A week after the Volvo display I wrote about here, I went to another meeting in which the participants celebrated their friend’s 1961 Mini, having finished restoration. But as usual with Israeli classic car meetings, you get all sorts of classic variations. Take a look inside.
This meeting, taking place every Friday afternoon, prides itself in that it’s not related to any specific club- anyone with any classic car are welcome. That means many owners not finding their place at other meetings, often find their way to this particular place, so you get to see some cars not present anywhere else, with nice variety. Also, because of the organizers’ friendly nature, some clubs set their gathering point alongside this meeting, so you get to see yet more cars.
Here’s the Brougham mentioned at the headline. A 1973 Mercury Grand Marquis Brougham. to be exact. Quite a barge, ain’t she?
Next to the Mercury was this 1960 Impala, also at the top photo of this post. Note the JEEP in the background; its license plate has five numbers, which means it’s from the beginning of Israel itself (first vehicles had only five digits).
Here’s one of the regular attendees, a Merc W108.
While not far was this older W180.
A very nice AMC Rambler. These always reminded me of early-Seventies Valliants.
Remember this? You’ve seen it before.
An SSK Replica, its real name is Classic Motor Carriages Gazelle.
Another old JEEP, also sporting five digits on its license plate.
Quite a few of these arrived in Israel at the time. And note the red SAAB.
Here’s another. One of the clubs that gather alongside this meeting is the Israeli SAAB club.
See the “68” at the end of the license plate? That means it’s a new import from recent years. It’s for sale, by the way.
I think Paul might be interested in this…
We slightly discussed the Israeli Susita before, and I’m still not satisfied until I’ve written a dedicated post about it. But for now, here are some photos of cars seen at the event. The one above is simply called Autocars Susita, and it’s from 1966. It was obsolete back then, which you can tell from its 1950s shape.
Next generation Susita is seen on the right, and is called Susita 12. This is circa late Sixties. After the company changed hands, the name changed to Rom Carmel, and on the left is a “modern” one from the late Seventies. They simply called it Rom Carmel 1300.
Finishing off the Susita section of this post is one of the last Rom Carmel cars, a pickup from 1981. No, the T/A scoop was not an option you could specify…
Another one of the regular attendees. Looking at this DeVille I’m always reminded of 1970s films which showed pimps riding in such Caddys.
Hmm, I’m not keen on the 4X4 look created by the huge wheels, but to each his own, as they say.
Now that’s much more like it. This is a known car in the classic car’s circle and is of course, a replica.
This V12 E-Type takes us to the back part of the parking lot, where mostly American cars gathered.
Ok, not American but in its day, the E21 was also very popular in Israel- well, for its price, that is.
The Israeli Corvette club was out in force. More photos:
It wasn’t THAT hot, I don’t know why he’s airing out his belly.
Seems every option available has been dropped on this Coupe Deville. While photographing it I heard a large V8 rumble outside the perimeter:
Much better executed that that previous Chevelle.
It was followed by this very impressive T/A.
Here’s another late Seventies Firebird, and a 1973 Corvette.
Some Subarus also turned up. Their club doesn’t usually meet here, but no matter. This was a once an extremely popular car in Israel, discussed here.
Back to European cars. I believe this Renault 4 is the first ever true hatchback. This one is from 1984.
The Renault 18-based Fugeo. I can’t believe they’re all gone, having seen plenty of them beck in the Eighties.
Big bumpers? Yes, it’s a new import from the US.
Well, it’s a classic too.
Since the event was about a Mini, the organizers asked owners of British cars to attend. Starting off with this Jag 420.
On the left, an infiltrator Spider.
But the star of the show was a really a very impressive 1961 Mini Mk I, beautifully restored and looking immaculate.
The day draws to a close, cars start to head home. I love this photo, by the way.
I’ll leave you with a video I shot at the event:
Wow, I didn’t realize Israel had such a car culture! I just assumed everyone drove old Euro cars or something.
