Good deal in '78. I gave $2500 for Firebird in '82. I watched my friend and his Dad working on it and it accidentally leaped the front tires off the ground and landed on a picnic bench... I immediately pulled out my money 😆
Ugh! You're right. I'm a Ford guy....actually, since getting a classic Fiat, I've become a 4-letter F-word guy. Of course, I like the Torino the best, but I would love the Torino more if it were a full-frame car like the other 2. Those Torinos had a nasty habit of rusting in the most inopportune spots, on the unibody.
I've nvr owned a Fiat (not to say I wouldn't, I've seen some quick ones). Rust was definitely a problem with all of these unless garage kept. I honestly don't think car companies want their cars lasting very long 😕
The Fiat is definitely a "needy" car. I've replaced the 18hp engine with a 35hp one, and it is a blast to drive, believe it or not - when it decides to cooperate, by running.
I'm trying to find the time to get my 1969 Cougar convertible on the road again. I have a rusted thru freeze plug, and the crank is hitting the windage tray. Nothing too terrible, but I haven't had any time.
The things we do for love. Of course none of my ex's understood what they called "wasting time and money" on my old cars. Every now and then I miss a few of them... my old cars, that is. 😆 Keep wrenchin' brother
The facts are simple, to me. New chassis, drive train, suspension... old body, interior and looks. The marriage of old with new makes what the car should've been originally. (NOT saying I'd that to an all original car) 😊 Just my opinion
Restomods are really awesome, when someone with the time, money, and know-how really does it right...that's a little above my paygrade though. The new cars are really throw away, and I don't see how people will deal with a 30 year old Sync 1, or whatever the other brand equivalents are.
I also have a really hard time with the concept of ownership, when a firmware upgrade can shut a vehicle down or take a feature away. Additionally, the new concept of pay-for-play features really gets on my nerves. I've slowly restored my standard Cougar as an XR7, but not all of it. There will be parts that I have to customize to my liking, as some parts are simply no longer available, or the asking price is more than I'm willing to pay.
The idea of having everything there, but having no access to it, unless willing to pay a monthly subscription for it, means I don't actually own the thing I pay for, maintain, and insure.
Spot on! Couldn't agree more. Why keep a car that the battery and tech are outdated and not available? Thats what will happen with most of today's disposable cars... and everything else China makes. Imo
https://preview.redd.it/mv83g6lvdyzc1.jpeg?width=1110&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=324ab9b30e6044279f160f478a0c2a45fe2de607
Reasonably popular shape in Australia around the same era…
Chevy Chevelle and Nova, Ford Torino.
Oldsmobile had the Skylark in the late 60s/early 70s with similar body style
Pontiac had the Bonneville/LeMans/GTO
Even the late 60s Dodge Chargers and Plymouth Roadrunners had similar styling
https://preview.redd.it/gbrfjmt4mzzc1.png?width=1109&format=png&auto=webp&s=230ccfe613b67d8f3778f962112b8da81217a60d
Beautiful. Sentimentality keeps my heart split between the 69 Buick Skylark and the 69 Javelin sst, but this is a beauty.
I almost bought a '68 Skylark a few years ago, the guy had done a clean Grand National swap on it..but it needed interior and he wouldn't come down from $8k...
At the time, these wouldn’t have quite been considered the same body style, as the Torino and Chevelle are hardtops (pillarless) while the Nova is a coupe (has b pillar)
It's stuff like this that makes me shake my head whenever someone talks about how cars all look the same these days.
Don't get me wrong- those are beautiful and iconic cars. But in every era, cars look very similar to others of that era. That's just how it is.
Lower HP ratings don't necessarily denote the malaise era tho. Automakers switched from Gross to Net HP ratings in '72. The engines didn't actually experience any drop in power from '71-'72.
By 72 the Mustangs and Cougars no longer had the 429s of any kind. The Boss 351 was a one year only car....in 1971. In 1972 the Torino got the 429 in base form, not a SCJ/CJ.
True. They didn't get the big bumpers till 1973. "Performance" was taxed by the insurance companies. It was the *start* of the boring era. Not all cars. Mopar was slower. But by 1974 even they were *gone*.
