Let's talk big American iron

dean1484 wrote: Another one I really like is the 65 Buick Riv GS. The car from Roadhouse. Like this

I was following this thread and I was going to post a 65 Riv as I was reading along....

The T-birds from the 70's is just too ugly... the best early 70's American personal luxury car has to be a Mark III... but even a MkIII can't compete with the 65 Riv.... pure classic

I have some experience with a 65 Riv... one of my older brothers owned one back in the mid 70's... thing had MASSIVE torque

I actually like the early to mid 70s T-Bird, they just need some different bumpers to look good. But then, I have a serious case of having watched too much Rockford as of late.

Always wanted to build one like this:

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Great flick, shot in the same lighting as most craigslist pix!

BrokenYugo wrote: The most GRM big Detroit iron is probably the 65-70 B body, it's the 4th most produced car ever, with a production run of only 5 years. Takes (and came equipped with) pretty much any engine GM built in that time frame. Can be made to do pretty much anything you want without too much trouble. Also available in wagon form, along with coupe, convertible, hardtop, and sedan.

This thread and post are very bad for my "not buying any more cars for a while" decision.

dean1484 wrote: Another one I really like is the 65 Buick Riv GS. The car from Roadhouse. Like this

I used to be one of those people who thought you couldn't improve on the first-gen Riviera, until I saw the Riviera X-11 (which is supposed to be like a phantom concept car for the Riviera from the '60s) in person at the 2015 Syracuse Nationals. Wow. The fastback looks phenomenal.

In reply to NickD:

Lasy year I just followed my dad around and skipped that building. Now I'm regretting it. I hope to make it next year, if I'm not camping that weekend.

NickD wrote:

dean1484 wrote: Another one I really like is the 65 Buick Riv GS. The car from Roadhouse. Like this

I used to be one of those people who thought you couldn't improve on the first-gen Riviera, until I saw the Riviera X-11 (which is supposed to be like a phantom concept car for the Riviera from the '60s) in person at the 2015 Syracuse Nationals. Wow. The fastback looks phenomenal.

That looks like they grafted the roof off of a Torino on it. I had to look at it three times to make sure. That roof just screams Ford to me.

Another one I like.

On my way home last night, I spotted something huge and white in the parking lot of a local pawn shop. Knowing I'd regret it if I didn't, I flipped a U-ey to check it out.

1968 Ford Galaxie, 2 door, white with gold vinyl interior. 68,000 miles- from an old lady, the owner said. No rot underneath, some holes behind the rear wheels but nothing major. Would drive it like it sat. 302/auto, new brakes (all drums) and gas tank.

He wanted $2900, which wasn't a terrible price, I thought. But, Mrs. VCH put the hammer down, so it's still for sale.

Not the car, but looks just like it:

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

Too bad it's not a '67. The '67 Ford Galaxie is still Ford's best and most underrated design from the '60s, IMO.

All that's going on with this one is shaved side trim, handles and mirrors, a drop, wheels and nice paint and it looks amazing. And you'll rarely see another at a show.

I have ALWAYS been a fan of the superman lunchbox. (see below for definition of superman lunchbox)

That 70s yacht-cruiser vibe, marshmallow suspension, 10 mpg stuff. Its so uncool that its cool. I've had my share of 70s cream puffs. I love the nose on that T-bird.

I think my next ones will be equally superman lunchbox; boattail Riviera,

Or maybe a Slab-side or Fuselage Mopar woody wagon, then drop in a MS'd turbo slant six:

Superman Lunchbox: /n/, phrase. Originated by Curtis73 of Curtis Kraft fame, the Superman Lunchbox is a phrase used to describe something so uncool that its cool. Origins: In elementary school, a lunchbox bearing the image of Superman was an un-cool relic that was "sooo 1978, man." If a cool kid carried a Superman Lunchbox, it was "retro or vintage", and therefore scored high on the coolness scale. If an uncool kid carried a Superman Lunchbox, he was teased for his loser-ness. See Also, carrying it off, owning it, and working it. Therefore the "superman lunchbox" has come to imply either 1) a car so uncool that is cool. or 2) a car that is uncool made to be cool by a gearhead with an eye for taste and style.

See also: Curtis73.

In reply to curtis73:

I had a Snoopy lunchbox in elementary school. With a little yellow thermos full of milk inside.

My current DD is a W123 300TD. Parallels?

volvoclearinghouse wrote: In reply to curtis73: I had a Snoopy lunchbox in elementary school. With a little yellow thermos full of milk inside. My current DD is a W123 300TD. Parallels?

Super
Man
Lunch
Box.

You get it.

And here I thought we were actually talking about BIG American Iron.....SMH

Trans_Maro wrote: Always wanted to build one like this:

Yeah, I've wanted one too.

In reply to NickD:

I blame you for this find.

67 Ford

The 1965 Riv is one of the prettiest cars ever built. That is all.

dean1484 wrote: In reply to NickD: I blame you for this find. 67 Ford

Rust in the frame? Yeah, I dare you to find a Ford full-size of that era that doesn't have a rusty frame over the rear axle. Pretty common.

My father's first car was a used '67 Galaxie 500 convertible that a previous owner had put a 390 4-barrel in. He still owns it, but it's in need of a restoration (surprise, it has rust over the rear axle in the frame). And restoring them is a bit of a pain, because there were huge differences between the notchback coupe, fastback and convertible, as well as a lot of differences between the trim levels (and there were a lot of trim levels) like how the LTD has the grille made from stainless, while the Galaxie's is stamped aluminum, and the such. And repro parts are non-existent.

In reply to curtis73:

This was my lunchbox, I was never a cool kid, I didn't care then, and care even less now.

I also have a longing for an American land barge.

I DD'd a 1970 4dr Impala until I bought my Mustang new in '05. It was a better-driving car than it should have been. It was a base-trim 350/TH350 car that I put an Edelbrock aluminum intake and 650 carb on. Drums all around, bench seats. I don't miss it though.

OTOH, the 67-68 Ford Fairlanes have always had a soft spot in my heart. Same style as the 67 galaxie above but a little smaller. A 2 door with a hot 302 and an overdrive trans would be a killer cruiser, but not revolutionary in the least.

EDIT: a '68 like this is near perfect:

Gut it, slam it, slick it, liberate the exhaust and paint it your favorite NASCAR colors.

...or Stroppe it.

All for under $2k.

914Driver wrote:

Oooh, '64 Marauders are cool. So are the later Marauder X-100s with the flat black rear deck area. Although I think the first thing that needs to be done on those is toss the rear fender skirts.

dean1484 wrote:

NickD wrote: I've always wanted to do a '61-'64 T-Bird up in full NASCAR trim with good suspension, a stroked FE and a 4-speed and wiiiiiide slicks on steelies.

I had the same build in my head ever since I was a kid!!!

I saw a 58 or 59 done like this... it was awesome! I keep thinking that if something catastrophic ever happens to the vette I may have to go find a 65ish ThunderCougarFalconBird. But, realistically if something that serious happens, I probably won't be around to go find one.

To my surprise, the wife and I have been enjoying the Town Car. I really like cruising in it, and she says "we are going yachting".

It needs a little more attitude... but that will come in time.

Madhatr wrote: It needs a little more attitude... but that will come in time.

And by "attitude" you mean "flamethrower exhaust"? Right? Riiiiight?