Ingvar Hallstrom and I go back to the early TTAC days; both of us hung out there and started writing for the site. And Ingvar followed me to CC from the very beginning, and has contributed several articles here. He contacted me a little while back and asked if he could drop in for a short visit, seeing that he was in the Seattle area (for a Twin Peaks Festival). Of course! He also requested that I pick him up at the airport in “old Yeller”. What else? It is the official company limousine, after all. Just throw your bags in the back.
When I found out that this was Ingvar’s first trip to the US, I felt rather honored to be the other destination after that Twin Peaks Festival. We chatted the first evening away on the back deck, and the next morning we headed out for a little drive around Eugene.
Now this wasn’t a serious all-out hunt for CCs, just a little cruise from my house down to the Whitaker Area, and then out River Road to pay homage to CC Numero Uno. Ingvar didn’t have a camera, so I just snapped some of the many CCs we saw, but hardly all of them. First up was this Box Lincoln; not exactly my favorite car, due to its rather unfortunate proportions and too many side windows and midget wheels and tinny little wire wheel covers, and…but to each their own.
Speaking of boxes, next up was the inevitable Volvo brick wagon. Ingvar’s post on The Volvo Rear Door Dilemma is a classic here on the subject of Volvos, as is his homage to the Volvo Duett. This 245 is a bit ratty, but it was the first we encountered, so it got shot. The other 364 didn’t.
A block or two later, we rolled by another grizzled veteran, a gen2 Toyota HiLux. I keep saying how many of these are still in use here, and this is one I’ve not seen before.
I also gave myself a definite quota for old Mercedes diesels, as this town is chock full of them. This W115 220D is one of the older ones of that genre, and deserved a place here.
Ingvar recognized this Econoline from one of my fiction pieces, “What Might Have Been”. This is a bit sad; it’s really deteriorated in the two years since I shot it. I’m trying to imagine what might have been the cause.
And what might be the reason this gen1 Aurora has fallen out of use? Possibly something to do with its engine? Naw… It’s a good thing they keep an ancient Corolla in the other parking space (I’m just trying to get Philhawk going).
Ingvar told me he enjoyed my coverage of vintage RVs; well that was a bit of a surprise. So the next one we saw, an old Cabana, was cause to slow down enough to peel off a shot.
We couldn’t not shoot this P1800ES behind the fence. All but one of Ingvar’s posts has been about Volvos, including this excellent recent addition to our Volvo Week: Volvo, A Swedish Perspective. Well, actually his seminal post on The Swedish A-Traktor isn’t strictly about Volvos, although PVs were one of the most common of the genre.
This Falcon wagon caught Ingvar’s eye; he said it reminded him of home. Well, there’s a lot of American iron over there.
A typical Eugene parking lot for a couple of houses on this gravel cul-de-sac. Three Japanese pickups, one old VW bus, and and a Camry (I think). And a pretty girl with her dog.
Ingvar rather likes these “whales”, especially the early ones with the low rear wheel cutout. I have mixed feelings, but I’m glad there’s still a few around.
We both like these old Tercel wagons. I’m having a brain fart, and can’t place those wheels right now, but one or more of you will.
Nice old yellow Ford pickup! Actually, this is the shade of yellow my truck had originally; it picked up a more intense shade somewhere along the way before I got it. And there’s the ubiquitous Toyota van up there.
The ultimate B-Body wagon.
We had to pay our respects to this long-time curbdweller.
We swung through the recently rejuvenated downtown; after decades of decline the past few years have seen a huge influx of new residents and businesses. As well as a Mercury Topaz. And what’s that yellow thing up ahead?
Another Mini I haven’t seem yet. There’s been a rash of new Mini-inhabitants lately, and I’m not sure what to make of it, except to savor them all.
Time to head out River Road on our pilgrimage. A Subaru XT on the go. And there’s an old yellow Corona sneaking into the shot way back there.
