Abandonded Cars IV
See the latest abandoned cars at Abandoned Cars I
From 1963 the 440 was separated from the new, smaller Dart range and now featured a 119-inch wheelbase. It was available as a 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop and 4-door station wagon. During 1963 and 1964 model years, the Dodge 440 was the mid-range model and featured less chrome and a plainer interior than the top-trimmed Polara. Measuring 210.7 inches in length, It cane with a V-8 making 230 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. Mileage was measured at 12 mpg. This example was found along U.S. 301 in Florida. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
In 1960 Studebaker introduced a more modern-looking low-priced pickup truck with a new cab derived from the Lark passenger car sheetmetal. The new Champ 5E series featured a simpler, more rugged-looking four-bar grille and a brawnier front bumper. The truck was built through 1964 after which Studebaker truck production ceased. This 1960-64 pickup was found in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
In 1949, Dodge came out with its first all-new car since the pre-war 1942 model. They were produced from 1949 through 1954 with only some grille changes through those years. For instance, the 1950 model front-end lasted for just a year before another rendition showed up 1951. The post-war cars could be purchased with Fluid Drive, a semi-automatic transmission that reduced (but did not eliminate) the need to shift gears. This 1950 example was found abandoned in New Mexico. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This early circa 1970s Fiat 124 Spider was found in retirement in an Arizona salvage yard. It appears from the scrawling on the windshield that the owner thinks the relic is still worth $1,500. The original two-seater was built by the Italian company from 1966 through 1985. The first 124 was powered by an inline four-cylinder engine making 89 horsepower. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
In 1949, Plymouth changed the U.S. station wagon market by introducing the industry's second all-steel body station wagon, the Suburban. From 1950, it came in two-door and four-door configurations with two wheelbases, 111-inch and 118.5-inch. The model was powered by a 97-horsepower six-cylinder engine. This abandoned circa 1950-1952 wagon was discovered in Arizona. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
Studebaker wasted little time after WW II answering the peacetime call for new haulers. South Bend's 2R series of trucks rolled out as 1949 models looking decades more advanced than the trucks they replaced — the dowdy but historically significant M series. Thy were built through 1954. This early 1950s model was found resting comfortably among other retired nameplates. (Photo by Jim Preuter)
The Studebaker Lark is a compact car that was produced from 1959 to 1966. This circa 1960 model was found in New Mexico. The Lark came with a choice of an inline 6-cylinder or a 259-cubic inch V-8. The V-8 was measured from 0-to-60 in about 10 seconds, fast for the time. Most of the small-car competition (Ford Falcon, Chevrolet Corvair, Plymouth Valiant) were closer to 20 seconds. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This large diesel Army truck, which we think is from the decade of the '60s, was found on a trailer in Florida, perhaps headed for the scrap yard? An air conditioning unit sitting over the cab indicates this truck was used for hauling things (or people) that needed a cool interior. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
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. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This 1956 Chevrolet pickup was caught in the wild still doing duty after 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 configurations. The Task-Force trucks replaced the Advance Design and in 1960 were replaced with the C/K Series. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
We're not sure what to call this unusual vehicle with a boxy cab, which is apparently under construction in northern Florida, but it appears to be based on a Ford Model T. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
Many people have photographed this 1941 Studebaker pickup at a Route 66 museum in Victorville, Calif. Since the truck ended up in Victorville, the driver must have "busted" about 100 miles short of his goal of reaching the end of the Rt. 66 road and the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. The 1941 truck was the first of the so-called M-series trucks built though 1952. (Photo by Ted Biederman)
Dodge presented a completely redesigned line of trucks in 1939. This design ran through 1947 known as the T series (1939), the V series (1940) and the W series (1941-1947). Six different payload classes, a wide range of bodies, and 20 different wheelbase lengths were offered. This 1940-1941 relic was found in Texas. (Photo by Petter Hubbard)
