You know the rules now, and it’s time to trade in your 1950s love object for one from the 1960s. And you’re going to be driving it until the next one in the 1970s.
Isn’t it easy? It’s the sixties. I mean is there anything else? Well sure there is; like a ’65 Chrysler 300, or ’63 Grand Prix, or a ’61 Cadillac, or…
So many obvious choices; all of them objects of many such MM sessions spanning back all the way right to the dawn of the sixties, when I arrived in the US as a wide-eyed seven year-old.
Only one small problem:
I’m a lot older now. Meaning that my taste, priorities, technical expertise and appreciation for things out of the mainstream have grown. I don’t eat the same food or drink the same kind of drinks, or listen to the same music, or watch the same kind of tv or movies, or have the same kind of thoughts and ideas form even ten years ago. And yes, ten years ago I would have picked the Riviera. And it’s going to hurt a bit not to have it for this return to the 60s. But I can’t go backwards; I have been enlightened.
So this is what it has to be; there’s no turning back. It’s the best all-round big American car of the 60s, period.
GM cars of the 60s go down nice and easy, like soda pop.
The ’62 Plymouth (and Dodge) are the Laphroaig of cars. Here’s a description of it: one of the most divisive Scotch whiskies, loved by those who enjoy its medicinal, smoky flavour and looked on in amazement by those who don’t. Pretty much sums up these cars. Look on in amazement.
Now I’m not going to go overboard here, as I’ve already done that with me deep immersion in the ’62 Dodge and Plymouth. My time spent on that article gave me the deeper appreciation for these cars, although I’ve always had some, right from the day in 1962 when Dr. Miller, who lived two doors down, showed up with a red Dart 440 just like this, having traded in his big ’56 DeSoto. It was clearly a bit more distinctive and challenging than anything GM and Ford had in 1962, and its trimmer size was obvious, especially compared to the big hulking DeSoto.
But then I’d been noticing a trend already in just the two years I’d been in the states: there were more and more compacts and trimmer American cars on the streets, including these downsized ’62s. And why not? It’s not like Dr. and Mrs. Miller had kids around.
I was nine, and had no clue as to who Virgil Exner or Bill Mitchell were. But from the day we arrived in the US in 1960, I’d instantly picked up on the obvious fact that Chrysler marched to a different drummer stylistically. GM’s trimmer 1961 lines were on full display that fall, and I was utterly smitten. I became an acolyte of the church of St. Mark of Excellence, and Mitchell was the high priest, had I know of his existence.
And the ’63 Riviera was his gift to the faithful.
I’m afraid my faith has lapsed some over the decades. Although looking at these pictures is giving me some serious doubts about that. I want to believe…but…I know that the Riviera is sitting on an outdated X-Frame chassis and the ’63 still had an antiquated transmission, and the nailhead V8 wasn’t ever really a genuine performance engine, and…
So now I must pay for opening my eyes to the truth, and drive a car that was derided by many when it first came out, and was quickly forgotten by the rest. That is, except for the few that saw it for what it really was: a car that was in many ways ten years ahead of the competition, if not even fifteen.
It was a tight and trim full unibody (unlike the really big Chryslers that used a front sub frame), with a degree of rigidity that was unheard of at the time. Which of course is the key to letting a suspension do its thing properly. Which it did.
It’s long hood, short tail proportions were unprecedented at the time, and were quickly appropriated by the Mustang. As maybe aspects of the Dodge’s front end.
In terms of its class, its size and proportion took 15 years to be finally adopted. And become the default big American car.
In all aspects, the benefits of its lighter weight (starting at a mere 2930 lbs) and advanced engineering were indisputable. It steered easier, even without power assist, it handled better than anyhting in its class, and it went better too.
The 305hp 361 Golden Commando V8 and the superlative Torqueflite, which was the top performance option at the start of the year, yielded 0-60 times of 8 seconds or less. We’re talking about an utterly tame engine, no lumpy-idling semi-racer.
By mid-year, the engine palate was extended to the 383 and the legendary 413 “Max Wedge”, which shut all the competition down on the strips. With a Torqueflite. Who needs to shift anyway?
The Sport Fury was a nice place from which to watch the competition recede in your rear view mirror. No, not Riviera nice, but priorities change.
And although the Riviera was the only car to have a comparably-fine speedometer, it had idiot lights for the rest (expect gas).
