It’s amazing what documentation can do to help make a car more attractive. For 1969 Camaros, the pedigree can sometimes be determined by certain codes on the data plate. However, when that Camaro is from Canada, an owner is able to obtain the original invoice from Vintage Vehicle Services to create an airtight case.
Of the four cars in this week’s AutoHunter Picks, one has this luxury. Presumably, it’s possible that Porsche offers something similar, but a 911 Turbo is not easy to fake. The Buick? No docs for 1964, and ditto the Corvair, but the Camaro is the one here that truly demands this authentication.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
There are people who desire the solid-lifter performance of a Camaro SS 396, while others prefer the solid-lifter performance of a Trans-Am-spec Camaro Z/28 (from a sales point of view, overwhelmingly the latter). I wish I could drive both back-to-back and see which one I’d prefer, but what about you?
Does a Rallye Green Z/28 with a “Rock Crusher” four-speed pique your interest? It’s backed by GM of Canada documentation and the all-important X77 code on the data plate. Why waste your time with undocumented examples when you can have this?
2001 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe
This was the Porsche to have before the racer wanna-bes started to gravitate to the GT3 homologation special. These days, the 911 Turbo seems almost like a throwback, especially with the Tiptronic S transmission that was slower than the manual transmission — Car and Driver magazine hit 60 in 4.2 seconds, which was 0.3 seconds slower than the stick.
Still, most people looking for a classic daily driver would embrace the automatic. Plus, don’t forget it’s AWD, making it the perfect four-season car!
1961 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe
Another rear-engine coupe, one influenced by earlier generations of the above. The Monza was one of the earliest American cars to capture the European zest for bucket-seat sportiness. Not bad for an economy car, eh? The wire wheel covers also invoke European sportiness, though the Powerglide does not.
Nonetheless, America was learning how cars could engender driving fun, with the Corvair Monza being a historical dot connecting European sports cars and sedans with the pony cars that would arrive in 1964.
1964 Buick Electra 225 Convertible
I completely adore Oldsmobile and Buick C-bodys of this era, plus I feel they’re underrated in the collector car market. Absolute elegance is in order here! And while General Motors hit a triple (if not a grand slam) in 1965, I think the previous generation, with its special rear styling, has something the 1965s lacked.
This ’64 Electra 225 ragtop features leather upholstery, air conditioning, tilt steering column, power windows and bench seat, plus, in a nod to modernity, Ridetech air suspension system.
