Editorial : January 16, 2009

Pay no attention to Greg’s Dream Garage list, this is the real deal. However, I drive a Ford Focus station wagon, so take my opinion for what it’s worth…

1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy Bird. I’ve always wanted a motorcycle, and if I can ever afford it, this is the one I’d get. You can keep your Harley’s and rice-powered-crotch-rockets. I’ll take this sucker any day of the week. Ridden by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape (albeit modified to look like a German BMW motorcycle), this mean motor scooter symbolizes a bygone era — one where escaped P.O.W.’s were free to roam the hills of a war torn Germany in search of one last ride. If it’s good enough for Steve McQueen, it’s good enough for me.

Willys MA US Army Jeep. During World War II, this was the iconic jeep. Manufactured by Willys-Overland Motors (until Ford stepped in because Willys couldn’t meet the increased manufacturing needs that a world at war brings), the Willys army jeep kept our soldiers safe and riding in style. Only 1,100 of the MA were created, making them a rare but highly sought after item for automotive afficianados.

1969 Pontiac GTO Judge. All rise, court is in session. Powered by a V-8 with 370 ponies and inspiring countless bad puns — “Here comes the judge!” — the Pontiac GTO is a muscle car that deserves your respect. Never achieving quite the same popularity as its Mustang brethren, the Pontiac GTO is still a badass ride that I would kill to have in my garage someday.

1959 Pontiac Bonneville. Handsome and glamorous. This is the perfect car for joyriding around town and making a statement. While not exactly an automotive powerhourse, the Bonneville still has a little bit under the hood with an enlarged 389 V-8 pulling down 268 hp stock. And its a convertible! Everybody likes a convertible…except for Sean Connery’s hairpiece.

1968 Mustang GT 390 Fastback. This car needs no introductions, especially from me. Anybody that reads the blog knows that I’m obsessed with Steve McQueen. He was the king of cool and as far as cars go, they don’t get much cooler than this. Driven by McQueen in Bullitt, this ’68 Mustang more than proves its got it where it counts. Unfortunately, the actual car that McQueen drove is currently kept in non-running condition by a nameless dipstick that doesn’t know the true treasure he has. If I had that car I’d wipe it with a diaper and sacrifice goats to it everyday. But like I said, I’m slightly obsessed.