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the car that started my automotive obsession.... (Page 1)
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ProwlerOnline, Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Discussion Forum
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the car that started my automotive obsession.... (Page 1)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Tires, Rims Discusssion |
| Author | Topic: the car that started my automotive obsession.... |
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tangled up in BLUE Prowler Junkie Posts: 11086 |
posted 11-22-2005 10:44 PM
...It was 1957 when we moved to the neighborhood where I spent most of my youth....across the street from us was an older kid that had this really hot new 1957 Chevy, chrome on the engine, no hubcaps, stuff I had never seen before on my dads blue Fords.....I used to walk across the street nearly every afternoon just to admire the '57...the owner, Dave was several years older than me, so we had little in common except I really liked the Chevy....we rarely talked, but when we did, I asked the usual kid type questions like how fast did it go... .....the car was a big part of my youth, I built a model car like Daves (mine was brush painted), I watched it leave the neighborhood everytime I heard the pipes roar....I loved that 57 and hoped to own it someday when I grew up... ...one day I came home from school and the 57 was gone and in its usual parking spot was a new 65 maroon Vette coupe....needless to say, I was soon to forget the old turquoise 57 Chevy I had admired all those years....and out of the blue, Dave asked me if I would like a ride in the new Vette...probably the most words he had ever spoken to me in the 8 years I had lived across the street from him....he took me on a wild ride around the neighborhood like I had never imagined...it was my first Vette ride...I knew right then a Vette was what I wanted when I grew up... ...sadly, the new owner of the 57 was rear ended a few months later and the car was totally destroyed.... ...today, Dave is one of my oldest and best friends....he built another 57 post a few years back, but this time it is red....he decided not to try and recreate the past, that time is lost forever...
the new 57... |
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ALLEY CAT Prowler Junkie Posts: 36093 |
posted 11-23-2005 06:17 AM
 Change this one to a soft, light green,,,,put the hubcaps back on, 283 - 4 bbl - dual exhaust w/Smitty's - Powerglide, and you have my neighbor lady's '57 Chev 210 post. She drove it to the Goodyear plant to work [6 miles per day] and once every two weeks to the grocery store = maybe 125 miles per month. Garage kept, it was like new at all times,,,,and she had it until the day she died in the early 90's. Since her only son Chuck preseeded her in death, I often wonder who ended up with that cream puff,,,,probably had less than 40,000 miles on it when she passed. MEMORIES |
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Randy Cobb Prowler Junkie Posts: 4070 |
posted 11-23-2005 06:58 AM
'55 thru '57 Chevy. My favorites. Classic understated lines. My two uncles each bought new '57s. One was white with red interior and the other was the opposite. The white one was later customized slightly with the interior done with "rolled and pleated" alternating red/white seats and door panels. |
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halicat unregistered Posts: 4070 |
posted 11-23-2005 07:09 AM
My friends brother had a 61 Impala convertible done in a heavy blue metalflake, white top, 455 FI Rocket engine, 4 speed. This photo is the same model. Tony would take it to Motor City Dragway in the late 60's and kick A$$....God I loved that car...
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WildCat Prowler Junkie Posts: 6862 |
posted 11-23-2005 09:52 AM
I don't know if ONE CAR started it. I have always loved cars from the time I was little. I use to be able to name the make and model of most all cars on the road. One lady that I use to ride up to the lake with sometimes ask me once "How do you know all that"? My Uncle Mayburn & my dad worked at a parking garage down town INDY when was real little and can remember being down there. When I was maybe 3 I can remember dad dropping me off at grandma's to watch me and when it was snowy he would fishtail the car (I think a 53~54 chevy) LOVED IT. At 6 I was sitting in dads 56 chevy 3 on the tree and pretend to be driving all over the place, until I got it out of gear and it started to roll down the driveway and heading for the ditch across the street, (boy dad and older brother sure could run FAST) 1966 the guy across the street (Steve) bought a brand new red with white interior `66 GTO. Haven't seen him or the car since probably 1968. I ended up with his bike after he got the GOAT (it was too big for me and I had to get on the porch step to get on it). Dad was licensed to inspect cars and Mayburn had a body shop and my Uncle Vaughn