Abandoned Cars II

Click here for the latest additions to Abandoned Cars at Abandoned Cars I
Click here for more abandoned cars at Abandoned Cars III



This 1956 Hudson was discovered in New Mexico in an abandoned condition. 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. (Photos by Jim Prueter)




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. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


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 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)



The 1941 Oldsmobile had a uniquely styled front end that lasted only one year. FYI — In 1940, Oldsmobile became the first nameplate to have a fully automatic transmission, called Hydramatic. This well preserved 1941 model lives in a salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)





The 1949 Ford is the first full-size Ford designed following World War II and the first Ford released after the deaths of Edsel Ford and Henry Ford. Ford was the first post-war America car line with an all-new model beating Chevrolet to market by six months and Plymouth by nine months. 1949 was a good sales year for Ford, which edged out Chevrolet for the top spot with 1,118,308 sales. This survivor was found in Casa Grande, Ariz. (Photo by Jim Prueter}


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)


The second generation Pontiac Trans Am was completely restyled in 1979. Car and Driver magazine named the Trans Am the best handling car of 1979 with the WS6 performance package. This circa 1979 Trans Am was found in Casa Grande, Ariz. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


A Dodge delivery van (far left) and a Ford panel van sit atop what look like 1950s vintage Ford vehicles in this "street of dreams" for old car junkies in an Arizona salvage yard. The Dodge van appears to be from the mid-50s. Also seen are the front end of a VW Beetle (far left) and an assortment of bicycles. (Photo by Jim Prueter)






This 1947 or 1948 Chevrolet Thriftmaster pickup was spotted sinking into the ground in a front yard near Austin, Texas. The pickup was completely redesigned in 1947 and carried the Thriftmaster or Loadmaster emblems through the early part of 1949. The designations were dropped in 1949 in favor of numbers that designated cargo capacity: 3100 on half-ton, 3600 on three-quarter ton and 3800 on one ton.
(Photos by Jim Meachen)


This third-generation Ford LTD (1979-1982) was found languishing behind a repair shop in eastern North Carolina. The third-generation was downsized from the previous iteration losing about 15 inches of body length and seven inches of wheelbase. Available was a 5.0-liter and 5.8-liter V-8. Ford built 356,535 LTDs in coupe, sedan and wagon variants in 1979. Sales tumbled to 141,562 in 1980. (Photos by Jim Meachen)




The D-40 Series International truck was built from 1937-1940. It came with a six-cylinder engine that made 89 horsepower mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This abandoned truck was found in Nevada. (Photo by Jim Prueter)



This late 1940s Willys Jeep pickup truck was found in a Nevada snowstorm. The Willys Jeep pickup was built from 1947 to 1965 by Willys-Overland Motors. For 1950 the truck got a V-shaped grille with five horizontal bars. More than 200,000 of these trucks were built through its lifecycle. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


Chevrolet took its small 1960 Corvair lineup in several directions including a light-duty truck introduced in 1961 featuring Loadside and Rampside models. Like the car, the truck featured a rear-mounted air-cooled 80-horsepower flat-six engine. The truck was built through 1964. This skeleton of a Corvair pickup was found in an Arizona salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


An early 1930s Ford pickup serves as  an unusual patriotic yard ornament in Washington state. Ford battled with Chevrolet for U.S. sales supremacy during the first half of the 1930s with 1930 Ford's biggest sales year of the period at 1,140,710. Chevrolet's biggest sales year was also 1930 with 640,980 sales. (Photo by Jim Meachen)


The 1957 Ford was one of the company's biggest hits through the years, although it was outshined by the '57 Chevrolet, which has become a classic auction favorite. There were 11 varieties of the Ford including a retractable hardtop convertible and two-door and four-door station wagons. This 1957 four-door sedan was found in a Utah salvage yard. Ford actually outsold Chevy in '57 — 1.67 million to Chevy's 1.5 million. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


This circa 1980-1986 Ford F-350 work truck has been literally put out to pasture in southeastern North Carolina. 1980 marked the start of the seventh-generation truck and the first complete redesign since the 1965 model. The seventh generation receive a new chassis and body, distinguished by flatter body panels and a squarer grille. This architecture lasted through the 1998 model year. Numerous gas and diesel engines were available. (Photos by Jim Meachen)




