Tag: 50s
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Hemi Wagon With Manual Trans – Not What You Think
No, it’s not a late model Dodge Magnum, it’s a 1956 DeSoto Wagon. This features the “Firedome” engine, which was DeSoto’s version of the corporate Chrysler Hemi. Given it’s a 1956 model, this should be a 330 CID (5.4L) version with about 230 horsepower and plenty ‘o torque – maybe even enough to move this…
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Lincoln Plus Ranchero Equals Linchero?
If you’ve seen a ’59 Lincoln Continental, then you can understand how converting one into a pickup is not too far-fetched. These cars had ridiculously long trunks from the factory. This car underwent that conversion, along with some interesting, old school customization. The end result is certainly unique. The seller says this is in excellent…
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Rare on These Shores: Ford Taunus
No, we didn’t misspell Taurus! There was a German-built Ford called the Taunus for a great many decades. The seller of this example confidently states “if you want an old car to work on this is your best bet.” I’m not sure about that, but it’s likely this car can be saved. There’s no paint…
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Once Somewhat Common, Now Unthinkable. Austin Healey V8 Swap
These days, ’58 Healeys have gone up in value and are $50K++ cars if in restored or good original condition. Projects can trade at $20K or so. With values where they are today, these cars are preserved or restored, but they were relatively cheap, used cars. Over the years, some lost their inline six cylinder…
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Common 50s French Sedan, Rarely Seen in the US
The Simca Aronde was a big seller in its home country of France in the 50s and early 60s, but is very rarely seen here. This is not quite a microcar by conventional definitions, but it is a very small sedan and was designed to provide economical family transportation. This is a non-running project car…
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French Creepy Van – Peugeot 4DA
Okay, it doesn’t have to be creepy, but any van can qualify with the right, subtle touches. Regarless of creepy factor, this is a rare Peugeot van. The seller says this is for parts only, but it’s not clear whether that’s because of a lack of title or something else. This appears to be complete…
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The Flintstones’ Autobianchi
Yes, here we have yet another bottom-feeder mircocar. Autobianchis were ‘upscale’ microcars based on Fiat 500s back in the day. They had unique sheetmetal and upmarket interiors, at least as compared to basic Fiats. This Bianchina Transfomabile is a coupe with canvas sunroof, which is the ‘transformable’ part. This one was used as a display…
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Lowest-Value Isetta Currently Available?
We’ve commented many times recently that microcars have been hot, especially since the Bruce Weiner auction in 2013. BMW Isettas, once only curiosities, and generally available for $20K or less in any condition, suddenly can bring more than twice that in perfect condition. So, why does this Isetta have a buy-it-now price of $2,850? Well,…
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Swedish Beachmobile?
The seller offers little detail, but claims this is a running PV544 with a clean title. If you want 40s Ford styling with Swedish reliability, this is the car for you! In other good news, the seller does specify this has a four-speed manual. The images certainly show a complete car, but we can’t do…
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DKW 3=6 FTW
If you thought Saab’s 9-3 naming was slightly confusing, you need a DKW 3=6. Post-war Auto Union, which would eventually become Audi, revived the DKW name for certain vehicles. This was one of their answers to the VW Beetle (before Audi was acquired by VW). Here we have 900cc of two-stroke, water-cooled, inline three cylinder…