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AMC’s 1960s Speed Kings – 6 Fastest AMC Cars Ever Built

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In this article, we will share 6 fastest AMC cars from the 60s.

In the 1960s, the dominance of Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, and Chevrolet were unreal. These were the leading brands especially with their muscle cars. There was another brand which silently dominated the market with its budget-friendly cars which was American Motors Corporation. AMC produced many compact cars with great styling and technology. They never focused on performance and money. Let us see some of the fastest and best cars of AMC from the 1960s.

Fastest AMC cars

AMC Rambler Scrambler 

The AMC Rambler Scrambler was a homologation vehicle launched for racing. It was based on the regular Rambler American. Built around AMC’s V8 engine, this model delivered an overall top speed of 140mph. It featured a special tuning package, carburetor, and heavy-duty suspension. Rambler Scrambler had luxury features like bucket seats, analog gauges, and vinyl upholstery. It had a simple styling with decals, hood scoops, and rear stance.

AMC AMX

AMC Javelin

The AMC AMX was a fun and fiery car with the V8 engines. It was a pony vehicle with technology like 4-speed manual gearbox, performance tuned suspension, and disc brakes. AMC AMX remains one of the fastest cars from the brand with an overall top speed of 135mph. The torque was massive for the car which resulted in amazing handling and endurance. AMC AMX featured reclining bucket seats, leather upholstery, armrest, and vinyl. It had an aggressive styling with long hood, racing stripes, and aggressive stance. The rear part had a fastback styling with hood scoops and bumpers.

Amc Javelin 

The AMC Javelin was a revolution, especially in 1968. Although it was available till 1974, the first model was always the best. This was designed to compete with Ford Mustang and Pontiac Firebird. The model was a 2-door fastback coupe with Inline-6 and V8 engines with an overall top speed of 100 mph. The tech features like heavy-duty suspension, disc brakes, and RWD were key for its performance. AMC Javelin had bucket seats, instrument cluster, tachometer, and radio as its key features. The styling was great with a fastback silhouette, twin venturi grille, hood scoops, racing stripes, and bumpers. This remains one of the best performing cars of the American Motors Corporation.

Rambler Rebel 

The 1967 Rambler Rebel ran like a muscle vehicle. This midsized car was equipped with V8 and Inline-6 engines with an overall top speed of 130 mph. Rambler Rebel incorporated the four-link rear suspension system which enhanced the performance and agility. It was a performance-oriented vehicle with great luxury features like bench seats, ac, radio, and power windows. The center of attraction was its designs like Coke Bottle body, wider stance, sweeping rooflines, and wider body lines.

AMC Marlin 

The midsized fastback coupe was launched in the mid 1960s. AMC Marlin was a luxury grand touring car with the inline-6 engine. The engineering focused on comfort level and the top speed was 100mph. Inside the cabin, the space was massive. There were luxury features like bucket seats, tachometer, FM radio, instrument panel, and gauges. The vehicle had a long sloping roofline with boat tail designs. Other designs like short rear deck proportions, long hood, and wide stance were common. Amc Marlin was designed for comfort and long drives.

1966 Amc Rambler Rogue 

The Rambler Rogue was a complete package with Inline-6 engines, independent suspension, gearbox, and drum brakes. Though it was an economy car, the top speed for the vehicle was around 110mph. Both the mileage and maintenance cost for the Rambler Rogue were excellent. The vehicle featured a simple dashboard with bucket seats, radio, heater, and gauges. Rambler Rogue had clean styling like smooth body lines, hardtop roof, chromium grille, and wide stance. This was a budget-friendly AMC car with a price of around $2,500 USD.

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1969 GMC K1500 – The Workhorse of the Wild

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The GMC K1500 is one of the finest cars from GMC. It was a full-sized pickup truck based on Chevrolet’s K1500. GMC K1500 lasted between 1960 to 1988 in multiple generations. The second-generation of the model was the best for its time with better styling and technology. Let us see about the 1969 GMC K1500.

1969 GMC K1500
1969 GMC K1500

Engines

The GMC K1500 used the inline-6 engines in most generations. This model featured an OHV inline-6 which delivered decent speed. Some models  were built around the powerful V8 engines. The performance of the K1500 series can be separated based on their engines. Models with V8 delivered around 100mph, while the models with Inline-6 delivered 85mph. This was higher for a pickup truck which relies on its durable engines.

