If I had to stick a dart into the center of what I view as the most stylish and interesting cars it would be the 53-57 era.

The first thing most people think of in that era are the Chevys ... take a look at the Chrysler 300's, the Desoto's, the Studebakers. All unique, different. Although the GM's all shared the same general body ... look at the side glass area and rooflines ... they were interestingly different, not as "cookie-cuttered" as the 70's. This was the first hint of the "fins" era and it was usually done subtlely.

58-59 & 60 seemed to be the era of "EXCESS!" The cars got huge and flamboyant. Look at the fins!

Early 60's Pontiacs were my true loves. Had a 61 & 62 in 2 dr posts, a 64 convert and one of the most loved cars I ever owned was a big, dark blue 65 sedan that would "bury the needle", splatter rubber all over the place, give me 20-22 mpg daily and never, I mean NEVER let me down. "Poncho" lived to see ~235,000 and was loved by all who owned and drove it.

When they quit making Pontiacs (IMHO) in the late 60's the Dodges and Plymouths had some great lines. Had a couple but looks /= reliability. I had a 70 Barracuda convert named "The Biggest Piece of **** That Ever Rolled Down The Pipe".

Those posters earlier bad-mouthing the Merc Marquis never met the '74 Marquis Broughan I had. The 460 4V and beefed suspension gave it great authority on the road and it had all the comforts. We called it "The Prairie Cruiser"

Ah, the good old days! Had some great old iron at bargain prices: 50 Chev 2D $50, 52 Catalina Custom (top of the line, MSRP $3600 in 52!) $135, 55 BelAir 2D post $235, 56 BelAir 2D post $350, 61 Catalina 2D post $750, 62 Catalina 2D post $500, 64 Catalina conv(303hp,leather) ~$1500. None of these were the least bit junky and would have presented themselves very well in a car show today.

Great cars, great rides! Sure can't afford to own them today!

I lived it , but I miss it

 

Great post, Clyde.

I was at a show in July, a guy there had a flawless, ORIGINAL '62 Bonneville. Not one single crack or craze in the clear amber steering wheel! White with red interior; very nice. Then another show back in June, what pulls up but a '65 2 + 2 convertible, triple black. And the equipment: 421 with 3 deuces, 4-speed stick, A/C, power everything, and the 8-bolt aluminum rims! The paint was so perfect it looked as though you could dive into it. Out of almost 1,000 cars there, it took best of show, and it deserved it. I got weak in the knees when I saw it roll in!

Here's a link to that show with the Bonneville, along with a few photos of some VERY nice older Ford pickups, and a certain Corvair that just happened to be there.........Click on "view slideshow" to see all the photos.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...74412208ImmzpF

 

The '62 Pontiacs were indeed great looking cars. A few years back I passed on a '62 Catalina 2DHT that, except for re-paint (faded badly on the rear), was all original and exceptional. The owner had upgraded to the GP wheels, 4V and duals but had all the stock items. Like the one you described, the interior was fabulous! It had been stored in a shed in ND with ~ 1 1/2' of the rearend exposed to sunlight, hence the faded paint in that area. Only $7,500, a great price for a very nice car that I would've loved to own but I walked away ... I still treasure the pictures of me in it ... but I walked away.

I still get a chance to see it occasionally at the Minnesota Street Rod Association "Back to the 50's Weekend" show every year in June. Check out this link for a little atsmophere! http://www.msra.com/ Imagine more than 10,000 cars covering the entire state fairgrounds!!! Everything from wild customs to bone stock restorations. Talk about sensory overload! Right down to the local "oldies" station playing great music as background over speakers all over the fairgrounds! Lots of chrome, fancy paint, and the sounds of big motors and tuned exhausts. Fabulous!

 

The King Kong of styling excess. 1959 Series 62 Cadillac 2 door convertible. And if that wasn't enough, the Berritz (sp?) had even more chrome. 8 foot long rear quarter panels, 4 foot long doors, 6 foot long front hood. Powered by a 390 4Barrel.

Try sanding 3 coats of paint off one of those monsters and you'll make sure you put the next one on right.

