Every May sees the Blue Suede Cruise in beautiful Tupelo, Mississippi. Held concurrently this year with the 2015 Ford Galaxie National Convention, the Blue Suede Cruise attracted over 900 cars from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and various states beyond. The assembly was delightfully diverse, so let’s cover some of the more memorable ones. From having taken over 500 pictures it has been hard to narrow the field to what is being shown here.
Seeing this Morris Minor was a delightful surprise. With no information available with the car, I contacted our very own Roger Carr, the man of monumental knowledge about the British automobile industry.
This is obviously an export model since it is left-hand drive and it has an overhead valve engine. From reviewing the various pictures I took (which were many) Roger concluded this is a 1952 to 1954 model and he highly doubts this is the original paint job.
The show was a three day event, starting on Friday. These pictures were taken on both Friday and Saturday, which is why there is such a vast difference in the lighting.
No amount of lighting could detract from the sheer coolness that is a 1958 Edsel. Being in the Ranger series, this was the bottom-rung car from Edsel for the year and the Ranger four-door sedan was the most popular variant.
The take rate for the push button, steering wheel hub actuated automatic transmission was just under 92%. This car isn’t one of them.
Maybe it’s me, but the radio looks just like the rear of a 1964 Ford Galaxie.
In what could likely be a stupefyingly and amazingly rare accumulation of Edselonian love, there were numerous 1958 Edsel’s present. Finding a 1959 Edsel is relatively easy for some reason; the ’58 is a bit more obscure but here are two.
Don’t think it was just these three in attendance.
There were wagons with wood siding,
And wagons without wood siding.
Just remember to point left to go right.
These account for the Corsair, Villager, Pacer, and Bermuda trims. Combined with the Ranger, nearly all Edsel trims were present. Only the base model Roundup wagon and top trim Citation were absent.
Seeing this many Edsel’s is about as frequent as seeing a 1954 Corvette.
It’s still in its full 235 cubic inches of blue flamed glory.
Speaking of blue flames, here’s one of the few straight sixes that has ever appealed to me. Maybe it’s the chrome?
It was powering this 1955 Chevrolet.
As expected, the bulk of the cars present were post-war models but let’s take an art-deco diversion and look at some of the pre-war models on display. They didn’t disappoint, and some of these were cars I had only heard of previously.
The prime example would be this 1933 Rockne by Studebaker. Named after University of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, the Rockne was produced in 1932 and 1933.
It was a replacement for the Erskine. The Rockne six-cylinder engine would have a long and fruitful life, being the six-cylinder to power Studebaker cars through the 1960s.
Whoever owns this Rockne likely had to wipe it down after I spent a phenomenally long time drooling over it.
As expected, GM was well represented regardless of time period. This 1938 Buick was stunning.
Convertibles are a joy as it allows for such easy photography of the interior.
Toward the top of the Sloan ladder was this 1933 LaSalle. The ride height concerns me, and since the engine compartment was unavailable for viewing I’m claiming it to be as Papa Sloan meant it to be.
Only 3,500 LaSalle’s of all variations were built for 1933, so I will keep hoping nothing is amiss.
The same sentiment applies to this 1930 Cadillac limousine.
On the bottom rung of the Sloan ladder is this 1934 Chevrolet. Other than those horrendous fender skirts, she remains pretty much the way she was built.
Mother Mopar was decently represented at this show with this 1937 Plymouth.
This 1934 Ford sedan delivery is an example of which I had never seen before.
A Packard speaks for itself. Doesn’t it just seem to speak in a rich baritone that drips of class and sophistication?
I don’t attend car shows that often and generally the owners aren’t that talkative. Since this is Mississippi and southern hospitality is fully and gloriously engaged, I talked to several owners at length about their cars. The story makes the car so much more real than a static display in a parking lot.
This 1957 Ford pickup may not appear to be anything out of the ordinary. Appearances can be deceiving and these pickups are gaining in popularity for a variety of reasons, and one in particular.
What you see here is no lump of Y-block. Powering this 1957 Ford pickup is the drivetrain from a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Running what I suspect to be a straight pipe exhaust, it had one of the best sounds of anything I heard that weekend.
