100 greatest driver cars book: help me with the ones I have to write!

[Cano]

thanks, I have tidbits about this car already, but due to photoshop work I had not been able to fully investigate it y

 

[Cano]

soooo, a little update, if someone is still interested about this.

The Plymouth Superbird was made by another guy that's also working on the book and as such, it's erased from the list. Shame, I wanted to write it. I'm sure it will be pretty dull, as the guy doesn't know a thing about muscle cars. bleh.

Another one, big spanking freaking thanks to Stumpy Dino who singlehandedly covered all my photographic needs of the Land Rover Series 1 with pics he took himself of his dad's LR, and also provided intresting info about the car. Many thanks man!!! that's another one down.

So, anyone else?

OH btw, the Trans Am has been changed to just the second generation Trans Am.

 

[stumpydino]

bit of a bump
hows it coming along?
glad i could help with the land rover series one stuff too

 

[Slicks]

Hemi Challenger...

287 R/T Hardtops (137 w/ 4-speed manual)
9 Ragtops (5 w/ 4MT)
60 SEs (23 w/ 4MT)
110" wheelbase, 191.3" overall.
Weighed 3,467 lbs.
426 ci/425 hp Hemi did the 1/4 in 14 sec. @ 104 mph.


1967 Couger GT-390...

Car Life called the Couger a "Mustang with Class." It had a shapely, graceful appearance and jewel-like trimmings. Only a coupe was available. While based on the Mustang platform, the Cougar had suspension upgrades like a hook-and-eye joint in the lower front A-Arms to dampen ride harshness, longer rear springs, and better rated rear spring and axle attachments.
The GT came more firmly sprung with solid rear bushings, stiffer springs all around, bigger shocks, and a fatter .84" anti-roll bar. Power front disc brakes, 8.95x14" tires, and a 390ci V8 with low restriction exhausts were included.
A Holley C70F carb w/ four 1.562" venturis and vacuum secondaries sat on top. W/ a 10.5:1 compression ratio, it required premium fuel. It produced 320hp @ 4800rpm, and 427 lb-ft @3200. Transmissions included a 3MT, 4MT, and 3 speed Merc-O-Matic. A 3.00 axle was standard with a 3.25 option.

$3175 base
111" wheelbase, 190.3" overall
3,015 lbs
0-60: 8.1 s
1/4: 16 s



1970 Trans Am

The T/A had an upgraded suspension over the Firebird, and had a base Ram Air 400 mated to a 4MT w/ a Hurst shifter. Standard equipment included a front air dam, front and rear spoilers, a shaker hood, side air extractors, 1 1/4" front and 7/8" rear anti roll bars, HD shocks and springs, aluminum instrument panel, bucket seats, and 15" Rally II wheels.

The Ram Air III had a 10.5:1 compression ratio and went into 1,339 autos and 1,769 with a stick. The Ram Air IV went into 59 autos, 29 manuals.

$4,305 base
108" wheelbase, 191.6" overall.
3550 lbs.
Ram Air III = 400 ci/345 hp.
Ram Air IV = 400 ci/370 hp.
0-60: 5.7s (RA IV)
1/4: 14.1 @ 103 mph (RA IV)


Literature rougly quoted from a field guide I had on hand, as with all figures.

 

[Cano]

thanks everyone that helped here. The book has been finished, and I used up a lot of the info that came up on here, as well as a full-on, just-for-this photoshoot of Stumpy Dino's first gen Land Rover. Cool.

I finished it yesterday @ 2:00 am and sent the stuff; today I saw some of the finished pages, ti looks great. Thanks to all!!!

And I'll contact everyone that lent a hand to see what doodle they want (:

 

[Zmann42087]

You should probably toss some version of the MR2 on there. Personally, I'd say the Spyder because it offered pure, light weight dynamics in a mid engine car at a budget price. Also has great fuel economy and a simple to drop top (10 second job from the driver's seat).

Why I'd suggest this over an Elise? Cost. It is a great driver's car because you can afford to break it, toss it around, and insure it. Something you can push the limits in without wondering how'd you pay for it if something went even slightly wrong.

If you do end up using an MR2, let me know - I can give you quite a few details on the cars off the top of my head.

No, definitely don't put an MR2 in there. Like you said, the Lotus Elise (or Exige) is a better car. And your argument is price? Obviously, that wasn't one of the parameters taken into account when the top 100 cars were chosen. Nor should it be. It sounds like they are trying to get an overall top 100 list that would give a driver a rounded experience behind the wheel of different vehicles. The MR2 is too much like the Elise (very light, midship, rear wheel drive, etc.), so they are too comparable to have them both on the list.

Anyways, one car I'm personally wondering about is the E30 M3. The original. Did it make the list, Cano? Just curious..

 

[stumpydino]

let me know when copies are printed