The SEMA Show Experience – After attending the 2022 SEMA Show, I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on what the show experience is really like. Prior to leaving, the best advice I got was “bring good shoes”. The massive show fills every convention hall that the Las Vegas Convention Center has to […]
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General Motors was one of the most iconic automakers during the muscle car era of the 1960s and ’70s. But by the 1980s and 90s, drivers saw General Motors as a far different company. Sales of General Motors cars were slipping and consumer tastes were shifting more toward imports. The company had to adapt quickly, but many of its efforts were short-lived failures like the Pontiac Fiero.
There were a few notable GM cars that came out in the 1980s and ’90s, however, and many were forward-thinking concepts. For example, the Typhoon and Syclone are still considered two of the fastest vehicles ever made. The 1995 Impala SS was also an iconic car that’s still a part of pop culture today. You could also say the C5 Corvette was one of the most iconic Corvette models ever made. So we looked back at the greatest GM creations of the 1980s and â90s. Take a trip down memory lane with some of your favorite General Motors cars of decades past here.
The 1981 Corvette C3 is one of the most controversial Corvette models. Because of the tightening emissions laws at the time, the C3 was only available with a single-engine option. The L81 engine only had a measly 190 horsepower but the rest of the car was flawless. The lines on the C3 Corvette were some of the most beautiful in Corvette history (via Bring a Trailer).
The interior was also a vast improvement over the previous generations as the car was a lot more livable for the driver. The Corvette C3 was a sports car that suffered from the political climate at the time but its design wasn’t that bad.
The post The Greatest General Motors Cars Of The 1980s and ’90s appeared first on Motor Junkie.
This 1927 Ford roadster hot rod was completed by the seller within the last year and features steel bodywork over a boxed and stretched frame. Power is from a 24-stud flathead V8 equipped with Edelbrock cylinder heads and paired with a three-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in black over tan upholstery and features a Super Bell dropped I-beam front axle, oak wood floorboards, four-wheel drum brakes, an electric fuel pump, a custom exhaust system, Mooneyes gauges, LED taillights, and red-finished 16” steel wheels. This hot rod is being offered with a spare set of wheels and a clean Colorado title in the seller’s name, listing the vehicle as a 1927 Ford Tudor.
The steel roadster bodywork has been repainted in black with custom pinstripe graphics on the windshield cowl and 1935-style headlight and 1937-style taillight buckets. Custom lower panels have been installed and partially conceal the exhaust system, which exits ahead of the rear wheels. Halogen headlight bulbs and OTB turn signals have also been added, along with LED taillights.
Red-finished 16” steel wheels feature chrome Ford-branded hubcaps and are mounted with Diamond Back tires. Braking is through four-wheel drums sourced from a 1940 Ford. A set of spare 17″ wire wheels and older tires will accompany the vehicle. Suspension and steering modifications reportedly include the following components:
The cabin houses a bench seat with a removable lower cushion trimmed in tan upholstery with matching door panels. Oak wood panels line the floors, and a fire extinguisher is mounted ahead of the shifter. The ignition and headlight switch in the middle of the dash is not functional, while modern ignition, headlight, and turn signal switches have been added below the dash.
The three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a column-mounted Mooneyes 6k-rpm tachometer and 120-mph speedometer, the latter of which was reportedly sourced from another vehicle. A Mooneyes three-gauge pod is mounted under the dash and monitors voltage, oil pressure, and water temperature. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 3k miles, though total chassis mileage is unknown.
The 24-stud flathead V8 is equipped with Edelbrock cylinder heads and chrome tubular headers. The seller notes that an Isky 77 camshaft and a Walker radiator have also been added, and an electric fuel pump was installed to supplement the mechanical unit.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission and a rear end reportedly sourced from a 1946 pickup. The seller notes that the frame has been stretched 4”, boxed, and powder coated. Additional photos of the underbody are provided in the gallery below.
