Supercar "roots"

[Belair62]

Well an Olds 88 was pretty impressive ,to some it started it all !!But thats a stratch...things started heating up in 57 and by 61 the pace really quickened... Pontiac was whipping a lot of butt in 61 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...65&fpart=1

[DarrenX33]

Belair, I could agree more.

[Xplantdad]

Well Bill, sorry to hear that you're under the weather. I don't have time to get sick, our company has promotions lined up through the beginning of December! No weekends off for me!

I have to agree with Supercar Kid and Bill on the fact that the musclecar craze really started with Chevy's answer to the Mustang. What an answer it was!

My opinion on Supercars is that they're the "one off" models that were produced in limited numbers, intended to be used for the purpose of being the baddest in town. Whether it was proven on a track, or on some side street, the word got around. To me, this would include, but not be limited to:

1)1967 RS/SS Big Block Camaros (first year of production of this vehicle)
2)Z-16 Chevelles
3)Boss 429 Mustangs
4)1969 Barracuda Formula S 383
5)1968 Cougar GT-E with the 427(rare) or the 428(rarer!)
6)1967 Z/28
7)1969 Trans Am
8)1973 Formula 455SD or SD455 Trans Am
9)COPO Camaros
10)L78 Novas
11)L79 Novas
12)Anything 426 Hemi
13) Dealer Modified Cars(Yenko,Nickey,Dana, Bill Thomas, et al.)

With the exception of the Z-16, the rest in this abbreviated list were all from around the time of the initial release of the Camaro. The initial factory "wars" made it very interesting for the general public.

You remember the phrase "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday".
That was one of the big deciding factors for a teenager who wanted the baddest and the best at the time.

I love any and all the cars from that era...as that was the time I was most influenced by them. I can also appreciate the Z-11's, max wedges, 409's, 421 lightweights, 427 galaxies, etc. But these were BIG cars, with BIG engines, and had weight saving measures done to lighten them up.

Different were the cars listed above. They were smaller cars, with bigger engines (power to weight ratio), and were sportier in a lot of ways...better handling and better braking...

I hope that I didn't make anyone angry, but it's only "My" opinion


Bruce

[Canucklehead]

What about cars that were made specifically for racing in mind. Such as the 57 supercharged thunderbirds (which in my opinion is an overlooked and underated car), they were made specifically to compete against corvettes, hence a factory race car. How about the 64-65 Thunderbolts, awesome factory racer made to go after the Max Wedge cars. Or the 68 Hemi Dart with it's bare bones "gotcha by the ball's attitude". Personally i would rank these cars as Supercars as they are more than just muscle cars.

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
What about cars that were made specifically for racing in mind. Such as the 57 supercharged thunderbirds (which in my opinion is an overlooked and underated car), they were made specifically to compete against corvettes, hence a factory race car.

[/ QUOTE ]Those early Thunderbirds were 2 seat "sports cars" just like a Corvette, sure they were designed with performance in mind, but they were also designed with the intention of being a luxurious, and expensive, "gentleman's car." Those supercharged 'birds are significant cars for sure, but they were simply too luxurious and too costly, not to mention the 2 seat factor, to be considered a musclecar in my opinion. HEMI Dart? Supercar for sure!

[Mr Yenko]

I see that you missed the 70 LS-6 chevelle? Is 4475 not limited enough? Just curious..."MOF"

[Mr70]

If that's the case:
*1970 L78 Chevelle-2144 made
*1970 L89 Chevelle-18 made

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
To me, this would include, but not be limited to:

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't want to state all the cars that would be considered supercars/musclecars...If I did, my list would be way longer, and include Shelby Gt500kr's, 440/6's etc.

No offense!

[NCGuy68]

How 'bout a 69 Chevelle L89 in Hugger Orange which was a Camaro only color that year. Perhaps one of one know to exist and was titled in Canada.

It sits in Floyd Garrett's Muscle Car museum as we speak.

[skierkaj]

Hey now, that's Monaco Orange, not Hugger