General Motors Fans

imidazol97

I have to agree about the 1970 Chev. It has no wasted cues to being a Chevy. It has no extra gaudy parts whose purpose is just to make it stand out from others in the crowd but serve no purpose.

It's a well-styled beautiful car. As my Art Appreciation teacher said (long ago) the item looks like a car or luxury--it's not a lamp disguised with a Hawaiian girl with a grass skirt that serves as the tall part of the lamp and the hula skirt moves up and down when you hit a switch. That's not a lamp; it's an entertainment item. This car is a car.

I stumbled on this for voting for your favorite Chevy to celebrate Chevy's 100th anniversary.">

http://www.chevrolet.com/100-years/best-chevy-of-all-time/

lemko

The black Cadillac is a 1970 Sedan DeVille. My old girlfriend from back in the day had a drop dead gorgeous white 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. That black 1970 would look infinitely better without those Pep Boys aftermarket wheels.

Here's an illustration of a 1969 Fleetwood that looks like girlfriend's old ride:



The other is a 1970 Chevelle SS with much nicer period correct Cragar aftermarket wheels.

I don't think you'll see cars that awesome from any mainstream manufacturer, foreign or domestic, nowadays.

stever

See post #922. :-)

What I can't figure is why there's no contest to go with voting. Should hand out at least a Vette or Volt to some lucky voter.

lemko

All the 1968-72 GM A-Bodies were perfection - whether they were a station wagon, four-door sedan, hardtop, or a convertible; whether they were a Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, or Buick. Trying to follow them up is like a plate-spinner coming on after the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

lemko

Heck, what I'd really like is a civilian version of one of those G8-based Caprice police cars!

roadburner

Most all Chevrolets have been too big and porky for my tastes(I learned the hard way; my first car was a new 1974 Monte Carlo- decent handling, but a massive barge nonetheless).

This is my favorite Chevy; gorgeous styling, adequate handling, and a reasonable size:

circlew

I don't think you'll see cars that awesome from any mainstream manufacturer, foreign or domestic, nowadays.

You nailed it. This comes close.



Regards,
OW

roho1

Sorry to see the reference to early 70's, they only bring back bad memories of LBJ's build up. I didn't have time to worry about what a Chevy looked like then.

Not the best of all time but my favorite Chevy was a '62 Nova convertible although I had to put her to sleep when the engine burnt up.

fezo

Oh, that is a shame. The 62 Nova convertible was a great little car.

Looking at all these late 60s early 70s Caddys gets me thinking. My buddy's dad had a 68 Sedan DeVille that looked like a perfect mob car in black. His dad looked the part, too! I drove it a time or two. Big fun. His mom had a 62 Caddy convertible. I LOVED that car!

xrunner2

Don't know what they mean by "best", but my pick is the Suburban. Had one for 14 years and it served well for our utility functions. Yes, it had issues - bad paint on hood, roof, some rust on quarter panels, trim pieces falling off, air conditioning compressor that failed too early, power window master control failure, etc. But, being this was an American design/made vehicle, my expectations were not as high as for a Honda or Toyota. Mine was a 1986 model. I would hope/expect that the level of quality and reliability of current Suburbans is pretty solid.

The Suburban is the longest, most successful model by Chevrolet and probably GM. That in itself is a tribute to its conept and design and that the marketplace continues to like this offering over many decades.

My second pick is the Camaro, circa 1971 Z28, in silver. (Know that color is personal choice.) That car, along with twin Firebird 400, Trans Am, had the most exciting and flowing design/style. Still looks good today. There is an Italian design flavor to these cars.

Performance was pretty good on these Camaros, Firebirds. However, as others pointed out, GM quality on fit/finish, paint had started to deteriorate in 70's compared to late 60's.

imidazol97

Here we go. More designs from Cadillac!

Look at the headlights.

Here we go. More designs from Cadillac!

tlong

I'd say the best Chevy is the Cruze. Only significant weakness is the powertrain, but otherwise it looks good, is well assembled, doesn't feel cheap, and is selling like hotcakes.

imidazol97

Here's something not found elsewhere: build your own motor for your Corvette.

"The third assembly line was originally installed to produce Cadillac's 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar V8, however that engine has been discontinued. With nothing to really replace it's void, Performance Build Center employees had an idea for the last assembly line. On this empty line they could have customers come into the plant and build, along with help from the experienced engine builders, their very own engine. This type of one-on-one interaction is found no where else in the automotive field, so this offers a very special experience for future Corvette owners."

GM lovers can read more at
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/tale-two-cities-flint-truck-assembly-wixo- - m-performance-build-center-105353/

It's a two part article. The first is about Flint truck assembly and the second part is about Wixon Performance Build Center.

lemko

Would this be like getting a blueprinted engine for your new car?

imidazol97

It sounds to me like the production there is at tighter tolerances than needed because the engines are high performance. But it would be fun to actually see or put in parts for your own motor that ends up in your Vette.

I imagine it would be better than building your own Kitchen Aide mixer at the factory in Greenville, Ohio. I assume they still do that.

