Classic American cars are a thing of beauty. They’re big, they’re powerful, and they have a style all their own.
People who enjoy automobiles are not “born.” Rather, their passion is cultivated through memorable experiences in automobiles that are enthusiastically reinforced by friends, events, and, yes, marketing. It might strike you out of nowhere—bam!—one day. It may happen to anybody at any age from a brand-new teen driver to a recently paroled septuagenarian.
For whatever reason, these things just happen, and when they do you’re changed forever. If you’re extremely lucky, it will happen more than once in your lifetime. It happened to me when I was 15 years old and my buddy let me drive his brand-new 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible.
It was love at first sight, and the die was cast. I’ve been a car guy ever since. If you’re reading this, chances are good that you have been affected in a similar way by automobiles at some point in your life.
What is it about cars that can turn an ordinary person into a raving maniac? It’s hard to say, but there’s no denying that cars have a hold on us that is unlike anything else. They are machines, after all, and as such, they are subject to the same kinds of emotional attachment that we humans reserve for our pets.
And like our pets, cars come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own unique personality. That’s one of the things that makes them so special. It’s also what makes choosing the “best” classic American car such a difficult task. Let’s take a look at some of the contenders for the title of best classic American car.
From Model T to the Corvette, take a look at some of the best ever-made iconic American cars.
17. Oldsmobile “Rocket” 88
Model Years: 1949-1999
Estimated Price: $19,000
People sang about pretty dames and fast cars back then in the fifties. But, the speed of those cars is nothing, compared to the cars of today! Tunes on cars easily lure people to the top of cars’ charts, just as Ike Turner had a hit with Rocket 88. Oldsmobile ‘Rocket’ 88 was tagged the fastest American car you could at the time.
This car was powered by a 135-hp Rocket V-8 engine and it gave enthusiasts what could best be described as a sweet, lovely, and classy ride. True, Rocket 88 is worth every penny, and be rest assured that you can get one for just $19,000.
