TONKA INDIAN WINNEBEGO

I bought this almost immaculate Tonka truck last Fall. A big heavy toy made of pressed steel. Has metal become so expensive today, the reason why things like this aren't made that way any more? That and also likely because god knows how many kids got hurt, or maybe worse just playing with metal. I found Winnebago this in a second hand store for only 8 bucks!! Turned around and sold it for almost $60. That was almost the cost alone of shipping it to the Western States.
The one big pressed steel model I sold but should have hung on to, was my made in Japan '65 Cadillac Deville. It was even bigger than this Tonka!

1975 Chevy Monte Carlo

Seen last spring in Montreal's Verdun district, this de-smogged 454 equipped black chariot made for a quick photo shoot!
The owner was nice enough to move his beauty off the street and in the sun.
This is the only print I had made, and its a poster of 16 x 20 inches. Very sharp item for only $30.

Cuban 1947 or 1948 Plymouth

There are so many classic American cars to delight the casual admirer, or hardcore addict like myself, that I could just look out my fifth floor hotel room and see some. Though I lodged a 25 minute drive from Havana, I was happy in Santa Maria Del Mar at the Tropicocco Hotel.
A little evening walk in February in 20 degrees celcius, was nothing to complain about even thought it was cloudy to overcast. This Plymouth along with a '56 Oldsmobile and some Ladas, watched and protected thier Cuban friends playing handball. An incredibly vast contrast form the dead of winter in Montreal.

IGNORE THIS SIGN

Cars shown in this funny LIFE magazine cut out...Fore front 1955-1956 Ford, beige 1960 Chrysler, and an orange 1958 Chevy Bel Air or Biscayne.
So aside form cutting out this 10 x 10 inch picture, I coulored the cars and sign as well with markers.
Only $10 for this really one of a kind item!

1964 Chevelle El Camino

I didn't see very many vintage trucks when I was in Los Angelas back in August 2006, but this bowtie was one sweet ride! She was located just south of Hollywood in a residential neighborhood, gleaming in her factory stock originality. Although her blue colour was clearly not original, it was however in matching with the lamp post next to it. Love it or hate it, the old matress leaning on that lamp post makes this picture even more interesting. I had to as I often do, explain to a friend of the owner that i was an old car nut from Montreal who loved taking pictures of classic vehicles.
Originally introduced to the car hungry public in 1959, the Chevy El Camino was indeed a car, and a practical truck. It was also developed to compete with Ford's Ranchero, which oddly enough was temporarily discontinued in 1960. The same temporary suspension happened to the El Camino, as none were produced between 1961 and 1963. Instead of reviving this commercial vehicle as a full-size model, It was instead brought back on the new intermediate '64 Chevelle model. A good decision, as Chevelle El Caminos were manufactured well into the eighties. Perhaps since the new Malibu has proved its ongoing popularity, a new "Camino" could be built on this chassis? Hey You never know.
Advertised by Chevrolet as "The Personal Pickup", the 1/2 ton '64 El Camino was offered as a base model with a custom model at extra cost. Customs featured chrome rocker moldings, with chrome around wheel wells, a chrome strip on hoods, and chrome rails on box. Our featured model is a base model, as it clearly has no extra chrome. As with regular Chevelles, six-cylinder engines were standard, as V8 motors were optional. As with the Chevelle, 1964 El Caminos were offered in many colours. Here are some of them...Azure Aqua, Daytona Blue, Ermine White, Almond Fawn, Palomar Red, Bahama Green, Saddle Tan, and a few other colour choices.
El Caminos where always more popular on the west coast, and I'd be very surprised if I ever saw another '64 El Camino here in the great white north. However, an impressive 36,615 examples were made.

SOLD! MY JUNKER MODEL CARS

$25 is what I got today for these plastic model cars I put togeother in the '90s. Too much is too much, and kept all my best built cars and some pickups.
Perhaps these will be restored or made into a junkyard diorama, up in the Victoriaville neighborhood. I built and painted in detail so many of these models, that I could get excited when Zellers stores would have a half off sale on 1 / 25 scale kits as shown here. Notice the Montreal Caprice cop car I made, along with the '55 Cuba style Be Air sans ragtop. I think its fair to say the buyer got a recession price!

