Minneapolis Street Sightings: Buick Riviera

I showed you the 1980s model Riviera (I think it's an '84 but I'm not too sure) and now I bring you this specimen. This Riviera is a second generation model, which ran from 1966 to 1970, and offered three V8 engine choices--the famous Buick Nailhead 425, a 430, and the big honkin' 455 incher.
This example seems to be deteriorating, and it's quite a shame, really. Even though it had current plates, it didn't appear that this car has moved since god knows how long. The paint is sun warped, the dash is cracked, and the wheels seemed to be stuck into the tires. Not a good sign.
The interior didn't fare to be in much better shape, I'm afraid. The dash was warped beyond repair, and every single piece of chrome or trim in the thing had been mauled begone recognition--this car beckons for more than a simple resto job.
I did like that the chrome was mostly intact, so this car can still lend parts--if the owner does indeed decide to strip it rather than using the cash for clunkers crap on it.
The neighborhood this car was resting in led me to these conclusions; ratty houses with taped and boarded up windows, doors with metal burglar bars, and at each street corner sat a waiting cop car and a matching bait. In a way I'm glad this thing is in sad shape as some gangsta won't try to "jack da whip". I want to save it, though, but I'm afraid this example is past its prime. And that's a damn shame because second to the 1963-1965s these are my favorite Rivieras.

Minneapolis Street Sightings: Buick Riviera

Here we have a nice Buick Riviera to kick off the street sightings for the week. The car had a street presence nothing else on this block could touch; not even the C4 Corvette that the owner decided to be a spraypainted yellow. As I walked around the car, I saw that it was mostly intact, so I decided it would be a good blog feature. I don't see many of this vintage, let alone this much intact. The paint on this car wasn't showroom-shine clean, but it certainly wasn't pitted and discolored/faded. The chrome bits seemed to be intact, although the emblems looked a little worn down. Hey, it's nearly 30 years old, so who can complain? The original wire hubcaps are slick, and a touch of class to this clean Buick. However, I'd shine them up a bit and maybe rechrome them along with the bumpers and emblems.
The interior seemed clean and mostly original save for the crappy hacksawed 6x9s gracing the rear deck panel. Honestly, not everything needs a bumpin system to "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" to. Dammit. At least it doesn't have 24s on it, yet. Nor is it a gaudy color, so I give the owner credit for at least keeping it looking stock on the outside. For now, anyway.
I'd like to see more Rivieras (and Toronados, too) of this vintage preserved and kept in good condition. No one thought the 1960s and 1970s Rivs would be classics, but these 1980s examples are nearing the 30 year old mark. They, too, one day could be collector's items.

Guilty Pleasures

We all have them, even car enthusiasts. Cars that go in the categories are cars, trucks, and SUVs that "normal" car enthusiasts would scoff at. Cars and trucks that are neither signifact, or special in any way, shape or form; cars that mean essentially nothing to the average Joe. For me, though, there are a few cars that fit my guilty pleasures list. You saw one of them, the 1995-1999 Lincoln Continental.

The others on this list are:
1991-1994 Ford Explorer Sport/two door
1993-1996 Dodge Intrepid two tone
1997-2002 Ford Expedition
1998-2004 (?) Mitsubishi Montero Sport
1999-2004 Dodge Intrepid

Automotive Guilty Pleasures: Lincoln Continental

The first in this sub-series is the 1995-1999 Lincoln Continental. Yes, I realize this is a FWD 4.6 V8 Continental; I do realize it has many, many gremlins such as air suspension that is prone to failure, and I do understand that the 4.6 is a chore to do maintenance on; I do realize many car freaks consider the styling to be bland, almost atrocious, and the wheel choices hideous. I don't care. I like this generation, and again, I have no idea why; it's some sort of strange attraction, if you can call it that. From the time I was about 7 or 8 I liked the styling of these. My favorite angle of these cars in the front 3/4 view. I am drawn to the headlight/grille/fender lines and I have no idea why. I also like the wheels on this model. I do realize they are some of the ugliest wheels Lincoln has dreamed up, but I like them. Same goes for the omgfwd layout. A bunch of people shun FWD "luxury" cars such as this and the Cadillac STS, but I dig em. On the Continental, though, I am drawn to silver or pine green ones; those two colors look right on it. No tan, no black, no white; pine green or sliver seems to be the best (dare I say sexiest?) color choices for this particular FWD barge. Oh, and the best part? I can feasibly buy a running one for $1500-$3000. I almost want to.