I don't find a link about building your own mixer anymore, but here's alink to the factory article:
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2006/04/inside-kitchena/

imidazol97

Cruze in the desert towing with the diesel. Also present a VW TDI probably as a benchmark vehicle. That's a good sign.

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/08/spy-photos-2013-chevy-cruze-die- - - sel-testing-with-a-jetta-tdi-in-the-desert.html



What's the tube hanging out the rear window?

imidazol97

Here's a list of options, colors, etc.

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/en/overview/12_Sonic_Brochure.pdf

imidazol97

http://www.insideline.com/buick/verano/2012/2012-buick-verano-price-range-21000-- - 26000.html

The dealer survey indicates that Buick is considering offering the 2012 Verano in four trim levels — a base version priced from $20,900-$21,500, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission; two midlevel variants, priced respectively from $22,100-$22,700 and $23,300-$23,900; and a range-topping edition, priced from $25,600-$26,200 and featuring leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, 18-inch wheels and tires, Bose premium audio, push-button/remote start, rear park assist and dual climate controls.

fezo

A version of the Verano began production earlier this year in China, where it is sold as the Buick Excelle GT.

Good plan not calling a car an Excelle in the States! :P

Both cars look like winners to me.

lemko

Yeah, it might bring up unpleasent memories of this!

fezo

Wow! You found one still standing....

imidazol97

Chevrolet is reporting that the new for 2012 Sonic sub-compact car earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. The Sonic achieved “good” scores in all four of the IIHS tests, which include frontal offset, side, and rear impact tests as well as roof strength in a rollover test.
...
Chevy says the 2012 Sonic’s 10 airbags (which the automaker likes to point out is two more than most competitors), including driver and front passenger knee airbags, and StabiliTrak electronic stability control contributed to it earning a Top Safety Pick designation. Sixty percent of the Sonic’s safety cage is high-strength steel and features a single welded side ring unit in the body structure.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/chevrolet-sonic-awarded-iihs-top-safety-pick-117639.ht- ml#ixzz1XynHlPBF

jae5

Super Bowl Ad

imidazol97

And they don't use lots of coulda', woulda', shoulda!

CR drives Sonics and comments they're the only subcompact BUILT IN THE USA!

imidazol97

Center airbags coming in GM's SUVs. Inside line story: Inside Line

stever

Happy Birthday (Inside Line)

cooterbfd

Hmmmm. Funny. I just finished helping my BIL restore his '67 coupe. First car he ever owned. Bought off the first owner in '80. Been in storage for 25 yrs.

tlong

GM could have some fun with option packages. The base model = Sonic. The mid model = Super Sonic! The high end model = Hyper Sonic!!!!!!! :P :shades:

stever

Even if you aren't a fan, this is a fun vid:

2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Runs the Nurburgring (Inside Line)



And it hit the office:

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Stops Off to See Inside Line After Nurburgring Run

imidazol97

ARLINGTON, Tex. – "City of Arlington and Tarrant County officials joined General Motors plant and UAW Local 276 leadership Monday to break ground for a $331 million expansion of the Arlington Assembly plant to make future Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades.

"The construction is part of $2 billion in U.S. investment by GM for 17 facilities in eight states announced May 10. This is on top of $3.4 billion invested and 9,000 jobs created or retained in the United States since mid-2009."

GM source

imidazol97

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/camaro/2012/2012-chevrolet-camaro-45th-anniv- - - - ersary-edition-to-hit-showrooms-this-summer.html

The Camaro 45th Anniversary Special Edition gets a red-and-silver rally stripe, new 20-inch wheels in dark silver, foglamps and taillamp bezels finished in dark silver, RS-style taillamp lenses, standard rear spoiler and HID headlamps, along with body-color roof molding.

The Jet Black interior gets leather-trimmed seats with the 45th Anniversary logo, a white instrument panel and door trim inserts, with the 45th Anniversary logo on the instrument panel, along with red, white and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob/boot, door armrests and console lid. The package is finished off with a 45th Anniversary logo on the steering wheel and sill plates.

"Chevrolet also announced tweaks to the Camaro's 3.6-liter V6, engine which goes into production this summer. It gets a bump of 11 horsepower over the 2011 engine and will churn out 323 horses at 6,800 rpm. Chevrolet said it is 20.5 pounds lighter than its predecessor."

cannon3

Any new news about this small car? I have tried to make a Sonic room here at Edmunds 3 times but for some reason it fails???
This is going to be a breakthrough vehicle for chevrolet. I did see my first one in white and it looks very nice. I hope more show up at dealerships soon so I can test drive. I am at the point in my life when kids are gone and I no longer need a large vehicle. Down sizing is now in my future.

imidazol97

I've seen a red LT2 and silver LT2. Both were sedans. Looks smaller than a Cruze and actually little roomie than Aveo. I didn't get to sit in either one because both were locked.

imidazol97

WARREN, Mich., Oct 10 (Reuters) - General Motors Co will build and sell a new version of its small Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck in the United States even as rivals abandon the shrinking segment, executives for the U.S. automaker said on Monday.

