When I think of "old Dad car", the Chrysler Imperials from the late 1950s to the early '60s come to mind.
Gigantic slabs of metal barreling down the road.

Chrysler had used the Imperial name since 1926, as the top of the line model. In 1955, the Imperial became a separate marque, apart form the Chrysler brand. The 1st generation, 55-56, had a similar look to the 300C. From 1957-63, they had a controversial look, designed by Virgil Exner, they were wider, with unique front end styling. Despite annual styling changes, all 1960-63 models featured a similar space age dashboard with electroluminescent lighting. The steering wheel was squared-off at top and bottom. Models were; Imperial Crown, Custom and LeBaron. Available in 2 and 4 door Hardtop, 2 door convertible and 4 door sedan. The 1963 models saw the split grille disappear, replaced by a cluster of chromed rectangles, and the taillights were now inside the rear fenders. Engine; 440 cu in Wedgehead V8.

Very distinctive rear end on the early '60s Imperials.

These cars were so strong, they were forbidden entry in demolition derbys.

- 1963 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible.

The problem with buying older cars is that their prices are inflated with old Baby Boomers and aging Yuppies are lavishing great sums of money collecting them. Back in the '80s, old cars from the '50s could be had for cheap. $500 and a tune-up and you were driving down the road in an old jalopy. Now, because of these old farts throwing down serious money collecting full-sized toys, even fair condition old cars go for a premium.

The Lincoln Continental replaced the Capri/Premier. The 4th generation Continental was built from 1961-69, a slab sided car with its trademark rear hinged rear 'suicide' doors (designed this way to make it easier to get in and out). Only available in 4 Sedan or Convertible. 1963 saw only a mild grille update. Engine; 430 cu in MEL V8.

Powered by a 430cid V8 rated at 315hp.

1973 Chrysler Imperial Le Baron.

Perhaps this should have gone in the "why old American cars have interiors that look like the insides of caskets" thread.

1957 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible

Land yachts.

>Cool
>Family Friendly

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alfa-romeo/giulia/34448/new-alfa-romeo-giulia-3-series-rival-coming-at-end-of-2016

do it fgt.

1st or second Gen Oldsmobile Toronado. Big engines, good power, they are coupes, but they are huge. Only negatives are fuel economy, and they are sadly FWD, but even so, they are pretty quick.
I almost bought one back in March, but the seller had an appointment to show the car before me, and the other guy took it at asking price.

>>19510
The 1966/67 Oldsmobile Toronado is very sporty, but is not what goes for an "old Dad car" as it's too hip and cool.
Now the 1970s Oldsmobile Toronado became boxier and more Dad-like.

- A wedgewood blue 1973 Oldsmobile Toronado Custom.

1972 Oldsmobile Toronado.
Remember, it's Toronado, not Tornado.

Here's a 3rd generation Oldsmobile Toronado (probably 1979-1985) that has fully adopted the Dad persona.

While we are going on about Oldsmobiles, a very famous one was in The Evil Dead movies (of which there is a current TV show, Ash vs The Evil Dead). The Oldsmobile is Ash's choice of travel in all three movies. It is a 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88. The car was pulled back in time with Ash at the end of Evil Dead 2 and is repaired/modified for combat in Army of Darkness.

- 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible

Sam Raimi's 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 in Evil Dead 2.

Just took this from the film.

1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 sedan.

  >>19510
>FWD
Y U DO DIS?

Know what I would get if I needed a cool dad car? Vid related

Because hot wagons are the shit. Also Acceptable, that Cadillac wagon, Dodge Magnum, and some of the other muscle wagons from the muscle car golden age.

Or if you want a cool dad vehicle that isnt a wagon but is cheap and has plenty of style, go for the various 4 door muscle cars no one likes (Dodge Dart, plethora of others)

>>19520
The closest I had to a station wagon was a 1974 Cadillac ambulance.
Mine did not have speakers and lights on the roof.
I took the paramedics chair out and put a bed in the back and turned this monster into a camping/hunting excursion vehicle.

But then somebody stole it.

  >>19520
I remember the Dodge Coronet Super Bee being a terrific muscle car that kids out of high school in the mid-1980s could afford.
1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee https://youtu.be/p9Ax8zNoOeA
When the Plymouth Road Runner experienced decent results, the executives at Dodge decided that it was time to build a competitor to Plymouth's Muscle Car. Even with the Charger and Coronet R/T Dodge still built a new creation dubbed the Super Bee. Many looked at the creation as a flat out steal from the Roadrunner. Regardless, the mid-year creation was seen as a success as Dodge created over 48,000 Super Bees in 1968.

