Another new batch of postings at the Cohort this week is up, so let’s sample some of them. First up is this delicious 1968 280SL, posted by C. Hannaher. I’ve been lusting for one of these forever, but they’ve become a bit too pricey, never mind the cost of the parts and repair work. But my heart always skips a beat when I see one. (W113 SL CC here)
Snub-nose Econolines of this generation are getting pretty scarce, but nifticus found this mildly customized E100. My Alter-Biography with a similar Econoline is here.
Mads Jensen posted this old Benz, with the following comment:
When a W123 is just not retro enough, M-B still has you covered. To me these old over-engineered tanks look better with generous doses of patina like this example.
Agreed. (W114 CC here)
cjcz92 posted this gen 1 Honda Civic, a CVCC model with the Hondamatic. Loaded, in other words, with the whitewalls completing the look. (CC here)
How about this nicely color-coordinated ’74-’76 Plymouth Valiant and brick house? Posted by nifticus. It’s the same color as my father’s ’68 Dart.
A ’55 Pontiac found resting in New Mexico by Ralf K. (CC here)
CC’s Yohai Rodin posted this ’79 Pontiac Phoenix. Nice color. What; we haven’t done a CC on one of these yet? hard to believe.
Rivero Notario shot this Mustang in Peru. (CC here)
Want a Hillman Minx? John Lloyd found this one for sale. Or trade. Maybe Bryce wants another one.
Pikesta composed another great shot, with a four-door Renault 5 in front of a store, in South Africa. (CC here)
And a couple of VW to wrap it up. This terrific 70s-themed Baja Bug was posted by Foden Alpha.
And this ’63-’64 VW bus was posted by Alberto Simon. Looks like it’s in the process of getting some serious body work.
Is that a selfdriving Mercedes-Benz?i don’t see any driver.
No; it’s a self-parking Mercedes. An advanced feature Mercedes unveiled with the new W114s: no longer was the driver required to sit in the car while parked. Their technology was soon licensed and adopted by other manufacturers. It turned out to be a huge time saver. 🙂
It probably has the carbon fiber engine and transmission drive train.
I don’t know anything about photography but read recently that it’s best to shoot a car in the shade like from a building or on an overcast day. Makes sense looking at these pics, the Mercedes and VW Bug really pop. All are terrific to look at.
Quite true. Which is why I’m glad I live in the PNW; at least half the year is cloudy. I hate shooting in the bright sun.
Fun pics! It has been several decades since I saw a Gen2 Econoline in such good condition.
The Valiant is a 75 or 76. The 74 had a much more coarse grille texture.
For best weekly catch, I vote for the Phoenix-
As a kid, I thought the Pontiac grille was uber-cool, but now all I see is a Pontiac end cap glued onto a Nova body.
Clumsy to begin with, but the additional pads tacked onto the lower edge of the bumper (see pic) worsen the overall effect.
These Phoenix (es?) always make me look twice, as the nose is virtually identical to the ’78-’80 LeMans. An application of the “same sausage, different lengths” perhaps…but not really as the Phoenix was longer than the LeMans. Yet smaller on the inside.
At any rate this only happens in photos, as I haven’t seen an X-body Phoenix on the road in more years than I can remember.
@ Dave Skinner
Comical that the sample pic you attached highlights the consistent problem that plagued virtually all late 70s Pontiacs with the formal (upright) body colored center grill and bumper sections. It captured and highlighted dead bugs, stone chips and road debris as well as any car I can remember.
Being completely vertical ensured few projectiles would deflect. Including the body colored bumper section didn’t help. And dark colors made it even more acute.
I was never a big fan of the design of the first or second generation Econolines. I thought the second generation version was especially homely compared to the early 70s Dodge and Chev vans.
I considered it one of Ford’s best design efforts of the 70s, when they brought out the third generation Econoline in ’75. With the extended nose for better safety and accessibility. And a closer family association with the F-150.
That white Civic is reminding me of the Civic that Karen Silkwood (and Meryl Streep) drove.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Silkwood
While the Valiant looks like something David Mann may have upgraded to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duel_(1971_film)
When working in Austin, Texas, about 25 years ago, I parked each day next to an immaculate, cream-colored 280 SL like the one captured here. I have no idea what they’re like to drive (the one time I drove a 1970-something 450 SL I was appalled to find that this car’s successor flexed and rattled more than a Corvette convertible). But it’s hard to think of a more perfect design for a car: Clean lines, not one unnecessary crease or piece of trim — but still instantly recognizable as a Mercedes.
+1, Paul Bracq was an amazing designer and left a deep imprint at both Daimler Benz and BMW, his creations are timeless and a tough act to follow. The other Benz on this page is also one of his creations and is my all-time favorite among the medium sized ones.
For a while I owned and enjoyed a thoroughly clapped-out 1964 230SL that had over 150k miles when I bought it. In spite of its well-worn condition I really liked the way it drove, and it was still reliable enough to take on short road trips. Like so many other cars I’ve owned, I managed to sell it at the very bottom of the market. For quite a few years I had the feeling that the world was like “Well, Pete M. sold his (brand, model, year) car, time for the price to start appreciating….”
Where’s that Hillman? I want it!
Happy Motoring, Mark
Nice pix all ’round .
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I hope that Poncho gets saved ~ it looks rust free and they’re *very* uncommon these dayze .
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That VW Typ II is a 21 window, not many of these either .
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-Nate
Nice 3A or 3B Minx speedo location is the only obvious difference but no I already have one thanx anyway.
I had a ’79 Pontiac Phoenix that was a similar color (brown, or am I color blind?), with a white half vinyl roof, and fake wood on the dashboard. A little Broughmy? It was an automatic, with the shifter on the steering column, and had a good, strong small block V8. Solid. A good daily driver while it lasted, which wasn’t long, because it was a second car, and I needed a few hundred dollars cash at the time.