Technology 

The mechanics of the GMC K1500 were rugged and advanced. It was based on Chevrolet’s models with some changes. This truck featured power features like power steering and power brakes. It featured suspension with leaf springs and rear axles. This was a 4WD model with gearboxes, drum brakes, and hydraulic brake system. Because of the technology, the endurance and handling were great. Overall, the towing capacity and off-road capability were great. This made it ideal for entrepreneurs who have to carry stocks, materials, and other items. With the remarkable technology, the vehicle made their job easy.

Interior Features 

The interior features were utility and driver focused based on the 1950s cars of America. This model featured vinyl bench seats with interior dome light, rubber floor mats, padded dashboard, speedometer, and gauge cluster. There were advanced features like sun visors, defrost system, manual heater, and AM radio. The interior had bright trim accents with armrests. It was designed in a way that suits the passengers. GMC K1500 was primarily bought by entrepreneurs and that’s the reason it focused on endurance.

Action Line Generation 

This 69′ GMC K1500 was part of the famous Action Line series. It was popular for its GMC grille, quad headlights, and straight body lines. It was the go-to vehicle of farmers, ranches, and construction company owners as well. It had great designs with rugged appearance. On the other hand, the speed and durability of the K1500 were extraordinary for its time. The 4WD system gave huge traction and handling even in snow and mud areas.  There was no compromise on hauling and towing.

Sales in North America 

The GMC K1500 was designed and built for North American buyers. There was a demand from the USA people for trucks with great towing pull. It was priced between $2,800 USD to $3,600 USD. The pricing of the original GMC K1500 was affordable. As the vehicle was launched, there was huge demand every year. This helped GMC extend its production for many years. As it was a mass selling vehicle, many restored GMC K1500 units are still available in the USA collector markets.

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1940 Opel Kapitan – Opel’s Prewar Masterpiece

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The Opel Kapitan was a successful model from Opel. Just like Kadett, the Kapitan was a great vehicle. This was launched as a luxury car. Opel Kapitan spanned multiple generations between 1938 to 1970. This was Opel’s best flagship model for its time. The models before 1940 set the tone for future Opel cars. Pre-war Kapitan cars had the innovative and most advanced technologies for German cars that inspired a generation. Here is everything about the original Opel Kapitan.

1940 Opel Kapitan

Engines 

Opel Kapitan featured the most iconic inline-6 engines. Though it was a German vehicle, it had its engineering from the USA cars. This model featured a 2.5L inline-6 engine with the OHV and water-cooled system. The estimated top speed of Opel Kapitan was around 80mph. Before World War II, the Kapitan had the reputation of a luxury sedan with pioneer technology.

Technology 

The technology of 1940 Opel Kapitan was based on General Motors’ vehicles. This pre-war Opel Kapitan was a front-engine RWD offering sporty handling. The speed was not high, but it was designed for long distance and comfort offering a good mileage. Another new addition to the technology was the 12-volt electrical system which enhanced the overall performance. Opel Kapitan had hydraulic brakes and independent suspension on all wheels. Another advantage was the 3-speed manual gearbox and recirculating ball steering technology.

Comfortable Vehicle

As it was a flagship sedan, the interior was great for the Opel Kapitan. This was inspired by the European cars of the early 1900s. Both front and rear end had wide bench seats. It was a highway cruiser with seating capacity for 6 passengers. Kapitan’s dashboard featured a clock, speedometer, warning lights, and fuel gauges. Both the cabin and headroom were spacious. The vehicle’s large glass area paved the way for excellent visibility. Compared with other cars, the chromium accents were lesser for this Opel model.

Designs 

The Opel Kapitan pre-war edition had the styling of both European and American cars. This was known as the streamlined vehicle for its designs. It was considered modern and innovative with art deco inspiration. The biggest highlight was the waterfall grille apart from the long hood, silhouette, and rounded roofline. There were rounded pontoon fenders, split windshield, and curved rear trunk. Hexagonal headlamps were placed on the fenders. Another attraction was the aerodynamic lines. Overall, the Kapitan had a clean and fresh look with multiple paint schemes.

