Simon White, based in the UK, has been posting at the Cohort for some time, and we’ve featured a few of his shots before. But I’ve picked out a few others that all feature vintage American iron found in the UK. I find that seeing American cars in other countries always strikes me in a certain way that’s decidedly different than when seen in their home country. Obviously, once upon a time cars much more intensely reflected the unique circumstances, values, aesthetics and other qualities of their country of origin, unlike today, with some exceptions.
This first shot, of a Cadillac in the rear view mirror of a Rolls-Royce, is a perfect juxtaposition of the two very different styles in the ’50s.
First, what lovely photography. And placing cars in this scenery really does take them out of their element where I have been used to seeing them. They no longer look “normal” in these shots.
I thought some of these shots were from the US – the Ford with the Washington plates and more strikingly – the mobile homes! Those exist in the UK?!
The Ford is actually registered in the UK, mobile homes do exist although many of them are only for holidays. Years ago, when I first moved here from Canada, you could pick up an old 70s boat for less than a grand. It seems many of these have been scrapped under the government scrappage scheme, unfortunately. The rarest ones are the original UK market RHD ones, AMCs, old Mopar stuff, I have seen a 63 Impala in RHD, Jeeps, Packards. Currently there is a 78 Blazer and a Mercury Monarch for sale in the UK in RHD. It seems that most exited the market by the 80s, and Cadillac up until the early 2000s. Currently you can buy a Ford Edge or Mustang in RHD, and the new Corvette will be sold in RHD for the first time next year.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Your trailers do look more well-kempt than US counterparts. Put that Firebird on blocks out front (though the flat’s a start), rip off the trailer skirting and add tall weeds and you’d get the gist, haha!
In England, mobile homes are called “caravans,” both those hitched up and towed, and those parked semi-permanently (static caravans).
Great collection! I love the air-conditioned Cadillac. It looks like a ’56. As for t green Coupe de Ville, hopefully it will be restored.
The Vauxhall and Oldsmobile pairing is great.
Lovely pictures, well done. I have respect for the UK collectors of vintage American cars because I’ve observed considerable hostility from many UK enthusiasts over all automotive things American. I’m from Britain and I find it embarrassing when UK enthusiasts, in person or in print heap scorn on American cars, whether new or vintage. It’s a peculiar thing, based perhaps on lifestyle or wealth envy? One can find fault with any car, especially vintage ones and if doing so constitutes a the bulk of your hobby, you’re doing it incorrectly.
‘50’s Cadillac in rear view ‘wing’ mirror is a terrific pic. Why does that Lincoln Continental Mark IV have an overrider bumper on top of it’s giant log bumper? Seems like overkill!
Love the Vauxhall Cresta & Oldsmobile pair and ‘66 Pontiac Tempest/LeMans next to the ‘71-‘72 LeMans/GTO. Surprised by the number of Cadillacs and other big boats, guess Falcons, Valiants, Corvairs or ‘60’s midsize models would look less out of their element.
I think it might simply because if you’re going to go big American then you may as well do it properly.
Back in the ’60s Ramblers were sold in reasonable numbers for US imports (all imports taking 5% or less of the overall market at the start of the ’60s, only 8.3% by 1968) but I would guess there wasn’t much profit incentive for Ford, GM or Chrysler to bring in ‘bread-and-butter’ models, especially when all three had local interests anyway. The Ford Mustang was something of an exception; not huge (just ‘big’ compared to normal family cars) but it could be sold at a premium. The Valiant was briefly sold in place of the big Humbers around 1968, though sourced from Australia.
I remember in the early 1970s reading about the Chrysler Valiant once a year, without fail. It was in the London Motor Show supplements published by Autocar and by Motor, which listed and illustrated most of the cars at the show.
I cannot recall ever seeing on though.
Mustangs still sell – 5th Generation convertible photographed last March:
The current Mustang has been a success for Ford in the UK, by all accounts. RHD helps, I suspect
Beyond a yellow mustang, I can’t recall seeing a US built car in the UK seen the Chrysler Neon of c2000
Wonderful pictures.
I was thrilled to find this beautiful Skylark convertible near Grosvenor Square in London a few years ago. Wondered if it might belong to an employee of the nearby US embassy.
Be interested to know whereabouts in the country Simon works. There’s a big US car scene in East Anglia, site of several large USAAF bases, whose personnel shipped the metal over for their own use then sold it on to the locals.
Love the Vauxhall/Olds pic. The Cresta was the closest we ever got to classic US 50s style in the UK.
Originally from West London Philip but now in Devon where all these pictures were taken.
Wonderful photography, but American cars in England are like fish out of water.