1979 Ford Mustang Indy 500 Pace Car Edition

I took these pictures almost exactly 40 years after the event the car celebrates. To my surprise, when the owner started it and drove away it ran perfectly.

1979 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V Givenchy

1979 Dodge "Li'l Red Express"

I feel compelled to state that the only way I could be associated with a vehicle like this would be if I was run over by one. This is a classic example of marketing over practicality, of which there are so many examples it surprises that an auto industry still exists.

And yet they sold in the thousands. So what do I know.

My apologies for the infrequent posts. Hopefully the regular schedule can resume soon. Thank you for your patience.

1979 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

Love the subtle yellow, the very low beltline, the sleek, interesting door pulls, the shut lines which go nowhere near the base of the body, the intricate wheels, the almost flat rear deck, the sculpted lines leading from the front wheel all the way back, the way the headlights are elegantly carved into the fenders. I could look at those headlights all day.

#6 was unfortunately shot later, in harsh light. But it shows the gauges which swivel in the center of the dash, the Blaupunkt, and the large circular spedo & tach. Wood & metal steering wheel is interesting too.

I think it is pronounced "ve-LO-che".

Where have we seen that green Jaguar before?

1979 Porsche 924

Love the dark huge bubble of a rear window, which gives the illusion that this is a notchback. The circular side marker lights, the shut line of the door which extends into a seam above the window behind it. Suspect the reflector between the tailights is aftermarket. The dynamic curve of the sloping hood is only slightly interrupted by the interface with the windshield.

But even in this car German pragmatism is present -- the functional fuel cap instead of a door to hide it, the almost complete absence of chrome, the simple door pulls, a (minimal) back seat.

Pininfarina #1: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider

This one is missing bits of trim + the rear rack and has a few dings but is still in working condition. Love the "power" bulges on the hood, decorative wreath around the "Fiat" badge, exposed bolts on the wood grain dash, interesting indicator needles in the dials.

A classic profile that probably sustained the model way past it's best years.

Next post: Pininfarina #2.

1979 Mercedes Benz 300SD

Love the A-pillar's painted metal surrounded by chrome, the smoked glass, the awkward 5mph bumpers, and the quad rounds grafted into the euro style housings. Too bad the wheels are not original -- like the spoked alloys better.

Both angles on the mirror look great.