And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Imagine a car company making something this lunatic today! That row of Plymouths, if lined up today, would be worth a solid fortune.
That stick on the left of the steering column? That's for informing other drivers of your intent. Just let us know when ya plan to haul that teutonic piece of shit around in a different direction, K? Thanks.
Getting off I-95 in Melbourne, FL in 1979, I saw a 40ish-year-old woman driving a turquoise Superbird, and I knew I was going to enjoy living there if even the moms drove cool cars...
As far as mod top and interiors go seems that if someone could manipulate the order book, you could get almost anything you wanted. I once had to go across town for my boss with a deposit for a 1970 Chrysler 300-H. While the car didn't have a mod top, it did have a complete mod flower interior. which at the time I though was kind of hideous, but in hindsight I have come to appreciate, and wonder how much more valuable it would be now. Never ran across the car again.
I used to be a Teamster car hauler. Once, while in Summit NJ, I was delivering a load of Jeeps to the Chrysler Plymouth Jeep dealer there. Had to be back around 1999 or 2000, cause I retired in 2002. Anyway, It's snowing like hell and there's got to be 6 inches on the ground. I get all the Jeeps on the ground and go inside to get my paperwork signed and a guy pulls up in a Superbird. He walked inside and I told him he had to be an idiot to be driving one of them out in this weather. He says, that's my every day driver, I got another new one in the garage.
The problem is that collector interest is fading away as the people who remember these cars fade away. When I graduated from High School in 77 a 20 year old car made before I was born was a 57 Chevy. For the upcoming High School Class of 2025 that would be a 2005 Chevy. Tempus Fugit. I work with people who have 5 year Engineering degrees who were born in the 21st century and have no memory of 9/11 much less a Superbird.
And as time moves on, so many younger folks have little or no knowledge ... and even less interest in what came before them. They think with their hearts and not their brains. Often, when it's too late, they finally realize how important history is and that things of the past should be held as precious.
I watched Mecum Kissemee, sell through rate was very low. Many reserves were not met. The McQueen 917 didn't sell. The nadir of 60's iron was 2022. Prices have been falling since. BTW, I drove a very warmed over BMW 2002 in late 70's early 80's college. Embarrassed more than one muscle car guy. There were secrets to the 2002, long travel suspension in droop and squat, Hemi head and big valves, 75bhp per liter was easy. Sub 2000 lb was easy, 50-50 weight distribution was easy, and they had 4 piston front discs. Ferodo DS11 compound and stopping was really easy. And 23mpg. Really needed a 5th gear.
Remeber the supposition "Imagine a car company making something this lunatic" Though not quite the same venue how about the Delorean and in 30 years the Tesla truck just might make it Of course the latter will have different powerplant by then. Notice I did not include the Pacer or LeCar (your welcome) nor the stock Vega and who could forget the K-car in all it's iterations
Worth a fortune now, but when they were new they didnt sel at all. some dealerships converted them back to charger front ends, just so they could sell them. and it wasnt that long ago you could buy them for almost nothing.
the one used in the movie Joe Dirt, sold for $18k in 2002, then resold last year for $330K this is the ad from the movie company trying to sell it, the sold price is at the very bottom.
everyone forgets that all the big dollar cars now, were, at one time, just worn out rusty gas guzzlers that you literally could not give away.
I grew up in rural Appalachia, I was 15 in 1980, and all my friends drove 60s muscle cars because after the muslum oil embargo in 73 tripled gas prices, and caused rationing of 5 gallons every other day based on the last digit of your tag number, and again in 79, doubling gas prices, worn out 10 year old muscle cars with big gas guzzling engines were being sold for a few hundred dollars.
my buddy had a 71 Torino that was $550, another had a 73 Trans Am $1200, another had a 69 Super Bee 440 4 speed that was $1100, my brother had a 68 fastback mustang that was $550, etc etc.
i had a chance to buy one in 1972. $1600 cash. didnt buy
ReplyDeleteThat hind-sight business van be painful
DeleteYes i passed, but i didnt have the driving skills or good judgement to keep from killing myself. and still dont.
DeletePersonally, I think that they are unsightly, and they would not grace my driveway.
ReplyDeleteLove your Prius that much?
DeleteWhat a truly stupid thing to comment. I have a BMW M-3 as a matter of fact.
DeleteThat stick on the left of the steering column? That's for informing other drivers of your intent. Just let us know when ya plan to haul that teutonic piece of shit around in a different direction, K? Thanks.
DeleteYou mean those new BMWs with the giant toilet seat on the front? Sure, that's much better.
DeleteTOILET SEAT? Ha!!! That's a pretty weak comeback sweetheart. And of course, jealousy will get you nowhere.
DeleteI really don't care, Margaret. Your supposed "critique" of the Superbird was beyond pathetic. You may go finish watching "The View" now.
DeleteBrave keyboard warrior: Thanks for the truly amazing comeback. I want to be just like you when I grow up!!!
DeleteThis from a person who's only contribution is " duhhh, but I have an M-3" as that somehow makes you the ultimate judge of cars design. Sure.
DeletePlenty of places to hang your towel.
ReplyDeleteOr sit on the trunk and use the spoiler for a table to eat your tacos.
DeleteMy mom, seeing one for the first time, said you couold use it as an ironing board. I split a gut. Can't see one without remembering that!
DeleteNever been a Mopar afficionado. The white folk in my area only liked Ford or Chevy
ReplyDeleteDid they have a 383, 440 Magnum or 426 Hemi? Had a friend whose parents bought him a plain 1968 RR w/ a 383 & 4 speed Hurst w/ a front bench seat.
ReplyDeleteMost of them were sold with 440s, but under NASCAR's displacement rules the 440 was too big so the racers had to use 426 Hemi engines.
DeleteAl_in_Ottawa
Imagine living in a time when a 426 hemi was a downgrade.
DeleteGetting off I-95 in Melbourne, FL in 1979, I saw a 40ish-year-old woman driving a turquoise Superbird, and I knew I was going to enjoy living there if even the moms drove cool cars...
ReplyDeleteProvides that much-needed down-pressure for driving around the Walmart parking lot.
ReplyDeleteThe beach towels dry faster, though.
ReplyDeleteIs that a mod top on the blue 'bird up front?!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it, but I thought they only came on Barracudas. (and Satellites?) I wonder if it had the matching seats.
DeleteAs far as mod top and interiors go seems that if someone could manipulate the order book, you could get almost anything you wanted. I once had to go across town for my boss with a deposit for a 1970 Chrysler 300-H. While the car didn't have a mod top, it did have a complete mod flower interior. which at the time I though was kind of hideous, but in hindsight I have come to appreciate, and wonder how much more valuable it would be now. Never ran across the car again.
DeleteI used to be a Teamster car hauler. Once, while in Summit NJ, I was delivering a load of Jeeps to the Chrysler Plymouth Jeep dealer there. Had to be back around 1999 or 2000, cause I retired in 2002. Anyway, It's snowing like hell and there's got to be 6 inches on the ground. I get all the Jeeps on the ground and go inside to get my paperwork signed and a guy pulls up in a Superbird. He walked inside and I told him he had to be an idiot to be driving one of them out in this weather. He says, that's my every day driver, I got another new one in the garage.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that collector interest is fading away as the people who remember these cars fade away. When I graduated from High School in 77 a 20 year old car made before I was born was a 57 Chevy. For the upcoming High School Class of 2025 that would be a 2005 Chevy. Tempus Fugit. I work with people who have 5 year Engineering degrees who were born in the 21st century and have no memory of 9/11 much less a Superbird.
ReplyDeleteAnd as time moves on, so many younger folks have little or no knowledge ... and even less interest in what came before them. They think with their hearts and not their brains. Often, when it's too late, they finally realize how important history is and that things of the past should be held as precious.
DeleteYou really think collector interest is
Deleteslowing? Check Mecum auto auctions
if you get chance. I think you'll be suprised.
Bubbarust
I watched Mecum Kissemee, sell through rate was very low. Many reserves were not met. The McQueen 917 didn't sell. The nadir of 60's iron was 2022. Prices have been falling since. BTW, I drove a very warmed over BMW 2002 in late 70's early 80's college. Embarrassed more than one muscle car guy. There were secrets to the 2002, long travel suspension in droop and squat, Hemi head and big valves, 75bhp per liter was easy. Sub 2000 lb was easy, 50-50 weight distribution was easy, and they had 4 piston front discs. Ferodo DS11 compound and stopping was really easy. And 23mpg. Really needed a 5th gear.
DeleteSpin
These super birds can go for over a 100,000 a copy.
ReplyDeleteRemeber the supposition "Imagine a car company making something this lunatic" Though not quite the same venue how about the Delorean and in 30 years the Tesla truck just might make it Of course the latter will have different powerplant by then. Notice I did not include the Pacer or LeCar (your welcome) nor the stock Vega and who could forget the K-car in all it's iterations
ReplyDeleteWorth a fortune now, but when they were new they didnt sel at all. some dealerships converted them back to charger front ends, just so they could sell them.
ReplyDeleteand it wasnt that long ago you could buy them for almost nothing.
the one used in the movie Joe Dirt, sold for $18k in 2002, then resold last year for $330K
this is the ad from the movie company trying to sell it, the sold price is at the very bottom.
everyone forgets that all the big dollar cars now, were, at one time, just worn out rusty gas guzzlers that you literally could not give away.
I grew up in rural Appalachia, I was 15 in 1980, and all my friends drove 60s muscle cars because after the muslum oil embargo in 73 tripled gas prices, and caused rationing of 5 gallons every other day based on the last digit of your tag number, and again in 79, doubling gas prices, worn out 10 year old muscle cars with big gas guzzling engines were being sold for a few hundred dollars.
my buddy had a 71 Torino that was $550, another had a 73 Trans Am $1200, another had a 69 Super Bee 440 4 speed that was $1100, my brother had a 68 fastback mustang that was $550, etc etc.
https://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/69_Joe_Dirt_Daytona.html