 

Jeff - my cousin in Ark. has a '72 Olds coupe with 1100 miles on it. Only the drivers seat has been sat on. He bought it new and "just never got around to using it". It is kept in a dry garage and he starts it and moves it every couple of months. He keeps it spotless. I wonder how it would fare in a show.
Dono

 

I would love to own a 1965 Pontiac 2+2 convertible with a 4 speed manual, full power and air conditioning, those options must of been rare back in 1965, who wouldn't want a 4 speed in a classic convertible, I personally think that 4 speed's are better than automatic when it comes to full size coupes/convertibles.

 

You don't see too many of the 1959 Cadillac Series 62's around, especially the convertibles.

 

Uh, yeah. The 2 + 2's were rare to begin with; I'm sure that you could count on one hand the number of those that were built with that equipment (the one at the show had the ORIGINAL window sticker, not one of those new "duplicates"). Factory A/C was still rare in '65, and almost non-existent on a convertible, at least where I grew up. That was a very, VERY rare car, and desirable besides.

 

I wonder how much those cars are worth in good condition? I would say about $12,000-$20,000 if you can find one in good condition, not many cars had factory A/C back in 1965 and same thing with power windows.

 

Yes...and I came back in time to destroy the paperwork that I used to make it in order to preserve humanity and this post.

I guess you're right, but there weren't as many electrical components and systems and sensors, etc. There was a motor, and a car for the motor. They were made of metal too, solid metal that withstood the test of time. And besides, who can forget raw V8 power? I don't think that too many of the cars of today will withstand the test of time, or at least until say, 2064. Whose going to be making the sensors and electroincs, or all of the plastic body panels?

But, who knows. Maybe I can remember how to make that time machine again, go to the future, make it back, and tell you again, but with a more positive answer.

Ever wonder if it's already been done, but hidden really well? Hmmmm?

 

yup the 50's defintly the high of styling american cars. Proably the only chevy I would ever own would be a mid to late 50's chevy bel air, man those were some hot looking cars.

 

Definetly the 70s, in particular the 73-79 Ford trucks!

 

I also liked those 1967-72 Chevrolet/GMC pickups with 4 wheel drive, those are nice trucks and I would love to own a one with 4 wheel drive, 350/396/402, 4 speed manual and a 6" lift with 38" tires.

 

I love my 62 ford f-100 4x4 custom cab pickup. Its got the original 292 w/ 291,000 miles on it(not sure if its been rebuilt or not). Its a strong running beast. You cant beat the durability of these old pickups with real metal bodies. I rolled my pickup on its side (long story) and i got a little dent in my door and broke my mirrior mount off. I was mad about the mirrior mount part, but it was pushed up against the passenger window at the time. If i would have had a newer pickup, the whole side of the pickup would have been toast. My pickup is great working on. Its easy to tell what stuff is, you dont have to bring it back to your dealer to have the oil changed, and like i said, its tough as hell! People will say that its hard to find parts for the older vehicles, if you know where to look you will be set.
I also have a 71 ford f-100 4x4 custom with a 390. I havent drove this pickup much yet so i cant tell you much about it. BUT my dad has a 71 ford f-100 4x4 sport custom with a 300 inline 6. Let me tell you thats a hell of a good motor. He has 240,000 miles on it w/ out a single rebuild or any internal engine parts replaced. That pickup has been through a lot of stuff.

OK! Sorry for the long post, i just had to make my point . It is a personal preferance for everybody. My personal dream cars are 1: 1968 Shelby GT500 w/ a 428 cobra jet w/ candy apple red paint with some white racing stripes 2: 1969 yenko camaro, 427 w/ 450 hp 3: 69, or 70 dodge charger rt w/ a 440 and 6 pack. Ricers rely on NOS, muscle cars rely on the big block V8's with all the hp all the time!!!

 

You don't see too many 1962 Ford F-100 4x4's around but that is such a cool truck, does it have power steering/brakes and a 4 speed manual transmission, and what about the 1971 Ford F-100 4x4's, what options did those have cause I'm a fan of those older trucks.