The owner told me he bought a wrecked Crown Vic for $500. With a wiring diagram, he was able to transplant the entire wiring harness. As an added bonus, the frame rails of the pickup and Crown Vic have the same width and adopting the front suspension from the Crown Vic to his pickup was very nearly a bolt-on affair. He says he is getting over 20 mpg with more power than this pickup had ever dreamed of having.
He also cautioned this suspension swap only applies to the 2003 and newer Crown Vic; Ford updated the suspension for 2003 and it bolts to the frame. Prior to 2003 it was welded to the frame, rendering it useless for any such swap.
I suspect the 4.6 will soon be – if it isn’t already – the de facto choice in transplants for Ford people, similar to the Chevrolet 350 for GM people.
Something about this car tends to catch your eye, doesn’t it? It certainly caught mine.
The gentleman who owns this 1967 Ford Custom had two cars at the show, with this being the more conspicuous. He came across this car several years ago and back in the day it was indeed what it still claims to be.
As proof, he has pictures from when it was found in the salvage yard.
Sometimes a person gets lucky. When he began restoring the car, he was able to find the trooper to whom this car was assigned when new. Stories were shared and documented. This car saw and did a lot of things early in its life. It also saw a lot of shade trees as the black roof and no air-conditioning made interior temperatures unbearable in the warm, Tennessee summers.
Tennessee apparently made two rounds of car purchases in 1967. This Custom was in the first purchase of the year, the last purchase ever of cars that were two-doors and not equipped with air-conditioning.
It is powered by a 428 cubic inch (7.0 liter) V8.
Sitting next to the Custom, and also owned by the same person, was this 1972 Plymouth Fury Gran Coupe. This car must have hit all my buttons as I took about eighteen pictures of it.
Painted black, and with rarely seen options such as this moonroof, I suspect I know why.
It also hit the original owners buttons; he was the current owners uncle.
The uncle worked for Chrysler and ordered this car in late 1971. Chrysler rejected the way he had optioned it. Incensed, he took up the matter with a regional manager for Chrysler. In the end, Chrysler acquiesced and gave him what he wanted. The owner likely equipped it the way many of us would have done if given the opportunity.
Under the hood rests a police issue 440 cubic inch engine.
Even the speedometer is the 140 mph calibrated unit given to the boys and girls in blue.
Incidentally, the first digit on the odometer is a “3” and reflects the true mileage of this Plymouth. The original owner was extremely fastidious about his Fury, keeping it parked in a dark garage along with a Meaco Low Energy dehumidifier, the Meaco Low Energy is rated one of the best dehumidifiers and is known to radically minimize any moisture related deterioration. Everything you see on this car is as it was built, except for the vinyl top. Time didn’t escape it entirely as the current owner had it replaced due to some deterioration.
Perhaps the most delightful conversation I had was with the owner of this 1972 Buick Skylark. Why? He let me sit in the passenger seat.
If memory serves, he purchased this Buick from the daughter of his neighbor after the neighbor died, making him the second owner. It’s a pretty standard issue A-body with a 350 and an automatic. The yellow is not my first choice and the white interior might be a bear to keep clean despite it keeping the cabin much cooler.
However, getting in the seat reminded me so strongly of the euphoric, intoxicating, take your breathe away comfort I experienced in reader Sevair’s 1979 Cadillac Seville in Auburn last fall. In addition to being very well screwed together it’s no wonder these A-bodies are so popular. Count me in as a new fan.
I also suspect Buick owners to be extraordinarily generous people; I have since sat in another early ’70s Buick at a different show, but that’s a story for another day.
Sometimes seeing cars triggers memories of things I have read. This Dart instantaneously made me think of Dr. Niedermeyer’s Dart that Paul has written about.
While I cannot visually tell the difference between the different sizes of slant six…
I do know his was also a three-speed car. Nobody but car people can see a certain vehicle and have thoughts of others so immediately triggered.
This 1969 Dodge Charger reminded me of a commenter who was using their 1969 Charger as a daily driver for a while. Hang fuel mileage, this would be a terrific daily ride.
A similar 1968 was awaiting nearby. There simply is not a bad angle on these Charger’s.
This baby-blue Studebaker Lark wagon made me think of the joy this would bring to our Indiana contingent.
Simply from looking at the lead picture of the Morris, it is obvious not every car here was American – just the overwhelming majority were.
This 1973 Datsun comprised exactly half of the Asian cars present.
