Muscle Cars Then and Now

[Royal Tiger]

I kinda started this on another thread, so I appologize. But I think it would be intresting to see what people think about the best and worst muscle/performance cars of then as well as now. We could also discuss the "oddballs" like just about anything from AMC. This all started as we discussed our (at least most of us it seems) love of the new WRX STi. So here goes:

Best Then:
Have to be the 70 Hemi Cuda
Worst (or oddest) Then:
The 64(?) AMC Marlin

Best Now:
WRX STi
Worst Now:
the Civic Si trying to be sporty, while looking like a shoe

[Landshark]

what definition of musclecar are we using? V8 only? American only? oh wait, you said STi - duh. alrighty then......

THEN: Buick GNX
NOW: Porsche Carrera GT

[Chicane]

I concur with the 70 Hemicuda statement.... but... I dunno, the 68 Hemi Dart and the 69 Hemicuda were ... just insane, so maybe it should be them. I mean, aluminum bodypanels, A-100 van seats, shipped in primer... good lord. They ran 11 second 1/4s right outta the box. They're still top contenders today. :\

As for the marlin... I kinda dig it. It's strange, and basically a ripoff of the 66-67 dodge charger, but I still like it. I like basically anything AMC, just because its always so strange and weird (kinda like hte SVX).

As for the worst...eh... hrm. I dunno. Hard to tell since I consider 4 door sedans from that era more interesting and better designed than most new cars on the road today.

- Rob

[marlettpat]

personally dont love the sti. beautiful car, and im sure its fast, but something about it turns me off. im not sure

[Chicane]

I like the SVX a whole lot more than the STi.

- Rob

[Landshark]

go and actually drive an STi, then compare.

[Seraph]

Originally posted by Landshark
go and actually drive an STi, then compare.

Did you try the european rally cars? Like the peugeot. I like the handeling of those better. I drove the STi last week. I still like the feel of the VDC better. The STi is quick and has a sweet ride but it's missing something. I just can't put my finger on it. Same thing with the EVO. Both of those cars are missing something in my tastebuds.

[Landshark]

what's missing from the STi is a stereo and floormats.

[benebob]

Originally posted by marlettpat
personally dont love the sti. beautiful car, and im sure its fast, but something about it turns me off. im not sure

Could it be the "Tool Factor" in reference to the typical customer of one?

[Ron Mummert]

As for the marlin... I kinda dig it. It's strange, and basically a ripoff of the 66-67 dodge charger, but I still like it. I like basically anything AMC, just because its always so strange and weird (kinda like hte SVX)


Then you'd have liked the '57 AMC Rambler Rebel wagon. What'd that thing have? I think 257 HP. 0-60 in 7.1 secs. From a 50's wagon folks.
I also liked the '67 charger. Fold down rear seat & a lot of glass.

Ron.

[~*~JenSVX~*~]

Right now Larry, my boyfriend who used to have an svx, has an AMC Javelin. Pretty cool car, it is just like the svx when it comes to ordering parts for it. Any old Ford or Chevy parts are easy to find its just the AMC old cars that are trouble. Luckily edelbrock and some other companies are starting to make some more parts for the AMC. There are pics of his car in my locker.

Jen

[Chicane]

Originally posted by Landshark
what's missing from the STi is a stereo and floormats.

Well... where to start...

first off, it has 2 extra doors. I prefer coupes.

Secondly, its way too "HEY LOOK AT ME EVERYBODY!"

Thirdly, the rear wing is a bit much

Fourthly, it isn't refined at all.

So yeah, its fast, its quick, its probably fun to drive, but it doesn't have the purebred elite badassness of the SVX, or its build quality. The construction of the SVX is akin to a lexus.

- Rob

PS: I appreciate it, it just isn't my cup of tea.

[Landshark]

Originally posted by Chicane


Well... where to start...

first off, it has 2 extra doors. I prefer coupes.

Secondly, its way too "HEY LOOK AT ME EVERYBODY!"

Thirdly, the rear wing is a bit much

Fourthly, it isn't refined at all.

So yeah, its fast, its quick, its probably fun to drive, but it doesn't have the purebred elite badassness of the SVX, or its build quality. The construction of the SVX is akin to a lexus.

- Rob

PS: I appreciate it, it just isn't my cup of tea.

if i ever did get an STi, i'd put a WRX wing on it and lose the "fun-to-clean" BBS wheels. i prefer coupes, too, but i've owned enough 2+2's to know that they can be inconvenient at times. its not refined because: its not supposed to be! the build quality on our WRX is superb. it doesn't have a Grey Poupon dispenser, though.

[thumper_svx]

Well... if you're going for the "Classic" American Muscle Car (hey, I'm British and even I have to admit that the true "Muscle Car" was an American thing...), allow me to add my 2c.

Then: What better than the classic Roadrunner or GTO? The GTO really started the run, but I think the Roadrunner was pretty much the epitome of what it meant to be a muscle-car; large car, loads of power, "look-at-me" styling and absolutely NO manners whatsoever.

Now: There's not really many true "muscle-cars" left any more... at least not modern ones. I'm sorry, but small cars with loads of mods just don't cut it as a muscle-car... in order to be a true muscle-car it needs to be BIG. Now, not SUV big... none of them seem to have what it takes to be a muscle-car either. They have gobs of power but just don't quite capture the spirit of the muscle car for me.

I digress... a few years ago I would have said the mid-90's Impala SS was as close as you were going to get... but having driven a friend's 2003 Mercury Marauder that he bought a couple of weeks ago... that's DEFINITELY what classes as a muscle car. Some niceties and luxury touches... but man, what a beast when you really want to wring it out. Oh, and this would be a Canadian-spec Marauder without the limited slip rear diff... lets you light up them tires and haul ass to Red Robin... works for me

Just my 2c.

[Uncamitzi]

Originally posted by ~*~JenSVX~*~
Right now Larry, my boyfriend who used to have an svx, has an AMC Javelin. Pretty cool car, it is just like the svx when it comes to ordering parts for it. Any old Ford or Chevy parts are easy to find its just the AMC old cars that are trouble. Luckily edelbrock and some other companies are starting to make some more parts for the AMC. There are pics of his car in my locker.

Jen

I saw a cherry AMC Eagle SW today!! My Brother-in law had the sedan (if that's what you can call it) And I thought it was a pretty great car... 4wd ... can't remember the engine size.... time for ....