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?
In 1972, Ferrari 365 “Daytona” GTB/4. Beauty by Pininfarina and 12 cylinders of pure adrenaline.
1969 Hurst/Olds convertible. Since there were just two of them produced, I’d be willing to accept a non-convertible model, or just a 4-4-2 convertible. I’m not really picky, I just figured I’d aim for the stars with the H/O.
Fortunately, 1962 was a good year for cars. I’d take a Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster, Lincoln Continental sedan, Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk or Oldsmobile Jetfire.
I keep wanting to find a really cool, obscure car from the year of my birth so I can impress the heck out of everyone here, but I can’t think of any…
One common thread throughout, I noticed that very few people think the cars of the year of their birth are good enough, but a few years in either direction…
For me, I think I will be rather pedestrian: 1962 Pontiac Bonneville… Or a 1962 Studebaker Hawk… Or a 1962 Ford Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe…
1957 Chrysler 300C. Second choice would be a DeSoto Adventurer.
I’ve got to go with a 1969 Buick Riviera, with runners up to the unobtainable Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 and the probably hard to keep running Alfa Romeo GTV 1750.
The car I would love to have from 1976 is a Ford Bronco. I had a ’75 Ranger Series, years ago but it was sooooo rusted up that I sent it to the bone yard.
There wasn’t much to chose from in 1973.
I’ve always wanted this 1973 Baldwin Motion Chevelle SS. But if ot has to be a stock as-built car I’d be happy with a regular 73 Chevelle SS 454.
As a ’74 model ive got a mixed bag. This year is literally the last dying gasp for several truly great cars: challenger/cuda, javelin, charger, roadrunner, 340 Duster, etc. some limped on but well past the sell by date.
OTOH, Trucks, vans and 4x4s were just hitting stride as recreational vehicles and some cool stuff was on deck. CJs could be had with V8 power, bronco, scout and blazer were still in their prime, and the 2-door FSJ Cherokee joined the Ramcharger in their first year.
The 340 Duster’s last hurrah saw it looking prouder than some others that year so it one of 2 of my must-haves. The Ramcharger’s first year may have been its best. It would keep the pop top til ’80 but the frameless doors would barely last the full m/y making it my top pick.
1950? Hudson, Packard, or Lincoln Cosmopolitan.
1983… not the most exciting year, at least in America. I’m gonna go with something fairly pedestrian anyway – an ’83 Accord LX hatchback. The ’82 I owned is still my favorite out of 30 something cars I’ve gone through, and I’ve always wanted another.
Gunmetal grey, black interior, 5-speed, the incredibly rare factory moonroof, PS/AC/cruise/console, the old 14″ Honda/Mugen alloys from the catalog, Koni inserts w/progressive springs at the stock height, rear swaybar, JDM/EU composite headlamps, EU power windows, 3rd gen Preude steering wheel, Canadian non-CVCC head, Jackson Racing header, ANSA exhaust, either twin DCOEs or MS EFI. “mild fuckin’ race cam – whoooooo”
Another 1983. I feel like everyone else here is either 20 years older or 10 years younger than I am.
This ’57 Chrysler ragtop captures my passion.
I’d probably go with a 1995 Acura Legend coupe with a 5/6 speed. A stick Camry Wagon would work as well.
All I know is that suddenly I feel very, very old.
1966 for me. I do own the 1966 Chrysler New Yorker that brought me home from the hospital, so that’s kind of special.
Pie in the sky though: Jag E-Type
Although, the Batmobile premiered in ’66….
1946 Plymouth 2 Door Sedan. My parents had one most the time I was growing up. It wasn’t driven much and I wanted it when I got out of the Air Force but Daddy had already sold it.
I can find 47 and 48 Plymouths all over but can’t seem to find any 46.
1961 Impala SS 409, the very first SS.
Didn’t even have to think about it. 1953 Corvette!
It would be a choice between a first-year Avanti or a ’63 1/2 Galaxie 500. With a 427 of course 🙂 . Oh hell… or a Stingray. Dammit… 1963 was a pretty good year.
Or a Riviera… or a Grand Prix… or a Continental… or a Mercury S55… too many choices!
1996 Impala SS
Definitely a 1967 Cougar. No questions asked!
Well that would be 1976… I’ve got a 1977 Chevelle which is virtually identical to a 76, which despite my best efforts to make it exciting in stock form, its rather yawn inducing.
I think i’d just skip 1976 for any real buring desire to own any car, just too blah inducing to me.
1975? difficult choice!
… Citroen SM or Jensen Interceptor or the W116 6.9?
maybe I just stick withe realistic choice that is on my actual shopping list for 2015: Mini Clubman Estate, in that very 70s BL mustard yellow, an Innocenti Cooper dash, black minilites and a bored out 1275cc motor. Ooh … yes, this one, please!
I didn’t think about the Jensen Intereptor! That works for 1969 as well!
1991: NSX, for sure.
1980 not being the best year for this question….
I’d have to take a BMW 635CSi. Not really much of a contest. Distant second and third would be, respectively, a Jaguar XJ6 4.2 and a Dodge Mirada CMX (5.9, cabriolet roof delete).
(Dreaming of supercars, there’s always the Ferrari 308 and Aston Martin Lagonda…)
1962 Dodge Custom 880..probably not a popular choice but DeSoto was gone before I was born and this was the closest thing and much better looking than the last DeSoto.
Second choice the 62 bubble top Chevy.
I was sorely tempted to put down the ’65 Custom 880 Town Sedan, a true 1-year model.
Hmmmm.
Domestic?
Or imported?
For me, it’s a photo finish between the Imperial, Continental, and Riviera.
