(first posted 8/5/2013) On a recent trip to the San Francisco bay area, I decided to check out one of the Eichler neighborhoods that dot the area. As mid-century architecture buffs know, The Eichler homes were developed in a number of tracts, mostly in Northern California but also near Los Angeles, by Joseph Eichler from the early-’50s through the late ’60s. There are many Eichler tracts, but we decided to go to one of those closest to San Francisco: a San Mateo tract that I learned had been developed between 1956 and 1964.
It turned out to be quite a charming area, set on a ridge with great views and somewhat secluded from the surrounding area. Many of its homes had retained their ’60s flair–which is not always the case in today’s age of McMansion-ization! Most of the homes there had either been thoughtfully restored, or were well-maintained originals with characteristic low-slung post-and-beam profiles, courtyards and such ’60s touches as block screens, brightly-colored doors, and either a flat or A-frame roof.
What I didn’t expect was the collection of classic (or at least uncommon) cars I saw there, all within a relatively small area with just a few streets. First up was this 1996-ish Buick Riviera–a favorite of mine, since I owned one for a number of years. I’m sure if one had pulled into the neighborhood back when these homes were new, it would have seemed like quite a glamorous car of the future, and deservedly so!
As I drove along, it began to look more and more like a scene from the Edward Scissorhands collection of pastel-colored Mopars in every driveway–and no wonder that movie came to mind when I rolled by this slightly dusty but stunning blue Duster, in front of this equally stunning modern home. I think they go rather well together.
But the sightings became even more unlikely as this poppy-color Citation– in surprisingly good shape considering it was sitting out in a driveway–came into view. I think it might have been an X-11, too! I was very tempted to enter the driveway for a closer look, but that’s a no-no.
And if it isn’t shocking enough to see an X these days, how about this nearly-mint J-car! This Olds Firenza hatchback (an SX coupe, no less) was in excellent shape and looked to be loaded: it even had a power antenna! Not to mention those mini-rally wheels. I would guess it’s from 1984 or so. What do you think?
I almost left a note on it, but I didn’t.
Finally, I saw this gold Monte Carlo (probably a 1972 model) in yet another driveway, relaxing with its hood slightly open. I like the 1973-77 models better, but it’s hard not to like this one in that brassy gold, despite my doubts about it being an original color. Why it was sitting out in the driveway, on a weekday, I don’t know, but seeing all these fun old cars made me wonder what else might be hiding behind all those sleek California Modern garage doors…
More house pics please!! As the son of an architect I am intrigued….
And pricing info, then (late fifties/early sixties) compared to today. What does it cost to buy a house in this little piece of Shangri-La..???
Jeremiah, there are quite a few Eichlers here in Orange County. Here’s an Eichler link if you’re interested, along with a couple to other Mid-century Modern sites.
http://www.eichlersocal.com/
http://www.gomod.com/modernhomes.asp
http://mid-century-modern.net/
Yes, as I grew up in OC, I remember Eichler homes. The downside of that look – and they are quite unusual and attractive homes in general – is the flat roof. A real PITA if not done right and properly maintained. Great pics of cars and houses!
More than just the flat roof. They were notoriously cheaply built, and do not age well. I did some work on one a few years ago where the slab had settled so badly that the far side of the floor was visibly lower than the entryway. And the sliding glass door onto the patio was completely jammed. Its frame simply no longer approximated a rectangle well enough for the door to move. There were other build quality issues as well, but that’s the only one I remember specifically.
Love that Riviera.
An X11 Citation…I haven’t seen one of those in person for a very very long time. I can still hear the idle rumble of those 2.8 HO engines.
Beautiful photos. They look like Robert Bechtle paintings.
good article. I want a Riv for a DD, but they’re either clapped-out, or supercharged…
Are you sure you didn’t cross a temporal drift somewhere and end up on the closed set for Sudden Impact?
I have a perverse want for that Firenza…..BAD.
Ooo, that Firenza is beautiful. The Firenza and Skyhawk were much nicer inside than the Cavalier/sunbird but they all still had nice, soft touch interiors that put today’s Rubbermaid plastics to shame. The quality of the materials used was very high. Now as to the way they were put together, or the other engineering/manufacture of the car . . . 🙁 But GM did know how to make a beautiful car.
The Firenza was my favorite of the cars I saw in the neighborhood. The Skyhawk/Firenza did have much nicer interiors than the Cavalier/Sunbird — the dash was much more Euro/Japanese in its design. I think the Cimarron would have benefited from sharing it, but I guess Cadillac wanted the more upright/traditional look — unfortunately it made the Cimarron that much more a thinly disguised Chevy! The loaded Firenzas (like this) and the Skyhawk LImited and T-type were just as plush and attractive inside as an Accord LX, but under the skin something was sadly amiss.
