Saturday morning, I had to run down to the junkyad to pick up a couple of trim pieces to help out a neighbor (the trip is about ten miles each way). On my way out the door, I grabbed my new camera in the hope of catching an interesting Curbside Classic or two.
Bingo! Rolling down Silver Spur Drive, a Jag XKE pulled up next to me at the light. (CC #1) I had time for only one shot, since I can’t shift, steer and shoot pictures at the same time. However, this brief encounter did give me an idea: How many Curbside Classics could I find during a typical California Saturday drive? Answering that question required me to take all pictures from the driver’s seat, which (obviously) limited their quality; that said, allow me to share a typical day of CC spotting here in Southern California.
Once I hit the Pacific Coast Highway, I saw a couple of unique cars–a Tesla Model S, a mid-’90s Ferrari and an early-50s Chevy Hot Rod. All three passed me while my wheels were rolling, causing me to miss all three shots. However, a late-’70s Nova pulled up next to me at a stop light in San Pedro. (CC #2).
In the junkyard parking lot, I found three classics waiting for my camera. I’m pretty sure this ’79 or ’80 Pinto belongs to one of their employees, since I see it there rather often. It has the rare, one-piece glass hatch option first offered in 1977. Too bad I couldn’t post it in time for Pinto Day. (CC #3)
When my Dad bought our 1977 Pinto wagon, he mentioned the glass hatch option. As I recall, Dad thought it provided a lot of bang for 75 bucks and really improved the looks of the car. OK, Dad, if you say so….
Although this big Chevy four-door (CC #4) may also have been an employee’s car, I know a number of CC readers and contributors who’d like to put it in their own driveway.
This nice, short-bed Chevy pickup (CC #5) left shortly after my arrival, but I’ve always considered this generation of GM pickups the best looking out there.
The first junkyard didn’t have the pieces I needed, so I headed across PCH to a sister yard about five blocks away. The first car I spotted on the way there was this Olds (CC #6); covered in LA fallout (grimy dust), I suspect it may be at the end of its life cycle. Still, it was sitting in a residential area and not in the junkyard’s receiving lot.
While sitting at a light, waiting to cross PCH, I spotted this Cobra (CC #7) off to my left. Nowadays, there’s about a one-in- seven chance of it being the real thing, but most towns don’t even have a fake Cobra plying the streets, much less a real one.
As my eyes tracked the Cobra across the street, a flash of red caught my attention in the form of this early-’50s Chevy (CC #7) sitting at a tire shop. Given the setting, let’s assume the stovebolt six has been replaced with something more suited to grinding tread on the pavement.
After I crossed PCH, I found six cars in quick succession (CCs # 8-14). First was this ’76-’79-ish Nova two-door. While the wheels aren’t stock, the car itself looks reasonably well-preserved.
Next up, this very clean Eldorado–a bit newer than the others, and clearly prime CC material.
This Impala also looks clean, but I much prefer the Caprice trim on this generation of Chevy.
This fourth vehicle is a delight, right down to its fender skirts. Of course, it goes without saying that few trucks back in the day featured such a broad selection of accessories and brightwork.
The fifth car in this neighborhood is one of my all-time favorite A-bodies. I know many folks encourage patina, but I’d love to see this car fully restored, preferably in electric blue, or perhaps a deep shade of maroon.
Finally, number six of the group: a ’71-’73-era Mustang. Since all early Mustangs are tied up in the hands of people who think their car is worth top dollar, these later ones are starting to get hot. This is the more desirable fastback model.
I know it’s hard to believe, but I did find all six of these cars in a five-block drive between two junkyards. Having lived in Denver for 30 years, I can assure you that the streets of California yield far more classics-per-mile.
The parking lot of the second junkyard also yielded a couple of pictures. First up is this Firebird, (CC #15) which wears “400” emblems on its hood.
I’m not sure if this mid-’60s Dodge pickup (CC #16) was in running condition. While reviewing my photos, I realized it’s the only Mopar in the collection and thus felt compelled to include it.
Finally, this first-generation MR2 (CC #17). All I can say is, “Well cared for–but tragically trimmed.”
The second yard had the parts I wanted, including a bumper cap. It was minus a couple of plastic ears, so I stopped at Pep Boys to pick up some epoxy for the repair. On the way out, I spotted this early-’80s Corolla (CC #18) parked across the street.
Then, up the street from the Corolla, I spotted this mid-’70s X-body (CC #19). I didn’t drive by it, but I’m guessing Buick Skylark.
