The classic car scene is, well, classic, and I’m a sucker for it, but it’s the elements of the 1966 Mustang Convertible and 1990 Corrado that really melt you… Every Mustang has its own American muscle car persona that is unmistakable and has a rich heritage that so many car enthusiasts will love. The Mustang was released in the mid 1960’s and epitomized style and speed; harnessing in Americana. For its time, its design was revolutionary: combining sleek lines and a powerful posture to a generation’s freedom and adventure craving. The Mustang is much more than a car, it’s a cultural phenomenon that lit a fire under the hood and a spark among tinkerers that fueled a decade of passion for performance and personalized styling.
Symbol of nostalgia and rebellion
Two decades later, the 1966 model – the car that never was – still draws crowds that adore its classic curves and rumbling V8 engine, whose sound is only brought to life with a flip of the key. Owners love these vehicles because they are considered a piece of history and have a story, and a unique tie to an age when cars were built for style, and a great driving experience. It tells a story on every curve, every chrome detail and every rev of that engine. Mustangs can bring people together, whether at a car show, cruise night or just on a Sunday drive; it’s little wonder that enthusiasts and collectors alike are so enamored with the Mustang’s ability to do this. These classic cars strike a sense of community that’s unrivaled and bonds of those who love the cars extend beyond automobiles. In comparison, the 1966 Mustang has a built in magnetism that draws a wide audience of seasoned collectors as well as first timers seeking their first classic car. The Mustang is so special because it appeals to a large audience. But one thing commonly overlooked is how the Mustang had a hand in setting up the road that mainstream performance cars would follow.
Car Model Information: 1966 Ford Mustang Base
Price: $25,900
Exterior color: Emberglow
Interior color: Parchment/Emberglow
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
Transmission: Automatic
Engine: 289ci V8
VIN: 6F07C367874
Mileage: 68,810 mi.
Summary: The Ford Mustang is a series of American automobiles manufactured by Ford. In continuous production since 1964, the Mustang is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its seventh generation, it is the fifth-best selling Ford car nameplate. The namesake of the “pony car” automobile segment, the Mustang was developed as a highly styled line of sporty coupes and convertibles derived from existing model lines, initially distinguished by “long hood, short deck” proportions.
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With that said, the full opposite end of the Spectrum is a 1990 Corrado. While this German marvel had a certain styling and technological innovations coupled to create something that’s just a little bit more refined but equally as exciting, it carved a niche amongst enthusiasts looking to enjoy something different. Performance was on the mind here, and the Corrado was engineered with handling that was very precise, and one potent engine that every bit of it feels great. Volkswagen integrated the kind of aerodynamic design at a time when it was an unheard of thing to do on a car in the time it was introduced, distinguishing it from its contemporaries and showing a commitment to both the aesthetics and engineering on the car. Performance aside, it’s not all about the Corrado, it’s about the rarity, it’s about how unique the vehicle is in its own right and that is what makes it such a sought after and prized possession. The Mustang will no doubt draw in a crowd looking for rumbly raw power and nostalgia but the Corrado will bring forward people craving agility and just a pinch of European flair.
Two eras of automotive passion
If that 1966 Mustang Convertible and that 1990 Corrado aren’t the two eras of automotive passion personified, then we don’t know what is. The Corrado is sleek, with the type of performance you’d expect from a European auto manufacturer and the flair of classic open road motorcars of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It’s each car’s dedicated fan-base, and they’re joined in a celebration of variety within the space of car culture. When we travel the roads less traveled, our lives and communities become enriched by the joy the vehicles bring. Whether you are driving a classic Mustang or a Corrado for fun, the excitement of driving things automotive related is timeless, yet united in one with a love for all things automotive. With our wheels already turning and our engines purring, let’s celebrate the wonderful variability of these iconic cars and the energizing neighborhoods in which they live. The love of cars never really carks, be you mad for a wing, a four, or a V8; it brings together fans at all levels. Every great journey is better when you have the vehicle you love. That is the legacy of the Mustang and the Corrado.
The Corrado had an engineering excellence in its design philosophy. A unique hatchback design with practical flourish helped define its look but was also an aid to its sporty looks. The Corrado showed just how beautiful it is to combine form with function, and this sort of equanimity in the German automotive design stands out well. The cabin inside was practical and cozy, with supportive seating and a driving focus to the layout. Everything felt driver focused, controls seemed to be put where you want them and every drive felt special.
The Corrado was exceptional for having such an excellent handling. Using its combination of front wheel drive and a sophisticated chassis, the Corrado was able to dance around corners with surprising agility. The steering feedback and the confidence you gain from driving a car that feels engineered in a way it feels like that shouldn’t be disbelieved by enthusiasts, although that is often talked about. One compelling reason to attract a following is the way the Corrado can carver twisty roads, a crowd looking for spirited driving experiences.
Car Model Information: 1990 Volkswagen Corrado Base
Price: $9,995
Exterior color: Black
Interior color: Black
Drivetrain: Front-wheel Drive
Transmission: 5-Speed M/T
Engine: 1.8L 4 Cylinder Engine
VIN: WVWDB4508LK019058
Mileage: 53,645 mi.
Summary: The Volkswagen Corrado is a compact four passenger (2+2), three door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive liftback coupe marketed by Volkswagen from 1988 until 1995, and manufactured by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.
Designed by Herbert Schäfer, the Corrado overlapped and eventually superseded Volkswagen’s Scirocco model. 97,521 Corrados were manufactured over the seven year production run; about 50,000 of them were sold in the United States.
Get more information about: Volkswagen Corrado
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Additionally, the Corrado marks a change in the automotive philosophy. The Corrado, for all its muscle car-bred aggressive appeals, eschews such proclivity toward performance, and is instead about a more refined take on the subject. It balances practicality with its sporty nature, so its owners can get the fun of driving while also having a ‘usable’ daily driver. The Corrado is an ideal bridge between a classic sports car and a contemporary coupe for so many, and for many of those in search of a versatile vehicle not to the expense of enjoyment, the Corrado presents itself as a striking option.
The 1966 Mustang Convertible and the 1990 Corrado each occupy a special place in car culture, but as we skate along the auto beat, we’re talking about a 1966 Mustang Convertible and a 1990 Corrado. The mark left by each of these is burned so indelibly into the hearts of their respective fans that it has spawned communes, the articles of faith of which is a shared love for these legendary vehicles. Passion for driving still maintains its hold on revving the V8 engine of a Mustang or the smooth handling of a Corrado. These cars remind us that the love for auto-mobility is timeless and it crosses over all the trends, reminding us what brought us here, people or “gods and their cars”.
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