Here are a few happy snappies of some (relative) exotica spotted during a Sunday drive that passed through little Conroe, in East Texas, in 2003. The brain-fryingly colorful sight of this VW van used as an advertising sign for auto parts, in the time-honored tradition, drew me off the road. Turned out there were further delights to be had in a vacant lot alongside the building.
So, what have we got here? From right to left, looks like a Euro-spec Mercedes W116, a 1970-73 Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback), an ’80-83 air-cooled VW Vanagon with the Westfalia camper option, and (stripped of most of its running gear) a 1979-92 Jaguar XJ Series III. Yes, there’s a Merc W126 in the shot as well, but it doesn’t figure in this discussion.
As one can see, although mostly complete, the fleet showed signs of vandalism, and none of them appeared to be in working condition. And yes, the Squareback is in fact pink, with cow-spot seat covers. Those sleepy-eyed headlight decorations are quite something; I don’t think I’ve ever seen another car equipped like that.
I’ve never had a burning desire to own a VW van, but I can see the attraction certain regular habitués of this blog have for these things. It looked the closest to being in running order of the group here.
The Jag proves that no matter what you do, it’s pretty hard to uglify an XJ. Given that the body looks fairly straight and clean, I’m hoping this was an intended restoration rather than dismemberment for parts.
The vehicles, and the shop itself, are long gone, so I have no idea of the eventual fate of these machines. One thing that strikes me is that despite the photos being taken just a few years ago, it seems highly unlikely that such a lineup could be found, unposed, today. Hope you enjoy.
I must shoot the nice crop of Rovers and Jags nearby all ready for harvest.
“The Jag proves that no matter what you do, it’s pretty hard to uglify an XJ.” Indeed! I’m struck by how sleek that body is without bumpers to clutter it up. That’s one exciting shape.
Indeed it is. I first saw the original XJ6 on the cover of Road&Track sometime in 1968. It became then and remains today as the most beautiful 4-door sedan that I can think of. The 68 had such slim chrome bumpers that they barely cast a shadow on the body and the front grille was much deeper that the post bumper mandate cars. Weirdly, If I am remebering correctly, both the XJ6 in 68 and the MGB on an R&T cover in 62 were both in a similar light shade of blue.
They are great looking, the 2 door XJC is even better.
+1 🙂
Wouldn’t mind the VW Westfalia. One of the best camping vehicles around. Then again, I seem to be attracted to money-pit cars.
I wouldn’t say it’s a money pit. I’d say…it’s a well-engineered (if offbeat) vehicle; sold and serviced by an organization governed by the ethics of a grave robber.
My 1985 Westfalia (first year water-cooled) gave me splendid service…right up until it didn’t. When I bought it, front wheel bearings were shot and noisy. Shouldn’t have needed them so early, with 60,000 miles…but there it was. Replaced, I got trouble-free service out of it for 18 months…until the fuel pump went.
Inside the tank. Dealer recommended a new tank; I couldn’t see the sense in that. New pump in a boiled-out tank, went south immediately; and dealer wouldn’t honor warranty. Because I didn’t get a new tank.
I was ready to burn the thing on the side of the road. I did the next-best thing; I burned my MONEY. On a new Nissan truck – the truck was okay if nondescript; but the hosing I got at the dealer with a non-running trade-in, I remembered a lo-o-ong time.
Any old car you buy and intend to keep for a long time and drive often is going to be a money pit. I don’t care if it’s a Volkswagen, Honda or Ford. Unless you just park it in the garage and never touch it, you’re probably going to have more in it than it’s monetary value.
It’s all about the personal satisfaction it gives you.
Amazing how much better the W116 looks without the hideous US spec bumpers and sealed beams, even in that condition.
As you say it’s go e now but there is a shop still there with a pretty good mechanic. Worked on my Nissan truck. Good pictures and I remember the vehicles. Just a little bit from downtown. Probably gone due to city fathers. Hate typing on phones. God job GgO6.
Wow, that’s impressive. Thanks for the kind words.
Ha Ha. This is why I almost never comment when viewing on my phone.
I was in the ER at Conroe Hosp when I read this. About 3-4 miles away. Drove by when I had time. Intercontinental Auto Parts is the sign on the building and that’s probably unchanged. Those guys changed the Saturn/Opel clutch in my vue for a couple hundred less than the robber barons at Saturn. They also stopped the leaks on my pickup after I got it out of the School Auto Shop. IMO they are pretty good.
If the place is the same and the cars are gone, it was probably the city dads. Conroe was listed as one of the fastest growing small cities in the country. They have a pretty high opinion of themselves but this is not a very good part of the city. Love living in the country.
That Squareback is calling out to me, I think… I’d loose the eyelids, tho.
Those are headlamp hoods on the Squareback, and they were popular in England once ( in the 60’s maybe ).
You can still get them or at least similar ones on E-bay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-HEADLIGHT-HEADLAMP-LIGHT-BULB-CHROME-TRIM-COVER-SHIELD-VISORS-PAIR-NEW-/370542818367?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564612b43f&vxp=mtr
The droopy-lids were popular on VWs and various pimpmobiles back in the Flower-Power years, too. I always thought they were to mimic the old locomotive-headlight shade…never knew what it was for; but it was put on motive power up until the 1950s or so.
Import auto parts pick your part!
Forgive the ignorance. That Mercedes Benz has those European type headlights. I thought that those weren’t allowed here due to the silly DOT rules that only allowed sealed beam type headlights and that those rules changed in 1986 I believe. I have seen newer models of this car with the square sealed beam type lights. (1984)
Was this car maybe imported by a single person perhaps? Or were they sold here with those headlights too?
Likely a grey market import when that sort of thing was still allowed
I’m not an expert on big Mercs, but as I understand it, official imports of the W116 had dual round sealed beams (and, after ’72, 5 mph bumpers, which this example also lacks). So, yeah, most likely a gray-market import.
As it was backed up against the building, I couldn’t get the exact model, but I’m guessing a 280-something.
Converting US cars to euro spec isn’t all that uncommon either. Since composite headlights became legal it won’t attract the attention of the local police like it would have back in the day.