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!
My 74
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.
If memory serves, I believe the Dynasty was originally launched as a Chrysler but, after a couple of years, became a Dodge.
In Canada, at least.
Always liked the Duster and the 75 Duster and 75 Cordoba were said to be “the cars that saved Chrysler”.
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.
If memory serves, I believe the Dynasty was originally launched as a Chrysler but, after a couple of years, became a Dodge.
In Canada, at least.
Always liked the Duster and the 75 Duster and 75 Cordoba were said to be “the cars that saved Chrysler”.
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.
The Monza and it’s BOP H body badgejobs in hatchback form are to me one of GMs best and most overlooked styling efforts of the 70s. Frankly I like it better than the Ferrari GTC/4 Bill Mitchell & co. copied.
Since you mentioned it, stay tuned tomorrow for more GM H-body content.
Nice find on the Aztek, very rare bird. Had mine from 2022 -2024 and I’m sure that the cladding is hiding severe rust in the rockers and rear door dog legs. The gas cap surround is the tip of the rustberg. The inside of the wheel well is toast too. Horrible design that offered little or no protection from road spray kickup from the tires.
I liked the Aztek in limited form, and this is one of them. With the gray body cladding and those flat faced geometric alloy wheels. Though I’d prefer the vehicle in orange, blue, or yellow.
I vote for the Meteor in this group.
My adventurous daughter is a fan of those Delica vans, but my Dad reflex says no way. They are very cute to look at though.
Nice to see a early sixties Meteor.
There is the same year of car near by daughter and son-in-law’s place. It too is complete and rusting away in a driveway in SW Calgary. The Duster reminds me of the nice 74 Dart Sport we had for a couple of years. I didn’t have the money or space to keep it. I could go on, so many good cars from the past have come and gone.
I lived in Ottawa Ontario for 18 years starting in 2003. Let me tell you the classic/vintage car culture is very much alive in Canada. I really appreciated how slightly different some Canadian cars were slightly different from their US counterparts.
Even in late 2010, when I was ordering a 2011 Camaro (only built in Canada) did I notice a few minor differences. Such as Camaros to be sold in Canada required day-time running lights, not so for those exported to the US. It was wonderful you could just click a button and switch from Canadian kilometer’s to US miles.
However, what really pissed me off in 2010, was when the US & Canadian dollar was equal (PLEASE LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN). My 2011 Camaro MSRP sold in Canada cost about $5,000 more than the identical car sold in the US. All the Camaro’s were made in Canada! What also pissed me off was GM Canada would not acknowledge their warranties’ if the car was bought cross border, meaning I bought a new car in the US and exported it to Canada. The rub was, as a US expat, I could buy a new Mustang in the States, import it to Canada, and Ford of Canada would service its warranty. Ford of Canada also charged more for their Mustangs.
So why in the world would I buy a Canadian built Camaro at $5000 more if I had just gone back to the US and bought at a US dealer. One: it had the Canadian warranty. Two: I just fell in love with that Camaro and had to have it;
I hear you – my 2014 Mustang bought off Campbell Ford on Carling was easily 3-5k more than in the US (granted they don’t make them here). The Camaro when I priced it down the road were probably similar, only it was a mess because he couldn’t find the sales sheet to give me a number.
BTW you ever get to the cruise nights at Hazeldean Mall?
To confirm on the culture being alive and well – the west end of the city is full of classics driving around on Tuesday nights in the summer. Problem with our classics though is they’re hidden away for nearly half the year!
But go into the rural areas and there are tons hiding around in people’s property and in garages. I know of half a dozen that family members have on their land and easy another 20 or 30 restorable 40-80s era cars and trucks that sit at the back of a family friends lumber yard (that he also won’t sell).