Automotive

Today Mrs. Cazalea and I went to one of the neighborhoods that was cut off from the rest of the city by freeways, about 40 years ago. Access to it was always marginal because of the canyons that criss-cross our city, and now there are only two ways in and out, both hindered by an enormous hospital complex and the associated traffic, parking lots and huge buildings. Neither of us had ever been there before - we only knew OF it. I have always called it The Land That Time Forgot but its real local nickname is Birdland , because all the streets within are named after birds. 

In about an hour we had our fill, and I took about a dozen vehicles out because they were too boring or the images weren't clear.

Shall we start with Fords? And a fairly nice Fairlane-based Ranchero.



Several other cars covered, including a 911...



A very nice old pickup with matching small camper shell, sitting on wheels worth the price of the truck.





An early 60's Ford Econoline (forward engine/trans) van





A sorry-looking Mercury Cougar with partially-hidden headlamps, serving now to keep a roof-top storage container off the ground.



Notice the hood hold-downs are no longer holding



A Mustang of similar vintage and condition was down the block a bit.



This is an early Large Bronco, with off-road trimmings



It's much larger than the small Broncos I have been finding in the past weeks.



And finally another clean 2-tone Ford F150



It looks like 4WD. I appreciated the sign on the side that said TWIN I-BEAM suspension.



Here's an F250, a bit heavier-duty version, also 4WD

And finally a Falcon-based Ranchero, squeezed ever-so-tightly against the door by a Nissan.

So this provides us with a transition to the imports we spotted





A tired Beetle convertible



A sun-burnt German who probably came in on vacation and stayed ...



Looking a bit worse for wear, as they do when they get too much sun and start to peel



Despite the advantages of California's mild climate(s), Northern Europeans don't hold up that well in the sunshine. This Volvo is doing better than most of its age



Fading, peeling, rubber oxidizing (and falling off) are common



This is a quasi-import; the GEO Tracker, usually seen being towed behind a large motorhome

Was this a Suzuki or an Isuzu? I forget. But badged by Chevrolet as a GEO.



Very shy, but giving itself away at a glance is a Datsun roadster. We didn't have the moxie to go knock on the door and get its story



And now one of the very best Asian cars ever (in my estimation) -- the Honda/Acura NSX




It's amazing what people leave on the street around here.





And this composite shot brings us back around the GM products - a GMC front drive motorhome, a Nissan, and a silver Honda Insight (just as nice as my blue one)

Here's a much-shabbier example of the Oldsmobile Toronado (which shares its V8 engine and transaxle with the motorhome in the shot above)



This one is losing the battle to rust.



Looking up the hill, and up in the air, we both shouted with laughter at this Chevy pickup. You've gotta love American ingenuity.



But I don't like it when one of these pulls up behind me at a light. And no, we have no rules prohibiting this nonsense.



My wife got out of the car and braved the hedges to get these shots of an old Suburban





A Chevy Pickup ready for its camper shell to be slid in



The push bar looks useless



El Camino fans, I know you are out there. We found two today (just as we found 2 Rancheros)



This one in decent shape with nice rims



This example on flatted tires and with burnt paint





Speaking of burnt paint, this two-fer gives us an early 50's Buick and an 80's Corvette

Must have an 8-cylinder engine, notice the 4 portholes? Corvette looking forlorn with eyes open



Now another plastic-bodied, sun-burnt, out-of-fashion GM car. The Fiero.



Geez, this thing looks bad. Why don't cars of this era last?



We went ahead an took a picture of this because we are sure all regular viewers will be able to identify what it is, and from what era.





I was baffled by this for a moment but now I am thinking it's the back end of a 56-57 Vette. Anyone agree with me?







That wraps up my morning exercise. Wow my eyes and arms and shutter finger are exhausted.

Cazalea

Hagwe

Bill