Diego’s AutoHunter Picks

When it comes to GTOs, do you prefer the 1966? Or 1967? That battle brewed before the advent of social media. Other cars suffer the same “tastes great/less filling” argument, some of which are current AutoHunter listings below.

So, which do you prefer between the 1966-67 Fairlane, 1965-66 Cadillac, 1968-69 Chevelle, and 1968-69 Charger? And which car would you select of the choices below?

1967 Ford Fairlane 500/XL Restomod
As a Pontiac guy, I never did appreciate the 1966-67 Fairlanes because Pontiac did the vertical headlight thing just fine and, otherwise, I tend to lean towards Mercurys. But Ford guys love these Fairlanes, and for good reason: great proportions and crisp styling that followed Ford’s 1965-66 full-size series. Unfortunately, the 390 was no match for the 389, and the 427 was too rare to make an impact on the street.

This tastefully done 1967 Fairlane 500/XL is the buckets-and-console model that has been given the restomod treatment and, truth be told, it appears quite well done. Power comes from a 351 Windsor-based stroker, with a four-speed automatic as the supporting cast. Underneath, you’ll find independent (front)/four-link (rear) setups with Viking coil-overs all around, plus four-wheel discs. This one’s a winner.

1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
Cadillac invented the tail fin in the 1940s, and it was the last to have fins in the 1960s. The redesigned 1965 series eschewed the fin but featured new, contemporary vertical headlights and a trim, elegant profile that arguably was the most modern among the luxury makes. Some new features for 1966 included variable-ratio power steering, heated seats, and automatic level control.

This 1966 Cadillac DeVille convertible played the role of luxury liner that was the envy of the Joneses. It is powered by a 340-horsepower 429cid four-barrel V8, the last of the OHVs that traced its lineage to the original high-compression 331 of 1949. A six-way power bench seat, Twilight Sentinel, and automatic climate control (including air conditioning) are nice options for cruising whether the top is up or down.

L78-powered 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
When General Motors had its silly edict that didn’t allow Chevrolet to drop the 427 into the Chevelle, it had to rely on the L78 for much of its street-fighting. Initially introduced as 425 horsepower for the 1965 Corvette and full-size Chevys, the otherwise-identical engine was rated at 375 as installed in the 1966-70 Chevelle SS 396. Solid-lifter big-block power was able to keep more substantial machinery at bay.

This 1968 Chevelle SS 396 is powered by the hallowed L78, but it rings significant for more reasons: it is one of a handful built with a Buick interior (there was a labor dispute with the supplier at the time this was built), it’s largely original, and it’s tuned to be driven. You can hop in and get milk at the Quality Dairy, go to the local cruise, or enjoy pushing the revs on the open road. This one’s a honey, as they say.

1969 Dodge Charger SE
The “A47” SE (“Special Edition”) package was introduced in 1969 to cater to Charger customers who wished for a bit more luxury. The package included leather and vinyl front bucket seats, sports-type steering wheel, pedal dress-up, Light Package, “W15” deep-dish wheel covers, simulated wood-grained instrument panel, hood-mounted turn signal indicators, and SE emblem on the C-pillar. Package was available on base Chargers and R/T.

This 1969 Charger SE was originally powered by a 383 two-barrel, but now the engine features a Holley Sniper electric fuel injection system, aluminum intake, Holley finned aluminum valve covers, headers, and aluminum radiator, among other items. The interior features the optional center cushion with arm rest. The added R/T bumblebee stripe renders the hi-po transformation complete.