The week before this Labor Day, my Dad and I set out to travel Route 66 from Chicago to Albuquerque. Given Dad’s insistence on over-the-road comfort, we chose his 2003 Buick Park Avenue Ultra (the supercharged one), rather than my ’74 Mustang II Mach 1. I felt the Mach 1 better fit the whole Route 66 vibe, but as the son, I bowed to my senior partner. While traffic prevented a picture of the Buick in front of Buckingham Fountain in Chicago’s Grant Park, we did establish our presence in Chicago with this shot on Michigan Avenue on the back side of the park.
I expected to find plenty of Curbside Classics on the Mother Road, and Sunday afternoon we scored our first shot. This lovely ’58 Impala sat in a Car Show on the Ogden Road portion of Route 66 in Chicago. As most know, the ’58 was the first year of the Impala (which was only available as a 2-door hardtop or convertible), and the first year with an X-Frame.
Monday morning we departed from Joliet, Illinois, and found this late seventies Dodge Monaco police car up on a post in a gas station parking lot. The car is done up in livery from the movie “The Blues Brothers,” and included a pair of dummies to complete the illusion. While there’s some passion for the Dodge Monaco out there, if I had one I’d probably call up this fuel company, and see if they need any cars for their other stores.
Somewhere between Joliet and Pontiac (Illinois), I spotted this 1964 Buick Electra 225 convertible. While a bit rusty, the car is complete and may be ready for the road. I did take some additional pictures, and once I’ve got the time for research, I’ll provide a complete write up.
A few miles further down the road, we found this period correct 1975-76 Chrysler Cordoba. Located in a used car lot, it beckoned to those car fans driving up and down Route 66 in search of automotive fulfillment. It seemed quite complete, but it did have a fist sized dent on the passenger side.
Along the fence line in the back of the Cordoba’s sales lot, I also spotted these cars waiting for a friendly hand to return them to the road. I’m not very excited by those three jukebox-era sleds with the mid-market nameplates, but if that ’65 Chevy four door is complete, my excitement level would approach “kinda interested.”
Outside of Bloomington-Normal, I found this ’67 Dodge Charger parked on a small town street. As I said earlier, a late seventies Monaco is no prize, but this car is different. Chrysler’s first swing at the personal luxury coupe is a car well worth keeping.
Shortly before ending our second day in Illinois, I spotted this 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible. While the tall grass around the car indicates rare use, the car appears to act as a tow machine for that big boat in the background. Can you imagine cruising over to Otter Lake with the top down and the tunes blasting? Turn to your Curbside Classic for weekend fun!
On Tuesday morning, we headed south out of Springfield (Illinois). Almost immediately, we found this 1954 Ford F600 in a small town on Highway 4.
The front of the truck included this V-8 badge (complete with chrome chevron accents), promising you all the Y-Block Ford power this truck will ever need.
This may be the prize of the trip. As you can see, I found the car in front of an automotive shop (in Carlinville, Illinois), but as far as I can tell, the shop has not modified anything. After a visual inspection, all parts appear to be 100% original. As you can see, the driver’s glass was down, and the interior was complete, right down to a key in the ignition. I was tempted to hop in and drive off, but both license plates were missing.
Here’s further evidence of the car’s original condition. In this close-up, you can see a dealer tag. It reads “Dick Shirley Chevrolet Buick, Carlinville Illinois.” Based on the tag and overall paint condition, I’d say this car has been native to the area since purchased new. Overall, a great CC capture.
Across from the Buick, I spotted this ’60 Chevy four door. Notice the fuel tank hanging over the front bumper. It appears someone has bypassed a rank fuel tank and clogged fuel lines with a small capacity fuel container and dip hose. I suppose mounting the tank on the vehicle exterior is better than setting it on the passenger floorboard, but please- Don’t try this at home.
I hope these cars whet your appetite for more. I’ve got some more trip pictures coming, and I also plan to write a brief article on “How to Tour Route 66,” but that’s all for now!
Great finds. Really like the 67 Charger, and in my favorite color. Enjoy your road trip with your Dad, take lots of pictures. Will make for great memories in the future. Looking forward to part 2 and beyond. You have already found a great collection of CC’s in you journey.
If I ever do this with my grown children, I plan on asking if we are there yet quite frequently. I also might barf in the car. They have it coming. 🙂
Ahh…first law of car touring with family “No questions of time or distance. No exceptions.” Stated early and 16.5 years later, we have, at least in that respect, no problem. Second law forbids eating in any car at any time – this addresses housekeeping more than the involuntary barf.
’58 Impala was also a convertible. And of that lonely lineup behind the Cordoba, give me the ’58 Edsel first, the ’54 Buick second. The ’65 Chevy is either a BelAir or Biscayne. The fourth car? Something mid-50’s GM, but can’t figure out what.