1955 BUICK AND GOOD TIMES

Nice old scene eh? An old photo one of many a friend of mine had found in the trash. Its safe to say that there was a some celebration, perhaps this guy had just bought this spiffy and used Buick. I think it's a Century, and the first year for four-door hardtops on every GM line, except Chevy. Buicks were so bloody popular when they came out, that factories were building them at full capacity, running three work shifts a day! Over 800,000 '55 Buick Specials, Supers, Centuries, and Roadmasters were sold, and its possible that this beauty could still exist. This photo was likely taken somewhere in Quebec.

NYC 1940 TWIN COACH ARTIC BUS

For you non-bus enthusiasts, the word artic is short for articulated, and that was a new thing for New York in 1940.
I bought this original photo at a specialty store in Hollywood CA, in August 2006. I "assembled" a used metal looking frame and taped the bus's info at back.
8 x 10 inches, and only $ 10

1951 BUICK ROADMASTER

About five years ago, I went to a nice little car show in the Pointe Claire village of Montreal. There was this magnificent Roadmonster in attendance, and lucky me to get a ride in this beauty after the show!
Like his '51 Buick, the had almost as much character what with his large Larry MacDonald mustache.
$10 for this 8 x 12 photo.

1972 Ford Stake truck

As you may or may not know, I was lucky enough to Venture to southern California in August 2006. I had the up-most pleasure in seeing many old cars, but quite a few old trucks as well. In my one week stay in lovely San Francisco, this '72 Ford was obviously still hard at work, and man did it ever show! Where I'm from here in Montreal, you would probably never see such a vehicle still in use. Not just because rust eats away at our vehicles, but because Montreal is a very hip city, (and probably too hip at times) and this old truck would be just too ugly to see for most folks. I was glad to have captured this Ford on film, as it looked like an ancient relic rolling past the more modern, but still old Mazda R-X7.
This '72 was the last year for this styling from Ford, as the design primarily used for pickups, had been around since 1967. I personally have always admired the clean styling of this generation, and feel like they have that look like they were built to last. These trucks were as usual available in a 9 or 12 foot stake bed, but our featured truck here appears to have had home made type of wood stakes. This '72 is an F-350 and is classified as a one-ton truck, and an Internet search didn't even reveal one that came close. Standard power would have come from a 300 cui. V8 with the 302 mill as optional. It's very interesting to note that 88.9 percent of all light duty Ford trucks built for '72, had V8 engines. 45.7 percent of them had power steering, while 49.9 percent had automatic trannies.
Ford trucks Built tough? This one definitely!

Golden Motoring Age

Yes indeed folks, this photo definitely shows how different every car on the road was, each one identifiable from the next. I got this picture from a late Sixties National Geographic.
I can tell almost every car here, in this Northeast U.S. busy street scene. See for fun how many of these now classics you can identify...

