Typical late 60s car with power and style ... I think the mid- to late-60s were the golden age for American automobile manufacturers, mainly because horsepower was king and each company was trying to outdo the others. This week's spot, a 67 Dodge RT Coronet Convertible, is a great example. I found this spot this... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: Early 60s VW Transporter Pickup
A twentieth-century Conestoga wagon In some ways VW of the 60s could be compared to Chrysler of 80s utilizing one platform to create so many vehicles. This week's spot, a VW single cab pickup is a great example of the company's ingenuity. Introduced in the early 50s it was one of the most advanced commercial... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 2006 Bentley Flying Spur
Two surprises on this trip I bet everybody has a car they lust after but know they will probably never own. For me it's the current C8 Corvette. What I like about it is that at a base price of just under 70 grand, you'd own a supercar. Of course, I'd go big and go... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 55 Chrysler C-300
The beginning of muscle cars Chrysler touched off what would become the muscle car era with its introduction of the first Chrysler 300 "Letter Car" in 1955. It was also the most powerful production car in the US, firmly establishing Chrysler as the king of performance cars and the subject of this week's spot. I... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 1983 Renault R5 Turbo 2
A LeCar on steroids I remember back in 1979 when Renault bought into American Motors. It was a great partnership. Renault wanted to get back into the American market and would use AMC's dealers while AMC got instant new product and, more imporatant, cash! From my collection. Have no idea why I hung onto it.... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 62 Rambler American Convertible
This car was a star ... While doing some research for this blog entry, I checked out the Internet for famous TV cars. I found the obvious, like the Batmobile, and lesser known ones, like the 1960 BMW Isetta 300 (Family Matters), and the 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (That ’70s Show). None of them listed... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 58 Studebaker President Starlight Hardtop
Making the most with limited dollars I love the story of an underdog. You regular followers know about the special place I have in my heart for all things American Motors. The same holds true for Studebaker. With limited funds, they did a remarkable job doing battle with GM, Ford, and Chrysler just like AMC... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 69 Kaiser Jeep J-3000 Gladiator Pickup Truck
A time capsule from Toledo Why fix something that's not broken? That was Jeep Corporation's strategy in the 60's. So many Jeeps were derived from the SJ platform like my spot this week, a 69 Kaiser Jeep J-3000 Gladiator Pickup Truck I discovered at the Chicago Auto Show. This Gladiator looked just like it had... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 2002 Pontiac Firebird
The end of the line for a really fun car Its hard to image but the Pontiac Firebird has now been gone for 16 years. Debuting in 1967 just five months after its sister car the Camaro hit the road it became an iconic muscle car that helped define the genre. This week's spot, a... Continue Reading →
Car Spot: 1978 AMC Spirit AMX
When American Motors was still winning in motorsports AMC will be forever known for being able to squeeze out new designs on a limited budget. This week's spot is a great example of when the Spirit replaced the aging Gremlin. The automotive journalists recognized this and loved it. AMC's designer Dick Teague's "more-conventional" design of... Continue Reading →