With Christmas just around the corner, the kids or grand-kids in our lives undoubtedly are waiting with bated breath to see what toys from their wish list they will find under the tree on Christmas morning. When I was a kid, going through catalogs and picking out things that I wanted was half of the fun. Fantasizing about all the cool gifts I could receive was exciting. Now that we are all grown up, why should we give up that fun?
I have a friend who likes to buy and sell old cars with extreme frequency. My kids and I always enjoy stopping by his place and seeing the new to him old American iron that he has in his garage. The last time I stopped by he had a 1979 Ford F-150 regular cab long box truck. The F-150 is a nice original truck with a solid body. It only has a few minor body repairs and one repaint. The original interior is nearly perfect and being originally from out west, the undercarriage and floors are in tip top shape, with only a light coating of surface rust on the chassis. Best of all, under the hood is a 460-4V engine which is backed by a C6 transmission and a Ford 9” rear axle; definitely some of Ford’s best hardware.
Dad’s 1979 Ford F-150 just prior to selling it.
Seeing this truck invariably brought me back to my youth. My uncle purchased his 1979 Ford F-150 in 1980. Like my friend’s truck, it was a 460 powered regular cab long box truck. With the headers, side exit dual exhaust with glass packs, it was one mean and fast truck during its time. It was used for countless fishing and camping trips pulling a boat and hauling a slide in camper. My dad later bought the truck off of my Uncle and it became my dad’s winter driver and our family workhorse. Needless to say I have a lot of fond memories wrapped up in that truck, and I regret not trying to buy it from my dad when he sold it for peanuts.
As some may or may not have learned from my posts over the years at CC, I am pretty sentimental about my cars. Some people think of cars historical artifacts from the past. They should be preserved and we only are temporary keepers. For me, the most important cars are not the historical significant artifacts but those with specific meaning to me. These cars are rolling pieces of my personal history which can take me back in time but also capture new memories going forward.
Recently talking to my friend, he told me he has his ’79 Ford up for sale. I have to say it was pulling at my sentimental heart strings that I should really consider buying this truck. When would be the next time I’d come across a nice clean original ’79 Ford F-150 with a 460? Plus this one even has working A/C and an expensive gear vendors overdrive, which might make the mileage somewhat tolerable. My friend wants to move the truck, so he even offered to store it and gave me a good price. Alas, as much as I wanted to purchase the truck, reality kicked in. I don’t have long term storage for an extra vehicle, and my family comes first. That money would be better invested into some home renovations and going towards my kids schooling.
However, if I were to have Santa deliver me a gift on Christmas morning, today, I’d be asking for that 1979 Ford F-150. It may not be exactly the same as my Dad’s old truck, but close enough that it could be my new memory maker.
So, sit back, think for a few moments and decide what would be on your CC Christmas list? It can be new, old, expensive, cheap, practical or impractical. Don’t start worrying about practical things like where you are going to store it, or how you’re going to pay for maintenance and insurance. There are no restrictions; this is a Christmas list after all! So what Curbside Classic is on your Christmas wish list?
1962 Plymouth Sport Fury.
Make mine optioned with the 361 4-BBL “Golden Commando” engine, push button “Torqueflite” automatic, power steering, in dash factory air conditioning.
LtDan might understand.
Never gonna find it, I know.
Paul would definitely understand. Can I have one too?
A matching pair for both of us, Paul!
Once again, you and I agree with our automotive opinions and desires.
🙂
LT Dan understands and approves. 383 for me though.
I bet the red convertible ’62, driven by “Jane Hathaway” in the first season of “The Beverly Hillbillies” was packing a 383.
I think the top engine option in 1962 was the 361 Golden Commando. The 383 was dropped for this year.
Wonder if the square steering wheel still available this year?
Initially the 361 was the top choice. But later in the year, several versions of the 383 and the mighty Max Wedge 413 became available.
Me too please! Make mine the red convertible.
