Instagram Jump Start: Serving up some alphabet soup (XKE, GTO…)

Happy New Year! After a whirlwind of holiday activity – and for some of us, some much needed vacation time – it’s time to get back to work. That ain’t all bad, not if you start your week by checking out our most-liked posts on Instagram.

A Jaguar XKE topped the list (where have we heard that before?), and one of our favorite orphans – Pontiac – put two in the top five. Jump start your week by checking out the top photos on HagertyClassicCars from the past week:

1. 1963 Jaguar XKE (1,488 likes) – Although the car itself was completely new, the heartbeat of the 1963 Jaguar XKE roadster was the same 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine used in the previous Jaguar XK150S.The engine generated 265 hp, propelling the car to an advertised top speed of 150 mph.
   
2. 1968 Ford Fairlane (1,262) – The redesigned 1968 Ford Fairlane was a lower-cost alternative to the Torino; buyers could save about $220 by selecting a two-door hardtop Fairlane over a comparable Torino (that’s the equivalent of $1,535 today). Despite the savings, high-performance options were available on the Fairlane, however. Engine choices ranged from a 210-hp, 302-cid V-8 to a 390-hp, 427-cid V-8, and by year’s end a potent Cobra Jet 428 was offered.
   
3. 1968 Pontiac Firebird (1,214) – Wraparound turn signals on the front bumper were a new feature on the ‘68 Pontiac Firebird. This gorgeous convertible carries a 455-cid V-8 engine.
   
4. 1925 Packard Phaeton (1,160) – Simple by today’s standards but sophisticated for its time, the 1925 Packard Phaeton featured a retractable roof, 85-hp straight-eight engine, wood steering wheel, dashboard clock and plenty of leg room – front and back.
   
5. 1967 Pontiac GTO (1,149) – In addition to its eye-catching good looks, this ‘67 Pontiac GTO convertible is equipped with a 400-cid V-8 with Hurst Performance Dual-Gate shifter.
   

Best of the Rest – Less is more. Or so it has been said. Reminiscent of Volkswagen’s 1960 “Think Small” ad campaign, minimalist photographer Eva Gieselberg (@candycars.de) used a light blue matchbox car and an orange background to create an eye-catching photo that made us pause. It’s our favorite automotive Instagram post of the week.