I’m going to have to make this short, as there’s more to life than MM’ing over old cars, but this is it for me. I might have some regrets by the end of the 60s, but I will be secure in the knowledge that none of the others will actually be better cars. There’s more to life than a pretty face.
We were a Pontiac family in the 1960s, and in 1974 as a teenager I got a ’66 Bonneville convertible ($850) that I kept through ’91. I wouldn’t want a pre-1967 car today, simply because of the lack of a collapsible steering column, and I don’t like the 1968 and later styling much (nor the interiors), so that leaves the 1967 full-size Pontiacs – which finally had front disc brakes available, among other new options such as cornering lights, 8-track stereo, and shoulder harnesses. Give me a fully optioned coupe, convertible, or wagon, and I’d be happy as long as I could put radial tires on it. (You could get any option on any full-size Pontiac, although I finally learned that the longer wheelbase of the Bonneville and Executive non-wagons didn’t translate into any extra interior leg room, just a longer trunk – so I’d probably choose a Catalina or Ventura two-door.)
Very tough choice, but today I’d go with the ’66 Chevelle/Malibu. Clean styling but I’d have all the performance, handling, and comfort options.
I’m with you, but I would go the mid-’60s Chevelle 2 door wagon. Sort of a newer Nomad with a bit less bling. The nice ’55 Chevy package wrapped in something newer, and really sharp lines that you must actually look at to appreciate, as they don’t hit you from 100 feet away.
Again, so hard to choose…
Lincoln Continental drop-tops are *very* tempting, but I’ll go left field in the Engel back catalogue and pick the 1966 Imperial. Last year for the old BOF and 1957-style windshield, but a brand new 440 under that big hood.
1965 Buick Riviera, hands down. And up again.
I just can’t think of anything post-war Detroit that looks better.
’65 Sport Fury…2 door hardtop or convertible but I want the 383 Super Commando. In the HT, Ill hook that to the A-833 4spd but in a droptop I think the TorqueFlite is more in line with its character. Either way, I want a solid eyecatching color (bright red, dark blue etc) with buckets/console and no rear fender skirts. Of course its gotta be rolling on proper coke bottle mags.
I agree on the ’62…the plucked chicken cars are definitely an acquired taste and as a card carrying Scotch man (and a HUGE fan of Laphoraig) I couldn’t agree more that its not for everyone. The comparison to a rowdy Islay whisky is spot on.
Yes! I’ve liked the ’62 Plymouth’s styling since it first came out. Trim and space age, I love it. Perfect dashboard and full gauges. Plus all the superior engineering you cite. Make mine a red Fury convertible please!
Wow, if only all of you guys had been around in 1962 – it might have been Ford that needed Federal loan guarantees in 1980. 🙂
The same color as the one “Jane Hathaway” drove in the first season of “The Beverly Hillbillies” tv show.
Indeed, good spotting! But how’d you know the color, it was black & white TV?
I just assumed that it was red. Every car she drove was red.
I am so with you Paul on the 62 Plymouth, they have been a favourite of mine for years. A wagon with dog dish hubcaps…
But, I already picked a Plymouth for my 50’s car so I had already decided to pick a GM car for the 1960’s. Yes, yes, I know I’m not much of a GM guy, but the 60’s were peak GM.
So make mine a 1964 Pontiac Bonneville wagon with 8 lug wheels and a 389. A great vehicle to pack up and make a trip to Bonneville Salt Flats during the 1960s. Bring the Plymouth and we’ll meet there.
On the Scotch front, we recently had “Scotch night for gentlemen” at our house and although I previously had not appreciated Islay Scotch, I found that one dram inserted between a Balvenie Doublewood and a Cardhu to be a pleasant contrast. 🙂
Ummmm – aren’t you taking the wrong 1964 car to Bonneville? 🙂
Very cool, but I didn’t think the Stude qualified as a big car. Besides, my favourites are the 65’s which aren’t even American.
You are welcome to join us at Bonneville to drink Scotch and watch Studebakers go very very fast.. 🙂
If the ’62 Dodge and Plymouth qualify as big cars, so does the GT Hawk. Make mine a red supercharged ’64 with R2 and 4 speed. Not an R3 because you can’t get it with air conditioning.
Hmmm,
Being a conservative person, I would like something that didnt diverge too much from the previous decade, and it should be fast.
Living in Sweden, I can see myself with family of four persons totally, crusing at high speed on Autobahn through Germany to the French Riviera.
I would go for the 1962 Chrysler 300H!
1962 specifications list five additional 426 cubic inch wedge head engines available through Chrysler dealers for racing only, I would make a cross in the box and order the 421 HP 498 ft lb. torque 426 Wedge engine and ask for a French-built Pont-a-Mousson four-speed gearbox.
Dreams!!!
Having been born in 1951 the cars of the sixties are right in my sweet spot; I could easily list a half dozen or more that I would take in a heartbeat. If limited to only one I would take a 1965-66 Pontiac two door hardtop, I would be fine with the Catalina but the 2+2 would definitely be the way to go. For me the 65-66 GM B bodies are the best looking full size vehicles that the General made; I find the Pontiacs to be the best looking, followed by Buick, Chevrolet and then Oldsmobile, a distant fourth in this competition. These cars are far from perfect but they are absolutely a product of their times; back when the U.S. was still moving from strength to strength and before the collective doubts of the seventies began moving to the front. These cars celebrate the era of cheap gas, wide open spaces and a pervasive optimism that all was right with the world. Of course all was not right with the world, then or ever, but for many of us the cars of this era bring back (mostly) good memories.
Might as well chime in – Chevy Impala SS Sports Coupe or SS convertible, of course!
I already had the SS ragtop, so I’ll have to choose the hardtop.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado!
Difficult choice, so much an embarrassment of riches, but just one….hmmm.
’66 Oldsmobile Toronado Deluxe, solid dark blue, loaded including A/C, just swap the drum brakes for later disk, I’d be good to go. Had a ’67 Toronado Standard, no power goodies, cheaper interior forty years ago, still loved it, one of the few cars I’ve owned one before and would still love another one.
Many alternative number ones, in no particular order:
’61-’63 Lincoln Continental
’60 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
’63-’67 Buick Riviera
’67-’70 Cadillac Eldorado
’65-’66 Cadillac 60 Special Fleetwood Brougham, especially the latter year.
’62-’63 Imperial LeBaron
’60-’68 imperial convertible
’63-’66 Oldsmobile 98
’63-’66 Buick Electra
’63-’64 Chrysler New Yorker Salon
’63-’66 Pontiac Bonneville & Grand Prix
’67-’69 AMC Ambassador DPL & SST convertible or hardtop
’65-’66 Ambassador convertible
And to be ecumenical, a few “ahdidities” (oddities) for variety:
’60 Rambler Ambassador hardtop sedan or wagon
’60 Edsel four door hardtop
’61 Rambler Ambassador
’61 DeSoto
’62 Dodge Custom 880 convertible
’61 Studebaker Lark Cruiser
IH three-door Travel-all
Checker Marathon Town Custom limousine
Paul and I apparently have similar taste in cars. I’d decided on a Dodge Dart as my 1960s car even before he published this article. Really I’d like a ’63 — I’m really not a Big Car Man, but if it has to be full sized I’ll take a ’62. I’ll take mine with a Slant Six though. I’m more concerned with dependability than performance and I have the benefit of hindsight in knowing how bulletproof that engine was.
Too many choices for the 60’s. But in terms of our family history, I would want to drive our 1965 Thunderbird coupe or my aunt’s 1966 LTD coupe – they were both quality products of a great decade of style, comfort, and performance from Ford.
I agree with age changing tastes. Its a target rich environment for muscle cars, but that’s not what was asked. A mid size car falls into the same category and one I’d rather choose, but we’re going big. I need a truck more than a car, etc.
It’s the ’60’s… go big or go home. OK. I’ll take a ’69 Galaxie 500 XL Fastback. 429. Buckets and console. Black with a red interior and striping.
This is a tough question. I don’t really like enormous automobiles. I have always had more fun in a small car, with perhaps the exception of a 9C1, of course.
If I had to take one, it would either be a 1969 Chrysler Newport with a 383 4 bbl or a 1969 Impala Sport Coupe with a 350 and Turbohydramatic.
The Chrysler was a clean sheet car that year, so that makes it a non-starter for me. A nicely optioned Impala, with F-41, disk brakes (a must for me) bucket seats, console shifter and tilt wheel will be enough for 1969 me. Powering it would be a 350 4 bbl, because a Big Block would be wasted on me and cost a fortune at the gas pumps.
