Car: Dodge Aries K Wagon

Year: 1988

What makes it special: Laugh all you like, but the car we all joked about actually saved the Chrysler Corporation’s ass. By the late 70’s, Chrysler was on the rocks as the oil crisis and outdated car designs sent them there. There was a need for an efficient, modern front-wheel-drive car, so Chrysler Head Honcho Lee Iacocca himself masterminded the creation of the all-new “K-Platform” that hit showrooms in 1981. The “K” car came in the form of the Dodge Aries and the Plymouth Reliant models. This K car went on all the way through 1995.

What made it famous: These cheap, affordable economy cars were just the thing to put Chrysler back in black. Earlier versions could be powered by the optional Mitsubishi Astron 2.6-liter, four-cylinder ( That actually HAD “Hemi 2.6” badging ), but for 1988, the choices boiled down to either a 93 hp, 2.2 Chrysler built four-cylinder, or a 96 hp, 2.5 version of the same powerplant with an extra 13 pound-feet of torque.

Why I would want one: Actually, I’d love a pristine example of one. They are a piece of automotive history that any true car fan should have in their collection. No foolin’.

Fun fact: Although the K car was the butt of many jokes, Dodge laughed all the way to the bank with the reward of higher sales. The division volume rose from 309K in 1980 to nearly 341K the next year. By the 1985 model year, Dodge realized its dream goal of a half-million sales.
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Car: Pontiac Grand Prix

Year: 1969

What makes it special: Pontiac Head Honcho John Z. DeLorean wanted a new design for their Grand Prix model for the ’69 model year. What he got was a more dramatic body style with a longer nosed version of their intermediate GM A-Platform with a chrome, highly-pronounced grill, which became GM’s G-Body Platform.

What made it famous: The new Grand Prix rode the fine line between being a personal luxury car with the handling of a performance/muscle car, like the Dodge Charger or Mercury Cougar. It not only grabbed your attention style-wise, but with the option of a manually-shifted transmission, you had a muscle car. V8 engine options ran the gamut from the 390 hp, 428 HO at the top of the list, to a 265 or 350 hp 400 cu in V8. The car was also famed for it’s “Command Seat” for the ultimate driving experience, with a wraparound, airplane cockpit style instrumented dashboard with all gauges within easy reach. Twin “Strato-Style” bucket seats were separated by an integrated console that slanted towards the driver. Luxury came in the form of fabric and leather interior options.

Why I would want one: It’s not only luxurious, but delivered performance, making it a “Gentleman’s hot rod.”

Fun fact: Pontiac also attempted a special steam-powered SE 101 Concept that featured a 101 hp V8 that ended up being about 450 lbs heavier that a standard V8. Being three times more expensive to produce, they quickly scrapped that idea.

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