CALLING ALL GEARHEADS

[papa61]

thought I'd kick this out. 

I read the funny stuff every day. A few members had commented on a Muscle car pic posted. 
I was 7 years old when Hot Wheels came out, I had some of the originals until my second divorce. I grew up with muscle cars, hot rods and choppers. (and long hair, bell bottoms, and all the other stuff) I am a machine nut. I love mechanical stuff for whatever reason. I have seen all of these cars new, ridden in a lot, and even drove a few. I remember all of the styles we have gone through. Read Hot Rod and Car Craft religously in my younger days. Looking back at some of the stuff makes me cringe but it was whatever was in style at the time. One post I read today was about keeping these old rides original specifically tire/wheel combos. And if that is what you like great! I was a hot rodder, nothing stayed factory original if I owned it and 99% of the old cars were modified. On the specific of tire/wheel combos, remember, a LOT of the muscle cars were ordered with the cheapest OE stuff because they were getting aftermarket "mags" on the day after delivery. There's a segment now that is rebuilding these as "day two" street cars with air shocks and tires sticking out 4 inces from the quarter panels. I remember this and don't like it. We have the skills and tech to keep the ride height down and narrow the rear so that it all fits. And this actually WORKS better so if you are going to modify, why not do it the way it SHOULD have been originally? That's just my opinion of course. Anyway, I could never buy an original survivor or restored muscle car because I'd modify it and drive the hell out of it. That's what they were built for. Same reasoning for my not buying unfired collectable firearms that I would love to own, I'd shoot it. So after all the rambling, what is your favorite muscle car and why? Would you restore original or modify it? 

 

Yes, the 1970 Coronet R/T is the top of my list without question or Challenger. 70 Challenger is in the top 5 as is 70 Cyclone. And all MUST have a big block.

[Spots]

1970 Alpine White Challenger 440 6 pack with a 4 speed pistol grip will be my dream car until I die. This is my daily right now, around 450 at the wheels and she will hook up and go. 

[deerslayer]

41 minutes ago, papa61 said:

thought I'd kick this out. 

I read the funny stuff every day. A few members had commented on a Muscle car pic posted. 
I was 7 years old when Hot Wheels came out, I had some of the originals until my second divorce. I grew up with muscle cars, hot rods and choppers. (and long hair, bell bottoms, and all the other stuff) I am a machine nut. I love mechanical stuff for whatever reason. I have seen all of these cars new, ridden in a lot, and even drove a few. I remember all of the styles we have gone through. Read Hot Rod and Car Craft religously in my younger days. Looking back at some of the stuff makes me cringe but it was whatever was in style at the time. One post I read today was about keeping these old rides original specifically tire/wheel combos. And if that is what you like great! I was a hot rodder, nothing stayed factory original if I owned it and 99% of the old cars were modified. On the specific of tire/wheel combos, remember, a LOT of the muscle cars were ordered with the cheapest OE stuff because they were getting aftermarket "mags" on the day after delivery. There's a segment now that is rebuilding these as "day two" street cars with air shocks and tires sticking out 4 inces from the quarter panels. I remember this and don't like it. We have the skills and tech to keep the ride height down and narrow the rear so that it all fits. And this actually WORKS better so if you are going to modify, why not do it the way it SHOULD have been originally? That's just my opinion of course. Anyway, I could never buy an original survivor or restored muscle car because I'd modify it and drive the hell out of it. That's what they were built for. Same reasoning for my not buying unfired collectable firearms that I would love to own, I'd shoot it. So after all the rambling, what is your favorite muscle car and why? Would you restore original or modify it? 

 

Yes, the 1970 Coronet R/T is the top of my list without question or Challenger. 70 Challenger is in the top 5 as is 70 Cyclone. And all MUST have a big block.

Mine would be something like this.  I like Toyotas, but I’ve always been a Ford guy, too.  I also like this guy’s attitude and would probably do pretty much the same thing if I had the cheddar. 
 

 

[papa61]

3 hours ago, Spots said:

1970 Alpine White Challenger 440 6 pack with a 4 speed pistol grip will be my dream car until I die. This is my daily right now, around 450 at the wheels and she will hook up and go. 

Vanishing Point. Too bad they didn't keep track of those like they did the Bullit Mustangs.

[papa61]

3 hours ago, deerslayer said:

Mine would be something like this.  I like Toyotas, but I’ve always been a Ford guy, too.  I also like this guy’s attitude and would probably do pretty much the same thing if I had the cheddar. 
 

 

I had a 66 notch (not a coupe don't get me started LOL) in dark green almost the same as highland green. One of the cars I wish I'd kept. Just a plain 289 auto but it was fun. The first gen Ponies were fairly bulletproof and very light.

[Spots]

36 minutes ago, papa61 said:

Vanishing Point. Too bad they didn't keep track of those like they did the Bullit Mustangs.

Yup. My absolute favorite car movie ever. The orginal, not that 1997 abomination remake. My dad had 1970 Chevelle, red with black stripes, 396 big block with a big cam and heads, backed up by a 4 speed. That would also be a bucket list car. 

[papa61]

53 minutes ago, Spots said:

Yup. My absolute favorite car movie ever. The orginal, not that 1997 abomination remake. My dad had 1970 Chevelle, red with black stripes, 396 big block with a big cam and heads, backed up by a 4 speed. That would also be a bucket list car. 

I agree the remake sucked. Loved the original but The California Kid may be my favorite. Not that I root for the bad guy but the Sheriff's car was bad cool and the coupe is an icon.

My cousin had a 68 Marina blue 396 auto Chevelle SS. One of the prettiest Chevys ever. 