GM would not say where the Colorado, now assembled in Shreveport, Louisiana, will be built in the United States once the current generation ends. The new Colorado was introduced this month in Thailand, the world's largest market for small pickups, and will eventually be sold in South America and other markets.

"When we look at how important the mid-sized truck is to the global markets, we think it actually could have a lot of success in the United States as well," said Mary Barra, GM's vice president in charge of global product development.

"It is an important vehicle across the globe," she told reporters at the company's technical center north of Detroit. "It has a place within a market that also has full-size trucks. Also, when you look at what may or may not happen with fuel prices, it provides a nice option."


Picture of show truck

lemko

My 1989 Cadillac Brougham was made in Arlington. They sure know how to build 'em in Texas!

imidazol97

All versions of the 2012 Buick Verano include automatic climate control, remote start, steering-wheel controls, an electronic parking brake, a USB port, Bluetooth, and Buick Intellilink—basically a touch-screen and voice-activated interface for media and hands-free calling. It's simpler than MyFord Touch but accomplishes most of the same tasks—including voice-activated Pandora and Stitcher streaming, through your smartphone's data connection. At the top of the lineup, the Verano comes with push-button ignition, heated seats, and a Bose surround-sound system that was designed specifically for this vehicle. There are also plenty of smaller storage spots, along with front and rear reading lights.

Motor Authority first drive

imidazol97

GM Korea’s Bupyeong plant is the first in the world to build the eighth-generation Malibu, which will form a cornerstone of Chevrolet’s growth as the brand’s new top-of-the-range offering in global markets.

“The new Malibu is our most important product introduction of the year,” Arcamone said. ”It will play a significant role in enabling us to attain our goals in the domestic market while ensuring that GM Korea becomes an important part of Chevrolet’s success in its second century.”

The exterior design of the Malibu carries DNA from the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, bringing a sporty sensibility to the family sedan segment. The new Malibu offers the quietest ride in its segment. Components such as noise-reducing outside rearview mirrors, acoustic laminated front glass and noise-absorption pads are strategically placed to prevent tire, wind and road noise from entering the cabin and improve the overall quality inside
link

imidazol97

I'm waiting for our area dealer to get one of these in.

"Buick has made it clear that the Verano was designed to be a mini LaCrosse, not a shrunken version of the more athletic Regal. In that regard, the serene experience associated with the Verano makes perfect sense.

"Further separating the Verano from the Cruze is GM’s 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder. The engine makes a respectable 180 horsepower and 171 foot-pounds of torque. While that sounds like a lot for a small car, the luxury-packed Verano is a heavy car.

"The engine does a good job of moving the Verano’s heft and the car never feels underpowered, but more juice would be welcomed for enthusiastic drivers. The 2.4-liter is also exceptionally quiet in the Verano, perhaps one of the quietest applications of this well-known GM mill."
link to full article

stever

Chevy Celebrates 100 Years of Racing Heritage (Straightline)

imidazol97

"The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro coupe yesterday became the first vehicle to earn perfect marks in recently revised crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program."

The coupe got all 5's.

fezo

I don't know if I could buy that. Look at how crushed up it looks. The hood is too high to see through the windshield.

NAvk to teh drawing board. :P

I have to figure the folks walking away with that would be pretty pleased.

imidazol97

>Look at how crushed up it looks.

From the engineering standpoint, look at the roof A-pillar. It's still in its position!!!!! The windshield doesn't even look cracked from distortion pressure from the firewall having moved much...

I would say that as much energy was absorbed in the front of the car crushing with affecting the passenger cage. That indicates good engineering outfront.

On this side it looks like the door would move. The driver's side might be different, but I doubt it's distorted much.

lemko

...and look! The headlights are still working!

fintail

I noticed the same - great A-pillar survival there. The relation between A-pillar and door frame is a key sign of structural integrity, and that Camaro has it. The insane thickness of pillars these days is part of it no doubt. Gotta love crumple zones.

imidazol97

>. The insane thickness of pillars these days is part of it no doubt. Gotta love crumple zones.

This passenger cage remaining unscathed reminds me of the wayback time when Mercedes advertised and pointed out the strength of their passenger cage, intended to protect the passengers as much as possible.

fintail

That was a MB innovation, first mass production of specifically engineered crumple zones and safety cages - and the car that carried those was the fintail, in 1959:

(from period literature)

Not all cars made by the company have been perfectly strong (early W210 E-class had some engineering flaws, for one), but 30 years ago especially, nothing could have more crashworthy than an S-class. And now most new cars are just as strong.

cooterbfd

And in true govt style, they need to tell you that the pic is of a "post test" car :P

uplanderguy

If somebody posted this over on the other GM board, I wonder how long it would take for, oh, three particular members to somehow pull a negative out of that news?

I meant 'posters', not 'members'.

fezo

And in true govt style, they need to tell you that the pic is of a "post test" car

What? That was there? Ruins my perfectly good wise cracks.

It really is impressive how that took the shot exactly as designed.

imidazol97

>how that took the shot exactly as designed.

"Chevy Runs Deep."