Retro Rides: Time to be thankful for Merced area’s classic cars

It’s almost winter – or Merced’s halfhearted attempt at it – and that means most of the old cars have gone into hibernation for about six months.

But since we’re in a blizzard-free zone here, I’ve managed to whet my appetite for vintage tin in the past few weeks with a few scattered sightings. There’s hope for breaking the monotony of 21st-century sedans, and not just on the weekends.

I just spied a really sharp-looking dark-blue 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass sitting all by itself in a North Merced parking lot. A couple of days ago, I feasted my eyes on a first-generation Ford Mustang hardtop in a grocery store parking lot, looking vintage with its original-issue whitewall tires and hubcaps.

Also in Merced, I’ve noticed an all-original white-colored 1962 Pontiac Tempest convertible that somehow has escaped the ravages of time. In Atwater, the rear end of a 1968 Mustang was spotted resting inside a garage. Several late 1960s Mustang convertibles regularly brave the elements, and I saw a 1970 Mustang on a rollback truck headed to a garage for more tender loving care.

Like the Thanksgiving dressing or the last dollop of cranberry sauce, I’ve saved the best for last.

An early 1950s GMC pickup truck caught my eye; the same-vintage Chevrolet trucks are seen a little more often, but not the GMC varieties.

Right next to the truck was a 1961 Chrysler four-door hardtop, painted in a light-gray primer but otherwise looking pretty fetching. This cruiser sported distinctive tail fins and a wide grille, along with whitewall tires and aftermarket spinner-disc-type hubcaps that set an early 1960s vibe.

This one will be stunning when it’s finished, assuming it gets a shiny coat of paint sometime soon. No matter that it’s a four-door; it still reeks of style and flamboyance. It’s just cool!

Corvettes of various years show up fairly regularly on the streets, including a couple of the new ones, and that’s always a good thing.

All these visual treats remind me that giving thanks is in order. I’m thankful this area is home to a large number of fetching old cars and trucks, with a sizable number of events to showcase their charms.

What’s even better is the large number of car enthusiasts I’ve met and am getting to know. They are friendly, encouraging and helpful.

I’m also thankful that we have the freedom to enjoy whatever old car or truck strikes our fancy and others accept our diverse choices. People may not want a Firebird or a Hudson, but they are tolerant of those who do.

It’s also neat there are some modern “retro” cars out there that look pretty awesome on their own and remind me of their ancestors, namely the Dodge Challengers, Mustangs and Camaros.

There is lots to be thankful for; you’ve just got to keep your eyes open for the unexpected.

This story was originally published November 27, 2014 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Retro Rides: Time to be thankful for Merced area’s classic cars."