This QOTD was suggested by Robert Swartz, and it’s a good one (even if it’s a bit late in the day). Of course, these kind of questions are hard to answer, at least for me, because there are so many possible candidates. I’ll throw out this 1953 Cadillac Ghia Coupe, back from the time when one could readily order up a custom car from a coach builder on one’s chassis of choice. That’s what Prince Aly Khan did, as a present for his wife, the equally beautiful actress Rita Hayworth. Not that it kept their short marriage going any longer.
So maybe I should limit myself (or you) to genuine production cars? Even that won’t make it really easy.
Seeing Aaron’s ’53 Buick again today reminded me how much I love the big GM cars from this era. I’m torn between the straight-eight Dynaflow Buick and the V8 Hydramatic Cadillac, but if it has to be, I’ll give the nod to the Caddy.
I’ve had a thing for Porsche 356s since my very earliest days, and 1953 was a good year. The Super 1500 was claimed to have a top speed of 109 mph; not bad for 70 hp, eh?
My traditionalist side might feel better served by a Bentley R-Type Continental.
And I forgot about the Studebaker Starlight Coupe. And….Decisions; decisions. While I mull it over some more, how about you? Maybe you’re more decisive?
While I sort of liked the 1980 Seville when I first saw it, the styling did seem a bit off. This car (https://www.flickr.com/photos/38011924@N06/8527609051/in/photolist-dZye5g-LvbZy-dZqBVw-9s8ADf-dZqzrw-8fEn5Q-ekh3Kb-ekh3Mm-ekh3Js-ekh3Mo-ekh3Md-ekh3Jw-ekh3JG-dZqLKS-ekh3MJ-ekh3Lf-ekh3Ls-ekh3LU-ekbhCp-ekh3MC-ekbhDv-ekh3JE-dZqAy9-dZjSLZ-ekbhCz-ekbhEH-ekbhDe-ekbhDF-ekh3Ky-93z32f-9wpiqG-8NvpwN-dZjRfD-dZjRfz-dZjRJk-6GUD5h-8NvpmC-cc3Lnf-2Qkcoi-9VmLDp-9NED8w-adKQk6-a9iajC-9NEwpU-7Xo7VF-9NBTQp-9M2DUT-9SXrCy-9NEKvf-91xkB9-9NKn2C)
is probably what it might have been based on.
This is a hard one. 1965 was a pretty good year, especially for American iron. I was all set to say ’65 Buick Riviera GS when I remembered the beautiful W112 Cabrio available too. I will take one with the manual transmission and the rear buckets. I’m open on the exterior color but I think the interior has to be red….
My avatar is all the birth-year car luck I can reasonably expect.
Unreasonably…Ciao, Dino!
This. Because I’m such a fancy gentleman, you see.
Ouch . . . well, they did make cars in 1939, so I guess a ’39 Buick Century convertible, or perhaps a ’39 Cadillac V-16 or 60 Special . . . a ’39 Lincoln Model K . . . One of the last Packard V-12s . . . or . . .
That’s a good year!
The Ferrari 456 was launched in ’92
I’m not crazy about 1953, and I’d rather choose from offerings in ’72 or ’77, but that’s not when I was born. So without question, Porsche 356.
Born in Dec 68, so do I go with a 1968 or a 69 that would have been in the showrooms when I was born ??? If 68, Charger R/T Hemi with a Torqueflight in E5 Red, Black interior and vinyl top. If 69 it would have to be (Bee??) a Super Bee A12 440 6 Pack again with a Torqueflight in EL5 Butterscotch (even if it was actually a 69 1/2).
Oh, hell, 1983? 4 years earlier or later I can think of several easy choices from several brands but this was the NADIR of the kind of cars I like: I mean, the Fleetwood Brougham is my favorite but it’s got that boat anchor 4.1L and so does almost every other Cadillac. The Lincoln still had the venturi carb, right?
Fine then, I refuse to compromise: a driver and one of the last Cadillac 368-THM 400 powered factory RWD Fleetwood 75s (it’s in the catalogue, it’s legit!).
If I have to chose an owner-driven model, a loaded Buick Riviera with the 307.
In 1983 all Lincolns had EFI yes it was Central Fuel Injection but it was fuel injection.
I do like those early Panther Town Cars but it’s hard to argue with a driver, a glass divider, and the last big block V8 and transmission in a factory Cadillac. Wilkins, 76th and Madison, please.
A` 53 Bentley Continental coupe or a `53 Eldorado.In red
well, i was born in ’49, but i want that caddi ghia coupe…. or maybe a ’63 split window vette
Either a ’63 Grand Prix (preferably in black) or a ’63 Riviera (red would be nice). For my wife I’m thinking a ’65 Skylark…also in black.
This one is easy because cars sucked when I was born. I would take a ’78 Camaro Z28. Blue with the awesome graphics on the side and the coke bottle intake on the hood.
If not that then I would take a Cadillac Seville.
Being somewhat old my choices are somewhat limited, as I don’t find cars from the early 1950’s to be very rewarding to drive. If forced to make a choice I would take a 1951 Coupe de Ville, it at least has a modern OHV V8 and the old school Hydramatic. My second choice would be a ’51 Olds 88; again for the modern V8. Packards of that vintage were still well made and reliable but the 1951 model is butt ugly. If someone was going to give it to me I wouldn’t turn down a ’51 Chevy but I’m afraid it would need to be modified extensively to make it drivable under modern conditions.
This would be the one day I’ve been offline!
#1 would be my grandfather’s car – ’65 New Yorker 4dr hardtop
But I’d also need a full set of 2nd gen Corvairs – Corsa coupe and convertible, Monza Sport Sedan – all with Yenko Stage 4 mods…
Runner-ups would be an Imperial LeBaron, a Giulia Sprint G.T., seconding wjk1965 a W112 cabrio, and a 2 door LTD, because Brougham.
Either this, or the last DeSoto
58 Vauxhall Cresta or a XK150 Jag coup’e
1950 Olds 98 (with sun visor, of course)
XK-120 (had a plastic toy version as a child)
Mack L-model
1961:
1. 1961 Lincoln Continental (sedan or convertible, preferably both!)
2. 1961 Buick Electra 225 4 door hardtop
Gee, not one of our 1961ers has mentioned the 289 V8 4 speed bucket seat 61 Studebaker Hawk. I thought maybe you,but . . . .
Stude homer that I am, 1959 was a pretty grim year from a desirability standpoint.
Stude homer that I am, 1959 was a pretty grim year from a desirability standpoint.
*gasp!* How could you forsake the Lark wagon? First year since 55 that their wagon greenhouse actually fit the car.
“First year since 55 that their wagon greenhouse actually fit the car.”
LOL! I forgot the wagon. I don’t believe the hardtop or convertible hit till 1960. Sadly, the Lark wagon would probably fit my dull lifestyle much better than the 300E.
BTW, have I missed it, or is it true that out of 156 comments so far, there is not another 1959 model among our commentariat? I feel so alone. 🙁
… so far, there is not another 1959 model among our commentariat? I feel so alone.
The economy wasn’t doing so well in 59, so maybe people cut back some. Birth rates in 58-59 were down from earlier in the 50s. I have noticed I’m not the only 53 here.
What freaks me out is the number of people here from the 70s and 80s
would probably fit my dull lifestyle much better than the 300E.
You must have been in heaven when “Crime Story” was on in the mid 80s as the hero of the show drove a 300, though I think his was a 57-58, what with it’s “cathedral” taillights ripped off from the 55 Packard.
The web says that was a mature Del Shannon singing a rewritten version of “Runaway” on your clip. I don’t remember this show. Funny how pop culture bits fall out of your head.
I don’t remember this show. Funny how pop culture bits fall out of your head.
