If money is no object
DRIVER'S SIDE DIATRIBE
By Al Vinikour
Quickly…name two things that are the main obstacles between you buying a car you’d really like to have and the reality of what you wound up buying; time is up, Cicero. The correct answer is: money! Now let’s carry this one step further; if money were no object, what kind of car would you have. I’ve asked myself this question and in no particular order I’ve listed them below. Three of them are vehicles I always wanted from the Muscle Car Era of my youth. I’ve reported before that I look through Hemming’s every month and allow myself to purchase one pretend vehicle. If an audit was done after a year there’d be a pattern because I tend to reminisce over the same vehicles.
GOLDEN OLDIES
1.) My favorite new car ever was my 1966 Ford 7-Litre. When the dealer called to tell me my car was in and I could pick it up that evening I got so excited I (what’s anoth
er word for hurled?). This car was a two-door hardtop with a Galaxiebody, the XL interior and a 428 cubic inch V-8 with a factory four-speed. I would take this vehicle over a new Rolls-Royce, even though the Rolls isn’t on my top list2.) A 1960-61 Chevy Impala hardtop or convertible with a 348”/409” V-8 and a four-speed manual transmission. I didn’t realize how good we had it back then until I see all those classic muscle cars today
3.) The third muscle car choice I would buy would be a 1964-1970 Dodge/Plymouth with a 383 cubic-inch on up to a behemoth 426 Hemi with a four-speed manual. Granted, the 727 Torqueflite Transmission was a power to be reckoned with, but nothing beats running through the gears of a four-speed transmission that’s mated to an overpowered V-8
MODERN-DAY CHOICES
Since my wife and I are empty-nesters we could have any car we desired – even one that’s a two-seater. With that in mind, the remainder of my “Money is no object choices would be:”
1.) A Corvette — any version — with a six-speed manual. To my way of thinking there’s no bigger waste than a Corvette with an automatic transmission, so a manual would be mandatory. (Oh, sure, my wife can’t drive a stick-shift so I’d have to be the only driver; such is the penalty one pays for love.) I would prefer a convertible – a red one 2.) A Hyundai Equus/Genesis Sedan would be my family car choice. I’m a big fan of Korean cars and the top two Hyundai sedans give every luxury car in the world a run for their money – which considering the competition is not a tremendous cash outlay to achieve the same degree of luxury
3.) For in-your-face lauding there’s nothing like a Mercedes-Benz S550. This has all the luxury and convenience Warren Buffet would have if he weren’t bellyaching about wanting to pay more taxes. Except for a flooded engine this would be a great vehicle to drive 4,000+ miles to the factory in Stuttgart and personally thank all the Hans’s and Fritz’s who built this magnificent machine. Nothing says “Thank you Lord for my bounty” than a black or royal blue S550 sitting in your driveway awaiting your instructions
4.) For driving pleasure it’s hard to beat any Audi or BMW. I’m not going to highlight any particular model because a lot would depend on your needs, and since this is a “come as you are” party with lots of cash in your pocket it would be at the behest of the purchaser – meaning me, I guess, to select a model. Just as an example, however, I’d probably prefer an Audi S8 or a BMW 7-Series. They’re great German driving machines with more luxury features than the Titanic (prior to its first voyage, that is)
5.) A list of “love-to-haves wouldn’t be complete without either a Lexus LS, the all-new Lexus GS or an Infiniti M Sedan. I love all three vehicles and wouldn’t hesitate to be the proud owner of any one. If you really want to impress the in-laws, as I’ve tried through two marriages totaling 46 years, those are a good place to start
6.) If I were a practical man with unlimited funds I would be the first person to plunk my money down for a 2013 Ford Fusion with all the bells and whistles. Debuted recently at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2013 Fusion is as close to an Aston-Martin-looking family sedan
as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Ford hit the nail on the head with this one and when they start selling it this fall there’s going to be a lot of them on the roads. But mine would have been the first. I’m rich, you know!
as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Ford hit the nail on the head with this one and when they start selling it this fall there’s going to be a lot of them on the roads. But mine would have been the first. I’m rich, you know! I didn’t put any SUVs or CUVs in this mix. And I certainly didn’t put any “green” cars, either. It’s not that I have anything against them; they’re just far from my first choice. After all I can act any way I want, money is no object.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Email this Page