This shop we were driving by specializes in just old diesels, and there’s quite the variety of them. Which means that Winnebago LeSharo RV down there must be one of the few still left with the Renault 21. turbo-diesel. Full story here.
This was the goal of our pilgrimage, to pay our respects to the ultimate Curbside Classic, the shrine of Saint Hot Rod Cadillac of 1950, Series 61 (CC here). Unfortunately, its owner Mike wasn’t around, from the looks of it, he may well have been getting some parts for it.
The Caddy’s patina has come some ways since I shot it five years ago. It sits outside all year in our healing rains, which means no rust, but plenty of patina.
Well, looks like there is a bit of older rust damage on this side by the rear wheel; a few more wet winters outside will take care of that. As we say here: That’ll wash right away.
Let’s peel off another couple of shots in homage. There’s an A-Body across the street, and another pretty woman walking her dog looking our way. I love Eugene.
I didn’t notice her at the time. Who would, when there’s this delectable butt to adore?
Our solemn veneration completed, we head back to downtown. I missed this Jeep wagon on the way out, as it hid behind my A-Pillar just when the shutter went off, and now this time it’s out of focus.
We just had to shoot one more old Mercedes diesel.
Across the street from it sits another former CC, the Isuzu I-Mark diesel. It’s also looking worse for wear, having lost at least two windows. I’m sure the Isuzu dealer will have some in stock.
This is the latest creation of a guy who keeps building all sorts of pedal-powered vehicles. The first was his home on wheels, which I posted back at the site which shall (currently) not be named. Or actually, it can be now again, given the recent changes there at the top. Anyway, he’s built several others since, and this on is big and impressive. I think it’s designed not so much as to haul cargo, but be a platform for a modular living quarter back there, which he builds very lightly out of aluminum framework and foil-faced foam board. To heavy to pedal? Check out the four sets of gears under there. The lowest gear is probably low enough to pull a 50′ semi trailer.
(Update: we have a Celebrity CC find here. Guy Fieri happened to be in town, and was checking out a few local eateries for his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”.
Now this isn’t typical Whitaker fare. Original? The cowl-induction hood rules that out, as do the 16″ or 17″ aftermarket Rallye wheels. But then any 1968 Camaro 396 RS/SS convertible is profoundly suspect; it undoubtedly started life as something decidedly more modest, and not in Resale Red.
Ouch! Something fell on the back of this nice’67 Beetle and busted out its rear window. And there’s the Pizza Research Institute. Want a pizza with pear slices for topping? This is where to get it.
We followed this old Celica for several blocks, so we had to honor it too.
We decided to drop in on The Sports Car Shop. I recognize that red Herald; I followed it for about 15-20 miles, out Hwy 99, all the way to its owner’s rural house. The owners bought it new way back in 1962. Its story is here.
Turns out it had a bit of a fire in the engine compartment, but it didn’t cause too much damage and the paint (really) buffed right out again.
Guess which of these two Brit roadsters caught my eye? This is no ordinary MGA, as its knock-off slotted steel wheels make clear.
The Twin Cam engine gave the A a big boost in power, with a full 100 hp, but it was very temperamental and problematic, as well as expensive. It’s issues have long been sorted out, but only 2,111 of these were ever made, which makes them quite rare and expensive.
Ingvar is an XJ-S fan, and had to check out this convertible built by Hess and Eisenhardt. The leaping Jaguar hood ornament is a more recent addition.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen a VW in the showroom, but then it’s a bit special. It’s a 1956, and 100% original.
I’ve always wanted an oval-window Bug, and this one is a time capsule. It was showing some 90k of well-cared for miles on the odometer.
I’ve ruined another Lumix SZ-7, by carrying it in my dirty pants pockets and getting dust in the lens, the result being smudges and focus problems, like this fuzzy shot of the VW’s venerable 36 hp (30 DIN hp) 1192 cc engine. This one’s for Nate. Needs a vintage twin-carb setup and an Abarth exhaust.
A couple of more lust objects, one with an injected four, the other with a four-carb V12. I know which one I’d take.
