balthazar

I do notice the MKZ out on the road- it's got some visual distinctiveness to it.

Frames on vintage trucks are not usually a concern, at least in my experience. They tend to sit higher (even if they sit on 4 flats for 20 years) and they're often thicker steel than cars of the same vintage. I look at my '40- has a rock-solid frame even tho it was at least 25 years in service, and I have no idea how many years it sat outside. I had a '46 Ford and a '57 Ford F-250, and both their frames were also very solid, and the '46 was as rough looking as the '55 above. $500 is close to scrap price, so that seems unlikely, but with no title, you have a strong bargaining point for a good $400 off right there (technically, of course, it's illegal to resell a vehicle in NJ without one). I think you've got strong odds of picking it up between 600-1000.... but yes- what's the story on the motor/trans/other rot. If you get more pics, please post them up, Roger.

A big swing & a miss; it's "Elmiraj". It's right up front, center, in that 3/4-frontal shot. How can you miss it? Point is, Cadillac is/should be about the details. Obviously, they're testing the waters on tweaking the emblem, so they see a point in examining it even if you do not. Look around the internet- the topic has been heavily discussed on numerous forums, it has significance.

not bad, but they left the Wreath off.

They still sell this in the U.S. ?

Air-assited shifting, I believe. Ach... now you're going to make go research that... EDIT :: Not much out there. I see a reference on a military 6x6 of the period where an 'air shift button' allows engagement of front axle drive. Step 1 mentions 'air actuated gearing' : http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-shift-a-semi-feature Modern Hi-Po trans with air shifters (Liberty, Lenco) are programmable for precise RPM shifts. Bottom line is... I'm not sure.

Saying nothing about the packages themselves, the chosen names of 'Exclusive', 'Individual', and 'designo' are really pitiful. ESPECIALLY 'designo' (is it really lower-case?) At least 'Black Label' sounds half like something luxurious (and half like a Canadian lager).

^ That's what the Standard Catalog of Light Duty Trucks states... tho the series is NOT without mistakes. EDIT :: Here's the '55 GMC brochure page : http://oldcarbrochures.org/NA/GM-Trucks-and-Vans/1955_Trucks-and_Vans/1955_GMC_Models-Features/1955-GMC-Models-amp-Features-26 Says GMC covers all series with automatics, the 4-spd HM, the 8-spd HM and the Twin HM. I should know by now never to quote a Krause book unless I've cross-checked it. Here's the whole brochure Roger : http://oldcarbrochures.org/NA/GM-Trucks-and-Vans/1955_Trucks-and_Vans/1955_GMC_Models-Features There were also a HD 3-spd manual, HD 4-spd, a 5-spd, a 10-spd and an air-shift feature. Ahhh, choice; wasn't it wonderful??

^ The point is, they risk forcing even more incentives as the 'value shoppers' start looking @ & associating MB with 'cheap lux'. This is Buick territory, price-wise. They don't have a successful brand to handle 'cheap lux'? -don't go there then. Of course people will buy it short term, it's a $29K mercedes- why else are they buying?!?! RE Chevy vs. MB, Chevy's base price spread is 12K ~ 111K, MB's spread is 29K ~ 212K - who's got the larger spread? Pull the anomaly that the Corvette is out and Chevy's spread is 12K~53K. Mercedes is not Chevy, are they? Why are they down in the bargin basement- it's NOT to go after the so-called 'younger buyer'- that's a fallacy. MB doesn't have an ABA issue relative to the rest of the segment- you guys are reading their marketing spin. A $29K mercedes is there for a single solitary reason- sales volume. Let's see; a 33K RWD Cadillac ATS, that already out handles the 3-series, or a 'discounted' $29K FWD mercedes.

^ Look at the price range of MB-branded vehicles, then look at them reaching DOWN to the average transaction price of a new car and I don't see how you could draw any analogies to Chevrolet.

Good question. GMC didn't even record model production (just the total), they sure didn't track HM installation. Only avail on the 1/2-ton, BTW.

mercedes has positioned themselves as a luxury brand. A $30K FWD model does not fit that mold. Mercedes is either a luxury make or a full-line brand, but they cannot be both long-term.

