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Ok all you experts out there - Help identify this car...

Old December 7th, 2011, 11:35 AM
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Ok all you experts out there - Help identify this car...

I am sure someone out there will be able to identify what this car is. I was digging through some old pics from my Dad, and found this picture with him in it and am wondering what year make and model this is. I can't ask him - he passed last January. The second and third pictures are of him in his 1957 Jaguar XK120 - He bought it in Germany while he was stationed there, and had the Army ship it back to the US for him. Just thought I would post them 'cause it's such a cool car! He doesn't look TOO happy does he?

Image54.jpg

Image43.jpg

Image42.jpg
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:01 PM
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My guess? A 1954 Ponitac Chieftan
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:04 PM
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52 or 53 Pontiac and early 50's Jaguar XK120 ?
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:45 PM
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1954 Pontiac
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:45 PM
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Gotta be a 54' with that giant oval in the front bumper. That was a 1 year only bumper as far as I can tell.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:53 PM
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Not sure on the top, but that's a Jaguar XK140, not a 120.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:57 PM
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I want to know what the car is in the background of the first Jag picture. Looks like a Buick with 1954 Chevy grill teeth in it. What the?
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Old December 7th, 2011, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Bobac455
My guess? A 1954 Ponitac Chieftan
x2
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Old December 7th, 2011, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Super442s
Not sure on the top, but that's a Jaguar XK140, not a 120.

HMM - I swear the original bill of sale I have for the car said it was a XK120 - but maybe my memory is failing me - after all I will be 50 in two weeks DOH!
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Old December 7th, 2011, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by OldsManNJ
HMM - I swear the original bill of sale I have for the car said it was a XK120 - but maybe my memory is failing me - after all I will be 50 in two weeks DOH!
While I'm not a Jaguar expert by any means, but the large bumpers are one clue that it's a 140 (and the one characteristic that I use to distinguish between the two), as are the front turn signal locations and the trunk stops near the plate (whereas a 120 goes all the way down)
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Old December 7th, 2011, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Bobac455
I want to know what the car is in the background of the first Jag picture. Looks like a Buick with 1954 Chevy grill teeth in it. What the?
....that's a tough one. Most of the american cars had big humps in the hood. That one looks a lot flatter & slanted backward.
I'll guess a 53 plymouth Cranbrook, but it's hard to tell.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 03:16 PM
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1954 Pontiac but the trim doesn't look Chieftain.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 03:22 PM
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'54 Pontiac. Background car is a Opel................I think.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Bobac455
I want to know what the car is in the background of the first Jag picture. Looks like a Buick with 1954 Chevy grill teeth in it. What the?
I think the vehicle in the back ground might be a Crosley, '53 or '54.....
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Old December 7th, 2011, 03:30 PM
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Close, but no cigar.

1954 Pontiac STARChief

http://americandreamcars.com/1954starchief072108.htm

Trim looks identical to your Dad's old cruiser.

He must have been well off to own the top 'o the line Poncho back in the day!

-Jeff

***EDIT***

I was wrong. Looking closer at your pic, it's missing the 3 stars on the tailfin that would designate it as the starchief. Looks to be a regular chieftan.

oops...

Last edited by GTI_Guru; December 7th, 2011 at 03:37 PM.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by OldsManNJ
HMM - I swear the original bill of sale I have for the car said it was a XK120 - but maybe my memory is failing me - after all I will be 50 in two weeks DOH!
You where correct - I checked - it was a XK140MC
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Old December 7th, 2011, 07:49 PM
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I think it's a Buick - count the letters in the grille!!
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Old December 7th, 2011, 09:15 PM
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It is a 54 Pontiac. That grill was very popular with the customizers.
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Old December 7th, 2011, 11:35 PM
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http://chicago.ebayclassifieds.com/c...oor/?ad=156740

I found a pic of the plymouth I mentioned.......I can't find a good crosley pic......

and here's the 53 opel olympia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierred...le/5067292347/


I'm thinking opel is correct, judging by the knobby wiper arms
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Old December 8th, 2011, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by OldsManNJ
You where correct - I checked - it was a XK140MC
I got to thinking, another tell-tale is the red emblem on the trunk (120's did not have). While the 120 might look a bit nicer, being newer, the 140 is a better car with rack and pinion steering and real (tube type) shocks and more horsepower. That said, I'd love to have either one!
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