The 10 Best American Cars For Cruising

I have to give a big shout out to one of my favourite car movies of all time. Before George Lucas got famous with Star Wars, he made a film called American Graffiti. It’s a coming-of-age flick set in 1962 California; the last night of summer vacation. If you’ve never seen it, I won’t spoil the rest. Go watch it now. This article will still be here when you’re done.

No other film better captures the golden age of the American car scene and the birth of our automotive love affair than American Graffiti. It also captures the essence of cruising - not street racing mind you, just the love of rolling through town on a Saturday night in your pride and joy, hanging out with your friends and just having fun.

We spend a lot of time talking about going fast, turning corners, clipping apexes and so forth. Sometimes though, we all need to slow down a bit and just enjoy the ride. For me, that means rolling along in a car that perhaps could go fast, but somehow feels even better going slow. If I could be 18 again for one last care-free night of summer time cruising, I’d do it in one of these rides.

1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Sport Coupe

My first two cars are straight from American Graffiti, starting with the 1958 Impala that Ron Howard’s character drove in the film. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air is more popular, but the 1958 model with the bullet tail lights and flatter fins just had a leaner stance. And of course it had V8 ‘Murican power.

1932 Ford Deuce Coupe

The infamous yellow ’32 Deuce has been a staple at just about every cruise night in America since American Graffiti was released in 1973. I’d be delighted to rock any 1930s era custom hot rod - 1934 Ford, 1933 Chevy, T-Bucket roadsters, you name it. But John Milner’s “fastest in town” 1932 Ford is the one I’d choose.

1977 Ford Thunderbird

The 1955-1957 Thunderbirds are the models everybody wants, but oddly enough I’d rather cruise in the biggest, slowest Thunderbird of them all. They were heavy and their V8 engines were hopelessly emissions-choked, but I always loved the long sweeping style of these late ‘70s T-birds. The rare t-tops made them even better, but even with a solid roof these big two-door Fords are epic for local or long distance cruising.

1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

My folks had a restored 1960 Cadillac convertible when I was in high school. It was just as big as the 1959 with nearly identical styling so I have some idea of what it’s like to cruise one of these. Imagine a two-door convertible that weighs 2.5 tonnes, is 19 feet long, has a big 6.4-litre V8, and sports a back seat large enough to, ah, “stretch out” in. It’s as elegant to drive as it is to behold, and I honestly can’t think of a properly big convertible that’s better for cruising than a 1959 Caddy.

1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster

So many great classic cars from the 1930s are overlooked these days, and the Auburn is one of them. Available with a supercharged 4.5-litre straight-eight engine, it could do 100mph back in the day when most cars struggled to reach 50. I would sell every spare organ in my body to cruise the California coast in a vintage Boattail.

1970 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup Truck

I was always rather fond of this generation of Chevrolet pickup. When they were new, these trucks were just plain, simple work vehicles. Time has been kind to the C-10’s styling, but this era also represents the beginning of the pickup’s evolution from that of a barebones work vehicle to something with substance and style. That’s why more of these are being reborn as custom restomods, and they make great cruising machines.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

Muscle cars are certainly great for cruising, but I find myself preferring something a bit softer for a casual cruise. I take exception for the 1970 Challenger R/T convertible; it’s stunning to look at, spacious and comfortable to drive and it makes all the right noises - especially at a lazy roll through town with the V8 burble echoing off the buildings.

1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z

Here’s my oddball for the list, primarily because it’s a front-wheel drive four-cylinder Dodge from the 1980s. But I need to confess a serious love for the Daytona and I’m not ashamed to admit it. The turbocharged 2.2-litre four cylinder made 146bhp so it wasn’t a complete bore to drive, and it was actually rather comfortable and well balanced for a front-driver. Besides, just look at it - all sleek and red with t-tops and everything. In 1986 my grade-school self fell hard for these cars, and that love just never went away.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette

I could be happy cruising just about any Corvette, but the early third-generation (C3) cars have always been my favourite. You could still get the wicked 427 V8 from the infamous 1967 ‘Vette, but honestly I don’t care what it has under the bonnet. I just want to roll through town, listening to the V8 and staring at its reflection in store windows as I pass by. There are only a few cars in the world I consider sexy, and the early C3 ‘Vette is one of them.

1970 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Convertible

Here’s another pseudo-muscle car choice, and yes, if I’m cruising I’d take the Cougar over any Mustang. I love the bold front grille with the hidden headlights. I love the swooping body lines that dip down to the rear wheels, and the slightly flared fenders offer just a hint of muscle. Like the Challenger, they’re spacious and comfortable inside - moreso than similar-era Mustangs in my opinion. And the XR-7’s V8 soundtrack can be as muffled or as loud as you’d like.