+1 – The Olds/Buick dashboard was much nicer and had a better layout than the Chevrolet/Cadillac one, although I know they all kinda mixed and matched and there were a few different designs.
This is actually somewhat similar to the ’82-’85 Accord dashboard.
Yes, that ad shows it nicely!
The Cimarron didn’t use the Firenza/Skyhawk dash because it didn’t exist yet when the Cimarron was introduced (alongside the Cavalier and J2000) in the spring of 1981. The Firenza and Skyhawk were delayed until about January 1982. The Olds/Buick dash looks like a clone of those from Nissan/Datsun in the early ’80s.
The higher-trimmed Firenzas were also the only J body to have distinctive inner door trim which resembled that in the Toronado some, with a big armrest with storage inside and a separate pull strap that wasn’t attached to the armrest.
I can picture a ’63 Continental in torquise metallic in front of one of these houses…
Great pictures, and the well preserved old cars go well with the well preserved old houses.
I love the garages with clerestory windows, and the opaque screen by the Duster!
It’s wonderful to explore a intact high design Mid-Century neighborhood – it’s great that not all have been torn down!
We almost bought one of those houses up there a few years ago – that is the area in San Mateo near the intersection of Highways 92 and 280, right? There are also a lot of Eichlers in Palo Alto as well as San Rafael. Great pix and yes, that area is rife with CC’s.
Love the Citation. Looks like a custom color but well selected. It’s nice to see so many blue plates in one neighborhood I get the feeling homes don’t change hands there very often. We have some nice Eichlers in LA too, I like them a lot.
Yes. That firenza is very nice, being a fully loaded car Im assuming it probably came with the 2.8 and an automatic and probably no handling package. I’ll take it anyway and while I like the mini rally wheels Id take the 15″ alloys just to fill out the qheel wells
Not that early, you can barely make out the “Overhead Cam” emblem on the front fender, meaning this has the 1.8 OHC 4 banger, the 2.8 came out in 1985 or so. I would have to guess this around an 84 from the parking lights.
Yeah, this was definitely one of the earlier years, before facelifts and V6s were offered. I don’t know if that’s an OHC/FI badge or not, but the Sunbird did feature such badging on the 1.8 models. If I’m not mistaken, the engines were sourced from Brazil!
Nope, the ’82 and ’83 had a slightly different front with less chrome and without attached wraparound side marker lamps. This is at earliest from ’84, but from before the hatchback was discontinued.
I see lots of driveway classics, street parking isnt very popular here. but the view from a truck is rather good in fenced suburbs it makes a lousy photography platform though unless stopped.
A few reasons why I like to watch Lt. Columbo: old cars, the scenery and the beautiful houses.
And the typical snob-murderer drove a Euro-car. (BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Citroën SM, Bentley, Rolls Royce) Apparently there’s some sort of causality.
I love it for the same reasons, but I remember plenty of Cadillac (Eldos, usually) and Lincolns.
All murderers were “upper-class”. None of them drove a Nova or Pinto.
Ah, a kindred spirit! I have all the old Columbo series on dvd and do the same thing…
I’m sure Junqueboy will step in with the definitive answer, but I seem to recall an awful yellow-gold that Chevrolet put on cars in 1971 (and that year only, as I recall).
That Duster is a 72, the only year with those long taillights. My college roomie had a red 72 much like this one, and it was always an odd looking rear end compared with all the others.
Love the mid-century architecture.
Duh J car. One of the great GM debacles of the late 20th century. Sued and constantly recalled by the US government, sales fell by half every year of its short and embarrassing life. Granted ‘ya can’t win ’em all, but this dog was truly special.
“Chevrolet Citation
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
Chevrolet Citation Overview
The Chevrolet Citation was a groundbreaking car when it bowed for model-year 1980, and at one point was America’s best-selling automobile. But as this article makes clear, the Chevrolet Citation is better remembered today as a design failure.”
Do you even have a little bit of a clue about WTF you’re talking about?
Lets start off with the fact that you a confusing the J-car and the X-car and then…. you know what, its easier to just call you ignorant and be done with it, go back to TTAC, thanks bye……
I’d also argue with the “Auto Editors of Consumer Guide” here that the Citation/X-cars were a massive design success, but an equally huge failure in execution. A transversely mounted FWD V6 was revolutionary at the time and in many ways, it set the template for all modern mid-size sedans (even though it was a hatchback).