1954 marked the first significant design changes in the Advance Design Chevrolet truck that was first introduced in 1947. The 1954 truck had a curved one-piece windshield for the first time. The grille changed from five horizontal slats to a crossbar design commonly referred to as a "bull nose" grille. A Hydramatic automatic transmission was available for the first time as an option. The design lasted for only two years with the Chevy pickup getting a complete makeover in 1956. This 1954-55 truck was found in Nelson County, Ky. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


These three abandoned cars adorn the front yard of an equally abandoned house in upstate Vermont. The car lineup includes, from left, a 1979 Chrysler LeBaron, a 1982 Chrysler LeBaron station wagon and a circa 1978-1982 Honda Prelude. (Photo by Jim Meachen)



The Jeep became a go-anywhere icon in the U.S. after Willys-Overland began production of the civilian Jeep (known as CJ) following World War II. Old Jeeps in various states of repair can be seen in virtually every corner of the country. This Jeep of undetermined age needs some considerable restoration. It was found in Stantonsburg, N.C. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


A circa 1990 Volkswagen Golf lives next to a 1957 Chevrolet in abandoned retirement in an eastern North Carolina yard. Even though the iconic '57 Chevy is a great car to restore, there are ample numbers in an abandoned state across the country because more than 1.5 million copies were sold by General Motors. (Photo by Jim Meachen)


The first generation of the Cadillac de Ville is remembered by its huge tailfins in 1959 and 1960. The second generation (1961-1964) was re-styled and re-engineered and had a more conservative fin treatment. It came in two-door (Coupe de Ville), four-door (Sedan de Ville) and convertible treatments. Engine choices were 6.4-liter and 7.0-liter V-8s. This 1963 Sedan de Ville was found in eastern North Carolina awaiting possible restoration in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


This early 1960s Jeep Utility Wagon — manufactured from 1946 to 1964 by Willys and Kaiser Jeep in the U.S. — was found in Nevada still sporting a good coat of paint. There were more than 300,000 wagons and variants built in the U.S. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


This mid-1960s Ford farm truck appears to be at the end of its useful life. It was discovered by the side of a rural road in eastern North Carolina. (Photo by Jim Meachen)


In 1946 Ford beat out Chevrolet in marketing a new car immediately following the end of World War II, with the Super Deluxe Tudor sedan. All Ford body styles were carried over from the discontinued 1942 model. The Ford came with a 239 cubic inch V-8 making 100 horsepower. Ford outsold Chevrolet 468.022 to 398,028 in 1946 before Chevy recaptured the "best selling brand" title in 1947. Some of Ford's post-war success came from Ford's ad agency, which coined the phrase, "There's a Ford in your future." This 1946 Super Deluxe was found in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


This circa 1960s Mercedes-Benz L319 was discovered in an Arizona salvage yard. L319 is a light commercial vehicle built by Mercedes-Benz between 1955 and 1967. Larger than a standard delivery van, but smaller than a conventional light truck of the period, it was the manufacturer's first model in this class. The vehicle was offered with a range of van and truck bodies. Photo above is a 1967 van. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


This fifth-generation (1970-1979) Lincoln Continental was found in a field of used up vehicles in Utah. Over that 10-year span the big luxury boat underwent several exterior styling upgrades. The Continental was a large car stretching out in the neighborhood of 225 inches in both two-door and four-door styles. During this time the 2 1/2-ton car was motivated by two large V-8 engines, a 6.6-liter and a 7.5-liter mated to a 3-speed automatic. Directly above, an advertisement for the 1975 Continental. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


The International Loadstar is a series of trucks that were produced by International Harvester from 1962 to 1978. The first product line of the company developed specifically as a medium-duty truck, the Loadstar was slotted between C-Line pickup trucks and the heavy-duty R-series. This 1972-78 model Loadstar 1600 was found living under a lean-to in an abandoned rural factory in eastern North Carolina, its useful life probably over. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