Dad's Parisienne

My father had always liked cars, but was never a car nut like me. His appreciation for good automotive styling I think was usually clear in the kinds of cars that he owned. Quality cars were also important to him, but like most car owners a few bad apples did come and go. His ' 69 Fiat Spyder was one of those poorly made cars, as was the '82 Volkswagen Rabbit he and my mom briefly owned. Of course in those days, you were likely better off with a big American car for reliability, than one of those tempting, and economical little foreign jobs. It's too bad that I was too young to remember this '63 Pontiac Parisienne, as the photo showing my one year old brother means that this picture was taken around 1976.
I guess this (just an old car) was in pretty good condition for a 13 year old. Though the paint was faded and rust started showing on the bottom of its doors, the Canadian Pontiac was still straight, and still had an air of elegance in her. Never mind that my father put his old '66 Mustang hubcaps on it, the Parisienne appeared very durable. Dad said it was a good car, especially with that Chevy 283 cui. V8. Notice how its a little strange that the doors are a darker shade of this pink fuchsia colour than other body panels. Another observation looking at this vintage photo I made, is that the Poncho has a cover on the front seat (typical of those days). I imagine that was probably done by my mother's uncle “Lucien”, the original owner.
My father (Jimmy to his friends and family) looooved a bargain, and when he saw that this relative's Parisienne was for sale, how could he pass it up for only $200? Apparently mom thinks that car also didn't have too many miles on it.
As with it's American counterpart, 1963 Pontiacs were totally redone inside and out. All those groovy straight lines of the '61 and '62 Pontiacs were now a simple and smooth body, compared say with a Chevrolet of the same year. It's a bit different in styling that only the Parisienne (and Bonneville equivalent) featured a thick bodyside chrome trim that ended at mid section of the body. It's much easier to differentiate the costly Parisienne from the cheaper Laurentian, and Strato-Chief models. These two models looked much more alike in appearance than the Parisienne. I would even dare say that 1963 Parisiennes were easily distinguishable from the other full-size Ponchos, compared to most other years they were produced.
Although the 230 cube straight-six cylinder, and the 283 cui. V8 motors were Canadian favorites, even more powerful V8s were available for all full-size '63 models. Unlike an American Bonneville, Catalina, or say Star Chief, our beloved Canadian Ponchos were also sold (in limited numbers at extra cost) with a 327 cui. V8, and a big 409 of at least 400 thundering horses! If any of you readers out there have any Canadian Pontiac thats original with that engine, send a picture here to old autos. I don't have a doubt that it would spike the interest of many like moi.
I find it interesting to note that when it comes to '63 Parisiennes, even though GM sold tons of them, there seems to be a heck of a lot more two and four-door hardtops, and convertibles around, then four-door sedans like my dad's here. I only found one example on line, while the rest were as I just mentioned above. Although I find the '64 full-size models to be equally beautiful, I still prefer the '63's styling. I'm attracted to the styling at the rear, especially the taillights flush with the rear bumper. Of course my dad having owned one of these also confirms my interest in '63 Pontiacs even more, especially our Canadian models.

1956 and 1959 Chevy Mural

I was lucky to get a contract last fall to paint a mural for a car collector in Laval.

I had to work 10 feet up in the air on a couple of scaffles, and only had about a foot and a half wide to step. Talk about a challenge! It was worth it though, to be paid to paint the classic '56 Bel Air Nomad on the right, and the red '59 El Camino. I'm hoping to land another mural deal soon!

1978 Cadillac Fleetwood Ad

An original ad from a National Geographic, and framed. 11 x 14 inches, $15

Nicest '64 Cadillac Coupe De Ville

Out in Tuscaloosa California in August 2006, this classic Caddy really caught my eye! In fact it is one of the finest '64 Cadillacs I have ever seen. She was sitting pretty at the famous "BIG BOY" restaurant along with lots of other excellent classic Americans. With exception to it's silver roof, this car looks the same as the ones they used in the 1988 movie "Tin Men" (one of my favorites). This is an 8x12 inch photo I had made up. $10. Layer not on actual photo.

EX- Montreal STCUM GM Fishbowl Bus In Cuba

It was over ten years ago when a friend of mine went down to Veradero Cuba, and photographed this amazing sight.
This ex-Montreal "New-look" bus was one of I believe about 150 that were sold by the STCUM to Cuba, in the late-Nineties. Price? About $1500 each! My buddy Sean who snapped this photo informed me that hew even saw one bus that still sported the "68 Pierrefonds" on the old roll sign! I used to take these as a kid every day to and from school, especially on that route. I went to Cuba in 2008 and hoped to see one of these (like an old friend), but to no avail. I was told that some of them are still in service but cant confirm this. If anyone has good quality photos of these buses, I would be interested in buying them.
This is an 8 x 12 inch photo I had made. (layer not on actual photos) $10
I also have an 11 x 17 inch lazer copy for sale for $5. Its of a nice thick paper quality.

Auto oddities...

From a 2004 Car And Driver magazine.

1959 MOBILGAS SPECIAL

It came from a time when oil companies were respected, as thier oil and gas sold for peanuts. Those powerful and very thirsty '59 cars are in high demand by collectors, even in four-door sedans. Of the Plymouth, Olds, Cadillac, and Dodge, which would be your choice if money was no problem?
This is an 10 x 13 inch original ad, in good condition for $5.

1963 MERCURY COMET RAGTOP PHOTO

I spotted this old Ford on St Laurent Blvd in Montreal, almost exactly 5 years ago. The owner wasn't even afraid to bring his toddler with him in the back seat.
I had this 8 x 12 enlargement made up a few years ago, and I put in a heavy old wooden frame. No other print at this time. $20 for a one of a kind item.

