Cars then and Now

[Jay]

My only question is "where has all the style gone?" My mom bought a new VW Passat and I must say it has the most bland design I've seen yet. There's nothing(style-wise) that makes me say "wow-neat!" only things that dissapoint. It makes my 1987 Trans Am seem very cool, though. Anyhow, I'd still rather have an old car, like maybe a black 1933 Hudson Terraplane or a 34 Essex 8. Anyone else wanna tell their fantasy auto?
If someones already done this, let me know.
Thanks

[Zemke Fan]

http://www.fhhutchison.com/images/fedora/38Coupe.jpg
'38 Ford Coupe

http://www.fhhutchison.com/images/fedora/38Pickup.jpg
'38 Ford Pickup

[Daniel Riser]

When my 1936 Ford Slantback is finished I will have my dream car.

[The Captain]

Today the word "style" is pretty subjective. There are plenty of choices to satisfy the "you are what you drive" credo. One of my favorites (and I have quite a few), is the 1939 Ford. The lines speak to me! Here is a photo I took at this years Fortuna, CA Autorama.
http://i.pbase.com/v3/63/463863/3/49615479.Autorama7230547.jpg
Shot with a Canon 300D

[Jay]

Very cool- Everything is so streamlined!

[MK]

I would love to have a restored vintage car. I don't know if I will get around to buying one. If I do it will be one that won't need to be redone. I hope the day comes to pass.

[Mycroft]

The car makers today need to make either their own new style completely (without references to the past), or completly resotre the past because the mix of the present and past most of the time does not cut in style, an exception could be the new Dodge Charger

[The Captain]

There were quite a few classy cars at this years show, one of which was this CORD. I don't know if it is original or not, as some were made in the '60s from the molds. Makes no difference, this is one classy ride!
http://i.pbase.com/v3/63/463863/3/49654761.Autorama7230528.jpg
Canon 300D

http://www.stutzbearcat.com/cordhistory.htm

[shamus]

looks like a Cord 812. But it looks low to the ground. The 812 was supercharged and could do 100 mph. Much faster than any police car of the day and the car I believe was the first with retractable headlights.

I use to live near Auburn Ind. where they once made Auburn, Cord and Duesenbergs back in the day, and every year they have a festival honoring the cars. It was a blast to see them all driving down the street in all forms of restoration.

[Wild Root]

Looks legit! I have seen some of the 60's ones and they just kind of look off. But, the 30's cars definitely have style any model and make shouts class. Fords are nice but problem with them is that for one to find an original in good restored shape, you're going to be shelling out $25,000 to $35,000 for an old car with mechanical brakes that have been known to fail. Every one knows that I'm a MoPar man but, measuring it up Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler's are much nicer. Plus, All Chrysler makes had hydraulic brakes as early as 1933! Ford took forever to convert over to hydraulic brakes! It wasn't till 1939 that Henry broke down and converted to the new trend in safety. Tea-toddling (I guess that's how you spell it) old grouch. :rolleyes:

Here is a photo of a 1934 Dodge, need I say more?
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7732/34dodge0wm.jpg
1935 Plymouth,
http://www.searcher.com/P15images/carshow/35PJ.jpg
1939 Chrysler,
http://www.fellions.com/images/1939_2Chrysler_Imperial.jpg

Today's cars all look like crap. I have seen some nice designs come out off of the Chrysler drawing table but, most cars out there all look the same. That's why I took the plunge and decided to drive a 60 year old car every day. They have lots of head room and space to wear a hat and I don't feel like a nerd stepping out of a vintage car dressed in vintage clothes like I did when I drove a 1988 Mazda 929.

Old cars rule!

PS. Here is a 34 Plymouth.
http://www.searcher.com/P15images/carshow/34PEa.jpg

Root.

[Sefton]

Those are some truely amazing looking cars. Reminds me of something the character "Marv" said in the film "Sin City" about modern cars all looking like electric razors!

I really like the 1939 Chrysler with the sun visor on the windshield. Man wouldn't I love to own that baby! (or any of the others for that matter!).

[Wild Root]

1939 Chrysler is one of my top 5 favorite cars! Such design, such lines and what a good solid car. I would really like a four door more then a two, but that's just because I'm crazy for suicide doors. I think I'd ditch the visor though, they just say ?¢‚Ǩ?ìCholo?¢‚Ǩ? and that?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s not really my thing. Some fender skirts would look really sweet though!

Old cars are work. They need attention and love. But, if you have one you really like, it's not really a chore or much of a bother. You'll want to take care of the car like one of your own family members! ;)

Keep them on the road!

Root.

PS. Want the looks of a Duesenberg with out the price? Try out a 1932 Chrysler Imperial
http://www.lewebdesconducteurs.com/expositions/bagatelle/images/Chryslerimperial.jpg

[Michaelson]

I would love to have a restored vintage car. I don't know if I will get around to buying one. If I do it will be one that won't need to be redone. I hope the day comes to pass.


If you ever decide to do that, MK, come east to find one. The prices out here for a totally restored vehicle seems to run about half the price as compared vehicles found on the left coast. I know where two are sitting about 4 miles from where I'm sitting that cost $5000 and $6000 apiece, and are like new....both Chevies, one with a flathead 6, the other a flathead V-8. So, they're affordable in completed shape, and many a LOT less expensive than the prices I've just mentioned.

