Sam's Mini Bike Ride

7/17/22

Sam: On one particular sunny Sunday, I decided to swap my weekly run for a bike ride just for a change of pace.  It was definitely worth it, since I got to see a handful of classics: some familiar faces and some new finds.  This was also the first point in the Summer I really got to ride my bike and make sure it was still in working order.  My bike is probably worthy of its own post here, since it spent the last twenty years sitting it in a barn when I dragged it out and started using it for school in September of 2021.  Anyways, I hope you enjoy the finds I've brought for you today!  

Above: 1975 Plymouth Valiant Brougham Revisited

First up was the '75 Valiant Brougham that I'd previously photographed back in 2021.  As you can see, it's still in great shape.  However, I'm beginning to speculate the owner is putting it up for sale since the plates are gone.  He could also be getting new plates for it, but I'm not sure how likely this is since the originals were already antique.  The car was definitely still out and about because I saw it pulled into the driveway when I went by on a different day.  Hopefully the owner keeps it and I can enjoy continuing to see this gem during my weekly runs.  

Project Porsche 944

This Porsche 944 on jacks was the second find of the day.  I mentioned in the Rockland, ME entry that I'd also documented a project 944.  Well, this is it.  It looks to be in pretty solid shape, although the paint could use a buff and the tarp could be hiding something.  I hope the owner gets back on the project because the car was still sitting untouched when I rode by a few weeks later.  

Mystery Car!

Can you guess what might be under this car cover?  I certainly can't!  I'm thinking maybe a Mercedes or a '78 Chrysler Cordoba.  Who knows, maybe Ricardo Montalban is patiently waiting under the tarp to show off the "fine Corinthian leater". 

1964 Ford Thunderbird

I'd seen this car in the area a couple times over the past few years, but now I've finally managed to photograph it.  In fact, I'd seen it parked out on the cul-de-sac that it and the tarped car were sitting on a few years back.  It's what led me to bike down to the area and explore.  This T-Bird appears to be in mint condition, with the exception of the aftermarket rims.  I'm definitely not a fan of these, but they're an easily-reversible modification.  And if you're wondering how I guessed the year from just the rear end, you'll never know I looked at the taillights.  1964 had the Thunderbird badge on the lights, while '65 and '66 had three squares per light.  '66 also had a different grille with less chrome.  The more you know...

Double Trouble! A Mercedes Benz 300E (W124) and a Volvo 740 Wagon

This household definitely likes their European cars!  And I can't really fault them for that since they've chosen very reliable models to own and maintain.  The Volvo 740 has a rap for reliability just like its predecessor, the 240, and everyone knows you can't kill an old 300 series Benz.  This one is a bit newer than the more iconic '80s 300s, but it's still a nice car.  These are two nicely-maintained-almost-a-classic cars that will probably run for a long time if properly cared for.  And with that we're at the end of my mini-ride.  I hope you enjoyed seeing my finds as much as I did finding them!