81 messages,
Last post on Apr 03, 2009 at 1:54 PM
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Classic Cars Forum.
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Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon
#32 of 81 Re: My Future Car ? [piCARso]
by MrShift@Edmunds HOST
Jan 09, 2009 (9:13 pm)
I think the Corvair is okay. I'd probably go for an automatic (the manual shifter is so clunky) and if the engine has recently been resealed, tuned, etc. all the better. Those engines do seem to leak a lot. I think the auto is a 2-speed though, and it reminds you that you are still in 1965--1969.
Corvair brakes are EXCELLENT---best American braking car in 1965, hands down.
Handling needs a mod to the steering to quicken the ratio lock to lock, otherwise it's pretty good.
You'd have to join the Corvair network to learn all the tricks.
#33 of 81 Re: Andre: [jrosasmc]
by andre1969
Jan 10, 2009 (12:07 am)
Cool story, thanks for posting it. My '69 Dart GT had those same hubcaps. I did end up selling my '68 Dart. The guy paid for it in full, and I gave him the title. He hasn't come to pick it up yet, though.
#35 of 81 My Future Car ?
by piCARso
Jan 10, 2009 (9:00 pm)
Corvair to Corvette, my head is spinning. 1168, 23 pages on ebay, something for everyone. Clearly the 60's are preferred but since you have brought them into the picture give me your analysis of the 70's,80's and 90's. I like the look of the late 70's and early 80's. Many well kept under 10 with no takers, why ? I liked the Pontiac. Am I right to think that a clone is a lesser model dressed up with script pretending to be the real thing ? Any more suggestions of strong candidates for the financially challenged will be considered.
#36 of 81 Re: My Future Car ? [piCARso]
by MrShift@Edmunds HOST
Jan 11, 2009 (9:30 am)
In the case of the GTO, Pontiac itself "dressed up" a Lemans, so the term "clone" seems a bit hypocritical to me. But yes, a clone is a FAKE, but not necessarily any less a car.
After 1972 or so, American cars became burdened with clumsily-designed emissions controls, lower compression engines, and generally mediocre performance, quality and styling. They are simply not highly regarded by collectors and for good reason. The thrill is gone and you end up tinkering with them all the time.
This rarely gets any better until the mid 1980s, when you start to get some interesting American iron again, like the C4 Corvette and the Buick V-6 Turbo cars.
In fact, one could actually attribute the rise of the "red hot" collector car market for 50s and 60s cars, to the rather dismal choices people had of late 70s and early 80s cars.
#37 of 81 Re: My Future Car ? [Mr_Shiftright]
by bhill2
Jan 12, 2009 (2:10 pm)
If that LeMans actually has a 389 in it, though, someone has been messing with it. Pontiac only put that engine in the GTO.
#38 of 81 Re: My Future Car ? [bhill2]
by MrShift@Edmunds HOST
Jan 13, 2009 (10:23 am)
No I mean that Pontiac just built up a Lemans into a GTO themselves (at first). The 64-65 GTO was just an option package on the Lemans. In '66 it became its own thing.
#39 of 81 Re: My Future Car ? [Mr_Shiftright]
by bhill2
Jan 13, 2009 (2:09 pm)
Oh, OK, now I see. You're right, the GTO was just an upgraded LeMans. Actually, at the time, I wanted to take a GTO chassis (with drivetrain, suspension, etc.) and drop on a LeMans 4-door hardtop body with corresponding interior. Thought it would make a great Q-ship. A slightly weird idea, but not the weirdest that I had at that age.
#40 of 81 My once and Future Q ship
by lokki
Jan 13, 2009 (3:56 pm)
My Q ship was going to be a 2 door 69 Valiant with Hemi Cuda engine and suspension with old-man hubcaps and the dual exhausts tucked discretly out of sight.
My logic was that the Barracuda was built on the Valiant chasis, so all the 'cuda parts should bolt right on.
A nice sleeper, I thought. Sometimes, in my more practical moments, I thought that I'd settle for a 340 instead of the Hemi.
#41 of 81 Re: My once and Future Q ship [lokki]
by MrShift@Edmunds HOST
Jan 13, 2009 (4:15 pm)
too many beers lokki....yes the 340 would be a much better choice. I think that hemi would twist that frame like a pretzel.