No, sorry, no cigar. It's the rare 1958 Plymouth Silver Special. Note the "knife" on the lower side with the long thin "handle". Some consider it not rare but very rare. Mr. Shiftright can tell us how rare.
Apparently no one is quite sure how many Plymouths got the Silver Special trim package.
In any event, yes, it's rare (I've seen a few) but nobody cares, at least not enough to pay any extra for it.
This mostly cosmetic package was offered on the Plaza.
Here's one for sale at a record-breaking price of $3,500:
Doh, I can't believe I forgot there were no dual h/ls before '58.
You didn't forget Andys. During the 57 model year after most states approved dual headlights, some upper level models came with them like Chrysler and DeSoto. In fact, you would see some Desoto's (or even Imperials for that matter) with duals and others with single headlamps that year.
Didn't realize that Pontiac had a GTO package in 73. For some reason I thought it became called something like Grand Am. Where's Andre the Pontiac man? Always learning something from you guys.
But no SD or HO versions...(my mistake previously) Wiki has this to say:
"The standard 400 CID V8 in the 1973 GTO was further reduced in compression to 8.0:1, dropping it to 230 hp (170 kW). The 400 engine was available with any of the three transmissions including the standard three-speed manual, or optional four-speed or Turbo Hydra-Matic. The 455 CID V8 remained optional but was dropped to 250 hp (186 kW) and available only with the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The 455 HO engine did not reappear, but GM initially announced the availability of a Super Duty 455 engine (shared with the contemporary Pontiac Trans Am SD455), and several such cars were made available for testing, impressing reviewers with their power and flexibility. Nevertheless, the Super Duty was never actually offered for public sale in the GTO. Also, eight 455SD Grand Ams were also built for testing and eventually all were destroyed as well. "
Thanks for posting this. I don't remember this GTO at all.
It's kind of homely with the heavy front bumper hanging on there and the wimpy tapered rear side panel. Not the best year for Pontiac.
A sad end. It was no longer its own model but an option package on the LeMans, barely mentioned in the brochure.
I never understood how Olds was able to use a slimmer front bumper on the '73 Cutlass while Pontiac was stuck with that battering ram.
I don't know what the price difference was between a GTO LeMans and a Grand Am but the latter was a much better-looking car inside and out, even if you had to give up the 455 in favor of a 400.
I never understood how Olds was able to use a slimmer front bumper on the '73 Cutlass while Pontiac was stuck with that battering ram.
I wonder if the positioning of the various parts that were rated for damage in certain accident conditions for the government involvement in passenger car "safety" had something to do with Olds being able to have less damage and a neater bumper while Pontiac had to have the heavier bumper and have it stuck out farther to avoid going over the testing damage amount.
"First standards 1971
In 1971, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the country's first regulation applicable to passenger car bumpers.[why?] Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 215 (FMVSS 215), "Exterior Protection," took effect on 1 September 1972—when most automakers would begin producing their model year 1973 vehicles. The standard prohibited functional damage to specified safety-related components such as headlamps and fuel system components when the vehicle is subjected to barrier crash tests at 5 miles per hour (8 km/h) for front and 2.5 mph (4 km/h) for rear bumper systems.[34] The requirements effectively eliminated automobile bumpers designs that featured integral automotive lighting components such as tail lamps.
In October 1972, the US Congress enacted the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act (MVICS), which required NHTSA to issue a bumper standard that yields the "maximum feasible reduction of cost to the public and to the consumer".[35] Factors considered included the costs and benefits of implementation, the standard's effect on insurance costs and legal fees, savings in consumer time and inconvenience, as well as health and safety considerations.
The 1973 model year passenger cars sold in the US used a variety designs. They ranged from non-dynamic versions with solid rubber guards, to "recoverable" designs with oil and nitrogen filled telescoping shock-absorbers.[36]
They didn't make many '73 GTOs. You aren't likely to see one.
There's a simple reason for that, by '73 insurers were asking enormous surcharges for muscle cars, especially those driven by younger drivers (who were the heart of the muscle car market). The car makers saw the market drying up and reduced production.
