Cars...
I'm not exactly a car nut and I am sure not a mechanic although with old models ('75 and older) I can do my fair share of work. Things were much simpler back then.
While not a huge fan, I do love older cars. My parents had a couple growing up such as a '67 Mustang Fastback and a 1966 For Galaxy. The Galaxy was a baby blue convertible. It was a beautiful car. At one point in the early seventies my mom also had a Mustang II. Surprisingly enough, one of my other favorites was a 1977 Ford Thunderbird that we had gotten from my grandmother. If I recall correctly, 1977 was the last year that they used steel construction in the body. It was certainly a beast.
Cars are more than just a mode of transportation to people, at least in America. They are a fashion statement, they are a class statement, and they can take on our personality, or be an extension of it anyway.
Personally my cars have included a 1967 Chevy Stepside pickup, 1976 Chevy Camaro, and a 1972 Plymouth Duster. I'm not including any of the newer cars, for obvious reasons. Due to wear and tear and economics I am currently driving a 2006 PT Cruiser Limited Edition. It has some of the styling that I love so much with older cars.
I guess although I claim not to be a car nut, I love car magazines and web sites as much as the next guy. One of the more popular Mustang accessories sites is American Muscle. Even though I'm not driving a 'stang anymore I still like to go look through the catalog and see what they have to offer. They do have some pretty cool stuff. It's gotten me started thinking about tricking out the PT Cruiser...
Hello Richard,
Your site has a fantastic color and design look, it reaches out and talks to you.
If yo can't tell by my site I am a car nut from way back. I grew up around race cars and my father and his friends rebuilt classic cars from the early 1900's to present. I couldn't even begin to name all of the classics they have had their hands on. Model T's from Ford, classics from Dodge, Chrysler, Cadillac's from the 1930's, even such rare cars as a Star Hutmobile (i hope i remember the name right). I was always involved in the action with them.
I agree with you on cars being more than transportation. People tend to buy cars to fit their class, as a fashion statement and to fit their personality. I myself can resemble this category, I don't know too many that can deny it.
Mustangs have always always been a favorite of mine, although I can't deny attraction to all of the cars from the 1960 & 1970's Muscle Car era. Even though cars are not made with the steel as the the older cars, I am impressed with the technology that has been incorporated in the engines, drivetrains, and the overall handling and safety of the newer cars. I hope more automakers do more to bring back the Muscle Cars.
One of my favorite newer cars is the Dodge Charger (Hemi of course). Definitely brings to mind some of the muscle cars of the late sixties and early seventies.
Dodge Charger is a car to be favored as it made its debute in NASCAR powered by the 426 Hemi. The Charger won the Grand National Championship in 1966, driven by David Pearson. throughout the Muscle car era Plymouth and Dodge utilized the 426 Hemi with factory 425 horsepower in various models of their cars, the Cuda, the Challenger, the Sup[er Bee and RoadRunner. In the April issue of Car and Driver magazine the article tells about the 425 horsepower, 426 Hemi making a come back in the new styled Challenger SRT8. The headline for the article starts out: ROBUSTLY RETRO Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 425-HP HEMI on board, it's definitely the return of a REAL CHALLENGER
There is an angle shot picture of the new challenger in the article that looks so close to the older 70's style Challenger and Cuda that it brings back memories.
The Camaro is my favorite, especially the soon-to-be-released 2009 model (or will it be called a 2010 by then?) Anyway, I do enjoy 60s muscle cars and sedans, being a fan of the '66 Impala myself.
Camaro is one of the stronger muscle cars (or pony cars as they are labeled)in the street rod category. The Impala is what I like to call, a "sleeper" they looked like they couldn't be as quick as their competition, but properly configured with the right engine and drivetrain they could compete with best of them and still look stylish and classy. My father had a 1966 Impala SS convertible he restored to original condition with the original 327 and the 202 heads. He was a classic buff himself. He was into NASCAR, Indy, Kart, Sprint, basically anything to do with racing... to the point that we used to drive his restored Impala back to Indianapolis for the 500 every chance we could. Myself I am a fan of all makes and styles of classic and american muscle cars and building everything to go fast!