The 1954 Buick Wildcat II had very little in common with the original Buick Wildcat of 1953.

 

GM’s interest in developing small, powerful cars with lightweight fiberglass bodies resulted in the creation of the Chevrolet Corvette and Buick Wildcat in 1953, but something very different by the next year.

The 1954 Buick Wildcat II had very little in common with the original Buick Wildcat of 1953.

Originally billed as an “American Adventure in Tomorrow’s Design,” the newer Wildcat featured just as many “retro” styling cues as progressive details.

The “flying wing” front fenders and biplane bumpers had the look of a 1930s speedster. Freestanding headlights and chrome spoke wheels provided nostalgia as well.

Many concept cars are simply rolling hulks and were never given power trains as they were only designed for auto shows.

This Wildcat II was specifically made “runnable” in case GM chief Harlow Curtis decided to have one built for his personal use. The car is powered by a 220 horsepower 322 cubic inch V-8.

A Look at the 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T 426 Hemi Bold Styling and Drag-Strip Ready Performance

 The 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T was a true powerhouse, both in terms of performance and style. With its bold and muscular design, this car was built for speed and ready to take on the drag strip. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this classic automobile, from its standout features to its enduring legacy.

Dodge marketed the Coronet R/T as a midsize car – the overall feel of the vehicle was light and agile. This was due in part to its relatively light weight (around 3,500 pounds) and its advanced suspension system. The R/T featured heavy-duty shocks and torsion bars, as well as a sway bar in the rear, all of which helped to provide a smooth and stable ride even at high speeds.

Dodge was lagging behind in the high performance streetcar sales, and the 1967 Coronet RT was intended to attract speed craze buyers away from the 400 Cube GTO’s and the SS396 Chevelles. The problem was that the base Coronet was deemed to be too much like a regular passenger car, and the 426 Hemi version was far too much of A race car for the street.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the ’67 Coronet R/T was its optional 426 Hemi V8 engine.
Dodge actually called this car the hottest thing since the cast iron stove and while it normally came with a 440 hours rumbles with the optional 426 Hemi, a 425 horsepower breathing in through dual 4 barrels and breathing out of free flowing dual exhaust, A4 speed manual was standard or you could spring for the three speed automatic as seen in this car and a heavy duty rear axle took the abuse up back.

With a whopping 425 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, this engine was capable of propelling the Coronet R/T from 0 to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds. That kind of speed was practically unheard of at the time, and it cemented the Coronet R/T’s reputation as a true muscle car.

 More interesting is that it’s driven by a pretty young blonde girl who’s also seen shooting us with finger guns in the lower corner of the ad. Most women in 1960s car ads were shown driving base level economy cars or as passengers.

Dodge only sold 160 Two 1967 Hemi Coronet R T’s With the automatic transmission they sold 121. There were four speeds. Which one would you choose? Automatic or do you like to shift your own gears?

In 1957, Chevrolet enlarged their V8 engine to 283 in³ engine that was rated at 220 bhp

 

In 1957, Chevrolet enlarged their V8 engine to 283 in³ engine that was rated at 220 bhp. Several options were available to increase power output including the ‘fuelie’ that increased power to 250 or 283 bhp and GM boasted “one horsepower for every cubic inch”.

Mid way thought the production year Chevrolet offered a manual transmission for the first time on the Corvette and this option would continue in following years. It cost $188.30 and was a modified Borg-Warner unit.

For serious customers Chevrolet offered Rochester carburetor division’s “Ramjet” fuel injection which was only ordered on 240 cars. The basic kit could produce 283 bhp or 250 bhp and cost $484.20.

With column-mounted tachometer, cold-air induction and heater delete the 579E racing version cost $726.30 Less than 50 were ordered this way and they were typically ordered with the Heavy Duty Racing Suspension that had new springs, front anti-roll bar, limited-slip differential, ceramic-metallic brake linings and a faster steering ratio. These two options together added $1500 to the base price of the car.

Colors for the 1957 model year included Onyx Black, Aztec Copper, Cascade Green, Arctic Blue, Venetian Red, Polo White, Inca Silver with beige or red interior. A matching Auxiliary Hardtop could be ordered for $215.20.

Often the 1957 Corvette raced alongside in SCCA races against the Jaguar XK120 and Mercedes 300SL. Active racer Andy Portofield said “You also had to drive very hard back then but the 1957 Corvette with fuel injection and the four speed transmission made us dominant from 1957 until the Cobra showed up in late 1962.”1 Roger Penske also raced a 1957 Corvette in 1958 as his foray into the world of motor sport.