This conglomeration of Edsels was found in an Arizona salvage yard. If anyone is restoring an Edsel, this may be a treasure drove of parts. Built by Ford, Edsel was designed to range above Ford and Mercury and below Lincoln in the Ford lineup. The sedan was sold for just three years — 1958-1960 — before it was discontinued because of anemic sales. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


1969 was another good year for the popular Ford Mustang — which underwent some major restyling — with nearly 300,000 units sold. It came in coupe, convertible and fastback formats with the base engine a 200 cubic inch six cylinder. The base V-8 was a 302 cubic inch two barrel. Six factory performance V-8 engines were available. This example was found languishing in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


Edsel was a failed experiment by Ford Motor Company in the late 1950s. The full-sized sedan was designed to fit into its lineup between Mercury and Lincoln to give Ford a fourth brand to go up against such nameplates as Buick, Oldsmobile, Dodge and DeSoto. But it never caught on with the public, lasting just three years, 1958-1960. This 1959 model was found in retirement in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter)




The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon are subcompact cars that were produced by Chrysler from 1977 to 1990.The Omni and Horizon were reengineered variants of the European Chrysler Horizon and became the first front-wheel-drive economy cars to be built in the US. Marketed for 11 years with very few changes, around 2,500,000 Omnis and Horizons were built with the Plymouth badged versions more popular than the Dodge branded models. This mid-80s Horizon found in eastern North Carolina is perhaps awaiting a new owner for a total restoration. Bottom photo is advertising for the Horizon showing its interior.  (Photos by Jim Meachen)




This 1953 Ford was found in retirement in Nevada. 1953 was Ford's 50th anniversary and the big news for 1953 was the availability of power-assisted brakes and steering, which had previously been limited to the Mercury and Lincoln lines. Ford sold 1,247,542 cars in 1953, trailing Chevrolet by about 99,000 units for sales supremacy. (Photo by Jim Prueter)




The Jeep Wagoneer was built from 1963 through 1991, a go-anywhere 4X4 family station wagon. It became known as the first sport utility vehicle and was sold for 29 years with an almost unchanged body-structure. This early '70s model was found in retirement in Glendale, Utah. Most Wagoneers at the turn of the decade came with a Buick-derived 5.7-liter V-8 making 230 horsepower. (Photo by Jim Prueter)




This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air four-door was discovered in Utah. The iconic '57 was available in three models  — the upscale Bel Air, the mid-range Two-Ten, and the One-Fifty. A two-door station wagon, the Nomad, was produced as a Bel Air model. Initially, General Motors executives wanted an entirely new car for 1957, but production delays necessitated the 1955–56 design for one more year. Ed Cole, chief engineer for Chevrolet, dictated a series of changes including distinctive chrome headlight that helped make the '57 Chevrolet a classic. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


 


This "stylish" driveway in Utah includes two automotive oddities — a Yugo (once called the "worst car in history"), and a modified Subaru BRAT — that are hard to find out in the wild let alone as a pair in one driveway. The BRAT — short for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter — was sold from 1978 to 1994 in the U.S. It was motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder making 67 horsepower. It was increased to 73 hp in later years. And Subaru made a turbocharged 93 hp variant available in its final years. The Yugo was built in communist Yugoslavia and marketed in the U.S. from 1985 to 1992 by Malcolm Bricklin. Its 55 hp engine could take the little car from 0-to-60 in 14 seconds. Its ultimate downfall came in the early 90s when it performed poorly in government crash tests. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


This 1954 Willys Jeep station wagon was discovered in a Texas field of old, used-up vehicles. Jeep Willys marketed the first all-steel station wagon designed as a passenger vehicle in 1946. It was built in the U.S. through 1964 with more than 300,000 sold. Its successor was the Jeep Wagoneer. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)




This 1953 Willys was discovered in a Texas salvage yard. Willys re-entered the car market with a new compact car in 1952, the Willys Aero. At first available only as a two-door sedan, it came with either an L-head or F-head six-cylinder engine.  A four-door sedan and a two-door hardtop were added for 1953 along with taxi models.  Transmissions included a 3-speed manual, 3-speed manual with overdrive, and a 4-speed Hydramatic. 42,224 cars were sold in 1953, but sales tanked in 1954, and the car's final model year was 1955. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)