This 1940 Ford coupe was acquired by the seller in 1997 as a non-running project and was subsequently modified with the installation of a 454ci V8 mated to a Doug Nash five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ Ford rear differential, in addition to a repaint in black. Additional equipment includes a Holley carburetor, a polished-aluminum grille and trim, a driver-side mirror, a tan bench seat, lap belts, a Hurst shifter, and staggered-diameter Wheel Vintiques wheels. This modified Ford coupe is now offered with a receipt from the engine rebuild and a clean Tennessee title in the seller’s name.
The car was reportedly stripped to bare metal and repainted black in 2019, at which time the door handles, trunk handle and latch, side windows, front vent windows, and the two-piece windshield were replaced. The steel body features fiberglass running boards and flared rear fenders that have been widened two inches to accommodate the rear tires. Additional exterior equipment includes a polished-aluminum grille and trim, a tubular chrome rear bumper, chevron-shaped taillights, flared fenders, tinted windows, and a driver-side mirror. The car is not equipped with windshield-wiper arms, and the side exhaust outlets in the front fenders have been capped with chrome plates. The seller notes evidence of repair to the right-rear corner of the car.
Black-painted 15″ and 17″ Wheel Vintiques wheels are mounted with 185/65 Maxxis MA-202 tires up front and 285/60 Toyo Proxes rubber at the rear. Braking is handled by ventilated front discs and rear drums. The car is equipped with a leaf-sprung straight front axle as well as coilover shocks at the rear.
The cabin features a split bench seat trimmed in tan cloth upholstery with brown piping along with a black-painted Deluxe-style dashboard and rubber floor coverings. Equipment includes bright trim, lap belts, a clock in the glovebox door, and a floor-mounted Hurst shifter. Dynamat sound-deadening material has been installed behind the dashboard and across the floor, and the door panels have been removed.
The battery is located in the trunk along with a fuel cell and a rubber floor covering.
The banjo-style steering wheel frames Classic Instruments gauges including a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary readouts. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows nearly 50 miles, and the seller has driven the car approximately 200 miles. True chassis mileage is unknown.
The big-block 454ci V8 was rebuilt in 2020 by Martin Engine & Machine of Vandalia, Missouri utilizing the following components:
Dynamometer results from May 2020 are presented in the photo gallery below. The firewall is painted white.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Doug Nash/Richmond five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ Ford rear differential. The dual exhaust system terminates ahead of the rear axle. Additional images of the underside are presented in the gallery.
This 1937 Ford pickup underwent a 10-year refurbishment in Texas from approximately 1999 to 2008 and is finished in red and black over a refreshed black and white leather interior. The truck is powered by a 350ci V8 linked to a five-speed manual transmission and a 9″ rear differential, and equipment includes a Cornhusker Rod & Custom powdercoated frame, Wilwood disc brakes, a Griffin aluminum radiator, an oak-lined bed, a Flowmaster exhaust system, Classic Instruments gauges, Old Air Products climate control, a Secretaudio stereo, and Polk Audio speakers. The truck was acquired by the current owner in 2021 and is now offered on dealer consignment in California with spare parts, a car cover, two die-cast models, refurbishment records and photos, and a Massachusetts title.
The truck was refinished in red with black fenders and running boards following replacement of some panels and rust repair during the 10-year refurbishment. Pinstripes accent the cab and doors, while gold-colored paint fills “Ford V8” writing on the tailgate. Additional equipment includes steel bumpers, a bright grille and trim, an outward-opening windshield, dual sideview mirrors, and a single windshield wiper.
Staggered-diameter 14″ and 15″ wire wheels feature red-painted accents and chrome trim rings and are mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measuring 215/70 up front and 225/70 at the rear. Braking is handled by Wilwood discs at all four corners.
The oak planks composing the bed floor are separated by stainless-steel trim strips.
The interior was refreshed under previous ownership and features a bench seat trimmed in white and black leather along with complementary door panels and carpeting. Amenities include a body-color dashboard, an Old Air heater and air-conditioning system, red lap belts, a Secretaudio iPod-compatible head unit concealed in the glovebox, and Polk Audio speakers. The selling dealer notes that the air conditioning does not blow cold.
