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The concept behind the Year of Your Birth Rally is simple: you must drive a vehicle with a model year the same as your own. Nick Pon, Assistant Perp of the 24 Hours of LeMons, created the idea and swears he’s going to organize such a rally someday. He was born in 1980, which means he has a vast array of terrible-yet-great Malaise Era machinery to choose from. I was born in 1966, which means I could drive my ’66 Dodge A100… or a ’66 Beaumont. What would you drive?
I asked this question at another site a couple of years back and got some good responses… and a whole bunch of lame ones. I think this group of readers can do better.
224 Comments on “Question: What Car Would You Drive In the Year of Your Birth Rally?...”
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1980 Brat.
1986, VW Scirocco 2.
Does 1980 allow me to fudge and say the Audi Quattro, which was first delivered (in Europe) in 1980? Because after that, my options get a lot less tempting.
I think the point is strictly model-year, not year-of-introduction. If you could swing a grey-market European Quattro with a 1980 model year you’d be golden.
I was born in 1975; the first year of mandated Catalytic converters, back when the technology was ‘New and Exciting![TM]’
I.. think I’ll just curl up in a corner and have a cry.
I’m in the same boat, so avoiding something European, I would have to say a 75 Plymouth Gold Duster just because I really like the name.
Now that I’m over my pity-party..
1975 International Harvester Scout.
A Gold Duster with the folding rear seat and a V8 would be a very nice car.
You kidding? What about the Cordoba? The Celica? Back then, there were no emission tests, so you could just remove all the smog gear.
It’s 2012, 1975 is (I think) too young to be ‘grandfathered-in’…
It all depends on where you live, many states have a rolling 25, yet others test all cars that were produced after the first emissions laws were passed.
Gray market 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7.
210 hp, under 2500 pounds. Have fun!
Yes, 1975ers, especially if we have to run the cars with their emissions gear, we’re screwed. But there are bright spots…
A Pinto with the full Pangra-spec body and turbo motor, for example.
http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2005/04/01/hmn_feature16.html
Or the 1975 Sterling GT!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/automobiles/collectibles/03EGO.html
A MK III Jensen Interceptor (or FF) would be a hot ticket as well.
As for me, I have a soft spot for the 1975 Plymouth Fury sedan. These things were ubiquitous as police cars when I was a kid, both on the roads and on TV. One with the full Blues Brother upgrade package (cop brakes, cop suspension, cop motor) would be the ride for me, even though I’d still be a moving chicane while whippersnappers born in the 90’s zipped by me in ZR-1’s and Supras. Kids. In my day we had landau roofs, automatics on the column, and 150-horse V8s and we liked it!
Uggh. I’m with Les. 1975 sucks for this game. A year later there would at least be all of the Bicentennial specials to choose from on the domestic side of things. I guess I’ll go with a Ferrari 308 GTB.
http://bringatrailer.com/2012/03/04/james-garner-baja-rig-1970-oldsmobile-442/
If Only I’d been born a handful of years sooner.
1976 here. The first things I though of were the Pontiac Firebird (my first Matchbox car was a blue 76 ‘bird) or the Chrysler Cordoba with soft Corinthian Leather. If I were born in 77, I might have to go for the giant boat T-bird…it was kind of a crapbox, but I loved the vacuum-actuated headlight doors back when I was but a small child. Pretty sure I wore out the vacuum seals on one of my mother’s friend’s T-Bird by asking her to turn the headlights on and off so I could watch the doors open.
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1976-firebird-transam1.jpg
1953 Corvette.
1953 Cadillac Eldorado Special Sport Convertible. Only about 500 made, and at an 87% premium over the Fleetwood model.
’55 T-Bird.
1972 Mercury Capri
1965 Mustang, because when I started googling my birth year to find car models from then , as soon as I had 1965 typed in, the second google suggestion was 1965 Mustang, and it was the only car in the suggested list. Clearly a vehicle and year that are closely associated.
Everything else that model year is irrelevant.
Google says I should buy a ’78 Trans Am.
Craigslist has a couple of Toyota Campers for sale from that year though and I know which one would get more attention at a rally.
Depends on the rules of the rally. If it is an open competition, then a 1961 Mercedes 220SE (the type of car that won the 1960 Monte Carlo Rally).
However, if the rally rules are the ones based on index of performance used in 1961, then I’ll take a 1961 Panhard PL 17, the Monte Carlo winner that year.
Actually, I’d just take the Panhard regardless – something about a weird French car like that appeals to me. If I wanted a bit more comfort, I’d take a Citroen DS – it won Monte Carlo podium in 1959 (though as the downmarket ID model).
I’m thinking the idea here is more Gumball Rally than WRC. ;)
Then it’s the DS for sure – I might not win, but at least I’ll be comfortable regardless of the terrain or road quality.
Great choices, but I fear I would end up with a ’61 Rambler Classic (three on the tree since I want to be sporty!).
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
Better is the 69 Charger 500. I saw one at a car show in SoCal that had a hemi and low miles. Loved that grill.
Being born in ’86 (firmly in the Turbo Era), I have no choice but to pick something with forced induction. I know I should say the Starion, but I have a serious weakness for the Merkur XR4Ti. Because I’ve never drive one, probably. Gray market Sierra Cossie, maybe, to skip the Americanized mediocrity.
Can’t decide. AC Cobra or GT 350. Staying with the Ford theme, maybe a GT 40 (but technically, it was then only available in race car form and may not count in this fantasy). Oh, 1965 btw. Gosh, good question. So many awesomely good cars from this year to choose from.
1955 Chevrolet Nomad
Easy, 84 Buick GN. Course I’d need to upgrade the suspension, brakes, and up the horsepower to be really happy with it.
That would work for me if the question was what car would you drive when you were ten?
I like that game better. 1985 Ferrari Testarossa for me.
1950 Jaguar XK120
Hmm, since this is a rally that’s the idea of someone connect to the LeMons, I’m going to set aside a ’71 Olds Cutlass fastback in red, and go for either a 1971 Rover 2000 TC or a Rover P5b Saloon.
You know, I may have answered to hastily. I have to add a Tatra 603-2 to the mix.
Hadn’t considerd the LeMons angle. Perhaps I should drop the Mopar for a ’75 Rover SD1.
+1 on the Rover P5B, but I think you should go for the Coupe instead for the style points.
Maybe Rover P6 3500 instead? The NADA version with the IceAlert would be great if the weather turns foul.
Hi Murilee,
Funny you ask this today as today is my birthday. So, let’s see 1971 in Brazil Brazil, I’d go with 4. Can I pick 4?
In no articular order of preference:
Ford Galaxie (luxury sedan)
FNM 2000ti (Alfa Romeo lux sedan made in Brazil by FNM-a state-run concern)
Puma GTB
Karmann Ghia Coupe or Convertible
A Ford Corcel (a weird Ford based on the Renault 12 as Ford had acquired Renault’s-operations-via-Willys in Brazil). Just for the strangeness it would be an excellent buy, a Renault built by Willys and badged as Ford. On the other hand it would take too much explaining, LOL!
Whatch think?
Too bad you were born too late to qualify for a Simca Esplanada!
So true! The late Simcas were lookers. Ever saw the Marli station wagon? Crazy Franco-American design. Legend has it owners would tie a rope around columns and through back windows to keep them closed on curves. Guess that car was one of the reasons 4 door cars were looked down on in Brazil up until early 90s.
Good times!
Easy: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS :)
Ferrari 857 S
1968 Riviera
Good choice. I was gonna say 1967 Riviera or Eldorado. Nicer lines on the Riv.
1991 gives me several good options, but I’m thinking 940 Turbo or Galant VR-4.
Hmmmm…. 69 Boss 302
As long as it comes with the slats on the back window. I see these at car shows. I have never seen one being driven. Very cool.
I’m assuming we’re talking a realistic choice and not some one-off concept car, right? I’d have to choose a 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner Coupe. There was no better looking car for the year.
BTW, this was a pretty sneaky way to get your reader age demographic information!
Hmm…’93. Maybe a Typhoon? I think that may have been the last of the crazier turbo era cars.
Yeah a good choice, to bad it wasn’t 1989 though, you could go with a 89 anniversary Trans-Am, it had the 1 gallon hair dried bent six from the Grand National and I remember one going deep into the 12s (then blowing a hed gasket in spectacular fashion at the big end of the track).
Pretty exciting stuff when a 12 second car wasn’t considered an abysmally slow grandma grocery getter (well according to all the cool dudes and their hayabusas)
Better would’ve been the ’91 GMC Syclone, 0-60 in 5.1 secs. However, ’93 was a the year of the rebirth of Horsepower:
Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (the original)
Ford Taurus SHO
Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Toyota Supra
Chevy Corvette 40th Anniversary package w/ 5.7L LT5 V8
Dodge Viper
Mazda RX-7 Turbo
Acura NSX Type R
1970 BMW 2800CS (actually owned one for a short time…loved the lines of this car)…or my fallback standard of a 1970 BMW 2002.
1967: Ferrari 275GTB/4, Aston DB6, or maybe an Eldorado if it’s a cruise-all-day-with-the-a/c-cranked kind of event. A nice clean ’67 Mustang fastback with a 390 and a 4 speed and dark green paint like the one my aunt had back in the day might be a compelling choice, too.
1977? Chevy Corvette. Look good, handle well, T-tops… and then when hp starts to swing back upward the engine swaps and hot rodding options would be limitless.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 of course.
A time machine was built in with every model….by the time you got to 60mph it was 1982.
1992 911 C4 Targa. In white. With a navy interior. And Fuchs wheels, in white. Yeah… That sounds about right.
I’ll have to go with the 1948 Lincoln Continental V-12 coupe. The advantage of that year was lots of classics: the Cadillac fastback coupe (with fins!), the Hudson Commodore Brougham straight eight and the Chrysler Town and Country “woodie” convertible. And that was just the American manufacturers. Mercedes offered the A320 Cabriolet, MG offered the TC, and Alfa had the 2500B Panoramica Zagato long before the Jaguar Type E. Not a Cimarron or Versailles to be found.
I envy those born in 1956. Ferrari 410 Superfast! It’s like a Studebaker virus colonized Italy.
Do we have to keep it stock?
1977 was a dismal year for the auto industry everywhere. I suppose I’d take a manual 240D. Slow as dirt, but I’d have a good chance of finishing the rally without stopping for repairs or killing myself in despair.
durr…1967 Volvo 1800 S. Do I need to wait for the rally, though, because I would realy enjoy this now.
1941 Cadillac Series 62 convertible
1990 here, if it doesn’t have to be US Legal I’d have to go w/ Il Mostro (Alfa SZ), otherwise if cost is no object a Testarossa, or to be rational and proudly represent the Lincoln star — Mark VII LSC.
1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth. 1985 was not a great year for cars, but this is when the German brands were producing massively over-engineered luxury.
Depends. If it’s a tarmac rally, then absolutely I’d choose a 1990 E30 M3 for the Manx Rally.
If we’re saying the WRC… Probably the Mazda 323 along side Salonen. Mostly because I have a Mazda boner, and Salonen’s pretty cool.
1981 Porsche 911SC sunroof coupe with the original 5-spoke Fuchs alloys. No Targas; they leak.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Porsche911sc.jpg
Since I like a clutch I’d start with the ’62 Corvette or 400 Superamerica. But I’d be pulled back to a Lincoln Continental with the suicide doors and iconic status. Hardtop for a real rally, convertible if it’s more of a parade.
1978 Bandit T/A with whip antenna!
You’re jealous!
I actually owned a car from my birth year: 1990 Prelude Si 4WS. God I miss it.
Young pup. Those ‘Ludes were great Japanese sport coupes.
Almost bought a 2000 Prelude Si with the AWS, sunroof, and buttery soft leather Recaros. Chirped the tires through three gears and moved like a cat’s ass on fire but decided that I couldn’t afford it and have regretted it ever since.
I adore Preludes, and I plan to own one someday. Not big on the styling of the ’85 model though, which is the year I have to choose from. Actually, I don’t think I care for much of anything from 1985, as far as the styling goes. Things started looking a lot better in the later 80s.
I’d probably go with a 1985 CRX Si.
The E28 M5 was in its first year.
There were 4 Preludes in the family. The last was a black
’90 S 4WS. I was pissed when my dad traded it for an Accord. I wanted to buy it. Instead I drove the wheels off the 87 SI. After driving a few hundred thousand in the ’82. Which for some reason I can’t recall…I still own.It runs fine. It gets loaned out to family and friend in need of a car for a little while. They laugh when they get it, but all seem to like the little old girl.
A 1954 Nash Healey. It came about because of 3D photography. Donald Healey was on a boat coming to the US in 1949, hoping to buy some of Cadillac’s new OHV V8s. On board he saw a large, heavy man using a 3D camera. Healy, a photography buff, approached him and the man turned out to be George Mason, who headed Nash. Healey told him of his plans and Mason told him to call him in Kenosha if things didn’t work out in Detroit. Cadillac was selling every engine it made so Healey called Mason, who offered him a deal he couldn’t turn down, engines, transmissions and rear ends on credit and Nash’s dealer network to sell the finished cars.
http://ateupwithmotor.com/sports-cars-and-muscle-cars/293-nash-healey.html
Seems I’m the youngest person here (I guess Derek is right… Kids these days don’t want cars!), and for the purpose of the rally, thats a darn good thing. I’d take a 1991 Ford SHO Plus. Eats my dust, boys!
Also 1991 here. Lots of good options, so it’s kind of hard to choose. Topping off the list: Saab 900 turbo (in Edwardian Grey), Thunderbird SC (ideally with the 5 spd), Mercury Colony Park (last year they were available!), a 6-cylinder XJS, or a Pontiac Bonneville SSE. The Taurus SHO would be up there too.
280Z, coupe, in orange. The late 70s 911 in yellow is another beauty.
But, if I could step back into the decade before my birth, I would love a 66 or 67 Ford Fairlane GT with a 4 speed. I am on the hunt for one of these now. I am willing to pay top dollar for an original low mileage … if you know of one … please send it my way. Those 60s Ford were just too cool.
1970 Chevelle LS 454 LS6 with the Muncie “Rock Crusher” 4 speed
Easy choice.
Ahhh, 1960.
Quite frankly almost all of the domestics sucked. Except for a very few standouts like the T-Bird most of them were holdovers from the excessive 50’s.
I’d have to go with the imports.
Ferrari 250GT Pinifarina
MB 300SL coupe or convertible
Jag 150XK drophead
Austin Healy 3000
Oh woe is me! (mind you, most of the time these things would be stuck at the mechanics… gorgeous but fragile! sigh)
Having been born in 1958 my choices, at least for American cars, are pretty limited. My favorite cars of the era like the 2-seat Thunderbird, the Lincoln Mark II and the Chevy Nomad all stopped production in 1957, Studebakers and Chryslers had grown giant fins by then and my favorites from the ’60s like the Avanti and Corvair are a couple of years into the future. So instead I think I’ll skip across the pond and go for a Jaguar XK150 instead. It’s one of the most beautiful cars of all time IMHO so how can you go wrong?
What about the Plymouth Fury, that is, Christine?
’58 was a good year, but ’59 was the pinnacle! For ’59, I’d want one of each. The squarebird got better for 1960, it’s last year in that style, IMO.
I’d probably go with a 1988 Merc 560 SEL. I had a W126 Merc and I LOVED it– when it was running, anyway. A well-kept model still looks stunning today; very imposing.
I like the idea of a 1950 Kurtis. Indy champcar chassis, Cadillac V8. Fast & probably scary!
’71 240Z…replace the SU’s with Webers…beef up the cam…depending on the rally rules, perhaps a stroker from a 280z…already have a few of these in the stable
Or…
’71 Maserati Ghibli…just love that car…need to get one in the stable…
Ah 1958, the GM vs Chrysler fin wars were at their peak, Packard was bleeding out on Studebaker’s operating table, the T-Bird had just gone all ugly and added a back seat.
If I was being driven The answer would be an Imperial Crown Ghia Limousine. I would however much prefer driving, so my choice today – not sure what it was back when you posed the question at that other site – would be either a Chrysler 300B, a Corvette, MG-A, Austin Healey 100/6, or the supercharged goodness of a Studebaker Golden Hawk. All are beautiful cars and drive reasonably well, but today I think the Golden Hawk would be the most rally-capable daily driver of the bunch.
I’d want a 1947 Volvo PV444. Wouldn’t surprise me if it were the best car being made in those days. 1947 cars were generally not great, made as they were from pre-war bits and pieces. Shortages of raw materials were still rife and cars were just cobbled together to try and meet demand. Quality be damned, gotta have wheels.
But Sweden stayed out of WW2, hence my choice.
Make mine a PV544, 1964. The Singh brothers won the East Africa Rally driving one:
http://www.volvoadventures.com/544singh.jpg
1981:
realistically: Corolla wagon 5MT
more fun: Celica (not celica supra)
more utility: toyota truck
more fun: DeLorean
way more fun and probably totally out of the realm of possibility: Ferrari 308 GTB
It’s funny: you and I are from two completely different worlds. To me and mine, the Japanese products were a joke – oddities, at best. At the time, they truly were.
While everyone loves to pile on Detroit for the J-cars, Pintos, Omnis, whatever – they were no worse than most of the stuff coming over from Japan.
I was a car jockey at a major hotel in late ’81. I had occasion to drive everything from an E-Type Jag, to Rolls Camargue, to the first K-cars that came off the line. Nothing imported floated my boat. Sure, the 280Z with its digital wizardry was Star Wars cool, but I preferred the ’81 Imperial. At twenty years old. Go figure.
1978 AMC Eagle – rally equipped FTW! Or a nice Euro-spec hi-po Bimmer…
1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9
Since it didn’t come to the U.S. until ’77, I’d have to grey-market one in. It was a real dreadnaught. Anti-lock brakes (one of the first), three(!)-speed slushbox, super-comfy, and PDQ to boot.
Failing that, I’d have a last-year W114-body 280CE. The Paul Bracq design was truly one of the great-looking cars of the mid-’70s.
’67 Mustang fastback.
1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S. Anyone else remember when the Italians could make beautiful cars?
Italians? How bout them Brits?
The Brits only ever did it by accident.
1986 Saab 900 Turbo of course.
Of course? Sorry, but I was driving in 1986. Anything by BMW, Honda, or Porsche would have made Saab seem as dead then as it is now.
1957 Corvette “Fuelie” or 1957 Chrysler 300-C
Yes, Corvette is no doubt the right answer for 1957. A ’57 T-bird would be a good second choice, and a ’57 Chevy would be just fine, too. Personally, I’ve always had a thing for the ’57 Cadillac (the first Matchbox car I ever got when I was a kid!), but it would not be the best choice for a rally car.
Gotta be the Chrysler. Fine examples fetch a $100k today. 1957 was the one year that Chrysler engineering rose from the grave and shook its fist at GM and Ford. Too bad they over-reached themselves….
Well, being from 1992, I’m going to have to go with a Mercedes 190E Cosworth. I was thinking about a XJ220, but it may be too expensive.
1970 LS6 Chevelle SS.
Since I love that car from since I was a child, I think I have no other choice. It absolutely has to be 1984 Ford Capri 2.8 Turbo Technics… European pony car, with Recaro seats, turbocharged V6 and 220 horsepower, leaf springs and live axle in the back.
One hell of a cool way to die.
62 Valiant wagon, with 440/727 transplant of course.
There is only 1 correct answer: ’82 Trans Am with KITT!
I’ll pass on the Hoff accessory package…
1961…first year for the classic Continental or maybe the Loewy Stude Hawk, possible a Corvette with the Fual Injected 283, most likely a Pontiac bubble-top Ventura with the 389 tri-power or the 421.
Another child of 61 here. Make mine an Impala SS, as immortalized by the Beach Boys: “She’s real fine, my 409”.
I will have a 1962 Mercedes-Benz 180 Ponton (W120). My first choice would have been the 1960 190 (W121) that I learned to drive in, but I probably would get disqualified for driving a car older than me. Besides, the W121 went out of production in 1961, so the W120 it will have to be. The W110/1/2 Fintail that replaced the Ponton just doesn’t do it for me.
The other problem is that isn’t in the family anymore. In the late 80’s it wasn’t moving under it’s own power anymore – the gear linkage was in need of some TLC. All the kids considered it deeply uncool and my folks sold it. Oh, how I regret that now!
1984 Mitsu Starion Turbo!
How about an option for us really old guys to pick from the year we got our driving license?
1972 Aston Martin DBS V-8, in “Bahama Yellow”
just like what Roger Moore drove in the Persuaders.
or, 1972 “Lusso” Ford Pantera L w/ 250 HP Cleveland mill.
1979 Dodge Lil’ Red Express. I believe it was the fastest American-made vehicle when it was built (trucks weren’t as smog-strangled as Corvettes at the time).
1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Coupe!
I’ll just borrow my Uncle Terry’s 1968 Roadrunner 383 with four on the floor and factory tach.
Meep-meep-zip-bang!
I could cry when I think back to the summer of ’71 and our neighbors across the highway had a long driveway that was stuffed with kids from town and their ‘beaters,’ mostly Challengers, Barracudas, Roadrunners. Those cars were dirt cheap, easy to fix (and modify.) Those babies would fetch big coin at Barrett Jackson today, but they were just weekend wrecks for those kids.
I had a Coronet convertable with a 383. Wasn’t a bad car, but the rear subframe was getting pretty bad.
Depending on the rally I would take either a Datsun 510 or a 911 on a tight autocross type rally. Coast to coast I would go with a hemi powered Mopar or a 365 GTB-4. I would rather take a 365 GTS but the spyder wasn’t built intil ’71 :(
I’m really torn on this one … can I choose a domestic and an import???
Domestic: Hudson Hornet 2-dr coupe with the “Twin H-Power” option
Import: Alfa Romeo Disco Volante
If I had been born in those years it would be Twin H Power all the way! I always love something unique and different. (Sorry Dad, my father would get a 1954 Pontiac Star Chief if you gave him a time machine and this challenge.)
1993 Saab 900 Turbo (two years too late for the SPG/Aero…)
1967 Chevrolet Camaro.
1958 had Christine, the 1958 Plymouth Fury. I would be driving it, and I would probably live forever like she did.
My first (sort of) car was a ’58 Fury. My father owned a tire shop/gas station (B&A if anyone in Canada remembers those from back in the day) and used to bring beaters home. We had 80 acres and behind the barn started to look like a demolition derby (but – oh, if I had taken pictures of those beauties!) On a dare, 5 year old me started Christine and drove her through a fence beside our house. I guess Dad didn’t think I knew what those push buttons were for!
My friends and I used to jump on the roof, slide down the windshield and stomp on the hood. Try doing that to a modern car, even if you only weigh 60 lbs! I can remember a ’59 Lincoln out back and an Olds. I was too young to appreciate what I was seeing.
’69 Ferrari 365 GTS, if someone else it writing the check. ’69 Saab Sonett if I have to pony up myself – I’ve owned two of them.
1952 Cunningham C3 more realistically probably a MG TD
1958 Dodge Super D500 convertible
1953 Hudson Hornet with the Twin H-Power . Or maybe a 1953 Studebaker Starliner Hardtop in that wierd salmon / coral color they came out with . It definitely wouldn’t be the 1953 Pontiac coupe the old man had . Even as a three year old kid I thought it was totally frumpy compared to the next door neighbor ‘s 1950 bullet-nosed Studebaker Starlight coupe .
1963 Corvette Stingray split-window. 1963 was a great year :-)
1963 – almost too many great cars.
C2 split-window Sting Ray coupe
or
Studebaker Avanti
1960 Jaguar MKII
A 1962 Pontiac with the biggest engine I could get
I was born in 1945. Was anything produced that year, other than Jeeps?
A Packard staff car, in OD of course
Gee, your parents couldn’t wait, eh?
According to my Very Big Book, the War Production Board announced the reinstitution of civilian vehicle production for July 1, 1945. Parts restrictions were lifted on May 22. Gasoline rationing ended August 15. Henry Ford II himself drove the first civilian production Ford off the line July 3.
I am sure they would have been warmed over ’42s, so take a look at what they built in the very short production year of 1942 and take your pick: by September or October of ’45 they were very likely back in production, until the sheet metal shortages and wildcat strikes caught up with them… ah, those were the days!
Kubelwagens.
1943 here. Just picture whatever you wanted with Army Olive Drab or Navy Blue. You could go with a tank but really we have to think staff car.
If it’s Gumball Rally-style, a late-production 1988 Peugeot 505. Classically French ride comfort and cabin appointments in a reasonably spacious car that proved wildly popular in Africa, where it had to contend with absolutely awful roads and sharply limited access to factory-approved parts and service. This would also be my daily-driver choice.
If it’s WRC-style, I’d take a first-year-in-North-America 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac. Fast enough to be fun, with four driven wheels to slightly reduce the chance of death or dismemberment.
If it’s LeMons-style, I’d be sorely tempted by a 1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0, but my driving skills probably warrant something less likely to oversteer, so I’d probably default to the Celica. I’d be tempted by the Fiero, too, given that it was reportedly perfected in 1988, but at six foot five I doubt I’d fit into the thing, and I’d still probably spin the car into oblivion.
Easy, 1955 Chrysler 300.
1967 Pontiac GTO.
1966. An obscene blessing of choices. Reflexive choice was Shelby Mustang. But for a rally/road course? Studebaker Lark with the R3 supercharged 289 option. (Was it ever available in the Avanti? I’d also have to give a long look at the Toyota 2000GT, painted out in full Racer X kit.
In spite, or maybe because of my present and future revelations on cars from the U.K. (see “Memoirs of an Independent Repair Shop Owner” in the TTAC “Editorials” section), make mine a 1959 Jaguar D-Type! It was good enough for Steve McQueen, and it’s good enough for me! Sometimes age does have privileges…
’86 Ford Mustang SVO (the year Ford gave it the composite headlamps it was designed for…then promptly killed it off).
’86 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 (of course I’m gonna replace that 305).
Good choice on the SVO, it was my first new car. More important than the headlamps was the increase of hp to 200 from 175. Ford had to kill it, as there were too few us willing to pay the extra money for it compared to the V8 GT.
Curved Dash.
… I’m surprised you can even type? Or are you using a chalk board and the nurse is typing for you? (Joking!)
53′ Nash-Healey
1979 Lancia Stratos.
1985 Avanti Touring Coupe. Not a the most rational choice, but I always really liked the looks of Avantis from that era, thought they did a nice job modernizing the design a bit for the 1980s while keeping it recognizable. The ride and handling would be stuck in the 60s (if not older), but the GM drivetrain should be reliable and the Recaro bucks comfortable enough.
Easy, I already own it. 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSi. Red with black leather, widebody turbo.
Tell Nick to organize this rally already! I can’t wait to cruise across the country in this car, without air conditioning, only to have it strand me somewhere.
1980 Saab 900. High pressure turbo, 5spd, hatchback.
1972 Lancia Stratos. Or, if that was “off limits”, I’ll just go for that vehicles engine donor: 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
1965? Woo, Corvair Corsa!
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spyder
You smart-alec kids! Where am I gonna get a 1943 M4 Sherman tank?
I was born in 1943 – I got to drive a 1943 WWII U.S. Army Jeep.
1981 – tough. Can I drive a ’79 instead? At least then I could tolerate a downsized Cadillac and it would actually, um work.
I’d take the Imperial for ’81. I, too, watched in horror through the late ’70s as cars shrank, bumpers got bigger and plastic oozed cheapness. To my eye, Chrysler had some of the few cars of that era that looked as though someone as least tried to make the car pretty. The ‘bustle-back’ Sevilles sold like crazy, but Chrysler actually made that style look good.
1961. By any estimate, a great year for cars: fins were still around for those that liked’em (I did) and Ford/GM had suddenly become long low and sleek, without the glitz. Heck, if you liked cars so ugly they were beautiful, it’s hard to top the ’61 Plymouth! I had the opportunity to drive a ’61 in ’83 – without power steering! Ugh. (Of course, Chrysler really saved the ugly stick for Dodge that year. The Dart/Phoenix designers must have gone on to do the entire AMC line up 15 years later… hmm, I should look that up.)
The Desotos were a tad bizarre, but then they were on their way out anyway. The ’61 Impala – gorgeous. Buicks were a bit boring in ’61, but nothing came close to the sheer blandness of Rambler and Ambassador – truly the Toyotas of their day. It seemed that clipped of its wings, Buick didn’t seem to know what to do. It’s surprising that Chevrolet for ’61 were so balanced and fresh. I liked the ’60 Fords, but not the ’61 through ’64. It seems that Plymouth, Dodge and Ford lost their way for a few years just as GM got back into the game. (Pontiac’s renaissance in the mid-60s was breathtaking even at the time.)
Oh, but I do digress….If I had to pick one for ’61, it would be the T-Bird. I’ve always had a soft spot for that car, and the ’61s seems so clean, after the overwrought square birds before it.
Well, I’d have to say a 1951 Chevy DeLuxe coupe. My first car was off by a year: a 1952 Chevy DeLuxe! 75 bucks in 1968.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder
From 1971 I would wan to drive the Saab 96, preferably the wagon.
1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, 1950 Cadillac convertible with the new OHV V-8, Jaguar 120XK. Or a 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith sedan. How about a 1950 J2X Allard?
http://www.autoservice-vogt.de/images/saab_sonettIII_front_1970_600.jpg
1970 Saab 97 Sonnet III. I’ll take mine with the Soccer Ball wheels, though.
1977
Pontiac Trans-Am
Porsche 911 Turbo
Toyota Celica GT fastback
Hard to go wrong in 1968, so I will go with cheap, fast and practical. It would have to be a Dart GTS 340 with 4 speed.
1969 Corvette ZL1. I win.
Another nice one, was tempted to say 69 L88 as my first pick, but I had to remain true to my blue oval roots.
1973 911 2.7 RS
http://youtu.be/lMkRGjqEwZ8
For 1969, how about an Olds 4-4-2 Holiday Coupe adorned with wide-boot red-stripe tires?
1977 El Camino with de-smogged 454 V8, TH350 automatic. Business in the front, party in the back.
Love the Beaumont! Drove a ’68. But I’ll show up in a 1951 Buick XP-300.
1976
Grand Torino (Starsky and Hutch FTW)
Pontiac Trans-Am (Screamin’ chicken FTW)
Ford Bronco (Off road mods FTW)
1970 Manic GT. Gonna rock an optimistic, bell-bottomed relic from a turbulent time in Quebec.
Hadn’t heard about this car for a long time. Haven’t seen one for an even longer time.
1966 Moskvich 408, I suppose. Fear the thundering 50 horse-powers.
I owned a 79 Celica for about three days before I wrecked it. Got it off a mechanic who had it painted a deep blue with sparkly flecks. It was a great car for the few days I had it.
Wish I had it longer. Got replaced by an 86 Merkur XR4Ti with the wonderful three speed automatic.
Oh how I wish both were manuals.
If I had a choice I’d go with a 79 911.
Would be choosing between a Chevrolet 454SS and GMC Syclone.
Definitely would go with the Syclone, its specs are still impressive given that it pretty much matched the 454SS for HP & torque, and has claim to a whole bunch of firsts for a production pick-up, while the 454SS would have a tough time taking many modern V8 trucks at a stop light.
1978 saab 99 turbo!
1952 Porsche 356.
My job is to educate consumers, improving their financial literacy in this product category by uncovering and revealing the truth — facts they’ll never find on those big corporate automotive websites which get all their revenue from car company advertising and dealers’ referral commissions from “click-throughs” for price quotes.
First-gen Triumph Spitfire, in white with red interior.
Of the ones present in Venezuela (mostly through CKD) during 1978:
Chevrolet Caprice 2dr, the one with the curved window.
A VW Brasilia would be cool
A Renault R30 or R18 would also be nice
Range Rover
Jeep CJ7 Renegado
From the US:
Chevrolet Corvette L88
Bandit T/A, screaming chicken FTW!!!11!!
Chevy C-10, fleetside, long box, Custom DeLuxe trim.
+1 on the Saab 99 turbo
Triumph TR3 – Let the Lucas jokes begin!
I was born in 1984…
…and so far, have only found two cars that I’d really enjoy owning.
BMW M635CSI- 258hp in a 3400lb luxury coupe with a proper transmission, and it has a fridge between the rear seats. Plus the shark nose just looks so good.
Porsche 911 Turbo slant nose- 330hp in 1984. What more can I say?
1984 here as well!
After initial consideration of a MKII Supra (because they look fantastic and are cheap, HP bump that year), I realized that I should think about whatever was available then with money not being an issue.
Your choice of the M635CSI was one of mine. The 930-gen 911 Turbo was also (you can have the slant nose, I dig the round headlights. Widebody FTW) a one. So two solid options so far…but then I thought…
Ferrari 288 GTO hands down. Gorgeous. Fast. Red.
Hmmm 1990 was certainly an interesting year…my top three would be:
Nissan 300zx
Pontiac Trans AM
Dodge Daytona Shelby
How appropriate as today is my birthday… I’d go with a 1987 560 SEL, 1987 AMG Hammer, or 1987 Mustang 5.0.
Hmmm… 1942 means Jeep, half-track, Sherman tank, all the same color.
Wow 1947. Not much to choose from beyond warmed over pre WWII models. I guess I’d go for a 47 Ford Convertible. With all the options of course. Like a heater and a radio, maybe those cool beauty rings on the wheels. Woo Hoo. SFA ( solid front axle) for the win!!
Apparently I’m a tad older than most (if not all) of the respondents. having been born in 1945, I’m pretty much stuck with a Jeep – or woukld a Sherman tank qualify?
1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible.
2nd Choice? There IS no 2nd choice.
I have too many great options. I was born in 1970, can I just say anything that sparks any interest at all?
From muscle cars to MB 2 door coupes to Aston Martin, etc etc.. 1970 was a great year and to try to limit myself to one vehicle is rather difficult.
On a side note, does it have to be a 1970 model year? or a vehicle that was sold as new in 1970?
Definitely a 1953 Ferrari 375MM Spider.
But after the rally I would no doubt sell it and get something more reliable like a 1953 Mercedes Benz
300S Cabriolet and invest the change.
1961 Lincoln Continental convertible
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/06/10/23/40/1961_lincoln_continental-pic-52097.jpeg
Or….
1961 Bentley S2 Drop Head Coupe – HJ Mulliner
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Bentley/61-Bentley-S2-HJ_Mulliner-DV-10-AI_02.jpg
The reason I like them is that they’re both so elegant. With a Ferrari, or an XKE the car screams “look at me”. With the Bentley and the Continental, they’re more understated (to me anyway)
Ford Galaxie Lightweight 427, or SAAB 96 (maybe a Cortina GT) depending on the course for the horse.
;-)
PS I like this game. All excellent choices by those above so far. You folks are impressive.
My fellow 1972 babies have disappointed me deeply, the correct answer is:
1972 Pontiac Trans Am 455 High Output
Born in ’87, so either a Volvo 242, Saab 900 Turbo hatchback, AMC Eagle wagon, or a Peugeot 505 wagon.
1959 Chrysler 300E. Power swivel seats FTW.
Hard choice if it needs to be relatively cheap and practical i’d pick a ’95 crown vic p71. If it’s unrestricted id pick a supra.
1997 70 series LandCruiser Subaru Impreza, F-150 or Defender
You might have to be old enough to drive to be in the rally
As another child of 1980, I think I’ve got three decent choices. I would either go with a Lancia Montecarlo, a C210 Nissan Skyline or as the default choice, “fire up the Quattro.”
1949 Ford Coupe with the 100 hp flathead V-8, of course! http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/1949_Ford_Coupe.jpg
As a child of the mid-70s, I’m spoiled for choice from a “LeMons” perspective, and I’m even more spoiled for choice on my own personal passion.
WRC-style rally choice: Mazda RX-3 coupe as a giant-killer tarmac racer.
Gumball-style rally choice: Mazda Cosmo (RX5)
LeMons-style: Mazda REPU (Rotary Engine Pick Up)
If I had to narrow it down, probably the REPU.
A 1941 Lincoln…
Born at the tail end of 1976, so I’ll go for a ’76 Celica Liftback.
Since so many people have 1977 Lancia Stratos listed, I’ll go with a different Italian flavor. No wonderful Alfa Romeo around that time, so I’ll go with…..
Lemons – 1977 Autobianchi Abarth A112
Plenty of spareparts (production up to 1980s) to work with
5 Speed manual with 70+ HP and 800 Kg weight.
For the Toyota choice – 1977 Toyota Celica
Domestic choice – Corvette (I’m not too familiar with domestic brands around this time period – so I can only copy PrincipalDan’s idea)
1962 was still pretty early in the recovery of the European auto industry, so the pickings are fairly slim. I was tempted by the Big Healey — and Austin Healey 3000 Mk2 — provided that I could bring a mechanic along for the rally.
But in the end, the classic choice for 1962 vintage is the BMW 3200 CS: a Bertone-bodied coupe special, and the first production BMW with the Hofmeister kink.
From the other side of the pond, I’ll grant an honourable mention to the 1962 Corvair Monza Spyder. It definitely holds some appeal but the Mk2 styling (a few years later) was much more to my liking.
1964 Mercedes-Benz 220SE. Heckflossen uber alles, yeah.
wow such a tough choice. Being born in the middle of the turbo era and having such a fond liking for them gives me so many options
Charger GLHS?
Celica All Trac?(one slightly older then the one in my driveway)
Merkur XR4Ti?
Starquest?
GNX?
rx7 Turbo II?
I’m just not sure I can pick just one
The only 1953 model Ive driven was a Chevy pickup. I’ll take a 1953 Corvette.
Just sold my birth year car. 65 Dodge Dart Wagon. It could have been set up for just about any rally. Turbo the slant or drop a 440 in there. Or just a built 318 for reliability. Luggage rack, and cargo room for sleeping if needed. And all the parts I could ever want. Or I could take the easy way out and get a 65 Mustang Fastback. I will have to think about this a little more. Are there any details on what type of race we are talking about? Maybe I would need a Scout or a Jeep, or maybe a Vette?
I’d also go for a 66 Beaumont, especially if you get one of the ones built with the 360hp 396. Of course, a Cheetah Beaumont with a 427 would be even better but slim chance.
1981 BMW M1, in ‘M’ livery of course.
Thanks, I was racking my brain for a decent car from ’81. I’ll take this one too.
1963 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
I think I’m the youngest here, 1995 Lotus Esprit Turbo
1952 Lincoln, in Mexican Road race trim.
A 1961 Lincoln Continental and go ahead and make it a burgundy convertible with a beige top and air conditioning.
Mr. Bill
1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II. My dream car.