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Muscle Cars Make Comeback at Detroit Show
AP ^ | January 8, 2006 | DEE-ANN DURBIN

Posted on 01/08/2006 1:36:56 PM PST by NCjim

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To: NCjim
"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.

Still the same old stupidity. At one time, the Japanese were granted the small-car market, because they wouldn't be credible with luxury cars. Same thinking for the Honda and Yamaha motorcycles, and now pickup and other trucks. The Japanese can and will follow into profitable segments, and will do so when they can out-shine the competition in some way. The Japanese do make high performance motorcycles, when they get around to it, and when they think it's not a flash in the pan market, they will make high performance cars but likely at a reliability level the US manufacturers can't (or do not seem to want to) meet.

41 posted on 01/08/2006 2:43:23 PM PST by slowhandluke (It's hard work to be cynical enough in this age)
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To: VOA; darkocean
High prices and gas lines are 2 different things. I don't take vacations, gamble, or buy anything really nice. Gas is always worth it to me.

If I had to wait in line for it, then I'd go crazy.

42 posted on 01/08/2006 2:44:39 PM PST by SteveMcKing ("No empire collapses because of technical reasons. They collapse because they are unnatural.")
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To: SJSAMPLE

"Those are the cars that killed the Mustang mystique for me. "

Exactly. The new one has done a lot to bring it back.


43 posted on 01/08/2006 2:47:23 PM PST by SmoothTalker
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To: pandemoniumreigns

"Kinda mustang looking aint it?"

I owned a 69 Camaro, and it has a lot of styling of a 69. I like it.


44 posted on 01/08/2006 2:49:28 PM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: Names Ash Housewares
Yea it's not bad looking car or anything. I'm just think that if you took the bow tie off it and parked it on the street most people would ID it as a mustang.

And I'm not bustin on the camaro or anything. I had one very similar to this all thru th '70,s.

But it wasn't a Z.. (sigh)


45 posted on 01/08/2006 3:07:04 PM PST by pandemoniumreigns
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To: pandemoniumreigns

I ordered one of these in '73 ...Took 4 months to get it ...One big LEMON from day one ...Never bought another new American car after the Z-28 nightmare ...


46 posted on 01/08/2006 3:18:14 PM PST by sushiman
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To: NCjim

(Warning - lots of yelling and caps to follow)

This is so typical.

The auto industry is going to become 100% foreign in the next 10 years.

The US auto industry is STUCK IN THE PAST. The design studios are in Michigan - and design based on where they live. They see guys in pickup trucks and midsize/large cars. They see lots of snow. They see boats being towed. And they see big corn-fed midwest drivers. What they don't see a lot of, is style conscious young drivers, or $3 gas.

(I'm not bashing Michigan - grew up there)

Meanwhile, Japanese, Korean and soon Chinese carmakers are designing in Southern Cal. They are SURROUNDED by every type of car on the planet every day on the freeway. They see what young people drive, and they make more of them. They redesign almost every year. They make small cars. Soon Daimler will be bringing a teenie car smaller than the Mini from Europe - and they'll sell a zillion of them.

Meanwhile, GM is laying off workers, is on the verge of bankruptcy, Ford is seemingly on a 10-year design cycle. It's SO FRUSTRATING!!

Detroit really needs to get with the program. They're losing.

That's right. I'll say it. LOSING.

They're going to go out of business.

They need to build small cars. Here. Not import them and put a "Chevy" on the back. Not import them and call them a "Festiva", or "Aspire". Not import them and sell them as a mini SUV.

We need to build small cars right here - lots and lots and lots of them. Cheap. Small. Stylish. And we better start RIGHT NOW.

WAKE UP DETROIT.

(rant off - and yes I have an American car)


47 posted on 01/08/2006 3:21:35 PM PST by Cringing Negativism Network
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To: NCjim
Seems Detroit, rather than follow or find some 'common sense' has decided on the psychological approach to determining next seasons best.

Like. . .American's want if not 'deserve'. . . to recall and experience some automobile 'glory days'. . .while they look to return as well. ..to a safer. . .happier past. . .(before the 'terror' word had personal impact)

AND we want to flex our muscles as well. . .but not in Iraq or in Military service or just 'for' our Country. . .but rather by gunning our engines at the red light. . .

Leave it to Demrats to come up with a car solution that totally defies the other half of their own conflilcted story. . .and one that defies the real world as well.

48 posted on 01/08/2006 3:25:47 PM PST by cricket (No Freedom - No Peace)
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To: NCjim

I like muscle cars too --however Both Ford and Chevy are in financial trouble and neither has a decent high mileage auto.

I wonder if the muscle car idea is the wrong one with gas at $2.40 a gallon.


49 posted on 01/08/2006 3:27:59 PM PST by sgtbono2002
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To: NCjim

Why is Ford naming a muscle car "Shelby"????


50 posted on 01/08/2006 3:33:18 PM PST by 3catsanadog (When anything goes, everything does.)
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To: NCjim

I learned how to drive a stick in my ex-husband's 1971 silver Pontiac Firebird.

God, I could feel that engine rumble in my stomach!

I felt like I was driving a metallic Man O'War!


51 posted on 01/08/2006 3:36:27 PM PST by 3catsanadog (When anything goes, everything does.)
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To: NCjim

"...and Steve McQueen, who raced around San Francisco in a 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 in the legendary chase scene from "Bullitt."

If memory serves, it was a GTA. That Mustang did indeed have a 390 option. But I read long ago that McQueen had a 427 Chevy custom installed in that green Mustang.

What I wanna know is what handgun he carried in the film. My guess is a 2.5 inch Colt Diamondback in .38 Special. But maybe it was a short barrelled Python?

Semper Fi,


52 posted on 01/08/2006 3:51:56 PM PST by 2nd Bn, 11th Mar
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To: 3catsanadog
Your funny.(:o)


53 posted on 01/08/2006 3:53:25 PM PST by pandemoniumreigns
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To: SmithL

That is a great looking car! If they put that into production...I WILL get one....although I would change the rims and put some Cragar SS's on it!! LOL


54 posted on 01/08/2006 3:59:15 PM PST by justkillingtime
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To: al baby

Ah a Tigger. Here Kitty Kitty.

I'ld love to have one with a 351 Clevland block and four speed top loader. Hee Ya!!!!!!!!


55 posted on 01/08/2006 4:02:41 PM PST by beaver fever
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To: Unfrozen Caveman Engineer

I've go a red convertable "89. Standard, leather seats. It is in the garage with 7,000 miles on it. I plan on taking it out and driving it when I hit the Big 60. To heck with everyone at that age.


56 posted on 01/08/2006 4:10:42 PM PST by therut
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To: SteveMcKing

What some people will do is purchase a body kit that makes their base mustang to like a Shelby. Get a body kit, get bigger tires (and if one is willing to invest some extra, get some engine modifications).


57 posted on 01/08/2006 4:44:55 PM PST by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: Clint N. Suhks

Your son must be truly appreciative. Good call Clint. He must have been deliriously happy.


58 posted on 01/08/2006 4:47:41 PM PST by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: NCjim
Bring back the 375 HP SS Chevelle !!
59 posted on 01/08/2006 4:52:43 PM PST by 1ofmanyfree ("Funny thing about time, it heals all wounds ...and it wounds all heels.")
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Not import them and call them a "Festiva"

Don't care what you call it, I don't want this built anyplace in the world....

I'd rather see the Gremlin return, or the Camino for that matter.

60 posted on 01/08/2006 4:58:34 PM PST by SteveMcKing ("No empire collapses because of technical reasons. They collapse because they are unnatural.")
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