Question for you car guys....(A poll kind of)

[RussinOhio]

I think it kinda sucks GM discontinued the Camaro/Firebird. Real American classics. I really DO like what Ford has done with the new Mustang.....retro-Mustang!
With THAT out of the way.....what car would you like to see the automakers bring back?


As for me.....the Chevy El Camino!!! El Caminos were COOL!!....the late generation "down-sized" Camino of the '80's sucked though. I'm talking '73-'77.



(Oh!...here's an idea. Imagine a pick-up truck carrying the "Peterbilt" logo!! It would have to be a big-ass MANS pick-up truck!!! I bet they'd sell. I also bet I could'nt afford one!)

Russ

[MCS Guy]

Id like to see the Chevelle nameplate come back.

AND NOT AS A FRIGGEN FWD POS EITHER!

[LBPete]

I would like to see the return of the station wagon. The original sport utility vehicle. It is what most people that buy big heavy SUVs actually need to carry the kids and the groceries. Dodge is doing a great job with the Magnum.

- Pete

[Sandy G]

I'd like to see a modern version of the 1961 Lincoln w/the suicide doors & the 4-door convertible. I also wish they hadn't cancelled the Excursion.-Sandy G.

[bolly]

I even rented one of them POS Malibus's(was an ok car) but not a friggin Chevelle! :screwy:

[OvenMaster]

I still say Ralph Nader was wrong. Corvair. GM could have turned it into a Porsche beater. And I second Pete's vote for station wagons. SUV's and minivans just don't cut it.

Tom

[Justen]

I rather miss the look and style of two door sedans- Cutlass, Lincolns, Caddys, Malibu, Fairlane. The new Charger looks pretty good for a 4 door, but would look great as a two door!

Of course, I also like the look of curved fenders- 20's, 30's & 40's era cars look great to me. I was real happy when Dodge put fenders on the Ram and made the PT Cruiser.

[RussinOhio]

I would like to see the return of the station wagon. The original <a href='http://consumeralertsystem.com/cas/zx-hclick.php?hid=275' target='_blank'>sport utility vehicle</a>. It is what most people that <a href='http://consumeralertsystem.com/cas/zx-hclick.php?hid=334' target='_blank'>buy</a> big heavy SUVs actually need to carry the kids and the <a href='http://consumeralertsystem.com/cas/zx-hclick.php?hid=193' target='_blank'>groceries</a>. Dodge is doing a great job with the Magnum.

- Pete


Yes, I agree. It irks me when people complain about the "safety-factor"...concerning their SUV's. (Top heavy, etc.) People don't seem to get it, that SUV's were never intended to be family vehicles in the first place...hence the name "SPORT-ULTILITY". Yur right....wagons should be brought back fur haulin' kids & groceries.


Russ

[Big Dave]

I'd like to see Chrysler reintroduce a rear drive with one of the magnum engines. As far as nameplates, Duster, satellite, Dart, etc. I hate FWD, which is why I have a truck.

I agree with other posters about the GM and Ford nameplates.

[Micropassatman]

My brother has a '67 El Camino. It's one badass ride...375 HP 327 CID smallblock with roller valvetrain(rockers AND cam). Holley 900 CFM EFI and MSD ignition. All tapped to the wheels through a Doug Nash 5 speed tranny.

[piece-it pete]

Cool thread!

I second the 4 door Linc converts, of all the wonderful cars out there I love the lincolns. Big. I'm talking 20 ft 3-1/4 ton monsters. A bit unrealistic maybe, but PLENTY of folks are driving 15 mpg suvs, heck I talked to an Envoy owner who was averaging 16 - and that's a mid size.

Hey - the 98 (goodbye, Ransom Olds, RIP). Or the Mark series. Fleetwoods!

Pete

[Chad Hauris]

Bring back Checker marathon...make it the exact same body style as before it was discontinued.

