Car: American Motors Corporation (AMC) AMX

Year: 1968

What makes it special: The AMX is a two-seat GT-style sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years. The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but “unique among other American cars at the time due its short wheelbase.” The AMX was also the only American-built steel-bodied two-seater of its time, the first since the 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird. To a degree, the AMX was a competitor with America’s only other two-seater of the era, the Chevrolet Corvette for substantially less money.

What made it famous: Fitted with the optional high-compression medium block 390 cu in AMC V8 engine, the AMX offered top-notch performance at an affordable price. In spite of this value and enthusiastic initial reception by automotive media and enthusiasts, sales never thrived. However, the automaker’s larger objectives to refocus AMC’s image on performance and to bring younger customers into its dealer showrooms was achieved. After three model years, the two-seat version was discontinued, and the AMX’s now signature badging was transferred to a high-performance version of its four-seat sibling, the Javelin, from the 1971 to 1974 model years.

Why I would want one: I love the AMC muscle car line. The cool thing about the AMX is that it only has two seats, making it great for serious competition due to it’s light weight and short wheelbase.

Fun fact: With a one-inch shorter wheelbase than Chevrolet’s two-seater, the AMX was often seen by the press as a “Corvette competitor”

Car: Pontiac Bonneville Hardtop

Year: 1958

What makes it special: The Bonneville was built by Pontiac from 1957 to 2005. Bonnevilles were full-sized, with the exception of a brief period of mid-size between 1982-86. The brand was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year. The Bonneville and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built, and at 5,000 pounds and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time.

What made it famous: Bonneville became a separate model in 1958, available as a two-door hardtop or a convertible. It paced the Indianapolis 500 in its first year. As a separate model Bonneville had a significantly lower price tag of around $3,000 thanks to the demotion of most of the luxury items found on the 1957 Star Chief body style from standard equipment to the option list. Also a 300 horsepower 370 cu in V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts was now standard equipment. The fuel-injection system offered with the standard engine on the 1957 Star Chief body style was now listed as an extra cost option but very few 1958 Bonnevilles were so equipped due to a towering price tag of over $5000, which was not considered a very good value considering that for less than $100, a Tri-Power option was available with three 2-barrel carburetors and even more power. The electric clock was standard.

Why I would want one: I like the fact that they aren’t very common. Although I enjoy the usual stuff you find at car shows, it’s nice to see something a little different than the rest.

Fun fact: The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Oldsmobile Holiday 88, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the all-new Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala.

Car: Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible

Year: 1966

What makes it special: The Galaxie is a full-sized car built by Ford for model years 1959 through to 1974. The name was used for the top models in Ford’s full-size range from 1958 until 1961, in a marketing attempt to appeal to the excitement surrounding the Space Race. The Galaxie was the competitor to the high-volume full sized Chevrolet Impala.

What made it famous: Starting in1965 Galaxie was an all-new design, featuring vertically stacked dual headlights. The cars were taller and bulkier than the previous year’s. Suspension was redesigned. Replacing the former leaf-spring rear suspension was a new three-link system, with coil springs. Interiors featured a new instrument panel and two-way key system were introduced. A new model was introduced for 1966; the Galaxie 500 7 Litre, fitted with a new engine, the 345 hp 428 cu in Thunderbird V8. This engine was also available on the Ford Thunderbird and the Mercury S-55. The police versions received a 360 hp version of the 428 known as the ‘Police Interceptor’ as police cars. Safety regulations for 1966 required seat belts front and rear on all new cars sold domestically. The Galaxie 500 would be the #3-selling convertible in the U.S. in 1966, with 27,454 sold.

Why I would want one: Love the stacked-headlight look, and the sharp body lines of the ’65 & ’66 Ford Galaxies.

Fun fact: The “regular” Galaxie 500 continued below the LTD as Ford’s mid-level full-size model from 1965 until its demise at the end of the 1974 model year.

Car: Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Typ14 Convertible

Year: 1959

What makes it special: Volkswagen’s Karmann Ghia is a sports car marketed in 2+2 coupe from 1955–1974, and 2+2 convertible from 1957–1974 body styles by Volkswagen. Internally designated the Typ 14, the Karmann Ghia combined the chassis and mechanicals of the Type 1 Beetle with styling by Italy’s Carrozzeria Ghia and hand-built bodywork by German coachbuilding house, Karmann.

What made it famous: In August 1957, Volkswagen introduced a convertible version of the Karmann Ghia. The Type 14 was marketed as a practical and stylish 2+2 rather than as a true sports car. As they shared engines, the Type 14’s engine displacement grew concurrently with the Type 1 Beetle, ultimately arriving at a displacement of 1584 cc, producing 61 PS. In contrast to the Beetle’s machine-welded body with bolt-on fenders, the Karmann Ghia’s body panels were butt-welded, hand-shaped, and smoothed with English pewter in a time-consuming process commensurate with higher-end manufacturers, resulting in the Karmann Ghia’s higher price.

Why I would want one: I always loved the style of the Karmann Ghia, unfortunately try finding one: 1) No body rot, and 2) An affordable price nowadays.

Fun fact: American industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague included the Type 14 Karmann Ghia in his list of the world’s most beautifully designed products.

Car: Plymouth ‘Cuda Coupe

Year: 1970

What makes it special: The redesign for the 1970 Barracuda removed all its previous commonality with the Valiant. The original fastback design was deleted from the line and the Barracuda now consisted of coupe and convertible models. The all-new model was built on a shorter, wider version of Chrysler’s existing B platform, called the E-body. The E-body Barracuda was now “able to shake the stigma of ‘economy car’.” The high-performance models were marketed as ‘Cuda deriving from the 1969 option. Barracuda options included decal sets, hood modifications, and some unusual “High Impact” colors such as “Lime Light”, “Bahama Yellow”, “Tor Red”, “Lemon Twist”, “Curious Yellow”, “Vitamin C”, “In-Violet”, “Sassy Grass” and “Moulin Rouge”

What made it famous: Three versions were offered for 1970 and 1971. The base Barracuda (BH), the luxury oriented Gran Coupe (BP), and the sport model ‘Cuda (BS). For 1970 and 1971, the Barracuda and Barracuda Gran Coupe had two six-cylinder engines available: A new 198 cu in version of the slant-6, and the 225, as well as three different V8’s: the 318 ci, the 383 ci with 2-barrel carburetor and single exhaust, and the 383 ci with 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust 330 hp SAE gross. The Cuda had the 383 ci 335 hp SAE gross, same as Dodge’s 383 Magnum as the standard engine. It also had the 440 ci 4-barrel Super Commando, the 440 ci Six-barrel Super Commando Six Pak, and the 426 ci Hemi. The 440- and Hemi-equipped cars received upgraded suspension components and structural reinforcements to help transfer the power to the road. In 1970 and 1971 only, the shaker hood, option code N96, elastomeric rubber colored bumpers, and the Spicer-built Dana 60 rear axle were available. The shaker hood was available with 340, 383, 440 4-barrel, 440 six-barrel, and 426 Hemi engines.

Why I would want one: To me, the 1970-1971 ‘Cuda’s were the epitome of Pony/Muscle car.

Fun fact: The Barracuda was discontinued after the 1974 model year.