Abandoned Car of the Week

A 1957 Lincoln Premiere



We think the 1957 Lincoln was one of the best designed luxury cars of that decade with well-proportioned lines. The abandoned car pictured here is a Premiere model introduced in 1956. It and ran  through the 1960 model year as an upscale version of the Lincoln Capri and positioned below the Continental Mark II. It came in two-door and four-door models. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

An Advance-Design example



The so-called Advance-Design was Chevrolet's first all-new pickup built following World War II. It was introduced on June 28, 1947,  and remained until March 25, 1955, with various changes along the way. This copy, converted to a flatbed, lives by the side of the road in South Carolina.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

The remains of a Packard



This hulk of a 1950 Packard was found in a Texas salvage yard. The 1948–1950 Packard styling was polarizing. To some it was sleek and blended classic with modern; others nicknamed it the "pregnant elephant." Perhaps the styling fell ourt of favor between 1949 when 116,955 copies were sold and 1950 when sales tumbled to just 42,627.
(Photo by Peter Hubbard)

A 1949 Buick Super



This 1949 Buick Super was found ready for transport — perhaps to an automobile restorer — in Pikeville, N.C. The Super was a full-sized Buick on Buick's larger body shared with the Roadmaster. The Super was produced from 1940 through 1958. It could be differentiated by its three VentiPorts. Three engines were available in 1949 — two inline 8 cylinders rated at 248 and 263 cubic inches and a V-8 with 322 cubic inches. All were mated to a 3-speed sliding shift manual Dynaflow automatic.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)

1954 — A good year for 'Job Rated' pickups



Dodge started its successful "Job Rated" advertising campaign in the 1940s, and Dodge trucks through the 1950s were "Job Rated." This 1954 Job Rated pickup truck — lacking most of its original paint — was found in a salvage yard in Texas.
(Photo by Peter Hubbard)

Family transportation in 1963



The 1963 Chrysler station wagon is a huge vehicle stretching out nearly 220 inches, only four inches shorter than the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. It was propelled by a 340-horsepower V8 mated to a three-speed automatic and could break 8 seconds from 0-to-60.  This used up example was found in an Arizona salvage yard.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

An Isuzu in the wild



In 1981 the Isuzu P'Up was the first Japanese Isuzu sold in the U.S. under its own name. Isuzu sold small pickups in the U.S. starting in 1972, but through General Motors. The Chevrolet LUV was the first. The small P'Up was built through 1988. This example was spotted in North Carolina.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

Great patina



This late 1940s Chevrolet "Advanced Design" pickup with great patina was found in Texas. It might be a good long-term restoration project.
(Photo by Peter Hubbard)

A 1969 Chevrolet C50



This 1969 Chevrolet C50 farm truck languishes in a field in eastern North Carolina, perhaps awaiting a new owner to put it back into duty. This truck was part part of the second generation of C-series trucks, introduced in 1960.  (Photo by Jim Meachen)

Chevrolet C-50 farm truck



This Chevrolet C50 farm truck languishes in a field in eastern North Carolina, perhaps awaiting a new owner to put it back into duty. This truck was part part of the second generation of C-series trucks, introduced in 1960.  (Photo by Jim Meachen)