A Toyota van from the 1980s was the other half.
This van perplexed me. First, that is the exhaust pipe hanging outside the body, ready to burn anyone who comes close. Second, prior to taking this picture a group of people were all giddy and bubbly while clumped around looking at the engine. After they wafted away, I was unable to discern anything unique about the engine, but who knows? Maybe he did similar to the owner of the 1957 Ford truck and he had shoehorned a new Camry engine in there.
The European entrants were more plentiful. In addition to a variety of Volkswagen’s and Mercedes’ (Mercedii?), there was this 1972 Volvo. I had never seen a Volvo 1800 before and it was a knockout. The seats looked to be as soft as a baby’s bottom.
Next comes an issue of size.
1960 MGA meet contemporary Ford Mustang. This definitely shows the growth of cars and reflects why the methodology of crash testing highway appurtenances has had to change – even in the last ten years. That’s another article for another day.
Did somebody say wagons? Here’s a few:
Pontiac Astre, the Vega clone.
A 1957-ish Buick.
1959 Chevrolet El Camino, the American take on an Australian creation. It’s on a wagon chassis, so that’s close enough for me.
The Chevrolet Nomad cousin, Pontiac Safari.
Plymouth Volare.
Country Sedan, by Ford in 1961. I talked to the owner of this wagon. He had purchased it a few years ago and it had just rolled over 44,000 miles on his way down from Tennessee. Powered by a 292 hooked to the two-speed Ford-o-matic, he said it’s no powerhouse but is as reliable as the sunrise. All he has done to it is put 15″ wheels on it. He also owns a few other Galaxies, but he was not participating in the concurrent Galaxie show.
This is getting long and it’s hard to decide which cars to include and which to save for other uses. Resizing and uploading these pictures is also taking a while.
However, some cars are still large even when shrinking the picture size, such as this 1977 Lincoln Mark V. It was very nice.
The owner was wanting to sell it to me, but it was reminding me of something, also. Remember the movie Shaft? Yes, Shaft drove a Cadillac but the theme song popped into my head. I could see myself driving around town in this Lincoln, thinking I’m a bad mother…
I better shut my mouth.
Gosh, a lot of unusual iron (and fiberglass).
For sure that black Fury would catch my eyes too.
Awesome meeting, I wish I could be there.
The 1958 Edsel has got to be my favorite car of the 1950s.
“…this is Mississippi and southern hospitality is fully and gloriously engaged, I talked to several owners at length about their cars. The story makes the car so much more real than a static display in a parking lot.”
I’ve found the opposite at some weekend car shows in the Philadelphia area. There seems to be a usual clique who all yak with each other and look upon others as intruders, outsiders, interlopers. Sad…
Give me Southern hospitality.
My dad’s car in college and thereafter for a few years was a 6-cylinder ’55 Chevy sedan, probably much like the one in the photo. He dated my mother in it and traded it around the time they got married…because it was just a used car to him. What might have been! But of course, most of them ended up that way, because “it’s just a straight-six three-on-the-tree four-door…what’s special about that?” 🙁
The 1955 Chevorlet I had fit the same description of straight-six, three on the tree. Young, silly, tempestuous me sold it to someone in Sweden.
He bought himself a ’67 LeMans, 326, four on the floor…then traded that for a ’68 Impala SS with auto, because my mom couldn’t/wouldn’t drive a stick. I’d give my eyeteeth for the LeMans, too.
Wonderful guided tour, thank you.
I know that the ’72 Plymouth, particularly that front end, has its detractors. But, I’ve loved it since I was eight when these cars came out. Equipped the way it is, and that backstory, this car is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The ’72 Plymouth Fury Gran Coupe is the one I’d want to take home from this bunch.
A great show. Of course, I love both of the Studebakers. One correction on your Rockne, though. The engine in the Rockne was later used in prewar Dictators and Commanders, and after the war was only used in the Commander and Land Cruiser until the V8 came along in 1951. That six also became the “big six” for trucks through 1960.
The smaller Champion six was a clean sheet design in 1939 and was the engine that most people think of as the “Studebaker six” used in passenger cars through the 50s and into the 60s. I think Wiki has a problem on it’s Rockne page.
