Canadiancatgreen has been one of our most prolific CC Cohort contributors throughout the years, and these past few months, he’s been as busy as ever in his curbside hunting activities. So, what new finds from up north have been discovered in that time?
Here’s one that I believe has become very rare in the US, a 1988-1993 Dynasty. This was uploaded to the Cohort as a Chrysler Dynasty, which is the way I understand it was sold in Canada. I could be wrong, since it’s hard to track those Canadian rebadges of the Pentastar.
But well, the point is, this K-car era Chrysler looks to be doing quite well. Talk about late 1980s memories.
We’ll go for something more vintage and classic with a 1966 Rambler… well, Classic, on a driveway.
Another driveway classic, a 1963 Mercury Meteor. Talking about Meteor, and since we’re in Canada, it’s worth mentioning that for a while it was its own brand; from 1949 to 1961, and from 1964 to 1976. It’s all better told in a previous CC post.
Now to Japanese products; a third generation (1986-1999) Mitsubishi Delica (L300 in North America), this one with a 4×4 setup. As far as I understand, these cabover boxy offerings have developed a following up north in recent years.
What a few touches can do to a design. When these 1991-1996 Chevrolet full-sizers lost the original rear skirts and gained Impala trim and dark hues, the styling went from bathtub questionable to “I might be able to get into this after all…”
Opposite side of the spectrum of sporty; an early 1985-1989 Integra, and this one looks stock. I wanted one then, I still want one today.
Staying with Honda products, but of a tamer nature. A fourth generation Civic of the 1987-1991 era, in sedan form.
The quintessential 1970s American car? Perhaps not, but close to. I won’t be able to pinpoint the year for this Plymouth Duster, but it looks in the same condition as I remember them from my teenage years in the 1980s-1990s. The 1970s car that would not go away. And still hangs on.
Talking about the 1970s, the GM H-bodies fall on the opposite end for me; by the 1990s most were gone around my California surroundings. But here’s a fixed-up Chevy Monza Spyder.
Even rarer, a Chrysler R-body; here a 1979-1981 New Yorker. In that beige color that was oddly quite popular around those days.
I’m pretty sure I’ve posted this 1970s Lincoln Town Car before. Here’s its current condition.
A W-body Cutlass Supreme, these were never that common; at least, when compared to their predecessors. Now? I can’t recall the last time I saw one. And from this angle, its styling similarities to the early Saturn are all too obvious.
An Aztek! Those plastics look worn and somewhat nasty, but the overall concept? After a quarter of a century of extroverted SUVs and CUVs, these are almost making sense now. And well, they got that Breaking Bad factor going for them.
Whatever your feelings on the Aztek are, there are always enough 1977-1989 Chevrolet B-bodies around to remind you what a styling powerhouse the General used to be. Those crisp lines became too ubiquitous for their own good, but putting that aside, they still look good decades later. A good way to close today’s Cohort tour.
Nice bunch of pictures .
I like that old Merc. and the Impala / Caprice best .
-Nate
That Mitsubishi Van looks like it would roll over just making a turn.
I am calling the Duster a 73 or 74. It’s hard to tell if it has the extended bumper for 74. If I recall, 1975 and on had the chrome strip across the back, but that may have been only on the Dart Sport.
Great shots!
Great collection of finds!
Interesting about the Cutlass Supreme, because while I do see Cutlass Supreme coupes of that era occasionally, it’s been years since I’ve seen a sedan. I guess the coupes have a few more dedicated fans willing to keep them running.
I love the R-Body New Yorker!
And the Dynasty, was in fact sold as a Chrysler in Canada. Here’s a Chrysler Dynasty ad:
Quite a few models were sold in Canada as Chryslers. The Dynasty, Daytona, Neon, etc.
The Duster is a post-1973 model with shock absorbers for the rear bumper in place of the two big rubbers.
For sheer look lovers, check out this video from Adam about this 9C1 ’77 Impala. Very crips line due to the fact that presses were not worn out as at the end of production 13 years later.
In 1980, the B body was put on a diet. Every panel on the car was different from the 1977-1979 cars.
Just for fun I put your statement at test at A.I. : ”The statement is false; while GM did put the B-body cars on a diet in 1980 to reduce weight, not every single panel was different from the 1977-1979 models. Some structural components and the overall “boxy” shape remained, but many exterior panels, like the hood, trunk lid, and quarter panels, were restyled to be more aerodynamic and to incorporate new features.
Weight reduction: The B-body cars were “put on a diet” through the use of lighter materials and a more aerodynamic design, with some panels redesigned to be more lightweight.
Restyled panels: Panels like the hood, fenders, and trunk lid were new.
Retained design cues: The overall “boxy” shape of the B-body cars was not completely abandoned, as some design elements from previous years were carried over to maintain brand recognition and continuity. ” So you are right and the original presses were no longer used at the end and the comment starting at 4:40 in the video is not accurate.
Loving the Duster. I miss the days of being able to rely on finding a nice old Valiant or Dart variation for someone who needed some cheap but dependable wheels.
I like the composition of that last shot (of the Chevrolet B-Body). A good looking car in its element.
Reminds me of the album art for Jackson Browne’s “Late for the Sky.” That was an old Chevy, too.
Nice work, CCG!
That Duster sure brings back memories. They were the roaches of the day. A friend’s mom had one for a while as a loaner while her car was being repaired after a crash. The back seat was cramped and like a black hole. It seems that the two door was the preferred model in Canada, which I never understood. Anyone with a family needs four doors.
Just for fun I put your statement at test at A.I. : ”The statement is false; while GM did put the B-body cars on a diet in 1980 to reduce weight, not every single panel was different from the 1977-1979 models. Some structural components and the overall “boxy” shape remained, but many exterior panels, like the hood, trunk lid, and quarter panels, were restyled to be more aerodynamic and to incorporate new features.
Weight reduction: The B-body cars were “put on a diet” through the use of lighter materials and a more aerodynamic design, with some panels redesigned to be more lightweight.
Restyled panels: Panels like the hood, fenders, and trunk lid were new.
Retained design cues: The overall “boxy” shape of the B-body cars was not completely abandoned, as some design elements from previous years were carried over to maintain brand recognition and continuity. ” So you are right and the original presses were no longer used at the end and the comment starting at 4:40 in the video is not accurate.
The ’79 NYer is almost certainly a 5th Ave, the top version almost always in that color with cream color interior, can’t see if it has the crystal hood ornament.
Thanks for a wonderful tour.