This was one of the most attractive cars of 1962 and the car that best survived the chop chop of Exner’s original designs. I always thought it looked best in the convertible and two-door sedan versions as the roofline looked more balanced. We had a neighbor who bought one new and although the family liked it very much, they did find the interior short on space. The next year they augmented the garage with a 1963 Galaxie 500 four door hardtop, their first Ford since WWII and a car they quickly grew to dislike due to lack of refinement – it turned them back to Chrysler Corp. This color combination is perfect on the Sport Fury. It would be the perfectly sized car for today’s urban congestion.
Was this the first “intermediate” sized car?
I know it was a replacement for the Dodge and Plymouth large sized cars which were externally bigger in 1961, but after Dodge got its 880 so it could have a “Chrysler” sized offering, these seemed to morph into intermediate size, especially in 1965 once even Plymouth went back to offering the “Chrysler” size. Whoops…even Chrysler started downsizing once the Cordoba came out in 1975.
I was a Plymouth fan, especially since my Dad’s first car was a ’56 Plaza. I had my ’60 as a pedal car (Fire Chief Special) and I think my first toy car was probably the ’62 Plymouth. Seems they weren’t appreciated for what they were when they came out, especially since as the oft-told story goes, they were downsized as a “mistake”…as size still mattered at least in American cars throughout the 60’s. Also, hardtops were what everyone seemed to aspire to, even had hardtop wagons back then….but they eventually went away…even convertibles “came back” but not the hardtop.
As far as equipment, my Dad’s ’56 was of course a stripper, having the standard transmission and the flathead 6…I’d like the Torqueflite (though I do drive standard) and as I live in the south, Air Conditioning (though this was likely a really rare option for a Plymouth back then). Slant 6 would be fine, but maybe need a V8 if it has AC…don’t need the 426 Max Wedge though it seems that surviving coupes all have been upgraded to this engine. For me, a wagon would be nice, like to have extra room, even if the AC had to work a bit harder…and probably the (mandatory?) tinted windows…almost forgot they were an option back then. Radio and heater? …not really necessary (could you order an air-conditioned car without a heater back then?)
The Sport Fury interior and dashboard:
Decades ahead of its time.
A 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger, black with a whlte tail stripe. Black interior with bucket seats and a four speed trans. Powered by a hemi of course…not that I’ve given it much thought…
If that pesky thing called Reality was removed from the equation, I would love to have a large, stately Japanese-market sedan, like this Nissan President that was featured here on CC not long ago.
They’re unique and completely fascinating to me. I’d love to own one.
A Lancia Trevi 2.0, early series with the mock-suede interior in brown.
Neat choice. And different to the hordes.
Thanks Roger: I drove one once, a 2.0 litre. It was a remarkable experience. The ride quality was sublime and the steering a delight. It´s a smashing little car really. I saw them first in Dublin in the 1990s and had a soft spot for them ever since. The odd appearance is a bonus. The dashboard looks odd but is a design wonder.
This beast – retro-modded into a cruiser. Don’t touch a single interior or exterior thing, but completely change the mechanics. Folks think it is a junker until you roar down the street.
We agree, for a change! But make mine stock. Drum brakes are a lot more thrilling than a 500hp engine. 🙂
How about 500HP engine AND 4 wheel drum brakes?
61 Dodges don’t get a lot of love but personally they are my favorites of the big forward look era Dodges. I love the reverse fins.
Make mine a hardtop though!
My Dad had one of these in the mid 1970s that I got to drive. Slant six, three on the tree, I called it “The Pig!”
Ask on a different day and the answer will be different. Today? A 68 Chrysler convertible. A 300 would be fab, but a Newport will do.
Ooo, I approve…
I like the early 1960s Mopar vibes going on here, so I’ll stay in the tune with a 60 Polara hardtop with its vertical grill and cut-off tail fins to differentiate it from lower level Dodges. With the right engine and a 3 speed TorquFlite these were nicely quick for the time and had a crisp taut suspension that allowed for better than average cornering (also for that time).
And they were beautifully gaudy.
