This 1980 Toyota Celica Supra Mark 1 – previously featured as a Curbside Classic right here on TTAC – has been stolen in Eugene, Oregon.
Let’s help its rightful owners get it back.
This 1980 Toyota Celica Supra Mark 1 – previously featured as a Curbside Classic right here on TTAC – has been stolen in Eugene, Oregon.
Let’s help its rightful owners get it back.
This week’s Silversides Bus and Tempest CCs were high on my wish list, and finding them motivated me to put in some serious overtime. So today I need a breather, say an urban hike from our house to Skinner Butte, the geographic focal point of Eugene. Now some of you have asked if you could join me sometime on a CC hunt in Eugene; of course you all have a standing invitation; just show up. In the meantime you can join me on a virtual tour/hunt of the Skinner Butte District. I’ll just point out the highlights of the neighborhood, and you just give a shout out when you see something that interests you. (Read More…)
Ever wonder where Eugenians get all those wonderful Curbside Classics I bring to you three times a week? After almost two years, it’s finally time to reveal the secret: the St. Vincent dePaul (a mere coincidence) Car Donation Sales Lot. Admittedly, the front row here facing Hwy 99 doesn’t sport a lot of heavy Curbside appeal, but those in the know quickly work their way to the side and back lot, where the really fine sixties, seventies and early eighties vintage iron is held for the true connoisseurs. This is where no less than TTAC’s Editor-In-Chief bought his first car, and returned it here in considerably worse shape a couple of years later. Recycling at its best. It might still be in the back lot where it sat for years; let’s go look. (Read More…)
Dodge trucks have gotten short-shrift around here. They do tend to kind of disappear in the background, especially this generation, even thought they were built almost forever. But this one caught my attention, given the love and effort that went into this home-built “gypsy-wagon” camper on back. Let’s take a closer look. (Read More…)
Allard
1954 Allard K2 (outtake)
American Motors (incl. Nash; but not Jeep) 
*1961 Rambler Classic Cross Country
1964 Rambler Classic 770 Coupe
1971 AMC Gremlin (1971 Small Car Comparison)
British Motors/BLM/Austin/Morris/Triumph/Rover/Sterling/Etc.
1987 Sterling 825 SL (Rover 825i)
1972 BMW 2002Tii – The Second Most Influential Modern Car In America
Buick
1956 Buick Century Riviera Hardtop 
1967 Buick Electra 225: The Jayne Mansfield Of Convertibles
1986 Buick Riviera: GM’s Deadly Sin #1
1990 Buick Roadmaster Woody Wagon (Outtake)
Cadillac
1950 Cadillac Vintage Hot Rod Series 61 Coupe
(the official CC Logo-mobile)
1954 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan: GM’s Greatest Hit #2
1962 Cadillac Series 62 Six-Window Sedan
1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (Outtake)
1971 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (the first CC)
1977 Seville – GM’s Deadly Sin #11
1978 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Classic Coupe
Checker
1967 Checker Marathon (also Checker Motors History)
1962 Corvette – The Marilyn Monroe Of Cars [NSFW]
1965 Corvair Monza: The Best European Car Ever Made In America
1967 Chevrolet El Camino (Outtake)
1968 Chevrolet Impala Coupe (with Olds 455 engine)
1970 Camaro RS: GM’s Greatest Hits #1
1970 Chevrolet Impala: The Best Big Car Of Its Time
1971 Chevrolet Vega: GM’s Deadly Sin #2 (1971 Small Car Virtual Comparison)
1976 Chevrolet Malibu Classic: GM’s Deadly Sin #7
1979 Caprice Classic: GM’s Greatest Hit #3
1980 Citation – GM’s Deadliest Sin Ever
1987 Turbo Sprint (Suzuki Cultus)
1989 Camaro RS: GM’s Deadly Sin #6
1990 Corvette: GM’s Deadly Sin #9
1990 Chevrolet Beretta GTZ (Outtake)
2000 & 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupes (Outtake)