I’m thinking the fourth car is also a Buick, but didn’t tromp through the weeds to make sure- It does appear to have portholes on the passenger fender.
Thanks for the reminder on the convertible- I’ve updated the text. D/S
I think it is another Buick. The headlight surround looks a lot like the other Buick.
From the wrap around windshield, parking lights and portholes, looks like another 1954 Buick.
1954 or 1955 Buick sedan, so probably a Special, can’t tell anymore from the pics.
My gut says ’55, but I need a bit closer look to be sure.
I think that’s a 66 Charger, not a 67. If I recall correctly, turn signal indicators integrated into the beltline chrome strip on the fender tips were standard in 1967, and this example doesn’t have them.
What a great trip to take with your Father. I’m sorry, but I am firmly on his side as to vehicle for cruising route 66. Looking forward to the full report.
Your father is a wise man, a comfortable cruising car is a must when traveling Rte 66. Plus the Buick Park Avenue is storied and historical name. From 1991-2005 it was its own model with the Ultra being the top of the line but prior to 1991 it was the top of the line trim version of the Electra lineup.
I like the choice of the Park Avenue Ultra, they were always one of my favorites back when I sold Buicks, very quiet, solid structure derived from the G-body Aurora, lots of comfort and electronic toys, those cars can eat up the miles like its no ones business.
You know that I am not much of a GM guy, but I agree with you wholeheartedly on the Park Avenue Ultra. I would very happily find room for one of these in my garage.
I glance at low mileage ones on ebay from time to time, I haven’t pulled the trigger, but they are tempting.
“Hey, move that red 58 Chevy owdda the way – it’s blocking that beautiful flathead Mopar that I need a picture of.”
A whole lotta fun stuff here, Dave. It can only get better as you move south and west. I have a hard time picking a favorite. Actually, it is hard to imagine that there were still any existing 74 Dodge sedans anywhere in Illinois after the Blues Brothers was filmed.
Sounds like a great trip you and your Dad have planned. Enjoy!
Looking at it again, that ‘flathead Mopar’ is, I believe, a 46-68 Plymouth. At least that’s what the light on the trunk lid is leading me to believe.
There were a number of nice cars stuffed into the parking lot of that Chicago car show, but the ’58 Impala was the one posed with open space up front and sunlight out back.
I do wonder how many existing Monacos there are out there that *aren’t* either Blues Bros. tribute cars or done in vintage police livery of some sort. Can’t be all that many.
That being said, I’d certainly love to own a Royal Monaco hardtop with the hidden lamps. Very nice and rarely seen expression of Broughaminess. And a 440, thanks.
Looking forward to see what else you find on the mother road!
I did see a red on black 74 or 75 Monaco at a Mopar show in Seattle a few years ago that was originally a fire-chief car, and had the full police package with 440 4-barrel engine. Unfortunately if I have a photo of it, it’s a slide.
Loving The Bluesmobile ! .
So nice you’re taking this trip with your Pops , enjoy him while you can .
-Nate
had a set of those caps on the Cordoba on my 79 88 coupe ( with the Chrysler emblem blacked out) back in the day…I’d run some on my Grand Marquis now except they had to go and make all the wheels too big… 🙂
The Convertible Buick is nice, but I am really liking the 1960 Impala a whole lot.
I know it’s got a lot of “gingerbread” on it, but I’ve always loved the ’58 Impala, and this red one does nothing to change my mind. The detailing on these cars is rather the polar opposite of the 1970 Hornet or 1971 Satellite coupe featured last week, but I like both extremes.
Dave, thanks for sharing these highlights from your journey with us.
The CC Effect is certainly alive and well; I was on a portion of the old US 66 earlier today around Cuba and then between Rolla and St. Robert, Missouri, including the old four-lane portion that is now in the middle of nowhere with its 1930s era concrete.
I’m looking forward to seeing what else you encountered. Taking the Buick was a very good choice and from the timing is it safe to say you are still on the Mother Road?
This ’32 Chevrolet was facing Old 66 as of three hours ago, so one can only imagine what else you have found. You have built some very good suspense.
Regarding that Charger… what possesses people to put those asinine aftermarket stick-on hood scoops on a car of truck? That are a level WAY beyond tacky… and should be illegal 😀 .
“Stop liking what I don’t like! Anything I don’t like should be illegal!”
And here I thought they were kinda cool!
MORE MORE!!!
I did this run from NYC to LA in 2008. I headed to Niagara Falls first, dropped back into Michigan then over to Chicago and picked up Rte 66 and took most of it back to LA. Saw lots of nostalgia, empty towns and classics on the road. It was a great trip, lots of research to see the good bits, I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
KJ
I’m only the second person to comment on that ’58 Edsel Pacer?!
