# What's the most interesting car you saw today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889 "2014-05-21T02:35:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 285
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5687 "2023-09-10T03:09:09Z")
Identification help, I believe it’s a mid-50s model. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc8ND3bGjY64CnttTbsCSYfaeJ2219RlS_aMxwx7wWxig3E6_oZcYxaUOZoqBqnVZBerYNhgKcKUsQR4SnlqgI6ZoRLAp5hTOswTRUq86QEP3FCCyGfI=w600-h315-p-k "New item by David Metsky") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/gLiFfQGdg1xWMZiz7) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5688 "2023-09-10T03:40:39Z")
If it’s not this 55 Mercury Montclair, I’d assume it’s rebadged version of it. > **[Think Panoramic Roofs Are New? Check Out The One On This 1955 Mercury...](https://www.carscoops.com/2021/01/think-panoramic-roofs-are-new-check-out-the-one-on-this-1955-mercury-montclair/)** > > The Mercury Montclair Sun Valley was ahead of its time, but it had a toasty interior ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5689 "2023-09-10T03:44:36Z")
Just noticed yours is a convertible. > **[1955 Mercury Montclair |](https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/4328-1955-mercury-montclair/)** Still not quite the same, but I still think it’s a trim level or badging thing. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5690 "2023-09-10T06:25:04Z")
I saw this Mercedes E350 wagon yesterday evening. Mercedes E-class, not too uncommon. But _station wagons_, you don’t see those too often. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53175954757_bb29230c10_b.jpg "IMG\_1553") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/66423490@N08/53175954757/) Oh, and that’s a Honda Clarity next to it. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5691 "2023-09-10T14:03:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Still not quite the same, but I still think it’s a trim level or badging thing. It’s a 1956 model, the trim lines up. Thanks for figuring it out for me. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5692 "2023-09-10T16:18:49Z")
Station wagons are more popular among Europeans and not so much among Americans, according to the car magazines I read. I assume you’re in the USA? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5693 "2023-09-10T17:03:44Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I assume you’re in the USA? Correct. Although according to some of the car blogs I read, SUVs/crossovers are beginning to take over that market in Europe, too. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5694 "2023-09-14T15:46:51Z")
On a small BMW 128i: “LESS BMW, SAME STRAIGHT SIX” The straight 6 engine has perfect primary and secondary engine balance. BMW has been building straight 6s continuously since before WWII. Many other manufacturers did build the straight 6, but they have pivoted to the V6 because it is a shorter engine. [[Album] On a small BMW 128i: “LESS BMW, SAME STRAIGHT SIX” ![](https://i.imgur.com/lLPR1UF.jpeg?fb "On a small BMW 128i: “LESS BMW, SAME STRAIGHT SIX”") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/z9tJHx5) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5695 "2023-09-14T18:35:42Z")
It’s definitely a Pontiac, I believe it’s a mid/late 60s Catalina. But when I was looking at the picture trying to ID it, I noticed the red car behind it appears to be another mid/late 60’s Catalina [![](https://i.imgur.com/zHzNbjO.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/zHzNbjO.jpg) Apparently NASA used a modified version to tow [this thing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_M2-F1?useskin=vector) up to speed to see how well it would glide. Notice the front passenger seat it backwards so he can watch the plane. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/E6dkNDI1cUs/hqdefault.jpg "M2-F1 Car Tow Test With 1963 Pontiac Catalina") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6dkNDI1cUs) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5696 "2023-09-14T19:06:59Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It’s definitely a Pontiac, I believe it’s a mid/late 60s Catalina. The placement of the front fender badge is specific to '67. The distinctive sideways “J” taillights on the red car cut deep into the bumper, making that a '68. Either one could be a Catalina or a Ventura. BTW: that old truck is an International Harvester from some point between '53 & '55. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5697 "2023-09-14T19:51:31Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Either one could be a Catalina or a Ventura. Then probably a Catalina. I believe the name started with a C. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > that old truck is an International Harvester from some point between '53 & '55. [![](https://i.imgur.com/3vdR0zL.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/3vdR0zL.jpg) (ETA: you can zoom in pretty close on that green truck with this picture) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5698 "2023-09-14T20:19:41Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > you can zoom in pretty close on that green truck with this picture Thanks but I don’t think there is any way to distinguish one year from another during that period. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5699 "2023-09-14T20:46:30Z")
