| Chevy Classics! |
3 Feb |
Chevrolet used to have an advertising campaign that touted, Baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet. Supposedly, General Motors largest division attempted to indoctrinate consumers into believing that a Chevrolet was as mainstream as Main Street, USA. In many ways this campaign worked. For generations now the Chevrolet division has been serving up cars that have been snapped up by Americans, particularly those seeking their first car. Lets take a look at three Chevy classics that have shaped the respected US automaker.
Corvette In 1953, the Chevy Corvette was released and the auto market hasnt been the same since. This two seat ragtop paved the way for greater and lesser cars to enter the US market including Chevys own Camaro and Chevelle; Pontiacs Firebird and GTO; Fords Thunderbird and Mustang; the Dodge Charger; Plymouth Cuda; AMC Javelin; Datsun 240Z; and a host of other cars. For over 50 years, the limited production Corvette has been the halo car for Chevrolet and is now a favorite of the baby boomer set.
Camaro One of the original pony cars was the Camaro which, along with the similarly designed Pontiac Firebird, was GMs answer in 1967 to the Ford Mustang. After the 1964 introduction of the Mustang, GM needed a responseand badly! Pony cars were famous for compact size, speed, and 2+2 seating. Add in a convertible and you had a true California cruiser. After 35 years of production, Chevy discontinued the Camaro while the Mustang is still being made. Good news for Camaro fans: A new Camaro is reportedly set to debut for the 2009 model year.
El Camino Is it a car or is it a truck? How about: car/truck? Half car and half truck, the El Camino is essentially a car with the rear section converted into a truck bed. Introduced in 1959, the original El Camino was based on the Impala platform, then on the Chevelle, and later on the Malibu chassis. The El Camino was Chevys response to the 1957 introduction of the Ford Ranchero, the first production car/truck. Although not meant for heavy duty truck use the El Camino, when equipped with adjustable shock absorbers, was able to carry its share of weight in its bed.
Other cars from Chevy that have been memorable include: the Venture, Nova, Caprice, and Chevelle; while some truly forgettable models include the Chevette, Monza, and Vega.
Chevrolets current line up is a far cry from yesteryears fleet, but with over 25 cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs models being marketed today, the Chevrolet name continues to impact and shape the American automotive industry.
Tags: Amc Javelin, Apple Pie, California Cruiser, Chevrolet Division, Chevy Camaro, Chevy Classics, Chevy Corvette, Datsun 240z, Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, Ford Ranchero, New Camaro, Plymouth Cuda, Pontiac Firebird, Pontiacs, Pony Cars, Production Car, Production Corvette, Ragtop, Street UsaRelated posts
read comments (0)| 2006 Chevy Corvette: Promises of Amazement |
18 Nov |
The 2006 Chevy Corvette comes as a well balanced package in a vehicle. It has set refinement in its interior and stance as well as exuding the modern sports car feel. For the past years, the Chevy Corvette has consequently received and bagged the Car of the Year award. Starting out as rumors, the 2006 Chevy Corvette has certainly made sure that it would live and outlive the gossip running about. General Motors has made a statement that the 2006 Chevy Corvette is quickest and fastest car that the company has ever produced.
This vehicle comes with sophistication and is a high-performance machine. In many ways, the Chevy Corvette shows off its well-mannered and simply ride dynamics as well as an ultra-slick powertrain performance. Its interior is very much made from quality materials that provides a pleasant and comforting experience for those who would be riding in it. To increase down force, the Chevy Corvette will have a rear lip added to it and will also exhibit a more rounded trailing edge.
This new car has certainly benefited from its advanced hydro forming frame-rail process that was first introduced to the Chevy C5. The adding in and mounting of Magne Ride shock absorbers has proven to be an advantage for it has provided the 2006 Chevy Corvette an active handling as well as an innovative ride system. This vehicle also bears the Chevy C6 powertrain as well as other technologies that are top in its class. The vehicles engine has the capacity and capability to make 500 horsepower at around 6,200 rpm. Optional is the 7.0 liter LS7 V8 engine that is hand built.
This new vehicle would also sport several color schemes that would include white, red, and gold. As for the 2006 Chevy Corvettes exterior, it will boast a more daring look that will reflect General Motors willingness to accept risks when it comes to style and design. The 2006 Chevy Corvette will combine soft curves with machined edges. It will also show off its bold aesthetic design as well as its muscular form and shape from its chiseled front, muscular fenders and flares to its street dominating attitude. The vehicle will hold a full aluminum chassis, large brakes, carbon fiber front fenders and a magnesium engine cradle as well as a removable roof panel.
As for the 2006 Chevy Corvettes styling, the vehicle will show off great differences to its predecessors. The front end will receive a revised larger air inlet. Also added in would be a function hood scoop, new side vents, a rear lip spoiler and very unique wheels. The vehicle also lost its power passenger seat along with the electric seat bolsters. By eliminating these, the 2006 Chevy Corvette would be saving much on weight. However, what comes as standard are dual zone air conditioning, leather upholstery made in two tones, and a head up display system. Options for this vehicle include a Bose stereo, side impact airbags, a navigation system, and polished wheels.
For the original and best car on the market, nothing is befitting than the excellently crafted Chevy Corvette parts and Chevy parts at Car Parts Rush. This online store has in its stock the highest quality Chevy auto parts that will retain the Chevys driving dynamics coupled up with high technology and amazing design. Customers and visitors can simply browse at Car Parts Rushs website and they can understand why customers and Chevy enthusiasts keep coming back to Car Parts Rush for their auto body parts. Aside from that, Car Parts Rush also takes care of a the task that it has given itself providing loyalty to its customers along with providing excellent products and unequalled service.
Tags: Aesthetic Design, Amazement, C6, Car Of The Year, Chevy Corvette, Chevy Corvettes, Color Schemes, Corvette Shows, Fastest Car, Frame Rail, General Motors, Machined Edges, Performance Machine, Powertrain, Quality Materials, Rear Lip, Refinement, Shock Absorbers, Soft Curves, Trailing EdgeRelated posts
| 3 American Performance Cars |
11 Nov |
Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasnt committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.
So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.
Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these pony cars were a category all to themselves. For comparisons sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.
Ford Mustang – Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GMs heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York Worlds Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964 model was the first one sold and is widely credited with being the best introduction of a new vehicle ever. With a V6 engine standard and V8 optional, the all new Mustang quickly broke sales records and has been a hot seller ever since. Indeed, with the introduction of the retro look Mustang in 2005, the car once again has spawned interest in the muscle car segment as both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors craft competing models of their own.
Dodge Challenger – After the success of earlier muscle cars including the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Cuda, the Dodge Challenger was launched as a 1970 model. The car borrowed heavily from the Cuda although the sheet metal was somewhat different and the wheelbase was stretched by a couple of inches. Because the muscle car era was in decline at the time of its introduction, the Challenger lasted only five model years before it was cancelled. The concept Challenger currently on display at many auto shows is based on the 1970 design and is the talk of message boards and blogs across the nation. Look for Hemi powered engines as being favored by many owners; the car is likely to share some technology with the current Magnum wagon and Charger sedan.
Chevrolet Camaro — GM was asleep at the wheel when the Mustang came out. It took nearly three years before the company could respond and when it did the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were the result. Although both cars sold well over the years, neither one could match the Mustangs sales levels and by the time the last cars were sold in 2002, production dropped to a trickle. Still, the end of the Camaro after 35 years has stirred renewed interest in the name and thanks to the retro Mustang, the entire muscle car category is growing once again. Look for a 2010 Camaro to be the first Camaro since 2002; a ragtop version is also being considered.
So, just who can be expected to purchase a muscle car these days? People just like me: middle aged men who grew up with the original models. In addition, a whole new generation of younger drivers tired of the me too look of so many of the compact cars out there. Muscle cars of today are so much different from earlier era cars as they incorporate the look of the originals while harnessing todays technology. Thus, fuel savings will be decent without sacrificing performance: a true win-win situation.
No, I cannot wait to see a Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro lined up at a traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. A new muscle car era is upon us and for that I am very excited.
Tags: American Performance, Autodom, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevy Corvette, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Viper, Edsels, Feeble Attempts, Ford Mustang, Lyndon Johnson, Mopar Cars, Muscle Car, New York Worlds Fair, Performance Cars, Performance Version, Pontiac Firebird, Pony Cars, Race Cars, Space Race, Typical RaceRelated posts