Regards! Michaelson

[Zemke Fan]

Agree that the prices EOTM are less than CA. Would love to talk my wife into an older ride, but can't get her to kick the Stuart Weitzman shoe habit. (Pun intended!)

[BellyTank]

Michaelson-

FYI- Chev never made a flathead V-8.

Ford/Lincoln were big on flathead V-8s and V-12s and Cadillac/La Salle had flathead V-8s too- before Cadillac was GM.
Chev's 1st real production V-8 was OHV and introduced in '55; the 265 cu.in. smallblock- although they did toy with OHV V-8s in 1917-19 but that was a passing fancy. Chev's staples were 4 and 6 cyl. engines.
In '57 came the 283 cu. in. version with fuel injection and 283 HP.
The earliest Corvettes had the 6 cyl. engines.

I won't go on...

I still want a '49-51 Studebaker Business Coupe.

B
T

[Michaelson]

Michaelson-

FYI- Chev never made a flathead V-8.


T


I never said they did. I just said what was in the car. ;)

Regards! Michaelson

[BellyTank]

Oh?
From the context- you were talking about restored cars...

My mistake-

B
T

[Michaelson]

It is restored. That's what the fellow found in the car when he picked it up for restoration from a barn in upper Tennessee, so sometime in the distant past a flathead 8 was dropped in the car. It wasn't a recent introduction either.

Regards! Michaelson

[Zemke Fan]

http://www.fhhutchison.com/images/fedora/Chevy.jpg

(JUST KIDDING!)

[BellyTank]

That's a pretty loose use of the term 'restored' then...

B
T

[Michaelson]

Yep, but then that's a definition/debate that rages in not only this field, but other fields of collecting as well. Is a car original in 'restoration' to factory spec, or is it restored 'as found'? I have no problem accepting the definition 'as found', but then that's just me. The purists will not accept anything as 'restored' unless it has the exact same engine and parts as listed on the original factory invoice. No problem for me with that definition either. I have never had the time, funds, or patience to pursue it to that extent.

Loose or tight, the car mentioned was restored to fine running as found condition, and is no longer sitting in a barn as a potential crushing candidate for the local scrap metal yard.

My theory is that it may have been an original 'ratrod' in it's day. We'll never know.

Regards! Michaelson

[BellyTank]

The Chev purists would sure hate it though! ;)

B
T

[Michaelson]

No argument there!! :D But then, what do I know? I'm a MOPAR man.... ;)

Regards! Michaelson

[30sbound]

...now if only I could look as classy as my 38 Packard!http://image56.webshots.com/56/4/36/7/459643607KcPvZE_ph.jpg

[Wild Root]

Oooooooooh, a PACKARD!!! :cheers1: Now we're talking!

Root.

[The Captain]

It nearly broke my heart to see these '50s Chevy pickups melting away in the damp northern California air, but I just couldn't take on a project to save one of them without feeling guilty that I left the others behind. I had a five-window ('52) back in the early '60s and I'll always miss it. http://i.pbase.com/v3/63/463863/2/49926751.Chevy5.jpg
Canon 300D

[swinggal]

Ny dad has restored vintage cars since his teens.

He has 1945 TC MJ and a 1928 A Model Ford that he and my pop began restoring in the early 1970's. Dad finished it when pop passed away. I know that it was a rusted out old shell when they got it and it amazes me to see what he as done. He is a mechanic also, and will make his own engine parts from scratch if he has too.

This is same year and Model as Dads but his is cream with green leather seats.
http://www.mgcc.com.au/mgtc/webpictures/10006fs.jpg

I grew up around vintage and veteran cars as my dad was the treasurer of the vintage car club in the town where I lived as a kid...still is!! I'm a big fan of 30s cars myself. Like the Chord, Airflow, etc. The extremely stramline cars of the time.

I (and my dad) can't stand to see vintage and veteran cars 'bastardized' and made into hot rods. Makes me cringe.

[KR]

I can't stand seeing those hot rods either! Perfectly fine automobiles turned into monstrosities!

[Wild Root]

I'm a stock guy. I like my old cars OLD! I even have kept my Plymouth a 6volt.

Cords and Chrysler/DeSoto Airflows are swell! But, have any of you seen a 1939 Graham?

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/856/1939graham0kb.jpg

Cars and Art Deco seem to just go together!

Here is a "One Off" a 1939 Graham convertible. It's cheaper then a Cord! Sold for $85,000.00

http://info.detnews.com/dn/joyrides/2001/mbauction01/39graham.jpg

30's and 40's cars are my faves, but there is only one car from the 50's I'd ever want to own... The 1951 Hudson Hornet!
http://www.aaca.org/illinois/images/P1010001-33.JPG

Root.

[DanielJones]

My father had a bunch of cars over the years that I wish he still had. Just to name a few.
His first car was a 1929 Ford Model A coupe.
And then the list goes from there.
1936 Cord
1939 Graham Paige
1940 Ford Delux Convertable
1949 Buick Roadmaster
then his first new car, a 1955 Ford Crown Vistoria

My personal choice from that list is the Cord. Great car! One day I will have the vintage of my dreams. Until then the dreams will have to do.

Cheers!

Dan