Car: GM Futurliner

Year: 1939

What makes it special: GM’s Futurliner was part of a group of custom vehicles, styled in the 1940’s by Harley Earl for General Motors, and integral to the company’s “Parade of Progress”: A North American traveling exhibition promoting future cars and technologies. Having earlier used eight custom Streamliners from 1936 to 1940, GM sponsored the Parade of Progress and the Futurliners from 1940 to 1941 and again from 1953 to 1956. Originally manufactured for the 1939 New York World’s Fair, the Futurliners were later featured in GM’s  promotional caravan travelling a 150-stop route across the United States and Canada. The Futurliners, along with 32 support vehicles, were driven by 50 college graduates, who also staffed the exhibitions along the route.

What made it famous: At 33 feet long, 8 feet wide, more than 11 feet tall, and weighing more than 12 tons, each Futurliner featured heavily stylized art deco, streamlined bodywork, deep red side and white roof paint, large articulated chrome side panels, a military-grade 302 cubic inch GMC straight-six gasoline engine and automatic transmission, whitewall tires and a prominent, high-mounted, centrally located driver command position with a panoramic windshield. Typically arranged at each stop around a large tent and an information kiosk, each Futurliner featured a self-contained stage as well as a prominent deployable light tower, and each vehicle featured a particular subject. The mobile exhibition covered such topics as jet engine technology, agriculture, traffic engineering, stereophonic sound, microwave ovens, television and other innovations. In 1955 a miniature automobile assembly line display named “A Car Is Born” was constructed for one of the Futurliners. A display titled “Our American Crossroads” was also used in 1955.

Why I would want one: They’re huge, mammoth-like vehicles that have amazing style, and let’s face it…if you want to attract everyone at a car show, this is it.

Fun fact: Of the twelve original Futurliners, one was destroyed in a 1956 accident, and nine survive as of 2007. In 2014, Futurliner #10 was nominated for inclusion in the National Historic Vehicle Register.

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Car: Ford Mustang Mach-1 SportsRoof

Year: 1969

What makes it special: The Mach 1 was a performance-oriented option package of the Ford Mustang, originally introduced in August 1968 as a package for the 1969 model year. The Mach 1 title adorned performance oriented Mustang offerings until the original retirement of the moniker in 1978. 1969 was the benchmark year for Ford Mustang in its proliferation of performance names and engines. No fewer than six factory performance Mustang models were available: GT, Boss 302, Boss 429, Shelby GT350, Shelby GT500 and the Mach 1. Additionally, seven variations of V8’s were available in the ’69–’70 models; most of these also available in the new Mach 1.

What made it famous: The Mach 1 started with a V8-powered ‘Sportsroof’ body and added visual and performance enhancing items such as matte black hood treatment with hood pins, hood scoop, including optional Shaker scoop, competition suspension, chrome pop-open gas cap, revised wheels with Goodyear Polyglas tires, chrome exhaust tips, deluxe interior, livery and dealer optional chin spoiler, rear deck spoiler, and rear window louvers. Standard equipment was a 351 cu in Windsor (351W) 2V motor with a 3-speed manual transmission, and a 9-inch 28 spline open rear axle. A 351W 4V was optional as was a 390 cu in FE, and the huge 428 cu in Cobra Jet 4V with or without Ram-Air, and even the introduction of the “Drag Pack” option with the modified 428 cu in Super Cobra Jet engine. A 4-speed manual or 3-speed FMX (small block)/C6 (big block) automatic transmission was optional, and the 428SCJ added a cast iron tailshaft in place of the regular aluminum one to the C6. A “traction lok” rear axle was optional, and the 428 CJ/SCJ included a “traction lok” with a 3.91 or 4.30 ratio, 31 spline axle shafts and a nodular case. In 1970, the 3.91 ratio was a “traction-lok”, while the 4.30 ratio was a Detroit Locker.

Why I would want one: When I was 7 years old, my parents gave me a ‘Gold-Plated’ 1969 Ford Mustang Mach-1 How Wheels die-cast car. Sadly, I had lost that car somewhere over the years, but have been in love ever since.

Fun fact: Ford first used the name “Mach 1” in its 1969 display of a concept called the “Levacar Mach I” at the Ford Rotunda. This concept vehicle used a cushion of air as propulsion on a circular dais.
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Car: Chevrolet Impala Super-Sport Sports Coupe

Year: 1962

What makes it special: In 1961, the Impala SS, or Super Sport was introduced to the market. The SS badge was to become Chevrolet’s signature of performance on many models, though it often has been an appearance package only. The Impala’s factory SS package in 1961 was truly a performance package when so equipped from the factory with both the trim and “mandatory” suspension and engine upgrades, beginning with the 348 cu in V8 engines available with 305 hp, 340 hp, and 350 hp or the new 409 cu in V8, which was available with up to 425 hp. Unlike all other years, the 1961 Super Sport package was available on any Impala, including sedans and station wagons. In addition to the factory-installed SS package, Chevrolet dealers could add SS trim to any standard Impala without the “mandatory” performance upgrades.

What made it famous: The Super Sport was known as Regular Production Option (RPO) Z03, from 1962 to 1963, and again in 1968. Starting for the 1962 model year, the Impala SS was an appearance package limited to hardtop coupe and convertible coupe models, available with all engines in the Impala series starting with the base 235 cu in, 135 hp inline-6, though the big-block engines and heavy-duty parts could still be ordered. The small-block 283 was offered with a 2-barrel carburetor. The 283 was also enlarged to 327-cubic-inch, offered in two versions, one with 250 bhp and one with 300 bhp, which added more engine choices for small-block fans. Due to reliability problems, the optional Turboglide automatic transmission was discontinued, leaving Powerglide the only automatic transmission available until 1965. Super Sports from 1962 to 1964 came with engine-turned aluminum trim, which was replaced by a “blackout” trim strip in 1965 which ran under the taillights. 

Why I would want one: Of the Impala years, the pre-65’s were my favorite.

Fun fact: The Beach Boys produced a hit single, “409“, referring to the Chevrolet, which became an iconic song for these cars. 
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