Were 1980s cars really that bad?

[Crush]

Very nice!!

[TMagda]

A buddy had a '83-'84 Z/28. We were going out one night and both hopped in. The doors closed at exactly the same time and the pressure pushed the windshield right out of the car.

I bought a '79 Trans Am brand new. Loved it. Still think its a great looking car and hope to get another soon. Amazing handling, for the time. However, it had to be the worst car car I ever owned. Bad paint, leaky t-tops, electrical problems, no power, awful gas mileage, slow, etc. But it was fun. It was really cheap due to the gas shortage in '79. Sold it after 6 months, the gas shortage had ended, for roughly $3,000 more than I paid for it. Almost like a Wrangler, you know its a bad car, but its a Wrangler!

[markinnaples]

Originally Posted by TMagda

...Almost like a Wrangler, you know its a bad car, but its a Wrangler!

I think that's the best line I've read in quite a while.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Chazman

I special ordered this in 1989 and still own it. It's a 1989, G92, LB9, 5 speed, with N10 dual cats, oil cooler, Aussie BW 3.45 9 bolt and DX3 decal delete. I figure if you put it in a time machine and sent it back to 1969 it could hold it's own on the street in a straight line with most muscle cars of the day and annihilate anything from anywhere on a curvy road.

You do know that most of that was due to tire technology right?

My Pure Stock 71 GT-37 ran a 13.25 this weekend at Norwalk and still has more in it if the driver can get better - there is no way in stock form your IROC (or mine for that matter) will ever do that.

[whitetop]

Don't laugh.

A friend had a '88 or 89 Cavalier Z-24 5 speed. 140 hp stock. He put a cold air kit on it from K&N and some other mods from the gm catalog. I believe he changed the camshaft, did some headwork and exhaust mods and gearing.

That thing would get up and go.. of course it was probably a thousand lbs lighter than the comparable cars made today

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by The Boss

You do know that most of that was due to tire technology right?

My Pure Stock 71 GT-37 ran a 13.25 this weekend at Norwalk and still has more in it if the driver can get better - there is no way in stock form your IROC (or mine for that matter) will ever do that.

I do.

Also, I'd say Pure Stock cars are probably running a bit sharper than they did off the showroom floor.

[flyingn]

Originally Posted by The Boss

That your son's GN Frank? Nice car!

I

Yes it is.. Thanks!

[flyingn]

Originally Posted by XXXBlackLs6M22

Outside owning a 1970 SS 396 I had a boat load of fun owning a 1981 Citation X-11 with an High output V6 and 4 speed trans, this thing boogied and I drove it all year round, with the front wheel drive it got by the snow just fine.
I ended up driving it to the scrap yard with nearly 300,000 KM on the odometer.
Lots of memories in this little hatchback that was a pocket rocket.

I had a rare beast Citation too. 1980 v6 coupe, 4 speed, tach/gauges, buckets and console. It was a blast

[flyingn]

of ALL the cars of the 80's THIS F body was far and away the fastest and best handling. Had the 1LE brakes and suspension.

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by flyingn

I had a rare beast Citation too. 1980 v6 coupe, 4 speed, tach/gauges, buckets and console. It was a blast

I also had a 1980 Citation, a Club Coupe with V6 and 4 speed. No options other than FM radio and the 2.8L V8. No AC, bench seat, poverty caps - the lightest possible Citation with the biggest motor.

I had a new exhaust bent up for it, recurved the distributor, bumped up the timing and modified the air cleaner. I really wanted an X-11, though.

That sucker could chirp third. But it wasn't very reliable. I traded it in on an '84 GLH.