I’ve been a car fanatic as far as I can remember, but if you ask me what
would be my top choices, its definitely difficult to decide. Can it be
looks? Performance? Is cost an object? I came up with these top choices
in random. I don’t consider my self as a hot rodder, as my appreciation
for cars is so broad. So I’d say, I’m probably the moneyless version of
Jay Leno. Here’s my list for my top 20 favorite cars in no particular order....
1. 1965 Shelby Cobra 427
This is every car enthusiasts' dream. An AC Cobra that first came out in 62, American icon Carol Shelby stuffed in a good American Ford 427cu in motor. Beats up every European sports car in any given series. Although there are more replicas than there are real ones, the contour and the sound coming out from those big side pipes gives me goose bumps every time I see one on the road. On a side note, when you see one and you get the chance to talk to the owner, always assume it as real, than assuming it’s fake, when in fact it’s a $500,000 car.
This is every car enthusiasts' dream. An AC Cobra that first came out in 62, American icon Carol Shelby stuffed in a good American Ford 427cu in motor. Beats up every European sports car in any given series. Although there are more replicas than there are real ones, the contour and the sound coming out from those big side pipes gives me goose bumps every time I see one on the road. On a side note, when you see one and you get the chance to talk to the owner, always assume it as real, than assuming it’s fake, when in fact it’s a $500,000 car.
2. 1992 Dodge Viper
Any Shelby Cobra fan would definitely have a Dodge Viper on their list as it was the modernized version of the Cobra - sort of. With a V10 motor, and a minimalist design, having no power steering, no airbags, no power windows, of course having those inconvenient side curtain window, and a canvas roof that can’t even hold off the car’s top speed, it’s a car you would never drive long distances, or in the rain. But who cares? Well, actually a lot of potential buyers did. By 1995, all convenient features were added to the car.
3. 1948 Volkswagen Beetle “split window”
The people’s car and might have been Adolf Hitler’s only good contribution to the world. With its 16hp engine, it’s not going to thrill the racer in you, but with it’s nostalgic look, and an icon to the automotive world, it definitely makes it to my list. I would prefer the gray paint. It looked so German. I never owned an old bug, but I currently own a modernized version of it.
4. Mini Mark II (1967 - 1973)
This is a must own vehicle for me. It’s so cute, yet so fast. Had ran and dominated rallies and road courses all over the world. So small, yet so much potentials, and handles like a go-kart. I love it on British Racing Green with a union jack flag on its roof. Add 4 Cibie rally lights in front, and you got one cool ride that would turn heads anywhere. I currently drive a big mini (sounds like an oxymoron), the Mini Cooper Countryman....not exactly the classic Mini, but definitely still got it's soul having that go-cart feel as it corners...hmmm, not really!
5. 1963 Fiat Abarth 500
OK, I’m not a micro car fan, but this Fiat (just as the Mini) will definitely be on my list. FIAT is an acronym for Fix It Again Tony!!! The Abarth though is the “Cooperized” version of the 500. It’s small, not so powerful, yet a lot of F1 drivers including Michael Schumacher owns 1. A white with red rally stripes and a couple of Cibie rally lights complete the package for me.
6. 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible
It’s a boat. It does not park, it docks. This is the only car I guess that would look good in pink. It’s the Marilyn Monroe of cars. Add a white interior and it’s perfect. It was my first model in 1:18 scale, and yes it’s pink. To restore one, you need to have a deep pocket, as the chrome restoration itself could cost you the price of a brand new Cadillac - sort of.
8. 1968 Mercury Monterey
Mercury what? OK I love odd and orphan cars. Why? It looks so rare nobody knows what it is. In any given car show, Mustangs, Chevelles and Camaros are a dime a dozen. But people flock at cars so weird, nobody thought somebody would actually restore them. It made it to my list because I currently own one (the one in the picture). Was it a first choice? Not really. I just want to restore an old American car, but I want a cheap one. Then I saw it parked in a driveway with no one wanting to buy it. It’s now restored and for the record, there's been a lot of people who actually approached me asking if I’m selling it. My answer was quick and predictable - No sir!
