Car: Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Coupe

Year: 1965

What makes it special: The first Plymouth Barracuda carried the emblems of the Valiant model, and was known as the Plymouth Valiant Barracuda for the 1964 model year. It was a five passenger two door equipped as the top-of-the-line Valiant Signet, but with a fold-down rear seat and a larger cargo space. It came standard with a 225 cu in “Slant-Six” engine, but about 90% were ordered with the optional 180hp, 273 cu in V8, weighing in at 2,905 lbs, at a purchase price of $2,496.00. But it was threatened byFord’s Mustang model that could be had with any of a trio of V8’s, including the famed 271 hp, “Hi-Po” High Performance V8.

What made it famous: Since it wasn’t wining in straight-line competition, the Chrysler Corporation decided to focus on handling instead, hitting Ford’s Mustang back hard with the 4-barrel Commando 273, featuring a hotter camshaft and Carter carb which bumped up the horsepower to 235. A 3-speed manual transmission was standard for the 273, but a 4-speed manual or Torqueflite automatic were options. Most buyers opted for the 3.23:1 gear ratio for their 273’s. The Barracuda Formula S Sports Package was created, including the Commando 273 V8, tachometer, heavy-duty shocks, springs, and sway-bar, Goodyear Blue-Streak tires mounted on wide-rim 14′ wheels. Formula S was also given circular “Formula S” medallions on the fenders, and many were ordered with the racing stripe that was a regular Barracuda option that year.

Why I would want one: I am in love with the style of this car! The large rear glass, overall body lines and the hot 273 Commando V8 makes this very desirable to me.

Fun fact: Plymouth Barracuda production nearly tripled for the 1965 model year.
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Car: Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable Hardtop

Year: 1957

What makes it special: Ford Motor Division’s Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable model was basically a convertible that featured a retractable Hardtop. Made for model years 1957 through 1959, its name was changed over to Galaxy Skyliner just after production began on the 1959 models. It’s “Hide-Away Hardtop”

was a completely unique feature to the Ford products, and could not be had on Continental, Lincoln, Mercury or Edsel sister Ford models.

What made it famous: The Skyliner was given a complicated mechanism that enabled it to fold down the front portion of its roof, and retract it under the rear trunklid. No hydraulics were used in regular convertibles of that time. It had seven reversible electric motors, four jack lifts, series of relays, ten limit switches, ten solenoids, four locking mechanisms for its roof, and two for the rear trunklid. The car’s fuel tank was placed vertically in back of its rear seat, giving the car added safety in the event of a rear-end collision. Power for the 1957 Ford came from a choice of a 190hp, 272 cu in, 200, 205 or 212hp 292 cu in, or 245hp, 312 V8, mated to your choice of a 3-speed, or 3-speed with overdrive manual, or 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmissions.

Why I would want one: The Skyliner Retractable is a design icon, and was a huge leap forward in automotive technology. Lower production numbers make this fairly rare, and highly collectible.

Fun fact: A 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Retractable had a supporting role in the 1990 summer blockbuster movie “Ford Fairlane,” starring comedian Andrew “Dice” Clay.

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