 


This 1951 Chevrolet was found in the woods in Door County, Wis., apparently parked by its owner after its driving life was over. Chevrolet had a banner sales year in 1951 with 1,229,986 cars and trucks sold. Chevy outsold Ford by more than 200,000 units. (Photo by Ed Meachen)


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 out of favor between 1949 when 116,955 copies were sold and 1950 when sales tumbled to just 42,627. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)





This retired late-1940s-early '50s  Chevrolet-powered fire truck from the American Fire Apparatus Company of Battle Creek, Mich., was found in the small town of San Isidro, N.M. The American Fire Apparatus Co. dates back to 1937 and was closed in 1993. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


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


A restored 1938 Buick can fetch a lot of cash these days. Unfortunately, this example spotted in a Texas field of used up cars of the past century is not one of them. Most 1938 Buicks came equipped with a straight eight engine of various sizes with horsepower ratings ranging from 120 to 168. Buick was the fourth best-selling car in 1938 behind the "Big Three" Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth with 168,689 units sold.  (Photo by Peter Hubbard)


Ford revealed its first post-WWII pickup truck in late 1947, introducing the first F-Series pickup for 1948, replacing trucks introduced before the war started in 1941. It had a flat one-piece windshield and integrated headlamps. The distinguishing feature of the first three years of the F-Series (1948-1950) was a grille with a series of horizontal bars. This circa 1948-50 truck found in Nevada was outfitted for some heavy duty work. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


This circa 1940 Dodge COE (cab over engine) truck cab was found in a Texas salvage yard. A straight 6-cylinder Chrysler Flathead was used in most of these trucks mated to a three- or four-speed manual transmission. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)



 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.  (Photos by Jim Meachen)


This Dodge B Series pickup truck was found enduring a snowstorm in Nevada. The B Series was built from 1948 through 1953. This truck was from the 1951-1953 design and contained the Job Rated moniker. The 1953 truck could be purchased for the first time with an optional fully automatic Truck-O-Matic transmission. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


This post-war Nash 600 (circa 1946) was found resting safely behind a fence next to a building in the Detroit area. The Nash 600 is credited with being the first mass-produced American automobile using unitized body/frame construction techniques in which the car body and the frame are welded as one unit, rather than the more traditional body-on-frame. Built from 1941-1949, the "600" name comes from the car's ability to go 600 miles on one tank of gas. An advertisement for the '46 proclaimes "The new Nash 600 takes you an amazing 25 to 30 miles on a gallon of gasoline at moderate highway speeds — 500 to 600 miles on a tankful." (Photo by Chris Sawyer)


The mid-sized Chevrolet Lumina was manufactured from 1989 through 2001 in two generations as Chevrolet sought to consolidate its mid-sized nameplates under a single product range. The Lumina replaced the Chevrolet Celebrity and the Monte Carlo. It was offered as a four-door sedan and as a two-door coupe. This second-generation Lumina (1995-2001) was found languishing in a farm field in North Carolina. Over the years the Lumina came with four different V-6 engines and a four-speed automatic. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


Dodge sold lightly face-lifted revisions of its 1942 design from 1946 through the 1948 season. Production on the 1946 model started in late 1945 at the conclusion of World War II. As before, these were a single series of six-cylinder models with two trim levels — basic Deluxe or plusher Custom. In1946 Dodge fourth in sales behind Ford, Chevrolet and Plymouth with 163,490 units sold. Sales went up to 243,160 in 1947 and 243,340 in 1948. This circa 1946-1948 Dodge was found along Route 66. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


If we didn't know better we'd think this might have been the Bonnie and Clyde car. This used up bullet-ridden 1950 Nash Statesman must have been used for target practice. The radically restyled 1949-1951 Nash was called the Airflyte. Pundits quickly dubbed it the "bathtub" Nash. During the three years of the Airflyte, Nash increased sales annually from 110,00 in 1948 to 205,307 in 1951. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)


Chevrolet made very few exterior changes to its panel van between 1947 and 1953 after completing reinventing the van — tagging it Advance-Design — following the end of World War II. Starting in 1951, trucks and vans got door vent windows, which would make this Chevy, photographed by Jim Prueter, a 1951-1953 model. Chevrolet pickups and vans is this era were number one in sales in the U.S.