I like the Lincolns and Grand Marquis too, luckily they still make them (with RWD) but the new ones look a little wimpy compared to the 60's-80's models.

Also there may not have been a Peterbilt pickup but there was a Kenworth pickup actually made by the Kenworth co. It is the same style as the big rig but pickup sized. Don't know how many were made though.
There is a picture of one on this page:
http://thefredericksonclassics.com/rvm-luis-palau.htm

[THOR]

Those camaros and firebirds should have died in the 80's they have been awful looking cars for a lonnnnnnnnnggggggg time. Now if they brought them back and with a retro look of like the 69's then I would all for it :yes:

[dgwojo]

I want GM to bring back the 1969 Chevelle SS 396, same as my brothers in Ohio!! 2nd choice, the 1970 SS454 cowl induction Chevelle. :yes:
http://204.10.140.18/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10064

[Filmboydoug]

I want to see a new Galaxie and/or Fairlane.

[vega ls-12]

impala ss 409 ,,, a big car with style.. not that pos they have now.
reminds me of the days gm was in its hey day

[SPL db]

I'd like to see the Nova come back... not a rebadged Toyota, but a real Nova!

I kinda biased tho... since I owned five Novas at the same time for a while! :D

Scott

[Fast_Eddie]

Mine might seem odd, but as the owner of two 1972 Mercury Capris, I'd like to see it reintroduced.

For those who don't know, the Capri was Fords "European Mustang" and sold like it in Europe. It's considered a classic over there. In fact, Ford is introducing a new Capri over there, but it's based on the front drive Focus platform. It has a couple of the styling cues of the old car, but a far cry from what they did with the Mustang.

Take care,

Ed

[Punker X]

I'd like to see Chrysler reintroduce a rear drive with one of the magnum engines. As far as nameplates, Duster, satellite, Dart, etc. I hate FWD, which is why I have a truck.

I agree with other posters about the GM and Ford nameplates.

Go take a 300C, Magnum or Charger for a test drive, all magnum or hemi powered rear wheel drive.

Wish they would have followed through with the 1999 Charger concept. Personally I'd like to see the Cuda or Challenger come back.

X

[Sandy G]

Bein's this is just fantasy, I wouldn't mind if they brought back the 1957-66 Imperials-or the late '50s-early '60s Cads w/their fins. My grandad had a beige '60 sedan-wrap around windshield & chest high fins-I thought it was the coolest car- of course, I was 3 when he got it in '60...-Sandy G.

[Jstas]

The Capri was based off of the Lotus/Ford Cortina 1600, wasn't it? Precursor to the Escort/Focus rally cars. A freaking blast to drive!

What I'd like to see, a Thunderbird with some serious performance capability and a price tag about 5-8 grand less. Since teh Crown Vic is going away, I'd like to see teh Galaxie name plate brought back and an SVT version of the vehicle with a cate motor option for the Genesis 427 to make it a factory stock racer like the Thunderbolts. That's a silly folly of a pipe dream though. Make for some really cool doorslammer action though! A BOSS Mustang would be cool too.

I'd like to see the PT Cruiser go away and the Prowler return with a proper V8 under the hood. I'd like to see Chrysler put up some pony car competition like what the Cuda and Challenger used to be. Not silly sticker packages for trucks.

I'd like to see GM build something worth buying other than a Corvette or pick-up truck...anything GM, really!

I'd like to see Jaguar put out a small roadster like the XKE was. I'd like to know who ended up with the Triumph and Austin-Healy rights and I want a small British sports car. The Lotus Elise is coming but that is a hardcore racer with street car clothes on. I want something I could live with every day.

I'd like to see newer stuff too. I'd like Ford to built a Focus RS with AWD like the rally car. They already have a Europe only 200+ horse FWD turbocharged Focus. They don't sell it here because it will embarrass the Mustang. I'd like to see small RWD platform sedans like a Comet, Nova, Falcon and Coronet with big engine options. None of this Holden Monaro/GTO crap.

