Abandoned Car of the Week

Light-duty hauler



This early 1960s Ford Econoline pickup truck was spotted in Cuba, Mo. 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 Meachen)

Job Rated



Dodge started selling "Job Rated" trucks in 1939, aimed at getting the customer the truck that fit the job for which it was purchased. The Job Rated designation carried through to the mid-50s when it was dropped. This early '50s Dodge "Job Rated" truck was discovered in Utah by Jim Prueter, its job apparently at an end.

Remains of a Barracuda



Plymouth jumped on the compact-sized sporty car craze in 1964 with the Barracuda, which was produced through the 1974 model year. This 1966 first-generation Barracuda has suffered considerable abuse as it rests in a North Carolina lot of used-up cars.  The Barracuda actually pre-dates the Mustang by two weeks. Three engines were offered in the first three years — a 2.8-liter inline 6, a 3.7-liter inline 6 and a 4.5 liter V-8. (Photo by Ralph Gable)

Dodge lives in New Mexico sunshine



This 1955 Dodge Coronet was spotted in Santa Rosa, N.M., perhaps awaiting some restoration. The Dodge lineup was all-new for 1955 with a longer 120-inch wheelbase and a 212.1-inch overall length. There were six body styled including a wagon and convertible. It could be purchased with either a 3.8-liter inline six or a 4.4-liter V-8.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)

Out of the past — McCormick-Deering



The McCormick-Deering was a tractor built by the International Harvester Company from the mid-20s until the Deering name was dropped some time in 1948 or 1949 when the tractor became the McCormick. This tractor, probably from the '40s, was found in retirement in Hosmer, S.D., next to a vintage gas pump and travel trailer.
(Photos by Jim Meachen)

This LeBaron's glory years are over



The Chrysler LeBaron became a coupe and convertible from 1987-1995 built on a derivative of the K-car platform. The mid-sized car lost its boxy look from the previous generation with a more aerodynamic design that included covered headlights. Available engines included a base 2.2-liter or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. A Mitsubishi 3.0-liter V6 was added in 1990. This example was found in a deteriorating condition in North Carolina.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

Willys Jeep wagon lives in Wisconsin



This 1953 Willys Jeep station wagon was found in good condition in Door County, Wis. The Willys Jeep wagon was the first mass-produced all-steel station wagon designed as a passenger vehicle. It was built in the United States from 1946 to 1965 with more than 300,000 sold.
(Photo by Ed Meachen)

Bronco has seen better days



The Ford Bronco sport utility vehicle hit the market in 1966 and was built mostly unchanged through 1977. The original Bronco, labeled an ORV (Off-Road Vehicle), was designed to compete against the Jeep CJ. The initial engine was a 2.8-liter straight six. Five generations of the Bronco were built through the 1996 model year. This early Bronco has been stripped of most of its equipment inside and out. But the body appears in relatively good shape.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)

Post-war GMC lives in Utah



Following World War II, the first all-new Chevrolet pickup and the rebadged GMC edition entered the marketplace in June 1947 as a 1948 model, labeled the Advance Design series. The series was built through the mid-50s with only minor design tweaks. This GMC truck from the 1948-53 period lives in retirement in Bluff, Utah.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

Washington yard art



Ford has built the F-Series pickup truck since 1948, the first generation produced from 1948 through 1952. It was the first post-war truck design from Ford and marked a big change from a pickup based on a car chassis to a pickup built on a dedicated truck platform. This example of the first F-Series (circa 1948-50) is still in use — as yard art at a home near Seattle, Wash. (Photo by Jim Meachen)