When I was on my ride through the USA last year, I saw and photographed two cars. I want to refer to these in my book about the trip but I am afraid I don't know what they are. Does anyone out there know?
I believe the lighter car might be a Chevrolet Impala, but I am not certain and I don't have a clue what the green car is. I will be very grateful for any information!
22 comments:
Anonymous
said...
the one on the left is indeed a 1960 impala and the one pon de right is a 1967 Buick Riviera
Gary, thank you for continuing to work on your book. I tried to explain your trip to my wife and friends, but without your pictures and comments it just was not the same. Besides a book would make a wonderful addition to my coffee table.
P.S. I used to post comments as "James" and the Majestic View Lodge in Zion thanks you for your wonderful comments and photographs.
The green one is a 1971,72, or 73 Riviera. I can't tell you more without seeing the grill or rear bumper. My first car was a '73 Riv. I wish I still had it.
My boss who owns more vintage cars than I own socks (vintage AND new) confirms the 1960 Impala and 1967 Riviera. Jeez when you look at the later versions of these cars on wikipedia (1999 Riviera, 2002 Impala) it gives you a pretty good idea of the downfall of the American car industry...
Erik – I think I have more pictures including the front and backs of the cars. I will find them and add some of the Riviera to the post so you can see them.
Agree with the first response, with a minor addition -- the Chevrolet Impala is a 2-door hardtop. And while I would hate to see it happen, I think the Buick could win in a front-end collision with a Humvee - those Rivieras were massive hunks of metal!
Anonymous - thanks very much for the info. I was amazed when later that day, when you, my son telephoned me to tell me it was you that posted this comment. I had no idea you, sitting in London, would know what these cars are. Top man, Charles!
No Name – I would love to drive a set of fins like those!
Bluekat – Lucky design instructor. What a car....
Zed1000 – Great to hear from you James. I hope you don’t mind, but I have added your blog to the list of those that I read. It is good to know that you are still looking at my blog and thanks again for recommending where to stay in Zion – I remember it well.
mq01 – You are right, they are terrific cars. Oh how I wish I had a classic American car. One day.....
Erik – I have added another two pictures to the post showing the front and rear of the Riviera.... does that help? I am sure you would still want to have that car. What a beauty!
Roland – I just Googled those later versions. I wish I hadn’t. Long live classic cars! Please say thanks to your boss for me. I can just imagine you calling him to your desk, showing him my blog and asking what those cars are....
Richard – This is very amusing. How times have changed.
Erik – I looked at Google Images as you suggested. I am still not sure! I have posted a few more pictures above....
Radar – I think I would say a prayer to the Car God that a front-end crash didn’t happen. It would be carnage.
Roger – What a public service you provide! LOL.
Erik (again) – I love the old pictures you posted on your blog. Very retro and that goes for you and the car!
Chillertek – I saw your comment on Erik’s blog and I am sure you will understand if I don’t agree. Having stopped to look at the Riviera in Lincoln, I have to say I liked it. Each to their own, I guess.
Gary, Im going to say 1972. Because, 71's had small louvers in the rear trunk lid, and the 1/2 inch wide body side moulding that runs down the side of the car and curves up and over the rear wheel. That was standerd in 72 and was a dealer option in 71.
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2007/05/01/hmn_feature21.html Has a bunch of information on them.
Whatever they are, I wouldn't mind owning one :-) As a kid (born in Mozambique) my father showed me pictures of American cars, I was always fascinated by the tailfins :-)
Erik – Sincere thanks for all of your help with this. It has gone into my book as a 1972.
Jim – They certainly should look familiar to you!
George – I too loved old American cars with tailfins. My absolute favourite is a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. While I was in Santa Crux recently I bought one. Problem is, it was a model about 10 inches long. One day, I hope to get a real one!
This blog was originally started to record a five month, 21000 mile tour of the US on my Harley-Davidson. I continue to use this blog to record my own motorcycling adventures, wherever they may be, along with my thoughts and opinions about motorcycling generally.
Having devoted most of my adult life to being a ‘company man’, the transition to the next phase of my life away from the construction industry was always going to include some challenges. Planning and then making my dream trip to explore America on my Harley-Davidson proved to be the ideal vehicle for clearing my mind of old ways of thinking and being. I rode 21,475 miles, in 27 US states in four-and-a-half months.
My motorcycling trips have continued, with journeys across much of Europe, New Zealand, North Africa and Cuba.
A few years ago, I set up and now run Tour1, which takes riders on Harley-Davidson Authorised tours across Europe. See www.tour1.co.uk.
I live just north of London in the UK.
A 2006 Road King called 'The Leading Ladies' due to the portraits of ten 1940's and 1950's actresses painted on the bike. This is the motorcycle I use to ride through America on.
My Custom Harley 'Tradewinds'
Called 'Tradewinds' this bike has a H-D engine but almost everything else is custom, made specifically for the bike.