The right engine:
Something about those duel antennas (expand the picture). Like Sputnik if it had wheels. I could spend hours marveling at the details on this car if it were in my garage. Great pick for Christmas morning!
It’s a toss-up, between a mid 70’s Triumph Spitfire and a mid 80’s Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas. Either one is a pure pipe dream, and completely impractical to own, but both are cars that I’ve lusted after for decades. In either case my color preference would be British Racing Green over Saddle. Come to think of it, Santa could bring both. I’ve been pretty OK this year. (For me, that is.)
I like your way of thinking. Both great choices, and I’d add a TR-6 (or -8) and MGB/Midget to my all-British list.
I would love to have a Corvair. Not picky on which one but maybe a first generation sedan. Either that or a classic pickup of some kind.
More than likely I will end up with something completely random.
1967 Mercury Monterey fastback. My grandmother owned one, and I had the opportunity to drive it quite a bit before she passed away and my mom and uncle sold it. Hers was originally a baby blue, but she had it repainted (Earl Scheib!) a cream color.
390 V8, automatic, and, as the B-52’s would sing “…seats about 20”.
Turning radius similar to an aircraft carrier, sucks gas like there’s no tomorrow, but damn, I’d love to have one to take to cruise nights.
I approve again. As you can see I’m torn between Ford and Mopar at the top of the list. Being such a linear and organized thinker I will first have to compile a list of attributes in order to decide the winner. Making the list is organized but everything on the list is emotional and unorganized. Go figure…
the taillights….ALWAYS loved these
1962 Austin-Healey Sprite
Thanks to JPC sucking up the available supply of Chrysler 300 convertibles, I’m going to have to go further back in the lot. This must be Black Friday at CC!
1950’s cars are before my time, and I’ve probably never even ridden in one. But, I’ve long had a fascination with the 1956 Cadillac Sedan DeVille since first seeing one, probably in 1975, parked in the visitor lot of the Harold Warp Pioneer Village museum in Minden, NE. (The museum has a very large car collection that is not obvious from its name).
That fascination has been reignited by the YouTube video series by TheCorvetteBen on his restoration of his 1956 Sedan DeVille. He has multiple restoration videos on many cars, if you need something to while the time on a cold night during your time off this Christmas, I highly recommend his series.
I want mine with Air Conditioning as pictured below on the exterior view. The interior view is of one of my favorite details, the dash script says Nineteen Fifty-Six. The whole car picture is not his, but the interior belongs to TheCorvetteBen, picture taken the day he rescued his car from a decades long nap in the trees of Texas.
+1
I love TheCorvetteBen and can’t wait until he gets around to installing the factory A/C system from the salvage car into the Cadillac. Step by step the Caddy becomes more fully optioned. Here’s a great segment where Ben installs the power trunk closer.
What the heck, make mine that Vega Kammback. Either configured as a 4 speed GT, just like my own Vega GT hatchback in the same color as the one pictured, or with the parts needed to convert it to GT spec (I don’t care about “matching numbers”). Oh and maybe an EcoTec or even Iron Duke swap, plus 5 speed. Alternative would be an El Camino, anything newer than a bat wing though preferably not a Colonnade. Use it as a beater truck and morph my Tacoma into a dedicated camping rig.
Im happy with the little fleet I have right now but a classic wagon is on my short list, mainly a ’70 Country Squire with a ’70 Vista Cruiser a close second.
And a Hellcat Challenger.
You know I hate you. After seeing this I want it or a Colony Park. Maybe the 68 over the 70.
Here I am asked to walk into the car candy store and to pick your favorite. What kid has just one favorite candy? I can spend hours in the store up against the glass admiring everything and never be able to pick JUST one. Gluttony is wrong. Isn’t it…???
Phew, that means I can have the 71. Want the 70 Olds too but.
A ’68 Country Squire for me, please, so I can relive my childhood. Nice ones are getting crazy expensive these days, tho!
A 2020 Buick Regal TourX.