In 1940, General Motors introduced the new Cadillac Series 62 line of cars as an entry-level replacement for the Series 65

In 1940, General Motors introduced the new Cadillac Series 62 line of cars as an entry-level replacement for the Series 65. Designed by the legendary Harley Earl, the Series 62 was based on a new C-body platform, which was shared with the Buick Roadmaster and Super, the Oldsmobile Series 90 and the Pontiac Torpedo.

Lower and sleeker than its predecessors—with a more slanted windshield, curved rear window and an absence of running boards—the Series 62 was a much more modern-looking offering. Available in a host of V-8-powered body styles including two- and four-door coupes, sedans and convertibles, the new Series 62 constituted 45 percent of Cadillac’s total sales in 1940.

In 1948, Cadillac introduced a third generation of the Series 62, which saw the first additions of tail fins to the line, but the following year, the Series 62 received Cadillac’s new 331 CI overhead-valve V-8 engine that produced 160 HP and a new, luxury trimmed, pillarless Coupe Deville variant. The Coupe Deville was the first car to ever be named “Motor Trend Car of the Year.

” The example on offer is a 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe Deville finished in deep blue with a light blue hardtop. The recipient of a professional restoration, this stunning Coupe Deville features a meticulously detailed 331 CI OHV V-8 engine—with hydraulically operated valve springs—that is mated to a 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

A luxurious ride is insured by the use of coil-spring suspension in the front and semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, while the Coupe Deville’s sense of luxury is carried into the cabin with use of two-tone blue and gray leather-covered bench seats and door panels, as well as the early use of power-operated windows. Other notable features include fender stone shields, the Goddess hood mascot, full-size wheel covers and wide whitewall tires.

 

Galaxie models received reworked styling in 1960 and the Sunliner badge was used for two-door convertibles.

 The Sunliner classification was used on various full-sized Ford convertibles during the mid-century timeframe. The name first came out on the 1952 Crestline, was later applied to the Fairlane, and eventually became part of the full-sized Galaxie family beginning in 1959.

Galaxie models received reworked styling in 1960 and the Sunliner badge was used for two-door convertibles. Space-age styling was very prevalent and showcased aerodynamic side profiles, wheel skirts, and wing-like tailfins out back. The scripted Sunliner badges for the front fenders and the trunk lid were gold-plated and provided contrast against the many chrome accents surrounding the exterior. The interior evokes similarities to the vivid turquoise upholstery we recently saw in an Oldsmobile F-85.

The Fireflite was produced from 1955 to 1960 and sold as DeSoto’s flagship model

 

The Fireflite was produced from 1955 to 1960 and sold as DeSoto’s flagship model. Initially, the car did very well, selling 114,765 units in 1955. In 1956, it was marketed as DeSoto’s luxury car. At a base price of $3,544, it was the perfect mid-range option for buyers looking for the showmanship of a Cadillac without the price tag.

Standard for the 1956 Fireflite was a snapy two-tone paintjob and a long list of innovative features. This particular model is equipped with every available factory option, including the push-button AM radio, power brakes, power steering, power seats, and power windows. A large hood ornament sat above the grille, trim adorned the hood line, a chrome-lined color sweep extended the length of the car, more trim was fixed to he lower rocker panel, and V-8 emblems abounded.

In 1954 a Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe with the high output Firepower Hemi V8 was hard to beat.

This is a truly nice driving car. Forget the Cadillacs, the big Chevys and Fords. In 1954 a Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe with the high output Firepower Hemi V8 was hard to beat.

This grand old lady has very tight, smooth, light effort power steering. It has a much more direct and properly weighted feel than most of the overboosted systems from the 1950’s and 60’s.. The factory power brake system works just as it should with good linear stops and a firm pedal.

Out on the road it exhibits good manners and still drives as it did in 1954. Since this is a luxury car it is geared tall enough to drive comfortably at 70 MPH on the interstate.

It appears to have had one repaint years ago and that paint is just fine for a driver vehicle. The body is in fantastic original condition. The doors all close just like new and there is no sign of rust or previous body repair. There is one small dent in the trunk lid which is shown in the pictures.

The the Chrome and other bright work is overall in very good condition with the bumpers starting to show their age but no major corrosion or peeling.

The interior is extremely nice and correct. Most appears to be the original and still in extremely good condition.