It was not until 1948 that Cadillac came out with an all-new post-war design including the first use of tailfins. The 1947 convertible captured here as an abandoned car carried on with the pre-war design. Cadillac sold only 61,926 cars in 1948, but still led luxury brands Packard and Lincoln in sales. This abandoned Caddy was found in a Texas salvage yard. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)


International Harvester introduced the R Series line of panel trucks  in 1953, the passenger version called the Travelall to do battle with the popular Chevrolet Suburban. In today's parlance it would be known as a full-sized SUV. International work vans were built on the same platform with the same dimensions and powered by an inline six-cylinder engine making 100 horsepower. This 1953 work van, found in Nevada, was apparently employed by a Firestone dealership. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


The Farmall tractor was part of the brand architecture of International Harvester (IH), first introduced in 1923. During the 1940s it was the most popular tractor brand in the U.S. Production ended on Feb. 1, 1974, with the 5 millionth tractor coming off the assembly line in Rock Island, Ill. This early model tractor was retired and parked off a highway near LaGrange, N.C.  (Photos by Jim Meachen)


The BMW 3 Series is a compact car built by the German manufacturer since 1975. This second-generation (1982-1994) 325 was found in an abandoned condition in eastern North Carolina. The second generation expanded the line from just a two-door, to a four-door, convertible and station wagon. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


For the second time in as many years, Chevrolet came up with a totally new car in 1959. From the front and rear the 1959 Chevrolet resembled nothing else on the road. The headlights were placed as low as the law would permit and the most visual new change was the flat, wing shaped tailfins. This 1959 was found in a field in Blanco, Texas. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


Chevrolet was the number two automaker behind Ford in 1946, the first full year of sales following World War II. Chevrolet sold 398,028 cars, about 70,000 fewer than Ford. It would take Chevrolet a couple years to ramp up to the one million units it sold prior to the war in 1941. This example of a '46 Chevrolet was found in an abandoned condition in Texas. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)


The Studebaker Champion was produced from the beginning of the 1939 model year until 1958. It was a full-size car in its first three generations and a mid-size car in its fourth and fifth generation models. The base engine was a 2.8-liter inline 6 making 85 horsepower. 1950 marked the first year Studebaker offered an automatic transmission. This third generation 1951 Champion convertible was discovered in a New Mexico salvage yard. (Photo by Becky Antioco)





The Studebaker automobile company built cars from 1902 through 1966, a mainstream car-builder for more than 60 years before reaching an inglorious end with the closing of its last assembly plant in March 1966. This 1965 Cruiser sedan was discovered in retirement in Virginia, one of only 20,000 Studebaker's produced in 1965. 1965 Studebakers used a General Motors-sourced 230-cubic-inch 6-cylinder engine or a 283-cubic-inch V-8. Both engines were also used in Chevrolets. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


The Dodge Town Wagon and Panel was built between 1954 and 1966 presumably to give the popular Chevrolet Suburban competition. It could be purchased with windows in a passenger configuration or strictly as a panel van. The Dodge Wagon, a forerunner of the modern sport utility vehicle, could be purchased with four-wheel drive. This circa 1960-65 Town Wagon was discovered in New Mexico. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


This 1969 Pontiac GTO was found in eastern North Carolina in a state of disrepair. The GTO was built from 1964 through 1974 and helped cement the muscle car generation with a variety of high-horsepower V-8 engines. The second-generation began in 1968 with a slightly fastback design. The door vent windows were eliminated in 1969 helping differentiate the 1968 from the '69. There were 72,287 GTOs built for the '69 model year. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