9. 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird
Aerodynamic meets horsepower. It’s a highly modified Road Runner intended for NASCAR. Plymouth did a very limited production just to satisfy NASCAR’s requirement. It use to be that stock cars are cars intended for production that can be modified for a Sunday race. The Superbird changed that. It’s a racecar tuned down to be used for the road. An orange paint with the Road Runner cartoon graphics just looks so cool. A stock 426ci Hemi makes it one of the rarest car, and law of supply and demand makes it almost impossible to own.
10. 1971 Toyota Celica
A.K.A. TA22, this is probably my favorite Japanese car. Could be Japan’s sort of answer to the muscle car war, having only 4 cylinders though. I’ve seen some with Chevy 350ci motor, but as a conservative, I’d go for a Japanese 4AGE, a 2TG, or maybe a double spark plug 3TG motor. This is rather one of the affordable car on my list.
11. 1971 - 74 Toyota Corolla
Talk about Japanese cars, this is my other favorite car. A.K.A. KE25, it has been nicknamed as the poor man’s Porsche. A lot of potential for these cars, but engine is a bit too small (3K 1.3L) to be called a performance car, unless you want an upgrade for a mightier 2TG or 4AGE motor on it.
12. 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible
Now we’re talking, by now you probably noticed my inclination is towards Mopar. The 1971 Hemi Cuda convertible with original 4 speed manual transmission is one of the rarest Mopar that an authentic one (not cloned) is in the low 7 figure dollars. A cloned version was used by Don Johnson in the short lived TV series Nash Bridges
13. Knight Rider Trans Am
OK, most car guys in my generation got hooked up to cars, and I blame it on Knight Rider. It was so unrealistic, yet I never missed an episode. Intended to be an advertisement to the F-body Pontiac Firebird, the car runs at least 300MPH, in TV that is. I do love the shiny black paint and those led “scanner” lights that I don’t know the purpose, but I’d admit it does look cool.
14. Mercedes Benz R107 series
This is the longest running series of the Mercedes SL class, started in 1971 all the way to 1989. It’s not too hard to find, but looks of these cars impressed me so much when I was a young boy. It may not be the most desirable SL, but these definitely is growing in the charts of becoming the next car with good investment potential. Currently, I own a red 1982 380SL. It’s not the fastest car in the world but sure is fun to drive specially with the top down.
15. Lamborghini Countach
Finally, an exotic car in my list. The most pseudo aerodynamic car around, every boys that I know in the 80s and 90s has a poster of it in their bedroom. The first one I saw was an all white car in an exotic car show in Pasadena Arts Center. With all other exotics in the show, this car pretty much stood up from the rest - in my opinion of course.
16. 1962 Dodge Dart
It’s so ugly, it’s beautiful. So you either love it, or you hate it. There is no middle ground here. And I love it. I’ve seen a few with a 426ci hemi under the hood. Call me odd, but it’s one of the coolest car for me. Give me a white one with a red interior, and don’t put hubcaps on those steelies please.
17. 1965 Volkswagen Variant Type 3 Squareback
Talk about nostalgia, this was our first family car. A very under appreciated car back then, I never expected I would see one in a local car show being sold for 12 grand. OK that’s too much for $12,000, but when I went inside, the boy in me just jumped out. I felt like I was 10 again. And because of that, I ended up buying one, at the fraction of the 12grand they were asking of course...but a big project that I am currently working on.
18. 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback
Anybody who watched Steve McQueen's Bullit knows what I’m talking about. The coolest Mustang for me. Love it in forest green with those 14 inch torque thrust wheels. Prices are getting unfavorably high, getting to buy a cheap one without rust is a big challenge.
19. Mercedes Benz W116 series
OK, got to have a sedan on my list. This was my dream car in 1980, and never get to own one until 2006. If you love the R107 series, this is its sedan version. I had a 1980 300SD Turbo Diesel that I sold a few years back and I do regret doing that. I do however prefer the 450SEL 6.3. It was Mercedes’ definition of what a hot rod should be.