Commercial Success 

The entire production of Opel Kapitan was successful with huge sales. Between 1938 to 1970, it sold around 500,000 units. An economy car with luxury features and great technology always had insane demands.   The Opel Kapitan pre-war cars were sold at an average price of 3,500 Reichsmarks. The first-generation alone sold around 30k units. It was sold in limited areas like Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

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1972 BMW 2002 – The Sports Sedan That Changed BMW Forever

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BMW’s most underrated car has to be the 2002. This was a compact 2-door sedan in production between 1968 to 1976. It was a lightweight performance package and one of the best sedans of its time. Let us see about the 1972 BMW 2002.

Engines 

1972 BMW 2002

Both the BMW 2002 and BMW 2002tii were primarily available with inline-4 engines. These delivered great performances like the V8 engines. BMW 2002 being a sports sedan delivered mind-blowing performances with an estimated top speed around 120mph. The acceleration was quick and higher than previous models. Engines of BMW 2002 were packed with carburetors and fuel injection system.

Technology 

The advanced engineering was the primary reason for the performance of the BMW 2002. This model proved a sedan could surpass a regular muscle car. BMW 2002 featured both disc and drum brakes. The cornering stability for BMW 2002 was enhanced by the independent semi-trailing arm suspension. It was a rugged vehicle with a steel body. BMW 2002 came with both automatic and manual gearboxes.

Interior Features 

The BMW 2002 was a rare model. It was a sports sedan that combined luxury features, performance, and technology. This model featured bucket and bench seats with adjustable backrests. It had a new instrument cluster with safety features like speedometer, warning lights, dashboard, fuel gauge, and tachometer. The other notable interior features were defroster, heater, and ventilation system. It was packed with comfort and luxury features.

Racing Success 

As it was made around lightweight parts, BMW 2002 had the opportunity to feature in races. It featured in the famous American Trans-Am Series. Legendary car drivers like Sam Posey and Brian Redman were the drivers of the car. Because of this vehicle, BMW became an integral part of motorsport events in the USA. With its reliable engines and excellent handling, BMW 2002 found huge success in European Rally races as well.

Legendary Status

The BMW 2002 became an ultimate icon and a legendary vehicle for many reasons. The 2002 indicates 2.0L engines and 2-door body style. It widened the market of BMW worldwide and made way for the BMW 3 series vehicles. The BMW 2002 was a smashing hit that even the manufacturers didn’t anticipate. It also achieved humongous success in touring car racing events and rally races.

Successful Sales 

The entire BMW 2002 was a successful package. Every vehicle including the tii, turbo, and touring accumulated great sales for BMW. Around 420,000 units of BMW 2002 were sold in 8 years. The basic models were priced at $2,200 USD while the turbo models were priced at $6,500 USD. It carries a great collector market value. Some restored BMW 2002 cars were sold at $500,000 in the USA. During its launch time, the vehicle was primarily sold in its home market, Germany. It was also shipped to the USA, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and France.

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1971 Chevrolet C10 – Classic American Trucking at Its Finest

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Chevrolet produced tons of trucks since its inception, but the C10 remains a legendary vehicle. This model came with V8 and Inline-6 engines. The durability of the vehicle was insane which was the reason for the success of the vehicle. C10 was part of the Chevrolet C/K truck series. It was in production for a long time between 1960 to 1987. Let us see about the most iconic 1971 Chevrolet C10.

Engines

1971 Chevrolet c10

The speciality of the C10 car was its multiple engine options. Chevrolet brought in inline-6, small-block V8, and big-block V8 engines for this model. The standard speed was 90mph on inline-6 engines. For V8 engines, the speed was recorded around 110mph. This vehicle was part of Chevrolet’s “Action Line” pickup truck series. The horsepower and torque in V8 models were great as well. This was a body-on-frame construction platform with steel parts. It was a rugged vehicle with a major focus on endurance, but the top speed was an advantage.

