A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-01-03....Muscle Car Mania!

dansangel

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear, Aquamarine ~

Muscle cars have been a huge part of the American heritage. Songs have been written about them, movies made and legends born. Americans are fans of different incarnations of racing; NASCAR, Indy Car, drag racing and Formula One, to name a few. Mario Andretti, Dale Earnhardt, Michael Schumacher and Don Garlits are all household names.

Today at the Finest, we celebrate the American Muscle Car. Presented here are just a very few of the wealth of American muscle cars from which to choose.



From the Corvette History Site:

The first Corvette was built on June 30th, 1953 in Flint, Michigan. The antennas in the '53 Corvettes were mesh screen fiberglassed into the inside of the trunk. The '53 vettes had two interior hood releases, one for each hood latch. There were only 300 Corvettes produced in 1953, all were roadsters. All 300 were polo white on the outside and red on the inside. The only engine available was a 150hp six cylinder engine with a powerglide automatic transmission. The base price of the '53 Corvette was $3,498.00.



From the Automotive Intelligence Site:

The original Ford Thunderbird, introduced in 1954 as a '55 model, was a sporty two-seater. It's long cowl was set off by elegant round headlamps, an "egg-crate" radiator grille and a wraparound, aircraft-style windscreen. A scoop in the bonnet and a row of chrome-like vents in the bumpers hinted at the car's V-8 power. In 1956, the famous porthole window was added to Ford Thunderbird's optional removable hard top.



From the Mustang Maniacs Site:

The Mustang was the brain child of Lee Iococca .The Mustang debuted at the World's Fair in Chicago on April 14, 1964. The car was available with a wide choice of options in coupe and convertible only. Reaction to the Mustang's arrival was tremendous and dealers could not get enough. The first day the car went up for sale, April 17, 1964, saw 22,000 cars sold at or above retail.



Chevrolet's answer to the Mustang was the Camaro SS. Shown here is a 1969 model:

The 1969 Camaro SS featured a 5.7 liter 350 cubic inch V8 engine. With 295 bhp and a 4-speed manual transmission, it reached top speeds of 121 mph. For the serious muscle car collector, the 1969 Camaro SS is a must-own.



A personal favorite of mine is the 1970 Chevelle SS:

The 70 Chevelle SS boasted a big-block 454 in either an LS-5 with 360 bhp or the more rare LS-6 with 460 bhp. An LS-6 car was tested by Hot Rod magazine and ran 108 mph in the quarter mile in 13.44 seconds. Be still my heart!



For all of you Mopar fans, here is a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda:

This Mopar Muscle Machine boasted a 383 cubic inch, 4-barrel engine. It has been known to run 12.13 seconds at 107 mph in the quarter mile. It's sleek good looks made it a favorite that resurfaced in the TV show "Nash Bridges" with Don Johnson's character at the wheel. Nostalgia at its best!

I must admit I have a long-standing affection for a later model muscle car. From 1986 until 2000, I was the proud owner of this beautiful 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS:

Yes, that's .45MAN - notice *his* long-lost love right beside the SS, a beautiful 1988 Merkur XR4TI.

When I purchased the Monte Carlo SS brand new in 1986 it was "love at first drive." The Chevy always gave a great ride, had excellent acceleration (small-block V-8 with a 4-barrel carburetor) and ended up being low-maintenace over the course of our long relationship. In May 2000, someone decided they wanted my car more than I did and tried to steal it. The theft was foiled by a combination of .45MAN discovering it in process and the fact that the rank amateurs damaged the steering column so badly the floor-mounted shift would not move out of "neutral."

After the car was in the shop for a long 8 weeks while parts were located around the country, it was found that the transmission was slipping and the a/c was shot. After much soul-searching and a few tears, it was decided that the car that had served me so well over 14 years, needed to go on to "greener pastures."

Please feel free to share a fond "Muscle Car" story with us, or just kick back, relax and enjoy the show as others cruise up and down Memory Lane.



And, while you're at it, check out our own St.Louie1's pride and joy, a pristine 1974 Corvette:

Martin_Fierro doesn't call me Dans"Gearhead"Angel for nothin'! ;-)

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-29-03 Military Monday 09-30-03 Hall of Fame #5

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[ST.LOUIE1]

And being it's her birthday, wolfie will not fight with her over it. : )

How very thoughtful of you. ;-)

Yes, isn't it! LOL

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

I forgot but I remember when I looked at a VUE that had it the renewal was something outrageous. Full package around $500/year sticks in my mind. AAA and a cell phone does everything the basic OnStar does. American Express does the fancy add-ons, reservations etc. The ONLY thing that might have a use, and I hope never, is the call when the airbags deploy. But you're right - nobody's business where you are. I have LoJack on a couple cars but tracked down where they installed it and added a cut-off for "being bad." When they wouldn't tell me where it was installed I got suspicious fast.

[dansangel]

I need to see if I can find a picture of the 1970 (I think it was a '70) Placer Gold Camero that we bought right after we were married.

Hope you do, ((((Mama_Bear))))) - would love to have you share it with us.

Glad you liked the b'day card and hoping you are having a happy one!

[dansangel]

we're s'posed to be talking fun, crazy, muscle cars here!

Yep...and we are! :-)

Don't worry - it's good to know we have feelings, too!

[dansangel]

Anyway, the guys all loved riding in it, and I didn't mind driving it too much, either.:-))

See? That's what I loved so much about mine. I really miss it and still get a lump in my throat when I see a well-preserved Monte Carlo SS go by.

