THE VINTAGE WARRIOR

1967 Pontiac Firebird The first generation Firebird had characteristic  Coke bottle styling  shared with its cousin, the  Chevrolet Camaro . Unlike the Camaro, the Firebird's bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end.  The Firebird's rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the 1966–1967  Pontiac GTO . Both a two-door  hardtop  and a  convertible  were offered through the 1969 model year. Originally, the car was a "consolation prize" for Pontiac, which had desired to produce a two-seat sports car based on its original  Banshee  concept car. However, GM feared this would cut into Chevrolet  Corvette  sales, and gave Pontiac a piece of the " pony car " market through sharing the   F-body  platform with   Chevrolet . Pontiac Firebird Engine  230 cu in (3.8 L) Pontiac OHC I6 The 1967 base model Firebird came equipped with the  Chevrolet 230 cu in (3.8 L) SOHC inline-six . The 230 CID engines were subsequently replaced in

Marmon-Herrington  CTLS tank   (a CTLS-4TAC in the foreground and a CTLS-4TAY in the background) in Alaska, summer of 1942. The  Marmon-Herrington  Combat Tank Light Series were a series of  U.S.   light tanks/tankettes  that were produced for the export market at the start of the  Second World War . The CTL-3 had a crew of two and was armed with two .30 cal (7.62 mm) M1919 machine guns and one .50 cal (12.7 mm)  M2 Browning machine gun . They were originally designed to be amphibious light tanks. They were rejected by the  Marines  in 1939, but after the  attack on Pearl Harbor  they were exported and used as an emergency light tank. It primarily served in  Alaska  and the  Dutch East Indies , while small numbers were used in the U.S. as guard tanks stationed along the U.S. coast. A total of about 700 examples were produced, and although it was declared obsolete by the Allies in 1943, it was used by the newly created Indonesian Army after the end of the Second World W

1958 Chevrolet Impala  The Impala was introduced for the 1958 model year as top of the line  hardtops and convertibles. From the windshield pillar rearward, the 1958 Impala differed structurally from the lower-priced Chevrolet models. Hardtops had a slightly shorter  greenhouse  and longer rear deck. The wheelbase of the Impala was longer than the lower priced models, although the overall length was identical. Interiors held a two-spoke steering wheel and color-keyed door panels with brushed aluminum trim. No other series included a convertible. The Chevrolet Impala is often credited with starting the muscle car era .   Three Taillight in 1958 Impala The 1958 models were longer, lower, and wider than its predecessors.  The  tail fins of the 1957 were replaced by deeply sculptured rear fenders. Impalas had three taillights each side, while lesser models had two and wagons just one. Crossed-flag insignia's were attached above the side moldings, as well as bright ro

1954 Mercury Monterey XM-800 This experimental Mercury (XM) was developed to showcase a new design direction for the firm. In their press release, the Lincoln-Mercury News Bureau said it was “ The most advanced design in a car capable of going into volume production .” Unfortunately, this never happened, but the XM-800’s radical details were included on later models like the Lincoln Premier.     The press release released by Lincoln-Mercury News                      Bureau February, 16 1954             This car was designed by John Najjar. Mr. Najjar was the most famous designer of the Ford Motor Company and was responsible for not only the 1954 Mercury XM-800 but was also responsible for the 1955 Lincoln Futura show car and the mid-engine Ford Mustang I experimental sports car of 1962. Much of the car's appearance were used on the Lincoln Premiere, Lincoln Capri, Mercury Montclair , Ford Crown Victoria , and other Ford and Mercury products du

1954  Chevrolet Corvette (C1) The Chevrolet Corvette (C1) is the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. It was introduced late in the 1953 model year, and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the "solid-axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed and sales fell far short of expectations through the car's early years. The program was nearly canceled, but Chevrolet would ultimately stay the course. To keep costs down, GM executive Robert F. McLean mandated off-the-shelf mechanical components, and used the chassis and suspension design from the 1949–1954 Chevrolet passenger vehicles. The drivetrain and passenger compartment