Car: Plymouth Road Runner Coupe

Year: 1973

What makes it special: The Road Runner was a mid-size model with a focus on performance built by Plymouth between 1968 and 1980. By 1968, some of the original muscle cars were moving away from their roots as relatively cheap, fast cars as they gained features and increased in price. Plymouth developed the Road Runner to market a lower priced, basic trim model to its upscale GTX.

What made it famous: The 1973-74 models received completely new sheet metal and had more conventional squared-up front-end styling and changes to the rear that more closely resembled the four-door models than the 71-72’s. Interior options included retaining power seats and windows as well as offering plusher carpeting and seat covers, moving the car to a slightly higher level of luxury. In testing 1/4 mile times were getting close to the 16’s, top speeds had dropped to barely over 125 mph, and the car moved further away from “muscle car” status. The base engine for the 1973-74 models had dropped down to Chrysler’s 318 V8 but equipped with dual exhausts which bumped the power up to 170 hp. The code E68 400 cu in 260 hp engine was the biggest Plymouth offered with the 4-speed, which could also be had with the 340 for 1973, and 360 for1974, engines. The 318 was equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission as standard, and the TorqueFlite as an option, and the 440 cu in engine, boasting 280 hp was still available for 1973 and 1974, but only mated to the 727 TorqueFlite automatic, with 3.55 sure-grip 8 3/4 rear axle gearing available. 

Why I would want one: Even though it was no longer the street monster it started off as, it’s still a muscle car, and still one good-looking car.

Fun fact: After 1972, no 440 with 4-speed manual cars were built.

Car: Cadillac Series 62 4-Door Hardtop

Year: 1962

What makes it special: The Series 62 was produced by Cadillac from 1940 through 1964. Originally designed to replace the entry level Series 65, it became the Cadillac Series 6200 in 1959, and remained that until it was renamed to Cadillac Calais for the 1965 model year. The Series 62 was also marketed as the Sixty-Two and the Series Sixty-Two.

What made it famous: Cadillac was restyled and re-engineered for 1961. A mild face lift characterized Cadillac styling trends for 1962. A flatter grille with a thicker horizontal center bar and more delicate cross-hatched insert appeared. Ribbed chrome trim panel, seen ahead of the front wheel housings for 1961, were now replaced with standard cornering lamps and front fender model and series identification badges were eliminated. More massive front bumper end pieces appeared and housed rectangular parking lamps. At the rear tail lamps were now housed in vertical nacelles designed with an angled peak at the center. A vertically ribbed rear beauty panel appeared on the deck lid latch panel. Cadillac script also appeared on the lower left side of the radiator grille. Engines remained 325 hp, 390 cu in V8’s, and all models were equipped with an automatic transmission.

Why I would want one: If you wanted to show you had made it in the world, you drove a Cadillac.

Fun fact: A Series-62 Cadillac Convertible had a starring role in the 1992 smash-hit comedy movie, “My Cousin Vinny” starring actors Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei.

Car: Dodge Challenger 383 Magnum R/T Hardtop Coupe

Year: 1970

What makes it special: Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles, two of those being pony cars produced by Dodge. However, the first use of the Challenger name by Dodge was in 1959 for marketing a “value version” of the full-sized Coronet Silver Challenger. From 1970 to 1974, the first generation Challenger was built using the Chrysler E platform in hardtop and convertible body styles sharing major components with Plymouth’s Barracuda model. Introduced in fall 1969 for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was positioned to compete against the Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird in the upper end of the pony car market segment, and was a late response to Ford’s Mustang.  

What made it famous: The Challenger was available as either a two-door hardtop coupe or a convertible, and in two models for its introductory model year.  The base model was the “Challenger” with either an Inline-6 or V8 engine, as well as a “Challenger R/T” that included a 383 cu in V8. The Special Edition (SE) trim package added a number of appearance, convenience, and comfort items, on either the base Challenger or the R/T. The standard engine on the higher trim models was a 318 cu in V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor. For 1970, the optional engines included the 340 and 383 cu in, as well as the 440 and 426 cu in V8’s, all with a standard 3-speed manual transmission, except for the 290 bhp 383 cuin. engine, which was available only with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission. A 4-speed manual was optional on all engines except the 225 cu in Inline-6 and the 2-barrel 383 cu in V8.

Why I would want one: Well, I have the 2015 R/T Scat Pack version currently, but I would love to have an earlier version of Dodge’s potent performance version of the Challenger as well.

Fun fact: Chrysler intended the new Challenger as the most potent pony car ever, and, like the less expensive Barracuda, it was available in a staggering number of trim and option levels, and with virtually every engine in Chrysler’s inventory