Another Friday, another of my Friday AutoHunter Picks. Today you’re a slave to my whims as I scan the AutoHunter website using my biases to subject you to cars you may or may not like. I suggest you grin and bear it or, if it’s too much for you to take, you can visit the AutoHunter page and choose which four cars pique your interest the most.
1958 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
For General Motors’ bloated 1958 car lines, I think the Cadillac came off relatively unscathed. I also much prefer the fins from the ’58 over the ‘57’s reverse-slant design, which feel somewhat underwhelming, especially when compared to the Eldorados. But what really caught my eye was the Vintage Vehicle Services invoice that shows this to be one of 237 sold new in Canada.
This example doesn’t feature many options — Autronic-Eye headlight dimmer seems to be most noteworthy — but Caddys came with plenty already so there’s enough to be happy about this car. When you pull up in a big red finned Cadillac such as this, everyone will know you’ve arrived.
1958 Studebaker Silver Hawk
Sometimes it’s hard to keep track with Studebakers. The Golden Hawk is the one everyone knows, but there also was a Power Hawk, Flight Hawk, Sky Hawk and Silver Hawk. However, for 1957-58, there only was the Golden Hawk and Silver Hawk. The latter was available with a 185 six or a 289 V8, the latter with 210 or 225 horsepower depending on carburetion. All were pillared coupes, unlike the Golden Hawk.
The rotisserie-restored 1958 Silver Hawk found on AutoHunter features tasteful modifications, though the best of the bunch is the Paxton supercharger on top of the 289 like the 1963-64s, though the 1957-58 Golden Hawk used a McCullough. Add the Toploader four-speed manual and this one gets me excited.
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL 500
A little while ago, I accepted an offer to move a car like this cross-country from the Nutmeg State to the Copper State (to the uninitiated, Connecticut to Arizona). This was pre-smart phone, so no GPS or Spotify distractions — just annoying Country music stations and an unfortunate experience at Shoney’s. But, man oh man, the car was a great highway cruiser. Favorite stop with my Danish friend and doggie was in Tucumcari.
So my soul has a soft spot for these SLs, especially the facelifted post-’97s. I bet this Smoke Silver example has doors that thud as well as any contemporary car, plus it’s got V8 suds and a Bluetooth stereo to help you avoid those Country stations. Plug your smart phone in the lighter and you’ll feel like you have all the amenities and solidity of a modern car.
1968 Corvette Coupe
These were wild when they came out, but collectors prefer the C2 that was produced from 1963-67. Who could blame ‘em? Nonetheless, 1968 C3s have their charms, including stellar small-block and big-block choices and the ability to enjoy fresh-air driving without dealing with the compromises of a convertible.
This ’68 coupe features T-tops, four-wheel disc brakes, Safari Yellow paint and the best small-block available for 1968, the 350-horsepower L79 327. Glancing at the pics, it looks like you can drive it daily while marginally improving the things that need fixing. Think of it as a small project that could yield big rewards.
Gorgeous 68 C3….love every bit of it!
1958 is my favorite year Cadillac, and that red conv is a beauty. Easily my choice here!
Re Diego’s March 3 article on the ‘1958 Studebaker Silver Hawk’.
I knew the 1957 and 1958 Hawks. I was friends with them, In fact, I owned both a Golden Hawk, and a Silver Hawk at one time, and brother, the Hawk pictured is no 1958 Hawk.
Wrong side sheetmetal, and trim, and most glaring, where are the fins???
Still a neat, and appreciated article on the old Studies. Which I still had mine……..
From Indiana
It’s a hot rod. Builder did what he wanted with a ’58.