Or maybe you fancy a 1963 Triumph T-120 650cc Bonneville. Literally like new, as a glance at the odometer will soon prove. And yes, there’s oil in the drip pan.
This Bonneville has covered exactly 847 authenticated miles so far. Did someone scare themselves, and stick it in the garage, never to get back on it again?
This BSA Gold Star big single caught my eye. The precursor to these were first built in 1937, and after the war, the engine went all-alloy. It was built in 348cc and 500cc version, and the larger one could hit 110 mph. In 1956, it dominated the Isle of Man TT.
1963 marked the endo of the Gold Star, when Lucas stopped producing the magneto for it. I’m not sure of the year and size of this one, but it really speaks to me, if not my right foot.
Now this is something really different, a single cylinder Vincent. The Vincent is a legend, thanks to its ultra-fast V-twin bikes that set records and were the fastest bikes to be had.
The 500cc singles were introduced with the 1948 post-war Series C Vincents, and were called Comet and Meteor. It was an effort to survive during the challenging post-war environment, but was not successful. Within a few years, big Vincents would be history.
The Vincents used twin front drum brakes, probably bought from a supplier.
Owner Bob Marcherione showed us around, as shared his latest find: a rare original Abarth crankshaft, for the 750cc Fiat 600-based engines. It’s a jewel, but will not end up a paperweight; it’s going into a 1958 Abarth Zagato that’s being restored.
It’s end up in here, to make the engine all-original.
These splendid little Abarths are a specialty of the Sports Car Shop, and I’ve seen a number of them come through here, and sold to well-heeled buyers, as they’re fetching into the six figures now, thanks to their hand-beaten alloy bodies and all-round superb workmanship.
These are built to the same standards as the contemporary Ferraris and such, in very limited quantities, which explains their collectability and value.
On the way out, we had to take in this little Bantam “cute ute”, a cartoonish vehicle if ever there was one. Goofy needs to be behind the wheel.
Across the street from the Sports Car Shop sat this slightly ratty Chevelle Malibu coupe, and it made a fitting contrast to what we had been immersed in. Welcome back to the real world!
Enough of cars for one day; Ingvar and I have other interests too, including architecture and old houses. And an early morning flight the next day kept us from staying up late.
So how does one score a visit to the Hotel Curbsidelandia? If you’ve written at least five or more posts, you’ve got a free pass (airfare not included). Since we can’t afford to pay our writers, that’s the least we can do.
“(I’m just trying to get Philhawk going).”
Touche Sir. 🙂
They’re Mazda MX-3 wheels. It’s interesting; the intersection of ’80s cubism and ’90s organic style doesn’t match, but it does keep the whole thing “Japanese quirky,” and in some way, with six spokes, they do everything but suggest speed.
I always hated those wheels on the MX-3 GS; I thought they came close to spoiling what was otherwise an agreeable if not especially svelte little car.
The Chevelle is gorgeous, despite its condition and someone PUL-LEASE save that poor iMark!
The Chevelle’s color triggered a memory and sent me to the family albums to find this picture of my cousin’s brand new 69 SS 396. Imagine getting one of these when you’re 16-17 years old. From any angle they were great looking cars. My Dad’s cool little Falcon Ranchero is behind it. Good times.
Damn, what a lucky kid!!
That 50 Cadillac is insane.
Really like that grey Bug.
Wow! That was quite a post…!
Paul,
Is that the same white Volvo 245 that Michael Freeman purchased and wrote about in one of his “Cars of a Lifetime” features two years ago?
No; different license plate. There’s more than one around:)
Hah!
That was great, Paul, a magnificent start to the day! Looks like Guy Fieri is in town with his Camaro getting another tattoo…
I don’t know who he is, but as a matter of fact, he was in town yesterday (thanks to google), checking out a bunch of restaurants in that neighborhood. And that is one of his cars. Good catch!
Interesting! The first celebrity CC, or have we had others?
Yeah, that’s Guy Fieri’s Camaro, all right – trailered everywhere, he just sits in it and moves it 5 feet for the camera.
