Does anyone know how many LT1 Corvette roadsters were built in 1971? That question has been burning in my brain ever since I saw this 1971 Corvette LT1 Convertible as it was being listed for sale this week. When the big block muscle car era was coming to a close the Corvette LT1 became the…
On a pedestal of legendary proportions, history may record that the greatest of all muscle cars was the Hemi powered Dodge Daytona Charger. Made for only one year in 1969, the powerful Hemi Winged Warrior shocked the world with its audacious rear wing and purpose built aerodynamics. Chrysler made no attempt to hide the fact…
If one pulled up next to you, you wouldn’t know what it was. No badging, no emblems to designate the big block 427 under the hood. The COPO 427 Chevelle was a monster of a car gift wrapped from the factory for the race track. Now if you know the full story you realize that…
When Larry Shinoda penned the final design touches on the new Boss 351 little did he know it would be the swan song for the venerable Boss legacy. The new Boss 351 Mustang for 1971 was bigger and more powerful than the legendary Boss 302, but the muscle car era was coming to an end,…
The diminutive American Motors Corporation was determined to build muscle cars like the Big Three back in the muscle car era. By 1970 they came out with a car which they simply called The Machine. It was based on their AMC Rebel platform. This was AMC’s finest achievement, a red, white and blue two-door hardtop…
Howard “Dutch” Darrin was an inventor and automotive designer extraordinaire who would often hobnob with Hollywood celebrities who wanted their vehicles custom modified. Having learned much about European coachbuilding while he worked in France, he began to model his custom coachwork on cars here in the United States. In 1937 he opened his shop on…
How do you appraise the value of celebrity ownership on a classic muscle car? This week Merlin Auto Group out of Atlanta, Georgia listed a 1969 Chevelle Big Block Convertible which was owned by legendary rock star Bruce Springsteen. In fact, they say it was displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in…
From a side view you can see how the 1934 Hudson Terraplane perfected the art deco design that was all the rage in that period of history. With its muscular stance, the Terreplane was actually more powerful than the 65 horsepower Ford V8. It is said that the Terraplane could go 100 miles per hour…
One of the most sought after collector cars of all time is the Shelby 427 Cobra. There is a reason why it is the most replicated car in the collector car hobby. The 427 Cobra is as rare as they are iconic. The history of the Shelby 427 Cobra is storied and their potential as…
There is considerable banter between historians about which American made car was the first two-seater sports car produced here in the U.S. Was it the Chevrolet Corvette or did Kaiser beat Chevrolet to the punch with the 1954 Kaiser Darrin Roadster? Both cars are of historic importance to the American automotive industry. But, if truth…