When I was in kindergarten, I was a Mustang fan. When I was entering middle school, I was a Camaro fan. In modern times I’m considered a Mopar loyalist to a fault, though that isn’t quite right. In the realm of gearheads, the choices you make when picking a vehicle leads you to some pretty tribal kind of affiliations. Think of the Porsche-philes or the BMW groups, the Honda fanatics or the unrealistically loyal AMC faithful. What kind of car you liked or didn’t like could actually strain friendships under certain circumstances. Case in point: my favorite Camaro is the 1974-77 version, with the big bumpers and the pointy nose. Tell that to someone who is all about the first generation cars only and watch their faces scowl up into an expression that makes one wonder if they smelled something awful. Or tell the “nothing good past 1972” type that a 1981 Chevrolet Malibu is your dream machine. Example after example, style after style, trend after trend. It all works the same way.
My first introduction to actual Japanese import performance potential was a mid-1970s Datsun 620 pickup, very similar to the one pictured above, that had the engine from a Datsun 240Z shoved under the hood. The little bullet trucks look good, and noise-wise my young ears could barely tell the difference between the Datsun and the few Chevrolet LUVs that were floating around at the time. At low speeds it was your typical mini-truck. But side-step the clutch and all hell would break loose, the tires never having a prayer as the torque from the six overran any semblance of traction. It was different than the shove of the big-block or the scream of the small block but it worked just the same.
Today, the throwaway vehicles that I’d point and laugh at are now collectibles. I would’ve never wanted a Datsun 510. I can’t say that I do now, in fact. But a 620, or a Dodge D-50, or maybe a late 1980s Mazda B-truck…that would be cool. I would still say that I’d rather have the Camaro for saving grace in public, but in private, that little mini-truck kink is still there. That’s my take, what’s yours? What ride works for you, but that you’d never really out and say it?
There are two cars that I would most likely never acquire but always wanted, the 510 in the caption and “68-“69 AMX. I had an white w/red stripe AMX Aurora and a red/white/blue BRE Datsun 510 AFX slot cars. Don’t know why these two cars stand out from the others but it left a lasting impression!
Had friend that had a 74 Triumph GT6. I thought it was great! As someone who came of age in the late 60’s I would not go looking for one, but if one was available close, for the right amount, maybe.
I went looking for an austin allegro once
When I was a kid I loved the striped tomato. So much so that I thought the 72 torino looked odd without the big bumpers and tailights. Today that has switched and I find the 72 Grand Torino to be far better looking, but the kid inside still likes the mid seventies Torinos
I have a 200 mph Fox body Mustang that I would probably give up for the right 65-6 Mustang coupe, 6 cylinder with a manual. I might consider a convert..