Technology 

The Chevrolet C10 had a high-revving technology. This was a pickup truck and Chevrolet focused on the strongest mechanical components. The truck featured an independent suspension with power steering and power brakes. Suspension came with a live rear axle and coil springs. Gearboxes like 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, and 3-speed turbo hydramatic were available. This was. Rear-wheel drive truck with strong components. The towing pull was better 3,000 lbs to 8,000 lbs and this was a half-ton pickup truck. It offered great endurance, agility, and handling.

Interior Features 

Chevrolet designed a durable and practical interior for this truck. It had full-width vinyl bench seats for 3 passengers. There was a huge cargo space behind the seat. Other comfort features were heater, fresh air ventilation system, sun visors, warning lights, fuel gauge, and speedometer. As it was a truck, Chevrolet didn’t add AC and Radio in all models.

Smooth Ride

Being a truck, Chevrolet C10 was an exhilarating ride for passengers. The strong and smooth engines made sure there was no noise. Passengers enjoyed a comfortable ride. C10 was the best vehicle for construction, farming, and restaurant owners. The vehicle had massive towing capacity as it was a durable truck. Vehicles with the V8 engines exceeded the expectations of the buyers. Overall, the Chevrolet C10 was an ultimate truck. The technology like air ride suspension and V8 engines were the primary reasons for the hassle free ride.

Styling 

Chevrolet proved that even a rugged truck could look great. The C10 had a wide stance with clean body lines. It was both aggressive and boxy. In the rear area, there were unique fenders and vertical taillights. In the front, a simple rectangular grille was placed with rounded dual headlights. The wheels were made of steel. It had the styling of the Chevrolet’s Action Line vehicles.

Remarkable Sales

The Chevrolet C10 vehicle sold more than 1.5 million units in its entire production. This was possible for its low pricing. The C10 vehicles ranged between $2,000 USD to $2,800 USD. Around 70% of the C10 cars were sold in the USA which was also the key market. Some were sold in Canada, Australia, Chile, Mexico, and Brazil.

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1971 GMC Sprint – The Forgotten Cousin of the El Camino

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The GMC Sprint was a coupe utility from the GMC. It was based on the Chevrolet El Camino platform. GMC Sprint was available in 2 generations between 1971 to 1977. These were available as trucks for businesses with the performance-oriented engines. Here is everything about the 1971 GMC Sprint.

Engines 

1971 GMC Sprint

The GMC Sprint was built around a couple of engines. As it was designed as a performance package, GMC wanted to build it with high-speed engines. This model featured inline-6 and V8 engines. Apart from these, few models of GMC Sprint were available with the legendary big-block V8 engines. The horsepower and speed in big-block V8 engines were higher than the other two engines. GMC Sprint delivered a top speed between 94mph to 130mph. It was built with the GM Air Injection Reactor system which reduced emissions.

Technology 

GMC Sprint cars were built on the GM-A body platform. The engine was placed in the front side with an independent suspension. Suspension came with coil springs and leaf springs. GMC Sprint featured drum brakes in most of the models. Some units were equipped with the dual-circuit hydraulic braking system. Most units were built around manual transmissions. For better cargo space, GMC incorporated a wagon suspension tuning technology.

Interior Features 

The interior of the GMC Sprint was similar to the Chevrolet and Chevelle cars of its time. As this was a utility vehicle, the interior features like foam-cushioned vinyl bench seats, vinyl upholstery, interior colors, AC, power steering, cruise control, fuel gauge, and warning lights were added. There were new comfort features like padded armrests, cigarette lighter, dome lamp, and power windows.

Muscle Ute

Not every utility vehicle combines performance of muscle cars, but the GMC Sprint was one kind of a vehicle. It combined the performance of V8 cars with luxury features. Also, it was a utility vehicle with cargo beds. This was rare to see during the muscle car era. GMC Sprint was driven like a race car and it was used by businesses for transportation at the same time.

Simple Designs

GMC Sprint had the styling of a regular utility coupe. Most of the designs from Chevrolet El Camino were retained. In the front end, a GMC grille with horizontal bars were placed. This gave the vehicle a new look and also captured the attention of buyers. There were GMC letters and badges as well with quad rounded headlights. In the rear end, the taillights, bumpers, and drop-down tailgate were placed. It also had the designs of other muscle cars like long hood, wide stance, and short rear deck.