I just bought myself a car for Christmas. My cousin moved to Illinois and decided she didn’t want to take the Buick she inherited from our grandfather. So for sentimental reasons I bought it from her. Just need to fix it up a little It’s a 2003 Buick century
I already said I was interested in a Chevette yesterday. But if I was really good maybe I could get the soft-top. But either would tickle me.
I’m thinking you mean Corvair. But Chevette would have been a good name for these, before it was sullied.
No, yesterday I commentated on the Chevette posting that I missed the Chevettes I owned in the past. Today is about the wishes I’d really love to see fulfilled,
Mine is for sale in Phoenix as we speak- If someone would be kind enough to go pay for it, my wife and I can pick it up over the weekend:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/d/cottonwood-1978-dodge-magnum/7028950827.html
’78 Dodge Magnum
Wow! Asking $4,000 for a loaded 21,XXX original car from rust free Phoenix? Is the PLC market for ’70s cars that bad? I love this thing! If my wife knew I was looking at this, she’d be thanking her lucky stars that this is a two day drive away from me.
Just wow again! I paid $3,200 for a loaded ’76 Cutlass around 1983 with about 50,XXX on it. This car is priced like it is 1983!
(Hope the deal is real, with Craigslist charging listing fees now, it may be!)
As far as I know, it’s totally legit- The ad has been posted two weeks now, and posted on a couple old car sites. Like you, I’d love to pull the trigger.
Thank God it’s a 360 car- If it had a 400, I might have snuck off and bought it behind my wife’s back….
Yes, I know the 360 is the better choice all around- the 400 offers no real performance advantages, weighs down the front end and guzzles gas, but it was the LAST year for big block B-bodies, so I want one…
Had a 400 powered ’78 Cordoba in high school. Yup, guzzled gas, the rear gears weren’t great for performance and handling was non-existent. But…. It sounded great with dual exhaust and the sound of the Thermoquad opening up under full throttle was fantastic.
The sole big block I ever owned. My first car. Best $400 I ever spent!
Been on the lookout for a long time for my first two; the third one only started appearing on radar in last year or so. Got the room and the money and just need to find a very nice example within reasonable inspection driving/flying distance.
first choice – Mercedes 124 wagon – gasoline, not diesel; 2WD, not 4Matic.
second choice, down the desire meter a notch or two – ’90-’92 Mercedes 300SL five speed manual.
distant third choice but possible for a great, low mileage example in a color I like – ’99 or ’00 Corvette “FRC” coupe (all have six speed manual transmission).
Oh my, good ones there!
I’m a huge fan of the 124 and my friend’s mom had a ’95 wagon back in the mid-1990s we spent a lot of rearwards facing time in.
Also, I completely agree with you on the ultimate R129. In fact, here’s one actively for sale! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-mercedes-benz-300sl-8/
Check out Toy Store Corvettes in Largo, FL. You’ll probably pay on the high end, but Jim only sells the best and will ship for $495. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll know where to get it! Never had customer service like that before. My mom bought a 94 bright aqua metallic convertible with removable hard top and only 21k miles and its showroom mint.
Dear Santa;
My Mustang has been a good girl all year. Would you please bring her a new water pump?
Thank You,
Rick.
Yes, this is what I am buying for my car this holiday season. I’m talking to my mechanic today to set up an appointment for next week. Yes, it’s my hobby car now, but I don’t think I want to take on this repair myself. I know my limitations.
goodness one could spend the rest of the day (and night) fantasizing…63 vet? 70 340 cuda? 63.5 galaxie? javelin? ohc6 tempest, turbo corvair, buick GS…..
But this beaky beast just does it for me in being something just a bit unique in my mind.
striking front end, nice profile, wide flat shapely rear. COMFY interior, intrumentation, GM tranny, RTS suspension with front and MOST importantly REAR anti-rolll bar. Good fr disk. Arguably handles WAY better than it should.
Certainly with a 73 smog monster motor it not a terror, but it will more than get out of it s way.
maybe a 3.08 rear so it can loaf a BIT on the highway , but the 455 helps get it out of hole
1973 grand am. 455, with factory interior tach, burgundy interior. honeycomb wheels
many colors too choose from but this soft yellow from Automobile magazine did it for me.