Chalet BBQ / 1950 Pontiac Art

I started this drawing on the first day of 2010, and finished it at the end of February. This Montreal restaurant has been the home of the best BBQ Chicken since 1944! Since there were no cars produced that year, I found a great photo in my archives of a grey '50 Pontiac Silver Streak. A perfect match for a restaurant that practically hasn't changed a bit inside and out. I had this drawing framed and sold it to the manager a few weeks ago. It should be hung inside the resto soon for all to enjoy!
By the way, the photo I took years ago of this restaurant was in the dead of winter. It was on a cloudy day, without much colour.

1981 Dodge And 1976 GMC Step Vans

When I was looking for a new apartment to move into in Spring of 2002, I looked closer to downtown Montreal to have an easier time traveling by bus and metro. When I saw these two vintage trucks on Chester street in the N.D.G. municipality, I took them in as a positive sign of the area. They were and still are, the closest to home antiques I have ever spotted.

My old neighbor Tony and his father have been in the sharpening business for generations, and the business even stems as far back as their forefathers who were sharpeners back in Italy. They are among the very few who sharpen knives, scissors, and even lawn mower blades.

The old orange step vans have been in their family for years, as even I remember as a kid seeing one of the trucks coming down the street slowly with the bell clanging. Tony's father drives the very well kept '76 GMC, while until 2006, Tony drove the rare 318 poly equipped '81 Dodge. Like the few old step vans still in use, both trucks were former Canada Post delivery vehicles.

Reflecting Chrysler's quality control problems of the '70's and early eighties, Tony had to retire the old Dodge due to too many substantial problems. He did however have a long run with it though, as he had purchased it twenty years ago. A shame he had to scrap it since this was the only Dodge step van I had ever seen. Tony replaced the Dodge with a slightly used, and more fuel efficient Grumman Diesel Step van. He had it painted in the same colours, orange with a white roof and bumpers. Notice in the photo how interesting it is that the Dodge is actually taller than the GMC! The GMC by the way is powered by a quiet and smooth running 6 cylinder engine.

Since sharpening tools and such is a seasonal business, it's why these trucks have lasted so long not ever having been in the snow. Old and unusal trucks for an equally old and unusual business!

