Car Buff

[Michael G.]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg

[PugMom]

WOW!!! i LUV old cars! yesterday i had an old continental behind me, which i just couldn't take my eyes off. i hope the guy behind the wheel knew it was his car i was after! :pepper2:
those pix are just stunning!

[Chi-Town]

'58 - '65

[villagetinker]

While I appreciate all of the old cars, I am a Ford guy, specifically Mustangs, and have rebuilt 8 from the ground up, managed to keep 1 a '66 fastback.

[Michael G.]

While I appreciate all of the old cars, I am a Ford guy, specifically Mustangs, and have rebuilt 8 from the ground up, managed to keep 1 a '66 fastback.

[QUOTE=villagetinker;2210193]
I also enjoy owning a couple Ford cars.

The sad part about Ford is it never realized what to do with the Thunderbird.
It's started out as two-seater and with good engineering could have competed with the Corvette.
This might interest you.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=98045&stc=1&d=1682188334

[JMintzer]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg

The '59 & '64 Impalas ruled...

[villagetinker]

[QUOTE=villagetinker;2210193]
I also enjoy owning a couple Ford cars.

The sad part about Ford is it never realized what to do with the Thunderbird.
It's started out as two-seater and with good engineering could have competed with the Corvette.
This might interest you.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98045d1682188334-car-buff-1280px-1969_blue_ford_thunderbird_rearquarter-jpg

I agree with you on the T-Bird, my dad had 2 a '62 and a '64, I almost had a '55 with the removable hardtop and porthole windows, the seller jacked up the price when I went to pick it up.....

[badkarma318]

While I appreciate all of the old cars, I am a Ford guy, specifically Mustangs, and have rebuilt 8 from the ground up, managed to keep 1 a '66 fastback.

One of my friends became so obsessed with the movie "Bullitt" that he started restoring fastbacks.

The GT500KR is one of my dream cars.

[Paul1934]

Had a ‘63 Belaire back in the day, vent windows and a floor vent for ‘air conditioning’.

[Lyarham]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg
They changed the body style every year back then

[mntlblok]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg

We had to wait and watch Bonanza. :-(

[sdeikenberry]

You left out the greatest Chevy icon of the era...'57 Chevy...

[Worldseries27]

one of my friends became so obsessed with the movie "bullitt" that he started restoring fastbacks.

The gt500kr is one of my dream cars.
dream a lil dream for me. Funny thing, the mustang never passed the charger although it knocked it off the road

[Captainpd]

While I appreciate all of the old cars, I am a Ford guy, specifically Mustangs, and have rebuilt 8 from the ground up, managed to keep 1 a '66 fastback.

My favorite car. I love seeing this car. All I have to do is open my garage door and there it is. Stop by Spanish Springs on the 3rd Saturday and take a look.

[airstreamingypsy]

While I appreciate all of the old cars, I am a Ford guy, specifically Mustangs, and have rebuilt 8 from the ground up, managed to keep 1 a '66 fastback.

I had a '65 and a '69. I loved them both. My daughter got a new convertible about 7 years ago, the most uncomfortable car ever...... worst ride. Stick to the old ones.

[Bill Torres]

Truly appreciated reading all the comments on cars of the past . These types of post are worth my time.
Thks

[PugMom]

I had a '65 and a '69. I loved them both. My daughter got a new convertible about 7 years ago, the most uncomfortable car ever...... worst ride. Stick to the old ones.

i find that as well. newer cars make me feel like i'm riding in a tin sardine can. i'll take the space & comfort of a bench seat any day.

[RonGee]

Thanks for the memories

[wamley]

I owned a 65 Impala, bought new and within a year sold and bought a used 65 Corvette convertible white with red interior, 327 ci, 350HP loved it.

[Rich42]

You left out the best one, my first car, a 1957!

[dewilson58]

At Brownwood

[Javin53]

I was a Chevy guy also. First car was a 58 impala conv. Then went to 56 chev impala (one of my favorites,). Then became a pontiac guy....68 gto conv, now have a 96 TA conv and a 2000 TA WS6 Conv.