+1
The Chrysler looks to be in great shape?????
Now that’s what I call a smorgasbord! Everything from Saab 96 to the land yachts.
Nice teaser about the Sussitas… Take your time, get it right.
In the immortal words of Dr Rumack (Leslie Nielsen) in the movie Airplane!: “Good luck. We’re all counting on you.”
Well, as long as there’s no pressure…
Agreed. Take your time, Yohai. We know you’ll do the subject justice.
A BMW e21 with e30 bottlecaps? Either they must’ve made many offsets for bottlecaps in Europe, or wheel spacers were used along with longer lug bolts. And if that’s the case, wheel shimmy will be more pronounced as the e21 was notorious for wheel shimmy because of the poor design of the front steering/suspension.
The standard USA e30 14″ Bottle cap WILL NOT FIT the front of any e21(The tie rods hit the rim).
Why are there NEW cars in this car show? Because of the rarity of them in this part of the world? In the US…no one wants to see a NEW Mustang nor a NEW ‘Vette at any car show!
Go to a cars and coffee event–lots of new cars at those. Even at cruise nights I see quite a few mustangs and corvettes. Nothing wrong with new iron!
Well, as I’ve said in the post, this meeting attracts all kinds of clubs and cars. Specifically, the new ‘Vettes and ‘Stangs belong to their perspective clubs (not limited to just old cars).
As for the E21? I dunno.
(:
Why are there NEW cars in this car show? Because of the rarity of them in this part of the world? In the US…no one wants to see a NEW Mustang nor a NEW ‘Vette at any car show!
Are you for real? Large car shows like Carlisle Ford, Mopar and GM weekends would be dead without new cars. Every cruise night I go to has new cars attending. One near me had a cut off date of 1972 back in the late 90’s but realized no one but old geezers was attending so they changed the policy. If younger folk don’t attend these events they die out.
For real.
In my unrealistic brain, car shows are all about nostalgia, the hard work that goes into keeping older cars on the road & how innovative & simplistic many of the old cars are/were
I, for one, don’t want to go to a car show to see cars I see, everyday, all around me. I think it’s just plain silly.
But, that’s just MY opinion.
If you mean Firebirds and Camaro, I fully agree. I don`t even shoot them a second glance when I see `em at shows.
This is an unofficial event in the car park of a local shopping center, so the cars mix it with vehicles owned by the regular public…
My favorite was the 73 Marquis. What a shadow it must cast overseas. The formal appearance, the unfamiliar brand locally, the 460 V8, likely the power everything. All portrayed without the pretention of class of a Cadillac. What an exotic calling card for the USA.
+1 for me… brings back memories. My great uncle had one of these in that exact same color combination. Whenever my dad bought a new car, my uncle bought one immediately afterwards, and always a nicer model. If my Dad bought an Impala, my Uncle went out and immediately bought a Buick or Olds. In 1973, my Dad bought his first Ford, a ’73 LTD in that same color combination, Gold with a brown vinyl top. Two weeks later, my Uncle rolls up in a Marquis just like the one pictured above. This upstaging would continue right up until he passed away with his last car purchase, a 1984 Buick LeSabre not too long after my Dad bought one of the last full sized Bonnevilles. (Ok, that time it took him 3 years, I guess he really liked the Marquis). He passed away not too long after getting the LeSabre, and my Dad ended up with that car anyway. I think my love of cars comes naturally, as this seems to go back a few generations.
The few imported to Israel originally were on the same level as Rolls-Royces and Bentleys back then (we did not have those until recently), and the same applied to Chrysler Imperials or the odd big Buick.
The 70’s Mercury Marquis was one of the more successful attempts at making Mercury a junior Lincoln. I haven’t seen a Renault 16 in about 40 years! What a nice diverse showing of makes from all over.
