AJ’s Car of the Day: 1960 Chevrolet C-1 Corvette

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1960 Chevrolet C-1 Corvette

Car: Chevrolet C-1 Corvette

Year: 1960

What makes it special: The C1 Chevrolet Corvette is the first generation of the sports car. It was introduced late in the 1953 model year, and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the “solid-axle” generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed and sales fell far short of expectations through the car’s early years. The program was nearly canceled, but Chevrolet would ultimately stay the course.

What made it famous: In an era of chrome and four headlamps, the Corvette succumbed to the look of the day. The 1958 model year and the four that followed all had the exposed four-headlamp treatment and prominent grills. Last features to appear in 1960 models included taillamps molded into the rear fenders and heavy grill teeth. New features include aluminum radiators, but only with 270 hp and 290 hp engines. Also for the first time, all fuel-injection engines required manual transmissions. The 1960’s Cascade Green was metallic, unique to the year and the rarest color at 140 made. Rare options: RPO 579 250 hp engine, RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and suspension, RPO 276 15″×5.5″ wheels, RPO 473 power convertible top, RPO 426 power windows.

Why I would want one: Of all the years of America’s iconic sports car, the C-1 first-gen’s are my favorite.

Fun fact: General Motors designer Harley Earl loved sports cars. Earl convinced GM that they needed to build a two-seat sports car, and with his Special Projects crew began working on the new car, “Project Opel” in late 1951. The result was the hand-built, EX-122 pre-production Corvette prototype, which was first shown to the public at the 1953 General Motors Motorama at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on January 17, 1953. Production began six months later. 

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1973 Plymouth Road Runner Coupe

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1973 Plymouth Road Runner Coupe

Car: Plymouth Road Runner Coupe

Year: 1973

What makes it special: The Road Runner was a mid-size model with a focus on performance built by Plymouth between 1968 and 1980. By 1968, some of the original muscle cars were moving away from their roots as relatively cheap, fast cars as they gained features and increased in price. Plymouth developed the Road Runner to market a lower priced, basic trim model to its upscale GTX.

What made it famous: The 1973-74 models received completely new sheet metal and had more conventional squared-up front-end styling and changes to the rear that more closely resembled the four-door models than the 71-72’s. Interior options included retaining power seats and windows as well as offering plusher carpeting and seat covers, moving the car to a slightly higher level of luxury. In testing 1/4 mile times were getting close to the 16’s, top speeds had dropped to barely over 125 mph, and the car moved further away from “muscle car” status. The base engine for the 1973-74 models had dropped down to Chrysler’s 318 V8 but equipped with dual exhausts which bumped the power up to 170 hp. The code E68 400 cu in 260 hp engine was the biggest Plymouth offered with the 4-speed, which could also be had with the 340 for 1973, and 360 for1974, engines. The 318 was equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission as standard, and the TorqueFlite as an option, and the 440 cu in engine, boasting 280 hp was still available for 1973 and 1974, but only mated to the 727 TorqueFlite automatic, with 3.55 sure-grip 8 3/4 rear axle gearing available. 

Why I would want one: Even though it was no longer the street monster it started off as, it’s still a muscle car, and still one good-looking car.

Fun fact: After 1972, no 440 with 4-speed manual cars were built.

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1962 Cadillac Series-62 4-Door Hardtop

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1962 Cadillac Series-62 4-Door Hardtop

Car: Cadillac Series 62 4-Door Hardtop

Year: 1962

What makes it special: The Series 62 was produced by Cadillac from 1940 through 1964. Originally designed to replace the entry level Series 65, it became the Cadillac Series 6200 in 1959, and remained that until it was renamed to Cadillac Calais for the 1965 model year. The Series 62 was also marketed as the Sixty-Two and the Series Sixty-Two.

What made it famous: Cadillac was restyled and re-engineered for 1961. A mild face lift characterized Cadillac styling trends for 1962. A flatter grille with a thicker horizontal center bar and more delicate cross-hatched insert appeared. Ribbed chrome trim panel, seen ahead of the front wheel housings for 1961, were now replaced with standard cornering lamps and front fender model and series identification badges were eliminated. More massive front bumper end pieces appeared and housed rectangular parking lamps. At the rear tail lamps were now housed in vertical nacelles designed with an angled peak at the center. A vertically ribbed rear beauty panel appeared on the deck lid latch panel. Cadillac script also appeared on the lower left side of the radiator grille. Engines remained 325 hp, 390 cu in V8’s, and all models were equipped with an automatic transmission.

Why I would want one: If you wanted to show you had made it in the world, you drove a Cadillac.

Fun fact: A Series-62 Cadillac Convertible had a starring role in the 1992 smash-hit comedy movie, “My Cousin Vinny” starring actors Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei.

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1957 Ford 2-Door Ranch Wagon

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1957 Ford 2-Door Ranch Wagon

Car: Ford 2-Door Ranch Wagon

Year: 1957

What makes it special: Ford’s Ranch Wagon was built from 1952 to 1974. The Ranch Wagon was a full-size model, except in 1963 and 1964, when it was part of the intermediate-size Fairlane series, and represented the lowest-priced selection in its line. 

What made it famous: In the early 1950’s, the era of the wood-bodied station wagon was coming to an end. Ford’s Country Squire continued to cater to buyers who still wanted a station wagon with the look of wood by applying simulated exterior wood decals, which were framed in genuine wood through 1953. But for other wagon buyers, Ford also gave them the first all-steel wagons in the firm’s history. These were the Country Sedan, a four-door model in the mid-range Customline series; and the Ranch Wagon, which was a two-door model in the economy Mainline series, inspired by the European-term shooting-brake. The Ranch Wagon ran with either the standard “Mileage Maker” six-cylinder engine or the long-familiar flathead V8, which was optional. For 1957, the Del Rio Ranch Wagon was introduced replacing both the Custom Ranch Wagon and the Parklane, sporting special ranch-pattern upholstery.

Why I would want one: Love wagons, but the two-door makes it even cooler. It’s perfect for street rod material.

Fun fact: This same model was the basis for the birth of the all-new 1957 Ranchero.