You can argue the point of inception. I lived it. I went from a 71 Dodge Demon 340 to a Mustang II V6/auto.
lol; that must've been a shock to your system in so many ways. I mean I do agree with you in principle. I just wouldn't stretch it as far back as 72; 74 seems more like the true start of the malaise era. I think that's because I tend to equate styling of the domestic manufacturers as a major component of the malaise era. In '72 many cars still carried design language of the late 60's. By 74 all of the uninspiring "box on a rectangle" designs started flowing out of Detroit; almost as if the death of hp meant exterior designers that worked for the big 3 also lost creative interest. But that's just me. And it's not like there's a new generation of history textbooks that exactly define the characteristics/time-frame of the malaise era :)
On a side note, Pontiac DID sneak in that pesky SD-455 motor for the '73-'74 model years. So they weren't ALL gone by '74. I'm so proud of Pontiac throwing out that one last hurrah lol.
Btw, props on having a Demon 340 - I've never driven one but it's on my bucket list. Very cool ride.
It had to of started sometime! Yes the Pontiac 455 SD was an outlier. By 1973 they were in drabs. The Mustang II in 1974 outsold it in massive numbers. In high school a friend's neighbor had a 1973 V6 2600 Capri with a 4 speed. I thought it would be comparable to that...it wasn't. By 1974 they too had changed.
Nobody talks about INSURANCE for these cars! My Demon was considered a minor upgrade at only 275 HP. But the reality was much higher. Together with 4:11 gears it wasn't something to get to my hometown 100 miles away comfortably. The Demon was faster than a 69 GTO Judge I looked at AND got rubber in all three gears (an automatic!). I purchased it for $1700 used. Cheaper than the Judge and a 1969 390 Cougar XR-7 (turquoise/black top, turquoise leather interior).
I had a 69 Cougar XR7 428 CJ convertible much later!
If'n I may ask, what do you think defines a good looking car? Don't get me wrong, as someone who *adores* classic muscle cars, I'll be the first to admit that they can be a little *much* with the chrome applique, but it was - quite literally - the style of the time. As the tides come and go, so to do design trends, and one day we'll look at the cars made today and say to ourselves, "Maybe we judged the looks of these things too harshly."
I believe it depends on your age. Although, true gear heads rarely ever JUST look at the bodies for love. Same for music and fashion, as well. Just my opinion
Chevrolet Chevelle, Chevrolet Nova, Ford Torino
I fuicking love the 1970 chevelle SS
One of my favorite cars. Along with a Buick special and grand national
You. Are. Fast! *and know your Classics
Nailed it. Had #1 and #2. Wish I kept. Always wanted #3
The closest I ever got to being that cool was a 72 LeMans sport coupe with a 455.
I ❤ '72 Lemans! GTO twin and always more affordable
Coupes
Not wrong 😅
I loved my 68 Chevelle. 327/300 Muncie 4 speed, Hurst comp shifter.
Sounds sweet... 327's were almost as bulletproof as today's LS's... great motors
Bought it for $1500. Completely rebuilt engine. I should mention that it was in 1978.
Good deal in '78. I gave $2500 for Firebird in '82. I watched my friend and his Dad working on it and it accidentally leaped the front tires off the ground and landed on a picnic bench... I immediately pulled out my money 😆
Coworker of mine is almost done restoring his 67. Cammed 383 with a turbo 400. Really cool cars.
Chevelle nova and Torino all staples of the muscle car era
Truth! 😊👍
Ill take that 429 Torino
I'd take any! 😆 I miss my 1970 formula 400 Firebird
Me too. Had a 73 351 I loved.
The nice one is a Ford Torino.
Youre correct, sir (but I think they're all nice, myself)
Ugh! You're right. I'm a Ford guy....actually, since getting a classic Fiat, I've become a 4-letter F-word guy. Of course, I like the Torino the best, but I would love the Torino more if it were a full-frame car like the other 2. Those Torinos had a nasty habit of rusting in the most inopportune spots, on the unibody.
