4th Sep 2015, 19:54
Try a 1970 Buick GS or GSX Stage 1 455. Yes they did! Or the same frame, same year 1970 Chevelle SS 454 450 HP or Olds 442 W-30 Option or 1970 GTO Ram Air IV 455. Shall we go on? There are a lot more than Skylarks out there. These are great cars!
4th Sep 2015, 22:02
Styling is more along the lines of personal opinion.
Yes, most of these comments people do like late '70s Buicks, that would be why we are commenting. If you don't like them, then why bother?
Everything today is unibody and mostly FWD, and probably still will be 30 years from now. Body on frame RWD cars are long gone. Another factor that makes late '70s cars unique compared to today.
5th Sep 2015, 01:43
These cars 30 years from now will never be classics, because they are not engineered with the hand-craftmanship, styling, or classic feel those older cars had. You have to understand back in those days, cars had their own individual identity (even as far as the way they sounded when they were starting).
Modern cars are not special in any way. Older cars had their own individual styling characteristics - modern cars seem to mock each other. Older cars had that - put down the windows (in some cases pillarless) - let the wind blow in - put your elbow out the window - and cruise in style. Or in the 70s and 80s, pop in your cassette or 8 track, put the windows down or crank up the ice cold R12 AC - then cruise in style and have fun.
These days it's all about useless tech features that are too expensive to repair when they break. These modern cars seem to be engineered for people who lack enough common sense to even drive a car. Back-up cameras, lane change warnings, stabilitrak, oil change reminders... gimme a break. I'm glad I grew up in my era. I have a modern car and an old school. My modern car will never be a classic.
6th Sep 2015, 04:54
The new domestic classics could be found on my cruise night this Labor Day weekend. A brand new Corvette Z06 with 650 HP. A new Challenger 392 Hemi with the factory gauge cluster reading a digital 1/4 mile running time, parked on either side of mine. Hope is not lost; you just have to look for it. You could buy a mid seventies Trans Am, a Fox Body and up 5.0, the Grand National, and even the 454 SS Pickup as a collectible. But most missed the mark. Even the C4 Corvette with the exception of the Grand Sport. After the 98 platform redesign, the C5-C7 Corvettes are fantastic cars. The C7 can be compared to modern foreign super cars with performance, and even the upgraded interior and multiple dash displays. The Viper since inception with 500 HP. The new limited edition Hellcat Challenger with over 700 factory HP will be yet another. The Hemi Challenger is a great car with a back seat for a family.
7th Sep 2015, 17:43
"Body on frame RWD cars are long gone".
Yeah, the Ford models on the Panther platform were available up until four years ago. Ancient history.
8th Sep 2015, 13:30
Yeah, and they won't be coming back anytime soon. I'm grateful that my Lincoln Town Car (with one of those 6 figure odometers) is still going strong even at 200,000 plus miles.
8th Sep 2015, 21:32
"Yeah, the Ford models on the Panther platform were available up until four years ago. Ancient history"
Does it really matter how long ago they were discontinued? The point is they are no longer manufactured. Big mistake on Ford's part if you ask me.
"Past 5 Corvettes were all frames with rear wheel drive"
Again the Corvette comments appear on an off topic thread. What does a two seater overpriced, impractical sports car have to do with late '70s full size cars?
Now, before we have a reply the size of a novel, mind you I have nothing against Corvettes, but if I had my choice of a two seat vehicle I'll take a more rare El Camino or Ranchero.
9th Sep 2015, 22:15
Someone said you cannot buy a full frame rear wheel drive in America. So why not a Corvette? Broad based sweep of the brush comments such as the above require definition.
I also have owned many full frame cars including Lincoln and Cadillac models. Our family has a variety of very cool cars, past and present. I also like the race inspired frame on the low production Vipers for the Mopar fans. And rear wheel drive. If people would overlook the fuel economy factor on some earlier Lincolns and Cadillacs, they would be driven daily. A lot of us are not glued to the fuel gauge, but it seems to matter to many today. It's costly to change lighter frame materials on an already expensive luxury vehicle. Most are going to nice crossovers or full size SUVs.
10th Sep 2015, 08:37
A more rare El Camino or Ranchero? There's not enough space on here to even begin to list the rarity and value of even C1-C2, special ordered optioned, early gen Corvette models alone.
My Lincoln pick would be a finely restored Lincoln Mark 1 from the era. Or early 60s Continental suicide door Convertibles. Maybe even a 59 Cadillac for full sizes. The car bodied truck concept seems limited, even as an early 70s 454 SS 4 speed. Make mine a mid sized full frame 2 door sports sedan. In fact that's one I also have as well. I avoid unibody big block models unless with added frame connectors that can twist. Less rattles and better integrity with a full frame car from that era is my personal choice.
Everyone has their favorite cars. If you take high appreciation or value out of your buying decision, then most of my comments here have absolutely no merit. To me rare has more meaning with higher value added to it. You can have a black Pacer as an example rare color. But is that a good example of rarity? Maybe it would have been better money spent back in the late 60s ordering a rare new factory 427 C3 with aluminum heads. And get the full frame many of the commenters seem to really like on here. And also order a full size luxury sedan, as many buyers in this segment rarely ever own just one car. It's nice to have a fun car in the garage as well.
4th Sep 2015, 18:44
"30 years from now I doubt people will be oohing and aahing about today's boring uninspiring blobish plastic."
I have a hard time imaging people "Oohing and Ahhing" over a late 70s Buick. They were all using that ugly slab-sided box frame design by then. And yet lo and behold people here are.
The same thing will happen in 30 years. Any car of any generation will eventually become a classic. Why? It's because the people who drove them new will have nostalgic feelings for that era.