Also, BRING BACK REAL WAGONS! Not this SUV/Minivan crap!

But that stuff won't sell because the general public was big SUV's or little bitty fuel economy cars so they can make the SUV's into a family car and turn teh econo-boxes into race cars. how did the American public end up getting everything so freaking backwards?

[bgadow]

Old nameplates & real style. Chrysler could bring out a Hudson Hornet, low & fat & mean. Could be based on the same structure as the 300/Magnum. After a few years discontinue it & bring out a new one, maybe a Willys based on the PT Cruiser chassis.

Too many nameless, faceless cars out there.

I would also like to see more effort at squeezing economy out of these workhorse motors. I know they can do better.

[Chad Hauris]

Crown Vic going away, say it ain't so! where did you hear that?

[pen_man]

I'd like to see the grand daddy of all muscle cars--the GTO-- come back! Ooops, it is back?? Well kinda, I suppose.

[jpciii]

full size coupes with manual transmissions

[jpciii]

*
**
***
****
**
**

and bucket seats

[SPL db]

Saw a write up on this Chevelle prototype built on the same
chassis as the new GTO...

http://chevyhiperformance.com/featuredvehicles/148_0402_chev_1_z.jpg

http://chevyhiperformance.com/featuredvehicles/148_0402_chev_2_z.jpg

Scott

[Jstas]

There is no Chevelle prototype. That picture is a photoshop job done up by wishful thinkers at the car magazines. It's not real and a pretty crappy photoshop job at that too.

I heard about the Crown Vic demise from several rags as a possibility but the people I know at Ford said don't expect it to last past '07 and look for a new full-sized vehicle on a whole new chassis that the Lincoln, Mercury and big Jags will share. There will be restyling for all the big'uns in '06 and we'll most likely see all new vehicles for the '08 model year. As far as I know, that isn't definte and it may change but there is a change in the wind, it's a matter of when. However, Ford is going to have to do something for the CV/GM/TC brigade, they will have to if they expect to compete with the Chrysler full-sized offerings. Chrysler is looking at building a cop car version of the 300C/Magnum/Charger and if that happens then there will be fleet vehicle and taxi cab versions too with a big 5.7L HEMI V8 in them. That would be a huge draw for the cops considering the 4.6L currently available in teh CV's is a dog in the 4K+lb CV.

[dgwojo]

Also, BRING BACK REAL WAGONS! Not this SUV/Minivan crap!
Now you're talking, bring back a real Vista Cruiser station wagon like mine!! :yes:

1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Vista Cruiser (http://home.earthlink.net/~dwojo/id2.html)

http://204.10.140.18/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9521

[Sandy G]

There have only been a few complete reworkings of the "standard" Ford chassis-1908, 1928, 1935, 1949, 1965, 1979. Ford's tend to get their money's worth out of a chassis design. It was 1939 before Fords got hydraulic brakes-Henry distrusted hydraulics-and it was 1949 before any Ford product got independent front suspension-something GM had pioneered in 1934.You could make a strong case Ford didn't really change their chassis design FUNDAMENTALLY from around 1906 til 1949. As far as station wagons are concerned, Yes, I'd like to be able to get a spanking new Colony Park- there was just something elegant-in a very American way-about those old land yachts...-Sandy G.

[Big Dave]

I would like a real full size vehicle with a V8, RWD manual transmission that I could get my fat ass into.

[Sandy G]

...and VINYL seats...Yeah, I know, I know, They're too hot, too cold, yadda, yadda, yadda. But you could CLEAN them, not everyone can spring for leather. About every car I've owned w/cloth seats smells like my socks-or drawers-after a couple years. Or whatever drinks I've spilled-and you KNOW that's gonna happen.Another thing- Howzabout a radio w/an on/off/volume knob & a TUNING knob? And maybe 5 or 6 knobs w/station presets on 'em,where you pulled 'em out & then slammed 'em back in to set stations? Does EVERYTHING require a PhD in electrical engineering or computer programming to operate? Hay-Zoos...Sometimes I think we've gotten WAY too big for our britches...-Sandy G.

