental. Got to ride in it around the neighborhood once. I think it was the first time I rode in a convertible. What a car! Positively huge compared to today's. |
Post# 1059092 , Reply# 52   1/29/2020 at 00:59 (1,520 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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I'd like to find a diesel Volvo box car. There was one that commuted to Huntsville, AL in 1989 when I was commuting to school down there. He'd pass me every morning. I think they had turbo inline 6's in them that were sourced from VW, or so I've read. I've always wanted one of the box car Volvos. Something about them appeals to me. |
Post# 1059106 , Reply# 53   1/29/2020 at 05:41 (1,520 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)   |   | |
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There was someone at my school, maybe a couple grades over me, who had one--he was the only one at my school who did...
Saw him driving his ride on the boulevard across from our school inf ront of our city park, playing Madonna's Burnin' Up"... By then, my "wanted wheels" was the Continental Mark IV... -- Dave |
Post# 1059132 , Reply# 55   1/29/2020 at 13:14 (1,519 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)   |   | |
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My aunt bought a lightly used 1978 Cutlass in 1980...her most favorite car ever-had 260 v8,drove it until she quit driving at 93 in 2000 :)other than the R4 AC compressors it went through,was very reliable. |
Post# 1059197 , Reply# 57   1/30/2020 at 12:34 (1,518 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)   |   | |
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This is one on the cars that’s on my bucket list, a 1969 Mercury Colony Park Wagon. Always likes the Ford and Mercury wagons of the 60’s and 70’s
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Post# 1059248 , Reply# 58   1/31/2020 at 01:30 (1,518 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)   |   | |
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Come to think if it a couple teachers had a box body Volvo, yes, the one fellow-student had stood-out, as did a math teacher (chairman of the dept.) and my photography teacher... (Just look in the teacher's lot, a student, or two, most-notably a gal and her Chrysler Córdoba, got away with parking in)
I was fascinated by the '71 to '74 Dodge Charger, wishing it could have been my first car... Or during the tail-end of the urban cowboy trend, why did I never get (or gas ever drove) grandpa's truck: Wish it had a right-hand mirror, and despite its spartan appearance and lack of tinted glass or blue band over the windshield, it has air conditioning and Ford voluntarily put a lot of remote control mirrors on their mid-sized Torino/Montego and full-sized LTD/Marquis, promoting the convenience and prestige of them, rather than exhibit the cheapness of the manual ones on such large, classy cars... -- Dave
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Post# 1059319 , Reply# 59   1/31/2020 at 20:19 (1,517 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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Post# 1059663 , Reply# 61   2/5/2020 at 13:39 (1,512 days old) by gredmondson (San Francisco, California 94117 USA)   |   | |
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The 1948--1950 Packard was the car I wanted most as a teenager, and I got it.
When I was a young kid, my folks had a 1950 Chevrolet sedan, and our good family friend had a Packard. There was such a difference between those two cars, and I loved sitting in the back of that Packard and bringing down the center arm rest. The ride was smooth, of course, because it was a heavy car. It just felt rich! When I was 17, in 1964, I saw a for sale sign in a 1948 Packard Custom 8 in the parking lot of the Mennonite Church in Bakersfield, California, where I lived. I inquired: It had 36,000 miles, had originally belonged to Victoria Trask in Pasadena, $400. I bought it, had it for a few years during college and early married life. Though the design of these cars was ridiculed as a "bathtub," I loved the design, the green florescent characters on the faux wood grained dashboard, the way it started: turn the ignition key, and fully step on the accelerator, the ample head and leg room, the manual overdrive transmission, the plush mohair carpeting and wool (I think) upholstery. Everything worked except the Electromatic clutch, a forerunner to automatic transmissions. The color was called Midnight Blue, but it always looked black to me. The interior: a tasteful tufted tan with a darker accent. It turned heads. But, having a car that is no longer made, and could be a collector's item is a rich man's hobby. And, in 1970, after a friend ran into it and dented the front fender, I sold it to a man who was reputed to be the local bookie in San Luis Obispo for $1000. I still love to see Packards and still like large cars. Currently I drive a 1998 Lexus LS 400, and it is a superb car, but I have a hankering for a newer Lexus, the maybe 460 L Executive model.
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Post# 1059665 , Reply# 62   2/5/2020 at 13:50 (1,512 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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George, when my parents were married in 1948 their best man and matron of honor owned a 1948 Packard just like the one in your photo. They loaned their Packard to my parents to take on their honeymoon to Guerneville, where the stayed at the Surrey Inn, which was across the road from what later became Fifes Resort, but was Murphy’s Guest Ranch in 1948.
I rode in that Packard many times as a small child, since the owners were good friends of my family. They finally traded the Packard for a 1961 Chrysler New Yorker in 61’, which was a beautiful car too, but it didn’t hold a candle to the 48’ Packard.
Eddie This post was last edited 02/05/2020 at 14:05 |
Post# 1059666 , Reply# 63   2/5/2020 at 13:58 (1,512 days old) by gredmondson (San Francisco, California 94117 USA)   |   | |
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Post# 1059667 , Reply# 64   2/5/2020 at 14:23 (1,512 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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George, I had a close call with a '49 Packard in the early '70s when I, too was around 17 or so.
