Yesterday we asked what engine history has been unfair to. Today we ask just the opposite. We want to know what car history has been overly kind to. Let’s face it, as car guys and fans of domestic cars mostly, we have lots of history ram-rodded down our throats. Stuff about the sanctity of cars like split window Corvettes, Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles, and Shelby Mustangs are truths most people hold to be self evident. We’re not so sure about that. There’s a reason some of these historical halo cars sold in such limited volumes…no one wanted them at the time they were new.
We’re not interested in the car show glory stories people tell about the old cars they own. We’re more interested in what your general impression of the most over glorified car is. Lots of Ford guys think that 1969 Camaros fill this roll because they appear so often in magazines and automotive media. Then there are the auction houses that use hype and old school carnival hawker tactics to “inform” the public about rare/special cars that they’re selling. Watch Barrett-Jackson some time and you’ll start believing that a 1968 Fairlane with a 2bbl 289 in it is some sort of historical automotive landmark.
Did the Fox Body Mustang really save the American performance car like some claim? Were the “tri-five” Chevrolets really that important in the scope of all the stuff that came after them?
We’re questioning everything!
Question of the day: Which car has history most over glorified?
Ford Australia’s tarted up Fairmont-with-a-crate-motor. The GTHO. Over rated new, WAY over priced now.
Early camaros, countach, split window buses
Lincoln Continental.
In production off and on since 1940 but hasn’t looked good since the early ’70s.
Tri-five Chevrolets. They are good looking cars no doubt but there are a lot other makes that had cars at the same time that were just as good or much better looking from a styling perspective. That includes other makes within the GM stable during those years.
I’m with you there. The Tri-5 Chevies seem to have the general public barely aware that there were any other cars built during that decade, with the possible exception of the ’59 Cadillac.
Camaros. Every version, every year.
The POS Delorean was a loser in every way! Why it sold at all is a mystery and why anyone would want that stainless steel shit show now is beyond me..
Any fastback Mustang.
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To me, the split window 1963 Corvette s highly overrated. The reasson it was only made for one year was the poor rear visibility. That same car with the lift off hard top or the convertible top was a much better car. Being unique doesn’t necessarily make it good.
most anything with a Shelby tag on it……waaaay over used. Mustangs, Dakotas, and a freaking Omni! There were some bad cars made with that name on it. Some really good ones as well.
I think your basic premise is incorrect. People WANTED those cars you mentioned but COULD NOT AFFORD THEM if bought new.
“There’s a reason some of these historical halo cars sold in such limited volumes…no one wanted them at the time they were new.”