Home is where the heart is, as they say, and my nominee for the virtual heart of CC is right here: the half block of Van Buren between W. 5th and W. 5th Alley. I walk/bike/drive by here often, and finally caught it on camera. Paul has already written up a few of these exact cars before, and this was intended as a CC outtake, but I kept walking.
click pics to embiggen
I stood right here a few moments and it really did seem to me to be a nerve-center of sorts for CC. The Whitaker neighborhood is a quintessential watering hole for CC’s, and you needn’t look long nor hard to find dozens. Such as, pivot 135 degrees left and you get these afore-articled dinosaurs:
And a shot from beyond:
The couch and sofa are recent additions; the Volvo and Brat not so much. Walk another fifty feet east and I see this:
A bit about my walk: I was heading to my new studio (future writeup awaits), but was again befell by the asinine grass pollen levels in the Willamette Valley, so much so that even my hearing is ruined for the season. So I decided to walk back home. More treasures abounded!
This Nummi-Nova is in the same parking lot complex as the Eagle. I’ve seen it often; hard to forget a car with a manual windscreen wiper.
Keeping with the fence theme, these three wildly divergent classics are in a tow lot a few blocks north. The old Datsun was tagged as recently as 09; I hope it gets salvaged. A CRX is on my bucket list. I wouldn’t touch the blue 80’s GM “sports” car with Carmine’s wallet.
Paul did a piece on an old Saab recently, but I don’t remember this one being included. I see it in the hood often. A beautiful specimen in person and in pictures.
Another classic blue two-door is just down the road aways. Original 70’s yellow Oregon plates, no less. Spiritual predecessor to the CRX?
Rust, and the pac-nw’s apparent lack of it (coastal areas notwithstanding), is an almost daily mention on CC, and I can’t think of a finer example of a non-rusted mid-80’s Japanese CC than this beautifully maintained Tercel SR5 4×4. Whilst not at all uncommon around here, this particular example is a rather shining, well, example. Although the alloys stand out a bit, it’s easily the nicest Tercel of its vintage I’ve seen. The Saturn and Honda are filler by comparison.
I’m cheating here just a bit: this is about a block outside of the Whit, and it’s at a mechanics. However, I couldn’t resist shooting this juxtaposition, for reasons that need no mention here. A Titan and the Upstart, side by side. Almost poetry.
Apartment blocks in the the Whit are the CC equivalent of fish-in-a-barrel. I walked back to the street for a wider look:
This is in the same spirit as Paul’s recent CC-Count-em-up. Same neighborhood, same story.
Now neither an old Bug or an old VW bus are in any way rare around here, but I couldn’t say no to chronicling these two cousins, for myriad obvious reasons. There not even from the same state, yet they totally are.
While I’m by no measure a VW fan, I can’t help but admire the Tatra-esque beauty of this concourse-esque old Bug. A wonderful specimen of a polarizing vehicle if ever there was one. And right in the heart of the Whit, of course.
Speaking of heart, I want to give a hearty shout-out to the commentariat here at CC. While Paul is obviously the life-blood of the site, I’ve always found the comments to be the pulse of the place, and am grateful to be a part of such a mature and esteemed bunch. Your contributions are what keep me a daily CC-clicker, and here’s to many more years of Curbside Classic’ing! *raises toast*
The green Mercury and Country Squire look like two Sumo wrestlers getting ready for their bout. That’s an awesome picture.
The color on the Saab is just perfect.
Thanks Mike!
I would love to drive a ratty green 67 Mercury every day. I really would.
The Mercury is only about 7 inches shorter than the Country Squire, and all of it is probably in the crash bumpers. A 2 door body as big as a wagon. Amazing.
+1,it looks like it should be driven by an undercover cop in a late night TV movie
Reminds me of Hawaii Five-O’s Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) riding around in a dark blue 1968 Mercury Park Lane sedan. I don’t get how McGarrett went around a tropical climate wearing a dark suit, though…
That’s my #1 pick of the litter 🙂
#2 is the 3rd gen T/A of course!
I’d take that Tercel SR5 in a minute! Had one once, but it basically rusted away.
I’m seeing a VW Type 3 lounging near the sofas, not a Volvo :). Which reminds me of my next door neighbour many years ago who, looking at my Volvo 544, said she really liked my Volkswagen. That hurt.
I can see the Eugene Tourism Office running with this idea, and giving out maps with suggested ‘rare species sighting areas’ for CC enthusiasts.
On the VW Beetle, Is the engine lid opening at the top for extra cooling, or to make room for engine mods? Maybe Ed Stembridge or another Beetle expert here knows? It sure looks to be in better than new condition.
Could be cooling I think.I’ve seen rear engine Fiats and Renaults with similar mods
I assume that if you buy a new car, you’re forcibly removed from the neighborhood?
As to that 3rd generation Camaro, if its got T-tops my girlfriend will be right out to claim it.
I LOVE it, an International Traveler on my namesake street! I wouldn’t mind the Merc either there is one running around my stomping grounds that is absolutely perfect yet frequently driven.
hah! Cool coincidence, indeed.
As much as I am known for Brougham-era land yachts around here, my favorites are the Saab and the VW. That Beetle looks great with the stripes and the roof rack!
I’d nominate several streets in the Ballard or Wallingford ‘hoods of Seattle that are right up there with that street on Eugene. 43rd between I-5 and Stone Way is a treasure trove.