Engel’s Imperial is spectacular and has remained fresh to this day. Build quality was excellent, and interior fittings were Chrysler’s high point before the cheapened, federalized interiors 4 short years later. And it wasn’t another Cadillac. The only knock is the ancient windshield/cowl, and the odd, tiny tail lights in the propeller bumper leave me cold. Make mine a LeBaron in Formal Black with black leather.
The squaring up of the formerly droopy front end on the Continental added real presence that had been lacking and harmonized with the overall theme. But the lengthening of the wheelbase and roofline combined with the addition of flat glass a year earlier was awkward. And vinyl wood in such a distinguished automobile? Please. Make mine hardtop in Black Satin with Black Largo cloth/leather interior.
The Riviera was brilliant. The clamshells, the cleaned up side profile, the spectacular, high-quality interior that avoided the Thunderbird’s kitsch, all marked a car that was mature, purposeful, and represented GM at the top of its game. Make mine a GS in Sahara Beige with the Custom interior in black Beaumonde fabric and chrome wheels.
Picking only one, I vote for the Riviera. Is there any fault in this car?
My wife and I were both born in ’69, and we’ve talked about wanting a Corvette from her birth year, so a ’69 Stingray convertible is probably tops on the list. With the small-block, though, I have no desire to be cooked alive as I drive.
Difficult question for 1981. I think I would go with a Lancia Delta Integrale. And, as a replacement when the Lancia needs a repair (probabily more than I would like), I’d take a W126 SEC Benz, IMHO the most elegant coupé of all times
It’s in the running. I missed that one by one year…
Living live in the fast lane.
Cool choice!
Beauty, Johannes. Love little trucks.
As a matter of fact, we also had our own pony cars in the late sixties.
I was born in 1965 so there is an abundance of choices. Detroit was at a styling and muscle car peak and all sorts of interesting European stuff was out there as well. I suppose a Yin & Yang coupe pairing of 1st year BMW 2000CS and last year Buick Riviera would be interesting, or a an early Porsche 911.
I already own it. ’57 Chevy Handyman…
Well first would have to be a 1959 Eldorado Convertible in that heather metallic.
Second a 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark Iv…Convertible
Third a Ford Thunderbird in Turquoise. Hardtop Coupe.
Buick Station wagon, Hardtop if that was still available. Top of the line, of course.
Fifth I’d probably pick a red Corvette convertible over a similar Crown Imperial.4 door Southhampton, I love those grand LeBaron-esque names…
Finally! Someone else from 1959. 🙂
God I’m getting old. ’39 Ford Deluxe Coupe is my choice for birth year but 16 years later the ’55 Chevrolet Bel Air was my choice.
I would choose this 1984 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Regency sedan, in deep burgundy with a matching leather interior. . . and probably end up dropping in a Rocket 350 or 455 to add a little more punch than the 307 is capable of delivering on steep highway climbs 😀
Nice choice for ’84, but I can never decide if I prefer this or the Electra Park Avenue…
1975 Citroen CX is the very first thing that comes to mind.
For a car launched that year, a 1962 Alfa Giulia.
For a car on sale that year, let me have a think. I’ll be back……….quite soon
Being born in October ’64, I’ve questioned the birth year issue – the chronological year, or the year that was in showrooms when I showed up. The ’65 model year is oh so full of choices! I’ll go with ’65 T-Bird convertible. The same in the ’64 will apply if that is the rule.
My daughter gave me a Christmas present last night, the December ’53 Motor Trend that she found at a junk store. Terrific gift for the obsessed.
Paul’s comment about available custom bodies in that era is spot on with this article I read last night……….
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Saoutchik was the man when it came to swoopy chrome.
And, check out the hoity-toity page numbers written out in words instead of numbers! Motor Trend, we hardly knew ye!
1959 Edsel Ranger, or a close second, Thunderbird
1955; Boeing B-52
this!
Well it’s 1954 so what else can I choose? It has to be a 1954 Cadillac 60 Special.
If only I was born in 1970-72! The choices would be endless.
But for 1987 I’ll gladly have a Mustang LX 5.0 convertible. I used to own an 89′, so it would be pretty much the same car again.
1963 Chrysler New Yorker
1975 Jensen Healey, please. As others have said, it wasn’t a landmark year for motors.
Forgot one:
1987 wasn’t exactly a banner year either, as far as I can tell.
With my generally gravitating towards GM products, it was an interesting time of several “lasts” and “firsts” in the lineup. Coming into the world just days into Q2/87 would have meant the “lasts” would have been where it was at, which would be fine with me!
As much as I like G-bodies, the V8s were rapidly going away (if not gone by that time completely?), and I was never a Grand National sort of guy. Perhaps grabbing one of the few Turbo-T’s made that year would have been a fitting choice… understated without being underpowered.
I also wouldn’t turn away a GM truck of that year. Nothing against the ’88-’98 design, but there’s something to be said for the previous generation – especially in their final year, when things would presumably have been as settled as possible. Nothing stopping a guy from getting one with a strangled TBI 454, limited slip, and even a 4-speed if you so desired.
Strangely enough, I’ve basically described what my grandparents owned in ’87. The Regal was a Limited, two years old and naturally aspirated. The truck was brand-new… regular cab/long box, 350, TH400, 2WD, LSD, and the requisite aluminum topper, with trailering equipment installed (for their big camper, as seen in a past COAL).
More than 200 entries and maybe 3 of us from 1939? I feel so old. . . .
But look at the diversity of ages of the readership… it’s encouraging to see the generations coming together.
But Larry, some of us feel so happy to have you. I spend too much time feeling really old with a DOB in 1943. I liked the 1939 cars btw. Especially the GM coupes and the 39 Ford.