That black Gran Coupe is a stunner! While highly optioned LTD coupes seemed quite common back in the day, these Plymouth Gran Coupes were rarities even on dealer lots. I am not sure I have ever seen a C body Plymouth with a sunroof. Amazing.
That 61 Ford wagon is a beauty as well. As is that Buick Skylark. Excellent job.
I love love love that black Plymouth(my first car was a 69Newport 2door w/440)
But there are two things on that car that score negative points with me:
1. the vinyl roof
2. the sunroof
I just do not care for either of these options.
BTW, I do not know the top speed of my Newport. It had very long legged gearing in the differential. But I estimate it would do 130+ MPH with a hotrodded motor and extra extra tall pickup truck tires…both of which I had. I would’ve loved to have had a speedo like that in my old Newport. What I do remember is that it would go fast enough in a straight line that the front end raised up to the fullest extent of the front suspension and the hood would bow up in the center and the two front 2 corners of the hood would alternately lift up a few inches, rapidly alternating, or fluttering. I did not dare drive at that speed more than a few seconds for fear of losing the hood latch.
I do not care for the sunroof either, but believe it or not, it does add significant value to the car. Besides, I was only 7 years old when he ordered it. I didn’t have much say.
you are a lucky lucky man
Randy, thank you for stopping by! It was a pleasure talking with you in Tupelo and getting to see both your Ford and Plymouth – didn’t you also have the Chevrolet pickup next to the Plymouth?
Your cars were two of the stars of the show from my perspective.
Hi Jason,
I didn’t know you were with Curbside Classics when I talked to you. You have a memory like an elephant because I don’t recall you taking notes. This is an awesome site and is now tagged as one of my favorites. Yes, I own that 78 chevy truck. I also have a 1955 Pontiac moonshine runner that we are presently working on. I know, I know…I am planning on seeing a therapist to see why I continually drag cars home. Here is a photo of Lt. Walter Duffey with the THP car. He passed away in 2010. Hope to see you again soon. Keep up the great work.
Randy, this is a terrific picture!
You are correct; I took no notes, but if it’s automotive I tend to remember it. Other things, like what my wife tells me, not so much.
Your Ford and Plymouth are both awesome cars. The show in Tupelo was so good I’m determining if I want to go again next year. And if you would like to share the story of any of your cars, please don’t hesitate to do so. We like it all around here!
It’s a Morris Minor not the awful Marina.Lot of neat cars especially the Edsels and the Pontiac Safari
Those British cars all look alike to us Yanks, especially when they are painted like that one. 🙂 Actually, I kind of thought it looked like a Minor, but then I figured I must have been wrong, if Roger ID’d it as a Marina.
It’s fixed now; I should have caught that before publication.
Sorry about that; I knew it was a Minor and never caught it despite my many proof-reads.
The Pontiac Astre wagon’s vertical dividers in the grille make it a ’77 model, Iron Duke-powered if a stock 4-cylinder, so the Aluminum-Block Vega Prize remains unclaimed…otherwise, wow, nice stuff!
That 3-on-the-tree/4 door post Edsel has gotta be my favorite.
Yes, that stripper Dart is about the closest thing I’ve seen in modern times to my Dad’s. His was a ’68, in baby-shit brown and all-black interior, so this one is rather cheerful in comparison.
Given its stripper status and three-speed manual, I’d say the odds are good that it has the 170. These were meant for the budget-minded, like Neurologists at Johns Hopkins, and they weren’t going to extravagant and order it with a 225. 🙂
Wasn’t the 225 the most common engine if you had A/C and automatic?
Saw two of those edsels on a recent trip. Both were knockouts. One a wagon and one a sedan.
I have a particular affinity for the sedan deliveries. The back door was the way delivery vehicles should be built. Same thing on my cube and, I understand, it is opposite in left land driving countries. Often wished my handyman was a sedan delivery instead.
Interesting show and interesting reading. A lot of work.
Can’t edit again.The plymouth sedan delivery obviously has a split back door or my perspective is off and it opens from the wrong side. Typical is to open to the street which allows better access to the curb. Who knows?
Great pictures. Thank you. But I am with you on that six in the ’55 Chev. Very nice in detail, but very “over” decorated in my opinion, not that its worth anything. To each their own; this is exactly what makes cars (and bikes, boats, tractors etc…) fun.
And that Ford Pickup with the Crown Vic running gear is a ’58. 1957’s had single headlamps.