It sure appears to be in better cosmetic condition than the similar aged cars on either side of it. Given the resources, restoring a ’58 Edsel is a dream of mine. It would definitely be an antique car I’d want in my collection.
Some nice finds! 1st gen chargers aren’t my favorite, with the ass-heavy fastback but still the pick of the show for me. The ‘Doba looks like its pretty solid. The dent you described sounds like an easy enough fix. I like the bluesmobile too….classic.
…its dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses. HIT IT.
Nice spotting, Dave. That’s a great array of classics to enjoy along the way. I’d have to say my favourite is the F-600 truck. What a fantastic looking cab.
Excellent stuff!!! I am retiring at the end of the year and a Chicago-LA trip on Route 66 is definitely on my bucket list. Ideally it would be made in a vintage Cadillac but more likely in the Highlander, at least we have plenty of room in there. I end up doing most of the driving on road trips so my wife will be on camera duty; she may need some training on not missing any photo worthy cars.
There is a gen I Dodge Charger in a garage about 4 blocks from my house. I have walked past it dozens of times in the 15 years I’ve lived here and as far as I can tell it hasn’t been out of the garage in all that time. It is covered with dust and now has been degraded to duty as a shelving unit. It probably isn’t anything special as it has a single exhaust, which likely means a 318 or even a slanty, but it is a shame to see a car that appears to be complete just sitting there decomposing. The people who live there never seem to be very friendly so I have never been tempted to stop and ask about the Charger.
When they die, stop and ask the estate seller if you could take a look at it.
Those Park Avenues always seemed under rated. Handsome cars that didn’t sell as well as they should have due to the Buick name.
Great finds! I’m pretty sure the Bluesmobile is a cheat in that they used a Plymouth. At least it’s not a four door hardtop!
I’d go for either the Charger or that red Skylark convertible.
That 1958 Impala is a beauty. The designers at Chevy in those years were on point.
Which is more then I can say regarding the designers at Oldsmobile that same year. I have never heard of a car so mismanaged design wise as the ’58 Oldsmobile. As i stated many times, I swear the 58 Olds had two sets of designers(one for the front and the other for the rear) and they never met and phoned in their designs. I don’t get it, the 1957 Oldsmobiles were attractive and 1959 Oldsmobiles were also very attractive but the ’58 was a dog cosmetic wise.
As much as I like the Mustang II I can’t see taking a long trip in a car without air conditioning, the wind noise with the windows down would be tiring. The front end shot of the Cordoba reminded me why it was such a big hit — same great face as the Monte Carlo but without the lumps and bumps.
Dave, I see you took the original alignment of 66 between Springfield and Staunton, taking you through Virden, Carlinville, Gillespie and Benld along what is now Illinois Route 4.
In 1940, that stretch was bypassed by a new section to the east that runs more or less alongside I-55. In the 1950s it was widened to four lanes, (Illinois was the first state and one of the few along 66 to divide the entire run through the state) but reduced back to two in the late ’80s. The old and new 66 meet up again south of Staunton.
The “new” stretch of 66 has its share of landmarks as well, such as the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield which is still in business and little-changed since their current location opened in 1935.
Then there’s the world’s greatest
overpriced beatervintage used car lot, Country Classic Cars on “new” 66 just outside Staunton. There’s an endless supply of CC material on that lot.US 66 was realigned numerous times in IL, before I-55 was commissioned. So many roads say ‘old 66’.
For a nearly 15 years, [1960-75] only segments of I-55 existed as bypasses around some big towns between Chicago and St. Louis. Wasn’t until 1977 when all the stop lights were bypassed and US 66 was removed in IL.
Very true. It can make a trip down the Mother Road a bit of a challenge. That’s just the area I’m most familiar with since I was born in Staunton (but grew up in Houston and will always consider SE Texas “home”) and a sizable chunk of my family lives in Macoupin County.
I got bored with the interstates & took what I found out later to be Rt 66.
This was in 2012. See the USA in your Chevrolet indeed. LA to Buffulo, NY & back, stopping at every aircraft, ship museum & AFB I could find.
Awsome road trip!
This pair of ’64 Impalas were at Chelsea, OK. Probably still there. I didn’t ask prices,
one 60s car at home is enough.
The original 66 alignment you took, now IL Rt. 4, from Chatham (just south of Springfield) to Staunton, with side trips to Litchfield and Mt. Olive, and the 1940 alignments from Livingston to Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, and Troy and Collinsville, will be holding the first Blue Carpet Corridor Festival, June 13-14, 2015… 18 communities with a shared heritage of Miners, Mobsters, and the Mother Road!