Beatty, Nevada is only a bit more than a hundred miles from Las Vegas, but it might as well be in a different universe. Of course that applies to much of Nevada, once outside the two main metro area of LV and Reno. Beatty has a population of 556, a couple of restaurants and motels, and a very good Mexican food cart where I stopped to eat on my way to Tecopa Hot Springs this past January, a warm and sunny escape from the ice storms of Oregon.
As the dog and I stretched my legs a bit, behind one old hotel building I spotted this very 1980’s relic, although it was a lot shorter than most stretch limos of that decade, when limos became something very different than they used to be.
I imagined its life spent hauling tourists on the Las Vegas strip, and my imaginings were confirmed by the dealer badge on the back.
The sun in Nevada is intense, and the effects on padded vinyl tops is dramatic.
I’m not sure of the exact year, but it is post 1985, when the rear end and a few other details were cleaned up a bit.
Regrettably, I did not take my usual interior shots. Maybe I was afraid of what I’d find? As to the provenance of the stretch, I know not, but one of you will, quite likely.
Looks like the dealer emblem is screwed right into the truck lid. Just great. Although common in the fifties and sixties, I would have thought this practice was over by the eighties. Don’t think too many buyers would stand for this now.
CPJ, it is maddening! Especially drilling into metal, where rust can take hold. My worst was back 35 or so years ago, when I bought my first of several Fiero GTs. The dealer RIVETED their ugly chrome logo right to the face of the rear bumper. And even worse- NOT a Pontiac dealer, so just looked terrible. I drilled the rivets out carefully so’s not to make the holes any bigger. Of course that was a rubber bumper but still, I can’t even imagine the thought process that would tell them PUTTING HOLES into a car they hope to sell was a good idea.
Was a Cowardly Thing to do.
Nope. My friends ’87 Ford F-250 4×4 had a dealer badge screwed right on the tailgate. Courtesy Ford, here in Portland.
It seems California dealers didn’t do that at least as far back as 1966. They used the license plate frame to say where the car came from, like Canoga Park Lincoln-Mercury, or Kearny Mesa Ford. Yet in Arizona, my father’s new 2004 LeSabre had Liberty Buick painted in white letters on the trunk.I know my father didn’t care. Had it been mine the dealer would have had an hour to remove it or give my money back.
Looks like that dealer tag is screwed right into the trunk lid. Just great. Although common in the fifties and sixties, I thought that practice had stopped by the eighties. Don’t think too many buyers would stand for that today.
As for the shorty Limo here, I like it. Seems like a perfect family car with just enough added space that the kids won’t be kicking the back of your seat.
I’m sure the vinyl top deterioration started with the sun, but I wonder if it was helped along by the burros that wander through Beatty. When I stayed at a motel there a few years ago there was a large sign in the parking lot warning against leaving anything in the open bed of a pickup.
One of my favorite vehicles was an 89 Town Car Signature Series 👌. Hope someone saves this throwback to an era unfortunately never to be seen again 😢. Now even LINCOLN has turned to glorified trucks masquerading as Luxury vehicles. Currently fortunate enough to have a beautiful low mileage 2007 Town Car Signature Limited, last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans! LINCOLN, What a Luxury CAR should be and once was.
I too like this car, big but not TOO big, perfect for hauling around a brood of squalling brats or our foster boys back when we had six .
I like to stay in the Atomic Inn when I stay in Beatty .
There’s a few good eateries there too .
-Nate