Sure they’re expensive, but classic cars make the perfect gift!

by Sam Barer

Feel free to buy me an Allard J2. I'd even share it with my father, Arny, pictured with a stunning example from the Hart Collection in Redmond, WA.

Each year around the holidays I think about the cars I wish I could receive as gifts. When other boys were satisfied with their “two front teeth,” my childhood gift wish lists always included expensive go-fast transport.

My list changes every year. Some cars are added after doing profiles for the column, while others are removed. For instance, Lamborghini Miura’s perennial inclusion ceased last year after a test drive demonstrated I’m way too tall. The Triumph TR3 and Porsche 911 also fell off, but only after I bought examples with my own money.

So if you happen to meet Santa Claus, Chanukah Harry, or another dream-come-true gift giver, please advise them of this current list of vehicles I would love to find wrapped with big bows in my garage.

1929-1934 Duesenberg J – Why buy me a tie or socks, when you can get me an example of America’s (and probably the world’s) greatest car ever? When Ford Model As struggled to hit 50mph, Duesies were capable of 115MPH courtesy of the Lycoming DOHC inline-8 producing 265hp. Starting in 1932 an optional supercharger gave 320hp in the SJ models.

Duesenberg delivered its 4409-pound running chassis to a coachbuilder of the customer’s choice, where made-to-order bodies were affixed. The price for this exclusivity often eclipsed $20,000 -- the equivalent of 45 Model As. Now original open-bodied cars will set Santa back at least $500,000. I’m partial to the elegant dual-cowl phaetons by LeBaron, but if a Murphy-bodied roadster should find its way to my house, I won’t be disappointed.

1959-1962 Ferrari 250GT SWB – Better balanced than a tightrope walker, Short Wheelbase Berlinettas rank highly among the best sports cars ever. Powered by the 3.0-liter Columbo twelve-cylinder engine, these lightweight coupes were wildly successful on the track, not to mention as gorgeous at a standstill as they are at 130MPH. Even though I’m a tad too tall, I can bend and scrunch to feel the perfectly weighted steering, experience the never-ending powerband, and hear the wonderful music projecting from the tailpipes.

Cars with competition history often break seven-figures. Upkeep is also devastatingly expensive, so my secret Santa should also think about throwing in an Italian mechanic and a full set of spare parts.

1959-1960 Corvette – My wife grew-up in first generation Vettes, and I’ve always been enamored by the clean design of’59 and ’60 models. We agree on Roman Red with White coves, and dual-quads over the troublesome Rochester mechanical fuel injection. I want a four-speed mated to the optional 270hp 283ci V8 engine, but since my wife can’t drive a stick, she desires the two-speed Powerglide (requiring the 245hp state of tune.)

I’d imagine my wife wouldn’t actually like driving a choppy riding solid axle Corvette. She would hate battling the unassisted steering, and fear the marginal brakes, which become just short of worthless after a few hard stops. For me, though, the car’s shortcomings only make the driving experience more invigorating.

1965 Corvette – If my wife wins out on an automatic C1, I’ll also take a disc brake, four-speed ’65 roadster. Nothing fancy, just the 365hp carbureted small block. I won’t wish for a 425hp 396 big block – after all, I don’t want to be greedy.

1950-1954 Allard J2 / J2-X – While many dream of AC Cobras, I’d rather have the original American-powered British hotrod. Looking to create a road-racing powerhouse, British automaker Syndey Allard dropped Cadillac and Ford V8s, as well as Lincoln V12 engines in his new cycle-fender J2 roadster. The minimalist J2 rode on a 100-inch wheelbase, and weighed less than 2500 pounds. Many of the Caddy motivated J2s came with automatic transmissions, since tire-melting power was available throughout the rev range.

Only 90 J2s were built before production of 83 J2-X models commenced in 1952. J2-Xs were more powerful and offered better handling courtesy of a revised frame. Since my father has dreamed of owning a J2 since they were new, I’d be happy to share the car with him.

1954-1957 Mercedes 300SL – One word says it all: “gullwing.” Make my Super Leicht red with Rudge center-lock wheels. The factory optional matching luggage would also add a nice touch.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird – My children would love the huge decals of Road Runner holding a race helmet on the insanely large spoiler. Plus, someday I might need to drive 200MPH around Daytona.

Happy holidays from Sound Classics, and may your new year be filled with health, happiness and dream cars.

Sam Barer writes for Apex, an Olympia, WA based freelance writing company. To submit a car for a future “Sound Classics” story, email soundclassics@apexstrategy.com

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