Just as I do for hidden headlights, I may have a thing for full-width taillights. It may have started with the 1966 Ford Thunderbird, but then I discovered the 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1969 Dodge Charger, and even the Opel Monza. Each of these vehicles did things its own way, but the rump is what pulled me in.
The lead vehicle of these AutoHunter Picks features this design cue, although admittedly the center light is just a reflector. Wouldn’t it be cool for it to light up when the brake is pressed? Other cars for this week include an overshadowed Oldsmobile, a Chevy with a sweet color combo, and a Mustang that was inspired by a good place. Which one would you choose?
1969 Dodge Coronet R/T Convertible
Way before I was a legally licensed driver, I saw a candy apple red Dodge Coronet on the side of the road. When I turned my head, I noticed three taillight lenses, a design that wasn’t familiar. The next time I was at the Concord Mall, I went to Waldenbooks and looked up this car in Tad Burness’ “American Car Spotter’s Guide.”
Ever since then, the 1969 Coronet R/T has been high on my Mopar muscle bucket list. A ragtop with a four-speed? Me want!
1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
You think Oldsmobile did a dumb thing by applying the Cutlass name to many models in the 1980s? Olds was doing this stuff in the 1950-60s — witness the Dynamic 88, Super 88, Jetstar 88, Delmont 88, and Delta 88.
This 1962 Dynamic 88 was slotted under the Super 88 (only two 88s for ’62 — whew!) and offered style and value in that special Rocket Division way. It’s great to see this big-block Olds because it often seems that we only get to see Starfires.
1955 Chevrolet Nomad
The 1955 Chevrolet Nomad is so superior to what followed that it ain’t even funny. Maybe you prefer the 1956 or 1957 styling, but what gets me with the ’55 (aside from the clean styling) is that it’s the only one to feature radiused rear wheel wells.
Once ya learn that, how could any other Nomad do? Plus, I really dig the color combination of this one: India Ivory with a Regal Turquoise top and matching interior. You keep your red and white — I’ll take this!
1967 Ford Mustang Custom Hardtop
Terlingua Racing Team was Carroll Shelby’s tongue-in-cheek name for a clique of associates who would converge on a tiny southwestern Texas town for fun ‘n games. That spirit manifested itself in a 2016 Shelby Mustang; this ’67 has snagged the inspiration and run with it.
It features a bit of both vintage and modern bits, with power coming from a Ford Racing 427 V-8 topped with a Jim Inglese eight-stack intake with electronic fuel injection. I really appreciate the imagination of this one.
