top 100 coolest cars, #90 500E :-) - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

super SEC · #31 10-07-2004, 06:28 PM

Quote:

In that era I'm surprised no one here has squawked about the 190 2.3-16 on the list! Or the SEC!

I can believe the SEC wasn't on the list but how can they include Citroen's? The Lotus Esprit S1 was a POS! Volkswagen GTI????? How could they not include the Porsche 917 or the 928?

Gilly · #32 10-07-2004, 06:57 PM

Here's a link to the best pictures of a Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow I can find, this thing is the King of Cool in my book. Only 5 made, 3 known to exist, so keep an eye open!! Worth a Mil and a half now!
http://www.vintageweb.net/ccpa/pbtpa.htm

Ya know what else I like, really cool but yet available? Don't call me nuts, but I really liked the last version Buick made of the Riviera, the one they stoped making in 98 or 99. I also like boat tail Rivs, just nice stock ones.
Gilly

Hatterasguy · #33 10-07-2004, 09:39 PM

Is it just me or is this a list of a lot of real cool cars with some French and American pos box's stuck in? Maybe the mag was trying to make their readers and advertiser's happy.

#34 10-08-2004, 11:12 PM

I don't think a lot of car guys are exactly happy with French industry.

It all comes down to what you consider "cool". I like some of French products, afterall the 6.3 airbag suspension isn't far from that of Citroen.

gerryvz · #35 10-08-2004, 11:29 PM

Actually the Citroen suspension is hydropneumatic, and thus an earlier less-refined version of that used in the 450SEL 6.9.

The 300SEL 6.3 used airbags and an air compressor and valves to maintain pressure.

The 6.9 & Citroen system (as well as Euro-spec 126 sedans as an option, and 560SECs in the rear plus various wagon models) is hydropneumatic, utilizing five hyraulic accumulators, four struts, two axle valve and a radial hydraulic piston pump on the block to generate pressure.

Very different systems, very different characteristics (the air suspension is superior in every way) and very very expensive. MB has gone back to "Airmatic" in recent years as an option. Same fundamental concept; far more modern execution of it.

Cheers,
Gerry

#36 10-08-2004, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerryvz

Actually the Citroen suspension is hydropneumatic, and thus an earlier less-refined version of that used in the 450SEL 6.9.

The 300SEL 6.3 used airbags and an air compressor and valves to maintain pressure.

The 6.9 & Citroen system (as well as Euro-spec 126 sedans as an option, and 560SECs in the rear plus various wagon models) is hydropneumatic, utilizing five hyraulic accumulators, four struts, two axle valve and a radial hydraulic piston pump on the block to generate pressure.

Very different systems, very different characteristics (the air suspension is superior in every way) and very very expensive. MB has gone back to "Airmatic" in recent years as an option. Same fundamental concept; far more modern execution of it.

Cheers,
Gerry

I stand corrected!

Hatterasguy · #37 10-08-2004, 11:51 PM

I was riding in an S430 with the airmatic option, that is a cool suspention. I just don't want to fix it when it breaks!

Alexis · #38 10-12-2004, 06:25 AM

Hi,
Franckly, I can't understand all those undoubtly highly qualified comments about citroens. But who has ever driven a 2cv or an SM ? Not to say a traction avant. Once again, it seems that the "I believe so it's the truth" attitude has some future. As if recent history had not been profitable...
The list is about the 100 coollest cars. When you buy a second hand car I suppose that, like me, you want to buy a part of history, of your dreams or past life (childhood for instance). And I think that is what "cool" is all about.
I can't judge most of the cars in the list because I haven't driven them or haven't enough information about them. But I would be quite encline to believe that the guys who have come to those choices know a bit more than most of us what they, and their archive, talk about.
The traction avant was the first production car with traction and was used by the gangsters in Chicago and some policemen around the US ; and that is a reference for me w The 2cv is a car that was made to be above all practical and easy to look after, a sort of french jeep. It's still very popular and very fun to drive.
The DS was the first production car with hydraulic suspension and with such a good roadholding. I have had CX (hydraulic suspension) for about 12 years and the suspension has rarely been a problem but always a pleasure and often a blessing. Should I remind you that car magazine elected the BX (hydraulic suspension) the most comfortable car in UK back in the 80's ?
The SM was the result of an alliance between the citroen hydraulic suspension, the maserati V6 engine and an aerodynamic coefficient of 0,30 unbeatable for a production car in the beginning of the 70's : result 230 km/h, enough to beat the big mercedes on the european motorways. Not that bad for a citroen !
I don't say those cars were a paragon of reliability or of beauty, but they were well ahead the rest of the car production at their time.
Unfortunately, citroen has abandonned this way to built cars, and that is a shame. Some would say fine, I don't feel that way.
So please drive them and then comment.
Alexis

Gilly · #39 10-12-2004, 08:49 PM

It may be fun to drive, fast and comfortable, but are any of these "cool"? They're, they're, they're FRENCH, y'know, not "cool" they're like SAAB or Trabant or something. Show me one lousy picture of a cool Frenchie car........
Show me a picture of a French car that ISN'T a "chick" car, something masculine and powerful looking (I don't care if it's actually powerful). French cars are all "dorky" looking. Even French planes are dorky-looking. We didn't liberate France (HA! Ya knew that was coming!) with dorky looking equipment now, did we. We used P47's P51's and B17's, all COOL aircraft. OK, I think we used some tanks and gliders too, but mostly it was P47's, P51's and B17's. To liberate such a dorky country takes some seriously COOL firepower. I had 2 uncles killed over there, so don't give me no crap. Oh wait, one was killed in China, trying to liberate another country with dorky looking cars.
Anyways, the guy who put the Citroens on that list is taking some sort of drug that ain't neccesarily legal nor good for him........

Gilly

Holson Adi · #40 10-12-2004, 09:05 PM

I also agree that the Buick Riviera is a very cool car!

Gilly · #41 10-12-2004, 09:29 PM

That's right, and it's called the French Riviera, so that's France's contribution to cool cars.

Gilly

Alexis · #42 10-13-2004, 04:47 AM

Hi,
Always easy to comment about cars you haven't driven.
Always easy to comment about wars you haven't make.
More difficult to consider others opinions and accept they can be right.
But that is what you call been an adult....and what avoid wars in which the others die or come back home to be rejected by the people because they are obviously too representative of the mistakes made by those who stayed home.
Want a subject to think about seriously ? the vote machines in Florida !
Certainly more interesting than French cars I admit.
Alexis

gerryvz · #43 10-13-2004, 04:55 AM

Let's all hope that the voting machines in Florida weren't made by Citroen...

Cheers,
Gerry

Gilly · #44 10-13-2004, 05:06 AM

Still waitin' for the picture. ONE cool French car and I retract my statement.

Gilly

Gilly · #45 10-13-2004, 05:08 AM

Oh, one condition, myself and 4 other US members have to agree it's cool. NO, myself and 4 other NON French members have to agree it's cool, there even a larger audience.

Gilly