20. Last but not least, 1958 Plymouth Fury
It’s a car that fell in love with the owner. It’s Christine, but well, it’s actually the other way around in real life. Almost every car guy I know, fell in love with Christine. I’ve watched the movie over and over again and still feel some pain every time I see Hollywood destroying these cars. I’ve read they’re planning to remake the movie ....but maybe not!, which is cool because it's sad to think a few more 1958 Fury that’s left out there will definitely be destroyed again. It is a necessity to the movie, but that will just jack up the prices of the remaining cars, making it even harder to find nowadays. By the way, they never did a factory red Plymouth Fury, it was only in the movie.
Any Shelby Cobra fan would definitely have a Dodge Viper on their list as it was the modernized version of the Cobra - sort of. With a V10 motor, and a minimalist design, having no power steering, no airbags, no power windows, of course having those inconvenient side curtain window, and a canvas roof that can’t even hold off the car’s top speed, it’s a car you would never drive long distances, or in the rain. But who cares? Well, actually a lot of potential buyers did. By 1995, all convenient features were added to the car.
The people’s car and might have been Adolf Hitler’s only good contribution to the world. With its 16hp engine, it’s not going to thrill the racer in you, but with it’s nostalgic look, and an icon to the automotive world, it definitely makes it to my list. I would prefer the gray paint. It looked so German. I never owned an old bug, but I currently own a modernized version of it.
4. Mini Mark II (1967 - 1973)
This is a must own vehicle for me. It’s so cute, yet so fast. Had ran and dominated rallies and road courses all over the world. So small, yet so much potentials, and handles like a go-kart. I love it on British Racing Green with a union jack flag on its roof. Add 4 Cibie rally lights in front, and you got one cool ride that would turn heads anywhere. I currently drive a big mini (sounds like an oxymoron), the Mini Cooper Countryman....not exactly the classic Mini, but definitely still got it's soul having that go-cart feel as it corners...hmmm, not really!
OK, I’m not a micro car fan, but this Fiat (just as the Mini) will definitely be on my list. FIAT is an acronym for Fix It Again Tony!!! The Abarth though is the “Cooperized” version of the 500. It’s small, not so powerful, yet a lot of F1 drivers including Michael Schumacher owns 1. A white with red rally stripes and a couple of Cibie rally lights complete the package for me.
It’s a boat. It does not park, it docks. This is the only car I guess that would look good in pink. It’s the Marilyn Monroe of cars. Add a white interior and it’s perfect. It was my first model in 1:18 scale, and yes it’s pink. To restore one, you need to have a deep pocket, as the chrome restoration itself could cost you the price of a brand new Cadillac - sort of.
7. 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa
If there is a Miss Universe for cars, this would definitely be the sure
winner. I love those super sexy lines. This car had a tremendous racing
heritage winning the 24 hour of Le Man in 58. With it’s rarity, it’s
almost impossible to see one, and much more, own one. I’ve seen a red
example in Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca. Although I’ve never seen
it race, it looked so fast even when it’s parked. An identical car had
been sold in an auction a few miles from Laguna Seca, hammered down at
$16.4 million.Mercury what? OK I love odd and orphan cars. Why? It looks so rare nobody knows what it is. In any given car show, Mustangs, Chevelles and Camaros are a dime a dozen. But people flock at cars so weird, nobody thought somebody would actually restore them. It made it to my list because I currently own one (the one in the picture). Was it a first choice? Not really. I just want to restore an old American car, but I want a cheap one. Then I saw it parked in a driveway with no one wanting to buy it. It’s now restored and for the record, there's been a lot of people who actually approached me asking if I’m selling it. My answer was quick and predictable - No sir!
9. 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird
Aerodynamic meets horsepower. It’s a highly modified Road Runner intended for NASCAR. Plymouth did a very limited production just to satisfy NASCAR’s requirement. It use to be that stock cars are cars intended for production that can be modified for a Sunday race. The Superbird changed that. It’s a racecar tuned down to be used for the road. An orange paint with the Road Runner cartoon graphics just looks so cool. A stock 426ci Hemi makes it one of the rarest car, and law of supply and demand makes it almost impossible to own.
