Nice cars other than x-fire
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LE BARON
Power User
The 1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car was supposed to be genuinely limited. Chevrolet originally planned just 2,500 replicas, roughly 100 for every Corvette model year since its 1953 introduction. Then reality got in the way. With more than 6,200 Chevrolet dealerships wanting a car for their showrooms, Chevrolet changed course and ultimately built 6,502 examples, essentially one for every dealer.
That made this “Limited Edition” Corvette one of the largest special edition Corvette runs of its era, accounting for roughly 15 percent of all 1978 Corvettes.
The package brought black-over-silver paint, red pinstriping, front and rear spoilers, aluminum wheels, glass T-tops and special interior trim. Buyers could choose the 185 hp L48 or optional 220 hp L82 350 V8.
And on May 28, 1978, a Corvette finally paced the Indy 500 for the first time, driven by Indy winner Jim Rathmann.
That made this “Limited Edition” Corvette one of the largest special edition Corvette runs of its era, accounting for roughly 15 percent of all 1978 Corvettes.
The package brought black-over-silver paint, red pinstriping, front and rear spoilers, aluminum wheels, glass T-tops and special interior trim. Buyers could choose the 185 hp L48 or optional 220 hp L82 350 V8.
And on May 28, 1978, a Corvette finally paced the Indy 500 for the first time, driven by Indy winner Jim Rathmann.
LE BARON
Power User
Dodge needed a cheap street brawler to compete with the incredibly successful Plymouth Road Runner. They created the Super Bee by stripping down a standard Coronet and focusing entirely on raw horsepower. Then in 1970 designers made a wildly controversial aesthetic choice.
They gave the front end a twin loop bumper that resembled massive chrome eyeglasses. Buyers at the time absolutely hated the polarizing design. Sales plummeted while sleeker cars dominated the showroom.
Yet that exact visual rejection makes this specific year so desirable today. The Super Bee never tried to be a beautiful cruiser. It was an unapologetic machine that came standard with a 383 cubic inch Magnum V8 and heavy duty suspension. Racers could even option the terrifying 440 Six Pack or the legendary Hemi.
It wore its strange face like a badge of honor. This weird heavyweight proved that true street respect comes from brutal track performance rather than a pretty smile.
They gave the front end a twin loop bumper that resembled massive chrome eyeglasses. Buyers at the time absolutely hated the polarizing design. Sales plummeted while sleeker cars dominated the showroom.
Yet that exact visual rejection makes this specific year so desirable today. The Super Bee never tried to be a beautiful cruiser. It was an unapologetic machine that came standard with a 383 cubic inch Magnum V8 and heavy duty suspension. Racers could even option the terrifying 440 Six Pack or the legendary Hemi.
It wore its strange face like a badge of honor. This weird heavyweight proved that true street respect comes from brutal track performance rather than a pretty smile.
LE BARON
Power User
The Biscayne occupied the bottom rung of Chevrolet’s full-size lineup, built with fewer frills than the Bel Air and Impala. That made it an unlikely place to hide serious performance.
But 1961 was the year Chevrolet introduced the 409, and a tiny number of these plain-looking Chevys received the new 360 horsepower big-block. Only 142 examples of the 409 were built that year, making the engine itself exceptionally scarce.
Some of the most interesting cars were Biscayne Fleetmasters, stripped-down versions intended for fleet use. At least a handful were ordered specifically with the 409 for drag racing, taking advantage of the car’s lower equipment level and lighter weight.
That combination created exactly the kind of car enthusiasts still chase today: ordinary-looking Chevrolet sheet metal hiding serious hardware underneath.
And that's why the 1961 Chevrolet Biscayne deserves its sleeper reputation. It didn't need stripes, spoilers, or a glamorous badge to make a fast car
But 1961 was the year Chevrolet introduced the 409, and a tiny number of these plain-looking Chevys received the new 360 horsepower big-block. Only 142 examples of the 409 were built that year, making the engine itself exceptionally scarce.
Some of the most interesting cars were Biscayne Fleetmasters, stripped-down versions intended for fleet use. At least a handful were ordered specifically with the 409 for drag racing, taking advantage of the car’s lower equipment level and lighter weight.
That combination created exactly the kind of car enthusiasts still chase today: ordinary-looking Chevrolet sheet metal hiding serious hardware underneath.
And that's why the 1961 Chevrolet Biscayne deserves its sleeper reputation. It didn't need stripes, spoilers, or a glamorous badge to make a fast car
LE BARON
Power User
In 1932 America was drowning in the Great Depression and a brand new Ford cost roughly $500. But the ultra wealthy completely ignored traditional car lots.
When you purchased a Duesenberg Model J you were only buying the rolling chassis and the massive 420 cubic inch straight eight engine. You then shipped that bare frame to master coachbuilders like Rollston or Murphy to hand craft a custom Town Car shell.
This bespoke metalwork and lavish interior alone could easily cost ten thousand dollars. The coachwork by itself could literally purchase a fleet of 20 brand new family cars.
Inside the enclosed rear cabin wealthy passengers enjoyed pure acoustic isolation surrounded by silk floral upholstery and gold plated hardware. Meanwhile the hired chauffeur sat entirely exposed to the elements up front. This rolling palace was the ultimate display of American aristocracy and proved that true elite status meant spending an absolute fortune just to avoid ordinary sheet metal
When you purchased a Duesenberg Model J you were only buying the rolling chassis and the massive 420 cubic inch straight eight engine. You then shipped that bare frame to master coachbuilders like Rollston or Murphy to hand craft a custom Town Car shell.
This bespoke metalwork and lavish interior alone could easily cost ten thousand dollars. The coachwork by itself could literally purchase a fleet of 20 brand new family cars.
Inside the enclosed rear cabin wealthy passengers enjoyed pure acoustic isolation surrounded by silk floral upholstery and gold plated hardware. Meanwhile the hired chauffeur sat entirely exposed to the elements up front. This rolling palace was the ultimate display of American aristocracy and proved that true elite status meant spending an absolute fortune just to avoid ordinary sheet metal
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- #1,907
Expected to hammer at the upcoming Sotheby's Auction at between $10,000,000 and $12,000,000 ........
Another Icarus | RM Sotheby's
Developed in secret and banned before reaching its potential, the Corvette Grand Sport is one of the greatest American sports cars ever built, reckons Adam Hay-Nicholls.
rmsothebys.com