I am actually preparing a write up of just such a thing for my last hurrah. If GM’s decision to go FWD wasn’t monumental enough, the decision to build a transverse V6 followed close behind. There was serious argument in engineering circles as to whether it could be done. The E cars benefitted by low volume and high prices, that style of design not easily replicated. People to this day do not realize the extent of change and development that went on during that era going from RWD to FWD. It was akin to the fall of the Soviet Union, what you thought the world was like for 70 years changed completely in a few short years.
Last hurrah? Don’t leave!
Yeah, “last hurrah” WTF?! Say it aint so…
+1
Someone needs to put this man on the payroll.
seems they had dollars back in the day and are living off the remaining pennies… reminds me of the Astors.
Great architecture and an astounding Firenza. That has to be the nicest one I’ve ever seen! Looks like it just left the showroom floor!
Not quite showroom, but I think it would clean up to pretty close. If it wasn’t 300 miles from where I live, I probably would have left a note on it! Although I would get a lot of flak for having a car like that!
I wish I could get my wife to move out of this hell on earth we call New England!
I am so jealous of all the places that preserve cars like this instead of eating them away in 5 or 10 years. The only one of these that I may be able to see around here is a Riviera. Its getting rare to see even the latest model year J-body. Forget the Mopar and the Monte. Long long gone from normal street duty.
That’s why we moved to North Carolina. I liked Michigan for obvious reasons, but got tired of having summer cars and winter cars. it’s an ideal compromise weather wise, bearable in summer but no snow and only gets cold enough to kill the bugs but not make you hibernate. Plus people love cars and being the home of NASCAR. In the older neighborhoods you see a lot of CC’s newer neighborhoods with transplants not so much.
I will post a pic when I find it, but my yellow Eldorado blends nicely with my house.
Sound almost like heaven on earth. I live in eastern Canada and it sufers from the same classic car downfalls as New England. Most classic cars are brought in from places like North Carolina, California etc etc. And when they arrive their price seems to fly into the strattusphere. I wish I could live in an area like NC.
What’s really crazy is that, just a few hours ago, I was perusing the Eichler website, just because I’m a floor plan junky.
Great pictures, love that Monte Carlo.
The Rivvy? Ick. IMHO not much better looking than the fishfaced ’96-’99 Taurus/Sable twins. Citations, they give me nightmares. Did some repairs on a friend’s many years back and on the test drive the hood flew open at speed. the striker just pulled loose fron the hood’s inner structure. Now that Firenza… hmmmm… kinda like that little ride.
+1. There are a few of these Rivieras around in SoCal. Some young kids were driving a very nicely preserved one (grandma’s car?) next to me in traffic on Wilshire Bl the other night. Once again I thought what an ugly car – didn’t like them when new and they don’t look any better to me now.
The Eichler homes need a canted fin Continental from 1958-1960 in the driveway. No matter – I do like that so many of the owners have these older cars on display. Those of us in CA are very fortunate to live in a climate that is kind to cars. A daily walk around my neighborhood is like being in a car museum in other parts of the country.
A little research into these Eichler homes in Palo Alto and San Mateo shows prices ranging from about $800K for original condition to $1.5 mil for completely redone homes. And they’re flying off the shelves at these price levels. Wow, unbelievable for what were originally tracts of merchant built homes. A lot of these were designed by A.Quincy Jones, one of my professors at the USC School of Architecture in the mid-sixties. But, that mid-century style is in high demand these days, as is evident here in the desert area.
That said, what would suit these homes to a “T,” in addition to the finny Continentals, would be the Jetson’s style late 50’s or early 60’s cars that complement this “atomic modern” design idiom, maybe a ’60 or ’61 Ford Sunliner convertible, or a ’60 or ’61 Plymouth or Dodge sport coupe, or a ’59 or ’60 GM model (I don’t see a Cadillac here, though!). These 70’s and ’80’s cars shown, while legitimate CC’s in their own right, seem a generation or two removed from the Eichler designs, IMHO.
Oh, yes – Eichlers – in fact, I live in one. And yes, the prices are in line with being in the San Francisco Bay Area (sky high). And some owners of these houses are somewhat cultish in their devotion to these designs.
Unfortunately, I don’t have vintage cars to go with the mid-century modern house (as what they’re called). Just a blah Camry and a Civic. Though I would love a suicide-door Lincoln if I could…
I have a bit of a soft spot for the Riv just for being the last of a dead breed.. the full-sized personal luxury coupe.
