While I’m sure the musclecar fans amongst us would go wild for all manner of classics from my storied birth year of 1968, I’ll confess that muscle machines have never really been my thing. I suppose if I had to choose something from the category, I would be quite happy with a Shelby “King of the Road” GT350 or GT500. I’ve always appreciated the Mustang as being the smaller, more sports-car-like machine of the muscle era, whether or not that was always true.
What I’d really like from 1968 is a Volkswagen Beetle. As much as I loved my 1974 Super, I always wished it were the slimmer, flat-windshield “regular” Beetle. And for non-Super Beetles, 1968 is considered a great one. Totch knows infinitely more about best years for Beetles, but I don’t think you can go wrong with a ’68.
Now let’s check in with Antti Kautonen and Mark Tucker:
Antti
As a former Peugeot 205 driver and enjoyer, I’ll nominate the 205 GTI. While the full-force 1.9 GTI was only introduced later, the 105-hp 1.6 GTI was new for 1984. It also brought the iconic three-door side window shape to the 205 model palette, as the 205 was initially launched with five doors.
The 205 GTI was a great hot hatch and one of the best of the genre. It was light, willing, versatile and perfectly fine to be used as the only car, and importantly, it also looked immensely cool. The 1.6 GTI only came with the 14-inch pepperpot wheels, so you can differentiate those from the 1.9 cars with the 15-inch wheels with a different design. My ideal 205 would be the carbed 1.3 Rallye, but those were also sold from the first light facelift on. My 205 was a warmly sporty 205 XS, so it was spiritually closer to the Rallye as it had a TU engine instead of the bigger, backwards-slanted XU of the 205 GTI.
Mark
1973 … lots of good choices, actually. Big American cars: boat-tail Riviera, fuselage Chryslers, first-year GM Colonnade coupes. Smaller sportier numbers: Datsun Z, Opel GT, Triumph TR6, Fiat 128 Rally. If I’m dreaming big: Pantera.
Top graphic image: Bonhams
I’m born in 1973… so what would I daily from 1973 these days? Well my criteria for a daily driver is that it has to be practical, reliable, durable, be reasonably fuel efficient and be sold in Canada. And from 1973 So from that basis:
-Volvo 145 wagon
-Saab 99 5 door combi
-Dodge/Mitsubishi Colt wagon
-AMC Hornet Wagon with the inline 6 and the manual
-Toyota Corolla or Corona wagon
-Datsun 510 wagon
Old farts like me get to choose from the late 60’s. (No, I’m not tellin’!) Let’s just say that the pickings are good and the emissions and gas mileage are not. Styling is pretty good. Long hoods and (mostly) short decks.
I’d personally pick from some of the GT cars available, such as the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 or the Lamborghini Islero. There are plenty of sweet Mustang, Cougar, Camaro, and Corvette (slim bumper!) trims from which to choose. A 911S would be my choice for twisty roads. A Dino 206 would be the emotional choice. Gorgeous!
1965, so plenty to choose from: C2 Corvette (first year with disc brakes), Jaguar E Type 4.2, Citroën DS, Porsche 356C, Aston Martin DB5. I’ll take any or all.
1980 K5 Blazer(Any Chevy Truck for that Matter) or the AMC Eagle Wagon based on being middle class. If I were flush, a W123 or R107 Merc. And if I were stupid rich give me a Rolls Corniche or Silver Spur
Another 1980ian here, right in the thick of the malaise era. I’d probably go big, like a boat, say a Pontiac Bonneville or Olds 98 coupe, even though the huge V8 only has a few ponies.
Is it cheating if I go for a Mercury Cougar since I try to regularly drive my wife’s family’s 68 Cougar at least once a week? Only off by one year.
1960 Jaguar XK 150 drophead coupe sports car. Not the best car ever made, but love the vintage style. Would love to have one today for those topless cruises
I do drive one from the year I was born, I’ve got a Fiero in the garage right now. I don’t know that its completely the one I’d pick if money were no object, but its kind of fun
When I was growing up we had a 1971 Datsun 240Z (first my dad’s, then he gave it to my oldest sister), and I still think about that car.
1969 Hemi Road Runner
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
1957, Testa Rossa.
I’d probably default to a 1974 BMW 3.0 CSi
Or maybe an International Scout.
My default choice for this kind of question would be a Corvette. Except there aren’t any, other than one that belongs in a museum (and is back in the museum now).
1975 Porsche 911 Turbo or maybe an Alfa Romeo Montreal.
Well I’m 1950 and there was one of these in my home town so… 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS ‘Supergioiello’ https://www.supercars.net/blog/1950-alfa-romeo-6c-2500-ss-supergioiello/
Sure is pretty
Is it a Birthday gift with maintenance included? Then a 73 Lamborghini Miura SV, enjoy for a summer, sell it and retire haha
1970 was such a good year for cars… if I’m being realistic Datsun 240z. If I’m being reckless, Lamborghini Espada. Or Citroen SM. Or Maserati Ghibli. Or Ferrari Daytona. Did I mention that 1970 was a great year for cars?
’69 Jenson Interceptor
It’s slightly weird looking and eccentric, but then again so am I.
’76 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, a Coupe deVille for less-than-sunny days, and maybe a Jaguar XJS for when I want to get somewhere a little quicker/be able to park a little easier.
Mark, you’d love my ’73 TR6. I just finished replacing everything in the interior from black, to Tan and Brown. As for me, I’ve always had a yearning for a pickup from 1954, but the 3 mainstream models do not appeal to me at all. The only domestic ones I like from that year are from International, and Studebaker. Although an MG-TF from 1954 would also be nice.
I actually had one when I was 20. A 1976 BMW 1502. Sounds slow. It was slow, but I found a 520/4 with Stromberg carbs that was up to 125PS (from 115) with a bit of spit and polish. I transplanted the engine and I kept the short rear end (with the 185/70R13 this allowed burnouts all the time). Of course, top speed was terrible, around 180km/h it ran into rev limiter. But up to that speed, it was lots of fun.
There are not many US-made cars from 1957 that I’d want to own. Maybe an old Ford or Chevy pickup truck. Maybe a Jaguar if I was feeling brave?
I was born in 1974, the year before Iron Maiden formed. I like to take some of the credit, even though I was nowhere near the UK. Anyway, I’ll go with a ’74 Dodge Dart.
Easy: IKA Torino GS 200: https://www.testdelayer.com.ar/pruebas/ika-torino-gs-200.htm
Nothing domestic from 1958.
But I wouldn’t kick a 356 speedster or a 2CV out of my driveway.
(I’d drive the first one to a museum; it shouldn’t be out on the street, I don’t think.)
Just thought of what I’d ride: any number of Triumphs. Although I’ve a bigger sweet spot for a Honda Dream.