1959 Chevy Impala

When the '59 Chevy's were introduced to
north Americans in October 1958, Tommy Edwards had crooned his way to the number one spot with his smooth hit "It's All In The Game". Well, when it came down the game of selling domestic cars in the late
fifties, the designers at Chevrolet and GM's other divisions were totally blown away by the sleek new '57 Chrysler corporation cars unveiled in late '56! Chryslers, Plymouths, Dodges, and of Imperials, were all dramatically redesigned, which in turn made GM and Ford cars look suddenly outdated.
Chrysler's clever "Forward Look" styling had the right slogan for 1957..."Suddenly it's 1960", and all of this leading futuristic design forced General Motors to scramble with jet influenced designs (thanks to Harley Earl and Bill mitchell) to stay at the top for 1959. Chevrolets now featured "Slimline design", that was "fresh, fine and fashionable with a
practical slant" as one ad proclaimed. This new slant reffered to all five General Motor's divisions of autos, which featured this literaly "groovy" styling. All side body panels on Chevy's to Cadillacs, would smoothly run downward from the beltline at the mid-section of the body to the rear, making for an impressive "jet-like" sight. In merging of the grille and headlights, and the addition of wild cat eyes taillights and sharp fins, made the competition looked pretty weak in comparison to this daring new styling. Along with it's GM sibling's, Chevrolets were radically transformed in almost everey other aspects for '59. Roofs were now thinner, as were general body dimensions, but more importantly Chevy's also received huge new "safety plate glass" windows all the way around. Chevy's were now two inches longer than before and wider than ever, and in turn ave more room for passengers inside. Interiors of 1959 Chevrolets were now as
racy looking as their exteriors, featuring Corvette inspired instrument panels and steering wheels. Even the new door panels and seats now matched the fast pace of the hot new bowtie machines, that ended the
fabulous fifties with a vengeance against competing low-priced cars!
The Impala was only in it's second year when a young musical group called themselves that in 1959 (The Impalas), and had thier top twenty chart hit called "I ran all the way home"! There was even another pop group
that had some success with the band name "Bel-Airs". Incidently, the Bel Air series was now a middle of the line model, offered below the Impala, but above the cheaper Biscayne. The Biscayne had replaced the "Delray" model for 1959 on. Flashy,glitzy, and the most expensive Chevrolet one could buy in '59, The Impala was available in a reasonable amount of body
styles. Unlike the Biscayne and Bel-Air, Impalas were offered as convertibles, but not offered in 2 door sedan form. Although we in
Canada had a two-door hardtop Bel-Air, there was a Bel-Air version of our feature flatop four-door sport sedan available. Both types
are very scarce these days! Chevrolet power trains were not only very
dependable, but still some of the best motors ever created by General Motors engineers. Though the 283 cui V8 was only two years
young, it would prove to be immensely popular with Chevy car or truck buyers. This engine was offered in a basic form that developed
195 horses through a 2 barrel carb and one exhaust, and also as a "Super Turbo Fire" V8 that gave out 35 more horses than the above
mentioned. The rarely ordered "Ram Jet Fuel injection" version could push a heavy Chevy easily with 250, to 290 horsepwer! Moreover,
an almost big-block 348 cui V8 could also be
had in various potencies to satisfy the drag types. Power on these motors could have been anywhere between 250 and 335
horsepower! If speed, power, and poor gas mileage weren't your "thing", than you may have likely ordered a new Chevrolet with the
good ol' "High Thrift" 235 cui straight six cylinder that made 135 horsepower. As usual, Chevy's winning ways were heightened every year by adding new safety features and optional extra cost items. "Safety Master" brakes were bigger, and "Easy ratio" steering was also now standard equipement on new '59 Chevs, along with "Magic Mirror" deep luster acrylic paint jobs. Some of those extra cost items offered by Chevrolet dealers were...Air suspension (unfortunately prone to
fail), Automatic turboglide or usual powerglide transmissions, manual or push button radio, dual exhausts pipes, two tone paint jobs,
"Shaded" rear window, an oil filter, a/c, power windows to brakes, and the list went on and on...Although Chevrolet clearly had a more
exciting car for 1959, not everybody liked it's "liberal" if not controversial looks. Both makes therefore almost tied for sales at the end of the year. In Canada, 69,578 Chevrolets were put together in Oshawa, versus 54,015
Fords assembled in Oakville. Like almost every 1959 domestic car, Fords were also dam good lookin' autos, and less likely to rust like the Chevs.
As popular as they were new, 1959 Chevrolets weather they be Impalas or
stripper Biscaynes, will continue to increase in value as they serve an important role as representatives of fifties American style, Batwings and all! As another proud owner of a '59 Chevy Impala summed it up in writing for a website ...."The car for the rest of your life!"

Fate Of Montreal STM CLassics

It came to my attention last year that the STM is going to be retiring all of it's MCI and Novabus Classics by 2012.
Since im visually impaired and cant drive legally, Im forced to use public transportation. And since this isn't by choice, I'm pretty pissed off with the STM's decision to retire the best buses they have!
None of them are even twenty years old, which is common for many transit agencies across Canada and beyond to have buses this old (and then some) to be still in revenue service. Why? Because new buses cost half a million dollars to buy, and that every transit agency is in the red.
Rather than hang on to these Classics, the STM is in cahoots with the provincial government, which pays half the cost of every new bus. Why? Because they're made Quebec. The CLassics are like the beloved GM New-looks that they replaced. They have a nice soft ride like an old Caprice, Crown Vic and so forth, regardless that they squeak and rattle over our shit roads. They can also pack in a whole lot more people than those stupid low floor buses. If you get on a Classic that has everyone sitting in every seat, everyone would be standing in a low-floor bus instead. And finally and even more importantly, the CLassics have been proven to be built to last! Never in my life have I ever rode on a New-look or CLassic that broke down!
So what if Detroit Diesel engines guzzle gas, and that Classics cost more to maintain. In the long run their worth it, even if they have to be rebuilt and rebuilt again, every 6 to 8 years. So unless the STM changes their decision on this matter, or the world ends in 2012, I'm gonna continue to spread the word about this wasting of quality items. It doesn't help that we live in a society that doesn't appreciate the old enough, instead always focused with the new (which is cheap quality anyways). Oh and one more thing, the STM has gotten a ton of new buses in the last two years, and continue to do so. Where the F*** are they gonna get the money to buy new Metro cars? And if its Charest or Harper who ocver half the cost on these new fangled cars made in Quebec / China, or wherever, whos pockets is all that dough really gonna come out of hhhmmmm? This is it man, this is the time to start really recycling like the Cubans do...