[Chad Hauris]

Seems like a rwd v-8 full size car with standard transmission has been about as rare as hens' teeth for about 35 yrs. or more now...wonder why? I think there were some Ford Fairmonts with 3 on the tree made up till early 80's but they were mid-sized.

I prefer the really long gear shift lever with wide gear positions too...have had no trouble driving a standard transmission International school bus or '67 Ford pickup but a driving a modern compact car with tiny gear shift and quick acceleration gave me fits.

[SPL db]

There is no Chevelle prototype.


There is a shop that's trying to (or has) put together a car very
much like this one... I just can't seem to find the link to it... :scratch2:

Scott

[jerrymrc]

I think you all know where I stand on this. As a owner of (and many) GTO's I feel it is a shame what Pontiac has done. There have been "what if's" for years in the Pontiac mags and then they give us a car that LOOKS less like a Pontiac than a Grand Am or Grand Prix!

They said years ago that they would not go "retro" and look what we got. A 2 door Kia with Horsepower. :cry: I think it is a little too late like alot of projects. I see 500 new Mustangs for every GTO. I hate to admit it but Ford got it right. If only they had listened to the people that already owned GTO's
they could not keep them in stock. Sorry, Rant off.

P.S. I like wagons too!

[dgwojo]

P.S. I like wagons too!
Jerry, That Ponch wagon is way cool!!
Mine's been on GM's web site since 2001;
2001 Woodward - Oldsmobile (http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/archived_events/woodward2001/divisions/oldsmobile/gallery2.html)

Pontiac gallery, Page 3 of 3;
2001 Woodward - Pontiac (http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/archived_events/woodward2001/divisions/pontiac/gallery3.html#)

[SPL db]

Love the Vista wagon, but my heart really goes out for the Toronado!

Looks to be a 66 model... I sure do miss my 68! :cry:

http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/archived_events/woodward2001/divisions/oldsmobile/images/big_pics/olds_big_016.jpg

http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/archived_events/woodward2001/divisions/oldsmobile/images/big_pics/olds_big_023.jpg

Scott

[daddydlb]

(Oh!...here's an idea. Imagine a pick-up truck carrying the "Peterbilt" logo!! It would have to be a big-ass MANS pick-up truck!!! I bet they'd sell. I also bet I could'nt afford one!)
Cant remember if it was an International or a Mack I recently seen while browsing a truck mag. Was billed as the worlds largest pickup, 4x4 also. Look pretty cool.

[dgwojo]

Love the Vista wagon, but my heart really goes out for the Toranado!

Looks to be a 66 model... I sure do miss my 68! :cry:

Scott
That ride sure is sweet!! If you want to see more about our upcoming Dream Cruise, here's the official web site, I don't plan on working it this year, I want to enjoy it for once!! Each time you refresh it, a different car shows up on the home page. It's the largest automotive event in the world, 1.7 million visitors and 40,000 cars, check out the gallery, Dave.

2005 Woodward Dream Cruise (http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/)

Woodward 2004 Photo's (http://www.dreamcruisephotos.com/galleries/)

[yungin's-dad]

I think you all know where I stand on this. As a owner of (and many) GTO's I feel it is a shame what Pontiac has done. There have been "what if's" for years in the Pontiac mags and then they give us a car that LOOKS less like a Pontiac than a Grand Am or Grand Prix!

They said years ago that they would not go "retro" and look what we got. A 2 door Kia with Horsepower. :cry: I think it is a little too late like alot of projects. I see 500 new Mustangs for every GTO. I hate to admit it but Ford got it right. If only they had listened to the people that already owned GTO's
they could not keep them in stock. Sorry, Rant off.

P.S. I like wagons too!