This 1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee stands today, as a true testament to why these cars were so popular. The Super Bee has been completely restored, features the powerful original 383ci V8 and a stunning look.

Dodge offered three options for an engine in 1970, the first was a 383ci Magnum rated at 335hp, a 440 Magnum with 390hp and a 426 Hemi capable of 425hp. Pull the hood pins and lift the massive hood, and you'll reveal the original (E63) 383 big block Magnum V8 that is easily capable of laying down plenty of rubber on the streets thanks to the 335hp. At the top of the engine an orange air filter gives away what is beneath it with 383 Magnum badging. The block, valve covers, and air filter cover are all painted in orange and accent the blue engine bay very nicely. In front of the engine is the 26-inch radiator that is responsible for cooling the 383 Magnum. Bolted to the original block is the near bullet proof A-727 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

As we stated, originally Dodge built the Super Bee to be an affordable muscle car option for the public. It was capable of running 14 second quarter-mile times and was priced roughly at $3,000. Today this Super Bee still as an affordable option if you are in the market for an incredible muscle car from an era where pure muscle ruled the streets.

  Muscle Car Of The Week Video #21: 1970 Dodge Super Bee 440 6-Pack https://youtu.be/-mITcLXdcXY
This 1970 Dodge Super Bee is not the car you want to drive if you don't like attention. This Top Banana Yellow example from the Brothers Collection is not only visibly noticible thanks to the bright color and white interior and stripes, but the 440 6-Pack under the hood causes a stir on the street anywhere you go!

  >>19510
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado - Jay Leno's Garage https://youtu.be/zuB5DULvw7Y
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado. '66 was the best year... But like most Americans, it got older and fatter.

  Oldsmobile Toronado | Buyer's Guide https://youtu.be/Z_uIzzPhF4c
The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado remains a landmark car. With sexy packaging and a revolutionary front-wheel-drive layout, it catapulted Olds to the top of the personal luxury car heap. Hagerty Classic Cars executive editor Stefan Lombard recently visited the Lingenfelter Collection and discusses what to look for if you’re in the market for a first-generation Toronado.

'70s IHC Travelall or Jeep Wagoneer

Sometime in the '70s Ford's electrics started getting overly complicated and generally shitty. Never fails to be a clusterfuck.
Chevrolet in that era, meh. The engines weren't that strong, nor did they give good economy.

Also +1 for the Dart/Valiant. They're surprisingly not horrible.

>>19551
>Also +1 for the Dart/Valiant. They're surprisingly not horrible.
Thats because MOPAR A bodies are fanfuckingtastic.

Ill probably end up with a mopar A body long before I find a suitable project charger.

There is a valiant in my area for $3800 and its a perfectly respectable drivers quality car. Wish I had $3800. Id go buy it right meow.

>>19551
Of just get an old Chevrolet/GMC Suburban.
The International Harvester Travelall is a full-size, truck-based sport utility vehicle that was manufactured by International Harvester from 1953 to 1975. With a layout similar to the Chevrolet Suburban, it is a precursor to the modern full-size SUV.

An International Harvester Travelall (1954) R-110 in The Netherlands.

1942 Chevrolet 8 seater panel van. Taken at the General Motors Display Day, held in the grounds of Penrith Panthers Club, Penrith NSW.

1961 Chevrolet Suburban.

1961 Chevy Stretch Suburban

1964 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall

Chevrolet Suburban C 10 (1967-1972)

Chevrolet C-10 Suburban Scottsdale 1975

International Harvester Scout 800 Sportop convertible 1966-68

International Harvester Scout II Traveller 1976-80

International Harvester Scout 800 Sportop (1966-1968)

International Harvester Scout II wagon 1978

1979 International Harvester Scout II Traveler wagon.

Harvester has branched into military vehicles, too.
The MXT-MV (Military Extreme Truck - Military Version) was introduced in 2006. Part of International Truck's Military Vehicles line, it is an International MXT extensively modified for military duty, transportable by C-130.

Husky TSV - The Husky is a variant of the MXT-MVA modified to satisfy the UK MoD's Tactical Support Vehicles (TSV) requirements for the British Army.

Husky is a protected support vehicle, providing a highly mobile and flexible load carrying vehicle. The Husky has been designed for a range of missions in Afghnaistan, including transporting food, water and ammunition, and acting as a command vehicle at headquarters. Equipped with a machine gun, Husky joins its sister vehicles Wolfhound and Coyote as part of the tactical support vehicle programme. Some vehicles are fitted out as protected ambulances. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_MXT-MV

I've tried to post in this thread several times since the original post, and I have been unsuccessful. We'll see if this one takes. I think I'm gonna get a used Crown Vic. I'll be test driving one tomorrow.

>>19613
That seems like a recipe for having everyone in front of you slowing down.

>>19615
Test drove one yesterday. The guy only let me take it around the block because lolnoplates. The one I'm looking at is a government car, but not PD, which is good because it lacks the usual cop fuckery found on most Crown Victorias, it didn't spend its time doing jack rabbit starts and hitting things in between long periods of idling, and it has a bench front seat so more room for my growing family. Because a Crown Vic is basically a Lincoln Town Car with less frills, the suspension is almost as nice as my Cadillac. I'm going to arrange for a more thorough test drive and have a mechanic give it a once over before sealing the deal. Not too worried about people slowing down; its painted an inoffensive boring car color.

It's the last car built in the tradition of big American land barges, it has the powerful V8 I've become accustomed to, and it's crash-worthy as fuck. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one.

>>19617
I miss the shit out of mine, had a P71 for like 4 years.

I loved every single thing about it, except filling it up 'cause she drinks.

>>19618
To be really particular, I think the one I have is a P74 LX Sport. Someone on /o/ ran a free history report for me.

https://www.diigo.com/item/pdf/5gt7b/kvyj?k=d69d7ca291e58b8dbef28eaf674e312a

>>19617
My GF has a 94 crown vic, which is currently our primary form of transpo while my blazer is dead.

Fuckin A right those things are comfy as shit.

And somehow her damn car can go from corpus to houston on half a damn tank of gas. It took my blazer (same weight, smaller engine) a full tank.

It finally happened. As I was driving up from the guy's house after finalizing the sale, my Cadillac's heat gauge hit the red for the first time. This next car could not have come at a better time.

>>19619
What happened to the Blazer?

>>19636
Dead starter. I know how to fix it, and its a cheap part.

My gf and I are just getting our head above water with finances after losing most of my savings to flooding a while back. However when I get the money Ill order a new starter (about $60) then get a good jack with some jack stands so I can replace it.

that or just pay some mechanic to do it.

I thought I understood what people meant when they said "handles like a boat." I understood nothing.

>>19641
Damn thing hardly answers her helm at all!

I remember, in the '80s, how large families packed all the kids and dogs in giant station wagons and went bouncing across the place.

1977 Plymouth Gran Fury.

Another car that handles like a boat: those big Lincolns and Cadillacs from the 1970s & '80s.
- 1973 Lincoln Continental Town Car sedan.

1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car sedan.

1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car, the last year with the 460 V8 (7.5 litres).

1978 Lincoln Town Car, from the last year that the 460ci V8 engine was available. Seen in its natural habitat - a gas station.

Lincoln Continental Town Car Convertible Conversion by SILCCO 1978

Can anyone tell the year of this Lincoln Continental?

I think the car with the largest hood may have been the 65-67 Buick Electra 225. http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/non_aviation/read.main/133273/

Along with the Lesabre and Invicta, the top of the line Electra and Electra 225 were introduced in 1959, replacing the Roadmaster (the 225s had four hash marks behind the wheelhouse of the rear fender). They were available in 2 or 4 door Hardtops, 4 door Sedan and Convertible. 1967 was the 1st year for the 430 cu in V8 replacing the old 401 and 425 cu in Nailhead V8s.

>>19641
You said it was a former government crown vic right? It should have pretty good steering and suspension. I know a ton of custom hot rod builders who use crown vic front ends for their hot rod projects because good + solid + cheap and plentiful = win.

>>19643
When I was a wee baby my dad and I were heading to a local watering hole for some lunch. Green light, clear road. We were in his huge old as fuck battleship station wagon.

Guy ran the red light and we T-boned him. His brand new porsche (he literally drove it off the lot 5 minutes prior) ripped pretty much in half. Guy was relatively ok. My dad and I felt like we hit a pillow.

Damage to station wagon? Half the grill broke. Thats it.

Porsches may excel in many things.

But their durability is not among them.

>>19659
Don't get me wrong, it's VERY comfortable, but it's lack of feedback from the road makes me feel like I'm in a skating rink. It's equal parts smooth and unsettling. The way it sways reminds me of a boat too. Passing over speed bumps isn't jarring at all, but the car will still be swaying up and down half a block later.

>>19662
Oooh, gotcha, now im tracking. I can see that.

