Here’s an all-American selection of popular cars from the late 1960s, and one from the early ’70s, for my turn to pick favorites among the offerings on AutoHunter, the online-auction site from ClassicCars.com.
They include a Corvette C2 roadster, a Pontiac executive express, a custom Hemi ‘Cuda, and one of those inexplicably valuable Ford Broncos.
1966 Chevrolet Corvette roadster
This Vette is set up just the way I like them, with a 327cid, 390-horsepower V8 linked with a 4-speed manual transmission and a top that goes down. This three-owner car has been in the possession of the current seller for the past 46 years. Painted Sunfire Yellow with a black interior and leather seats, the roadster was the recipient of a full body-off restoration in 2009, the seller says, and remains in immaculate condition.
A matching yellow hardtop comes with this attractive sports car, and everything works as it should. The Corvette is also a multiple show winner and has a gaggle of trophies to prove it.
1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Model J
The Model J was the performance version of this super-sized “personal luxury car,” powered by a 400cid V8 rated at 350 horsepower and linked with a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission. These were seriously fast cars in their day, especially for a fully equipped car with considerable heft. This one appears to be in well-preserved condition with Matador Red paint, burgundy interior and a Parchment “Cordova” roof.
This Pontiac absolutely sparkles in the photos with the listing, and the interior looks barely used. Nice to see it standing on its correct 14-inch 5-spoke wheels show with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires. A very nicely presented example of the stylish “executive express.”
1972 Plymouth Barracuda custom Hemi
The Barracuda is a custom build boasting a 550-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 under its scooped hood. Painted in Dodge Destroyer Gray with “strobe stripe” graphics, and riding on satin-black Foose 2K wheels, this Cuda looks very striking and ready for action.
The engine is a 2016 Hemi V8 with just 16,000 miles on it, with new bearings, rings, cam phasers and timing chains. Among the upgrades listed by the sellers are: “a Holley Sniper intake, a Holley Terminator X Max ECU featuring electronic transmission control, drive-by-wire throttle body control, and four programmable inputs and outputs, COMP cams no-spring high lift cam, TTi Performance 2″ ceramic-coated headers, a Hellcat throttle body; MSD coil packs, Accel injectors, MDS delete, a Melling high-volume oil pump, aluminum radiator with electric fans, and an ATI super damper.”
So yes, this would be a serious muscle car. It drives well, too, the seller adds, with “handling… managed by Wilwood Hydro-boost power brakes, rack and pinion steering, a modern 4-link suspension, a strengthened subframe, and more.”
1969 Ford Bronco
First-generation Broncos remain the darlings of the 4X4 collector car universe, their values reaching unexpected highs with expensive restorations common and custom upgrades a regular feature for what was once considered a Jeep CJ wannabe.
This Bronco beauty is a perfect example of what’s been going on with these stylish off-roaders, which is looking showroom fresh after a body-off restoration in 2018 and supplemented with a 3-inch lift, 33-inch wheels with BFG all-terrain tires and a modern high-performance audio system.
Fewer than 300 miles have been put on this Bronco since its restoration, the seller says which included a fresh coat of Dark Metallic Green paint with a white top and stock interior. Power is provided by a 302cid V8 with automatic transmission, along with power steering and brakes, with discs up front. Open-air driving is offered with the removable factory hard top supplemented by a roll bar and bikini top.