Photos from the CC Cohort by Hyperpack (Slant Six), captured at Len’s Auto Sales Service, Blairsville, PA.
To us who enjoy cars, unexpected sightings such as this American mix of models and years offer curious joys. A chance to glimpse at what was, what one enjoyed, and what one discovers anew. The time jump in this car collection is basically a half century, between the late ’50s models and the 21st century ones. Yes, time traveling in one small street section, something fans of the automotive can enjoy at ease when the opportunity comes. No need for future technology to arrive, just your love for old metal.
We caught a brief glimpse of this group a couple of weeks ago, and with more images available, I thought: Why not a closer visit? We’ll go chronologically, and start with this ’57 Ford. If you look closer at that side trim, you’ll see it carries that very short-lived “three-tone” fad on its body. So no ordinary Custom, but a 300.
To younger folk like me, the fact that Fords outsold Chevys in ’57 always comes as a revelation. And the 4-door sedan was Ford’s most numerous, with close to 200K units sold. On this side view, showcasing the Custom line’s 116″ wheelbase. Fairlane line models, meanwhile, rode on a 118″ one.
The ’57’s googly-eyed look is sort of an acquired taste, but must have seemed “distinctive” for buyers at the time.
Following on a legend ain’t easy, and with the ’55-’57 Chevys being such a hit in looks, and sales, the ’58s had big shoes to fill. Unlike Fords, all ’58 Chevrolets rode on a 117.5 wheelbase; from the lowly Delray, to the mid Byscayne, and the top Bel Air.
Admittedly, ’58s never earned much love, then or later. But with just about every surviving ’55-’57 already snatched, and rusty ones fixed up to be displayed at 1950s-themed diners, perhaps these ’58s can now gain more notoriety?
We got two top-pedigree ’58 Chevys in this small car collection, both being 4-door Bel Airs. The neatest is this one, mostly due to its two-tone treatment.
The other 4-door is in a nice shade of blue/turquoise, which may be the car’s original color, as its patina hints.
The ’58’s chunky looks are certainly distinctive, and with the arrival of the wild batwing ’59s, their styling themes are basically a one-year oddity.
The interior of both Bel Airs look generally complete, especially for cars with over half a century on their bodies. The vise-grip plier below the dash on the two-tone, however, is a later addition.
Not many shots of the Equinox or the Vue at the Cohort, but really, did we need them?
It’s well known that 1950s car design was obsessed with Space-Age themes, and while the ’58 has a chunky take on those, they’re there. The simulated jet-intakes flanking the grille, the little winglets on the fenders, the “spear” trim across the body. “Aerodynamics” in styling only, with much to see and entertain the eye.
Meanwhile, the Equinox and Vue are clearly all done and designed with real aerodynamic science at work. Far from being as entertaining, but reality usually plays against the works of our imagination.
Finally, we get to the Saturn, from the newcomer that failed to live up to the billions thrown its way its promise. The first-gen Vue was still a Saturn job when it arrived in 2001, and became the corporation’s best selling model. With their home gone, how long will these orphans survive in the wild?
So that closes our brief car tour of this corner of the world, with a lot of decades between the cars on display. Not a way to go about progress comprehensively, but by the fun of seeing contrast in the leaps. About which, how will our current crop of cars feel like in 2075?
Nice to see that increasingly rare sort of scene.
I’d take the 58’s for a project and parts car. The googly eyes on the 57 Ford never bothered me until someone pointed it out on a CC post and now I can’t un-see it.
I know the ’58 Impala, DeRay and Vue. They were all good vehicles. The Impala was a Salmon Pink convertible, the DelRay was a dark Green sedan, and the Vue. I wouldn’t mind having any of them now. Each had good styling for their day. Quality-wise, they all stayed together. Riding around in that pink Impala was fun. The Vue had an Opel engine that rattled like an old tractor – but otherwise was dependable.
Sold the Chevies. Had too many kids to keep the Vue. I see Impala convertibles selling for tens of thousands, which is ridiculous. The Vue can be picked up for under $5000 now. I recommend the last years with the Honda engine.
I have had a bit of a soft spot for the ’58 Chevrolets since I built the 1:25 AMT Impala as a kid. I prefer the cleaner dash to either the preceeding ’57 or the following ’59 both of which are a bit fussy in comparison. A Biscayne or Delray four door sedan for me please.
Wow…the blue/turquise ’58 is a dead ringer for our family car ca. 1967. I still remember the upholstery pattern, and that dash brought back instant deja vu.
We saw a lot of British Columbia in that car, it was relegated to second car status when Dad got a promotion that came with a company car in ’68.
My Mom drove it for a while, then it was replaced by a ’63 Acadian sport coupe that was a little easier to manage than the ’58 with it’s 3 on the tree.
I hope this one gets saved, it looks pretty solid!
58 Bel Aire for me, they were popular in NZ and thats the model we got 283 3 on the tree, no automatics except via special order,
57 Fords sold well in NZ in 57, Chevrolets effort not so but youd never know now 57 Chevs both NZ new and used imports outnumber 57 Fords hands down..
These photos resonate with me because when I was a little kid (early ’70s) there was an old supermarket building near me (FOODTOWN). The side of the building looked almost exactly like the one here–same brick pattern even. The area was paved with gravel. Everything around had that neglected, seedy, commercial look. And parked next to the building I’d see occasional old cars from the ’50s with the same kind of patina these cars have. I remember a ’57 Chevy sedan, and a few others I can’t recall now. Maybe they were driven by low-level employees who didn’t make much money.
I was always drawn to this area because it seemed like time travel. Like I was seeing Cedar Knolls NJ as it existed in the late ’50s/early ’60s. It was an “atmospheric” experience that somehow made me feel warm and cozy.
There was another place on Route 10 that had a similar row of old cars. This is about 20 years later and I was able to take a picture. I drove my black ’58 Cadillac next to the old beat-up cars to complete the picture. I miss finding old cars from the ’50s parked in hidden nooks and crannies, but occasionally it still does happen.
I had a 1958 Impala in highschool in 1964 it had 3 on the tree but it was a 348 fast car back then bet guy in my class he had a 1959 Corvette 283 4 speed
This is around the corner from where I live you should have peeked out back
I am guessing you live on Bowser, 259 or 22?
I am sure the stuff out back is not going anywhere. I will get back there this summer!
The random mix of models and years here is great.
A few weeks ago I took one of my cars in for a transmission service, and I was greeted by this random trio of interesting cars as I drove up. Too good of a scene not to photograph:
*VERY* nice finds indeed .
I have always found the 1957 Fords to be beautiful, remember I’m a Bow Tie Guy but face it, the ’58 Chevies were dogs when new and only in the last few years has the So. Cal. Low Rider community begun to accept them and lavish attention on derelicts like these .
I wonder of the base model Ford has the (? 223 ?) six ? .
That three tone is fantastic .
-Nate