Diego’s AutoHunter Picks

Every AutoHunter car presented here has loads of potential. Some are more ready than others, but every single one can give you a big bang for your money and effort. Why get distracted by date codes when you can just hop in and have fun?

Which of the below is your favorite, whether as-is or what it can be?

1972 Pontiac Luxury LeMans
Typical of most manufacturers, Pontiac cycled through names, eventually pushing Tempest out of the way (including the here-today/gone-tomorrow T-37) until the whole series was LeMans. For 1972, Pontiac topped the series with the brand-new Luxury LeMans. Considering the market was moving towards more luxurious appointments (witness the success of the Monte Carlo and segment-jumping for the Cougar and Charger), it stood to reason.

This 1972 Luxury LeMans exploits everything that was new about this model: special trim (note the grille, trunklid, and longitudinal molding), rear skirts, wood-like inlays on the dashboard, rich carpeting, and vinyl and cloth notchback bench. This Revere Silver example features optional buckets with console, plus it has received a 400cid transplant. Want a little GTO with your luxury? You can almost taste it.

1975 Plymouth Duster
The Duster was on its way out in 1975, soon to be replaced by the Volare, though they were available concurrently for 1976. When introduced in 1970, the Duster was nothing fancy, but, by 1975, several luxury options had crept into the option list, belying its somewhat basic origins: sunroof, flashy interiors, folding rear seats (“Space Duster”), and sound insulation. Maybe no Luxury LeMans, but it was headed in that direction if you so desired.

This 1975 Plymouth Duster is powered by the stalwart 318 and TorqueFlite automatic, plus its options list includes some fine items like air conditioning, front discs, and power steering. Dodge Demon hood scoops and Cragars have been added for visual appeal, which suggests that the current pastiche is begging for a 360 to complete the picture (though ditch the spoiler!).

1965 Pontiac 2+2
If you’re an only child, do you wish for a brother or sister? The GTO posed that question, and the result was a big brother called 2+2. In 1964, it was just a trim package with a fancy interior but, for 1965, it became a performance package that included a standard 338-horsepower 421 with floor-mounted three-speed manual. Two Tri-Power 421s with up to 376 horses were available.

This Blue Charcoal Pontiac 2+2 exploits everything that was great about full-size Ponchos in 1965: graceful proportions, dynamic styling with vertical headlights, flashy interior, and check out those optional 8-lug wheels too! This one features Tri-Power (presumably the 356-horse version) paired with a replacement TH350, so it appears it’s ready for driving enjoyment. “Ready to be thrashed” counts as potential, no?

1963 Chevrolet Biscayne
There’s something to be said for austerity. Sure, people want the Impala SS, but the simplicity of the Biscayne offers something pure and attractive. Most of them were built with sixes and small V8s and, in most cases, there were no cool body styles to be had. As such, Biscaynes may come off as dowdy and less fashionable than your typical Impala and SS.

Speaking of typical, this 1963 Biscayne appears to be many others from the era. It’s a two-door sedan — no hardtops were available — so there’s no coolness factor unless “businesslike” is cool to you. The 283 and three-speed on the column was likely a very popular combination in this car. The interior appears to be refurbished with more modern tapestry, which gives me reason to suggest a 409 is in this car’s future.