May 1963: Corvette Stingray Road Test
Clean, simple, and relatable, this cover is a
snapshot in time. Even if you weren’t alive then,
it instantly transports you to a street corner as
you stop to gawk at the new Corvette Stingray
rumbling by. Minimal cover lines, no inset photos
of other cars, it’s the first golden era of cars
caught in the act. Scott EvansFebruary 1965: Car of the Year
My favorite cover announces the entire Pontiac
line as the Car of the Year. Favorite because
the ’65 Pontiacs were some of the best-looking
cars to come out of Detroit. Also, the lighting
and overall feel reminds me of those great print
ads that made cars look so elegant. Lastly,
it’s a simple cover that lets the cars speak for
themselves. As a bonus, the COTY award looks
space age. Rusty KurtzApril 1967: Sex ... and the Single Car!
What’s not to love? The “Sex ... and the Single
Car!” banner above a desmodromic V-8 with
four double-barrel carbs and a bundle of
snaking headers, the featured Shelby GT-500
vs. 427 Sting Ray comparison, and that we
used to sponsor the Motor Trend Riverside
500 race—all amazing. Also, the cover price
is in U.S. dollars (cents, actually, 50 of them),
whatever “UK 3’6” is, and the inscrutable
Swedish KR. 3.90 Inkl. oms! Chris WaltonJanuary 1970:
Dan Gurney Goes to Plymouth—Why?
I like this cover because it’s graphically
very clever. It’s an art director’s cover, before
editors and publishers get involved telling you
it’s ridiculous to have Dan Gurney sitting on
the wing. Pure graphic design. Herb Lubalin
would have approved. Alan Muir82 MOTORTREND.COM SEPTEMBER 2019