The Favorite Classic Cars
Of First Place Employees
By: Louis Misciasci
The term “classic” can have many different meanings in the automotive world. Insurance companies will label any vehicle older than 25 years a classic. This meaning applies to the Ford Pinto. I know there are people who would agree. I also know that numerous others would label the Pinto as a gigantic blunder. Automotive media can label a new car an instant classic. The C8 Corvette or Ford Gt are both examples. It is hard to define what a classic car truly is. The issue is car guys have different tastes. There are cars that are universally regarded as classics. Below are our employees favorite classic cars.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Louis (CSR) - 1969 Camaro
As a child I loved the Corvette. As a teen I was able to learn more about the Corvette and its drive train. I then learned eventually, the Camaro gets its big brothers hand me downs like most little brothers. Seeing the difference in prices between the two I gravitated more towards the car that I had a chance at affording. Even though the Camaro was not my first love it became an obsession anyway. The 69’ in my opinion is the best of them all. The one year only flat fender openings give it a more menacing appearance. The narrower front bumper with the up turned ends, flow better into the fenders and grille. I couldn’t pick just one ‘69. My ultimate dream car is a COPO. The no frills 6 cylinder looking body and steel wheels with hub caps. The power of the 427 and Muncie Rock Crusher transmission. To me this is the first factory “sleeper” car. I also would never turn down a Hugger Orange Z/28. The white stripes, factory cowl hood, with front and rear spoilers. Add the Hounds Tooth interior, and optional console mounted gauges. Why wouldn’t you want to drive Trans-Am car on the road? To me the Camaro combines many things into a package I see as both elegant and intimidating.
1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang
Kyle (VP of Marketing) - 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang
The dream car for me is a 1967 Shelby GT500, gunmetal with black stripes. The true “Eleanor”. In my opinion this is pound for pound the nastiest ride on the planet. I would want to drive this car, so it would most likely need to be a restomod clone. No way you would modify an original. Upgraded suspension, beefed up drivetrain, but exterior and interior would look as original as possible. Everything as it was originally; except under the hood and under the car. If this was in my garage, there would be nothing else I need in life.
1965 Ford Mustang Coupe
Mike (Graphic Designer) - 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe
I, like all other red-blooded Americans, love the 65’ Ford Mustang. Specifically, the coupe version, and especially the restomod community that has embraced it. Since I was a kid the ‘65 Mustang has garnered my attention. I can still remember staring down Hot Wheels versions of the car as a kid. What appeals to me about it is the visuals. Being an artist, I’m a highly visual person. To me, the ‘65 Mustang coupe is the pinnacle of car design. The profile says fast, and the side lines say lithe and maneuverable. The fastbacks scream power with their stance, but there is something special about the coupe. It’s like the classier older sister of the two. The restomods that have been done have achieved a perfect marriage of design and function in my opinion. It is THEE American badass car.
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
Stephany (CSR B2B Specialist) - 1956 Bel Air
My favorite classic car would have to be the 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 door hard top. There is just something about this iconic beauty that I can't get enough of. This second-generation Bel Air was just the facelift this car needed! The Hardtop is my favorite as it provides a very clean look that isn't interrupted by a post. With the solid V8, automatic transmission, and air conditioning, how could you go wrong? You get a comfortable ride with plenty of power. This car has beautiful lines! I can't think of a bad color combination on this car, but my favorite would have to be the turquoise and white. This classic is pure Americana. I don't know how you can see a '56 Bel Air and not smile at least a little.
1968 L88 427, 4-speed Corvette
Dave (YouTube talent) - 1968 Corvette
No question, for me it would be the 1968 L88 427, 4-speed Corvette. First year for the C3, only year for push button door release mechanism. A factory race car that GM barely made street legal or available. 427 cubic inches seriously underate at 425 HP…it made well north of 500 HP with a set of headers. Which was enough for it to run 170mph on the back stretch at Le Mans. No radiator shroud (guaranteed to over-heat on the street), no radio available, who needs it? With the massive solid lifter cam tapping away and a 108-octane fuel requirement, made this a man’s man car. Make mine black with a red interior, chrome hooker side pipe headers and redline tires. Seriously, what could be better that a Stingray slurping race gas with an idle that hit like a tommy gun? An in-your-face car that handles, stops, and looks amazing!
Zach Fairs Mini Cooper
Zach (CSR & Marketing) - Mini (Austin, Morris and Cooper)
Picking a favorite car is hard. I have too many favorite classic vehicles that are vastly different. Things like, Corvettes, International Harvester A100 Golden Jubilee pickup, First gen Barracudas’, Nash Metropolitan, Ferrari 250 GTO, and MUCH more. There is one that stands out to me the most; MINI. While most people don’t like Minis’ or just think they are a “cute” little car, I think they are much more than that. There is too much to cover about the small car in one paragraph, but a couple of the biggest things would be their racing history and their passion for the enthusiast behind the wheel. The handling of the Mini is second to none. If you have never driven one, you should. I guarantee you will have a good time, and that’s what it’s all about.
Ferrari Testarossa
Dallas (Product Merchandising specialist) - 1968 Dodge Dart & Ferrari Testarossa
I’ve been interested in cars for as long as I can remember. Muscle cars and sporty American cars from the 60s are what really got me into the automotive hobby. I gravitated towards Mopar A-Body cars initially and I still have a soft spot for those cars to this day. A 1968 Dodge Dart GTS in B5 Blue over a white interior is one of my earliest dream cars. As time went on though, and my knowledge of various cars grew, I became fascinated with European sports cars. My favorite classic car is a Ferrari Testarossa, Nero exterior over tan interior. The Testarossa is one of the few cars that make me stop, stare, and admire a little longer than normal at a car show or event. The interior is stunning. The tan interior with the darker brown dash and trim offers a great contrast from the black exterior. The center console is adorned with glowing orange gauges, dials, and switchgear that seems to be placed with purpose. The gated shifter plate is polished and inviting making it a real centerpiece of the experience. A sleek, black Ferrari Testarossa with its wide stance, side gills, and rear strakes are unmistakable. What about a 1968 Dart GTS AND a Ferrari Testarossa? That would make for quite the 2-car garage and provide enough variety to scratch that car enthusiast itch from two very different angles.
What is your definition of classic? Are you a style guy, where your favorite classic cars have big fins, or another body feature that makes it stand out? Are you a performance guy? Your favorite classic cars have a storied history on one style track or another? Or do you define classic as the underdog companies who made a name for themselves, but either got bought out by a larger company or who just couldn’t last? You are not wrong! All car guys have a favorite for one reason or another. There will be millions who agree with you completely, and millions who would like you to visit a therapist. Here at First Place Auto Parts, we all have the love of cars. We understand your love as well. No matter the reason. We are Driven by Enthusiasts!
Let us know what your favorite classic car is and why with #MyFavoriteClassic on your favorite social media account.
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