Remember those great, big, American cars of the 50s and 60s, and maybe even 70s? You don’t get much chance to see them unless you’re near a movie shoot…so imagine my surprise, on my first day in Stockholm, when I turned the corner and found a streetful of them!
Turns out it was a street show day for Cruisers.se, one of Stockholm’s several American car clubs, and if I had been there earlier, I would have seen even more. The big ‘57 Desoto, above and below, was a real heart-tug for me; my father had the same model as a yellow-and-white Plymouth. It never seemed to make as bold a statement as the Desoto, though.
Here’s a true odd-ball: a late Ford Ranchero, built on a T-bird chassis, probably 1977.
Another one with a personal connection for me was this ‘70 Bonneville convertible. OK, so my ‘69 wasn’t a convertible, and was monotone dark blue—it was still fun to drive and amazingly big.
I found another “near miss” car here, too: a ’69 Olds 442, the hot cousin of my very tame Olds F-85. Why is it I always seem to miss the wild ride version?
And then there were Cadillacs. The blue ‘64 is just a car, but the black ‘60 has a whole different meaning for me; a neighbor had a red convertible ’60 that my friends and I washed and polished almost every Saturday for a year, in return for the privilege of driving it to the A&W Drive-in on Sunday afternoons.
Last, but not least: a plain-Jane ’55 Chevy and an unrestored but low-riding ’57 Olds.
There are a couple more shots in the slideshow below…
Honk if you know something more about these cars!
A fun piece, PHeymont! Thanks for sharing your excitement of this discovery.
I must admit I thought you’d be much more likely to run into a collection of classic Volvos or Saabs in Stockholm.
My brother-in-law lived in Montreal, likely worse on cars than winter in Stockholm, and had a beloved classic Rover. Always a man with strict personal guidelines, at the first threat of snow into the garage and up on blocks it went. After 2 winters there myself a warm climate was the answer, no snow, no salt, no whining, his other hobby. Good thing we’re anonymous here.
Rustoration. I like it! And just happen to have one in my garage as we speak. I gave it recently to my son to get rid of it, at which point he asked if he could keep it here as he doesn’t have a garage. Can’t win. It has been restored twice already and is due for a 3rd but that’s up to the next owner, of car & garage.
I’d love to share. However, have just been discussing my tech issues with DrF. It won’t be today. Sorry. I’m hoping a tech savior will happen by my computer one of these days although that hope may be in vain and I may have to bite the bullet here.
I bet Iceland is a little kinder to most cars–since I doubt there’s enough salt in the world to make a difference on their roads in the winter, right?
Owning a classic can be a
a lot cheaper than most people think.The insurance can be low in states like Virginia and in some places the registration of plates last as long as you own the car.
And for the last few years, the motto has been,”Keep it as is” ,so
flaws are accepted as part of the
history of the car.Cuts down on
expensive restorations
Excellent pics PHeymont! I just love period “American Iron” great fun to see. I don’t think that old Volvos would excite me as much….
Rustoration. I like it! And just happen to have one in my garage as we speak. I gave it recently to my son to get rid of it, at which point he asked if he could keep it here as he doesn’t have a garage. Can’t win. It has been restored twice already and is due for a 3rd but that’s up to the next owner, of car & garage.
Funny you should mention old Volvos. Some of my friends would drive nothing else in the 70s, and one of them had a hard time giving up his mid-50s P444.
I remember that car well…at one time both doors were bent stuck and we had to go through a window to get in. Before winter, he bent one back into shape…I just saw one on the net…look how simple the dashboard was…
http://bringatrailer.com/2013/…ner-1958-volvo-v444/
Wonderful Piece! I noticed American Classics are huge in Scandinavian Countries.
I have some photos of a Icelandic Classics cruising the streets. I was impressed at the condition of the cars.
Agree with T&N. No car lover would expose his expensive beloved baby to ice, snow and sand.
A car that is allowed to sit “as is” is a RUSToration, not a restoration.
PortMoresby, That’s not a car, that’s a boomerang ! It just keeps coming back to you…