Sales

The first-generation GMC Sprint did extraordinary sales with around 1.1L units. The price of the vehicle was not more than $4,000 USD. This was much needed for people who wanted to own a luxury and performance-oriented car. GMC Sprint was mostly sold in the USA apart from Canada. Unlike other cars, this was not exported to the UK and Australia. GMC Sprint is now available in collector markets and museums. It did record sales in auctions.

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1940 Opel Kadett – Germany’s Affordable Motoring Pioneer

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The Opel Kadett is a vintage family car from the German company, Opel. It was a compact vehicle designed for long drives. It was available in two phases. The first set of vehicles were available between 1936 to 1940. In 1962, the vehicle returned again and lasted till 1993. This remains one of the highest selling Opel cars in history. The vintage Opel Kadett was a classic vehicle with simple technologies. Here is everything about the 1940 Opel Kadett.

Engines 

1940 opel kadett
Opel kadett

The pre-war Opel Kadett can’t be recreated now. It had the best engineering for a family car. It was not advanced as Opel preferred a simple technology. These models were equipped with a 1.1l inline-4 gasoline engine. The engine featured a water-cooled system and downdraft carburetor. The biggest advantage the engine provided was the high mileage  as the speed was limited to 65mph.

Technology 

The Opel Kadett original models were all-steel body construction with technology like dry plate clutch, 6-volt electrical system, and electric motor. It came with the manual steering, 4-speed manual transmission, and hydraulic drum brakes. Opel Kadett was a smooth and safe car with an independent suspension. Families enjoyed their trips over the weekends. During the war time, it was the savior for many. Some of the technologies were considered very advanced for its time.

Interior Features 

Opel Kadett was designed for 4 passengers. This model featured basic interior features rather than going for advanced luxury features. Though it was a compact car, the cabin space was ideal. In both areas, there were bench seats with vinyl upholstery. Opel Kadett featured a painted metal dashboard with fuel indicator, speedometer, and warning lights. Apart from these, it had sun visors, cabin heater, and ventilation system. Overall, the features of Opel Kadett were great for its time.

Unreal Success 

The original Opel Kadett brought in great sales. Opel gained massive profit, but the production ended in 1940 because of the War. This was a big setback for Opel, but they came back again in 1962. The pre-war Opel Kadett was a pioneer of all economy cars with advanced engineering. It gained attention from all sets of buyers. People preferred the Opel Kadett as it had impeccable features and was a lightweight car. It remained one of the best selling cars from Germany before World War II. Apart from Germany, the vehicle sold many units in Switzerland, Australia, and the Netherlands.

Sales

In the first 4 years, Opel Kadett found huge success. It was a surprise for the manufacturers as well. It opened big in the German market. The estimated sales for the 4 years were 1.1l. It carried a great legacy for years which helped Opel rebuild the model again. It was available as a 2-door sedan and cabriolet with a price around 2,300 RM which was very cheap. Some pieces are still available in the collector markets now.

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1969 Toyota Corona – Simple, Sturdy, and Timeless

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Toyota Corona was one of the longest running and commercially successful vehicles of the brand. This was a mid-sized family car available in multiple bodylines styles like wagon, hardtop, sedan, and coupe. Toyota Corona spanner across 11 generations and this speaks about its volume. Among all generations, the third generation cars gained massive fame as it was launched in the muscle car era. Here is everything about the 1969 Toyota Corona.

1969 toyota corona

Engines

Toyota Corona was built around the best available engines. The 1969 model featured an OHV inline-4 engine with 4-speed manual transmission. Engines featured carburetors with an electrical system. Because of this, the durability and agility were better. The vehicle had a strong drivetrain as it focused on smooth rides and endurance. Toyota Corona offered great resistance in snow plains, hills, and beaches.

Technology 

Apart from the 4-speed manual transmission, this model was available with automatic transmissions as well. The acceleration was good and there were no hiccups even during rides. Toyota built the car with the best technologies. With durable engines, the vehicle had other key features like independent suspension with coil springs and live axle rear suspension with leaf springs. There was no ABS system as Toyota brought in disc and drum brakes. In this model, the corrosion resistance was huge when compared to other editions.

