Vehicle of The Day

[Slash]

How the hell did I manage that?

 

[Dagger311]

I've got a better idea for this thread, @Dagger311, if you'll entertain it.

Since everyone on GTP has wildly varying tastes in cars, why not make this a thread where people can pick a particular car, talk about it for a bit, and spur a bit of debate? Maybe make it weekly so conversation doesn't flit from car to car quite so quickly as it would in a day.

Could do it like a car-themed GTP Member of the Week thread - you could pick one member each week to talk about the car of their choice. Some might say the cool wall thread is similar to that already, but this thread wouldn't be about the subjective coolness of a vehicle - instead, it would be entirely about why an individual GTPer likes a particular car and their opportunity to maybe explain to others why it's significant.

At the moment, this thread just seems like slow-chatting on the parts prices of old trucks... which isn't really entertaining subject matter for a thread.

Sounds interesting... I may make a seperate thread for it. Pick a users' name at random from those who sign up, and just let them pick a car. I definitely won't do it over this one though, as I have a feeling this will pick up when/if more people sign up.

 

[Dagger311]

I just made a poll, it closes in a week. Highest vote wins.

 

[JMoney]

Well, now I feel like a jerk... I'm the only one who voted for the first choice...

I voted for the top because the "Vehicle of the Week" is really kind of pointless because in a way, we already have a vehicle of the day, which is whatever is being polled for the cool wall. I don't really think the idea sucks, though.

 

[Dagger311]

Well, the idea was to not vote on the car, but rather to appreciate a car each day. Plus, there's too much arguing in the Cool Wall. This is a place where you can discuss and admire a car each day, without worrying about being called on your opinion.

And also, It'll be a while before I put the next one up, sorta busy.

 

[Dagger311]

8/28/14: 2013 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, nominated by @EF12345678.

Engine:

3.5 Liter Twin Turbo Ecoboost V6, 365 Horsepower, 350 ft-lbs of Torque. Estimated 0-60 time: 5.6 seconds.

Drivetrain:
Four-wheel drive.
Six-speed automatic transmission.

Congratulations, @EF12345678! This car returns to the list on 9/27/14.

 

[Dagger311]

8/29/14: 1969 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro, nominated by me, @Dagger311.

Engine:

Chevrolet had only one engine for the Z/28, and it was exclusive to the Z/28: A 302 Small Block OHV V8, rated at 290 horsepower, with dyno pulls around the 400-450 range. Torque was also rated at 290 ft-lbs, however I can't find any information as to what the true number is. Estimates of 350-400 ft-lbs though. 4 barrel carburetor, and a compression ratio of 11.0:1.

Curb weight:
3,250 pounds.

Wheelbase:
108.1 inches.

Drivetrain:

Front Engine, Real Wheel drive. Transmission was Chevrolet's M-21 4 speed manual.




Probably the coolest fact I could give you about this car that you may not already know, is it had a $79 cowl induction hood, which had a valve that opened at 80 percent throttle, which helped cool the engine down at high speeds.

This is my dream car guys, so glad it got picked so I could share a little bit about it! This iconic and wonderful classic muscle car returns to the list on 9/28/14.

 

[RocZX]

The 1st gen. Camaro is a one of my favorite muscle cars, never like the hideaway headlights from the rally sport package.

 

[Dagger311]

It's my favorite, rivaled closely by the Chevelle. And I quite like them, but the other ones suit it as well.

 

[Slash]

Curb weight:
3,765 pounds.

What a pig. Not even the heaviest Mustang (71-73 gen) weighed that much.

 

[Dagger311]

What a pig. Not even the heaviest Mustang (71-73 gen) weighed that much.

I know, but the upgraded suspension handled it well, and there was plenty of power to make it move! The website said 0-60 in something like 5.7 seconds.

 

[GranTurismo916]

Screw all your Camaros and Mustangs, I'll go get my Corvair.

 

[Dagger311]

Screw all your Camaros and Mustangs, I'll go get my Corvair.

Hey, I love Corvairs!

I was actually going to put that in my next five.

