HMMMM... I always admired the Mercedes Benz Gullwing Coupe but unfortunately their price always appreciated faster than my earning ability and over time the gap got so big I sort of realized it wasn't happening, or going to.
In the reality department I have had several fun vehicles but I'll just mention the top two ground transports and leave out boats and airplanes. I bought a new Sunbeam Tiger (Pretty much an Alpine with a Ford V-8 and 4-spd) but oh what a difference it makes to go from 1725cc 4 banger to a 289/302 high performance Ford V-8. Came stock with cast iron manifolds in and out, hydraulic lifters, stock cam, 2 barrel carb etc. Was a pretty snappy performer and with Ford's help they were making a good showing at the track. Chrysler bought a controlling interest in Routes Group (Like Gen Motors of England) the parent company of Sunbean, Talbot, etc. and as you might expect didn't do a lot of advertising for a Ford engined car nor did they support its racing campaigns.
After I had a thousand miles on the clock I was eligible to have the dealer install certain factory authorized and supplied modifications which included: Vic Edelbrock designed hi-rise aluminum intake manifold to accept a competition Harley 4 barrel carb, high performance racing cam and solid lifters, welded tuned exhaust headers with big dumps, dual point racing distributor, and I added a third party electronic magneto for improved spark and to jam all nearby electronic communications and some microwave ovens, pacemakers, and garage door controllers. This was a 165 MPH vehicle. I didn't do that often or for long but did see lots of tripple digit numbers on the speedo when conditions waranted doing it with a margin of safety. Dusting Vettes and E Jags was fun but usually not challenging. It was not a drag racer but the owners who opted for that ran around 108 or so at about 13 flat. Not bad for a "stock" sports car that had near perfect 50/50 weight distribution and cornered decently. Installed an intercom like motorcyclists use as on road trips my wife and I couldn't talk comfortably at cruise speed (90 or so) with the top down.
A close second for fun is my '61 VW beatle based street legal dune/beach buggy. Shortened wheel base by 14 inches by sectioning out space that was the gap between the front and rear seating. Replaced bug body with a no-doors fiberglass body. I have a full roll cage around passenger compartment and engine. Recently had a removable convertible top made with working/removable doors, removable top, and separately removable wrap around plastic window in the back. Can pop doors, top, or back window off and toss in the cargo/backseat area or for hot sun days leave the top of the top up for shade and remove the doors and back window. The engine isn't supermodified but does OK and the weight being significantly less I get good acceleration and a top speed over 80. Would prefer higher ratio gearing for higher R's and more power at slower road speed to have better low speed control in rough terrain but OH WELL. I could get part of that effect if I changed to smaller rear tires but I like having tires a foot wide as they tread lightly on the land.
I lied, I'll mention a third vehicle. A Suzuki GT365 3cyl 2 stroke motorcycle. It was amazing for its displacement, accelerated nicely due to always having a cylinder in its power stroke.
Thanks to the previous posters for listing so much American performance iron. Over the years I had forgotten the names of many of the cars I used to "surprise" with the Tiger.
Patrick