I bet this first one has never been posted here before: [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/Dp8OHQj.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/Dp8OHQj) [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/SsQWBta.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/SsQWBta) And, this one is pretty rare too (just look at the license plate!) [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/pxjSE3G.jpeg "Imgur: The magic of the Internet") ](https://imgur.com/pxjSE3G) [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/aPlhjNe.jpeg "Imgur: The magic of the Internet") ](https://imgur.com/aPlhjNe) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5700 "2023-09-14T21:02:54Z")
Wow, so while I am familiar with the Checker Marathon, I’ve never seen one with that high roof and extra large rear door before. That would certainly make ingress and egress easy. Do you know if that was an actual factory option from Checker, of if this was some sort of later modification? I know Checker actually built limos for a while in the 1960s, so this could be one of those, but those exposed hinges make it look aftermarket. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5701 "2023-09-14T21:09:45Z")
All I know about Checkers is from the cabs I used to see in NYC. When I saw this car this morning I thought “That can’t be stock…” But, maybe it is - just unusual. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5702 "2023-09-14T21:17:44Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > When I saw this car this morning I thought “That can’t be stock…” > But, maybe it is - just unusual. Yeah, that’s stock; Checker called it a [Medicar.](http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/c/checker/oo1970CheckerMedicar.jpg) Plenty more info here: > **[Checker Cab, Checker Motors, Morris Markin, Checker Taxi, Taxi Cab, Checker...](http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/c/checker/checker.htm)** > > Checker Cab, Checker Motors, Morris Markin, Taxi Cab, Checker Cab Manufacturing Company, Checker Motors Corporation ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5703 "2023-09-14T21:42:14Z")
Neat! So it was kind of the forerunner to modern wheelchair accessible vans. While you were posting that I was off looking for pictures of the Checker limo. [This is what those looked like](https://barnfinds.com/check-it-out-1976-checker-a-12e-limo/); essentially a Checker with a longer wheelbase, longer rear door to go along with it, and a fancier looking roof (Although I found some that didn’t have the vinyl roof and opera windows, that just looked like a normal Checker but a little longer). But the roof was the same height as a normal Checker. It looks like the Medicar used the same wheelbase as the limo, but was taller as well. It almost looks like the Medicar used the same rear doors as the limo, with some extra glass tacked on to the top. Except the hinges on the limo were actually hidden, while the Medicar has those ugly exposed ones. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5704 "2023-09-14T22:01:16Z")
From ~20 years ago, possibly the world’s largest private collection of Checkers: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-PI98nD4qzg/hqdefault.jpg "Otis Chandler, Corbin Sparrow/Cars and Stars") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PI98nD4qzg&t=900) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5705 "2023-09-15T13:15:11Z")
More 1960s: this Dodge Charger XP29 507, proclaimed on its plate. [[Album] Dodge Charger XP29 507 ![](https://i.imgur.com/KCQs55r.jpeg?fb "Dodge Charger XP29 507") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/8kd501h) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2023, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889/5706 "2023-09-15T13:27:41Z")
I’m guessing “507” means a modern 5.7 liter is now under the hood, like this one: > **[For Sale at Auction: 1969 Dodge Charger in Las Vegas, Nevada](https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1729850/1969-dodge-charger-for-sale-in-las-vegas-nevada-89109)** > > Find classic cars, collector cars and vintage muscle cars on ClassicCars.com. Search, sell or buy and Drive Your Dream today! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=284) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-interesting-car-you-saw-today/688889.md?page=286)