Even in the past 5-10 years, the automotive landscape has changed dramatically, and I’m fairly certain that most of our readers and writers are at least a few years older than that. In honor of turning 25, I recently wrote about a 1993 BMW 525i, a car from my birth year that has come to mean a lot to me throughout my car-related life. The E34 is a car I’ve always admired, and this many years later I’d love to own one.
In the comments of that article, Wagonlove, sharing the 1979 Buick Electra Estate, proposed the interesting idea of everyone sharing the car from his or her birth year, which he or she would most like to own.
PolarBear also shared his choice, a 1954 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire convertible. So for today’s Question Of The Day, which car from the year you were born would you most want to own if you could? You know my pick!
If I were living in the US, a Chrysler 300 G. Here in Europe, a Studebaker Lark coupe. Both from 1961…
I have 2 choices actually these are the 2 i would own. one for commuting to work and the other for fun. i love the looks of both of these cars. i was born in 1961
and this!!
Impossible choice.
But the Caddy’s sweet.
I was born in 1982, and there are only four cars from that year that I would like to own:
1) Volvo 245 GL with M46 gearbox
2) Mercedes W123 300TD
3) BMW E21 320i
4) DeLorean
I’ll take a ’65 Impala. As I might as well check options, it would be a 4 door hardtop with the Caprice package, a 327/Powerglide drivetrain, tinted glass all around, turquoise w/blue vinyl top and turquoise interior, A/C, power steering, power brakes, strato buckets, floor gear selector, (I know I’ll have to wait for awhile for buckets in a 4 door), all optional gauges that are available, power windows (I don’t know if shoulder belts were optional; if they were, give me two pairs, even if the rear ones have to be dealer installed).
I’m aware that the picture doesn’t match my description, but if an SS Coupe is all you’ve got, even at the slightly bluish color, I’ll have it anyway.
Please, have it delivered to Uruguay at short notice.
You mean like this rafael?
Exactly that one! Hey, thanks a lot, Eddie!
When GM nailed it, they did it in one swing. I don’t think any later edition topped the original, especially in this color combo.
My Dads 65 Impala SS was this same exact color inside and out with buckets and a console.
Any chance you have a picture?
Never had one, only drove one once, and it was a hardtop with a six and powerglide…
1988 Cougar XR-7
Did not see that coming. /s
My sister had this very car, it was real nice
MX-6 turbo with four-wheel steering. Just call me Capella.
Luckily I was born in 1967 so it’s hard to go wrong.
I’ll go for the Jaguar E Type coupe. British Racing Green with silver painted wheels please.
I expect Brendan will inform me when a reasonably priced one comes in on a trade 🙂
American car: 1953 Studebaker Starliner coupe
1961
European car? That’s harder. I could live with this, but I’ve always loved the early Porsche 356s. And a few others…
You’d certainly look younger in the Starliner. And, come to think of it, you could have bought both at the same dealership!
Not likely, since the MB distribution deal didn’t happen until 1957
Didn’t know that. Thanks for the data.
I don’t how many Studebaker dealerships would carry in stock one of those tremendously expensive 300s
None! They cost about as much as five nice Studebakers!
If I went European, I’d have to go this route. ’54 Speedster.
1985 was a pretty bad year, haha!
Maybe a solid-axle 4Runner or Pickup…
Look into a Corolla GT-S. I owned one and it was outrageous!!! An AMAZING little car.
1991. Acura NSX.
Since I was born in 1973 — deep in the Malaise Era — choosing a car from my birth year that I’d “want to own” isn’t an easy task.
I happen to have Consumer Guide’s Auto ’73 issue right here, and after looking through it, there’s still no clear front-runner. Many 1973 cars have a neat retro appeal now, but as far as actually owning one… I’m just coming up short.
Ultimately, I might go for the Mercedes-Benz 4.5 sedans… beautiful, fast and timeless. I would love to own one… though not necessarily pay for it, or its upkeep.
This is the cover for Consumer Guide’s Auto ’73 — it is great to look through:
I have the 74 Edition…in Hard cover.
I never knew they came in hard covers. ’73 is the oldest one that I have, though I do have Consumer Guide’s slightly less thorough “Cars 1972” publication.
I have them all going back to 1972. Well used and re-read many times.
The ’76 edition my dad bought when he was car shopping was my introduction to cars really. I was a little kid and I read it thoroughly, learning about each manufacturer’s strengths and weaknesses, and from there began reading car magazines at the library or drug store, occasionally buying an issue before subscribing to C/D in ’79. I was still a few years too young to drive.
Good choice. I’m a 79 model and if I wasn’t so crazy about station wagons, I’d have a hard time picking anything from that year to really want to own.
I sprung to life in February 1973 and American cars from ’73 are not highly thought of . . . I reckon I’d take a black 1973 Imperial. I want a BIG beastie. ‘Nuff said.
