I love visiting my mechanic. Not only is he a great guy who is really good with my cars, but the view is so scenic as well. A neighboring business has this fascinating collection of old iron out front. Awaiting repairs? Or just the owner’s way of having a modest little car collection? Or do these old timers have a secret life of sitting around and shooting the breeze? It doesn’t matter, I just enjoy the view and thought that my fellow CC readers might enjoy it too. So, how many ’61 Imperials have you seen lately? Have you ever noticed how both front fenders and the header panel over the grille appear to be a single piece? Not a single exposed seam, they were probably filled by hand on the production line. Is this why they called it “America’s Most Carefully Built Car”?
Or how about this retired law enforcement officer. I wonder how the county sheriff’s department rated Mercury Montereys in 1971. I would guess that Ford Customs would have been cheaper. Oh well, who am I to begrudge our sheriff’s deputies a little comfort during a hard day’s work. This one looks mighty straight and rust-free for this area.
This ’66 Thunderbird looks pretty nice. A base model hardtop (not the Landau) with red interior and that cool swing-away steering wheel. This one looks like it is ready to roll right on out, just needs a license plate. I wonder if the sequential turn signals still work?
This ’81 Reliant is like one of the young ‘uns sitting around absorbing the stories and wisdom of the older folks. These K’s used to be common as dirt, but when was the last time you saw one? We must also salute this one for its properly clean whitewalls.
I’m sorry, did I just ask how long since you saw a ’61 Imperial? How about TWO ’61 Imperials? Is this not the most fabulous set of bookends ever? Just think – if this were 50 years ago, some aristocrat with a yachting cap could spend his mornings sipping coffee and wondering “Do I feel like driving the white one or the blue one today?”
OK, time to go back and pick up the Crown Victoria that no longer leaks power steering fluid and get home for dinner. Funny how my 18 year old car suddenly doesn’t seem so old.
These K’s used to be common as dirt, but when was the last time you saw one?
I’m actually thinking about picking up an ’88 Reliant for a runabout at auction if I can get it for under a grand. Well, actually under 800 would be better…
I like how the ’81 Reliants with the Mitsu 2.6 had “HEMI” badges. Really.
Were the K cars Mitsi based?
No, but if you wanted an engine bigger than Chrysler’s new for 1981 2.2 liter 4 cylinder, the choice was a the Mitsu 2.6 silent shaft engine. I had forgotten about the Hemi badges on these.
That Monterey- I want it!!!
I learned how to drive in a Blue 71 Monterrey. Amazing car.
First, I’m with you on the scourge of dirty whitewalls. Second, is it just me, or does the original Reliant face look eerily like Lee Iacocca’s? Go look at the pic of Lido and a K coming off the line in the “bipolar history,” then tell me I’m not nuts…
I aint seen an Imperial that model in many years never mind 2 and neither looks like a parts car.
Yes the Imperial’s one piece fender and header panel was a trademark of that brand, and I suspect a good part of the reason they performed so well in demo-derbies that they were outlawed, the only vehicle to receive that distinction.
Humber Super Snipes have the same problem not popular at demo derbys too tough to kill
One piece or lead loaded join?
If it is like the 64 I once owned, there was a joint that was leaded or otherwise filled in.
Actually a trip to my mechanic involves no driving Im it and thouroughly not enjoying replacing ball joints on my Citroen bloody thing failed it Warrant of Fittness test, Im not looking forward to getting the Hillman a WOF it was built in my carport lots of things for inspectors not to like
“These K’s used to be common as dirt, but when was the last time you saw one?”
About 5 minutes ago. They all must have ended up here.
Ive never seen a K car in the wild I saw my first Chev Celebrity 2 weeks ago in a paddock grass up to the bumpers 4 sale, remembered all the comments about them ,kept driving
Ah, what a wonderful place for CC enthusiast to visit. I would’ve had a ball visiting a shop like this also. The Lexus dealership with its luxury cafe-themed waiting room is proof that the brand is not aimed at the typical CC reader. Otherwise, they’d better off putting a Toyota Century and a few Toyopet Crown of various vintage in its waiting room. We’d be more satisfied!
I think the Reliant stacks up nicely in that lot…. Id Prefer The T-Bird, but I suppose thats the most work.
At first glance I thought that Reliant WAS a 1981 Thunderbird. At least the Ford could be had with a V8 no matter how puny.
It’s kind of funny how you show the Monterey right before the Thunderbird… growing up in the 90’s, my dad had a cobbled-together 69 Monterey and a gorgeous, cherry red 66 Tbird with black landau top and a luxurious yet putrid-smelling black leather interior. I hated it when I was little, but in retrospect, it kicks ass!!
Are any of these for sale in particular the Mercury? If so do you have a phone number to call thnaks. I love the old ford and mercury police cars.
I don’t know the number, but the car was sitting at Charlie’s Radiator Service on 106th Street in Carmel, IN. I have never seen any for sale signs on any of the cars. I believe that they belong to the owner. I should add that I have not seen the Mercury there in quite awhile.