Abandoned Car of the Week

An Oldsmobile Futuramic



Oldsmobile introduced its first new design following World War II in 1948. And for 1948, Oldsmobile produced an elegant yet very modern top-of-the-line car, which was dubbed Futuramic. The Futuramic was available as 98 only, selling alongside the last-gen Oldsmobile Dynamic 66 (with a straight-six engine) and the 78 (a straight-eight powerpack). This example was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

A '52 Dodge reaches the end of the road



This 1952 Dodge was found serving its final years in an Arizona salvage yard. The 1952 model could be purchased with a semi-automatic transmission that reduced (but did not eliminate) the need to shift gears. In 1953, Dodge got its first V-8 engine featuring the famous hemispherical combustion chambers and 140 horsepower.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

A mid-60s Buick at rest

This circa 1967 Buick Gran Sport resides in an abandoned state in eastern North Carolina. Buick sold a number of coupes in various guises in the mid-to-late '60s. That helped to make Buick the country's fifth best seller from 1964 though 1968. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

A Ford and a Dodge live in abandonment



A 1964 Ford Thunderbird and a circa 1961-64 Dodge pickup live in abandoned bliss in New Mexico. The '64 Bird kicked off the fourth generation and was a big leap forward in design over the third generation Thunderbird. The standard engine was a 300-horsepower V-8. The Dodge D series pickup was introduced in 1961 and sold through the 1993 model year. The first generation of the D series was built through 1965.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

This Stylemaster awaits a buyer

In 1947, Chevrolet offered 11 models in three series — the top trim Fleetline, Fleetmaster and Stylemaster. Chevrolet advertised that "every model brings you the great plus value of
Chevrolet's traditional economy of operation and low cost of maintenance." The base trim Stylemaster was powered by a 216.5 cubic inch straight six mated to a three-speed manual transmission. This Stylemaster was found in eastern N.C.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)

 

 

1939 Dodge delivery truck in retirement



Dodge introduced a completely redesigned line of trucks for 1939. The '39 truck, which had a streamlined art-deco-style front end, was called the T Series, changed to V Series in 1940 and then to W Series for 1941. The engine of choice was a straight six Chrysler flathead in a variety of sizes mated to a three- or four speed manual transmission. This large delivery van was found parked behind a dilapidated barn in eastern North Carolina. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

One of the last Hudsons

This 1956 Hudson was discovered in New Mexico in an abandoned state. Hudson was near the end of its life in 1956, with the last Hudson rolling off the assembly line on June 25, 1957. Total Hudson sales dropped to 22,588 in 1956 and bottomed out in the shortened 1957 model year to 4,180 units. The 1956 model could be purchased with a V8 engine. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

 

An Econoline ready for restoration



This early 1960s Ford Econoline pickup truck looks as if it's ready for restoration. Based on the compact Ford Falcon, the first Ford Econoline utility van and pickup was introduced to the public on Sept. 21, 1960, for the 1961 model year. The design put the driver on top of the front axle with the engine near the front wheels, called "cab over." Early models sported a 144 cubic inch (2.4 L) inline 6 engine with a three-speed manual transmission.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

On the street since 1956



This 1956 Chevrolet pickup was caught in the wild still doing duty for nearly 70 years.  Chevrolet gave its pickup a new body style in 1955 that carried through to 1959. These trucks were labeled Task-Force and came with six different engine sizes including two inline six engines and four of V-8 configuration. The Task-Force trucks replaced the Advance Design and in 1960 were replaced with the C/K Series.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

1969 Continental missing its engine



This 1969 Lincoln Continental was spotted in eastern North Carolina missing its 462-cubic inch V-8. It was the final year of the fourth generation of the Continental. The big luxury car competed with Cadillac Coupe de Ville and the Chrysler Imperial. The '69 Lincoln came with a three-speed automatic transmission. It stretched out 225 inches with a 127-inch wheelbase.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)