Back in May, I met former CC editor Tom Klockau in my old stomping grounds of Hannibal, Missouri, for the annual Loafers Car Show. Tom reported on last year’s show here.
Some of the cars in attendance were regulars; others are not. Let’s take a look at some of the irregulars, my favorite of which was this 1959 Plymouth Fury.
There is simply so much to like about this Fury. Even better is it being V8 powered, possessing the silky smooth Torqueflite automatic transmission, and having a goodly number of options.
It was a true attention getter, a car that truly sparkled in a sea of resto-modded miscellany and pimped out Camaro’s.
This Plymouth brought a smile to nearly everyone’s face, especially the Miata / MX-5 parked opposite.
While seemingly an otherwise ordinary 1958 Cadillac, seeing it parked here with its warm engine prompted me to chuckle a second time. How so?
On the way there, it had flown around me like I was sitting still. It had approached the highway from a side road as I passed. Looking in the rearview mirror, I witnessed him passing a Ford Focus. The Focus driver was so surprised he nearly ran off the road. Despite my driving approximately 70 mph (or so), he soon overtook me. Here is the evidence. This Cadillac moves down the road with tremendous authority.
Since every car we’ve seen so far has been white, here is a final one.
I realize a 1973 (or 1974) Ford LTD isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Even though it looks like an albino version of what television detective Barnaby Jones cruised around Los Angeles in, it reminded me of another LTD from a different time.
My grandfather Albert’s older brother Lyle had one. I remember riding in it a few times when it was piloted by Lyle’s wife, Jessie. That was a robust Ford, later traded for a Oldsmobile Delta 88 diesel that was also quite robust. They kept both cars for a very long time. By the end of its tenure, the LTD was looking rather bedraggled from having been backed into a ditch. All the Olds ever needed was a new water pump with every other oil change.
Tom and I had a lively conversation with the owner of this 1971 Buick Electra 225. The owner had purchased his Buick last fall as part of a package deal that also included a 1971 Lincoln Mark III. He said both cars are great but have distinctly different personalities.
The owner told us the Buick is a more docile car, one that can be driven everyday with wild abandon.
It is also capable of hauling just about anything without problem. He said the greatest thing about this Buick became apparent last fall. Having taken it deer hunting, the trunk was able to accommodate the eight-point buck he shot while still being able to close the trunk lid. The agent with the Department of Conservation was quite amazed with this talent when the owner went to report bagging his deer.
This gentleman was a refreshingly personable individual. He let me sit in the drivers seat, an incredibly comfortable place to be. While sitting there he told Tom and me that his affinity for large cars is likely part of his DNA. At one point his father owned a 1968 Ford LTD; one night, his mother and father got a little too friendly in the LTD and nine months later he made his grand arrival. The love started quite early for him.
Going through these pictures, it’s becoming apparent the colors you will be seeing aren’t overly diverse. Oh well; that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Since green is the color of the moment, this green 1956 Ford Ranch Wagon looked really sweet.
Ford made around 100,000 two-door wagons for 1956 with the low-trim Ranch Wagon being the most popular. The next series was the Custom Ranch Wagon followed by the Parklane. This particular wagon has a three-speed with overdrive.
What really captured my fancy was the design on the seat fabric. If this isn’t the original material, it’s a terrific facsimile of what Ford installed.
Like that green Ford wagon? I’m keeping the party going with a green Rambler wagon,
And this green 1935 Ford V8.
Just to prove this isn’t a song of only two notes, I’m closing with this 1961 Ford Starliner. Thank goodness for the cream color.
Are you certain that’s a ’61 Ford ? .
I like these photos ! .
-Nate
It is.
What great photos! +1 on the Rambler wagon; three orphan wagons in one week!
I nominate your pic of the Caddy on the road for CC pic of the year.
Passing two vehicles at once on a two-lane road “with authority” (and without spilling Mom’s coffee.) That was the exact point and purpose of a Cadillac. Dictionary definition.
Nice finds and write up.I love the 56 Ford wagon and the Starliner.
Those eyelashes on the Miata…. my wife insisted on putting them on our family truckster. They lasted less than 48 hours. After driving around with them for two days, they looked like crap from beating against the hood, and I needed to buff out the paint in those spots after removing them. Totally impractical, even on their own merit.
They have merit???
Great selection! And of course, that 59 Fury has me really in a swoon. Mine was a 4 door sedan (also white), not this fancy hardtop. That interior is mighty familiar (but in green). One option the owner did not pop for was the deluxe steering wheel that employed translucent plastic for it’s rim. My white car with its green interior would have fit right in at this show.
Are we sure that the 74 LTD isn’t really a 73? I thought I recall that the 74 had a much finer grille texture. Either way, I have not seen one of these this nice in a long, long time.
It could be a ’73. Text amended.
The first car I really remember was my uncles brand new red 4 door ’59 Fury. I was standing behind it eating raw bacon I pulled out of the refrigerator. The toilet seat on the trunk had 3 year old me totally intrigued with it. Mom freaked out, uncle told her I would be fine. You were lucky enough to own one of these beauties!
