1977 Mercury Cougar XR-7

1983 Honda Civic Wagon

Owned by a friend of the owner of this car.

1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Calais

1986 Dodge Diplomat

1985 Ford Bronco II

1975 Mercury Grand Monarch Ghia

1978 Buick Riviera

What a difference only 3 years make, going from this RWD sort-of-full-sized car to a smaller FWD model.

One might mistake this for a more ordinary Buick until you notice the way the grille curves at the bottom, communicating luxury and uniqueness. Then you notice the curve of the belt-line just behind the door and over the wheel arch, sloping to the rear end. Love those "retro" wheels (which are probably stock) and the oversized rear tires.

We have seen that blue building in the background more than once.

1981 Buick Riviera

My thanks to the owner, who generously allowed me access to the interior and told me about the car, which is brand new to him. He said that those great white walls are original equipment, and I believe him, considering the lack of tread in the second last shot. The odometer shows 46,000 km (28,600 mi), and this is the first time around. What a great find!

My favourite element here is the hubcaps -- they add a sense of old school luxury and prestige. Most Rivs have wire wheel hubcaps, which look fake. Next is the colour -- which is rich and luxurious -- and the shape. That swept back front end and even more steeply raked windshield, followed by the formal roof. Also love the walnut veneer, and the mechanical digital clock. Of course this is not a practical, reasonable car, so the whole form factor is absurd, repeating the excesses of previous decades in a new design. It is simultaneously appealing and appalling, like so many luxury cars, and emblematic of GM's former resistance to change.

By the way, This American Life has an excellent podcast on NUMMI, GM's first effort to change it's philosophy.

1975 Rolls-Royce Corniche

So many mirror finish surfaces on this car, it is hard to avoid having my reflection appear in the photos.

None of the sources I've checked suggest that there ever was a Corniche four door, and yet there it was in the flesh metal. Apparently a summer only car, never restored, and very well cared for by it's two owners. Current owner is an elderly gent, probably from India by his accent.

Remarkable features: that roof that looks so thin in profile, the elegant curve of the upper edge of the rear doors followed by the sharpish corner, the four outside mirrors, perfect white paint even on the hubcaps, subtle and elegant side chrome, which mildly camouflages the door handles. Impressed that after 40 years there seems to be not one blemish on any of the chrome.