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Classic? Collectible? Special Interest? Just Old?

310 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2009 at 6:16 AM

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What is this discussion about? Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

Messages Page 27 of 31

#261 of 310 The thing is there's always someone..... by andys120

Oct 07, 2002 (3:03 pm)

who'll step up and save even the dorkiest car.
It doesn't matter if it's an Austin Marina, a Nash
Ambassador, a Trabant or a VW Squareback someone will save it and generally that's a good thing.
 
I draw the line at Yugos and Subaru 360s (thanks for nothing Mal Bricklin).

#262 of 310 The Pacer reminds me of a friend by carnut4

Oct 07, 2002 (4:37 pm)

who's always been a carnut, and owned many different interesting old cars since I've known him [since 1975]. Well, in 1975, he bought a new Pacer-white, red interior, big six and automatic. Kind of a "novelty" thing, I guess. As though it were kin to the Chrysler Airflow, or something. Anyway, at the time, some of us couldn't figure out why he'd bought one. Well, it was a fresh design, unique, and he was an Art teacher-if that had anything to do with it.
Well, anyway, he's owned so many interesting old cars over the years, when I saw him a year or so ago, after not having talked to him for a few years, I was curious to see what he has now. Shifty, get this-he is and has been for several years now-ALL ALFA-he has 4 Alfa Romeos, of various year and model, most of them older, I believe. And nothing else. How's that for a former Pacer buyer?
Shifty, was there ever a Pacer in your garage?
By the way, as I remember, he sold the Pacer after only a year or so, because of the disappointing, poor gas mileage and lack of power.

#263 of 310 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 07, 2002 (8:35 pm)

To say nothing of very unattractive. I'm surprised a lover of Art could even look at it.
 
However, he obviously came around to a complete understanding of automotive styling
 
No, I never had a Pacer. I did have a Checker once, which is just as bad, so I'm not above wallowing in my mistakes now and then.

#264 of 310 Even when I was a little kid... by andre1969

Oct 09, 2002 (6:23 am)

...and Pacers were brand-new, we knew enough to make fun of them, and anybody who's parents drove one! I have to admit though, in a dorky sort of way they're kinda cool.
 
I've never driven one, but I sat in a few. I think they're actually pretty comfortable, at least up front. The wagon model isn't bad in the back seat. One day I was at a junkyard that had just gotten one in. It must've been a nicer model, because it had thickly padded cloth seats, overly-stuffed vinyl door panels, and shag carpeting. I sat behind the wheel, just to get a feel for it.
 
I think the earlier models are kinda neat looking, but they ruined it when they tried to give it more of a stand-up formal grille.
 
I had a chance to get a free AMC Hornet wagon a few years ago, that some friends of mine just wanted to be rid of. I wonder what would've been worse...that thing or a Pacer? That Hornet was another car that was kinda cool in a nerdy sort of way. It was a real bright robin's egg blue, and really stood out.

#265 of 310 by speedshift

Oct 09, 2002 (8:31 am)

Hey I owned a Hornet.
 
Next you're going to tell me 1960 Corvair sedans aren't cool.

#266 of 310 Hornet Wagon by 2099

Oct 09, 2002 (8:51 am)

Way back when I was in the used car business with my dad, we took in a 74 Hornet Wagon. This thing had a V-8 (305")(?) and every possible option...even some phony looking "wood" trim (like the old Ford Country Squires) on the outside. We did some repairs and sold the thing (good deal for us all the way around) to a local person who drove it for 10 years plus until it rusted apart. I remember it had a lot of pick-up and did run well, but it was ugly and that V-8 in that engine compartment was a bear to work on. Thanks for the memory jog.

#267 of 310 304, maybe? by andre1969

Oct 09, 2002 (9:10 am)

My friends' '77 Hornet had an inline-6. I think it was a 258, but I'm not sure. It was actually in pretty good shape...very little rust to speak of, but one of the rear windows would come off its track and fall down in the door.
 
I would've loved to have had the thing, but I was only 23 when they were trying to get rid of it. Back then, it would've cost me another $500-600 a year to insure. I remember though that they couldn't find anybody to take it off their hands, even for free. They even called around to a few junkyards, and so did I, to help them out. Every place said they didn't have need for a car like that.
 
Finally, we drove it down to a junkyard south of Culpeper, VA, about 90 miles away, and ended up getting $90.00 for it!
 
If nothing else, I guess it would've been a nice little car for hauling stuff, but then again, it didn't have a full liftgate...only the rear window opened up. Kind of a hatchback wagon, I guess?

#268 of 310 by speedshift

Oct 09, 2002 (9:50 am)

I got a good deal on my Hornet too, but that's probably how Hornets sold--the typical off-brand discount. At the time I really wanted a Road Runner but I was still listening to my Dad in those days and Dad likes a "deal".
 
Actually a good little car. I think it was a '70, had three on the tree and the 199 six, manual steering and brakes, basically an improved version of the '61 Falcon I inherited from Dad (now you know his taste in cars). Kind of fun in a penalty box kind of way. A passenger told me I drove it "like a sports car" which I think is passenger code for "too fast".
 
To sell it I had it repainted medium metallic blue, hosed it out and Armor-Alled the rubber floor mats. It looked pretty sharp. Should have done that when I bought the car and not waited.

#269 of 310 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 09, 2002 (10:49 am)

Isn't that 6 still in the new Jeeps? (Just kidding--I think).

#270 of 310 I think it finally got retired... by andre1969

Oct 09, 2002 (11:05 am)

...with the demise of the Cherokee, unless the Grand Cherokee is still using it. I think they went over to the 3.7 V-6 though.
 
I know the 6 was a 4.0 liter, which I think comes out to a 244. I remember when it first came out, it was a big deal because it had 190 hp. Wasn't that around 1988 or so? Was the 4.0 the same basic design as those other 6es like the 199, 232, and 258?

Messages Page 27 of 31

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