Do you guys realize just how spoiled we are?

[Raven87]

I've had several performance cars over the years - from '69 and '70 Chevelle SS 396s, Olds 442s, several Z/28s from '70 to 2002, and more. I thought they ALL were quick (at the time anyways)!

In '87 I had a 5.7 liter IROC Z28 that I also thought was pretty quick, especially for an '80's car. But you just never know...

My brother in law stopped over one day and said he had something to show me so we went outside. In my driveway was a car I laughed at - it was a rose colored Buick Regal (not a sick black GN). He was telling me how quick it was and that in fact, it would walk away from my IROC Z. I laughed again - a V6? Come on! No way is that V6 - even with that puny looking turbo - going to outrun my IROC Z with its 350 V8. (I had not seen a GN on the street yet nor read anything about them)

He just grinned and said, "Let's go then..."



Long story short, that 'T-Type' was a GN in sheep's clothing. Fully intercooled 3.8 liter V6 with a turbo, it was embarrassing. I had to admit that I was truly educated that day.

A week later, I traded my IROC for a new '87 Grand National. It ran a 13.96 at Norwalk the first time out which was really fast for those days. Over the years since then, I've had 3 '87 GNs and GNX #281. The intercooled Turbo Regal/GN is a wickedly sick car.

Fast forward a few years to my 3rd GN. It was one I modded, including a bigger turbo, intercooler, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, injectors, high stall converter, etc - all bolt on stuff. I did not get inside the motor at all. It was running mid-high 11's easily on Nitto 555Rs in hot summer air and I know had a low 11 in it in the right temps.

I was Kil Kare dragway in Xenia with it when a yellow VW bug pulled up in the right lane. I had just embarrassed a big block Nova with a 427 just the run before so I was sure this VW was toast even if it did have the rear engine cover removed, had a huge stinger out the back, and sounded like an angry bee. Right?

Wrong.

That 'bug' ran a high 9 and left me like I was parked.

Once again, I got schooled. You just never know...

Good times indeed. And today is even better.

[el ess A]

Here's a funny clip shootout from 1985 when Mustangs ruled the streets. And gatorbacks were everywhere.

"I'd rather eat worms, than ride in a Chevy!" - Ford guy

[big dave]

These last 2 videos just prove how far we've come. I was a mustang guy back in the 80s but never heard of 1 going low 14s...especially in 85. If that 69 Charger had anymore body roll, it would've been dragging the door handles. lol..

[z28-conv]

Well we won't talk about my first car(Vega). My SECOND car was a '69 RS Camaro Convertible. I purchased it from my cousin. It was a "basket case". It had no engine or trans. We restored it by putting in a corvette 327 in it and a auto trans. Changed out the monoleaf rear suspension and put in another basket case '67 RS/SS 396 donor car's 4.10 12 bolt rearend in it ( this car was in worst shape). That is how I developed the passion I now have for Camaros. I had a 1997 Z-28 Convertible and my current ZL-1 Convertible. But you guys are right, We never would have thought that the Manufacturers would produce the types of cars they do now. I thought the " Musclecar era of the 60-70's would never be repeated. I was very wrong

You guys mention the Buick GN/GNX's back in the late '80's, but you guys forgot a couple other very potent "vehicles" from that era. In fact they were not even cars. On many occasions they would beat the GN/GNX's. Yes I am stalling the GMC Syclone and Typhoon 4.3 turbo V-6.

I am very happy with my current car and I am very excited what new "muscle cars " are just around the corner. The horsepower wars are back with a vengeance

[Muscle Car Lover]

Originally Posted by s/c ss

My buddy had a 87 Buick GN. We whipped up on a Ford Torino a few times but we got smoked by a stock Chevy S-10 pick-up on the highway. We were doing roughly 60mph and the S-10 pulled up next to us and we gunned it and got smoked. Embarrassing. LOL.

^^^^^^
this did not happen if it was a stock S-10 on this earth

[Red Hot ZL1]

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

As I heard someone say they had crap for tires, crap for suspension, and crap for brakes, but one hell of a motor! That is why they were scary back then...
For your enjoyment 69 1/2 Charger 500 HEMI AUTOMATIC!

I got sea sick watching all of that swaying back and forth!

6.9 for a 0-60. I had a '68 442, '70 340 (6-pack) Duster, and a '67 442 (in that order) they were all "quick and fast" (yeah right!) but handled like battleships. No comparison to today's muscle cars.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Red Hot ZL1

I got sea sick watching all of that swaying back and forth!

6.9 for a 0-60. I had a '68 442, '70 340 (6-pack) Duster, and a '67 442 (in that order) they were all "quick and fast" (yeah right!) but handled like battleships. No comparison to today's muscle cars.

I think a lot of people have gotten foggy memories over the years... when the SMOG era hit in the mid 70's and what was a 400hp car in the late 60's was then a 200HP car we started experiencing "Fisherman's Syndrome", the cars kept getting faster every time we told the story of how we smoked this car or that car, Just like fishermen retelling the tail about the one that got away...
Now when we look back at the actual statistics from back then we see many 4 and most 6 cylinder cars built today are faster, run smoother, get better gas mileage and can out brake and handle just about all of them... that is progress...

[el ess A]

But in my old-school mind, 4 and 6 cylinder cars are STILL 4 and 6 cylinder cars. In my personal opinion, that's not necessarily progress when you look at today's 8 cylinders.

They don't make a plethora of songs about today's era of cars. That right there ought to tell you something.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by el ess A

But in my old-school mind, 4 and 6 cylinder cars are STILL 4 and 6 cylinder cars. In my personal opinion, that's not necessarily progress when you look at today's 8 cylinders.

They don't make a plethora of songs about today's era of cars. That right there ought to tell you something.

You missed the point all together....

It's because today's music if you can call it that sucks....

[Twin Town Terror]

In '94 I was a senior in high school with a '68 Camaro I spent 3 years building. It ran low 11.90's high 11.80's in the 115ish mph range. It got 7mpg. On weekends I would cruise down to the hot spots in St. Paul and it was considered to be one of the 'killer' street cars. About 10-12 years later I wouldn't even bring it down there anymore cause it was too slow...

[omegaman]

In '76 my first car was a 1968 Ford Failane 500 with a 428 Cobra Jet engine (325 hp). 4 speed (T10). Loved that car, but wrecked it when I lost control doing an epic burn out. Hit a power pole. Glad there was no cell phone pics or video back in the day.

[big dave]

At least some of you guys got started with some respectable cars...my first car was a '76 Pontiac Sunbird. Imagine running low 18s at the track. I"m sure by the time I hit the 1/8th mile, half the people were at the snack bar. lol!

[Muscle Car Lover]

Originally Posted by el ess A

But in my old-school mind, 4 and 6 cylinder cars are STILL 4 and 6 cylinder cars. In my personal opinion, that's not necessarily progress when you look at today's 8 cylinders.

They don't make a plethora of songs about today's era of cars. That right there ought to tell you something.

"Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?"

The only songs they make now are bullshit pop crap about bootys, cash, and diamonds in their teeth or some stuff.

[roorback]

I'm old enough to recall when the Cavalier z/24 was "quick" and how excited we Camaro owners were when the 3.4 was upgraded to the 3.8. Those few extra ponies felt like 500.

We should all enjoy the HP while it lasts because it never does.