Jerry,

I know how you feel about the looks of the new GTO, I think it sucks also. But the '05, is a pretty badass car, though UGLY! It puts out 400 plus hp, and runs 13's and some change in the 1/4. I have a mag that compared it to a '66 with a 389. They stated that though the '05 out performed the '66, it was the '66 that gathered the crowd. I'm all for the retro idea.

Ron

[Donny]

A new 57 chevy old look new tech! turn key from a dealer now wouldn't that be a dream come true! A reliable classic with airbags!

[dr*audio]

I really miss my 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX. Now there was a car. Solidly built, with decent handling for what it was, and acceleration that could really push you back into your seat. Yeah, man, those were the days.
Unfortunately, the oil reserves will not last, and within our lifetimes we will run out. We should have been born 20 years earlier, 'cause the days of the muscle cars are gone.

[piece-it pete]

A 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX, nice!


Unfortunately, the oil reserves will not last, and within our lifetimes we will run out. We should have been born 20 years earlier, 'cause the days of the muscle cars are gone.

:cry: at the very least the price of gas will continue to go up. Then up some more.

Pete

[Jstas]

There is a shop that's trying to (or has) put together a car very
much like this one... I just can't seem to find the link to it... :scratch2:

Scott

I know there is. I have seen the car and it is ugly as sin and it shows that a small, independant shop did the work because it is no where near production quality. GM also has nothing to do with it except for the fact that they are merely re-skinning a GTO that they bought.

Yes it would be nice to hold on to the pipe dream that Hot Rod Magazine started with the Chevelle prototype that some kid drew and sent in to the magazine but it most likely will not bring anything to fruition for GM. They have already announced that there are no plans for a Chevelle based off of the same platform as the GTO and that there are no plans for a production Chevelle.

[Donny]

Unfortunately, the oil reserves will not last, and within our lifetimes we will run out. We should have been born 20 years earlier, 'cause the days of the muscle cars are gone.
You can mod electric cars too! Better batteries (need a faster charger lol) handwound motor using rare earth magnets.jk sorta then hot rod shows will be all about wire upgrades!

[jerrymrc]

I know how you feel about the looks of the new GTO, I think it sucks also. But the '05, is a pretty badass car, though UGLY! It puts out 400 plus hp, and runs 13's and some change in the 1/4. I have a mag that compared it to a '66 with a 389. They stated that though the '05 out performed the '66, it was the '66 that gathered the crowd. I'm all for the retro idea.

Just a small follow up. I picked up a 72 Formula today and think im going to do a road racer. I sold my last one 2 years ago and miss it. It has just had all the bushings replaced with polyurethane and came with 2 new quarters. I did OK for $1200. Yes that is the 72 GTO in the background going thru another paint job because I listened to the paint shop. Never again.

[OvenMaster]

My Mom got one of these land yachts in very pale blue and topnotch condition last year for a song:D: '91 Crown Vic wagon! Previous owner just happened to be a Ford dealer's wife. Big as a house and gets stares every time we're out in it!
Tom

[dgwojo]

Big as a house and gets stares every time we're out in it!
Tom
I see what you mean!!
Family Truckster (http://ultrawarp.com/chevy/vacation/ghetto.jpg)

The Dealership (http://ultrawarp.com/chevy/vacation/truckster.jpg)

Luggage (http://ultrawarp.com/chevy/vacation/luggage.jpg)

[ckelly]

Here in australia we have the Holden Ute, which is a current equivalent to the Chevy El Camino. I am surprised GM havent marketed the model in america i am sure it would be a success.

http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?modelid=15000

[yungin's-dad]

Just a small follow up. I picked up a 72 Formula today and think im going to do a road racer. I sold my last one 2 years ago and miss it. It has just had all the bushings replaced with polyurethane and came with 2 new quarters. I did OK for $1200. Yes that is the 72 GTO in the background going thru another paint job because I listened to the paint shop. Never again.