Smooth Interior 

The styling was refined for Corona when compared to other Toyota cars of its time. There was a huge space inside the cabin with vinyl upholstery. Both bench and bucket seats were added for comfort. The vehicle’s dashboard featured a speedometer, warning lights, and temperature gauge. There were some safety features like padded dashboard, ventilation system, armrest, and sun visors.

Secret Behind the Name

People of this generation only remember the Corona virus as not many knew about the existence of Toyota Corona especially outside Japan. In the 60s, Toyota was always wary while keeping car names. They wanted a name that will reach every house. Corona means Crown in Latin. Toyota chose this as it was royal and popular. The name was also given as Toyota though it would bring good luck and they were successful.

Rally Races

We don’t see many Toyota vehicles often in motorsport. As this was a japanese car, the Corona was part of local rally races and club races. The Corona vehicle featured in the famous London-Sydney Marathon. This was a 10,000-mile racing event. Apart from this, Toyota Corona featured in rally events in Australia as well.

Durable Vehicle 

The reason for Toyota Corona’s massive success was because of its engineering. This was a compact family car which focused entirely on endurance. The fuel-efficiency was an advantage powered by the technology and features. Smooth inline-6 engines, gearboxes, and suspension paved the way for this. It was also a comfortable luxury cruiser for families with great interior features. The advanced drivetrain was the major reason for Corona’s reliability.

Styling 

The third-generation Toyota Corona had an upgraded styling with great designs. It was modern for its time with clean lines, chromium bumpers, chrome grille, dual headlights, and straight body lines. The large windows and slim roof pillars made way for great visibility. Toyota Corona was available in colours like white, blue, red, and red in different body styles.

Sales

Toyota became the prominent automobile brand in Japan in the 1960s. The Corona model hit the bullseye with its styling and durable engines. In 1969 alone, around 2 lakh units were sold. The advantage was its low pricing at $2,200 USD on average. It lasted 4 decades with great sales in Japan, America, and other countries as well.

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1967 Datsun 510 – The Sedan That Put Datsun on the Map

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The Datsun 510 was a legendary vehicle of its time for many reasons. It got the nickname as poor man’s BMW. The Datsun 510 became popular for its Overhead-Cam engines. The performance, handling, and features were great which made it iconic over the years. It was manufactured by Nissan in collaboration with Datsun. The vehicle was available as sedan, coupe, and station wagon. Here is everything about the 1967 Datsun 510.

Engines

1967 Datsun 510

The Datsun 510 was a rage which came out all guns blazing. This featured an inline-4 cylinder engine with overhead valve. Because of the advanced engines, this Datsun model was called the innovative compact car. The overall top speed was 100mph for the model with excellent handling. Datsun 510 didn’t deliver huge torque, but the speed and handling were great  which helped the model last for 6 years.

Technology 

The Datsun 510 cars had interesting mechanical features. It was a lightweight car with front-engine RWD. Most of the cars came with the 4-speed manual transmissions, but some models featured a 3-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle had drum and disc brakes. Some Datsun 510 cars feature the dual-circuit hydraulic braking system. It was a durable car with independent suspension for all wheels. The recirculating ball steering was another new addition. Suspension featured MacPherson struts, coil springs, semi-trailing arms, and telescopic shock absorbers. These ensured there was no noise outside.

Nicknamed BMW 

The Datsun 510 was an affordable compact vehicle with advanced technology. Because of this, it was called the poor man’s BMW. Not everyone could own a BMW, but this model had specifications like the BMW cars. The Overhead cam engine, new technologies, and robust engines were the reasons for the great ride. This offered a sporty handling which was not available in other Datsun vehicles at that time.

Interior Features 

Interior features were practical and designed for comfort. The Datsun 510 featured bench seats with vinyl upholstery. It had a dashboard featuring speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and warning lights. Manual heater, manual door locks, heater, and ventilation system were the other features. Datsun 510 featured large windows and large side windows paving the way for visibility.

Racing Icon 

The dominance of Datsun 510 in racing can’t be expressed in words. It was part of rally and endurance races. It featured in the SCCA Trans-Am events and scripted history by winning the championship twice. The vehicle’s smooth engines, handling, and lightweight panels made the way for an entry in racing.