It developed into “Miami Vice” meets early 60s Camelot. Same producer as “Miami Vice”, but evolved a continuing story arc between the two main characters. Started out set in Chicago, then moved to Vegas where it took on the glitzy, hyper violent “Miami Vice” look.
The star of the show, Dennis Farina, a former Chicago policeman, before he got into acting, died last year.
The show was also great eye candy for we old geezers who remember when the world looks like that. There is probably a car in this clip from the pilot that every reader of this board would lust for.
I’d probably have to go with a Lincoln Continental convertible, or the mini Conti, a Comet, also the drop top version.
Easy choice for me: 1972 Ford Capri RS 2600, but I also have fond memories of the 1972 Mercedes 280 CE my Grandpa used to drive.
I was born in 1973, so I would go for a 1973 Dodge Dart 4 door.
1971 300SEL 6.3. OK, I’m a Jew who loves Benz. You see plenty of Tuetonic cars in my Synagogue’s (Reform) parking lot. Rabbi has an Acura RL, though.
Easy. 1973 Pontiac Trans Am 455 SD, 4 speed, in white with the single stripe/graphics. Sweet car!
You realize the single stripe was 70-72 only? 1973 was when the Screaming Chicken hood decal began, that car is custom.
1984 Lotus Turbo Esprit all the way.
In JPS black & gold? Or in the featured white & orange so you can be Roger Moore in ‘For Your Eyes Only’?
1960 Studebaker silver hawk, barring that a corvette! love the big Chryslers and General Motors cars of that era as well. I think that GM had big brass ones when they came out with cars like the corvair and tempest with unusual driveline configurations, that continued right on up to the Toronado and Eldorado, you really don’t see as much experimentation with drivelines the way GM did it.
1980 and my choice would be either a Datsun 280ZX or a Chevrolet Malibu 2 door with a modified powertrain.
I almost put down the Malibu, but I just like the ’79 grille so much better than the ’80. The vertical-bar treatment was my least favorite of the ’78 to ’81 Malibu grille options.
(I also already own one ’79 Malibu so I probably don’t need a second! Though it’s a sedan…)
76 wasn’t very good year in the american car industry, so I would stick to Europe. How about a 911 Targa?
I have actually wondered about this in the past. Being born in 1969 I guess I do have quite a few to choose from, from a Camaro to a Mustang to a VW Beetle! How about a ZL1 Corvette
Being a 57 model myself and a woody fan make mine a pale blue Mercury wagon
I don’t exactly know, what to choose, since I’d be okay with almost anything in my age (1999), but my pick is Crown Victoria or BMW 8-Series.
You’re not alone in your age group, Oh!Gust. My buddy’s son just bought his first car to take away to freshman year in college next fall. A 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis LS (actual photo). Hope he doesn’t get a rude awakening at the gas pump!
Might be lucky, though. As long as the Arab states keep trying to kill off Bakken competition with low oil prices, we might stick around $3/gallon…
Sensible cars (in no particular order):
1981 Ford Capri
1981 Jaguar XJ
1981 Lotus Esprit Turbo (just like Phil M above)
Dream cars:
1981 Williams FW07C
1981 Brabham BT49C
1981 McLaren MP4/1
Yup, the Esprit would be on my list, too.
Alright, I was born in 1981 so I’d dream of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante in my garage, barring that I’d go with another Bond car, a Lotus Esprit, in white, of course. To haul my family around, let’s add an ’81 JDM Toyota Crown to the mix, with fancy aftermarket wire spoke wheels. If I have to be in the States and choose American, let’s put a 1981 AMC Eagle in my garage. We’ll skip the wood siding, though.
Here’s mine in glorious in black & white… Ferrari 225 S Berlinetta 1952, color prints were not all that common then.
Here is a color photo of a beautiful black one with white walls and white leather upholstery. It is a 1952 Ferrari Barchetta 225 S, body by Touring Superleggera. It is the last Barchetta that Ferrari built.
Formerly owned by Henry Ford II, it now belongs to the Petersen Museum. Jay Leno is driving it in this picture. Trust me when I tell you it is a gorgeous car.