1950 Chevrolet COE truck (Outtake)
1980 Chevy Vanup (Outtake)
1977 Chevy LUV Long Bed Pickup (Outtake)
1983 Chevy S-10 Blazer: GM’s Deadly Sin #5
Chrysler/Imperial
1960 Imperial Crown Southampton: The Frankenstein Of Cars
1987 Fifth Avenue Edition – Chrysler’s Deadly Sin #2 
Cisitalia
Citroen
Daihatsu
Datsun/Nissan
The First Mini-Pickups: Datsun’s 1964, 1967 and 1969 Pickups
1970 Datsun 510 (Bluebird/1600) 
The Revolutionary 1971 Datsun 240Z
1976 Datsun 710 Wagon (Outtake)
1977 Datsun F-10: The Ugliest Car Ever?
1986 Nissan Stanza Wagon (Prairie)
1989 Nissan 240SX (S13) and Silvia/SX History
1990 Infiniti M30 Coupe (Outtake)
Infiniti Q45 gen1 & gen2 (Outtake)
1974 Dodge D-100 “Gypsy Wagon” Camper
Chrysler’s Deadly Sin #1: 1976 Plymouth Volare And Dodge Aspen
1978 Dodge Omni (and Plymouth Horizon): Detroit Finally Builds A Proper Small Car
1982 Dodge Rampage mini-pickup
1983 Dodge Aries (The Original K-Car) 
1985 Dodge Ram Van (Caravan C/V) (Outtake)
Ford
1950 Hot Rod Ford: A True Love Story
1961 Thunderbird Convertible – The American Dream Car
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Coupe (Outtake)
1971 Ford Pinto (1971 Small Car Virtual Comparison)
1975 Mustang Cobra II-Ford’s Deadly Sin #1
1984 Ford Bronco II Eddie Bauer
1985 Ford EXP: Ford’s Ugly Little Sin
1986 Ford Tempo: A Deadly Sin? Mostly
1989 Ford Festiva – Shitbox Shootout Loser (Winner)
1995 Ford ZX2 With Lambo Doors (Outtake)
Ford Trucks
The Ultimate CC: 1956 Ford F-350 Still Hard At Work Six Days A Week 
1960 Ford F-600 Truck Also Still Hard At Work
1965 Econoline SuperVan Camper
Geo
1947 PD-3751 Greyhound Bus “Silversides” – The First Modern Diesel Bus
GMC TDH-4523 “New Look” Transit Bus
Grumman
Honda
1963 Honda T360/T500 trucks (history)
1973 Honda Civic – The Revolutionary Small Car
1976 Honda Accord: The Most Influential Modern Car In America
1980-1983 Civics – When Honda’s Mojo Was Working
1985 Honda Civic CR-X (Outtake)
Hyundai
1988 Hyundai Excel – The Damn Near Deadly Sin
International
1964 International Travelette Pickup
Jaguar
1987 Wagoneer (XJ) Outtake
Jensen
gen1 Kia Sportage shorty (Outtake)
LaForza
1989 Laforza 5 Liter (Outtake)
Lincoln/Continental
An Illustrated History of Lincoln Up To 1961
1946 Lincoln Continental Coupe
1968 Lincoln Continental (Outtake)
1970 Lincoln Continental Coupe
Mazda
Mercedes 207D and other older Mercedes Vans/Small Buses
Mercury
1968 Cougar – Mercury’s Greatest (only) Hit
1970 Mercury Montego Coupe (Outtake) 
1978 Mercury Grand Marquis Brougham
Steam Injected 1978 Mercury Bobcat
Ford’s Sin of Name Debasement: 1981 Mercury Cougar
Military Vehicles (no brand name)
1987 Mitsubishi Precis (Outtake)
1963 Olds Dynamic 88 Convertible
Packard
Panhard
Panhard Dyna Junior X-87 Roadster 
Plymouth
1965 Plymouth Valiant Wagon: The Ultimate A-Body – Daily Long-Distance Driver
1971 Simca 1204 (no original pictures) (1971 Small Car Comparison)
1978 Plymouth Horizon: Detroit Finally Builds A Proper Small Car
1983 Plymouth Colt & 198o Champ
Pontiac
1963 Tempest LeMans: Pontiac Tries To Build A BMW Before BMW Built Theirs And Almost Succeeds
1963 Pontiac Catalina: The Sexiest Big Car Of Its Time
1971 Pontiac Ventura II: GM’s Deadly Sin #3
1976 Pontiac Firebird (Outtake)
1984 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham: GM’s Deadly Sin #8
Pontiac Transvertible and Trans Sport
1987 Sunbird GT: The Exciting Collectable Deadly Sin
1990 Le Mans (Daewoo) GM’s Deadly Sin #12
Renault
Renault R-17 (Outtake)
