Remember when the GTO was cool

[b train]

If only I had the $$$ laying aroundhttp://www.hotautoweb.com/68gtoconv.html

[kostby]

Yeah, it's nice to dream about 1968 again.Now for a cold dose of reality...Although they were blindingly fast in a straight line, GTO's didn't stop or turn nearly as well as even modest modern day economy cars (Vibe?) can. Way too much heavy engine over the belted-bias-ply tires for a 3800lb. 325HP rear-wheel-drive car for anything truly resembling 'handling'.There are none of the modern conveniences we've come to expect as cars moved from 'fun-as-hell muscle cars' of the late 1960's to 21st Century 'domestic appliance'No modern electronics to help with engine idling, peak performance or traction control. No DOHC VVT-i or VVTL-i for better economy at low RPM's and better performance at high RPM's.No keyless remote entry. While I'm being picky, the front 'soft' bumper doesn't match the body color. The doors probably sag slightly when opened. There are some wrinkles in the driver's side door sill, either from accident damage or about 30-years of '6.5-Litre' torque, and open two screw holes. The hidden headlights are slightly mis-aligned. The top probably leaks. Yes, it's a well-cared for (or well-restored) mostly original (battery and tire cover aren't original), showing 26,xxx miles on the ODO, but it's still not even close to 1988 safety and performance standards, much less 2007.Can you afford to drive a 12-mpg car with $4-buck-a-gallon gas? In the final analysis, it is only a car, and ultimately, it was meant to be driven hard and put away wet. Today, it's probably priced like a work of art, and will end up on someone's private collection, to sit in darkness so the paint won't fade, occasionally dusted off and hauled to a GTO Show in an enclosed trailer, rolled out, displayed for the day, and locked away again in a warehouse full of the collector's other toys, protected by alarms and armed guards.

[kevera]

That what is so cool about it.The allure of the rawness,no computers,no electronics just plain old horsepower.I have a Chevelle,which is the same A-Body platform.I love that it's easy to change everything and the neck snapping horsepower that throws you back in the seat.Nothing fancy just the smell of gasoline,cruising along,watching everyone take a look at your car,feeling proud.It's about being simple and reminiscing about the past.I love my old car.Once you have one,you'll know what I mean.

[b train]

To me it's about simple horsepower, and the fact that I can change my setup with a screwdriver and a Craftsman timing light.My project right now is a 1973 2wd F100, gona be my weekend warrior and toy to keep my fingers out from under the hood of the vibe till the warranty runs out

[kevera]

I like tricked out pick-ups.What's on your list for mods.What engine are you going with.It's all about horsepower for me too,I finished my engine last season,haven't dynoed it yet but around 450-480hp at the wheels.It's somewhat mild setup,very streetable.

[ColonelPanic]

Aw, kostby, you ol' stick in the mud! I'm right there with ya though. Oh yeah, how about the crooked back bumper while we're pointing things out? lol! Mmm, old cars! 0-60 in 2.0 gallons! Handles like a dream in a straight line. Pollutes the air with exhaust fumes and burnt rubber. No stupid safety features. Crumple zones are for pansies - your body should absorb all of the energy in a crash so the car can be saved. High fidelity single speaker analog tuning AM entertainment systems. What's A/C? Keyless entry? Sure, only if you don't lock the doors! Power mirrors too - you roll down the window and grab the mirror, move the damn thing yourself! Don't get me wrong... The GTO in question is a nice car indeed. My uncle had a '69 Judge that he restored. 455, 4-speed. I got to drive it, it sure did rock.... as long as you were going in a straight line. Crazy thing though, I think my Hyundai Accent handles better than that car did, certainly has better brakes. The GTO was too crude for me to ever want to actually own one. My, how we get spoiled on modern conveniences. I used to really get into old cars, but now they just seem like dinosaurs. I'd take one of those new style, "inferior compared to the original" GTO's over this one.

[b train]

lookin at keepin it simple 390, 4bbl, C6, 3.55 gears with a locker. Straight duals out the back. Simple and clean, but with a little somthin there for when I wana put my foot into it.

[tangerine]

lol@ comparing old muscle cars handling to the handling of cars today. They were not built for the kind of racing we do today. Straight line ownage is what they were best at, but I guarantee you in a race through some twisties the poor handling muscle car will still hold its own. My dad had a built Olds 442 with a 2 speed auto bus tranny in it that he used to obliterate the roads around the lake in with me.

[kostby]

Well, actually kevera, I DO own an old car, not from my youth, but from my 30's. It's a 1984 VW Rabbit Convertible. It's got the same engine as the 1983 (US) VW GTI, but, being a convertible, it weighs about 400lb more than the sedan. It's definitely a driver, not a show car. Loads of fun, and still gets about 30 m.p.g. too. I had a chance to buy an non-running '83 GTI about five years ago, but I didn't have the garage space.

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[kevera]

I guess what you like and what I like are totally different.Not to be a hater,I would never drive one of those VW's.But,it's very basic to,not as much electronics as a newer vehicle.As long as you like your VW,that's all that matters.I have an opinion,but I would never put down someone for what they really like.

[NUBlackshirts]

I would take that old Goat any day over a newer car. Sure it won't stop, won't turn, and won't protect me in a crash. But when I stomp on the loud pedal, I really couldn't give a damn about it's shortcomings.

[kostby]

Ever visit 'Jay Leno's Garage'???Link --> http://jaylenosgarage.comHere's Jay's video about his 1968 Dodge Coronet 500 Hemi --> http://jaylenosgarage.com/vide...00903

[Atomic]

I have to agree with you there.The neck snapping horsepower, and the thrill of scaring yourself pantsless doing unintentional drifting as you are laying down two long streaks of rubber.It is a nice looking car, not FULLY restored, it looks to be mostly surface pretty.Nice color choice, though I don't think it's an original color, and it DOES have FACTORY air, kind of uncommon for a convertible of that year, but Classic Industries AND Year One supply a lot of that stuff.I'd take it, and I would drive it. I have no use for Trailer Queens.

[high revin]

Great thread! and yes i do remember quite well my first car i built at 16 was a 70 GTO really fun car i remember and miss the days of cruising with the rock and roll and staring out over those ram air scoops way fun time way fun

[Whelan]

eh, GTO's are nice, but you see those and Camaro SS' at every car show, I like to see a 442 Olds and of course my favorite!I will also take mine in Petty Blue btw.

[micbarric]

Those classic Road Runners were fast and fun, until you had to parallel park!!

[kostby]

Make mine a red Dodge Charger Daytona, please.

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[Atomic]

Well, so much for me getting ANY productive work done this afternoon!I'll be dreaming of of Superbirds and Daytonas and now Hemi Cudas and RT Challengers all afternoon.