5 Classic Cars We Love

Americans have had a love affair with the automobile that has helped to define our culture. This love of cars has also defined many father-son relationships as dads around the country passed on their passions for great cars to their sons.

With Father’s Day approaching we’re looking back at some great cars that have inspired millions of fathers and sons over the years, and how you and your dad can relive some of that passion with the Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise which has an amazing selection of exotic cars available for rent.

Also, make sure to see the end of this post with a special giveaway!

1972 Corvette Stingray Convertible

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I had the opportunity to drive this beautiful Corvette last year at an event promoting the brand-new 2014 Corvette Sting Ray. This classic beauty was the sports car everyone wanted when I was a kid, and I would always joke around with my dad that I wanted a Corvette. There have been many classic Corvette designs over the years, but the curvy design of the C3 Corvettes are a common favorite. 1972 was the last year of the chrome bumpers for the Corvette, giving the car a more classic look. The 5.7L V-8 engine didn’t have the high horsepower ratings of previous generations from the 1960s, but this 4-speed Vette still had some serious straight-line acceleration.

As I mentioned in my review, the all-new Corvette Stingray more than carries on the Corvette tradition. The car is beautiful and the performance is amazing. Driving this car is a truly memorable experience and both the coupe and the convertible are available with the Enterprise Exotic Car Collection. If you’re looking for a great gift for dad it’s hard to beat some road time with the new Corvette.

1967 Cadillac Eldorado

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My dad always wanted to own a Cadillac, but he cared more about saving for our education so he went with other big cars from GM that were a little less expensive. This 1967 Cadillac Eldorado is a stunning example of the long and powerful American cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s. They were big and beautiful with huge engines and luxurious interiors and many Americans long for that era.

Lovers of big Cadillacs now turn to the huge and luxurious SUVs, and you can get an impressive Cadillac Escalade ESV through the Enterprise Exotic Car Collection, along with large luxury sedans from a wide variety of brands from Mercedes to Lexus.

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Cadillac introduces the Elmiraj Concept

I was on hand last Thursday evening as Cadillac unveiled the new Elmiraj Concept at Tehàma Golf Club in beautiful hills of Carmel, California. The setting was perfect for the introduction of this coupe concept car which gives us an exciting preview of Cadillac’s future. As you can see from the photos I took in the slideshow above, the Elmiraj is a beautiful vehicle that boldly moves Cadillac forward while also drawing inspiration from the iconic large coupes from its past.

The design of the vehicle grabs your attention from every angle, and the Elmiraj looks unlike anything you’ll find on the road today. The long wheelbase and the long dash-to-axle front profile give it a distinctive Cadillac look. I was very happy to see the large, vertical headlights that we first saw in the Ciel concept along with the vertical taillights as well. The Elmiraj also introduced a new Cadillac badge in the front grille with the iconic wreath removed.

Cadillac describes the Elmiraj as a “modern update to the classic format of a two-door grand coupe.” In a prepared statement, Clay Dean, executive director of advanced design, explained, “We were influenced in particular by the 1967 Eldorado, both its actual design and the fact that in its time that car was a very stark contrast and a new direction.” Cadillac included one of these classic Eldorados in its display for the Elmiraj at the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach.

1967 Eldorado

“Elmiraj advances Cadillac’s provocative modern design and performance, contrasted with bespoke craftsmanship and luxury,” said Mark Adams, Cadillac design director. “It explores performance driving, as well as how we’re approaching elevating the Cadillac range and new dimensions of Art & Science philosophy.”

Cadillac has been making an impression on consumers as sales are up 30% this year. We’re not surprised as we’ve been very impressed with Cadillac lately, as you’ll see in our upcoming review of the 2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6L Premium. Cadillac’s designers deserve credit along with the commitment to rear-wheel drive performance luxury vehicles.

With Elmiraj we’re seeing the brand continue that commitment. Elmiraj sports a 4.5-liter twin turbocharged V8 delivering an estimated 500 horsepower. We’ll see what exactly ends up in a production version of this vehicle, but Cadillac is making a statement by equipping the Elmiraj with a powerful engine like this. Elmiraj also sports 22-x-9-in. aluminum wheels along with large ceramic brakes with Cadillac monoblock calipers.

It’s refreshing to see an iconic brand like Cadillac draw inspiration from its past with a completely modern take. A grand coupe inspired by the Elmiraj would be a fantastic addition to Cadillac’s lineup.