MSCC JUNE 8 STAR OF THE WEEK: AMC MARLIN –A BYPRODUCT OF THE 60S FASTBACK WARS
Fastbacks were particularly popular in the mid-60s. The Mustang really put the concept on the map but the other guys were definitely in the fastback game.
The Barracuda started the trend at Mopar in ’64 and the Dodge Charger entered the fastback game in ’66.
GM used their ’65 Impala roofline as a blueprint for every other sister division with the exception of Cadillac even though the ’63 Vette paved the way.
AMC didn’t just watch the fastback game on the sidelines – they came off the bench in a big way.
This MSCC Star of the Week Marlin at a show yesterday showed how well they played the game.
MSCC JUNE 7 STAR OF THE DAY: TWO AUTOMOTIVE ICONS IN FULL FLIGHT
The 1950s and 60s featured some of the most iconic vehicles to ever hit the road.
That wasn’t a small feat in an era when cars set new standards for style every year.
Two cars in particular were very notable for their timeless appeal.
The MSCC Star of the Day is a spontaneous shot of a 50s legend (a ’57 Chevy) behind a 60s legend (Shelby Cobra).
This picture tells you all you need to know about legends.
MSCC JUNE 6 STAR OF THE DAY: ’42 WILLYS JEEP – A D-DAY VETERAN WAS THE PERFECT CHOICE
The D-Day invasion began seventy years ago and it’s generally regarded as the turning point in the war.
This operation was massive in terms of personnel and equipment, so the logistics behind D-Day would be staggering – even in today’s high-tech world.
They had to plan this operation with a pen and paper instead of terabyte-laden computers.
Nevertheless, they managed to unload this humble little 1942 Willys Jeep during the invasion and in the process made the perfect choice for the MSCC June 6 Star of the Day.
Here’s the MSCC story behind this historical Jeep from a few years ago.
MSCC JUNE 5 STAR OF THE DAY: FORD FAIRLANE – THE OTHER INTERMEDIATE FROM DETROIT
Detroit was in a performance bloodbath in the mid-60s and it all took place in the intermediate arena. Intermediates were ‘tweener cars found in the niche between compacts and full-sized cars.
Chevy had the legendary SS396 Chevelles, Chrysler had the 426 Street Hemi-equipped Belvederes and Coronets and Ford had the GT and GTA Ford Fairlanes.
Ford Fairlanes were definitely the “other” muscle car in the 66-67 era and never got the press like the Hemis or the SS396s but they were street cool cars.
This MSCC Star of the Day Ford Fairlane in traffic a few days ago showed how street cool they were.
MSCC JUNE 4 STAR OF THE DAY: MORRIS MINOR – ECONOMY IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT
There’s little doubt fuel efficient vehicles are a trademark of the 21st century.
This is an era where 6000- pound trucks can still pull down nearly 30 miles per gallon and micro-cars can push 60 mpg.
Despite those impressive statistics, the concept of fuel efficiency is not the exclusive domain of the year 2014.
This MSCC Star of the Day Morris Minor in daily traffic last week is a great example of how many decades back you can travel to find good gas mileage.
MSCC JUNE 3 STAR OF THE DAY: FORD ECONOLINE – THE OTHER HIPPIE VAN
Most people recognize the VW van as the definitive hippie van back in the 60s. They were cheap to run, affordable to buy and they looked great with flower power paint jobs.
VWs weren’t the only contenders in the hippie van world because Ford had the Econoline.
You could pick up an old telephone van or some other commercial fleet refugee Econoline, slap the psychedelic paint on it and head to Woodstock – Econolines were prominent in the film.
This MSCC Star of the Day Econoline van was in traffic last week on its way to the mall, not a major hippiefest but it definitely had a Woodstock vibe.
MSCC JUNE 2 STAR OF THE DAY: 1968 CHRYSLER — C-BODY FUNCTION IN A LARGE PACKAGE
1968 was one of the most option-laden years in the history of Chrysler.
You could buy a Valiant or Dart in compact range, migrate up to an intermediate Belvedere or Coronet, then make the big jump to full-sized.
Full-sized Mopars really said more about you because the entry level Fury meant you squeaked into the full-size realm out of necessity. Dodge meant you were up the food chain and Chrysler meant you were near the top rung.
There were many versions of these cars and this MSCC Star of the Day ’68 Chrysler was clearly the starting point of the Chrysler line.
It was still a C-body Chrysler and it’s still on the road.
For past MSCC Stars of the Day please click here.
Star of the Day page sponsored by Southside Dodge.