1960 Thunderbird ! Only because my beloved ’65 hadn’t been built yet.
1974 was pretty crappy selection-wise.
However, there were the following bright spots:
Lancia Stratos.
Ford Bronco
Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
Mini Cooper in British racing green
A 1953 Ford. The last run for Henry’s Flathead in FOMOCO’s 50th Anniversary year…unless you were one of those lucky Canadians.
So many choices for 1969. Hemi or 440 Charger. Boss or Mach I Mustang. GTO Judge. Fuselage Mopar. (yes, count me as a fan, especially the Chryslers) Continental Mark III. Trans Am. I certainly wouldn’t say no to a 280SL or a BMW E9 coupe of that vintage.
Since we’re basing this on birth, how about a car whose entire production run occurred within a month of my birth – the Ford Torino Talladega. The 500 units required for NASCAR homologation were built at Atlanta Assembly January 21-31, 1969. (I “rolled off the line” on the 29th) Another 250 were built in mid-late February.
1969. Probably the top of the arc of the Muscle Car era. So many to choose from, but my #1 pick is a Boss 302 Mustang.
#2 is a 1969 Cadillac Sedan de Ville hardtop in Palmetto Green. We had one when I was a kid, and I miss it so!
Hmmm… I was born in 1951, and there is no car from that year I am remotely interested in.
If I was forced to choose, it would be a Jeepster, I suppose, but technically they were rebadged 1950 models because 1950 was the last official year. In any event, make mine two-tone red/black or yellow/black.
If that doesn’t count, just make it a Jeep CJ3A and call it done.
Now, if the “QOTD” ever becomes what car from your youth would you like, well that’s another story. Actually, you might have already asked that question!
1966 425hp 4 speed Galaxie or 1966 Dodge Coronet w/ Hemi and 4 speed. Truck? 1966 F250 4WD. Thanks Santa 🙂
1977 – Ferrari 308 GTS or Porsche 928
’77 Autobianchiiiiiiii…..
A112 Abarth!
Go 1050 cc and 70 HP!!!!
Wow , so many choices ! .
Import or Domestic ? .
Paul , maybe take that sweet Buick Coupe and junk the wretched Dynosqish box , stuff a nice Hydromatic in behind the i8 OHV engine , add a pair of (? ’41 ?) dual carbys and go cruising in style and economy .
-Nate
Being a 1952 model myself, a Bentley R-Type Continental coupe by Mulliner will do just fine! ……….but a Henry J is probably more realistic……..’sob’
I grew up in my Dad’s ’65 Impala 4 door Hardtop…..same model year as my birth so my wish would be to have one now with low or no miles on it…..and would want it equipped the same way I remember it…..two tone paint…..ermine white roof, crocus yellow body….black interior, power windows, steering and brakes, 283 V-8 with 3 speed manual…..The only thing that I would want different about the car would be the overdrive to bring those highway rpms down…..Overdrive back then was engaged via a knob on the dash rather than being included in the transmission’s shift pattern.
1961 Buick LeSabre. My grandfather had one, though he was generally a Chevy man. The 1961 Buick one of three non-Chevrolets that he owned in his lifetime.
always loved these. i wonder how they did the swoop flanking the headlights? does anyone know if that is a die cast cap?
’57 was such a great year, so many good choices. how about a New Yorker convertible?
1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner Coupe. Must have made quite an impression back then – a timeless design. Maybe not the most robust/reliable choice, however.
On an unlimited budget, I might go for a MB 300SL. Unfortunately, these were only available as race cars in 1953.
So I would have to content myself with something much more humble, like a 1953 Ferrari Europa.
I think I’ll go whole hog with a 1952 Mercedes 300S cabriolet, maybe dark red with tan leather. RM sold one in London last September for a mere 291,000 pounds. If my fantasy bank balance won’t handle that, then make mine a ’52 Lincoln Capri convertible, black with white upholstery.