A triple white 1969 Cadillac convertible.
Since we’re talking ‘big’ which, to me, means ‘full-size’, I agree with the author that the smaller, downsized ’62-’64 Mopars would be the choice (in ’65, they actually got knocked down to intermediate-class when Chrysler brought back ‘true’ full-size cars). And the best-looking of those cars is the 1964 Fury hardtop.
In that regard, for longevity, it would have to be a slant-six/Torqueflite combo. Slow? Yeah, but it would also be the lowest maintenance and most dependable (so long as you lived somewhere winter road salt wouldn’t eat the body away).
Dodge at least was already marketing the ’62 Dart as a midsized after the big 880 was introduced in mid-year 1962. The downsized ’62 Dodges only got to be sold as “full size” cars for a few months. Not sure about Plymouth, since their dealers also already sold big Chryslers and didn’t need bigger Plymouths.
Good call on the 1962 Dodge Custom 880 effectively knocking the Dart and Polara down to intermediate status.
Likewise, it could be said that the base Chrysler Newport did the same thing to the downsized Plymouth Fury. In effect, if you wanted a ‘big’ Plymouth, you had to either find a Dodge dealer for the Newport-based Custom 880 or just cough up the cash for a genuine Newport.
“if you wanted a ‘big’ Plymouth, you had to either find a Dodge dealer for the Newport-based Custom 880 or just cough up the cash for a genuine Newport.”
You didn’t even need to come up with extra money because the 880 and the Newport both listed for the same base price, at least in 1962.
Any DeSoto owner ready to trade in 1962 found he could trade-up to the prestige of a new Chrysler Newport for $2,964 at his now Chrysler-Plymouth dealer for less than he given for his new DeSoto a few seasons prior. Small wonder DeSoto was so quickly forgotten.
Really, really tough choice! An uncle and his wife came to visit us, and they were driving a sparkling ’62 Cadillac Sedan de Ville. I got to ride in it a bit, and it was like nothing I had been in up to that point. So that’s a possibility.
My oldest brother had a ’65 Impala Super Sport that originally had a 396 and 4-speed stick. He sacrificed the 396 to keep a race car going when he was stationed in England, and put a 283 in its place. Still, it was fun to drive it.
My favorite, visually, is the ’65 Chevy. I can’t go with the ’67 or ’68 because the semi-fastback looks a bit bloated, and I really don’t like the rooflines of the Impala Custom/Caprice two-doors, any year. I’m going with a generously optioned ’65 Impala SS, with the base 327, Powerglide, power steering, power brakes, A/C, power windows, stereo radio, clock, electric wipers, whitewalls, heavy-duty cooling system (for Arizona), suspension improvements.
I’ll pick 1962, either a Chevy or Pontiac bubbletop coupe. But if I have to choose just one, I’ll say the Pontiac. I have a strong visual memory of seeing pictures in Hot Rod magazine of one of these, perhaps a Mickey Thompson car, that has stuck with me for 55+ years. A few updates … disc brakes, faster ratio steering … and I’m sure it could be a fine daily driver.
So many cars to choose from in the sixties, but my dream car is a dark green 1965 Riviera GS with tan vinyl interior.
Honorable big car mention would be a 1963 Lincoln Continental convertible or sedan, 1964 Pontiac Gran Prix, 1966 Ford Galaxie XL 7 Litre, and just about any station wagon Pontiac Safari, Vista Cruiser, Sport Wagon, Country Squire or Colony Park.
Back around 1977 my brother had a 4dr 1968 Dodge Coronet, he had a friend with a bad ass black 1962 Plymouth Fury with a set of Cragar Mags. That 1962 Plymouth was unusual and very memorable- I loved looking at the grill on that car, a couple of his other friends had MoPars, but I can’t remember what they drove.
Checker Marathon wagon.
think I will take a 64 Plymouth Sport Fury with auto and a 318 by 64, chryco
had turned the funny looking 62’s into mighty pretty cars
Too hard. Can’t.
I’d have to go with peak-Pontiac, at least for the full-size variants: a 66 2+2 with the 421 Tri-Power V8 and 4-speed manual. Make it that light yellow color that was popular back then.
By the Sixties? Big car?
Nothing.