GREAT article ! .
I can’t choose which car I like best .
It’s a sad thing that so many @$$holes go to car shows then get all uppity and rude if you look at their vehicle .
-Nate
And I did know about the 03 up Crown Vic suspension mod for Ford trucks. Seen it done on Gas Monkey Garage; it works on trucks as late as ’72, maybe newer, and damn near is a bolt on.
Yeah series 2 Minor originally flat head powered they switched to the 803cc Austin A series after the merger.
The La Salle and Caddy look lowered and on much wider rims and smaller diameter than stock definitely restomod cars.
Thanks for sharing! Now I am really kicking myself for not getting to the show. That 72 Fury is really talking to me. My car in college was a 71 Gran Coupe. Kind of similar but in 71 it was some option package which could be had with the paisley interior. Mine did not have that. In 72 I think the Gran Fury replaced the Sport Fury at the top of the Fury range. I guess who ever ordered this car must have wanted the Fury GT but I think 71 was the last year for that model.
Sorry about your water pump problems in your earlier post. What a let down after what was an otherwise grand trip. Have to agree with you on the radio. Rarely turn mine on anymore. Seem to feel more rested without the noise.
I highly doubt, Mr. Shafer, that you were the only show attendee that was drooling on the Studebaker Rockne. You just got caught. If I would have been there, I would have been drooling right beside you. Really enjoyed your article and photos, Thanks!
Factory sunroofs were rare on Chryslers in those days let alone Plymouths. I believe that box on the transmission hump is a cassette player/recorder, another fairly unusual option.
My experience has been that the bigger the show, the friendlier the people. The two dozen guys at the local diner already all know each other, and the cars are mostly an excuse to get together with their friends.
1972 Fury Coupe for me.
Little known fact: Edsel wagon taillights were made in oz.
+1
There are 3 cars here that really grabbed me:
1. the black Plymouth with cop motor(my first car was a 69newport 2door w/440)
2. the 54 Corvette(I helped a buddy with his project 54)
3. the Dodge Dart with slant6(these were such amazing little cockroaches of a car. They just survived and survived and survived then one day I was driving down the road and there weren’t any around anymore. It was like they all disappeared all at once in the middle of the night. I think they must have been taken to heaven in a car-rapture.)
Thanx for the tour, Jason. Sure beats walking around on the hot asphalt, LOL! Nice variety of cars, too. The wheels and tires and stance of the ’33 LaSalle and ’30 Cadillac make me think that they’re both restomods with the obligatory drivetrain updates.
If I’m not mistaken, the pod mounted on the transmission hump of the ’72 Gran Fury is a factory cassette (NOT 8-track) player/recorder, a very rare accessory indeed. As far as I know, this was the only factory installed audio system that had a record function in those days. A small microphone was part of the package, betraying that the intended purpose was to record memos by the up-and-coming executive as he was stuck in rush hour traffic on the way to the office, rather than to download the latest Neil Diamond hit from the radio.
As a MoPar guy, I can tell you that the only reliable way to tell a 170 c.i. Slant Six from a 225 is by the length of the bypass hose between the water pump and the thermostat housing. As stated elsewhere, this ’67 Dart being a stripper with a three-on-the-tree, I would agree that it’s most likely got the smaller motor.
That slick Buick wagon is a ’56 Special. Gorgeous car.
Thanx again for your post.
Beat me to it on the tape deck! To my knowledge it was the first cassette player available on an American car. I’m thinking someone like Becker or Blaupunkt may have made the first one.
The ’72 Fury looks like something Buford Pusser would have ordered. A top of the line luxury model with the police package.
That car has another very rare option, the transmission hump mounted cassette player/recorder. There was a jack for an optional microphone so you could record your thoughts while piloting 2 1/2 tons of Belvidere Assembly’s finest.
The optional microphone is in the glove compartment with the factory wrap still on it.
An Edsel, please , now!
+1 Glad to see another Edsel fan.
I’ll have that Morris Minor (sans union jack paint) and the P1800, thank you.
That was a great show! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Any idea why the Mark V owner was so willing to part with it?
He wasn’t as young as he used to be combined with running out of space in his garages.
It looks like a nice survivor. If I had the money (and garage space), I wouldn’t mind having one of those.