Mr. & Mrs. Hoyt, managers of the apartment building at Telegraph & Bancroft in Berkeley where my sister lived, had a black sedan and it was parked in a single space under the 1904 building, way in back and down a super narrow driveway. The Packard barely fit in the space or within the walls lining the driveway.
I expressed interest in it when I heard that they were looking for a replacement vehicle. They were emphatic about not wishing the car on anyone, particularly a kid like me, due to the troubles they had had with it. That was that. I'm sure my dad would have given me the same advice, but I was into big old cars. I'll never know if anything was seriously wrong with that car or if the issues it had were things I could fix myself. I suppose in hindsight I likely dodged a bullet, but it's interesting what could have been -- you unloading your Packard at around the same time I was going to take one on.
I have no doubt about why you liked that car so much. A man of your size needs ample head and leg room, and the Packard certainly delivered in that regard. And I'll bet anything that the interior had that sort of musty mohair smell so typical of cars from the '40s and earlier.
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Post# 1059672 , Reply# 65   2/5/2020 at 16:46 (1,512 days old) by gredmondson (San Francisco, California 94117 USA)   |   | |
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I enjoyed reading your reminiscence, Ralph.
My Packard did have one problem that worried me at the time. A tie rod, part of the front suspension, actually broke! My father was able to find an old Packard at a wrecking yard, and he got the tie rod, which I had a mechanic install. But, other than that odd occurrence, and its poor performance in the rain (it leaked water from I don't know where, and the vacuum operated windshield wipers lost power when accelerating) it was pretty trouble free. I drove it for 50,000 miles. Oh, even the electrically wound clock worked! This is the exact color and interior my car had.
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Post# 1059678 , Reply# 66   2/5/2020 at 17:20 (1,512 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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OMG George, that photo of the interior of a 48’ Packard sure brings back memories! BTW, this was just how Bud and Clara’s Packard interior looked too.
One afternoon when I was about 5 or 6 years old I, my brother and Bud and Clara’s son and daughter were left sitting in the Packard outside The Silver Dollar on San Pablo Ave. in Richmond, Calif, the bar that Bud and Clara owned, waiting for our parents to return. I was in the back seat playing with the cigarette lighter, and I foolishly placed it up to my mouth, thinking since it wasn’t glowing red, it wasn’t hot. Wrong! I burnt the hell out of my upper lip.
And I didn’t get much sympathy when the adults returned. I was told I shoulda known better and shouldn’t have been playing around with the lighter anyway, 1950’s parenting, LOL.
And it just so happens that this afternoon I received an email from Hemmings Classic Cars for an auction of a 48’ Packard Convertible. I’ve attached the link for the photos.
Eddie
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Post# 1059693 , Reply# 67   2/5/2020 at 21:14 (1,512 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 1060748 , Reply# 68   2/16/2020 at 18:19 (1,501 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA)   |   | |
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As a certifiable car nut as a youth, I had too many dream cars to mention.
And, like many of you, I always liked big cars. Some that stand out in my mind were the '71-'73 boat-tail Buick Rivieras, just about any Cadillac, Lincolns, big Fords and Mercurys. I wanted a '69 Chrysler Newport in a bad way for a long time. All through my youth, my dad had Chevies. '65 and '71 Impalas in the earlier days, and later, Caprices. A '79, followed by an '82; which was the last car he ever owned. I liked all of them. One of my teenage dream cars that became a reality was the mid '70s Monte Carlos. My first one was a lime green 1976 that was being sold "for parts or repair". I think I paid $400 for it. I had enough stuff fixed to make it driveable, and I was literally living the dream! Some years later, I bought a '75 in considerably better condition, although still far from perfect. That one was very dark metallic blue with a white landau top and white vinyl swivel bucket seats. My third and final Monte Carlo, which I owned in the mid 80s, was an orange metallic 1977 with chamois colored landau top and chamois colored cloth seats. My first car with cloth seats! They were bench seats, but had individual reclining seat backs. In my old age, I've become less able to take care of my cars like I used to, so I've lost most of the passion. Now, my cars just get me from point A to point B. My last attempt at rekindling the passion was when I bought a used '94 Buick Roadmaster sedan. First year for the Corvette derived LT-1 motor. Beautiful car, and wonderful to drive; especially on the highway. But, I didn't keep it up like I should have, and I ended up parking it in the driveway, where it's been sitting and deteriorating for several years now. It's really a shame, and I'm not proud of myself. And, I still own the last car from the tail end of my youth. A 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix, with the 2+2 package. I let that sit for almost twenty years. But, unlike the Roadmaster, the Pontiac was in a garage, so it wasn't exposed to the elements. The sitting still did damage though. Just this past summer, I had it towed to my mechanic and got it running and driving again. So, I got to drive it for the first time in almost twenty years. I thought it would be like going back in time. Alas, I absolutely hated driving it. Granted, the fact that all four tires are flat-spotted and cause the car to shake constantly while driving is a big part of the problem. But, just the overall experience was such a disappointment. At least the car still looks decent, and it's a rare car. So, hopefully, I'll be able to sell it instead of letting another one sit and decay. Wow. Sorry for the novel. Y'all got my car feels going! Barry |
