Last Saturday my garage was clean and neat. I doubt it is as you read this…
With the turn of the calendar, many feel a tug to clean and tie up loose ends. In that spirit, I spent last weekend reorganizing the shelves in my garage, repackaging my project boxes, and clearing out the year’s detritus. Inspired by my freshened work-space, I’ve moved on my electronic storage, with an eye toward clearing out pictures that don’t justify a full CC write up.
There are many different reasons why a car doesn’t make the grade, but these are the primary issues:
- A really good write up on the subject vehicle already exists.
- I didn’t take enough pictures (or enough GOOD ones) to support a full write up.
Still, I took the time to shoot each of these vehicles, so on the final weekend of the year let’s see what the archives have to offer!
The issue here isn’t the cars but the setting. There’s nothing more lovely than a trio of Alfas, but with two of them tucked in a garage there’s the promise of greatness but no actual delivery.
In the seventies, Federal regulations worked hard to mess with this Spyder’s intrinsic beauty, but Alfa rose to the challenge and their elegant solution put the English efforts to shame. This California sunny day picture tells a simple story, too short for a full article, but perfect for this end of the year clearance.
Another top down shot, this time of a Clenet. These “classically styled retro design automobiles” don’t get a lot of love around here, but they add a unique flavor to the automotive landscape.
A few years ago I saw this Nova just about every day on my drive into work. One day the owner bought a set of new white walls for it, and I had to take a picture. At first glance it’s just another old California warrior, but this seventies X-Body has a solid honesty about it. While the exterior shows its share of nicks and dents, the owner clearly makes the investments required to keep it safely going 45 years after it first hit the road.
In contrast, I’ve only seen this Corolla once, but it shares the same rugged honesty as the Nova. They were both built in the same time period, and appealed to same customer base. While the Corolla was quite a bit smaller than the Nova, ten years later Chevy would start selling NUMMI built Novas at the local Chevy dealership.
Five years after the NUMMI Nova, this odd looking spaceship appeared at the local Subaru dealers. Notable features included Subaru’s six cylinder (boxer) engine…
unique windows within a window,
and an interior without a clutch pedal.
I ran across this Buick Electra 225 at a car show in Fort Collins Colorado, and would have loved to give it complete write up, but accidentally erased most of the photos. This poorly cropped shot is the only one showing the entire car.
I also have this one, which shows some nice early sixties Buick detailing, including that cool tri-shield emblem built into the cornering lamp trim.
A nice looking Chevy LUV, but it looks a little loaded down. It’s an early version of the first generation Isuzu sold in the US, since the later cars used a new grille with single headlights. Paul did a brief write on these trucks:
Chevy LUV- Still Giving the Luv
Finally, a Junkyard Classic from earlier in the year. Toyota sold this Cressida wagon from ’76 to ’80, putting it solidly in the CC sweet spot.
While writing up this post, I discovered we have a remarkable collection of write ups on this vintage of Cressida:
With that, I’ll wrap up this work, and move out to my freshly cleaned garage for a few car projects.
The rear end of the “wood” trim on the Cressida wagon suggests that someone forgot the “Measure twice, cut once” maxim. Another inch or two past the badge and side marker would have made a big difference. I’m among friends here, so I’ll say it: I kind of like the Clenet. I wouldn’t have said that 40 years ago.
I’m a fan of that ’77 (’76?) Corolla, having spent considerable childhood time in a bunch of them. Or perhaps despite that. Great color, and those steelies I’ve always thought meant business for some reason. Great idea for an end of year clearance of the archives, like you I seem to accumulate images that I can’t (or won’t) do anything decent with otherwise.
And I’m a fan of those vintage hubcaps and trim rings on that ’64 Electra. That’s a nice touch, and much more welcome than so many other wheel changes. I’m actually not too wild about a lot of American full wheel covers, and like this approach more.
The hubcaps might work on a stripper LeSabre but an Electra? I dunno. The standard Electra wheel covers may not have been great, but would be a better fit for this upscale model. Sorta like replacing its steering wheel with the basic horn button version from the base LeSabre that no one bought. Not right for an Electra.
Back in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s white walls and full wheel covers were popular options. I was always perplexed by those who opted for one of these options, but not the other. Seems like if someone would spring for the full wheel covers, they would also go with the white walls, and vice versa.
Excellent finds! To me, the Colonnades and restyled ’75 Nova were the first compact/intermediate cars from GM in some time that looked equally as solid in four doors, as their coupe/hatchback versions. The ’68 era Nova gained its iconic styling status exclusively because of the two door’s design.
Always a great time of year to clear out some “detritus” as you called it. I am doing the same this weekend. Used the good weather after Christmas as an opportunity to de-winterize the hose and wash/wax the vehicles. Even took the opportunity to do a good cleaning of the interiors and exteriors of the in laws vehicles as well. The garage is looking somewhat organized and ready for the onslaught of snowy weather that is surely coming our way after the new years! I’ve tended to use the holidays between Christmas and new years as a great opportunity to get organized and cleaned up. The time at work is generally calm and quiet and a great time to catch up and file old emails, computer files, etc. Best wishes to all.
Windows within windows DAF trucks have been doing that for many years including the ones rebadged Foden, I haven seen a Chevy LUV in a very long time they were badged that way here too and the govt fleet had plenty, thats where I got to drive a couple, rust got most of them early in life like most Japanese vehicles of that era.
A fun variety! One man’s trash is treasure for the rest of us. 🙂
I started to wonder if that green Nova was a Nova with Olds Omega wheelcovers or an Omega with a Nova front clip. I think I answered my question with the rear side marker and the lack of bright trim around the side windows. Nova, final answer.
That metallic pink color on the Electra was not popular at all, but I have seen a few of them running around over the years, from the various GM Divisions. Wait I just looked it up – 1964 Buick and Pontiac only. Coral Mist at Buick, Sunfire Red at Pontiac. Not seeing a lot of red there, personally.