Now don’t expect pictures of first gen Mustangs and Corvettes C3. Really nice and famous classic cars, but simply too common. I mean, these are the Opel Kadetts -any generation- among the classic American cars here, so I skipped them as there were plenty of other CC-worthy rides at the April 2018 Classic Park American Day, like some fine SJ Wagoneers…
…and this 1976 Chevrolet Nova 305.
1978 Cadillac Sedan de Ville 425.
1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT 2.8 V6 with over-roof scoops. At first I thought these were emergency water inlets.
1992 Cadillac Seville STS.
1997 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.7 V8.
1973 Cadillac Sedan de Ville 472.
1977 Chevrolet Camaro LT 305.
1970 Chevrolet El Camino 307.
1972 Dodge Challenger. displacement unknown.
1996 Dodge Ram van 2500 5.2 V8.
1982 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham HT 4100 Digital Fuel Injection Yes Siree Bob.
1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 360.
1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 390.
1971 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible 351.
1969 Chevrolet Malibu el Camino 350.
1973 Buick Centurion convertible 455. Not to be confused with the Centurion MBT from the UK.
1983 (1984?) Chevrolet K5 Blazer Silverado, displacement unknown.
2007 Dodge Charger SRT8.
1998 Ford Mustang V6.
1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Sportmaster 216.
1976 Dodge Ramcharger 318.
The last one for today, this 1984 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 305. Another round of pictures soon.
Great assortment. Interestingly, I just saw a 1990 Grand Wagoneer this week — these very late models (’91 was the last year) are particularly nice since they have all of the antiquated charm of the early SJ Wagoneers, but benefit from some improvements provided by Chrysler.
I love how these SJs were thoroughly obsolete by the 1980s, but were always cool — even when new.
I owned a ’77 Wagoneer, years ago. I regret letting it go, I miss it like you’d miss your beloved dog from your childhood. Nothing but the fondest of memories for these.
I’d love to buy another but these are inexplicably collectible and expensive these days. Recently I saw a pristine one advertised for $59,000 CDN. Not sure who would pay luxury SUV prices for a 30 year old version of a 55 year old design.
The reason they’re “inexplicably collectible” today is that almost everyone who ever owned one regrets getting rid of it. It’s probably got a better record of that emotion than Corvettes, etc.
In my case, the truck was given to me by my in-laws. Unfortunately, it had spent the previous fourteen years in Bangor, ME. Within two years, the road salt had started affecting both electrics and bodywork.
My late wife’s real estate clients loved it.
The one that really, really, really turned me on was the ’48 Chevrolet. Now THAT is what an antique car is supposed to look like. Would prefer it with blackwall tires, though. More period correct.
Runner up is any and all of the Grand Wagoneers. Every time I see one of these postings, I start missing mine again.
We agree: that 48 Chevy is a sweetheart.
That’s the one they brought me home from the hospital in. (So, I am not an impartial judge.) Now I know what Mom meant by “pickle green.” And the Caprice was Dad’s last full-sized Chevy, so you have hit for the circuit, well played!
We had an ’87 Grand Wagoneer, with very low miles, that we bought it in ’99, in the nice maroon color of the 1st one pictured here. Fun to drive, but with Quadra-Track and AMC 360 it got 11 mpg on a good day, though it was very capable off-road in the Vermont boonies or, with full time 4wd, on the snowy Interstates. Assembly quality was mediocre, to be charitable, and the shag carpeting and awful interior materials didn’t help. Kept it 1 year and traded it in on a near new (we never buy new) ’98 Trooper, best move we ever made; it’s been Japanese SUVs for us ever since… no regrets! I note with wry amusement how these have now become a cult vehicle, OK I guess if you don’t actually have to drive it much!
Drat. Last spring I found a fleet of about 8 Grand Cherokees of different vintages, all for sale. Never dumped the pictures and that phone is now gone. Rats.
Johannes, you have some really good finds here. Part of me is surprised about the conversion vans in Europe, part of me isn’t. Maybe there is a distinct market for them there.
There is always a demand (if only a small one) for things like Challengers and El Caminos and huge 60s/70s sedans in Europe, but I’d be willing to bet that the demand for those vans fluctuates hugely with exchange rates.
The reason I say that is that ten years ago in the UK, when it was $2 to the pound, they looked very good value compared to a Fiat Ducato (or whatever) equivalent. At $1.26 to GBP, not so much. If you’re buying an old Firebird, logic doesn’t come into it.