sold cars there too, dad and I spent alot of time over there and I would help dad do the inspections. Some of the cars I remember was a 66 Mustang GT fastback, Blue white interior and exhaust tips thru the rear valance (stupid things you remember) the mint green 59 caddy that my brother ended up buying and my uncles 1967 Plymouth GTX, blue, black interior 440 automatic. Mayburn never kept a car long and the GTX was gone and something else in place of it. I don't remember what all he had until the 1972 Cutlass convertible rootbeer with white top and interior and white stripes on the hood and decklid. After that he started to buy trucks, so uncool. Dad and my Uncle Tom had a 37 Plymouth that they bought together when they were young and when dad was away in the army Tom and uncle Eugene where driving it and tried to run over a rabbit and rolled it. This car sat in the field behind grandmas house for years. I would always go down and check the car out. It was completely rusted ( the battery spilled acid all over the car when it rolled and they just parked it. At 10 I bugged my brother until he let me drive his 1962 Chevy Corvair 4 door sedan with power glide. my dad blew the motor up coming back from the lake. At 13 Jerry bought his 1st Show Car THE GOLDEN GOAT....I was in love I built 100's of model cars it didn't matter what they were I LOVED THEM ALL I always wanted to build a bucket T, but as I aged decided that wasn't for me. Next I wanted to build or buy a dune buggy (I still want one of those). BUT the car I want since I was 14 is a 61~62 Corvette, not ready to sell all my other cars to get this one. that is the way i have felt over the years. Now they are getting to stupid money and I don't have stupid money to buy one. I guess the diecast and plastic models will have to do. BUT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS I STILL LOVE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A 1966 GTO in writing this I think I might have found the reason I like white interiors ------------------
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tangled up in BLUE Prowler Junkie Posts: 11086 |
posted 11-23-2005 10:02 AM
quote: this is a 1960 Chevy.... |
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Dave Mills Prowler Junkie Posts: 5419 |
posted 11-23-2005 10:12 AM
I can' remember when or how my obsession with cars started...(A mind is a terrible thing to lose!), but I have always liked cars. My first car (1951 Plymouth which I still have) was my Grandfather's and I started taking care of it in 1961. He gave me the car in 1965. Plymouths have always been my choice. I learned to drive in a 1959 Plymouth, My first new car was a 1971 Duster 340. Now that there are no more Plymouths, I have switched to Chrysler. ------------------ |
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Marty Usher Prowler Junkie Posts: 13833 |
posted 11-23-2005 10:12 AM
Yes - that is a 1960 Impala. In the 61 model year all GM fullsize cars were downsized slightly and fins were removed. (GM introduced three new smaller cars in the U.S. as 1961 models: the Buick Special, Oldsmobile F-85 and Pontiac Tempest.) I'll find a pic of a 61 Impala to post. I really like 61 Impala SS convertibles with a 409!  When I was younger, I preferred the '59 over the '60 and 61's better than the 62's, but that's just me - they are all cool now! This message has been edited by Marty Usher on 11-23-2005 at 10:36 AM |
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Marty Usher Prowler Junkie Posts: 13833 |
posted 11-23-2005 10:16 AM
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meandmykitty unregistered Posts: 13833 |
posted 11-23-2005 10:17 AM
I ALSO OWNED A 57 CHEVY AND A 55 CHEVY AND I DIDN'T KEEP THEM FOR LONG TOO MUCH WORK AND TOO MUCH HEADACHES. IN 1983 I BOUGHT A 1960 BUICK LE SABRE FOR $3000.00 THE ONLY THING WRONG WAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD, THIS CAR RODE LIKE IT JUST CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM EXCEPT FOR THE WINDSHIELD. I COULD NEVER A NEW WINDSHIELD AND THEN THIS GUY CAME UP TO ME AT MY HOUSE AND WANTED TO BUY THE CAR FOR A PRICE I COULDN'T REFUSE, SO I SOLD IT TO HIM. THEIR ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I WISH I STILL HAD THE CAR. |
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Dave Mills Prowler Junkie Posts: 5419 |
posted 11-23-2005 11:32 AM
Now that the edition to our house is completed, I will begin looking for one more Plymouth:
It will take me a while to find one that is for sale, but this is what I will be looking for. |
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halicat unregistered Posts: 5419 |
posted 11-23-2005 12:28 PM
you know them Chevy's Marty .... your right i was thinking of the 60, not the 61... i love those fins on the 59 and 60 models.... |
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halicat unregistered Posts: 5419 |
posted 11-23-2005 12:38 PM
I've only seen one of these in my life and guess they are very rare....would love to have one.
