There’s meat and potatoes, and then there’s sushi. I like both, but some people prefer to stick with meat and potatoes. Looking at this week’s AutoHunter Picks, I have metaphorically chosen both the former and the latter: Some are vehicles that have remained steadfast, while others reflect my evolving taste in cars.
All of this week’s picks are American; maybe I should have thought of a better metaphor than sushi, but this guy feels that it is Japan’s best export, plus it sounds better than spotted dick or snails. Which AutoHunter Pick is your favorite?
1955 Mercury Custom Station Wagon
I’m starting to dig 1955-56 Mercurys. I know they’ve been popular with customizers, but they never really had the classic appeal of a tri-tone Packard or a Nomad, and they never were awarded the gold medal by the Comité française de L’Elégance like the ’59 Ford (j/k).
However, something is beginning to click with me, even with the ‘55s, which lack the stylish zig-zag side trim of the ’56. Painted in a two-tone blue with a tartan interior, this wagon sure looks like a fine way to take the family to Disneyland.
1959 GMC 100 4WD Custom Pickup
I’ve had the impression that GMCs were the gaudier cousin to Chevrolets in the 1950s, but the late-1950s were a gaudy moment in time, so why not exploit it? This generation was called the Blue Chip series, akin to Chevrolet’s Task-Force series.
When equipped with a V8, GMCs of this vintage featured debored (and sometimes stroked at the same time) versions of Pontiac engines, although this ’59 currently features a Chevy 350 backed by a three-speed TH400.
1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
When it comes to 1961-62 Cadillacs, I’ve always preferred the ’61. It is all about the taillights, plus I think I saw more ‘62s as a kid, so certainly the familiarity has bred contempt. Years later, I’m still in awe of how GM designers kept the fins past their due date yet made Cadillac look at least as contemporary and fashionable as the much cleaner Lincoln.
Plus, this Jade metallic ’61 is an Eldorado, which was much more upscale than the typical Series 62 ragtop. If you’re nostalgic for something from when Cadillac was truly the Standard of the World, look no further.
1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible
There are 1967 GTO people and then there’s everyone else. There’s a certain appeal these folks feel thanks to the squared-up lines, the chromey grille, the larger tires with Rally II mags, the new 400 engine with optional TH400 automatic, and the federalized dual-circuit master cylinder.
It all makes for a better car while exploiting Pontiac’s mid-1960sstrengths, according to the GTO fans. This one, originally a 400/335 with a four-speed and 3.55 Safe-T-Track rear end, is painted Tyrol Blue, a perennial favorite among Poncho people.
