Diego’s Autohunter Picks

Thanks to my story on Music for Baby Boomers, I was in a Boomer mood and selected cars for sale on AutoHunter that have largely been the realm of those born between 1945-64. Imagine — none of these AutoHunter Picks features a Chevrolet!

I don’t see the reason to dangle a Chevy in front of you when there’s so many other cool cars to be found: a finned Caddy, a chunky Poncho, a mature Studebaker, and a Mopar ragtop. Which one would you pick to suit your sensibilities?

1958 Pontiac Bonneville Sport Coupe
Remember when 1958 GM cars used to play second fiddle to the years surrounding them? Those days are long gone, but it’s almost a wistful thought because the 1958 Pontiac Bonneville was such a chariot for its time.

The Redwood Copper hue is gorgeous, and I love the way Pontiac handled two-toning on this, with the coves and a portion of the top. Then there’s that Sport Coupe-specific air scoop above the backlite to seal the deal.

1960 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe
With age comes sophistication. Just like how I wanted a Judge but now appreciate the clean look of the GTO, I feel the same way about the 1960 Cadillac. No, it’s not a ’59 (what is?), but it’s a bit more tasteful while sharing most of the same styling.

The two-door hardtop comes off best to my eyes (duh), especially the way the greenhouse converges with the fins. The interior with the white Florentine vinyl and black Caspian cloth is the cherry on top.

1962 Studebaker GT Hawk
It’s not every day that one great gets to facelift the design of another great, but that’s what Brooks Stevens did with Studebaker’s “Loewy Coupe.” Imagine a design from 1953 continually made relevant over the years though losing its grace over time, only to be made contemporary again — that’s what Stevens did for 1962.

Though not often mentioned, this car preceded the personal luxury four-seat T-bird, and now it has returned in new duds for all to appreciate.

1952 Plymouth Cranbrook Convertible
If you know the old-fashioned term “stick in the mud,” that perfectly describes post-1948 Mopars. Sure, you can climb into one and still wear a hat, but they looked way too conservative compared to their contemporaries, something that wouldn’t be rectified until 1955.

Nonetheless, this Plymouth features solid engineering — Chrysler Corporation’s strength — with an attractive burgundy and tan color combo. Who says ya need to go fast to enjoy the journey?