Cars You Don't See Everyday
Cars from Europe
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Walking down Market Street one sunny day was rewarding. This car was in unbelievable condition to be parked in a retail store parking lot.
Apparently, there were subtle changes in this car during the eight years it was produced. I can not tell what year this one is. I f you know or want to guess, please post a comment.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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This was shot in the Marina district of San Francisco. It is a wonderful example of the post-war British motorcar. This Riley had a wooden chassis like the Morgans’. This one was manufactured for export. It is a left-hand drive car.
The RMA was the first post-war Riley. It used the 1.5 L engine and was equipped with hydro-mechanical brakes and an independent suspension using torsion bars in front. The frame was made of wood in the English tradition, and the car featured traditional styling. The car was capable of reaching 75 mph (121 km/h). The RMA was produced from 1945 until 1952 when it was replaced by the RME
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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Madison avenue avenue had a great time with this car. There was a TV commercial in the late 50’s that played simulated “pitches” from the 1949 Auto Show. It highlighted the De Soto, Studebaker, Packard and Hudson and their promises to keep up with what the people want and with fashion. Then the announcer moves to the VW booth and the actor pitches how VW changes for improvements, not for style. In closing a voice over says, “Of all the promises made at the 1949 Auto Show, we at Volkswagen kept ours”.
Follow this link to see the video. VIDEO, click here
This 1956 or so (oval real windows were made from 1953-1956) looks a bit battered but it was still running when I snapped this shot. How would you look if you lived on the street for over 50 years?
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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This Citroen delivery truck was a staple in the Union Square area of San Francisco. It delivered for a now out of business restaurant called Anjou. I wish I knew where the truck went and the restaurant too. Let’s call it a 1965. At least it was built after 1960 from the front grill.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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I remember this car. My best friend Richard and I borrowed one of these from a friend of his back in 1965 or so. We had it for less than a week. While driving along on our first day, the oil light came on; funny we are low on oil. Well we filled it up with oil and soon, the oil light came on again. Oh, something was wrong.
We looked carefully and saw the leak somewhere near the front of the car. We filled the car with more oil and headed for this “foreign car” dealer. With their help, we determined it was coming from the front timing chain cover and the dealer was willing to lend us some tools and we disassembled the car in their back lot. We found the gash in the cover and walked to a shop nearby and had the gash welded shut. We then purchased the timing chain tension spring from the dealer and reassembled the car. It worked like a charm and I’m not sure we ever mentioned anything to Richard’s friend.
This was over 40 years ago but I think about that event every time I see one of these cars.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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I think this is a 1974 Volkswagen Thing. It was also called the VW Safari in some countries. It’s a bare minimum car. It does not appear to have seat-belts, padded dashboard or any other safety features like air bags. It was basic transportation. I believe these were only sold for two years in the U.S. 1973 and 1974.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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Quite some time ago I was walking south of Market Street in San Francisco when I spotted this car. I did some research and to the best of my knowledge this is a 1955 Citroen traction avant 4 door sedan. I think that means front wheel drive in French. The car is a classic and may be featured in a wedding or other event. It surely is a stately looking automobile.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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I almost purchased one of these (non-convertible) in 1960. I saw it advertised in the newspaper and I wanted to buy it, just to work on it. This car was an early British import that had very little market success when gas was about 30 cents a gallon. This car belongs to someone in our neighborhood. I see it parked quite often.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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Introducing the 1991 Alfa Romeo Milano. I took this shot in 1994. It is truly a Car You Don’t See Everyday.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009
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I think this is a 1970 Alfa Giulia 1300. I do like the yellow wheels though.
© Fred Winograd copyright 2009