The conversion vans are registered and used as camper vans. Reduced road tax plus an LPG system to keep the fuel costs low.
My favs ’76 Nova, ’78 Caddy with the tu-tone paint (miss that option!) and any of the Grand Wagoneers.
The conversion vans didn’t surprise me as much as the skyhigh Blazer and to a lesser degree the Grand Wagoneers. I thought a big SUV that got 9 miles per gallon if you drove off a cliff was strictly American!
Your choices of vehicles to feature closely match what I would have picked. Hard to name a favorite. The green Nova is very cool. I like the “Chevy” type on the trunklid.
I never see a stock 90’s Mustang. Ever. So it is the most rare car in the group to me. Someone actually left one alone! And in a conservative color too!
Everyone bashes the V6s so that alone is enough for me to want one…
I had an ’82 Wagoneer. Beige. Plain one. Straight six. It had it’s charm. Had old school seats with steel springs. Going down the highway it was difficult to turn the radio dial because of the bouncing. Actually mine could have used a few creature comforts…
I like the silver Camaro for the same reasons I like the Mustang. Never see a “plain” one. Those wheels are beautiful! Don’t even mind the big ol’ bumpers. But these were not the fastest Camaros. Or fastest anything. The V6 Mustang is more extreme…
I’ve expressed my admiration of the ’92 Seville on here before. I wish cars still looked like that. Perfection. The 4.9L is a great engine too. For GM. Then. And often before and since…
Compared to the SLABS on the other post, I find these more ordinary cars comforting. Like Meg Ryan’s face before all the work. Pleasant. Everything is okay again. I can sleep tonight…
I will not think about the new Avalon’s face. Waiting for me. Coming to get me. Outside my door. Hungry. Confused about it’s sexuality and angry. Sweating. Oh, so much sweating! It comes nearer to me. I scream but no sound comes out. Why does it haunt me? Why do you pursue me, BIG MAW? I’ve done nothing to you. All I ask is to be alone. But it is always near. Breathing heavily. With coffee and cigarette breath. Like Tom Snyder…Oh dear, I am sweating now myself. Time to reread the post and get my zen on again. ‘Til next time!
Favourites are the El Caminos, that blue and white combination would have to be the best color combo on a Chevrolet.
Wouldn’t be many left unmolested like the 1970 model,
What a great show Johannes. There are lots of vehicles of interest to me at this show. It’s nice to see so many older vehicles that are more mainstream models. It actually kind of reminds me a bit of our local shows/cruise nights, as we also have an abundance of more mainstream older vehicles locally. I like that ’84 Caprice, other than the vinyl top. Our roads used to be littered with cars like that but they are all pretty well gone. Not many people saved these full-size cars from that era, so it’s nice to see some being preserved.
I’ll have the 1972 Challenger please for my driveway. What a great show! Thanks for sharing these.
I will join some others in my surprise at seeing the conversion vans.
The 78 Cadillac with the 2 tone paint job is a real rarity – if I have seen one I long ago forgot about it. The lower darker color looks to be the same color as the 78 Sedan Deville bought new by an aunt and uncle.
And that Charger reminds me that last weekend I got my first-ever ride in a hot Charger sedan, a 2016 with the 392 Scat Pack. Its owner was disinclined to offer the keys to others, sorry to say.
Nice photos and finds!
Somewhere along the way, I acquired the impression that red centers on early ’80s Cadillac wheel covers signified a Diesel engine, but I don’t know if that’s at all true…
There’s a 1973 Centurion convertible featured throughout The Pope of Greenwich Village, a mid-1980s movie starring Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Daryl Hannah, and the late great Kenneth McMillan.
Nice group of cars but the 1969 El Camino is really a 1968 if the front is anything to go by.
Great selection, Johannes. I’ll take the Buick Centurion please.
That’s a surprisingly large number of Jeep Wagoneers. How common are American cars in daily use? Seeing all these jogged my memory of Janwillem van de Wetering’s Grijpstra and De Gier mysteries where in the last few books Grijpstra drives a Ford Bronco and in one story Ketchup and Karate go undercover as a gay couple and drive a Dodge Viper.
Teslas are quite common in daily use….These days, there’s no serious market whatsoever for new US vehicles here with an ICE. Ram pickups, all grey imports, might well be one of the best selling US-rides. Think about 500 a year.