This circa 1980 Datsun pickup lives among other relics in an Arizona salvage yard. Pickups have grown over the years and this nearly 45-year-old truck would be considered a subcompact in today's world. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The Ford Ranchero is a coupe utility that was produced by Ford between 1957 and 1979. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. A total of 508,355 units were produced during the model's production run. Over its lifespan it was variously derived from full-sized, compact, and intermediate automobiles. This first-generation 1959 Ranchero was found rusting away in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The Samurai was the first four-wheeled vehicle Suzuki sold in the U.S. beginning in the mid 80s. The U.S. version had a carbureted 1.3-liter overhead-cam four-cylinder delivering 63 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. It was noisy and slow — MotorTrend clocked it to 60 mph in 16.9 seconds. This wore out example resides in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Two 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 models play piggyback in an Arizona salvage yard. The 1977 models featured the ugly 5 mph bumpers mandated by the government. The muscle car era just a memory from the '60s, the largest engine available for the 1977 Olds 442 was the 403-cubic-inch Rocket V-8 making 180 horsepower. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This circa 1960-1963 Ford Falcon wagon was found in a salvage yard in Maricopa, Ariz. It's from the first-generation Falcon, which was built from 1960-1963. Standard on the compact-sized Falcon was a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making 95 horsepower. A 3-speed manual was the standard transmission, with a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic as optional. Station wagons came in two-door and four-door versions. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
Mazda built the RX-7 sports car through three generations from 1978 through 2002. It came with a compact, lightweight Wankel rotary engine. More than 800,000 RX-7s were manufactured over its lifetime. This field of used-up RX-7s is located in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Ralph Gable)
1946-1948 Lincoln models featured a unique and stylish dashboard that appears user friendly. This unrestored dash was discovered in an abandoned car in South Carolina. A restored version is pictured above on a car that apparently captured a car show blue ribbon. Round gauges flanked a large radio layout, speedometer on the left and clock on the right. Four smaller gauges to the left included gas and temperature readings. The standard transmission was a "three on the tree" 3-speed manual. (Photo by Ralph Gable)
The 1935 Ford came with a flathead V-8 engine in 1935, being introduced in 1932. It was the first "affordable" V-8 engine on the market. Affordable meant a 1935 sedan started at just $655. Not only did the 1935 have eight cylinders, it could be ordered with a radio for the first time. The dashboard was neatly designed with three round gauge clusters, the speedometer in the middle. To the right, partially hidden by the steering wheel, was the ashtray cutout, which was used to house the radio. Philco, a pioneer in radio production, manufactured the radio for Ford at an option price of $44.50. The advertisement above describes the "illuminated tuning dial" on the radio and the revolving ashtray. (Photo by Ralph Gable)
This 1936 Oldsmobile found in eastern North Carolina seems to be in restorable condition. For 1936 the Oldsmobile came with two engine options — the Series F with a straight-6-cylinder and the longer Series L with a straight 8. The Oldsmobile was restyled for 1935-36 and again in 1937. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This post-war Chevrolet pickup, its duties at an end, lives in retirement during a Wisconsin winter. For several years after its 1947 redesign, Chevrolet was the number one truck in sales in America. (Photo by Jerry Brown)
Ford Motor Company developed Edsel to give it a fourth brand to gain market share from Chrysler and General Motors competing against Buick, Oldsmobile, Dodge and DeSoto. The sedan was marketed with great fanfare in 1958, but failed to gain enough sales to keep it alive. Edsel was discontinued in late 1959 after less than 3,000 1960 model cars were sold. About 116,000 Edsel's were produced. This 1959 Edsel station wagon was discovered in a salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The 1951-1952 Ford pickups were part of Ford's "Bonus Built" postwar trucks, which ran from 1948 through 1952. The trucks had two wheelbases: 114 inches for the 1/2-ton F-1 series, 122 inches for the 3/4-ton F-2. By the time the 1951 Ford pickup appeared, the gearshift had moved from the floor to the steering column. The 1951 Ford pickup also introduced a new front end. Gone was the smiling horizontal-bar grille and inboard headlamps, replaced by a single-bar grille with three massive "teeth." Along with a wraparound front bumper, this gave Ford trucks a more aggressive frontal appearance. This relic was found on the side of a road near Boone, N.C. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
The Ford Falcon was produced from the 1960 to 1970 model years, the first compact car marketed by the American Big Three automobile manufacturers. This second-generation 1965 Falcon sits abandoned watching the traffic on a South Carolina road. Most second-generation Falcons were propelled by an inline 6-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed automatic. (Photo by Ralph Gable)
These seventh-generation (1980-1986) Ford trucks have ben retired to a storage area, their useful life over. The 7th generation was the final version of the F-Series to offer a three-speed, column-shifted manual transmission; it is also the second-to-last vehicle sold in the United States with this configuration. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
Chevrolet started using the Malibu name in the mid -60s on the compact Chevelle, and these Malibu remains come from two mid-1960 models. Beyond salvaging even for parts, these steel structures rust away in an eastern North Carolina driveway. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
This circa 1982 Lincoln was found in an Arizona salvage yard. Lincoln played second fiddle to Cadillac through the decade of the 80s. In 1982 Lincoln was outsold by its chief competitor, 240,189 to 69,537. The 1982 Lincoln Continental Signature Series came with a 3.8-liter V-6 mated to a 4-speedautomatic. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This 1955 Oldsmobile was found in retirement in Utah. Oldsmobile was enjoying remarkable popularity in the mid-50s with some creative styling and its Rocket 88 advertising. In 1955 the GM brand ranked fifth in sales behind Chevrolet, Ford, Buick, and Plymouth with 583,179 units sold. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
A third-generation (1974-1976) Mercury Cougar lives in retirement behind a circa. 1970 Ford F-150 Custom pickup in eastern North Carolina. The third-generation Cougar was also reworked as a Ford Torino and a Mercury Montego. There were five engine options ranging from a 5.8-liter to a 7.5-liter V-8. All were mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. The F-150 appears to be from the fifth generation (1967-1972). (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This early 1950s Cadillac was found in retirement in a car graveyard in Arizona. In the decade of the '50s, Cadillac introduced numerous styling trends as well as new technology. In 1953, for instance, the "Autronic Eye" was introduced. This feature would automatically dim high-beam headlamps for the safety of oncoming motorists. Above, 1953 Cadillac advertisement. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The Jaguar XJS is a luxury grand tourer coupe and convertible built from 1975 to 1996. There were three iteration over its 20 years with a final production total of 115,413 units. This third generation (1991 through 1996) example — manufactured under Ford's new ownership — was found in abandoned retirement in South Carolina. (Photos by Ralph Gable)
The Buick Riviera was marketed by General Motors as a "personal luxury car" from 1963 through 1999. This second-generation Riviera — circa 1970 — was found in Utah in what looks like restorable condition. The second-gen Riviera could be purchased with three sizes of V-8 engines mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
Two mid-60s Volkswagen Beetle survivors were discovered in Nevada on a snowy afternoon. The German Beetle was one of the most popular imports through the '60s. More than 21.5 million Beetles were sold from its inception in 1938 through 2003. In 1965, its air-cooled 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine made 53 horsepower. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This 1950 Chevrolet living in Texas is a survivor among the nearly 1.5 million Chevrolets manufactured in 1950. That's why it's not too difficult finding old Chevys in the abandoned wilds. Chevrolet outproduced Ford by about 290,000 vehicles in 1950. The lowest priced Chevrolet in 1950 listed for $1,329. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)
A circa 1940 snub nose GMC truck lives next to a circa 1940 International truck in a wintery Nevada. Both truck cabs appear to be in decent shape and might be good candidates for restorations. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The 1972 through 1976 Dodge pickup was the first of the third generation that lasted through 1993 and included an independent front suspension, and were built with a considerable amount of galvanized steel to resist rust and corrosion. Transmissions included a 3-speed and 4-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
This 1941 Chevrolet truck looks quite classy as yard art near Portland, Ore. This style truck — nicknamed "Art Deco" — entered the marketplace as a '41 model and was built until the start of World War II in December 1941, and then resumed production without changes for 1946. Chevrolet introduced an all-new design for the 1947 model year. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
The Mazda RX-7 is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, rotary engine-powered sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 to 2002 across three generations, all of which made use of a compact, lightweight Wankel rotary engine. This 1984-85 survivor found in eastern North Carolina is from the first generation. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
The fourth generation Toyota pickup was sold from 1984 through 1988 in two-door and four-door formats. For 1987 the truck got minor interior changes and an exterior redesign, and a V6 engine was introduced in 1988. This fourth-generation truck, which was employed by the Gold Strike Inn and Casino, was found living in retirement in Nevada. (Photo by Jim Prueter