I wouldn’t get too close to that Fury. She’s Bad to the Bone!!!
I’m not a fan of the 57-59 Plymouths, but that car is a looker. But I think I’d like it better without the “toilet seat” on the trunk lid.
My parents had a red and white 55 Country Sedan 4 door, and my aunt and uncle had 2 different 55 Ranch Wagons….a black and a darker “bottle” green. I wouldn’t mind owning a nice 56 Ranch Wagon.
You can keep the other cars pictured. And ANYBODY who puts eyelashes and lips on a car, even a Miata…..well, at the least should get a nasty look.
Its fairly common in New Jersey,many women are doing it to their VWs and Minis.Dumb trend
That rather lovely Starliner immediately put me in mind of its little UK cousin, the Consul Capri Classic:
The trendy hairdresser who cuts my hair when in New South Wales,Australia,drives a matte black 1955 Pontiac and a Consul Capri Classic,both rare in Oz.A friend of my late father in Tasmania owns two Citroen DS and a Consul Capri Classic,but he and his wife use a Toyota Corolla.Quite an unusual shape the Consul Capri.
Not really unusual when you consider it was styled after several models of Starliner that preceded it, I remember seeing two examples immigrants brought with them in my home town.
Nice selection! I think the Fury is my favorite, but the Ranch Wagon runs it a very close second.
A lot of nice cars here. Loving that ’59 Plymouth! The Rambler wagon is also nice; normally I don’t like cars with oversized rims/tires but in this case I’ll make an exception, it really improves the look of this car. Wonder what would have happened if AMC had offered this back in the day?
The Buick Electra is a stunner, and full marks to the Cadillac driver for, er, driving his Cadillac.
But just what is going on with that Fprd’s upholstery?
That was keeping with the ranch theme of the Ranch Wagon, showing branding patterns for cattle, although I think it would be a bit tough to live with.
Oldcarbrochures didn’t have a very good picture of the interior fabric, but I did find this. Two of the browns show the texture, with a “2” looking item on the bottom set and half a cow’s head on the top.
Thanks Jason, for a very quick and comprehensive answer on a Friday afternoon!
Given how hot vinyl upholstery can get on a bright summer day, I’m not sure that’s an association I’d welcome! I still remember dreading the black vinyl seats in my grandparents’ Oldsmobile when wearing shorts in the summer.
Love the Ranch wagon I remember going to rugby games in a red example when quite young of those 100,000 several ended up in NZ assembled RHD they must have been quite popular here as there were 3 in my tiny home town and surrounds.
Nice article Mr. Shafer! It was like I was there. 🙂
I have to tell you that I am 100% certain that the ranch theme upholstery in the 56 Ford Ranch Wagon is the original material. My family bought one of these wagons new in the summer of 1956 and we had those same seats including the beige fabric above the branded material. I have always loved that fabric probably because I sat on those seats for more than 7 years from the time I was 12 years old until I was 19. That was the car I learned to drive in and it was a lovable runner with the three speed, thunderbird V-8 and dual exhaust. Not only did I sit on those same seats, I scrubbed the beige part from time to time. The branded seat material never collected any dirt at all and still looked new when we traded the wagon for a new Corvair Monza in 1963. The beige part did collect dirt but scrubbed up pretty well. This is the first photo of this seat material that I have ever seen and I have been looking for years. Thanks for posting it!
You picked out a great selection of cars to show us, Jason. Nice to see the ’58 Caddy not only driven, but driven like they were back in their time. The ’73 Ford is about the only one I wouldn’t put in my driveway. The Miata would need to be lip and lash less.
My 1971 Electra 225 was the exact color combo, inside and out, I’d swear that’s my 71 except for the fact that mine met it’s end over 25 years ago. Nice “find”!
Love the 58 Cadillac. It’s often overshadowed by the 59 but it’s just so much better looking, especially as a 4 door.
Thanks for NOT showing us the Camaros and Firebirds.
+1
Camaro’s what?
good piece, may have to try n make that one next yr, thanks for showing me that fury, kinda been wanting a 58 GM, but one of those would do nicely too 🙂
I much prefer the 57 and 58 to the overstyled 59 Plymouth, but they did make a really cool commercial for it:
Except those guys hanging out the windows, that’s just weird.
I only made it a minute into the ad before I couldn’t take it anymore.
Frank ;
That was a long time ago ~ believe it or not , this was a normal T.V. commercial on a variety show back them . many were much worse .
-Nate
I know, having seen them on you tube. Many of them are just plain embarrassing to watch. And to think admen got paid (well?) for that.
Not a Ford guy, but that Ranch Wagon calls out to me. Almost the polar opposite of a Nomad, a low-end trim two door wagon, especially with that upholstery, has an honest, working-class charm.
I owned a 72 Electra 225 with a 455 under the hood. That was one of my favorite cars to drive. So smooth down the road, with power and not bad on gas. Wish I still had it.