Heading home, I pulled up behind this second-generation CR-X (CC #20) while turning onto Crenshaw from PCH. I missed a number of cars while I was driving, but I did capture all those nice enough to stop for me.
Near the end of my drive I spotted this Roadmaster (CC #21) pulling out behind me. I pulled over to let it catch up, but its owner opened up the throttle plates and zoomed by so fast I only caught this fleeting glimpse of its tailgate.
Finally, since I’d captured both Toyota and Honda two-seaters, I thought I’d throw in this Mazda for the trifecta. I couldn’t shoot this one from my car, because it is my car. 😉
So there’s my Saturday drive. As I mentioned, I also passed some newer cars that, while common in California, are unusual in other areas. I believe the final count was as follows:
Tesla Model S: 3
Chevy Volt: 2
Ferrari: 3
At this writing, the Model S might be more common around here than the new Dodge Dart. I spot one every two or three days, but can recall seeing a Dart only once last week.
Drop me a line next time you visit–I’ll give you some ideas for the best car-spotting.
Wow, you certainly see more classics on a trip to the Junkyard than I ever would. I’m not usually a GM guy, but I’ll take the Firebird please..
I think you’re a bit optimistic on the odds of that Cobra being real. Wouldn’t that be more like 1000:1 ??
+1 on that Firebird,lots of nice cars spotted well done thank you
Love the CRX, one of my favorite cars of all time! Wish pickups still had the simple style of that blue short bed Chevy.
Ho hum, another Cobra replica. Genuine Cobras aren’t that overbuilt.Now, where I’ll be REALLY impressed is if someone can photograph an AC Ace on the street. For that matter, I’ll settle for parked in a museum.
Someone here built a 289 racer replica it is an exact all alloy bodied copy of the 5 Carroll Shelby made if I see that one I’d shoot it but the tupperware fakes I dont bother with them
Yeah, I’ve run across a couple of replicas that were evidence that the builder actually bothered to look at detailed pictures of the originals. They’re usually quite sweet. Unfortunately, most of the ones I’ve seen on the street have gotten stylistic advice from the local 14 year old car junkie.
This one would fool Carrol its exact
I will see you and raise you some….
Although the primary object of this photograph was the Shelby Mustang, you can see on the right side of the photograph – a 1963 AC Cobra MK II. The real deal, not a replica, and a MK II, not the more often seen and more often replicated MK III. Unfortunately I cannot find a more direct shot, but those models had 289.
The shot was taken on the grounds of McPherson College at their annual C.A.R.S. Open House and car show. One of these days I will write up a CC on that weekend, a very unique experience with some incredibly unique both rare and just different cars on display.
Dash shot of the Shelby Mustang. These cars were authentic and owned by a very well known Shelby collector.
+1
“Finally, since I’d captured both Toyota and Honda two-seaters, I thought I’d throw in this Mazda for the trifecta. I couldn’t shoot this one from my car, because it is my car. ;-)”
That explains a lot; some of those shots were from such a low angle I wondered if your were in a Caterham…
Loving that 1986 Olds Delta 88, especially with the unusual sporty-looking wheel covers and vinyl roof combo. This one is an ’86 because it has the quad sealed beam headlights. Those wheels were the standard ones that year as well.
I went junkyarding on Thursday got what I wanted but the CCs were nowhere near as good as you found a Rover MG mid engined car was in the scrapyard driveway but the young maori girl fitting a battery to it said it was the worst car she’d ever owned so I didnt try to shoot it she was parked behind a 80s Dodge ram but you guys see thousands of those so I kept clear of my camera. I saw a paddock of old cars mostly Rootes on the way home and they are on the cohort but nothing really unusual I already had my only one in the country rear axle so I was happy.
Love the goat in the van.
Goats are meant to be housed here I guess they just dragged that kennel in
Nice Saturday drive!
Agreed it is typical for LA to see such a wide and strange variety of cars.
About the Teslas…in LA it seems to be the 2nd best selling car next to the Volt right now. They’re almost as common as a BMW. A neighbor recently bought a white one…always parked in the driveway so he can be sure everybody can see what he got.
Also spotted frequently are Fisker Karmas (not to mention Justin Biebers chrome plated monstrosity, which almost blinded me one day on the 101). Interestingly, the Karma makes a really cool Star Wars sound when it’s in motion; reminds me of the sound of the fighter ships in the original movies.
