Willravel

Alrighty, so I'm sure we've all had a time when we wanted a big, old, american muscle car. Personally, I started with pocket rockets, but realized that squeezing HP out of a 1.6 L and shaving off a few pounds by removing the visors and back seats to go faster wasn't nearly as fun as a 426 hemi pounding the pavement in a car that can seat 5 comfortably. So, without further delay, what's your American muscle car of choice (be it original, modified, etc.)?

I'll start:
Black 1970 Dodge Challender R/T Convertable, tan interrior, with a 426 Hemi

It's big, it's bad, and it's gorgeous. I've only seena few in person, but they are amazing machines and I'd really just love to spend an afternoon driving u and down the highways, spending a ton on gas, just enjoying the drive.

ngdawg

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Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

Willravel

Ooooohhhh, very nice Oldmobile, NG. Is that the 71 Cutlass Supreme?

BadNick

After thinking about it I suddenly realized it would be a CB-1 ...which is sort of an updated high tech "modern" design of the original 427 Shelby Cobra but engineered much better. The CB refers to Corky Bell, who some may know as an automotive genius and turbocharging guru.

a few pertinent stats:
0 - 60mph: 2.85 sec
1/4mi. et: 10.5 sec @ 135 mph
lateral accel: 1.15g
Engine: 385ci / 6.3 Liter Ford Windsor based V8, twin turbocharged, intercooled
weight: 2600 lbs.
weight distribution f/r: 44%/56%
wheels: 17" X 9"F 285/40; 17" X 12"R 345/35

If you have a couple minutes and are interested, look thru the details of this car http://www.cb1project.com/CB1%20Project.swf

Willravel

2.85 seconds?! That's gotta be one of maybe the top 4 or 5 fastest street legal cars.

Brewmaniac

Will, I guess I'm closer to your way of thinking!

1970 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda
Convertible, High Performance 440 cu in. Super Commando V-8 engine. "Slap Stick" floor shift with console (Automatic.) Special Torqueflite transmission, Heavy duty suspension, Power steering, Heavy duty 11 inch brakes, Polyglas wide oval tires, Chrome styled road wheels, Road lamps, Bucket seats, Racing mirrors, Variable speed wipers with electric washers. A real beauty!





You can buy it for a mire $525,000 @ http://www.classicsandcustoms.com/se...CUDA_15749.asp

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Willravel

Brotha from a different make! Sounds good to me.
WOW!!

I'd much rather buy one in crappy condition and rebuild every part of it to my liking. There's so much more joy in it that way, and you don't have to shill out a mind boggling $525,000. To build something with your own hands brings a singular sense of peace and accomplishment. Even if it does get 12 mpg and ruin the O-Zone.

cyrnel

The Challenger is nice but I'd have to go with a Boss 429. Maybe the Tasca Super Boss. Absolutely wicked from the showroom with 700+ HP (if regulation minimums count as showroom).



The painful thing is, any of these would make me long for track time, and risking an authentic classic would scare me to death. I'd feel better thrashing a replirod like the Cobra . But if we're dreaming...



Freestream's Caparo T1. It's by a couple ex-McLaren F1 engineers. 1025lbs, 2006 F1 spec 2.8L V8 detuned @~480hp, full aero. That's "muscle."

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

BadNick

I think I understand why you guys are choosing these classic muscle cars and I could easily live with any of them And like you say, building one or rebuilding one can give tremendous satisfaction.

I don't know how old you are, but for reference I was 18yo in 1967, and I grew up driving and drag racing these cars like you are choosing, including all sorts of Hemis (always capitalized like "God"), 440 Magnums, 440 six packs, 396 Chevelles, 454 Chevelle, GTX, Road Runner, all sorts of Corvettes, GTO's, 442's, and many street rods, some of these stock and some with pretty radical mods. So in spite of the fact that I'm watching Barrett Jackson auction as I type this, and earlier tonight a Hemi Cuda sold for something like $2 million, IMO the fantasy and legend of these cars exceeds their actual performance. In fact, my current fun car (700hp '95 Supra 6sp) could take out almost any of them in any kind of venue, straight or curvey. I'd still take the CB1 over any of them so I can enjoy driving it, not collecting it or building it.

Cycler

If we are not sticking to only cars this is in the muscle car "vein" and can haul stuff too.

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LoganSnake

I don't think there's a better looking muscle car than this.

'67 Pontiac GTO.

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ngdawg

71 or 72 Olds 442....
Of course, my first choice of ride would be a 1958 Chevy Impala Hardtop....same colors, but you said 'muscle car'.

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Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

shakran

69 Mustang Cobrajet Mach1.

Willravel

23 years young
Ah, but it's not just about numbers or autocross, it's about soul. The Supra is really fun to drive, espically at 700 hp, but it probably doesn't have the history you have with the classic big engine monsters from the 60s and 70s. It's like the pretty girl you grew up with being better than the model you're dating now.
Oh, trucks can be muscle cars in my opinion, and that's a damn good place to go for a great automobile.