This circa 1956 Chevrolet work truck was found in retirement in an Arizona salvage yard. A Chevrolet ad proclaimed "each 1956 Task-Force truck has the distinctive styling that is best suited to its proportions and the work it is designed to do." (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This 1960 pink Cadillac looks good in snow. The big GM luxury car was found in wintertime Nevada. Cadillac sold 142,184 cars in 1960, outpacing luxury rival Lincoln, which sold only 24,820 copies. (Photo By Jim Prueter)
The Ford Aerostar is a range of vans manufactured by Ford from the 1986 through the 1997 model years. The Aerostar is considered the first minivan produced by Ford, marketed against the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans. The Aerostar derived its name from its slope-nosed "one-box" exterior. Four engines (one four-cylinder) and three V-6s ranged in horsepower from 100 to 160. This example was found in retirement in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This Chevrolet "Advance Design" pickup was seen waiting for a driver in Paoli, Wis., a village near Madison. Chevrolet's first new post-WWII pickup was built mostly unchanged from 1947 through 1953. The Wisconsin license plate indicates the pickup was used for duty as a farm truck. (Photo by Ed Meachen)
A circa 1934 Ford pickup and a 1954 Chevrolet two door is one of the attractions at the Rusty Bolt shop on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. It's possible to see numerous old and abandoned cars in the small Arizona town. The Seligman Commercial Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Ford built numerous station wagons in the '60s and '70s. For instance, in 1969 the Blue Oval had the large Country Squire, the mid-sized Fairlane/Torino wagon and a smaller Falcon wagon. This 1969 Torino Squire wagon was found in abandoned condition in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
A 1965 Ford F-100 pickup with a camper shell rusts away in a farm shed in Johnston County, N.C. Ford introduced a dramatically new fourth-generation style F-Series pickup in 1961. Longer and lower than its predecessors, these trucks had increased dimensions and new engine and gearbox choices. They were built from 1961-1966. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
The Mercury Grand Marquis was a full-sized sedan sold from 1975 to 2011. From 1975 to 1982, it was the premium model of the Mercury Marquis line becoming a stand-alone model line in 1983. This circa 1983-1984 Grand Marquis was found engulfed by overgrown bushes in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Someone looking for a couple of Jeep lookalikes for the purpose of restoration might consider these two candidates from an Arizona salvage yard. The vehicle on the left looks like a Jeep — we are sure it is not — and on the right, an early 1980s Suzuki SJ30. We think they would make a handsome restored pair in someone's collection of unusual vehicles. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The remains of this 1952-54 Nash Ambassador was discovered in an Arizona salvage yard. The Nash Ambassador received a complete restyling for 1952 celebrating the company's 50th anniversary. The 1952 unit-body design looked like nothing else on the road. It continued into 1954 almost unchanged, before it got a revised front grille and more pronounced tail fins for 1955 and 1956. With the new design in 1952 Nash sales rose to 154,291 cars. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This 1966-67 International wrecker has been retired and has now become a large yard ornament in eastern North Carolina. If it could talk it would probably have some interesting stories to tell from its time picking up stranded motorists and giving them a tow. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Chevrolet sold boatloads of pickup trucks in the years following World War II so it stands to reason that there are still a great number of late-1940s and early-1950s Chevy pickups littering the landscape in an abandoned state. This used-up example was found in South Carolina lacking a front bumper and much of its paint. (Photos by Ralph Gable)
This late 1970's model Jaguar XJ series sedan was found in abandoned, but apparently restorable condition in South Carolina. The first generation of the XJ was produced for 24 years with major facelifts in 1973 and 1979. Three engines were offered — a 2.8-liter inline 6, a 4.2-liter inline 6, and a 5.3-liter V-12. (Photo by Ralph Gable)
The fifth-generation compact Buick Skylark — built from 1985 through 1991 — came in two-door and four-door configurations. This circa 1989 model found resting in a North Carolina yard (note the wheels have sunk a few inches into the ground) came with a new-for-1989 3.3-liter V6 making 160 horsepower. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
In 1954, the Windsor DeLuxe was Chrysler's lowest priced car. The grille and instrument panel were new from the 1953 car, which got the one-piece curved windshield for the first time. The '54 was powered by a 119-horsepower inline 6 with either a three-speed manual or Power-Flite automatic transmission. This example was found along Route 66 in Arizona. (Photos by Ted Biederman).