That's a decent score Jerry, she looks pretty solid. Can't go wrong for $1200, I've always liked the 2nd gen formulas.

Have fun with her,

Ron

[OvenMaster]

I see what you mean!!
Family Truckster (http://ultrawarp.com/chevy/vacation/ghetto.jpg)

The Dealership (http://ultrawarp.com/chevy/vacation/truckster.jpg)

Luggage (http://ultrawarp.com/chevy/vacation/luggage.jpg)
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Tom

[Sandy G]

My mom's best friend was the wife of the Ford dealer in town- they always drove a full-boat Country Squire-AKA "Family Truckster". My dad preferred Mercurys-so we had a '64 Comet Villager-AKA Vomit, a '67 Colony Park, & a '71 Colony Park. The last one was quite swanky for a family truckster. But Damn, what a gas hog-however, it would fly.The '64 had this air conditioner that was a chrome plated affair hung underneath the dash. It didn't work too well, it would freeze up & turn white after about an hour or so. Damn, those were the days !!-Sandy G.

[OvenMaster]

Sandy, you should see the snow-white '64 Merc Monterey four-door some guy has here: showroom condition, daily driver, chromed to the teeth, four speed on the floor... and he drives it with such care and obvious love!
Tom

[Sandy G]

The '64 was still roaming around town in the mid '70s- I remember seeing it a time or 2. Pretty ratty by then-think it was somebody's "go to work" car. I bought the '71 for like 400 bux in '87 or '88-but it was really bad shape. Somebody called me & offered $500 for it about 6 weeks later. It went away- I never even bothered to transfer the title from the dealership to me. It was a real mess-most of the windows wouldn't work anymore, the driver's seat was real loosy-goosy, the wood-grain sides were faded, vinyl top was cracked-and those were the obvious things. It ran & stopped pretty good-but for how long ? Only car I ever made any money on, though...<grin>-Sandy G.

[SPL db]

GM has already announced that there are no plans for a Chevelle based off of the same platform as the GTO and that there are no plans for a production Chevelle.


I knew that GM wasn't going to produce the Chevelle, I was just mentioning
that a small shop put together their version of a prototype. :thmbsp:

Scott

[SPL db]

Just a small follow up. I picked up a 72 Formula today and think im going to do a road racer. I sold my last one 2 years ago and miss it. It has just had all the bushings replaced with polyurethane and came with 2 new quarters. I did OK for $1200. Yes that is the 72 GTO in the background going thru another paint job because I listened to the paint shop. Never again.

A neighbor of mine is building a 72 Formula as well... he claims that it's
one of 900 or so that came equipped as it did - 400/four speed plus a
few other options.

He also has a very sweet 65 GTO with a 389 Tri-Power and factory
four speed... he claims that it has a rare color combo - dark blue with a
blue interior (says most came with either a white or black interior).

Scott

[jerrymrc]

A neighbor of mine is building a 72 Formula as well... he claims that it's
one of 900 or so that came equipped as it did - 400/four speed plus a
few other options.

He also has a very sweet 65 GTO with a 389 Tri-Power and factory
four speed... he claims that it has a rare color combo - dark blue with a
blue interior (says most came with either a white or black interior).

Scott

Scott,Because of the strike in 72 production #s were way down. There were a total of 5,249 Formulas built. There is no breakdown as to tranny for the 72's only that 1,082 were manual and 4,167 were auto. The big options that count on the 72 were Y99 that got you the Trans Am suspension. 851 built and the rear spoiler that made it on to 1,067 birds. Mine is a base 350 car but has the Y99 making it a very rare item. Most people if they were running down the option list did not even think about the Y99 with a 350/auto car.
Step up to the 400 and I have seen lot's of Y99 ones.

My last Formula was a 71. 400/4-speed with the Y99. We will not even get into the 65's. The wagon left 3 years ago and I lost my 65 convert in a divorce 20 years ago. there is no way I could pay the 50k for one now.