Great cars all...I even bought a ford TBird once.

[Larchap49]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg

I can relate. There was a Chevrolet dealer and a Buick dealer within a mile of where I lived. My father was a Chevy guy, he had a 1952, then a 1954 that my sister totaled, a 1957 Belair V8 two door hard top Robins egg blue and white (my favorite) a 1962 Impala station wagon, and a 1966 Impala SS 396 which he totaled. For awhile he had a 1959 ElCamino as a second car. Then he switched to a Jeep Pickup. I had two 1955 Chevy Belaires a 2 door hard top and then a 2 door sedan both of which I put in big engines, 4 speeds etc. Then a 1950 2 door business coupe which came from California with rolled and pleated interior. I again went the big engine 4 speed low gears Crager mags route. Then a 1966 red Corvette 427 which I sold when I got married in 1972. Should have kept the car as the wife didn't last. I was a car mechanic from 1968 to 1973. Then a Chevrolet dealer Service Mgr from 2000 to 2020 when I relocated to the Villages

[mtlee024]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg

I loved the 1958, especially the rag top.

[Skip]

While I appreciate all of the old cars, I am a Ford guy, specifically Mustangs, and have rebuilt 8 from the ground up, managed to keep 1 a '66 fastback.

You should join the King Of The Road (https://kotraaca.org) antique car club. Some of their members own Mustangs and bring them out regularly. See their upcoming calendar.

Skip

[Alarmed]

My favorite car. I love seeing this car. All I have to do is open my garage door and there it is. Stop by Spanish Springs on the 3rd Saturday and take a look.

Barracuda came out two weeks before the Mustang. Has the largest back window of any car. I had a 1965 Valiant in high school and always wanted a Barracuda. Got what I wished for. Picture of my collection together at the Market of Marion car show. Two have been featured in Hemmings magazine.

[New Englander]

The '59 & '64 Impalas ruled...

No way. The 58 was the king. Honorable mention to the 61.

[Tom52]

You left out the greatest Chevy icon of the era...'57 Chevy...

The OP only showed a picture of early Impalas, while the 1957 Belair is my favorite, it was not an Impala. I am fortunate to currently own a 1965 Impala SS convertible.

[larcha]

I do remember searching out the new models. Instead of going to a dealer, however, our school bus would drive past the lot where the new models were parked. The fence was covered but because the bus seats were higher than the fence we could see over it. Back then all the new car models were released within a short period of time, usually in September or October. Being able to Identify a new model by sight when they hit the road gave us bragging rights.

[curtmcgee]

Your 56 Impala must have been a very rare car as Chevy didn't start making the Impala until 1958.

[Michael G.]

I worked at a Buick and Chevy dealership after school washing cars.
One afternoon I was ask if I wanted to come back and work at night.

That afternoon a blue rear engine chevy model was delivered, The Corvair.
Later that night two mechanics took that new Corvair for 1/2 hour spin with me in the backseat just as proud as a peacock.

These memories I'll never forget.
Those two mechanics have passed on, but I'll never forget them and that night.

[scooterstang]

I have had about every muscle car made but now I am driving an old chev pickup truck as my daily driver(trucks are huge here in panama City)

[jimjamuser]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg
I'll take that red 1961 convertible please!

[jimjamuser]

WOW!!! i LUV old cars! yesterday i had an old continental behind me, which i just couldn't take my eyes off. i hope the guy behind the wheel knew it was his car i was after! :pepper2:
those pix are just stunning!
A good way to start up a conversation. You like old cars, I like old cars, let's twist and shout!

[jimjamuser]

[QUOTE=villagetinker;2210193]
I also enjoy owning a couple Ford cars.

