As I commented on the formerly-owned thread, I once drove a Nash Metropolitan and it was a fun car to own. It would probably be more attention-getting now; in 1970 or so, it was just a weird little old car. I saw one back then with four wheel drive; somebody here in Anchorage put skis and tracks on one to make a snow-go. I've also seen one here with a 454 Chevy V8.
The Elf and the Imp are both eye-catching, but I would probably go with the majority and pick a Mini Cooper.
Is a split window Vette a fun car?
Why not a Volvo 1800S - over 30 mpg with the O/D, decent handling (w mods), cool styling, decent trunk
Renault R8 Gordini. I believe they were made from 63-68. I've always wanted one, but they're as rare as hen's teeth in N.A.
Mini-Cooper would probably be my second choice a a "fun" car, as in driving fun.
In reply to TR8owner: Forgot the photo.
Mmmm.... Imp goodness.
Well, I was going with the list of fun economy cars on the left. I would say a '63 Vette would be a fun car, but probably not an economy car...
I might add the Imp's "big brother" to the list; I've always been tempted by Corvairs.
I was 3 in 63. But I know this, gas was cheap enough that I wouldn't have been interested in economy cars. Maybe a 427 Galaxie, 421 Pontiac, max wedge Dodge, Corvette, Ferrari, Cobra, etc.., but not an economy car. 
In reply to oldeskewltoy:
It probably could have included the Volvo from a practical standpoint, but I liked the mix of tiny, fun economy-minded cars.
I'd pick any of them but the Nash, but in order of desirability I'd pick-
1) Imp
2) Elf
3) Mini
4) Prinz
5) Nash Metropolitan
The Cooper was not in the same class in 1963. The 850 Austin or Morris was more in the same category as the others. The Cooper was the sport version of the Mini and the only one with some sporty fun. The other three were just cheap transportation at the time. Students bought these cars used after the initial buyer get fed up with their weaknesses. The Dauphine and Fiat 600 could be added to the list. Cheers Ron
Mini. Not even a debate for me. I like the other cars well enough, but I want a Mini. Seriously want. If somebody offered me a running/crusty Mini for my very clean E30, I'd take it before they changed their mind.
Ron, I agree that the Cooper is a cut above the others. If the choice were just an 850 Mini, I might pick the Elf or the Imp. Ken
In reply to lasttr:
Definately a difference between the Mini 850 and Cooper series. I learned to drive on a Mini 850 and it was a slow car, which was actually a good thing for a 16 yr old I realize now. Later owned a 997cc Cooper and then a 1071cc Cooper S, which were much more spirited than the 850.
But....somewhere out there is that Renault R8 Gordini with my name on it. Damn, I want one of those some day.
I want an Imp or an NSU. The Imp is slightly more practical (as there are actually somewhat of a parts chain for those) but gosh, those NSUs are sexy in TT trim.
TR8owner, I've never driven an original Cooper, only a new Cooper S. Last year I spotted a Renault Dauphine with a Gordini badge in a fenced lot near my office. It seems to be gone now. I hadn't realized that there was such an animal.
In reply to lasttr:
I don't know if they were ever sold in North America. I spent most of my teenage years in Germany in the late 1960's because my dad was in the Canadian airforce and we were posted to a NATO base. I fell in love with the Renault R8 Gordini. The one I want is the 1967/68. They had a 1300cc 100 bhp engine and was a genuine Mini-Cooper S killer. One of the airmen on the base owned one and I used to drool every time he drove by. They were a rare car, even in Europe, but totally cool. I have no idea what their market value is, or how many are in N.A, but I hope to someday own one even if I have to import it from France.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_8
If wikipedia is to be believed, the Dauphine Gordini of the early '60s had 4-wheel disc brakes and increased power at 37 HP. I also see that Jonathan Burnette of Texas drove a Dauphine to Alaska and back last year. From the pictures, it does not appear to be the Gordini I spotted here.
Speaking of odd little French cars, my aunt drove a Simca 90A Aronde from about 1958 to 1963 when she traded it for a new Falcon.
I cast one vote for the lowly but bulletproof '63 Beetle. It's no Cooper S for sure, but still cheap and cheerful. Just my $.02. Cheers, Scott
In reply to lasttr:
There were several versions AFAIK, but the one I want is the 67/68 of the rally car photo I posted above. They were all sold in blue with white racing stripes. I was hitch hiking off the NATO base one time around 1968 and the previously mentioned airman gave my a ride in his R8 Gordini and I've never forgot it as he scared my teenage pants off me throttling the thing on twisty roads. I've wanted one ever since. It kind of reminds me of a four door Hillman Imp. The Imp and NSU were also similiar style with rear engines, but the Gordini was the performance top end of that that style of small displacement rear engined 60's Euro tuned econo box.
In reply to lasttr:
Here's a youtube of the car. Obviously they still have a following in Germany based on this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A9ahib9zZs&feature=related
I'd have liked to see Corvair on the list. It's was considered a compact economy car.
Althought I like Mini's and the others are cool, I did choose the Metro just for the cool cruising factor and it's flexibility to blend with a variety of venues. The others probably handle better though.
TR8owner, Great video. I was aware of the R8 Gordini, it is a very cool car. But it was the existence of the Dauphine Gordini that surprised me. Unfortunately, I didn't get a useful picture of it.
wlkelley3, I too would have liked to see the Corvair on the list. Too big, I guess. And though the Metropolitan is the only one of the 5 cars that I have driven, I can assure you that all the others handle far better!
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