Lovers of 'classic' cars born to be mild

USA TODAY ^ | 29 March 2002 | Marco R. della Cava

[Deadeye Division]

PASADENA, Calif.

[BluesDuke]

Interestingly, the Imperial Joe Don Baker was driving is the only thing I remember about that film! Speaking of Imperials, Elvis Presley drove a white 1968 convertible in Change of Habit...

[RangeRatt]

it gets my wife's goat- every time that movie is on A&E, I watch it. I have a feeling, though, that I am going to miss "Lost Drive-In" since Speedvision has been taken over by FOX, 'cause that is the only channel that showed Vanishing Point and Gone In 60 Seconds, as well as the Toby Halicki documentary.

[Yardstick]

Yeah, they were good cars, and the the 6-cylinder models were even kind of zippy. If you can clear your mind of all the negative press and slander that these poor cars have been heaped with through the years, you must admit that they look good, too.

If the public's perception of bell-bottom pants (another much-ridiculed product of the 70's) has reversed itself, then I think we may yet see a wave of Pinto nostalgia sweep the land. Or maybe not. Either way I agree that Pintos are all right little cars.

[RangeRatt]

I would give up certain unimportant body parts if I could find a Spirit (as pictured) in really good shape...the engine upgrades available today (fuel injection, etc) and just the overall ruggedness would make it something I'd not have to replace anytime soon...

[Rate_Determining_Step]

I wouldn't want to attempt to FI a 258 CID AMC inline 6. Although it was a servicable engine, I spun a bearing diring a WOT 1-2 shift (auto tranny). I rebuilt the engine. There's nothing special there. It's just an ancient design.

I'd swap in a 7M-GTE Supra engine. Silky smooth, gobs more power, 100 less cubic inches. Then again, I know how to do it. That would be a car!

[Dakmar]

AUSSIE Falcons are very pretty too, in a brutal way. They bear a striking resemblance to the 1970/71 US Torinos, no?:

[RangeRatt]

ancient design, yes. Dates back to Nash/Rambler in the 50's. BUT- still in use today in Jeep Wranglers & Grand Cherokees. WOT 1-2 shift, eh? Woulda loved to have been there.

[RangeRatt]

yes they do resemble an early '70's Torino- I am always reminded of Mad Max when I see one... I know the "supercharger on/off knob" is movie stuff, but it was COOL!

[Dakmar]

Check THIS out.

[Dakmar]

The Aussies love their Falcons. :-)
Check THIS out.

[RangeRatt]

Thanks for the links! Very cool. I have always wanted to visit Oz, never had the chance...maybe now that I have some time on my hands, I will be able to make the trip.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

[Byron_the_Aussie]

[Cowman]

The Dart had a big block option in the late sixties. That car would smoke anything else on the road. Imagine strapping yourself into a compact with a 426 max wedge.

Nerd car... Maybe, But a fast one

[RangeRatt]

how about the Dodge Dart GSS? 440 c.i., automatic, available one year only from Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge, Chicago's hi-performance HQ.