Station wagons were popular in the 1950s and Ford built six trim levels for 1956 from the base Custom Ranch Wagon through the luxurious Country Squire. This mid-trim level 1956 Country Sedan found in Rolla, Mo., could be purchased in an eight-passenger configuration. Like modern crossovers, rear seats could be folded down for cargo storage. The top engine for 1956 was the 292 cubic inch, 202-horsepower Thunderbird Y-8, which, Ford pointed out, used regular gas. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


Ford restyled the Thunderbird in 1961 to kick off the third generation (1961-63). Sales of the new Bird were strong in 1961 with 73,051 sold. Most T-Birds were powered by a larger 6.4-liter V-8. This 1962 edition was spotted in an abandoned condition in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


The full-sized Chevrolet Caprice was produced in 1965 as a luxury trim package for the Impala four-door hardtop. Chevrolet expanded the Caprice lineup in 1966 offering a full line of models. It was produced through 1996. This example of a 1968 Caprice was found in North Carolina. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


This large diesel Army truck, which we think is from the decade of the '60s, was found resting in the back of a salvage yard. Its useful life is probably over, but if needed we wouldn't be surprised to see it resurrected and put back into active duty. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


Government-mandated 5 mph crash bumpers were added to the Chevrolet Corvette in the mid-70s. This circa 1975-79 Vette, in need of a new windshield and a thorough restoration, sports those front bumpers. The Corvette was found off U.S. 301 in eastern North Carolina. The 1979 Corvette topped 50,000 units sold for the first time in its history. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


This second-generation 1966 or 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass has seen better days. The Cutlass was built from 1961 through 1988 going through five iterations and a couple of sizes. The second generation had four engines available ranging from a 155-horsepower six-cylinder to a 345-horsepower V-8. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


This 1954 Buick Roadmaster (notice the four-porthole design) has not only suffered the indignity of losing its grille and engine, but whoever was last into the car ingloriously left the hood gapping open. The Roadmaster was longer than other models and got a 200-horsepower V-8 engine. Above, an advertisement for the 1954 Roadmaster. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


This 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 E sedan was found in a deteriorating condition in a wooded area of South Carolina. In the 1980's the E denoted fuel injection. The actual E-Class model as sold today didn't come on line until 1993. (Photos By Ralph Gable)


Plymouth started life in 1928 and by the early 1930s the brand was the third best-selling car in the U.S. By 1939, Plymouth was selling more than 400,000 copies a year. Its best years were 1940-41 when it became the second best-seller, almost catching Ford. This model, which we have identified as a 1936-1938 was discovered by photographer Ralph Gable. Above, a 1937 newspaper advertisement.


In 1981 Isuzu began selling consumer and commercial vehicles under its own brand in the United States after marketing several rebadged General Motors vehicles. GM had bought a 34 percent stake in the Japanese company in 1972.  The Isuzu P'Up was the first model sold to consumers as an Isuzu, rather than as a Chevrolet or Buick. This early '80s P'Up was discovered rusting away in South Carolina. (Photo by Ralph Gable)


This late 1940s passenger bus was found in retirement on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan. (Photo by Jim Meachen)


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. (Photos by Jim Meachen)


The 1949-1951 Mercury became popular in the latter part of the 20th Century for conversion to street rods. The Mercury's of that era were propelled by a Ford flathead V-8. This four-door version of either a 1950 or 1951 model was found in South Carolina. (Photo by Ralph Gable)


This 1950s era Chevrolet pickup was spotted in South Carolina perhaps awaiting a good home and a new life. The so-called Advanced Design trucks were the best selling pickups after World War II. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


Based on a quick read of the internet, a 1941 Ford convertible in restored condition can bring as much as $35,000 — and beyond. And some people are even attempting to sell body shells for close to five figures. So this stripped out and worn out copy of a pre-war convertible discovered by photographer Ralph Gable may be worth some bucks.


