Cars that grow on you as you get older.

[Sledsel]

Well, I always disliked the 80-82 Thunderbirds. Found one for $300 as a winter beater and it grew on me. Ended up finding another a few years ago and had to have it! Still do.

[Pierre Rivard]

My mom asked dad go get her a Mustang but got this instead. I hated that car because it was not a Mustang. I failed to see it was a a prettier car than the oversized 71 Mustang. This could be a superb resto-mod with gently flared fenders, +2 wheels& tires and a V8.

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 12/26/2024 at 9:48 PM, sfhess said:

That's interesting, A 66 Country squire with a Galaxie/Country Sedan/Ranch Wagon Grille.
Most 66 Squires have the LTD/XL/7-Litre grille:

My guess is that whoever repaired/restored/built the car couldn't find the right grille, or didn't try.

It's been popped in the front.

If you look closely, you'll see the center of the hood line across the top of the grill is slightly bent down, a sure sign it's been "worked on".

After over 5 decades of looking at this stuff with a very critical eye, poor craftsmanship just jumps out at me.  

[stitchdup]

2 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

My mom asked dad go get her a Mustang but got this instead. I hated that car because it was not a Mustang. I failed to see it was a a prettier car than the oversized 71 Mustang. This could be a superb resto-mod with gently flared fenders, +2 wheels& tires and a V8.

 

i've printed one to put a cosworth 4 pot into. They do have a good look about them

[webestang]

First Gen Barracuda's. For years I HATED that Valiant front end while that backend was all sexy cool. Lately though I have a new appreciation for them. A few years ago one crossed the auction block and I found it to be a very good looking. Other than that there is no mini-van ever made I have liked.....sorry Lee, the K-car was OK but that van.....YACK! 

[Brudda]

On 12/26/2024 at 10:38 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

My tastes have changed a little over the years, including having developed a real liking for old wagons. I still have a '74 Malibu wagon in storage that I bought because it was so cheap ($100), and ended up going through mechanically before driving it all over the country way back in '95.

One I really wish I'd saved was a '66 Ford Country Squire with a 428 and front disc brakes. Just like this, but on stock rims. Man, I'd love to have that big ol' gashog today.

Of course, at the time I had neither the knowledge nor the desire to restore the "wood" (the vinyl was faded and peeling, and the fiberglass trim parts were turning to dust), hated anything fake, and was a sports-car snob to boot. Looking back, it would really be a cool old trailer puller now...and it was fast for a battleship.

 

This is cool! My uncle worked as the service manager at Beverly Hills Lincoln Mercury. He ordered a that looked just like this. 428 cobra jet engine. Not a lot built. White with the wood grail with red interior. He also ordered a 427 cobra but that’s another story. She was going to trade it in on an economical car. A BMW. She thought the bmw was an economic car because it did over 10 mpg. The dealer was giving her $2500 as a trade in. Good thing she asked if me if thus was a good deal. I stopped the deal. Contacted Craig Jackson about the car.  He flew out to LA and offered $30,000 for the car. We took it. My aunt was happy. Bought the BMW and she was happy. This was around 20 years ago. Now the rest of the story. My uncle tried to buy every old motel that was on the coast of California. My aunt and uncle ate beans for a long time. He must of had 30 of them. He passed away and did not get to enjoy the rewards. My aunt was the beneficiary of all that. 25 years ago holiday inn bought one property for $15,000,000. The rest is history. My aunt was so protected by my uncle that she did not even know how to pay the bills. So anyway she had no problem with money. I have helped with her so much that she wants to put me in the will. I said all I want is that little British/ American sports car in the wherehouse. 

[Sam I Am]

Square body Chevy pickups. I really was into 60-72 at the time, and still do like them, but the square body grew on me to the point that I owned this one. 70k original miles. I added the wheels and tires.

[Rob Hall]

I've never had a truck, but really like '80s-90s Fords (up through '96) and GMs--both the Rounded Line and GMT-400 generations.   I really like 80s GM B- and C- bodies, though the engines were pretty low power and some troublesome.   I'd love to have an '80s Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham or Buick Electra to tinker with. 

Edited January 23 by Rob Hall

[Brudda]

I was never into big personal luxury cars. Ever. But I remember in my younger days looking at this Lincoln Mark 1 and thinking it was too big but I liked the style of it. I now am much older and understand ride and comfort. It’s weird , but I called someone in Florida on a 1995 eldorado. I worked on those things and did like the styling. So I called , 16,000 mile car, blue, and for around $18,000. Missed it by a day but would have never called on that car 30 years ago. Yes, I guess our tastes change over time. 

[Zen]

On 1/9/2025 at 3:20 AM, Sledsel said:

Well, I always disliked the 80-82 Thunderbirds. Found one for $300 as a winter beater and it grew on me. Ended up finding another a few years ago and had to have it! Still do.

Nice, had a white 80 XR7 years ago, need to find another one.

[rattle can man]

Nothing jumps to mind. my tastes haven't changed.

[Sledsel]

14 hours ago, Zen said:

Nice, had a white 80 XR7 years ago, need to find another one.

Those XR7's are tough to find

[sfhess]

Chevy Astro.  When they first came out I thought they looked dull and ugly.  As a Ford guy, I thought the Aerostar was better.  Later I owned a GMC Safari, then an Astro.    Good family cars, great on road trips.  When I sold the Astro, with over 200,000 miles, it would still go 80 MPH all day and get around 22 MPG.