Saab
Saturn
1991 Saturn SL2: GM’s Deadly Sin #4
Simca
1971 Simca 1204 (no original pictures) (1971 Small Car Comparison)
1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk
Subaru
1977 Subaru Four Wheel Drive Wagon: The First Of Its Kind 
Sunbeam
1965 Sunbeam Tiger – The Other Cobra
1979 Suzuki Jimny (LJ80/SJ20) Pickup
Toyota
1971 Toyota Corolla (1971 Small Car Comparison)
1976 Toyota Corolla Liftback (editorial)
1983 Toyota Starlet: The Most Reliable Car Ever Built?
1984 Toyota Celica Supra Mk II
Vauxhall
1966 (Vauxhall) Envoy Epic (guest writer)
Volkswagen
1960 VW Bus (Type 2) Westfalia
1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle (Small Car Comparison)
1972 VW Super Beetle Cabriolet (Outtake)
1974 VW 412: Volkswagen’s Deadly Sin #1
1975 VW Rabbit/Golf Mk.I: The Most Influential Modern Global Car
Volvo
RVs
Ultra Van: Cross An Airplane With A Corvair For The Ultimate RV
1985 Winnebago LeSharo Turbo Diesel
Concours
The Curbside Classic Treasure Hunt: Skinner Butte District
The Curbside Classic Graveyard: May They Rust In Peace
The Official Curbside Classic Sales Lot: All $895 Or Less
Welcome to Havana, Oregon. Back in the eighties, living in tony Los Gatos, I used to gaze longingly at photos of old American cars and trucks still hard at work in Cuba. But within days of moving to Eugene in 1993, I came across this very truck, hauling its daily cargo of recycled cardboard. And it planted a seed in me, to document the old vehicles still earning their keep, which finally came to fruition with Curbside Classics. Although we’ve strayed from the strict interpretation of that mission a few times along the way, no other vehicle more perfectly embodies the original ethos than this 1956 F-350. (Read More…)
Welcome to Eugene. Feel free to stay on the bus, either literally or metaphorically. If it’s the former, no hard feelings; Eugene is not for everyone, and we’ll be back in fifteen minutes or so. But if you’re “On The Bus”, then let’s step out here in the center of downtown, also known as Kesey Square. There is the statue of Ken Kesey, Eugene’s hometown cultural and literary hero, reading from his most famous book “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”. And what’s that across the street? How serendipitous indeed: a vintage VW bus, the official transporter of Eugene. (Read More…)
Why do I love old cars? And Eugene? There’s nothing better to answer that question than a week spent away from them both of them. Visiting parents and family in Towson, MD, I didn’t see a single worthy Curbside Classic, except the tail ends of a couple of interesting cars safely tucked into the colonial-style brick garages that perfectly match the house, or the one next door, or every house in the neighborhood, since they’re all essentially alike sitting shoulder-to shoulder in a green sea of identically planted and perfectly groomed lawns, with all the dogwoods in bloom, and the predictable silver or beige Camry in the driveway. The typical Eugene streetscape above is truly a sight for my sore eyes (can you identify the vehicle in the driveway?). Without judging, to each their own. And I’ve found mine. (Read More…)
Creativity means to explore new avenues of expression. In the thirties, forties and fifties, old cars were the clay that inspired new forms of creativity for the hot rodders and customizers. By its nature, creative expression was always changing, and 1953’s hot ticket was stale bread by 1958. The sixties were the blowout, led by crazies like Ed Roth. But by the seventies or so, the truly creative period was over, and it soon became a big-bucks business dominated by the Chip Fooses of the world. Glitzy eye candy, but don’t try this at home kiddies! No wonder there was a revival of rat rods, and the art car scene blossomed. Younger and/or artistic folks have always needed to test the sensibilities of the establishment, so if the goading words on this bumper have done their thing, and this turns you off, it’s been a roaring success. (Read More…)
There’s a powerful sense of urgency in getting this Curbside Classic written. It’s to document the remarkable horde of old Mercedes W123 diesels hereabouts, most of them proudly sporting a biodiesel sticker. But the biodiesel fad was already waning substantially when I shot this car a year ago. And since the $1/gallon federal subsidy for biodiesel disappeared with the new year, biodiesel itself is at risk of becoming a CC (canola classic?). Congress is currently considering a renewal, but regardless, Mercedes W123s will still be around. In fact they may well be the last internal combustion engine cars running long after Peak Oil is a distant warm and fuzzy memory. Without being uncharitable, these cars are the automotive cockroaches: they’ll eat the grease out of your dirty frying pan, and you can’t hardly kill them. (Read More…)
Here’s some Saturday morning pictorial randomness to start out the day. Shall we have a thetruthaboutbuses theme today? I’m very fond of them. These folks living in this lot have a pretty wide variety of transportation options ready to roll, right down to the Cozy Coupe. They’re probably off riding their gas powered skateboard.

Coming back to gray and drizzly Eugene after a week on the sunny coast of California can be a bit challenging. But then all the compensations make themselves apparent: no traffic jams, a familiar bed, and…K cars! Eugene is Kar heaven: every permutation of Lee Iaccoca’s Karmagination is on display, everywhere. Sometimes even two at a time: (Read More…)

I hate Christmas shopping. So when we walked down to the Holiday Market at the Lane Events Center, I told Stephanie I’d meander around the parking lot while she went inside to grab something. Forty-five minutes later, she had two presents and I had bagged eighty cars. This event runs weekends and a few extra days from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, for exactly twelve days. So this is one short slice of one-twelfth of the potential Curbside Classics at the Holiday Market.
Each car’s identity pops up when the cursor touches the picture. Test yourself, and write down how many cars you got, or didn’t. There was one bike in the lot, and of course, it was a CC too! All eighty after the jump:
Update: I can’t get the identifying caption to not come up below each picture when it is clicked on to enlarge. If you really want to test yourself, put up a Post-It on the screen just below the picture. Sorry.
After being trapped six weeks in a 1971 time warp, I had the controls of the Curbside Classics time machine all set for the mid-eighties. But once again, fate interceded. Running some errands, I had my first encounter with no less than two 2010 Camaros. Then, on the way home, something called out to me as I tooled down Franklin Boulevard. I found it parked behind the old boarded-up Chevy dealer, and it had an important message for you and me: “beauty is not in the eye of the beholder; it’s in the object itself.” (Read More…)
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