Cool cars from days gone by..

[Pritch]

Tell Pritch.....

which 5 cool cars that are no longer built were the best in terms of performance, character, looks, etc. Something anyone could buy, IE something not exotic....and lets keep the prices realistic too.

Here are my 5

Nissan 240sx
Honda Del Sol
VW Corrado
Ford Lightning
Dodge Stealth (barring engine fires and self-detonating gearboxes)

anybody else?

[big_block]

Here's my top 5:

Honda Prelude
Toyota MR-2 (90's)
Toyota Celica 4WD Turbo (90's)
Chevy Impala SS (1994-1996)
Camaro SS/Firebird SLP

[Crash]

As I have duel-citizenship, I'm going to put up two lists, models sold on this side of the pond and in Europe. Oh, and as I'm older than some of you guy's, you might have to stretch your memory a little.

N.A.
70's Dodge Challenger. (The Muscle car era at it's best)
70's Trans Am "Smokey and the Bandit edition" (Come on now don't laugh, it was an epic film in its day and this was a very smart marketing idea)
70's Ford Mustang Mach1 convertable (Sill my favorite wild pony)
70's Datsun/Nissan 240Z (The start of a great line-up of Z cars)
70's The original Golf GTI (30 years later and the new one still doesn't truly match up to it)

Europe.
70's Ford Escort RS 2000 (An all-time rally favorite, I even rally'd one)
80's/90's GM/Vauxhall Lotus Calton (GM/Lotus working well together)
80's/90's Ford Cosworth Sierra (A 180mph 4wd 4 door Ford sedan, do I need to say more?)
70's/80's GM/Vauxhall HS Chevette (A true rally champ and nothing like the one which we got over here)
Last but by no means least...60's Austin/Morris Mini Cooper S (Oh yes, when this came out it rocked the car world. Cheap, Fast and more fun than anything else you can do with your clothes on!)

Ok, so I'm stuck in a time capsule. Yes, there have been many great cars that came out after these and they're still making some wonderfull cars today. But, for anyone who drove these cars in their heyday, today's vehicles seem a little tame. It's not that present day cars don't perform, in fact some of these are slow compared with today's offerings. It's just that the oldies "felt fast" and they had very distinctive looks. Maybe that is why we are seeing a modern resurection of the older designs today.

[Pritch]

Some great pics. I particularly agree with the Impala SS- one of a few American Cars I wish I could own, and the SLP firehawk (big block).

Crash I like that you mention the Nissan 240 and I couldnt agree more (because I own one :P)

anyhow. Thanks for the inputs. I have to stick with my original list at this point, though I have more options to choose from if this article Im doing on these machines gets a good review from my readers and I do it again someday.

What I need to know is (and I might throw this in another thread) but what sort of things to watch out for if buying one of the machines on my list?

I'll start

240sx- Noisy timing chain guides, rust through on front driver-side frame rail and leaky window seals.

anyone know any of the problem areas on the other machines?

JP

[The General]

My list, my list...

In no particular order:
- 1969 Dodge Charger R/T
- Buick Grand National
- Volkswagen Corrado
- Mazda RX-7 (Last generation)
- Toyota Supra Turbo

There are so many more...

[Pritch]

a great list too..those grand nationals are a blast!

[deeker]

VW Transporter - the Euro Quad-cab.
AMC Pacer - it's an icon... sort of.
Renault Fuego - what other car has a name that sounds like you're cursing?
The original Ford Bronco
Jeep Scrambler

[woohoo!]

1990-1994 Eagle Talon / Plymouth Laser / Mitsubishi Eclipse
1989-1990 Dodge/Plymouth Colt 200GT Turbo / Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo
1988-1989 Mazda 323GTX
1988-1991 Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo
1994-2001 Acura Integra GS-R

[MiniK]

I gotta admit. Old school Mini Coopers have my heart. I love those cars. :roll:

[apl16]

hmmm......really liked the nissan 240/60/80 zed cars, especially the 280z.........likely because i had one and it rocked!!!........very disappointed in the new 350/g35 ugly twins.........coupes suck......hot hatches already

mr2
nsx
jag xke
'69 charger