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garysss Prowler Junkie Posts: 5731 |
posted 11-23-2005 01:04 PM
My uncle give me a 1958 Chev Impala with 348 engine as my 1st car at 15, didn't keep it very long to many repairs not enough money. Wish i had it now. |
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Marty Usher Prowler Junkie Posts: 13833 |
posted 11-23-2005 01:11 PM
quote: Jim - I really don't know the numbers produced but have seen more 59's than 60's models. Either one would make a great hot rod! |
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Marty Usher Prowler Junkie Posts: 13833 |
posted 11-23-2005 01:22 PM
quote: Dave - is that a 58 or 59 - I don't know the late 50's early 60's Plymouths as well as I do Chevys? Whichever - good luck on your search. |
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tangled up in BLUE Prowler Junkie Posts: 11086 |
posted 11-23-2005 02:14 PM
quote:
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BeWare Prowler Junkie Posts: 18511 |
posted 11-23-2005 03:12 PM
I have been car crazy as far back as I can remember. I could not only tell you the make model and year of most any car on the road. I could also identify the most of antique cars I ever saw. I guess my Uncle must have had some influence on me. He had a 1907 Cadillac and a 1930 Chevy Touring (which I later owned for a couple years) and used to take me and his son to all the car shows. We used to go to the Hershey PA AACA show every year among others. |
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butchcee Prowler Junkie Posts: 7476 |
posted 11-23-2005 03:33 PM
This was the one that got me started. 326 with a two speed transaxle. you could wind it up to 70 in first.Then when Arnie Beswick, The Farmer, started racing one, I was a Pontiac fan for a while. Mine was red.  |
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Kruisin Kat Prowler Junkie Posts: 578 |
posted 11-23-2005 04:37 PM
Butchee, I had a 1963 Pontiac Tempest 2dr with the 4 cyl and rear transaxle. I bought it in 1980 from an old lady at used it everyday for her 3 mile round trip to work and back, She was the original owner and had every receipt spent on it from day one! It was mint with 17k on the odo. The cars that got me most was a (71?) Mustang Boss 302 with 4spd in dark dreen loaded with the window louvers and all that my dads co-worker bought new and brought by our house the day he got it. My mom's boss had a 67 Vette convert, maroon with black interior and top, side pipes and knock-offs and the 427 engine. I wasn't even 10 yrs old then. |
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Bcoffman Gray Ghost Prowler Junkie Posts: 2418 |
posted 11-23-2005 04:55 PM
quote: Butchee, We were allocated about 12 of these with the 326 engine for the entire year. We could have all the 4 cyls we wanted. Out of the 12 or so that we sold, only one lasted over 60 days. It was a local girl who's father bought it for her to take to college. All the others were totaled inside of 60 days. I still believe that these were about the most dangerous cars we ever sold. 3-4 of them were totaled the first night after we sold them. They were hot little cars. The problem with them was the solid drive-shaft and trans-axle. Like you said they would wind out to over 70 in low gear. Then the tranny had to stop for a split-second to shift into high-gear. The solid drive-shaft would keep twisting and when it shifted into high, the car would flat jump forward. All of ours were wreaked at curves. Driver would get into a curve too hot. If you had the presence of mind to keep your foot in it, it would corner great. Were they all wreaked was as the driver let up or hit the brakes, the weight would shift to the frond wheels. Rear end would come up as the nose dove down. The wheels would then fold under and there you went out into the cow pasture. Totaled a bunch of them. |
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samthejeepman Prowler Junkie Posts: 1369 |
posted 11-23-2005 04:58 PM
this will date me, but my first sighting of a new 1957 chrysler crown imperial, rocked my boat. i think from that point on, i was "car crazy" sam |
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butchcee Prowler Junkie Posts: 7476 |
posted 11-23-2005 05:17 PM
Funny you mention that out of control thing. I was in Military School and my Mom would come up to participate in the Women's Auxiliary. This was on weekends and I was at school instead of being home like most normal kids because I was a FU and had so many demerits that I only got home when the school HAD to close. Anyway, I knew where her Hide a Key was and while she was doing whatever mothers in the Women's Auxiliary do,I proceeded to put A/FX on the windows with masking tape , pop the hubcaps and immediately turned the car and myself into a bad a$$.  in my own mind that is. Well, I took the car for a joy ride and ended up on a twisty road in the Huntington NY area. I came up on an XKE and decided that I would show him a thing or two since I knew all at the ripe age of 17 and proceeded to push him faster and faster. He outran me and trying to keep up around a corner the Tempest slid to one side of the road and then the other just missing a telephone pole and then to the other side again and into a farmer's field and stopped with the tires in ditches and the rocker panels on the dirt. I just knew I was screwed at this point. Well, a couple of cars came by and stopped and somehow we managed to get the car pushed out of the field. Wonder if they ever relate the story these days? I took the car back to the school, peeled off the tape on the windows, put on the hub caps and got most of the grass out from between the rims and tire that got there by spinning the wheels trying to get free.The rocker panel on one side was dented, but couldn't be noticed easily. I got off lucky and finally told my Mom 25 or 30 years later. I don't think she believed me! Sorry so long. This message has been edited by butchcee on 11-23-2005 at 05:19 PM |
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mannyd Prowler Junkie Posts: 94 |
posted 11-23-2005 05:34 PM
My first memory of a car that really did it for me was a '30 to '32 ford five window hiboy. It was white with the words"Runin Scared" in red on the side. I was maybe ten and did'nt know anything about cars. I would look into the guys garage every time I'd pass by.It could of been a junker for all I know, but it just looked cool to me.The '55-'57 Chevy was the first cool cars I would own. By the way - great topic! |
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 11-23-2005 11:30 PM
I agree, some of these reminisces are great. |
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