Posted on 01/08/2006 1:36:56 PM PST by NCjim
Automakers will be flexing some muscle at this year's North American International Auto Show, with a slew of performance cars that harken back to the V-8-charged glory days of the 1960s and early '70s.
On Sunday, the first day of media previews, Ford Motor Co. planned to introduce the Ford Shelby GT500, a souped-up Mustang, and Chrysler Group planned to unveil the Dodge Challenger concept, a revamp of its 1970 model. Later in the show, General Motors Corp. will take the wraps off its Chevrolet Camaro concept.
Lamborghini is joining in, bringing out the Miura concept, an update of the 40-year-old supercar that was last produced in the early 1970s. And Hyundai Motor Corp. will have its HCD-9 Talus, the latest in a string of concept sports cars designed in the South Korean automaker's California studios.
But only Detroit automakers can lay claim to the tradition of muscle cars, the All-American vehicles that first appeared in the mid-1960s and faded out when the oil embargo and stricter pollution laws hit in the early 1970s. These are the cars made famous by the Dukes of Hazzard, who wreaked havoc in a 1969 Dodge Charger, and Steve McQueen, who raced around San Francisco in a 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 in the legendary chase scene from "Bullitt."
After years of focusing on sport utility vehicles, automakers were surprised by the popularity of the revamped Ford Mustang, which went on sale in the fall of 2004. U.S. sales of the Mustang rose 24 percent in 2005, according to Autodata Corp.
Erich Merkle, an auto analyst for the consulting firm IRN Inc., said Baby Boomer nostalgia is fueling the trend. Also, GM and Ford, who have been struggling with weak sales and U.S. market share losses, are eager to capitalize on something uniquely American.
"It's a place where the Japanese can't follow them. The Japanese couldn't do a Mustang. It wouldn't be credible," Merkle said.
The 2007 Ford Shelby GT500, in coupe and convertible versions, is the only one of the muscle cars at the Detroit show that is going on sale this year. Ford says the car will appear in showrooms in the summer of 2006.
The Shelby GT500 is the latest product from Ford's partnership with Carroll Shelby, a race-car driver turned designer who first began refashioning Mustangs in the 1960s.
The designers of the Dodge Challenger concept brought a 1970 Challenger into the studio for inspiration.
"For me, that car symbolizes the most passionate era of automotive design," Micheal Castiglione, principal exterior designer of the Challenger concept, said in a statement.
Chrysler hasn't said whether the concept will reach the market.
No, I said they killed themselves. The anti-gun people say, or at least intimate, that the guns do the killing, not the people.
This is a matter of responsibility. Apparently, the males in your family were taught to be responsible. A significant percentage, perhaps more than 50%, of males are not. (At least, that's my working theory on this subject.)
Later, after posting about how ugly the wheels are, I found this:
http://www.magnumforceracing.com/mopar_rallye_wheels.asp
Not exact, but certainly closer than the ugly ones on the concept. I could live with 'em.
17 x 8 from www.newstalgiawheel.com
Here's a pic my second car. First was a '53 Chevy. The Ford was ten years old when I owned it. Sky blue original paint, Keystone wheels, blue upholstery, Hurst shifter, Holley 4-barrel, hi-lift cam, glasspack mufflers, and more. I'd probably still own this car but I never was fond of the four doors.
Muleteam1
My umpteenth vehicle and one that I use to pull my antique tractors.
Muleteam1
Excellent choice!
They look real good, though the spokes are just a tad wide.
http://members.shaw.ca/dkdesignis/images/may2304/classics/gtx_67.jpg
What year Roadrunner you got?
Right now, my '69 Convertible is , unfortunately, slightly disassembled at this time. Too many pans in the fire to get it back together.
Hopefully I'll be able to start back up on it this spring.
You're joking right?
Good luck with it.
(When you said "Magnum 500" I thought at first you meant those turbine wheels on the old '80's Magnum. ;)
You be one lucky man! Congrats in advance.
If Shelby was involved in the design and engineering, it will be one fine ride.
I built an AC Cobra 1964 FIA 289 replica about 5 years ago. Fast as hell.
Gaaarghh, a Sunbeam Tiger. My ultimate dream car. Sigh...
I have one of the early 2003 SVT Cobra Terminators (#555) with the higher performance computer. The first 1800-2000 units had this. Pushing 445 RWHP right out of the factory. Totally awesome!!
Sadly, this one is not mine but brings back memories to this day...
Actually my "first" car was a 1948 four-door Chevy (Deluxe?) that my dad gave my brother and I. It never ran and I called it the "tortoise."
Muleteam1
Remember the accelerator linkage that also controlled the starter? You turned the ignition on, pressed the accelerator, and after it went down 1/2 inch the starter automatically engaged. That was Buick's idea to keep from engaging the starter with the engine running. And the 6-volt battery was about two feet long - took a lot of amps at six volts to turn over that straight eight! Dang, I loved that car!
My latest project, other than my tractors, is my grandchildrens' great great grandfather's 1924 Dodge Brother's business coupe. Split windshield, wooden spoke wheels, hand-operated windshield wiper, and a temperature gauge on the top of the radiator cap. Sorry but I don't have a picture of it at the moment.
Muleteam1
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