I always enjoy attending the local swap meet despite usually not making any big purchases. It probably helps that it occurs in the doldrums of winter when nothing much else automotive-wise is happening. More often than not the event seems to correspond with a break in the weather, which makes spotting Curbside Classic material in the parking lot like shooting fish in a barrel. This year the weather was not fantastic but a good number of interesting vehicles were still to be found.
If you had to drive a classic in the winter this GMC 1500 Custom 4×4 would be a decent choice. The big rig Western Star mud flaps dominate the rear view.
This Ford F150 Ranger shows another path to Seventies classic truck ownership. Except for the grill guard and extra lighting it appears to be very stock right down the hubcaps. The two tone paint scheme is an attractive touch on these sixth generation F-series trucks.
This Chevrolet C20 is not as shiny as the Ford or as modified as the GMC but appears to still be earning its keep as a driver. You certainly do not see front mounted spare tires often anymore.
While Albertans love their trucks this Pontiac Grand Prix proves that older cars braved the elements as well. The front plate is a sure sign of long term ownership.
This Daytona looked well kept. Since this is Canada it is a Chrysler not a Dodge. This one had IROC stickers on it which would make it a 1991 if they are legitimate.
Ford Model A chassis (and parts)?
I have seen this AMC Eagle station wagon around town so it is a driver. These days it is always a treat to see a vehicle fake wood paneling on the side.
Here is something I have never seen before. Mitsubishi Minicab van imported from Japan.
Manual transmission in this one.
This a sixth generation Minicab was introduced in 1999.
Perhaps right on the cusp of being a classic car I think these first generation Honda Insights are among the most interesting hybrids. Perhaps as they are one of the few hybrid vehicles offered with a manual transmission.
Where have the Nissan 240SXs gone? These were a common vehicle ten years ago but a rare sight now. This look appears quite stock except for a single wiper conversion and older 200SX rims on the rear.
Sort of truck, sort of a car. It is a Chevrolet El Camino in nice shape.
Can we stomach one more truck? Maybe if it is a GMC Syclone? Produced in 1991 these featured a turbocharged 4.3L V6 and were memorably tested against a Ferrari by Car & Driver.
Tomorrow we will take a look at the treasures to be found inside the swap meet.
CC Effect: we were talking about the Syclone (and Typhoon) at lunch today, and I shot a G1 Insight in town last week.
IIRC, when you go to Honda’s website, under “upcoming products” is the next generation of Insight. It looks like a variation of the latest Civic, but then, so does the new Accord.
Love that BIG GMC! I guess I’m not too old to stop liking Tonka trucks.
It’s a great shot of one as well.
One more vote for that GMC, of course!
Nice! I always liked how Ford continued using those 1966 wheelcovers on their 4WD trucks for another decade. I always wondered if the deep cone shape that fit the locking hubs so nicely was coincidence or whether they were designed that way due to the Bronco coming out that year.
As for that bare chassis, it looks like those springs are oriented the wrong way for it to be a Model A – those still used the transverse leaf spring arrangement and the springs on this one look longitudinal. Which makes it a lot harder to ID.
OK, I see the Ford spring and differential now up top of the other one, which I still cannot ID.
That big GMC is worth more than many might think. The ’67-’73 Gen of GMC/Chevy pickup is bringing crazy money right now. Especially the relatively rare 4X4 versions.
While all the GM pickups from that era are attractive, I really like the GMC grille with the four headlights. Unlike the Chevy, the GMC only had minor year-to-year changes.
I think Honda missed an opportunity with the original Insight – ditch the hybrid drivetrain and rear skirts, stuff in a Civic Si engine, 6-speed stick, and real suspension and tires. Voila! – a CRX for the millennium.
And in the other direction, put its’ manual ‘box and crisper-handling suspension tune in the 5-door Insight and offer an Insight Si.
I suspect that the front-mounted spare tire indicates former camper duty for that pickup.
Great assortment — for some reason that Mitsubishi Minicab really grabs my attention. I’m sure this partly results from the fact that I saw an early-1990s Delica van this past weekend, which is the first I’ve ever seen in the flesh, and really got me thinking about Japanese vans. But this Minicab is just downright interesting… and I like the tail lights that look as if they took inspiration from a ’75 El Camino.
Did you see Godzilla riding on the dash? Excellent!
I like those 1st gen Insights. They’re interesting in that, although I think they may still be the hybrid (non-plug-in) fuel mileage champ at 66 mpg, it’s not without cost. The Insight was able to achieve those stellar figures as it was configured to delve much deeper into the battery’s reserve which, unfortunately, significantly shortened its life (unlike the Prius which, although fuel mileage wasn’t nearly as good, battery life was also much longer).
On the positive side, there’s something of a cottage industry in supplying cost-effective replacement Insight traction batteries.
As a Canadian (Southern Ontario) seeing that sweet F150 parked on snow makes me cringe.
Around here the Salt trucks start spreading their metal eating concoctions around early November to late March. A 20 year old daily driver is extremely rare.
Salt usage is pretty minimal around here as its generally too cold to be effective. Mostly gravel and sand.
I guess it stands to reason that folks who frequent swap meets would be more likely than average to drive older vehicles. That parking lot definitely has more interesting cars and trucks than a typical one! I’ve never been there, but I have the impression that Alberta is relatively dry climate wise. If they don’t use much road salt, that makes sense that there are so many older survivors.
My favorites are the 79(?) Ford truck and the Grand Prix. I would be surprised if that is the GP’s original color.
I’m assuming this is the Lethbridge swap meet? Never had a chance to take in that event. The Red Deer swap meet has always been a big draw even bringing people from Saskatchewan and British Columbia. For meet its only an hour and a half away.
What I like to do is see what’s parked outside the venue and its out there you’ll see some interesting vehicles for sale.
Yes this is the Lethbridge one. The Red Deer one is much larger although it has been a long time since I have managed to go.