Wish mercedees could decide on a single design 'language'. And this is nothing short of a 'value buy' to boost sales, which I fail to recall being in their 'mission statement'. Oh well, not like this isn't the first (or 10th) obvious grab for numbers. Daimler shouldn't be in this price class.

In person inspection is the only way to answer your question. Rot repair is one of the most expensive segments of restoration. But patching is a lot cheaper than sourcing new panels, in general. That hole in the hood edge- for example- if the rest of the hood is solid, weld in a patch. If you could get this at around $1000, and there's no huge surprises, I think it's a decent deal.

Something frequently surmised, now proven by 'science'.

good to see the time-honored practice of contemptuous & generalizing prejudging is alive & well.

Having no trunk lid is also a transgression (at least in PA) - wonder how all those millions of pick-ups get away with that? Same difference. Vehicle Code has some questionable laws in it.

The LAST THING we need is another bloated, inefficient agency at the federal level, blowing thru money and causing staggering red tape & confusion, making Star Trek parody videos. I was just in the state DMV office yesterday looking for commercial plate info. I had the teller telling me to ignore the printed application she just handed me (which allows sole-proprietors to forgo a CorpCode) and get a Corp Code. She also told me I needed a FEIN (which I am not required to have). To put a Comm plate on my personal vehicle, I have to bring my title & proof of ownership in, re-title & re-register my vehicle under my business name (with proof of that), then apply for a CorpCode, Then apply for Comm plates, then get Comm insurance, then letter my truck. I'm telling you from experience- fly under the radar as much as possible. The 'front desk' guy had me report back to him, as apparently my question wasn't familiar to him, and he's only 10-ft from the tellers. Can you imagine that row of hoops at the federal level?? PleaseGodno. No inspections here in stupid Jersey either - but I have never seen a vehicle driving without a hood or front fenders (that wasn't a hot rod). Bumpers have been a cosmetic item for decades, so the rare missing-bumper vehicle isn't a safety issue. Lights are another, widespread issue.

^ Sporty with those white-letter tires. Always hated those rims, tho. '67 GTO hardtop, black Cordova over burgandy, minty, gassing up. '70 Cutlass Convert, red, minty, rolling.

The Count on Sesame Street and Fisher Price do so daily.

BMWs don't visually register for me out & about, but if I focus, the 1 is rarer than a 6, and I always take a second to discern if it's a 3 or a 1 (Boy, are these dumb 'names'). The answer to the unasked question...

Would be great if we can keep the picture quotient this high for the whole month! Passed on the road: late model GTO with Holden front fascia. Still wearing GTO fender badges tho. Quite generic a change- not an improvement.

Wonder how long they are going to persist with the flop that is the 1series? BMW is a fitting illustration of the fallacy of the theory that people 'trade up' from the entry-level model (1) thru the 7series. Here we see no one buys the 1, the 3 sells well, they 'lose' fully half their customers at 5-series time, and they lose 80% of THAT at 7-series time. See; a fallacy.

1961 Merc Comet 4-dr, primer grey, rough 1961 Ford Falco 4-dr, black, decent shape, regular driver 1961 Ford Falcon 2-dr sedan, white w/ red interior, 44K original miles, no rust or damage, nice survivor. 1957 Lincoln Premiere coupe, green w/ green interior, 76K, all there but had issues, still; very seductive. All in same driveway, all for sale.

Bunch of derelict '60s-70s cars in the local boneyard. Some of these are really just 'decoration', as they are so stripped they're not worth keeping. I took & sold the interior of the '62 GP years & years ago- it's a rusted, doorless hulk now. I still enjoy seeing them. Picked up a too-nice-to-leave-it '66 Bel Air script for $5. Another junkyard had a '71 Skylark coupe, 350, decent, all-there shape except some rot in all 4 quarters. Waiting on a call-back on that & the '68 Catalina coupe I mentioned above. Buick built just about the strongest of the GM 350s, without checking I'll assume it's short-stroke like their 455.