A Horse With No Name

3% may be low but they sadly have a very low survival rate I am sure. My question I guess is why did these cars drop that far off of the radar? Even in the 1970's growing up people seemed to worship mid fifties as well as about 1964-1971 type cars. These cars (1958-61) have always seemed to fall through the cracks and I can't quite figure out why. Yes, you are right they were quickly dated by even 1962 but this whole generation still does have some gems. However, 10% survival rates for 50's cars? I just don't see very many 50's cars at all at shows and cruise ins anymore, even the evergreen 55-57 Chevrolet or the two seater T-Birds. hopefully you are right and I am wrong. Chris

Not impressed. Chris

Thanks! Chris

Actually the B-59 Started me thinking about this. I saw a 1959 Buick on the road...in 1972. I would guess maybe 3% of the 59 buicks survive, if that. Out of 285,000 cars that would be thirty out of a thousand which would make... Maybe 900 cars that survive in decent shape like yours? I think survival rates for Camro, Mustang, etc are probably about 20% or so. Suprisingly both the Corviar and the Cierra had very high survival rates for a very long time. Something like 80% of Cierra's survived to see their tenth birthday and 60% of Corvairs survived to 15-20 years according to a G.M. article i read several years ago. Thanks for the link to the 53 Corvette registry. IIRC one of the (real) 53 Vettes is still racing as a rather radical drag car to this day. Chris

This is smart. The economy is still seemingly week in terms of job creation and they ain't gonna sell 100k units at 32k apiece. It will be interesting to see what happens to the Colorado-Canyon w a V-6. Although from what I have heard the 5 cyl is working out very well in these vehicles. Chris

Saw a 72 Hurst Olds pace car cruising around the streets of Columbus here... Chris

Probably the wrong place to post this but does anybody know where I can get any kind of info on survival rates of various models of GM cars? I am curious about cars of the 30's and late 50's because it seems like these two eras have very low survival rates. Does anyone here know if any models of GM car have gone "extinct"? I am sure that with all of the color combos available during the 50's we've probably crushed the last lavender and pink model of "x" but I am curious to know if there are any models "gone for good." Chris

The 58 Desoto Firesweep came with a 350 4v before chevrolet came out with a 350 4v in the ss350 Camaro for 67. Wan't this the first 350 4v? Chris

We can't eat fin at any cost... The 58 pontiac Ragtop is a great looking car. I am almost as partial to ragtops as sixty8 is to pillarless hardtops. Chris

There is a Monaco Orange C3 that is freqently down at the bar down the street from my sons Middle School. Black was the rarest of corvette colors until the 80's and then IIRC for about 2-3 years it was one of the most popular colors. I am not even sure if Black was available every year during the early C3 era. Chris

It does seem like it will be light years ahead of the Mustang. Early 09 would be about perfect in timing as far as I am concerned. Chris

Is Chevrolet going to bring out a RWD Monte on the same platform as the Camaro or the Imapala? Chris

I would ask this in the Camaro thread but I had visions of being crucified upside down, naked on my front lawn with a yellow Caddy or a 59 Buick quietly driving away behind me. I really don't care if it has a B-pillar. The 69 Mach 1, (MY opinion best looking Muscle car along with 70 Boss 302) did not have roll down rear windows and as such kind of had a permanant B-pillar. Also, my 66 Mustang was a fastback which when you think about it kind of makes it a HUGE B pillar (or Huge C-pillar if you prefer.) I do care about... When is this car coming out? Do we know? What V-6 will it have? Will the V-6 be available with a 5 speed? What H.P. are we talking about with a V-6? Will heritage colors (like Hugger Orange, Cortez Silver, or Daytona Yellow) be available if you buy a lowly 6? Will there be an upgraded suspension with goodies like Koni's if you get a V-6? The thought of using this at the local SCCA autocross with a V-6 and showing a few Honda's Chevrolet tail-light has some appeal. I would buy a V-8 but I will have two teenaged drivers in the house when this thing comes out with a third right on their heels. And yes, I am really thinking of buying one (and have the means) when this thing comes out. Chris

Actually, I like the Caddy CTS MUCH better. Much more masculine, much better looking car. Chris

I don't know if I feel better or worse about my Sanity. I like: Orig 240 and 510, the old Datsun Roadsters, The first, second and third gen Miata, The first and second gen RX-7, the First/Second gen xB, the Prius, and the RX-8. I can handle the EVO and the WRX-STI, they are kinds like the xB and Prius-so ugly I almost like them. NSX is hot too. However, I basically hate the rest of the cars mentioned. TL, 350Z, altima, TSX, Maxima, G35, M45, the whole Lexus thing, every Camry built, 08 Impreza, the new Lancer, anything by the Koreans, etc. Maybe I am not as much of a raving Japanese/Asian car fan as I had thought.

Should be an awesome ride, post us some pics when you get it, Chris

A 455 buick would be a cool addition to your stable. One of the benifits I have of being a little older is that I remember these cars from my youth. The very same next door garage that had a cadillac like yours (honest to god) had a 455 buick in it when we got new neighbors. I still remember that car. White with a red interior, red top, 4 dr, 36,000 original miles. Guy that owned it only drove it to high school basketball games. God I miss living next door to that car. Good luck if you buy the Buick! Did you sell the 64 Olds? Chris

Good luck on the trip! If you feel like dropping by Columbus I'll buy lunch.... Chris

Good luck on the trip! If you feel like dropping by Columbus I'll buy lunch.... Chris

That days of Thunder Stock-Car could be fun too. There are classes in NASA that road race vintage stock cars IIRC. Back when I was an SCCA flagger I flagged vintage races at Mid Ohio that had the old 80's and 90's Cup cars running...that was cool to see. Even cooler would be a cup car Monte from the 70's. Hemmings had one of the old 70's Iroc camaro's for sale...I damned near sold my house to buy that thing. Chris

The 58 is sweet, in the 50's Buick had a cream and bronze combo that was HOT! Wish I had cash, I'd buy the wagon! Chris

Congrats, should be a nice ride. I hated those cars when they came out but they have really grown on me over the years. Chris

Nice car Sixty8! My neighbor had one in Silver when i was a boy. If you ever change color I suggest silver as it is the Cat's ass as a color for that car. But don't pay too much attention to Brian, it looks good in yellow too. How did you ever find a rust free car up north here? I've seen Cadillacs of that Era that you could damn near see through from one side to the other with rust. I am jealous. Chris

I would give anything for a 70 or 72 Pace car Cutlass ragtop. One of my very fav. cars was a Cutlass, loved that thing. Chris

I would give anything for a 70 or 72 Pace car Cutlass ragtop. One of my very fav. cars was a Cutlass, loved that thing. Chris