The sad part about Ford is it never realized what to do with the Thunderbird.
It's started out as two-seater and with good engineering could have competed with the Corvette.
This might interest you.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98045d1682188334-car-buff-1280px-1969_blue_ford_thunderbird_rearquarter-jpg
Yes, the 2-seater had great potential.

[jimjamuser]

You left out the greatest Chevy icon of the era...'57 Chevy...
I owned a 2 door hardtop 57 Chev until it got stolen in Tampa.

[jimjamuser]

I had a '65 and a '69. I loved them both. My daughter got a new convertible about 7 years ago, the most uncomfortable car ever...... worst ride. Stick to the old ones.
There is a tradeoff between performance and comfort (soft ride). The customer gets to choose. Which brings up the fact that the Corvair was a FINE car with a great engine if only the rear had stiffer springs and shocks like a VW. GM gave up too soon on making improvements.

[jimjamuser]

I can relate. There was a Chevrolet dealer and a Buick dealer within a mile of where I lived. My father was a Chevy guy, he had a 1952, then a 1954 that my sister totaled, a 1957 Belair V8 two door hard top Robins egg blue and white (my favorite) a 1962 Impala station wagon, and a 1966 Impala SS 396 which he totaled. For awhile he had a 1959 ElCamino as a second car. Then he switched to a Jeep Pickup. I had two 1955 Chevy Belaires a 2 door hard top and then a 2 door sedan both of which I put in big engines, 4 speeds etc. Then a 1950 2 door business coupe which came from California with rolled and pleated interior. I again went the big engine 4 speed low gears Crager mags route. Then a 1966 red Corvette 427 which I sold when I got married in 1972. Should have kept the car as the wife didn't last. I was a car mechanic from 1968 to 1973. Then a Chevrolet dealer Service Mgr from 2000 to 2020 when I relocated to the Villages
Wives need to come with a 10,000-mile warranty.

[jimjamuser]

I worked at a Buick and Chevy dealership after school washing cars.
One afternoon I was ask if I wanted to come back and work at night.

That afternoon a blue rear engine chevy model was delivered, The Corvair.
Later that night two mechanics took that new Corvair for 1/2 hour spin with me in the backseat just as proud as a peacock.

These memories I'll never forget.
Those two mechanics have passed on, but I'll never forget them and that night.
I am guessing that you HATE Ralph Nader as much as I do.

[fdpaq0580]

Wives need to come with a 10,000-mile warranty.

(Note to self! Do Not Even Crack a smile or your a dead man, Freddy!)

[JMintzer]

I agree with you on the T-Bird, my dad had 2 a '62 and a '64, I almost had a '55 with the removable hardtop and porthole windows, the seller jacked up the price when I went to pick it up.....

I bought a '56 T-bird (w/the porthole top) back when I was in college (late '75 or early '76). Had the engine and transmission rebuilt and it was road worth, but a rust bucket. Plus, it had major electrical problems that just couldn't track down.

I sold it a few years later and it helped pay for my first year of Podiatry School...

The following year, I had a roommate who was a Corvette freak. He would scour the newspapers on Thursday/Friday, looking for older Corvettes with minor body damage (he knew how to do fiberglass work and he had a friend with a paint booth).

He would drive to NC or GA with a friend, buy one for a few grand, drive it back, fix the damage, repaint it and re-sell it for a couple of thousand more.

He tried to get me to buy one, a 63 Convertible, at cost, if I helped do the work... I'm STILL kicking myself over that one...

[JMintzer]

No way. The 58 was the king. Honorable mention to the 61.

Sorry, but the lines of the trunk alone on the '59 puts it above all others...

[Michael G.]

The following year, I had a roommate who was a Corvette freak. He would scour the newspapers on Thursday/Friday, looking for older Corvettes with minor body damage (he knew how to do fiberglass work and he had a friend with a paint booth).

He would drive to NC or GA with a friend, buy one for a few grand, drive it back, fix the damage, repaint it and re-sell it for a couple of thousand more.