This third-generation (1961-63) Ford Thunderbird was found in an abandoned state in North Carolina. A 6.4-liter 390 cubic inch V-8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission was the base powertrain. The third generation benefited from product placement on TV, most notably on the popular series "77 Sunset Strip." (Photos by Ralph Gable)




The 1959 Ford was a major refreshening of the Ford generation that started with the 1957 model. It was perhaps Ford's attempt to counteract the soon-to-be-released all-new "bat-fin"1959 Chevrolet. Although conservative in appearance to the new Chevy, the Ford and its top-of-the-line Galaxie — introduced for the first time — proved to be a popular vehicle.  This lower trim version Ford Custom 300 rusts away in a North Carolina salvage yard. (Photo by Ralph Gable)



This 1941 Cadillac was found in South Carolina in what looks like restorable condition. In 1941 Cadillac introduced the optional Hydra-Matic, the first mass-produced fully automatic transmission, offered the previous year on the Oldsmobile. Notice the Flying Lady Goddess ornament that graced the hood of the '41 model. Above a magazine advertisement for the Series 62 1941 Cadillac. (Photo by Ralph Gable)


A two-tone — we are sure the white portion isn't factory spec — fifth-generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo was discovered in a grove of trees in North Carolina. For the 1995 model year, the mid-sized Chevy Lumina was split into two models with the sedan continuing as the Lumina and the coupe reviving the Monte Carlo nameplate. The fifth generation was built through the 1999 model year. Above, an advertisement for the 1995 Monte Carlo. (Photo by Ralph Gable)


Our photographer Ralph Gable spotted this body — that looks to be in restorable condition — of what appears to be a 1941 International pickup. The K Series light-duty pickup was introduced in 1940 with the key styling element being headlights integrated into the fenders.



Is this circa 1950 Ford truck phtographed in eastern North Carolina abandoned?  Looks in good shape, but we'll check back in a few years to get our answer. (Jim Meachen)


This pre-World War II sedan rusts into dust in a rural
North Carolina field 
(Jim Meachen)


This old bus has found a home in an eastern North Carolina field  (Jim Meachen)

A 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero rusts away in the North Carolina grass. Ford used the Ranchero name from 1957 through 1979 on "coupe utility" vehicles adoped from two-door staton wagons. The Ranchero was moved from the larger standard-sized Ford in 1960 to the new compact Falcon. The 1960 version came with a three-speed manual, a base two-speed automatic or a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission. The 1960 Ranchero was powered by a 2.8-liter straight six making 90 horsepower. (Photos by Jim Meachen)




A vintage 1940s style bus rests in retirement, burdened by what looks like a pickup truck box on its roof. It's interesting how buses of the post-war era were designed with aerodynamic traits. (Photos by Ralph Gable)


The preferred family hauler of the 50s and 60s? The station wagon. This 1958 Chevrolet,
which has been put into "retirement," was one of the most popular wagons.

(Photo by Jerry Brown)



This old bus was at some point converted into a trailer, perhaps for transient workers.
(Jim Meachen)


A 1947 or 1948 Dodge rests in an attractive bed of weeds.
(From the HIAT Blogspot Old Abandoned Cars section)


Remember when gas was a quarter?  Way back in 1919 gas was an expensive-for-the-time quarter a gallon. But even as late as 1960 gas could be found for under 30 cents and we think these gas station signs probably came from the 1960 era. They were found in Georgia.


We don't know the make — the front end is too far gone — but we are sure the working life of this demolished big rig tractor is over. What's left of it has been abandoned in an eastern North Carolina field. (Photo by Jim Meachen)


This 1947 Ford dump truck was found near Port Townsend, Wash. (Photo by Jerry Brown)


This dismembered 50s-era pickup sets next to the chassis of another truck in N.C.
(Jim Meachen)


Douglas A. Kerr captured this "Studebaker car lot" in Weatherford, Texas. Several Stude-
bakers rest with other brands of vehicles. From left, a 1959 Studebaker pickup, a 1977 or 1978  International bus, a 1966 Ford F-100, a 1960 Studebaker Lark, a 1949 Buick, and a 1951 or 1952 Studebaker wrecker.