 

[Adamgp]

The weight figure seems ~500lbs too high. Where did you get that number?

Every place I check lists the weight at around 3,250 for a '69 Z/28 hardtop.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/chevrolet_usa/camaro_1gen/camaro_1gen_coupe_z28/1969.html

 

[Slash]

I know, but the upgraded suspension handled it well, and there was plenty of power to make it move! The website said 0-60 in something like 5.7 seconds.

Still...that's heavy.

 

[Slash]

The weight figure seems ~500lbs too high. Where did you get that number?

Every place I check lists the weight at around 3,250 for a '69 Z/28 hardtop.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/chevrolet_usa/camaro_1gen/camaro_1gen_coupe_z28/1969.html

I was going to say. There is no way it weighs that much. I couldn't imagine it weighing more than 3,300.

 

[Dagger311]

The weight figure seems ~500lbs too high. Where did you get that number?

Every place I check lists the weight at around 3,250 for a '69 Z/28 hardtop.

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/chevrolet_usa/camaro_1gen/camaro_1gen_coupe_z28/1969.html

Howstuffworks.com, could they have not been using pounds?

 

[Adamgp]

Howstuffworks.com, could they have not been using pounds?

They use pounds, I believe.

They list the big block Camaro SS396 at 3,700+lbs. That may have been the figure that you saw.

 

[Slash]

They use pounds, I believe.

They list the big block Camaro SS396 at 3,700+lbs. That may have been the figure that you saw.

Yeah the big block car is heavy, the engine alone weighs 700+lbs. The DZ-302 car is the Z/28 and that was significantly less.

 

[Dagger311]

They use pounds, I believe.

They list the big block Camaro SS396 at 3,700+lbs. That may have been the figure that you saw.

Probably. I thought 3,700 was really high for a small block... Oh well, I've edited it.

 

[Slash]

Probably. I thought 3,700 was really high for a small block... Oh well, I've edited it.

That's because it is

 

[Dagger311]

That's because it is

Yeah, I just went and checked my cool wall nomination request post, and it's listed as 3,296 pounds.

Also, the pic I used is too big now.

So, what's everyone's favorite thing about this car? (Shameless attempt to start a discussion) Mine is probably the sound they make. It's Heaven on Earth.

 

[Slash]

Yeah, I just went and checked my cool wall nomination request post, and it's listed as 3,296 pounds.

Also, the pic I used is too big now.

So, what's everyone's favorite thing about this car? (Shameless attempt to start a discussion) Mine is probably the sound they make. It's Heaven on Earth.

The RS package. I prefer those headlights to any other Camaro lights.

 

[GranTurismo916]

So, what's everyone's favorite thing about this car? (Shameless attempt to start a discussion) Mine is probably the sound they make. It's Heaven on Earth.

Umm...idk. It's a Camaro?

 

[Dagger311]

The RS package. I prefer those headlights to any other Camaro lights.

I like them both about the same, really.

Umm...idk. It's a Camaro?

That's as good a reason as any!

Here's a sound clip, a little in to the video.



And here's a pic of the other headlights.

 

[Slash]

I've seen exactly one Z/28 in my life and it was kinda built. Been years since I've laid eyes on it.

 

[GranTurismo916]

I've seen exactly one Z/28 in my life and it was kinda built. Been years since I've laid eyes on it.

I've seen SSs, no Z/28s IIRC.

 

[Slash]

I've seen SSs, no Z/28s IIRC.

I see SS's and converted Firebirds all the time.

 

[Dagger311]

I don't believe I've ever seen a real Z/28.

But, on an unrelated note, I love how this Camaro was made more for handling than power. It had strong brakes, positraction, power steering, and of course the upgraded suspension to deal with the front heaviness (On that note, anyone have a weight distribution? I can't find any). Handled really well, for a "Yank Tank" from the 60's (or so I'm told, never actually driven one).

 

[Adamgp]

The Z/28 was a great all-arounder muscle car.

Didn't take much to make these things fast either. A set of slicks and a few bolt-ons and it was a low 12 second car.