1952 120 FHC….
Easy question…1953 Pontiac Pathfinder..Canadian eh !
The 53 Canadian Pontiac was essentially the last year of the Chevys with the American Pontiac front clip bolted on.That and the chrome strips on the truck lid . I think in 54 GM started using the entire American Pontiac body on the Chev frame and power train.
Yes and no; Canadian Pontiacs received distinct bodies but they still had to fit on Chevrolet frames, which were different from Pontiac frames until 1965. Sheetmetal was designed to look like that used on American Pontiacs, but would often not interchange; the Chevy chassis was sometimes shorter.
@6Ia73 ….Thank-You …I kinda do remember something about that ?? but I wasn’t 100% sure. ; )
Wife wanted to play. ’57 Nomad, that color. Restomod please- already know what ’50’s Chevy’s drive like.
Would have to be a Cisitalia 202.
My favorite NLA bodystyle is the 2-door station wagon. Make mine a 1964 Chevelle 300 with the 4-barrel 283 and a 3-speed manual plus overdrive.
A Craigslist near me had a true 1 of 1 a 1965 Valiant… 2 door HARDTOP station wagon. Yes, not just a 2 door wagon, but with hardtop styling. It looked like it was factory built/very professional looking. It interestingly had a Barracuda front end.
Wish I had gotten the vital info so that I could share it here.
Was that this one? (there are more photos in the set)
That’s pretty cool!!
It is. So is this one.
Except for the wheels, the one I saw looked like the white one. It also had a console, “bucket” seats, and a floor shifter…something few, if any Valiant/Dart wagons had.
I’ll copy Paul’s example and post American and European: 1969 Buick Riviera
Beautiful. I have a very special spot in my heart for a ’69 Riviera. GS, Copper, Sandalwood Top and Interior. Funny how some memories are so vivid- I even remember what the interior smelled like.
I’ve never been in one!! My grandmother had a 1975 Riviera bustleback, but what a completely different car. I just love the shape of the 1966-1969 rivieras. 1970 ruined it!
And european: 1969 Mercedes w114 250
1949…. American, Dodge Wayfarer ‘bobtail’ two-door. Foreign, Fiat Topolino.
1973 Duster 340
Yessir!
Right on!!!!
Brendan, 1972 is a hard year. And being born about the time the ’73 models were rolled out doesn’t help a lot, either.
So, let’s go with a ’72 Challenger with a 340. Four-speed, of course.
European, 1952 Ferrari 212 Touring Barchetta. 2.6L V12. Styled by Pininfarina. Red of course.
The fact that the last one sold for 6.7 million euros has nothing to do with it.
American, well since I’m just a bit too old for the Starliner, I’ll go with a ’52 Nash Ambassador. Also styled by Pininfarina, how about that!
Are you sure about that? 🙂
Good point, JP. But the Nash-Healey’s headlights look a bit cross-eyed to me. I actually feel the Ambassador’s the better looking of the two. Besides, how could it compete with my Ferrari?
I was born at the end of ‘62 during the 1963 MY, it’s hard to choose between a ‘63 Studebaker Avanti and the first generation Maserati Quattroporte – I want both!
This, although I prefer the ‘61 (cue Bob Seger)…
Or this, although I prefer a ‘62 or ‘66 Caddy…
Since the 67’s came out on my birth week in September 66, I’d take my Grandma’s 67 4dr Impala Sedan. Sierra Fawn with Gold Cloth/Vinyl Interior. 283/PG, AC, tint, WW tires, AM radio, PS, PB, and door edge guards. This pic below is a Bel Air, but Granny’s 67 looked identical except for the extra trim used on Impala’s.
Being in Europe, I’m probably choosing for a different selection, but 2 stand out – a Morris 1100 (ADO16) – the Morris photographed with Lord Nuffield and the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which would proibably be my choice for a classic.
Thorough a Ferrari 250 could be tempting…..
The sentimental favorite would be a redux of my 59 Plymouth Fury, but this time a convertible with the Golden Commando engine. However as long as price is not one of the criteria I would take the free upgrade to either a DeSoto Adventurer convertible or a Chrysler 300E convertible. What a great year to be born – The Forward Look Rules!
As for my other love, well 1959 was a grim kind of year at Studebaker, so I think I have to fly my Mopar flag on this question.
If forced to leave my home shores I think this 59 Borgward Isabella coupe might be worth a go.
I always thought Borgwards had a sort of Studebaker vibe about them. Can’t put my finger on why.
Now that you mention it, this one does bear a bit of a resemblance to the 52 hardtop. The Borgward was clearly a copy. 🙂
Borgwards were very sophisticated under the skin; they were in the 50’s what BMWs became later.
Or . . . a Jaguar XK-150. Tough decision!
The dream choice: Ferrari 275 GTS, or Aston Martin DB6.
