Collectible and Classic Cars

Anyone born after 1960 may find this hard to believe, but there was a time when hardtops like the 1950-1952 Pontiac Catalina were quite exotic. They also stood as elegant symbols of Pontiac's postwar turn toward a more luxurious car. Read more.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Mercury models of the late 1950s could make a sensitive soul shriek in horror. Luckily this 1960 classic was sleeked down and convertible models along with large color selections were available. View the 1960 Mercury and learn how it works.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1963 Mercury Marauder was created with racing in mind, with improved aerodynamics for higher speed. This model marked the first time the name Marauder was applied to a car. Learn more about the 1964 Mercury Marauder at HowStuffWorks.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1964-1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone transformed Mercury's Comet line. After plopping a small-block V-8 into the last of the first-generation Comets, Mercury was ready to turn toward some real muscle. Look under the hood of this classic car.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1966-1967 Mercury Cyclone GT entered the market as a clone of another Ford Motor Company car, sharing the same body stylings and engine choice as the popular Ford Fairlane. Read more about the 1966-1967 Mercury Cyclone GT.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

As the 1968-1969 Mercury Cyclone GT came along, sales just about doubled. Unfortunately, the 1967 total for Mercuy had dropped such that even a twofold increase didn't make the automaker euphoric. Learn more about the 1968-1969 Mercury Cyclone GT.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Chevrolet billed its unibody senior compact Chevy II Nova SS as "the thrift car," though insisting that its "no-nonsense styling ... will catch glances years away from the showroom." Discover if the car lived up to its advertising and view pictures.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1952-1953 Allstate was an odd car that is remembered today (if it's remembered at all) for being Sears, Roebuck & Company's misguided attempt at entering the auto market. Get the story behind the Allstate and get specs for this odd classic.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1953-1954 Chevrolet Bel Air provides an excellent example of a popular practice in the Detroit of the 1950s called reskinning -- making an old car look new without changing its basic structure by applying different outer panels. See pictures and get specs.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The popular tailfins of the 1950s didn't carry over to the next decade when Plymouth released the 1960 Plymouth Fury. Thus, while Ford and Chevrolet increased their combined production, Plymouth barely maintained its 1959 volume level. Learn more.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Packards advertising slogan for its 1955 cars was "Let the Ride Decide." Torsion bars mounted differently for the first time provided a remarkable combination of ride and handling. Learn more about the 1955 Packard Patrician/Four Hundred/Executive.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Not many cars get a second chance at life after the original manufacturer expires. Avanti IIs were such cars and could be custom-built to a buyer's specifications for colors and materials. Learn about the history of this car and see pictures.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Car Life described 1964-1966 Ford Thunderbird as "begadgeted and bedazzling ... It should keep boys of all ages occupied." Whether for boys, men or women, this classic car offered enough options and models to fit almost anyone. Get specs for this classic.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Though tamed down somewhat from flamboyant 1959, the 1960 Buick Electra nonetheless exhibited highly stylized lines with with tailfins, VentiPorts and a "Wildcat 445" engine. See pictures and look under the hood of this classic car.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Bel Airs and Impalas were too big for some; Chevy II and Corvair too tiny. The answer came in the form of the A-body Chevelle. It quickly developed into a powerful machine. Look under the hood of this classic car and learn about its evolution.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Many "replicars" have come and gone since the mid-1960s, so it's fitting that the first and best of the breed -- the 1965-1969 Excalibur Series I -- would survive the longest. Look under the hood of this classic car and veiew pictures.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Styling of 1961 Buick Electra was a radical departure from 1960, abandoning 1950s fins for an arrowlike profile. Buick named this new style "the clean look of action." See if this classic car lived up to its style and read how the public responded to the redesign.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Buick General Manager Ed Rollert called the early Gran Sport "a completely engineered performance car." True enough when stomping the gas pedal; not quite so true when trying to wrestle a GS (or any other American muscle car) around a quick corner. Get specs for this classic car and view pictures.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

"It's big, it's sleek, and it rides like a dream," Electra prospects were informed by the 1965 sales catalog. Better yet, it "has the look of solid success," just the thing to let people know "you've arrived." No idle boast, that. Get specs and see photos.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Though better known today as a compact, the 1960-1961 Dodge Dart was a full-size car. It was also a huge sales success despite having to deal with competitors Chrysler-DeSoto-Plymouth. See pictures of this classic car and look under the hood.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Over the years, the 1967-1969 Dodge Dart GT GTS had morphed from a comfortable family car into a road-ready speedster. Learn more about the changes to body and engine that arrived with the 1967, 1968, and 1969 Dodge Dart GT GTS.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1968-1969 Dodge Charger models featured and even tougher stance, aggressive lines, and extra power under the hood. And don't forget all the amenities inside, like bucket seats. Learn more about 1968-1969 Dodge Charger.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Did you ever want to drive a taxi? The 1960-1969 Checker was an opportunity for the general public to own a solid, dependable, no-frills Checker -- a car version of the taxi cab. View pictures and see the specs for this classic commercial car turned consumer.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1960 Ford Thunderbird was one of the greatest achievements in American automotive design. In fact, it may well be one of the outstanding American automotive achievements of the decade. See pictures and specification of this classic beauty.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The sporty 1952 Buick Roadmaster Riviera hardtop attracted 11,387 buyers. It was a preferred transport for the up-and-coming professional -- the doctor, the lawyer and anybody who could not quite afford a Cadillac. Learn about this classic Buick.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide