- 17,886
- Florida
- GranTurismo0517
- RandomCarGuy17
The non-muscle American car thread (READ THE OP)
- Thread starter The87Dodge
- 1,544 comments
- 129,714 views
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
Yeesh...disco cruiser. The only Bill Blass Lincoln I care for is the Mark VII, particularly with those aluminum "wire" wheels*, the spokes of which needed bear no load.
I think it's a danged handsome roller--I know I've brought it up before.
However, I suspect @RandomCarGuy17 won't care for that front end.
When it comes to "Mark"-marked Continentals, I jump from the III to the VII...but I am fond of the un"Mark"ed bustleback, of which there was a Givenchy Edition:
Note the use of those same semi-simulated wire wheels, which bowed in 1982 with the debut of the seventh generation Continental, two years before the Mark VII. 1982-3 models got a more slab-style front end, which I prefer, but the above is a particularly nice example.
*I have something in the works elsewhere, and these wheels are a part of it.
Edit: This should illustrate the semi-simulated nature of the wheels.
The pin ends slip into holes in a drum that's bolted on from behind while the wheel is off of the car, and sockets in the wheel's face contain the ball end.
I think it's a danged handsome roller--I know I've brought it up before.
However, I suspect @RandomCarGuy17 won't care for that front end.
When it comes to "Mark"-marked Continentals, I jump from the III to the VII...but I am fond of the un"Mark"ed bustleback, of which there was a Givenchy Edition:
Note the use of those same semi-simulated wire wheels, which bowed in 1982 with the debut of the seventh generation Continental, two years before the Mark VII. 1982-3 models got a more slab-style front end, which I prefer, but the above is a particularly nice example.
*I have something in the works elsewhere, and these wheels are a part of it.
Edit: This should illustrate the semi-simulated nature of the wheels.
The pin ends slip into holes in a drum that's bolted on from behind while the wheel is off of the car, and sockets in the wheel's face contain the ball end.
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- 17,886
- Florida
- GranTurismo0517
- RandomCarGuy17
Well, I was talking about the foxbody Thunderbird in another page, complaining about the grill on the earlier year ones. However other than that, I liked it. I especially liked the race cars spawning from it.
IMSA
NASCAR
IMSA
NASCAR
- 13,162
- Seattle-ish
I've always had a soft spot for the Thunderbird. So I'm going to rank all 11 generations (including two refreshed models).
13: Going from worst to best we start with the 1972-1976 sixth generation malaise-era Tbird. Dull and uninspired like the era it was from.
12: The 1958-1960 second-gen Squarebird is just awful. And yet not the worst on this list. At least it tried.
11: This beak-like front end planted on the 1970-1971 models brings the otherwise impressive fifth-gen TBird down several spots.
10: Something about this 1987-1988 update to the ninth-gen TBird just doesn't work for me. The lines are too stretched, too hard.
9: I don't think the 2002-2005 eleventh-gen TBird is the embarrassment some have claimed it is. I just feel could have had more of a presence if they had tried for a truly modern design instead of locking themselves into a retro interpretation.
8: The over-large C-pillar and landau bars on the 1967-1969 fifth-gen TBird mar an otherwise impressive design. I especially like the coke-bottle shape and hidden-headlight front end.
7: I'm surprised I'm ranking it this high, but the square lines of the 1980-1982 eighth-gen TBird hold up surprisingly well.
6: The basket-handle roof-line of the 1977-1979 seventh-gen TBird was bold and brawny, perfect for the 1970s yacht-rock crowds who bought them in record numbers.
5: The 1964-1966 fourth-gen TBird remains an attractive car, even if the design is a bit too busy.
4: I quite like the 1989-1997 tenth-gen TBird. Clean and elegant, it still looks good.
3: The 1983-1986 ninth-gen Aerobird was a return to curves after the angles of the previous generation. People tend to forget what a design sensation it was when it debuted.
2: 1955-1957 first-gen is a classic. It's the epitome of 1950s style.
1: The 1961-1963 third-gen TBird is everything to me. Sophisticated, dynamic, restrained yet still space-age modern. My favorite.
13: Going from worst to best we start with the 1972-1976 sixth generation malaise-era Tbird. Dull and uninspired like the era it was from.
12: The 1958-1960 second-gen Squarebird is just awful. And yet not the worst on this list. At least it tried.
11: This beak-like front end planted on the 1970-1971 models brings the otherwise impressive fifth-gen TBird down several spots.
10: Something about this 1987-1988 update to the ninth-gen TBird just doesn't work for me. The lines are too stretched, too hard.
9: I don't think the 2002-2005 eleventh-gen TBird is the embarrassment some have claimed it is. I just feel could have had more of a presence if they had tried for a truly modern design instead of locking themselves into a retro interpretation.
8: The over-large C-pillar and landau bars on the 1967-1969 fifth-gen TBird mar an otherwise impressive design. I especially like the coke-bottle shape and hidden-headlight front end.
7: I'm surprised I'm ranking it this high, but the square lines of the 1980-1982 eighth-gen TBird hold up surprisingly well.
6: The basket-handle roof-line of the 1977-1979 seventh-gen TBird was bold and brawny, perfect for the 1970s yacht-rock crowds who bought them in record numbers.
5: The 1964-1966 fourth-gen TBird remains an attractive car, even if the design is a bit too busy.
4: I quite like the 1989-1997 tenth-gen TBird. Clean and elegant, it still looks good.
3: The 1983-1986 ninth-gen Aerobird was a return to curves after the angles of the previous generation. People tend to forget what a design sensation it was when it debuted.
2: 1955-1957 first-gen is a classic. It's the epitome of 1950s style.
1: The 1961-1963 third-gen TBird is everything to me. Sophisticated, dynamic, restrained yet still space-age modern. My favorite.
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
I too am surprised you rank the eighth that high; for me it's dead last. And I'd fully understand if you never want to speak to me again, but I put the third just ahead of it. The first three don't appeal to me at all.I've always had a soft spot for the Thunderbird. So I'm going to rank all 11 generations (including two refreshed models).
13: Going from worst to best we start with the 1972-1976 sixth generation malaise-era Tbird. Dull and uninspired like the era it was from.
12: The 1958-1960 second-gen Squarebird is just awful. And yet not the worst on this list. At least it tried.
11: This beak-like front end planted on the 1970-1971 models brings the otherwise impressive fifth-gen TBird down several spots.
10: Something about this 1987-1988 update to the ninth-gen TBird just doesn't work for me. The lines are too stretched, too hard.
9: I don't think the 2002-2005 eleventh-gen TBird is the embarrassment some have claimed it is. I just feel could have had more of a presence if they had tried for a truly modern design instead of locking themselves into a retro interpretation.
8: The over-large C-pillar and landau bars on the 1967-1969 fifth-gen TBird mar an otherwise impressive design. I especially like the coke-bottle shape and hidden-headlight front end.
7: I'm surprised I'm ranking it this high, but the square lines of the 1980-1982 eighth-gen TBird hold up surprisingly well.
6: The basket-handle roof-line of the 1977-1979 seventh-gen TBird was bold and brawny, perfect for the 1970s yacht-rock crowds who bought them in record numbers.
5: The 1964-1966 fourth-gen TBird remains an attractive car, even if the design is a bit too busy.
4: I quite like the 1989-1997 tenth-gen TBird. Clean and elegant, it still looks good.
3: The 1983-1986 ninth-gen Aerobird was a return to curves after the angles of the previous generation. People tend to forget what a design sensation it was when it debuted.
2: 1955-1957 first-gen is a classic. It's the epitome of 1950s style.
1: The 1961-1963 third-gen TBird is everything to me. Sophisticated, dynamic, restrained yet still space-age modern. My favorite.