The naive foolish choice: Jaguar XKE (4.2L, covered headlights), or even a Mk2.
The American choice: probably a Buick Riviera – only because it’s about the most lovely thing Bill Mitchell ever did.
1959. What else could there be?
This one (59 also).
Agreed, totally. Would much rather have the cat’s eyes.
1955 Citroen DS. The picture shows the ’62 model.
Unfortunately, I was born in 52 and ALL the car companies in the U. S. were building THE stodgiest (?) cars ever. If it had to be American then I would pick a Plymouth, either a Cranbrook convertible or Cranbrook Belvedere hardtop.
If it had to be any car, well, a Triumph or MG.
I don’t think the 1952 Packard was stodgy!
1955 Thunderbird.
1986, pfff…. given all the cars on the market back then, hard to make a choice. Much like today, no idea what car I’d choose with an unlimited budget.
For now, make my 1986 car a sleek aero Kadett GSi.
1979 Porsche 928. The engine wasnt quite as good as the rest of the package, but the design is still one of my most favourite ever!
If I could have 2 please, in order of desire:
1963 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Sixty-Special
#2 choice…
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
Talk about a dream garage!
Right on! Plus one more – 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Ah, yes. Another GM favourite from my birth year…and in the right colour.
1965 Impala coupe for me!
1977?
Either a Corvette with 4-speed manual (total cornball vehicle and definitely of the disco era, but I like it) or a 1977 Impala sedan with 350V8/TH350 combo. Give me the handling package and I could still be driving that car 41 years later.
Obviously, I’m gonna have to go with a 1986 Taurus or Sable. Preferably a wagon. These are getting so scarce that they’re practically a collector’s item at this point. I am going to pick up a first gen at some point, I just hope I can find one in decent shape when I’m ready.
Nice choice, I owned a 1st-gen Sable from new and loved it. First thing, fix the burned-out bulbs in the front light bar.
I couldn’t help looking, there are nice looking ’89 and ’91 Sables in Portland Craigslist for about $1000.
I’ve got a 1st (88) and 2nd (94) Gen Taurus. They do seem to need more “work” than my older iron, but I love ’em just the same. P.S. Buy a 5-speed if you can, like my MT-5, no automatic worries.
One of my strange daily rituals is to pursue the internet looking for first generation Tauri and Sables. In the past two years or so I’ve found two. One Taurus that was a stripper base model and one Sable that was a nice one owner with 80k miles. I wanted that one. No wagons yet! I just can’t believe how many of these cars were sold and now they are so hard to find. I suppose they are all in the scrap yards or been recycled by now.
I’ll take one of these, please. A 1953 Cadillac Fleetwood, with air-conditioning. Maybe a color other than black, though.
This is almost too easy. 1954 – Bentley R Continental.
I’m jealous of your birth year!
I remember Joanna Lumley, who’s not a car person, on (I think) Top Gear saying she had actually chased one down in the street once she thought it so striking. They are an astonishingly gorgeous motorcar.
I’ll third this nomination for the Bentley, but mine has to a 1952 model. However, if they’re out of stock, a ’52 Lincoln Capri hardtop, black with white top, will do just fine.
1980… Hmmm, maybe one of the last MGBs imported to the US. Honestly I don’t dislike the “rubber bumper” versions as much as many seem to. Or maybe a Saab 900 turbo for something more practical but still with a bit of European sportiness.
Edit: Or, going in a completely different direction, a 1980 Honda Civic. It is, after all, the “best car by unanimous consent” according to some. 😉
I was thinking 1980 Chevrolet Citation X11. Yes the FWD X-bodies were much maligned. 1980 was the worst year for them, but it still was a ground breaking car, but with the 60 degree Chevrolet V6 and manual transmission was quite quick for a malaise era car. Parts probably would be easier to find than people would think since the FWD A-car was just a restyled and longer X-car and the J-car shared many components.
1964 Avanti… From the Advanced Thinking of Studebaker!
I’d rather order myself either a GT Hawk with the R3 supercharged engine and four on the floor, or a Wagonaire (with the optional rear-facing third row seat under the slide-open roof) also with the R3 and 4 speed. Both of these were offered but nobody ordered either car with an R3, so none were built. Mine would be the only one! And we all know what ultrarare vintage muscle cars are worth…
Me too. (Also, as a train fan, it would be nice to own a piece of the Raymond Loewy legacy, and a GG1 would never fit in my garage.)
‘61 Impala Sport Coupe for me!
For 1995, an E34 would be a close second, but I think I’d have to go with a Supra.
From an American selection though, I’d take a Cadillac Fleetwood!
I’m a diehard FoMoCo guy, and getting up in years, so a sedate stock 1953 “Hot Rod Lincoln” for me:
I dunno, not a great year for this game – maybe Jensen-Healey or BMW e12 530i? Domestic would have to be a mid-stream Matador sedan I suppose.