MG-TF DRAWING / ART

I drew this car from a blown up black and white photo of not so great quality. Took four hours to draw (freehand like ALL my drawings), and sold it to a swell guy who's restoring one of these. Drew this on 15 x 23 inch paper, and sold it for $40. Note that the front end isnt cut off as photo shows...
This was the top of the line MG until about 1955.

1970 BONNEVILLE ART PRINT "FUNKOMATIC"

This lazer print is one of only 100 I had made several years ago, and I have less then 40 left. It measures 11 x 17 inches and is signed but not numbered.

I sold the original 4 years ago to my biggest fan here in Montreal. The buildings in the background have that typical Montreal style, with the iconic exterior staircases. Pretty pimpin' is what I was going for here.
$10 for a very scarce art print.

AM General

I have been trying to sell this unique poster for a few years now, unsuccessfully. Maybe its because most people see this and think its just a rusty old shit box.
This vehicle was built by American Motors (AMC' s AM General division). In the Seventies and even into the eighties, AMC built many of these step vans for postal service, and even put together whole lot of transit buses. They were also known for making some millitary trucks as well, not just Jeeps.
These step vans got some recognition a few years ago when the movie BORAT came out. It was a cheap ride for Sascha Baron Cohen and his stressed out accomplice "Azumat".
This lazer copy is the only enlargement I had made from the original photo. Measures 11 x 17 inches and is printed on a heavier gauge , and slightly glossy paper. $10.

1970 Buick LeSabre

Aaahh Buick LeSabres, a make and model that I've always had a deep appreciation for. Especially remembered by many as the family four-door sedan, the tri-shield LeSabre of almost any year was a consistent great seller for almost FOUR DECADES! Eat your heart out Toyota Camry, these were REAL cars! Just like my gone but not forgotten 'ol '65 LeSabre, this 1970 example has quite a few similarities. Overall the length and width are about the same, and also applies for similar sleek GM designs as well. Even the style of the hubcaps on this '70 look really close to my LeSabre.
Looking back to the summer of 2003, I as usual spent alot of time car spotting, and discovered this lovely deep red beauty. Sparkling clean on most Montreal streets is rare, and this Buick looked as though it had recently rolled off the assembly line! Did I mention how it's rare I see old cars that are really clean parked on any street? Although this car looks mint, I just noticed that the rear bumper on of the pictures looks to have either been dented, or pushed in. For a long time the Buick was parked on LaSalle Blvd. in the Verdun municipality of Montreal, and area that yours truly recently moved into. One of the reasons why I chose Verdun was not only for its charming antiquated buildings, but it's somewhat numerous old cars as well. You'll be seeing alot of reports on cars I've photographed on the streets here in the near and not so near future.
1970 Buick LeSabres as with its expensive counterpart Electra 225, got their complete restyle a year earlier. Although they were nicely restyled and had an Oldsmobile resemblance, I believe the grille / headlamps treatment were better styled for 1970. A 350 cui. V8 of at least 260 horses was standard power for LeSabre, and would eventually become an optional engine for many G.M. makes in the years to come. Now if you wanted real power for a '70 LeSabre, you would be partial to the bigger 370 horsepower 455 cui. V8 that was optional in the LeSabre "Custom" series. These cars had a little more bright work than base models, and also featured slightly more plush interiors. LeSabre customs cost about a hundreds bucks more than the base model. Aside from the four-door hardtop, 1970 LeSabres were also offered in a Four-door sedan form, and two-door hardtop in standard model. A convertible was only available in the Custom series.
Though most people paid more to have an automatic transmission in their LeSabres, a manual gearbox was still standard equipment. As with other Buick models, 1970 LeSabres could be ordered with a number of options. Some of these were....Automatic Climate control, Remote control outside rear view mirror, four or six way power seat, electric trunk release, Tow master trailering package, rim mounted horn control, and a few other usual extra cost items.
I've seen a few '70 LeSabres over the years, 2 two door hardtops in excellent condition, and this the only four-door hardtop seen. It somewhat represents Buick's past domination of the mid-priced field, as the maker paced fourth in highest volume of cars built and sold in 1970. Like my friend Karim's '70 Delta 88, these Buicks were excellent cars as indicated in Phil Edmunston's 1979 used car book "Lemon-Aid". Even though LeSabres were ten years old at the time the book came out, here's what Phil had to write about them..."Excellent body construction, little rusting, excellent brakes, fuel, and ignition system." "A good buy with V8 offering best economy." Note the V8 he was referring to was a 350, as book says V8 gets 17 mpg average.
So you might think to yourself that this car is worth about $4000-$7000 right? Although that's probably true, I saw this Buick for sale locally online for just $2000 last year. As you might imagine, it wasn't for sale long. So if you ever though about buying a very reliable classic Buick that gets somewhat decent gas mileage, you might want to consider one of these babies. They are after all, true high value G.M.s!
Photos of various size available at a reasonable price.

