There’s been a good mix of junkyard finds from canadiancatgreen appearing at the Cohort recently. So today we’ll feature a few of the more interesting and distinctive ones from the ’60s and ’70s. They won’t necessarily be rare or unique models, but certainly less common than the Impalas or Caprices from the ’80s that are ever-present in car graveyards.
Our first subject in the lede photo is a ’67 AMC Ambassador. Not enough left to tell what state of trim this 2-door hardtop was (or the exact year frankly, could be a ’68). Either a 990 or a DPL? In either case, in the usual manner of AMC’s full-sizers, none were huge sellers. For ’67 the 990 trim moved about 6K units while the Brougham DPL another 12.5K.
Let’s move to Canadian brands with this quite rare ’64 Meteor Custom convertible. If you are not a regular CC reader and wonder what a Meteor is, it was a FoMoCo brand sold -on and off- in Canada between 1949 and 1976. And if you must know, only 1,702 of these Meteor droptops were built in ’64.
Ok, I admit I’m cheating some with this Rambler, as it’s a ’59 model. Not quite 1960s, but almost… Still, I just feel it belongs in this collection. And what with that homemade fiery hot rod paint motif?
From this angle, it’s a bit hard to tell which model it is but seems to ride on the 108″ wheelbase. So either a Six (model name) or a Rebel V-8. Maybe those flames aren’t just for show?
Now on to the early ’60s, with this 1962 Buick LeSabre sedan. These were Flint’s B-body entry-level vehicles, just below their Invicta line. A decent number of these 4-door sedans were built for ’62, with 52K units finding buyers.
A 1970s El Camino. Not that rare, but a model that certainly cut a distinctive silhouette then and now.
More ’70s iron with this Pontiac Catalina, 1975 model according to the junkyard (wrongly labeled a Bonneville). Pontiac’s entry-level full-size models of the period, with the Bonneville and Gran Ville standing above it.
Ok, here’s another cheat, since this AMC Eagle is a 1980s product. But other than the Broughamey top and some trim, the car’s lines are pure 1970 Hornet. So why not include it with this group?
And with this 1970s-derived product from the 1980s, I feel is a good way to close today’s junkyard tour.
The 1975 Pontiac is a Catalina, not a Bonneville. There were no Bonevellie sedans for 1975, only hardtops.
Yes, quite right. The post has been updated with that fix.
Good catch!!
I think that Meteor was worth saving .
A;ways enjoy seeing oldies, thanx for posting .
-Nate
Great stuff, been many years since I saw an AMC in a junkyard.
Wondering when the “pics” were taken? Seems to be a fair amount of that “67 Ambassador” still standing though.
The date on the Catalina indicates it was set out around the end of last month so the pictures are from between then and now. The Ambassador is most likely still there today in the same exact condition as pictured… 🙂
I love these posts. The older cars, to me, were more like art than throw it together and sell it of today.
My dad had a 62 Buick invicta convertible. I remember that his brother also bought one and they were racing them!
Wish somebody had restored that Meteor convertible. Thats a rare car and I love oddball stuff.
Although Id imagine it has no floors or trunk pans left. And rust in places you cant even imagine. Thats the thing with old convertibles, even in non salty climates they just become an old car, sit outside, the top leaks and rusts the car from the inside out. And being “oddball” means no reproduction parts, unlike say a 1960’s Chevrolet where replacement floors, quarters, rockers, fenders, trim bits, full interiors are plentiful via the aftermarket.
I thought my El Camino had rust issues in the real quarter panel!
The Buick Invicta looks far too good to be in a junkyard. Sadly, it is a four door post so not worth restoring.
I’d love to have that salvage yard in my neck of the woods.
The Ambassador IS a ’67 DPL. The shadow of the missing DPL emblem is right behind the rear side window. The ’68 would have had the new flush door handles.
Someone apparently decided that their yellow Eagle should be red.
I just donated a ’12 Ford Escape to a charity. With 149k miles, it was in fair shape and the A/C still worked. However, I have a feeling in 4 to 5 years, it will be sitting in sitting in this junkyard.
Each as a story to tell:
– pride of first owner
– teaching someone how to drive
– first accident (yep, it happens)
– peeling paint and cracked windshield
– 2nd owner to use for college or trade school
– traded in with the first regular paystub when starting a career
– just running for the 3rd owner
– then a visit to the junk yard
Behind the black Ramber is a 1966 full size Pontiac. Would liked to have seen a complete view of it. Most likely a 4-dr due to the non-fast-back roofline. although there were 2-dr “post” models (Catalina in the US, Laurentian & Strato Chief in Canada).
Is that a 1953-54 Ford slipping into the picture with the Meteor. Don’t see those too often these days.