If you cruise around (this parking lot is apparently also an official street, so you can do that) you will find a Chevy Tahoe, and three taxis that are actual American cars. Many of the not-domestic labels are vehicles that were put together in the US, even the Buick Regal of that generation which probably was although it’s really an Opel Insignia.
But it’s pretty interesting that actual US identified cars are unfashionable in Darien. It’s kind of like how in the old photo there is a very high number of what would be weird foreign makes and were indeed odd cars, and a lot of convertibles.
The VWs appear to have all chosen to sit at the same table, perhaps as a prudent safety-in-numbers approach. Much like the nerds’ table in the school lunchroom.
Again, time to crawl into my Time Capsule as rescue the two Beetles and the Gaia before the tin worm devours them. I can smell the horse glue already.😊😊😊😊
Ever the photo dating nerd, I’m thinking this is more likely 1958. The license plates appear to have a white tab in the lower right corner which I think indicates ’58, and I see the back of a ’58 Ford wagon in the drive aisle.
I know – my time would be better spent cleaning out the damn basement.
Amazing variety. There’s a thriving NZ vintage street scenes photo sharing group on Facebook, and the running joke is that there’s an EIP Vauxhall in almost every photo. (Platform name for GMs sole UK family car from 1951 to 1957, with four cylinders or six). The group then divides into humourous comments about the value of same, e.g. leading the parade or broken down. I’m surprised to see that an EIP has even invaded this site now, two up from the Rambler.
Ah, Darien. My first apartment was in Stamford, CT from 1988-90, so the scene, if not the cars in the lot is very familiar. I’m somewhat surprised at how many of the parked cars – as opposed to greeters – are wagons, typically those would have been the housewife’s car.
The commuter train cars are New Haven’s prewar “American Flyer” coaches built by Pullman-Standard. Lightweight, but without the continuous roof profile of Budd and other PS streamline cars.
After the war, the NH acquired a further set of coaches, parlor, and club cars with fluted stainless steel sides.
Originally green, these are repainted in the McGinniss-era black with orange letter boards. The last of the postwar club cars was running out of Greenwich each morning until well into the nineties.
The American Flyer nickname came from A.C. Gilbert making a very popular S-gauge set of the prewar cars, at their factory in New Haven.
Appears to be Darien, CT, the classy suburb of NYC.
This may be the same view in Dec. 2015:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0767852,-73.4719958,3a,75y,65.06h,88.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQqXeQgElG24emeqMy9mA7A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-US
Still a number of German cars, but zero VW’s this time around…
The white Jetta on the right would like a word.
Oops, you are correct! I also see four Jeeps to represent the US but no other domestic labels.
If you cruise around (this parking lot is apparently also an official street, so you can do that) you will find a Chevy Tahoe, and three taxis that are actual American cars. Many of the not-domestic labels are vehicles that were put together in the US, even the Buick Regal of that generation which probably was although it’s really an Opel Insignia.
But it’s pretty interesting that actual US identified cars are unfashionable in Darien. It’s kind of like how in the old photo there is a very high number of what would be weird foreign makes and were indeed odd cars, and a lot of convertibles.
Really enjoy these shots. That Karmann Ghia looks like it arrived from the future…my goodness how far ahead of its time was that design!
It bears more than a passing resemblance to the K-310 Dream Car.
Was just thinking this too!
Ford Anglia just to the left of the chap in the dark suit ?
Too ow for an Anglia…going out on a limb and calling an Alfa Giulietta
Agreed. Giulietta Sprint.
Very sharp observation but for my 50 cents it is a real exotic for Americans in the day, an Alfa Rmeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce
How would you know if it was a Sprint Veloce rather than just a Sprint? The Veloce had a hotter engine.
You’re right, my bad .
The Anglia had a very sharp cornered windshield, not a rounded one. The edge of the grille/headlight area does look Anglia-like though.
a picture of the car :
How about the convertible with the black top, seventh from the bottom ? Strong resemblance to a Citroën DS Chapron.
Yes, I know it’s too early. But the shape is so close.
In over my head on that one. Someone will know….if forced, in the final round of Jeopardy, my guess would be an Allard, but really don’t know..
The VWs appear to have all chosen to sit at the same table, perhaps as a prudent safety-in-numbers approach. Much like the nerds’ table in the school lunchroom.
Indeed, one can imagine that the bug in the driving lane has just pulled out from the empty parking place with the other three VWs.
That may be (or soon be) the populars’ table as opposed to the nerds. But certainly not the jock table…
Again, time to crawl into my Time Capsule as rescue the two Beetles and the Gaia before the tin worm devours them. I can smell the horse glue already.😊😊😊😊
Ever the photo dating nerd, I’m thinking this is more likely 1958. The license plates appear to have a white tab in the lower right corner which I think indicates ’58, and I see the back of a ’58 Ford wagon in the drive aisle.
I know – my time would be better spent cleaning out the damn basement.
Ha! For the millionth time this commenting system needs some kind of thumbs up function.
.
Amazing variety. There’s a thriving NZ vintage street scenes photo sharing group on Facebook, and the running joke is that there’s an EIP Vauxhall in almost every photo. (Platform name for GMs sole UK family car from 1951 to 1957, with four cylinders or six). The group then divides into humourous comments about the value of same, e.g. leading the parade or broken down. I’m surprised to see that an EIP has even invaded this site now, two up from the Rambler.
Ah, Darien. My first apartment was in Stamford, CT from 1988-90, so the scene, if not the cars in the lot is very familiar. I’m somewhat surprised at how many of the parked cars – as opposed to greeters – are wagons, typically those would have been the housewife’s car.
The commuter train cars are New Haven’s prewar “American Flyer” coaches built by Pullman-Standard. Lightweight, but without the continuous roof profile of Budd and other PS streamline cars.
After the war, the NH acquired a further set of coaches, parlor, and club cars with fluted stainless steel sides.
Originally green, these are repainted in the McGinniss-era black with orange letter boards. The last of the postwar club cars was running out of Greenwich each morning until well into the nineties.
The American Flyer nickname came from A.C. Gilbert making a very popular S-gauge set of the prewar cars, at their factory in New Haven.