Chevrolet had a full range of work trucks in 1955. This example of a Chevy dually was discovered in Nevada. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
The useful life of this early 1950s Dodge delivery van appears to be over. The van rests in retirement in Nevada after it probably covered hundreds of thousand of miles delivering goods and services. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
This circa 1950 Chevrolet 6400 heavy duty work truck was found in eastern North Carolina. The 6400 Series was powered by a 235 cubic inch straight six mated to a floor-shift 4-speed Synchro-Mesh manual transmission. A Hydra-Matic transmission would not appear until the 1954 model year. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Hudson launched its "step-down" bodies in 1948, which lasted through the 1954 model year. The term step-down referred to Hudson's placement of the passenger compartment down inside the perimeter of the frame; riders stepped down into a floor that was surrounded by the perimeter of the car's frame. This "ready for restoration" 1948-1950 Hudson was found in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Unique styling set the 1949-1953 Studebaker trucks apart from the competition. The so-called 2R5 trucks arrived in 1948 — the first post-war redesign. Robert Bourke, a member of the Loewy Studios design team under contract with Studebaker, was the lead designer. This 1952 example was found in a Texas salvage yard. The '52 model was powered by a 102-horsepower inline six. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)
The two-door Rambler Marlin was built by the American Motors Corp. (AMC) from 1965 to 1967. Marlins were fastback versions of the mid-sized two-door hardtop Rambler Classic. AMC aimed it at buyers wanting a sporty fastback that was roomy and comfortable, contrasting it with the smaller Barracuda and Mustang fastbacks that had arrived a year earlier. The Marlin, following the muscle car launches of the 1960s, was intended to outflank competitors as a product they did not offer. The car could be ordered with a 327 cubic inch V-8 with a 0-to-60 time of about 10 seconds. This stripped-down example was found in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This early second-generation Ford Ranchero pickup (1960-1965) was found living in retirement in Utah. The second-generation Ranchero was based on the newly introduced compact Falcon sedan. Ford believed the market wanted a more practical vehicle, one much smaller, lighter, and cheaper than a full-sized pickup truck, and indeed the Ranchero sold well. The standard engine was a 2.4-liter straight six with a 3-speed manual or a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
The 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle marked the first year of the second-generation of the mid-sized Chevelle, which was introduced in 1964. This particular Chevelle, as advertised on its fender, came with Chevrolet's 5.7-liter 350 cubic inch small block V-8 engine. The stripped-out Chevy was found in a field in eastern North Carolina. Chevelle became very popular in the mid-to-late '60s and Chevrolet billed it as "America's most popular mid-size car." (Photo by Nick Nunkovich)
This 1937 Ford sedan was found along Route 66 in Holbrook, Ariz. The most popular Ford engine in 1937 was a 3.6-liter flathead V-8 making 85 horsepower with 144 pound-feet of torque. Base price of the 1937 was $850. Ford was the top-selling brand in 1937 with 942,005 copies sold. Chevrolet was second at 815,375. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
The Jeep Grand Cherokee dates back to 1993 starting life with a 190-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine and an optional 5.2-liter V-8 making 220 horsepower. It was a sales success with more than 1.6 million copies sold from 1993 through 1998. This mid-90s first-generation Grand Cherokee was found in retirement in a field in southeastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Dodge sold the D line of pickup trucks from October 1960 through September 1993. This second-generation 1968 Dodge was spotted in Utah. The 1968 model can be distinguished by its grille with two rows of four holes each. Sold as the D300 and the D500, they came with a choice of two engines — a 127-horsepower Slant Six and a 177-horsepower V-8. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