Yeah, dad’s 65 Impala SS hardtop was neat. But the only thing that can get me away from a Corvair (Monza, Spyder or Corsa) would be the 62 Plymouth.
Any other big car was too damned big.
Well you’ve about convinced me, Paul, to go with a Mopar. I generally quite like the wacky designs of this era of Mopars and you’re spot-on about the dimensions of these. A ’62-64 Dart/Polara/Fury would be just lovely.
…but I’m still going to have to go with my initial answer: a ’67 Oldsmobile Toronado. These are one of the most beautiful cars ever made and the ’67 had improved brakes before they botched the styling for ’68.
Runners-up would include the Lincoln Continental, the Engel-era Chrysler New Yorker, and the ’67-69 Buick Wildcat. Most full-size cars of this decade were just too big for my tastes but that threesome has just enough style or sculpting to interest me. And I’d take a four-door sedan version, thank you — as an Australian used to much smaller cars, I never understood why you’d want a car as big as an aircraft carrier, with a giant trunk but only two doors (other than for the obvious reason: it looks dope).
Easy one for me, ’61 or ’62 Chrysler letter series. 2nd would be a black ’60 Imperial.
!963 Grand Prix 421 Super Duty 4 speed in black.
Do I have my 4 kids on this time excursion? Then I’d pick a 64 Buick Sport Wagon! Everyone knows about Vista Cruisers, but I’d like one of these. With the biggest engine I could get, and HD everything so I could pull a travel trailer.
I am still a speed freak at heart. Since a GTO is not a full-size car, I’ll take an 1967 Impala SS in my favorite color:
Big car? Flat-floor 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
I’m going for the 1967 Imperial LeBaron. More unique than it’s given credit for. Still well built, and intriguing, if straight-line styling.
I like the hardtop sedan, but I’d go for the 2 door hardtop Mobile Director, the office you can drive (or at least your chauffeur can if not you). I’m sure I’d find alternate uses for this besides corporate overtime 🙂
I wonder if anyone ever actually loaded a couple of businessmen into the back then swiveled around and held an actual meeting over the table. More likely the owner’s two kids used it to play Go Fish.
It had to be a bitch for the chaufer to see around the passenger in the rear facing front seat.
I would think that facing backwards for a long time in a car traveling at 70 mph would lead to car sickness.
Was there a little matching Mopar sick bag for that purpose?
As with the Dodge La Femme, it is difficult to fully understand the ROI thinking at Chrysler Corporation regarding such narrow market options. Fun for us today, though.
And they brought Mobil Director back in 2008 with the Swivel ‘n Go minivan option! Unfortunately, it was just as unpopular, and was discontinued after 2010.
It’s not particularly difficult to understand why, either. While swiveling the second row captain’s chair around sounds like a good idea, there wasn’t a lot of room for legs for either the second or third row. You just know that created havoc for kids kicking each other. Then, things really got tight when the table was installed, even for small children. Besides, because of the seat recline angle, you couldn’t access the table without leaning forward, anyway.
On top of all that, Stow ‘n Go was still immensely popular and anyone opting for Swivel ‘n Go had to forego the fold-into-the-floor second row seats.
I doubt it would have made much difference, but maybe Swivel ‘n Go would have sold better if Stow ‘n Go hadn’t been around.
My heart says 1968 Chrysler 300, but its impossible to be rational about this, there are just so many cool cars from all the manufacturers, 1965 Impala 2 door hardtop, the one Thunderbird I like is the 1967 2 door, the list is too long and thats not answering the question.
At least when the 1970s come around I know there is only one.
This can only be answered from the PoV of someone living in North America – a full-size in the American sense is too big to enjoy here in Europe, and it was no different back when the cars were new. In that case, I’ll have one of those (maybe not the racing version with the 427 side-oiler but even a 390 would provide the goods). In my view, the 64 Montclair was the zenith of 60s Mercury styling. And you could get a heavy duty suspension and quick-ratio steering to do away with the looseness.
…but there were full-size Europeans too…
Perhaps the best Highway Patrol car built for the next 3 decades. When I buy the car, I won’t know that I’ll want he car to last past through the era of 70’s smog dogs. Since this is imaginary, I’ll gift myself with foresight. I’d spec CHP spec mine as an unmarked adding AC, cloth seats, a Superlight and a better radio. Fuselage done right.
Having this now move into the 1960’s makes it VERY difficult for me… so many cars to chose from.
