Hey, I had a newer version of that…1973
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/FunStuff/Fiat124new.jpg)
But, I really don’t miss it. Lots of problems; I only kept if for 2 years and 50,000 miles. My Miata replaces it very nicely.
Jon Radder said:John, the 54 was the first with the non-split rear window. Turn signals were orange lit semaphores that popped out of the door pillars. It was the last model with single tailpipe too, from 55 they had the 2 cutouts in the rear apron for the twin chrome pipes. No fuel gauge but had a Reserve tap on the firewall next to the headlight dip switch, when the engine coughed you quickly turned the tap with your foot to turn on the last gallon of juice. the 54 also was the last model with the straight gearstick which was set about 4 inches further back towards the hand brake than in subsequent models.
Phil - The '54 was the one I wanted but could only find a '56 in decent shape by 1969. I think The '54 had the split rear window. The '56 still had a small oval window, but no split. It also had very small tail-lights but no periscope. Did the '54 also have the turn signals that came out from the side behind the door, or was that earlier ?
2 cars I wish I had never sold were : 1956 Thunderbird and 1963 corvette Roadster, I probably pissed off a good retirement on automobiles. My Father once said “I don’t understand your infatuation of cars they are just Transportation” Should have listened. I will not sell my Dart.
Fire the next pair
When I was in the Navy and stationed out of Long Beach, Ca.
I bought a 1957 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham with stainless steel top from a retiring Chief in my division. I sold it a month later, cause we were deploying. Circumstances couldn’t see me leaving it on the pier for 8 months.
Sigh…
That freaker would be priceless right now…
But when I returned, I bought a 1957 Stude Golden Hawk, complete with factory blower, and pissed that one away as well…
1964 Chev Belair, the only car I had for twelve years and use every day, except when I was riding, and sold in 2001. Ran great. I miss it.
Motorcycles were-
BSA Bantam 125 cc two stroke, not sure of the year as I was only 16 at the time.
1973 Honda 750 four
1975 Honda Gold Wing 1000cc
1976 HD 74 cu inch Super Glide
1978 HD 74 cu inch Low Rider
1981 HD 80 cu inch Electraglide
1999 HD 88 cu inch Road King
2006 HD 96 cu inch Super Glide…still riding this one, it’s not out of warranty yet!
and I wish I had kept all the HD’s and the 750 four.
I miss my little blue Nash Metropolitan. Cute little car but the hokie column shift was kind of ackward as I thought I would break it off someday. Bought it for $50 in 1966 and later sold it still running for $50. Gawd what a mistake…
My folks had a Hudson Hornet that I drove back in the earlier 50’s and it had a knob/lever to pull and change from automatic tranny to stick ! Weird !
Just bought a 2009 Ford Fusion and it’s hum dinger. Lots of goodies to play with. Three weeks and I’m still trying to figure out all the features. Hope I don’t find an ejection seat button, hmmmm. Say, oh wifey, come sit in the passenger seat for a minute…
The old fardt in Oregun
Phil Creer said:Thanks Phil - I remember the fuel reserve - my '56 had that too.Jon Radder said:John, the 54 was the first with the non-split rear window. Turn signals were orange lit semaphores that popped out of the door pillars. It was the last model with single tailpipe too, from 55 they had the 2 cutouts in the rear apron for the twin chrome pipes. No fuel gauge but had a Reserve tap on the firewall next to the headlight dip switch, when the engine coughed you quickly turned the tap with your foot to turn on the last gallon of juice. the 54 also was the last model with the straight gearstick which was set about 4 inches further back towards the hand brake than in subsequent models.
Phil - The '54 was the one I wanted but could only find a '56 in decent shape by 1969. I think The '54 had the split rear window. The '56 still had a small oval window, but no split. It also had very small tail-lights but no periscope. Did the '54 also have the turn signals that came out from the side behind the door, or was that earlier ?
This discussion brings back a lot of memories of that bug. The heater didn’t work, so I kept a catalytic heater burning in it all winter to keep the windows from frosting over. The Porsche engine I put in it had dual 2Bbl racing carbs with no chokes. Starting procedure was something else: I had two balls of string to act as chokes, tied together and then a long string to run up to the driver’s door. Spray a shot of starting ether in each carb, put the choke balls on then run around and turn the key. As soon as it fired yank on the string to pull the choke balls off.
