1957 Chevrolet Corvette (GM)
In addition to all the smart phones, Nintendo games, electronic toys and baby dolls on the wish lists of children everywhere, we asked a few big kids what classic car they’d love to see in their driveway this year.
THOMAS BRYANT, editor emeritus of Road & Track magazine: “I would love the 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster that I owned in the early ’70s. It was a fabulous touring car and beautiful in so many ways. If I had to pick an American car, I’d like a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette with manual gearbox. Excellent style and a marvelous car to drive.”
COLIN COMER, automotive author, collector and muscle car authority: “No part of me would be offended by receiving a Cobra Daytona Coupe as a gift. It is the ultimate evolution of the leaf spring Cobra and the car that won the Manufacturer's Championship for Shelby. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I’m not picky, either – any one of the six Daytonas would be just fine by me.”
KEN LINGEFELTER, CEO of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and a noted collector: “I would really like an L88 Corvette. I have a large number of Corvettes and muscle cars in my collection, but I’m still searching for just the right car. The L88 is very rare and has great styling and incredible horsepower – everything I’m looking for.”
WES RAYNAL, editor of AutoWeek: “My first car was a 1964 Barracuda and I’d love to have one of those. But if I could pick any car, I’d like a Cadillac Fleetwood – preferably a 60 Special from the late 1950s or early ’60s. I’d go with the biggest V-8 available at the time, and I’d load it up with options like power windows, vacuum locks and power seats. Make mine white or light blue, please.”
MATT STONE, automotive journalist, author and SPEED TV commentator: “I’ll take a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona because it’s the car I’ve always wanted and will never be able to afford.”