Muscle or Sport
#101
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I strongly disagree...muscle doesn't cover everything in the US performance car market, cadilac cts for example, I would hardly call an SSC aero muscle, or a saleen, or the dagger GT or a host of other cars, thats like saying all british performance cars must be touring cars, even though they have the lotus elise and exige, the caterhams, and I think they make the ariel atom as well. Just because most of our performance cars can be considered muscle, doesn't mean they all can.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I think too many people want to call camaro muscle cars because muscle cars are the cool and "in" thing right now. It's wishful thinking. There's never been a F-body made that could be considered a muscle car. Sports car, maybe,,, pony car, definitely.
Muscle car, no way....I suggest anybody who thinks otherwsie spend some time looking at the history books
Muscle car, no way....I suggest anybody who thinks otherwsie spend some time looking at the history books
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I think too many people want to call camaro muscle cars because muscle cars are the cool and "in" thing right now. It's wishful thinking. There's never been a F-body made that could be considered a muscle car. Sports car, maybe,,, pony car, definitely.
Muscle car, no way....I suggest anybody who thinks otherwsie spend some time looking at the history books
Muscle car, no way....I suggest anybody who thinks otherwsie spend some time looking at the history books
Last edited by 84firebird383; 02-06-2011 at 10:58 PM.
#104
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Re: Muscle or Sport
it would be difficult to call the gnx anything but a muscle car. They took a mid sized family car and made into a BEAST. That's what a muscle car is
F bodies are pony cars, no matter what engine they have.
F bodies are pony cars, no matter what engine they have.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
Lol, this is exactly what this thread is about! Is the 3rd gen a muscle car or sports car? By definition, it's neither.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
you can't build a third gen to be a muscle car anymore than you can build a salad to look like a cheeseburger. The camaro/firebird line was designed and built to be a pony car, which is a sports car with 2+2 seating. I don't care how many cubic inches you drop into it, you can't make it into something it's not.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
you can't build a third gen to be a muscle car anymore than you can build a salad to look like a cheeseburger. The camaro/firebird line was designed and built to be a pony car, which is a sports car with 2+2 seating. I don't care how many cubic inches you drop into it, you can't make it into something it's not.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
you can't build a third gen to be a muscle car anymore than you can build a salad to look like a cheeseburger. The camaro/firebird line was designed and built to be a pony car, which is a sports car with 2+2 seating. I don't care how many cubic inches you drop into it, you can't make it into something it's not.
Musclecars are intermediate 2 door rear wheel drive family cars modified by the manufacturer to fit a big engine and have a lot of power as well as some other racy features.
Whatever these racy features were,in addition of the horsepower to back up looks, there was at least no "winning" formula for these. Some offered console shifters, others tried with ram air hoods.
The main thing was, these cars were intended to offer racers a showroom ready competetive package for an affrodable price and increase sales.
All these musclecars however had a particular style about them. There were differences, and these differences caused people to have favorites, but they did have some distinct features that clearly indicate "musclecar" if you see one.
Now, big solid line, because from here on I will move to opinions.
_______________________________________________________________
1) on the topic of musclecars
Some people (journalists, the people who get their opinions printed) misstakingly used the term "musclecar" for a whole bunch of cars that never belonged in this category, and by doing so messed up a clear cut definition and time reference.
One of the cars they did this with was the 1974 Pontiac T/A.
If the T/A had been an intermediate family saloon I would have agreed. With things as they are I do not.
As of lately the release of a new generation of Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers the term Musclecar is abused more then ever before.
_______________________________________________________________
2) on the topic of firebirds and camaros
If these cars were to be given a description, it would either be ponycars, as which they were intended.
Ponycars are compact affordable 2 door rear wheel drive 2+2 seaters with some flashy design features and not nescessarily the engine power to back those up intended to raise sales with a younger audience.
I do not quite see stock firebirds and camaros as GT´s. GT vehicles are luxury vehicles intended for long distance driving. With the small gastank and their low budget, flashy design philosophy I do not think a ponycar will be the best choice for long distance driving, and I would definately cal it luxurious.
_______________________________________________________________
3) about this thread
This thread is, as was explained atthe start of the thread, not intended to define in which category these cars fit. As one member explained in a very plausible way, particularly the third generation is an oddball in american automotive history.
It is about "If you were to describe what you think about the third gen you own, how would you describe it and did you make exterior modifications to display your opinion"
So now please,
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Re: Muscle or Sport
how about the term "American sports coupe" to describe all generations of camaros and firebirds. this would also encompass the mustangs without us having to use the dredded and hated P*** word
can you think of any cars that came before the mustang that would fall into this category? A 2+2 sporty coupe, with a wide selection of engines and options available?
can you think of any cars that came before the mustang that would fall into this category? A 2+2 sporty coupe, with a wide selection of engines and options available?
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Re: Muscle or Sport
Not sure, when did the Plymouth Barracuda first come in view of the automotive press? It was preseded by the Plymouth Valliant, the Ford Falcon and the Chevy Corvair. All sporty 2+2 compacts, but all missing the typical long hood/short deck design that became identifying for the typical "ponycar" vehicles.
I find American sports coupe nice. It does pretty much describe the body style and limits possible entries to those produced by US manufacturers, regardless of where the vehicle was built.
I find American sports coupe nice. It does pretty much describe the body style and limits possible entries to those produced by US manufacturers, regardless of where the vehicle was built.