 


Weeds will soon overtake this 1965 Ford pickup. (Jim Meachen)


The hood of a used-up 1956 Ford school bus has become the resting place for a cat in
northern California.
  (Photo by Jerry Brown)


There may still be some life in this 1966 Chevrolet   (Jim Meachen)


This old camper truck has probably seen its last camp ground. (Photo by Ralph Gable)


A late '60s or early '70s Clark RV has probably seen its last duty as a travel vehicle
and may spend the rest of its life as a modified storage room for business supplies in
Washington state.
(Photo by Jerry Brown)



This old International Loadstar, at rest in eastern N.C. weeds, has probably seen its last days of service  (Jim Meachen)

The remains of a Ford pickup — could be a 1948, 1949 or 1950 — in Rhyolyte, Nev.
(Photo by Jerry Brown)


A late-1940s Chevrolet work truck decays in a field of other used up equipment.
(Photos by Ralph Gable)



A 1978 GMC pickup has become a weedy yard ornament (Jim Meachen)


This circa 1939 Ford or Mercury (difficult to distinguish), minus a roof, was found in the Wisconsin snow 
(Photo by Jerry Brown)


The usefulness of this circa 1990 Chevrolet S10 has long passed (Photo by Ralph Gable)


O.J. Simpson wouldn't get far in this abandoned white Ford Bronco. (Photo by Ralph Gable)


These old buses started life transporting school children, then they were
converted to chruch buses — according to the name on the sides —
before ending their active lives. 
(Jim Meachen)


An International dump truck has become part of the landscape in eastern
North Carolina
  (Jim Meachen)
 


Early-80s model Chevrolet Monte Carlo is burdened with junk 
(Jim Meachen)


This circa 1932 Ford truck was photographed in Maryland
Found at Adventure Rider


A vintage Dodge Power Wagon ambulance rusts away
Photo by Wes Kibble on Off Road Action


Could this dog be guarding his home, a rust-colored VW bus?
From VWVortex


This abandoned Edsel was spotted in a barn near Whitehall, Ind.
(Photo by Jerry Brown)



Ford built the original Cougar on the popular Ford Mustang platform to give the Mercury brand its own pony car. The original 1967 Cougar came only as a two-door hardtop and slotted into the Ford family lineup between the Mustang and the more upscale Ford Thunderbird. The Cougar was named Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" for 1967. This abandoned and neglected model comes without a front wheel, among other things. (Photos by Ralph Gable)



An abandoned car in French ruins


The remains of a car look at home in woods near Greensboro,
N.C., where they have probably resided for many years.

(Photo by Mark Rainey)


The remains of a truck near Salem, Ore.
(Photo by Brian Hughes)


The glory days of this school bus are long past


This rare 1930s Morris Minor convertible was one of a decaying 30-car collection found
in a barnyard in rural Norfolk County in England early in 2009.  Local mechanic Jimmy
Blanche, who died in December 2008, amassed the incredible collection. The automotive
remains were auctioned in April 2009.
(Photo by Dave Selby, London Telegraph)


This hulk has become a desert sculpture. (Photo by Scott Dommin)


Decaying with dignity


Abandoned 1949 Chevrolet pickup in the pine straw


It looks as if this 1954 DeSoto is being swallowed up by the earth in Renton, Wash.
(From Ghost Towns)


A photographer of abandoned cars found this early-70s International

Harvestor Travelall in a Nevada desert



It appears the UK has its share of abandoned cars


A 1950 Ford has become a depository for pine straw


Tough to tell, but probably a late 1940's model Chevrolet Suburban


This abandoned truck blends neatly into the scenic landscape


John Quimby found these junked (abandoned?) Edsels in  Shamrock, Texas


Someone in Montana tries to make a few bucks off his abandoned "fixer upper" in this photo by Paul Borden


MG's rust away behind a barn  (Jim Meachen) 


This Dodge school bus has probably transported its last riders
(Jim Meachen)    


Abandoned or a sign? Or both. (Ted Biederman)                                                                                                  


An abandoned Dodge Brothers flatbed
truck found in northern California
(Ted Biederman)


Henry J's at rest in the snow

The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact car built from 1960-1969 as a response to the popular Volkswagen Beetle. It was the only American-designed passenger car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. This abandoned early-60s Corvair was spotted in a yard near Ojai, Calif. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

 

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