Text by Patrick Bell.
Often city folks enjoy visiting the woods for a change in pace. Today we have a selection of images showing cars in the woods involved in a variety of activities. Let’s take a look and see what they were up to.
In the lead image there were two couples that were enjoying themselves in a clearing by a thick forest. The tow rig was a 1955 Buick Super 2 door Riviera hardtop, and tagging behind was a color coordinated Shasta Astrodome camp trailer with cabover sleeping quarters, just don’t try to sit up fast. Shasta’s are easy to spot because of their “wings” on the rear upper sides. Apparently there was only enough room for two chaise lounges.
I am not sure what these folks were doing, perhaps hunting? The man was looking upwards, while the lady was drinking her coffee. Their ride was another Buick Super, this one a 1950 4 door Tourback Sedan with perhaps a Wisconsin license plate.
These folks may have stopped to take in the view. They were riding in a 1953 Pontiac Chieftain De Luxe 4 door sedan with a license plate too blurry to read the details. The car was equipped with a trailer hitch, as well as the optional backup lamps and exhaust tip.
We are at a lake where this party was boating and possibly fishing. A well equipped 1956 Chevrolet Task-Force pickup was waiting at the camp site along with an empty boat trailer. The pickup looks like a 3200 series (1/2 ton long bed), but could have been a 3600 (3/4 ton). It had the Trademaster 265 V8, Custom Cab, Full-View rear window, bumper guards, and all the chrome accessories they offered. A home crafted, color keyed camper shell was fitted to the bed, and the license plate was an Oregon issue.
A family had a picnic in the woods while traveling in a V8 powered 1954 Ford Customline Fordor Sedan. At least the side portion of the two tone paint was done in the aftermarket, and it had a rear mounted antenna. The license plate may have been from North Carolina, as I think we have seen this car before in a different location.
Taking in the view here were two products from the General; the closest was a 1957 Pontiac Star Chief convertible with a license plate too far away to read. And in the distance was a two tone 1955 Buick Special 4 door sedan.
Going camping with the whole gang most likely in California, as that is where the 1956 Ford Country Squire was from. There was a roof rack on top to hold the tent that was set up behind the car.
Here was a lady stretching her legs after a rainfall, while her companion was taking photos. They were in a 1956 Plymouth Savoy 4 door sedan, the sales leader for the year. It was powered by the Hy-Fire 270 cubic inch V8 and had two tone paint.
A couple of ladies were snoozing on some cots in an apparent quiet time at the campground. There were three camper trailers in the image, but only one car. It was a 1957 Cadillac Sixty-Two Sedan de Ville, which certainly would have made a good tow/road car.
Parked at the campground was a 1960 Plymouth Custom or Sport Suburban wagon with a 1962 Michigan license plate issued in Macomb County, the home of Warren. It had a right side trailer towing mirror, so it apparently was the tow rig for an unseen camp trailer. The photographer’s likely wife and daughter were posing on the hood, and in the background looks like a 1961 Dodge Dart Seneca 4 door sedan.
This doesn’t really look like a campground, just a spot off the road. An Avion 26′ or so tandem axle travel trailer was set up and leveled, and there were at least three Jerry cans that appeared to be chained to the bumper. It had a Michigan license plate, and the apparent tow car was a 1960 Ford Country Sedan with a boat on the roof rack.
A pair were playing catch on the road, and parked on the other side of them was a 1965 Plymouth Fury III 4 door sedan that had one of the Commando big block V8’s. On top was a luggage carrier to give them added capacity while traveling, and the boy on the left was a southpaw.
Thanks for joining us and have a great day!
Something I like seeing more of at carshows are cars with original tow hitches & restored trailers
My other favorite is a group of model A owners who drive offroad
I’m guessing #6 is a view of the Grand Tetons.
Caption for photo #2:
“Bucktooth (’50) Buick & Birches.”
’47 Crosley CC.
That first pic with the color coordinated “Buick”, and trailer is cool. The black “Pontiac”, convert about halfway down is for me!
Nice .
Brings back many memories .
-Nate
I can say with most assurance, #2 is definitely the Northwoods. I don’t think they are hunting, just a quick stop to pee. I’ve been in that exact spot in N.Wis. and it does look like a Wis. plate. Many of the forest roads still are like this, and I miss it dearly. Colorado is nice, but nothing like the Northwoods.
2nd to last photo: Avion 26′ trailer
Imagine rolling down hill, trailer in tow, with drum brakes!!
At this time, most cars had manual transmissions where 2nd gear was the brake!!
On Picture #3 (1953 Pontiac), I think the license plate is from Oregon. Oregon used this design from 1950-1955, and the dies were pretty distinctive, with blocky numbers (particularly the “9”). A comparison between the plate in the photo and a 1954 Oregon plate is below:
These are nice classic, mostly ’50s cars. Would you say that because of the color photographs, this would probably put these photos taken around 1965 or 1966?
My dad and grandparents, not sure who the kid was with one of the first pop-up campers my grandfather home-built.
Just guessing that the pick up in number 4 Is parked near foster reservoir in sweet home.