>>19662

pic

>>19638
Might want to check the local pick a part. It'll save you likely $30.

I'm thinking about some modifications I'd like to do overtime. I was thinking some 13" Dayton wire rims, some street scraping airbag suspension, paint it flamingo pink lower body and cream upper, and royal purple crushed velvet upholstery. What do you guys think?

>>19672
your nigger loving tendencies are showing their colors

>>19677
I am shocked at you, sir! Clearly, I was going for spic. The blacks would go with candy paint and 20+ inch rims.

>>19678
You need leds and tons of the adhesive chrome to be spic.

I'd support it.

While googling, I found what I want my next DD to be.

1970 Pontiac Catalina.

1970 Pontiac Laurentian sedan (Canada).

1971 Pontiac Catalina convertible.

1968 Pontiac Catalina coupe.

And the similar 1968 Pontiac Catalina wagon.

1972 Pontiac Grand Ville.

1965 Pontiac Grand Prix

1959 Pontiac Catalina

  >>19666
The main thing stopping me from fixing it on my own is the $100-$150 id have to spend on a new jack, some jack stands, and a wrench that can reach the starters bolts.

>>19672
My girlfriend would drive the shit out of your car. She loves gaudy as fuck pimp wagons.

Your wife is gonna have to follow you around and beat the hood rats off yo dick.

Video related, The Real Racemixer.

>>19679
Shit yes.

I have to get my boat looked at. Traction control will engage if I take a turn doing 18 mph. Above 25, I lose control of the vehicle. The recent rain hasn't helped. Tires don't look half bad. Do I just have to take it really easy with this particular vehicle?

>>19689
when its working right you dont have to take it easy with the vehicle. clearly it isnt working right so until you get it fixed, ya you should take it easy.

i havent had my crown vic in years ('01 taxi, murdered out for the lulz) so i cant remember, but is there a traction control button you can use to disable it while its acting up?

it would probably be worth the $100 or so to have a mechanic tell you what's wrong with it.. in my neck of the woods $100 and they'll tell you EVERYthing that's wrong with the car.

Now, once you get it running right and reliably, and are ready to start putting money into it, I'd look at the alloy rims made for the Merc Marauder or the ones on the Vic LX Sport (pictured). Also make sure you get the honeycomb grille if you don't already have it. The corner lights for the Marauder look way better than the Vic and Grand Marquis's as well, and the 2003+ all-red tail lights look much better than the two tone yellow/red from 99-02.

Alternatively you could try to find one of the special edition 3-bar grilles Ford released for the Middle East market after they stopped selling the Vics state-side. They definitely make the car look more contemporary. The picture here isn't very worthy due to the awful aftermarket headlights, but hopefully you get the idea.

Beyond that, a supercharger for the 4.6L would really wake this thing up... of course it would cost you about as much as the damn car did.

>>19691
Mine is a 2006 LX Sport, not an interceptor. The Marauder makes my pee-pee tingle, but they're rare and expensive. There is a button to turn off the traction control, but I'm not so sure it's "acting up"; I think it might be saving me from a larger problem.

>>19693

> I think it might be saving me from a larger problem.

I doubt it. People have been driving without electronic traction control for a hundred years.

It's probably a bad wheel sensor or something stupid like that. Get one of those $12 Bluetooth OBD-II code readers, assuming you have a smartphone or tablet, and check it out.

>>19694
> I doubt it. People have been driving without electronic traction control for a hundred years.

Yeah fuck traction control. I had to disconnect shit to turn it completely of on my Mazdaspeed 3. In my work truck it's fun as hell in the snow. With the TCS disabled, I can get the back to rotate (slide) exactly where I want it.

>>19566

>>19695

I spend the majority of every winter driving at a 15° angle relative to the vector of travel in my 2000 Ford Ranger. The AT tires just don't like the slick stuff so it oversteers constantly. Once you know it's coming and get the feel of countersteering it becomes just another part of driving. Passengers don't always appreciate it though.

AC stopped working. Does seven hours of labor and $500 sound right for taking apart the dash to get to the AC system, or am I being ripped off? Haven't authorized this work yet, mind.

>>20637
Taking a dash apart and putting it back together properly is not an easy thing to do. What exactly is the problem?

>>20641
Won't know for sure until he takes the dash apart, but the mechanic suspects the blend door.

Did y'all at least do some basic troubleshooting? Charge test, making sure the drive belt is there, the FOT/TXV isn't clogged, etc.

