Archive for the Vintage Vehicles Category

1967 Ford Mustang

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags on August 7, 2009 by Kent

1967 Ford Mustang (detail)In 1967, Ford’s Mustang saw its first major redesign. For the first time since its launch, the car faced some serious competition. This resulted in Ford evaluating the Mustang’s strengths and weaknesses.

In addition to the Pontiac’s Firebird, Mercury’s Cougar, and Plymouth’s Barracuda, Chevrolet had plans to roll out their new Chevy Camaro muscle car. This resulted in Ford duking it out with its competition by creating a more muscular and powerful Ford Mustang.
1967 Ford Mustang
1967 Ford Mustang (detail)
1967 Ford Mustang (detail)

1948 Oldsmobile Coupe

Posted in Capitol Hill, Vintage Vehicles with tags , on July 29, 2009 by Kent

1948 Oldsmobile CoupeI found this vintage gem on Capitol Hill over the weekend. While it could use some loving care, it all appeared original and that counts for a lot. I think it has some really great lines as well.

I also found the great ad below from a basic Web search (sorry I couldn’t get a larger image)More images after the jump Continue reading

Vintage Ride of the Week: 1974 Plymouth Duster

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags , on July 21, 2009 by Kent

1974 Plymouth DusterI’ve frequently seen this car around the intersection of New Hampshire Ave. and Upshur Street, NW.

The Duster was introduced in 1970 to compete with Ford’s slightly smaller semi-fastback Maverick compact and Chevrolet’s slightly larger semi-fastback Nova. Unlike the Maverick and the Nova, however, the Duster only was available in a two door coupe.

1974 was a banner year for the Duster. Buyers continued to come into the Plymouth dealers in high volume, driving away every Duster that could be built. Style wise, the 1974 was a pass. No major changes at all, except under the hood. The 360 cubic inch V-8 was introduced to replace the 340.

You can read more Duster history here>>
1974 Plymouth Duster
1974 Plymouth Duster

Then and Now: Armored Vehicles

Posted in Automobiles, Then and Now, Vintage Vehicles with tags , on July 20, 2009 by Kent

Postmaster General examines new bandit proof truck 1925Then: The Postmaster General examines a new bandit proof truck ca. 1925.

Dunbar ArmoredNow: a Dunbar Armored vehicle located at the corner of K St. and Connecticut Avenue, July, 2009.

Vintage Ride of the Week: 1965 Valiant 200 Station Wagon

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags , on July 14, 2009 by Kent

1965 Valiant 200 Station WagonI don’t know much about the Plymouth Valiant other than what I found on the brochure below which is from the Imperial Club Web site.Valiant 200 brochure
1965 Valiant 200 Station Wagon
More images after the jump Continue reading

Vintage Ride of the Week: Late ’70s El Camino(?)

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags , on July 7, 2009 by Kent

Chevy El CaminoI saw this vehicle over the weekend. It appears to be a 1978 or 1978 Chevrolet El Camino. In any event, it is no later than 1987 as this basic style was from 1978-1987. There’s actually some basic information about this generation on Wikipedia.

While I generally shy away from Modern Classics when possible, some of them are just so attractive I can’t turn my head.
Late 70s El Camino
Late 70s El Camino
Late 70s El Camino

Vintage Ride of the Week: 1937 Plymouth

Posted in Uncategorized, Vintage Vehicles with tags , on June 30, 2009 by Kent

1937  PlymouthOther than this being a 1937 Plymouth, I don’t know anything more specific. There is a lot of information here if you can figure out which data is relevant to this sedan.

I was surprised to see this car on the 400 block of Newton over the weekend. At first I thought maybe someone had driven in for the Caribbean Festival on Saturday, but then I saw it was still there on Sunday.

Either way, it was a beautiful car.

1937 PlymouthMore images after the jump Continue reading

Vintage Ride of the Week: 1969 Buick Wildcat

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags , on June 23, 2009 by Kent

Buick WildcatI think this is a 1969 Buick Wildcat, but couldn’t quite get the year off the car. I know, I know, I should have looked at the tail lights to see if there was a date on them … like I did with the Cadillac deVille a while back.

Anyway, if you know what year this is for sure, or can tell me more about this model year, I’d greatly appreciate it.Buick wildcatBuick WildcatBuick wildcat

Vintage Ride of the Week: 1968 Cadillac Coupe De Ville

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags , on June 16, 2009 by Kent

1968 Cadillac Coupe De VilleCadillac introduced its first deVille model in 1949 in the form of the Coupe de Ville, a two-door vehicle without B pillars helping to support its roof. The name eventually was used on four-door models as well. Beginning in 1965, deVille denoted Cadillac’s volume model slotted between the basic Calais series and the top-of-the-line Fleetwood.

The name for the deVille was derived from its body styling, with ‘deVille’ meaning ‘town’ in French. The design and features would change throughout the years and served the company well as an ultra-luxury and elegant automobile. (Excerpted from the writeup on Cadillac Coupe de Villes found here>>)

1968 Cadillac Coupe De Ville

Continue reading

Vintage Ride of the Week: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Posted in Vintage Vehicles with tags , on June 9, 2009 by Kent

1955 Chevy Bel AirThe “all new” 1955 Chevrolet was offered with “Motoramic” styling, improved handling and a new V8. Chevrolet matched smooth handling with it’s new performance by modifying the chassis to be longer, and added wider rear springs riding outside the frame rails, diagonally mounted shock absorbers to match, and an improved “Glide Ride” suspension. America took to the new 1955 Chevrolet 150, 210 and Bel Air (From OldRide.com, which has more information).

(Also, thanks to Wayan for initially tipping me of to this classic)1955 Chevrolet Bel Air1955 Chevrolet Bel Air