A banjo-style steering wheel on an Ididit column sits ahead of a Classic Instruments 140-mph speedometer and a combination gauge. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 1k miles. True mileage is unknown.
A 350ci V8 GM crate engine was installed during the multi-year refurbishment and is augmented by a Griffin aluminum radiator, electric cooling fans, a Lone Star Classics wiring harness, and a Zoops engine dress-up kit.
The truck sits on a powdercoated Cornhusker Rod & Custom frame and delivers power to the rear wheels through a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, a hydraulic clutch, and a Ford 9″ differential. A dual-exit Flowmaster exhaust system is utilized.
Two die-cast models, spare parts, and a car cover are included in the sale.
More than 150 photos taken during the refurbishment are presented in the gallery below, which also contains receipts from the project. Much of the work was performed by Ramsey’s Rods and Restoration of Fort Worth, Texas.
The frame is stamped with VIN 18-3649213, whereas the title lists the VIN as 649213. The title notes an odometer discrepancy, and a redacted image of the document is provided in the gallery.
Date: circa 1980s (source claims 1998)
Location: Santa Monica, California
Source: Richard Guy Wilson, via University of Virginia
What do you see here?
Ever since the first Corvette was unveiled on the showroom floor in 1953, the model has been a golden standard for American performance. Born out of a desire to compete with the best European sports cars, Chevrolet has managed to be the dominant force in the segment for 70 years now. The Corvette is not only one of the longest-running nameplates but also one of the most successful sports cars of all time. Many amazing Corvettes rank among the best American cars as true gems.
The Corvette is not just an icon in the engineering and design sense of the word. It’s also a symbol of the US car industry, design approach, and overall philosophy. The Corvette has come a long way from the small, fiberglass-bodied roadster of 1953 to today’s 21st-century supersonic sports car with a rear-mounted engine. In preparation for the Corvette’s 70th birthday, take a look back at the truly amazing Corvettes that made history.
The introduction of the Corvette was the most important automotive news of 1953 as no one expected such an exotic car to be built and marketed by Chevrolet. All of a sudden, there was a brand new roadster made by a mid-class manufacturer with no sports car experience. However, despite that, the first Corvette was a well-designed and well-executed model. The most exciting thing about the new Corvette was its fiberglass body. Back in the early ’50s, plastic was still the material of the future and wasn’t common in the industry (via Corvette Story).
Under the hood was an inline-six engine called “Blue Flame” featuring a 3.9-liter displacement and a modest 136 HP. The engine came from Chevrolet’s standard lineup equipped with three Carter carburetors. Chevy engineers tried to keep costs down by borrowing mechanical components from other vehicles and using them on the Corvette. The price was $3490, so the 1953 Corvette wasn’t exactly affordable but cheaper than a Jaguar XK120 or a Ferrari 166.
The post These Amazing Corvettes Made True Automotive History appeared first on Motor Junkie.
It’s finally time! Time to take our rehabbed 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z out for a full road test and review and see if the upgrades we made we’re worth our two-week thrash. To recap, we installed a brand new 380-hp Edelbrock small block with their Pro Flow EFI system, a new Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission from American Powertrain, along with a host of suspension upgrades such as KONI Yellow shocks, BMR lower control arms and torque arm, along with QA1 sway bars both front and rear from Summit Racing.From there we hit the cosmetics, and with help from Classic Industries, revamped both the interior and exterior to give the IROC the look and feel we ultimately wanted. Finally, it was time for a proper test drive, and trust us when we say, this 35-year-old Chevy did not disappoint!Click below to start the hunt for your perfect Chevrolet Camaro now!
Date: 1969
Location: London, Ontario
Source: via Rob Croft
What do you see here?
What is so fascinating about classic cars is that they form part of our cultural history, often telling a great story.
And the really greatest examples were instantly identifiable as such the moment they appeared: the Ford Mustang, the XKE, the Chevrolet Corvette, for example.
And – though lesser known – the Sunbeam Tiger, a splendid example of which we presently have at Beverly Hills Car Club, an exciting and desirable 1966 Sunbeam Tiger, available in its factory color code #100 Mediterranean Blue with a black interior. The vehicle comes equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, strong V8 engine, wood steering wheel, soft top, and front-wheel disc brakes. It is an excellent and well-taken-care-of 1960s’ classic that is mechanically sound.
More niche than such British rivals as the MGB or the Triumph TR4, the Sunbeam Tiger was a 2-seater power-packed version of the Sunbeam Alpine.
How did this happen? First, naturally, we must look at the Alpine, a product of the UK’s significant Rootes Group. By the early 1960s Rootes had appreciated that for the Alpine to have greater success internationally, it required considerably more power. At first there were talks with Ferrari – the cachet of the Italian supercar brand name was at the heart of these – to redesign the engine. But they soon failed.
Then, at the instigation of Formula 1 racing champion Jack Brabham, a connection was made with Ford through Carroll Shelby’s West Coast-based Shelby American operation – Shelby had done a Ford V8 conversion for the British AC Cobra.
Even better, it was found that the Ford 260 V8 would just fit into the Alpine’s engine compartment. It was pretty tight, but it worked.
By the end of April 1963 a trial version of what would become the Tiger – working titled at the time as the Thunderbolt – was being test-driven on Los Angeles roads. Ian Garrad, Rootes West Coast sales manager, and John Panks, director of Rootes Motors Inc. of North America, tested an early version of the car and were so impressed that Panks wrote a glowing report to Brian Rootes, head of sales for the Rootes group: ‘We have a tremendously exciting sports car which handles extremely well and has a performance equivalent to an XX-K Jaguar… it is quite apparent that we have a most successful experiment that can now be developed into a production car.’
The development of what would become the Sunbeam Tiger – twice as powerful as the now apparently rinky-dink Alpine – had taken place without the knowledge of Lord Rootes, the Rootes chairman. At first he was not pleased.
Yet when the prototype was shipped to the UK, and he had personally driven the car, this car manufacturing boss was extremely impressed: Lord Rootes personally contacted Henry Ford II and ordered 3000 Ford V8 engines, the largest order Ford had ever received for them.
Moreover, Lord Rootes ordained that the Sunbeam Tiger – as it became known – should be unveiled at the 1964 New York Motor Show, only eight months away – a remarkably speedy development compared with the three to four years that was often the launch time for a new vehicle.
And the Sunbeam Tiger was given a further unconscious boost by an intriguing synchronicity. That same year, 1964, Esso gasoline started to sell itself via an endearing tiger cartoon character that had been developed along with the tagline, ‘Put a tiger in your tank.’ The Esso tiger was seen throughout Europe, the Far East, and Australia.
Put a tiger in your tank? Put a Tiger in your driveway.
The task of putting together the new Sunbeam Tigers fell to Jensen in West Bromwich in the English Midlands. They completed 300 Tigers a month, all of which initially were only for sale in the USA, where the car was an instant hit.
This blending of a US engine with British manufacturing was a marriage made in heaven. ‘No combination of an American V8 and a British chassis could be happier,’ decided the UK’s Motorsport magazine in 1965.
But a downside was on its way. Under-capitalized, Rootes from 1964 onwards was taken control of in stages by the Chrysler Corporation, who finally bought total control in 1967.
However, Chrysler did not have a suitable engine to replace the Ford V8.
With just over 7,000 built, the reign of the Sunbeam Tiger king of the freeway forest came to an end.
Whether you are selling a showroom-quality car, or a total restoration project, the Beverly Hills Car Club is always looking to add to their wide-ranging inventory. For cars that are barn-find restoration projects, all the way up to top-of-the-line courcourse cars; you are sure to find your dream car!
-Alex Manos, Owner – Beverly Hills Car Club