That's funny. I mean when did insurance companies repent from profiteering? I missed that news headline back in 1974...Naderites Nuke GTO! Insurance Rates Too Low To Meter!
Now back to the music, "TSOP, The Sound Of Pintos (exploding)" by MFSB (Muscle Free Stink Box)
True that young drivers with high claim rates paid higher premiums in the 70s. Is that not still true today?
As far as muscle car performance goes, a modern Civic gets the job done better than most GTO's ever did. So why haven't the insurance companies driven car makers out of the performance biz today?
"driven." See what I did there?
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
my Duster, Gremlin, etc. with a straight 6 might not have been nearly as quick as a GTO, but with drum brakes and ox cart suspensions, plenty easy to put into a ditch or a tree.
The Colonnade cars all looked like a step backwards to me. Bigger on the outside, small on the inside, with fussy styling that just left me cold. The LeMans with its blunt nose and tapered tail looked to me like it should have been reversed, though it improved slightly with the horizontal rectangular headlamps offered in '76 and '77. They did drive nicely for the era. Strange days indeed.
They didn't make many '73 GTOs. You aren't likely to see one.
There's a simple reason for that, by '73 insurers were asking enormous surcharges for muscle cars, especially those driven by younger drivers (who were the heart of the muscle car market). The car makers saw the market drying up and reduced production.
Well sure that's part of it, but lets' face it, by 1973 the GTO had lost its identity--as had many cars.
Remember the 1972 Thunderbird? It turned into a monster, and every bit of the charm of the earlier 'Birds had been eradicated.
Also, plenty of buyers back then probably thought the colonnade styling was a bit weird, at least looking through 1970s eyeballs.
Drive any peak era muscle car like a hooligan... end up wrapped around a tree.
Drive an understeering new Civic like a hooligan and every safety nanny in the world keeps you out of the woods.
Big difference even if straight line performance is similar.
I agree that old muscle car vs. modern Honda, the modern car "gets the job done better than most GTO's ever did."
But regarding, "Drive an understeering new Civic like a hooligan and every safety nanny in the world keeps you out of the woods..." is where I must be missing the point you're making.
State of the art safety engineering in modern cars is impressive my friend but you (still) can't fix stupid.
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
Cars made in 2018 are safer than cars made 50 years ago. And cars made in 1968 were safer than cars made 50 years before that.
And throughout automotive history we also learn that you can't fix stupid. Video taken from the control tower shows a van crossing a runway at the Springfield-Branson National Airport just seconds ahead of an airliner that was taking off.
No one was injured in the June 27 incident. The jetliner, an Embraer 145 operated by Envoy Air, was carrying 50 passengers and three crew.
A report filed by Jim Brown, driver of the van, indicates he and two other people were taking the van to an airport employee barbecue.
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
Comments
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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In any event, yes, it's rare (I've seen a few) but nobody cares, at least not enough to pay any extra for it.
This mostly cosmetic package was offered on the Plaza.
Here's one for sale at a record-breaking price of $3,500:
http://www.collectorcarads.com/Plymouth-Silver-Special/63987
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
my first thought was TVR
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
You didn't forget Andys. During the 57 model year after most states approved dual headlights, some upper level models came with them like Chrysler and DeSoto. In fact, you would see some Desoto's (or even Imperials for that matter) with duals and others with single headlamps that year.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/02/08/pontiacs-grand-experiment
"The standard 400 CID V8 in the 1973 GTO was further reduced in compression to 8.0:1, dropping it to 230 hp (170 kW). The 400 engine was available with any of the three transmissions including the standard three-speed manual, or optional four-speed or Turbo Hydra-Matic. The 455 CID V8 remained optional but was dropped to 250 hp (186 kW) and available only with the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The 455 HO engine did not reappear, but GM initially announced the availability of a Super Duty 455 engine (shared with the contemporary Pontiac Trans Am SD455), and several such cars were made available for testing, impressing reviewers with their power and flexibility. Nevertheless, the Super Duty was never actually offered for public sale in the GTO. Also, eight 455SD Grand Ams were also built for testing and eventually all were destroyed as well. "
I would love a nice clean 4 speed 74.