10. 1971 Toyota Celica
A.K.A. TA22, this is probably my favorite Japanese car. Could be Japan’s sort of answer to the muscle car war, having only 4 cylinders though. I’ve seen some with Chevy 350ci motor, but as a conservative, I’d go for a Japanese 4AGE, a 2TG, or maybe a double spark plug 3TG motor. This is rather one of the affordable car on my list.
Talk about Japanese cars, this is my other favorite car. A.K.A. KE25, it has been nicknamed as the poor man’s Porsche. A lot of potential for these cars, but engine is a bit too small (3K 1.3L) to be called a performance car, unless you want an upgrade for a mightier 2TG or 4AGE motor on it.
Now we’re talking, by now you probably noticed my inclination is towards Mopar. The 1971 Hemi Cuda convertible with original 4 speed manual transmission is one of the rarest Mopar that an authentic one (not cloned) is in the low 7 figure dollars. A cloned version was used by Don Johnson in the short lived TV series Nash Bridges
OK, most car guys in my generation got hooked up to cars, and I blame it on Knight Rider. It was so unrealistic, yet I never missed an episode. Intended to be an advertisement to the F-body Pontiac Firebird, the car runs at least 300MPH, in TV that is. I do love the shiny black paint and those led “scanner” lights that I don’t know the purpose, but I’d admit it does look cool.
This is the longest running series of the Mercedes SL class, started in 1971 all the way to 1989. It’s not too hard to find, but looks of these cars impressed me so much when I was a young boy. It may not be the most desirable SL, but these definitely is growing in the charts of becoming the next car with good investment potential. Currently, I own a red 1982 380SL. It’s not the fastest car in the world but sure is fun to drive specially with the top down.
Finally, an exotic car in my list. The most pseudo aerodynamic car around, every boys that I know in the 80s and 90s has a poster of it in their bedroom. The first one I saw was an all white car in an exotic car show in Pasadena Arts Center. With all other exotics in the show, this car pretty much stood up from the rest - in my opinion of course.
It’s so ugly, it’s beautiful. So you either love it, or you hate it. There is no middle ground here. And I love it. I’ve seen a few with a 426ci hemi under the hood. Call me odd, but it’s one of the coolest car for me. Give me a white one with a red interior, and don’t put hubcaps on those steelies please.
Talk about nostalgia, this was our first family car. A very under appreciated car back then, I never expected I would see one in a local car show being sold for 12 grand. OK that’s too much for $12,000, but when I went inside, the boy in me just jumped out. I felt like I was 10 again. And because of that, I ended up buying one, at the fraction of the 12grand they were asking of course...but a big project that I am currently working on.
Anybody who watched Steve McQueen's Bullit knows what I’m talking about. The coolest Mustang for me. Love it in forest green with those 14 inch torque thrust wheels. Prices are getting unfavorably high, getting to buy a cheap one without rust is a big challenge.
OK, got to have a sedan on my list. This was my dream car in 1980, and never get to own one until 2006. If you love the R107 series, this is its sedan version. I had a 1980 300SD Turbo Diesel that I sold a few years back and I do regret doing that. I do however prefer the 450SEL 6.3. It was Mercedes’ definition of what a hot rod should be.
It’s a car that fell in love with the owner. It’s Christine, but well, it’s actually the other way around in real life. Almost every car guy I know, fell in love with Christine. I’ve watched the movie over and over again and still feel some pain every time I see Hollywood destroying these cars. I’ve read they’re planning to remake the movie ....but maybe not!, which is cool because it's sad to think a few more 1958 Fury that’s left out there will definitely be destroyed again. It is a necessity to the movie, but that will just jack up the prices of the remaining cars, making it even harder to find nowadays. By the way, they never did a factory red Plymouth Fury, it was only in the movie.
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