Car: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

Year: 1972

What made it famous: The Silver Shadow was designed with several modernizations in response to concerns that the company was falling behind in automotive innovation, most notably its unitary construction. Style-wise, its design was a major departure from its predecessor, the Silver Cloud. The new Shadow was 3 ¹⁄₂ inches narrower and 7 inches shorter than the Silver Cloud, but still offered increased passenger and luggage space thanks to more efficient packaging made possible by unitary construction. Other new features included disc brakes replacing drums, and independent rear suspension instead of the outdated live axle design of previous Rolls models. The Shadow featured a 189 hp, 6.75 L V8 from 1970 to 1980. It was mated to a General Motors-sourced Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. A distinctive feature was a high-pressure hydro-pneumatic suspension system licensed from Citroën, with dual-circuit braking and hydraulic self-levelling suspension. Rolls-Royce achieved a high degree of ride quality with this arrangement.

Why I would want one: For the sheer, immature joy of rolling up to someone at a stop light and asking for Grey Poupon.

Fun fact: The convertible variant was marketed as the Silver Shadow Drophead Coupé.

Car: Pontiac GTO Convertible

Year: 1966

What makes it special: The GTO was manufactured by Pontiac from 1964 to 1974 model years, and by GM’s subsidiary Holden in Australia from 2004 to 2006 model years. The first generation of the GTO was a muscle car produced in the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Although there were muscle cars introduced earlier than the GTO, it’s considered by some to have started the trend with all four domestic automakers offering a variety of competing models. For the 1964 and 1965 model years, the GTO was an optional package on the intermediate-sized Pontiac Lemans. The 1964 GTO VIN number started with VIN 82… The 1965 GTO VIN number started with VIN 237… The GTO became a separate model from 1966 to 1971 VIN 242… It became an optional package again for the 1972 and 1973 intermediate Le Mans. For 1974, the GTO optional package was offered on the compact-sized Ventura.

What made it famous: The GTO became a separate Pontiac model in 1966, instead of being an “option package” on the Tempest LeMans. The entire GM “A” body intermediate line was restyled that year, gaining more curvaceous styling with kicked-up rear fender lines for a “Coke-bottle” look, and a slightly “tunneled” backlight. The tail light featured a louvered cover, only seen on the GTO. The GTO was available as a pillared coupe, a hardtop, and a convertible. Also an automotive industry first, plastic front grilles replaced the pot metal and aluminum versions seen on earlier years. New Strato bucket seats were introduced with higher and thinner seat backs and contoured cushions for added comfort and adjustable headrests were introduced as a new option. The instrument panel was redesigned and more integrated than in previous years with the ignition switch moved from the far left of the dash to the right of the steering wheel. Four pod instruments continued, and the GTO’s dash was highlighted by walnut veneer trim. Engine and carburetor choices remained the same as the previous year, except the Tri Power option was discontinued mid-model year. A new engine was offered that saw few takers: the XS option consisted of a factory Ram Air set up with a new 744 high lift cam. Approximately 35 factory installed Ram Air packages are believed to have been built, though 300 dealership installed Ram Air packages are estimated to have been ordered. On paper, the package was said to produce the same 360 hp as the non-Ram Air, Tri Power car.

Why I would want one: Always loved the mid-60’s stacked headlight look. To me, this was the greatest period of the Pontiac GTO.

Fun fact: Although Pontiac had strenuously promoted the GTO in advertising as the “GTO tiger,” it had become known in the youth market as the “goat.”