I think I have issues.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It's kind of homely with the heavy front bumper hanging on there and the wimpy tapered rear side panel. Not the best year for Pontiac.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I never understood how Olds was able to use a slimmer front bumper on the '73 Cutlass while Pontiac was stuck with that battering ram.
I don't know what the price difference was between a GTO LeMans and a Grand Am but the latter was a much better-looking car inside and out, even if you had to give up the 455 in favor of a 400.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"First standards 1971
In 1971, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the country's first regulation applicable to passenger car bumpers.[why?] Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 215 (FMVSS 215), "Exterior Protection," took effect on 1 September 1972—when most automakers would begin producing their model year 1973 vehicles. The standard prohibited functional damage to specified safety-related components such as headlamps and fuel system components when the vehicle is subjected to barrier crash tests at 5 miles per hour (8 km/h) for front and 2.5 mph (4 km/h) for rear bumper systems.[34] The requirements effectively eliminated automobile bumpers designs that featured integral automotive lighting components such as tail lamps.
In October 1972, the US Congress enacted the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act (MVICS), which required NHTSA to issue a bumper standard that yields the "maximum feasible reduction of cost to the public and to the consumer".[35] Factors considered included the costs and benefits of implementation, the standard's effect on insurance costs and legal fees, savings in consumer time and inconvenience, as well as health and safety considerations.
The 1973 model year passenger cars sold in the US used a variety designs. They ranged from non-dynamic versions with solid rubber guards, to "recoverable" designs with oil and nitrogen filled telescoping shock-absorbers.[36]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_(car)
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Now back to the music, "TSOP, The Sound Of Pintos (exploding)" by MFSB (Muscle Free Stink Box)
True that young drivers with high claim rates paid higher premiums in the 70s. Is that not still true today?
As far as muscle car performance goes, a modern Civic gets the job done better than most GTO's ever did. So why haven't the insurance companies driven car makers out of the performance biz today?
"driven." See what I did there?
Drive an understeering new Civic like a hooligan and every safety nanny in the world keeps you out of the woods.
Big difference even if straight line performance is similar.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Remember the 1972 Thunderbird? It turned into a monster, and every bit of the charm of the earlier 'Birds had been eradicated.
Also, plenty of buyers back then probably thought the colonnade styling was a bit weird, at least looking through 1970s eyeballs.
But regarding, "Drive an understeering new Civic like a hooligan and every safety nanny in the world keeps you out of the woods..." is where I must be missing the point you're making.
State of the art safety engineering in modern cars is impressive my friend but you (still) can't fix stupid.
The two cars on the left were identified but not any of the others, probably because they weren't sold in North America.
This looks like
the car next to the BMW>
Anyone?
The grilles of the next two cars were odd. I couldn't quite place them but then I figured out they were couple of these>
Know what it is?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
The point was that many modern cars outperform muscle cars, but the handling and modern nannies tame that performance and make the cars safer.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Cars made in 2018 are safer than cars made 50 years ago.
And cars made in 1968 were safer than cars made 50 years before that.
And throughout automotive history we also learn that you can't fix stupid.
Video taken from the control tower shows a van crossing a runway at the Springfield-Branson National Airport just seconds ahead of an airliner that was taking off.
No one was injured in the June 27 incident. The jetliner, an Embraer 145 operated by Envoy Air, was carrying 50 passengers and three crew.
A report filed by Jim Brown, driver of the van, indicates he and two other people were taking the van to an airport employee barbecue.
I actually don't know what this is, although I have my suspicions. HINT: Photo taken on the island of Malta.
And no, it was not a prototype Aztek
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/the-amazing-maltese-bread-van/
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Batman, however, had just unveiled the new tactical Batguano.
I guess when you live on an island, after a while you get a little....funny....
Apparently even though the old customized units are no longer in regular service an organization there is attempt to preserve and restore them.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Maybe a Juke?
Definitely has 1958 Ford heritage! LOL
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Malta is the only big island in the Med I haven't been to yet.
Too bad that van wasn't a Ford. It could be the Maltese Falcon!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.