My Custom Harley 'Amelia'
Built in 2012, this is a seventies style traditional chopper, with considerable engraving and a tremendous paint scheme
Please note all photographs on this blog are copyrighted. Do not copy or use, in whole or in part, any image from this blog either in its original form or altered in any way. If you do want to use one of the photographs, then you must ask first and I will almost certainly say yes! Thanks for your understanding.
US Tour - My Favourites Places I Went To....
It is difficult to choose, but here is my list of the highlights of my US tour, in the order I saw them in....
31. Back roads and small towns anywhere.
32. Meeting really nice people, in just about all of the places I have been.
33. The camaraderie of bikers. Everywhere, US.
22 comments:
the one on the left is indeed a 1960 impala
and the one pon de right is a 1967 Buick Riviera
word up yall
My uncle had an old Impala similar to the one pictured- awesome tailfins and chrome- would love to have that car now!
The green one is a Buick Riviera. My Design Instructor in college drove one.
Gary, thank you for continuing to work on your book. I tried to explain your trip to my wife and friends, but without your pictures and comments it just was not the same. Besides a book would make a wonderful addition to my coffee table.
P.S. I used to post comments as "James" and the Majestic View Lodge in Zion thanks you for your wonderful comments and photographs.
anon is correct, definitely an impala and riviera. love them both, great cars!
The green one is a 1971,72, or 73 Riviera. I can't tell you more without seeing the grill or rear bumper. My first car was a '73 Riv. I wish I still had it.
My boss who owns more vintage cars than I own socks (vintage AND new) confirms the 1960 Impala and 1967 Riviera. Jeez when you look at the later versions of these cars on wikipedia (1999 Riviera, 2002 Impala) it gives you a pretty good idea of the downfall of the American car industry...
It's kind of amazing that the Riviera was sold as a "personal luxury car" implying that it was "small and sporty".
google image 67 riviera and 73 riviera.... the boat tails of '71, '72, and '73 are unique to those 3 years.
Erik – I think I have more pictures including the front and backs of the cars. I will find them and add some of the Riviera to the post so you can see them.
Agree with the first response, with a minor addition -- the Chevrolet Impala is a 2-door hardtop. And while I would hate to see it happen, I think the Buick could win in a front-end collision with a Humvee - those Rivieras were massive hunks of metal!
One is white one....and one is a greeny one, it is ok you dont need to thank me, I will be here all night giving out great advice.
Gary, I posted pictures of my old 73 Riviera and a link to more info to help you get the correct date on the green one.
@Raftnn - lol there's a comedian in every crowd
Anonymous - thanks very much for the info. I was amazed when later that day, when you, my son telephoned me to tell me it was you that posted this comment. I had no idea you, sitting in London, would know what these cars are. Top man, Charles!
No Name – I would love to drive a set of fins like those!
Bluekat – Lucky design instructor. What a car....
Zed1000 – Great to hear from you James. I hope you don’t mind, but I have added your blog to the list of those that I read. It is good to know that you are still looking at my blog and thanks again for recommending where to stay in Zion – I remember it well.
mq01 – You are right, they are terrific cars. Oh how I wish I had a classic American car. One day.....
Erik – I have added another two pictures to the post showing the front and rear of the Riviera.... does that help? I am sure you would still want to have that car. What a beauty!
Roland – I just Googled those later versions. I wish I hadn’t. Long live classic cars! Please say thanks to your boss for me. I can just imagine you calling him to your desk, showing him my blog and asking what those cars are....
Richard – This is very amusing. How times have changed.
Erik – I looked at Google Images as you suggested. I am still not sure! I have posted a few more pictures above....
Radar – I think I would say a prayer to the Car God that a front-end crash didn’t happen. It would be carnage.
Roger – What a public service you provide! LOL.
Erik (again) – I love the old pictures you posted on your blog. Very retro and that goes for you and the car!
Chillertek – I saw your comment on Erik’s blog and I am sure you will understand if I don’t agree. Having stopped to look at the Riviera in Lincoln, I have to say I liked it. Each to their own, I guess.
Gary, Im going to say 1972. Because, 71's had small louvers in the rear trunk lid, and the 1/2 inch wide body side moulding that runs down the side of the car and curves up and over the rear wheel. That was standerd in 72 and was a dealer option in 71.
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2007/05/01/hmn_feature21.html Has a bunch of information on them.
It is NOT a 73, or later... nor a 70 or earlier.
Erik.
Hey! Those look familiar!
:)
Whatever they are, I wouldn't mind owning one :-) As a kid (born in Mozambique) my father showed me pictures of American cars, I was always fascinated by the tailfins :-)
Erik – Sincere thanks for all of your help with this. It has gone into my book as a 1972.
Jim – They certainly should look familiar to you!
George – I too loved old American cars with tailfins. My absolute favourite is a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. While I was in Santa Crux recently I bought one. Problem is, it was a model about 10 inches long. One day, I hope to get a real one!
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