1978 Ford F-150 Ranger XLT

Today we have a pristine example of the 6th generation Ford F series pickup truck line. This model is a 1978 F-150 Ranger XLT. The F-series is one of the most successful vehicle lines in the history of the world and was at one time the best selling civilian vehicle world wide having been in production since 1948 and continuing to this day. The 6th gen F series was available with a wide variety of gasoline powered 6 and 8 cylinder engines ranging from the 240ci Inline 6 cylinder to the 400ci big block V8. A 4-cylinder diesel engine was available in Argentinian market models. (America would not get a diesel F-series until the 1980s) This example has the Ranger dress-up package that includes chrome door handles, and rectangular headlights. The original owner must have opted not to take the chrome grille insert that was offered on the Ranger package. The truck also has aftermarket nerf bars located under the doors. This is a rare clean example of one of these trucks as most are still at work. We have a 75' F-150 in our family that has been a workhorse it's entire life and with over 300,000 on the clock and shows no signs of quitting anytime soon. I see these trucks on jobsites and with company names decal-ed on the side all the time. Ford has been and always will be the best manufacture of pickup trucks in the world.

1965 Volvo Amazon 130

The Volvo Amazon was produced from 1956-1970. The cars took their styling cues from American cars of the 50's hence the pronounced grille, chrome trim around all windows and the "dog dish" style hubcaps. In 1959 Volvo became the first automaker to have seat belts as standard equipment on all their models. The Amazon was also the first car to feature 3-point seat belts (the modern shoulder strap style we have in all cars today) as standard equipment. This particular specimen is a 4-door model, two door models were the highest sellers though this one is not as rare as the station wagon which sold in significantly lower numbers.  This car is powered by an inline-4 cylinder engine producing 75 horse power known as the B18. The B18 is known for it's reliability the world's highest mileage car is a 1966 Volvo P1800 and has over 2,500,000 miles on the original B18 motor. The Amazon is a bit on the rare side in the US though they were sold here when they were new. Despite being sold as a family car the Amazon did compete in rally and hill climb competition. This pristine example has managed to survive the Arizona sun and looks ready to go on any adventure set out before it.

1990 Porsche 928

The Porsche 928 is a bit of an anomaly when compared to the rest of the Porsche lineup throughout history. For one it has an engine under the hood. Now if you don't know anything about Porsche you probably think I am off my rocker so I will explain. Porsche has a history of using some unconventional power train layouts. Most Porsche's have had rear mounted engines meaning the engine and the transmission are in the trunk. It works on the same concept as front wheel drive just in the rear. It offers the increased traction from having the heaviest part of the car sitting on top of the drive wheels without the performance drawbacks of powering only the front wheels. It does however cause the car to have dramatic bouts of oversteer. The 928 has a standard front engine rear-wheel drive layout. The fuel-injected water-cooled V8 engine was also a first for Porsche which had stuck to air-cooled 4 and 6 cylinder flat "boxer" type engines. The original models featured old-school mechanical fuel injection which was replaced with electronic fuel injection in 1980. The 928 could be had with either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. In other words it was the first Porsche that was actually designed like a normal car. The 928 was also the chosen ride of now ousted Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson in the infamous Patagonia special. I will leave you with his emotional connection to these cars: http://9gag.com/gag/aBQjqrD

Matt

1949 Ford Sedan

The 1949 Ford is one of the most iconic and important cars in the history of the American automobile industry. During World War 2 civilian automobile production was halted in the US and all car manufacturing plants converted to making tanks and other military vehicles. The 49' Ford was the first new car design to debut after the war's conclusion. It was one of the first cars to feature a coil spring suspension and a modern driveshaft (which marked the death of torque-tube drive systems in Ford cars.) The sales of the 49' Ford and it's cousin the Mercury 8, broke records and saved Ford from financial disaster. Without this car we would not have Ford with us today. I found this pristine example parked in front of a downtown church. This example is a 4-door model but the car was available in various 2 door configurations as well including sedan, coupe, hardtop, convertible, and station wagon. Buyers had the choice of a inline-6 cylinder engine producing 95 horsepower or the infamous flathead v8 that produced 100 horsepower. Both engines came mated to a 3-speed manual transmission with a column shifter. Revolutionary as the car was at it's time it still serves as a sign of how far we have come as well. The heavy all steel construction car was stopped by drum brakes at all four corners, no seatbelts, worm and ball gear steering system and leaf springs on the rear. The 49 Ford is one of the iconic American cars and it's place in history is secure.

