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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Moving from a V6 to a 305 4-barrel in his '84 Monte Carlo, I remember my Dad saying, "That's really a light touch" (meaning the gas pedal). At the time I remember it seeming like it just zoomed away from a stop. On top of that, I liked the dark, flat fake woodgrain used inside better than in '81 and '82, and that it was outlined in a gold pinstripe. Also the background to the rectangular "Monte Carlo" nameplate on the panel became gold instead of red, as earlier. Minor things, but I liked them. I didn't like how the clock became optional, and Dad's car had an empty circle as big as the speedometer and right next to it, where the clock should've been. Similarly, in the later years (thru '88 MY), I'd have HAD to buy the gauge package that included tach as I hate big blank spaces!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
1961 VW Bus 23-window sold for $175K.
I know this was commented on not long ago, but who has the money for these purchases? Lots of 6-figure transactions prices.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
https://barnfinds.com/tag/s-55/
That Mercury is cool, but will be an immense labor of love if it is saved. Nice spec.
'81 Z28? Why?
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I didn't know this until maybe a decade ago if even that, but the '67 redesign had an optional "Breezeway" option, although the styling was identical to the regular four-door sedan, but that back window only went down a couple inches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjIuopdBimE
From wikipedia:
"In automotive design terminology, the name breezeway has been used to describe the sometimes reverse-slanted, power-operated retractable rear window ("backlite") which, when opened even slightly, provided through ventilation. Typical models with this feature are the 1957-1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruisers and some 1963–1968 full-size Mercurys, including some Park Lanes, Montclairs, and Montereys. Although never officially referred to as a breezeway window, the same retractable rear window was standard on the 1958–1960 Continental Mark III, IV, & V, and even on their convertible body style. [1]:"
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
convertible,
but it's in Hopeful Heights, Kentucky. That's immediately south of the CVG airport.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1960-lincoln-continental-6/
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
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https://autocitystl.com/inventory/36169/view/8977/SAINT CHARLES-MO/1993-Chrysler-New Yorker Fifth Avenue
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I saw online that only 1,203 Breezeway sedan S-55's were built in '63; man, that's low-production for a Big Three model.
I saw commentary online (not sure how accurate) that the Breezeway was only available in the S-55 line in the 'first half of the '63 model year'. I know that it was generally available in Mercs for a few years after that; I assume the comment was regarding the four-door S-55. The implication I got was that the Marauder (which only meant fastback roof then) came out mid-'63, like the fastback big Fords. I've always wondered if the notchback and fastback Fords were built concurrently in '63, but comments I've read about the Merc make me think they were not.
Worst Chevy graphics: '74 Nova SS. I don't love the base car, but the SS actually made it worse!
Must have had an “ultimate set of tools”
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Anyway, he's seriously looking at a black with red interior '64 Impala SS two-door hardtop, 327 with 4-speed. I'm generally not a fan of '64's but at least the SS doesn't have the U-shaped trim going down the side. I'm into authenticity and originality though and the pics he sent me check all my boxes.
Who knows, maybe if he gets it he'll have that at Hershey this coming year.
We've discussed before the variety of likes among the four divisions of these cars....I like the exterior the best of all four, and the interior the least of all four. I do like the door map pockets mounted diagonally at the front, top edge of the front doors. I think after '74, that feature was gone.
Mags of the day say the Monte steering and suspension was probably the most-Euro of all four, and every one came with it standard equipment.
I just saw it and thought that it's such a nice contrast to what's available new now. Yes, function of my age (64.5). I'm a fan of wide rocker moldings and Montes had them. I like the no hood ornament too, though in '77 the temptation was apparently too great at Chevy so they added one.
I don't know how I feel about this--only the Chevy and Pontiac had the four-inch-longer wheelbase, which was all up-front and added nothing to useable space.
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I like that this car isn't the d'Elegance so doesn't have the overdone (IMHO) multi-button-tufted lower seat cushions that everybody seemed to do to excess.
Although never was a huge fan of the center-snout instrument panel, I will show my dinosaur-ness and appreciate the plastichrome inside. Take it over just plastic anytime.
This one is also currently being auctioned at BAT
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-cadillac-brougham-delegance-14/
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
So, at least two Monte Carlo buyers in 1974 had good taste in color
In 1973 the high caster European suspension was NOT standard. However, the base suspension was only installed on Monte Carlos equipped with the three speed manual- supposedly as a strategy to molify the beancounters at Chevrolet.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
European buyer. It had the handling package standard along with a driver oriented instrument panel.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
I'd be surprised if the 3-speed manual was even 1% of production. I believe it was all about having a loss-leader. Actually, the 'base' Monte that was only available with a 3-speed, went away after 1973. You could still get a 3-speed in '74, but it had the steering and suspension bits standard. I have never seen one, and I about lived at a Chevy dealer then. If you got automatic transmission in a '73, you got the Euro-style steering and suspension at no cost. Every Monte Carlo built through the end of the '80 model year had the wider wheels and tires and suspension bits standard (although I realize after '77 it wasn't the same exact suspension).
I've read mag reviews of the day that said the Monte Carlo actually steered and cornered better than the Grand Am and Cutlass Salon.
I'd have had to buy the bumper strips. Not even the bumper guards, but the strips ("Deluxe Bumpers").
My Dad's '74 and '77 Impalas had bumper guards, but not the strips, yuck.
RE.: '73-77 Monte Carlo--I rode in my friend's parents' new '74 Landau. It was quieter, rode more steady AND smoothly, than our new '74 Impala Sport Coupe. But every time I rode in it, I found myself sitting away from the seat back. It was too reclined for me. I knew Greg here has said that wasn't Monte-specific in the Colonnades.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Wasn't a fan of the body-colored wheelcovers, but I'm sure the Super Stock wheels were available.
I know the Grand Prix was available with cloth seating, but I'm not sure about Grand Am. I'll have to look at the brochure online.
GM, well, the Big Three, seemed late to the dance with reclining seats. AMC and Studebaker offered them decades before.
Neither the Monte nor Cutlass instrument panel was very nice to my eyes....that's where the Grand Am (and Grand Prix) just blew all the other divisions out of the water IMHO...like the Grand Prix instrument panels of a decade earlier.