I was looking through a book about muscle cars from the late 60’s early 70’s. Mustangs, Road Runners, Pontiac GTO’s. My God they were beautiful!
Then, in my state of nostalgic bliss, I got to thinking.
Chrysler is having huge success with the PT Cruiser, is there a possibility other manufactures will produce “retro” cars. I’ll tell you, if Pontiac came out with an IDENTICAL model of the '68 Judge I’d walk to Detroit barefoot over hot coals to get one! All they really would have to add for legal reasons would be airbags and that 3rd brake light. I think it would be a big, BIG hit!
Any dopers in the auto industry? (salesmen included). Any chance for this to happen?
The PT cruiser is a piece of shit with a little pissant engine in it. It looks good, but my Honda leaves it in the dirt.
If you want an American made hotrod, buy an original AC Cobra with an aluminum body and a 289. Toss a 451 blower on it if you want a little power 0-60.
Buy a 2000 5.0 Mustang or Camaro and put a glass front-end, a turbo-intercooler and 3.70 gears in it.
Buy ANY 4 or 6 cylinder car and install a turbo-intercooler; stellite valves, a glass body (or at least front-end).
Forget about the car. Start smoking or injecting methamphetamine in yourself and the car will become superfluous.
Yeah, 'cause my wife would have me in divorce court!!! :eek:
I know I can buy used hot rods…I’ve done it in the past.
I’m just wondering if any other manufactures will put out some retro cars like the PT (which is anemic! What slow pick up!). Fords current 'Tangs are ok…but they’re not a '67!
The PT Cruiser is nothing more than a Neon with a new body. Neons, as well as all other Chrysler/Dodge products, SUCK on toast. Well, at least it’ll give junkyards of the future some filler material. Mercedes Benz will soon regret their partnership with this abomination of a car company.
I think it takes more than a couple of lights and an airbag to make those classic cars legal. That is, legal to sell as a new car. There’s no way they can pass crash tests and emissions tests without major modifications to the engine, frame and interior. So you end up with a totally different car that just looks like the classic, which is unattractive to the very customers you originally had in mind.
By the way, what’s wrong with a Neon or PT Cruiser, besides being slower than it looks? Reliability problems? Not meant as troll/flamebait, just curious.
Sales of the PT Cruiser will probably die within a year or two, like all of Chrysler’s other ‘radical’ cars. Chrysler quality sucks. That’s why the company almost went under in the 70’s, and why it’s now owned by the Germans. Sadly, Chrysler’s new teutonic bosses don’t seem to be tackling the quality problem in their new company. If they don’t hurry up and get started, Chrysler will join Mazda, Daewoo, and other companies on the official “one slim step from failure” list.
My sister is an engineer at the GM proving grounds in Milford MI. I gave her a call and this is pretty much what she said. If you want the body style you aren’t going to find it. If you want the engine they are already out there. Try a Corvette, a Camaro with the 5.8L V8 (I like the convertable), or a Viper. Also some of the concept cars they had at the Detroit Auto Show were REALLY sweet!
I’m going to pick your quote to pieces - sorry, but as a loyal Mustang-drivin’ gal…
The 5.0 in the Mustang last appeared in 1995 I think. It ended after the first SN95 body year, I think you’re thinking of the old, ugly Fox body Mustangs. Since then, it’s had the “Modular” 4.6L, in 16V or 32V flavors.
What you should have said was “get the 2001 Cobra RS, which is reputedly equipped with the Supercharged 5.4L (for a reputed 380 hp, 390 lb-ft torque), but at a cost of, reputedly (just love that word), $50k.” I’ll get one if it makes 400 hp, otherwise I’m lloking at the BMW M8.
Plus, any “real” Mustang owner with a SUPERCHARGER (not a turbo) would run 4.55 gears. If it’s a 16V using the Ford Motorsports blower, they might go a little lower. The 4.55 is perfect for the 32V using a Vortech or another centrifugal blower.