Sorry, but I have ill thoughts to almost all trailer-queens. DRIVE THE STUPID THINGS!
What a great article and I love the 91-96 Caprice, thanks for photographing it. The Flairside F-150 with a matching cap is neat as well.
I have been on the West Coast for nearly 2 years and am visiting Central New York next month. I feel like I am going to experience culture shock especially since most of the vehicles in these photos no longer exist over there.
The Winnebago in the parking lot. Few years ago I have seen one travelling through a bordercrossing checkpoint between Hungary and Serbia. The engine sounded great…by its sound (maybe) it was a V6. Obviously a gasoline one with automatic transmission (?). This Winnebago is based upon the Renault-Chevrolet Trafic / Opel-Vauxhall Arena chassis. The engines and manual transmissions were totally different as well in the Trafic/Arena.
Great post! Perhaps I can convince my wife that we need to visit Oregon for next year’s vacation.
Whew – quite a tour. It’s funny, some (like the VWs, the Town Car and the Aurora) are seen with some frequency in the midwest, at least during the warmer months. Others, like that old Econoline, may as well be a passenger pigeon.
It just now occurs to me – I see a booming business venture in Personalized Luxury Curblandia Tours. Done properly, you could make quite a living at this, and could then pay all of the contributors the six figure annual incomes that we deserve! 🙂
“The ultimate B-Body wagon.”
A gruesome pun and a great post.
Now I feel like a dummy for having missed the double meaning there.
Sounds like a fun day. It certainly made for a fun read.
Make that a triple: “ultimate” as in final and “body” as in… well, you know. :0
“broughamized…the only way to go!”
Boom!
“Feet First, In Style.”
GREAT post ! .
I’m loving that Caddy and the Trumpet too .
How much Dinero is the ‘ Toe Burner ‘ ’56 Typ 113 ? .
I assume that crankshaft will be polished in the journals before fitment .
I hope Ingvar enjoyed his visit 1/10th as much as I enjoyed reading this article .
-Nate
I didn’t ask. Google “The Sports Car Shop”, and it might be on their website, or you can contact Bob directly.
There is a restored 57 up the street from me – they are asking $31,995:
http://www.carsclassic.com/stock/1957%20VOLKSWAGEN%20BETTLE%20DELUXE%20SUNROOF%20TYPE%201.html
He said the price on the Abarth was about 135 grand in that condition. And it wasn’t even finished yet.
Yeah, it was a total blast. It was really nice seeing Paul and his lovely wife Stephanie in person. And they were so kind to me. And I’m very thankful for the opportunity to meet them. It was fun.
I hate to see that 1800 es behind bars like that. I’ve always had a soft spot for those little wagons. Speaking of Swedes, it sounds like Ingvar had a good time here in the good ol’ Pacific Northwest. It’s pretty amusing that an American car would remind him of home, but then again, seeing a Volvo in Europe would remind ME of home.
I am jealous of the opportunity to see Curbsidelandia from a native!
I’m so lucky to live here. I could tell you where half the cars (if not more) in the pictures are right now.
More than one 1st-gen Ram 50/D50? 1st-gen Topaz? An XT? Just those three once common but now hen’s teeth are impressive enough. The inhabitants of the Sports Car Shop are almost overload.
Pizza Research Institute is a great name!
I imagine a bunch of people making pizzas in white lab coats and holding clipboards. 🙂
Way cool tour, Beeza engine looks like a DB34 with inch and a half valves the last model, and thats the model dak dak I used to drive at school, super slow. Vincent is a Comet 500 the blueprints for 2 laid back to back became the Vtwin shadow hence the 47 degree V so the gear train lined up.
The Box Town Car, a vehicle I usually have no love for, looks terrific in that color. The Cadillac needs A Lot of Love and the Chevelle looks the freshest, if that makes sense, despite being one of the oldest and best selling cars in the post.
