This week’s Friday AutoHunter Picks are nothing less than the coolest cars for sale. If you take issue with this once you view the below cars, feel free to comment but, I suspect, many folks will understand the picks. Certainly there’s bound to be a Chevy guy who will say, “What about that 1957 Chevy ragtop? You missed that!” to which I will reply, “Ho-hum … over a 1961 Chrysler 300-G? Get a grip!”
Or something like that.
Be sure to check out the other AutoHunter cars that didn’t make the cut if you are left wanting.
1957 Volkswagen Beetle
Imagine it’s 1983 or so and you’re driving along Route 202 in Delaware. A yellow Volkswagen Beetle crosses the pike on Route 141, but something looks different on this VW. No fender-topped parking lights! So how does a car get away without turn signals? Oh, and what are those bullet-type things by the headlights?
I only managed to see that VW several other times (and never up close), but it was the impetus for a passing interest in older Volkswagen Beetles like this rotisserie-restored 1957. While not the hallowed Split-Window from several years earlier, there is something interesting about this fledgling import that would soon explode in popularity in America.
392 Hemi-powered 1950 Mercury Eight
Out of the three years for the “James Dean Mercury,” I prefer the 1950 like this one. Stock, they came with flathead V8s, which aren’t known for being strong, but nothing that some vintage hot-rodding hardware couldn’t handle. But what if a later 1950s Hemi was installed instead? That is an interesting proposition, I dare say!
This black Merc hasn’t been given the custom treatment like, say, the Hirohata Mercury, but there are subtle custom touches here ‘n there. Considering the vintage-esque engine transplant (and modern 700R4 transmission upgrade), Cadillac wheel covers and shaved trim, the striping and Dakota Digital gauges seem a little out of place for this guy, but those are easy fixes.
1961 Chrysler 300-G
I remember when I first saw a 1961-62 Chrysler and thought it was so goofy with those canted headlights (especially compared to the absolutely fabulous 1960 Chrysler) but, in retrospect, they’re not as weird as some other Chrysler products from 1961. Nonetheless, they all have their distinct charms for being out of sync with the times.
But no one would ever accuse a 300-G with being out of sync based on its specs. Powered by a 375-horsepower 413 with ram-induction, shifted by push-button TorqueFlite automatic, and with vitals tracked by a three-dimensional electroluminescent instrument panel, this mighty Mopar is and has been a certified hardcore collectible for years for good reason … plus Reggie Jackson once owned this particular car.
1996 Pontiac Trans Am
The Firebird Formula may be prettier to these eyes but, regardless, the 1990s F-bodies raised the bar for high-performance cars in America while, over at Dearborn, Ford was wondering why the Mustang was slower than the Fox-body 5.0s. Three-hundred five horsepower seemed like a revelation, and ram air seemed like a welcome throwback.
Today, cars like this black WS6 Trans Am are the throwback, paling in comparison to the New World Order of hyper-horse vehicles. Considering General Motors announced in 2009 the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand on this date as this is being written, new age muscle like this 45,055-mile Pontiac will always have a place in the hobby.
I’d take all of them. I do prefer the 98+ T/A and am not huge on the early 60’s chrysler front end, but those tailfins and lines are Exner perfection.
Mark I’m. Muscle car guy but that 300 G is cool. And nothing like a hemi powered anything
Last year for the old Hemis was 1958. This car has a 413 wedge.