If you had to pick a car that was at least 50 years old, stock but in mint condition, as your primary vehicle for one year, what would you want your ride to be? No Big Daddy Roth and no Batmobiles from Barris, just a car straight from the assembly line. No “I’ll just give it to my son to drive and drive what want” clever work-arounds, please.
So, what would I see you driving when I look in my rear view mirror?
Important question. Am I buying this car or being given it for this mission? Can I assume that it comes to me in good, usable condition? Do I need to account for maintenance costs or is the car also cared for?
A Lotus or Caterham 7. Lotus twin cam engine and cycle fenders, please.
It is yours for the duration. Normal wear and tear and gas (no maxing out on any of the three), just drive like you normally would.
I’d probably aim for a mid/late 60s Ford Mustang. For its time it was a great car and a classic.
Today it might be unreasonably expensive because of that.
I am hard pressed to think of a 70s car I liked that meets the OP’s criteria.
Mint is mint.
Remember-50 years old or older.
That takes us to 1976 so early 70’s cars count I think.
ETA: I would add a Datsun 510. Weirdly pretty good. Ugly, but good (IIRC they were very popular…punched above their weight). I drove a Datsun 200sx. Waaay after the 510 and nowhere near as cool but still a Datusn (which is now Nissan).
So assuming part of this challenge is picking a car that not only satisfies the fantasy component of the question but the real world practicality of needing to use it as my transportation for a year , I have a few choices.
Probably a BMW 3.0 CSL “Batmobile”
But a ‘73 long hood Porsche 911 S Targa would work.
On the ragged edge of believability, a ‘63 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 roadster. Or a MB 300SL Gullwing.
And it I really want to go the punishing route, a ‘73 Lamborghini Miura SV.
Elite: no, my bonkers, destroy my back and knees but live like a king pick is a ‘74 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopio. you know, before they glued on all those ridiculous flares and wings.
Oooooo, sexy choice. I’d still stick with the Lotus.
Also neato.
Not to criticize your first choice too much, but my family owned several 60s Mustangs/Cougars (I dailied a 69 XR7 for years). They’re ok, but I don’t pine for them.
I’ve driven one of those, it’s great fun. Having owned a lotus in the past, though, I really want something that I can sleep in when it strands me by the side of the road.
Hehe, a completely valid criticism for a car that was likely built in someone’s garage.
Easy question for me.
1972 LT-1 stick shift Corvette with T-tops.
I had one in 1976. Chevy only made 240 of them. Mine was white with a black interior, all stock.
It was a fun car to drive, a total classic and I’d love to have one again for a year.
1966 Corvair convertible. Had all the improved 2nd generation styling, suspension, brakes and power up to 180hp. Full syncro 4-speed manual
More with Yenko modifications (prices for actual Yenko Stingers are in the 6 figure range).
Adding one: in case there’s any way I could monetize this by selling rides or something, I’ll go with a Ferrari 250 GTO. Not only was this specific car an auction record for the most expensive car sold, it belonged to a friend of mine and I’ve sat in it
1963 Mercedes 190 (gas, not diesel). It was a little 4-door box with vestigial fins, very cute, and very Mercedes without the bloat that came along later. Handled beautifully, which I know because I had a friend who owned one in the late 60s and let me drive it a couple of times. That would be a lot of fun to drive now, I think.
I had a friend who’s father owned one of those in black. Dang, I wanted to snatch it off of him.
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V
1968 Ford Bronco.
1969 SS Camaro.