Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks

Popular Mechanics ^ | July 03, 2008 | John Pearley Huffman

[fredhead]

The VW Rabbit GTI!!!! I had an 84. The second of my 5 VW’s. It was a hot little car, great acceleration, tight handling, and (with the optional VW front end bra) good looking. Loved it until I had to replace the front tires from hot-rodding it. Pirelli P6 185-60R14’s weren’t cheap.

My other VW’s? 65 Beetle (long gone as is the GTI), 69 Beetle Convertible (current daily driver), 74 Super Beetle (parts car), 08 New Beetle Convertible (wife’s car).

[posterchild]

It was a ‘Falcon Ute.’ These pictures are of the 2003 model but I think I saw more recent models.

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/7_10_for.htm

[Dust in the Wind]

OK, I stand corrected. That does look more like a mini pickup. Kind of sharp.

The later model Rancheros were of a Torino style but the first were Falcons.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Cat recently announced it was quitting the truck engine business.

[BobS]

I bought a used ‘63 Plymouth Valiant once and that one STILL must be on the road somewhere.

[epow]

GM sold Detroit Diesel to Daimler Benz, and now Caterpillar is pulling out of that market. I suppose that leaves Cummins and Mack as the only US builders of diesel heavy truck engines. I think International still builds medium duty dry sleeve diesel engines for International and Ford light and medium duty trucks, and the DT 466 heavy duty wet sleeve engine for medium size trucks, but neither is suitable for heavy tractor trailer use.

I guess the US heavy truck builders will all be out of business before too long. I see more Volvo and Sterling tractors on the road all the time. I know what we can do, let's get China to build all of our trucks, that way the US military can depend on China to build their trucks and other heavy vehicles if we ever get into another world war.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Part of my career required that I be around heavy equipment and big diesel engines and I have to say, I was never impressed by Caterpillar engines, except for the price of their parts. The 149 Detroit engine was superior in design, easier to repair and longer lasting. For decades, it was the king of the ore mines up in the Iron Range.