Finally, a guy down the road in Encino is selling his black 83 Eldo (like the one above) with 80k miles…for $15k. He’s about $10k too high, but its a nice looking ride anyway…
Today’s CC was brought to you by the letter G and the letter M.
I like the plain 77 Impala for some reason, with the seatbelt caught in the door parked with the window rolled down in an “I don’t give a crap” style. I could see The Dude driving that after his Torino was killed by the nihilists.
Leads, yeah, sure. I’ll just check with the boys down at the crime lab, they’ve got four more detectives working on the case. They got us working in shifts!
I wouldn’t hold out much hope for the briefcase….or the Credence….
Lodged against a what!?!
I love visiting Southern California, where else can you see non restored 66 Mustangs in decent shape still being used as daily drivers.
I Forget until you point this out, I remember thinking when I moved to LA, “I like the cars” and I still do. It’s not ;like this anywhere else is it?
There’s nothing like an e type is there dear ,I can just picture it now dear wearing my fave bells and kaftan hair up in a chi yon …ooooh bona
One of the first times I noticed the surroundings before the cars. Whoa that Jag is right by the Red Onion! If you haven’t checked it out there is a Cars & Coffee at Silver Spur and Hawthorne on the first Saturday of every month.
A typical day in So Cal indeed. GM X-bodies everywhere like it was 1976 (love the stance on the brown Skylark). BTW the silver Nova is in Wilmington not San Pedro, SP is further south. You would know if you were there because your camera would be full of brick Volvos, aircooled VWs and G-body El Caminos.
I have a theory on that grime covered Olds. It’s those ******* leaf blowers that the gardeners use to clean up with. I don’t allow them to be used at my house or rentals because all they do is kick up the dust on the street so that it can resettle later on window sills and freshly washed cars. Between the dust, hydrocarbon and noise pollution these things are pure evil. Rake the leaves, leave the dust alone!
LA City tried outlawing them a few years back, even going as far as passing an ordinance with noise and proximity-to-building restrictions. Still the madness continues, I guess I’m one of the few really bothered by it.
Thanks for the shots and sorry about the rant!
Calibrick-
I know that neighborhood is Wilmington, but Pedro is more familiar to out of towners, and I didn’t want people thinking I had driven to Delaware…
Agree with you on the leaf blowers. It’s not just that they are gas-powered, they’re two-stroke (generally, there may be a 4-stroke blower out there), so the oily exhaust settles on everything. I used to love raking leaves when I was a kid–do kids even know what that’s like anymore? (Not in LA.)
#19 looks more like a ’75-79 Skylark
Not mid 80s
Right you are.
Where I live is the opposite of CA so it seems. The oldest car I saw (besides mine) on my 35 mile trip to work this morning was an ’88-’91ish Camry. Bleah!
My favorite of the bunch is the ’71-2 Cutlass: I like the angry front ends of these and like to see the beat-up ones too. I also like the trashed ’69 Impala, ’71-72 Mustang, and ’88-’89 CRX You captured my favorite view of what I think is the best looking Japanese car ever, next to the NSX & & 240Z.
You need to get down this way more often. I live in a very old neighborhood (house built 1927) and in the older areas of Charlotte and the surrounding towns are chock full of old product plying the street.
http://tinyurl.com/k49psn3
SoCal will give you Curbside Classics and just straight-up classics, if you’re lucky. Just in Pasadena, I’ve seen Citroen 2CVs, the only Lancia Aurelia roadster I’ve ever encountered in person, and just this past weekend, a 1948 Hudson out for a spin. San Diego is similarly endowed. It’s the confluence of well-to-do people with diverse hobbies, a large population which includes seemingly at least one example of just about everything, and weather that minimizes rust. 🙂
The 71-72 Mustang looks to be an actual Mach 1. Getting to be not many of those left with that kind of patina.
That old Mustang instantly reminded me of the original ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’. In fact, part of it was filmed right there in San Pedro / Wilmington. Other locations were Long Beach, Carson, and up and down Hawthorne Bl……H.B. Halicki’s (producer / star) salvage yard was on Vermont, just south of Artesia Bl. in Gardena.
Heh….
I was at Pick a Part just last week scavenging the front and rear control arms for my ’66 Biscayne project.
I love making the trip and yarding in that area.
I posted to the Cohort some of the CC’s I saw walking around San Francisco, Volvo 780, MGA, Land Rover, Ranchero, T&C wagon, late-60’s Eldorado etc.
If you see a cobra on the street, the chances of it being “60’s vintage” are about 1 in 10000. I have a replica and have been around cobras for years.