Car: Mercury Cougar

Year: 1968

What makes it special: Mercury’s introduction of the Cougar model was their entrance into the Pony Car market. It was the more luxurious sister to Ford’s Mustang, and was the slot between the Mustang and Thunderbird. It was available in two models upon introduction: a base model and an XR-7. It came only in one body style, a two-door hardtop coupe.

What made it famous: Cougar was given a deliberate European flavor, getting its inspiration from Jaguar’s E-Type model. One performance model was available, the GT. Engine choices ranged from a 200hp, 289 cu in V8 for 1967, to a 335hp, 390 cu in V8. A performance package for the GT was available for both a base model as well as the XR-7, and included a 390 V8 along with a performance handling package and other performance enhancements.

 Why I would want one: I’ve had two. Love the covered headlights, razor look front end to it’s sequential taillights.

Fun fact: This was the only generation of Cougar with covered headlights.

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Car: Chevrolet C-2 Corvette Roadster

Year: 1964

What makes it special: Chevrolet made some major changes to the C-2 Corvette for the 1964 model year: The Coupe lost it’s backbone rear window and the two simulated air intakes were removed from it’s hood, but the indentations from where they once were placed remained. The rocker-panel trim lost some ribs, wheel covers were less ornate, and its fuel filler/deck emblem gained concentric circle around the crossed-flags insignia. Also, the steering wheel was now in simulated walnut.

What made it famous: The C-2 for ’64 drivetrain was as the prior year, but the high-performance V8’s were improved. The solid-lifter unit was given a high-lift, long diration camshaft to produce 365hp, breathing through a big 4-barrel Holley carb instead of the Carter used in the base model. The Fuel-Injected V8 gained an additional 15hp, making it now 375hp. Muncie 4-speed manual transmissions replaced the former Borg-Warner T-10’s of the prior year.

Why I would want one: It’s a Corvette. And a convertible. Do the math.

Fun fact: The C-2 Corvette was produced from 1963 through the 1967 model years.

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Car (Or in this case, truck ): Ford F100 Pick-Up

Year: 1957

What makes it special: Ford’s third generation of the F-Series for the 1956 through 1960 model years. The front bodywork was widened in order to integrate both the cab and front fenders together. They also integrated the hood into the bodywork in a clamshell design. The optional chrome grille was now even more prominent than previous years. Two sets of rear beds were available, with a flareside or styleside.

What made it famous: In May of ’57,Ford stopped building trucks at their Highland Park Plant. All light and medium trucks were transferred to ten other plants in the U.S. Overhead-Valve inline-6’s and V8’s like the 171hp, 272 V8 were the same engines used in passenger cars for that time period. A floor-shifted 4-speed manual was available.

Why I would want one: Love the integrated fender/cab look, love the large chrome grill. Very stylish.

Fun fact: This was also the last generation for the Ford Panel Van, which would not return again until the E-Series introduction in 1968.
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