1963 VW Beetle. My first car!! Picked up for $75. No complaints from a 16 year old.
Crushed by a 1977 Chrysler Córdoba while parked at an intersection 😩😩😩
Can I get some time to work on my 63 VW Beetle? I’m probably not putting it on the road in 2020, it needs too many things now. I just need the time.
I need another curbside classic like I need a hole in the head, but I was looking at a 1938 Desoto project for sale locally for $975 that seemed to have a decent body.
Seeing as yesterday was my final day at work (having just retired), I might finally start making some progress on my ’62 and ’63. I suppose those will have to suffice for my Christmas wish list.
Maybe I should road trip up to give you some help, Doug!
While a Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Suoerbird or a 1969 Shelby Mustang GT350 are tempting, I’ll be a bit humble & ask Santa for a 1985 Mustang GT/1986-1989 LX 5.0 Mustang w/auto, A/C & a CD player.
Yeah, I want that ’72 Vega Kammback, too, but my first choice is a California spec (love the sound of the exhaust with the catalytic converter) fuel injected ’75 Beetle. Preferably the rare (in the US) minimalist model 110 or a deluxe 113. Of course, because these bottom feeder cars are unobtainium, I’d settle for an early Porsche 912.
A GMC 9500 with a Detroit Diesel
77 Capri MkII S. or a Ghia. or an 83 Audi Coupe Quattro. both with Euro lighting and bumpers. Picky? Yes. I am. But if we are asking.
Surely you mean “which CC ARE on your Christmas wish list”?
Rover 3500 SD1, series 1, in one of the launch colours (yellow, avocado or dark red – I’m not fussy Santa)
1955 Bentley Continental, black
Citroen SM, dark gold metallic
Peugeot 504 Convertible, dark blue
Alfa 2600 Spider, red (did you have to ask?)
Best check again on 24 Dec in case of any late changes…..
I will take the green SD1, and the gold SM, and the dark blue 504 Convertible is also mine, but I’d have the luscious 2600 in dark blue. Oh, and a black Continental, sure, but I’m happier with a ’52 S1, with spats.
Sorry to cut down your list.
This and I’ll never ask for anything again…
Great choice. One of my favorites. I think that was the most beautiful car Buick ever built.
+1 This is one of the cars that just got it right…period.
71-72 Satellite coupe under the tree and a Gen III Hemi engine of any displacement in the stocking.
I used to get big LEGO sets for Christmas every year, so I like spending the day building my presents 🙂
This please! I’ve been good all… well… most of the year!
Normal people hated these of course. I thought they were great and later owned a 1963 Sport Fury. But that photo is a regular not Sport Fury. I think early ones had a thicker trim on the front line above the wheel (whatever you call that. Later ones had a full length trim above, in an apparent effort to deny the actual shape of the car which no one (except us) liked. Also note the wheel covers which were unique to ’62-63 Sport Furys. And in your photo you can see the back seat is a solid bench while the Sports seat was in semi-bucket shapes to match the front buckets.
The Dodge Polara 500 version also had trim in places you wouldn’t expect instead of on top of the sculpture lines. This one has incorrect dog dish hub caps (yeech) and has the upper full length trim that I think came mid year.
There are so many choices, and really good ones here, everyone.
The one CC that I’ve always wanted, and I’ve seen it in the metal once about 15 years ago is a 1968 Chevrolet Impala Convertible in light blue metallic with a white top and white interior. SS trim, 327 (instead of the 307 my Dad had in his Grecian Green Custom Coupe example from my childhood). I’d like the ubiquitous Vette rally wheels, but if that’s too much to ask, the standard wheel covers will do.
I can name any number of CCs for fun but at the moment I’m looking for a mid 90s Ford pickup as a practical hauler/project car.
1967 F100. First or second year of the new body style. Red, with a camper on it. Just as seen by 6 year old me on I95 in Maine, July 1969 on a family vacation. I really wanted to be looking out the front of the bunk o er the cab.