Sales

The price of the Datsun 510 was not higher. It varied based on the models and engines. There is no information about the total production units, but the entire Datsun Bluebird generation sold around 1.5 million units. The average price of the vehicle was between $1,500 USD to $3,000 USD. Primary markets where Datsun 510 sold were Japan, North America, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and the UK.

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1958 Facel Vega HK500: Luxury, Power, and Parisian Elegance

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Facel Vega HK500 remains one of the beautiful grand touring coupes. It was a French vehicle launched between 1958 to 1961 for a short time. Facel Vega HK500 was a successor to the Facel Vega FV. Apart from designs, the vehicle was known for its strong Chrysler V8 engines. Here is everything about the 1958 Facel Vega HK500.

Engines 

1958 Facel Vega HK500

The Facel Vega HK500 remained one of the best performing GT cars during its time. Backed by Chrysler V8 engines, the vehicle had a great run. This model was built using V8 engines like Typhoon V8 and Wedge V8. The horsepower was great around 350. The major attraction of the Facel Vega HK500 was its speed which was around 150mph. This was one of the fastest cars of its time as the top speed was on par with muscle cars. The only reason was the V8 engines of Chrysler.

Technology 

Facel Vega HK500 was one of the innovative French vehicles with highly advanced technology. This model featured independent suspension with wishbones, telescopic shock absorbers, and coil springs. It was built on a tubular steel chassis which gave the vehicle high endurance. There was a hydraulic braking system which enhanced the handling. Another interesting addition was the Worm-and-roller steering system. For gearbox, the available options were French Pont-à-Mousson 4-speed fully synchronized manual gearbox and Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

Interior Features 

The interior styling was exceptional and world class. Facel Vega HK500 had one of the best interior features not only for a French vehicle but also for an European car of its time. The seating was great with the connolly leather seats, carpeting, and armrest. The metal dashboard featured speedometer, jaeger instruments, ammeter, clock, and tachometer. There were comfortable features like radio, AC, heater system, ventilation, electric windows, glovebox, and power steering.

Unbelievable Designs

One couldn’t get away from the appearance of the Facel Vega HK500. It was eye pleasing and mesmerizing in all aspects. The vehicle featured designs from the popular French automobile designer Jean Daninos. It was a mix of European styling and American designs. The exterior had quad headlights, sculpted hood, long hood, and wide stance. In the rear area, the tailfins, badges, and ornamentation were the attractions. Everyone raved the designs and hailed it as a masterpiece. The next generation french cars followed the pattern of Facel Vega HK500 and this was a big win for the brand.

Ultra Rare Unit

The Facel Vega HK500 was a rare vehicle and the favorite of collector market owners. The estimated production units were only around 490 which was very small. Facel Vega confirmed this model was built to reveal their engineering and designs to the world rather than making profit. It was an expensive vehicle for around $9,700 USD. Though it was produced in small units, the Facel Vega HK500 was distributed to countries like the USA, Germany, Italy, England, Netherlands, and Belgium. 

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1971 Toyota Celica Story – A Legacy Built on Performance

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The Toyota Celica was a long-running sports coupe from Toyota spanning 7 generations in 35 years. Although there are many generations, the first models were special. Those were inspired by Ford Mustang vehicles. Be it styling or technology, the Toyota Celica was special in all ways. It opened the way for more sports coupes in the Japanese market. Let us see about the 1971 Toyota Celica.

1971 Toyota Celica

Durable Engines 

Though the Toyota Celica was designed as a sports car, it delivered insane durability. The vehicle combined performance and endurance with luxury features as well. This model was built around inline-4 engines with twin  carburetors. It was also a lightweight car with great handling. Overall, the driving experience in Celica was fun with some sporty features. The model delivered around 112mph top speed which was great for a highway cruiser.

Technology 

The Toyota Celica had simple mechanics. It was compared with many Datsun models as well. This car featured an Independent MacPherson struts suspension. The rear suspension featured coil springs for better balance. It didn’t have an electronic braking system as Toyota preferred the disc brakes and drum brakes. The engines featured SOHC and DOHC with mechanical carburetors for its performance.

