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Old March 13th, 2024, 04:48 AM
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Date the photo

For those from/in the Rochester, New York area, this is a photo of a portion of Panorama Plaza in Penfield, an eastern suburb. The plaza is at the corner of Panorama Trail and Penfield Road, and it has changed significantly since this photo was taken. I grew up about two miles from this plaza and hung out here often with friends. We used to go to J. M. Fields, the big discount department store that was at the far end of this plaza. The other end, at least at one time, was anchored by a Star Supermarket. Anyone remember The Shed House, which advertised itself as the cool place to buy jeans and other clothing? Dime Bank is where I had my first savings account, complete with a little passbook to keep track of the amount in the account. No computer printouts here. The teller actually wrote the deposit amount in the passbook and handed it back to me. It did look just like a passport.

Anyway, I love this as a period photo, and I’m trying to determine the earliest date it could be based on the model years of the cars visible. The latest model year seen gives an earliest possible year. In all but one case (car #1), we’re seeing the back ends of them, which makes it a little more difficult, at least for me. My best guess is late 1974. My family thinks that I'm the car expert and can date these in no time. So far, in this regard, I've been a massive disappointment. My sister commented on how much she loves all the chrome bumpers.

I’ve numbered the cars to make them easier to refer to. What I can say about them, which isn’t usually much, is below.


1. White Chevy Nova? Early ‘70s.
2. Green Ford Ranchero
3. Red with white vinyl roof. Pontiac of some kind?
4. One of the two versions of Chevy Monza? The Monza was first offered in 1975, I believe.
5. Mopar wagon of some sort?
6. Yellow Ford wagon, early-mid ‘70s?
7. Tan Ford something? Torino?
8. Another Chevy Monza or maybe Oldsmobile Starfire? Black. Again, 1975 model year at the earliest.
9. Light brown Buick?

If anyone can identify anything about the green car to the left of #1, for which all we can see is the back window, I'll be very impressed and would be glad to fax them a nickel.

I figure the car gurus that populate this site will have these nailed down in no time. Thanks!



Last edited by jaunty75; March 13th, 2024 at 04:53 AM.
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Old March 13th, 2024, 05:55 AM
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Here are my entries:

1. '73-4 Nova
2. '74(?) Ranchero
3. '75 Grand Prix
4. '72 Vega
5. '75 Plymouth
6. '74-6 Ford LTD
7. '74-5 Torino
8. '75-7 Monza
9. '74 Buick Centurion.

And a wild guess about the one in the foreground: '71 Delta 88 sedan.

I will accept a check for my nickel payment.
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Old March 13th, 2024, 07:01 AM
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I remember all those places you mentioned. Can't guess at the missing car however, not enough showing.
3= GRAND PRIX

Last edited by zl1 camaro; March 14th, 2024 at 04:38 AM.
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Old March 13th, 2024, 12:37 PM
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Thanks! Progress is being made.
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Old March 13th, 2024, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by BangScreech4-4-2
And a wild guess about the one in the foreground: '71 Delta 88 sedan.

I will accept a check for my nickel payment.
Here you go! Let me know if you have any success cashing it.




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Old March 13th, 2024, 03:44 PM
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Smile

Originally Posted by jaunty75
Here you go! Let me know if you have any success cashing it.


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Old March 13th, 2024, 09:00 PM
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Thats a blast from the past.
My guess is circa 77-78. Not sure what year the first generation of yellow with blue letter NYS plates were phased out??? 1980 I think.

That entire Panorama Trail area is still retail all 4 corners, Home Depot etc..., and any open space around it is all condos.
Philanze and B&B Olds, Dick Ide and Peheler Pontiac Heinrich Chevy were alive and well at that time.

No Wegmans Star Market was king.
Kodak, Xerox, B&L, Gleasons, Rochester Products, Genesee, supported the entire area. All gone except the brewery thank god.
I was an east sider as well....east side of the river...no west siders!

Great trip down memory lane! Simpler better time.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by BangScreech4-4-2

And a wild guess about the one in the foreground: '71 Delta 88 sedan.
Nope. Has vent windows. They went away on full size Olds in '69.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 06:48 AM
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I'm thinking '69 to '72 GM A-body.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 09:01 AM
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I want my nickel back.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by jaunty75
For those from/in the Rochester, New York area, this is a photo of a portion of Panorama Plaza in Penfield, an eastern suburb. The plaza is at the corner of Panorama Trail and Penfield Road, and it has changed significantly since this photo was taken. I grew up about two miles from this plaza and hung out here often with friends. We used to go to J. M. Fields, the big discount department store that was at the far end of this plaza. The other end, at least at one time, was anchored by a Star Supermarket. Anyone remember The Shed House, which advertised itself as the cool place to buy jeans and other clothing? Dime Bank is where I had my first savings account, complete with a little passbook to keep track of the amount in the account. No computer printouts here. The teller actually wrote the deposit amount in the passbook and handed it back to me. It did look just like a passport
I live about 40 minutes away in Seneca Falls but didn't grow up here (my wife grew up in Waterloo). My daughter goes to St John Fisher and rents in a house about a mile from that intersection so we're in this area a lot ....and no it doesn't look anything like this anymore
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Old March 14th, 2024, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by allyolds68
no it doesn't look anything like this anymore
Very true. Here's a google street view of roughly that section of the plaza today.

What would be fun would be if any of the cars in the above photo were still there!


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Old March 14th, 2024, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Oldsfan
Nope. Has vent windows. They went away on full size Olds in '69.
Well, I said it was a wild guess. Good eye.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by jaunty75
I want my nickel back.
Wow! Now I know how that band got its name.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 10:16 AM
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I'm impressed that you spotted the vent windows in that photo. Good eye.


Yes, I'm guessing that's how the band got its name. If it's not, it should be!
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Old March 14th, 2024, 10:24 AM
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My guess is a 1972 Cutlass 4 door sedan in Pinehurst green.
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Old March 14th, 2024, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 66SportCoupe
My guess is a 1972 Cutlass 4 door sedan in Pinehurst green.
Backlite/roofline looks too upright and formal ... how about a c. 1968-70 AMC Ambassador?
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Old March 15th, 2024, 08:53 AM
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BZZZZZZZZZZZT!

Chevelle


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Old March 15th, 2024, 09:11 AM
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Very good! I'll endorse the check over to you.

It's probably the same car 50 years later.

From back in the day when those Chevelles were just another car on the street.
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Old March 15th, 2024, 09:15 AM
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I guess it could be a Cutlass. Roof line doesn't seem as sharp. Maybe its the light...



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Old March 15th, 2024, 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Oldsfan
BZZZZZZZZZZZT!
Chevelle.
Got to admit it looks darn close. Apparently I misunderestimated the "fastback" roofline on the A-body four-doors of the era.

Now for a shot at the Hawaiian vacation and the Broyhill dinette set, is it a '71 or '72?
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Old March 18th, 2024, 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by bangscreech4-4-2
now for a shot at the hawaiian vacation and the broyhill dinette set, is it a '71 or '72?
'71.5
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Old March 24th, 2024, 09:44 PM
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That is exactly how the band got their name.

I Love old parking lot pictures.


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Old March 25th, 2024, 04:36 AM
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#3 = 74' Grand Prix
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