Thanks for sharing ((((((((MP)))))))!

[Billie]

How was your day, dear Dansy? Are you home yet? There have been some great-looking cars here today! Love that one Gail posted, and that studebaker (sp?) that uglybiker posted! My gosh! A 1951! Does that front not look like the nose of the WWII planes to you?!

[Billie]

Hey, Nan, it's really you, and it's not even midnight yet! :)

[dansangel]

AAA and a cell phone does everything the basic OnStar does.

*AND* - I can get 30% off at Lens Crafters - LOL! Our AAA membership, between the times we've been towed and the discounts on eyewear, has consistently paid for itself.

The ONLY thing that might have a use, and I hope never, is the call when the airbags deploy.

That does sound useful. I'd like someone dispatched PDQ if I'm involved in a crash, but again, with so many people having cell phones, a call would probably go in fairly quickly.

When they wouldn't tell me where it was installed I got suspicious fast.

Could it be they thought you were a "bad guy" trying to disabled it on a car you were stealing? Just a thought. :-)

[Molly Pitcher]

That's right! I can never see one without thinking of my father...

[dansangel]

That's right! I can never see one without thinking of my father...

Those are happy memories...it's nice that a car can do that!

[dansangel]

(((((((((Billie)))))))

Made it home in one piece, I'm happy to report! :-)

That "stoodeybaker" is a trip, is it not??? Cars have their own little personalities, I swear. And, I believe they tell an awful lot about their owners, as well!

[dutchess]

Hi lovely sistahs, brotha Louie and Finest Friends...sorry for my absence. Have spent the past two days with my cousin and family who lost, without warning (a massive heart attack), her 42 year old brother this weekend. The funeral was today. It was beautiful and uplifting...John had and the whole family has a strong faith in our Lord....and it showed. There were over a hundred family and friends there today....Many trials and tribulations to come for his lovely wife and four children, ages 5, 9, 10 and 17. Please pray for them as well as for John's parents...It must be devastating to bury a child...

I did want to share however the "prose" which was on the cover of the "program" with a wonderful smiling picture of John entitled"A Celebration of Life"

"IF I COULD REACH UP AND HOLD A STAR FOR EVERY TIME YOU'VE MADE ME SMILE, THIS ENTIRE EVENING SKY WOULD BE IN THE PALM OF MY HAND"

Very fitting for this wonderful young man..and many finest friends who are only with us in spirit.

The one "lesson" I got from this experience is to not take a moment for granted...and remember to tell those we care about...how much we do. I care about you all my finest friends....Thanks for all the sunshine and smiles you bring here.

[Billie]

((((((((((((((((((Dutchess))))))))))))))))))

Am so happy to hear from you this evening. I didn't expect to.

"IF I COULD REACH UP AND HOLD A STAR FOR EVERY TIME YOU'VE MADE ME SMILE, THIS ENTIRE EVENING SKY WOULD BE IN THE PALM OF MY HAND"

What a sweet and lovely sentiment that is.

Love you, Sistah!

[dutchess]

(((((dansy))))))

Needed to do the previous post before I say "kudos". GREAT JOB!

I learned to drive in a 69 camero....(I think that was my mom's midlife crisis car LOL) The folks gave it to me in college. The transission died when Mr. D. was in lawschool, I was working for minimum wage...and we sold it for nothing. Still miss that thing but at that time we couldn't afford to fix it. From there we drove a 1975 beetle (with the floors rusted out and no heat) the next couple years! Her name was Erna...just because of the way she sounded when we drove her. She put's a smile on our face....

Later in life, had a Nissan 300 XZ t-top; bought a 1980 Pontiac GranPrix with landau roof from my folks about 6 years ago (only had 40,000 miles on it!). Drove it all winter when the Z or the newer camero just wouldn't take the snow. Parents of a local 16 year old recently bought the Grand Prix for their son's "starter car". In a crash...he wins (they don't make cars like they used to!)

Amazing...I dont have pictures of any

Three years ago I traded in my fire engine red camero (the newer model that was pretty cool looking...I called it my midlife crisis car)...for a four door front wheel drive Impala (a "practical car"). Now when the grocery baggers take my stuff to the car....instead of saying Hey cool car...it's have a great day "mam"! Ah well....

[WVNan]

To believe is to find the strength and courage that lies within us, when it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again. To believe is to know we're not alone, that life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it. Continued prayers for John's family.

[WVNan]

We are assuming, dear Sistah, that you are computerless again. Am I going to have to send you a puter? Hurry and get that thing fixed and get back here. We miss you, right dutchess?

[dutchess]

Oh Nan..and Billie. I was just about to sign off..need to spend some much needed time with Mr. D. But it was so good to have you "pop in" with your thoughtful and caring words. (Nan...I HATE city traffic...and did Cincinnati this week...You think Columbus is bad! Was proud of myself. Maybe I can now do West Virginia!)

[Libertina]

Thanks for sharing that Louie, I didn't know.
Mama Bear!
Happy birthday with honey on it :)
Enjoy your special day :)

[dansangel]

The one "lesson" I got from this experience is to not take a moment for granted...and remember to tell those we care about...how much we do. I care about you all my finest friends....Thanks for all the sunshine and smiles you bring here.

I ditto that sentiment, ((((((((dutchess))))))))

This is a warm, friendly and uplifting place to come to when the rest of the world feels like "the enemy."

Love and (((((((HUGS)))))) to all of my Finest FRiends!

[TexasCowboy]

Dear Lord, let us remember that the best heart exercise known to man is reaching down to help someone up.