ABOUT THIS BLOG

This blog is an effort to post photos of "family" cars that I like and examine what they might have looked like in greater detail using pictures from other sources.  The detail could be interior pictures or closer pictures of trim, etc.  When I can, I'm using current photos of cars that have been restored to original condition.  But the launching point will be actual photos of the cars I want to look at closer. It's fun to imagine driving or more likely riding in them.

"Posts" will appear in chronological order but that's just how a blog is set up to work.  I can "label" (categorize) posts by a name or topic and that is how I see the blog being used.  To find categories, look at the menu on the right.  So for example if you want to see posts related to 1948 Pontiac", then click on that and see them.  At any time, you can click at the top of the page and go back "home".  If you are in a label/category and get to the bottom of the page, look for "Older Posts" and if there are any you can continue until there are no more posts for that category.  

1963 Galaxie 500XL

Granddad sold Fords in the early 1960s from what I've gathered.  I know we bought our Fairlane from him so I'm assuming he was able to get a good deal on this 1963 Galaxie 500XL 2-door hardtop which would have been the top trim option that year.  It was this car that helped me fall in love with a 2-door hardtop...the look of the car with the windows rolled down.  Dean and I were both fortunate enough to drive it.  Dean gets the credit for giving it the nice update on the paint.

Same pic black and white

You can't talk about the Galaxie without starting with the hood ornament.  The best that I can tell, it was an aftermarket Dodge truck ornament.  

Dean still has the ornament

Looks like right after they replace the sewer line.

The car I met Cindy in.

 

Below are some pics I found that help the mind fill in the memories of what the car looked like inside and to help remember the original color.

Granddad's Packard

Packard's advertising used to say "Ask a man who owns one".  It was a luxury brand of auto.  The 1950s weren't kind to Packard with the last car produced in 1956 after merging with Studebaker in 1953.  But in the early 1950s, still an impressive auto and in 1951 there were plenty of models to choose from.  

Using photos and slides, I've determined what Granddad had was a 1951 Packard 200 Deluxe.  Packard had 200s, 250s, 300s and Patricians (400).  The 200 had a shorter wheelbase.  What's tricky about the ID is everything I read says the 200 did not have the cormorant hood ornament yet I do find some online showing that hood ornament.  It's possible it was an option chosen.  I have also read the "Deluxe" had turn indicator lights which can be seen in our family photos.

There may be more images I haven't found but here is what I have to document the car:

The car below has the cormorant hood ornament and turn indicator lights.

Note the turn indicator lights

This example below does not have the cormorant but does have the turn indicator lights.

The example below has the cormorant but not the turn indicator lights.

Here's another 200 with the cormorant

Paint colors that year...