I wouldn’t mind the Saab 95 wagon that we actually drove on that trip either. Or (as mentioned by a few of you already) a 72 Vega Kammback with manual (which replaced the Saab when the transmission failed. (Frying pan/fire)
Like Roger Carr above, many to choose from.
A 1968 Dodge Charger, with a Hemi, painted in black, and with a 4 speed.
A 1973 or 1974 Dodge Dart Sport (or a Duster) with a 318.
A 1959 Chevrolet Impala 2 door, with a small block V8.
A 1973 Olds Cutlass Supreme, 350 4 barrel please.
If I had been real good this year I would love a 1955 Dodge Crusader, Canadian made, 3 speed automatic if they came with one.
“A 1973 Olds Cutlass Supreme, 350 4 barrel please.”
Great car- My buddy had one back in high school, and he loved it!
’61 Chrysler or ’58 Buick Roadmaster.
Okay, I’ll be the shallow one here.
A 1979 Cadillac Seville Gucci Edition…
This week? I’m thinking of a Fintail Mercedes! This one didn’t sell on Bring a Trailer the other day, a ’62 220S.
I wish I would find one of these parked in my driveway like one of those Holiday car commercials!
that’s a great choice
This one.
Mine would have to be a 1970 Saturn Yellow Buick GSX Stage 1 with a 4 speed & A/C.
So many wishes on the list, but one that’s always close to the top is a 1968 Barracuda, not the fastback, the other one . Just love the swoopy roofline, make it a Formula S 340 Torqueflite and I promise I’ll be good.
A 1970 Road Runner. This was my first car because the stars aligned. Dark green, hardtop 383hp automatic, ET slotted uni-lug mags. Absolutely a great driving car. Looking back I think someone added options as it had power steering and power brakes.
It passed away in June 1982 when a blue Ford Escort turned into it’s path. No people injured, both cars totaled. (Picture not of my car)
I was given a choice of two hand-me-downs. This was the other choice. Same color as picture, different hubcaps, a 283 with I believe a power glide. Tough choices. 1967 Bel Aire 4 door vs 1970 Road Runner.
Alfa Carabo with electric power
The gigantic black Hispano J12 from T87’s visit to Switzerland, published earlier this year.
I like my presents with a V-12 (and no, I will not settle for a crappy Jag XJ-S, there are limits, and if I’m over your budget, sell a few elves or something, I’ve been particularly good, you know).
I’d be eternally elated to receive a ’62 Volvo 544, which I piloted during my college years. A reliable and sturdy machine which featured performance, style and comfort well beyond than my prior ride, a ’60 Beetle. Specimens appear on E-Bay from time to time – like the one pictured – but I keep my checkbook in restraint of the appeal of such impulses.
McLaren F1. 🙂
I got mine, as an early Christmas present!
Now the work begins…
Sweet! I owned two back in the day (sequentially, long story). Loved ’em!
I’ll keep the Mopar love fest going. With an unloved Mopar, strangely enough.
The 1978 Dodge Aspen Super Coupe. Wanted one since then. Still do.
If I had someone to take care of it for me, then a 1957 Lincoln hardtop in Wisteria. If I had to wrench it myself, a 1965 Ford Fairlane wagon. It’s a lumpy, boxy, one-year-only body style, but somehow I love it so:
I’d love to find an old Rambler under my tree. Any year between ’56 and ’63.
Attached is my Dad’s brand new ’59 parked in front of our newly built house.
Was having trouble getting photo to load.
First off, that Ford truck featured above is the stuff dreams are made of, bar none.
Second–my wish list–so many choices, but there is one that I’ve never owned, would love to, and have lusted over for decades.
1971 Plymouth Road Runner. V-code 440. Torqueflite automatic. 3.42 Sure-Grip rear axle. Buckets and console, with T-handle shifter. Chrysler Rallye wheels and RWL tires. Finished in gloss black with the white Strobe stripe.
Very specific taste, I know.