I made that mistake a few months ago. 2003 'Burban, thought it had low charge. Bought a can of refrigerant, plugged it in, had 100 psi on the low (full static charge at 85F). Started it up, turned the ac on... Nothing. No ac clutch engagement sound, no pressure drop on the low. Crawled under there to look at it and nothing was turning on the compressor.
Turns out, the ac compressor on that engine has it's own belt, and that belt had snapped. When it did that, it laid on the timing cover in such a way that it appeared to still be on the crankshaft pulley.

Yeah, I felt like a complete tard.

>>20647
No, I don't know even the most basic bit of troubleshooting when it comes to AC systems. Earlier, during an unrelated repair, the mechanic disconnected the battery, and when he reconnected it, the AC started working again, at least for a little while.

>>19689
Today, as I punched it on a green light going into a tight turn onto a highway on-ramp, back tires squealing, I realized a couple of things.
1) I have overcome my problems with handling my vehicle.
2) I have become a danger to public safety.

I changed so gradually into THAT asshole, I didn't even notice. I think I should get a Geo Metro, something I couldn't drive recklessly if I tried.

>>20649

>Geo Metro

NYET TOVARISH

If you're really in the mood to voluntarily lop your own balls off, there are much better options. Or should I say, less shitty ones.

>>20648

Sounds like a control module issue. IIRC you have an '03 or '00 Coupé De Ville, correct?

I'll consult the manual here that I spent the last two days looking for and eventually found in the drawer it was supposed to be in and see what I can come up with.

>>20651

Hold on. What argument can you make against it?

>they're slow
So what? That's the price to be paid for 45+ mpg.

>they're tiny
Just showing the world that you have nothing to compensate for. Aheheheh.

>my bike gets 50mpg!
But the Geo hauls people and groceries and stuff. At the same time.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Geo Metro. They're both cheap to own and operate. Good for people with more sense than money, or just people with sense in general. A master kit is $260, a rering kit is $80 and a Luk clutch kit is $70.

Also, if anyone's in the market for a '91 model...

>>20659

More like 75MPG.

>What argument can you make against it?

They're unreliable and generally have been very poorly cared for.* Source: my years of seeing them disproportionately represented among vehicles abandoned along the side of Interstates and back roads all over the country.

*Remember, most poor people are poor for a good reason.

>>20659

They're fine for in-town commutes but they tend to overheat if you take them on a main highway. Also finding one with less than 250,000 miles is gonna be a challenge.

>>20661

Is that what it is? Huh. Ya know, for years I've wondered why they drop like fucking flies on the Interstate / highway; I've always figured they were just that goddamn unreliable.

>>20662

Ya, those poor little 3-cylinders don't like to be run hard for extended periods. Get two adults in there and try to drive it 30+ miles at 65mph on a warm day and you're gonna have troubles. My grandmother had a 92 Metro for the better part of the 90's and even when it was new it didn't like to go more than 25 miles at a time.

>>20663
Ehh, My brother owned a '90 Geo Metro 4 door, autotragic, and besides barely being able to go 65, let alone much faster, it was extremely reliable. He also was a hambone, and broke the seat back with his fat rolls. His solution? Cram cases of canned dry potato pearls and beans behind the back seat. so, even when it was just him in it, it had the weight of 2 adults and a small child in it. I've also ridden in it with 2 other adults and my brother, and it was tragically slow, but it worked just fine, and still got ~35MPG that trip.

>>20659
It was a '97 Eldorado. Sold that shit and now have an '06 Ford Crown Victoria.

>>20665

oh wow. I shit the bed there. Pants-on-head retarded, that was.

Anyways, the only thing I have that's close to that is '96-01 Taurus and '91-'01 Explorer and Explorer Sport-Trac through '05.

All I can tell you is that Ford used vacuum motors on their HVAC systems in those eras, and if your car has the same shit that's likely where your problem is going to be. Haynes isn't very forthcoming on troubleshooting information. Or the electrical switch that controls those stupid vacuum shits (WHY FORD WHY)

Check them switches mang.

>>20663

Y'know, that lines up in my head.

My dad had an (automatic) '92 model. Got it in about '94, and it died in '97 or '98 from a burned valve, which I always attributed to my mom's retarded driving. She went through the Ozarks in that car on our way to Shitsconsin. With me, my grandma and her, 3 dogs, and a bunch of shit in there.
I kinda wish he still had that car. I'd give it the love and attention it so desperately needed.

I think Suzuki got the gearing wrong, trying to tread the line between fuel economy and keeping the engine happy. Too-low RPM + high load = toasted exhaust valves.