Once again, it’s time to give a few minutes of attention to the many finds our Cohort contributors have recently uploaded. And how about starting this tour by reliving the 1970s? No, not with those Brougham offerings some much cherish now, nor with those PLC vehicles that are so attention-grabbing now. But the economically stressed seventies instead. If so, how about this nicely kept ’77-’78 Chevette captured by Foden Alpha in British Columbia? Quite the time capsule as it stands.
In keeping with the Chevette’s tradition, I gather this is an economically stressed restoration/preservation. I see what looks like respray over some older emblems (Why not remove them?), going also over the rear badge and the license lights housing. But not to worry, this is Curbside Classic, not Peeble Beach. At least they kept the pinstripes that feel so late ’70s.
Now for something quite different, with a ’59 Pontiac Catalina doing a nice part as landscape automotive art somewhere in the open. It’s the 4-door sedan, the most popular of the Catalinas in 1959 with 72K units sold. The shot is another lovely capture by longtime Cohort contributor Ralf K.
We’ve never quite covered a Catalina 4-door sedan before, but the more exciting Vista Sedan version has.
Two eras of relevant Honda products in one shot, captured by Corey Behrens in Colorado. I would assume they both belong to a fan of 4WD Hondas –the 1980s Civic 5-door wagon carries all-time 4WD labeling, and I would think the 1990s CR-V behind is the 4WD version as well.
Not all finds in Colorado were practical Japanese offerings. And here is quite the opposite of such, with a 850 Fiat Spider, also posted by Corey Behrens and found in the town of Ward. Few things are less practical than a rear-engine European tiny sporty car, but heck, should we always worry about pragmatic choices? And compared to others, this old Fiat looks like it could be resurrected. This one has the later less distinctive federalized headlamps, which lose a good deal of the car’s shrunken Miura-like face. Not that it keeps the car from having enough character.
Want something more traditional? Got it, right here with this 4-door 1968 Mercury Montego MX found by Hyperpack in Stanton, PA. If a similar vintage Fairlane or Torino is just too common for you, maybe the Mercury spinoff does the trick for you?
As for this one, it carries the 302cc V-8, and was apparently awaiting to be auctioned off.
Let’s jump across the ocean and check out this find in motion by Riveranotario, a Citroen Traction Avant making quite a sight in regular traffic.
Back to California with this 1961 Buick Special shot by J.C. Not looking so special anymore, but with a good deal of patina and blemishes that add lots of character.
For those who enjoy their off-roading delivered in traditional packages, a first-generation Bronco captured by Mike Hayes.
GM’s shrunken E-bodies of ’86-’87 never got much love nor respect, but oddly, the samples that appear here and there are fairly well-preserved. So, some redeeming qualities after all?
This ’86-’87 Cadillac Eldorado is another Colorado find by Corey Behrens. Should you own one and wish to give me a ride, I’ll take it. I would enjoy a chance to relive my short time in one of these back in 1987.
Out in the open, a trio of Zombie Chevrolets await in the fields. Another neat capture by Ralf K.
Can’t finish this gallery without one sad-looking Brougham offering; on this occasion with a ’77-79 Lincoln Continental. This particular one was shot by Simon White and found in Ely, Nevada.
Roshake uploaded this Lancia Lybra found in Serbia. A model from a period when the carmaker was going for an expressive -though not necessarily attractive- styling language. Based on the Alfa 156, Lancia’s junior executive offering didn’t do much for the carmaker’s fortunes.
But rather than stay on that sad Lancia note, why not focus on this Beta Coupé find by Trabantino? Offered from ’74-’84, and providing 80bhp of promise at 6200RPM, in sexy twin cam fashion, in a compact and responsive FWD package. Yes, Lancia, the future is yours for the taking!
We’ll close in Eastern Europe, with a 1990s Lada Samara. As a previous post states, this was Russian automaker’s VAZ first modern Lada offering: a robustly built, space-efficient FWD offering, launched to provide transport in 1980s fashion to the Eastern Block. That, plus being a low-cost offering in some of Western Europe and non-developed nations.
