andre, when I was a teen and absorbed all kinds of stuff from the Chevy brochures, I can remember that our '73 Nova coupe supposedly had 33.4 inches of rear-seat legroom, compared to 32.9 for the Chevelle. That always surprised me. The Nova was only on a one-inch shorter wheelbase. You got nearly the car for a lot less money with a Nova. Of course, they were a sub-frame and leaf rear springs, drum brakes, etc. for those savings.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
when I was a kid (a long, long time ago!) there was a little old widow lady that lived a few houses down, and she had a white civilian checker like that. For some reason, I think it was a 3 on the tree. Did that even exist? Or I am just making that up.
No, you are correct. I owned a Checker in Colorado---three on the tree with overdrive, Continental 6 cylinder engine. Very roomy, very slow, very uncomfortable to drive (cheap bench seats, high "bus driver" steering wheel).
Mostly I remember that the idle speed was 350 rpm.
Very sturdy car. If you had an accident, you wouldn't really know it unless somebody called your house later.
andre, when I was a teen and absorbed all kinds of stuff from the Chevy brochures, I can remember that our '73 Nova coupe supposedly had 33.4 inches of rear-seat legroom, compared to 32.9 for the Chevelle. That always surprised me. The Nova was only on a one-inch shorter wheelbase. You got nearly the car for a lot less money with a Nova. Of course, they were a sub-frame and leaf rear springs, drum brakes, etc. for those savings.
The 32.4" number I found was for the '75-79 style. Perhaps they moved the back seat up a bit, to account for the swoopier roofline? There's an episode of "Mama's Family", where the Mama character buys either a '73 or '74 Nova coupe, that she nicknames "Blue Thunder". At one point, they actually show six characters squeezing into it...Mama, Vint, Naomi, Aunt Fran, and the kids Buzz and Sonya. It looked a bit tight, but they made it!
One other detail I liked, about the '73-74 Nova, is that you still got a roll-down rear window with the coupe. Not so with GM's "Colonade" intermediates. However, the doors were bigger on the midsized cars, so you might have still gotten pretty good air flow back there with the front windows down, anyway. And, I guess an intermediate was more likely to be ordered with a/c than a compact.
I was also surprised that the rear legroom for the '78+ Malibu coupe seemed a bit low. When I had my '80, I sat back there a few times, it it felt like it had plenty of room, to me. And I'm 6'3". But, sometimes I do question how they actually measure legroom numbers. My Dad's '03 Regal is rated at 36.9", but where I have the front seat adjusted, you can not put another person behind me. Unless they sit sideways. I think legroom is affected by two things though...how high the back seat sits up, and how far the back of the front seat is. So a car with a tall seating position, but not a lot of fore-aft room, could have the same legroom measurement as a car with a lower seating position, but more fore-aft room. The fore-aft room will give you more clearance for your knees, but the higher seating position will give you better thigh support.
Classic episode. I remember Mama goes to the used car lot wanting a blue car. The salesman (Fred Willard, I think) tries to get her into a blue 70s Eldo convertible, but it is too expensive, so he sets her up with the Nova, which ends up being a lemon. Unfortunately, I find no better screen caps:
I have Mama's Family on DVD, and the NBC episodes are actually the original, uncut ones that have the old Harvey Korman/Alistair Quince introductions. I'll have to pull that episode up sometime, to see if it's any higher quality.
This isn't anything exotic, but it was somewhat surprising - I saw a newer Saturn SC coupe with the full "rice" treatment - giant rear wing, coffee can muffler, clear tail-lights, lowered suspension, etc... It's the first time I've seen a Saturn like that.
Wow!!!! I would love to see something like this! It's so sad that I cannot add into this thread as I haven't really seen any obscure cars around
This one is almost exactly like the one my friend has. A year newer and different interior color, but no wheel or exhaust upgrade. Definitely more than I am willing to pay!
'68 Impala Sport Sedan which looks pretty clean and original! Well, other than that dent in the RR quarter...
What movie is that? Oh, I see...'Moving Violations'. I have heard of it but have never seen it. I'll admit I didn't watch many movies in the '80's as I was starting my 'career' then in a job with a lot of travel, a lot of turnover and was always attempting to hold onto my job! LOL
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Yep, Moving Violations - the kind of low budget slapstick silly stuff that isn't made anymore. I'd probably put it in my top 10 comedies - mostly ignored today, but if one is looking for something funny and mostly harmless, it is a good one. Lots of good one-liners, too. I remember I taped it on VHS when I was a kid, and when it hit DVD, I bought it at release - I think it is out of print now, at least that version. It is also so forgotten now that the full movie is on Youtube, and nobody cares enough to claim it:
Speak of the devil, here's a clip from an underrated classic 80s movie, and a car you might like:
Hah! When they were heading out onto the airfield behind the luggage car, the plane in the background was painted Western. I used to fly on Western 747s back in the 80s when we would travel to Alaska to visit my grandparents.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
I have an old Western Airlines laminated card/pass on a lanyard, that I found at an estate sale a long time ago. They must have had some service in Seattle.
In the old days United dominated Seattle along with Northwest. Alaska's N concourse was originally United's. I never understood a lot of United's moves, especially after they merged with Continental. More than a few strategic blunders, like losing share in places like SEA , LAX and DEN.
Depending on which way the GPS routes me, I pass by this 1963 Galaxie hardtop on the way to work in the morning...
Sorry for the bad picture quality. The car actually looks like it's in pretty nice shape, although sitting out like that, I wonder what kind of issues it might be developing? I'm not sure how long it's been in this same spot...I first noticed it about 5 months ago.
I always remember sitting in an A&P parking lot with my Dad, waiting for my Mom, and we were parked behind a '63 Ford. My Dad felt betrayed by our '62 Fairlane, but I remember him saying, "That's the way taillights should be on a car....big and round", LOL.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
In the old days United dominated Seattle along with Northwest. Alaska's N concourse was originally United's. I never understood a lot of United's moves, especially after they merged with Continental. More than a few strategic blunders, like losing share in places like SEA , LAX and DEN.
United is still the largest airline in Denver, but Southwest is closing fast.
When they planned the new airport in the late 80's, there were three airlines using it as a hub - United, Continental and Frontier.
By the time the airport opened in 1995, it was down to United.
But, since then, the airport has exceeded all expectations and new gates are being planned, as is a total overhaul of the Jeppesen terminal.
Drove in next to a R230 SL550, early 2000s, I'd guess. Nothing special about that, but I did notice the wheels/tires - they looked small, made me think of a Miata. My, how wheels have become huge...
Comments
Mostly I remember that the idle speed was 350 rpm.
Very sturdy car. If you had an accident, you wouldn't really know it unless somebody called your house later.
One other detail I liked, about the '73-74 Nova, is that you still got a roll-down rear window with the coupe. Not so with GM's "Colonade" intermediates. However, the doors were bigger on the midsized cars, so you might have still gotten pretty good air flow back there with the front windows down, anyway. And, I guess an intermediate was more likely to be ordered with a/c than a compact.
I was also surprised that the rear legroom for the '78+ Malibu coupe seemed a bit low. When I had my '80, I sat back there a few times, it it felt like it had plenty of room, to me. And I'm 6'3". But, sometimes I do question how they actually measure legroom numbers. My Dad's '03 Regal is rated at 36.9", but where I have the front seat adjusted, you can not put another person behind me. Unless they sit sideways. I think legroom is affected by two things though...how high the back seat sits up, and how far the back of the front seat is. So a car with a tall seating position, but not a lot of fore-aft room, could have the same legroom measurement as a car with a lower seating position, but more fore-aft room. The fore-aft room will give you more clearance for your knees, but the higher seating position will give you better thigh support.
The Producers. That's Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/54362/general/x/what-kind-of-car-id-this#latest
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
A year newer and different interior color, but no wheel or exhaust upgrade.
Definitely more than I am willing to pay!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1998-porsche-911-carrera-s-3-6-7/
Plus, I have no interest in paying a premium for super-low- miles. Give me a 70K-90K mile car for 2/3 of the price.
Speaking of that... has your friend said what he is asking?
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I think he away this weekend picking up his next one.
https://www.facebook.com/marianne.thamm/videos/10155036677491707/
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
What movie is that? Oh, I see...'Moving Violations'. I have heard of it but have never seen it. I'll admit I didn't watch many movies in the '80's as I was starting my 'career' then in a job with a lot of travel, a lot of turnover and was always attempting to hold onto my job! LOL
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Silver Spur always makes me think of Cannonball Run II, another one that is completely stupid, but watchable, for us children of the 80s anyway,
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
The showroom:
Buy a house, get a Lincoln free:
Sorry for the bad picture quality. The car actually looks like it's in pretty nice shape, although sitting out like that, I wonder what kind of issues it might be developing? I'm not sure how long it's been in this same spot...I first noticed it about 5 months ago.
When they planned the new airport in the late 80's, there were three airlines using it as a hub - United, Continental and Frontier.
By the time the airport opened in 1995, it was down to United.
But, since then, the airport has exceeded all expectations and new gates are being planned, as is a total overhaul of the Jeppesen terminal.
A 7th runway is also being discussed.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator