[I took these photo’s last Fall and wrote this up at the end of 2020, but didn’t get around to scheduling it until now, in case some of the seasonal references seem off]
I volunteer with a local trail-building and advocacy group, and had the opportunity to go up into an open space area where we are mapping out new trails. We’d actually been up there earlier in the year and had flagged several miles of trails, when a summer wildfire whipped through the area. Our flags were gone, so we came back to start over, and discovered this wreckage. It’s perhaps unsightly to some; to others, an archaeological find which should remain undisturbed. To me it’s an unknown.
But I’m sure the CC-experts will recognize it. Here’s some more detail. Front drum brakes suggest it’s no newer than early seventies, if that new. The green in the background is madrone, shooting up even after just a few drops of rain. The forest is already recovering.
A close-up of that brake drum. For me this would be a unsolvable CC Clue, but I’m sure one of you will get it right away.
The following weekend we went camping on some BLM land in Central California, before the stay-at-home orders came into effect and all campgrounds were closed down in our region. We found this Subaru full of trash and shot up, hopefully on its way to being hauled out. Not intended as a political or cultural statement so please spare your comments, but I found it curiously photogenic in the dry coastal California oak woodland.
I need some help with identifying some kind of RWD Chrysler
#1
Pavel, how many seperate different hulks are pictured?
There were 3. I didn’t include a Datsun 1200 hatchback, as it was already identified. So, it’s 2 wrecks, one being some kind of a RWD Chrysler product.
Thanks!
Pics 1,3,5 seem to show the same Pontiac.
Pics 4 and “Last one” seem to show the same 360 Chrysler.
Short trans filler tube, so probably not a B Van.
If torsion bar not a D Truck.
If T-bar that’d leave ’70s big car.
My guess? Mid 60s to early 1970s GM A body. From the internal oil pump, it’s not a Buick.
#2
#3
Looks like an Olds Super Stock wheel.
#4
#5
Last one
Pavel’s #1 #3 #5 I’ll call as ’68 Pontiac.
Pavel’s #4 and “last one” the jury is asking if it has torsion bar suspension.
Looks like the remnants of a ’57 Ford to me.
+1 on that guess, the front bumper and rectangular parking light match up.
+2
So is ‘57 Ford the guess for my posted pictures or Pavel’s? I’m assuming mine because of the rectangular parking light. If so, thanks … I thought it might be newer.
’57 Ford for the dman pictures.
Pavel pics seems to show two different vehicles.
Thanks!
I 2nd. Andre. 57 Ford
I have to wonder if that Subaru’s been there since the model was still in somewhat widespread circulation. It looks like it’s been well stripped of parts before being shot up.
Poor Subie- not valuable enough to be put back on the road, unlike the Bullet Bus.
I forget how many holes the poor dear had.
#1 57 Ford
I’m no use in the forensics here, but I will say I agree that the old Subaru does fit into the landscape surprisingly well.
The Utah desert is littered with vehicles from the 40s and 50s abandoned during the uranium boom, some in identifiable condition slowly oxidizing in place–with dignity–while others are crumpled heaps rolled off of cliffs and switchbacks, reminders to watch what you’re doing on the drive down to Mineral Bottom.
That Subaru could have been Bonnie and Clyde’s car, meeting their end when they were unable to out-accelerate the pursuing police who were on foot.
Or the holes could just be from woodpeckers, having an easy time poking holes in it while it was parked or at full throttle.
–
These were not fast cars is what I’m hinting at.
Great article, thank you! My sister was hiking in MA last weekend, and came across the fender of this vehicle. I was wondering if someone might be able to identify the car by the gas cap or tail light?
Not my era of knowledge, but has a Graham or Terraplane feel rather than a Ford, GM or Chrysler product.
With the “streak” fender beads my hunch is Pontiac circa ’35.
But wow, that’s a lot of tail light for Pontiac.
There’s a lot to go on here but I’m not having any luck. The Pontiac reference is close but not a match. I believe that the “gas cap” that you refer to is actually a step for climbing into a rumble seat.
Oh, that was a fun search! It’s a 1934 Nash, but I’ve no idea which model. The one pictured below is an ‘Advanced Eight 1282-R Coupe’, details here: https://www.hemmings.com/users/158842/ride/2040.html
A million thanks! This has been driving me nuts for two days. What a beautiful car. Thanks again!
Thanks so much Scott! That is some great sleuthing! I passed this on to my sister, who found this interesting. She wants to go back to the area to look for other relics.
Matt, the Nash fender in your picture looks remarkably solid for how long it’s been sitting in the woods. Granted it is damaged but a good body man could bring it back to life. Old sheet metal like this rarely turns up for old depression era cars. If I knew where it was I’d be tempted to lug it out of the woods and list it in Hemings Motor News. Someone somewhere is looking for that fender.
Good sleuthing!
The lamp looks slightly different, but the resemblance is close enough that we know we’re at the right family reunion. Lol
As long as we’re posting vaguely identifiable hulks, this is under the Donner Summit Bridge on Donner Pass. The real question for me is if it was a crash or intentionally pushed over the side.
Any guesses?
Hmm, photo didn’t post. Second attempt
A fun thread ! .
In the 1960’s & 1970’s pre war vehicles littered America, I used to enjoy finding them when out hiking .
-Nate