tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7140142709767858002024-03-15T13:34:04.867-07:00Crawling From The WreckageCrawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.comBlogger945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-65120416401713341762024-03-11T18:25:00.000-07:002024-03-13T13:20:18.949-07:001955 Cadillac - Profit Margins<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84JGMHChpOelaJpT66yYl75oPDLXWiAshKn2p6bZyI3Un0rk0JWMpZGzJAMUEE3Hf05aF1NX1QvHcypfrsp8xz5hGf22pTo3bGJ82XlezIG2pax8PcoWFKr8nH12Jdizj8QO3plBUp1UkLl8kcA3uJrOtJVB8xgfxbi4acYlaxA_a9f1XAZsKEwaFVbZL/s960/424918437_10225950865341820_8656713069755856970_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84JGMHChpOelaJpT66yYl75oPDLXWiAshKn2p6bZyI3Un0rk0JWMpZGzJAMUEE3Hf05aF1NX1QvHcypfrsp8xz5hGf22pTo3bGJ82XlezIG2pax8PcoWFKr8nH12Jdizj8QO3plBUp1UkLl8kcA3uJrOtJVB8xgfxbi4acYlaxA_a9f1XAZsKEwaFVbZL/w400-h300/424918437_10225950865341820_8656713069755856970_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This 1955 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe deVille is part of Cadillac's first major update of their seminal post war models that debuted in 1948. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4fbtYota_5974elAM88uEa1hI1IRgdPsCwt6saNvirOUDgglg01GZ5ddunprWcts50YS-aVi52FFsitCLmS9N0TwBHMInqA-_M_4mbXIi8U4qx4_2X76t0Lgy3YzmtA0EU874PYHeyb_asoDnfnWo7deOfBS1f1inKUKpi_NDi8h11HSnJ3FBZ4yRr3N/s960/423132288_10225950822980761_5745217696907423057_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4fbtYota_5974elAM88uEa1hI1IRgdPsCwt6saNvirOUDgglg01GZ5ddunprWcts50YS-aVi52FFsitCLmS9N0TwBHMInqA-_M_4mbXIi8U4qx4_2X76t0Lgy3YzmtA0EU874PYHeyb_asoDnfnWo7deOfBS1f1inKUKpi_NDi8h11HSnJ3FBZ4yRr3N/s320/423132288_10225950822980761_5745217696907423057_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That update occurred for model year 1954 with the '54's being longer, lower and wider than what they replaced. The tailfins, which first cropped up on 1948 models, were bigger than ever too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ518a3fP5-SIGm1cb8wWWIxKrtEZ9nv2fCKm_BT8J_IoQkU9kUqvrbnX-5R_gflSJ5XnlY7uV9kVy0mT6FmnCyQQfez5dmd_hw031TB1xFO5FgrbRFMdbwagSlbElhiFi6UwtF6eMLalKA_Iqh5vKI3iZUlQXmyztGK7KbosX6MszLkwFcD2osO8g5Py9/s960/425313232_10225950821620727_5849771241148889227_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ518a3fP5-SIGm1cb8wWWIxKrtEZ9nv2fCKm_BT8J_IoQkU9kUqvrbnX-5R_gflSJ5XnlY7uV9kVy0mT6FmnCyQQfez5dmd_hw031TB1xFO5FgrbRFMdbwagSlbElhiFi6UwtF6eMLalKA_Iqh5vKI3iZUlQXmyztGK7KbosX6MszLkwFcD2osO8g5Py9/s320/425313232_10225950821620727_5849771241148889227_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">1955 was a big year for General Motors as they became the first company in history to net a profit of more than a billion dollars - in a single year. Actually, they made around 1.22-billion and their profit margins were an absurd, especially for an auto maker, 10-percent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpztf0s-ufMD54thtru4UNypLC4pHn0jNK2SUKMBviidlLrozIBcFbvwfQ7avTZWrd6bfze39c0vQDyVyub3XNCfL6a_7OppNWPSAUsPnNrEqm_lrbKQqXIs3xO0-4mreEhmFrwRfy5KoMr7QXY9reN2-ZdwtKwgrD2chXSkOveJhxJ6XecrMs4dG8VU2/s960/424741209_10225950823620777_6455692801037596423_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpztf0s-ufMD54thtru4UNypLC4pHn0jNK2SUKMBviidlLrozIBcFbvwfQ7avTZWrd6bfze39c0vQDyVyub3XNCfL6a_7OppNWPSAUsPnNrEqm_lrbKQqXIs3xO0-4mreEhmFrwRfy5KoMr7QXY9reN2-ZdwtKwgrD2chXSkOveJhxJ6XecrMs4dG8VU2/s320/424741209_10225950823620777_6455692801037596423_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">By comparison, Walmart today has a profit margin of maybe 2-percent. You almost can't blame GM for wanting to keep their profit margins at those stratospheric levels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfWMazTzdAzvHz-v4n2HH-XpjBnujuEnOiPxOEcojDSNlUVm3n3gsDeMw9bQW1a8Mjj72wSZOi171AGIU1Uc63Cce0QGy9eLa3Jau25lU6WMoytqVAhZNc6VIBuMuNW9Q-RhTzyzWuIzxyAMNe_FiEO0ILP9POHvwWf3qKrw9RfNC802aKuk7qU4-vfhf/s960/425379650_10225950821500724_1321725767398604454_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfWMazTzdAzvHz-v4n2HH-XpjBnujuEnOiPxOEcojDSNlUVm3n3gsDeMw9bQW1a8Mjj72wSZOi171AGIU1Uc63Cce0QGy9eLa3Jau25lU6WMoytqVAhZNc6VIBuMuNW9Q-RhTzyzWuIzxyAMNe_FiEO0ILP9POHvwWf3qKrw9RfNC802aKuk7qU4-vfhf/s320/425379650_10225950821500724_1321725767398604454_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Problem was, to do so, they began skimping, especially on what made a Cadillac a Cadillac. Even by 1955, many of the features that were once unique to Cadillac had trickled down to General Motors "lesser" models. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtRrE6jSoi52zJX31b-KxEPKTqaxsrN1PggG6A9dnnBjwwzaBgGRVsSwLCNe5WJLunSRy8LfuHHOkScVvQxCjLslwyiR19SvAJSvLAsQXZMKYKwZLNGO3j18khNK3AD9khs_U033AlwEt9v2jC1aPMZETglP18DTNODpyXIkCdt-XCBdXE9mXkSKe5x50/s960/425353231_10225950824220792_9005921626457503209_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtRrE6jSoi52zJX31b-KxEPKTqaxsrN1PggG6A9dnnBjwwzaBgGRVsSwLCNe5WJLunSRy8LfuHHOkScVvQxCjLslwyiR19SvAJSvLAsQXZMKYKwZLNGO3j18khNK3AD9khs_U033AlwEt9v2jC1aPMZETglP18DTNODpyXIkCdt-XCBdXE9mXkSKe5x50/s320/425353231_10225950824220792_9005921626457503209_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For instance, you could even get air conditioning in a Chevrolet not to mention a V-8 engine. Although, that V-8 engine in a Chevy was tiny in comparison to the brute under the hood of a Cadillac. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65vmYxvZEGpy5b4oe9eTbX2XpT7_MkRfJfKT_oGpjvCtv2x-O-bjT6bdV6cAazUadZoI2QBF1_hspSdx489Z9kLvglaT3Jp1uxTRi4gb0pyIj_Z-h3SyiNiAKGGU-dgaLthsDz9v8hKR4_pkoL_ExnrI64JgnzQ2fvjbygGFzgbnz5gAjHXIlBdYZ_J3_/s960/425368673_10225950823500774_8299974255931055857_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65vmYxvZEGpy5b4oe9eTbX2XpT7_MkRfJfKT_oGpjvCtv2x-O-bjT6bdV6cAazUadZoI2QBF1_hspSdx489Z9kLvglaT3Jp1uxTRi4gb0pyIj_Z-h3SyiNiAKGGU-dgaLthsDz9v8hKR4_pkoL_ExnrI64JgnzQ2fvjbygGFzgbnz5gAjHXIlBdYZ_J3_/s320/425368673_10225950823500774_8299974255931055857_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Maintaining those huge profit margins of 1955 left Cadillac with little more to market than styling and the prestige of the brand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie83R6hUi6JHp6U3U0y2M4rTS2UgMKLXoIinfp-KBPw36kcZfNxEx_gb6Sa9bHDuy3666tdF2fLiS8w2jVQxB-yUeicMnrt-yLyIcQwhg0yd50SCmaXAAzbcgYoxfDQ-E0U5cOdFBz4eR8pfxJCx4dbdruVWDxapQCmJ-gi2u4ZyEq0mdiTX8R0UCrX9Jj/s960/425368966_10225950822620752_3645511362716633321_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie83R6hUi6JHp6U3U0y2M4rTS2UgMKLXoIinfp-KBPw36kcZfNxEx_gb6Sa9bHDuy3666tdF2fLiS8w2jVQxB-yUeicMnrt-yLyIcQwhg0yd50SCmaXAAzbcgYoxfDQ-E0U5cOdFBz4eR8pfxJCx4dbdruVWDxapQCmJ-gi2u4ZyEq0mdiTX8R0UCrX9Jj/w400-h300/425368966_10225950822620752_3645511362716633321_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Didn't seem to matter for about ten-years, though, but by the mid-'60's, buyers of the means to afford a Cadillac were beginning to catch on that their Cadillac wasn't anything more special than a Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac or, heaven-forbid, a Chevrolet. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-70637217033695026362024-03-07T03:13:00.000-08:002024-03-07T03:13:18.905-08:001988 Pontiac Grand Am - Hollywood Had it All Wrong <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkWHRqrl6QGy8r5gnhlJ0x5KR0rkbDjsP2vN7uOqiP8UlXy3cFRnaRZsJ_GuiiVm8zXeC_HlbJdukoF7z4GdNJUvZHFReOimVcULpLtHz7SG8iI8IIrOi7pKZJXAlOf2vm_aDmnUCpC0sIEWy8SY_EgVHyWloMYLbApVYU8IP0hh6TC3EHiLgpkbwIzZD/s960/365207196_3525156954388658_6910805078109824109_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkWHRqrl6QGy8r5gnhlJ0x5KR0rkbDjsP2vN7uOqiP8UlXy3cFRnaRZsJ_GuiiVm8zXeC_HlbJdukoF7z4GdNJUvZHFReOimVcULpLtHz7SG8iI8IIrOi7pKZJXAlOf2vm_aDmnUCpC0sIEWy8SY_EgVHyWloMYLbApVYU8IP0hh6TC3EHiLgpkbwIzZD/s320/365207196_3525156954388658_6910805078109824109_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Funny how Hollywood paints a picture of '80's cars as everyone driving a DeLorean. In reality, back in the '80's it seemed everyone was driving a Pontiac Grand Am like this 1988. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChsCcE0eKKnIG8oCzMxDwaEHkhjgFo6fHNKAzX0DYCZbfFKH-nK4Ciccv36pU2yZMc7pcTDPb9CV2ZFC7lOMsD78XdsJp3aWhznMufH5s_Nw2BwPDQs7jKBZ0Ehyphenhyphenx3oS5WgXQ-bwol0stJ4rYIxUiI_zFwO8cKdUxvfUcV9J6sAzN3U_bkOpUapbG-JVL/s960/363395535_3525155244388829_5820585515099660573_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChsCcE0eKKnIG8oCzMxDwaEHkhjgFo6fHNKAzX0DYCZbfFKH-nK4Ciccv36pU2yZMc7pcTDPb9CV2ZFC7lOMsD78XdsJp3aWhznMufH5s_Nw2BwPDQs7jKBZ0Ehyphenhyphenx3oS5WgXQ-bwol0stJ4rYIxUiI_zFwO8cKdUxvfUcV9J6sAzN3U_bkOpUapbG-JVL/s320/363395535_3525155244388829_5820585515099660573_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If the insurance premiums on a Pontiac Firebird were too rich for you and you still wanted to make a fashion statement, and you somehow had the means to afford a new car, there was a good chance you drove a Pontiac Grand Am. These things were everywhere. Now a days they're as hard to find as a Members Only jackets, Guess Jeans and Milli Vanilli. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6m5sfCmuUjtlcENcmQFUXgqvi34Ulwhpf3UA38XUDDT4VfYXLky_a9xebX0tSgpvQoBij0PFkYRWxPKgVksqCODToWDWAnTt_HdyjA1h2jPfgpl1r0yHHQJQuY7Rj4LcjeXvdsPj14GdsODS-9pSDwZJRUXIX7I6z-KSwGx7w7dYOdp1fZn38ofu1SCZ/s960/414472850_3620796138158072_2928995467516872378_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6m5sfCmuUjtlcENcmQFUXgqvi34Ulwhpf3UA38XUDDT4VfYXLky_a9xebX0tSgpvQoBij0PFkYRWxPKgVksqCODToWDWAnTt_HdyjA1h2jPfgpl1r0yHHQJQuY7Rj4LcjeXvdsPj14GdsODS-9pSDwZJRUXIX7I6z-KSwGx7w7dYOdp1fZn38ofu1SCZ/s320/414472850_3620796138158072_2928995467516872378_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These were the third cars Pontiac called Grand Am and they were by far and away the best-selling ones up to that point. They replaced the Pontiac version of the infamous Chevrolet Celebrity that was known as the Pontiac Phoenix. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3s8Zs1u0-AkilhG1uNCEeXJRkwfczC8EjTfMlmNloS2u1JqRlJJpJqXAiialtQ03JEEfZw_SOzZVs5ElcHtUkRmnIHgw5FpjnfQefCM-YCEu_b9Li8_qFlkw82tgCT0EUk7iK6yiNtfwH1sEdPT_v_eOFSRMOYdeevCf3P6AT33PJXrQA0vkebkuYbAY/s960/363383730_3525155314388822_3306175662444378565_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3s8Zs1u0-AkilhG1uNCEeXJRkwfczC8EjTfMlmNloS2u1JqRlJJpJqXAiialtQ03JEEfZw_SOzZVs5ElcHtUkRmnIHgw5FpjnfQefCM-YCEu_b9Li8_qFlkw82tgCT0EUk7iK6yiNtfwH1sEdPT_v_eOFSRMOYdeevCf3P6AT33PJXrQA0vkebkuYbAY/s320/363383730_3525155314388822_3306175662444378565_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Somewhat curiously, although planned as four-door sedans from the get-go, when these first debuted in 1985, they were only available as two-door coupes like our '88 here; they came with the four-door versions starting in 1986. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-oqO5TYY9rE5HZe8jWKabk5dC_eMKVyJaC1hLLULzP8KP2oLty6Hnmb8gM-68VXTK5EYtNtzFr7O397lpRocOtOhephPujOnn4IPSVQoNGwd2fge2MJzNA-pI1y22IBHXLqylvppYOkPUSDVy_nwaYpGo33_i5X6_CN2tzR9hZtZtxg5-YhPAXAJb6xW/s960/363392220_3525155207722166_3961724137883801063_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-oqO5TYY9rE5HZe8jWKabk5dC_eMKVyJaC1hLLULzP8KP2oLty6Hnmb8gM-68VXTK5EYtNtzFr7O397lpRocOtOhephPujOnn4IPSVQoNGwd2fge2MJzNA-pI1y22IBHXLqylvppYOkPUSDVy_nwaYpGo33_i5X6_CN2tzR9hZtZtxg5-YhPAXAJb6xW/s320/363392220_3525155207722166_3961724137883801063_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These cars shared their chassis and running gear with the Oldsmobile Calais, Buick Skylark and Somerset. Chevrolet's Beretta and Corsica rode on a similar chassis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmwnMMpxOH7QxxtH-TsU-v_D5tV-gWseF9O2izvshN6bnmHYXyAzffgoCXBct2IugJzrBUJ-0Ysn-3Lu5b-NK0wU-Jfl5gY59RVFONVf8ojMl55u6GearENB6_6EPtwZSk9v-BUTe5AV9cgMMJeH28xNI3J2xZp_YeSTee7UnssNBlcXIu07bjXW9gR4Y/s960/414486668_3620796071491412_655408234547031537_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmwnMMpxOH7QxxtH-TsU-v_D5tV-gWseF9O2izvshN6bnmHYXyAzffgoCXBct2IugJzrBUJ-0Ysn-3Lu5b-NK0wU-Jfl5gY59RVFONVf8ojMl55u6GearENB6_6EPtwZSk9v-BUTe5AV9cgMMJeH28xNI3J2xZp_YeSTee7UnssNBlcXIu07bjXW9gR4Y/s320/414486668_3620796071491412_655408234547031537_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Grand Am was a staple of GM's long gone Pontiac division through model-year 2005. Pontiac replaced it for 2006 with a model they called the G6, G6 denoting the sixth generation of the Grand Am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6eEx0mYItIXx3lTIIAul7xkigcyFaesrEwebuNHAsYyb5L8wPqF090s8Ah_c8lbFY1H_yke60GrM3aFjMIBLRnKzRtFKivjUPF-cRm4fDojnT-pZOCLVwu0G6VJJP0Rbh4RALvbznxwehYgAnXF5fPQ7YHZ44fA0R4zPBpY1zwyxBQOwDAo18ZAgNe-t/s960/370564500_3542806732623680_6230147086385514970_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6eEx0mYItIXx3lTIIAul7xkigcyFaesrEwebuNHAsYyb5L8wPqF090s8Ah_c8lbFY1H_yke60GrM3aFjMIBLRnKzRtFKivjUPF-cRm4fDojnT-pZOCLVwu0G6VJJP0Rbh4RALvbznxwehYgAnXF5fPQ7YHZ44fA0R4zPBpY1zwyxBQOwDAo18ZAgNe-t/s320/370564500_3542806732623680_6230147086385514970_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-UCbmdichKUgByaoxsi-E3FaO3upFYAv5rE9gyYNSZzFbDcQk2uZQfNFf9Dc8dexw-rTX37IWuToo1yKgueQIEYVjbHGwtYbF5nN5Z37j4x3JkCbeDMmfw_PO59rFRL1lmFcX_KEZE3WvbaB90S66tPqHdNoyQW7387BgD7LEZ_Sg7FRT5kOJv4OF2df/s960/414479751_3620796121491407_4303760570965367417_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-UCbmdichKUgByaoxsi-E3FaO3upFYAv5rE9gyYNSZzFbDcQk2uZQfNFf9Dc8dexw-rTX37IWuToo1yKgueQIEYVjbHGwtYbF5nN5Z37j4x3JkCbeDMmfw_PO59rFRL1lmFcX_KEZE3WvbaB90S66tPqHdNoyQW7387BgD7LEZ_Sg7FRT5kOJv4OF2df/s320/414479751_3620796121491407_4303760570965367417_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-79876583125733831432024-03-02T03:48:00.000-08:002024-03-05T09:28:23.485-08:001979 Mercury Marqus (Coupe!) - Hypocrites! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6oo3BksGvku6LsLYJVafuGCP4zSSn7w4y5HF1t186VdvO-2f1oQY7kYrE2smWXlDM8aBmqgbLlcKOv2rK22fbAHSiE0NTONVIt3_2_YWGRLpknhYhXfl9oVFvtuOrxjororARqVxAIh5Ew6Ujb3xgaYEM5wle1z8uOHs4GwZECN2Qf9sIqZpZ0TpYOHt/s960/426699497_7155464871174681_9006657333692393055_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6oo3BksGvku6LsLYJVafuGCP4zSSn7w4y5HF1t186VdvO-2f1oQY7kYrE2smWXlDM8aBmqgbLlcKOv2rK22fbAHSiE0NTONVIt3_2_YWGRLpknhYhXfl9oVFvtuOrxjororARqVxAIh5Ew6Ujb3xgaYEM5wle1z8uOHs4GwZECN2Qf9sIqZpZ0TpYOHt/w400-h300/426699497_7155464871174681_9006657333692393055_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">What do you get when you cross a panther and a gas crisis? Why, a Mercury Marquis, of course. In this case not just any Marquis but a 1979 Mercury Marquis coupe. You don't see these every day and you didn't see many "back in the day" either. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Years ago, it was the rare sedan that wasn't offered in both four- and two-door guises. Four-door sedans were sold at a premium, you wanted to save a buck or two, you bought a two-door. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl2JNAkf8dk1o4PUQbT1dCv145P3nJcVRV-lBYlbZxbSWHMC55Sxm0C-CFSnaD9elTJjhOePOsWoun61QqF-KkBgFhmVtSCiEabfG4lOMrP4QYhYW0QRLZJjc7CCCniwyTKbqCxm0q6lPQP9lb1KGYYTH0lvJ7hyphenhyphenvEn0CUewgSDg0y3qJomeZuqDBXT8v/s960/426577219_7255724691211352_6470758188800618846_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl2JNAkf8dk1o4PUQbT1dCv145P3nJcVRV-lBYlbZxbSWHMC55Sxm0C-CFSnaD9elTJjhOePOsWoun61QqF-KkBgFhmVtSCiEabfG4lOMrP4QYhYW0QRLZJjc7CCCniwyTKbqCxm0q6lPQP9lb1KGYYTH0lvJ7hyphenhyphenvEn0CUewgSDg0y3qJomeZuqDBXT8v/s320/426577219_7255724691211352_6470758188800618846_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the increase in popularity of four-door sedans, what with their comparative impracticality in relation to them, sales of two-door sedans began to diminish with, at best, their offering little more than a tad more styling elan than the four-door version. In the case of this '79, Mercury marketed its, ahem, sporty roofline to appeal to the fashion conscious. Like many things, what's sporty and what's not is a matter of taste and opinion. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Somewhat ironically, though, in the 1970's, while sales of two-door sedans dropped off, sales of personal luxury cars, which were exclusively two-door models, soared. In retrospect, especially in this day and age of do-everything-well sporty-utilities, it's a bit of a challenge to understand the appeal of personal luxury cars to say nothing of two-door sedans. You either get it, like I do, or you don't. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although Ford advertised that their models were still full-sized for 1977 and 1978, they too downsized come 1979 when they introduced a line of new full-size Ford and Mercury models that were up to 17-inches shorter and 700-pounds lighter than what they replaced. No one seemed to notice or care Ford appeared hypocritical when they downsized their big cars for 1979, seemed all but inevitable anyway. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNXh2WFcw8LZW30A_VBAZ2l9a3bDWhaSspwnRw5g_0JiQgE6y93YKpFfi2WPr9nezbiOGTl7q1qGem6tV1lgK95FycoxU3WsjWzBXsNMyKBftmNV45v6rY-dN2j00g1Ok8OXa861nX-k-rZDqWqfQYvqlcI0cFMqNCzyT5PI218rkbqcVQfOS3V21k_Bi/s960/426558326_7398816210169995_7772073977705335933_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNXh2WFcw8LZW30A_VBAZ2l9a3bDWhaSspwnRw5g_0JiQgE6y93YKpFfi2WPr9nezbiOGTl7q1qGem6tV1lgK95FycoxU3WsjWzBXsNMyKBftmNV45v6rY-dN2j00g1Ok8OXa861nX-k-rZDqWqfQYvqlcI0cFMqNCzyT5PI218rkbqcVQfOS3V21k_Bi/s320/426558326_7398816210169995_7772073977705335933_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All but inevitable as The Big Three all downsized to make their cars more fuel-efficient to be in compliance with federal fuel-economy standards. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ford built their smaller big cars on what they referred to internally as the panther platform, named such, legend goes, to differentiate it from the Fox-platform or chassis that was introduced in 1978; the Fox platform named after the Audi Fox that purportedly inspired its design. The panther nickname was also, no doubt, a reference to the Mercury division's mascot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Incidentally, a panther and cougar are different names for big cats; cougars are found primarily in north and south America; panthers can be found in the America's but are primarily found in Asia and Africa. Other names for big cats are mountain lion, catamount and puma. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIFjX9tRUyKrlR-TShnS1FRADNTu3ziYEJgYwPvbh9g_-1x35Mi-gIBz_RNdUtSu4cVY-vJQJ-5OCMYQELeQwuKNaxw2tZqMhfrbNLlCwuvHjolJiNKvXhMwX7XygisjBlII9VvAs_Yp4yFHTefJp44ArFVkDZsDbHFi59ADew4qrGVTLQ_ge7Sw_UltB/s960/426556777_7484122504939534_8032115152736974644_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIFjX9tRUyKrlR-TShnS1FRADNTu3ziYEJgYwPvbh9g_-1x35Mi-gIBz_RNdUtSu4cVY-vJQJ-5OCMYQELeQwuKNaxw2tZqMhfrbNLlCwuvHjolJiNKvXhMwX7XygisjBlII9VvAs_Yp4yFHTefJp44ArFVkDZsDbHFi59ADew4qrGVTLQ_ge7Sw_UltB/s320/426556777_7484122504939534_8032115152736974644_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Amazingly considering Ford introduced the Panther chassis as a stop gap with plans to discontinue it after 1982, Ford built the panther-based Marquis, in one form or another, along with the Ford and Lincoln versions for 33-model years making it one of the longest running production platforms in American Automobile history. </div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Mercury Marquis nameplate had dated back to 1967, was built on a longer wheelbase version of the chassis the Ford LTD was on and was offered, somewhat ironically, at first as only a two-door hardtop. When Ford redesigned their big cars for 1969, the Marquis was offered with four-doors as well as two. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Ford rolled out the panther-based Marquis and LTD for 1979, for the first time, both cars rode on the same chassis with the same wheelbase length. They shared all but the same body as well. You wouldn't be alone in thinking this was a Ford LTD; it all but is. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6vBiKjx8Z6IHg5LEYhwe_1omJVqfmIL2SQCui0-Vs2EhFZS-0uz3HXfbRgBwp33v0YFBU_IL5hnLcthLy9BgGzuUnw3BcCVTt3Mj129iRIPvUYWRnU0zSdX-PRlw5n0iHZI2JjVb_40A4ILQxDwAwjH9rvzAuZ8Yo92CeAdmYvAlfywVvPAvPNhw_G1m/s960/426601323_6998105463645003_257370981878984850_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6vBiKjx8Z6IHg5LEYhwe_1omJVqfmIL2SQCui0-Vs2EhFZS-0uz3HXfbRgBwp33v0YFBU_IL5hnLcthLy9BgGzuUnw3BcCVTt3Mj129iRIPvUYWRnU0zSdX-PRlw5n0iHZI2JjVb_40A4ILQxDwAwjH9rvzAuZ8Yo92CeAdmYvAlfywVvPAvPNhw_G1m/s320/426601323_6998105463645003_257370981878984850_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lincolns moved to a longer-wheelbase version of the panther-chassis for 1980. They got a unique body as too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p>Despite the smaller external dimensions, like the downsized GM big cars, these cars were roomier inside than what they replaced, Ford advertising up to 11-cubic feet more of interior volume, along with greater glass area improving visibility. Credit that to engineers calling the shots first, stylists called in after to do what they did. I think they did a nice job with these coupes, then again, I'm sort of partial to them. The four-door versions? Meh, not so much. The improved interior efficiency highlighting how space inefficient the models these cars replaced were. The days of form over function were over. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZAdlo7rwJxo04S-7V5pDAjdnPNfq5O4v1YzyARnMYQRXCg7cyUHTroazuVi2jPQ5dlHWYerDxza4spzZxDNCQEAu27oJh3IeFk3ZylOaVWtImF4OTxpGzcmvSfKL_1YS_6jT1rBjP-OBdEX5htBufb2vfNClvdv16EmJBxvLnIpmFYN9og8N6l7UziIx/s960/423612095_7585561794811561_3977481834760444879_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZAdlo7rwJxo04S-7V5pDAjdnPNfq5O4v1YzyARnMYQRXCg7cyUHTroazuVi2jPQ5dlHWYerDxza4spzZxDNCQEAu27oJh3IeFk3ZylOaVWtImF4OTxpGzcmvSfKL_1YS_6jT1rBjP-OBdEX5htBufb2vfNClvdv16EmJBxvLnIpmFYN9og8N6l7UziIx/s320/423612095_7585561794811561_3977481834760444879_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p>Ford made these handsome coupes through 1987 but, again, they sold poorly. Ford monkeyed around with the moniker starting in 1983 moving it to a Fox-body, four-door sedan for 1983 through 1986, it was replaced ultimately by the Mercury version of the Ford Taurus that was known as the Sable. Since the 1979 to 1982 Marquis actually sold fairly well, well, the four-door models did, Mercury kept the car around calling it the "Grand Marquis" from 1983 all the way through 2011; big difference being they were four-door sedans only. The Grand Marquis had been an interior trim package on the Marquis brougham going back to 1974. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6oo3BksGvku6LsLYJVafuGCP4zSSn7w4y5HF1t186VdvO-2f1oQY7kYrE2smWXlDM8aBmqgbLlcKOv2rK22fbAHSiE0NTONVIt3_2_YWGRLpknhYhXfl9oVFvtuOrxjororARqVxAIh5Ew6Ujb3xgaYEM5wle1z8uOHs4GwZECN2Qf9sIqZpZ0TpYOHt/s960/426699497_7155464871174681_9006657333692393055_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6oo3BksGvku6LsLYJVafuGCP4zSSn7w4y5HF1t186VdvO-2f1oQY7kYrE2smWXlDM8aBmqgbLlcKOv2rK22fbAHSiE0NTONVIt3_2_YWGRLpknhYhXfl9oVFvtuOrxjororARqVxAIh5Ew6Ujb3xgaYEM5wle1z8uOHs4GwZECN2Qf9sIqZpZ0TpYOHt/w400-h300/426699497_7155464871174681_9006657333692393055_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></p></div><p style="text-align: justify;">1979 was the best-selling year for the Marquis coupes with more than 20,000 sold. Sales cratered in 1980 and never recovered making our '79 here fairly rare if not unique. </p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-46609357949287029562024-02-04T06:21:00.000-08:002024-02-04T06:21:52.240-08:001982 Chevrolet Caprice (Coupe!) - Blue Bonnet<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA91DS045d-IZODR_AuBIuzXalOTmmpLTOdIvQkOwvFmK-UNu4UtFaNs4csJ6yeqLHZ1d6NydyJUjRWX4vRkMUV9o6_hBwhtjimWkVOCvCAUkWrmRcFE_8xUsppKwKW5YG1PpOqd7exX4-pVRk_DwPXJz2U5z57utl484EyJKBMyRtM_onU2wEY-NZArkq/s960/421467689_7373572059373675_6723424593850012105_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA91DS045d-IZODR_AuBIuzXalOTmmpLTOdIvQkOwvFmK-UNu4UtFaNs4csJ6yeqLHZ1d6NydyJUjRWX4vRkMUV9o6_hBwhtjimWkVOCvCAUkWrmRcFE_8xUsppKwKW5YG1PpOqd7exX4-pVRk_DwPXJz2U5z57utl484EyJKBMyRtM_onU2wEY-NZArkq/w400-h300/421467689_7373572059373675_6723424593850012105_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">General Motors "Class-of-1977", downsized full cars get an inordinate amount of praise from automobile cognoscenti that are of my age group and roughly ten-years older and younger. Not to be contrarian, but while I agree they were better transportation conveyances than what they replaced, aesthetically, there's not much of an argument they were nowhere near anything GM had come out with in the thirty-or-so-years prior. The dawn of the dutiful, disposable automotive appliance was upon us and for better, worse or indifference, with some exceptions, the automobile industry hasn't looked back. One of those most pleasant of exceptions was, my blog, my opinion, of all things, Chevrolet's 1980-1986 Chevrolet Caprice <i>coupes.</i> I found this 1982 for sale on Marketplace with a, "I guess the Pandemic is really, really over" asking price of $4,250. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y7pkF678l1BjgkRep1S3OrUYMUWM6SdKCPmN-92NkoxqVeyUlMTLRzZoWT7nHd8JaKnyauw44EDYobQHNaSAvvBIVUj4Tih3b_g1fst2ExPflzUXYwKIP7zuaIQPHAEyDD8jnPEbdmqXe5Z3EYbA2Yz0V2fULBRZDEuph34T_uRTzrSfgVOoU60SG2of/s1024/n_1977%20Chevrolet%20Full%20Size-06-07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1024" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y7pkF678l1BjgkRep1S3OrUYMUWM6SdKCPmN-92NkoxqVeyUlMTLRzZoWT7nHd8JaKnyauw44EDYobQHNaSAvvBIVUj4Tih3b_g1fst2ExPflzUXYwKIP7zuaIQPHAEyDD8jnPEbdmqXe5Z3EYbA2Yz0V2fULBRZDEuph34T_uRTzrSfgVOoU60SG2of/w400-h199/n_1977%20Chevrolet%20Full%20Size-06-07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Two-door sedans were quite fashionable after World War II and GM came with a full-range of them for the "Great Downsizing Epoch". While I'm partial to the 1977-1979 "D-body" Cadillac and Buick two-door sedans, giving credit where it's due, though, I have to applaud the efforts Chevrolet's design team for what they did on their B-body Caprice coupe. Doesn't mean I liked it, though. Above is a 1977 Impala. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EutKvXT2LLVLvzXyT8QcdzR0QHu9diWBex2tsNiKmN2fdE85nAZrV7tIN8pgtQyVTVDKSOwN2EWP-TtbRWc6P6O-IKh8NdjXV4J3_O_pNkhMlPMSOVAeAHCEdFnvkHmcCbOabGFNwu0jb5GuoLTOlQE3s1NUK-W-nIaz8gLgf6jBFfe9Jt9Dt5E0h9Bi/s624/1978%20Chevrolet%20Fullsize-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="494" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EutKvXT2LLVLvzXyT8QcdzR0QHu9diWBex2tsNiKmN2fdE85nAZrV7tIN8pgtQyVTVDKSOwN2EWP-TtbRWc6P6O-IKh8NdjXV4J3_O_pNkhMlPMSOVAeAHCEdFnvkHmcCbOabGFNwu0jb5GuoLTOlQE3s1NUK-W-nIaz8gLgf6jBFfe9Jt9Dt5E0h9Bi/w316-h400/1978%20Chevrolet%20Fullsize-10.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The unique roof line of these cars has its fans, I'm not one of them. I don't get it and I think it looks out of place. My initial reaction to it was I thought it off-putting; they might as well have put tailfins on these cars. That far-out rear windshield was made by placing glass over hot-wires and slowly, literally, bending the glass over them. The process was time consuming, expensive and the failure rate was absurdly high. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum4WOcCxD5ezKq5s_h7p_S3nuRYbkLvqjW87zDL-d7MYdCxfNmWBaAFhDCO1vH3Oq2dDaydifIdB8KXZkHp9jX-XUzaBHDgPbS5Dz7BlbaOTsMXrUa6k1PLnWo-sXNgj3XzSvWK_AHqYvlg8bbTll2srmmUrCGf_j40rU4tncxjPgQQjcT-BIoHZxiNHq/s960/423428776_24706236558991561_8465810910172907055_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum4WOcCxD5ezKq5s_h7p_S3nuRYbkLvqjW87zDL-d7MYdCxfNmWBaAFhDCO1vH3Oq2dDaydifIdB8KXZkHp9jX-XUzaBHDgPbS5Dz7BlbaOTsMXrUa6k1PLnWo-sXNgj3XzSvWK_AHqYvlg8bbTll2srmmUrCGf_j40rU4tncxjPgQQjcT-BIoHZxiNHq/s320/423428776_24706236558991561_8465810910172907055_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Not surprisingly, come 1980 and GM's mid-cycle reboot of all of their full-size cars, the ambitious and pricy rear window or "backlight" was gone and was replaced with an all but bolt-straight roof treatment straight off the 1976-1979 Cadillac Seville. It also helped create my third favorite General Motors "1977" behind the aforementioned Cadillac deVille and Buick Electra coupes. Sometimes less really is more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNlSKTmpcJbAa9Zkwdh2fvOHm5X75-p8cfIgQRUJ9PL-XdFirO0ahe1SZImB0Q20RYvmTeFU6FzDe3CVMfp4vIrLEjInQSz0yWdb-TZbnM8rS3TusBCNFbb1R_B3n4HwP0KgBxTPdJMdjptvxZHTeGVJ4DwDK0zWpombhk-j8x_JjsF7V2RlvkxehU6Zq/s960/425478032_7369656686403122_3100986860617631293_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNlSKTmpcJbAa9Zkwdh2fvOHm5X75-p8cfIgQRUJ9PL-XdFirO0ahe1SZImB0Q20RYvmTeFU6FzDe3CVMfp4vIrLEjInQSz0yWdb-TZbnM8rS3TusBCNFbb1R_B3n4HwP0KgBxTPdJMdjptvxZHTeGVJ4DwDK0zWpombhk-j8x_JjsF7V2RlvkxehU6Zq/s320/425478032_7369656686403122_3100986860617631293_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I actually like this bluebonnet so much that I know if I didn't have two "classics" already, I might lobby the wife for it. I mean, look at this interior! There's so much to work with here although there's much to be done, apparently. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d8hTZXWN9dVAYMmEp2le045KmbHZUGscP0GXhdziQPM57vx7ysXF1NF66xLOzNfTyJV8GF7mf46hvms1iPTefhng6OJdissceK-WAbMtghhPVZ-XPngby0ks4dQwUPPAMXKFPOXruOrtA6qZFE6yPH9N5wzGTC57e75V4Gxr26yQbofoN-FrAc0wGZKg/s960/424687726_24647667091514522_7993903709204157727_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d8hTZXWN9dVAYMmEp2le045KmbHZUGscP0GXhdziQPM57vx7ysXF1NF66xLOzNfTyJV8GF7mf46hvms1iPTefhng6OJdissceK-WAbMtghhPVZ-XPngby0ks4dQwUPPAMXKFPOXruOrtA6qZFE6yPH9N5wzGTC57e75V4Gxr26yQbofoN-FrAc0wGZKg/s320/424687726_24647667091514522_7993903709204157727_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Kudos to the poster of the ad who made the effort to photograph it so it looks, apparently, better than it is. Although the frame and pans are solid, there's rust issues. The driver's door has the tin worm, and the passenger door is so bad, they say it could or should be replaced. Well, again, snaps to the poster of the ad, you'd never be able to tell. Thanks for being so forthcoming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX2_FqPgkCpWg2auD0EurOz-1BLEhAHY3DQYTpwpWEO2BYd_4pUkGVHL4pI0Hb5RWo6fT-ff5hT-brqqKz5dz4Hx2lsP0jtCsne_acdNgLGFu1aKkQ8Uk6hdWr0Ci7NDvZWuEh4meqIw15ukFeX_D_Wnh7jPaqRRDwvQ62mAlqDyASoB31sNLRiqQTg_H/s960/415750521_7263711300409682_3007537129593259352_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX2_FqPgkCpWg2auD0EurOz-1BLEhAHY3DQYTpwpWEO2BYd_4pUkGVHL4pI0Hb5RWo6fT-ff5hT-brqqKz5dz4Hx2lsP0jtCsne_acdNgLGFu1aKkQ8Uk6hdWr0Ci7NDvZWuEh4meqIw15ukFeX_D_Wnh7jPaqRRDwvQ62mAlqDyASoB31sNLRiqQTg_H/s320/415750521_7263711300409682_3007537129593259352_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's got a busted brake line and although it runs and moves under its own power, it's sat since 1999 so it's going to need a good going over or two or three. Bring a trailer, literally and figuratively. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6moub9gC-I8B-pckQlEVFM05mn_kg1WiTxwpx4bGTdsXGlHLOI6zDXBpL9lTjGPhG02Kh500hkh1sbWtnyFtJq8F-rddMdtEADTKJHu39CJE6tP3In5cikxa3GyYaNCDItJY0al4afEFU-iHOwlDduCJAOo8QqvmRzIsufeHQKq3koBWdMA32UD7NRq7/s960/421905163_24960073963637822_1515428224158401301_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6moub9gC-I8B-pckQlEVFM05mn_kg1WiTxwpx4bGTdsXGlHLOI6zDXBpL9lTjGPhG02Kh500hkh1sbWtnyFtJq8F-rddMdtEADTKJHu39CJE6tP3In5cikxa3GyYaNCDItJY0al4afEFU-iHOwlDduCJAOo8QqvmRzIsufeHQKq3koBWdMA32UD7NRq7/s320/421905163_24960073963637822_1515428224158401301_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Under hood, the poster of the ad claims that's a "4.3 V6" but unless someone swapped in that engine, it can't be that. Chevrolet didn't offer the 4.3-liter V-6 on the Caprice until 1985, again, this is an '82, so if it is a V-6, that's Chevrolet's own 3.8-liter V-6 that's not to be confused with the Buick 3.8-liter chuffer of the era. The 4.3-liter V-6 replaced the 3.8-liter Chevrolet V-6. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDPQzLm1VZFG8hNX18cC2fcY73Z6tK53i2CstnODRznQQyMNSi0NP9fQkbX8gq5lYiVJQWeo2WwXWo7Px4y42ox_q1MUqdYJCqpgXSLkZBbr8s5uj254_ZcKjbEVuvTm2YrvJDlhyphenhyphen6V5k3WXewyzGpAMv3PFbTWc_cgyKec7SCjVE_t2tV4Ar-V_T1qtH/s960/424858206_7268235963263087_8098056250045337538_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDPQzLm1VZFG8hNX18cC2fcY73Z6tK53i2CstnODRznQQyMNSi0NP9fQkbX8gq5lYiVJQWeo2WwXWo7Px4y42ox_q1MUqdYJCqpgXSLkZBbr8s5uj254_ZcKjbEVuvTm2YrvJDlhyphenhyphen6V5k3WXewyzGpAMv3PFbTWc_cgyKec7SCjVE_t2tV4Ar-V_T1qtH/s320/424858206_7268235963263087_8098056250045337538_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It looks a tad long to be a V-6, though, sorry, that was the only picture of the engine in the ad, and since the poster said it was a "4.3", perhaps they're mistaking that for, "4.4"? In that case, and this makes sense, it would be Chevrolet's "L39", 4.4-liter V-8. Chevrolet made that boat anchor from 1979-1982. Also known as the "267-cubic inch V-8", it made 120-horsepower and 215-foot pounds of torque and it's most "powerful". Even in a "downsized" Caprice, you ain't going anywhere fast with it under the hood. Chevrolet also offered the 267 in the Monte Carlo and Malibu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-hWoF3phPvq7cZ1m7S_fl5p6YGgH7utKGNZjZtBFTahM8Q0FjoJwBtn2OuR90fX4cxGD8RQgBtXc3200MVtv00QyOF0FiZAwkgADIw0skI5PGSFX9JSDaXKtNvhA_F4LdZAu_kXH1LT6k9AkLTXyIMomXUuRDAGt2etQtISWgsw18U4O3nhn2Cs6PCA2/s297/1982%20Chevrolet-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="297" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-hWoF3phPvq7cZ1m7S_fl5p6YGgH7utKGNZjZtBFTahM8Q0FjoJwBtn2OuR90fX4cxGD8RQgBtXc3200MVtv00QyOF0FiZAwkgADIw0skI5PGSFX9JSDaXKtNvhA_F4LdZAu_kXH1LT6k9AkLTXyIMomXUuRDAGt2etQtISWgsw18U4O3nhn2Cs6PCA2/w400-h236/1982%20Chevrolet-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The reasonable asking price is also, I take it, reflective of the fact that this car doesn't have at least Chevrolet's vastly superior "LG4", 5.0-liter (305-cubic inch) V-8 which, for 1982 (engine choices above), made a fairly respectable 145-horspower and 245-foot pounds. The LG4 is also vastly tunable, the L39 is not, and there's an entire cottage industry devoted to making it more powerful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD3TslVpZwviGC2mNJI5pvKPu9LBujTQfm6Orcp5IPwRGWuq7wSVuQ4o5JYXFCfbZ1YIHvXJtBzNjHPGUq-Vh3TMc3YyfyU35UaiEBCJ2FEwX3_Gf057bTFCyq6E7hETeeec5bqOFqBGIXwtI9jnprNtkFTYTBXTMbfZ2jTBdFTwF1uD03CfMjhgJ3MWu/s960/425445737_7507899452604817_7117839814290326736_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD3TslVpZwviGC2mNJI5pvKPu9LBujTQfm6Orcp5IPwRGWuq7wSVuQ4o5JYXFCfbZ1YIHvXJtBzNjHPGUq-Vh3TMc3YyfyU35UaiEBCJ2FEwX3_Gf057bTFCyq6E7hETeeec5bqOFqBGIXwtI9jnprNtkFTYTBXTMbfZ2jTBdFTwF1uD03CfMjhgJ3MWu/s320/425445737_7507899452604817_7117839814290326736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Another Achilles heel this car has is its transmission. This probably has GM's infamous THM-200 which is a lightweight version of their venerable THM-350. I'd use the rust, the engine and the transmission as bargaining points. Given the interior and the frame being solid, this is very well bought closer to two-grand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA91DS045d-IZODR_AuBIuzXalOTmmpLTOdIvQkOwvFmK-UNu4UtFaNs4csJ6yeqLHZ1d6NydyJUjRWX4vRkMUV9o6_hBwhtjimWkVOCvCAUkWrmRcFE_8xUsppKwKW5YG1PpOqd7exX4-pVRk_DwPXJz2U5z57utl484EyJKBMyRtM_onU2wEY-NZArkq/s960/421467689_7373572059373675_6723424593850012105_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA91DS045d-IZODR_AuBIuzXalOTmmpLTOdIvQkOwvFmK-UNu4UtFaNs4csJ6yeqLHZ1d6NydyJUjRWX4vRkMUV9o6_hBwhtjimWkVOCvCAUkWrmRcFE_8xUsppKwKW5YG1PpOqd7exX4-pVRk_DwPXJz2U5z57utl484EyJKBMyRtM_onU2wEY-NZArkq/w400-h300/421467689_7373572059373675_6723424593850012105_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Take the savings and get the doors fixed and plop in a proper powertrain. Keep in mind, you don't have to "LS-swap" it. There's plenty of engine and transmissions out there that for very little money could transform this handsome blue bonnet into the sleeper of your dreams. Or nightmares. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1982 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 2dr Coupe, 4.3 v6 auto. The car runs and moves under its own power but currently has a bad brake line.