1966 Dodge Monaco

Funny how our tastes change eh? I can remember about 15 years or more ago, I didnt really care for the look of these old sixties Dodges. Now however, I do admire the
clean if not unique and unusual designs these
babies have! Around this time a year two years ago, I was walking down Queen Mary Blvd. in the Hampstead area of Montreal, and
there shined this gold coloured beauty.

Its a'66 Dodge Monaco, in two-door hardtop form.
Though I wasn't nuts about the sort of oh-hum
mag wheels, everything on this MoPar looked
in excellent condition. The oddly shaped
taillights and front grille, I imagined made alot
of people buy an Impala, or Galaxie instead,
back when these were new. Speaking of this
car's taillights, anyone who's seen the movie
"Hurricane" about Ruben Carter the boxer will
remember the scene when fellow Canadians
are working on getting Ruben out of jail, and
discover the importance of the suspect's
getaway '66 Monaco's Taillights. Actually they
discovered that the similar and less expensive
Polara's taillights "don't run all across" as
someone points out in the movie.

Another oddity about these collector cars, is the really
weird huge round gauges in the instrument
panel. The speedometer, gas gauge and so
forth look like two giant eyes looking at you.
It honestly kind of creeps me out. This is
actually the second two-door hardtop '66
Dodge I see on a Montreal street. The other
car was black with those slick fifties style
original hubcpas, and was also a Monaco.

Like full-size Plymouth Furys, Chryslers, and
Imperials, Dodge Poloras and Monacos shared
bodies that were all completely restyled in
1965. Monaco was a new model created off of
the Polara chassis and body, to compete more
fiercely with Chevy's Impala, and Ford's
Galaxie. The top of the line Custom 880 was
Dodge's classiest car in 1965, but Monaco
took over the role the year after. Since there
was the Impala SS, and the Galaxie 500, the
Dodge boys introduced the Monaco 500 as a
contender in this class. This performance
machine was sold as coupe only, and was not
easily distinguished form a regular Monaco
coupe. The base Monaco was offered not only
in coupe type, but as a four-door sedan and
or four-door hardtop, and also a six or nine
passenger station wagon.

All Monacos came with a big block 383 cui.
V8, that made about 270 horses. The Monaco
500 had a higher horsepower rating of 325. A
Torqueflite automatic transmission could be
ordered versus the standard manual tranny.
With a production total over 30,000 units
fabricated by the Dodge boys,

'66 Monacos aren't hard to come by as an internet search
revealed. An almost mint Monaco 500 coupe
was offered for $13,000, and was painted a
sparkling dark green with a white top. A
couple of nice four-door hardtops looked like
bargains for less than $1500. Though the
styling next to the competition might not have
been the best, these Monacos are quite
inexpensive. You also get a lot of power out of
those 383 motors, that are undeniably
reliable, and probably get better gas mileage
than a big MoPar from the '70s. That of course
before emission controls and so forth became
mandatory in the early seventies, which
unfortunately made cars afterward sluggish and
underpowered.
Being a big land yacht fan, I'd take a '66
Monaco over the Polara. Why have chicken
when I could have steak? I'd be happy with a
coupe, or maybe a four-door hardtop would
be even better. Decisions...
Photos of various size available at a reasonable price.