Car: Ford F-1 Pickup

Year: 1951

What makes it special: The first-generation F-Series were a series of pickup trucks and commercial vehicles produced by Ford. Introduced in late 1947, the F-Series was the first post-war truck design and would remain in production until 1952. F-Series trucks were assembled at sixteen different Ford factories. The most common model was the F-1 with a 6 ½-foot bed followed by the F-2 and F-3 Express models with an 8-foot bed.

What made it famous: The 1951 trucks were restyled with a single bar type grille and a headlight at each end of the grille bar. The grille was painted argent silver to complement the chrome headlight bezels. During the model year, the grille was painted ivory and the headlight rings argent silver. The hood got new side spears and a three slot embellishment at the front. The front bumper was redesigned. A V8 emblem was used on the upper grille support on corresponding trucks. The pickup bed and tailgate were redesigned. The bed used a hardwood floor instead of the previous all metal floor. The rear window was larger. Door panels were also added. The F1 was a 1/2 ton pickup, powered by various engines, such as a 95hp, 226 or 110hp, 254 Flathead-6, or a 100hp, 239 or 145hp, 337 Flathead V8, all mated to a 3-speed light or heavy-duty, or 4-speed spur gear manual transmission.

Why I would want one: Early pickups are just plain cool. If it’s left as an untouched “Survivor,”  full resto or street rod, they are all awesome.

Fun fact: A red, faded 1951 Ford F1 pick-up was the silent star of the wildly popular 70’s Red Foxx / Demond Wilson TV comedy series “Sanford & Son.”

Car: Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Hardtop

Year: 1957

What makes it special: The 1957 Chevrolet was introduced in September 1956 for the 1957 model year. It was available in three series models: the upscale Bel Air, the mid-range Two-Ten, and the One-Fifty. A two-door station wagon, the Nomad was produced as a Bel Air model. 

What made it famous: Originally, General Motors executives wanted an entirely new car for 1957, but production delays necessitated the 1955–56 design for one more year. Chevrolet’s Chief Engineer fEd Cole  dictated a series of changes that significantly increased the cost of the car. These changes included a new dashboard, sealed cowl, and the relocation of air ducts to the headlight pods, which resulted in the distinctive chrome headlight that helped make the ’57 Chevrolet a classic. 14-inch wheels replaced the 15-inch wheels from previous years to give the car a lower stance, and a wide grille was used to give the car a wider look from the front. The now famous ’57 Chevrolet tailfins were designed to duplicate the wide look in the rear. Bel Air models were given gold trim: the mesh grille insert and front fender chevrons, as well as the “Chevrolet” script on the hood and trunk, were all rendered in anodized gold. The base engine was an inline 6-cylinder called the Blue Flame Six. The engine was smoother running than the V8. Carburetion came from a single one-barrel carburetor. For 1957 there were 3 standard V8 engine options, a 265 cu in V8 “Turbo-Fire” producing 162 hp, and two 283 cu in V8’s: a “Turbo-Fire” twin-barrel carburetor producing 185 hp and a “Super “Turbo-Fire” 2-barrel carburetor developing 220 hp.  Another optional engine was offered with two 4-barrel carburetors, the legendary “Duntov” cam and solid lifters. This engine produced 270 hp. 1957 was the first year that Chevrolet ever offered fuel injection as an option. A 283 cu in V8 fitted with solid lifters, the “Duntov” cam and fuel injection was rated at 283 hp and cost $500. This was the first time in history that a General Motors vehicle achieved 1-hp-per-cu-in in a production vehicle.

Why I would want one: Whether it’s a 2 door sedan or Nomad or in-between, anyone who’s into cars wants a 1957 Chevrolet in their personal collection.

Fun fact:  It is a popular and sought after classic car. They’re often restored to their original condition and sometimes modified. The car’s image has been frequently used in toys, graphics, music, movies, and television. The ’57 Chevy as it is often known, is an automotive icon.