American Cars We Wish They Still Made

Forbes ^

[sneakypete]

That's the one. Looks like the ugly sire of the 1949 Mercury (and probably made that boat look like a toy)

They look a LOT better in real life,and aren't as big as you think. The fast one was the "Hornet",and it was powered by a flathead 6 with dual carbs,and was beating even the V-8 Olds at all the dirt tracks,right up to the time Hudson started using a V-8 in 55. They had a straight 8 flathead before that,but the hot one was the 308 cubic inch 6.

BTW,these were commonly called the "step down Hudsons" because they were either the first,or one of the first uni-body production cars,and for the first time the floor of the car was lower than the sill plates. This is how they could get the top so low that it looked factory "chopped",and still have plenty of head room. They ride good,drive good once you put radial tires on them,and have plenty of power for even interstate driving. The best part if you really like them is that they aren't real expensive to own unless you insist on a coupe or convertible. I've seen complete drivers that needed complete restoration go for as low as $1,200,and presentable drivers from around $3,500 to 6 grand,depending on how nice it was. The only real "weak" spot on the cars is the trim that runs down the sides of the body. Unlike most cars of that period,it isn't stainless steel. It's actually tin that is chrome-plated,and rusts out from the rear.

In short,if you want one,most likely you can afford to buy one. Just keep checking on-line web sites like Hemmings Motor News,Old Car Trader,etc,etc,etc,and you will eventually find one close enough to your area to go get.

[geege]

Oh my first car was a 5 year old "74" Type LT Camaro.....It was soooooooooooooooooooooo great......the only problem was I used to get speeding tickets in "park".......

[SevenDaysInMay]

WM300 bump. Real brakes, power steering, and a diesel would be perfect.

To my everlasting sorrow, I parted with a WC51 and passed on a WC63 6x6 and M37.

[shaggy eel]

,,, hey Byron, great to see Monaros on the streets of Wellington. Long past due for their return. Great colour range too. Haven't driven one yet.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Good news, Shaggs.

D'you remember a previous version, the SS 350, with the honeycomb wheels, the eight-track, and the drum brakes? Not one of Australian automotive engineering's finest moments. Talking about GTOs, one car I wish I still had was my '69 'rubbernose' convertible. Only downside, the Darlinghurst thieves used to slash through the soft top, with Stanley knives. :)

[EBUCK]

So did I. It's too bad they went to the little FWD model they have now....Did you ever see the vader ad they had for the '96? Lord Vader, your car is ready.

Sometimes I don't understand why they discontinue models like that. That car sold out before they even had them built but they stopped production after what, 2 years?

EBUCK

[Petronski]

The car I wish they still made probably was never made before--you tell me.

I'm thinking about heavy-duty power, like a hemi or an Ford big-block Galaxie 500, but I want it to have air bags, radial tires, four-wheel disc brakes, programmable electronic fuel injection, NO EMISSIONS GEAR whatsoever...

...oh, and suicide doors for the back seat. If I want this car, I'll have to build it myself.

Hmmm...build it myself...

[Balata]

They threw away the mold after they made this 59 Ford Slyliner with a retractable hardtop. My parents had one when I was a kid. It was an interesting concept.

[shaggy eel]

the Darlinghurst thieves used to slash through the soft top, with Stanley knives.

,,, we've got a 1985 Morgan 4/4 four seater and it's secured in the garage to avoid the same peril.

[Dakmar]

I've always wanted an M37 panel truck, it would make an excellent little camper for one or two, with go-anywhere capability.

[SevenDaysInMay]

The "M37" ambulance, M43? as I can't recall at the moment, is about 8,000#. They make go-anywhere campers, as long as you don't need to go very far. They are slow, but solid.

My WC51 had Mopar power steering added making it a pleasure to drive. The WWII versions were considerably wider than the Korean era upgrade.

[pnz1]

I can't remember how many years, I'm thinking 96-98 maybe?

[lewislynn]

My friends sister had one...It was way cool.

[Balata]

LOL! Most people don't know what the Skyliner was, much less have ever seen one. We went on vacation to Calif every summer for four weeks and the only storage or trunk space in that car was a square tub in the trunk where the top fit over when it was down. It was so small we fit a hoola hoop around the outside of the tub to bring home. Ah, 'the good ol days'. Dang, I'm showing my age now.

[lewislynn]

They say they don't make cars or houses like they used to: thank God.

Truer words were never spoken....though there is still some nostalgic want for those days and their cars.

I wish I still had every piece of shit I ever owned......

[lewislynn]

The best thing about buying those foreign made cars is that you spit in the eye of a union worker at an automobile plant.

Nothing could be more Texan than spitting in the eye of a fellow American trying to make a life for himself....All those low life crooks in the energy companies in Houston are proving your point.

[lewislynn]

How could anyone forget (or did they) the Crosley? ....Sometimes known as the clown car.

[ladyinred]

Agree with you! My ex had a Monza Spyder and it was a great little car! What was up with Ralph anyway? He singlehandedly destroyed those little beauties!

My own favorite was the 1966 Mustang that I had, I still have a key to it if I ever find it! :)

[American Preservative]

Mechanical Loves Thread II

[American Preservative]

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