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1949 Willys Jeepster

There's something about a Jeep, and anyone who owns one, whether it's a classic car or not, would definitely agree. There's nothing like driving down the road and spo...
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Ford MustangWith the Ford Mustang, Mustang created a new class of cars, the pony car. Less performance-oriented and a little easier on the wallet than a muscle car, the pony car represents the best of both worlds. With the production of the Mustang, and subsequent competitors such as the Chevy Camaro

Mustang, Mustang

Mustang, Mustang With the Ford Mustang, Mustang created a new class of cars, the pony car. Less performance-oriented and a little easier on the wallet than a muscle ca...
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Among the most popular muscle cars in American automotive history is the Ford Gran Torino. Featured in movies and other forms of popular culture, it represents a unique time in automobile history because of its ability to compete with other muscle cars which were just as exciting then as they are now. The Gran Torino was produced from 1968 until 1976

1972 Ford Gran Torino

Among the most popular muscle cars in American automotive history is the Ford Gran Torino. Featured in movies and other forms of popular culture, it represents a unique t...
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gto2233As muscle cars were just making their way onto the American auto scene, Pontiac threw its hat into the ring with the GTO. To create this line of sporty cars, controversially named after the Ferrari race car, Pontiac took one of its biggest engines, a 389-cubic inch V8, and put it into a mid-size car. The Ventura received this honor, and in fact, the first GTO was really just an option package on the Ventura

1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air III

1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air II As muscle cars were just making their way onto the American auto scene, Pontiac threw its hat into the ring with the GTO. To create this li...
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Among classic car restorers, the "good ol' days" of the 1950s provide some of the best classic cars to work on. One such vehicle is the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The concept for the Ford Thunderbird began in 1953 as a response to the ever-popular Chevrolet Corvette, and while both are popular, there are certainly things about the Thunderbird that will always set it apart from the Corvette. The Thunderbird itself was on the production line from 1955-1997, and then again from 2002-2005 as a personal luxury vehicle

1957 Ford Thunderbird

Among classic car restorers, the "good ol' days" of the 1950s provide some of the best classic cars to work on. One such vehicle is the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The concept...
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1969 Dodge ChargerThe Charger was Dodge’s entry into the muscle car segment and it was made on Chrysler’s B platform, based on the Chrysler Cordoba and the Dodge Coronet. In 1966, the first Charger rolled off the line and came with many engine options. One was the powerful 426-cubic inch Hemi V8. The new muscle car from Dodge was the perfect vessel

1969 Charger Hemi 426

1969 Charger Hemi 426 The Charger was Dodge’s entry into the muscle car segment and it was made on Chrysler’s B platform, based on the Chrysler Cordoba and the Dodge...
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1970 Cuda

1970 Cuda 1970 Cuda: Plymouth introduced its entry into the pony car market with the Barracuda. It began life as an A-body, fastback coupe that was based on the Val...
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Many great classic cars and muscle cars begin as an option for an entirely different car before proving their worth in the auto industry. For some, it can take years to show just how popular the option could be as its own model, but for others, it becomes obvious very quickly that it should be much more than an option. The Buick Gran Sport is just one example of a car which originally began as an option, and in this case, the classic car Gran Sport was considered an optional package for the Buick Skylark when it was first introduced. The story of the Gran Sport began in 1965

1969 Buick Gran Sport

1969 Buick Gran Sport: Many great classic cars and muscle cars begin as an option for an entirely different car before proving their worth in the auto industry. For so...
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Lamborghini GallardoIn the aftermath of a horrible break-up, Richard Jordan of Texas sold everything he owned and bought a Lamborghini Gallardo

Saving Your Soul with a Lamborghini

Saving Your Soul with a Lamborghini In the aftermath of a horrible break-up, Richard Jordan of Texas sold everything he owned and bought a Lamborghini Gallardo. He did...
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Lamborghini GallardoIn the aftermath of a horrible break-up, Richard Jordan of Texas sold everything he owned and bought a Lamborghini Gallardo

Cars in The Godfather

Cars in The Godfather There are a few movies that continue have a cult following: Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Godfather. Since this is a blog about cars, you can ...
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'63 Ford FalconWhen you want to impress the ladies with a little Las Vegas swagger, there is nothing like the look from the 1960s. The casual elegance that defined the Rat Pack of the 1960s has been modernized by the gents in the film Oceans 11. Once you get the look, the car, and the music, you can cruise any strip is comfort and style.

Get that Las Vegas Swagger

Get that Las Vegas Swagger When you want to impress the ladies with a little Las Vegas swagger, there is nothing like the look from the 1960s. The casual elegance that d...
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959

by fossilcars on October 13, 2017

959

Porsche 959

Photo Courtesy of Auto Week

A true supercar of the 1980s, the Porsche 959 was created by the German car company to comply with regulations for FIA homologation. The 959 was a part of what many fans deem the Golden Age of rally racing, Group B. To satisfy rules for racing the 959 in Group B, Porsche needed to make at least 200 street-legal units. The result was the fastest road-ready car in the world at the time. Porsche ended up making 337 of these cars between 1986 and 1989.

Porsche 959

Photo Courtesy of Car and Driver

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Lincoln Mark II and Elizabeth Taylor

by fossilcars on October 6, 2017

Lincoln Mark II and Elizabeth Taylor

Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Lincoln

Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Lincoln

In 2012 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Lincoln did not have any new cars to display, since the future of the brand was in flux. So, the carmaker brought out a classic from the Golden Years of Hollywood and the heyday of automobiles. In 1956-1957, the Continental Lincoln Mark II was the most glamorous automobile available. It was built by hand and cost nearly $10,000, which was the equivalent of a Rolls Royce and a Bentley at the time.

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944

by fossilcars on October 4, 2017

944

'84 Porsche 944Porsche built its 944 model from 1982 to 1991. Sharing a platform with the 924, this new model didn’t quite replace it, as the 924 continued to be produced until 1988. The 944, in its turn, gave way to the 968. Porsche originally intended to keep it around well into the 1990s, but the updates made to the 924 in the early ‘90s were major and involved so many new parts that it ended up being rolled into the new model.

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Unfortunately Named Cars

by fossilcars on September 28, 2017

Unfortunately Named Cars

As a car fan, I enjoy learning about the significance of the names that cars are given. Many names have interesting etymologies. From the Corvette being named after swiftly moving Navy ships to the Shelby Cobra being named after a dangerous snake, many car makers get the names just right. Then there are cars like the Plymouth Duster, Ford Probe, and the Chevy Nova. These cars have names that are easy to spell, easy to say, but they have no sense of coolness at all.

'70 Plymouth Duster

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Why You Should Know Mr. K

by fossilcars on September 21, 2017

Why You Should Know Mr. K

Datsun 280zIf you are familiar with the “Z-cars” like the Datsun 260Z that defined the Japanese sports car evolution, then you are familiar with Mr. K, also known as Yutaka Katayama. This man is responsible for designing Japanese sports cars and delivering them to a hungry American audience. Without Mr. K, the world of automobiles would be very different.

Nissan and the Sad Little Cars

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The Alfa Romeo with Character: The 2000

by fossilcars on September 18, 2017

The Alfa Romeo with Character: The 2000

GTV 2000In the 1970s, there were very few cars with character. In the United States, the oil embargo made it difficult to fill the tank, so manufacturers began creating ugly little compact gas sippers. Convertibles were phased out and muscle cars were on their last legs. The auto industry was in a dire place and to make matters worse, the speed limit was dropped to 55 miles per hour. But Italy had a lovely little car called the Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce.

Good Roots Make a Fine Car

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The Datsun 280Z is the Best of the Z-cars

by fossilcars on September 12, 2017

The Datsun 280Z is the Best of the Z-cars

Datsun 280Z In the late 1960s, Datsun released the 240Z to the public. This moment changed the way that American drivers looked at Japanese imports. Prior to the 240Z, Japanese cars were small, economical, and boring. The 240Z brought sleek design, speed, and excitement. The 260Z was equally as good with a few updates, but the real winner was the Datsun 280Z.

Third Time is a Charm

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928

by fossilcars on August 28, 2017

928

'88 Porsche 928Porsche intended for the 928 to replace the 911 when they came out with it in 1978. Fans of the iconic 911 simply weren’t ready to let it go and the 928 became a new model, but not a replacement. The German maker of performance sports cars thought that a new car with more refinement and comfort was needed in place of the more finicky 911. The 928 was a two-door coupe sports car, but one that included the same kind of equipment as a luxury sedan, along with superior handling, more space, and plenty of power. It may not have taken the 911 out of the lineup, but the 928, which was produced through 1995, did become a top seller and a legend in its own right.

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Why No French Cars in The US?

by fossilcars on August 22, 2017

Why No French Cars in The US?

AMC EncoreThe United States welcomes foreign cars. On a daily drive, it is common to see cars made in Japan, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, and a few other companies. In the mid-20th century, it was common to see cars made in France, but those carmakers have not sold their wares in the US for several years. The French are known for their sophisticated taste and style, but in the mid-20th century, the cars that were delivered to the US were anything but stylish and sophisticated. These are a few of the stinkers that were once sold in the US, but were not popular choices:

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Masters of Mileage: Car Longevity Standouts

by fossilcars on August 14, 2017

Masters of Mileage: Car Longevity Standouts

Carmakers are in the business of making money by making cars. In order to sell cars, people need to have cars. Cars need to be replaced as the parts of the cars only work for so long. Car longevity has changed over the years. In the mid-century, cars were expected to last for about 100,000 miles. Now, they should last for at least 200,000 miles. Even though most cars will only last for so many miles, there are some people who work hard to be able to drive their cars for an impressive amount of miles.

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