BadNick

That Boss 429 above is an awesome Ford and the Tasca connection would make it even more perfect and desireable; reminds me of the "special" muscle cars sold by dealers like Tasca, Motion Performance, Yenko, Grand Spauling, Royal. One of the guys who works in our shop owns a couple of 428 CJ Mach1 Mustangs, a 68 and a 69, both purchased new by his dad and he inherited them and takes very good care of them, treats them almost with reverence, rightfully so.

Deltona Couple

Actually, if you look at the photo more carefully, that is a 1969 Mustang 428, not the 429 model. The 429 Had slightly different badging, and the Mach 1 versions also has a different striping, specifically the "Mach 1" striping at the front fenders, just behind the wheel wells. The below photo is of the 69' 429cid Mach 1.



Personally I prefer the 68' Mach 1 with the 428 cid and ram air induction, with the shaker and hood scoop.
I had a higher HP OUTPUT than the 429, it was just classified slightly lower to help calm down the insurance companies.

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ShaniFaye

willravel, one of the guys I dated in highschool had one of those


I've always always, since i was 16 wanted a Chevelle

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powerclown

Whoa. Nice. Pics?


Same here ShaniFaye.
Always liked the lines of the car.
This one is a 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 (465HP, 500+ ft.lbs. of torque)


Like that Ford 429 Boss Mustang also.


thanks DDDDave

fresnelly

Will, your range of knowledge and interest continues to surprise me.

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BadNick

I had three pics in this thread and one of them (at the top of Phila Art Museum steps) is now timely due to the new Rocky movie http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=102651 ...the 700hp I was "bragging" about came from dyno measurement of the new turbo setup I did a few months ago giving a little over 600whp (28psi on C16) with a tad over 15% driveline losses makes over 700hp at the crank. The price of C16 is why I'm now doing meth/water injection so I can run mid to upper 20psi on normal pump gas.

Willravel

Muchos gracius. This is something rather recent for me, though. I was a bit of a ricer in high school (94 civi hb with a b18 j-spec, type r cam, vortex supercharger, dc ceramic headers, greddy cat back, no seats but the drivers sparco bucket, short shifter, and a few other mods I can't remember), but I could never beat this yellow Nova that my friend Brian drove. I was frustrated at the time - and I had no idea what he was talking aobut when he said he had new "carbs" - but I've come to realize I lost because the larger block engines really have a lot higher ceiling and carry with them more of our american car heritage. Civics are fun, and God knows I could park anywhere in that tiny thing, but it never really felt like home. I'd feel right at home in any of the vehicles listed above, espically the Challenger or the 'Cuda.

paulskinback

1968 Dodge Charger R/T (In Black of course)





Or perhaps something a bit more "muscular" as this pretty much sums up what kind of street rods i'm into







And finally my dad's own (photo coutesy of Custom Car Magazine )

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Redjake

I was born in 1983, era of econoboxes. My current muscle dream ride, which I am very serious about possibly purchasing in the next months, is a 2005/2006 Pontiac GTO. I love the sleeper look, and the stock HP is amazing. 400 HP, 6.0L V8. Sounds awesome, too. I'm getting tired of all of these "retro" new cars that scream "I can't let go."

<img src="http://www.pontiac.com/images/gallery_v2/gto/ext_rear_med.jpg">
<img src="http://images.consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/autoreview/400x266/2006-pontiac-gto-06129501990001.jpg">

*EDIT*

How can you not fall in love with this beast after this video of some revving and a burnout!!!!!!! http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...8091&q=GTO+rev

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Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

paulskinback

Redjake, I was born in 1980, I just prefer less plastic on my cars, and more metal under the hood

Wouldn't say no to the GTO though!

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'Everything that can be invented has been invented.- - 1899, Charles Duell, U.S. Office of Patents.

'There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.' - Ken Olson, 1977, Digital Equipment Corporation

cyrnel

Mr. Angry. I love it. Bulllitt's misunderstood villain. Now _that_ is my classic. Gorgeous.

Nice RS, too. A buddy sold his frame up restored RS/SS right before the prices went crazy. To this day his pants are all worn through where he kicks himself.

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

paulskinback

"Bad Guys Drive Chargers"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTvMwNl2fEI

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'Everything that can be invented has been invented.- - 1899, Charles Duell, U.S. Office of Patents.

'There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.' - Ken Olson, 1977, Digital Equipment Corporation

powerclown

Awesome car, BadNick.
I would imagine there aren't too many cars that can touch that on the street in any kind of contest.
Are the rear brake ducts stock or is that a body kit? Looks like a real sleeper.
Thats a heck of a Supra.

Hardcore, man.
Hard. Core.

cyrnel

Now I've seen that chase 201 times.

(Does anyone remember the Futurama version?)

There's a great story from Hickman and the camera crew guys about relative performance of the two cars. They were doing laps while prepping cars to handle the stunts. I think there were two of each. The Chargers ate the mustangs alive, and with Hickman behind the wheel, McQueen eventually let a pro step in to keep to schedules. (That cooked corner and wheel-hop reverse nonsense was an error.)