John, back in the seventies someone on my block brought one in new. It looked so impressive, and for all the reasons you say – and also the sheer size and proportions. In the absence of other similar-sized American cars, it was a real standout, whether parked or in traffic.
And that was in Australia with bigger cars, at least compared to Europe. In a poorer country with small cars the norm, the effect must be intensified. All for a car whose class at the time was referred to as “medium standard.”
Right, John. The idea of “medium standard” just doesn’t compute in a country where price is related to size. Local Fairlanes always cost more than Falcons, and LTDs more than Fairlanes. American full-size cars all looked the same size to us: huge. And they all seemed prestigious because of that.
You have once again given us a truly delightful buffet of old iron; I don’t see anything I would walk past if seeing it in person.
Now, what would have been icing on the cake is seeing the ’73 Mercury parked next to the Mini. It would have been a true yin-and-yang, David and Goliath, King Kong and Fay Wray type of contrast.
Loved all the Corvettes and the 2 screaming chickens
Spotted a R19 on your first pic. The Fuego is cool, missing the lower part of the fog lamp housing, a common issue. Last one I saw here on Gumtree was in a very sad condition
Quite a treat here — hard to know where to start.
The Chrysler Fifth Avenue is an interesting find, and especially so since it looks like someone took the effort to add an extra opera lamp to the C-pillar (I don’t remember the Fifths having opera lamp there through its 8 years of broughamy-ness.
Also interesting is the early-’80s Subaru 2-door. I’m not particularly a fan of Subarus, but those coupes were one of the best looking smaller cars of its era, especially from the angle of your picture — showing off the unique quarter-window. Also, the dashboard was likewise one of the more interesting dashes of its day – futuristic without being silly.
Thanks for all your comments. Some more photos can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/yohai90/albums/72157675343327505
Excellent article & terrific photos, Yohai.
Todah rabah !
What a great selection of interesting cars! If I could only come home with one car from that show it would be the ……hmmm….let me go through the photos a few more times before I decide….
Same problem here!
Wow, truly something for everyone.
I will agree with some others, that Marquis is awesome. It’s incredible to think that I once considered that color to be boringly ordinary.
I am digging that Jaguar saloon today.
The young lady in black walking in front of the Marquis appears to be barefoot!
It sounds feminine, but “marquess” is the correct English for that title of peerage, probably from mangling the French. “Marchioness” is feminine.
What a great assortment!! Great pictures. The ’56 Buick and the Renault Fuego both make me drool (opposite ends of the automotive spectrum, I know – no common thread outside of both being pretty). That red Rambler American also looks mighty fine, and that root beer-colored Chrysler Fifth Avenue also checks a few boxes for me. Thanks for this post!
Wow. I’d have a really hard time picking just one for my dream garage out of this eclectic group. As pedestrian as it may seem though, I’m always drawn to an early 70’s Mercedes SL roadster. That generation of the SL (as represented by the black over tan example above) was my dream car at age 10, and as my tastes have changed and evolved over the decades I’d still love to have one. Just simple elegance with a hint of athleticism. Still a very pretty car in my book.
I love the automotive education you get here! I am a great fan of the 70’s and 80’s big cars and have often said if I had the money I would like to import one back to Ontario from a friendlier climate.
never in a million years would I have come up with the equation
MARQUIS/FIFTH AVENUE+WARM CLIMATE=ISRAEL???
Well , that depends. Specifically these two cars are new US imports, so you’d be doing quite a runaround by bringing them back to America.
Also, it depends where in Israel the classic lives. I the coastal region, where I live (and where this meeting was), it can get to about 60-70% humidity in the summer, so that’s no guaranty to a preserved car.
If I were in Canada I’d stick to finding cars in the US, delivery would probably be cheaper as well.
Impressive group. I was thinking that it must be a challenge keeping many of these cars up in Israel, but I suppose the Internet helps today’s owners out quite a bit. As others have said, the Marquis is truly remarkable. It looks like it just pulled off the assembly line, and landed in a parking lot in Israel in 2016. A true time machine.