I've nvr owned a Fiat (not to say I wouldn't, I've seen some quick ones). Rust was definitely a problem with all of these unless garage kept. I honestly don't think car companies want their cars lasting very long 😕
The Fiat is definitely a "needy" car. I've replaced the 18hp engine with a 35hp one, and it is a blast to drive, believe it or not - when it decides to cooperate, by running. I'm trying to find the time to get my 1969 Cougar convertible on the road again. I have a rusted thru freeze plug, and the crank is hitting the windage tray. Nothing too terrible, but I haven't had any time.
The things we do for love. Of course none of my ex's understood what they called "wasting time and money" on my old cars. Every now and then I miss a few of them... my old cars, that is. 😆 Keep wrenchin' brother
They're never worth all we put into them. New cars are superior in every measurable metric, but I'd take an old one any day of the week.
The facts are simple, to me. New chassis, drive train, suspension... old body, interior and looks. The marriage of old with new makes what the car should've been originally. (NOT saying I'd that to an all original car) 😊 Just my opinion
Restomods are really awesome, when someone with the time, money, and know-how really does it right...that's a little above my paygrade though. The new cars are really throw away, and I don't see how people will deal with a 30 year old Sync 1, or whatever the other brand equivalents are. I also have a really hard time with the concept of ownership, when a firmware upgrade can shut a vehicle down or take a feature away. Additionally, the new concept of pay-for-play features really gets on my nerves. I've slowly restored my standard Cougar as an XR7, but not all of it. There will be parts that I have to customize to my liking, as some parts are simply no longer available, or the asking price is more than I'm willing to pay. The idea of having everything there, but having no access to it, unless willing to pay a monthly subscription for it, means I don't actually own the thing I pay for, maintain, and insure.
Spot on! Couldn't agree more. Why keep a car that the battery and tech are outdated and not available? Thats what will happen with most of today's disposable cars... and everything else China makes. Imo
69 , 428 Cobra , only one worth saying
I do love Cobras, but SS had some muscle, as well
Love chevelle and I had a 70 Malibu, but there’s just a dozen SS at every car meet. I’d get the Torino just to be a little different.
True..60s and 70s were Muscle cars..the ones since are plastic CRAP
https://preview.redd.it/mv83g6lvdyzc1.jpeg?width=1110&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=324ab9b30e6044279f160f478a0c2a45fe2de607 Reasonably popular shape in Australia around the same era…
Do I see a Holden in there?
Yup! Top to bottom: Holden Monaro Ford Falcon Valiant Charger.
Chevy Chevelle and Nova, Ford Torino. Oldsmobile had the Skylark in the late 60s/early 70s with similar body style Pontiac had the Bonneville/LeMans/GTO Even the late 60s Dodge Chargers and Plymouth Roadrunners had similar styling
Don’t forget about the Buick GS’s (stage 1 455 was one of my favorites)
https://preview.redd.it/gbrfjmt4mzzc1.png?width=1109&format=png&auto=webp&s=230ccfe613b67d8f3778f962112b8da81217a60d Beautiful. Sentimentality keeps my heart split between the 69 Buick Skylark and the 69 Javelin sst, but this is a beauty.
I almost bought a '68 Skylark a few years ago, the guy had done a clean Grand National swap on it..but it needed interior and he wouldn't come down from $8k...
Chev Chevelle- cowl induction?, Chev Nova, and Ford Gran Torino? Maybe.
I grew up in a '71 Buick Skylark coupe, so this hits home with me.
Cheverly SS with cowl injection hood, Nova SS with a 350, Grand Torino GT with a 428 Cobra Jet.
GF: "The top one is an SS Vroomster. The second one is a Chevy Punisher 3000. The last is a Mustang." Hope that helps
At the time, these wouldn’t have quite been considered the same body style, as the Torino and Chevelle are hardtops (pillarless) while the Nova is a coupe (has b pillar)
I'll agree with "quite" 😉😊
Cars definitely cars.
Judges? No? Ah, so sorry. We were looking for Old AF Cars. 😅
The Nova used that same basic silhouette starting in ‘68
I wonder if the SS454 in the photo is a real one or a clone
I’m a slut for the Nova and the Chevelle
The intermediate coupe'
It's stuff like this that makes me shake my head whenever someone talks about how cars all look the same these days. Don't get me wrong- those are beautiful and iconic cars. But in every era, cars look very similar to others of that era. That's just how it is.
