1977 Chrysler LeBaron - Corinthian leather!

The evolution of the Chrysler LeBaron is a reflection of the changes that were going on in the American car market in the 1970s and 80s. In 1975, the Chrysler Imperial LeBaron was a behemoth that looked more like a yacht than a car. The next generation was slimmed-down substantially, and by the 80s the LeBaron was a front-wheel drive car little different from the rest of Chrysler's economy K-car line.

Note the sumptuous interior. Yes, that's "Corinthian leather," famously introduced in TV ads by Ricardo Mantolban. "Corinthian" doesn't mean anything.

Observations:
* These cars were mostly sold with "landau" half-vinyl roofs, which this LeBaron lacks.
* This same car was featured on seattlesparkedcars.blogspot.com in 2012.

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1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible

This Stingray is in flawless condition.
Observations:
* All Stingrays made between 1963 and 1967 are close to identical, but the '63 is easily identified by the odd metal grill inserts on the hood.
* The car has the "knock-off" rims. You just hit that big spinner in the center of the wheel with a rubber mallet and it spins right off allowing you to remove the wheel. No lug nuts.
* This car is a four-speed. Corvettes have always mostly been sold with automatic transmissions, an oddity in the sports car world, but very American.

 

 

 
 

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Ford Ranchero roundup!

It seems like Ford put an awful lot of expense and effort into their car-truck in the 1960s when you consider that it was never built in large numbers, required a lot of parts that weren't applicable to any other model, and that the Ranchero changed a lot from year to year. In fact, the Ranchero was made in 5 different models between 1965 and 1968.

The 1965 Ranchero (first car pictured below) was based on the Falcon compact. In 1966, it was based on the new, larger Falcon and had two models in the same year. The first had the same front clip as the Falcon, and the second had the front clip from the Ford Fairlane. In 1967, the Ranchero was based on the Fairlane (second car pictured below). Then in 1968 it moved to the completely different Torino platform (the third car pictured below is a Torino-based 1970, and the last car is a 1974) before finally moving to the huge LTD platform in 1977 with the final Ranchero being built in 1979.

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1937 Plymouth DeLuxe

Sometimes you'll see an older car that's never been restored, and is still in good working order despite normal wear and tear. But to see one that's 80 years old is remarkable. Note Mayflower hood ornament.

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1967 Sunbeam Imp

Never heard of Sunbeam? It's the name that Chrysler Europe chose for the British Hillman in the US. Max's red convertible in Get Smart! was a Subeam Tiger.

Observations:
* These cars were known for poor reliability even when new. The fact that one is still running today is a real miracle.
* Note the twin handles for opening the trunk (that's where the engine is). Love the hatchback rear window.
* This particular Imp was also featured on seattlesparkedcars in 2014.

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1964 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible

Ford's flagship from the 60s. It inspired, among other things, the alt-rock band Galaxie 500, and a song of the same name by my favorite non-dinosaur band The Reverend Horton Heat. Also, Lone Starr was born somewhere in the Ford Galaxie.

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1962 Ford Falcon Futura

At a time when Detroit was making impossibly huge, ridiculous gas-guzzling cars, Ford President Robert McNamara envisioned transportation that was more practical, more economical and a lot smaller. That's a good thing, according to most people anyway. An associate of McNamara's once said that McNamara, "wore granny glasses and he built a granny car."

Observations:
* This Falcon is equipped with a theft alarm. I don't know who'd steal it, but I know they wouldn't get away very fast.
* I could make fun of this car, but the truth is, beneath the skin it's the same platform as my '67 Mustang.

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1949 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck

This is our third example of the 1947-55 Chevy Advanced Design Series pickup. Click to see the 1950 5-window we spotted last fall, and this rare 1955 made only during the first half of that model year.

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