1963 Land Rover Series IIa Station Wagon

A few weeks ago I asked for readers to submit any interesting rides they came across to be featured on the blog. I did not expect much to come of it but a college friend of mine sent me a bunch from Arizona which is where this British-market classic was found. The Land Rover Series was built from 1958-1985 This model is a Series IIa Station Wagon. The Series IIa is considered to be one of the most durable vehicles ever built. They were incredibly popular in Africa and South America for their ability to withstand not only harsh terrain but the intense climate as well. Many can be found in various parts of the world still in use today, in 1992 Land Rover claimed that 90% of the over 1 million units manufactured were still in use. despite those numbers they are rare in the states. If you look closely you can see the steering wheel mounted on the right-hand side signifying that this was a model that was brought to the US via a grey market deal. This vehicle is old enough that it's owner likely had little trouble with the US government while importing it. The tires monted on this particular example appear to be an upgrade from factory equipment. Under the hood lives either a 2.25l diesel-fed Inline-4 Cylinder. or a 2.6l gasoline inline-6 cylinder. both engines were hooked to a four-speed manual gearbox feeding all four wheels. What a rare find only wish I could have seen it in person.

1990 Daihatsu Charade

The local grocery store seems to be a hot bed of odd car models for some reason. In a city where the wealthy retire and roll around in Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Maserati's. The trust-fund playboys rip up the streets and cause sidewalk terrors with their sleek exotics. (I am talking to you guy who lives behind my house and wakes me up every morning with his Lotus Elise convertible high revving out of his $1,000 a month apartment garage.)  The lower class seems to be forced to roll in obscure late 80's early 90's American and Asian compacts. Case in point this 1990 Daihatsu Charade. Never heard of Daihatsu? not surprised though one of largest entry-level car manufactures in Asia, Australia and Europe. A Daihatsu has not been imported into the US since 1992. The Charade is one of the last Daihatsu's to be sold in the US. The car showed up on the US market in 1988 The standard model was powered by a 1.0L fuel-injected 3-cylinder engine that made all of 53 horsepower. A slightly more powerful 1.3 4-cylinder all-aluminum single over head cam engine was optional. All 3-cylinder models came with a 5-speed manual transmission. The larger 4-cylinders could be had with a 3-speed automatic. These cars were surprisingly much more expensive than other cars in their class and had reliability issues with the standard 3-cylinder engine. Toyota was the main investor in Daihatsu's USA division and pulled the plug late in the 1992 model year due to low sales.

Cars like this never seem to survive in the US market. It must be terrifying to drive a car that takes 15 seconds to achieve 60mph on US freeways.(Turbocharged versions were available overseas but still struggled to make barley over 100 horses) Also unlike Europe the USA is a very automatic transmission centered culture. Only performance enthusiasts seem to purchase manual transmission equipped cars in America. With low sales and the manufacturer only being the country for a few years must make finding parts for this car next to impossible for it's owner. The Charade falls into the same category as the Renault LeCar, FIAT Superbrava, Renault Fuego and the Yugo GV. (Never heard of any of these cars either? not surprised) Another failed attempt and bringing entry level cars built for the European market into the US.

1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL: Everyone's First Car

This car has been sitting outside the apartment I live in. I have a weird fascination with these boring little cars. There was a time when the Cutlass was a proud muscle car. My uncle had a 68 Cutlass 442 that would smoke the tires all the way through 3rd gear. In the 70s it became a big luxury land yacht. The 80s saw it as a Monte Carlo clone and those cars are a cheaper alternative to the Monte Carlo Aeroback today. By the 90s all that was gone. This 92 has either a 3.1 or 3.3l V6 both making a meare 160hp. The cars were very popular during there day and many are still on the road. I often see these cars listed as "a great first car." In many automobile classifieds. Come to think of it these cars are the dream of every parent with a 16 year old. Reliable, safe, cheap as dirt to insure, no style so the car will not draw attention, and no power so a reckless 16 year old lead foot would never be able to get the slushbox automatic to let the car hit 100. I have wondered if the owner would let me try and get this car running again but more than likely it will get hauled off to the crusher because it is not worth fixing.