Yup, I’m hitting a milestone today; official middle age. There were big plans for this upcoming weekend that involved family, camping, and of course race cars at the track. But that, like most things in 2020, has to be put off for the year. Here’s hoping I get to do it for my 41st birthday next year.
So, what to do instead? Well, some of the few things I can do currently – write and daydream. I decided I’d compile a list of 40 cars from the 20th century I’d gladly take as gifts for my 40th birthday (who am I kidding, I’d take any car as a gift). Why limiting it to the 1900s? Well, there are so many great new cars, I’m not sure which ones I’m going to have a lifelong lust for compared to those that are just a passing fad. All the cars in the list below have been around for at least 20 years, so its safe to say if I’m still enamored with them now, I probably will be for life.
So, if you’re looking for a gift for me, here is the list in chronological order.
1960s and 1970s
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R
What’s not to love about a stripped out, track ready car with a glorious sounding V8. The 350R proved American pony cars could be deadly track weapons.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS
Speaking of Pony Cars being deadly track weapons, the original Camaro Z/28 was designed for one purpose, dominate Trans Am. I’ll take mine as a RS with the covered headlights please.
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427 L88
What isn’t there to like about the classic C2 Corvette Stingray body stuffed with a 427 cu. in V8 engine making an underrated 435 hp? Actually, maybe this isn’t a great idea as I’ll go broke replacing tires daily.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL-1
Ok, this one might be a bit hard to acquire. Only a handful were built, but what a monster. An all-aluminum, 427 cu. in V8 with a dry sump oil system can do a lot for a car.
1969 Hurst/Olds 442
Forget the cool Hurst shifter or the massive amounts of power coming from the big block V8. That iconic white paint job with black and gold striping is what makes this car amazing.
1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge
Just like the Hurst Olds needs to be white, the ’69 GTO Judge has to be orange with the obligatory decal kit. The vehicle’s shape and design are easily one of my all-time favourites.
1970 Buick Gran Sport Stage I
510 freaking lb-ft of torque. #TireSmoke #LicenseSuspension
1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird
Unmistakable for any other car ever made, the Superbird is an example of what can happen when engineers are given full reign in car design. I’ll be sure to pay attention to height restrictions at underground garages and drive-throughs.
1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD 455
One of the last true muscle cars, the ’73 Trans Am was still a beast. AND IT HAS AN EAGLE ON THE HOOD!
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
Ok, switching gears a bit here, I like finesse as much as I like brute force. Although I have never had the pleasure to drive a Carrera RS 2.7, I hear it is a raw driver’s car not for the faint of heart. It needs colour matching wheels and graphics of course.
1974 Bricklin SV-1
As a patriotic Canadian, the least I can do is keep our heritage alive by acquiring this piece of our history. A somewhat solid attempt to create an automotive manufacturer in the land of the maple leaf, I will forever be fascinated by these gullwing coupes. I especially like the early models with the more obscure AMC V8.
Click Page 2 Below to Continue to the 1980s
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