The front of a 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser and the rear of another '57 Mercury are pictured in an old-car salvage yard in Texas. The Turnpike Cruiser was built in 1957 and 1958 in commemoration of the creation of the Interstate Highway System. Unfortunately for Mercury, despite some glowing reviews, the Turnpike Cruiser was a sales flop with only 18,861 sold in 1957. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)
This "New Design" medium-duty GMC truck (1947-1953) was found in retirement in Utah. Both the Chevrolet truck (Advance Design) and the GMC were redesigned in 1947 by General Motors. That iteration was built through 1955. The 1947 redesign featured integrated headlamps as well as wider, lower and bolder grilles. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This 1936 Chevrolet truck cab was found parked on a city street with a rusted-out fender and running board, but otherwise in decent shape. Most Chevy trucks were propelled by a 193.9 cubic inch straight-six-cylinder engine throughout the 1930s. (Photo by John Harper)
From right, a 1949 Chevrolet, an early-60s Chevrolet Corvair and a 1955 Ford are lined up in a field of abandoned cars. If you find yourself on historic Route 66 near Erick, Okla., you might want to check the field of used-up cars, trucks and tractors. Watch out for the weeds loaded with stickers! (Photo by Jim Meachen)
This 1957 Plymouth Savoy is a police-car survivor in Oregon, Wis. The entry-level Savoy was popular in the late 1950's as a fleet vehicle used by taxicab companies, police departments and other fleet-minded customers where luxury was not a concern. The model was also available to customers who were in the market for a low-cost, economical vehicle with the availability of a V-8 engine and automatic transmission, and the room of a full-size vehicle. (Photo by Ed Meachen)
The Dodge truck was restyled in 1939 and the styling was continued through 1947. Civilian truck production ended in 1942, but Dodge trucks were used for the World War II effort to the tune of 255,000 trucks. This 1941 Dodge bus was found in Nevada. (Photos by Jim Prueter)
Cadillac was enjoying a sales resurgence in 1941 before production was halted because of World War II. For the first time in many years all cars built by the company shared the same basic engine and drivetrain in 1941, and 1941 also saw the introduction of the optional Hydra-Matic, the first mass-produced fully automatic transmission, offered the previous year on the Oldsmobile. This 1941 Cadillac was found in Texas. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)
An excellent example of a 1941 notchback Pontiac Torpedo sedan was discovered in a North Carolina farmyard by photographer Ralph Gable. Pontiac introduced the Torpedo in 1940 on the General Motors C-body. The Torpedo shared the body with the Cadillac Series 62, Buick Roadmaster and Super and the Oldsmobile Series 90. The Torpedo had larger windows and wider seats than other Pontiacs, and the hood ornament was a plastic Indian head mounted in a metal base. Available engines were a 3.9-liter Flathead inline 6 and a 4.1-liter Silver Streak inline 8, both mated to a 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission. Above, the Torpedo living area as depicted in a 1941 advertisement. (Photos by Ralph Gable)
This early '70s model Fiat 124 Spider was discovered infested by eastern North Carolina weeds at the back of a lot. Introduced in 1967 as a 2+2 convertible, nearly 200,000 were built through the 1985 model year with about 120,000 sold in the U.S. Four-cylinder horsepower ratings ranged from 90 to 102 through the '70s. Zero to 60 times were around 11.5 seconds, acceptable for roadsters of the era. The Fiat competed with such nameplates as MG and Triumph. Above, a 1970s magazine ad for the Fiat 124 that included a cutout of the car. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
The remains of this early 1990s Chevy Blazer S-10 two-door apparently served as a parts car and has been reduced to a skeleton ready for the scrapyard. The Blazer S-10 came with two versions of the 4.3-liter V-6, the base engine making 170 horsepower and an high-output engine making 200 horsepower, neither of which has survived in this wreckage. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This circa 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud stretch limo was spotted in junkyard retirement in South Carolina. Vintage Rolls-Royce limos of various years are used by many wedding planning companies around the country to give newlyweds a unique experience. This example looks as if its given its last ride. (Photos by Ralph Gable)