I always liked them, I sold them for a little while back in 98-99, the last years o f them, what a nice car those were, quiet as a tomb, great seats, they could just eat up the miles, and a very pretty car, anyone that compares this to one of those awful melted mutant Taurs/Sables needs a cane and dog…..
+1. I still remember getting the newest AutoWeek out of our mailbox when I was 14. It had the ’95 Riv on the cover. I just had to check out the article, standing there on our front walk. Loved it then, and now. Reminds me of a road-going Chris-Craft speedboat…
I liked that you could get a bench seat and column shifter in it! Though only through ’96, after that buckets and console only.
I think you should take another look at the last Riv. It’s one of my favorite cars of the ’90s, and I owned one for 9 years. It couldn’t be more different from the concurrent Taurus/Sable! Both used ovoid forms, but the detailing is so much better on the Riviera, inside and out. Note the tapered boattail rear, a subtle homage to the 1971-73 Riviera. Also notice the unusual dash design with full-width overhang and deeply scooped out round gauges, subtly reminiscent of the 1963-65 Riviera. While the design was quite round, it also had many crisp elements including the hard faceted line that runs the entire length of the car at the fender top. It doesn’t look good from every angle (the side view is its worst) but from front 3/4 and rear 3/4, it’s gorgeous (IMO!) If only Buicks were still this distinctive…
Mint green 1973 Riviera spotted this weekend.
Rear
Interior
Monte and Mopar win.
And yes, moar houses pics please.
There are a few of these time-capsule Modern developments in metro Boston. Interesting to roll through and see what people have done to make the places more livable, setting aside the ones that have been lobotomized into “colonials” or whatever. One near me has a new Fiat 500 out front, painted an uber-60s pistachio color that matches an accent panel on the house.
Be still, my heart!
If nobody else wants to show that Monte some love, I will.
Had one that was in pretty good shape and was gonna fix it up, but life happened and it had to go.
I wonder how energy efficient and well built these Eichler houses are? They sure do look nice and pleasing to the eye. All those vehicles are nice, especially the Riviera, but I am somewhat surprised to see so many domestics, especially these kind (ie the J-Body and X-Body) in the Bay Area. The vintage license plates are also nice, but I wonder if the Riviera is from out of state due to the lack of a front plate?
Eichlers were definitely built on a budget because they were intended to be “affordable” MCM homes. All have a slab foundation with the plumbing imbedded in the concrete. I know folks who replaced the galvanized pipes with copper just to have it happen again because they didn’t wrap the copper. We know now concrete will corrode through copper if not wrapped.
Lots of glass in these, and it wasn’t double pane, so insulation is not so good. But who cares when you have such a nice open feeling and live where it’s not too cold or hot. With that much glass it’s best to have steel construction but that’s cost prohibitive so it was usually wood beam in these with some steel here and there.
When you shut the front door there is more vibration than you would expect, kind of like on a 2-door hardtop.
Thanks for the info and I did not realize you could replace pipes embedded in cement without breaking the cement up. I do not know if single pane glass has this problem in the Bay Area, but here in Central New York the glass sweats depending on circumstances and rots the wood around the glass. Wonder how these do in an Earthquake? Guess since they are still there after the 1989 one they are good enough.
Thank you for the information.
Cool pictures, Chris. I am also a vintage architecture fan and love the houses as much as the cars!
That 1972 Monte Carlo with the orangey-gold color really stands out. Unfortunately, the roll-up garage doors aren’t original – and IMO detract from the original Eichler look with the sliders.
It could be that the current owners of the house have converted their garage into living space. Those Eichlers were beautifully designed, and they evoke their time and place so beautifully–but (like all postwar California tract houses, one of which I grew up in) they were small by today’s standards. It seems there are indeed many people in this world who would rather have an extra bedroom or two than a garage (of course, these people do not visit CC).
The Citation is an X11; the decals are gone but the black paint around the window, spoiler, and body color bumpers were only used on the X11. The low-back seats and new-style mirrors identify it as an ’83 or later. If I could better get a view of the dash, I could tell if it were an ’85 with this revamped interior:
.
If I had to drive a J-car, I’d look for a well-optioned Oldsmobile Firenza four-door sedan with those optional wheels. Firenzas weren’t too common even when new.
I teach at the community college in San Mateo and actually saw the Firenza yesterday coming into the Laurelwood shopping center. It grabbed my eye half because of the pristine condition of the car, and half because of its clean, original CA blue plates. So it’s still a daily for whomever owns it some five years after this article was originally written.
Looks like a walk through heaven. My next trip to CA in a few months – this will be on the agenda.