Ace photographer Curtis Perry is back with a few night time shots that really do the cars justice. First up is this always-handsome “Task Force” pickup from ’55-’56. These have always been one of my favorite trucks, thanks to the clean eggcrate grill and all the other usual attractions of pickups from this vintage.
This is the typical and most common configuration from the time: short stepside bed, 1/2 ton nominal rating, and most likely, the six cylinder and three-on-the-tree. Hard to top.
This shot of a ’64 Valiant 200 2-door sedan is evocative. And a nice follow-up to our gen1 Valiant fest here lately.
The view from the rear. These compacts from that era are starting to look so small compared to the tall compact CUVs these days.
And a genuine hot rod ’70 Cutlass.
Nice photos indeed, thank you.
I found a 66 Valiant on a Craigslist near me (the 66s are my favorite year of Valiant) recently and was tempted to contact the seller. These cars are really all I need, sizewise, but 1st owners of these cars rarely bought them with A/C. I’m not sure I can “splurge” on a $3,000 car that needs painting (that 66 had it’s paint worn down nearly to the primer) AND air conditioning, it’s already almost 90 degrees during the days here.
The Chevy pickup truck is one of my favorite Chevy truck models. I haven’t seen one in a while, but the last one I saw was that same light green. Someone a few blocks away has an early 60s Chevy pickup for sale, not half as nice or appealing as the one here, though.
I rejoice every time that I see a Task Force, or predecessor Art Deco pickup still “in use” in its stock configuration.
(Warning: Controversial opinion) To me, a full restoration on these vehicles runs contrary to their purpose, and is a waste of time and resources.
The hot rodded versions are OK ( I love hot rods more than most.) , but most of the time, with regard to these trucks, stock is “Just right”.
I’m right with you, Robert! Hot-rods are a lot of fun, but let’s face it: they’re not trucks anymore. If you’d hesitate to haul a load of manure in the bed, then you haven’t got a truck–you’re looking at a truck-shaped piece of art.
Beautiful photography from Curtis!! I’m intrigued by the front bumper addition to the Chev truck. The Chev and the Valiant are both painted in colours that really suit their lines, there were many subtle shades around in the 50’s & 60’s, wish they’d come back..
Some companies still sell ‘hang-on’ AC kits for old cars & trucks. No idea what it costs.
Happy Motoring, Mark
Of course the modern add on units are slimmer than the one (“Frigette”?) that my aunt had in her ’60 Plymouth wagon! It effectively cut off any chance of a third front seat passenger!
I liked the Valiant, it makes me pine for a ’64 Signet Convertible, or a ’65 Barracuda. But I wouldn’t kick the other “nighttime classics out either… The red on the Cutlass (or is it a Skylark?) looks like it fits in with the Urban night.
The nose looks like a Skylark (caused by the angle?) The rear window is Cutlass. In ancient times I had a ’70 Skylark, The roofline was more Chevelle-ish.
On the pickup the front brackets attached to the bumper may be for a relocated spare years ago my friends truck had a similar setup
Love the color on that pickup. Works perfectly with the surroundings.
I have a diecast model of this exact truck. Same color, wheels, and details.
now if i could expand it to full-size and running…
LOL
I love the wraparound, hand-fabricated rear bumper on the truck. I bought my first two Toyotas without bumpers. I put on heavy-duty SmittyBilt tube bumpers on them. They cost less than at the dealer, and weighed enough to settle the overly-light back end down.
That Cutlass, looks like it would belong to a bunch of punk teenagers, who are up to no good, in an 80’s horror movie.
It looks period correct, the same way the budget muscle cars looked, in the mid to later 80’s.
Especially, with those Centerlines.