As Boxing Day approaches we were taken with a pristine ’65 Mustang convertible in red with a white top. It struck us as the perfect vehicle for Santa Claus if he were to ever cut that flying sleigh and reindeer loose. It’s festive, fun and sports the right color combination for the jolly one.
Then, again, it doesn’t have a huge trunk so the question of where the stash the presents looms. Perhaps this huge ’63 Dodge Power Wagon would be the right answer to St. Nick’s theoretical quest. It’s red and white so the color combo fills the bill and the pick up bed would accommodate lots of loot. It’s a lifted four wheel drive truck which means snow drifts could be successfully challenged. The fact that it’s a crew cab means he could bring along some staff to help with the schlepping.
If he were to seek a bit more civilized conveyance he could try this terrific Jeep Wagoneer that dates from the days when Jeep was a product of American Motors. The same basic truck, produced successively by Willys, Kaiser, American Motors and Chrysler, was introduced in 1962 and continued in production through the 1991 model year. It certainly has more creature comforts that the Dodge Power Wagon but not quite the payload. Unlike the Mustang, he wouldn’t be able to take the top down which leads us to this early ’70s International Harvester Scout finished in spruce green . It’s got four wheel drive and the top comes off and the exterior color offers a nice contrast to Santa’s outfit.
But what of the little guys? Yes, the elves need appropriate wheels and we’ve come up with a few suggestions for them.
What about this Nash Metropolitan convertible we found at a light the other day? The color combo is right up Santa’s alley and the continental kit means the miniscule trunk has that much more space.
Or what about this Austin-Healey Sprite, a “bug eye” that dates from the late ’50s. It certainly gives the Metropolitan (with which it share the same motor, by the way) a run for the money in the cute department. It would seem to compliment Santa’s Mustang very nicely.
Lastly, for the little folks, we suggest this very original Austin Cooper, the Mini that started it all. The sliding windows saved British Motors, its manufacturer, money on the mechanics of roll down windows and created a tiny bit more space for stuffing presents in the door shelves. BMC actually built the Metropolitan for American Motors as well as the Sprite and the Mini. It’s a wonder they couldn’t stay in business.
Next year if you don’t hear the sound of hooves on your roof but, rather, a Mustang, Power Wagon, Wagoneer, Scout, Metropolitan, Sprite or Mini you’ll know why.
The Bug Eye Guy has lots of Sprites for sale and, yes, they all have human names. With a face like that it’s only to be expected.
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