Fourth takes top slot, with early fifth and late fifth (I like the beak) taking 2nd and 3rd respectively. I'd have considerably more difficulty fleshing out the rest of the list.
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
For what it's worth, I appreciate your going to the trouble even if I don't agree with the actual ranking.
I also appreciate your comments on the final model--they could have had something special but by trying to make it special they ended up with something banal.
Camaro, Mustang and, to a lesser extent by virtue of it only having one prior iteration, the Challenger...I mean, what's wrong with progress?
- 17,886
- Florida
- GranTurismo0517
- RandomCarGuy17
Pictures I took today of American Cars that aren't muscle cars. (Thumbnails, click to get a better view)
I think I took a ride in one of these when I was little. I recall riding in an old Lincoln with hidden headlights that looked like this Continental (but the one I was in was Gray and Silver two-tone). It belonged to my neighbor and my dad was fixing it then giving it a test drive to see if it needed anymore work.
I like the name, Starfire.
I think I took a ride in one of these when I was little. I recall riding in an old Lincoln with hidden headlights that looked like this Continental (but the one I was in was Gray and Silver two-tone). It belonged to my neighbor and my dad was fixing it then giving it a test drive to see if it needed anymore work.
I like the name, Starfire.
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
I love the intricate front end sheetmetal on those '62s.I like the name, Starfire.
Edit: Dynamic 88 hardtop sedan with the same sheetmetal but the monochromatic look of the lower trim level.
Fantastic color--Surf Green.
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
I thought about putting this in the guilty pleasures thread, because it's in that spirit that I'm posting it, but these things are very...American.
Bowing in 1990 and lowered ever so slightly from the standard 1500 series GMT400, the 454SS boasted a handling package and tires as wide as those on a base 1990 Corvette in addition to those 454 cubic inches. Starting in '91 the trucks got a slight bump in power (to 255hp and 405lb-ft), a 4-speed automatic and dual exhaust, plus the option to have it in a color that wasn't black with a red interior.
I have a soft spot for pre-facelift GMT400s (they got a little garish in 1994) in general, but the 454SS has a little something extra.
In 2006/7 I had a chance to buy a cherry Summit White '93 with the grey interior (looked a bit like the example above) and 17" Impala SS wheels with 255/55 rubber, and a set of OEM 454SS wheels included, but it was rather spendy what with white being a rare color for the package in the final year (the seller made note of this fact repeatedly).
Bowing in 1990 and lowered ever so slightly from the standard 1500 series GMT400, the 454SS boasted a handling package and tires as wide as those on a base 1990 Corvette in addition to those 454 cubic inches. Starting in '91 the trucks got a slight bump in power (to 255hp and 405lb-ft), a 4-speed automatic and dual exhaust, plus the option to have it in a color that wasn't black with a red interior.
I have a soft spot for pre-facelift GMT400s (they got a little garish in 1994) in general, but the 454SS has a little something extra.
In 2006/7 I had a chance to buy a cherry Summit White '93 with the grey interior (looked a bit like the example above) and 17" Impala SS wheels with 255/55 rubber, and a set of OEM 454SS wheels included, but it was rather spendy what with white being a rare color for the package in the final year (the seller made note of this fact repeatedly).
- 3,749
- Hoboken, New Jersey
I've always found the Pontiac Bonneville SSE interesting, mainly due to it's chintzy early-90s style and body-colored wheels. It was even sold in Japan.
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiw34K4rLrkAhXBtlkKHTlwBVoQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarsot.com%2Fpontiac%2Fbonneville%2Fpontiac-bonneville-viii-1987-1991-sedan.html&psig=AOvVaw2qxS5qcP9_6k2XFyfbe-Hc&ust=1567795731513584']
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[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiw34K4rLrkAhXBtlkKHTlwBVoQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarsot.com%2Fpontiac%2Fbonneville%2Fpontiac-bonneville-viii-1987-1991-sedan.html&psig=AOvVaw2qxS5qcP9_6k2XFyfbe-Hc&ust=1567795731513584']
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- 5,646
- North Dakota
- RacingCowboy570
- RacingCowboy570
I'm part of a Bonneville owners group on Facebook and there are a bunch of people in Europe that drive them as well.I've always found the Pontiac Bonneville SSE interesting, mainly due to it's chintzy early-90s style and body-colored wheels. It was even sold in Japan.
- 3,749
- Hoboken, New Jersey
- 13,162
- Seattle-ish
That Bonneville is perfect. The shape of the C-pillar, the half-skirted rear and those beautiful wheels make it stand out. GM's two-doors built on the 1977-1985 downsized B and C platforms were all surprisingly attractive. They usually worked best with no padded roof, but a half-padded roof could look good, too. A fully padded roof never did.
Oldsmobile 88
Buick LeSabre Custom Landau
Cadillac Coupe de Ville
Chevrolet Caprice
- 3,749
- Hoboken, New Jersey
I guess this is an appropriate time to bring up the Pontiac Can Am. Sometimes thought of as the successor to the GTO or as a more mature Trans Am, the Can Am was based on the LeMans and was a special edition offered only in 1977, named for the Can Am racing series. It was powered by the 6.4L Pontiac 400 V8 making 200hp, which was about as good as you could get in '77.
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
The Caprice is probably my favorite of the bunch (that big, beautiful back glass), but the Bonneville makes that a tough call. The Delta 88 is a special thing as well with its "chopped" top. The LeSabre has the right roofline (not necessarily the sleek C-pillar either; the square versions do it for me too), but it loses me in front.That Bonneville is perfect. The shape of the C-pillar, the half-skirted rear and those beautiful wheels make it stand out. GM's two-doors built on the 1977-1985 downsized B and C platforms were all surprisingly attractive. They usually worked best with no padded roof, but a half-padded roof could look good, too. A fully padded roof never did.
Oldsmobile 88
Buick LeSabre Custom Landau
Cadillac Coupe de Ville
Chevrolet Caprice
And speaking of that C-pillar...how about those Aeroback A-bodies?
- 3,749
- Hoboken, New Jersey
I've always liked the "humpback" styled cars, my favorite being the Oldsmobile 4-4-2, though it was a far cry from the original.The Caprice is probably my favorite of the bunch (that big, beautiful back glass), but the Bonneville makes that a tough call. The Delta 88 is a special thing as well with its "chopped" top. The LeSabre has the right roofline (not necessarily the sleek C-pillar either; the square versions do it for me too), but it loses me in front.
And speaking of that C-pillar...how about those Aeroback A-bodies?
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjQkJzw7rrkAhUvrVkKHVq5B-kQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.curbsideclassic.com%2Fcurbside-classics-american%2Fcurbside-classic-1978-oldsmobile-cutlass-salon-we-dont-want-no-stinkin-fastbacks-ccccc-part-9%2F&psig=AOvVaw2rRmqIwr6pTcnQogCocizb&ust=1567813563056854']
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- 3,749
- Hoboken, New Jersey
Here's the Plymouth Volare Roadrunner, basically the Plymouth equivalent of the Aspen R/T. Could it get more late-70s than this?
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjhtcirkLvkAhWnnOAKHXABAa4QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hotrod.com%2Farticles%2Fmopar-photo-contest-gallery-and-2015-results%2F180-1978-plymouth-volare-roadrunner-black-profile%2F&psig=AOvVaw3k-0eYibX9m7IQRiwBEzKg&ust=1567822459263625']
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjxttfGkLvkAhUBVN8KHfrtAUYQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmodernmopars.net%2Fmopar-b-bodyc-bodye-bodyj-body%2Fplymouth-roadrunner-specs-1976-1980%2F&psig=AOvVaw3MlkVq0f-OuhAf6YNW7k4r&ust=1567822602580749']
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These cars were quite fast for the time with a 5.9L V8 making 195hp, 60hp more than the fastest Mustang II.
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjhtcirkLvkAhWnnOAKHXABAa4QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hotrod.com%2Farticles%2Fmopar-photo-contest-gallery-and-2015-results%2F180-1978-plymouth-volare-roadrunner-black-profile%2F&psig=AOvVaw3k-0eYibX9m7IQRiwBEzKg&ust=1567822459263625']
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjxttfGkLvkAhUBVN8KHfrtAUYQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmodernmopars.net%2Fmopar-b-bodyc-bodye-bodyj-body%2Fplymouth-roadrunner-specs-1976-1980%2F&psig=AOvVaw3MlkVq0f-OuhAf6YNW7k4r&ust=1567822602580749']
[/URL][/URL]These cars were quite fast for the time with a 5.9L V8 making 195hp, 60hp more than the fastest Mustang II.
- 16,343
- Melbourne
- ScottPuss20
- CheetahsMeow
Was this the inspiration for the '76 Mazda Cosmo?Here's the Plymouth Volare Roadrunner, basically the Plymouth equivalent of the Aspen R/T. Could it get more late-70s than this?
These cars were quite fast for the time with a 5.9L V8 making 195hp, 60hp more than the fastest Mustang II.
- 29,902
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
Second generation Cosmo debuted for the '75 model year; Aspen/Volaré a year later.
Both are a product of the time more than drawing inspiration specifically from the other.
- 13,162
- Seattle-ish
One of my favorite Malaise-era designs. I made a post about them in the Forgotten Cars thread a while ago.And speaking of that C-pillar...how about those Aeroback A-bodies?
- 3,749
- Hoboken, New Jersey
I'm a fan of how the 1955 Nash Ambassador looks.
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi7iq_NgpflAhVqiOAKHSOmCmQQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fchorwedel%2F37945329531%2F&psig=AOvVaw1XH2JNWFkp6VqJt0xyc4lN&ust=1570979895820909'][URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjSre24ipflAhVrUN8KHfRWDfYQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2F50s-cars-for-sale.com%2Fstunning-1955-nash-ambassador%2F&psig=AOvVaw1XH2JNWFkp6VqJt0xyc4lN&ust=1570979895820909']
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwisuMHEipflAhXyYt8KHYLJCfUQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hemmings.com%2Fblog%2F2012%2F04%2F09%2Fhemmings-find-of-the-day-1955-nash-ambassador-country-club%2F&psig=AOvVaw1XH2JNWFkp6VqJt0xyc4lN&ust=1570979895820909']
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There was even a one-off done by Pininfarina:
[URL='https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/nash+ambassador']
[URL='https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520588038162339001/']
[/URL][/URL]
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi7iq_NgpflAhVqiOAKHSOmCmQQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fchorwedel%2F37945329531%2F&psig=AOvVaw1XH2JNWFkp6VqJt0xyc4lN&ust=1570979895820909'][URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjSre24ipflAhVrUN8KHfRWDfYQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2F50s-cars-for-sale.com%2Fstunning-1955-nash-ambassador%2F&psig=AOvVaw1XH2JNWFkp6VqJt0xyc4lN&ust=1570979895820909']
[URL='https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwisuMHEipflAhXyYt8KHYLJCfUQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hemmings.com%2Fblog%2F2012%2F04%2F09%2Fhemmings-find-of-the-day-1955-nash-ambassador-country-club%2F&psig=AOvVaw1XH2JNWFkp6VqJt0xyc4lN&ust=1570979895820909']
[/URL][/URL][/URL]
There was even a one-off done by Pininfarina:
[URL='https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/nash+ambassador']
[URL='https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520588038162339001/']
[/URL][/URL]Similar threads