Love that Impala! Very similar to my old Bel-Air sedan in my avatar. I even had those Impala hubcaps.
Where is Israel was the car show?
I was the American Marketing Manager for an Israeli company headquartered it Hertzliya. I used to visit Israel about 4 times a year.
I was lucky enough to have an Israeli friend who would take me touring.
Actually very near Hertzeliya, in a shopping center about 10 kilometers north:
https://www.google.co.il/maps/dir/Industrial+area,+Herzliya/Shefayim+Commercial+Bldg.,+Shefayim/@32.1912764,34.8013209,14z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x151d488d4820af71:0x4339314d164115f0!2m2!1d34.808593!2d32.162775!1m5!1m1!1s0x151d4705eea7764d:0x26bd3a046e924503!2m2!1d34.8283201!2d32.2217379?hl=en
Lots of variety at that gathering.
I too am amazed how many large North American cars people collect in Israel. Well then, I’ve got a 1978 Córdoba for someone over there.
What a great range, and great shots too. But to choose? The Mercury is tempting me, as is the yellow SAAB, the Merc 180 and the De Ville (of course, on an evening like this).
But, the portholes and the Buick for me, at least until I learn more about Susita;-)
I am curious as to how so many American cars wound up in Israel. I understand the Jeeps as I am sure right after Weizmann visited Truman at the end of the 1940’s, Harry probably handed over the keys to a lot of surplus WWII Jeeps. But I am unsure of the others. Does Israel have a liberal vehicle import program in place? Did they make any of these US cars over in Israel? I know they made some of them in Iran and that is why Iran has a huge old American car population.
But when I think of Israel, I think of a lot of Fiats, Renaults, Citroën, Toyotas and other Euro and Japanese vehicles.
Nice to see such a diverse car culture in Israel.
US-made cars were very popular before the state gained its independence and even afterwards all the way to the malaise years, initially due to the fact they were sturdy enough to withstand conditions in the region and then because they offered luxury none of the European did until the 70s. Of course, because Israel until recently had no oil mining to speak of, small European cars (and then Japanese and Korean) had the bulk of the market. But at the upper end it was mostly US-made cars, and we even had Kaiser-Frazers and Studebakers assembled in the country. Then came the 70s, when quality standards at Detroit deteriorated. Also the Europeans upped their game. So these days new US-made vehicles are not as popular as back then, although in some categories (big pick ups, muscle cars) they dominate simply because there is no one else making such vehicles or they are prohibitively expensive.
A lot of people are nostalgic about these times and hence the popularity among collectors. Import rules for collectors cars are relatively liberal in the sense that it has to be older than 30 years, but you are still faced with customs duty which is high.
It’s nice to see so many 70s cars at this show in Israel. I guess they never got the memo that car guys aren’t suppose to like cars from that decade. The C3 Corvette looks especially attractive, more photogenic than I remembered.
I am looking forward to the Sussitas. Especially the Sport.
Yohai;
I fully agree with you that getting a car like the marquis would be much more practical here. my point was that thanks to the time and effort put in by you with your postings (and others from the international community) I learn that such possibilities even exist!
I fully admit when I started reading CC I had preconceived ideas on “car cultures” outside Canada. I have learned a lot and have much greater respect for enthusiasts around the globe.
Thank you for your part in that!
Bill
You’re most welcome.
🙂
would love to see a closer pic of the hood of that dartGT. looks like some serious steroid metal injections. great eclecticism at this show. if that’s a word.
The Marquis wins for me–what a phenomenal and perfectly preserved example of Landyachtus Americanus. The gold is the perfect color for it. Also, there’s quite a nice big Chrysler coupe of the same era in the background of that photo, which I’d like to see more of. Also love the Fuego, the Subaru hardtop, the 128 coupe, the DS…too many to list. Looks like a good time was had by all.