The car has sat since 1999 and could use a good going over before putting on the road.
Car is not perfect, it has some rust spots around the car, all rather small. The worst rust on the car is in the doors.
Passenger should be replaced, drivers could be fixed but its not great. Aside from that, the frame is 100% rot free, no cracks or holes. Trailing arm pockets are very solid. Floor pans, trunk pan, rockers, hood and deck lid are all very nice.
Best part of the car in my opinion is the interior, front and back seat are very nice, headliner is solid and the carpet is intact. With minimal cleaning it would be pretty darn nice.
</span></div><div><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><br /> <p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-18297588252432001912024-02-03T04:12:00.000-08:002024-02-08T09:13:32.758-08:001973 Oldsmobile Cutlass - Three On a Tree On a 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass??<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5bu8ZEOsuuHAYOkU39qHcczA-LQ1gnPgXoe29U_HfSsakMLG2e7ph7k6dtYltDzEDrd3Crx5BHoJOKFdrbwPeW_Xrn2u0L8sui9r-S2vyRVtYsjPm0Sd_6-TBdH11zXOkfajiELONlk7VLRCXTQ7xEnYZ-hfbB08UCiaHnxTdB8G0iCizSw5ISnkcEI8/s959/417412415_2483899741789242_6904194569187844473_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5bu8ZEOsuuHAYOkU39qHcczA-LQ1gnPgXoe29U_HfSsakMLG2e7ph7k6dtYltDzEDrd3Crx5BHoJOKFdrbwPeW_Xrn2u0L8sui9r-S2vyRVtYsjPm0Sd_6-TBdH11zXOkfajiELONlk7VLRCXTQ7xEnYZ-hfbB08UCiaHnxTdB8G0iCizSw5ISnkcEI8/s320/417412415_2483899741789242_6904194569187844473_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The new mid-sized Oldsmobile's were not in early for 1973 as a labor strike delayed them long enough that models slated for 1972 came as 1973's. All GM intermediates were new for '73 and were referred to as "Colonnades" denoting their center-posts, columns or pillars; there were no hard tops. What makes this '73 Oldsmobile Cutlass unique and different enough that it deserves a minute or two of our time is that it has a manual transmission. Please accept my apologies, the poster of the Facebook Marketplace ad for this only put up four pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3Xh2JtetTgRR8VK4gzMYWvB7hNrPjwnX8sBDjyUldJ-lew6OoHgqLaSymBWJ4CujLn2PBJjw4FMZfptfqwFos9DUESJp9rhoNLkIlMaGZp3nwk5ekiLhiHsYBpEBN0KDeLBHZjtCwCF9enRwIuFjuBseQK3o3garSB3b2fLgW5vmW9i32cUjZL1Ij_Kx/s959/423248282_2483895661789650_43793159687330285_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3Xh2JtetTgRR8VK4gzMYWvB7hNrPjwnX8sBDjyUldJ-lew6OoHgqLaSymBWJ4CujLn2PBJjw4FMZfptfqwFos9DUESJp9rhoNLkIlMaGZp3nwk5ekiLhiHsYBpEBN0KDeLBHZjtCwCF9enRwIuFjuBseQK3o3garSB3b2fLgW5vmW9i32cUjZL1Ij_Kx/s320/423248282_2483895661789650_43793159687330285_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">What we have here is a column mounted, three speed manual shifter. I know, it looks like an automatic in PARK, but that's what was known as a column-mounted manual shifter that's locked up in in REVERSE. First gear is down and out, second up and away towards the dash, third below that. There are three pedals down there too - I know they're hard to make out but they're there: clutch on the left, brake in the middle and the gas on the right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mmVfiRw24U530YcMUbLkri20ot0Mcnu3FwgP4bfiumQdQC8zHMpH0DpvlGiKGealP7hChuR-YkPJ7WJ-XtbbQ-9quRK0f2AK6qTZ3Z4H2eJStsC7iJgstS8Eplr3qB7lAGPnP7vTRSj6NddU49VSQ3WD-ddSmY-FbnR89C8fSCK6pZvj8dmgOvDX4r2p/s646/trans.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="646" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mmVfiRw24U530YcMUbLkri20ot0Mcnu3FwgP4bfiumQdQC8zHMpH0DpvlGiKGealP7hChuR-YkPJ7WJ-XtbbQ-9quRK0f2AK6qTZ3Z4H2eJStsC7iJgstS8Eplr3qB7lAGPnP7vTRSj6NddU49VSQ3WD-ddSmY-FbnR89C8fSCK6pZvj8dmgOvDX4r2p/w400-h297/trans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I was perplexed by it too then I checked a brochure for 1973 Cutlass' and, sure enough, the standard transmission on the 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass is a fully synchronized, 3-speed manual with <i>column</i> shift. A synchronized manual means that the gears are spinning at the same speed so when you shift, you won't grind the gears. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxHBuMk7WHGYAac6rrb9rCBVir1aE9FXem0P4XFzC2i-PUD8opj4kMTt8Qm1sWf5PONn4mHr0G7UVmskD34XbBzID3xGEvdvc_cIGuG3TaYTRUSAEZrurkjhOQTkZa00_Wkgwd0rlPO_QOCJXsPab9n-u_4mCjoa5z32mkAlOEiRNf8FlGEXj2zVWm6QA/s3068/1973%20Oldsmobile%20Full%20Line-36-37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="3068" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxHBuMk7WHGYAac6rrb9rCBVir1aE9FXem0P4XFzC2i-PUD8opj4kMTt8Qm1sWf5PONn4mHr0G7UVmskD34XbBzID3xGEvdvc_cIGuG3TaYTRUSAEZrurkjhOQTkZa00_Wkgwd0rlPO_QOCJXsPab9n-u_4mCjoa5z32mkAlOEiRNf8FlGEXj2zVWm6QA/w400-h235/1973%20Oldsmobile%20Full%20Line-36-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Manual transmissions are one thing, a three-on-three is something else altogether. These things were an anomaly even when I was a kid growing up in the '70's. My only "experience" with one was seeing my friend Andy's mom rowing one in their 1967 Buick Special station wagon. I was slack-jawed at the amount of work the poor woman had to do to keep the car moving. It seemed quaint and old-timey at the time, and we are talking, gulp, fifty-years ago. Good grief. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX1BPUi07DYFzU4rRkO-bng07InFGuRbN1U3BdXWNgNWWGNIYE-zjGVqv0qaBTEZE6o7AbAIEXDKfjaMOriiMVdK8EWuK3GtO2ObIABMw8QJWEwYjeQES8iferT_hOCLHFb0-Mq7lGqv4bAeklJTfh3-Pg5TNxKWFiZt23kuwAvq8h4KmxdeKPxm0Vkop/s490/1939-plymouth-11-1604455223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX1BPUi07DYFzU4rRkO-bng07InFGuRbN1U3BdXWNgNWWGNIYE-zjGVqv0qaBTEZE6o7AbAIEXDKfjaMOriiMVdK8EWuK3GtO2ObIABMw8QJWEwYjeQES8iferT_hOCLHFb0-Mq7lGqv4bAeklJTfh3-Pg5TNxKWFiZt23kuwAvq8h4KmxdeKPxm0Vkop/w345-h400/1939-plymouth-11-1604455223.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chrysler is given credit for pioneering the steering-column mounted three-speed shifter when they introduced it on their 1939 Plymouth's; shifters were always floor-mounted up until then. GM, Ford and other manufacturers quickly followed suit with their own "three-on-a-tree". Incidentally, automatic transmissions wouldn't appear en masse in cars until 1948 with, ironically enough, Oldsmobile and their "Hydra-Matic" two-speed that was also available on Cadillac's. I know, just like the internet, you thought automatic transmissions were always around but that's simply not the case. Even Cadillac owners had to row-their-own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZddo3puRkKQ4dhglH_g0DWZNF-00qlWfBRbejC5_2yhlcX7BadbrtGRYO7vt8s5RikQpE-zT53ZsiXyIMBPsWQvcLTBi6vnsA79khC1_acSnKwufqlIlHHjUtzuO1C-AxQedzsK4RAxyVMfrDSuCYMfdp6MrjixazBA0HRvhjd1n7jnl2Si-wZHEtneE2/s768/1939-plymouth-deluxe-brochure-05-1604455850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZddo3puRkKQ4dhglH_g0DWZNF-00qlWfBRbejC5_2yhlcX7BadbrtGRYO7vt8s5RikQpE-zT53ZsiXyIMBPsWQvcLTBi6vnsA79khC1_acSnKwufqlIlHHjUtzuO1C-AxQedzsK4RAxyVMfrDSuCYMfdp6MrjixazBA0HRvhjd1n7jnl2Si-wZHEtneE2/w400-h225/1939-plymouth-deluxe-brochure-05-1604455850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's open for debate what the actual benefits of a column mounted shifter were. Their linkage was more complicated than a floor-mounted shifter that connected directly to the transmission and with the driver constantly rowing the "tree", if there was a middle passenger, they'd have to sit far enough away from the driver to enable them to swing their arm wide enough to make the shifts. Not unlike with a floor mounted shifter. Again, what was the benefit aside from, perhaps, in theory, the middle front seat passenger having more leg room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_BWLcqQW6E0GtkWaGQbdUgDMrsC6tIbzSbK37FithbyXjbcQ4tAtFF4OZjW9EIyuVEMzvz7GFfh2lJ4wXyBu-FWouhYvtBcJLptmtUplCJV3XX1rM7OcCeKR_K989q-78g_kwoPw_QJT_VXMkBy5zdK6uPo5bnKPpC8tAFkfy7H32NvHFtToLUhetuto/s600/cfvgbhnjmkl,l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="600" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_BWLcqQW6E0GtkWaGQbdUgDMrsC6tIbzSbK37FithbyXjbcQ4tAtFF4OZjW9EIyuVEMzvz7GFfh2lJ4wXyBu-FWouhYvtBcJLptmtUplCJV3XX1rM7OcCeKR_K989q-78g_kwoPw_QJT_VXMkBy5zdK6uPo5bnKPpC8tAFkfy7H32NvHFtToLUhetuto/w400-h399/cfvgbhnjmkl,l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Seems odd now but steering column mounted manual shifters were quite common in the 1940's, '50's and '60's, they began to wane, though, in the '70's. Fun facts, kids, the last GM car to feature one was the 1979, rear-wheel-drive, "X-body" Chevrolet Nova (the above diagram is from a 1979 Nova owner's manual). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I7LuAaRAs5EVuS4xrRg-kay7qaBjMwb1I2H9P6R6DqU3aL-J3sGFNz0YMRcQD5H-YevlLy7YePee8r5u6LWIESanAdTC0ATVgKM8auaok0FgCu3C6iMEXyR_FEn1bksMurtoIGlp5DWo_817U21hb-QTjGwPXKzrxaoNm5e1PJFcsFXNxPE-JgGA2bUk/s1200/does-anyone-else-know-what-three-on-the-tree-means-v0-tl4uq9xc5r4c1.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1200" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I7LuAaRAs5EVuS4xrRg-kay7qaBjMwb1I2H9P6R6DqU3aL-J3sGFNz0YMRcQD5H-YevlLy7YePee8r5u6LWIESanAdTC0ATVgKM8auaok0FgCu3C6iMEXyR_FEn1bksMurtoIGlp5DWo_817U21hb-QTjGwPXKzrxaoNm5e1PJFcsFXNxPE-JgGA2bUk/s320/does-anyone-else-know-what-three-on-the-tree-means-v0-tl4uq9xc5r4c1.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chrysler's last models to have one was the 1978 Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare, Dodge Monaco and Plymouth Fury; good luck finding one of those. Ford offered it on their all-new-for 1978, "Fox-body" Fairmont but discontinued it afterwards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrlNvn0Amm2guUx07eIYEK5SHwW2nLoGRvf9m3nAmL9iNGKAq7tOQNq8U5qU3i4kNWTa1te3JE3gThM0541yuPki6zXAzJ4qdnn7wOttE469Sb6T4ZrccOdALRayRl_2_vcesRD6eu_0_l8ZjFr1jq8eYyuCIX7fT1_XqU6Jl9YlN4v8y6yTX5e_ky83f/s959/423326670_2483895675122982_4779468153307875636_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrlNvn0Amm2guUx07eIYEK5SHwW2nLoGRvf9m3nAmL9iNGKAq7tOQNq8U5qU3i4kNWTa1te3JE3gThM0541yuPki6zXAzJ4qdnn7wOttE469Sb6T4ZrccOdALRayRl_2_vcesRD6eu_0_l8ZjFr1jq8eYyuCIX7fT1_XqU6Jl9YlN4v8y6yTX5e_ky83f/s320/423326670_2483895675122982_4779468153307875636_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Not only was 1973 the last year for a three-on-tree for the Cutlass, but it was also the last year a four-speed manual was available on the performance oriented 4-4-2 model. Oldsmobile would offer a three-speed manual again on the Cutlass starting in 1975, but it was floor-mounted backing either a Chevrolet built, inline-six or Oldsmobile's new 260-cubic inch V-8; both power trains were for customers looking for improved fuel economy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuCt-9Dao3ZqlXsjsYJF48kZruEKbgQgvWDmv-OB8a9EeB0fH3b89GdNsdf0XnoBUSVUP1CHQvEBANcPzWrAQKrW2eyWeaMEJmi_GQgX6qXD770f7p4lGw0yHXJm22Ygl-WJ-gFc_ymlsOZyw8grtftq-Tluu9stkAnk6XhSCrM3ilCwhz2EHOV_v6-F8/s959/424827163_2483895691789647_7965937349667576562_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuCt-9Dao3ZqlXsjsYJF48kZruEKbgQgvWDmv-OB8a9EeB0fH3b89GdNsdf0XnoBUSVUP1CHQvEBANcPzWrAQKrW2eyWeaMEJmi_GQgX6qXD770f7p4lGw0yHXJm22Ygl-WJ-gFc_ymlsOZyw8grtftq-Tluu9stkAnk6XhSCrM3ilCwhz2EHOV_v6-F8/s320/424827163_2483895691789647_7965937349667576562_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Along with these scant photos and even fewer details, the poster of the ad for this very rare '73 Cutlass is asking $8,900 for it. Along with the requisite, "<i>will not respond to 'is this available'", </i>they say it runs great although they don't say why they didn't back it out of this garage or storage facility to take more photos. That $8,900 ask seems like a lot, frankly I think it's insane, but, believe it or not, this is priced below market. This is screaming to be resto-modded but the cost of admission, in my opinion, is almost as absurdly high as a three-on-a-tree was in the early 1970's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-19630048945043395132024-01-26T08:52:00.000-08:002024-01-26T08:52:31.257-08:001976 Ford Elite - Ford Tries to Build a Monte Carlo<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlqyn1jXXn4zUd2cYEgF3i0hhcczcbRzlk9EUmNkIF3n8D6LLm1vrCWKsLR8klQLVDoNI8j_elTixZWdnJwCMRjJnwiMoenJ-VUFxMAktc-FaA_qrp073_kBKAedRt-8oWSbDNsTHPOJQI_peLRQoupmiwRrAJCLEh4aVsmYOwHn6J1wDWMA7PKtlczp8/s960/409793730_6962290510490973_2168683320097691313_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlqyn1jXXn4zUd2cYEgF3i0hhcczcbRzlk9EUmNkIF3n8D6LLm1vrCWKsLR8klQLVDoNI8j_elTixZWdnJwCMRjJnwiMoenJ-VUFxMAktc-FaA_qrp073_kBKAedRt-8oWSbDNsTHPOJQI_peLRQoupmiwRrAJCLEh4aVsmYOwHn6J1wDWMA7PKtlczp8/w400-h225/409793730_6962290510490973_2168683320097691313_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Ford Motor Company's Ford division was quite late to the personal luxury car party in the 1970's spurred by General Motors' 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix and 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo when they rolled out these tarted up Torino's they called "Elite" for 1974. Actually, for 1974 these were called the "Gran Torino Elite"; Ford dropped the Gran Torino pre-fix for 1975 and 1976. My Facebook Marketplace find here hails from 1976. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_cC3nX_KdvYSb2vHkYYQrGbNzb3h31CFDrv25AcpC_13zHge-EHj576dpaG-URLEMWr2JvaOKOeCE__USNsoAba1aZyF6PpsVj3Mac0M-P0JS0sO6AYrnWus1rssZ9n0U7PRSy00uPwQfBHurp7wFY3AsDpD5zPJva-a_iXiGbJFiN9UjRD_S0lKH6Wn/s960/409800328_6962290770490947_2326093445609034122_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_cC3nX_KdvYSb2vHkYYQrGbNzb3h31CFDrv25AcpC_13zHge-EHj576dpaG-URLEMWr2JvaOKOeCE__USNsoAba1aZyF6PpsVj3Mac0M-P0JS0sO6AYrnWus1rssZ9n0U7PRSy00uPwQfBHurp7wFY3AsDpD5zPJva-a_iXiGbJFiN9UjRD_S0lKH6Wn/s320/409800328_6962290770490947_2326093445609034122_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ford apparently saw no need to come sooner with a personal luxury car given they had their Thunderbird in their stable, but the Thunderbird, even the loosely Torino-based 1972-1976 models, were full sized cars, not mid-size like the Grand Prix and Monte Carlo, were (opinion) far less handsome than GM's wonder-twins, were far more expensive and subsequently got trounced at the box office. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QBC3pGn16w5vvn809BV2uS8Tet8p7ZNQWxVcncWayLnPhh37GDrBRnlXfVKT7wrk1XNU3NfWRFPDx1Hz6beTZq89XTAsgYpm0yErUY8ZqupsX4Sigpn5zjmM8UEWu5fYagnQ7H81Z57AItwZGARE2leeu6nvYtyB-b2xc4Hvl3gArHDwPZpzHBQI72Kx/s960/409210834_6962298470490177_1222244302124822561_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QBC3pGn16w5vvn809BV2uS8Tet8p7ZNQWxVcncWayLnPhh37GDrBRnlXfVKT7wrk1XNU3NfWRFPDx1Hz6beTZq89XTAsgYpm0yErUY8ZqupsX4Sigpn5zjmM8UEWu5fYagnQ7H81Z57AItwZGARE2leeu6nvYtyB-b2xc4Hvl3gArHDwPZpzHBQI72Kx/s320/409210834_6962298470490177_1222244302124822561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Calling these tarted up Torino's isn't fair, though. They're more like rebadged Mercury Cougar XR-7's. A different grill here, some futzing with the goofy opera windows, adjust the vinyl top and there you go. A Ford Elite. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunpkfHVyBKiT3Ga_ri3QnhDXbsbE1s1yVYrAUh7LAjhPnO1k7Dh0_-vmr9LYFuwdxj7whzg7cu6XZGonIYpWGyukVOadPiVbTMZzqsv8g0jmXTYGQl5bBI8M-5HLiblk0cV0Xy-0HHcIxMnUsA5vuyvVhsvSLJo6Frdvq-8ZdABQqjZAQZRKiCJ9mcj1s/s960/409208742_6962290663824291_6291885901328702505_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunpkfHVyBKiT3Ga_ri3QnhDXbsbE1s1yVYrAUh7LAjhPnO1k7Dh0_-vmr9LYFuwdxj7whzg7cu6XZGonIYpWGyukVOadPiVbTMZzqsv8g0jmXTYGQl5bBI8M-5HLiblk0cV0Xy-0HHcIxMnUsA5vuyvVhsvSLJo6Frdvq-8ZdABQqjZAQZRKiCJ9mcj1s/s320/409208742_6962290663824291_6291885901328702505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">These cars remind me of when I asked my mother for a pair of Levi's that all the cool kids were wearing but she bought me Sears Toughskins instead. How I didn't get stuffed in a locker more than I did is anyone's guess. Might as well have been a Ford Elite. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQSYss4F2_MCTrqCCO2DV2CWGqUGym0yeGALJOneqMJexmlsrFrZnI_KkCDWOcpIWReXCqlJbzf0SvbJifpchmXVwBjOrd-Hzcbpt4hLLg98GMmmYeYgh-xqlgyXcz7b9c4QOCDsWldAJTUshZnuyzNeQQzndkpvgT_9vLoS_uVSj2YuGe-7lapolLNFe/s960/409777007_6962290840490940_2055691108702094404_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQSYss4F2_MCTrqCCO2DV2CWGqUGym0yeGALJOneqMJexmlsrFrZnI_KkCDWOcpIWReXCqlJbzf0SvbJifpchmXVwBjOrd-Hzcbpt4hLLg98GMmmYeYgh-xqlgyXcz7b9c4QOCDsWldAJTUshZnuyzNeQQzndkpvgT_9vLoS_uVSj2YuGe-7lapolLNFe/s320/409777007_6962290840490940_2055691108702094404_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Taste and armpits, these cars no doubt have their fans, GM fan boy here, I ain't one of them. I would give credit where credit is due if I thought these deserving - for example, I thought Chrysler's 1975-1977 Cordoba quite handsome although it's styling obliviously was obviously a derivative of the 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I had a '75 Cordoba, and while I loved it, I thought the '76 Chevrolet Monte Carlo a friend had rode and handled better. Far better looking too but us beggars can't be choosers. I was lucky to have new clothing. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIS3_4QIRpvi9O0fDVeiZL11-NO190XlOryENfPmcG9fqvVseoRMXYKUi9v4hpYe5zeIiwHQ2mXE99qv0ptDrqRYa3__Z68zYE5pRCfOL2l_SFP8naQllYd1qadlGFOwLsP0r5CTyejPc-cf-wnBwLOUn6BoufcHlx11S_xWK9bihF3WCRxiDWtlxd3qK/s960/409755873_6962290620490962_137794540769622463_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIS3_4QIRpvi9O0fDVeiZL11-NO190XlOryENfPmcG9fqvVseoRMXYKUi9v4hpYe5zeIiwHQ2mXE99qv0ptDrqRYa3__Z68zYE5pRCfOL2l_SFP8naQllYd1qadlGFOwLsP0r5CTyejPc-cf-wnBwLOUn6BoufcHlx11S_xWK9bihF3WCRxiDWtlxd3qK/s320/409755873_6962290620490962_137794540769622463_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div><span style="text-align: justify;">Asking price on this one is a ridiculous $7,950, high retail is $2,900. Reupholstered front seat is an eye-sore - why folks don't spring for the appropriate upholstery vexes me. Maybe it wasn't available, that happens. If that was the case, change the back seat when you're doing the fronts. To us classic car wonks, that stuff matters. And who the heck else is going to be interested in this thing? </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1v1rIbYd2KRU4i3cJDVmiIx027VJ34YyqbACoK6qfgBzeDYtc9Ptc9FzC0MAXoWTecEDfWXJnFqm4c0AR_VfuNNpDWBd47ti2k7K5opp3VGzTyKBA0d3NsLx36ziANG2efDY-acEAym7nw8H_9ZTp265reyyciYw1KFwUYHM5BxhqgTi4Z5DSqWrPgHI/s960/410284314_6962290580490966_3082643511258375401_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1v1rIbYd2KRU4i3cJDVmiIx027VJ34YyqbACoK6qfgBzeDYtc9Ptc9FzC0MAXoWTecEDfWXJnFqm4c0AR_VfuNNpDWBd47ti2k7K5opp3VGzTyKBA0d3NsLx36ziANG2efDY-acEAym7nw8H_9ZTp265reyyciYw1KFwUYHM5BxhqgTi4Z5DSqWrPgHI/s320/410284314_6962290580490966_3082643511258375401_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">That's Ford's venerable 351-cubic inch "Windsor" V-8, "Windsor" denoting it was built at their engine plant across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. Low-compression, tiny two-barrel carburetor, 154 horsepower - the muscle car era was dead and buried by 1976. Good news is these are easily "souped-up"; how fast do you want to spend? If you're curious, that's not a Folger's Coffee can, it's a reservoir for engine vacuum. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8E71jSZtr839eNW8Rh7ofTM7-VkUw6Ef8Tlz4beOLLcv7iyjbHuGv7cECjUuIOGf-6y2_zT4WlpSwWi3sWZQAZFHtE3nUxJ8c0JJUo3xg3qcwnQCJndqmhelT-nv2MMjDbRUGapKLorEfQyNa5y4qsd0E6LciKlEwe2lB5MA5xwGHruEUrPOEaw1frbI/s960/rcftfty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8E71jSZtr839eNW8Rh7ofTM7-VkUw6Ef8Tlz4beOLLcv7iyjbHuGv7cECjUuIOGf-6y2_zT4WlpSwWi3sWZQAZFHtE3nUxJ8c0JJUo3xg3qcwnQCJndqmhelT-nv2MMjDbRUGapKLorEfQyNa5y4qsd0E6LciKlEwe2lB5MA5xwGHruEUrPOEaw1frbI/s320/rcftfty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Might be my "GM myopia", but I have to wonder why someone would buy this car - perhaps at three-grand, maybe $3,500 considering its condition but eight-grand? Seriously? I see no value proposition here but, again, there's an arse for every seat. Ford tried to build a Monte Carlo or Grand Prix and, my blog, my opinion, failed miserably. Chevrolet sold more than three Monte Carlo's for every one "Elite" Ford sold. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOGD_43SYEkiz6kFgNiAkvDCJEJt_WdEU3rWAy4d8hjnRRnw3Jo2kBfZG5XVGNhHTrMcFwIK5Hiwx8vk4DOfA0iXNTA4lycLLuoAFj6GN1PlRiW-eVOjGfpSv9ivRbjjGWz2yoSGpNh3RvvUGVtd4dZEb88FMBLgzvaiolGo28XLRw5tUuAK0P1eSSofj/s960/409756203_6962290740490950_7956060325895019760_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOGD_43SYEkiz6kFgNiAkvDCJEJt_WdEU3rWAy4d8hjnRRnw3Jo2kBfZG5XVGNhHTrMcFwIK5Hiwx8vk4DOfA0iXNTA4lycLLuoAFj6GN1PlRiW-eVOjGfpSv9ivRbjjGWz2yoSGpNh3RvvUGVtd4dZEb88FMBLgzvaiolGo28XLRw5tUuAK0P1eSSofj/s320/409756203_6962290740490950_7956060325895019760_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ford dropped the Elite moniker replacing it in their lineup for 1977 with a restyled car they glued "Thunderbird" to; in retrospect, what they should have done as far back as 1972. Wouldn't you know it? The Thunderbird moniker still had some of the old magic in it as 1977-1979 Thundrtbirds became the best selling T-Bird's of all time. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlqyn1jXXn4zUd2cYEgF3i0hhcczcbRzlk9EUmNkIF3n8D6LLm1vrCWKsLR8klQLVDoNI8j_elTixZWdnJwCMRjJnwiMoenJ-VUFxMAktc-FaA_qrp073_kBKAedRt-8oWSbDNsTHPOJQI_peLRQoupmiwRrAJCLEh4aVsmYOwHn6J1wDWMA7PKtlczp8/s960/409793730_6962290510490973_2168683320097691313_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlqyn1jXXn4zUd2cYEgF3i0hhcczcbRzlk9EUmNkIF3n8D6LLm1vrCWKsLR8klQLVDoNI8j_elTixZWdnJwCMRjJnwiMoenJ-VUFxMAktc-FaA_qrp073_kBKAedRt-8oWSbDNsTHPOJQI_peLRQoupmiwRrAJCLEh4aVsmYOwHn6J1wDWMA7PKtlczp8/w400-h225/409793730_6962290510490973_2168683320097691313_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Didn't hurt that they did away with most if not all of the quirks of these cars with the 1977 reboot. They were priced lower too - America, then as now, loves a bargain. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At ac amfm power steering power brakes 351v8,orginal paint NEW TIRES NEW VINYL TOP JUST SERVICED RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT , GREAT CLASSIC CRUZER. </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></div><br /><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-7371776566960416992024-01-24T04:48:00.000-08:002024-01-24T04:48:19.530-08:001976 Pontiac Astre - A Great Adventure<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdITiFGstUY9MSM6IKy3K0qTC96rbBxWEEPB8aAwXP205oYCLH7wVYUJinRD2ZJ_jy8FjeUf0HG9Wqy4VoXNcIyGe4USTmwnWxrT8GYY5Af7RyRWYIrpyPA36fx_IF2Qv6lUQyGVNc09SYaFq3ukr3BKR1iIlttru2LDVjXKfdhec6FPYTJtYr0EfwXGT/s959/406326635_10224964821443069_2280086324916966798_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdITiFGstUY9MSM6IKy3K0qTC96rbBxWEEPB8aAwXP205oYCLH7wVYUJinRD2ZJ_jy8FjeUf0HG9Wqy4VoXNcIyGe4USTmwnWxrT8GYY5Af7RyRWYIrpyPA36fx_IF2Qv6lUQyGVNc09SYaFq3ukr3BKR1iIlttru2LDVjXKfdhec6FPYTJtYr0EfwXGT/w300-h400/406326635_10224964821443069_2280086324916966798_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You wouldn't be alone thinking this was a Chevrolet Vega but it's the Pontiac version of the Vega known as the "Astre". This one hails from model-year 1976. Pontiac sold these down here from 1975-1977, GM of Canada from 1973-1977. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUeB231hvci6TE2OVNgqTPHAjNzAme8eSeNDFar1Nb9lPyxJoLn9FTvXMBh6HUR3OjaBbZsSh-rK3Wl4LEYn87nWL2voe0BhMBSVyTaDez2kwfNClvsVi4g-do14nuHpGmYGt4NsOgh9xSxiz4hEB24jRF38LHA2YyBvYjvINtjO8bg9yYvGrnF9r4zsy/s959/406375959_10224964878524496_7365499423519774546_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUeB231hvci6TE2OVNgqTPHAjNzAme8eSeNDFar1Nb9lPyxJoLn9FTvXMBh6HUR3OjaBbZsSh-rK3Wl4LEYn87nWL2voe0BhMBSVyTaDez2kwfNClvsVi4g-do14nuHpGmYGt4NsOgh9xSxiz4hEB24jRF38LHA2YyBvYjvINtjO8bg9yYvGrnF9r4zsy/s320/406375959_10224964878524496_7365499423519774546_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There's little to distinguish an Astre from a Vega. Front and rear facias are different, the interior is debatably "better". Underneath this it's all Vega. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7IxDgRFdAybNOpGbMsHZBfRomFe4zSNJzAIvQcVTt-hhH6ecf2gt6APP81-sIeGqs0q8NfKdK2g7iqzDGQ3LZdjNcLEGTnDt6yRdnEtlR3sNNsffWkkPftpMpGlB2cgenUfSRNbWp3On1lkWeh1z0ST7Rhq1tCmqw6owTjQ9tjIyjc8wmEYFnb3mIUwN/s265/pont%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="144" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7IxDgRFdAybNOpGbMsHZBfRomFe4zSNJzAIvQcVTt-hhH6ecf2gt6APP81-sIeGqs0q8NfKdK2g7iqzDGQ3LZdjNcLEGTnDt6yRdnEtlR3sNNsffWkkPftpMpGlB2cgenUfSRNbWp3On1lkWeh1z0ST7Rhq1tCmqw6owTjQ9tjIyjc8wmEYFnb3mIUwN/w217-h400/pont%2023.jpg" width="217" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's all Vega right down to its alloy, 2.3-liter, overhead cam, 4-cylinder engine. Although by '76 Chevrolet had worked out most of the kinks of the horrible little paint shaker, Pontiac tossed it for 1977 for their own cast-iron, 2.5-liter, overhead valve 4-cylinder that was literally half of Pontiac's also new for 1977, 301-cubic inch V-8. Chevrolet started using the Pontiac built four in 1978. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Fun facts, the 2.5-liter Pontiac four displaced 151-cubic inches - the Pontiac 301 displaced 301.6 cubic-inches making it, technically, a "302". Some GM suit (justifying their haughty paycheck perhaps) determined that folks would confuse the Pontiac 302 with the Ford 302, thus, the Pontiac 301 was "born". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you're familiar with Pontiac engine history, seemed Pontiac liked to slice their V-8's in half and make four-bangers out of them. They did the same thing back in the early '60's when their "Trophy" four-cylinder engine was half of their 389-cubic inch V-8. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwJ5MCea82ICDa9ZfZHla2_Zd5V2OmawsKQk2bR9TMA7mGwC2VyqXFpCJmZAa90Wc8OfjW-LBAl2gERy4Int0SvNiCPTspvbQWVu48UYrr35-roRRFdUp7jqkF0uHT1v6UcjUhfkxEGxEz9Krsh3SgcNV2ER_BTW0wUBpKT86rqkyWakNkdZMWBq_SbNr/s959/406223071_10224964878724501_6365154607775524863_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwJ5MCea82ICDa9ZfZHla2_Zd5V2OmawsKQk2bR9TMA7mGwC2VyqXFpCJmZAa90Wc8OfjW-LBAl2gERy4Int0SvNiCPTspvbQWVu48UYrr35-roRRFdUp7jqkF0uHT1v6UcjUhfkxEGxEz9Krsh3SgcNV2ER_BTW0wUBpKT86rqkyWakNkdZMWBq_SbNr/s320/406223071_10224964878724501_6365154607775524863_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Although GM had been badge-engineering for decades prior, the practice began to really rear its ugly cloned head in the '70's. "Badge engineering" an oxymoronic term for a manufacturer taking a model and doing little more than changing its name and selling it as something else. Pontiac stickered these for some $500 more than a Vega.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywW7GsVU2bjeECdefvFx3dZlMqUhWp00LF117TP65KkS4KLyHVWkWzcjBebWbgyKyDv1N2TVw3Qfh9u8WCiQ19KVOJ8gnTH7Qv5khTKsp-sDDymg9X9QGcXKk4GsqbgPj6NQIvsGyrlfHX1MxDcdih2HBTFJ7Kuj8ufK_Gqn6nHjGet-x3lNB6vxr0zD6/s959/406272599_10224964822603098_1575622413308855507_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywW7GsVU2bjeECdefvFx3dZlMqUhWp00LF117TP65KkS4KLyHVWkWzcjBebWbgyKyDv1N2TVw3Qfh9u8WCiQ19KVOJ8gnTH7Qv5khTKsp-sDDymg9X9QGcXKk4GsqbgPj6NQIvsGyrlfHX1MxDcdih2HBTFJ7Kuj8ufK_Gqn6nHjGet-x3lNB6vxr0zD6/s320/406272599_10224964822603098_1575622413308855507_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Shameful, but Ford and Chrysler "badge-engineered" as well. At its best, and that's possible, buyers would be hard-pressed to see the similarities in badge-engineered models. There's no hiding what this Pontiac really is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GLwReXIVpZpyEeDmw7JRDWJyLM_bpGVStzO6xPQZUik1KkvFU7WTTlANaw2Uufw-So9qx-GlaUofNL7LgIDdhSg0a_w3lbFzE6eO90dGdz3zlNADLMylo2AGspjcYkZFeZiWQRCvktcUMS-tgN4GFw5dBh7uYbgnMc2TgGu9xusDQ6z8Vh9D7h9aDO3a/s959/406313843_10224964822003083_4988579286844804148_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GLwReXIVpZpyEeDmw7JRDWJyLM_bpGVStzO6xPQZUik1KkvFU7WTTlANaw2Uufw-So9qx-GlaUofNL7LgIDdhSg0a_w3lbFzE6eO90dGdz3zlNADLMylo2AGspjcYkZFeZiWQRCvktcUMS-tgN4GFw5dBh7uYbgnMc2TgGu9xusDQ6z8Vh9D7h9aDO3a/s320/406313843_10224964822003083_4988579286844804148_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Pontiac Astre and Chevrolet Vega were GM's second foray into sub-compact cars. Their first was the Chevrolet Corvair in 1960 followed by the "senior" subcompact (they were a scooch larger) Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile F-85 and Buick Special in 1961. The Pontiac, Buick and Olds went to the dumpster (the nameplates lived on) after 1963 but a rebooted (for 1965) and very handsome Corvair soldiered on through 1969. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMFQ0g4YUzakal0P5wwRzMY0PJXp8Lfo5ZJqNjTHu2br2Fy0__YITL3NT-NrdpsMDuuTl0XeQO7eWgMxkoWasURKws5je_0sEr64Wic0VAhdzu27YMufvXduXnIKOKJ2KMYHa8Kd3ZvoAuntG55zbcxGPe1Y7p_1LQhoL4E5MLwmXByTpHR3GjwFA4W3K/s959/406280358_10224964879684525_5203308099899387548_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMFQ0g4YUzakal0P5wwRzMY0PJXp8Lfo5ZJqNjTHu2br2Fy0__YITL3NT-NrdpsMDuuTl0XeQO7eWgMxkoWasURKws5je_0sEr64Wic0VAhdzu27YMufvXduXnIKOKJ2KMYHa8Kd3ZvoAuntG55zbcxGPe1Y7p_1LQhoL4E5MLwmXByTpHR3GjwFA4W3K/s320/406280358_10224964879684525_5203308099899387548_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For 1971, GM tried a subcompact again with the Vega. Without question a handsome design, it's gone down in history as one of the worst automobiles of all time. From failed engines to bodies that rusted out and did so quickly, the list of Vega and later Astre maladies went on and on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnsA7Z3n5FDqDRLyl-9Rgo61uvyzDkU3prcB8IpleACxepFrKZr_Nwa6I9JD2Pf-Q8gk1LgN8uKPb4KFpd0jFA_B5jrTZSGet33ksts2YrAS5t5I0bhMrYq8EahuHABFyBLTBPRsdwaDI4u9WaQVsSXvECeLKYPyPIlwCOwy5mLwrhsvMVFnu5dUh9UfX/s959/406238175_10224964879004508_1363985986048237631_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnsA7Z3n5FDqDRLyl-9Rgo61uvyzDkU3prcB8IpleACxepFrKZr_Nwa6I9JD2Pf-Q8gk1LgN8uKPb4KFpd0jFA_B5jrTZSGet33ksts2YrAS5t5I0bhMrYq8EahuHABFyBLTBPRsdwaDI4u9WaQVsSXvECeLKYPyPIlwCOwy5mLwrhsvMVFnu5dUh9UfX/s320/406238175_10224964879004508_1363985986048237631_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">At the time, GM could ill-afford, although they hardly knew it at the time, to have such a calamity on their hands what with superbly built, affordably priced sub-compact Asian imports washing ashore en masse in the early '70's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Q11-NTP882KoS7ArQ_SzEnq85mM39SF2nUpDWmT_U4dec20fDR4Ri9-dMvPh9raTeBd7Mme9N81RGWZVGnINX1TE-SNkqzeXNV6MFFzW3vKKSrcAAyL9xqS8ODalg8ibcDvC3q0x91oK4gNsYpXOdkBwBfwnvTQ96cof2qNIYC_Y6KtsNqhOMb9BxtJ/s959/406281668_10224964879884530_485066695268398648_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-Q11-NTP882KoS7ArQ_SzEnq85mM39SF2nUpDWmT_U4dec20fDR4Ri9-dMvPh9raTeBd7Mme9N81RGWZVGnINX1TE-SNkqzeXNV6MFFzW3vKKSrcAAyL9xqS8ODalg8ibcDvC3q0x91oK4gNsYpXOdkBwBfwnvTQ96cof2qNIYC_Y6KtsNqhOMb9BxtJ/s320/406281668_10224964879884530_485066695268398648_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Pontiac replaced these with the first generation "Sunbird" in 1978 that was their badge-engineered version of the Chevrolet Monza, itself a stretched version of the Vega. Curiously, Chevrolet and Pontiac continued to sell the two-door wagon of the Astre and Vega in 1978 and 1979 that they called, respectively, the "Monza Wagon" and "Sunbird Sport Safari". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdITiFGstUY9MSM6IKy3K0qTC96rbBxWEEPB8aAwXP205oYCLH7wVYUJinRD2ZJ_jy8FjeUf0HG9Wqy4VoXNcIyGe4USTmwnWxrT8GYY5Af7RyRWYIrpyPA36fx_IF2Qv6lUQyGVNc09SYaFq3ukr3BKR1iIlttru2LDVjXKfdhec6FPYTJtYr0EfwXGT/s959/406326635_10224964821443069_2280086324916966798_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdITiFGstUY9MSM6IKy3K0qTC96rbBxWEEPB8aAwXP205oYCLH7wVYUJinRD2ZJ_jy8FjeUf0HG9Wqy4VoXNcIyGe4USTmwnWxrT8GYY5Af7RyRWYIrpyPA36fx_IF2Qv6lUQyGVNc09SYaFq3ukr3BKR1iIlttru2LDVjXKfdhec6FPYTJtYr0EfwXGT/w300-h400/406326635_10224964821443069_2280086324916966798_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our Facebook Marketplace find here is for sale in Jackson, New Jersey, a town famous for being the home of the amusement park, Six Flags Great Adventure. It's for sale as part of an estate purge and they're asking $2,500. Yes, twenty-five-hundred-dollars. It's not running and the driver's side floor, at least, has rotted through. Talk about a, ahem, "Great Adventure". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div></div>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-22100768048358393742024-01-21T13:40:00.000-08:002024-01-21T13:40:16.580-08:001974 Chevrolet Nova SS - A 1974 Nova SS?? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9oKZLZ-qXud_MZ8UbFsEYUAxGRJzxQGvbN5hz5AuUKSt6Dd_lNKw8oP3IlLV_qrKbHgeEPdTzbjUtuWnqvvv-OMpFI58F4EG4aTvHkIdW4McAaVekUfy9DZuu6MkSU_nICenmpyxUR4rpQdHxaxWZXUiQFZKdsCA3wF5kInPuJpg6RIa2WsRFY2Zn1Vc/s640/389029245_6626234037473390_201854193143832876_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9oKZLZ-qXud_MZ8UbFsEYUAxGRJzxQGvbN5hz5AuUKSt6Dd_lNKw8oP3IlLV_qrKbHgeEPdTzbjUtuWnqvvv-OMpFI58F4EG4aTvHkIdW4McAaVekUfy9DZuu6MkSU_nICenmpyxUR4rpQdHxaxWZXUiQFZKdsCA3wF5kInPuJpg6RIa2WsRFY2Zn1Vc/w400-h300/389029245_6626234037473390_201854193143832876_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today's Facebook Marketplace gem is this 1974 Chevrolet Nova SS. I know, right? A Nova SS from model-year 1974. Bet you didn't know these were built or if you did, you may have forgotten they were. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdL-yzg6kjZjLjZdE95dSLeaXZ8r0IpOl1Vbu0bXvzQFsqexAwHHgO_WEkf-Jhp6KEjVBFdUvZFAsGtYOEq_mcpY-5Kh3RKm0vfDDpaROqXW0l-E3I9S8cH-IPqKazdVtTjU0AdRy_NDtY7SMLmGOXSx92V5U4vIIFXNN5ArUA07RMa8bgA9axqiVXnDcS/s640/386588208_7306144412797336_6571806323844867265_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdL-yzg6kjZjLjZdE95dSLeaXZ8r0IpOl1Vbu0bXvzQFsqexAwHHgO_WEkf-Jhp6KEjVBFdUvZFAsGtYOEq_mcpY-5Kh3RKm0vfDDpaROqXW0l-E3I9S8cH-IPqKazdVtTjU0AdRy_NDtY7SMLmGOXSx92V5U4vIIFXNN5ArUA07RMa8bgA9axqiVXnDcS/s320/386588208_7306144412797336_6571806323844867265_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chevrolet didn't make many and 1974, after all, was the tip of the spear of the Malaise Era that would run through, depending on who you talk to you and their definition of it, at least 1982. Some say it lasted into the '90's; its starting point varies on who you talk to as well. I say it's the advent of lower compression engines in 1971, others say safety bumpers in 1973. Tomato, to-mah-toe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9DcqXmlTMNnfq98AjQeeum6bYoDdU8IH3ulhwjUAjja1tseBTQNmuQEs73WGPwe7JaNd6uCh_9LaoRpGtypX4svLV3GheIewQTTKH7jPAgQBeuqss_-TnjqCS_vrx3TYdKWhzGRvCliW8anYHAr9tB7rrJ5zEM67cLP6Xm8pb6V7DAx49ahudVjp5p0o/s640/389089498_6793493354097051_6762802120907720957_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9DcqXmlTMNnfq98AjQeeum6bYoDdU8IH3ulhwjUAjja1tseBTQNmuQEs73WGPwe7JaNd6uCh_9LaoRpGtypX4svLV3GheIewQTTKH7jPAgQBeuqss_-TnjqCS_vrx3TYdKWhzGRvCliW8anYHAr9tB7rrJ5zEM67cLP6Xm8pb6V7DAx49ahudVjp5p0o/s320/389089498_6793493354097051_6762802120907720957_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Surcharges on anything insurance companies construed as a performance car had already knocked performance cars loose on their hinges; emissions regulations did their thing too, but the gas crunch knocked the door clean off them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3bw1AHdrHGPx3H9cgDGxdoIOv56-msKiFw44nLITIg8Wm-wY3CAJ_dONk8LJEI4EIifQQ8R-sGblv9fzoTNxxcRznomXFHrnppvyDVn3VxVkQW2FJjbeZfYZhKme9Epv9nmIHVMGFrWZNZh_FFfTN-ueXrcRCTUcFp3Xp7-CDxy6I8Jkl8EGhFvsOwyf/s640/387616113_23985365857777015_7840464761429029583_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3bw1AHdrHGPx3H9cgDGxdoIOv56-msKiFw44nLITIg8Wm-wY3CAJ_dONk8LJEI4EIifQQ8R-sGblv9fzoTNxxcRznomXFHrnppvyDVn3VxVkQW2FJjbeZfYZhKme9Epv9nmIHVMGFrWZNZh_FFfTN-ueXrcRCTUcFp3Xp7-CDxy6I8Jkl8EGhFvsOwyf/s320/387616113_23985365857777015_7840464761429029583_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After 1974, Chevrolet pulled the plug on these muscular "little" cars stuffed with Chevrolet's "L48", 185-horsepower, 350-cubic inch, V-8 engines. Yes, the same L48 used in Camaro's and the haughty Corvette although, supposedly, detuned a whopping 5-horsepower. This way, GM could still market that the Corvette was still the most powerful Chevrolet available that year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrIRfFYRhltsGeNI7U2eRBO_qH04OMYhHI6ezpkEdCApz0WJn3bEvGex605_DqvVXOf0m9a7f02sii5Mll755-1-m9-CZ0637ltsOU3ek59vJ1K5eKzzbt3hG3Gbhsh5hqnFc3IPUNWZU7Y-CzTXbbPl3WIhKQfLG7KMSx5hPDBBMfD77Agti1-p2E5wh/s640/394170990_7157895120887726_4692073249439491629_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrIRfFYRhltsGeNI7U2eRBO_qH04OMYhHI6ezpkEdCApz0WJn3bEvGex605_DqvVXOf0m9a7f02sii5Mll755-1-m9-CZ0637ltsOU3ek59vJ1K5eKzzbt3hG3Gbhsh5hqnFc3IPUNWZU7Y-CzTXbbPl3WIhKQfLG7KMSx5hPDBBMfD77Agti1-p2E5wh/s320/394170990_7157895120887726_4692073249439491629_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">With a factory, 3:42 posi-rear and a four-speed, pull up next to a Corvette or Camaro with an L48 and my money's on you and your Nova. Not by much, but enough to make the Corvette owner wonder why they spent almost a third more to go all but just as fast. These were no stinkers in the corners either with their fatter than stock sway bars and firmer springs. Base model Nova's were adroit handlers, imagine how this thing rides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qNClCJ4x392VTsEhQCskZ4qg6kYKwnl3tzOIjXjZzArapqzJdySrGga3X4CNmYH2YdwQ9KtPANHux1KsuHE1i5B9_TMEwChBWQcZoQk62RDl7h0f3MVtKZtIxoPkkB2FjA4J_ELK6LOyvWblqPTrC4TMqxiI4-gq91pnJXSojM534mGV2KfJbVsqydoj/s640/387685605_6848136898599488_581182660117652435_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qNClCJ4x392VTsEhQCskZ4qg6kYKwnl3tzOIjXjZzArapqzJdySrGga3X4CNmYH2YdwQ9KtPANHux1KsuHE1i5B9_TMEwChBWQcZoQk62RDl7h0f3MVtKZtIxoPkkB2FjA4J_ELK6LOyvWblqPTrC4TMqxiI4-gq91pnJXSojM534mGV2KfJbVsqydoj/s320/387685605_6848136898599488_581182660117652435_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You could also order a Nova SS with an automatic in 1974, but the "350" in those cars would be the 145-horsepower, L65. Not quite the thumper the L48 was, especially with the 3:42 gears but it was better than the 250-inline six without that much of a penalty in fuel economy. Automatic, L65 Nova SS' for '74 had at best 3:08 posi-gears although, have to imagine, most had 2:73's (posi). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpMdU-XiXzHSwEL7w1t1z2SrxLWlIW7LlZAZVDlNuH5DO4vxdbM5PQpCpNTvoq8gAXKC3SjwebgpzhyphenhyphenkHVpnY45CUN4D_f3sMDo17ondsCYZL_Bi7B024jd96FD2Y7K9wXz8wrjJqqSfPERYVbvBK9qRID_Cdyp9KQWgpgYYMuV243ddDtSYV1O4wpYol/s640/394186935_7171361029563282_6724654899759410472_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpMdU-XiXzHSwEL7w1t1z2SrxLWlIW7LlZAZVDlNuH5DO4vxdbM5PQpCpNTvoq8gAXKC3SjwebgpzhyphenhyphenkHVpnY45CUN4D_f3sMDo17ondsCYZL_Bi7B024jd96FD2Y7K9wXz8wrjJqqSfPERYVbvBK9qRID_Cdyp9KQWgpgYYMuV243ddDtSYV1O4wpYol/s320/394186935_7171361029563282_6724654899759410472_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All in, for less than five-grand in the waning days of the Nixon administration, those looking for a performance bargain laughed all the way to the bank. Or had some extra sheckles to fork over to their insurance company. In fairness, Corvette and Nova buyers were as far apart as John Dean was from H.R. Haldeman was when it was all said and done but still, these were no slouches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6YdJ7dwcJiRYXBnH86vBI14vf_pVmzcYsAOLKWu0hn50v02-eLNbozfewMriYXNIpat2lLjU_4YDhQKTxcxX5Uq-hwS7KMd6Mc7NZXgXvyJijOlm5AL4V0UqKOOD3HOnFSmRQzt5C5Vm9u2dOBoV4cREu_NfrzvCbf_e235fY_LtjfHAyhSH4lsw0v7Z/s640/404707551_6915414181906737_359711160930610939_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6YdJ7dwcJiRYXBnH86vBI14vf_pVmzcYsAOLKWu0hn50v02-eLNbozfewMriYXNIpat2lLjU_4YDhQKTxcxX5Uq-hwS7KMd6Mc7NZXgXvyJijOlm5AL4V0UqKOOD3HOnFSmRQzt5C5Vm9u2dOBoV4cREu_NfrzvCbf_e235fY_LtjfHAyhSH4lsw0v7Z/s320/404707551_6915414181906737_359711160930610939_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chevrolet sold a Nova SS for 1975 and 1976 but it was all but a trim package. 1975 also brought a substantial reboot to all of the GM "compact" X-bodies that made them better conveyances, but also massaged away any of their "small-muscle car" mojo. Particularly on the coupes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11yBU_tS_dWEMLDrVd9Vs1cpS2e2ZphIjd3Jx16n55evmTtQ0Ur9B355jDX-upn7La595vaqq7Ac6k1P3yEGgbJo3ovflKrFMb4RFYPHIdlshzZ671WT73Xc4B67gKi2sjF_zKow0rS7MK866OEYH_hxjo66TKQKvfQIh3lkm2dfHIyLT-vZNsUQLO1mP/s640/386430700_6604249229622955_5760844640996835490_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11yBU_tS_dWEMLDrVd9Vs1cpS2e2ZphIjd3Jx16n55evmTtQ0Ur9B355jDX-upn7La595vaqq7Ac6k1P3yEGgbJo3ovflKrFMb4RFYPHIdlshzZ671WT73Xc4B67gKi2sjF_zKow0rS7MK866OEYH_hxjo66TKQKvfQIh3lkm2dfHIyLT-vZNsUQLO1mP/s320/386430700_6604249229622955_5760844640996835490_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This one's for sale back in my old neck of the woods (Long Island, New York) and has an asking price of, you sitting down? $35,000. That's more than ten-grand of, ahem, green north of what high retail for what these are going for these days. Can't blame them for asking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGaLmSqvvrQ9k95NnKLDpjWwBnYnGUhpLnEl12NdSRrBNO-oImNlqg4Afh0gfDl5LagFAZOr37WQ-aw-Th3lSxh1hpedO7F9eTqBvmYhrtNJfESnr2haL-3jQQkNe8Vxe4kET3iUFPkxTE1p55UyBEsl4TOMYzzQH_0cV3XG4Yi2yT6bEzVnNlXPNjPYD/s640/405016820_24270021882642251_7159778178914542436_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGaLmSqvvrQ9k95NnKLDpjWwBnYnGUhpLnEl12NdSRrBNO-oImNlqg4Afh0gfDl5LagFAZOr37WQ-aw-Th3lSxh1hpedO7F9eTqBvmYhrtNJfESnr2haL-3jQQkNe8Vxe4kET3iUFPkxTE1p55UyBEsl4TOMYzzQH_0cV3XG4Yi2yT6bEzVnNlXPNjPYD/w400-h300/405016820_24270021882642251_7159778178914542436_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You may see other Nova's of this vintage at car shows this year but you're not going to see many 1974 Nova SS'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDQ95ds60CNY8ir13129yqjkMHzjI_oEq02-w0_keZkuC9zPc-olRZPBc8CgZOn-c0Isaq9wefauQ2D2WNA44x_1rbO5Bh8fv7gVNi2iYRGJusgGLzMC6DE85OW7f1Chu3LEDQcbBJEhpEO7r0hwMefWDfOI5L-aEyuAhijcaNWhzxWMXfoS1sAkH_AXt/s640/387288542_6745656522214572_3167236286920022352_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDQ95ds60CNY8ir13129yqjkMHzjI_oEq02-w0_keZkuC9zPc-olRZPBc8CgZOn-c0Isaq9wefauQ2D2WNA44x_1rbO5Bh8fv7gVNi2iYRGJusgGLzMC6DE85OW7f1Chu3LEDQcbBJEhpEO7r0hwMefWDfOI5L-aEyuAhijcaNWhzxWMXfoS1sAkH_AXt/s320/387288542_6745656522214572_3167236286920022352_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXunKCayHdYBA2wYFq68hy4xnzlhtMEqyjaafxL9IF2ihlQErze2YkgN_lQYg2wvHLRiE_iwle94FdfxTshMNEuaIBgLbf_fFcU5fN9A8eXDQ8L6qaNsT0pgJaCikl_scnOpEF5fnQccIwiCXvrbZiZRf_484P2Nf5Ok6B-cla1vxH_V-6Wyf63XKZJkkn/s640/389029245_7149540618403325_8980449896577974514_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXunKCayHdYBA2wYFq68hy4xnzlhtMEqyjaafxL9IF2ihlQErze2YkgN_lQYg2wvHLRiE_iwle94FdfxTshMNEuaIBgLbf_fFcU5fN9A8eXDQ8L6qaNsT0pgJaCikl_scnOpEF5fnQccIwiCXvrbZiZRf_484P2Nf5Ok6B-cla1vxH_V-6Wyf63XKZJkkn/s320/389029245_7149540618403325_8980449896577974514_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0IMMsMux1Bqto_U1A0shuTMWfhySg5g2KVZgQH8KmCL-HOsvcvgZWGchbUfUExRNMzKk81fo7xQTHgYUfyS-jdc-DKQ2OIRl9mik6GaEmWm2AkSC7m6sHKCykfH4ON8NCRF1LodXrgvWJdirup_sX5EVS_Q7Ssp5laIbJTX3ktzCebqxgmlkfrfDH07G/s640/394168502_6531716993614830_6739879118035086001_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0IMMsMux1Bqto_U1A0shuTMWfhySg5g2KVZgQH8KmCL-HOsvcvgZWGchbUfUExRNMzKk81fo7xQTHgYUfyS-jdc-DKQ2OIRl9mik6GaEmWm2AkSC7m6sHKCykfH4ON8NCRF1LodXrgvWJdirup_sX5EVS_Q7Ssp5laIbJTX3ktzCebqxgmlkfrfDH07G/s320/394168502_6531716993614830_6739879118035086001_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqnmACCyDlTBsOR1VMcPhF6pb_OA9TAul9WGpgaWIotSzbjN9STF5nJXGVmMyYxLSdw3Apvr-SMuiQNdtTrzqnzOoGR_IgAUXPVANc90ORcP3ISvILwDehFteE30gnA9DA7gscWmcUmmPJroQaVccLB3-lgVFgHutkS-ARjpFGRc_Cu6c7SVFgcFupDoT/s640/405693540_7359452177421880_6518802217223751615_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqnmACCyDlTBsOR1VMcPhF6pb_OA9TAul9WGpgaWIotSzbjN9STF5nJXGVmMyYxLSdw3Apvr-SMuiQNdtTrzqnzOoGR_IgAUXPVANc90ORcP3ISvILwDehFteE30gnA9DA7gscWmcUmmPJroQaVccLB3-lgVFgHutkS-ARjpFGRc_Cu6c7SVFgcFupDoT/s320/405693540_7359452177421880_6518802217223751615_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-67822577810795249192024-01-18T08:53:00.000-08:002024-01-18T08:53:35.747-08:001980 Triumph TR7 - I'm the Odd Duck Out <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2xjTKh7PfMEFYqZoFt9GMJhfiZfRUrKjLTNdh0Wf2nbQ6FJCrypu9RWrQWifgr8641Y61cT3ffMghE-cPJkVqDyx3GZDStPJ1W_F6QKFRn85_63sYhvPtxIYPnF5uNdgb6vOgFf4R3N8LZ5mddqS0imWlJRWpoakFaQrU3Y4GM5cPGltwzYawmRNwxKu/s960/401496626_7148901571824009_6146023432752558576_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2xjTKh7PfMEFYqZoFt9GMJhfiZfRUrKjLTNdh0Wf2nbQ6FJCrypu9RWrQWifgr8641Y61cT3ffMghE-cPJkVqDyx3GZDStPJ1W_F6QKFRn85_63sYhvPtxIYPnF5uNdgb6vOgFf4R3N8LZ5mddqS0imWlJRWpoakFaQrU3Y4GM5cPGltwzYawmRNwxKu/w400-h300/401496626_7148901571824009_6146023432752558576_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When I was kid growing up on Long Island in the '70's, a neighbor had not only had a TR7, but a TR6. Born an old soul, I usually liked "older" cars more than whatever was then current, but I thought the TR7 made the TR6 look like old timey, pre-war cars I generally don't care for; us old souls have out limits. I really, really liked that TR7 and I still do. This one is a 1980, it's a rare convertible and is for sale on Marketplace for "just" $6,000. Somebody, hide my checkbook! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx7S-SWHEjGgJ_XmUepx9ShlubAmomgEFcZaYTVpkQf4d6LXqNfrbMWTdQEYZKvfNBxJoVMV-3t37eKQbAEiObgrcn42l44JJ8kr9624D9RTf9Alkrlk-GODFPF5OIlXIAFdMlfJh3SkubMSICLEwzSMNIJdvXhp4rTbsqR2amr4VBVVCjxRs5OCPj54d/s960/415228149_24413051971676056_4186241664938416651_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx7S-SWHEjGgJ_XmUepx9ShlubAmomgEFcZaYTVpkQf4d6LXqNfrbMWTdQEYZKvfNBxJoVMV-3t37eKQbAEiObgrcn42l44JJ8kr9624D9RTf9Alkrlk-GODFPF5OIlXIAFdMlfJh3SkubMSICLEwzSMNIJdvXhp4rTbsqR2amr4VBVVCjxRs5OCPj54d/s320/415228149_24413051971676056_4186241664938416651_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I realize that liking TR7's more than TR6' makes me an odd duck in the eyes of Triumph cognoscenti - many a Triumph sports car fan want nothing to do with these cars; I don't see what they don't see or why they despise them. I guess since there's nothing in common between a "7" and a "6" and I seeing the "7" before the "6", I'm able to see them exclusive of each other. I do, for the record, see plenty to love in almost all TR's going back to the first one in 1961, but given a choice between a "7" and an earlier TR, I'm going with one of these. Let's agree to disagree on TR2's and 3's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcR4_0mKanpQV056SoQEF_0v-Lihpow8DdmxnEpw6cT6zNkvh9CsBG2GQOxwZppTo9O5fRpUYRCLtAAupjD5RjlGGXgfYtee9KZYikSY_yzgFqHUgFCq7QINLuozPTbNQ4WuYsNcEoAtQDhJh9JR-PHHC5PCidU8sQSYrflC6DhvSxx4lonow18JfZpEt/s960/401532794_7441572975866291_6889215894203198138_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcR4_0mKanpQV056SoQEF_0v-Lihpow8DdmxnEpw6cT6zNkvh9CsBG2GQOxwZppTo9O5fRpUYRCLtAAupjD5RjlGGXgfYtee9KZYikSY_yzgFqHUgFCq7QINLuozPTbNQ4WuYsNcEoAtQDhJh9JR-PHHC5PCidU8sQSYrflC6DhvSxx4lonow18JfZpEt/s320/401532794_7441572975866291_6889215894203198138_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">New for mid-model-year 1975, the TR7 was Triumph's, or, more specifically, British-Leyland's, first "modern sports car" although some of its engineering was decidedly "retro-grade". It was "unit-body" with front-disc brakes, had rack-and-pinion steering and front MacPherson struts, but it had a carbureted four-cylinder engine that was less powerful than the (primitively) fuel-injected six in the TR6 and had a live rear axle versus the TR6' independent rear suspension. That said, we all know that a good live axle set up will trump an IRS. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MLhzZwZXYyQRZtQpyT7nkFDaPjP1m24dNQDl7yE1WFVr-dsdm8GJdLcnh1wKxIWRfUEZOfVIvcbhGXWMMS0rS8iO7mqe3rkb0Es-wM-v19sHg0JDIawTQLxtEmtmr22keo8_iI89f_ZCYQPPAc8Ep1F18vTfS3kEIa1LW9_qMxrPeUeyip3HTvDJA3_J/s960/411200413_24681588114788594_7357118813295293671_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MLhzZwZXYyQRZtQpyT7nkFDaPjP1m24dNQDl7yE1WFVr-dsdm8GJdLcnh1wKxIWRfUEZOfVIvcbhGXWMMS0rS8iO7mqe3rkb0Es-wM-v19sHg0JDIawTQLxtEmtmr22keo8_iI89f_ZCYQPPAc8Ep1F18vTfS3kEIa1LW9_qMxrPeUeyip3HTvDJA3_J/s320/411200413_24681588114788594_7357118813295293671_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Despite that, the TR7 was a bastion of civility if not solidity compared to the body-on-frame TR6. Contemporary road-tests lauded it's handling and interior ergonomics (layout\design). Originally built with only a fixed roof, British Leyland was hesitant at first to build a convertible seeing the U.S. government was purportedly banning convertibles, but for 1979, they sawed the roof off creating a roadster. Even amongst TR7 fans I'm the odd duck out as I like the fixed roof models more than these things. The lack of a roof, through my goggles, accentuates the rear-end on these cars and not in a good way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJLjd4SO1FcC2au7stLv3Z6Zpoo6tJhNkzgo4oNB-gtZKqCG5rLEzGUHaiWF5X30bUilauYKQsxxNnnNfLfB6nm4V9zhVjH99FeQG0_K8lKFFY8QRwtPYVKGk-XFNzhDvKgIeZxKVU-KlybBIsyJ459FDqNtQ7Dk6UConKMIKZfzeGzzBmg-xX0UBCvFK/s960/401496626_7701633566532715_4504526900315084428_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJLjd4SO1FcC2au7stLv3Z6Zpoo6tJhNkzgo4oNB-gtZKqCG5rLEzGUHaiWF5X30bUilauYKQsxxNnnNfLfB6nm4V9zhVjH99FeQG0_K8lKFFY8QRwtPYVKGk-XFNzhDvKgIeZxKVU-KlybBIsyJ459FDqNtQ7Dk6UConKMIKZfzeGzzBmg-xX0UBCvFK/s320/401496626_7701633566532715_4504526900315084428_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These cars had more than their fair share of challenges and issues inherent with many a British manufactured automobile in those days. Shoddy build quality, questionable engineering and, like I intimated, its overall design was off-putting to many. Sales were initially strong but then tapered off as word spread that they were unreliable little stinkers. A Rover V-8 (1979-1981 TR8) did little for sales and British Leyland ceased production after 1981; they snuffed out the Triumph brand after 1984. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aX_IR4mKwouuPglvG3Q6FHczEuk0UImtR0camlcd0JQiySFzD7GviXXQC70YmmCBUnt_huGjYgQDh80f1gaKEQWrKaYmfbW4i3vIgsqwixvWnJ3_jtIwrpgxr845WolZWtixaqjrv2EUkr3LGi0p2VOk0RBrVzS6UKPZX92NZTURlEgdeyT15wS8zxfL/s960/415034288_7441912512506573_2174478328156571629_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aX_IR4mKwouuPglvG3Q6FHczEuk0UImtR0camlcd0JQiySFzD7GviXXQC70YmmCBUnt_huGjYgQDh80f1gaKEQWrKaYmfbW4i3vIgsqwixvWnJ3_jtIwrpgxr845WolZWtixaqjrv2EUkr3LGi0p2VOk0RBrVzS6UKPZX92NZTURlEgdeyT15wS8zxfL/w400-h300/415034288_7441912512506573_2174478328156571629_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Still, it's not every day you find one for sale on Facebook Marketplace. And one with a tantalizingly reasonable asking price. I'm not crazy about the color of this one - apparently, it's a vinyl wrap and not paint. Not sure why anyone would go through the trouble of doing that but it's no doubt less expensive in the long run than painting a car. It has a new gas tank and new top, engine appears to have some issues as it "needs gaskets" and a water pump. Yeah, let me run down to Autozone and pick one up. Poster of the ad claims some 200 hours have gone into restoration "at this point". You have, as the saying goes, been warned. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-79555205253945600822024-01-12T07:56:00.000-08:002024-01-12T07:56:04.308-08:001968 Chevrolet Nomad - Don't Let the Door Hit You (On Your Way Out) <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xQxT8gZDgbEB2kCzjHBCrmKAGRe7mtSd9CsXenTLPBwN0Mi9Ys4D5cmB03MwpTQ4KwZh1uQnn3aGDkrDmyt57r_SpGC7xv1_YoUYWpFehhj59Y9uSNiRrfefhqeMYdK6kkCFX0CshKwX9nRgDpbwKVz7Lj0N6X5GOWrYl_IvIQFDY1MSF89RmYge6yNj/s960/358103260_964468041362876_1083522463088526274_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xQxT8gZDgbEB2kCzjHBCrmKAGRe7mtSd9CsXenTLPBwN0Mi9Ys4D5cmB03MwpTQ4KwZh1uQnn3aGDkrDmyt57r_SpGC7xv1_YoUYWpFehhj59Y9uSNiRrfefhqeMYdK6kkCFX0CshKwX9nRgDpbwKVz7Lj0N6X5GOWrYl_IvIQFDY1MSF89RmYge6yNj/w300-h400/358103260_964468041362876_1083522463088526274_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Years ago, The Big Three had a curious habit of introducing a new model to great fanfare and then within a decade, sometimes less, push it down market or introduce something "on top" of it. Some refer to that practice as "debasement". The Chevrolet Bel Air and Impala, Ford Fairlane, Thunderbird and Galaxie, Plymouth Belvedere and Pontiac Bonneville (technically), are examples of once top-of-the-line models that were either pushed down or passed over. Another is the Chevrolet Nomad. Our well-worn subject here is a 1968. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6Kvl1qkLfWH3GtGEd49xHlKfjcfDwHiHDMJPJjnigGbJtqg4ufBg8ddxQe85rCI9niV7dUfpkkm6_2vEUiHUFshSRTgrs_7Ky9cCsgezZH0ZgfbnFSMAvDMtd7ACKKP8VtESe3TsyNNT9U6kSak4_m47eeFpuRnXK1kuAABLmXnFpMRtcWVVOOMhHcmK/s677/1954%20Nomad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="677" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6Kvl1qkLfWH3GtGEd49xHlKfjcfDwHiHDMJPJjnigGbJtqg4ufBg8ddxQe85rCI9niV7dUfpkkm6_2vEUiHUFshSRTgrs_7Ky9cCsgezZH0ZgfbnFSMAvDMtd7ACKKP8VtESe3TsyNNT9U6kSak4_m47eeFpuRnXK1kuAABLmXnFpMRtcWVVOOMhHcmK/s320/1954%20Nomad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Introduced to said great fanfare as part of General Motors Motorama in 1954, the first Chevrolet Nomad was a wagon variant of,<i> if you can believe it after seeing our green monster,</i> the Corvette. If you love what they refer to as "shooting brakes" like I do, no doubt you're ass over teapot over these luscious beauties. Talk about the personification of 1950's, "James Dean Cool". The original show cars were destroyed, anything around today like the one above are replicas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiUoHgOcIRr8Cjgd_hqpn8Eba40MPvJ1mPZ85GCjZhBDUy1JXucjzZ21ZG9Ho3s6nNSBi5s-6n9v3RjqU2i1IpLCP51DWA1wQSxNErjFP2LbguQ0KIE67T6PVKGSNCRoNaxG6rrmpRnBtMTZ9NDOiSvD32C2-0you-83orDuA4xig7GI4oTPTIhm6AyjH/s560/1954-Corvette-Nomad-Wagon--560x274.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="560" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiUoHgOcIRr8Cjgd_hqpn8Eba40MPvJ1mPZ85GCjZhBDUy1JXucjzZ21ZG9Ho3s6nNSBi5s-6n9v3RjqU2i1IpLCP51DWA1wQSxNErjFP2LbguQ0KIE67T6PVKGSNCRoNaxG6rrmpRnBtMTZ9NDOiSvD32C2-0you-83orDuA4xig7GI4oTPTIhm6AyjH/w400-h196/1954-Corvette-Nomad-Wagon--560x274.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Shooting brakes, incidentally, are station wagons with the sporting elan of sports cars. The term stems from the 1890's when "shooting parties" would use horse drawn, open wagons to carry themselves, their guns, ammunition and, presumably, have enough room to carry home the, umm, stuff they shot. The "brake" or "break" part stems, supposedly, from carriages meant to "break" in horses. How and why the two terms got stuck together is anyone's guess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9LZQZeVUXRzosv5o66c0osM7Msk9oT4n8XfDUbm_nNWfY3DtaD2_M9MX8NEWRzE-Ezbv7NaHg-TiS_wfjs0tktkXIm1j3JjdB-NYYaXEkzbDA534BgP-gTgCwNpDxfejkYoTLerkkFBQByzXm-BQ-LTJy7cmUIsk5NabmKwQDmEPUJJzAWTgOeRMJzBH/s1672/55%20nomad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1672" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9LZQZeVUXRzosv5o66c0osM7Msk9oT4n8XfDUbm_nNWfY3DtaD2_M9MX8NEWRzE-Ezbv7NaHg-TiS_wfjs0tktkXIm1j3JjdB-NYYaXEkzbDA534BgP-gTgCwNpDxfejkYoTLerkkFBQByzXm-BQ-LTJy7cmUIsk5NabmKwQDmEPUJJzAWTgOeRMJzBH/w400-h193/55%20nomad.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Problem was, being Corvette based, they would have been prohibitively expensive to build. Therefore, the first production Nomad's were built on GM's new-for-1955 A-body chassis and as such, enabled Pontiac to build one as well. For more on the Pontiac, please google, <i>"Pontiac Bonneville Sport".</i> Although prosaic in comparison to the Motorama car, they were still two-door "sport wagons" and, objectively, handsome as hell although not quite as much as the Corvette based ones. Chevrolet also offered 210 and 150 based two-door "Handyman" wagons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ8zhyJt4u9dxYFMHJyTDnMdby-Yhz49wKGxoCGSldFS7O81qjAXl5a5S-_ksn16XzjdEYd0mneeYi93L1YulseII74ba61Xec_DBWnERsiy8SSLDsoT0erIAvGEQur_BtrsXQMicQjO-zLl2sLcf0TdCxk-FeE9HSrduVj2qtfQd9lg1-lZLqpZfcNC0/s720/1957-Chevrolet-Nomad-Tropical-Turquoise-fuel-injected-for-sale-002-720x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ8zhyJt4u9dxYFMHJyTDnMdby-Yhz49wKGxoCGSldFS7O81qjAXl5a5S-_ksn16XzjdEYd0mneeYi93L1YulseII74ba61Xec_DBWnERsiy8SSLDsoT0erIAvGEQur_BtrsXQMicQjO-zLl2sLcf0TdCxk-FeE9HSrduVj2qtfQd9lg1-lZLqpZfcNC0/w400-h266/1957-Chevrolet-Nomad-Tropical-Turquoise-fuel-injected-for-sale-002-720x480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was, save for the Corvette, Chevrolet's most expensive model. Find one of these today, even basket cases, and you're going to pay through the grill for it. Above is a 1957 complete with a "fuelie" 283-cubic inch V-8. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3TcO5mBXzjmuqVq651sS1u3JRtEsXRp4HKsHaXTQSYIJptn3phr-TYXhVRQEQvX4tBbJmwD4iGM9apTobzuCtH6V-Rf5c8yLdnFG5p72DuleeZkhoqXwcF49fXqORKo3yz5BtLjmkIAwtqbpcKJeaHKFlxG42voJWstQUXLoKwSNQo6McNNcTNG55M8w/s832/58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="832" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3TcO5mBXzjmuqVq651sS1u3JRtEsXRp4HKsHaXTQSYIJptn3phr-TYXhVRQEQvX4tBbJmwD4iGM9apTobzuCtH6V-Rf5c8yLdnFG5p72DuleeZkhoqXwcF49fXqORKo3yz5BtLjmkIAwtqbpcKJeaHKFlxG42voJWstQUXLoKwSNQo6McNNcTNG55M8w/w400-h256/58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When Chevrolet upsized to GM's B-body for 1958, the Nomad remained as a wagon and although it was no longer a "shooting brake", it was Chevrolet's top-of-the-line wagon lineup that included four other models (more like trim levels). Much like experiencing the chill of ageism for the first time, the debasement of the Nomad began in 1959 when it became the step-down model to the new "Kingswood". It remained as such for 1961 before the nameplate was sunset. Above is a 1958 Nomad with 1971-1972 Chevrolet Impala wheel covers and period incorrect wheels and tires. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RzLRRoeTJ3qRDI6gVSpgrybgeuivZDyK-TGGXy9Qa5m6zXsIQLrnYLhBLDqYUEzE1yWhUaPsgbaZdE18-sCrla9Q5TT7TNE86_QPIbj0ud7Xb13ChuUmMHeMVPgqXGZgaILgKz3l6QTqNkj9ta8IajQKNWrzI_xbMS4ZlYhslCOYJlzdunxkZTo2LlWS/s960/358078719_964467981362882_8041010638205521817_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RzLRRoeTJ3qRDI6gVSpgrybgeuivZDyK-TGGXy9Qa5m6zXsIQLrnYLhBLDqYUEzE1yWhUaPsgbaZdE18-sCrla9Q5TT7TNE86_QPIbj0ud7Xb13ChuUmMHeMVPgqXGZgaILgKz3l6QTqNkj9ta8IajQKNWrzI_xbMS4ZlYhslCOYJlzdunxkZTo2LlWS/s320/358078719_964467981362882_8041010638205521817_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chevrolet resurrected the Nomad moniker for 1968 affixing it to their new-for-'68, entry-level, "A-body" intermediate station wagon. So, in just fourteen-years, the Chevrolet Nomad went from glamorous, Motorama Queen to a bottom feeding, bone-stripped rental car. Don't let the door hit you on your way out, old man. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KYfIgJAQIH3QFE1Y263gWLzz52LROnldi98y7c-LVkfeJu7Tr4OzFIhEIS33bsZxq4mPxjx6uPr69u4jI4FsIR_oyMcGwHF0WvpWMTbnDXus8rDy_pjjZsnTsdOhe18GJs_J3-pTgAoxrfVoJYfQNY5Db8fqZ_YJ5c2EpEFzhQDV1y5g2OoYKsXB5fsE/s960/357741332_964468071362873_7213706360885634023_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KYfIgJAQIH3QFE1Y263gWLzz52LROnldi98y7c-LVkfeJu7Tr4OzFIhEIS33bsZxq4mPxjx6uPr69u4jI4FsIR_oyMcGwHF0WvpWMTbnDXus8rDy_pjjZsnTsdOhe18GJs_J3-pTgAoxrfVoJYfQNY5Db8fqZ_YJ5c2EpEFzhQDV1y5g2OoYKsXB5fsE/s320/357741332_964468071362873_7213706360885634023_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A five-door only, Nomad's like our subject here came standard with Chevrolet's dutiful although pokey, 230-cubic inch, inline six and three-on-the-tree. Chevrolet produced these disposable, mid-sized Nomad appliances through 1972. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQE7o0bKrimkRiqyuUcj0jjq7KZzJuArzb31Eu-9U4_54oIvmE5Di2r2nKQvBub2oyc-RA15g8ZvI-IYmPv_uhwuApCStp-JwglkOmzJe6-Tyg_GPf19ClJjlfo3OWAaxpi4YHqr9wj4z6bGbfHAjss3TpQF54aZUPYvEMR4fNSRAyQpUtp1pziEuBnWn/s600/1976_chevrolet_vega_nomad_side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQE7o0bKrimkRiqyuUcj0jjq7KZzJuArzb31Eu-9U4_54oIvmE5Di2r2nKQvBub2oyc-RA15g8ZvI-IYmPv_uhwuApCStp-JwglkOmzJe6-Tyg_GPf19ClJjlfo3OWAaxpi4YHqr9wj4z6bGbfHAjss3TpQF54aZUPYvEMR4fNSRAyQpUtp1pziEuBnWn/w400-h266/1976_chevrolet_vega_nomad_side.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chevrolet marketed a Vega Nomad in 1976 that was an appearance package for their Vega "Kammback" wagon. From 1977 through 1981, "Nomad" denoted a trim level of Chevrolet's full-size van. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FXcvdQpRdtBvDXq4FsLMNzoLeF7ob9dRKgU4f7uy7-3MHTY2ysZY_qESJLcTiEbZy43OfvBKa8bltX2hD78KTLlNMzhELEUc-mY9IKSW0DBHU2PGTnIpCVKNxuhh5fVvH2EUWqHPTq5hmtZGXwfEe7iYhA2NtY05ilDdgQv10OSmeeemDPePUVb2ZkhN/s480/Chevrolet-1979-Nomad-_II_Concept_Minivan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="480" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FXcvdQpRdtBvDXq4FsLMNzoLeF7ob9dRKgU4f7uy7-3MHTY2ysZY_qESJLcTiEbZy43OfvBKa8bltX2hD78KTLlNMzhELEUc-mY9IKSW0DBHU2PGTnIpCVKNxuhh5fVvH2EUWqHPTq5hmtZGXwfEe7iYhA2NtY05ilDdgQv10OSmeeemDPePUVb2ZkhN/w400-h260/Chevrolet-1979-Nomad-_II_Concept_Minivan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Fun Nomad facts, when Chevrolet was working on their X-body Citation, they whipped up a handsome mini-van version they dubbed, "Nomad". Chevrolet suits thought it would impact station wagon sales and scuttled it. How right they were. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTLrTuWIDoduwgqd9A9tue0IYULcf2S0ps0WtNz0wmw9P8ypiC1bWR0KBWfhS4UGwRIzf9HmoiNxWrE3hGywb6xivBuWGG4XAjpHob0M-mTfPL9Yr_jVlRXOwqWnfLM_MMLEIHTRuR-zOs_cqNbvpk0Wix3YIZvLlWs9UOJ-GlloIzGqlg18QbM_5r_mg/s960/358132225_964468138029533_5803178591577950079_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTLrTuWIDoduwgqd9A9tue0IYULcf2S0ps0WtNz0wmw9P8ypiC1bWR0KBWfhS4UGwRIzf9HmoiNxWrE3hGywb6xivBuWGG4XAjpHob0M-mTfPL9Yr_jVlRXOwqWnfLM_MMLEIHTRuR-zOs_cqNbvpk0Wix3YIZvLlWs9UOJ-GlloIzGqlg18QbM_5r_mg/w300-h400/358132225_964468138029533_5803178591577950079_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This '68 popped up on Marketplace recently with a $6,000 asking price. Seems like a lot of money for something that's needs so much, including an exterminator and delousing. I guess $5,000-$6,000 is the new $1,000-$2,000 I'd think this would be worth. The heck do I know? Seriously, this could need ten grand in just body work before you get to the fun stuff like the steering suspension and power train. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xQxT8gZDgbEB2kCzjHBCrmKAGRe7mtSd9CsXenTLPBwN0Mi9Ys4D5cmB03MwpTQ4KwZh1uQnn3aGDkrDmyt57r_SpGC7xv1_YoUYWpFehhj59Y9uSNiRrfefhqeMYdK6kkCFX0CshKwX9nRgDpbwKVz7Lj0N6X5GOWrYl_IvIQFDY1MSF89RmYge6yNj/s960/358103260_964468041362876_1083522463088526274_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xQxT8gZDgbEB2kCzjHBCrmKAGRe7mtSd9CsXenTLPBwN0Mi9Ys4D5cmB03MwpTQ4KwZh1uQnn3aGDkrDmyt57r_SpGC7xv1_YoUYWpFehhj59Y9uSNiRrfefhqeMYdK6kkCFX0CshKwX9nRgDpbwKVz7Lj0N6X5GOWrYl_IvIQFDY1MSF89RmYge6yNj/w300-h400/358103260_964468041362876_1083522463088526274_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Frankly, given Chevrolet's reuse of their hallowed "Blazer" and "Trailblazer" monikers lately, that they haven't repurposed "Nomad" is a bit of head scratcher. To me at least. Maybe they're working on a Corvette based "shooting brake" although, given that the Corvette is now mid-engined, that seems highly unlikely. We can dream, though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-67352210681172294462024-01-11T17:46:00.000-08:002024-01-11T17:46:33.239-08:001983 Cadillac Coupe deVille - Proverbial Dirt Nap <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rffEMn-DTCb19vlhNjCffYHGtMwTCeOHCiNj4ybkDAgbpco0GdloaTznMvMqxBAGU9TZKZFiar5JQI2fTafG7nE-AbULywPsAsuLvvt4aRBqGgvv_OondlUpBs9wvaOZm7yzqZ7DsxVrCnN-ZF7JY81oFGtjOBACQ8rv-pGGhL-LA62V9ZiZQcLtwH9i/s960/411923245_24447866941526099_3957616753904161115_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="960" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rffEMn-DTCb19vlhNjCffYHGtMwTCeOHCiNj4ybkDAgbpco0GdloaTznMvMqxBAGU9TZKZFiar5JQI2fTafG7nE-AbULywPsAsuLvvt4aRBqGgvv_OondlUpBs9wvaOZm7yzqZ7DsxVrCnN-ZF7JY81oFGtjOBACQ8rv-pGGhL-LA62V9ZiZQcLtwH9i/w400-h223/411923245_24447866941526099_3957616753904161115_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The early 1980's were not a good time for Cadillac. Questionable product planning along with poor execution at a time when younger-target buyers were gravitating to German makes and models almost doomed what had been one of the world's most respected if not hallowed automobile brands. In many ways, it's amazing the moniker is around today because of how bad things had gotten and gotten very quickly back then. This 1983 Cadillac Coupe deVille was a poster car of those woe begotten days although some of what ailed this one, in particular, have been remedied. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq0rcXBlp9ZM1IHtn5Mfc64q82DgK48LeKf6TfdWVnK3u7MQhuhxbyLXBKig4GUwkLUmB5365hiW7KoZvIrsMNgK1W-6FEYa-KgeahFKg84Cvia09sbbsSF2kge2Z5mn70YSEfJ12L5IVPa1p8USpaNJcIQhPwdcDpPas9FNSCwV-Gwy8gdfw24D012q_/s960/406990954_6833817373406282_6967178377619016424_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="960" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq0rcXBlp9ZM1IHtn5Mfc64q82DgK48LeKf6TfdWVnK3u7MQhuhxbyLXBKig4GUwkLUmB5365hiW7KoZvIrsMNgK1W-6FEYa-KgeahFKg84Cvia09sbbsSF2kge2Z5mn70YSEfJ12L5IVPa1p8USpaNJcIQhPwdcDpPas9FNSCwV-Gwy8gdfw24D012q_/s320/406990954_6833817373406282_6967178377619016424_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That's because the engine it came from the factory has been replaced with a 1987-1995 GM 350-cubic inch V-8. There aren't any more details in the Facebook Marketplace ad about it other than the poster claims it has a new four-barrel carburetor. All GM "350's" made after 1986, even ones in trucks, had at least throttle-body fuel injection so some work has been done to it. Cadillac offered a 350-cubic inch, throttle body fuel injected in 1992 and it made 185-horsepower and 300-pound feet of torque. Nothing to write home about today but in the early 90's for a Cadillac, that was quite improvement over what they had not long before under their hoods. Who knows, maybe this began life as a 240-horse, L98 with 330-foot pounds of twist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeczayrr4TAvlIPB1MqHFtC5KJImUww4o6eAaZrKpSlXlY02SD38p1kGaOLlwK45CbEgLDls5iRNMlutdLuAht9mXPSR5HGIzCbDdYdo3mPmJfDmt1X4bY_G61NHVpXh2pM23xB7yc9Ka_aMl3hWC8f2FCOnzsr8SkuTCHDqJ8PbcZpfEpeqHDei0VNgeG/s960/411783392_6958653960915207_3788788872035777674_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="960" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeczayrr4TAvlIPB1MqHFtC5KJImUww4o6eAaZrKpSlXlY02SD38p1kGaOLlwK45CbEgLDls5iRNMlutdLuAht9mXPSR5HGIzCbDdYdo3mPmJfDmt1X4bY_G61NHVpXh2pM23xB7yc9Ka_aMl3hWC8f2FCOnzsr8SkuTCHDqJ8PbcZpfEpeqHDei0VNgeG/s320/411783392_6958653960915207_3788788872035777674_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The engine this car was built with was Cadillac's infamous "HT4100". "HT" was for "High Tech" and many joke that stood for "hook and tow". The 4.1-liter V-8 was originally developed for Cadillac's front-wheel-drive "C-body", full-size cars that came to market for model-year 1985. With the abortive V8-6-4 of 1981 infamy, Cadillac had to do something. And quickly. Thing is, they made a bad thing worse stuffing the '82's with the HT. That's saying a lot too considering how bad the V8-6-4 was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpamOLY35mQOX_U2jV98Zf5yrbMqenRU8ZWIXPGIlc8MJAihnmlISQa6k3mb0K3_qUPYxX0ndhdP5gUeQ4CTJg2SCuh_HCtLufS-CbjGF6liBkpS-Aun1WnJ0il5_Y4sprObTUD78cuaU0QZZ8FN4bxSuAzw_D7TxW0odRCGi_31qPk3WkakyVtcA4cJFu/s960/411677220_7087167111367562_8398513526267849112_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="960" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpamOLY35mQOX_U2jV98Zf5yrbMqenRU8ZWIXPGIlc8MJAihnmlISQa6k3mb0K3_qUPYxX0ndhdP5gUeQ4CTJg2SCuh_HCtLufS-CbjGF6liBkpS-Aun1WnJ0il5_Y4sprObTUD78cuaU0QZZ8FN4bxSuAzw_D7TxW0odRCGi_31qPk3WkakyVtcA4cJFu/s320/411677220_7087167111367562_8398513526267849112_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In addition to being just plain gutless, early HT's inhaled head gaskets, had cooling and oiling issues, replacement parts were expensive and finding a shop to work on them was next to impossible. Many an HT would conk out without warning too. Hopefully still within warranty but often times not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BNrbaw2q5CAzTG7ZOzHpdErjGRAGB4Rx3HljyKZoHlw5IZ3qBpSqDj7YYprHdoxGLC8JFlJ5i3oISRKd64PwbVqYpXWSrhRCh0YVD1C0_ZYOvmJJwgJAlvroyMfSsYDWMqEXa_V52jwwn8EXRgf7Gbg9XAiPdzWShQNi4LNuJYSy1sr0TLYmnXSIrv3h/s960/413668408_24958434093755299_3888299577240803447_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="960" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BNrbaw2q5CAzTG7ZOzHpdErjGRAGB4Rx3HljyKZoHlw5IZ3qBpSqDj7YYprHdoxGLC8JFlJ5i3oISRKd64PwbVqYpXWSrhRCh0YVD1C0_ZYOvmJJwgJAlvroyMfSsYDWMqEXa_V52jwwn8EXRgf7Gbg9XAiPdzWShQNi4LNuJYSy1sr0TLYmnXSIrv3h/s320/413668408_24958434093755299_3888299577240803447_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Why Cadillac rushed the HT into these cars and not replace the V8-6-4 with Oldsmobile's bullet-proof 307-cubic inch V-8 or, heaven forbid, Chevrolet's 305, both of which could get 20+ miles per gallon with a tall axle ratio and overdrive, is a question we'll never get an answer to. Thing is, even if they did, these cars, that were so crisp, new and highly regarded in 1977, had become woefully out-of-step with the times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4uH0AtmRAxzy53qj7et1cyDP6Lw3uuOBFLn8CMZGFtBH3Yu4vKSk8Bq2eGsop5XpaNZhyphenhyphenOganZIlPWdPK-QlrjXoULHviuZP4JkSK10XgQXCRB9SaXB1GiLg7tcRChNWvqD0s1DRk87Z85s4kLYN_BksWk7UMx2oH5TvT-2vVlL0Ry3nPePDgdzqTOGA/s960/414083960_6942192889167473_3950191571057041531_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="960" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4uH0AtmRAxzy53qj7et1cyDP6Lw3uuOBFLn8CMZGFtBH3Yu4vKSk8Bq2eGsop5XpaNZhyphenhyphenOganZIlPWdPK-QlrjXoULHviuZP4JkSK10XgQXCRB9SaXB1GiLg7tcRChNWvqD0s1DRk87Z85s4kLYN_BksWk7UMx2oH5TvT-2vVlL0Ry3nPePDgdzqTOGA/s320/414083960_6942192889167473_3950191571057041531_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I can't imagine a then 35-to-40-year-old "yuppie" (young urban professional) buying this; these they left to the blue hairs and old at heart. The sharper styled Eldorado was better but only so much so and it too was saddled with the HT. Old's diesel "350" V-8 was just as bad (maybe worse) making the credit option Buick 4.1-liter V-6 the best engine available. Again, not a good time for Cadillac. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbUIRv9gwJgVTmUp9THPvqqBi1fWIN9cUnryseV0YNdPFiYeX-qwMbO1zKAcCaWKRCqJgqZOaq-oVpt-xWepPpHH3-C5qUZOxEsVsbCHBKn62JpkStFyQ1gXg-Fm5118qgNQrljzrtGOkLzTNYR_HSnqoFLgbr_nWkH-L0NTlAh2GU5cqsz7w4mv7TvpH/s960/412064090_6987905007959953_784389973508057570_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="960" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbUIRv9gwJgVTmUp9THPvqqBi1fWIN9cUnryseV0YNdPFiYeX-qwMbO1zKAcCaWKRCqJgqZOaq-oVpt-xWepPpHH3-C5qUZOxEsVsbCHBKn62JpkStFyQ1gXg-Fm5118qgNQrljzrtGOkLzTNYR_HSnqoFLgbr_nWkH-L0NTlAh2GU5cqsz7w4mv7TvpH/s320/412064090_6987905007959953_784389973508057570_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not twenty-years prior, even fifteen, a Cadillac was what you drove to make a fashion statement that you had "it" or wanted to appear you did. You drove a new Cadillac in 1983 and the fashion statement you made was you were one step away from the proverbial dirt map. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRzZJEWa4IuMjcSpHq5pjgxhw7i-lIIxFNS7SEPBQ9R7qCYZ1ZuyEkv09jZ-e5SW3jDg6R3B167N96rtYa5NrfML1d54pl19-B0rjzCmytrzkKGl_sF8Mq-IWsHoAjzyX1VWBtSYWX1jwyW7iXy_tIia_tZemdyd2sclalLkM1JvU_JdyGcx1HFleaS-_/s960/406702976_7052689764779116_5602286324331825005_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="960" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRzZJEWa4IuMjcSpHq5pjgxhw7i-lIIxFNS7SEPBQ9R7qCYZ1ZuyEkv09jZ-e5SW3jDg6R3B167N96rtYa5NrfML1d54pl19-B0rjzCmytrzkKGl_sF8Mq-IWsHoAjzyX1VWBtSYWX1jwyW7iXy_tIia_tZemdyd2sclalLkM1JvU_JdyGcx1HFleaS-_/s320/406702976_7052689764779116_5602286324331825005_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The engine in this car doesn't mean this is a screaming quarter-miler, mind you. Most likely it still has the 2.29:1 axle which would do nothing for get up and go. Being a Cadillac, it would also have over-boosted, slow steering and the suspension set up for a cushy ride so soft you might think something wrong with it. Swap the rear gears for at least a set of 2.73's if not a god's-green-earth 3.08, to make the most of the engine's beefier torque curve, add Bilstein gas shocks and thicker sway bars fore and aft and you might really have something. I'd swap the steering box as well with something like the F41 Chevrolet's set up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rffEMn-DTCb19vlhNjCffYHGtMwTCeOHCiNj4ybkDAgbpco0GdloaTznMvMqxBAGU9TZKZFiar5JQI2fTafG7nE-AbULywPsAsuLvvt4aRBqGgvv_OondlUpBs9wvaOZm7yzqZ7DsxVrCnN-ZF7JY81oFGtjOBACQ8rv-pGGhL-LA62V9ZiZQcLtwH9i/s960/411923245_24447866941526099_3957616753904161115_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="960" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rffEMn-DTCb19vlhNjCffYHGtMwTCeOHCiNj4ybkDAgbpco0GdloaTznMvMqxBAGU9TZKZFiar5JQI2fTafG7nE-AbULywPsAsuLvvt4aRBqGgvv_OondlUpBs9wvaOZm7yzqZ7DsxVrCnN-ZF7JY81oFGtjOBACQ8rv-pGGhL-LA62V9ZiZQcLtwH9i/w400-h223/411923245_24447866941526099_3957616753904161115_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">All that costs, though. The gear change and suspension upgrades would run you the dark side of $3,000. Cost of admission for this is $10,000 - that's almost double what average retail is and about two-grand more than high retail. Another case of someone charging for the moon for an engine swap. So, for thirteen-large you get a pretty solid that's not worth half that. I'd think that kind of money better burned on something a little older, in similar shape and more complete out of the box. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-15427658451313296332024-01-11T07:39:00.000-08:002024-01-11T07:39:39.476-08:001987 Chevrolet Caprice - Tonawanda<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu0SrW6svZn4gMeKKFCV-c0_Kn9t_9SrFpNVojgvUuVchjUCeYnPVdNMHICvzsWES8BeWXe7okI4enrGwKFeLnaHDtCuzSitBQKk0DpYMMkNN8hzmSdixIH6x6eVEgUZJhyR4bVBXRpl2YX6gCp77RG4TuSixy_NHZQegEja1chBvFd_g_pcf6tzh7lQz/s800/376613460_6462908733831853_4366071888256182576_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu0SrW6svZn4gMeKKFCV-c0_Kn9t_9SrFpNVojgvUuVchjUCeYnPVdNMHICvzsWES8BeWXe7okI4enrGwKFeLnaHDtCuzSitBQKk0DpYMMkNN8hzmSdixIH6x6eVEgUZJhyR4bVBXRpl2YX6gCp77RG4TuSixy_NHZQegEja1chBvFd_g_pcf6tzh7lQz/w400-h300/376613460_6462908733831853_4366071888256182576_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">With the rare exception of some full-size, regular cab, short-bed pickups, I have no appreciation for the aesthetics of trucks and SUV's. Sure, I think their utility is great but I have little use for them otherwise. Somewhat ironically, while I loathe four-door sedans, I'm almost as much a fool for station wagons as I am for pony, sports, muscle and personal luxury cars. Almost. Let's not get carried away here. I even find much to love in post-1976 GM B-body wagons like this 1987 Chevrolet Caprice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruLZ4SxLRVQL3-TKJJRXpSeuvbRt7J0KA4GEf24eWL-J0Mo6BGqA0ziX227k0QzSeqFtyHwH3IeDm_vlsLazawIIr5xhnUU687bzUWyYvI-rBpm6IeHmsRXUgEISMS61DZmnwhn5Ns1R6Z1mLfJ2kmraTv9f8-ol-qIZVQ19-vz-T-PYLewTQcazJe1_B/s800/382521963_24838145529117965_7874154129959920846_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruLZ4SxLRVQL3-TKJJRXpSeuvbRt7J0KA4GEf24eWL-J0Mo6BGqA0ziX227k0QzSeqFtyHwH3IeDm_vlsLazawIIr5xhnUU687bzUWyYvI-rBpm6IeHmsRXUgEISMS61DZmnwhn5Ns1R6Z1mLfJ2kmraTv9f8-ol-qIZVQ19-vz-T-PYLewTQcazJe1_B/s320/382521963_24838145529117965_7874154129959920846_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Adding to my state of confusion, when I was a kid, I thought the bone-stripper, rental-grade 1968 Ford Ranch Wagon my father drove the cringiest thing in town. Well, compared to the family across the street who had a '68 Country Squire it was, but today I appreciate it for its simple grace and a working-man's simplicity. Another "what-the-hell" was that my father was a struggling white-collar executive - I've never figured out why he bought that thing but I digress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5P-COkwzqjz40tVNYGZYjRrOSqb9jX_-TFdKnX5Hv3TuN7iU6pWeh0v6bqEEXHa5GOzRcji997eDp5CfK8v7S5lpF22QB5h23lgUaG5AIxD6PANCDJSljk-21mOZKFQSJZuwFRAm9mmkkVO-rtIZCpmTiFTphaILJAuftbQAlWg4615ZU4nkRxLjzAcL/s800/367440493_7156963690994963_5475022851111147077_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5P-COkwzqjz40tVNYGZYjRrOSqb9jX_-TFdKnX5Hv3TuN7iU6pWeh0v6bqEEXHa5GOzRcji997eDp5CfK8v7S5lpF22QB5h23lgUaG5AIxD6PANCDJSljk-21mOZKFQSJZuwFRAm9mmkkVO-rtIZCpmTiFTphaILJAuftbQAlWg4615ZU4nkRxLjzAcL/s320/367440493_7156963690994963_5475022851111147077_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Station wagons hit two ice bergs in the early to mid 1980's that slowly but surely doomed them to oblivion. First was the "Griswold's Wagon Queen Family Truckster" from National Lampoon's 1982 "Vacation" that not only lampooned but harpooned "dad's" old steed. Then, the head shot - Chrysler rolled out their car based mini-van in 1984. While, frankly, dorkier looking than any woodie wagon, the mini-van was literally and figuratively a better mouse trap and family's beat their way to Chrysler's door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4pTdUZxmiL6LgH5hf1UNmUosI9v6hWm9nvJHOghWKOcj-YcMVkhJqsx2MsxFHMve_1Hn3dEcuaLjzE6pdvZR7ie6Xlw5199a_1Wt8_oVceIF8MalLQ4yyHANHn2wZ2Y3rEo-6KHAqBE1Dkye8pMZG98B-ccfnsShGDFP4sNniBwc5uLF7WyZSoVka5hs/s800/377506079_6781892801879912_4954542291467811047_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4pTdUZxmiL6LgH5hf1UNmUosI9v6hWm9nvJHOghWKOcj-YcMVkhJqsx2MsxFHMve_1Hn3dEcuaLjzE6pdvZR7ie6Xlw5199a_1Wt8_oVceIF8MalLQ4yyHANHn2wZ2Y3rEo-6KHAqBE1Dkye8pMZG98B-ccfnsShGDFP4sNniBwc5uLF7WyZSoVka5hs/s320/377506079_6781892801879912_4954542291467811047_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Therefore, by the time our '87 here was new and shinier, it was already a marked (family) man. Fun facts, GM had worked on a X-body (Chevrolet Citation) based mini-van in the late '70's\early '80's but scuttled the project because they believed it would impact their station wagon sales. Ford had one in the pipeline too and yanked it for the same reasons. Whoops! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPveIVjGWVZVWxGbo7cmi60GBsH1MS1UtqqYvOUiOP7L9BJ_aKP6K7Fhc_Rvwdy-H1pAEdg3Gb_UWmDVMNGiC1J_gU8g6MyaRr48FiF0OAq7EX2zH8jN1ys9jIIhIxpQVgspr4LQNWTFLcGL-HI-gJoumbrO_DS0yKp8fWopaZI7Vf0J61Z2Mc0048gCm/s800/392915137_6708288602541366_8572263083486510585_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPveIVjGWVZVWxGbo7cmi60GBsH1MS1UtqqYvOUiOP7L9BJ_aKP6K7Fhc_Rvwdy-H1pAEdg3Gb_UWmDVMNGiC1J_gU8g6MyaRr48FiF0OAq7EX2zH8jN1ys9jIIhIxpQVgspr4LQNWTFLcGL-HI-gJoumbrO_DS0yKp8fWopaZI7Vf0J61Z2Mc0048gCm/s320/392915137_6708288602541366_8572263083486510585_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This car is part of GM's 1977 downsized full-sized line that went through few wholesale changes until it was redesigned for model year 1991; it sank for good after 1996. Seeing the 1980's weren't that far removed from the 1950's and 1960s and "planned obsolescence", that GM pushed out the same car for fourteen straight model years was either an indication that they had gotten the design right or that something was very wrong. Seeing the problems GM had en masse back then, something tells me it was the later and not the former. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HpZv0qYAnwWP69gXRuGMy4t1g3Tjd02x9QK0_yuIyOxIhzt7Y9MGZA0ErQUOUYXEfDwCGhlWi93Q_dCIWpwXI9rYswei3C2I8aOZqpz6zeEicXyrI1cHD6nMiMb8jP11xe6mJBM988Cy93CO8IbtAn71O-lkxIPxf3PhDJ19AVlRG5_2uEbC3-26tyek/s800/377795399_6533274496801216_6044585701884822958_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HpZv0qYAnwWP69gXRuGMy4t1g3Tjd02x9QK0_yuIyOxIhzt7Y9MGZA0ErQUOUYXEfDwCGhlWi93Q_dCIWpwXI9rYswei3C2I8aOZqpz6zeEicXyrI1cHD6nMiMb8jP11xe6mJBM988Cy93CO8IbtAn71O-lkxIPxf3PhDJ19AVlRG5_2uEbC3-26tyek/s320/377795399_6533274496801216_6044585701884822958_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, by 1987, this Chevrolet Caprice, that's mercifully not an "Estate" version with the simulated wood paneling, seemed like the Titanic's cruise director planning a shuffleboard tournament after midnight on that fateful night. It doesn't seem nearly as dated now as it did back then but, trust me, it wreaked of "old". What's more, if you had to have a "wagon" back then, Ford had their Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons that were infinitely hipper looking and better familial transportation conveyances. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusE8utebP3jakgx0_LbRM_GpRi9LRNGYF11t5b8kEWqGFZyCp6eQRZwBBq93Sbvee-mWYWH61CdKXghpx7zM_jPVZ9jJ6550lUtIMeqvPaJl9kC1qQ80q1GOupoNslD-5qFsDdExebVp2ww1mujm79u0MgGDvgXGNnwAnn8jbQAOobaapXTH4m9vaVI_h/s800/386873451_7596807920345733_2478089166249736929_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusE8utebP3jakgx0_LbRM_GpRi9LRNGYF11t5b8kEWqGFZyCp6eQRZwBBq93Sbvee-mWYWH61CdKXghpx7zM_jPVZ9jJ6550lUtIMeqvPaJl9kC1qQ80q1GOupoNslD-5qFsDdExebVp2ww1mujm79u0MgGDvgXGNnwAnn8jbQAOobaapXTH4m9vaVI_h/s320/386873451_7596807920345733_2478089166249736929_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thiss silver bullet here is a fairly special family truckster because in addition to not having simulated wood grain on its flanks, it's got power windows, locks, a dual power, 55/45 split front bench (rare!) and cool (but deadly) rear-facing rear jump seats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnvsoar-699O0nJvfnyP1BMv0XSiJMrdX3I6xav1GzDZMlppy0va5-MKKnlc2IuUlQ4dc9AyOxGXoJhTXli0lkHz9yEnUBzGvcLKu0jaN9l080caO93Q5IqyCSPhYbgFRoOjTFEARsFGgYRE5oMhMKCQXQq8lT9vTEp4FzCv0BZ_G7oQS69lqLowAVCtc/s800/386481000_24082399361405254_1344018830891856591_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnvsoar-699O0nJvfnyP1BMv0XSiJMrdX3I6xav1GzDZMlppy0va5-MKKnlc2IuUlQ4dc9AyOxGXoJhTXli0lkHz9yEnUBzGvcLKu0jaN9l080caO93Q5IqyCSPhYbgFRoOjTFEARsFGgYRE5oMhMKCQXQq8lT9vTEp4FzCv0BZ_G7oQS69lqLowAVCtc/w400-h300/386481000_24082399361405254_1344018830891856591_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oh, but wait. There's more. The 4.3-liter V-6, (Chevrolet or Oldsmobile) 5.0-liter V-8 it was born with was tossed into Lake Erie for this "454 by Tonawanda Engine", 7.4-liter V-8. Hope they drowned the 2004R transmission the V-8's came with (the V-6 would have had the TH200) as well because this thing will twist out north of 370-foot pounds torque at a John Wayne low, 2,800-rpm. Otherwise, say buh-bye to the your turbine hub or worse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSZLrICZJD_58deT0IhVM3x0l54Jl7WWdQMQ9OU91tN2BReeq7j98Q-NWoQU_vIZDk3ef91CxwpKdAnTX4sZ9lnj3l9zytnJBcKN_z8P1i4hUc6EqiKKBT6lOjHpvuDOLudwDKK5MWb-jabAr93zaWkeJVoZRH0r6lH-REtok5ywHgZ0tkGOBRmduMyPQ/s800/409274013_7109931149124580_1258093891377802719_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSZLrICZJD_58deT0IhVM3x0l54Jl7WWdQMQ9OU91tN2BReeq7j98Q-NWoQU_vIZDk3ef91CxwpKdAnTX4sZ9lnj3l9zytnJBcKN_z8P1i4hUc6EqiKKBT6lOjHpvuDOLudwDKK5MWb-jabAr93zaWkeJVoZRH0r6lH-REtok5ywHgZ0tkGOBRmduMyPQ/s320/409274013_7109931149124580_1258093891377802719_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">All Chevrolet "big-block" V-8 engines were built at the Tonawanda factory outside Buffalo, New York, the last one coming off the assembly line in December of 2009. Seeing this one appears to have a carburetor, if it hasn't been modified, I'd guess it makes in the neighborhood of 230-horsepower. Nothing to write home to mom about but old school "big-blocks" were all about torque anyway. Seeing it has exhaust headers, some work may have been done bumping up hp somewhat. Torque might be a little lower but there's so much of it to start with a few pound feet missing wouldn't be a big deal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnaEhZ-U0DIePB6P1SKgaVsPORJZH3OKaALoVB6KKA_mMIAWS97-FI34px1k4ncgD4pko3fRRVGcn9ru2iMG7wqQ5vNPHbrxDhIpz055p0uqP7I2WLwV-zlRpS5_ZN4897dNO7-7292JtZMZsACe1O4jbXmpRpfeG48myS4pfETm1Q2FlZRx3JZh7viV8/s800/377503634_7549981211684472_609281735656066820_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnaEhZ-U0DIePB6P1SKgaVsPORJZH3OKaALoVB6KKA_mMIAWS97-FI34px1k4ncgD4pko3fRRVGcn9ru2iMG7wqQ5vNPHbrxDhIpz055p0uqP7I2WLwV-zlRpS5_ZN4897dNO7-7292JtZMZsACe1O4jbXmpRpfeG48myS4pfETm1Q2FlZRx3JZh7viV8/s320/377503634_7549981211684472_609281735656066820_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Asking price on this one is a "you've got to be kidding me" $10,000 - that's nearly $6,500 above average retail. No doubt the inflated asking price is because of the engine transplant. Now, I don't mind paying a little extra if the value proposition makes sense but, in my opinion, on this thing, it doesn't. Sorry, pal. I'm not paying a super-premium just because someone did some heavy lifting for me. Please. I will take it for a test drive and stab the gas hard as I can. I feel that my god given right as not only an automobile enthusiast but as an American. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54kHp8OpSG2MbMLvm_00RX-dbLVsIspV7MnBUIneXl1-NoaI2Th3yTEU5qeIRUZWDjZcIbNZUi4yOh5Q5VwJP0_yuxUb9H1OFT5oBBn49FgmglHOtjd5DMxdyYJvSNGmdGk5sdpUKA9ua8oUUVOgED28fivMUbwIBvUJ_sqosWdti0A1hv3RUBZwJVaZ0/s800/385865183_6980207492024886_4681362745463961718_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54kHp8OpSG2MbMLvm_00RX-dbLVsIspV7MnBUIneXl1-NoaI2Th3yTEU5qeIRUZWDjZcIbNZUi4yOh5Q5VwJP0_yuxUb9H1OFT5oBBn49FgmglHOtjd5DMxdyYJvSNGmdGk5sdpUKA9ua8oUUVOgED28fivMUbwIBvUJ_sqosWdti0A1hv3RUBZwJVaZ0/w400-h300/385865183_6980207492024886_4681362745463961718_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Much like my 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited V-6, that's stupid fast, I love a sleeper. And an old station wagon sleeper so much more. I'm just not gonna pay for it but somebody no doubt will. Are we there yet? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-26475717891884992322024-01-05T06:21:00.000-08:002024-01-09T08:51:57.623-08:001969 Ford Thunderbird - The Last Fabulous Thunderbird <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-4J3nHQfy40ZGSsLgO1saaGAy9cxKvwB0Uno3DZA5SJY9rXXbmw83CbbFpaG-YJWy5wia0jzF2H1uPxf7HaoQaMTxUhS6BAxaBBk1JnDgiMaF75IGYjDe6baFAAaWsI3kDSjnhWrNOTcRJLjcocPER8v5_WgtVXBtpKXkyqme-hXoj3JP4vtuQEGXmTG/s960/370574613_6805647172819501_1809262498792856484_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-4J3nHQfy40ZGSsLgO1saaGAy9cxKvwB0Uno3DZA5SJY9rXXbmw83CbbFpaG-YJWy5wia0jzF2H1uPxf7HaoQaMTxUhS6BAxaBBk1JnDgiMaF75IGYjDe6baFAAaWsI3kDSjnhWrNOTcRJLjcocPER8v5_WgtVXBtpKXkyqme-hXoj3JP4vtuQEGXmTG/w400-h300/370574613_6805647172819501_1809262498792856484_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of all the fabulous Thunderbirds made between 1955 and 1969, through my scratched up goggles, the 1967 through 1969 Thunderbird coupes are the most fabulous. I have such regard for them I find little to fault with this fabulous 1969 Town Landau Coupe I found for sale on Facebook Marketplace recently. Even in Linda Blair, "Exorcist Green", the vinyl top, the landau bars and the asking price an above average retail $13,000. Bonus, you get a dented and bent driver's side front fender. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGpBTgS35K63kXzeKkOTypQWTPUQQCetsAGPhRPTV2uQsp8Phg0yPPZ6aQ8gBKySFepQXLy6NhODxX1AZPR-puvEXD-4E4aIESPswxceaJpUQE4QJu98ofe91l6kOgL6up38heM7Cmx6kwSqPdGMM5HIdogwx-_mbgcnisnwInIqWAqDIt_e1hNd1uL6W/s852/Fabulous%20Thunderbirds%20artwork.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="852" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGpBTgS35K63kXzeKkOTypQWTPUQQCetsAGPhRPTV2uQsp8Phg0yPPZ6aQ8gBKySFepQXLy6NhODxX1AZPR-puvEXD-4E4aIESPswxceaJpUQE4QJu98ofe91l6kOgL6up38heM7Cmx6kwSqPdGMM5HIdogwx-_mbgcnisnwInIqWAqDIt_e1hNd1uL6W/w400-h346/Fabulous%20Thunderbirds%20artwork.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Whenever I see a fabulous Thunderbird and, my blog, my rules, Ford didn't build any "fabulous" Thunderbirds after 1969, I can't help but think of the Austin, Texas based R&B\rock band that calls themselves "The Fabulous Thunderbirds" and wonder what the impetus to call themselves such was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRSuDXL92dBhW2qk2vTTylW_JDgdsh8Onlwfssp6GSQT6HKhjbOSOQEpw82bv7vF7wJCNXbeKL7eOuJdA387xR8cP_sWrMF8m55LhUG7jVCPV5a4XMuqCU8DWh4xpeqCTHXuqgvLD9f4MbbWsMVlJYtLaNgkwILuy36yt-C1akIGZr0WW0zOgDKg_c0dD/s291/Screenshot%202024-01-04%20062428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="291" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRSuDXL92dBhW2qk2vTTylW_JDgdsh8Onlwfssp6GSQT6HKhjbOSOQEpw82bv7vF7wJCNXbeKL7eOuJdA387xR8cP_sWrMF8m55LhUG7jVCPV5a4XMuqCU8DWh4xpeqCTHXuqgvLD9f4MbbWsMVlJYtLaNgkwILuy36yt-C1akIGZr0WW0zOgDKg_c0dD/w400-h399/Screenshot%202024-01-04%20062428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The band was formed in 1974 with lead guitarist Jimmy Vaughn, who's the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, percussionist Mike Buck, bassist Keith Ferguson and lead singer Kim Wilson. Although they continue to tour, save for Wilson, none of the original members are still with the band. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Nf0dF_B0a0g9iXatautMFS1OxqfcblyvdxLhFPrdtzMqJ8z8F5ZOkmuN8mDeCt-fxDpD1IFT8T2AiT2CxgHKArauQrb55Jqd2FlodbecXhx_BsbEOHhAJ3aJMFTOITRFddEAJHboc9B7ug-T3pKmMS3fNxux6-e6UHn0Dw_fIzPSeelpVbsvVnm54a0n/s1773/1974.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1773" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Nf0dF_B0a0g9iXatautMFS1OxqfcblyvdxLhFPrdtzMqJ8z8F5ZOkmuN8mDeCt-fxDpD1IFT8T2AiT2CxgHKArauQrb55Jqd2FlodbecXhx_BsbEOHhAJ3aJMFTOITRFddEAJHboc9B7ug-T3pKmMS3fNxux6-e6UHn0Dw_fIzPSeelpVbsvVnm54a0n/w400-h127/1974.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Was their name inspired by a Ford Thunderbird? Perhaps an original band member or three were car people or Ford Thunderbird fans. Given the state of moniker when the band first came together a then current T-Bird (above) being the inspiration seems unlikely, but you never know. Perhaps it was by "Thunderbird", the cheap fortified wine that can make you feel, ahem, fabulous? Seems more plausible it was inspired by what many North American Indigenous people believe is a supernatural being of power and strength. Talk about a literal "fabulous Thunderbird". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kgBdXGjvqcRpTZ8pZI6kSApZzfOivF9uQO-0N6kdrY-FE9Jy7A2Tah4YsGHI2_WVy2z5Z4qi8xkfl2XBEtHkEd3obf2ifhriZs3QN-e5gwHxOYqak9Q6B-Q1T-ePAJRJ44heRKs501bh6n6iiiRGWkVEN9rcpSSaiOWT75mCQF1tJBuW75LItoe5Z_CH/s736/TheFabulousThunderbirdsWithLogo_400.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="736" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kgBdXGjvqcRpTZ8pZI6kSApZzfOivF9uQO-0N6kdrY-FE9Jy7A2Tah4YsGHI2_WVy2z5Z4qi8xkfl2XBEtHkEd3obf2ifhriZs3QN-e5gwHxOYqak9Q6B-Q1T-ePAJRJ44heRKs501bh6n6iiiRGWkVEN9rcpSSaiOWT75mCQF1tJBuW75LItoe5Z_CH/w400-h217/TheFabulousThunderbirdsWithLogo_400.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If I was a betting man, I'd say someone, not necessarily a band member, simply put the superlative "fabulous" as a pre-fix in front of the magically lyrical word, "thunderbird" to create a "fabulous" name for the band. As simplistic as that is, it's not uncommon in art (and in life) for what appears to have a higher power to need a larger-than-life genesis story. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfxxPgt6LVHv7NwaWvSNpGw1-u7P1bzYdbAsNSOj8Laqln1iZLmh0EE9c5RP3RhzE1Ntfo8X3xdNF_2GZ8MJZAu9wfNWePOOmJStOO1pMppn3gQZnlvJEbx2HhIcVK1GdFCiTP6KcEbnF6lLdRYONTtu9Ar0857XT9dG1xN4hZBP2kyq5ONioyhy8TaW8/s960/369505193_6891791394210632_2130589238167834989_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfxxPgt6LVHv7NwaWvSNpGw1-u7P1bzYdbAsNSOj8Laqln1iZLmh0EE9c5RP3RhzE1Ntfo8X3xdNF_2GZ8MJZAu9wfNWePOOmJStOO1pMppn3gQZnlvJEbx2HhIcVK1GdFCiTP6KcEbnF6lLdRYONTtu9Ar0857XT9dG1xN4hZBP2kyq5ONioyhy8TaW8/w400-h300/369505193_6891791394210632_2130589238167834989_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our '69 here is part of the last the last of the fabulous Thunderbirds that also included a vinyl-top (and landau bar) free hard top (coupe) and a four-door "Town Landau Sedan" version. These weren't and still aren't everyone's cup of tequila, but in the late 1960's, if buyers wanted something domestic to make a swanky automotive fashion statement "they had made it", and a muscle car was out of the question, their options were limited. They either had a Thunderbird or GM's Cadillac Eldorado, Oldsmobile Toronado or Buick Riviera to choose from. Ford's Lincoln division also had their snazzy (and more expensive) Continental Mark III (as of 1968). Their Continental too but you'd think those buyers would be more inclined to shop Cadillac deVilles than a Thunderbird\Eldorado\Toronado. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC8Mr0kOnu-PBESOitDtN84IaPz24bOc2SM5XLNJNr9Fy5FkxjHZeZlpdhO0g2vrRGV1TYlnocIA7bhyphenhyphenQcApz2D5-KGw1Rbf9-Wi4nYPzX2f1RalH6rhRzSrHqbkNCx-d60NPfNiY4f9Wh3-YKcDuOInse1JT-Hb4ioxKjKvUU3b5UbrLKvSW5YWQOog8/s960/368360599_6826353044083709_1479757741053995930_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC8Mr0kOnu-PBESOitDtN84IaPz24bOc2SM5XLNJNr9Fy5FkxjHZeZlpdhO0g2vrRGV1TYlnocIA7bhyphenhyphenQcApz2D5-KGw1Rbf9-Wi4nYPzX2f1RalH6rhRzSrHqbkNCx-d60NPfNiY4f9Wh3-YKcDuOInse1JT-Hb4ioxKjKvUU3b5UbrLKvSW5YWQOog8/w400-h300/368360599_6826353044083709_1479757741053995930_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The class-of-1967 Thunderbird evolved from the 1958 "four-passenger" Thunderbird that itself evolved from the primordial ooze that was the original two-passenger model. You wouldn't be alone, though, scratching your head wondering how the Thunderbird got to this overly large state when it started out as Ford's answer to the Chevrolet Corvette. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIci7mP7Ua7b6dKCQYiHLSyhD_ITSccOFauwpvaq-rAkMf1Lg3eJh7TYy-cQN5SZCKrwG3yVAWhe8RcBezE_0eI6PompqzewhKxW94R9WjmHXIGBCwGxRpSVTp7Is9Js5x9IYjyehMyJAwAbGZAb6R5yHVqPwrtus745pVmWjjJJEUT7_PtQg-ZDDRch59/s1320/1955%20Ford%20Thunderbird-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1320" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIci7mP7Ua7b6dKCQYiHLSyhD_ITSccOFauwpvaq-rAkMf1Lg3eJh7TYy-cQN5SZCKrwG3yVAWhe8RcBezE_0eI6PompqzewhKxW94R9WjmHXIGBCwGxRpSVTp7Is9Js5x9IYjyehMyJAwAbGZAb6R5yHVqPwrtus745pVmWjjJJEUT7_PtQg-ZDDRch59/w400-h281/1955%20Ford%20Thunderbird-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Then again, we have to understand that from the get-go in 1955, about the only thing a "Ford Thunderbird" had in common with a Corvette was that both cars could only seat two-passengers. A "Thunderbird" was marketed first and foremost as a luxury-car and one targeted primarily at women. Despite trouncing the Corvette at the box office, Ford executives weren't happy with the number they sold and added a rear-seat for 1958. To make way for the back seat, the car got bigger. Much bigger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsWmW1GlqxG274dEH6WI1sG3sUwdD2ECprbG75LpDfxhqcU_yl4Uio3lMOtjfv0s7CbZtqvTcZLovMPFZOj6bLxer3aoBwXZjqDxtQqwQfdsf7z95d-7drH17zKoQYFT3r1cH2AY0sQGITaa8g3o0OzPATvzL2wG7uSmMmZVZl5nVHEqNwBwA6fMa5JRX/s397/58%20tbird.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="397" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsWmW1GlqxG274dEH6WI1sG3sUwdD2ECprbG75LpDfxhqcU_yl4Uio3lMOtjfv0s7CbZtqvTcZLovMPFZOj6bLxer3aoBwXZjqDxtQqwQfdsf7z95d-7drH17zKoQYFT3r1cH2AY0sQGITaa8g3o0OzPATvzL2wG7uSmMmZVZl5nVHEqNwBwA6fMa5JRX/w400-h126/58%20tbird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Many give the four-passenger, 1958 Thunderbird credit for spawning the personal-luxury-car niche that would slowly grow in popularity through the 1960's and become the defacto definition of domestic automobilia in the 1970's. With that came subsequent larger and heavier redesigns in 1961 and 1964 with the 1967's being the largest and heaviest of the flock. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLXMNCWGYi4In6UOJ0leBV1kheHbTXOHEG1dG4HSK7INOPPUu2SvE408Wnf7RAgEs2FPudBxl6EP0nMj9mI3H_0JCcQZt1n2VvWXUtXY2FqhlCEGKFgSgzAW_n6OvFT7hO0vwEH8-oCN12y0vP9WJ3emVGCJAysbPLNkGRbC-lNsooHnPdvj7hmcbV5Hs/s960/374782426_6584806028276929_1291411279052124019_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLXMNCWGYi4In6UOJ0leBV1kheHbTXOHEG1dG4HSK7INOPPUu2SvE408Wnf7RAgEs2FPudBxl6EP0nMj9mI3H_0JCcQZt1n2VvWXUtXY2FqhlCEGKFgSgzAW_n6OvFT7hO0vwEH8-oCN12y0vP9WJ3emVGCJAysbPLNkGRbC-lNsooHnPdvj7hmcbV5Hs/w400-h300/374782426_6584806028276929_1291411279052124019_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Contemporary road testers didn't mince their words when it came to these cars claiming they were so big and ponderous to handle they were clumsy. Brakes and engine power barely adequate too. Oh, the sacrifices we make to look fabulous. No wonder that starting in the mid-1960's, seemed like Mercedes-Benz simply waltzed into the backfield of the Big Three and stole the ball. Made out with their cheerleaders, ate their hotdogs and guzzled their beer while they were at it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LTqWkxMEljFEQHdb0IJM0ORKLWPpgU1p93Ul7WMP0EkuqnpkQld4s8vZ7WEOkyB_wk61iyoOFCNmJaRs0uSayRm8Z-z6tpzfpSU2ohdvA7wZ-kFmo2tNgtFRJAlk1i0AkhYJEBICbFZFklAql_9iwEAaCoAsXcIQsUNLguOVc7Y92vY2nWyEtSP2w2HI/s2529/1967%20Ford%20Thunderbird-02-03%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="2529" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LTqWkxMEljFEQHdb0IJM0ORKLWPpgU1p93Ul7WMP0EkuqnpkQld4s8vZ7WEOkyB_wk61iyoOFCNmJaRs0uSayRm8Z-z6tpzfpSU2ohdvA7wZ-kFmo2tNgtFRJAlk1i0AkhYJEBICbFZFklAql_9iwEAaCoAsXcIQsUNLguOVc7Y92vY2nWyEtSP2w2HI/w400-h259/1967%20Ford%20Thunderbird-02-03%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Back then, though, to the unwashed, luxury-car adoring masses how would they have known there were better options to blow their dividend checks on? Overtly styled cars with cushy, mushy, "cloud-like" rides were the stuff of dreams to the "Greatest Generation" that grew up on primitive, purposely styled vehicles that rode like agricultural vehicles or at best trucks. Ersatz style with lots of plush? That notion sold a lot of cars back then. And the Ford Thunderbird delivered it buckets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzs2C8AAW2nXofSnDpCb9QPVj9hPXj-YgK71wZwj-5y2hjhNfrhGfPV8mNWH143pder-E85uQbJCciAI4qCxouFbnue5SgzG3YeBw9gNL5SGJoN5YsZxY4VHg1NspnxG0rTkdyD3UNCd7fzP9PVd3TR3HyvOoymAKPwQwogZIRHtiW8dAC1thBTWeKlTM/s862/1970.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="646" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzs2C8AAW2nXofSnDpCb9QPVj9hPXj-YgK71wZwj-5y2hjhNfrhGfPV8mNWH143pder-E85uQbJCciAI4qCxouFbnue5SgzG3YeBw9gNL5SGJoN5YsZxY4VHg1NspnxG0rTkdyD3UNCd7fzP9PVd3TR3HyvOoymAKPwQwogZIRHtiW8dAC1thBTWeKlTM/w300-h400/1970.png" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Through 1969 anyway. Ford mucked the whole thing up for 1970. Sure, they mercifully dropped the suicide door, four-door versions, but they inflated the thing way past where it could comfortably stretch (it's a bird, it's a plane, it's a bloated pigeon!) and the "Bunkie Beak", named after former GM executive Bunkie Knudsen who came to Ford for a cup of coffee, paved over any sense of design cohesion and balance. Knudsen was a GM executive instrumental in the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix who insisted the updated, 1970 Thunderbird have a protruded front end like the Grand Prix did. Perhaps without the silly front end and more handsome wheel trim these might have had more elan, but all I see is the start of the mess the car would become from 1972 through 1976. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdrOBH8RX8J7PHKzpePzpidEM5qmzNfksyDGhv2mhMnn93IMeNeq1U_DhiUvZCujv-VVvyina9l5BVy7x8pEhSNqJL1WnxPoaxR0YI82zaQIKF1pqOV8tTHOBQh706z1Z_3QTn7hgKZb9B6Kmqw14L3lssJu35fNFjcpQV-uy6lcxecW3DDqq0hfxKKoJ/s960/369567907_5880515438717860_6926632107124232778_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdrOBH8RX8J7PHKzpePzpidEM5qmzNfksyDGhv2mhMnn93IMeNeq1U_DhiUvZCujv-VVvyina9l5BVy7x8pEhSNqJL1WnxPoaxR0YI82zaQIKF1pqOV8tTHOBQh706z1Z_3QTn7hgKZb9B6Kmqw14L3lssJu35fNFjcpQV-uy6lcxecW3DDqq0hfxKKoJ/w400-h300/369567907_5880515438717860_6926632107124232778_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On the interior, seemed Ford took copious notes from General Motors; forget <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjxSCAalsBE" target="_blank">the Age of Aquarius</a>, the Age of "Plastiwood" was upon us. And acres of it too. The dash on these cars has nowhere near the swagger of any T-Bird before it and I can only imagine what those trading in an older Thunderbird must have thought when they slipped behind the wheel of one of these for the first time. The '67's retained some of the jet fighter cockpit ethos of earlier models but that theme had grown passe. That changed for 1968 and 1969 and not for the better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-4J3nHQfy40ZGSsLgO1saaGAy9cxKvwB0Uno3DZA5SJY9rXXbmw83CbbFpaG-YJWy5wia0jzF2H1uPxf7HaoQaMTxUhS6BAxaBBk1JnDgiMaF75IGYjDe6baFAAaWsI3kDSjnhWrNOTcRJLjcocPER8v5_WgtVXBtpKXkyqme-hXoj3JP4vtuQEGXmTG/s960/370574613_6805647172819501_1809262498792856484_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-4J3nHQfy40ZGSsLgO1saaGAy9cxKvwB0Uno3DZA5SJY9rXXbmw83CbbFpaG-YJWy5wia0jzF2H1uPxf7HaoQaMTxUhS6BAxaBBk1JnDgiMaF75IGYjDe6baFAAaWsI3kDSjnhWrNOTcRJLjcocPER8v5_WgtVXBtpKXkyqme-hXoj3JP4vtuQEGXmTG/w400-h300/370574613_6805647172819501_1809262498792856484_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The dictionary defines "fabulous" as resembling or suggesting fable; of an incredible, astonishing or exaggerated nature. I can't think of a more apt description for Ford Thunderbirds made between 1955 and 1969 and especially these 1967-1969 coupes. The closer this bought to $10G I think it bought well. Save the money to fix that dent and buy some tickets to see "The Fabulous Thunderbirds" in person next time they're in town. They are, here's that word again, "fabulous". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EcXT1clXc04?si=d0nHOK954zLVA6LI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The only mainstream success the "Fabulous Thunderbirds" had was with "Tuff Enuff", a single off their first album when they were signed to a major record label in 1986. "Tuff Enuff" reached number-10 on the Billboard chart that year and became their signature song. The above video for it was ranked number-96 on VH-1's list of greatest one hit wonders of the 1980's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-74262806818508694442024-01-03T07:36:00.000-08:002024-01-04T03:20:05.889-08:001966 Plymouth Belvedere - All I See is the '80's TV Show <p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgX4sVfAXiS1D_NAUhQQdCPomGRDXulFc1EVtwMNdaiC7RGfHGl8S3UAh4jbHpLOsh4cFVIPRFkvtLy71PP2rujY40h_mIwdJKeXmfbiUdJfOT0nN1RiidtwL_JW6MDaqKsZGmU_FzxqgCATVKPPALbOiYU2l_hd6Sz7CUNpiZ6Qw-rJ0yiPU01U8t5WN/s960/408660273_7368196329902288_1963737736458604772_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="960" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgX4sVfAXiS1D_NAUhQQdCPomGRDXulFc1EVtwMNdaiC7RGfHGl8S3UAh4jbHpLOsh4cFVIPRFkvtLy71PP2rujY40h_mIwdJKeXmfbiUdJfOT0nN1RiidtwL_JW6MDaqKsZGmU_FzxqgCATVKPPALbOiYU2l_hd6Sz7CUNpiZ6Qw-rJ0yiPU01U8t5WN/w400-h188/408660273_7368196329902288_1963737736458604772_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Have you ever heard of the 1980's TV sitcom, "Mr. Belvedere"? Better yet, have you ever heard of a Plymouth Belvedere? Above is a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere I found for sale on Facebook Marketplace somewhere down in North Carolina. It's funny, I can't think of the car and not think of the TV show; the inverse true as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukaBPwwP0AtsO84P9356S7rc9_X5g7WzUyyvadez8H4BIYMHh8Sr5bH2xcU6xcuddi3Y5RnjxvBOBAXwfNEq82THctguUrlb-ky9yv7laEcbPmuGhdL4Jgh9KJImmCKiqZ8Dtu6jiRkDOJxmfVKtDBS_6Ya_X4GujOrxjRVSEtUVOYVpfM_vp5jvezGvh/s596/Screenshot%202023-12-19%20195039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="420" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukaBPwwP0AtsO84P9356S7rc9_X5g7WzUyyvadez8H4BIYMHh8Sr5bH2xcU6xcuddi3Y5RnjxvBOBAXwfNEq82THctguUrlb-ky9yv7laEcbPmuGhdL4Jgh9KJImmCKiqZ8Dtu6jiRkDOJxmfVKtDBS_6Ya_X4GujOrxjRVSEtUVOYVpfM_vp5jvezGvh/w283-h400/Screenshot%202023-12-19%20195039.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">"Mr. Belvedere" was an oh-so-safe, family-sitcom about a worldly, aristocratic-like butler who worked for a family in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania suburb of Bedford Falls. A middle-class family in Pittsburgh with a butler? Really? Perhaps I'm missing something here. Where and how did this sitcom get baked up anyway? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7P2rNeOSZwKAmPnok4TSo50zk1_llNk8MO3U18WQ6RlvktP3C04xfBSfa3ymBwgDnEnwH1_Bh6lDAzBnyIbPBZTGnk2eXXyouW8uWaehfhI8G0HFMaTEVWg1UNEu4PxEBXPY774g1dKnMQuK0OOzS7RMu5JcFSamlmR5Y9uzFm7nMBMM9wE-oqtsKzVl/s475/Screenshot%202023-12-23%20180320.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7P2rNeOSZwKAmPnok4TSo50zk1_llNk8MO3U18WQ6RlvktP3C04xfBSfa3ymBwgDnEnwH1_Bh6lDAzBnyIbPBZTGnk2eXXyouW8uWaehfhI8G0HFMaTEVWg1UNEu4PxEBXPY774g1dKnMQuK0OOzS7RMu5JcFSamlmR5Y9uzFm7nMBMM9wE-oqtsKzVl/w296-h400/Screenshot%202023-12-23%20180320.png" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ascribing to the school that nothing is ever really new, the title character in the show was loosely inspired by <i>"Belvedere"</i>, a character in a 1947, World War II era-based novel by Gwen Lees Davenport of the same name. A fish-out-of-water tale, the book was so successful that three movies were made revolving around the shenanigans of "Mr. Belvedere". Several failed attempts at TV shows were done as well before the 1980's show aired between 1985 and 1990. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg4p-Y5LKyufGHSIJY96Zc6o24crCoAlNgO7TjmWeNjFswxybmCUBJdEXh5B5KkQLLFOZiGWxNyhKgkHwYgWs8WWcQqugq05lhPlaeaGuflw0J3CHgKigKPkX6viYBMKIW-02iQzsKW0n-OQJfe4rtD1t2QBUvFsy-XsmKAbNsFwEWOwjMQ4BLYKpdeAu/s240/belv1375del.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="240" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg4p-Y5LKyufGHSIJY96Zc6o24crCoAlNgO7TjmWeNjFswxybmCUBJdEXh5B5KkQLLFOZiGWxNyhKgkHwYgWs8WWcQqugq05lhPlaeaGuflw0J3CHgKigKPkX6viYBMKIW-02iQzsKW0n-OQJfe4rtD1t2QBUvFsy-XsmKAbNsFwEWOwjMQ4BLYKpdeAu/w400-h300/belv1375del.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Why Ms. Davenport named her title character "Belvedere" is anyone guess. By definition, a "belvedere" is a structure, similar to a cupola, designed to command a view. The first Plymouth Belvedere was introduced in 1951...<i>did the Chrysler Corporation name one of their models after a character in a book or an architectural detail?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v4q_1tI3NOoumfb0kO8XEN7UYavbv3hycVSF1FGT61YV_2V9Z2pFtrVyoNm1B2N9gmj_iO8f89ToK6ForHcmnfwFuj-aTk4nO5C7WVl7Lmgkwwf6C3CljTuZRDKtxyiuZqt0SEOWKTDTdigUxRKcjwYCZ5mZPX3EnZcsrqkNVg1q1-3aa4pshRC4suoI/s766/Screenshot%202023-12-23%20180621.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="766" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v4q_1tI3NOoumfb0kO8XEN7UYavbv3hycVSF1FGT61YV_2V9Z2pFtrVyoNm1B2N9gmj_iO8f89ToK6ForHcmnfwFuj-aTk4nO5C7WVl7Lmgkwwf6C3CljTuZRDKtxyiuZqt0SEOWKTDTdigUxRKcjwYCZ5mZPX3EnZcsrqkNVg1q1-3aa4pshRC4suoI/w400-h229/Screenshot%202023-12-23%20180621.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">More than likely, nether. Although, timing being everything you could draw your own conclusions. The first Plymouth called a "Belvedere" debuted in 1951 and denoted a two-door "hard top". A sub model of the Plymouth Cranbrook, seeing the (relative) airiness and commanding views afforded by hardtops, you could construe these cars were named after the architectural detail although, that's about as likely as this car being named after a character in a book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdWfatpJl9YJ8yGxdr3l8PPtoMxn1X_CaQxjM_hRpli-WPOh-DPHY3WibdOWDhW1wgq3rgMpYY-M_cSiywwSaDjZDQx7VXzFmWcuGgXapJReGuGvMG0FhSd0VtBlriR6PJ9d61nV9dufT2qF1whujn70CMd1JmEg9VSya97p4XCHQ6ke2FlKKCCloL4Wa/s720/bel%20hotel.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="720" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdWfatpJl9YJ8yGxdr3l8PPtoMxn1X_CaQxjM_hRpli-WPOh-DPHY3WibdOWDhW1wgq3rgMpYY-M_cSiywwSaDjZDQx7VXzFmWcuGgXapJReGuGvMG0FhSd0VtBlriR6PJ9d61nV9dufT2qF1whujn70CMd1JmEg9VSya97p4XCHQ6ke2FlKKCCloL4Wa/w400-h204/bel%20hotel.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Seeing Chrysler's use of New York City hotel names like Savoy and Plaza <i>(after the long-gone Savoy-Plaza hotel)</i> on their vehicles in the 1950's and into the 1960's, it's safe to surmise Plymouth used "belvedere" after the Belvedere Hotel off Time Square in Manhattan. I'd bet you some New York City dirty waterdogs "Mr. Belvedere was named after the hotel as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL1882WdG_kayXe7JLmPBZb9MawrJiXgkTQkzCzdV0vBOqfqDeepSSYDrYYoTZJKHpokQVL2AD4uWGuuOvq_Ky5XJVNWGqgi8vSD1lthB_x7_dvGTK_ukrVnVtegAxSJVZWPlq00Riw3bY3vogcDUBVM5ZsAHyTj_yHjFsN0MNGNpJBKtWV1oBOso49C_/s651/new%20yoerker%20hotel.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="651" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL1882WdG_kayXe7JLmPBZb9MawrJiXgkTQkzCzdV0vBOqfqDeepSSYDrYYoTZJKHpokQVL2AD4uWGuuOvq_Ky5XJVNWGqgi8vSD1lthB_x7_dvGTK_ukrVnVtegAxSJVZWPlq00Riw3bY3vogcDUBVM5ZsAHyTj_yHjFsN0MNGNpJBKtWV1oBOso49C_/w400-h305/new%20yoerker%20hotel.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Additionally, from 1940-1996, Chrysler (the division) dubbed their range-topping model "New Yorker"; the "New Yorker" hotel is still in operation today on Manhattan's west side. Having grown up on Long Island thisclose to the city line, I always assumed their cars were named after the hotel and not us natives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qirGPhey4sTe18XlyKi69ZzSbrY2SxykAMkFP8SF4ZrQH1XfgbmHnNjtxAa1JJ7Ssqc2Bb3v0viCJ438XLIuee4dhweuRwkL2pADSe55aXknXvtbiVw0zzcZcdFd_FPgTF9G4Q_rDXE_GSMdKMnCiaSDx6BLpaI37BuKjmA3dUwqkrRpk9wewoHf0N9y/s663/chrysler%20building.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="396" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qirGPhey4sTe18XlyKi69ZzSbrY2SxykAMkFP8SF4ZrQH1XfgbmHnNjtxAa1JJ7Ssqc2Bb3v0viCJ438XLIuee4dhweuRwkL2pADSe55aXknXvtbiVw0zzcZcdFd_FPgTF9G4Q_rDXE_GSMdKMnCiaSDx6BLpaI37BuKjmA3dUwqkrRpk9wewoHf0N9y/w239-h400/chrysler%20building.png" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Perhaps Chrysler's use of New York hotel names stems from the Chrysler Building being in Manhattan. Walter P. Chrysler funded the building's construction which was the world's tallest structure for a cup of coffee before being usurped by the Empire State Building. Contrary to what some say. the Chrysler Building in Manhattan never served as the headquarters for the Corporation although a Chrysler annex operated briefly there in the early '50's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOQfcm8LS_TnnBhfMIMGd-VcPX0jirOwtUHSIhvzXyKI3kxkHL1ziSF7bSUl_WHOL1EEgGwjUMlK5xwznxhOzNbF3C4kZFtTL6kYX02anFXfT0xdq5pFRhm8kzgiRsMpbXl0qe6i8yAlWnrAfjiLm6OSJx2waXpmk7nDOWAqarfB2MzKOdOEX6FgYZK6g/s1500/1965%20Plymouth%20Belvedere-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1392" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOQfcm8LS_TnnBhfMIMGd-VcPX0jirOwtUHSIhvzXyKI3kxkHL1ziSF7bSUl_WHOL1EEgGwjUMlK5xwznxhOzNbF3C4kZFtTL6kYX02anFXfT0xdq5pFRhm8kzgiRsMpbXl0qe6i8yAlWnrAfjiLm6OSJx2waXpmk7nDOWAqarfB2MzKOdOEX6FgYZK6g/w371-h400/1965%20Plymouth%20Belvedere-01.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Fast forwarding through the Plymouth Belvedere's ascent to the top of Plymouth's lineup, it's subsequent demotion (or quasi-debasement) and Plymouth (and Dodge's) abortive 1962 downsizing that spawned the legendary, (defacto) Chrysler intermediate known as the "B-body", we arrive in 1965 when "<i>Belvedere"</i> came to denote Plymouth's entry-level, mid-size model positioned below the newly christened, <i>"Satellite" </i>moniker (no doubt the name inspired by the space race). Our '66 Belvedere is part of that, through my foggy goggles, very staid line of cars that Plymouth would push out with minor updating through MY 1970. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy2vajfdjltwrRrslmTCJhGVG8tF_3FGKOvNVBa0OUzkdTyrdlNo2bc1eWr_fEXEWo2xFrobPCb6kn7vbTf5oazXZw72iZO_VEjMFUO6_FyOnzhZme03eW6TuSUn8b4Dusm2wwdLYrnaF6L1IIs4_sq9iKUgpQfPSixaoLLiO5qLsOJRKmXObPsQ561gN/s960/409040721_7368200479901873_382724387400419423_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy2vajfdjltwrRrslmTCJhGVG8tF_3FGKOvNVBa0OUzkdTyrdlNo2bc1eWr_fEXEWo2xFrobPCb6kn7vbTf5oazXZw72iZO_VEjMFUO6_FyOnzhZme03eW6TuSUn8b4Dusm2wwdLYrnaF6L1IIs4_sq9iKUgpQfPSixaoLLiO5qLsOJRKmXObPsQ561gN/s320/409040721_7368200479901873_382724387400419423_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These boxy cars are almost as boring to look at as the '80's TV show was to watch, (the book is a breezy page turning period piece) the name "Belvedere" accentuating just how snooze worthy they are. My opine, in lieu of the TV show, the name "Belvedere" seems old and out of step with the mid-to-late-'60's; like a dial up modem in an age when we have the internet on our phones. Worse than that, it's like going to the library to crack open an encyclopedia to do research. Your opinion may differ, see dealer for details. Personally, I'd buy this car and clone it into a Satellite GTX. Asking price for this was $9,250 and that's, believe it or don't, under market value. Even with a smoking engine, torn up seats, a cracked dash and needing a paint job. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgX4sVfAXiS1D_NAUhQQdCPomGRDXulFc1EVtwMNdaiC7RGfHGl8S3UAh4jbHpLOsh4cFVIPRFkvtLy71PP2rujY40h_mIwdJKeXmfbiUdJfOT0nN1RiidtwL_JW6MDaqKsZGmU_FzxqgCATVKPPALbOiYU2l_hd6Sz7CUNpiZ6Qw-rJ0yiPU01U8t5WN/s960/408660273_7368196329902288_1963737736458604772_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="960" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgX4sVfAXiS1D_NAUhQQdCPomGRDXulFc1EVtwMNdaiC7RGfHGl8S3UAh4jbHpLOsh4cFVIPRFkvtLy71PP2rujY40h_mIwdJKeXmfbiUdJfOT0nN1RiidtwL_JW6MDaqKsZGmU_FzxqgCATVKPPALbOiYU2l_hd6Sz7CUNpiZ6Qw-rJ0yiPU01U8t5WN/w400-h188/408660273_7368196329902288_1963737736458604772_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When Plymouth (and Dodge) redesigned the B-bodies for 1971, they (wisely) dropped the <i>"Belvedere"</i> moniker making these (1965-1970) square bodies the last of the Belvedere's. Well, the hotel is still in operation,, and I swear I've seen "Mr. Belvedere" on over-the-air subchannels whenever my cable goes south. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAgabVQ0DQQQmKIWTNJ2Ei8J3bVoaIZ5kby-PKSDE8Tp5gQFgtKLTZeNaLwZ7ojtJMqiVIBwcrS1Us8AjNyhbP_aWVa4SyI3kYAJ8zZuQuRSoEgz6x0XT5QFPDb_MRooRCCQpxj14EYU0S8isO7nSvsOa-k1_JzLsZrwUBqAf22VLaHhAgLvZeWEkRlnK/s750/belvederelearn2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="750" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAgabVQ0DQQQmKIWTNJ2Ei8J3bVoaIZ5kby-PKSDE8Tp5gQFgtKLTZeNaLwZ7ojtJMqiVIBwcrS1Us8AjNyhbP_aWVa4SyI3kYAJ8zZuQuRSoEgz6x0XT5QFPDb_MRooRCCQpxj14EYU0S8isO7nSvsOa-k1_JzLsZrwUBqAf22VLaHhAgLvZeWEkRlnK/w400-h214/belvederelearn2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Bob Ueker, bless his heart, 89-years-young, is still calling games for the Milwaukee Brewers. Christopher Hewitt, the actor who played the title character in "Mr. Belvedere", passed away in 2001 at the age of 80. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-17779897142645003852024-01-02T03:36:00.000-08:002024-01-02T03:36:38.634-08:001979 Pontiac Grand Prix SSJ - Bad Then, Worse Now<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FmDJc-zGyg7XkXmXn9su11ZTdjnV6xOn_Kc7eYeqcR7Y_TUyQMpaLx7u1ZV7gxzlxvRWiWR_8oH_4dKVQtqnB3hytZPfzgB3H87lob_RUF_IgUuAPVCrEDGcWR26zz2IJ1jDBU-ZHKx_mzETDRvSYSUiB1B0nfIBZ7I-gNRPyiN6XR_4s1ZUlS_nH9Z1/s960/410886480_7464846643533825_4816163849464937282_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FmDJc-zGyg7XkXmXn9su11ZTdjnV6xOn_Kc7eYeqcR7Y_TUyQMpaLx7u1ZV7gxzlxvRWiWR_8oH_4dKVQtqnB3hytZPfzgB3H87lob_RUF_IgUuAPVCrEDGcWR26zz2IJ1jDBU-ZHKx_mzETDRvSYSUiB1B0nfIBZ7I-gNRPyiN6XR_4s1ZUlS_nH9Z1/s320/410886480_7464846643533825_4816163849464937282_n.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've always thought the proportions of GM's downsized 1978-1988 intermediate coupes wonky, they look smaller than they actually are and their styling derivative. Throw a toilet seat on the trunk lid, and this 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix does the seemingly impossible; it makes a bad thing worse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMFVf3Cc-9-yWnWxv415hbTPVtkABNlGsJBL-hqGsl6yYHf4vjwV3pyzPEkS0tP8gIoL1vBd7TrU56_FPvtAGKRLD3hieKsx7qNuKmYKSIYvuoqXLVvwgA7snE0R5ulKn2z4yb9eouu0-YzLON92dIVfse24hkhUyP19IIvB2JOTx4RgGyKlfTDtFife5/s960/410808326_7464846486867174_6476865232738939425_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="889" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMFVf3Cc-9-yWnWxv415hbTPVtkABNlGsJBL-hqGsl6yYHf4vjwV3pyzPEkS0tP8gIoL1vBd7TrU56_FPvtAGKRLD3hieKsx7qNuKmYKSIYvuoqXLVvwgA7snE0R5ulKn2z4yb9eouu0-YzLON92dIVfse24hkhUyP19IIvB2JOTx4RgGyKlfTDtFife5/s320/410808326_7464846486867174_6476865232738939425_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Somewhat mercifully, what's officially a "simulated deck mount" was not part of the "SSJ" trim package that was exclusive to model year 1979 Grand Prix'. From the factory, those that checked the SSJ box on the order form for '79 got a Grand Prix SJ with a special gold "Targa-band" highlighting a heavily padded, "elk grain", vinyl landau roof, factory custom pin stripping and cast emblems. The fake wire wheel covers were an extra cost option. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPJZElOk0DIoiWQh59p5g5CmnTzV_TWwmPHPNaTCZ2OXTLN1gnfX7J48jG4oY9DOwo-I4-fNh1L77dlnrRoJp4E3N4h1J-NgPv5A-aLaJyUpcmD0T_BnzMBHzkdBUkDkUQ_GuqWr2MacmzmLIvS3g_ldO8MeOZYA2fJWZyCkPze9O-KApS0eaJckJkUMz/s960/411878967_7464846693533820_3263195503961698405_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="746" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPJZElOk0DIoiWQh59p5g5CmnTzV_TWwmPHPNaTCZ2OXTLN1gnfX7J48jG4oY9DOwo-I4-fNh1L77dlnrRoJp4E3N4h1J-NgPv5A-aLaJyUpcmD0T_BnzMBHzkdBUkDkUQ_GuqWr2MacmzmLIvS3g_ldO8MeOZYA2fJWZyCkPze9O-KApS0eaJckJkUMz/s320/411878967_7464846693533820_3263195503961698405_n.jpg" width="249" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">SSJ's for '79 came in any color Grand Prix' came in that year. The "simulated deck mount" spare tire was an after market add-on, most likely by a dealership who charged exorbitantly for it. You either "get this" look or wonder what in the heck the buyer and seller were thinking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UCEfpcoT9UI-E34R7tq5_exUdcmLYW7mZazOhcE9dtVtQavKzA7vkbrfQ1cNiNualPizA5h-CSDKDPK4C0g1tO_gKNDu0xBKExmKgDz2FoVQ1MJnGL7pWa9Q16Knp8xamQq-w5l7WqZ4qmKbf5fygZQSRA_5uK2fZ6_RcGfwWMzV1IHj_Xa2NS6hyphenhyphendbZ/s960/410293516_7464846313533858_1960041303341613903_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="960" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UCEfpcoT9UI-E34R7tq5_exUdcmLYW7mZazOhcE9dtVtQavKzA7vkbrfQ1cNiNualPizA5h-CSDKDPK4C0g1tO_gKNDu0xBKExmKgDz2FoVQ1MJnGL7pWa9Q16Knp8xamQq-w5l7WqZ4qmKbf5fygZQSRA_5uK2fZ6_RcGfwWMzV1IHj_Xa2NS6hyphenhyphendbZ/s320/410293516_7464846313533858_1960041303341613903_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">From 1969 through 1984, Pontiac took liberties with Duesenberg's nomenclature to differentiate different trim levels of their Grand Prix. Most "Doozies" made between 1927 and 1936 were model J's; supercharged J's were "SJ". Two modified SJ models called "SSJ" were custom built for actors Gary Cooper and Clark Gable. There was never a Grand Prix "S" although there was an "LJ" model, hence liberties taken, that was introduced in 1975. The "L" denoted luxury whereas the "S" in SJ was purportedly for "sport". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkBWG133OopjF2AZXg3V5Dxwa_NUTaOvpzUNu3Z7GKteGLtSLr14e4IxVFPFeVofN-rEjw3rY8Z-lvbWuTJGR-d7M3Y65cZJZYRUuPvCkeGMEOTPuSJT_f5CyvYRy35zuXEJwUppIBshQXW-8oCGBbIFzEZpEtkBIQM86pASlWQaMQzFLu8_jk_br2LjA/s513/ssj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="513" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkBWG133OopjF2AZXg3V5Dxwa_NUTaOvpzUNu3Z7GKteGLtSLr14e4IxVFPFeVofN-rEjw3rY8Z-lvbWuTJGR-d7M3Y65cZJZYRUuPvCkeGMEOTPuSJT_f5CyvYRy35zuXEJwUppIBshQXW-8oCGBbIFzEZpEtkBIQM86pASlWQaMQzFLu8_jk_br2LjA/w400-h295/ssj.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In model years 1971 and 1972, a Grand Prix SSJ had this unique paint scheme, special wheels, emblems, and a god's-green-earth Hurst (automatic transmission) shifter. Gold jumpsuits were available after market and at additional cost. See dealer for details. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2qYuEbzaLxZFBc3pF1PkOGuipa1INIdXbizKVYGRgLgjbrrUaB01yckyA_e0TF5h2P-sJUEr-fc_h56LRRzNH3ttdoVnhTjf36NIr2j17K7my1g0BeuBLEmnpvROwwzd835A48BJJBTZPzIyexa8mCP8f63x0Fx4-9rWiNnf5DFbvBAtleillDvWlM1L/s960/410916759_7464846656867157_3466192980296832220_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2qYuEbzaLxZFBc3pF1PkOGuipa1INIdXbizKVYGRgLgjbrrUaB01yckyA_e0TF5h2P-sJUEr-fc_h56LRRzNH3ttdoVnhTjf36NIr2j17K7my1g0BeuBLEmnpvROwwzd835A48BJJBTZPzIyexa8mCP8f63x0Fx4-9rWiNnf5DFbvBAtleillDvWlM1L/s320/410916759_7464846656867157_3466192980296832220_n.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Taste being like arm pits, no doubt someone thought this accessory added to the car's, ahem, elan. Meant to emulate the elaborate outboard spare tire cases of cars of the Great Gatsby era, which, here's a real kick to the old noggin', were about as long ago at the time as this Grand Prix is old now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUxWBSRUuSmcnYt1rsKjOr82uE7E5FXCWzs1o57rAsuW1JnAtJA0SXdkfegicFHG7DGRp3gFl3MtHirzBe4D5sgqBl86P3WPcUXG_MHMaFpODNiRNlyu0CXdE70mtNoyFNeeGjZluE1pJeaEnDfz3q1u3uMXxYQbmHJDqSAJQmtAw4s3rTq_36barFYRq/s973/valliant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="973" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUxWBSRUuSmcnYt1rsKjOr82uE7E5FXCWzs1o57rAsuW1JnAtJA0SXdkfegicFHG7DGRp3gFl3MtHirzBe4D5sgqBl86P3WPcUXG_MHMaFpODNiRNlyu0CXdE70mtNoyFNeeGjZluE1pJeaEnDfz3q1u3uMXxYQbmHJDqSAJQmtAw4s3rTq_36barFYRq/w400-h229/valliant.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chrysler tried something similar on their 1957 Imperial Southampton and their 1960 and 1961 Valliant's (above is a 1960) with similarly comical results; through my foggy goggles it's like putting a chandelier in a mobile home. Ford was far more successful with their vestigial trunk hump\bump on their 1956 and 1957 Continental and 1968-1999 Lincoln Continental Mark's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneLErZ7i33u50q5z_C7tabJT7D_3DBYS472hLObrSeeaM73YswGwz7a9bxm9CsDSIflC3K3qQa1j1-tzhjIfi9Agv4O2S9zZ6BOBiJt3Mu3pqTrZd3KdHfJpJLaSEhErCIkGTpXNWzR5CqKtkPz1UCzbdPbGnmGTeYjuFDX0XBx-Xnnljg1z-oPtGiBbS/s960/410781046_7464846506867172_1087747684263547079_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="960" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneLErZ7i33u50q5z_C7tabJT7D_3DBYS472hLObrSeeaM73YswGwz7a9bxm9CsDSIflC3K3qQa1j1-tzhjIfi9Agv4O2S9zZ6BOBiJt3Mu3pqTrZd3KdHfJpJLaSEhErCIkGTpXNWzR5CqKtkPz1UCzbdPbGnmGTeYjuFDX0XBx-Xnnljg1z-oPtGiBbS/s320/410781046_7464846506867172_1087747684263547079_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From this angle, our Knoxville, Tennessee based Facebook Marketplace find here is atypical 1978-1980 Pontiac Grand Prix; I'm indifferent at best towards it. GM smoothed out the quirks of these cars for 1981 but the dye had been cast, the personal luxury car segment, one that the Grand Prix helped spur to great heights in the 1970's had begun it's long, slow decent to oblivion. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FmDJc-zGyg7XkXmXn9su11ZTdjnV6xOn_Kc7eYeqcR7Y_TUyQMpaLx7u1ZV7gxzlxvRWiWR_8oH_4dKVQtqnB3hytZPfzgB3H87lob_RUF_IgUuAPVCrEDGcWR26zz2IJ1jDBU-ZHKx_mzETDRvSYSUiB1B0nfIBZ7I-gNRPyiN6XR_4s1ZUlS_nH9Z1/s960/410886480_7464846643533825_4816163849464937282_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FmDJc-zGyg7XkXmXn9su11ZTdjnV6xOn_Kc7eYeqcR7Y_TUyQMpaLx7u1ZV7gxzlxvRWiWR_8oH_4dKVQtqnB3hytZPfzgB3H87lob_RUF_IgUuAPVCrEDGcWR26zz2IJ1jDBU-ZHKx_mzETDRvSYSUiB1B0nfIBZ7I-gNRPyiN6XR_4s1ZUlS_nH9Z1/s320/410886480_7464846643533825_4816163849464937282_n.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The passage of some (he swallows hard) 45-years now has done little to usage this car's cringe-worthiness. While some things like disco music and a handful of movies and TV shows have aged well, particularly disco which in and of itself is ironic seeing the vitriol for it at the time, fussy, wholly unnecessary, Liberace-esque bolt ons, whether installed at the factory or dealership, were bad looking then and are even worse now. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-35521658082599493832023-12-15T07:52:00.000-08:002023-12-15T07:52:26.072-08:001977 Chrysler New Yorker - An Award Winner! <p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZZrFnpN1Cur1Qs60DFSU18f-4L1bbeQ1OJE33NZM2zWTPd130U8umMKOBAoZ02lTrb6EPbT-M57Ijwlj77juq0SaapPCtjGUyDMklm9-KjQqfztr7UQrcnTkroPd_9xekmEajD9Typkv9j3dwrEqC6R_gLbmY-wDWSmLOjud5vi5Lg-SgRFOh33hyVmy/s960/392967907_7167664366598044_7697812237820861562_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZZrFnpN1Cur1Qs60DFSU18f-4L1bbeQ1OJE33NZM2zWTPd130U8umMKOBAoZ02lTrb6EPbT-M57Ijwlj77juq0SaapPCtjGUyDMklm9-KjQqfztr7UQrcnTkroPd_9xekmEajD9Typkv9j3dwrEqC6R_gLbmY-wDWSmLOjud5vi5Lg-SgRFOh33hyVmy/w400-h266/392967907_7167664366598044_7697812237820861562_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You may have missed it, but at the inaugural, <i>"Charley Awards", </i>a 1977 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham two-door won the award for coolest, mid-to-late-1970's, domestic, luxury two-door; <i>I wouldn't call these "coupes", as they're really "two-door sedans".</i> General Motors executives were miffed, crying afoul that their 1977 downsized Cadillac Coupe deVille and Buick Electra two-door models didn't win; <i>between us, they weren't even finalists.</i> Ford suits, with nothing more to offer than their oafish, Lincoln Continental Town Coupe, just sat there, stewed on the dollar-a-holler well-liquor. I'm using this 1977 New Yorker I found recently on Facebook Marketplace for illustrative purposes of our award winner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_6ZLt7gwZYN6NIH-Je5Kwab7uCc3Dg9c8MA85xhu9xaUbYWchY1fWC2gEKGSCOKB2JYIFQ_zuxhRIjMgh0z68tOXqWLPTmmjkKZtVMnLnK6Z7DpwsEGb-Wqr8ZkkhP_ZzOHf5G4mEIWKjFeXCaWpkAiVlsV1d_d0APEgfFDZEzqTWn9pCXh6Xd8cdBrS/s960/377451560_24809458955308015_4747337133014592688_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_6ZLt7gwZYN6NIH-Je5Kwab7uCc3Dg9c8MA85xhu9xaUbYWchY1fWC2gEKGSCOKB2JYIFQ_zuxhRIjMgh0z68tOXqWLPTmmjkKZtVMnLnK6Z7DpwsEGb-Wqr8ZkkhP_ZzOHf5G4mEIWKjFeXCaWpkAiVlsV1d_d0APEgfFDZEzqTWn9pCXh6Xd8cdBrS/s320/377451560_24809458955308015_4747337133014592688_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of course, there were no such awards handed out except in my mind, but it would be fun to do something on social media where people got to vote on the best and worst of vehicles categorized in ways never seen before. <i>"Best Looking Station Wagon with Dye-Noc Wood Grain Trim", "Best Captive Import That You <u><b>Would</b></u> Be Caught Dead In", "Most Overrated Sports\Muscle or Pony Car that Isn't a third-generation Corvette"</i>...and so on. The category list could be endless. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnuLhevc3XMZYTX8KcXcQtNEOIB9tguvQ2Aldj8j5bsXfDVcirKH6U8Gd99v2lzfi-27bo3jOWBtBRVj7EWPpMUegNUCdYCHAgEfJdsYdSEeYgPt7GqMoCARCIs-dZW-BrhK0L4wDkDXRQ-tBOX0kcBIFvM4oD7b9DrL051kgKPvSwZP_7P2xfgY9L0Rt/s960/387652037_7540037649380758_7936400179037671607_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnuLhevc3XMZYTX8KcXcQtNEOIB9tguvQ2Aldj8j5bsXfDVcirKH6U8Gd99v2lzfi-27bo3jOWBtBRVj7EWPpMUegNUCdYCHAgEfJdsYdSEeYgPt7GqMoCARCIs-dZW-BrhK0L4wDkDXRQ-tBOX0kcBIFvM4oD7b9DrL051kgKPvSwZP_7P2xfgY9L0Rt/s320/387652037_7540037649380758_7936400179037671607_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As far as these big New Yorker Brougham's go, well, what can I say. As the creator, curator and judging panel of the illustrious <i>"Charley Awards",</i> I'm a sucker for these unapologetically large, pre-downsized brutes. Corn-fed to believe that hunky monsters like this where the trappings of the wealthy <i>(gangsters and mobsters too),</i> although I know better now, any time I see a 1970's luxury land yacht, I'm transporter-beamed back to when I was growing in the somewhat leafy hamlet of Baldwin, Long Island, a stone's throw from, ahem, New York<i>(er)</i> City. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gcIBY7Sd_D6w3l37zsUXNOZmlIsCt5BENFhyEEyYF-pMvpiDjptgGg7-tqJJHFrU-duZqXZcSuwnN0NdJxB6r4SaqgH3Xq2mPwsvFpnjp69r9BXX1cK3c-iX_7N1DuEMF4cupvFcPcyw5ibCeI_QshyphenhyphenXWvS0VRTIyNBNfvgF-qdcCdKWnDogRVHZy-Rq/s960/392605944_6737422842994084_164624110451811208_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gcIBY7Sd_D6w3l37zsUXNOZmlIsCt5BENFhyEEyYF-pMvpiDjptgGg7-tqJJHFrU-duZqXZcSuwnN0NdJxB6r4SaqgH3Xq2mPwsvFpnjp69r9BXX1cK3c-iX_7N1DuEMF4cupvFcPcyw5ibCeI_QshyphenhyphenXWvS0VRTIyNBNfvgF-qdcCdKWnDogRVHZy-Rq/s320/392605944_6737422842994084_164624110451811208_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Cars like this is what rich people, or those wanting to appear as though they "had it" drove. They could drive, essentially, the same car for quite a bit less out of pocket, many times those "lesser" models better transportation conveyances too, but they didn't have the cache or snob appeal something like this had. No one would say, <i>"damn, check out Charley's new Plymouth Fury. He must be killing it."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFFZmLFznZbOoST1GfM8hNDSaaUMO7jxkWQttvATVA-OHGxhfjHpSzglfaWrknI3H9pdyiVMrlVHNIdKqGpXwqHQAtDO9e5PmOqwY7kHpqoiR8cNgYo4WylyjxBU9cLfAE8wwCg7tuSvK8zNm5hk-gsK-qoFmtbqKjPytjnGy4OerqxqIbrzWjDuCZyRe/s1300/conway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="1300" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFFZmLFznZbOoST1GfM8hNDSaaUMO7jxkWQttvATVA-OHGxhfjHpSzglfaWrknI3H9pdyiVMrlVHNIdKqGpXwqHQAtDO9e5PmOqwY7kHpqoiR8cNgYo4WylyjxBU9cLfAE8wwCg7tuSvK8zNm5hk-gsK-qoFmtbqKjPytjnGy4OerqxqIbrzWjDuCZyRe/w400-h144/conway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For my pre-pubescent money, the luxurious-est of all the domestic luxury barges of the late 1970's was the 1976-1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham; <i>all Chrysler New Yorkers from 1972-1978 were "Brougham's". </i>However, by the time my wretched wonder-years were hitting their hormonal peak, the "bigger is better" party was coming to a screeching halt. General Motors had "downsized" their big rigs and being underwhelmed if not heart broken by them, I found refuge, solace if you will, in the showroom of Conway Motors (above), a long gone Chrysler-Plymouth dealership on Sunrise Highway up the street from where I grew up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUTFlESAoJt1Tw_3abbKtdDKcAl4vYB5a2aW7JWU5J_49Eqblzsp4iPqxfoHvfcER8zS_N0reBvQ5LnN_BSpTECGgaJUOJxAxtoeefGgGUirZ9QJmrlPN5oJ6hPOTYvQo1fB6ZmZHqjifWSvFoZFPzGCQMAnO4PPqYIA-F0dPfr7TFWDDF63wjkWsK1I9/s960/392605951_24485169641074017_3508234924323261448_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUTFlESAoJt1Tw_3abbKtdDKcAl4vYB5a2aW7JWU5J_49Eqblzsp4iPqxfoHvfcER8zS_N0reBvQ5LnN_BSpTECGgaJUOJxAxtoeefGgGUirZ9QJmrlPN5oJ6hPOTYvQo1fB6ZmZHqjifWSvFoZFPzGCQMAnO4PPqYIA-F0dPfr7TFWDDF63wjkWsK1I9/s320/392605951_24485169641074017_3508234924323261448_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was the summer of 1977 and weary of my parents endless <strike>harassing</strike> haggling of their used car sales manager over a used 1970 Buick Electra they would end up buying, I wandered into the air-conditioned comfort of the new car showroom and snuck behind the wheel of a brand-new Brougham. Sliding around on the cushy and slippery leather thrones, I was in transfixed by the not only the sheer size of the thing, but what I perceived to be it's lap of hedonistic luxury. For certain, it wasn't my father's 1968 Ford Ranch Wagon. Knowing how diminutive the new "big" GM cars were, it was obvious I was stepping back in time to the way things used to be; those heady post-War years when the size of the car in your garage denoted your plight in life. These big-as-a-whale Chrysler's were totally out of step with what Americans needed at the time and I loved them for that in addition to thinking, for the lack of any better term, they were cooler than Fonzie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr1H-QDLvQfZBF1ui36nmunhoqkJBCKdnUcy7JKnS2gCVtX_II9Ka2acI9LpCirA8YpKxinL_4PkwqfmS3vQ9CR8sem9npJYVGpLxU8JYv5Tl6teYlxSUw9ZNeQWOLxzmMUJTou09Y8J3ZASntUYWrWHQSTX2l8Mv-dqgB_ct9nV5PrKq1xKjo2UJ6CR1/s1023/31401492751_8b66bce3da_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1023" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtr1H-QDLvQfZBF1ui36nmunhoqkJBCKdnUcy7JKnS2gCVtX_II9Ka2acI9LpCirA8YpKxinL_4PkwqfmS3vQ9CR8sem9npJYVGpLxU8JYv5Tl6teYlxSUw9ZNeQWOLxzmMUJTou09Y8J3ZASntUYWrWHQSTX2l8Mv-dqgB_ct9nV5PrKq1xKjo2UJ6CR1/w400-h255/31401492751_8b66bce3da_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our award winning '77 here was part of Chrysler's new-for-1974 full-size line that also included new "Imperial" models. From 1955-1975, Imperial was the Chrysler's Corporation's range-topping make akin to GM's Cadillac although, similar to Ford's Lincoln division, it didn't have a dedicated dealership network and was sold and serviced along side Chrysler's and Plymouth's. Imagine plucking down Cadillac money and having to share the service area waiting room with some Duster owner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSoggyvxQ47scinS08AuEAbnPw6hovroYlqs5cfQ3yeLO_9JR_QkQkkC8AgdTDZfgV1iGim46m5Z1beZAEM5bm0YCg_45qtEE7jmwzlVTCtgJM_n9pPrPWgGBrh-QsomDrov4MlDbg_KA1bME025t6th9Falc6hfZKXO8IdQYnY5thNKJxzKXjCnD4Q8a/s1990/1974%20Imperial-10-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1990" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSoggyvxQ47scinS08AuEAbnPw6hovroYlqs5cfQ3yeLO_9JR_QkQkkC8AgdTDZfgV1iGim46m5Z1beZAEM5bm0YCg_45qtEE7jmwzlVTCtgJM_n9pPrPWgGBrh-QsomDrov4MlDbg_KA1bME025t6th9Falc6hfZKXO8IdQYnY5thNKJxzKXjCnD4Q8a/w400-h196/1974%20Imperial-10-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <i> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>1974 Imperial LeBaron </i></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Visibly, the only tangible difference between a 1974 Imperial and Chrysler New York Brougham was the front and rear ends; the Imperial had enclosed headlights, a chrome, waterfall grill and a derivatively styled rear facia; <i>it had more than its fair share of GM-ethos in it. </i>The NYB shared the same front and back ends with the "entry-level" Newport and the Town and Country wagon. Just as well as Chrysler Corporation never intended their Chrysler division to go tire-to-tire with Cadillac anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPKWDNMfPiq4NWht5id3Yrc-UFWLyZCKKjAT3LJfnKTIc-FdnKsph8hA1ut4F5r6FH0SBzGYN6MlPwikXsxUXedViGukFzt7GXXlPINyNUUDK9a02YIFX8Gpi8S3Sa6gXuATz6ikdmoV7liJwabXIOOPVDYM1Jxig5ze7jbgZ0sAcBnIH8FQwvqVrRcI0/s750/1974%20Chrysler-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPKWDNMfPiq4NWht5id3Yrc-UFWLyZCKKjAT3LJfnKTIc-FdnKsph8hA1ut4F5r6FH0SBzGYN6MlPwikXsxUXedViGukFzt7GXXlPINyNUUDK9a02YIFX8Gpi8S3Sa6gXuATz6ikdmoV7liJwabXIOOPVDYM1Jxig5ze7jbgZ0sAcBnIH8FQwvqVrRcI0/w400-h266/1974%20Chrysler-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>1974 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Through no fault of their own, Chrysler's timing to introduce new full size cars that were even bigger than what they replaced couldn't have been worse with the OPEC Oil Embargo taking effect all but at the literal start of the 1974 model year. These new hunky dreadnaughts replaced the dread<i>-full</i> 1970-1973 Chrysler "fuselage" models that sold like frozen turkeys the day after Thanksgiving. Only Chrysler could manage to roll out new models that would sell even worse. Things were so bad Chrysler shuttered their "Imperial" <i>division</i> after 1975. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOD8V6UT6TOcWEL5Bg74upqzEUPS_8uej-3AW_k9OQNA8vU2nzNZKdR8nf9hWSexwe6uqNjCdymw95iX4P3_-JJPWsrLWMXRfXGvYbUttuDm2jyhBgX0A6IlzRnpbzEG7VXE-PTIyDqYU6A2pcOViMucJxcWJvYgdvXT6XX9IQJGFXEtn4nPLpkHC2MPl/s960/398397947_6709566562492706_6090597926166255047_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOD8V6UT6TOcWEL5Bg74upqzEUPS_8uej-3AW_k9OQNA8vU2nzNZKdR8nf9hWSexwe6uqNjCdymw95iX4P3_-JJPWsrLWMXRfXGvYbUttuDm2jyhBgX0A6IlzRnpbzEG7VXE-PTIyDqYU6A2pcOViMucJxcWJvYgdvXT6XX9IQJGFXEtn4nPLpkHC2MPl/s320/398397947_6709566562492706_6090597926166255047_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So, with Imperial swimming with the fishes, Chrysler bolted the Imperial's front end onto the New Yorker and, voila, for 1976 through 1978, Chrysler had themselves an award winner. Liberace and Elvis were salivating. Obviously, the headlight doors on our '77, which are actuated by an electric motor behind the grill, aren't working. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgvo182C63jEobe6V6ciy7CY2FkQ7zWB83i7aIa3_xe1-IELPBHzELzhiQy3-OhRW6cSBG05j6WUQ5faAt99t2-wpbhishh3KtlZfMeru-CPli5Z2HfYGgfGa-BFG27PF9GmDOGGF-SRXtgfa_5hyphenhyphenCe9a9Qka0QQM47dy5DxKwNX8Y7v4-kGffEb9tktk/s800/1979%20Chrysler%20NewYorker-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="618" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgvo182C63jEobe6V6ciy7CY2FkQ7zWB83i7aIa3_xe1-IELPBHzELzhiQy3-OhRW6cSBG05j6WUQ5faAt99t2-wpbhishh3KtlZfMeru-CPli5Z2HfYGgfGa-BFG27PF9GmDOGGF-SRXtgfa_5hyphenhyphenCe9a9Qka0QQM47dy5DxKwNX8Y7v4-kGffEb9tktk/w309-h400/1979%20Chrysler%20NewYorker-03.jpg" width="309" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of course, in the face of General Motors shrink-rayed Cadillac, Buick and even Oldsmobile's, our big and beautiful New Yorker didn't stand a chance at the box office. Chrysler replaced it in 1979 with the decidedly non-award winning, "R-body" based sedan (above) that was, perhaps, the oddest 'down-sized' luxury car of the era. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZZrFnpN1Cur1Qs60DFSU18f-4L1bbeQ1OJE33NZM2zWTPd130U8umMKOBAoZ02lTrb6EPbT-M57Ijwlj77juq0SaapPCtjGUyDMklm9-KjQqfztr7UQrcnTkroPd_9xekmEajD9Typkv9j3dwrEqC6R_gLbmY-wDWSmLOjud5vi5Lg-SgRFOh33hyVmy/s960/392967907_7167664366598044_7697812237820861562_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZZrFnpN1Cur1Qs60DFSU18f-4L1bbeQ1OJE33NZM2zWTPd130U8umMKOBAoZ02lTrb6EPbT-M57Ijwlj77juq0SaapPCtjGUyDMklm9-KjQqfztr7UQrcnTkroPd_9xekmEajD9Typkv9j3dwrEqC6R_gLbmY-wDWSmLOjud5vi5Lg-SgRFOh33hyVmy/w400-h266/392967907_7167664366598044_7697812237820861562_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Not surprisingly, they sold even worse than the 1976-1978 New Yorker's and Chrysler pulled the plug on them during the 1981 model year. With the "R-body" being an upsized "B-body", meaning it was an upsized intermediate, it means our award winning, 1976-1978 New Yorker Broughams was the Chrysler Corporation's last rear-wheel-drive, traditionally full-size luxury cars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-66069726566770336652023-12-01T15:57:00.000-08:002023-12-01T15:57:31.677-08:001986 Buick Regal - Bridging The Gap <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUQ2fM61pC31IZg-oVZBFL6WLysvcBn7AQ8xu0C7I3vd-Ko9qHaenDPsbwMTxltYsudjFEq3Ti6ao5wHbZD-CMgQioMtySLSXdHDzbiJW7np3jXD0S7LHVnlBXGb1FHEOrAmwHuwwApB7V2U1smlpbOfpeIgqRXO9aMBtK8kpUz_4s6iHO1j8Ikt8bMy/s960/401762590_6743916035662719_1099653300381333766_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildUQ2fM61pC31IZg-oVZBFL6WLysvcBn7AQ8xu0C7I3vd-Ko9qHaenDPsbwMTxltYsudjFEq3Ti6ao5wHbZD-CMgQioMtySLSXdHDzbiJW7np3jXD0S7LHVnlBXGb1FHEOrAmwHuwwApB7V2U1smlpbOfpeIgqRXO9aMBtK8kpUz_4s6iHO1j8Ikt8bMy/w400-h300/401762590_6743916035662719_1099653300381333766_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Towards the end of this generation of the Buick Regal's 1978-1987 production run, Buick ramped up the horsepower and torque so much on its high-performance versions that it was faster zero-to-sixty than Chevrolet's lordly Corvette. To bridge the performance gulf of performance between the 3.8-liter V-6 powered base models and the big dogs, for 1986 and 1987, Buick made Oldsmobile's 307-cubic inch V-8 optional. Sorry, V-8 lovers, it was the lower performing of its two versions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1kfiM1Id8-1IBe_DJb3qeg3hyphenhyphenOmfQxh0eZq8kiaOl1zbhCRJizCd4uGFN9PAtZYpbI4S9i9fKrGbpq8XXICQFgwDd3dZqtNz8lK8ppQJntDLSLY3tSJAArL3JamFoirQ77jYYtDGy1x2z0wWAtfYyvu6jiZEDJE_XhLBTBdvjlATBwUVpxaObZAZf6MF/s1024/n_1986%20Buick%20Regal%20(Cdn%20Fr)-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1024" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1kfiM1Id8-1IBe_DJb3qeg3hyphenhyphenOmfQxh0eZq8kiaOl1zbhCRJizCd4uGFN9PAtZYpbI4S9i9fKrGbpq8XXICQFgwDd3dZqtNz8lK8ppQJntDLSLY3tSJAArL3JamFoirQ77jYYtDGy1x2z0wWAtfYyvu6jiZEDJE_XhLBTBdvjlATBwUVpxaObZAZf6MF/s320/n_1986%20Buick%20Regal%20(Cdn%20Fr)-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was a bit of novelty if not a throwback of sorts since Pontiac (4.9-liter) and Chevrolet (5.0-liter) V-8's were available on Buick Regals from 1978-1980; from 1981 through 1985, the only V-8 available was the Oldsmobile, 5.7-liter diesel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4UetyEW8OnIB6EwEIll9mMbmv2esrjB0OrIl64iCi7V5LD2sXPdQK0k8ENHN7DdI21C-HEUol1QZpOta3uyPRjvK6_26ZmIIyxLRVT0z5ZvSWUmRx07jjceeyfQBQ8cWIV3kJqX990RMTfuWpqgAFmuZrUX_Ao2HAb0Hwj4EL_WSsRB_qSNP-Fzpf0QH/s960/401775011_6743916515662671_7912608641112248514_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4UetyEW8OnIB6EwEIll9mMbmv2esrjB0OrIl64iCi7V5LD2sXPdQK0k8ENHN7DdI21C-HEUol1QZpOta3uyPRjvK6_26ZmIIyxLRVT0z5ZvSWUmRx07jjceeyfQBQ8cWIV3kJqX990RMTfuWpqgAFmuZrUX_Ao2HAb0Hwj4EL_WSsRB_qSNP-Fzpf0QH/s320/401775011_6743916515662671_7912608641112248514_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Making all of 140-horsepower, it's not like the 307 transforms car this into a poor man's Grand National. Hardly. Contemporary road test of similarly powered GM G-bodies with the "LV2" Olds engine pegged it zero-to-sixty in roughly 13-seconds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRgJ0r236GqMJBNiE7ayq5sajAgbP_RM-M2q6kVlLAU6lOTg2BUbXVHEZomJNc9B3o4BIV8mubnu9vVHINkKe3ALiz-54fhYgk1OBiPYneceIUbhYWOR_1-MpTvpNLivK5gEw4KJoMFg3JWqmA0KRBI9om9HVhO8JUg-c3QJdHz17iLOXCeGSrqG0-5WF/s960/402861844_6743916382329351_8900365761313786925_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRgJ0r236GqMJBNiE7ayq5sajAgbP_RM-M2q6kVlLAU6lOTg2BUbXVHEZomJNc9B3o4BIV8mubnu9vVHINkKe3ALiz-54fhYgk1OBiPYneceIUbhYWOR_1-MpTvpNLivK5gEw4KJoMFg3JWqmA0KRBI9om9HVhO8JUg-c3QJdHz17iLOXCeGSrqG0-5WF/s320/402861844_6743916382329351_8900365761313786925_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Compared to the Grand National's approximate 5-second blast from zero-to-sixty, this car might as well have been standing still. The added oomph of the 307 barely negating its additional bulk over the 110-horse, Buick V-6. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm40SoV45k6LbLoA6GqKfzTS2FhHH1Lhk8eaHEsTxH6MgiWUTdn1igAuQLT9T6-tCaJHg7mNb6rGwGsRLYQrKLx-1OuNiw_a3aIVChtawzG2K1-F4TgGPSjszJIKB3kFxsWGf1wC5rJfeT0mCQWF-WexoAW8MS17WT3G7lMzc3tJrkwqxOWyuQCNecBNAD/s960/400408191_6743968482324141_8930727187934047048_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm40SoV45k6LbLoA6GqKfzTS2FhHH1Lhk8eaHEsTxH6MgiWUTdn1igAuQLT9T6-tCaJHg7mNb6rGwGsRLYQrKLx-1OuNiw_a3aIVChtawzG2K1-F4TgGPSjszJIKB3kFxsWGf1wC5rJfeT0mCQWF-WexoAW8MS17WT3G7lMzc3tJrkwqxOWyuQCNecBNAD/s320/400408191_6743968482324141_8930727187934047048_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I've driven these cars with LV2 and Chevrolet's LG4, 305-CID engine and they are sah-low. Wide-ratio "Metric" transmissions and super tall rear axles doing the added poke of the V-8 absolutely no favors whatsoever too. I wonder why they even bothered. Did make for smoother running automobile, though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtXprlNg4aFojKTVFSJLiFv-eFwwV9Iuxie2xJV8_gek9wGGiYTmZVGYioRXUWyi4kpFdW9X6rtUKNLa_SeGb-BEeDNeUnyPVudB0xPQV5OPq9uX3o40r1nwYWtLOwAl5xNomQKpjpwuVWAYZ8_-4LP7DHDJT5Hr5zRhEEU_VKUpcLF48_hXorz2LdcPO/s960/401767940_6743916085662714_8477884403123479223_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtXprlNg4aFojKTVFSJLiFv-eFwwV9Iuxie2xJV8_gek9wGGiYTmZVGYioRXUWyi4kpFdW9X6rtUKNLa_SeGb-BEeDNeUnyPVudB0xPQV5OPq9uX3o40r1nwYWtLOwAl5xNomQKpjpwuVWAYZ8_-4LP7DHDJT5Hr5zRhEEU_VKUpcLF48_hXorz2LdcPO/s320/401767940_6743916085662714_8477884403123479223_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you wanted automatic overdrive, you had to step up to the haughty T-Type or Grand National; the almighty GNX was 1987 only. For 1987, buyers could have also order the turbocharged V-6 in the Regal "Limited" but those are almost as rare as the GNX. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtzFphX33ih6kVdbFNP1yFvc9ixDQB1Q3SHUoVSCGBfbNg12jS2m03IcVOXHLIPXhqhndKreMExri-_A1_MCZF9i5OqGoyZIpcE8Wy5-1rhC6DRBp9eYfALqIBYkycI4WGVqTSdIIX4zJ2qPXqQVaRNtJGH_Xvm3aktT4Notp8RwfzYBuxGU89zooqu_r/s960/402012777_6743916115662711_2525636588461271480_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtzFphX33ih6kVdbFNP1yFvc9ixDQB1Q3SHUoVSCGBfbNg12jS2m03IcVOXHLIPXhqhndKreMExri-_A1_MCZF9i5OqGoyZIpcE8Wy5-1rhC6DRBp9eYfALqIBYkycI4WGVqTSdIIX4zJ2qPXqQVaRNtJGH_Xvm3aktT4Notp8RwfzYBuxGU89zooqu_r/s320/402012777_6743916115662711_2525636588461271480_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">1986 advertising literature claims the 5.7-liter, Oldsmobile diesel was available in 1986 on these cars but there's little real-world evidence any of these were built with that engine. If they were, they came backed with the "AOD" (automatic overdrive). Fuel economy of the Olds diesels in these cars was negligibly better than the V-6 models. Olds 307 powered Regals too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTFUrHBY3O6Oa-TYxCrdGNJXd0G-815rd20bX3WYlPwMKEcz8A8EHyJouTbyVZDVIrLHc0sEV1AqlKoWbggKWjeh50SWTVbyaDwNe2OiDBE0zpL6BUPnTz6kFVSIiATigB1P4X5G7Vlc3T-StaDZ0jrs9OOUN96NFXEtabADq1Z_YcV0KCTIdk0GV1iVf/s960/401754745_6743916075662715_7728084351808192260_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTFUrHBY3O6Oa-TYxCrdGNJXd0G-815rd20bX3WYlPwMKEcz8A8EHyJouTbyVZDVIrLHc0sEV1AqlKoWbggKWjeh50SWTVbyaDwNe2OiDBE0zpL6BUPnTz6kFVSIiATigB1P4X5G7Vlc3T-StaDZ0jrs9OOUN96NFXEtabADq1Z_YcV0KCTIdk0GV1iVf/s320/401754745_6743916075662715_7728084351808192260_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My Facebook Marketplace find here is for sale not far from my triple-wide here west of Cleveland, Ohio. Only 43,000 or so clicks on it's 37- going on 38-year old analog odometer. Asking price is a "you've got to be kidding me" $10,000. This is well bought at around half that amount. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-69176620578361986392023-12-01T09:19:00.000-08:002023-12-01T09:19:55.879-08:001963 Dodge 880 Custom - Look, Ma! No Tailfins! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcb91Ovx0V7IzkM0hypYNzKsr2tordARBmPTvAM8w8PNwmn0CZy3i4u2yb4g83zjb0c0IfE2GQD7iCaQ115a-CpS6s4YzoO_gjNAHXv-ckgQAi6NPLO2kCwdm2kSJ7oh1wygFYYjs8wSkKmPTk_H1PauPPZzECERGIPMRxo3_ThJxSlCymT1uQwQ_sHT8/s279/GUHJK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="188" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcb91Ovx0V7IzkM0hypYNzKsr2tordARBmPTvAM8w8PNwmn0CZy3i4u2yb4g83zjb0c0IfE2GQD7iCaQ115a-CpS6s4YzoO_gjNAHXv-ckgQAi6NPLO2kCwdm2kSJ7oh1wygFYYjs8wSkKmPTk_H1PauPPZzECERGIPMRxo3_ThJxSlCymT1uQwQ_sHT8/w270-h400/GUHJK.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Standing maybe five-feet, nine inches tall, I take issue with the age-old adage that "size matters". Yes, I'll never play center for the Knicks or middle linebacker for the Jets but that has (or had) more to do with my lack of elite athletic ability than how tall I am. Yes, that's puckish, 13-year old me. Hapless center and linebacker for the Baldwin Bombers (Long Island, New York) back in 1977 and 1978. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCAVP0sgZsgkjO2-nPkSs3hgzQIwTMBufdXMN34uopX-75ZNMeOoX0hK_h3soD08BADPLZFk7XIW9BEef3nr6_qlGJcJb3dFAqLqtSSus__CxMGkHN-dnJjWT5AQ0eeKuR0P5svSuT714jomNxzWY98GPZ_p8Cnwt1kuP3hAEqdvMjYIgwQhelzoV8NtW/s960/381651901_7179685458749409_7308185104508057203_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCAVP0sgZsgkjO2-nPkSs3hgzQIwTMBufdXMN34uopX-75ZNMeOoX0hK_h3soD08BADPLZFk7XIW9BEef3nr6_qlGJcJb3dFAqLqtSSus__CxMGkHN-dnJjWT5AQ0eeKuR0P5svSuT714jomNxzWY98GPZ_p8Cnwt1kuP3hAEqdvMjYIgwQhelzoV8NtW/w400-h300/381651901_7179685458749409_7308185104508057203_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you're familiar with the story of Dodge's 1962-1965 880's, it seemed as though "size" was the impetus for its very existence in the first place. However, in my humblest of opines, it had less to do with size but with the styling of the car it technically replaced in the Dodge lineup. Our Facebook Marketplace find here is a 1963 Dodge Custom 880. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_oqNuq4NQ9Xlg8Mxz4gd2R4W4Ld3jeZGG-tcYGjzLimEoi8LaeVGri8VXJpkO6xIpW9UGwycJVtHXOFAtnp09hxzTasvzyy_gK4WLQuG3pPoZ50PPUIo2nINkAMtlMBRP6QLKWkJ468hyphenhyphengShIA-ko_oMeU9bPOr2Hhh1cBTFtsC57qCQZd-uSCqY6qVc/s600/crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_oqNuq4NQ9Xlg8Mxz4gd2R4W4Ld3jeZGG-tcYGjzLimEoi8LaeVGri8VXJpkO6xIpW9UGwycJVtHXOFAtnp09hxzTasvzyy_gK4WLQuG3pPoZ50PPUIo2nINkAMtlMBRP6QLKWkJ468hyphenhyphengShIA-ko_oMeU9bPOr2Hhh1cBTFtsC57qCQZd-uSCqY6qVc/w400-h240/crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Legend has it that at a cocktail party at the Gross Pointe Country Club (above) in Detroit in late spring or early summer of 1960, then Chrysler President William Newburg overheard Chevrolet General Manager Ed Cole say that they were downsizing their lineup for 1962. Intel in hand and not to be outdone, Newburg ordered that 1962 Dodge and Plymouth full-size models, direct competitors to Chevrolet, be downsized. Immediately. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr5J022HQXmAVl34I6m1Tea_0k9d2yfDslPQiRvsTOd13Kh5M_NUAUhcwGhWzn4oGRRbJWn0rebW1wVdLouBbe97xqNKXYSgF6s9B0sRkRWKF1ERCvaMwDb9GocNx3aKiOTAwVCWDZKNvx0Roj7xcU_Ro818mwAnNTyEc65B_3NI4qDcwVsquCf3lyWi-/s897/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20114956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="897" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr5J022HQXmAVl34I6m1Tea_0k9d2yfDslPQiRvsTOd13Kh5M_NUAUhcwGhWzn4oGRRbJWn0rebW1wVdLouBbe97xqNKXYSgF6s9B0sRkRWKF1ERCvaMwDb9GocNx3aKiOTAwVCWDZKNvx0Roj7xcU_Ro818mwAnNTyEc65B_3NI4qDcwVsquCf3lyWi-/w400-h241/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20114956.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Engineers and designers worked around the clock and in record time whipped up smaller designs (above) that were more or less "upsized" versions of their, being kind, progressively styled 1960 compact models. And...they went over with a thud. In the blink of an eye, sales of Dodge and Plymouth's "big cars" dropped some 25-percent year over model year. And 1961 was not a banner year for Dodge and Plymouth sales either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E88mY7owYelcAr7T3IfxQ3-rFnHGobqnI6ryC-6WVz724jSIx3goFA-XtbJqZNyuD56bvr5sUEDXGZVQdNWVK6FcCiRwGc4SvI-m20Y2-i80FsqnVxjyDmE7rV1tk1XP7lUUEwRqI398b1-V3BTDo1Xcqg0gikao3AsG2xn1tHyyHr29zBOqFivoOanq/s612/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20115143.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="612" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E88mY7owYelcAr7T3IfxQ3-rFnHGobqnI6ryC-6WVz724jSIx3goFA-XtbJqZNyuD56bvr5sUEDXGZVQdNWVK6FcCiRwGc4SvI-m20Y2-i80FsqnVxjyDmE7rV1tk1XP7lUUEwRqI398b1-V3BTDo1Xcqg0gikao3AsG2xn1tHyyHr29zBOqFivoOanq/w400-h269/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20115143.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My blog, my opinion, that drop in sales had more to do with what was perceived as bizarre styling rather than how big the cars were. Case in point, although domestic cars were, in general, elephantine at the time, sales of far smaller imports were making inroads, American Motors' line of far smaller vehicles were selling well and Ford's compact Falcon, introduced in 1960, was, ahem, flying out of showrooms. America was ready, it seemed, for smaller cars. For the record, the smaller 1962 Plymouth and Dodge models (last two photos, above) were some seven-inches shorter than their 1961 counterparts. Some 500-pounds less heavy too. Taste being like armpits, I think they're fabulous looking. Especially, naturally, the two-door versions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t29xfph5ESy0tzokuETzwO-Es66Je5EPAVn6ADWnunQHglNbPA6Ii9CqQH36DluxxRh3tFS3XwlJYhTDUI2UL6CSr8GKJJ3pmZWGV2Wc8-pQ-MYf5TS57rJ8Naypz1xo4oiTeezwfjYH_hDzPxq1PBTVMkJYbJ5kNats6WCvB9kf80n5YKGyQgyQ-9SN/s1057/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20115722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1057" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t29xfph5ESy0tzokuETzwO-Es66Je5EPAVn6ADWnunQHglNbPA6Ii9CqQH36DluxxRh3tFS3XwlJYhTDUI2UL6CSr8GKJJ3pmZWGV2Wc8-pQ-MYf5TS57rJ8Naypz1xo4oiTeezwfjYH_hDzPxq1PBTVMkJYbJ5kNats6WCvB9kf80n5YKGyQgyQ-9SN/w400-h290/Screenshot%202023-12-01%20115722.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Akin to throwing a speeding car into reverse and then back into drive, to fill the, again, perceived void in Dodge's lineup, halfway through the 1962 model year, Chrysler repurposed a Chrysler Newport as the Dodge "Custom 880". Just like that, Dodge was back in the "big" car business. Oddly enough, Plymouth soldiered on with their smaller "full-size" cars through 1964. Then again, Plymouth was never really it's own, quasi-independent division like Dodge was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqqw_jnnFxdbqFNre8SA4-rXK8SAOXROun4CoHaSiXuAY7LpwmB3qUOGx5Swo5Yr2XiHIXpR_NI83Dthm60mN7MaUPKtjlUQkmWfes0RSmdeub_3NPA984_fJgY6azGAaBt-fFfKfCG8DDuZYJbhcQY-lXwr_15iv2APHCgCcpz48nk6WapCXx9F7_BCz/s960/380942928_7179653892085899_2650150647466147866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqqw_jnnFxdbqFNre8SA4-rXK8SAOXROun4CoHaSiXuAY7LpwmB3qUOGx5Swo5Yr2XiHIXpR_NI83Dthm60mN7MaUPKtjlUQkmWfes0RSmdeub_3NPA984_fJgY6azGAaBt-fFfKfCG8DDuZYJbhcQY-lXwr_15iv2APHCgCcpz48nk6WapCXx9F7_BCz/s320/380942928_7179653892085899_2650150647466147866_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Dodge Custom 880 was somewhat different from a Chrysler Newport in that it had an updated front end from the 1961 Dodge Polara although it did have the newly "de-finned" rear from the '62 Newport. Look, ma! No tail fins! Sales were unimpressive as well for these cars with Dodge moving all of 18,000 of them for the second half of '62, approximately 28,000 for 1963 making our subject here quasi-rare. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeJIiVX0RdvcO7qOlvhyWMGv4e3Go2TR_Kr3tL82v5P6smCLNi3oytKuPiqhavsyy9jx26fF0xdDbMPOV_tt5cx8htDXQeQ2bTq1eimjXumgYhdWHizbtwKWy3C3RVaZhLQvgXDSHxpN9NhpGZKEVVMxws6moLX3Bak-5RqJ_IUZsFY9AUpQM00mDTeSX/s960/380266274_7179653642085924_4759204458298667373_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeJIiVX0RdvcO7qOlvhyWMGv4e3Go2TR_Kr3tL82v5P6smCLNi3oytKuPiqhavsyy9jx26fF0xdDbMPOV_tt5cx8htDXQeQ2bTq1eimjXumgYhdWHizbtwKWy3C3RVaZhLQvgXDSHxpN9NhpGZKEVVMxws6moLX3Bak-5RqJ_IUZsFY9AUpQM00mDTeSX/s320/380266274_7179653642085924_4759204458298667373_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For 1963, Dodge redesigned the front end and as the Big Three did back then in the era of "planned obsolescence", with almost annual substantive model updates, Dodge did a total redesign of the 880's body for 1964 with yet another significant reboot for 1965. Dodge dropped the "880" moniker for 1966 replacing it with "Monaco" which was built on Chrysler's updated-for-1965, traditionally full-sized or "standard sized" C-body platform. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWj9Ly7kzjtNx0cYot32VDGywKOjPX8322LaoKaLr5nsC_gihQUukG19PkzkTM1Vbb6SAPuFwMez5L1KfAfjOsvh0WVa9tdAF0dt4GevfejHwZcikpGJAh7OAKJap_0DzDs3rzTWgEtjiisi1-62VDETlCbptS8mQzjWejy2VPkBBayjWIG1lhPIaJ6oW/s960/380331853_7179653708752584_3508791492554103511_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWj9Ly7kzjtNx0cYot32VDGywKOjPX8322LaoKaLr5nsC_gihQUukG19PkzkTM1Vbb6SAPuFwMez5L1KfAfjOsvh0WVa9tdAF0dt4GevfejHwZcikpGJAh7OAKJap_0DzDs3rzTWgEtjiisi1-62VDETlCbptS8mQzjWejy2VPkBBayjWIG1lhPIaJ6oW/s320/380331853_7179653708752584_3508791492554103511_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Turned out, though, the intel that Newburg got regarding GM's downsizing was either wrong or mis-interpreted. GM wasn't downsizing their full-size line but was to introduce a new line of intermediate sized cars for 1964. What's more, for 1962, GM's full-size models were actually larger than they were in 1961. Whoops. </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISp-ZpNU5a-4LeDuQaT_EoMnVF7hqzePY9t9ZCAQiRmF6ERQQMtTPkCXx2MiJ6h9m5UG1SvsU0aWdy0afyKwpWlEWpPG8F3I25waP1uDZDUDLNq0M3lqt_XrPITMbch_HaEH5ubdpNMhVpE3sszs9IegooDNeyMvGJiJeFSUQW21mG_BFMnEJZ-W_UeBO/s960/380279264_7179653665419255_4595195941820324208_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISp-ZpNU5a-4LeDuQaT_EoMnVF7hqzePY9t9ZCAQiRmF6ERQQMtTPkCXx2MiJ6h9m5UG1SvsU0aWdy0afyKwpWlEWpPG8F3I25waP1uDZDUDLNq0M3lqt_XrPITMbch_HaEH5ubdpNMhVpE3sszs9IegooDNeyMvGJiJeFSUQW21mG_BFMnEJZ-W_UeBO/s320/380279264_7179653665419255_4595195941820324208_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Newburg quickly left the company - although it was for improprieties and unethical business practices rather than being held accountable for ordering the haphazard redesigns. Haphazard redeigns that, again, my blog, my opine, were some of the best-looking cars Chrysler pushed out in the '60's. Your opinion may vary, see dealer for details. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6HknmEJCssRXRi2yRhb_fe2OGwh7U6p5mwSUyzcmgHOBEQvwZXDMGqSDQAsKuO6FQMcNOWF3hBn0LhhE6NtYqXF8LHkmQQiof8M39BGuFiK8lB1Bf1ftjQTPg0yx2OdnAWDrLR9n60mUHpe7n8vWoUlW4iYVS3SlVLx3H4Y4TqMtGOzva8w9oALEmSfv/s960/380270964_7179652282086060_2766269220227679655_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6HknmEJCssRXRi2yRhb_fe2OGwh7U6p5mwSUyzcmgHOBEQvwZXDMGqSDQAsKuO6FQMcNOWF3hBn0LhhE6NtYqXF8LHkmQQiof8M39BGuFiK8lB1Bf1ftjQTPg0yx2OdnAWDrLR9n60mUHpe7n8vWoUlW4iYVS3SlVLx3H4Y4TqMtGOzva8w9oALEmSfv/w400-h300/380270964_7179652282086060_2766269220227679655_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our Facebook Marketplace find here is for sale down in Ansted, West Virginia with a $4,750 asking price. And that's reduced from an initial ask of some $5,500. Poster claims it's been "in the family" for the better part of thirty years and we'd be hard pressed to find a better example of a car from this time period in the shape it's in for the money. I concur but only to a point. If this was a two-door, I'd whole heartedly agree. As this is, it's just some big, old car; albeit one with a fairly unique origin story. An origin story, mind you, I wouldn't pay a premium for. This is a $1,500-$2,500 car if you ask me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-20300939174383492302023-11-30T03:24:00.000-08:002023-11-30T03:24:09.703-08:001970 1/2 Ford Falcon - Moniker Anarchy <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94LCnKEYeNmB1wRebywCYglUuWHnCsgkT0k5x-BOStdjhGUok1vve2pwBTPvJUyJU3SmkfIjj3snnio_YgpvVK9iyGc4qIPP-Ko8FqRrF8isaoDr-2HxGDAH3qFpNfJYw40P8ZdSFls-qrGdhUD3FiE3JJyGa4mwqMeepYNFEXC59YXZpuX8mi8kM4Odu/s960/380387881_6522074194556511_33629920863551301_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94LCnKEYeNmB1wRebywCYglUuWHnCsgkT0k5x-BOStdjhGUok1vve2pwBTPvJUyJU3SmkfIjj3snnio_YgpvVK9iyGc4qIPP-Ko8FqRrF8isaoDr-2HxGDAH3qFpNfJYw40P8ZdSFls-qrGdhUD3FiE3JJyGa4mwqMeepYNFEXC59YXZpuX8mi8kM4Odu/w400-h300/380387881_6522074194556511_33629920863551301_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">From my, <i>"that's not what it looks like</i>", file, today's soliloquy is about one of the more curious cars the Ford Motor Company came out with in the 1970's. Nope, it's not an early 1970's Ford Torino or Fairlane, <i>although no one would blame for thinking it was.</i> but a 1970 1/2 Ford<i> Falcon.</i> I know, you're thinking, <i>"wait, wasn't the Ford Falcon a compact car?"</i> Well, yes, it was. From 1960 through halfway through the 1970 model year it was a compact but for the latter half of 1970 it was an intermediate or mid-sized car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMdMcGE-wqYQDFPYFwbAZaF4i5tM7WLskzKCFQ4s0wSHOaDuAqv1NurSY8d_ias69QxK40UOnTE_d155a1Jz5rHTdoOj0XsW0YiL4b5JY8J1JuIkxkDLeNOs0iBN_6lrJysP3zhNEh4ynqBHvw5Xte7S-OL52CNvIjXqwoFgWnTn8NToPYKVeR2-_68e6/s567/Screenshot%202023-11-30%20060110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="567" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMdMcGE-wqYQDFPYFwbAZaF4i5tM7WLskzKCFQ4s0wSHOaDuAqv1NurSY8d_ias69QxK40UOnTE_d155a1Jz5rHTdoOj0XsW0YiL4b5JY8J1JuIkxkDLeNOs0iBN_6lrJysP3zhNEh4ynqBHvw5Xte7S-OL52CNvIjXqwoFgWnTn8NToPYKVeR2-_68e6/w400-h361/Screenshot%202023-11-30%20060110.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The story goes that Ford's 1970 <i>compact</i> Falcon, above, wasn't compliant with new, federally mandated safety standards that went into effect, somewhat oddly on January 1, 1970. Rather than update it, seeing the Falcon's replacement was already in showrooms, Ford discontinued production by December 31, 1969. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaN7_sIdAcaTEZuGyZS4l5wrnMyLAHlu293vHuE8Dm9rxB6rXPI6-Jq9s0cjPX-Dt82zdFuc97o0QjuWXBJ-_o-ezis1A89CRvRtdUsC9-S4jgHY9CAe-CW3tz_9VnJS5lFRkcUxsVL82ehufXLagBIdjOXMMHQOMq3hxuZtIZDARt3xnOByxCZg9PMGz/s800/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaN7_sIdAcaTEZuGyZS4l5wrnMyLAHlu293vHuE8Dm9rxB6rXPI6-Jq9s0cjPX-Dt82zdFuc97o0QjuWXBJ-_o-ezis1A89CRvRtdUsC9-S4jgHY9CAe-CW3tz_9VnJS5lFRkcUxsVL82ehufXLagBIdjOXMMHQOMq3hxuZtIZDARt3xnOByxCZg9PMGz/w400-h300/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Real or imagined, seeing that the Maverick (above) was launched only as a two-door sedan in April of 1969 and was designated a 1969 1/2, it left a hole in Ford's "entry-level" sedan lineup. Ford had a thing for half model-year releases back then. For more information, please google, <i>"original Ford Mustang". </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaqk7JS6nN-fjdYpCvKIpVaZvlRV6KRpc8Qnh4jXdmp_RLA2FJsHuVYiqqMlKqEwGBpdpwfPrx5CqR5g007n1T4LneVlEouRO5JsfhzpMamftMZQWjJa3f5r3LLt0GMduXzJK6Y3RmVfirxrPpEw8ehgv_-l2_jMH7WtT9toFh5pROCNm9qvqKtST8oig/s960/382537954_6572787756137875_782985913423883457_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaqk7JS6nN-fjdYpCvKIpVaZvlRV6KRpc8Qnh4jXdmp_RLA2FJsHuVYiqqMlKqEwGBpdpwfPrx5CqR5g007n1T4LneVlEouRO5JsfhzpMamftMZQWjJa3f5r3LLt0GMduXzJK6Y3RmVfirxrPpEw8ehgv_-l2_jMH7WtT9toFh5pROCNm9qvqKtST8oig/w400-h300/382537954_6572787756137875_782985913423883457_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Rather than roll out a Maverick four-door in mid-year 1970, Ford continued to use the "Falcon" nameplate as their entry level sedan on a bone-stripped, rental grade Torino\Fairlane 500. Voila, the 1970 1/2 Ford Falcon was, err, hatched. What makes things even more confusing is Ford offered the '70 1/2 Falcon not only as a four-door sedan but as a wagon and a two-door sedan like my Facebook Marketplace find here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlQkooOKaBuQdDNgdhdfA8Lfe6O3EbvOT9Uys8kRAtXnFY9XLwGleLEcxeXU-HAPoruy1_Oi2iKXYYhKGtgy7DcXuyVUCZ7xF8YkdqEYX21WcwuUavr9cRaeACA_303_kVWMkdEKPvUt70Z3O6ZcPqzD4d_cQ0tDqiKcVN2PM7NNk8NKwmojgnxd_0kBu/s630/030817-Barn-Finds-1971-Ford-Maverick-3-630x277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="630" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlQkooOKaBuQdDNgdhdfA8Lfe6O3EbvOT9Uys8kRAtXnFY9XLwGleLEcxeXU-HAPoruy1_Oi2iKXYYhKGtgy7DcXuyVUCZ7xF8YkdqEYX21WcwuUavr9cRaeACA_303_kVWMkdEKPvUt70Z3O6ZcPqzD4d_cQ0tDqiKcVN2PM7NNk8NKwmojgnxd_0kBu/w400-h176/030817-Barn-Finds-1971-Ford-Maverick-3-630x277.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Come 1971, though, Ford introduced a four-door Maverick replacing the Falcon as Ford's entry-level four-door sedan. Ford then sunset the Falcon nameplate here in the United States although in Australia, they used the "Falcon" moniker on a number of different models through 2016. Some of them quite interesting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueCOFG5egFLdIvQdcTnjMpDBHoY7Y6vG5pOGNRbFN4IXLztKSGNQ9Ya42eanaNJX_tlvYoPq_4SSHX2mxHZ5mMFMmOUyo5N4m8yUsmHpsEFoDhhvUaOkkFi3fxPM0lw1INfFDV6gFcyLvUeRzgqdqStw4a9vt8GiapXldIhwCJLODvVvYkM5MSKRvNx4A/s960/380612217_6708835122546635_6982938074686174587_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueCOFG5egFLdIvQdcTnjMpDBHoY7Y6vG5pOGNRbFN4IXLztKSGNQ9Ya42eanaNJX_tlvYoPq_4SSHX2mxHZ5mMFMmOUyo5N4m8yUsmHpsEFoDhhvUaOkkFi3fxPM0lw1INfFDV6gFcyLvUeRzgqdqStw4a9vt8GiapXldIhwCJLODvVvYkM5MSKRvNx4A/s320/380612217_6708835122546635_6982938074686174587_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Begs the question, though, if the Ford Motor Company felt they needed a four-door, entry level sedan after they discontinued production of the compact Falcon at the end of 1969, why didn't they come with a four-door Maverick when they introduced the nameplate in April of that year? Or at least at the start of the 1970 model year in September of 1969? I find it hard to believe that the four-door, 1971 Maverick wasn't ready for sale by the start of the 1970 model-year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRA19p0Br_2-LcPTXsVfL0FPd56Hrdka2487NQyeaO2KzgXr7p1Dq3oJG84EkiRgecm9UZ3m6QWngHSfFjtK5hyphenhyphenPN8aa0uGlBtRCb4kMvEQnIJIFlotBrcfKXHSNdIrZduZ5FOAbtxPXx4I03Gpr20rua0_Y-RzHaWdQwBdPyLEK5ZfIuzwSapleXic8R/s960/380525425_6957688207627188_2499869485249993_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRA19p0Br_2-LcPTXsVfL0FPd56Hrdka2487NQyeaO2KzgXr7p1Dq3oJG84EkiRgecm9UZ3m6QWngHSfFjtK5hyphenhyphenPN8aa0uGlBtRCb4kMvEQnIJIFlotBrcfKXHSNdIrZduZ5FOAbtxPXx4I03Gpr20rua0_Y-RzHaWdQwBdPyLEK5ZfIuzwSapleXic8R/s320/380525425_6957688207627188_2499869485249993_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The marketing wonk in me would like to know Ford's rationale in branding the "new", intermediate sized Falcon as such. Giving their marketing and product planning departments the benefit of the doubt that there was clear, concise and succinct thinking if not logic behind that decision, hopefully, I'll uncover something that makes me go, <i>"oh, ok. That's why". </i>As it was, though, from a marketing and branding standpoint, it makes no sense. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbGz2tObiGqDtBzhNfRhm8u9a4xrClNfirvZ1NVudeMmyUFKvsbFnrnKHY7-oQnp7vU_ubbeSIDhOfoAr6sh2oJB-BlrSNFbV6PDr_TOkSDemwcOqo_T_mvNWWZbo-kSssr6h9sN_EkJv-PSDggWIivToaquoC8uFBRFH8iEYi2ahPrpA1mc0v6cVNgWB/s960/380584614_6882135115172630_1565141905764374165_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbGz2tObiGqDtBzhNfRhm8u9a4xrClNfirvZ1NVudeMmyUFKvsbFnrnKHY7-oQnp7vU_ubbeSIDhOfoAr6sh2oJB-BlrSNFbV6PDr_TOkSDemwcOqo_T_mvNWWZbo-kSssr6h9sN_EkJv-PSDggWIivToaquoC8uFBRFH8iEYi2ahPrpA1mc0v6cVNgWB/s320/380584614_6882135115172630_1565141905764374165_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ironies of ironies, during a truncated "half" model year, the Falcon outsold the Torino and its mid-level model the Fairlane 500. Then again, America loves a bargain. Especially when it's a stylish one like the 1970 1/2 Falcon was. Especially these swoopy two-doors; <i>what teenage me would have done to have one of these even with the pokey six-cylinder.</i> The four-door sedan, again, the alleged impetus for the the moniker anarchy, I have no use for. Same for the clumsy wagons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94LCnKEYeNmB1wRebywCYglUuWHnCsgkT0k5x-BOStdjhGUok1vve2pwBTPvJUyJU3SmkfIjj3snnio_YgpvVK9iyGc4qIPP-Ko8FqRrF8isaoDr-2HxGDAH3qFpNfJYw40P8ZdSFls-qrGdhUD3FiE3JJyGa4mwqMeepYNFEXC59YXZpuX8mi8kM4Odu/s960/380387881_6522074194556511_33629920863551301_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94LCnKEYeNmB1wRebywCYglUuWHnCsgkT0k5x-BOStdjhGUok1vve2pwBTPvJUyJU3SmkfIjj3snnio_YgpvVK9iyGc4qIPP-Ko8FqRrF8isaoDr-2HxGDAH3qFpNfJYw40P8ZdSFls-qrGdhUD3FiE3JJyGa4mwqMeepYNFEXC59YXZpuX8mi8kM4Odu/w400-h300/380387881_6522074194556511_33629920863551301_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This Facebook Marketplace find is no "bargain", though. Asking price is $10,000 and for that princely sum you get a mostly original, the engine was rebuilt in 1988, and all but unrestored 1970 1/2 Ford Falcon with no power brakes, no power steering and Ford's 250-cubic inch, inline six rated generously at 155-gross rated horsepower. I find it amazing the sixer wasn't tossed sometime over the last 53-years for a V-8, don't you? From the looks of things this car has been generally pampered it's entire life. Originally a Florida car, it came to western New York in 1996 and has been a garage queen ever since. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-36631677555737287042023-11-29T11:18:00.000-08:002023-11-29T11:18:50.066-08:001994 Chevrolet Lumina Euro - Please Don't Call it A Eurosport<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs29S-HBdUTSnY6blCoQtiVdiHFeGErF7AGK6APIbW09TzcUxFIbXPwzEk2pqr0eS3i9BByVVTm4NjbS_ZJs-PyFkJuGb2lp4PGyFq9RFlCipAxLb6th-8Lo5mFxUcs8oLpz3Tp8pRDzshGe2OpYhb1AyDOKQiTqWK_REAR38cYnEm5DJcmWJWVNA3S2Z_/s959/378123309_7492419017440260_4764416875023771583_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs29S-HBdUTSnY6blCoQtiVdiHFeGErF7AGK6APIbW09TzcUxFIbXPwzEk2pqr0eS3i9BByVVTm4NjbS_ZJs-PyFkJuGb2lp4PGyFq9RFlCipAxLb6th-8Lo5mFxUcs8oLpz3Tp8pRDzshGe2OpYhb1AyDOKQiTqWK_REAR38cYnEm5DJcmWJWVNA3S2Z_/w300-h400/378123309_7492419017440260_4764416875023771583_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Few things bring back memories like an old car. Especially one in great shape like this 1994 Chevrolet Lumina "Euro" coupe is. Back in late December of 1989, I had gotten fed up with my 1982 Buick Riviera constantly breaking down, so I ditched it, grabbed my checkbook and bought the only brand new car I've ever owned - a black, 1990 Chevrolet Lumina "Euro" coupe just like this handsome dark red one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Chevrolet built the Lumina Euro on General Motors new-for-1988, "GM10" chassis or platform that also underpinned the Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal. Cadillac never got a GM10. Reviled as much as adored, when P-O-B debuted their GM10's as 1988 models, curiously, they only came as coupes. What's more, the first Chevrolet Lumina didn't leave the factory until the summer of 1989 as 1990 models. Why the delay? Who knows. Alexa can't answer that one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPDD7_lC3JtJ9gsV6OJpr5s7lYFMzSYc-90Qlv9PDVtP6Rl7JjKGPWE2T4-0qN-y9ozTuDo5PcbqpRbqySdWrGjleQb_KRuM3nmWty2IQ5qsWBzq0gGYpfy07QGCKNXfYQtozQSi3rkh0CiqLO39JYqXrzpr2LiGHi70W6y6Sd12Bb1lwGFcC8zfS3Dxy/s959/378122269_7492418997440262_7064937216044971568_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPDD7_lC3JtJ9gsV6OJpr5s7lYFMzSYc-90Qlv9PDVtP6Rl7JjKGPWE2T4-0qN-y9ozTuDo5PcbqpRbqySdWrGjleQb_KRuM3nmWty2IQ5qsWBzq0gGYpfy07QGCKNXfYQtozQSi3rkh0CiqLO39JYqXrzpr2LiGHi70W6y6Sd12Bb1lwGFcC8zfS3Dxy/s320/378122269_7492418997440262_7064937216044971568_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">P-O-B finally got sedan GM10 for 1990. To underscore how family-centric Chevrolet wanted the buying public to believe their four-door Lumina was, they pulled the sheet off of it at Disneyworld in the spring of 1989. So effective was that marketing ploy that when I'd tell people I bought a brand new Lumina, they'd say, <i>"you bought a family car?"</i> What's more, I'd have to correct them when they'd call it a <i>"Eurosport". </i>Their faux pas somewhat understandable given that from 1984-1989, Chevrolet called a sporty-ish version of their venerable Celebrity, <i>"Eurosport". </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Lumina replaced the Celebrity in the Chevrolet lineup although Chevrolet continued to offer the Celebrity wagon through 1990. Technically, there was a Lumina wagon but it was the Chevrolet version of the GM plastic-paneled "dustbuster" minivan they called "Lumina APV" (all-purpose vehicle). The only thing it had in common with the Lumina coupe and sedan was its name. Had to be a reason for the overlap; perhaps they had a gaggle of unsold '89's lying around? Alexa? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbJQ5zvJU4VJgiTRP00iocSJ5MUO8f3KacveeQEKvMUl1F_vUC46h27GY-2LOYIW8DUR6zGFoQt20A5uSdHjii7jtW3Se-fUQ7x8Dj3HuOuekeyIHRJcnYpTEW0k0hg1W9p9UDiS-CdRRL7xgcKomIuKZi_8yjV2tOjMjeSMBiKgEl_vu4c7uHNfVp5Uy/s959/380272412_7492569500758545_3141126387803526129_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbJQ5zvJU4VJgiTRP00iocSJ5MUO8f3KacveeQEKvMUl1F_vUC46h27GY-2LOYIW8DUR6zGFoQt20A5uSdHjii7jtW3Se-fUQ7x8Dj3HuOuekeyIHRJcnYpTEW0k0hg1W9p9UDiS-CdRRL7xgcKomIuKZi_8yjV2tOjMjeSMBiKgEl_vu4c7uHNfVp5Uy/s320/380272412_7492569500758545_3141126387803526129_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For an "over-the-curb" price of $16,600, I thought I had a lot of car on my hands. In addition to what I thought was quite handsome styling, I had a nimble although fairly harsh riding, sized-just-right car that was spacious, comfortable, good on gas for the times (25-27 mpg) and came with nifty seat belts that you could leave buckled if you chose; I did it once, felt I was getting clotheslined when I got in and never did it again. I missed the dual power seats and leather lined interior of my Riviera, but I fathomed that it was fine to take a step or two backwards accoutrement-wise in the interest of my moving forward. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimdj5zPdoWkNcLtdUQfBWBYFUVbndcMKXDshREBAb97s_Z_mbQneiHSa-FAioHbzmXtldw-4ZnErDDF3GBObNF5CcaltE9_5LirYmsApSpVOLbR1e5OWVIoC8jbG5MuC5OfJgmKpfPu9xBjGz9BRvMFFTF6G45z1TtXFKIz1QMPRs-uscGI85MKZxmPc_/s959/379507655_7492569510758544_6789179841722855184_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimdj5zPdoWkNcLtdUQfBWBYFUVbndcMKXDshREBAb97s_Z_mbQneiHSa-FAioHbzmXtldw-4ZnErDDF3GBObNF5CcaltE9_5LirYmsApSpVOLbR1e5OWVIoC8jbG5MuC5OfJgmKpfPu9xBjGz9BRvMFFTF6G45z1TtXFKIz1QMPRs-uscGI85MKZxmPc_/s320/379507655_7492569510758544_6789179841722855184_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Only issues I had en masse with my "Euro" was the jarring ride and while adequately powered by its 3.1-liter V-6, I felt it somewhat pokey. I surmised its decent gas mileage made up for the lack of real beans, though. Yes, there was more than a fair share of rationalization going on in my mind but in the end, my "Euro" did exactly what I needed it to: get me from point A to B with not so much a single hiccup. Its stalwart reliability is all but commonplace today, but even in 1990, it was hardly a given. Especially on anything GM if not any domestic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I find it interesting how ambivalent I am towards this well preserved 1994. It's for sale on Facebook Marketplace with a fair asking price of $4,500, not bad for anything in this kind of condition these days with, bonus(?), all of 40,000-miles on its 29-year old analog ticker. Having nothing but pleasant memories of my '90, you'd think like some middle-age guy in the late 1980's or early 1990's longing for his long lost '57 Chevy I'd jump at it. Meh. As handsome as I thought this car was back then and I still do, this is no '57 Chevy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iBYgGYSYp0rFaF3byHMGGuCXn1co3ezOMKL6Ykhkws__7ZpgjKisLzGdIOdjSPsZlsRX5I_cN3aWi5K_yh0xxNZ-2NPNt37KSmlhw0eaj7Nbf1EwkoqQLxkzYZSf-7ma2cN3bPzeBfbaM7YjX_hLdv501cC_TkwKaO-U4CHvYtP1SwYIocGuyNiE8Yij/s959/378128394_7492419000773595_1680432490319666871_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iBYgGYSYp0rFaF3byHMGGuCXn1co3ezOMKL6Ykhkws__7ZpgjKisLzGdIOdjSPsZlsRX5I_cN3aWi5K_yh0xxNZ-2NPNt37KSmlhw0eaj7Nbf1EwkoqQLxkzYZSf-7ma2cN3bPzeBfbaM7YjX_hLdv501cC_TkwKaO-U4CHvYtP1SwYIocGuyNiE8Yij/s320/378128394_7492419000773595_1680432490319666871_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Also, then as now, please, don't call it a "Eurosport". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-8542305756471536792023-11-28T02:59:00.000-08:002023-11-28T05:45:22.710-08:001984 Dodge Omni GLH - Goes Like Hell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgx31QO2Ai127VsRB1fSbTnI7wynCwX4dX3JQIrtIulYahqnPQ3XzFqYQ9PtMzseCwmaINm76TTtQLdZ3HIVxyUCIJCBMlKuSSvW7AZAw8lC6zycqZTcixojUazsLlEtHbWhh24jN7QerPvj5ndSDMiHtNo6IWF00Dj37LetwsP6bdFrasdScQq4njEzy/s959/387740273_10220197264916494_7936853520848798333_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgx31QO2Ai127VsRB1fSbTnI7wynCwX4dX3JQIrtIulYahqnPQ3XzFqYQ9PtMzseCwmaINm76TTtQLdZ3HIVxyUCIJCBMlKuSSvW7AZAw8lC6zycqZTcixojUazsLlEtHbWhh24jN7QerPvj5ndSDMiHtNo6IWF00Dj37LetwsP6bdFrasdScQq4njEzy/w400-h300/387740273_10220197264916494_7936853520848798333_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For those of us "into" history <i>and</i> automobiles, it doesn't get any better when they both come together like it did for me the other day when this 1984 Dodge Omni GLH popped up for sale on Facebook Marketplace out in Findlay, Ohio, roughly halfway between Cleveland and Toledo. This hardly looks like a historically significant automobile but, trust me, it played an important role in the advancement of the American automobile. And a good one at that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdCYl19YISuGPriE5NFO4Cmtf892YFIdQ0o4vsbL8PtpJvdcAegHCkFr9hk3k9fKLMupYGf6wea7p7iS4zo-uciFsqO2qv6TGZUbydujuMHt1QxeXJcL4K6_rPdUc6w6bG2bTNY8vZQ6Qj1xfzcuNNkkD3Ml8AQF5V0foxH5seRofad848di-W8kFtxrC/s959/385815369_10220197240595886_5676983290076208328_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdCYl19YISuGPriE5NFO4Cmtf892YFIdQ0o4vsbL8PtpJvdcAegHCkFr9hk3k9fKLMupYGf6wea7p7iS4zo-uciFsqO2qv6TGZUbydujuMHt1QxeXJcL4K6_rPdUc6w6bG2bTNY8vZQ6Qj1xfzcuNNkkD3Ml8AQF5V0foxH5seRofad848di-W8kFtxrC/s320/385815369_10220197240595886_5676983290076208328_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Prior to the mid-1970's, most cars made and sold in the United States were rear-wheel drive with their engines mounted longitudinally in front of driver with torque diverted to a differential via a shaft running under the car. The only front-wheel-drive cars made and sold here at the time were General Motors' Oldsmobile Toronado, since 1966, and Cadillac Eldroado since 1967. Long defunct Auburn Cord had manufactured and sold FWD cars in the 1930's as well. The only other American car deviation from a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration had been General Motors' 1960-1969 Chevrolet Corvair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQfRvN2RIpBYlw4_RxN9Ljc63jizN_wHWU5v-6WKzKr8t2FFz1-jNMNXupcvHVGnRbnZMkqF3ucMohcQz5yleHSJarEFB9cItqVMsnwp3zUKLmT_E7kjVRCjB4FxznSasaXxMocQBcDYxXbUwi23cWD1CaLTcTbBSC1vWZ3i929Ji5timLXA8mqAIusj6/s959/385054117_10220197240275878_8993915256341569371_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQfRvN2RIpBYlw4_RxN9Ljc63jizN_wHWU5v-6WKzKr8t2FFz1-jNMNXupcvHVGnRbnZMkqF3ucMohcQz5yleHSJarEFB9cItqVMsnwp3zUKLmT_E7kjVRCjB4FxznSasaXxMocQBcDYxXbUwi23cWD1CaLTcTbBSC1vWZ3i929Ji5timLXA8mqAIusj6/s320/385054117_10220197240275878_8993915256341569371_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Beginning in 1978, the Dodge Omni and it's corporate clone Plymouth Horizon, were the first front-wheel-drive <i>compacts </i>assembled in North America. What's more, their engines and transmissions were transversely mounted whereas the GM luxury cars and even the Cord's had engines and transmissions that were longitudinal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo93NA3IPVob4obCaLSKgKI4_ZXLjquospVNLhKogBq8-IdmzP9zOlhOTARL3QbYAj9-ELnoLZrgCsPyoPTyTyKRs1ojynG_zU9_T_7nTjDXl9tcciGhKQa4mh3QyUWuCOyklQg4HZBBOKSmXEAxM3RZJg5aPSWFwLEDK3BLF66yr4KQ0JxdPLr3jk0vQ/s960/385067412_10220197239235852_5434645822534074553_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo93NA3IPVob4obCaLSKgKI4_ZXLjquospVNLhKogBq8-IdmzP9zOlhOTARL3QbYAj9-ELnoLZrgCsPyoPTyTyKRs1ojynG_zU9_T_7nTjDXl9tcciGhKQa4mh3QyUWuCOyklQg4HZBBOKSmXEAxM3RZJg5aPSWFwLEDK3BLF66yr4KQ0JxdPLr3jk0vQ/s320/385067412_10220197239235852_5434645822534074553_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The interior packaging efficiency of an automobile the size of the Omni\Horizon afforded by its powertrain alignment was unlike anything ever made in this country before. That is... except for Volkswagen and their FWD Rabbit that went on sale here in 1974. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX8IGSecTz1VKYsiXyciMk5CU0-glwMgyYL8xMduX0vu4Y9mQ8ivHG6kFsPDkrcAAGMR4IHsRJCmGo0AHfR6w0AYP853BtsNwtLfhaGD8WGG3dHVtzQrZ7M26zT1IDi_hYEXixOVvxOAMDTPpZVj46-rnoMZuxNEZ2bjhiShFwrAfDTkFBpfXmCHHYGi6/s959/385066434_10220197240795891_6164781818223877182_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX8IGSecTz1VKYsiXyciMk5CU0-glwMgyYL8xMduX0vu4Y9mQ8ivHG6kFsPDkrcAAGMR4IHsRJCmGo0AHfR6w0AYP853BtsNwtLfhaGD8WGG3dHVtzQrZ7M26zT1IDi_hYEXixOVvxOAMDTPpZVj46-rnoMZuxNEZ2bjhiShFwrAfDTkFBpfXmCHHYGi6/s320/385066434_10220197240795891_6164781818223877182_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Appearances being everything, when these came it appeared obvious that Chrysler had their eyes all over the Rabbit. However, it was VW who had their eyes on the front-wheel-drive, compact sedan manufactured and sold in Europe by Chrysler subsidiary Simca since 1967, that was known as the 1100. The Simca 1100, and subsequent models, were remarkable for their combination of what are now construed as modern automobile engineering; transverse-mounted powertrains, unit-body construction, and independent suspensions. All in a compact economy car too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHy2CBWpctCeS2DZiFTQzsUvlp1yUUUdUE2TlMZ6yCxBdnoHIhAJxgKMECa9_gp2uqbJmc41y3vwxZtK6656AOwKXkXq7CtM38kOzptuDP_h4rlzkrNJ5aF0YrSn3FO1DOMq0U77NiruDiJD0nnDVlH88aNm7-HVuFh-MK0lRNY-Mq1uhJdjkY-kPTvCA/s959/385780959_10220197241275903_8159525967261784989_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHy2CBWpctCeS2DZiFTQzsUvlp1yUUUdUE2TlMZ6yCxBdnoHIhAJxgKMECa9_gp2uqbJmc41y3vwxZtK6656AOwKXkXq7CtM38kOzptuDP_h4rlzkrNJ5aF0YrSn3FO1DOMq0U77NiruDiJD0nnDVlH88aNm7-HVuFh-MK0lRNY-Mq1uhJdjkY-kPTvCA/s320/385780959_10220197241275903_8159525967261784989_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Therefore, when Chrysler (America) went looking for a suitable platform for a compact, front-wheel-drive sedan, they didn't have to look too hard to find one. You'll also find much Simca 1100\1200 and Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon DNA in the famous Chrysler K-cars that all but saved Chrysler from bankruptcy in the 1980's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaO2Kc-j2QmMdsrnghqW-bCmxkz-fIBFs89Pg1bgFTEP3LVLY9Sz_nkHOTSFCfDxWMwUZwDmr_C02ao9v1PjANiIGN_UrnlHvbUoZln-u9Vnx62px5L8iWmtiFQ6hM2NIFIm6V0mfn0rbeVWN0e2MAhPheCuB0Hor0LUqpd3t4DWYaiQ6p-oqg6NrJQ-n/s959/385069025_10220197240435882_5385909954836667171_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaO2Kc-j2QmMdsrnghqW-bCmxkz-fIBFs89Pg1bgFTEP3LVLY9Sz_nkHOTSFCfDxWMwUZwDmr_C02ao9v1PjANiIGN_UrnlHvbUoZln-u9Vnx62px5L8iWmtiFQ6hM2NIFIm6V0mfn0rbeVWN0e2MAhPheCuB0Hor0LUqpd3t4DWYaiQ6p-oqg6NrJQ-n/s320/385069025_10220197240435882_5385909954836667171_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">By 1984, though, compact, front-wheel-drive economy cars were all but the norm, particularly from Japanese manufacturers who had engineered out much of it's quirks and foibles. To infuse some much needed pizzaz into the aging Dodge Omni, Chrysler fitted it with a high-performance version of their 2.2-liter, inline four-cylinder engine, bolted on the suspension baubles, bits and tuning from their Dodge Shelby Charger, which was based on the Omni 024 coupe, and, voila, America's first "hot-hatch" or "pocket rocket" was born. They called it the Dodge Omni "Goes Like Hell", or "GLH". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7s8Dr4sJ-S1WBxdpD9tEfg0Ht82by2TGTIKh-ErICwNbYLKHUUXy_GyK_nRRFlSzulLUDupWBZ7J_QJShvZmGCKOn7mSsipNPXLYTfyIBvqfKgKEhldtvTWc3OfAPfdVxYZ7iFC8yeWeAK8LkRwQMXnFUAAcUxPQ4IxyoHxJ6bKwxMha3DXCxK7erD028/s959/386201792_10220197239915869_1963675988874693719_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="959" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7s8Dr4sJ-S1WBxdpD9tEfg0Ht82by2TGTIKh-ErICwNbYLKHUUXy_GyK_nRRFlSzulLUDupWBZ7J_QJShvZmGCKOn7mSsipNPXLYTfyIBvqfKgKEhldtvTWc3OfAPfdVxYZ7iFC8yeWeAK8LkRwQMXnFUAAcUxPQ4IxyoHxJ6bKwxMha3DXCxK7erD028/s320/386201792_10220197239915869_1963675988874693719_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As far as our $1,400 Facebook Marketplace find here, it's seen seen better days. Poster of the ad claims it had sat for 16-years prior to their purchasing it from the original owner. It's currently not running and they patched the rusted out floor boards themselves. Lovely. Worst is, apparently there's structural rust (decay) on the driver's side rear where the axle attaches and they say that will need to be fixed. Good luck with that. He, or she, waxes on as well how they're tired of answering questions about wheel sizes, engine swaps and negotiating the price by text. Sounds like a swell person to deal with. You've been warned. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zFD-tTXhGBEe2qVYYpjW_sZIbTqupczGSl_kexr2poaRCE3r_NCDQ-PsPbbJaAOEJvYBO9Ytt_rHwj_-hLJ65yezBiYP6-4uMB9cRB8nOchHedcfvMgxgFisQOvfpmCiY90Uf7r29ZeSbqd4s3bEbmjS6L2_Pyd_-LN48MQUOxWxixswsKpYMhTfrn2h/s960/386353215_10220197238955845_911216623862494953_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="960" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zFD-tTXhGBEe2qVYYpjW_sZIbTqupczGSl_kexr2poaRCE3r_NCDQ-PsPbbJaAOEJvYBO9Ytt_rHwj_-hLJ65yezBiYP6-4uMB9cRB8nOchHedcfvMgxgFisQOvfpmCiY90Uf7r29ZeSbqd4s3bEbmjS6L2_Pyd_-LN48MQUOxWxixswsKpYMhTfrn2h/s320/386353215_10220197238955845_911216623862494953_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One of these days I'll blog about the right and wrong ways to sell a car on social media; I've sold five cars on FB Marketplace and bought at least two on Craigslist so I think I know a thing or two about it. Rest assured, coming across as anything less than hospitable is most certainly not the way to get things sold. Even for a car as historically significant as this one is. Don't get me wrong, though, at the end of the day, we're talking about a Dodge Omni here. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-74526288918405940422023-11-24T04:27:00.000-08:002023-11-24T05:06:11.614-08:001978 Oldsmobile Cutlass - Original and Unrestored, 40K One Owner<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksbx46VPfmWMdn4xAF3zWyL19QIuyCAi_VW_Zkq1nlCp5koGYlxvtDGoCLFuqMik5cKg38O0UIMdARRIRxi5Brre4EQwnPvgtcsqUKzw9oR9YFSRBm-mhf4OXkXEZx0_i1yyeyWDfEGlkhemrOfOkThCQbgJSb227wv2eYRdxzyxnDNfrwUYOPlBMja5Z/s960/402079820_122125859084063208_955612615465394230_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksbx46VPfmWMdn4xAF3zWyL19QIuyCAi_VW_Zkq1nlCp5koGYlxvtDGoCLFuqMik5cKg38O0UIMdARRIRxi5Brre4EQwnPvgtcsqUKzw9oR9YFSRBm-mhf4OXkXEZx0_i1yyeyWDfEGlkhemrOfOkThCQbgJSb227wv2eYRdxzyxnDNfrwUYOPlBMja5Z/w400-h300/402079820_122125859084063208_955612615465394230_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You don't find many 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass' anywhere in this kind of shape, especially up here in the northern reaches of the rust belt. Most of these types of cars are either disintegrating or have been modified up the proverbial catalytic converter. Nice to find a survivor that's original and unrestored. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tRX_LTwbe7opvzOzUOxN2Ie1abm7gICwPlbrFdB4ZmTdwEA4J1KX7L-EoZ6qtUMt8ZwRxAK1cBSZqyFjUsDY5H-IyXMCglVP7WiiPa3S598QNATs2g5eLcEp2w1BOOwiUFCMaAFOZGfXPxoTe1YwPoZJc3_Doc3eScAS7UvhTEe7wg530Wu4vyNgFffk/s960/402117653_122125858946063208_6684100350385860047_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tRX_LTwbe7opvzOzUOxN2Ie1abm7gICwPlbrFdB4ZmTdwEA4J1KX7L-EoZ6qtUMt8ZwRxAK1cBSZqyFjUsDY5H-IyXMCglVP7WiiPa3S598QNATs2g5eLcEp2w1BOOwiUFCMaAFOZGfXPxoTe1YwPoZJc3_Doc3eScAS7UvhTEe7wg530Wu4vyNgFffk/s320/402117653_122125858946063208_6684100350385860047_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Asking price is a fair $7,000. NADA pegs this "average retail" at $11,200 so there may be more issues to contend with than just the transmission leak they disclose in the ad. Or they just want to unload it quickly and without much drama. Outside that, details are sparce for this one-owner time-capsule with just 40,000-miles on its forty-five year old analog odometer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRBEj3DFsEB-1IsuEDXWsbCLhKdanxqbAyoMlywrFhxi2YFfa6le9Be09FC6tE4SZ4B9QpYt9XrCmerVh_w4hgDnMnaouuAtCEeVw-aT0QN85kB6IafqoKK-wi7djtCIEemew7iZOGOSjHXxd3UHJeMSIuVVSu-CKVXlXI0GnE5Sy67OkwLnmC33gKt_f/s960/402556917_122125859354063208_5253817537708465901_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRBEj3DFsEB-1IsuEDXWsbCLhKdanxqbAyoMlywrFhxi2YFfa6le9Be09FC6tE4SZ4B9QpYt9XrCmerVh_w4hgDnMnaouuAtCEeVw-aT0QN85kB6IafqoKK-wi7djtCIEemew7iZOGOSjHXxd3UHJeMSIuVVSu-CKVXlXI0GnE5Sy67OkwLnmC33gKt_f/s320/402556917_122125859354063208_5253817537708465901_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Our "Cutty" here here is part of General Motors downsized intermediate line that was all new for model year 1978. GM first shrink-rayed their full size models for 1977 and then they rebooted their mid sizers for '78. While GM returned their full-size models in 1977 to approximately the size they were in 1965, they sliced and diced these intermediates down so much they were more like upsized compacts than mid-sized cars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8tE7G0FXeD2nWl_TYzicfLl1rgUTk1RMtjBYV8fNddPLyyjYDJm37VBuHuuIN8n6f_agIJnu12UbCf_oi2t3t5__i_zRvOItjetI3G_vADULyPfVk3sMb-IGr62uJiAU_En-BaGjOGJV9ufUf7WcbcYdHMfZAQQKynyMlTfCYUZfDAdOfNoId_zV0GUZ/s960/401858362_122125858976063208_5822142211099676629_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8tE7G0FXeD2nWl_TYzicfLl1rgUTk1RMtjBYV8fNddPLyyjYDJm37VBuHuuIN8n6f_agIJnu12UbCf_oi2t3t5__i_zRvOItjetI3G_vADULyPfVk3sMb-IGr62uJiAU_En-BaGjOGJV9ufUf7WcbcYdHMfZAQQKynyMlTfCYUZfDAdOfNoId_zV0GUZ/s320/401858362_122125858976063208_5822142211099676629_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That's all well and good as the smaller, tidier dimensions made for more fuel-efficient cars and ones that handled better than any GM intermediate prior. I've just never cared for their styling but if you held a air gun to my head, I'd be ok these notchback, Cutlass two-door sedans. Especially if it had the optional, Chevrolet built, 160-horsepower, "LG4", 305-cubic inch V-8 that could move a '78 4-4-2 from zero-to-sixty in 8.9-seconds. Don't laugh, that was pretty quick back and roughly only a second quicker than an "L82" powered Corvette could do it. Seeing what a bone-stripper this is, that's highly unlikely. I'd bet on it having the base, 105-hp, Buick V-6 or everyone's favorite Oldsmobile built boat anchor, their 115-horse, 260-CID V-8. I know, you thought I was going to say Oldsmobile's "350" diesel. These cars didn't get those monsters until 1979. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksbx46VPfmWMdn4xAF3zWyL19QIuyCAi_VW_Zkq1nlCp5koGYlxvtDGoCLFuqMik5cKg38O0UIMdARRIRxi5Brre4EQwnPvgtcsqUKzw9oR9YFSRBm-mhf4OXkXEZx0_i1yyeyWDfEGlkhemrOfOkThCQbgJSb227wv2eYRdxzyxnDNfrwUYOPlBMja5Z/s960/402079820_122125859084063208_955612615465394230_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksbx46VPfmWMdn4xAF3zWyL19QIuyCAi_VW_Zkq1nlCp5koGYlxvtDGoCLFuqMik5cKg38O0UIMdARRIRxi5Brre4EQwnPvgtcsqUKzw9oR9YFSRBm-mhf4OXkXEZx0_i1yyeyWDfEGlkhemrOfOkThCQbgJSb227wv2eYRdxzyxnDNfrwUYOPlBMja5Z/w400-h300/402079820_122125859084063208_955612615465394230_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">What to do with our little brown bomber here? Good question. I don't see much sense it leaving it alone and not "retro-modding" it to give at least somewhat contemporary performance. As is, it's so underpowered, it could be dangerous to merge onto highways with given how fast traffic can move these days. But then it's not "original and unrestored", right? Yeah, but let's be real, shall we? We're talking about a 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass here. $7,000 can't buy you a 1977 Camaro, Corvette or Firebird in this shape so in that, perhaps there's great value here. Swap in a spicy engine, 700R4 (transmission) gutsy rear end and firmer shocks and springs, and you could give any muscle, pony or sports car of similar vintage a real good run for the money. For not all that much money too. Leave it everything else looking stock so at least it still looks "original and unrestored". </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-32623865280529077382023-11-22T09:44:00.000-08:002023-11-22T09:44:20.436-08:001971 Cadillac Coupe deVille - Elvis Has Left The Buiilding<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7nD2LaDkWcwgSq3EhM7dt5dT2c7Bm5sJQeKVDPGR1l40CH6oaEtCCDy_nf5rS64TaKYx4hQTOkAjsKjMKSrzIF6yvn3MkAsKJ0oRs9n8Svjw9PiEbiDJ1aE3tNI_fhCVWSdg1hdsuf0uNIRh-oh80rwTI9j8xmGO_JR5Or_Csr9-zKF8leRwfbHZDNFK/s942/y68gujio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="942" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7nD2LaDkWcwgSq3EhM7dt5dT2c7Bm5sJQeKVDPGR1l40CH6oaEtCCDy_nf5rS64TaKYx4hQTOkAjsKjMKSrzIF6yvn3MkAsKJ0oRs9n8Svjw9PiEbiDJ1aE3tNI_fhCVWSdg1hdsuf0uNIRh-oh80rwTI9j8xmGO_JR5Or_Csr9-zKF8leRwfbHZDNFK/w400-h268/y68gujio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I know I'm not alone in my appreciation for these ridiculously large, over-bearing land yachts. I do find my admiration for them somewhat curious, though, as they play against the types of cars I typically appreciate - that being muscle, pony and sports cars. All I can say is, for some reason, I grew fond of them during my wretched, woe-be-gone wonder years, particularly the stylish two-door variants like this freakishly well-persevered 1971 Cadillac Coupe deVille. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I know, I know. My blog needs another soliloquy about a 1970's Cadillac like Elvis needed another peanut butter and banana sandwich. But, indulge me. When you come across one as nice as this one, you make exceptions to your own rules. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiiwteVW2IppzGDuP8B5fvbhWIbo3OehUeca5IgC0vaKT9p6uzye3SejfZVQZ4FCouAHEM2JMUudT5x75axCfeLhtRNg569NeuhNknkpgjq4l7_O2ztf_n94b9LE3dpKxUzhJYQ3f_0mJzg0tQXdoA8F66wp0XHdEbVKLFanqiNNS8arspWEvfDlHt0Mw/s943/78hujmi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="943" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiiwteVW2IppzGDuP8B5fvbhWIbo3OehUeca5IgC0vaKT9p6uzye3SejfZVQZ4FCouAHEM2JMUudT5x75axCfeLhtRNg569NeuhNknkpgjq4l7_O2ztf_n94b9LE3dpKxUzhJYQ3f_0mJzg0tQXdoA8F66wp0XHdEbVKLFanqiNNS8arspWEvfDlHt0Mw/s320/78hujmi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">What I euphemistically refer to as the "Great Cadillac Epoch" began in the summer of 1977 when my parents replaced their humble, DI-NOC free 1968 Ford Ranch Wagon with, of all things, a dreary, blue-on-black, 1972 Cadillac Sedan deVille. It took them over a year to find that wretched bomb and along the way through their endless shopping, I came to appreciate the subtle elan of the Coupe deVille over it's far for more formal four-door brethren. The Coupe deVille for the jocular type, that I portend to be, whereas the staid sedan was for the more rigid, uptight and regimented. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUFcZUEKZSkmsIT4OcMUFtCjxA7-PJU0D4TAkO2xzhhjRFd0o8vRfr7Yeq6c1fXoNVZZaCgjH8zpZ4RIlYgKTFfGNTQwNTYeRRx0hggcfGJ4gtQz6OjW2ih-c5xlYO-3S4dTNHWHbNrJEdgnyHR6l8TX8RjpeCp49jvWpJcik0trBMqfaKU-Amo_EOOIR/s938/fgybinm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="938" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUFcZUEKZSkmsIT4OcMUFtCjxA7-PJU0D4TAkO2xzhhjRFd0o8vRfr7Yeq6c1fXoNVZZaCgjH8zpZ4RIlYgKTFfGNTQwNTYeRRx0hggcfGJ4gtQz6OjW2ih-c5xlYO-3S4dTNHWHbNrJEdgnyHR6l8TX8RjpeCp49jvWpJcik0trBMqfaKU-Amo_EOOIR/s320/fgybinm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">GM rebooted their entire full-size line for MY 1971 and the update included some of the largest automobiles ever made. The Cadillac Coupe deVille nearly an inch longer and half-inch wider than a 1970 model - which was by no means a small car. Come the advent of five-mile-per-hour "safety bumpers" in 1973 and 1974, the Coupe deVille would grow to nearly 231-inches long stem to stern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUFutWopRJTYkMf1B2j7U4V6AQ5KIifcMYS9nw6TVFTFh1wPf1yhmqr3uoWP3ybE7lY-3wcHSQjmQqAT-4B1zFgHOSAV78r7OC-xFhUL6Tv3ASP68hE2cYcXi_2NTu7XYZkojZo_GgWH8zyjqEuALUumsmLoVSw017XCn9poV-HZzoJifFcPSSpCRwuts/s938/r6dtubj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="938" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUFutWopRJTYkMf1B2j7U4V6AQ5KIifcMYS9nw6TVFTFh1wPf1yhmqr3uoWP3ybE7lY-3wcHSQjmQqAT-4B1zFgHOSAV78r7OC-xFhUL6Tv3ASP68hE2cYcXi_2NTu7XYZkojZo_GgWH8zyjqEuALUumsmLoVSw017XCn9poV-HZzoJifFcPSSpCRwuts/s320/r6dtubj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sheer bulk for the sake of sheer bulk; these cars were derided by pundits for their space-inefficient interior design. Interior designs, mind you, that didn't look all that much different from the insides of a Buick Electra, Olds Ninety-Eight or, dare I say, a Chevrolet Caprice. In many cases, the "lesser" GM brands interiors looked richer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyySzCQ3VkNb_pVVZmyiyViaq-0BsKCA-bIRc9PeS_8QNFP4OZgwAogVWx2W3jK94x6ckqSB7ku3FhanT87ZUwJJwZqu2PTLFsnL14BCiEJFZOePNYTLKXoIl3sAOxB1a_r4yG8-i4_ZQY-BxZBG1DjfgO3UDss-auuqFpXyiqmB1fXt_Q-i_ZYB6uOY_3/s943/7vybn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="943" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyySzCQ3VkNb_pVVZmyiyViaq-0BsKCA-bIRc9PeS_8QNFP4OZgwAogVWx2W3jK94x6ckqSB7ku3FhanT87ZUwJJwZqu2PTLFsnL14BCiEJFZOePNYTLKXoIl3sAOxB1a_r4yG8-i4_ZQY-BxZBG1DjfgO3UDss-auuqFpXyiqmB1fXt_Q-i_ZYB6uOY_3/s320/7vybn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Externally, the sheet metal is rather becoming, in my opinion. Much of the design cues harkening back to the glorious Cadillacs of yore that helped make the moniker what it would become in the heady years after World War II. Sumptuous designs complimenting a brace of engineering innovation. Sadly, by the early 1970's, what had made a "Cadillac" a "Cadillac" had fallen drastically by the wayside. The really tangible innovations stopped coming, the designs became less sophisticated, materials used cheaper and were simpler to ease in assembly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sure, you got better fit and finish due to the slow-moving Cadillac assembly line, but for all intents and purposes, you weren't getting much for what amounted to a 60-percent tariff to purchase a Cadillac compared to a Caprice. Contemporary road tests actually found the Caprice to be the better car not to mention a better value. Ouch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hU7pBlmKECOXzpTNhaFsPxHI421dSu8lk6NT2XNHhLukrOp8BpOzIuzCvm6GbXWpuS4JBda10N9z9D2stALWLgPoUWzDZfW_kYN1urh2Ggfjm3C9PcDX-ufkGuTqP-uxHPcgEzwGSsyWUhpCl-nxJzPFMVpqeznxbYXBL5ecJjDsZmWeLcczXzIraoRo/s946/hio,.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="946" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hU7pBlmKECOXzpTNhaFsPxHI421dSu8lk6NT2XNHhLukrOp8BpOzIuzCvm6GbXWpuS4JBda10N9z9D2stALWLgPoUWzDZfW_kYN1urh2Ggfjm3C9PcDX-ufkGuTqP-uxHPcgEzwGSsyWUhpCl-nxJzPFMVpqeznxbYXBL5ecJjDsZmWeLcczXzIraoRo/s320/hio,.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My mother literally steered the boat on my parents wretched Cadillac search - my father could have cared less what he drove but my mother was all about making pretense - if we had a Cadillac in front of our house, then our neighbors would think we were doing well. Nothing could have been further from the truth, mind you. And I'll never forget the look of disappointment in my mother's eyes when she realized that "her Cadillac" wasn't anything special at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The delightful red hue of the ostrich-leather hides of this car, though, do wonders for cheering up the cabin. This one if for sale not far from my office and is commanding a $33,000 asking price. I know. As if. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpFcpjh2EsBc5xmhVeWuiOehWSHNgVSOBGTmiDbDgPf1tzuF6gA8FoqRGKBgANSX3xtbRVL2JG3kg6RTSk47rPyFSN3tcQ52zIiuv5JPg1PLWXjl5xqMzxsaO4UPUKHVVGA7QqSseSAUTaAm6P4Sq5TdG7AjBWrEwt6HNJIkVj9ekRUraxgH_qyyAV-Ic/s938/retcfvybhk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="938" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpFcpjh2EsBc5xmhVeWuiOehWSHNgVSOBGTmiDbDgPf1tzuF6gA8FoqRGKBgANSX3xtbRVL2JG3kg6RTSk47rPyFSN3tcQ52zIiuv5JPg1PLWXjl5xqMzxsaO4UPUKHVVGA7QqSseSAUTaAm6P4Sq5TdG7AjBWrEwt6HNJIkVj9ekRUraxgH_qyyAV-Ic/s320/retcfvybhk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It has only 15,000-miles on it and appears to be all but flawless, but I think the only person that would pay that much for this creme-de-la-creme puff is some European magnate with a penchant for American automotive beefcake. That or some die-hard Elvis fan or impersonator. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcUwR3MUWq9jkDqFSs_SAGLpoSaNegbBG5O1CKeD6iv0J-ek97oLDReHGns2OyX_vNHk15pj02_e6Z8YMlWKsVFblBC4-h8QMwxF9hlM9hd2hcQK19D-ecoH_-vwb_RTpVJNYFFZ-sKkuwFNpT0aODLJycLszZuuqM8kPuNK3WCWt1Otk-vvd7m__kbWO/s941/t76huij.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="941" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcUwR3MUWq9jkDqFSs_SAGLpoSaNegbBG5O1CKeD6iv0J-ek97oLDReHGns2OyX_vNHk15pj02_e6Z8YMlWKsVFblBC4-h8QMwxF9hlM9hd2hcQK19D-ecoH_-vwb_RTpVJNYFFZ-sKkuwFNpT0aODLJycLszZuuqM8kPuNK3WCWt1Otk-vvd7m__kbWO/s320/t76huij.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">NADA price guidelines peg one of these "high retail" around $12,000. That seems incredibly low but it's more of an outline than anything. Still, thirty-three-grand for this? Not ten-years ago, one of these in this shape would go for something in the mid- to high-teens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7nD2LaDkWcwgSq3EhM7dt5dT2c7Bm5sJQeKVDPGR1l40CH6oaEtCCDy_nf5rS64TaKYx4hQTOkAjsKjMKSrzIF6yvn3MkAsKJ0oRs9n8Svjw9PiEbiDJ1aE3tNI_fhCVWSdg1hdsuf0uNIRh-oh80rwTI9j8xmGO_JR5Or_Csr9-zKF8leRwfbHZDNFK/s942/y68gujio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="942" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7nD2LaDkWcwgSq3EhM7dt5dT2c7Bm5sJQeKVDPGR1l40CH6oaEtCCDy_nf5rS64TaKYx4hQTOkAjsKjMKSrzIF6yvn3MkAsKJ0oRs9n8Svjw9PiEbiDJ1aE3tNI_fhCVWSdg1hdsuf0uNIRh-oh80rwTI9j8xmGO_JR5Or_Csr9-zKF8leRwfbHZDNFK/w400-h268/y68gujio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Elvis has left the building. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-89702237916135255842023-11-15T10:31:00.000-08:002023-11-15T10:31:56.816-08:001979 Chrysler 300 - Cop Motor, Cop Suspension, Cop Shocks <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l5ELf_r102iRJoSTO8ccdX0VmJlCDbynZ86U-WiliiNAHUfZP4YWrbuvvG007xWXLefX5_lRmaeeAySz2mc_Os9oVSSUOBMa1lPvRLivbIckGVQ54PxOsYFGM0rULg6izPVQKOcEUhLu4MOBe3wq5k_GbGSWXgTV0ZGVsaZF5QJw8Sz0dVGvVfnZzmMq/s960/387633733_7528213990541539_2958458272811723939_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l5ELf_r102iRJoSTO8ccdX0VmJlCDbynZ86U-WiliiNAHUfZP4YWrbuvvG007xWXLefX5_lRmaeeAySz2mc_Os9oVSSUOBMa1lPvRLivbIckGVQ54PxOsYFGM0rULg6izPVQKOcEUhLu4MOBe3wq5k_GbGSWXgTV0ZGVsaZF5QJw8Sz0dVGvVfnZzmMq/w400-h300/387633733_7528213990541539_2958458272811723939_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As the world's foremost expert and appreciator of all things 1975-1977 Chrysler Cordoba, well, somebody has to be, I've never been a fan of the reboot Chrysler did to "my car" for 1978. In my humblest of opines, all of what made those cars distinctive and decidedly "un-Chevrolet Monte Carlo" went flying out the proverbial opera window leaving a car that looked dense, heavy, ungainly, portly and unsophisticated looking. Oddly enough, I forgive most if not all of the sins of the class-of-1978 Cordoba with these 1979-only, "300's" that are based on those updated Cordoba's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIQ86odubbEfhX0V3vds8b_Usq_BO_aZb4JtqHuJqv7Hc7Pd8ftZayjkRvL0ElXn-xsuL5TIDn42e8r7map5sBYsWuiuupg6C9x3FIX5MBNyxcZhOFTezTyN__QO1S73JyJdN9t2BANVgMVFWHiAjTWgN0adjveYqUDM3box6WXPpnHuoew8Zk5qRHHjy/s724/284688%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="724" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIQ86odubbEfhX0V3vds8b_Usq_BO_aZb4JtqHuJqv7Hc7Pd8ftZayjkRvL0ElXn-xsuL5TIDn42e8r7map5sBYsWuiuupg6C9x3FIX5MBNyxcZhOFTezTyN__QO1S73JyJdN9t2BANVgMVFWHiAjTWgN0adjveYqUDM3box6WXPpnHuoew8Zk5qRHHjy/s320/284688%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These cars purportedly emulated the famed Chrysler 300's of the 1950's and 1960's although, unlike Dodge's 2008-to the present Challenger, that unabashedly resembles the iconic 1970-1974 originals, save for the crosshair grill, these things look nothing like any 300 before them. Or, seeing how many iterations of Chrysler 300's there have been in the last twenty-five-years or so, nothing like any of them either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrSqD8ERBlbPYnhPLOsoY0yPchjqy2AiQv5iq-5gysdziKL6QnIoX1jlNeb1CNLd1QpnICrfjAEjxmEAtDHd9MQGGsxwBRrG7GF1SOvIC5WE1YIaAm8YJn_F4CtJnLmcHYrbtRrKqVtb37GXh4Zz7w1XN5WfaAPYMAG1hQDLl8AVo5BNWs7jgSIJuo9oD/s960/387531120_7563442963672261_7287504212277349181_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrSqD8ERBlbPYnhPLOsoY0yPchjqy2AiQv5iq-5gysdziKL6QnIoX1jlNeb1CNLd1QpnICrfjAEjxmEAtDHd9MQGGsxwBRrG7GF1SOvIC5WE1YIaAm8YJn_F4CtJnLmcHYrbtRrKqVtb37GXh4Zz7w1XN5WfaAPYMAG1hQDLl8AVo5BNWs7jgSIJuo9oD/s320/387531120_7563442963672261_7287504212277349181_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Upwards of 4,000 or so "300's" were produced for 1979 and for their $2,040 tariff over a regular Cordoba, "300" buyers got the "E58", 360-cubic inch "4V", 195-horsepower <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKmuKjpKPIo&t=15s" target="_blank">"Cop Motor"</a> V-8 which was the most powerful passenger car engine Chrysler offered that year. To make the most of the thrust, a 3.2, "performance" rear-axle-ratio was part of the package and to handle everything with a modicum of aplomb, they added a heavy-duty suspension with "firm-feel" power steering. The whole set up essentially what Dodge offered police departments with on their Monaco, four-door sedans. Incidentally, the fun stuff was also available on Cordoba's. That along with a laundry list of exterior and interior baubles and bits that made a 1979 Cordoba a "300". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWp48PBcRDG_WnSJ1ZN0hy5pwKztrorcA1RzkhMKhsiHbscFj7n7cVJ8wq8g-6gn68uu_scoEAW1LrdKwXcn76xiZzo-rNsONfANAKUOxRSqTkxoUMCY-9cpvL8f2N2bd6Es6mEddiOO_VdpUnSzZs9RZ2ZVN4YGWUfHC38e1NzokEaoKdM3Cj8jOHKEE/s960/387550750_7118522518178884_3890272678076372453_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWp48PBcRDG_WnSJ1ZN0hy5pwKztrorcA1RzkhMKhsiHbscFj7n7cVJ8wq8g-6gn68uu_scoEAW1LrdKwXcn76xiZzo-rNsONfANAKUOxRSqTkxoUMCY-9cpvL8f2N2bd6Es6mEddiOO_VdpUnSzZs9RZ2ZVN4YGWUfHC38e1NzokEaoKdM3Cj8jOHKEE/s320/387550750_7118522518178884_3890272678076372453_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>That included a unique "300" grille, front fender louvers, body-colored bumper guard cushions and bumper rub strips, body-colored dual remote mirrors, red\blue pinstriping, Spinnaker white paint, red, "Corinthian" leather seats, console with shifter, an "engine-turned" dash applique, a more comprehensive gauge package and a gaggle of "300" badging so no one would ever confuse a "300" with a Cordoba. <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMKqBEBvdCzSYu9txP3ZxlsEVCXEDUoebRON2iaTSHRTbC-1JoHvRU-xyeAJJyjILeT__TRUf9tDaF_oMEYZPZX1bhr9cmpL5O9rGrEVIxpmv0O01h3vdY4enpHgZLqiOKWKq7iNMUUCiSrsTRlNhMoRmi8ElK5w0vmARISjyFek0zvvVX0URTioPvD_e/s960/387685600_6152401334859732_6400985470373373216_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMKqBEBvdCzSYu9txP3ZxlsEVCXEDUoebRON2iaTSHRTbC-1JoHvRU-xyeAJJyjILeT__TRUf9tDaF_oMEYZPZX1bhr9cmpL5O9rGrEVIxpmv0O01h3vdY4enpHgZLqiOKWKq7iNMUUCiSrsTRlNhMoRmi8ElK5w0vmARISjyFek0zvvVX0URTioPvD_e/s320/387685600_6152401334859732_6400985470373373216_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All the doo-dads worked together, again, my two-cents, quite well to create a "super-Cordoba", if you will. What can I say? The tape and decals stoke my inner twelve-year-old and I could care less if there was "more car" than ones that didn't have the schmaltzy, ersatz add-on's. Don't get me wrong, though, I most heartedly appreciate any beefing up of the car. Although, it would have been nice if Chrysler started with at least the suspension they offered on the 300 and firmed things up from there. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibINg8xkn5fOVq97t9xNFTBRRcrbx4Sa8ms9F_pNWUXJgqrFGzsBQpiHLhkBb0dReNUQQpMnXebsNbMn-wG5GAKZjcsgGuGq7m4lbqmTrZK76Z7K6t2q3QmlimFFdNZcLDqsQI5Zt2MRrCdev5fpOZKIaCIxSgvK8QYfO59Oqj3zLeBBf_VvqvrxDAQPZH/s960/387459704_6591572730958412_2027667286756574700_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibINg8xkn5fOVq97t9xNFTBRRcrbx4Sa8ms9F_pNWUXJgqrFGzsBQpiHLhkBb0dReNUQQpMnXebsNbMn-wG5GAKZjcsgGuGq7m4lbqmTrZK76Z7K6t2q3QmlimFFdNZcLDqsQI5Zt2MRrCdev5fpOZKIaCIxSgvK8QYfO59Oqj3zLeBBf_VvqvrxDAQPZH/s320/387459704_6591572730958412_2027667286756574700_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing that performance cars were all but verboten in the late 1970's, the 1979 Chrysler 300 was a head scratcher - the answer to a question it seemed no one was asking. Best I can guess, someone at Chrysler was a fan of the 300's of yore and whipped one up based on the out-going Cordoba. That it cost Chrysler probably next to nothing to gussy up a Cordoba and make it a "300", and anything made above and beyond the sticker price for a Cordoba money in the bank, suits upstairs must have been like, "sure, go ahead". They had bigger fish to fry anyway in the early days of Iacocca administration. You know, like not going under. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AFDmalyUkFTkpQKRqHVUCsVe87DDdskZgF_6da_8r-IUbU2jhKZruBCtPHCnCMR2fN5AYhap67DlGeQPELXpovJVfqfEeomNHCgfjt7-r7q_MjUf69gzru-lUdVN8Xud7IfbAv-340YK65kNX5bFeDxl35qqztcCQIwRAj6ZRC3BjRXXPWlp92vKd5wu/s960/368687334_6763590803736419_55280627961011080_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AFDmalyUkFTkpQKRqHVUCsVe87DDdskZgF_6da_8r-IUbU2jhKZruBCtPHCnCMR2fN5AYhap67DlGeQPELXpovJVfqfEeomNHCgfjt7-r7q_MjUf69gzru-lUdVN8Xud7IfbAv-340YK65kNX5bFeDxl35qqztcCQIwRAj6ZRC3BjRXXPWlp92vKd5wu/s320/368687334_6763590803736419_55280627961011080_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I swear I've seen this car at car shows near where I live just west of Cleveland, Ohio. How many of these could there be still out there anyway? If it is that car, these pictures make it appear better than it is - the one I've seen is pretty rough. And the $6,500 price of admission is pretty steep for a car that needs quite a bit of work. Mechanically, the parts are a dime a dozen but the various trim pieces, especially the grille, if you can find them, will be very expensive. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqBdvmksgfVZa_2z9Yd8c_IFujJgfLCNbwpkYe-MEj-ED_P3vBfJCzkGiX4uXzINuwK2JiNRxe4RP1f9emhcveqfTow1hzaWFkvWCe-4sr0X_d092IAfJxrGpgBad1KAL9i7S30CKtJtIoRvPzCrNhyEu2_LSnRnYiuTBCqky7U8rI1ndpoGVCYDhkfTy/s960/385948226_6841054955973846_6251256438114951559_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqBdvmksgfVZa_2z9Yd8c_IFujJgfLCNbwpkYe-MEj-ED_P3vBfJCzkGiX4uXzINuwK2JiNRxe4RP1f9emhcveqfTow1hzaWFkvWCe-4sr0X_d092IAfJxrGpgBad1KAL9i7S30CKtJtIoRvPzCrNhyEu2_LSnRnYiuTBCqky7U8rI1ndpoGVCYDhkfTy/s320/385948226_6841054955973846_6251256438114951559_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Closer you could get it to $4,000 I think it well bought. I can't find it, now, could it have been sold? Arse for every seat, as we say. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l5ELf_r102iRJoSTO8ccdX0VmJlCDbynZ86U-WiliiNAHUfZP4YWrbuvvG007xWXLefX5_lRmaeeAySz2mc_Os9oVSSUOBMa1lPvRLivbIckGVQ54PxOsYFGM0rULg6izPVQKOcEUhLu4MOBe3wq5k_GbGSWXgTV0ZGVsaZF5QJw8Sz0dVGvVfnZzmMq/s960/387633733_7528213990541539_2958458272811723939_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8l5ELf_r102iRJoSTO8ccdX0VmJlCDbynZ86U-WiliiNAHUfZP4YWrbuvvG007xWXLefX5_lRmaeeAySz2mc_Os9oVSSUOBMa1lPvRLivbIckGVQ54PxOsYFGM0rULg6izPVQKOcEUhLu4MOBe3wq5k_GbGSWXgTV0ZGVsaZF5QJw8Sz0dVGvVfnZzmMq/w400-h300/387633733_7528213990541539_2958458272811723939_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Legend has it Chrysler had plans to continue building a "300" based on their downsized, R-body, 1980 Cordoba, but they changed direction and labeled what was to be the 300 the Cordoba LS. </div><p></p></div></div>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714014270976785800.post-15731688442454733782023-11-12T03:38:00.000-08:002023-11-12T03:38:30.793-08:001959 Buick Invicta - Sorry, Harley<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84ERUBhr8scO4RUcWiE7WvOIM3FfNT9C-7YYBcpdJKwNuneFKswhLVU26UwOeI9hKOKtAGXvVg0UJ69b8XvTl_CwFcC8i3fbnheWedopp6qLNnzu7_35C9Fd41xni59VY4hWfWXqo8ooEtZSx8fL_RpLOo35xhzUgKZfeJ5rApR7lZVUjZGSBEsrJyNre/s960/385777263_122138703512010725_2373493873091457178_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84ERUBhr8scO4RUcWiE7WvOIM3FfNT9C-7YYBcpdJKwNuneFKswhLVU26UwOeI9hKOKtAGXvVg0UJ69b8XvTl_CwFcC8i3fbnheWedopp6qLNnzu7_35C9Fd41xni59VY4hWfWXqo8ooEtZSx8fL_RpLOo35xhzUgKZfeJ5rApR7lZVUjZGSBEsrJyNre/w400-h300/385777263_122138703512010725_2373493873091457178_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Pontiac ad wizard Jim Wangers coined the term "muscle car" to promote the GTO in 1964, but from 1936 through 1942 and 1954 through 1958, Buick, <i>of all GM divisions,</i> sold a "muscular car" they called, <i>"Century".</i> While "Century" might not have had the machismotic ring of "GTO" or "4-4-2", it was in fact quite fast. So fast that Buick called the car, which was Buick's entry level "Special" stuffed with the Roadmaster's engine, <i>"Century"</i> to denote the car's top-speed of over 100-miles-per-hour. Come 1959, when Buick introduced all new models complete with new model names, what had been the Century became known as <i>"Invicta". </i>Our patina-soaked subject here is a '59 Invicta I found for sale on Facebook Marketplace recently. Asking price is $4,500. Well, can't fault the seller for asking that much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNweX2PyE-S0pcg9wYOzCS9GBi5gZiyt83BGqcOpJ56U6SdBoKsUAwmwJT-yBTRkSLLxiYeB2hpahFcHhRm2utKK3IgtDykW-8GD3QRwjmgbzWrTiE-eYLZGH2rCwlcEOsTKNmS09zruGmv_ENyIwkoDJ2yo-NltJriDhWfg3DZWleony8OglHEViDnhD/s960/385038071_122138703290010725_8499741329497194406_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNweX2PyE-S0pcg9wYOzCS9GBi5gZiyt83BGqcOpJ56U6SdBoKsUAwmwJT-yBTRkSLLxiYeB2hpahFcHhRm2utKK3IgtDykW-8GD3QRwjmgbzWrTiE-eYLZGH2rCwlcEOsTKNmS09zruGmv_ENyIwkoDJ2yo-NltJriDhWfg3DZWleony8OglHEViDnhD/s320/385038071_122138703290010725_8499741329497194406_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Buick Invicta used the same formula Buick used with the Century - their largest engine, in this case, the 401-cubic inch engine from their newly named Electra, which had been the Roadmaster, stuffed into the somewhat smaller bodied new LeSabre, that had been the Special. I say somewhat smaller because all Buick's as well as all GM's makes and models through 1959 were built off similarly sized chassis. The biggest difference between them wheelbase length. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnDz4j5Sy6WB9yb7L9ax7oes2PGqas6ZwuoCuFYGU1LCsIdHKRI8hN2SF5CmDD1AKk26-yFH8lbK7wehW6X_HrvgncEEboEC13ScD_viZRNktTAB6GyaN36GlW2GBufbt_FYK_yJv2Xa-dTxfgz_i2rilS1j1Ub5emaSdY-ukMBr_Coa7gZ-7caEEiMQ2/s960/385062050_122138703188010725_7741204868925825841_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnDz4j5Sy6WB9yb7L9ax7oes2PGqas6ZwuoCuFYGU1LCsIdHKRI8hN2SF5CmDD1AKk26-yFH8lbK7wehW6X_HrvgncEEboEC13ScD_viZRNktTAB6GyaN36GlW2GBufbt_FYK_yJv2Xa-dTxfgz_i2rilS1j1Ub5emaSdY-ukMBr_Coa7gZ-7caEEiMQ2/s320/385062050_122138703188010725_7741204868925825841_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Contemporary road tests of the Invicta were mixed. Critics applauded the "push" of the larger engine, its ease of steering thanks to its <i>optional </i>power steering and what they deemed the best brakes in the business. That, if you've ever driven a 1950's automobile, wasn't saying much. They dinged it, however, for being too big, heavy, softly sprung and reading between the tactfully written, advertiser friendly lines, horrible interior ergonomics and packaging. That's a bad ass dashboard, though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVyx4zSRyE9TktyPTk1OhGX6A1HQJ0T24QH6kCoQBfWU83zpT501J7PTjtV-jUxTkz2lgUpmVBM3z3Q8vgtfr4J7-HstM8hrmo62YSmvzBwvBynL0rOlAG1rNtXZFEqpXIflT4oDiZtiDCqR9YxpgphA9NvwuDrV3DnitKSwdSmFJQf2jXnL27JgOvWoB/s1200/1959-buick-mainuse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVyx4zSRyE9TktyPTk1OhGX6A1HQJ0T24QH6kCoQBfWU83zpT501J7PTjtV-jUxTkz2lgUpmVBM3z3Q8vgtfr4J7-HstM8hrmo62YSmvzBwvBynL0rOlAG1rNtXZFEqpXIflT4oDiZtiDCqR9YxpgphA9NvwuDrV3DnitKSwdSmFJQf2jXnL27JgOvWoB/s320/1959-buick-mainuse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">They stayed away, for the most part, as auto scribes usually do, from the most subjective of matters, the car's styling. Above is what our '59 would look like if it didn't have all the surface rust and its interior didn't like wild animals had been using it as a nest for fifty- or sixty-years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhxphhLxJyrnsbbipBLeGaFQcKPViwpY-ki9DCL1Zf1XS-0SH05wL9gz0xGFPby8eUyqhe0asfO_TDXHHszUWznllpQcxeAbtBKeClMb0ZtKgSNAKd_EaeU_MaZtp3DVv5O8hqsv6nOG2Y6yeOnsiSWz3Jpa4U3WoXoCRooV8iWONMh-DyHbMBOYJ8WM3/s960/386600827_122138705036010725_569017195398735495_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhxphhLxJyrnsbbipBLeGaFQcKPViwpY-ki9DCL1Zf1XS-0SH05wL9gz0xGFPby8eUyqhe0asfO_TDXHHszUWznllpQcxeAbtBKeClMb0ZtKgSNAKd_EaeU_MaZtp3DVv5O8hqsv6nOG2Y6yeOnsiSWz3Jpa4U3WoXoCRooV8iWONMh-DyHbMBOYJ8WM3/s320/386600827_122138705036010725_569017195398735495_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Frankly, my personal jury's out on whether or not 1959 was the high- or low-point for General Motors design. Either way, it seemed things were coming to a fevered, obsessive head what with "planned obsolescence" driving GM design honcho Harley Earl and his team to literally and figuratively reinvent the wheel each model year. Throw in some real motivation like Chrysler's tailfins-to-the-moon, snot-locker-cleaning 1957 models and Mr. Earl's pending retirement and you had the impetus for some of the most outrageous or, depending on your point of view, ridiculous designs in automobile history. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAztWdt6GzA_jzNjFyGXDzSouuhCo_pngiKNurFhAxCPg7CtzyX4okm195T-lkTRXX6fF1iGzPLCZVPMB0iKf7091Af0HD5HKlMxC926triD4MHoO7Y7UIKVKUvs8RQjCF-9rIIP0vN4hUGjlSmhgOlXKBl3sfVF3Ee2rjw2fGRqexSwCBhmf8KNe-tig5/s960/385776943_122138703236010725_5285627267050012685_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAztWdt6GzA_jzNjFyGXDzSouuhCo_pngiKNurFhAxCPg7CtzyX4okm195T-lkTRXX6fF1iGzPLCZVPMB0iKf7091Af0HD5HKlMxC926triD4MHoO7Y7UIKVKUvs8RQjCF-9rIIP0vN4hUGjlSmhgOlXKBl3sfVF3Ee2rjw2fGRqexSwCBhmf8KNe-tig5/s320/385776943_122138703236010725_5285627267050012685_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I attribute a personal lack of context for my inability to get my arms around cars from the '50's; I didn't see many growing up in the '70's. Ones I did see looked incredibly old and dated, they were like set pieces in a period TV show or movie. Their driver's instant "B-level" celebrities; they might as well have been time travelers. On some level, my perspective of them as pure and honest as my 26-year-old, quasi-car enthusiastic son's is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigF1fuL2W1F3vGuxbv5MGMcXLMKejJer38oa1LJOLa-JfnvOcqRE_LZbEM38yd1eRwOg6wjZac2h6USB5YmKTVbNQbfOsVYLP1GIsldEacbeGdHbKwOsJuhEey6RrfHw5eT3Ph0GqlLwpdG5YBODIQC82FHaQhexPpEutnsN77Caq74O1YD6oCeIPPTN1/s960/385078464_122138703572010725_3439421669700046653_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigF1fuL2W1F3vGuxbv5MGMcXLMKejJer38oa1LJOLa-JfnvOcqRE_LZbEM38yd1eRwOg6wjZac2h6USB5YmKTVbNQbfOsVYLP1GIsldEacbeGdHbKwOsJuhEey6RrfHw5eT3Ph0GqlLwpdG5YBODIQC82FHaQhexPpEutnsN77Caq74O1YD6oCeIPPTN1/s320/385078464_122138703572010725_3439421669700046653_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I do like the sweeping, dramatic flair of this car except for this bull-nosed front-end; <i>sorry, Harley, that's just plain awful.</i> For 1960, Buick flattened the hood and aligned the headlights making for a much more handsome car in my humblest of opines. Little else was changed. Big changes came for 1961, though, as Buick and all GM divisions radically redesigned their wares making the 1959 and 1960 models look like three-day old leftovers. Not a bad thing if you weren't a slave to fashion and didn't mind not having the latest and greatest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM10R474WeHicYwOs0xsgXuPJjZAuPgdLBoU4T8D-mKgXePDfDJrSk-oDvaYRhXVgn8kwQrNFUu8HCJTbu5qSOMaccoik9cQ_0Jo2ZB98A2S8MrKaiNXND4NW6jLTUUyerj32iCAb1wpz0ts7u1980_2ufaXEVk3e3azFPn4ONFePZ0m9uvXr9up4Nx1W/s960/385075442_122138703452010725_5929855438581186014_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM10R474WeHicYwOs0xsgXuPJjZAuPgdLBoU4T8D-mKgXePDfDJrSk-oDvaYRhXVgn8kwQrNFUu8HCJTbu5qSOMaccoik9cQ_0Jo2ZB98A2S8MrKaiNXND4NW6jLTUUyerj32iCAb1wpz0ts7u1980_2ufaXEVk3e3azFPn4ONFePZ0m9uvXr9up4Nx1W/w400-h300/385075442_122138703452010725_5929855438581186014_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Buick sunset the Invicta nameplate after 1963 replacing it with the <a href="https://charleyconnolly.blogspot.com/2021/02/1964-buick-wildcat-knock-knock-whos.html" target="_blank">"Wildcat", </a>which had been an Invicta subseries on 1962 and 1963 Invicta's. The Wildcat had more exclusive sheet metal than the Invicta or Century ever had, although it was fairly obvious it was gussied up LeSabre. Buick replaced the Wildcat in 1971 with the <i><a href="https://charleyconnolly.blogspot.com/2023/10/1973-buick-centurion-lesabre-in-dinner.html" target="_blank">Centurion</a>. </i>After '73, the Centurion and whole notion of a full-size, "performance" Buick was never seen again. </div><p></p>Crawling From The Wreckage http://www.blogger.com/profile/07346181886738590044noreply@blogger.com0