From a unique muscle car of the ‘60s to a tiny compact from the UK, AutoHunter delivers up some fascinating examples of automotive innovation.
AutoHunter, ClassicCars.com’s online auction platform, presents quite a mixed selection of desirable collector cars and trucks at any time, but this week, we were most impressed by these interesting outliers.
These five fun machines are currently up for bidding on the AutoHunter site.
One of the most distinctive sports coupes of the muscle car era, the 2-seat AMX was originally designed as a competitor for the Corvette, but it soon became obvious that it was more in line with the Mustang and Camaro pony cars. And when equipped with the 390cid, as this one is, the lightweight AMX became a powerful performer.
The coupe’s cropped rear and wide C-pillar set it apart from the crowd, a controversial look at the time but grown in popularity today.
This AMX is described as a rust-free example in essentially original condition aside from a repaint in its correct Bronze Metallic hue and a reupholstered interior. Standing on a set of Magnum 500-style wheels, the coupe looks to be in sparkling condition.
The 390cid V8 features a forged steel camshaft and connecting rods, and rated at 315 horsepower and a muscular 425 pound-feet of torque. The engine is linked with a BorgWarner Shift Command 3-speed automatic transmission and 2.87 rear.
1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe custom
It’s not often that you see a ‘40s Plymouth that’s been given the full-on lead-sled treatment, yet here it is, a custom cruiser with a chopped top and in-the-weeds lowered stance. The headlights and taillights have been frenched in, and a dual exhaust pokes out from under the rear bumper.
The car is painted Tuxedo Black and has “comfortable driving dynamics, optimal panel fitment, and show-quality gloss finishes,” the seller says.
Despite its extensive customization, the Plymouth has an air of authenticity with a reupholstered but original-looking interior and powered by its correct 217cid inline-6, which has been upgraded with custom headers and an Offenhauser intake. The engine is linked with a modern 4-speed automatic transmission for easy cruising.
From the wilds of the British Isles comes this mainstay of vintage UK motoring, a Series III example of the proletariat sedan designed by the remarkable Alec Issigonis, who later engineered the landmark Austin Mini. Minors were once very common in the UK, sort of like the VW Beetle in Germany, but not so often encountered in the US.
This Minor spent about three decades in storage before being totally restored, according to the seller, and refinished in an attractive shade of British Racing Green. Since then, the car has scored multiple awards at shows, the seller says.
The saloon, as the Brits would say, is powered by a 1.0-liter engine and 4-speed manual transmission. Some mechanical issues were addressed this past summer, the seller says, and the wee motor car is now ready to drive and enjoy.
1956 Packard Caribbean convertible
This large and lush luxury craft, produced near the end time for one of America’s greatest classic brands, is something of a rarity, with just 276 of the top-drawer droptops produced for this model year. Its tri-tone paint job has the international names of Dover White, Danube Blue and Roman Copper, and the Packard looks to be in superb condition after a restoration finished in 2010.
The plus-size convertible is powered by its original 374cid V8 engine with a push-button automatic transmission. The car looks fresh and clean inside, outside and under the hood.
The Caribbean has been getting a mountain of interest on AutoHunter, with brisk bidding pushing up its price tag. Packards always command a strong enthusiast base from both young and old, and this one looks like a primo example of this exclusive model.
1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
This T’bird isn’t quirky, per se, aside from its rarely seen drivetrain: a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 partnered with a 5-speed manual transmission. While most of these personal luxury coupes were equipped with V6 or V8 engines, sporty examples such as this one are rare and special.
The engine, which is rated at 190 horsepower, has been rebuilt within the past 2,000 miles, and the clutch was replaced as well, the seller says.
The Thunderbird is painted Twilight Blue Clearcoat Metallic “accented with a red accent stripe that runs around the perimeter of the lower body,” the seller notes, along with other model-specific trim that sets the Turbo Coupe apart from its more common brethren.
Put a salvaged TurboCoupe 2.3 engine/trans in my ’77 Pinto Cruisin’ Wagon (a slab side sedan delivery with ’70’s oh-so-cool bubble portholes towards the rear). Zoomy. Sold it to finance college, mistake, was way more fun.