20th Nov 2019, 19:41

Can we talk about my 77 Toyota GT I bought new? Beautiful little car. Except for the Supra, when 1980 hit it was a downhill design disappointment. I have owned Toyota, Datsun, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Olds, Plymouth, Ford, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and Buick cars. Had a little S-10 and a Splash. Then full size trucks. Quite a mix to discuss, like, condemn etc. Those were personal and many company cars. I have restored a number of cars. Body, paint, drivetrains; some solo, some sent out to finish. Has been an interesting time.

21st Nov 2019, 01:47

I agree, let’s chatter about some other vehicle.

21st Nov 2019, 18:12

Did you win any trophies at any shows with any of the Impalas that you owned?

21st Nov 2019, 20:53

The 64 SS Convertible 4 speed with console did. Stock down to the SS Hubcaps. There’s a short list of cars I owned that I should have never sold. But my friend said at least you had them. I honestly believe you can be sentimental about a specific model year, but find another with more than the last one with a correct trim tag. Like one with air. Or power windows. As income rises as you get older, the added options can be really nice. It’s still the same car, but another factory correct. I love sentimentality, but factory air, power steering, and power brakes is worth buying another twin on that alone. There’s usually something you wish you really ordered.

As far as condition and drivetrain, have it rebuilt to a high standard. Like a new one again. I didn’t find my 409 dual quad car. Today I could retrace the steps online vs the old days and find the year, make and model of my dreams. I remember scouring junkyards for a correct convertible switch. I kept the original and bought one from Radio Shack no less to hold me over. Now back to the review vehicle.

22nd Nov 2019, 21:06

1963 was a good year as well. Trouble with those was you had to be very careful not to slam the deck lid or else the tail light lenses would loosen up. 4 speeds are the way to go for any year as automatics are boring. Restore yourself or buy in pristine condition. Rust free bodies are important as well. You can easily be fooled if a car is in primer already, thinking most body work is done. Life is short. Enjoy the hobby.

23rd Nov 2019, 20:42

I know we are boring done with our likes vs the review but... if you slammed a trunk lid hard, you could also lose some of your tail light bulbs. I remember inspecting that before I drive through motor vehicle lanes to renew. Also you could start the car without a key if you didn’t turn it to full left. Key would pull right out. I was sentimental on the year make and model. Bought identical but better ones. I liked having factory correct. But a 427 dropped in with a stronger drivetrain. Loved the Muncie trans. Didn’t like the zoom competition clutch that wore out the leg at each stoplight. If you are sentimental, just ante up on a model year you love. Will keep you out of the doctor's office just as much as a new or vintage Corvette does. Works on all cars, seeing them as good or better than factory. I often open the garage still to just look at a sweet restoration. And not even to drive it that day. Smile, feel good and no doctor visit feeling really well!

24th Nov 2019, 23:56

Forgot to add going topless in a Corvette will give you a good supplement of natural vitamin D from the sun.

25th Nov 2019, 20:33

There are 2 Vette guys on here. After 33 years of Corvettes I am now into Porsche’s, not cabriolets. Or also know as convertibles. So not sure what guy 2 is driving. There are a lot of physicians driving my car. Hope that’s the only way I will be seeing them other than on the track and club outings. I could have nearly bought 2 new C8s for the cost of my new 911 Twin Turbo Carrera wide body. I will have to find a vintage Classic convertible however. Best time to buy is over the winter. Through it all I will always own rugged trucks to tow etc. Life is good!

25th Nov 2019, 23:01

Well, whilst we are all talking about trucks, what do you all think of the new Tesla Cybertruck? I live in the UK, you guys in the USA love your trucks more though, they are not that popular here. And what are the chances a (real) Cybertruck review might ever get posted on here when it comes out in a couple of years? :)

26th Nov 2019, 04:06

Seeing how you've managed to completely throw the topic of this thread in the direction of 60s Impalas, I guess I'll chime in a say that my favorite was 1961. What's your opinion on that year?

26th Nov 2019, 13:34

Having any extraordinary special car makes you feel really good! Not any secret about it. Doesn’t matter if it’s fiberglass, titanium, carbon graphite, aluminum or pressed steel. Driving an aged component beater vehicle can be stressful just hoping it gets somewhere in a timely manner or not at all. Being stranded in rush hour, breathing fumes may require a medical visit. Top or no top. Pretty paint is not upping reliability.

26th Nov 2019, 16:07

Exactly how many totally unrelated cars and trucks are you guys going to bring up? This is a review about a Tacoma. Not the ever-present Corvette that somehow works its ways into every review here...

26th Nov 2019, 18:24

Two of my vehicles are trucks. You can dissect each sentence, but there’s discussion of restoration intertwined. You couldn’t resist making a dig about how nice cars can keep you happy and healthy. Now that you know I do not have any Corvettes, it’s now back again. Also another Corvette was mentioned that someone else has. So back to trucks. I am in as an owner of this segment. Free exchange of ideas, barbs and all. I wouldn’t mind even hearing comparisons to the Tesla truck even on a truck review. I suspect I'll buy a new truck again next year.

26th Nov 2019, 18:27

The 61 Impala opinion is that it’s a very desirable year even more prone to rust. So quite rare. You do not see them often. I see one in my area in shows with over 500 cars. I say go for it and park next to a Tacoma.

27th Nov 2019, 04:24

...And how do you know that there are many physicians driving a Porsche when you say driving one keeps you (meaning yourself in person) out of the doctor's office?

27th Nov 2019, 17:24

"Driving an aged component beater vehicle can be stressful just hoping it gets somewhere in a timely manner or not at all. Being stranded in rush hour, breathing fumes may require a medical visit. Top or no top. Pretty paint is not upping reliability."

I will, with confidence, tell anyone making this sort of claim if you were referring to my old Tacoma, that it's probably in better mechanical, cosmetic and structural condition than most of the cars on the road, even cars and trucks just a few years old. Again - I am astounded at the volume of negative comments I'm getting about this...

A: The oil has been changed every 3,000 miles.

B: The transmission grease, engine coolant, brake fluid, and so on have also all been changed routinely. There is not one spec of corrosion in the coolant system.

C: Every single year after the wet season here in California, I jack the truck up, inspect and where needed, paint the frame. The frame literally has shiny paint. Granted in California rust is seldom a problem anyway.

D: The truck uses the 2RZ-FE engine, the replacement of the venerable 22R. It's actually an improvement of the old design which was already bulletproof. Result? One of the best 4 cylinder engines you can buy. These will EASILY go 500,000 miles without a hiccup and I know people who have done exactly that.

But you know what? Pictures speak louder than words. You guys have been poking at this for awhile. So here you go. Some pictures of my "Beater" truck..

1: Picture of the overall truck: https://i.imgur.com/H3Sdj8A.jpg

2: Pic of the engine bay: https://i.imgur.com/ied3OVx.jpg

Now go look at your own engine bays. Unless they happen to be trailer queens, fat chance they look nearly as good as mine nor have the vehicles they are in treated nearly as well.