Car: Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

Year: 2000

What makes it special: The fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro was produced for the 1993 through 2002 model years, although the last 30 models were unofficially sold in 2003. It was introduced on an updated F-body platform. It would retain the same characteristic since the first-generation’s introduction back in 1967; 2-doors, 2+2 seating, available as a coupe with an optional T-top roof or convertible, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of pushrod V6 and V8 powerplants. The 1998 model year was refreshed and revised with both exterior and engine changes.

What made it famous: Changes for 2000 were cosmetic in nature. Monterey Maroon Metallic was added as an optional color, similar to the previously available Medium Patriot Red. Previously, all V8 cars had side mirrors painted in black A new four-spoke steering wheel, as found in other GM models of the time, was introduced to replace the two-spoke steering wheel dating back to the 1993 cars. A new 10-spoke 16 in wheel became available, but the older 5-spokes were still optional. The base models came with 16 inch steel wheels, with hubcaps. The 3.8L, 231 cu in V6 and 5.7 L, 346 cu in LS1 V8’s continued with no changes.

Why I would want one: Not a huge fan of these, but for the right price, as they say…. This would be a cool addition to a Camaro collection to have all phases of the legendary Chevrolet Pony Car through all it’s generations.

Fun fact: The fourth-gen Camaro would last up through the 2002 model year when General Motors discontinued production due to slow sales, a deteriorated sports coupe market, and plant overcapacity

Car: Ford Thunderbird

Year: 1973

What makes it special: The sixth generation Ford Thunderbird was a large personal luxury coupe that was produced for the 1972 to 1976 model years. A counterpart of the Continental Mark IV, this generation of the Thunderbird was the largest ever produced; weighing in at over 5,000 pounds and are also the heaviest coupes ever produced by Ford, aside from its Mark IV counterpart.

What made it famous: For 1973, Thunderbird increased in size. To accommodate the larger 5 mph bumpers mandated for all 1973 automobiles, the front was restyled with an egg crate grille, topped by a spring-loaded hood ornament, flanked by the quad headlight in individual nacelles. The turn signals were more prominent at the fender edges. Also new to the exterior were opera windows, first optional, then standard late in the model year. Power windows, vinyl roof, manual air conditioning, and tinted glass were also made standard during the model year. Some new options included AM/FM 8-track tape player, remote control right hand outside mirror, and an anti-theft system. Some optional equipment available included sure-track brakes, an early anti-lock braking system, power sunroof, power door locks, cruise control and the 460 cu in V8. 1973 was the last year for the 429 V8 and leaded gas. A total of 87,269 Thunderbirds were built, making this the third highest production figure to date.

Why I would want one: Admittedly, I was not a fan of these when new, but now think they’re kinda cool in a “Mac Daddy” way.

Fun fact: In terms of styling, the sixth-generation Thunderbird would heavily influence the styling of the 1974-1976 Mercury Cougar XR7 and , the latter of which was replaced by the seventh-generation Thunderbird in 1977.

Car: Nissan Patrol H60 4×4

Year: 1967

What makes it special: Nissan’s Patrol is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles manufactured in Japan and sold throughout the world. The Patrol has been available as either a short-wheelbase (SWB) three-door or a long-wheelbase (LWB) five-door chassis since 1951. The LWB version has been offered in pickup truck and cab chassis variants. The Patrol is available in Australia, Central and South America, South Africa, parts of Southeast Asia and Western Europe as well as Iran and the Middle East, excluding North America where as of 2016, a modified version has been sold as the Nissan Armada. 

What made it famous: The soft-top Nissan Patrol 60 and G60 were first sold in Australia in 1960. Left-hand drive L60/GL60 models were sold outside of Australia. US customers could get Patrols only from 1962 until 1969. Patrols were sold through Datsun dealerships, making it the only Nissan-badged vehicle sold in the United States until the early 1980’s when the Datsun marque was phased out. . An extra long wheelbase version, the H60, was also available. The 4WD Nissan Patrol 60 series was produced in short, medium and long wheel-base versions. It had a manual transmission type-F3B83L at first with 3 and later with 4-speeds, 2-speed transfer case with part-time four-wheel drive. The motor was the P engine, a 241.4 cu in inline overhead-valve six-cylinder, featuring bathtub-shaped combustion chambers and a fully balanced seven-bearing crank shaft. With two doors in front and one at the back and four seats: driver, and companion in front, two parallel back seats, the extra long wheelbase version known as the H60, was available with eight-passenger capacity.

Why I would want one: It’s pretty rare here in the states, and looks like it could kick some serious off-road ass.

Fun fact: Nissan Australia claimed that the 60 series Patrol was the first vehicle to drive across the Simpson Desert in Australia, and built much publicity around the 50-year anniversary of the event, including a re-enactment with a similar vehicle ending on 21 July 2012 to publicize the impending release of their new generation Y62. However, a conflicting account claimed that a Toyota Land Cruiser support vehicle arrived before the Patrol.

Car: Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Hardtop Coupe

Year: 1967

What makes it special: The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 (also known as the 442) was a muscle car produced between the 1964 and 1980 model years. Introduced as an option package for their F-85 and Cutlass models, it became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971, spawned the Hurst/Olds in 1968, then reverted to an option through the mid-1970’s. The name was revived in the 1980’s on the rear-wheel drive Cutlass Supreme and early 1990’s as an option package for the new front-wheel drive Cutlass Calais.

What made it famous: The “4-4-2” name derives from the original car’s four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts. It was originally written “4-4-2” with badging showing hyphens between the numerals, and remained hyphenated throughout Oldsmobile’s use of the designation. Beginning in 1965, the 4-4-2’s standard transmission was a 3 speed manual along with optional 2 speed automatic and 4 speed manual, but were still badged as “4-4-2″‘s. By 1968 badging was shortened to simply “442”, but Oldsmobile brochures and internal documents continued to use the “4-4-2” model designation. For 1967 the 4-4-2’s styling and base engine remained the same, with minor trim changes and a 1967 4-4-2 only distinctive louvered hood as well as an increase in intake valve size to 2.067 from 1.99. but the automatic 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic with Switch Pitch became available, replacing the 2-speed Switch Pitch Jetaway, as was the case with the mid-sized muscle cars from other GM divisions. The heavy-duty floor-mounted 3-speed manual transmission was now standard with the Muncie M-20 and M-21 4-speeds optional, all with Hurst shifters. Front disc brakes were a new option this year.

Why I would want one: I’ve had Cutlass, I’ve had F-85’s, but never owned a 4-4-2 yet. Seeing as this was Oldsmobile only true muscle car, it makes a compelling reason to own one if you are a muscle car fan and collector.

Fun fact: A W-30 4-4-2 equipped with a close-ratio 4-speed and 4.33 rear axle was tested, obtaining a quarter mile time of 14.1 seconds at 103 mph in completely stock form. 0–60 times were between 6.5 and 6.7 seconds.
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