[Sleep profit]

My best friend in High School had a Red with Black stripes. 68 Chevelle 398 auto with rolled and pleated Leather seats. We drove it to Parris  Island to pick him up after Boot Camp graduation  brings back memories 

[BigK]

I had the 2nd ugliest car in my whole HS. It was a light green 1971 Dodge Coronet that had been wrecked by the PO. It had a white passenger front door, a dark green right fender, and some genius had tried to peel off the white vinyl top, but got lazy and never finished. It only had 1st and 2nd gear (3rd and reverse were both out). I paid $175 for that car and drove the wheels off of it. My friends called it the booger-mobile and I loved that car. It was surprisingly fast with that 318 V8 in it.

Edited April 12 by BigK

[papa61]

11 hours ago, BigK said:

I had the 2nd ugliest car in my whole HS. It was a light green 1971 Dodge Coronet that had been wrecked by the PO. It had a white passenger front door, a dark green right fender, and some genius had tried to peel off the white vinyl top, but got lazy and never finished. It only had 1st and 2nd gear (3rd and reverse were both out). I paid $175 for that car and drove the wheels off of it. My friends called it the booger-mobile and I loved that car. It was surprisingly fast with that 318 V8 in it.

Similar here, but mine was a 73 Polara retired interceptor. What it lacked in looks it made up for on the road. But MAN it rode rough. Traded it off for something with A/C. 
Guys I ran with all made fun until they saw it run.  May have been a match for my 98 Trans Am. The T/A rides better though.

[NoBanStan]

When i was 16, a guy offered to sell my father a 1969 roadrunner for $3,000 for me to drive. My dad said "that's too much car for him" (He drove a GTX as a youngster). So instead, he forced me into a "safe car" a 1990 buick regal 2 door.

I loved my father dearly, but I never forgave him for that. It's a wonder I ever met a woman.

It looked like this

 

I wound up with this

[papa61]

22 minutes ago, NoBanStan said:

When i was 16, a guy offered to sell my father a 1969 roadrunner for $3,000 for me to drive. My dad said "that's too much car for him" (He drove a GTX as a youngster). So instead, he forced me into a "safe car" a 1990 buick regal 2 door.

I loved my father dearly, but I never forgave him for that. It's a wonder I ever met a woman.

It looked like this

 

I wound up with this

That's funny! yeah, Dad traded me the 73 Polara, it had a 400 CID. I tried to trade fro a 68 Super Bee with a 440 4 speed and he nixed it. Said the 440 was too much. Hell the Polara would probably outrun the Bee!

I had a 96 Regal 4 door. That pea green that it seemed most of them were. It was a very sweet car as long as I didn't look at the outside. Mama and I bought an 18 Regal TourX new, probably keep it till we die.

But DMAN! a 69 RR for 3 grand was a bargain even in the 90s

Edited April 12 by papa61

[deerslayer]

12 hours ago, BigK said:

I had the 2nd ugliest car in my whole HS. It was a light green 1971 Dodge Coronet that had been wrecked by the PO. It had a white passenger front door, a dark green right fender, and some genius had tried to peel off the white vinyl top, but got lazy and never finished. It only had 1st and 2nd gear (3rd and reverse were both out). I paid $175 for that car and drove the wheels off of it. My friends called it the booger-mobile and I loved that car. It was surprisingly fast with that 318 V8 in it.

Damn, what did the #1 ugliest in HS look like?

[Ronald_55]

I missed out on a late 60s blue Malibu that was mint when I was 18 and ended up stuck in a crap brown Pontiac 6000 for 6 years. I think the guy wanted $3500 for the Malibu. 

[swiley383]

1970 mustang fast back 302 2barrel restored it with my grandfather and painted it grabber green with boss 302 stripes. I still have it. Also still have my 74 nova ss. 30 over 454 has been 7.30 at union hill.

[BigK]

2 hours ago, deerslayer said:

Damn, what did the #1 ugliest in HS look like?

It was a Pacer...nothing is uglier than that

[papa61]

3 hours ago, BigK said:

It was a Pacer...nothing is uglier than that

well...

[peejman]

6 hours ago, deerslayer said:

Damn, what did the #1 ugliest in HS look like?

This.

 

Yes, this is what I drove all through high school. 

[peejman]

My boys and I are working on fixing this up. It's taken a lot longer than I'd hoped but we're getting there. 

 

My wife's granddad bought it new. While I was able to drive it across town to our house, we've had to do a lot of stuff to get it running reliably. Almost there. Trying to use it to teach them about wrenching. I'd love to put an LS in it, but just trying to get the 4.3 running well for now. 

 

[Grand Torino]

While I owned several classics in the 60's and 70's ( think 55 Nomad and 57 Bel Air hardtop) my first taste of a true muscle car was a 69 Road Runner. Damn I loved that car!

[DJTC45]

Nothing beats those old Mopars. 

[Gunner2k]

16 hours ago, Grand Torino said:

While I owned several classics in the 60's and 70's ( think 55 Nomad and 57 Bel Air hardtop) my first taste of a true muscle car was a 69 Road Runner. Damn I loved that car!

I would have thought yours would be a Grand Torino.

[Grand Torino]

On 4/13/2024 at 9:19 PM, Gunner2k said:

I would have thought yours would be a Grand Torino.

Well actually I had a 76 back in 79'.

[papa61]

Can't find a good pic but this is currently in the garage waiting for me to rebuild the engine. Got a little too rough with her and spun a rod bearing. She'll have to get a respray as the clear is peeling off now. She's a beast

 

[gregintenn]

 

 

 

I'm not greedy. I'd be happy with my old 67 Chevy II back in the garage.