Jon Radder said:I kept a 12v battery under the rear seat of my 66 VW. As well as running the 12v stereo, I would use it to jump the 6v system in the winter. Ralph
Starting procedure was something else: I had two balls of string to act as chokes, tied together and then a long string to run up to the driver's door. Spray a shot of starting ether in each carb, put the choke balls on then run around and turn the key. As soon as it fired yank on the string to pull the choke balls off.
Darryl, These little friggers are makiing a comback. You see a lot at car shows.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/jebouck/1961-Nash-Metropolitan-Aqua-White-le.jpg)
John Bouck said:
Darryl, These little friggers are makiing a comback. You see a lot at car shows.(http://www.lscdata.com/users/jebouck/1961-Nash-Metropolitan-Aqua-White-le.jpg)
John OHHHH my ! Now I feel real bad about peddling mine off. My car was very plain jane. Just all light blue. The old sad fardt in Oregun
Thanks guys,
A little trip down memory lane.
My first in high school was a 49 Studebaker pickup, 6 cyl, 3speed and Overdrive.
next was a 56 Ford Vickie
Home from Nam, a brand new 68 Mustang
Then a 69 Olds Cutlass Supreme
Since then just cars and trucks.
Do I wish I had them back? Bet your a–
Later
Rick Marty
1968 Firebird 400 convertable.
1967 Firebird RamAire 400 [blueprinted with tricked tranny]
1967 Sunbeam Alpine
JimC.
Hey cool, I had a Sunbeam Alpine! Well, half of one, most of it rusted away before I bought it! 
Ralph Berg said:I had a 12V under the hood for the same reason (stereo) but never tried to jump teh 6V with it. Must have started real fast :)Jon Radder said:I kept a 12v battery under the rear seat of my 66 VW. As well as running the 12v stereo, I would use it to jump the 6v system in the winter. Ralph
Starting procedure was something else: I had two balls of string to act as chokes, tied together and then a long string to run up to the driver's door. Spray a shot of starting ether in each carb, put the choke balls on then run around and turn the key. As soon as it fired yank on the string to pull the choke balls off.
Jon Radder said:Sure did. That starter motor hummed! RalphRalph Berg said:I had a 12V under the hood for the same reason (stereo) but never tried to jump teh 6V with it. Must have started real fast :)Jon Radder said:I kept a 12v battery under the rear seat of my 66 VW. As well as running the 12v stereo, I would use it to jump the 6v system in the winter. Ralph
Starting procedure was something else: I had two balls of string to act as chokes, tied together and then a long string to run up to the driver's door. Spray a shot of starting ether in each carb, put the choke balls on then run around and turn the key. As soon as it fired yank on the string to pull the choke balls off.
Bruce Chandler said:
Hey, I had a newer version of that…1973(http://www.lscdata.com/users/thejoat/FunStuff/Fiat124new.jpg)
But, I really don’t miss it. Lots of problems; I only kept if for 2 years and 50,000 miles. My Miata replaces it very nicely.
Bruce? Who’s the little long haired brunette in that picture?
Ric,
That’s my first wife…uh…current wife. 
But, back than it was just fiance. Just longer hair back in the 70’s
From the new Google Life Magazine archive…
http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=e1934abbedb631c6_landing
From August 1951 Life Magazine (Click image for full size)
I remember driving with my father in '56 or '57 from Wenatchee, Wa to Kettle Falls, Wa, to visit the only VW dealer in Eastern Washington. Even today, Kettle Falls is just a “whistle stop.” The dealership, if it could be called such, was located in an auto garage, even smaller than the one in the photo above.
My father’s car, at the time, was a 1941 Willys 4 door, with a flat head (probably a 6 cylinder, but might have been a 4 cylinder). I remember wondering if dad had lost his marbles thinking of downsizing from that big Willys to that small VW, but, from experience, knew better than to question his judgment.
I wish I still had that 41 Willys. It was a sweet car.