Vintage Working Vehicles Spotted

cazalea · 2016-11-22T13:08:31Z

Explore a collection of vintage working vehicles, from rare Ford Rancheros to classic trucks and motorhomes, spotted in everyday settings.

cazalea

WPS member · Automotive forum

14 replies2150 views106 photos

Cazalea's "Spotted: Vintage Working Vehicles" photo essay captures a diverse array of classic American trucks and utility vehicles still in active use. This post offers a fascinating visual journey through automotive history, showcasing the enduring appeal and functionality of these vintage machines in everyday settings. It provides a unique perspective on the resilience of older vehicles.

We start with an extremely rare, early Ford Ranchero. About 15,000 of these were built nearly 60 years ago - this is from 1957, the first year for Ranchero

Notice the similarity to this Ford coupe:

Whereas this little Ranchero is about 1962-63, when Ford moved this model to the Falcon platform.

There is also a Ranchero here, the blue one one back under the cover. It's a later model based on the Torino.

Now we shift to real trucks, preferably working

Not vintage or working, but blood red and vicious

This poor old Dodge looks ready to break in half

A rare GMC front-drive motorhome from 45 years ago, protected from vandals by a Mercury Cougar

Now an early GMC truck

A nice, clean El Camino

A moderately ratty El Camino

and a completely ratty one

Notice the Datsun Z in the driveway behind this truck? (we'll get to it later with the import cars)

Another, non-stock Bronco

Now the "cover photo" for today, a lovely Dodge truck

This starts a series of Dodge (Chrysler Corp) vehicles

In addition to the trucks, we saw lots of Mopar vehicles for Art:

Now for some more Pony Cars

Luxury cars come next, followed by imports:

This Jag has seen better days ...

I rarely see Rolls-Royces on my drivearounds. There's one other one but we haven't photographed it yet due to traffic, nosy neighbors, etc.

I cannot figure out what is going on with this Volvo! Those pipes are welded on, and yes, they are capped with soda cans.

That about wraps it up for today.

Cazalea

OOPS - forgot this Chevy Bel Air, the surprise of the day. I saw it back on the driveway as we passed by

and glancing back at the rear wheels I knew immediately we had a "sleeper" here. My wife hopped out with the camera for a closer look.

The Blazer in front of it is pretty extreme, but look at the rear wheels on the Bel Air!

They are about 15-18 inches wide!

looks like it's actively driven too, the window is down and the door ajar

I'd like to hear those pipes roar....

Key Points from the Discussion

Unlike the UK's mandatory MOT inspections, many US states, particularly those without significant rust issues, prioritize emissions testing over comprehensive mechanical safety inspections, which can be seen as discriminatory to lower-income individuals.
The UK's annual Ministry of Transport (MOT) test ensures all vehicles on the road meet safety standards, with strict penalties for non-compliance, a system that differs significantly from many US states.
The 1969 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible stood out for its condition and design, despite the contributor's general preference for non-GM vehicles.
The contributor expresses consistent enjoyment for this series of vintage car spotting posts.

The Discussion

AuHavrePro

Nov 22, 2016

takes the cake for me this time around . I thoroughly enjoy this series of yours . Cheers, Filip

cazalea

Nov 22, 2016

It's fun for me to do - even Mrs C is enjoying it.

cazalea

Nov 22, 2016

Does it express the inner Amanico???

colinwillsher

Nov 23, 2016

your post are now the first thing I look at on this site. Interested to know if there is an equivalent in the US of the MOT we have in the UK. This is an annual Ministry of Transport test, costing around £50, which all vehicles have to undergo. Any vehicle failing the test cannot be used on the roads until any faults have been repaired and the vehicle retested. it is against the law to use a vehicle without a vallid MOT,and the police can seize any vehicle being used without the MOT, and ultimat

cazalea

Nov 23, 2016

Some states, mostly in the Rust Belt areas, have annual safety inspections. It makes sense to take cars off the road if they are structurally unsafe. And it makes even more sense to fix lights, horn, wipers, steering and tires. I lived in the U.K. 25 years ago, and for about 10 years I worked for either Glass\'s Guide or Autodata - both of them publish MOT inspection guides and wall charts. Mitchell Manuals, the company I worked for here, is a leader in emissions testing data. In California we d

Dr No

Nov 23, 2016

. . . '64 Dodge Dart 'n Plymouth Valiant - all good! The sweetest ride of all though, considering condition, was the '69 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible. Not much of a GM fan personally, but Ponchos are the exception to the rule. Art

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