The 1950 Ford marked the second year of a new generation introduced following World War II. Two engines were offered in 1950 — a 3.7-liter L-head inline 6 and a 3.9-liter Flathead V-8 making 100 horsepower. Ford sold 1.2 million units in 1950, second behind Chevrolet that sold about 1.5 million cars. This used up example of a 1950 Ford two-door was found in Arizona. (Photo by Becky Antioco)
This post-war circa 1946-1948 Chrysler was found rusting away in a South Carolina salvage yard. The upscale luxury brand was a favorite of a lot of people with a decent amount of disposable income as pointed up by the brand's decent sales following World War II with 332,680 copies sold in three years. (Photos by Ralph Gable)
This late 1940s GMC work truck was found in retirement in Nevada. GMC was a near clone of the Chevrolet truck after World War II and enjoyed solid sales with 92,677 trucks sold in 1948, the first full year after its first major design after the war. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
International Harvester produced the Light Line pickup truck from 1969 through April 1975 when production ended. The truck came with two inline 6-cylinder choices and five V-8 choices. Transmissions included a 5-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic. This 1974 example seems to be in decent shape. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)
The Jeep Willys became popular after World War II and was sold in a variety of formats. This early 1950s model Jeep pickup — which can possibly be called a forerunner to the current Jeep Gladiator — was found in Nevada with a two-tone paint scheme. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This L Series mid-1990s Ford truck found in eastern North Carolina appears to have made its final delivery. L Series trucks came with either a gas engine or a diesel engine in three configurations L-600/6000, L-700/7000 and L-800/8000. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
This piece of Caterpillar heavy equipment was found in an abandoned state in Kinston, N.C, a couple of years ago. Later we noticed it had been removed, probably to be used for parts or perhaps even refurbished for continued use. Caterpillar Inc. traces its origins to the 1925 merger of the Holt Manufacturing Company and the C. L. Best Tractor Company, creating a new entity, California-based Caterpillar Tractor Company. In 1986, the company reorganized itself as a Delaware corporation under the current name, Caterpillar Inc. It is one of the world's largest heavy equipment companies. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
Mercedes-Benz introduced the 230 SL roadster in 1963 with distinctive concave roofline that earned the nickname "pagoda top." Built from 1963 through 1971 on the W113 platform, it featured a low waistline, large curved greenhouse windows, detachable hardtop, and a new 2.3-liter six-cylinder inline engine. This surviver, perhaps undergoing restoration, was found in Black Creek, N.C. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
The McCormick Deering steel-wheeled tractor was popular for use on the nation's farms in the '20s and '30s. Manufactured by the International Harvester Co., the McCormick Deering name was used until 1948, when this line of tractors became McCormick. This McCormick Deering tractor serves as yard art in a southern Virginia farmyard. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
A Ford and a Dodge van occupy space with a step van (right). The three trucks were found in retirement near Sims. N.C. (Photo by Jim Meachen)
This used-up 1959 Ford Ranchero was found in a salvage yard in Casa Grande, Ariz. The Ranchero, built between 1957 and 1979, was originally adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. Over its lifespan it was variously derived from full-sized, compact, and intermediate automobiles sold by Ford for the North American market. Its chief competition was the Chevy El Camino. (Photo by Jim Prueter)
This railroad equipment is seen rusting on a side track in a small eastern North Carolina town, a product of Safe-Trac, Inc., of Clinton, Ky. (Photos by Jim Meachen)
If you called for a stray dog to be picked up in the mid-to-late 1930s, this might have been the truck that showed up for the capture. Especially in Texas where this old, worn out example was discovered. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)