They’re cars I have an odd fondness for since a few are still found in Central America. Not that they were quite ready for this region on their arrival, with local dealers soon learning to toss away some of the car’s mechanicals not suited for warm climates (thermostats and the like, from what I’m told). Fixes that must have been done right, since quite a few are still running around town.
So all’s well that ends well.
I wish I knew how to manage photography like many here do .
Some of these images are fantastic and calendar worthy .
-Nate
Wow a functioning Lada Samara, thats gotta be a rare car by now, they sold them in Aussie and NZ but finding one these day no nothing, Ladas all types came into Napier some had to be towed from the ships, non runners were wrecked for parts, there was an export quota to meet which seemed to include cars that hadnt finished being assembled, theres still the occasional sedan out on the wild and Nivas still survive, but Samaras came with issues new and just evaporated. The dealership is still in business selling parts.
I like that Chevette with the B.C. plates. Reminds me of one my uncle had many years ago. I wonder if this one has the “Iron Duke” 4-cyl.
In “curiously good, shape”.
The Chevette was never equipped with the Iron Duke. Rather, it was made with either a 1.4 or 1.6 litre, sourced from Opel.
Yes, I think Swede might be thinking Vega or Astre, the later editions having the iron engine.
That is a 1978 Chevette as it is the first year the four door body style appeared and the only year of the egg crate style grille. Also, I am pretty sure the 1.6 litre became the standard gasoline engine starting in 1978 and for the rest of the production run in 1987. I believe the 1.8 litre diesel engine was available from 1981 until 1986. Regardless that Chevette is in great shape and kind of refreshing to see a vehicle in another color other than black, silver or white.
The Lada Samara was sold in Canada. There were never many around, but there was one in my town until about 5 years ago. I don’t think it was running. It was always parked in the same spot at the back of the driveway.
If I remember correctly, all-wheel Civic Wagon was relatively rare back then. Most of one I saw were regular front wheel drive model. I believe that system is 4-wheel drive, you had to engage, probably could not run above 50 mph? Those days only Audi, Subaru and Merced had the high speed all wheel drive system on the market before 1990s. Toyota Celica had one very rare trim with all wheel but no one knew much about that. Colt Vista also offered all wheel drive model. Actually I almost got one in early 1990s while I was looking for used cars, there was a 1990 model Civic Wagon DX with 60,000 miles, another one was 1987 Accord LX with 64,000 mikes, both asked under $7k. I decided to go for Accord. DX Wagon had only driver side mirror, with added on AC by dealer. The Accord was much better equipped.
The early Civic 4WD wagon had part-time 4WD initially (mid-1985 and 1986), but for 1987, it got what Honda calls Real Time 4WD, with a viscous coupling that would automatically send more power to the rear wheels on slippery surfaces. It still wasn’t terribly common because it was a bunch more expensive than the 2WD wagon, and the 4WD hardware added almost 300 lb, so performance and fuel economy suffered.
Early “Real Time 4wd” does not use a viscous coupling. It uses a clutch to engage the rear axle. It is hydraulically operated with pumps on both the input and output. When both are spinning at the same rate they just pump the fluid between themselves and no pressure builds. If the front is spinning faster than the rear that causes pressure to build between the two pumps and that pressure is used to engage the clutch. How hard that clutch engages is dependent on the speed differential. The problem is that once engaged both pumps turn at the same speed, the pressure bleeds off and the clutch disengages.
Very true about those late 1980s Eldorados, and how the surviving examples seem to be well cared for. Ironic for a car that was wildly unpopular when new. I just saw one (slightly later than the Cohort car here) last week – also in good condition.
Not a great picture, but at least I captured it somehow:
The Chevrolet Chevette was introduced for 1976 . A billboard sign once advertised it would deliver 40 m.p.g. ! While economical in price , and fuel economy , the Chevette was discontinued after the 1984 model year .
I believe the US sold Chevette was in production until the end of 1986 as a 1987 model.
I always find it interesting how many classics were found on Canada’s west coast. The climate here is very mild, with little in the way of road salt. For that reason, there are plenty of old cars on the road in the summertime.
The Chevette featured is parked in Fort Langley, British Columbia, about an hour east of Vancouver. The original Hudson’s Bay Company fort is still there and makes for a fun visit. The little town is also really cute.
The Chevrolet Chevette was replaced by the new Monza .