Diecast of the Day: Road Signature Oldsmobile Toronado

Dunno if this is going to work or not, since my comp is broken, but here goes. This is Road Signature's 1:18 Oldsmobile Toronado. I've been wanting one of these for awhile now, and I finally have it. Verdict? The paint, fit and finish is very good. The paint is glossy but it does show some orange peel, and the chrome trim is very fragile. The doors and hood do open, but again they were VERY fragile; I'm almost afraid to open them. The main neat feature that prompted me to buy this car is the poseable headlights. They do open and close; how cool is that? Especially at this price point.
The interior is nicely detailed, too with each piece of trim replicated to scale. The steering wheel and wood look accurate, as do the seat contours, and details. Since I am afraid to open the doors (they are extremely delicate), I can view the interior from outside, which is a bit of a letdown since the interior looks amazing.
My only complaint, aside from the fragileness part is the fact that the chrome looks fake almost; Road Signature tried too hard to make the chrome appear real. Overall, this Oldsmobile Toronado is a good model to have in a collection, and it's one of the few non-Cutlass oriented models around. If you are an Oldsmobile fan, or love obscure/forgotten American cars, buy this piece; it has astounding shelf presence.

Minneapolis Street Sightings: Ford Mustang Grande

Hmmm, I realize classic Mustangs may be generic, but face it. You don't see the luxury versions very often, and when you do, they're not in very good condition. This Grande is an exception to that notion. It appears to have been either babied from birth or nicely restored-being Minnesota, I'm betting the latter. The yellow finish on this example was immaculate, as was the vinyl roof. The chrome seemed to be intact too, which is a nice bonus; heck, even the emblems were intact, and were in good shape to boot. This car is definitely owned by someone who has pride in their not-so-run-of-the mill Mustang.

The Grande version of the Mustang was introduced in 1969 as a more luxurious version of the ponycar; it received more sound deadening, houndstooth interior, and other appointments not found in standard or sporty versions of the Mustang. Although, the Grandes did have a V8 (351), they were not necessarily fast; in fact, they were the Town Car of Mustangs. They were meant as an upscale derivative of the base car, much in the same way a V6 Premium is viewed today. I wish to see more and more less popular version of the automotive icon restored and babied, but I'm afraid there will always be the stigma that they're not as cool as a Boss or Mach 1.

Minneapolis Street Sightings: VW Rabbit (Caddy)

Whoa. This is a hell of a find. Yeah I realize it may not seem to be much, but an old VW still running is a feat. Guess the diesels aren't bad as far as reliability goes. I see diesel Dubs running around daily, but none of this vintage. Guess the "other German marque" reliable diesels too.
This example of a VW Rabbit "Caddy" is a rather clean one. The paint isn't in too bad of shape since it IS still one color. The hubcaps are original too, and I'm glad the owner hasn't slapped a set of custom wheels on it. Or worse--stretched tires and wide BBS wheels. Not that I hate that style, cause I don't. I don't think every single damn VW/Audi needs that stance, classic or not.
I'm sure the engine is no powerhouse, since it's tuned for economy rather than torque. Expect to see 35-45 MPG in these guys, thus deeming a Prius or Civic Hybrid useless. Oh, and with this VW, you can modify it to accept a modern VW TDI. Or an Audi 2.0 TFSI. Or a VR6. But, in truth, I'd rather see this one kept original.

Minneapois Street Sightings: Ford F-100 Custom

Now THIS is a sightings. I don't have many trucks on here, for a reason; they're supposed to be used. This Ford F-100 is AWESOME-- paint is on point, and it's a nice color, too. No fade is present, and no rust either. The interior seems fairly clean, and the body itself seemed to be rust free. I usually frown on newer wheels on old vehicles but in this case they work. 1988 to 1995 F-150 wheels have always been good choices to replace the stockers with, and these are no exception. I would've rather seen the slanted 5 spokes (F-150 Flareside) but the base ones are fine.
Not in show condition, it is certainly more of a driver than anything, but that's not a bad thing. We need more vintage vehicles on the street. I get tired of seeing the same generic 2001-2008 cars and trucks, so seeing this neat Ford brightened my day. The age, (I am a HUGE fan of these and unibodys btw) and the condition-added to the fact that it was a Ford--brightened my day. ATTN: We need more Fords-especially unbodys- in good shape; correction. I need a Ford unibody in good shape.