Instagram Jump Start: ’59 police car wins one for the good guys

As much as we love Corvettes and Mustangs, neither could outrun a 1959 Chevy Bel Air police vehicle this week. Not on Instagram, at least. Although the sports cars had a head start, the ’59 Bel Air, a former Maumee, Ohio, squad car that participated in the recent Woodward Dream Cruise, gave chase – just like the good ol’ days – and eventually claimed the top spot among our followers. To honor those who protect and serve, grab yourself some coffee and donuts and check out our top five:

1. 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air police car (1,201 likes) – The 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air four-door sedan was offered with a number of engine choices, but considering that this one was used by the Maumee (Ohio) Police Department, we’re guessing it is equipped with the most powerful available: a 335-hp, 348-cid V-8.
   
2. 1959 Chevrolet Corvette (1,141) – A year after GM design boss Harley Earl restyled the Chevy Corvette, the 1959 version looked very similar, with twin headlights and a nine-tooth grille but minus the hood louvers and trunk spears on the ’58 models. A 283-cid V-8 was under the hood; horsepower options ranged from 230 to 290.
   
3. 1968 Ford Mustang (1,132) – The 1968 Ford Mustang coupe could be had with a variety of six- and eight-cylinder engines and horsepower ratings. This Highland Green model carries a 289-cid, 195-hp V-8.
   
4. 1950 Buick Super Estate Wagon (1,122) – In 1950, Buicks featured a new “bumper guard” grille with vertical chrome bars that looked like the car had an overbite. This 1950 Buick Super Estate Wagon, on the lawn at the recent Concours d’Elegance of America, is powered by a 112-hp, 263-cid Fireball straight-eight, giving the car a top speed of over 90 mph.
   
5. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1,099) – Although Mercedes-Benz had no intention of putting the 300SL into production – the company only planned to race its 300SLR – U.S. importer Max Hoffman convinced Daimler-Benz to offer a loosely-based production model. Unveiled in New York on Feb. 6, 1954, the 300SL became the first Mercedes-Benz introduced in the U.S. before being shown in Germany. This 1955 model – valued at more than $1,500,000 in No. 1 condition – is on display in the lobby at Hagerty’s headquarters in Traverse City, Mich.
   

Best of the Rest – If we were taking a drink when we first saw this post from @sirwheelsy, the poor guy across the table would have been wearing it. The eye-catching retro look of classic race cars lined up next to leggy models certainly pulled us in, but the nose-picking kid in car No. 12 sent us over the edge. Drop the mic.