1969 Shelby GT350 Convertible

 

In 1965, Carroll Shelby introduced the Shelby GT350 version of the Ford Mustang fastback coupe, powered by a 306-horsepower high-performance version of Ford’s 289-cubic-inch Windsor small-block V8 with a high-rise intake manifold, a large four-barrel Holley carburetor, a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed gearbox, and other performance upgrades. Convertibles were first offered for 1968. The last of the original generation of Shelby Mustangs were built for 1969, though a few hundred leftover cars were given 1970 serial numbers and minor cosmetic changes. The 1969 Shelby GT350 was powered by Ford’s new 290-horsepower 351-cubic-inch Cleveland V8 engine. This convertible was displayed at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show by the Volo Auto Museum.

1969 Dodge Charger "General Lee"

 

Introduced in 1966, the Dodge Charger had been redesigned for 1968 and therefore saw only minor changes for 1969. Engine choices ranged from the 145-horsepower 225 “Slant Six” to a variety of V8 options, including the 230-horsepower 318, 290-horsepower 2-barrel and 330-horsepower 4-barrel 383s, the 375-horsepower 440 “Magnum” and the 425-horsepower 426 “Hemi.” The 1969 Charger’s place in popular culture was cemented by its role as the orange “General Lee” race car, driven by John Schneider and Tom Wopat as Georgia cousins Bo and Luke Duke on the television series “The Dukes of Hazzard” from 1979 to 1985. A highlight of the show was the numerous jumps and other stunts performed by the “General Lee,” with the number of Chargers destroyed by the production reaching into the hundreds of cars, to the point that some 1968 Chargers were disguised as 1969 models for use on the show, and in later seasons the show resorted to reusing old footage and even using radio-controlled model cars for new jump scenes. This example, displayed by the Volo Auto Museum at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show, was apparently a promotional car owned by General Lee Enterprises. Though not used on screen, it was used in tours to promote the show, and when it was retired it was autographed by many of the cast members. Today, the Volo Auto Museum has a different “General Lee” in its collection that was one of the original cars built for the show.

1969 Cadillac Hearse

This 1969 Cadillac shown here in the Heritage Days Parade in Clatskanie, Oregon, on July 4, 1999, is a former hearse that is now used by the Astoria Clowns of Astoria, Oregon. Cadillacs were restyled in 1969, abandoning the vertically stacked headlights used from 1965 to 1968 in favor of more inboard horizontal headlights. During the 1969 calendar year, Cadillac's production exceeded 250,000 cars for the first time, despite strikes affecting the 1969 production run. Among the 1969 production run were 2,550 commercial chassis. With a 156-inch wheelbase and Cadillac's 375-horsepower 472-cubic-inch V8 engine, these chassis were used by custom coachbuilders to build ambulances, hearses, and funeral flower-cars. The coachbuilders that used these chassis included the Superior Coach Corporation of Lima, Ohio, Miller-Meteor in Piqua, Ohio, and the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. I believe this example was built by Superior.

1969-1970 Jaguar E-Type (XKE) 4.2 2+2 Coupe

This Jaguar E-Type, or XKE, is from 1969 or 1970. It represents the last E-Type Jaguars before V12 engines were introduced and major syling changes were made.

The year can be determined by the front details. There is no clear cover over the headlight scoops, indicating a 1968 or later model, and the turn signals are below the bumper, a change made for 1969. In 1971, when V12 engines arrived, a number of styling changes were made, most noticably a large grille opening. The 1969 and 1970 models are virtually identical.

The E-Type Jaguar was available in 3 body styles: a roadster, a coupe and a 2+2 coupe with a rear seat that was introduced in 1965. The exterior styling of the 2-seat coupe and the 2+2 coupe are almost identical, but the 2+2 is distinguished by longer doors and the associated side windows, due to an additional 9 inches in wheelbase, and the chrome strip along the top of the door below the window.

Another spotting feature that identifies this as a 1969 or 1970 model is the large taillights below the rear bumper.

When the E-Type Jaguar was introduced in 1961, it was powered by a 265-horsepower 3.8-liter inline 6-cylinder Jaguar XK6 engine. In 1964, the engine displacement was increased to 4.2 liters; horsepower remained at 265 but torque increased from 260 to 283 foot-pounds. This engine was used through 1970.

The interior of the E-Type also saw some changes in 1968, primarily in the center console, where toggle switches were replaced by rocker switches and the clock was moved among the gauges from within the tachometer.

The E-Type Jaguar is one of the most collectible classic cars, and this is a fine example of one of the last before the changes that came with the V12 engine began to significantly change the design.