Things You Don't See Anymore Part 3

[The Owl]

My dad bought a used '60 Corvair for me and my mom to drive in '66. Slower than hell with four humans inside, but still a fun car. Just like this one...

Then at age 23 I got a nice red '67 coupe and had a ball driving it. Like this one...

Featured in my train set

 

[The Owl]

1954 Lawn Boy 2 cycle

 

[IamGroot]

Shoppers World dept store grand opening, circa '62 in Chicago.

That same year Shoppers World opened one in my 'burb (Oak Lawn, IL). The night of the grand opening they had a helicopter drop a load of ping pong balls into the crowd in the parking lot. Some balls had a prize inside. A few folks got a $10 store gift certificate in their ball. That was real money back then! I was there, but didn't score one in the madness. Great fun anyway!

This photo is very interesting as to make/model and year of vehicles were driving back in '62. Also, the number of people vs number of cars may be a flawed observation (we dont see all of both), but it seems that many people are walking to the store as groups, suggesting that this was an important affair for the whole family.

 

[IamGroot]

Shoppers World dept store grand opening, circa '62 in Chicago.

That same year Shoppers World opened one in my 'burb (Oak Lawn, IL). The night of the grand opening they had a helicopter drop a load of ping pong balls into the crowd in the parking lot. Some balls had a prize inside. A few folks got a $10 store gift certificate in their ball. That was real money back then! I was there, but didn't score one in the madness. Great fun anyway!

This is the earlier version of Shoppers World. I guess it went bankrupt. The Shoppers World today is apparently an entirely different chain with 40 stores:

..... It wasn't until 1972 that the "Shoppers World" name was born when the Elizabeth, New Jersey Store opened bearing the name. The opening of the Elizabeth store not only brought a new name, but also an expanded product line that included women's apparel. The store remains open today as the original flagship store.

Shoppers World 1951: Framingham MA retail history

 

[StereoPlayer]

This photo is very interesting as to make/model and year of vehicles were driving back in '62. Also, the number of people vs number of cars may be a flawed observation (we dont see all of both), but it seems that many people are walking to the store as groups, suggesting that this was an important affair for the whole family.

I didn’t see any pickup trucks either.

 

[turf3]

Well, "it's digestible"...so at least there's that.

Makes you wonder what kind of "indigestible" lard substitute preceded Crisco.

 

[GonePlaid]

My dad bought a used '60 Corvair for me and my mom to drive in '66. Slower than hell with four humans inside, but still a fun car. Just like this one...

Then at age 23 I got a nice red '67 coupe and had a ball driving it. Like this one...

IIRC, they had 2 engines available: 80 or 110 HP.

 

[turf3]

In 1960, the two engines were 80 and 95 HP.

In 61, the engine displacement was increased just a smidge from 140 to 145 CI and the two engines were (I think) 80 and 102 HP.

In 62 the 150 HP turbo engine was introduced.

In 65 the engine displacement was increased to 164 CI and the three engines were 110 HP (two carburetors), 140 HP (four carbs) and 180 HP (turbo).

With the original 80 HP engine and the two speed Powerglide it wasn't exactly a speed demon.

 

[bwildt]

I love the look of the '65 and later Corvairs. The graceful lines on that hardtop. They still look stylish today. When I was a kid, a neighborhood mom had a '60 or '61. She drove it like she stole it, but it always ran.

 

[SubHuman]

In 1960, the two engines were 80 and 95 HP.

In 61, the engine displacement was increased just a smidge from 140 to 145 CI and the two engines were (I think) 80 and 102 HP.

In 62 the 150 HP turbo engine was introduced.

In 65 the engine displacement was increased to 164 CI and the three engines were 110 HP (two carburetors), 140 HP (four carbs) and 180 HP (turbo).

With the original 80 HP engine and the two speed Powerglide it wasn't exactly a speed demon.

I had a Red ‘64 hardtop with 110 HP and 3 speed. It was pretty quick and went great in snow. Floor pans rusted out and I had to add sheet metal but other than that it was a good car. Replacing clutch was a big job too!

 

[FilterFunk]

I didn’t see any pickup trucks either.

Whenever I see pics of '60s/'70s parking lots, it's always interesting to see how few trucks, vans and SUVs people bought back then. Nowadays, every other vehicle is a truck or SUV. The van/minivan sort of came and went.

 

[turf3]

I had a Red ‘64 hardtop with 110 HP and 3 speed. It was pretty quick and went great in snow. Floor pans rusted out and I had to add sheet metal but other than that it was a good car. Replacing clutch was a big job too!
View attachment 4889252

The trick for clutch replacement is to pull the whole drivetrain. Jack the car up, pull out the axles, lower the drivetrain onto a furniture dolly, undo the three mounts, jack it back up, slide out the drivetrain. Now you can work on it easily.

I got to where I could do a drivetrain swap in about 2 hours.

 

[spiritbass]

Unfortunately, I was unable to get a pic, but I was followed by an actual station wagon at one point during my drive home yesterday. It's been years since I've seen one on the road...

 

[Richland123]

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[GonePlaid]

Whenever I see pics of '60s/'70s parking lots, it's always interesting to see how few trucks, vans and SUVs people bought back then. Nowadays, every other vehicle is a truck or SUV. The van/minivan sort of came and went.

Not for me. Nothing but vans/minivans since '70.(except this

 

[Boogiepop]

View attachment 4888679

How did you get in and photo my bookcase without the dog barking?

B.

 

[IamGroot]

How did you get in and photo my bookcase without the dog barking?

B.

I coated myself with queso cheese spread.

 

[The Owl]

 

[FilterFunk]

Not for me. Nothing but vans/minivans since '70.(except this
View attachment 4889644

They are still around, but not like at the height of their popularity. I think a lot of people started to think of minivans as uncool, so they went with SUVs instead. The camper van is gaining popularity:

 

[GonePlaid]

They are still around, but not like at the height of their popularity. I think a lot of people started to think of minivans as uncool, so they went with SUVs instead. The camper van is gaining popularity:

My current gigmobile(holds all my gear that I use these days-basses, Rumble amp, PA[when needed], stands, etc.):