Car: Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Convertible

Year: 1970

What makes it special: The 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 stands as a muscle car classic, but the formula was years in the making. W-30 versions, benefitting from better-breathing heads and what amounted to factory blueprinting, matched the performance of the short-stroke ’66-67 4-4-2 V-8’s. But it wasn’t until ’70 that Olds got it together with perhaps the best all-around 4-4-2 ever. The major advance was the newly standard 455 cid V8, an under-stressed, big-port V8 with tug-boat torque. Yet, it also had an advanced design that kept its exterior dimensions compact and its weight below that of the ’69 400 cid V8. It made 365 bhp in base form and was underrated at 370 in W-30 guise.

What made it famous: The W-30 package again included what Olds called “Select Fit” engine parts, plus a performance calibrated 4-barrel, a hotter cam, and low-restriction exhausts. A Hurst-managed 4-speed with 3.42:1 gears or a performance-calibrated TurboHydra-matic 400 with a Hurst Dual-Gate shifter and 3.23:1 cogs were drivetrain choices. The Anti-Spin axle was standard and dealer-installed ratios up to 5.00:1 were available. Front disc brakes, with no power assist on four-speed cars, sway bars front and rear, and G70xl4 white-letter tires were other W-30 components. Weight reduction was illustrated in the W-30 package. The hood, with molded-in functional scoops, was made of fiberglass and was 18 pounds lighter than the steel version. The W-30’s intake manifold was aluminum, its inner fender liners were plastic, and the cars had less sound deadener than other 4-4-2’s. Aluminum was even used for the differential carrier and cover, shaving another 18 pounds.

Why I would want one: As stated before, the 1970 W-30 was the best 4-4-2 ever made.

Fun fact: A 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 was featured in the chase scene of the movie Demolition Man starring Sylvester Stallone.

Car ( Or in this case, Bus ): Volkswagen Type 2 ( Bus )

Year: 1975

What makes it special: Volkswagen’s Type 2, known officially depending on body type as the Transporter, Kombi or Microbus, or, informally, as the Bus in the US or Camper in the UK, is a forward control panel van introduced in 1950 by the German automaker as its second car model, following and initially deriving from Volkswagen’s first model, the Type 1 Beetle, giving it the factory designation of Type 2. In late 1967, the second generation of the Volkswagen Type 2 (T2) was introduced. It was built in Germany until 1979. Models before 1971 are often called the T2a or “Early Bay”, while models after 1972 are called the T2b or “Late Bay”.

What made it famous: This second-generation Type 2 lost its distinctive split front windshield, and was slightly larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor. The T2b was introduced by way of gradual change over three years. The first models featured rounded bumpers incorporating a step for use when the door was open replaced by indented bumpers without steps on later models, front doors that opened to 90° from the body, no lip on the front guards, unique engine hatches, and crescent air intakes in the D-pillars. By 1974, the T2 had gained its final shape. In 1972, for the 1973 model year, exterior revisions included relocated front turn indicators, squared off and set higher in the valance, above the headlights. Also, square-profiled bumpers, which became standard until the end of the T2 in 1979, were introduced in 1973. The 1975 and later U.S. model years received Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection as standard equipment; the Type 4 engine was enlarged to 1.8 L and 50 kW DIN. 

Why I would want one: Though they’re no street threat to anyone ( except maybe racing a jogger), they are just fun to drive, and make you smile when you see them.

Fun fact: Like the Beetle, the van has received numerous nicknames worldwide, including the “microbus”, “minibus,” and, because of its popularity during the counterculture movement of the 1960’s, “Hippie Van/Bus” has become its most popular.