Always hate to see abandoned vehicles in disrepair. My own attachment to my own vehicles has been as if they were a family member. Somehow feel these vehicles have been used and now are left to die without anyone caring . Two of my own cars (particular long term) made me feel like I was selling my grandma 😔 when I finally had to let them go. Of these vehicles shown The 59 Ford takes my eye. The Pontiac (with a face only a mother could love) is a sad ending for Pontiac. Still Someone probably loved it at one time.
The Ford and Willys wagons won’t be in despair for long…have you seen what those go for used? Pure gold! The penultimate Dodge is no derelict; pretty clear that’s someone’s daily workhorse and will be going strong for many years. The second Chevy (GMC?) looks like it’s in a foreign environment…some Baghdad compound?…so if it quit running, it may sit there unloved for a while. Schade. But the middle picture is my fave. Some enterprising soul has just got a killer deal on an unlovable, but certainly utilitarian, Aztek in apparently well-maintained shape, the savings allowing them to purchase their first house, albeit a bit of a fixer-upper. But No Prob, the Aztek was up to the task of hauling those 8′ 4×4’s that have renovated the sagging porch and squaring up all things in their American Dream.
So maybe it’s a product of coming of age in the early aughts, but I never thought the Aztek to be strange looking – interesting, yes, but certainly not off-putting enough to warrant the massive infamy surrounding it although I think a majority of it comes from people jumping on the bandwagon once they were added to “ugliest vehicle” slideshows on mainstream social media sites with wide audiences. Also, the Buick Rendezvous, I think, was one of GM’s best efforts at distinguishing two vehicles sharing a platform.
I will say that it is a shame Pontiac never mastered the whole ‘cladding-turning-multiple-shades-of-white’ thing for as long as they championed the stuff.
It’s the Sweptline for me. I think that’s a ’68 or ’69, with the rectangular grille encasing the lights, but still with the older, browed hood. The Sweptline was a lot like the Lark – bits and pieces changed rather than a big refresh, Dodge even claimed to away with model years in the middle of the decade, releasing styling improvements as they were ready.
Personal taste, I guess, but I never cared for the ‘59 styling on the Ford. I thought so even as child at that time.
It was the last of the overwrought and heavy design period which was much cleaned up the following years.
Nice shot of the Dodge. I also like the Chevy. The hood’s up and there’s still air in the tires – who’s to say that someone just wants to get it running and driving with that nice patina?
I’ll take that ranch wagon or swept side pickup. Love the wagon
For some people, this is representative of the remaining memory of Pontiac.
There is a clapped-out 2007(?) Pontiac Torrent I occasionally spot in downtown Ottawa, doing deliveries. The only Pontiac I see, on a regular basis.
Excellent captures.
I love the ’59 Ford wagon.
Always hate to see abandoned vehicles in disrepair. My own attachment to my own vehicles has been as if they were a family member. Somehow feel these vehicles have been used and now are left to die without anyone caring . Two of my own cars (particular long term) made me feel like I was selling my grandma 😔 when I finally had to let them go. Of these vehicles shown The 59 Ford takes my eye. The Pontiac (with a face only a mother could love) is a sad ending for Pontiac. Still Someone probably loved it at one time.
The Ford and Willys wagons won’t be in despair for long…have you seen what those go for used? Pure gold! The penultimate Dodge is no derelict; pretty clear that’s someone’s daily workhorse and will be going strong for many years. The second Chevy (GMC?) looks like it’s in a foreign environment…some Baghdad compound?…so if it quit running, it may sit there unloved for a while. Schade. But the middle picture is my fave. Some enterprising soul has just got a killer deal on an unlovable, but certainly utilitarian, Aztek in apparently well-maintained shape, the savings allowing them to purchase their first house, albeit a bit of a fixer-upper. But No Prob, the Aztek was up to the task of hauling those 8′ 4×4’s that have renovated the sagging porch and squaring up all things in their American Dream.
Dodge pickup in front of the Peterbilt tractor is a lovely photograph…
So maybe it’s a product of coming of age in the early aughts, but I never thought the Aztek to be strange looking – interesting, yes, but certainly not off-putting enough to warrant the massive infamy surrounding it although I think a majority of it comes from people jumping on the bandwagon once they were added to “ugliest vehicle” slideshows on mainstream social media sites with wide audiences. Also, the Buick Rendezvous, I think, was one of GM’s best efforts at distinguishing two vehicles sharing a platform.
I will say that it is a shame Pontiac never mastered the whole ‘cladding-turning-multiple-shades-of-white’ thing for as long as they championed the stuff.
I was thinking the Chevy pickup is somewhere near the Salton Sea or maybe Bagdad California! Love the Dodge pickup.
I dig how that first pic makes the wagon look like a 6-wheeler.
The colour manipulation of the Aztek and Dodge pics is too heavy for my tastes; it begins to compete with the subject for attention.
Beautiful shot of the Ford…gallery worthy.
Yes, whatever was done to change the pictures is striking but not realistic .
I see a lot of old Willys wagons here and there, I don’t think they’re gaining value just yet .
-Nate
It’s the Sweptline for me. I think that’s a ’68 or ’69, with the rectangular grille encasing the lights, but still with the older, browed hood. The Sweptline was a lot like the Lark – bits and pieces changed rather than a big refresh, Dodge even claimed to away with model years in the middle of the decade, releasing styling improvements as they were ready.
Personal taste, I guess, but I never cared for the ‘59 styling on the Ford. I thought so even as child at that time.
It was the last of the overwrought and heavy design period which was much cleaned up the following years.
Nice shot of the Dodge. I also like the Chevy. The hood’s up and there’s still air in the tires – who’s to say that someone just wants to get it running and driving with that nice patina?