It’s time for another hand-picked selection of cars from AutoHunter. I, as your curator, have stepped up to the plate to bring you something interesting with trivia that will make you go, “Huh!” Trust me that I have the same reaction when writing this, as there’s a lot of interesting trivial tidbits to be picked.
Which one is your favorite?
1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Holiday Coupe
In my GenX world, the bread-and-butter full-size Olds was the Delta 88 but, for 1966, there were several 88s, which can lead to confusion: Jetstar 88, Dynamic 88 and Delta 88. The Delta 88 first appeared in 1965 as a submodel of the Dynamic 88 series, and, in 1966 the Delta 88 was given full-model status. What’s with the Delta name? Beats me!
This 1966 Olds Delta 88 Holiday Coupe struts its top-line 88 status with deep-sculptured full-length side moldings that make it look fancier than it was (remember, the Starfire and 98 played more prestigious roles). This Autumn Bronze Holiday Hardtop Coupe (“Holiday” means hardtop) with matching interior features a 425 big-block, though we are not told which carburetor or state of tune it is.
1972 Pontiac GTO
The 1972 GTO was unloved for so long. Even Pontiac enthusiasts made fun of it, saying, “It wasn’t even a model that year,” highlighting that it was an option performance package. Others can’t get past the unfortunate facelift from 1971 that ditched 1970’s good looks. But then some folks learned about the WW5 handling package and the charms of the top-dog, round-port 455 HO.
So, it’s with some curiosity that I observe this 1972 GTO. Painted in Orbit Orange (a 1970 color for the Judge package), this GTO is powered by a 400-horsepower LS2, offering a combination of vintage and modern GTOs. However, the engine code in the VIN has an “X,” which means it is one of 635 hardtops built with the 455 HO. Lesson learned: always check the VIN!
2022 Dodge Challenger Super Stock
If you have trouble keeping track of all the types of Challengers, you are not alone. What’s a Jailbreak? Sounds like a video game feature. What about the SRT Demon? So hot! But then it was followed by a Hellcat and the Redeye version. And now we have the SRT Demon 170—I’m so confused!
And what’s this? An SRT Super Stock? What’s that? Apparently, it is situated between the SRT Hellcat Redeye and the Demon thanks to an 807-horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. This 2022 Triple Nickel Super Stock has only 749 miles since new, which is pretty much new already. It includes drag radials, Widebody package, Line Lock, Launch Control and other stuff that makes Boomers giddy.
1959 Plymouth Sport Fury
Virgil Exner’s 1959 facelift of the “Suddenly it’s 1960” Plymouths arguably was not an improvement, though not as awful (or wonderful) as the 1961 version. The special-edition Fury performance model was mainstreamed into a full series, so the Sport Fury was created to take its place. It wasn’t quite as special, being more of a top-of-the-line model with a 318 four-barrel.
But, like many Exner Mopars, it’s the details that suck you in. Pushbutton transmission is a no-brainer, but this Sport Fury convertible features a fancy-pants interior in red vinyl with red and silver brocade cloth, but zoom in on the swivel bucket seats — sweet! This thing’s a 1950s chariot of the highest order, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg like a Chrysler 300-E.
This ugly old Plymouth is most definitely NOT AN OLDSMOBILE!!!!!!