But for all the right reasons, then and now… 1966 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
#2
+1, especially the 1966 because of those wonderful walnut window friezes!
I’d take a 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado with the improved standard braking system, and optional front disc brakes. But no vinyl roof, please!
The second choice would be a 1969 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale hardtop coupe with the front disc brakes and bucket-seat interior.
A 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 four door.
Because that is what my father had.
What else😁
Pontiac Catalina Convertible – Any year would be nice but 1963 is my favorite. In the 1960s I was mainly interested in dating girls. So, I would like a car that was nice, fun, somewhat sporty, and not outrageous. I wanted to appear somewhat prosperous but not showy (per Polonius “rich not gaudy”). Actually a LeMans would be my choice and I had two of them but full size cars are required for this exercise. An Impala convertible would suffice but they were everywhere and a Pontiac was viewed as slightly nicer.
My Dad always said that his 1964 Catalina convertible, midnight blue with a baby blue top, was his favorite car of his lifetime.
I’d have to go with a 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special in Wisteria, White interior. For a Convertible make it the Deville. Same year. or a 68 Eldorado, to go With my 1965 Turquoise Tbird. I like a loaded 1965 Chrysler New Yorker to represent #3.
Any full-sized 1965 Pontiac, preferably the Grand Prix. That car is my Holy Grail. Had a ’69 SJ when I was younger, but the big ’65s are the prettiest cars I have ever laid eyes on. The stacked headlight bezels are perfect, as are all the lines. The ’69s come close, but the ’65s are just so graceful looking.
1966 Imperial, 4 door.
A near second is the 1964 Cadillac Sixty Special.
Wow!!!! this is really tough, you have my guilty pleasures(dodge and plymouth) anything and everything from GM, Ford with the Mustang,early Falcons(and vans) and of course Lincoln and Mark 3. I’ll still take a 1967 Fleetwood Brougham and a simple 64 Chevy Corvair as daily driver.
How about a 1960 Dodge Matador or Polara? Probably the most over-the-top “Space Age” design of all time. Plus the advantages of Unibody, TorqueFlite, and torsion bars. See-through speedometer. A clear steering wheel with little stardust speckles in it. Everything else to match.
About 42,000 of these were built–so hard to find one for decades now. What happened to them all?
The wild “Space Age” styling was its downfall on the used car market, dated the cars very quickly. My N.A.D.A used car price guide for April-May 1963 list as follows:
1960 Dodge Polara 4dr Ht, FOB $3,275: Average Retail: $1,400.
1960 Pontiac Bonneville, 4dr Ht, FOB $3,331; Average Retail $1,875
By July 1965, the Polara retailed for $400, the Bonneville $650. Guess which one got bought to just run into the ground first.
I can totally see Paul’s rationale. I have a ’62 Dart 330 sedan – my second one! It’s hard to be on the fence with the styling for most people – it’s either love it or hate it.
BUUUUTTT – if I were doing a lot of traveling (which I do), my choice would be a ’65 Merc Park Lane Breezeway sedan – black with red brocade interior, 390-4V and loaded hard. I’m a little biased, as I own a loaded Park Lane Marauder 4 door HT.
Honorable mentions:
’67 AMC Marlin
67 Merc Monterey S-55 (I have one too)(1 of 145 ragtop would be better)
63-64 Caddy 60 Special (dark blue please)
60-61 Chrysler NYer hardtop wagon
67 Pontiac 2+2 (in turquoise)
61 Dodge full size or Dart hardtop (oh that beautiful roofline)
Ah, the Swinging 60s! I was too young to have experienced it firsthand, being a 47 years young Gen-Xer, but my baby-boomer Dad has told me oodles of fun and good times he had growing up in that decade.
So, the cars–for me,1964 represented a high-water mark year for automotive design. Seemed like all the manufacturers brought their A-game to the table that year. But, being a Ford man at heart, my choice will come from the Blue Oval Brigade. I would have to go with the 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL, two-door hardtop, 390 four barrel, automatic trans (for reliability and ease in traffic) and the buckets and console interior. Preferably in that lovely pearl-white hue that seemed so popular back then.
The attached example has aftermarket wheels, but this is pretty much what my mind’s eye conjures up when I picture one of these magnificent beasts.
’61 Impala or Catalina bubble-top. Big engine, 4-speed. Always liked those.