Quote:
Originally Posted by pentoman
I have become fascinated with old American cars recently. I am from England and am only 24 so it's all new and novel to me. I've always liked modern and old "everyday" American cars.. those big torquey engines, bench seats, mmmm......
I probably have "rose tinted spectacles" because we don't actually have them in England.
Browsing around the net, I think my favourite era is from 1955-1965 (after that they get into the not-so-good '70s look). I saw a Buick Riviera on the internet and it looks great!
I don't know much about the reality of these cars but hope you US guys can tell me (without shattering my dreams too much!) about them. I am sure they were pretty simple, uneconomical, and rust-prone even back then, and they didn't go round corners too well. So does that mean that these days they would be downright awful and as sensible as regularly driving a 300SL Gullwing? Is there even a slight chance of buying one that's in "OK" condition, driving it on a weekly/monthly basis, parking it sometimes in the road etc, keeping it going and not bringing a whole world of pain and expense? I mean like you could with an R107 Mercedes SL? I don't really care for the fully restored shiny cars you get at shows - they're totally unrealistic and never get used.
I know the Dodge Challenger and Charger are the famous models.. but I'm not so interested in them, maybe because they are the obvious ones. Also of course the Mustang but I see plenty of them at historic racing and they're pretty boring compared to a Riviera or something! I'm not so interested in big power engines because you could never afford the petrol for that in the UK. In fact in an ideal world I would convert to EFi and improve power and economy!
Also which manufacturers come under which brand - Dodge=Chrysler=Buick... GM? Ford?
I have been learning a lot from
http://mapleleafmopars.homestead.com/
but still haven't figured out what's a MOPAR?
Thanks |
In terms of the availability of suspension, braking and engine upgrades, as well as repair parts, it is difficult to beat 1960's Chevrolet automobiles and the pre-1971 Ford Mustang. If a very large car interests you, the 1961-1964 Chevrolet Impala is a good selection for the reasons described above. Braking upgrades are a particularly wise investment, as most of these cars were equipped with drum brakes on all four corners, which by the nature of their design, have efficiency issues when hot or when watersoaked after driving through a moderately deep puddle. Front disc brake conversions are readily available, and do much to improve performance. Most full-size Chevrolets of that era were available with some iteration of the Chevrolet small block V8, with displacements ranging from 283 cu. in. to 350 cu. in. (4.6L to 5.7L) These engines were relatively light in weight and fairly efficient, much more so than the nailhead 401 - 425 cu. in. V8 found in the early '60's Buick Riviera. Body style will dictate price to a great degree, with convertibles commanding the highest price, 2 door pillarless hardtops next, and sedans and station wagons the least expensive. The sedan and station wagon offerings often offer the best value, not only in regard to price, but condition as well, as these more conservative body styles were less likely to be raced or badly modified, and were more likely to be purchased by older individuals who drove them more conservatively and less often, enhancing their preservation.
The killer of these automobiles is rust, as US manufacturers paid little attention to rust resistance prior to the mid-1980's. Paying a premium for a car that operated in a dry climate is usually paid back tenfold through the avoidance of labor-intensive rust repair.