Post# 1060791 , Reply# 70   2/17/2020 at 05:58 (1,501 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Post# 1068413 , Reply# 71   4/21/2020 at 00:13 (1,437 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)   |   | |
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Forgot how a few family friends and even a couple family members drove one of these and their counter stablemates and other incarnates of their corporate ilk, yes I wish my first car could have been a Chevy Vega:
— Dave CLICK HERE TO GO TO DaveAMKrayoGuy's LINK |
Post# 1068493 , Reply# 73   4/21/2020 at 13:03 (1,436 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)   |   | |
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My friend Jay's first car was a butterscotch colored Vega wagon. I think he said it was a '71, but he got it in '74. He didn't like it very much; said it didn't do well going up hills. |
Post# 1068501 , Reply# 74   4/21/2020 at 13:53 (1,436 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)   |   | |
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found one my Sr year for cheap (this was in the '60s) but Dad wouldn't let me get it:
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Post# 1068514 , Reply# 75   4/21/2020 at 15:17 (1,436 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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Post# 1068546 , Reply# 76   4/21/2020 at 20:12 (1,436 days old) by qsd-dan (West)   |   | |
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Post# 1068616 , Reply# 77   4/22/2020 at 10:11 (1,436 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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Also a Citroen DS, or SM, CX, or XM. That's why Citroen! A GM 70's A or B body V8, preferably with an Olds engine. Same vintage Gran Torino, Mustang, Cougar, or T-Bird. Etc., etc. |
Post# 1068638 , Reply# 78   4/22/2020 at 12:48 (1,435 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)   |   | |
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no, we lived in and I grew up and lived in Baltimore for almost 50 years. But Dad
was definitely cheap, as he had to be with 4 kids on a salesman's salary. Also not a car enthusiast at all, we always had used Ford wagons, to him a car was for getting A to B, he didn't understand my car lust! We had this exact car!
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Post# 1068642 , Reply# 79   4/22/2020 at 12:53 (1,435 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)   |   | |
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this car
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Post# 1068646 , Reply# 80   4/22/2020 at 13:03 (1,435 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 1068647 , Reply# 81   4/22/2020 at 13:04 (1,435 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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Post# 1068648 , Reply# 82   4/22/2020 at 13:09 (1,435 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA)   |   | |
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Post# 1068761 , Reply# 84   4/23/2020 at 06:17 (1,435 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)   |   | |
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Big Chrysler’s: the ‘70 Newport four door hardtop across the street, we begged the neighbor we owned it to go through a car wash in on a drive just for to fess the pillar-less windows would let the water through between the panes...
The guy who could have been my future father-in-law or should have me chased me away from his daughter with a shot gun had a ‘74 2-door New Yorker, my mad crush’s older sister briefly drove (& was “that girl” jealous of me falling for big sis when she told me to leave her alone, while she later told me she was “too old for me and my 9th grade and 10th grade stuck in middle school schtick while she was Junior and Senior and somehow briefly attended a class that let out before mine a few years later at a college I attended as she probably pretended I wasn’t there, as my stare burned through her, while at least the “might have been” we walked the same way from high school with though she did a good job not to make it together, while our paths crossed years later if I was driving to a trade school I was attended while the street I crossed seemed to have her drive by in an inherited Chevy Citation older sis got and briefly drove first when big Chrysler must have kicked the bucket!) That brings the middle school principal’s New Yorker, also hardtop four door, light green exterior and dark green interior, with rally road wheels and an unknown year of either ‘77 or ‘78... No way getting in good with that guy on me being the car freak I was admiring his ride, and somehow standing next to it parked with all the windows down while all the rest of the kids were playing on the playground junk at an elective outside recess we were privileged to have, but I neglected to see and know about whether the car had an automatic climate control or manual Cold and Hot/Cool and Warm, and even the automatic headlight control with or without a dimmer—and I was just learning about those kinds of things, mostly being familiar with cars that didn’t have such gadgets... This was only in 8th grade, my last year at MS and the previous principal retired, so only one year with the John Sebastian lookalike, but no singing “Do You Believe In Magic” or “Daydream” and my favorite Lovin’Spoonful has always been “You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” and that was my ‘45’ for a crush I had on in 6th grade, through 7th grade, when tgat later one took over—no, that principal would have sooner been the kind to yell at me for running in the hall and going back to make me walk and even giving me a detention, seeing as how my teenage car lust drove me to “driving those rides” real fast between classes, but luckily no half hour sitting in a makeshift after school prison, ever, either... (well he did ask a counselor I was in her office for “if this was being straightened out” real sternly for some other stuff I was frequently in and out of trouble for—ramping up my rival for some of these chicks, with a nasty note put in his locker, and he who before accused me of sticking him with a pin and me once had interrogated by the middle school brass a year, when he, a grade below me attended behind me, before that)... — Dave |