Waiting for rescue.

It's often said that the British are obsessed with the weather, and although that's perhaps a cliche, it doesn't mean that it isn't true!

I have mentioned elsewhere in this blog that I am always amazed at the condition of some of the abandoned vehicles often found 'in situ' in warmer countries. There they have lain for several decades, exposed to all types of weather from the summers searing heat, to howling winds and frozen winters, with anything in between.


Here in the UK my fellow countrymen would smile at the idea of a British classic enduring the 'searing heat' of summer, simply because there is no searing heat (and quite often no summer!)
Winters are also much milder, which means a general climate tends somewhere between a dull grey day which is threatening to rain, and a brighter blustery day just having rained!

The point to all this meteorological talk is that should an old vehicle be left in the British climate for long it will rapidly disintegrate, which is why finds in the U.S. are so often fascinating!


The sheer size of America makes it likely that these old vehicles are parked on a road less travelled than would be the case in the UK, which may address the other thing that always occurs to me when seeing abandoned examples such as the one above which is "Why doesn't someone save it?"

The Chevrolet below has obviously been forgotten by a previous owner, it was last on the road in 1960 and has endured a further 48 years of weather and neglect. The fascinating part for me is that it looks as if it could be restored even after such almighty neglect. The body panels and doors look to be in pretty good shape, and in today's world of the acid dip bath or bead blasting techniques the rust could be removed.
I realise that it might not be 'cost effective' to restore such a thing, but one day we might all wish that more of these old dinosaurs had been preserved.


A similar British classic having endured 48 years outdoors would be little more than a brown stain in the grass!...with perhaps a rear axle remaining to identify the remains!

Most British classics are now found in barns and garages across the land where they have lain undisturbed for years, the modicum of protection provided by the garage protecting them from vandalism.
For me the one thing better than coming across a save-able old vehicle like the examples above, is that unique moment when a long time closed door on a disused garage or barn is opened, and blinking through the darkness appears a hint of chrome, and a pair of headlights!