Edsel is my pick as well. If Henry had been left to his own devices, he would have bankrupted the company by churning out the Model T forever. During the long period between 1920 and Edsel's untimely death, Edsel was not only responsible for encouraging innovation, he also tempered his increasingly autocratic managerial style and cleaned up his political and social messes. I have to imagine Edsel, as educated as his father was ignorant, died a little each time his father went off on the Jews (which was frequent, to say the least). Edsel also kept the government from nationalizing Ford because of Henry's opposition to the war by pressing for the utilization of Willow Run to produce B-24s. Mercury, Lincoln, and the '30s Fords - all of that was Edsel.

As far as Anglo-Japanese machines go, I'd still prefer this over a Triumph Acclaim. Or, if we go continental, an Alfa Romeo Arna. Yes, what will help people forget about the ongoing Beta rust issues is a Nissan with a spotty reputation for Waxoyl application!

There are a few of these later model Sterlings around Seattle. I always feel like saluting when I see one.

Volvos use the Haldex like the non-permanent 4x4 VW/Audis. It uses a non-Torsen center diff.

"Trucks!" with Stacy David was pretty good. "Horsepower TV" is occasionally interesting. My wife likes watching the Mecum auctions so that's the one I see most often.

I liked the GTI episode, especially when they gave up on hunting down the red grill trim and just spray-painted the parts they had.

"Adam-12" is great for classic car watching.

Merc. Fins for the win. I love cars that have a trunk that is almost as big as the front end. Probably why I love this:

http://www.fordcapri.ch/pictures/f-links/consulca...

"I should have known when I saw her, that thick Italian accent and Colorado Brown Metallic skin - I was going to have fun inside her, but I knew I'd regret it when I got home."

Being in Subaru country (Seattle), I am constantly reminded of how horrible the new Outback is. It's ugly and bloated and CUV-like. Consumer Reports loves it!

Final generation Eldorado. Yeah, I know, FWD and all that, but goddammit I love that wedge shape. And two doors!