Cars that you think are good looking

Tanker - Builder

Hi PFJN;

 You know that the Mercurys were Discontinued because they were actually hurting Lincoln sales ? Why pay 18 to 24 thou for a Lincoln when you you could get it's fully loaded cousin , Same equipment for 12 to 16 thou . Sure if you want and can afford luxury that's the way to do it .

I have , as I have said , a KIA Soul , six speed , four cylinder in black now .But my all time favorite as I have aged and gotten involved with museums and such was my KIA Sedona !

 In my younger years I had some "Hot-Rods" ? But those were out of curiosity more than a love of speed . Today they would be looked at as very mild " Street -Machines "

 As my body got pummeled by life and My income increased I drifted toward the Luxury Cars because I didn't like the pain of driving 600 miles in an Austin - Healey . It hurt so much it wasn't fun anymore !

 I thought one time of getting a 56 Cadillac Coupe De-Ville and restoring it and upgrading the suspension and drive train to more modern standards including hidden creature comforts .

 Just think  , Cruise fine and classically ! 

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I had heard a little about Mercury's demise, but hadn't really followed the whole story.  The more I learn about the history of car companies though, I have been amazed about how some brands have come and gone.

Specifically, I thought it was interesting when I first found out the Pontiac was formed in the 1920s as a cheaper companion brand to GMs Oakland brand, but eventually ended up kind of replacing Oakland a few years later.  And I also thought it was kind of interesting how Chrysler tried to spin off the Imperial line as a separate make for a few years in the 1950s (with Ford trying to start a new "Edsel" make a few years later).

Its kind of interesting to see how the industry has ebbed and floed over the years.

Pat

PS.  I do have my 51 Buick right now that I have faint hopes of trying to get to run again and I also am a fan of Kia's

Hard to beat the coolnes of Jeep Rubicon 

Talking about the " Edsel "

 This car although loved by some , and reviled by many was a first in many ways for Ford

 First and foremost it was intended to be a step up from Mercury and just below Lincoln . It didn't work out that way . Many were priced out and sold at a higher price than the base Lincoln .

 It had a Push - Button Ford Automatic with the buttons in the Steering Wheel Hub ! You could get it with an Edsel version of Lincoln's " Level Ride ". The Pacers were the most common with , are you ready ? Eighteen trim and equipment levels !

 I once was given a Buick ! It was my neighbor's car . He was a second Banana Comedian , Retired . His name Wally Vernon .He transitioned from Silent to Talkie Movies and lasted until the late fifties . 

 Wally , although funny all the time was really funny when he hit the sauce . Sadly it killed him . Mrs. Vernon didn't drive . She knew I liked his car so eight days after the funeral she came over with the title and said . "I know Wally would want you to have his Buick ". So , Here I am Driving a licenseable wreck and trying to get to the base on time and this Buick falls into my lap .

 1948 Buick Butterfly Hood Roadmaster Four Door Sedan  Straight Eight and the top of the line Automatic for the day . Loaded for it's day . You shoulda seen the guys in the  Motor Pool when I drove up for the inspection for a base sticker ! I thought they gonna croak ! Just think in 1968 , an E-5 drives up in this new looking and sounding old Buick .

 I will say Wally took care of her . She went to the Dealer for service only ! No independent garage ever touched her . I kept that up too ! 

 When I moved back home after my service I still had her . After fifteen years I didn't want to part with her either . A friend of mine made me an offer I couldn't refuse . A  brand new Mercury Grand Marquis fully loaded and title free and clear in my name . and $10,000.00 bucks ! !

 My littlest daughter had her college fund start with Wally's Buick ! 

Pat ;

 I have to add this .The Imperial was supposed to be the line above the Chrysler New Yorker , Fifth Avenue series . Needless to say it didn't work out that way !

 Many companies have come and gone and most folks don't know they even existed .Winton , Durant and many others  like Willys Overland etc . Stanley and the ubitiqous Steamer in , get this , three different models ! 

The Franklin automobile line are gorgeous. 

For me I just simply cannot get enough of the mid-50's F-100's. Especially when they are fixed up just right. One of these days I hope to have one parked in my garage so I can take a weekend cruise in it.

Then there's one that doesn't pop up in just everyone's mind but is a major player with just a few mods. The 1990 Chevrolet Silverado 454 SS trucks. I would DEFINITELY have one of these as well.

mustang1989

For me I just simply cannot get enough of the mid-50's F-100's. Especially when they are fixed up just right...

Hi,

I have a kit of the Revell/Monogram 1955 F-100 and the F-100 based Panel Van in my stash just waiting to be built (and a ton of images that I have downloaded off the internet to give me paint color ideas for them )

Pat

There is one particular automobile I fell in love recently visiting the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, NY. It is a two-tone light purple 1958 Oldsmobile 88 Stationwagon. The amount of chrome and the complete restoration is incredible. I'm talking chrome roof rack, chrome trim - including trim on roof, sides, front and rear. Talk about love at first sight. Cupid certainly hit my heart dead on. LOL!

fotofrank

Enzo Ferrari said the XKE is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. I have to agree. This is a 1971 XKE.

 

Beat me to it!

Of course I think Enzo was talking about the MK 1 E-type.

Also, the Sunbeam Tiger MK 1.

My dad had an early production one, with a hard panel that covered the top when it folded down.  I thought it had backseats, but later found out that was a package shelf.

His had the high top speed gear ratio (125 MPH at redline in 4th).  I was about 8 year old, sitting back there with my 2 years older brother in the front seat.  There was a section of divided highway that hadn't been completed to a nearby town.  

Never any traffic out there, except when the IH factory was changing shifts.  And not a good chance of seeing a cop.

He put it down, we were really moving and he said "THAT'S IT!  THAT'S ALL SHE'S GOT!"  Later he said he didn't go quite to the 4500 RPM redline, but just to 4000.

At that point that engine was 25 years old, and he didn't want to break something.  Even though it was far from stock- race cam, gravel strainer, bigger 4 barrel carb, polished aluminum heads and headers.

1955 Chrysler 300 coupe was pretty handsome.

And of course the classic 911.

1958 Impala had the prettiest rear end I think.

My mom bought one new, dark blue though with a white top.  She was 19 working as a secretary at a Chevrolet dealership.  Someone had ordered a 348 tri power with a powerglide, but then couldn't buy it.

The salesmen convinced my mom that would be a good car for her, gave her a good deal on it.

6 months later she had worn out the rear tires (she said "those bias ply didn't last as long as modern radials"- said she didn't know anything about cars, her parents never had a car, her brother was in the Army and she had to have the people at the dealership tell her the tires were shot), and I'm sure she showed that gullwing rear facia to plenty of people in the city.

Only new car my parents ever bought, and when they got married my dad hated that car.  Said you'd pull out to pass someone, put the accelerator down and that big engine would just rev.