The Cadillac gets plenty of love; it’s his soul mate. This is how he wants it to be. That may be hard for an OCD person to get, but this is Eugene, not Beverly Hills. A different mind-set.
There’s nothing “Beverly Hills” about giving this car a paint job. I get wanting a patina-ed look and would myself prefer a faded original over a perfectly restored car. But this one SITS OUTSIDE and is deteriorating, just compare the new pics to the old. No I’m not buying the “healing rain” argument, water on exposed metal causes it to rust no matter where you’re at.
He should repaint it in single stage enamel. In a year’s time, if he leaves it outside and doesn’t wax it, it will look pretty close to the way it did three years ago, without the rot.
Mr. Cadillac owner if you’re reading this your car is my favorite ever at CC, I’m just trying to motivate you!
You’re “not buying the healing rain”? I was hoping to sell it by the gallon. 🙂
Seriously, I’ve learned that it’s best to just accept and appreciate folks’ cars for how they are and how they want to keep them, especially in a place like Eugene. To each their own….
Also the ’80’s hearse long wheelbase Buick Estate Wagon, the early ’90’s Chevy Caprice 4 door sedan and the Oldsmobile Aurora could be kinda faves of mine. Of course all other vehicles are making this article very enjoyable. Especially that neat little Triumph Herald.
Nice,I like the Chevelle and the Triumph Bonneville.The BSA Gold Star was capable of showing it’s exhaust to the bigger Harley Davidsons on flat tracks well into the 60s and long after production ceased.
I’d never heard of the twin cam MG until now,a well kept secret.
Had that town car. Mine was an 86 signature series and was identical. Then I promptly forgot about it as I got lost in eugene. This is a great post and I assume some of them may get their own cc.
Don’t think I ever saw a one lung vincent “in the metal”.
Great way to start the day. Thanks Paul.
Hey, I think I barely squeak in under the rules for Curbsidelandia tours.
I had considered a combination tour of Roslyn WA (Another quirky TV show pilgrimage) and Eugene but sadly my business trip to Coeur d’Alene was only a one-off.
At least I have tentative spousal approval for the Auburn gathering in the fall…
Great post. Those Smith gauges are pure art.
“(Update: we have a Celebrity CC find here. Guy Fieri happened to be in town, and was checking out a few local eateries for his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”.”
Wow what are the chances of that. I think everyone who has seen Triple D more than once wonders the same thing… is that the same Camaro in every show or are there loaners? It’s like part of the show’s schtick, that question not the car.
Seems like an extraordinary expense for the 5 sec shot in each episode. Maybe the crew travels to each city by truck and has something for the car to piggy-back on?
Maybe the crew travels to each city by truck and has something for the car to piggy-back on?
Undoubtedly. It’s part of the “set”.
Actually Guy is a big Chevy nut. I remember reading somewhere that the ’69 droptop is one of his actual rides, along with an El Camino, a Chevelle and some others I cant remember. But he’s a genuine car guy….or at least has a good case of the ‘bug’.
There are at least two Camaro convertibles that have been used in the show. One is a 1967 and the other is a ’68; I have never paid enough attention to notice whether or not there are more than one of each model.
That makes sense. Probably one on each coast and a couple in between. It wouldn’t surprise me if Guy has fans who offer their cars for free, perhaps through a Camaro/Chevy club.
I’m with -Nate – I hope Ingvar enjoyed his visit 1/10th as much as I enjoyed reading this article .
Large dark area in middle of each photo. Must be dirt on sensor – thanks billchrest
Don’t remind me…I destroy a camera about once a year, by getting dust into the sensor via the tele-lens. Maybe I should get an underwater camera? But I need one asap; these are all “stained”.
My camera is doing that now too–fortunately it’s off to one side and I can frame the picture to avoid it and crop it out later.
That was a fantastic read.
The Benz station wagon strikes a cord with me.
The Abarth Zagato is true eye candy.
Amazing tour, as usual.
Fantastic tour!!! I know you guys had plenty to look at, but I would’ve loved to see some shots of that XJ-C.