Anyway, the Charger certainly gets the Darth Vader award of muscle cars.

Correction: Did I really say Hicks?

__________________
There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

Deltona Couple

Now I am sure to get put over a fire for this, but when I think of the term "muscle car" I just cant picture a ricer....somehow it just doesn't quite fix.....I always picture the older, more classic powerhouse big-blocks.

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shakran

I agree, and I drive these so-called "ricers." See, muscle cars were very, VERY good at accelerating like a bat out of hell. Give 'em a long straight stretch of pavement and they'd whip pretty much anything out there. Curves. . .well, that's another story.

That supra is good at accelerating like a bat out of hell, AND it can turn without a 15 degree bank in the corner

aabbccbbaa2

I'll go for a Chevrolet Corvette out of 1969 with sidepipes and the 7000liter version offcourse

BadNick

I spent many enjoyable times driving a '68 R/T Charger w/440 Magnum motor and Torqueflite tranny, but it was gold not black ...black is beautiful

Somebody above just commented on the strong top end performance of some of the muscle cars ...on many safe and professionally supervised highway runs ( wanna buy the Brooklyn Bridge?) even this big block 440 Charger could not hang on top end with my '67 XKE Jag Roadster that I had at that time (inline 6cyl 4.2 liter DOHC and weighs 2600lbs) which would easily shoot to 160+ while the Charger was starting to choke up a tad over 145. Of course the Charger would kill me to 80mph.

Thanks for the positive comments. It's definitely not a traditional muscle car, but it is highly enjoyable anyway; also it's not the fastest thing on the street by any means, but faster than most. I am not a fan of body kits, in fact I hate most of them, so mine is all stock body work including those rear brake duct openings. Since I roadrace mine a few times a year (that small last pic in my link above is me on one of the roadrace configurations at Pocono), later this winter I am adding ducting from those stock side ducts so it dumps more air directly on the center of the rear rotors, plus adding two other ducts from the front bumper openings to the front rotors.

bodypainter

I owned a 70 Olds 442 once. I've also owned a 68 Mercury Cyclone, 69 Mustang fastback, and a 62 Ford Fairlane Sport Coupe. I bought the 442 with a blown engine and had it rebuilt to be stupidly powerful. There was just no way to hook up on a hard launch. Tires are much better these days, so maybe that's not such a problem any more.

Anyway, the car I liked the best was the Mustang. If I could have a pristine 69 Mach I, I might be tempted. As it is, I'm happy to have cars with modern air conditioner and suspension. Those old cars look cool, but without enormous updating they get killed by even modest modern cars.

paulskinback

Agreed - wouldn't say no to a "ricer", I was just brought up on real muscle, thanks to my dad's love of 60's & 70's cars.

Can't beat the roar of a heavily tuned V8 on the strip - much better than turbo sounds and waste gate gas imo

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'Everything that can be invented has been invented.- - 1899, Charles Duell, U.S. Office of Patents.

'There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.' - Ken Olson, 1977, Digital Equipment Corporation

Tech

1971 hemi 'cuda, either "sassy grass green" with black or "plum crazy" with white... i could never decide between those colors.



OR

1969 Corvette 427, convertible, nassau blue, but with side pipes (couldn't find a picture)

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~I swear sometimes i feel like i'm married to a child.
~You better watch who you're calling a child, Lois, cause if i'm a child than you know what that makes you? a pedophile. and i'll be damned if i'm going to stand here and be lectured by a pervert.

lt1s10

I'd like to own another 66 Nova. My first car was a 66 Chevy II that I bought for $200 from my Dad's friend. But this time I'd like to be able to do all the things I couldn't the first time.

A custom Art Morrison Chassis. Independent front suspension and a 4 link out back with a Ford 9 inch center section and strong Moser axles . Big disc brakes and calipers all the way around. 17x8 wheels in front 17x10 wheels out back. Under the hood a 383 stroker backed by a 5 speed tremec. Last but not least air conditioning. Turn key daily driver reliable if it has to be. And on the street, the drag strip, and the road course lots of fun.

Damnfinn

I use to own a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 440 magnum, Saddle Bronze and Black. My brother trashed it and abandoned it while I was gone to college.
I still dream from time to time that I still driving it. It had 68,000 orginal miles on it in 1976 when it was trashed.

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I was told to get a life, but all the good ones were taken.

Zooksport2

Wow! There's some sweet rides posted in this thread, I'll have one of each....


I confess to being an El Camino fan..

If money were no object, it would have to be a 1970 SS. 454 450hp LS6, (or the 360hp LS5) version,
but I am still working towards my daily driver... a 1987 Elky. Whilst the interior is less than perfect, I really like the exterior.
Nearly had me a 1985, a couple of years back, but the owner wouldn't send me more info/pics, so I gave up... Did actually own a '74 for a while...

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DEI37

Gimme a GNX.

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Seaver

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html





Ok, maybe it's not the old Challenger. However, I plan on getting this bad boy ASAP in 2008 (just hope I can afford it).

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