Sunday feels like a good day to check out a few families of the past, with their respective family vehicles. At least, I believe most are families, and in the old sense of the word. The extended one; with grandpa, granny, the kids, and more.
In some of these shots, a few are proud to have the whole gang around the family car. In others, the rides are on some day trip or errand. Regardless, the shots are fun and varied, and so are the vehicles.
Here is our family in the 60s with our yellow 1960 Ford Wagon. My dad was taking the photo and the gentleman in the front was our good friend Jose visiting from Mexico. I am the adorable boy sitting on the roof of our wagon. Not sure where our sister was on this day.
Twin 1950 (or so) Buick Dynaflows out for soft serve ice cream (pic 8).
Looks like the good life to me (father says don’t eat the ice cream inside the car).
“Dairy Creme”!! Gotta love that name and spelling!
When these vintage pics are colour corrected and restored to perfection, it’s scary how relatable they become. Like you know some of these people. Seems hard to believe people drove salmon-coloured cars at one time, given today’s level of colour conformity.
Whether the owners are wealthy or of modest means, lots of pride here. In their family, and their choice of cars.
The metallic light mauve Buick Electra (fifth pic) is stunning. Especially, in the tropical setting with the palm tree.
In the pre-mandatory seat belt era, I have lots of memories of being in the far back of my parent’s station wagons, with other kids. Playing board games or just talking, on the way to our daytrip destinations.
The color on that Electra is terrific. Does anyone know if that was an original color? I don’t think I’ve ever seen an original color like that on a period car.
Yes, it was called Lido Lavender by Buick for ’59. I came very close to buying a 4 dr flat-top/hardtop in that color out of New Mexico a few years ago
How do you know it’s an Electra?
First picture is a 1952 Canadian Pontiac. My parents had a maroon 2 door that I came home from the hospital in 1955.
Thanks -I was thinking that was likely a Canadian Pontiac due to its Chevy taillights but Pontiac chrome on the trunk lid, but I really had no idea what Canadian GM cars of that era looked like and was not sure.
When I first looked at the picture, my initial reaction was that the plates looked like 1950’s New Brunswick plates. The pictures are a little too fuzzy to confirm – the atmosphere is reminiscent of the time and place though.
All are great and worthy of a prolonged close look, but the ’59 Buick is truly amazing. What a shot!
Yep ;
All are out standing and happy pictures .
They take me back to the 1950’s .
-Nate
I can totally relate to the boy with the dog in front of the Dodge. It’s not JUST that he would rather be with his dog than posing for a family picture, but it’s also that his dad is insisting on having the whole family stare into the sun while the picture is taken. Neither the boy or his dog are happy with that.
My family albums are chock full of pictures of me looking miserable in similar situations where my dad has just finished yelling at me to “take off the sunglasses and look at the camera!”.
Interesting that the 7th photo is a post-merger Hudson “Hash.” I suspect they sold more post-1954 Nashes than Hudsons.
Some real rarities here. Cheviac, 55 Hudson, 57 Lincoln, stripper Pontiac, matched Buicks. The Mercury looks like my family, and that would be me in front picking my nose.
Harkens back to the days when the car was seen as part of the family, and in some ways represented the personna of the family it was with.
This is a pic of my Mom and Dad (center) along with friends and neighbours (left and far right). Photo predates my arrival.
That is an awesome photo. And you are right, in your observations!
Would have been interesting to have seen the whole gang in that 3rd photo pile into the 56 Mercury!
I love that last picture of the family by the Chrysler. They have been on the road all day and are all tired. No wonder they are scowling. But they are now at the motel and will get a fresh start tomorrow.
It’s a 59 Electra. It has just a little more crime trim then the Invicta. My dad bought on just like it but different color.
Something kind a “post card” looking about that pic! Looks all “FL, like”.
The little boy in the sailor hat deserves a pinch on the cheek. In front of the ’56 or ’57 Lincoln one can see that the ladies are mother and daughter. Very sweet photo. I agree with the comment that we took pictures with our automobiles, and doggy in front of that nice Hudson. Thanks for the Americana!
The Pontiac in the 4th pic, is Canadian or American? If it is American, I can’t see why somebody would spend more on a Pontiac with skirts but no chrome at all than in a Chevy 210.