Sporty Interior Features 

The interior for the 71′ Toyota Celica was sporty and comfortable. As this was a highway cruise, Toyota wanted to build in a way that makes passengers relaxed. The vehicle had 4 seats with bucket seats, cloth upholstery, radio, ventilation system, heater system, and manual windows. The dashboard featured an analog instrumentation with tachometer, fuel gauge, and speedometer.

Twin-Cam Engine

The first-generation Toyota Celica was popular for many reasons. It was the pioneer of many Japanese sports coupe. First, the Twin-Cam engine idea was advanced and it became successful. It also showed Toyota’s engineering to the world. After the arrival of the Celica, it was called the replica of the Ford Mustang. It was a true sports coupe with the RWD.

Designs Like Pony Car

Everything about the original Toyota Celica was similar to Mustang. The designs like wide body, long hood, and short deck were inspired by Ford Mustang. There were uncluttered body panels and smooth surfaces which gave the vehicle a fresh appearance. To make it more sporty, Toyota incorporated a horizontal grille with rounded taillights. The entire styling was great and it attracted the buyers. Celica picked up with its sales after the design was revealed.

Successful Model

When the Toyota Celica was launched, there were doubts whether it would be sold in huge numbers. Every doubt was shattered as the first-generation Celica sold around 1 lakh units. This paved the way for the next 6 generations as Toyota Celica successfully lasted till 2005. Pricing was not higher either as the vehicle was sold for $2,600 USD and some models were higher than this. Apart from Japan, it had amazing sales in the USA, Canada, and Australia. 

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1970 Ford Maverick Grabber – An Underdog of the Muscle Car Era

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In 1970, the Ford Maverick got an upgrade with a new model named Grabber. Ford Maverick Grabber was a sporty trim and an upgraded version of the Maverick. It was a compact car available as a sedan and a coupe. Apart from performance, the Ford Maverick Grabber was known for its refined designs. Here is all about the 1970 Ford Maverick Grabber.

1970 Ford Maverick Grabber

Engine

Ford’s best engines were inline-6 and V8. The Grabber was available with Inline-6 and some models featured V8 as well. Maverick Grabber recorded a top speed around 105mph. It may be low for Ford’s vehicles, but it was definitely higher for a sedan. Though it was an economy vehicle, the performance was better in every aspect. Grabber’s strength was its handling and mileage which helped it go miles.

Mechanical Features 

As this was a sporty package, the mechanical features like racing mirrors, grabber graphics, and floor shifter were added. The other technology included fully synchronized 3-speed manual gearbox and 3-speed automatic transmission. Ford Maverick Grabber was a unibody construction with an engine in the front. The vehicle’s acceleration was backed by hydraulic drum brakes, independent suspension, and recirculating ball steering.

Luxury Features 

The Grabber had an upgraded interior over the Ford Maverick. It was considered functional and sporty. The models were available with bucket and bench seats. The central speedometer featured warning lights, fuel meter, and ammeter. Inside the cabin, the coat hooks, rubber floor mats, and carpeting were there. Black vinyl, radio, plastic dashboard, and manual ventilation system were the other key features. The interior was not advanced, but it had an upgraded version of the regular Maverick. 

Platform With Mercury Comet

The Ford Maverick Grabber shared its platform with the iconic Mercury Comet. Both the vehicles were called twins for the same reason. Be it the unibody, RWD, and Front-engine layout, everything was similar. Even some features were common for Grabber and Comet. In the end, the Maverick Grabber was known as the poor man’s Mustang as it was an economy car with great performances.

Unbelievable Styling 

Ford proved even a compact vehicle could have amazing designs with this Maverick Grabber. It was a sporty car with blacked-out grille, rear deck spoiler, and twin simulated scoops. The vehicle was available in colors like Orange, Yellow, Green, and Blue. In this edition, the chrome accents were limited for some reasons. Overall, the styling looked aggressive and sporty.

Sales 

Between 1970 to 1977, the Ford Maverick Grabber was available to the public. The estimated production was around 1.4 lakhs. This was low as the Grabber was a special sporty edition. It was not produced in large numbers like the original Ford Maverick. The Grabber was priced at $2,000 USD. It was widely sold in North America. Apart from this, the Grabber was shipped to Brazil and Mexico.

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