So you finally took the plunge, bought a one-way ticket to Eugene, and rode in a beater Toyota Previa taxi to the Official CC Sales Lot to buy the Curbside Classic of your dreams. But before you head back to I-o-way or whatever rust-bucket hole you came from, better head to the Official CC Garage. Yes, our cars are fully warrantied for a full six blocks or six minutes, whichever comes first. But that might not do the job for the long ride home. Our expert grease monkeys will carefully go through your car (as well as your luggage) to improve the odds of an uneventful trip, at least as far as Springfield (it’s across the river). And we can refer you to one of our franchisees there, should your CC need further ministrations.
While you’re waiting to get that fine Celica checked over (I myself wouldn’t bother bringing one of them in), take a look around to see what we’ve got sitting around in the lot; there’s some might fine classics out there. None are finer than this ‘Bird, which is missing its shaker hood scoop. No problem; the guys are fabbing one up out of a five-gallon bucket and a truck inner tube.
Here’s an eclectic collection; slant noses, and a mighty blunt one. We’re gonna clear coat that Chevy to seal in that genuine Oregon patina.
Big or small, we service them all. Our truck expert says that Bimmers aren’t really all that different from Cummins, seeing that they’re both in-line sixes.
Here’s a gem we’re prepping for a client that wants to really move out. Just the thing; a 1954 Chrysler New Yorker. That thing got a hemi? Damn straight, at least for now.
This thing is the bomb, and after we get done with it, it will go like stink.
Good thing it has power steering, ’cause it might not feel any too good to have to put much elbow grease on that wheel.
That’s genuine hemi-power indeed. But we’re having a bit of trouble getting it to run just right, so we’ve got a Chevy 350 out back that we’ll swap in. Much easier to work on, and that 700 lbs. of steel and iron will fetch a decent price at the scrapyard, enough to take the boys to McDonalds for lunch. I doubt the client will know the difference.
That’s not just any old New Yorker either, but a Deluxe!
Check out that fancy emblem; wonder if the owner would notice if I pulled it off. It would look right at home on my Brougham.
One of these decades we’ll get these F-Bodies going again. Meanwhile, they do enhance the prestige of our property.
Even got the new one too! That’s our parts chaser sitting next to it. We need something reliable for that.
Never mind that old Chrysler–here’s our real pride and joy, a genuine GTO.
We’re having a bit of trouble with the front end. That famous “Endura” plastic bumper isn’t exactly aging all that well.
The paint just doesn’t want to stay put anymore, but what the hell? We’ll just get a chrome Tempest bumper and paint it up. Who’ll notice the difference?
So what can we do you out of today?
I never did like the back end of the `68 intermediates from Pontiac.
Hard To believe how different it looked back then to me, Now it looks Like a Buick Special with shorter taillights…
I think that 54 New Yorker DeLuxe is my pick. But then you all knew that. I didn’t think you got enough sun in Oregon to rot steering wheels like that. I think that the mechanics’ time would be better spent leaving the Hemi in place and replacing the semi-automatic transmission with a Torqueflite.The car ought to move plenty smartly after that.
I wonder if that is an original color. Hard to fathom someone buying something as stodgy as a 54 New Yorker and choosing one in bright red.
My grandma had a 69 Catalina with an Endura nose. That was mighty hard rubber. I would imagine that someone is reproducing those.
(Funny you mention that, not an hour ago i saw a 69 Orange Pontiac 4 door Ventura…)
Did Deluxe go from standing for the premiunm Model to the not so premium or “base ” model rather Fast? It seems to be “deluxe” often stood for the base model. WHen roughly was Deluxe representative of the utmost in luxury?
A quick check at Old Car Brochures indicates that in 1954 there was a Windsor DeLuxe, a New Yorker and a New Yorker Deluxe. The NYD seems to be mostly small trim upgrades that most people would not notice. Mechanically they are the same with the 331 cid hemi and the NEW for 1954 Powerflite automatic. I had forgotten that the Powerflite came out on the 54 Chryslers. So, thankfully, the old Fluid Drive was gone and the Hemi could strut its stuff.
Back to our discussion on the Camaro colors, Chrysler offered 18 colors on its 54s, plus a bunch of two tones.
Yes, there are many restroration parts available for GTO’s, including “Endura” bumpers. So much so, that clones can be easily created from 350 2-barrel LeManses. So check those #’s.
Overload. I hope these guys don’t rivet the shaker to the hood of that T/A! Looks to be a Brewster Green ’73 model. Wow. I bet that poor spoilerless Camaro & 3rd Gen TransAm are nervous indeed. Love the ’68 Goat. Would not have one without hidden headlights. I’m glad these cars are clear across the country because I have enough self-inflicted problems of my own.
What’s with The chevette’s that have had their hatchback removed? A friend loved his 84, and had an 87 GT… but all I have ever thought of with these is mid-engined Chevette for some reason , The Fieros that is.
You’re missing out man! Unfortunately these cars multiply as bad as Corvairs and air-cooled VWs at their respective enthusiasts’ houses.
WOW, Junkboy, indeed! 🙂
I live up to my handle & am a true glutton for punishment!
I’ll take the ’63 Chevy truck. Or the ’64-’66 below. Either one’s finnnne with me.
What’s the story on that Celica? I’m only an hour to the north in Beaver Nation and am mildly interested.
If the “Cadillac of Minivans” (Oldsmobile Silhouette) has a 3800 in it, I’m in. (No RUST EVER FTW.)