Instagram Jump Start: Corvette wins a split (window) decision

21 November 2016

Boxing fans will tell you that every time the announcer declares “a split decision,” hearts skip a beat because the bout was obviously a close one. This week’s “split” decision on Instagram? Not so much. A 1963 Chevy Corvette – also known as a split-window coupe – won by knockout, easily gaining the most likes on HagertyClassicCars.

U.S.-built cars rounded out the rest of the top five, too, which seems appropriate as we celebrate an American tradition and gather for Thanksgiving this week.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette (1,435 likes) – The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette coupe came with a 327-cid V-8 that produced 250 to 360 hp, depending on the configuration, but it was its unique split-window rear-end styling that made the car memorable and desirable. A total of 10,594 coupes were built, carrying an MSRP of $4,038. Adjusting for inflation, that’s about $31,417 in today’s money. According to the Hagerty Price Guide, a 1963 Corvette coupe with 327/250 engine and in No. 1 (concours) condition is currently valued at $124,000.
1948 Ford F1 pickup truck (1,111) – Advertising for Ford’s first post-WWII truck design – which included this 1948 F1 half-ton pickup – highlighted the “living room comfort” of the truck’s new cab, which was taller and more spacious than previous releases. The cab featured an upholstered coil spring bench seat with plenty of room for a driver and two passengers.
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 (1,087) – Beginning in 1966, it was big-block or no block for Super Sport lovers as the Chevy Chevelle SS396 went from limited-edition showboat to mass-market muscle car. Cutting back in standard frills lowered the SS396’s price by roughly $1,500, and production surged to more than 72,000 units.
1957 Oldsmobile Starfire 98 (1,026) – Oldsmobile’s top-of-the-line 98 was called the Starfire 98 in 1957. The 98 was longer than the 88 and included the same accessories, along with power brakes, power steering, special emblems and a Jetaway HydraMatic transmission. Standard engine was a 277-hp, 371-cid Rocket V-8.
1932 Auburn 8-100A Speedster (958) – Just over 85 years ago, on Oct. 26, 1931, the Auburn Automobile Company announced the re-introduction of the Speedster. Designed by Alan H. Leamy, the sporty automobile stands only 63 inches high. While it didn’t sell in great numbers, it brought potential car buyers into Auburn showrooms. This 1932 Auburn 8-100A Speedster at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automotive Museum in Auburn, Ind., is powered by a 98-hp, 260-cid Lycoming inline-8 cylinder engine.

One We Love But You Only Liked – Every week there’s a photo on HagertyClassicCars that we think deserved a lot more “likes” than it received. This one – a close-up of a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain De Luxe hood ornament – is one of those.

Best of the Rest – Sometimes we’re attracted to the composition of a photo, sometimes the location, sometimes the cloud pattern or sunset, sometimes the amazing detail in a close-up shot. But every once in a while, none of those things matters half as much as the simple “wow, that’s cool” simplicity of the car itself. Take, for instance, this 1954 Fiat Turbina Concept at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that was posted by @lambolog. It’s our favorite auto-related Instagram post of the week.