If there was any doubt about Eugene being the epicentre of Curbsidelandia, there can’t be now……
I’d take the MGA Twin Cam, and go the mountains, or the PCH, though the Camaro might be tempting.
There is a Twin-Cam MGA here in the Quad Cities. It is a regular at the British Autofest held every August–it was held just this past Saturday, as a matter of fact. A beautifully restored car, in black with red leather interior.
I love the old homes. So many in the Midwest have been renovated (“updated” with wood paneling, for instance!) numerous times and have none of the original character. Many are lost to the elements…beams popping during sub-zero winter nights, weathering from the prairie winds, etc.
What type of material is the siding on the green home in the Caprice picture? I love the original windows on the lower level. Beautiful.
I want to see more of that Willys wagon! Yea, they’ve been covered on here before but even just some better pics will do. You could show a million pics of old Willys, double it, triple that and it STILL wouldn’t get old.
That tutone brown Dodge ram 50 looks to be pretty cherry. I know theyre just a Mitsu in disguise and they don’t have the aftermarket support that Toyotas do….but Ive always liked the lines of those 1st gen mini-Rams. Especially with the 4 eye front clip.
Glad to see Triple D hitting Eugene. They’ve been up here in Portland (the ultimate foodie town, btw) about a half dozen times…Ive stumbled onto some real good food on account of Guy. Im still wanting him to hit Apizza Scholls and Fire on the Mountain…2 of my personal favorites.
What a cruise! The ’67 Mercury and the yellow Ford F-250 really speak to me.
It’s good to see that more of us are able to start meeting up with each other; it does add a welcome new dimension to visiting here.
Jesus, what an honour, Paul. I didn’t see this article until this minute, so I’m sorry I haven’t replied until now. Well, I’m speechless…
I knew you were traveling. How’s Chicago?
Chicago was fun. And now I’m back home in Sweden.
I just have to thank you again for the opportunity, it was tremendous fun. And I didn’t expect you to write something about it, so I feel very honoured. Thank you.
Nice tour. I really need to get to Eugene and check out the CC eye candy firsthand. Great write up, as usual. The 67 Mercury is the same color as the one we had around 1970, except ours was a four door. The oval 56 is cool, love the early dash on these. What a great collection of CC’s.
Paul, I know you’re not the biggest Panther fan, but I am going to continue in my attempt to further endear you to their charms. The one you found appears to be a 1988, as it has the vertical-bar grille, taller “Mark style” hood ornament and Lincoln nameplate above the driver’s side headlights. 1989 Town Cars received a more modern font, and the nameplate was moved to the grille. It also has the Dual-Shade paint, which was not especially common. The lower color is Rose Quartz, which was the color of my grandfather’s 1987 Continental sedan.
And yes, the wire wheel covers would not be my first choice, but these look most excellent in dark blue or maroon with the Turbine alloys!
I can hardly believe it. the shot of the beige ’67 VW right behind a blue 2nd gen Honda Fit. Those are my first and current rides, in the same exact colors. The VW even has the pop out rear side windows mine had.
I am happy to see that Ingvar enjoyed his visit. The A-traktor piece is one of my all time favorites !
Paul, should I ever be loosed upon the Left Coast, I’ll be sure to look you up ! The sights and splendors of Eugene may just prove too difficult for me to overcome. I’ll will have to make sure that the checkbook stays with my better half. Here in Wisconsin CC’s don’t last long; however, my daily driver is a strangely optioned CC, a 1992 Chevrolet Silverado. It’s an extended cab short box truck, equipped with a 4.3 litre V-6 and a five speed manual transmission. I say it’s optioned strange, because these mostly came with an obligatory V-8 and automatic transmission. I’ll have to do a write up on it sometime. Currently sharing driveway space is my buddy’s 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger, equipped with dual tanks and a period correct aluminum truck cap. His other ride is a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass. I could write three articles just on our daily drivers!
Anyhow, it was a pleasure to read this article, and especially neat to see you and Ingvar together.