1970s - Jalopnik

posts about #1970s more →
1971 Volkswagen Squareback
1977 Datsun King Cab: 11.3 Cubic Feet Of Cab Space!
1979 International Harvester Scout II
Engine Of The Day: Ford Kent
There's Nothing Wrong With A 1965 Ford Cortina That A Honda S2000 Engine Can't Fix!
And The REAL Winner Is...
A Tale Of Two Fiat 128 Hatchbacks: One Goes To Loving Home, One Gets Crushed
Corvair-Powered Fiberfab Valkyrie GT-15 Prepares To Take Leave Of This World
The Island That Rust Forgot Attracts Vast Swarm Of Italian Iron
1979 Offered Tough Choices: Cutlass Supreme, Cutlass Calais, or Cutlass Brougham?

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

JCWhitless
06:45 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
So the 1989 420SEL isn't a car that you are selling for parts?

Are you sure? You wrote an article on it.

WORST SEVIS EVA #volkswagentype3
Reply

JCWhitless was starred JCWhitless was unstarred

Novaload
06:21 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
There used to be a sedan one of these around the corner--in the unavoidable pale blue--with the tiny rear deck and everything. I really, really wanted that. Looked much better than the square back. To me. #volkswagentype3
Reply

Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred

Paul Y. don't drive too fast.
06:26 PM

@Novaload: Nice. The notchbacks were always my favorite. Interestingly, they still had the pancake engine, covered up, which allowed the rear to have a second trunk. Practical, yet complete nonsense: the German way! #volkswagentype3
Reply

skaycog
06:13 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
Someone woodyized one.
Reply

skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred

Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse
05:58 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
So, how much do you want for that gauge cluster? =p

Maybe you should just rename the series "It's Already Been Crushed, Asshole!"

#itsalredaybeencrushedasshole
Reply

Edited by Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse at 11/07/09 6:03 PM

Novaload
06:17 PM

@Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse: Genius. I love simple solutions to complex problems. #volkswagentype3
Reply

Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred

skitter
05:33 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
Let's see if we can put together a form letter/mad-libs for you to use on these endless-loop minds:

Dear Sir/Madam/Houseplant,

I am (adjective) to inform you that the fine example of (nationality) engineering has been purchased wholesale by a wealthy (pejorative). It is being lavishly transformed into an as-new state that will leave it unrecognizable from these pictures.

Kisses,
- Murilee #volkswagentype3
Reply

skitter was starred skitter was unstarred

Novaload
06:19 PM

@skitter: Well played! #volkswagentype3
Reply

Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred

günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi
05:13 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
why can't they design something this attractive anymore...? #volkswagentype3
Reply

Paul Y. don't drive too fast.
06:27 PM

@günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi: The windows are too big, the wheels are too small, and it's too slow. It will never sell! #volkswagentype3
Reply

Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
05:11 PM

In reply to 1971 Volkswagen Squareback
Always hated the Squarebacks. At least they weren't 411s. Now there's a car that was impossible to keep in good running order. #volkswagentype3
Reply

Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
04:32 PM

In reply to 1979 International Harvester Scout II
A friend of mine has one of these, as a convertible. That top is the biggest POS imaginable, and it's a total wrestling match to get it up. The stays would rather take your fingers off than extend properly. And even brand new and perfectly erected, that top will only deter a few raindrops.

But it's Caterpillar yellow, and gone back to live in the wilds of Maine. A fair trade all around. #internationalharvester
Reply

Murilee Martin
03:57 PM

In reply to 1977 Datsun King Cab: 11.3 Cubic Feet Of Cab Space!
I miss the truly small pickup. Very useful vehicles. #1977
Reply

Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred

The Dead Inside Grp. Co. Ltd.
04:03 PM

@Murilee Martin: Your Civic + sawzall + some welding.

Find a junk yard civic sedan and add 3 feet of the second rear passenger area to the middle of your hatchback and slap the trunk bed on after the rear wheels.

Trust me, it's a VERY GOOD idea and I think the commentariat would agree.
Reply

Novaload promoted this comment Edited by The Dead Inside Grp. Co. Ltd. at 11/07/09 4:05 PM

something_unique_and_descriptive
04:23 PM

@Murilee Martin: Not just the small pickup, the reasonably sized pickup seems to have gone the way of the dodo as well.

Everything's just gotten out of hand in terms of scale to the point where they're difficult to use for actual work. #1977
Reply

Novaload
06:13 PM

@Murilee Martin: Amen! And they used to be everywhere.

Kings ain't what they used to be. #1977
Reply

Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred

tonyola
03:55 PM

In reply to 1977 Datsun King Cab: 11.3 Cubic Feet Of Cab Space!
In the late '70s, I put in a lot of miles in '74, '77, and '79 company-owned Toyota pickups as part of my first real job (field tech/inspector/surveyor for an architecture/engineering firm). As a six-footer, I never had any problems with cab room, though the standard padded-park-bench seats were none too comfortable on long trips. All of these trucks were incredibly tough and would take heaps of abuse without complaint. The '79 was one of the first factory 4WD Toyota pickups in the area, and I got a lot of admiring looks with it - the truck was solid red (no tape stripes) with a handsome low-profile red/white topper on the bed. I hope that truly small pickups can return to the US market. #1977
Reply

tonyola was starred tonyola was unstarred

MushyHeirloom
03:50 PM

In reply to 1979 International Harvester Scout II

You say "Scout II", I say "Scout II"... #internationalharvester
Reply

MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
03:20 PM

In reply to 1977 Datsun King Cab: 11.3 Cubic Feet Of Cab Space!
What? These were fine small pickups. Hell, it's the Kin Cab version, so you know it's as huge as anyone really needs.

They weren't big, but the load-to-overall ratio was pretty high. They did their job, they were sturdy and durable. Given the amount of small PUs sold from the Japanese, forcing the US makers to introduce the Ranger, etc, there were lots of other folks that found them useful. #1977
Reply

Ford Tempo Fanatic
02:25 PM

In reply to 1979 International Harvester Scout II
Man, I don't think I've ever seen an IH Scout in real life. #internationalharvester
Reply

Ford Tempo Fanatic was starred

skaycog
09:36 AM

In reply to 1979 International Harvester Scout II
I'm really surprised to see so many Scouts in an unsnowy environment. They were very popular in my mountainous state, and I still see quite a few around. Neat vehicle....giddyup Scout! #internationalharvester
Reply

skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred

Elhigh
09:20 AM

In reply to 1979 International Harvester Scout II
For a few years, a 196ci 4-pot was available. Essentially one side of the 392 V8, its bottom end is absolutely bombproof. Generating all of 111hp, it is one of the more understressed engines. I've seen where some enterprising enthusiasts have upgraded old Scouts with EFI and catalytic converters, I imagine the 196 with EFI would probably generate both more power and fuel mileage, but I don't love it for that.

But I love it for its size. 3.2 litres, in a four cylinder! Is there a counter-rotating shaft? Yeah, coming forward from the transfer case, why do you ask?

Well sure the ride's rough - it's a truck.
Reply

Edited by Elhigh at 11/07/09 9:22 AM Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred

Earlier threads | All threads | Show hidden threads | Show featured threads only | Start a new discussion

SUBSCRIBE TO Jalopnik

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment