Car: Pontiac Catalina Convertible

Year: 1960

What makes it special: The Catalina was a part of the full-sized line-up for GM’s Pontiac division for the 1950 to 1981 model years. Originally, it’s name was used on Hardtop’s beginning with both the 1950 Chieftain Eight and Deluxe Eight models. Catalina became a separate model in 1959 as an “entry-level” full-sized car.

What made it famous: The Catalina got a face-lift for the 1960 model year, and now sported a horizontal bar grille, reminiscent of the Cord 810 and 812’s of 1930. It also received round taillights. It’s drivetrain offerings were the same as the 1959 model, most often powered by the 235hp, 389 cu in Tempest V8. With the optional 4-speed Hydramatic transmission, horsepower was bumped up to 280. Optional eight-lug aluminum wheels were available along with integral brake drums that gave the large Pontiac extra stopping power. The “Safe-T-Track” limited slip rear was a very popular performance option.

Why I would want one: It’s long, wide and low. It has a menacing look to it’s front-end. It’s a true cruiser.

Fun fact: The Catalina was discontinued after the 1981 model year when Pontiac abandoned the full-sized car market, but when it did, over 3.8 million Catalina’s total were sold since 1959.
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Car: Chrysler 300H Convertible

Year: 1962

What makes it special: The “Letter Series” Chrysler 300’s were the high-performance personal luxury cars of the 1955 to 1965 model years. Each model year was given the next letter of the alphabet with the exception of the letter “I.” The final letter was the “L” model of 1965. They are considered ancestors of the muscle car even though they are of larger size and more expensively priced.

What made it famous: The famed rear fins of previous models were gone for the 1962 Chrysler 300H. There now was an addition to the line-up, the 300 Sport Series that included a 4-door Hardtop and a 2-Door Hardtop Convertible. The only thing that was different in designation between the two was the “H” badge on the driver’s side trunk lid. The 300H had a cross-ram engine option, and the inline dual 4-barrel carb set-up was the base engine. The 300H was a faster and lighter car than the prior “G” model, but somehow was the slowest-selling of the series. Only 425 coupes and 135 convertibles were sold to buyers. Non letter series 300’s were fitted with a 383 cu in B engine.

Why I would want one: Even though the fins were gone, it’s more sporty and I love the slanted headlight look of the 1962.

Fun fact: Chrysler returned to the letter series with the 300M from 1999 to 2004.
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Car: Allard K3 Roadster

Year: 1953

What makes it special: Allard Motor Company Limited was a low volume car company that was out of London, England, that almost ended in just a decade. They produced about 1900 cars before they stopped trading in 1958. These lightweight British- bodied cars featured large American V8 engines before the likes of the Sunbeam Tigers or the famed A/C Cobra’s of Carroll Shelby. Both Shelby and Zora Arkus-Duntov, known for being the chief engineer of the Chevrolet Corvette both raced in Allards in the early 50’s.

What made it famous: The 1953 Allard K3 Roadster was basically an adaptation of the famed J2 and J2X models that were used on the race tracks of the time period. They were exported to the U.S. in attempt to take down Chevrolet’s Corvette, for Dodge. They were equipped with Chrysler’s most potent V8 of the time, the 331 cu in Hemi. The 331 V8 was fitted with dual 4-barrel carburetors. Unfortunately it failed to make it in the U.S. market despite it’s killer performance.

Why I would want one: If you are a fan of the lightweight British bodied, large American V8 cars like the Sunbeam or the Cobra’s, then the Allard K3 is right up your alley.

Fun fact: Today, an Allard K3 Roadster can garner big bucks at auction, around $250 K and upwards.
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