The Buick Riviera from 1966 to 1970 was like a fine wine, getting better with age—if wine could also gain weight and horsepower. Starting with a sleeker body and hidden headlights, it bulked up with a 430 V8 engine, then hit the gym in 1970 with a 455 V8. It added safety features, locked steering, and even fender skirts, like it was preparing for a fashion show. Despite its hefty appetite for fuel, it sold over 227,000 units, proving that sometimes bigger really is better—at least on the sales floor.
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The Ferrari 250 California Special was the supercar of its time, offering a cockpit-like driver’s seat and a V12 engine that could make you feel airborne. With its handmade body and streamlined design, this car didn’t just turn heads; it spun them like a record. Sure, the heater was the only luxury, but who needs creature comforts when you’re zooming at 140 mph? Even James Coburn couldn’t resist its charm, once driving off with one that later sold for a cool $11 million!
Dubbed “the world’s smartest car” before smart cars were a thing, the Nash Metropolitan (1953-1961) was a quirky marvel. Available as a hardtop or convertible, this pint-sized wonder was an American brainchild produced by the Brits. With a wheelbase shorter than a VW Beetle, it aimed to be the perfect second car for those who believed bigger was better. It was as nimble as a cat in a parking lot—a sub-compact charmer with a flair for style and economy in a land of gas-guzzling giants.
The Sunbeam Tiger roared into existence between 1964 and 1967, thanks to a wild plot involving Carroll Shelby, a Ford V8, and some sneaky engineering. Originally inspired by a 1925 land speed record holder, the Tiger ditched the Alpine’s old engine for a brawny V8. Shelby, fresh off his AC Cobra triumph, found a way to squeeze the Ford beast under the hood, stirring quite the fuss. Even Lord Rootes was charmed after demanding a test drive. They even used sledgehammers to fit the engine—talk about a smashing success!
The third-generation Chevy Nova, introduced in 1968, was a makeover marvel with a longer wheelbase and a facelift that officially dropped the Chevy II name. It offered 15 powertrain options, including a 350-cubic-inch V8 for the SS model, which could turn heads and tires. By 1969, Chevy slipped in a Torque-drive for clutchless thrills, and by 1970, the Nova was all about subtle changes, like larger side marker lights. Meanwhile, the four-cylinder engine quietly exited, much like a party guest who realizes they’re at the wrong event.