I worked with a young guy that use to buy use Corvettes on E-Bay and resold them for a few bucks profit.
He was living at home and sold them out of his parents garage until they needed their garage back in the winter.

[tuccillo]

The first generation Corvair, with the swing axle rear suspension, was not a fine car. This rather poor suspension design, coupled with most of the weight in the rear, meant the car was susceptible to sudden oversteer - not a good characteristic. Camber control during cornering is very poor. It had essentially the same rear suspension as the 63 Pontiac Tempest/Lemans and represents some very poor GM engineering. The second generation Corvair (beginning in 65, IIRC) had a modern rear suspension and was much improved.

There is a tradeoff between performance and comfort (soft ride). The customer gets to choose. Which brings up the fact that the Corvair was a FINE car with a great engine if only the rear had stiffer springs and shocks like a VW. GM gave up too soon on making improvements.

[mbene]

Those old cars were works of art compared to the wind tunnel designed ones we have today, but they were deathtraps in a collision compared to the new ones. Search Youtube for old chevy vs new chevy crash test. And mourn the chevy they sacrificed to perform the test.

[airstreamingypsy]

I realize I don't know how to post a photo from my PC. When I hit the photo icon above where I'm typing it asks for a URL. If I copy and hit Paste nothing happens?

[Wondering]

If you were into cars back in the 50's 60's you will recognize these Chevrolet cars.

I remember when all the new models came out in the fall and were covered up
on the trucks.
We used to ride our bikes to the local dealerships at night and shine a flashlight through
the back windows of their service bays where they parked the new models until the
announcement date.

Enjoy

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/98044d1682179446-car-buff-341691712_980611129981439_514477482806547747_n-jpg
Thanks for the reminder. Those were the years when each model year was distinct from the previous year. Now days most cars, especially SUV, look alike no matter who the manufacturer is. Nice pictures!

[FromDC]

My first car was a '69 Huggar Orange Camaro. This cute guy at work had a '71 Firebird. Our first date was to the Oswego Dragstrip (Illinois). We got married and have had over 50 cars. We've been involved in car shows and drag racing. Cars are a great hobby! Restore 'em, don't crush 'em.

[dewilson58]

I realize I don't know how to post a photo from my PC. When I hit the photo icon above where I'm typing it asks for a URL. If I copy and hit Paste nothing happens?

sent PM

[Matzy]

Thank you for that pic, and thank you for that post. Finally real good stuff to talk about without any complains. Great topic.

[dewilson58]

Thank you for that pic, and thank you for that post. Finally real good stuff to talk about without any complains. Great topic.

Agree.

Getting close to the Ford vs. Chevy debate........but remaining civil. :thumbup:

[airstreamingypsy]

I took this photo in Jackson Hole, As I said I love a '58 Chevy..... 98071

[Michael G.]

I took this photo in Jackson Hole, As I said I love a '58 Chevy..... 98071

Hmmm, Wonder why he has the hood open...:shrug:

[Worldseries27]

They had it banned because they couldn't beat it

[villagetinker]

Here is a picture of my '66 fastback, one as found, one as completed.

[HORNET]

I have had 7 of those 8!

[airstreamingypsy]

Hmmm, Worry why he has the hood open...:shrug:

it was a car show.

[JMintzer]

Here is a picture of my '66 fastback, one as found, one as completed.

Man, you're hard on your cars! ;););)

[Michael G.]

Some of the old futures I remember on old cars,:

Dimmer switch on the floor, left side.
Manual roll down windows.
Side vent windows.
Cloth Bench seats.
Radios and AC were a luxury or optional.
Plastic clear seat covers, (cold and stuff in Wisconsin winters.)
Steel wheels with Snap-on hubcaps.
Continental spare tire rack.
Cruiser skirts.
Hugh back seats.
Outside spot lights. (Great for shinning deer).
Collapsible steer wheel.
Hollywood glass packs.

What do you remember?

[villagetinker]

Man, you're hard on your cars! ;););)

Too funny:a20::a20::a20::a20: