Look at this Tin Indian. Super Duty Catalina 421 2X4's 405hp and the precurser to the Buick GS Stage 2 Hood scoop.
I would still be cruising in my old primer gray 55 Chevy sedan, 427-425, rock crusher, and 4.88 gears. Nice and brutal :bglasses:
The 55, 6 & 7 were the best Chevys, to me. I still have fond memories of the '57 210 below, 350 LT-1 shortblock, Corvette aluminum heads and a Rochester Feulie unit modified to work with the monster cam, a big chore since fuel metering is vacuum-based. I finished it for a classic Chevy owner who had to move his cars due to closure of a restoration shop. I put more miles on this car than he did, took best in class at the Sloan two years in a row. I think this pic was taken in '86. Had an opportunity to buy it but I was just a poor college student. :ball: I learned a ton about those FI units...I should start my own rebuilding service! Those were the days! Devon
i voted pontiac.old's close second.since 2 lane blacktop is my fave car movie,a bb 55-56 4 sp chev would be the choice,but i could never build one myself as warren oats said,"are you trying to blow my mind?"
My choices... 68 Olds 442 4-speed convertible-silver w/ black interior or aqua-mist with white interior and white top 68 Pontiac Firebird convertible- same colors as olds 69 Chevrolet chevelle 2-d hardtop -orange with white vinyl top with white interior 396ci 69 corvette 427 69 Mustang 428
I'd still be looking at full sized 4-speeds- '65 Oldsmobile Starfire 4-speed 65 Pontiac Gran Prix tri power 4-speed :TU: Chrysler 300 4-speed... Main priorities are (4-speed), multiple carbs, BIG Block, Dual Exhaust feature...Plus for Hidden Headlights, Console and bucket seats.... :3gears:
This thing was on eBay a few weeks ago... '64 300 with 383 and a 4spd. Broke my heart to see it in such shreds. However, had I still had my '63 Windsor 2dr, I would have bid to the death for that 4spd setup!
i voted studebaker. the man i worked for while in high school has one of the largest collections i know of. he has several packards also. his son drove a 60-63 lark hot rod that had a stude v-8 in it. thing was dang quick i'll say that. as to the engine, i don't know if he had souped it up any, but with that small a car it'd tote the mail reguardless.
When I bought my first real Buick in 1976 (bought Opel in 72) my choice was between the 67 Riv GS that I bought and the neighbor across the street's 66 442 (nice....silver, red buckets, 2 spd auto, $1,400). Test drove the Olds and it seemed slow compared to the Riv. Bought the Riv for $450 and headed to the track where it ran 15.09 at 90 on 225/70 Michelin X radials. Not too shabby..... So if there was no Buick, I'd be an Olds guy........
Mopar Definately ! 63-64-65 -66- 67 413 / 426 / 383 / 440 plymouth belvedere or satelite dodge they always showed me some competition in my street days ! wasn't a 442 or chevelle gto that could beat my 65 GS back then street racin ! Moz
If I hadn't bought my GS when I did I would have a '67 or '68 Cougar 289/4 speed. I'd prefer an XR-7 but not as critical as the powerplant. Why the small engine, you ask? My mom had a 67 Xr-7 289 4 speed in '72. Inverness Green, black vinyl top, tan interior, a trunk mounted luggage rack that she hated and a hurst shifter. Growing up, all she ever talked about was that car. I never had much of an affinity for Fords, but that one sure makes me think twice. Occasionally I'll take a peak around to see if I can find one... Its the only car I'd be willing to straight up trade my GS for, even now. As much as I love my GS, I sometimes wish I had spent the money on the Cougar... then I visit the Ford and Mercury forums and realize why I stayed Buick. Other than that, I'm not picky. Always loved Oldsmobiles, or some of the oddball cars like Studebakers (check out this months Hot Rod magazine!), AM Javelins, or straight axled cars. I've also got a think for ex race cars, but I think I'd be the last one that should own a car with rare vintage speed parts and that needs as much work as old race cars generally do. Im definitely no mechanic.
I stumbled across a cool solid 63 Studebaker Lark 2dr sedan. If you've seen the "Stude Tomato" at the pure stock drags, you'll realize the potential these cars have. The Studebaker 289 is a stout motor. I didnt know a damn thing about these cars until I picked it up. Sure, you might call the car a little ugly, but it is lightweight and they were available with Dana 44 twin traction rear ends. I have a line on another 63 2dr Sedan with "R1" power- which is the non-supercharged 289 that came in the Avanti. This motor has 10.25:1 compression, a carter 4bbl, gear driven camshafts, forged rods/crank, windage tray in the oil pan, and a dual point distributor-all from the factory. It is backed by a T10 4 speed, and a Dana 44 twin traction with 3.73 gears. Suspension is HD. Production? 14! You could also order these cars with the "R2" motor which had a Paxton supercharger. Here is a picture of mine: and a model of what I'd like it to look like: Another secret I'll let you all in on: NOS parts are plentyfull and dirt cheap. Where else can you get NOS hoods, doors, trunk lids and fenders for under $100 each?? Headlamp "doors" are only $15.95! Door handles NOS : $35 pr! Shh! Don't tell anyone! Oh yes, I have thought of putting a 455 Buick in this one if I don't find a decent Stude mill! Todd
Studebaker Avanti! :TU: Tried to buy one as my first car, but it was about $1000 too much. Had to pass up an R2 disassembled in a guy's garage in about 1985 at like $6000. No way I could have afforded it on my minimum wage job, but I wanted it so bad, and still wish I could have bought it somehow.
Pontiac! I guess I'd be forced to slum around in one of our Pontiac GTOs. After my birth, I rode home from the hospital in the '66 GTO shown below. If I didn't have my Buicks maybe then I could find time and money to also finish my '69 GTO that has been apart for over a decade (the car that is shown in my avatar, turned on its side).