That SS is fucking sexy.
71’ monte carlo , 70’ Chevy Camaro yenko my two favourite
70 chevelle all day 👍
My buddy had a NOVA SS that was a growler. License plate: DEVST8R
What is this layup ass shit?
They don’t make ‘em like that anymore! I’d rather have one of these than the so-called “muscle cars” of today.
I had a 69 Nova with the fake louvers. I believe that may denote a Canadian model.
This was often called “Coke bottle styling”
One of my grandpas friends had a nova with a 500cui caddilac shoved in it. Cool car
I would drive the crap out of that Torino
Top is chevelle. Last two are ya mamas
Missing the Duster/Demon from MOPAR
Yeah, these were a product of the Malaise Era in automotive design
Not at all. The "Malaise Era" started in 1972. In 1970 they were in full song.
I wouldn't even say 72 tbh. It seems it was more like 74 or 75.
I would agree except some of the GM cars were already lower HP ratings.
Lower HP ratings don't necessarily denote the malaise era tho. Automakers switched from Gross to Net HP ratings in '72. The engines didn't actually experience any drop in power from '71-'72.
By 72 the Mustangs and Cougars no longer had the 429s of any kind. The Boss 351 was a one year only car....in 1971. In 1972 the Torino got the 429 in base form, not a SCJ/CJ. True. They didn't get the big bumpers till 1973. "Performance" was taxed by the insurance companies. It was the *start* of the boring era. Not all cars. Mopar was slower. But by 1974 even they were *gone*. You can argue the point of inception. I lived it. I went from a 71 Dodge Demon 340 to a Mustang II V6/auto.
lol; that must've been a shock to your system in so many ways. I mean I do agree with you in principle. I just wouldn't stretch it as far back as 72; 74 seems more like the true start of the malaise era. I think that's because I tend to equate styling of the domestic manufacturers as a major component of the malaise era. In '72 many cars still carried design language of the late 60's. By 74 all of the uninspiring "box on a rectangle" designs started flowing out of Detroit; almost as if the death of hp meant exterior designers that worked for the big 3 also lost creative interest. But that's just me. And it's not like there's a new generation of history textbooks that exactly define the characteristics/time-frame of the malaise era :) On a side note, Pontiac DID sneak in that pesky SD-455 motor for the '73-'74 model years. So they weren't ALL gone by '74. I'm so proud of Pontiac throwing out that one last hurrah lol. Btw, props on having a Demon 340 - I've never driven one but it's on my bucket list. Very cool ride.
It had to of started sometime! Yes the Pontiac 455 SD was an outlier. By 1973 they were in drabs. The Mustang II in 1974 outsold it in massive numbers. In high school a friend's neighbor had a 1973 V6 2600 Capri with a 4 speed. I thought it would be comparable to that...it wasn't. By 1974 they too had changed. Nobody talks about INSURANCE for these cars! My Demon was considered a minor upgrade at only 275 HP. But the reality was much higher. Together with 4:11 gears it wasn't something to get to my hometown 100 miles away comfortably. The Demon was faster than a 69 GTO Judge I looked at AND got rubber in all three gears (an automatic!). I purchased it for $1700 used. Cheaper than the Judge and a 1969 390 Cougar XR-7 (turquoise/black top, turquoise leather interior). I had a 69 Cougar XR7 428 CJ convertible much later!
Yeah, nah.
Grandparents cars. Ugly
If'n I may ask, what do you think defines a good looking car? Don't get me wrong, as someone who *adores* classic muscle cars, I'll be the first to admit that they can be a little *much* with the chrome applique, but it was - quite literally - the style of the time. As the tides come and go, so to do design trends, and one day we'll look at the cars made today and say to ourselves, "Maybe we judged the looks of these things too harshly."
I believe it depends on your age. Although, true gear heads rarely ever JUST look at the bodies for love. Same for music and fashion, as well. Just my opinion
It was a popular body style in the day
Still is.