Last edited by the solitaire; 02-07-2011 at 01:25 PM.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I forgot about the Barracuda because it's so darn ugly... LOL
released two weeks ahead of the mustang, but that woud be a bigger debate in my mind if it was a pony car or a muscle car. I've always thought of it as a muscle car, but it sure didn't start out that way
released two weeks ahead of the mustang, but that woud be a bigger debate in my mind if it was a pony car or a muscle car. I've always thought of it as a muscle car, but it sure didn't start out that way
#115
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Re: Muscle or Sport
how about the term "American sports coupe" to describe all generations of camaros and firebirds. this would also encompass the mustangs without us having to use the dredded and hated P*** word
can you think of any cars that came before the mustang that would fall into this category? A 2+2 sporty coupe, with a wide selection of engines and options available?
can you think of any cars that came before the mustang that would fall into this category? A 2+2 sporty coupe, with a wide selection of engines and options available?
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Re: Muscle or Sport
Kind of fails in having a wide range of engine options.
I´ve never heard of a 911 rolling out of the factory with anything other then a 6 cylinder boxer.
Camaros for instance came with I4, V6 and V8 with and without turbo.
EDIT:: @ macneilbibi, I followed your link, and a link to the Alfa GTA (had one of those a few years back. Kept failing on me however so maintenance became too expensive) and found:
...and Gaston Andrey won the inaugural Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am championship in 1966. Horst Kwech also won the first...
So, if Trans-Am racing was organized by the SCCA, and the ponycars were used in Trans-Am racing, the term Sportscar should apply rather then GT car, right? Particularly for our thirdgens "...designed for... and maneuverability..." does apply, and pontiac was on the right track right from the start, using the camaro chassis but adding parts that mainly improved handling and maneuverability.
I´ve never heard of a 911 rolling out of the factory with anything other then a 6 cylinder boxer.
Camaros for instance came with I4, V6 and V8 with and without turbo.
EDIT:: @ macneilbibi, I followed your link, and a link to the Alfa GTA (had one of those a few years back. Kept failing on me however so maintenance became too expensive) and found:
...and Gaston Andrey won the inaugural Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am championship in 1966. Horst Kwech also won the first...
So, if Trans-Am racing was organized by the SCCA, and the ponycars were used in Trans-Am racing, the term Sportscar should apply rather then GT car, right? Particularly for our thirdgens "...designed for... and maneuverability..." does apply, and pontiac was on the right track right from the start, using the camaro chassis but adding parts that mainly improved handling and maneuverability.
Last edited by the solitaire; 02-07-2011 at 02:03 PM.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
here's another car that's hard to classify: the thunderbird
it started out as a corvette, but wound up being a monte carlo
it started out as a corvette, but wound up being a monte carlo
#119
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Re: Muscle or Sport
ummm... Definately different HP options...
While the base 997 Carrera produced 325 PS (239 kW) from its 3.6 L Flat 6, a
more powerful 3.8 L 355 PS (261 kW) Flat 6 powers the Carrera S
3.6 L twin-turbocharged engine as the 996 Turbo, but this time it developed 480 PS (353 kW; 473 bhp)
and 620 N·m (457 lb·ft) of torque
997 GT3 RS with an enlarged 3.8-liter engine producing 450 bhp (336 kW),
The 997 GT2 has a twin turbocharged 3.6 litre 6-cylinder engine,
which generates 523 hp (390 kW)[22] at 6500
#120
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Re: Muscle or Sport
If there is one thing that I can't stand about porches its that they are still putting the engines in the back and using flat 6s, they are great cars, but they could be so much better if they stopped holding themselves back....
#121
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Re: Muscle or Sport
They do that for weight distribution. Race against one back in the 80s. The thing just hung corners under acceleration. I fish tailed
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Re: Muscle or Sport
And ´80´s Porsche 911´s with in excess of 240 hp were deathmachines. Most professional race drivers described them as exactly that.
Up to the 964 series they had torsion bar suspension, and up to the 993 series they used a solid rear axle design.
This combined with the amount of weight placed on the rear axle makes for a car that ca really be pushed around corners before it loses grip, but once it loses grip you´re out of a chance to avoid hitting the first tree you see.
The 964´s introduced springs and shocks, and the 993 a multi linkage rear suspension setup.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
_______________________________________________________________
1) on the topic of musclecars
Some people (journalists, the people who get their opinions printed) misstakingly used the term "musclecar" for a whole bunch of cars that never belonged in this category, and by doing so messed up a clear cut definition and time reference.
One of the cars they did this with was the 1974 Pontiac T/A.
If the T/A had been an intermediate family saloon I would have agreed. With things as they are I do not.
Curious to your opinion on the 74 gto or the 69 copo nova, seeing how close they are to 67-69 camaro/firebirds, and the fact that they aren't a mid size family car
1) on the topic of musclecars
Some people (journalists, the people who get their opinions printed) misstakingly used the term "musclecar" for a whole bunch of cars that never belonged in this category, and by doing so messed up a clear cut definition and time reference.
One of the cars they did this with was the 1974 Pontiac T/A.
If the T/A had been an intermediate family saloon I would have agreed. With things as they are I do not.
Curious to your opinion on the 74 gto or the 69 copo nova, seeing how close they are to 67-69 camaro/firebirds, and the fact that they aren't a mid size family car
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Re: Muscle or Sport
as for me, I don't consider the 74 gto a muscle car at all.. MCINO
the 69 nova.. YEAH BABY
I've got no issue with the nova being a muscle car... it was a regular small to mid sized car (even had a 4 door version available) and they put a freaking huge engine in it.... YEAH BABY
the 69 nova.. YEAH BABY
I've got no issue with the nova being a muscle car... it was a regular small to mid sized car (even had a 4 door version available) and they put a freaking huge engine in it.... YEAH BABY
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Re: Muscle or Sport
oh yeah one more silly thing to add about this,,,a 3rd gen even has the word SPORT in the freakin model package "sport coupe" lol. and those are BASE model camaros, so the rs,z28,irocs are "sport coupes" with soooo much more, meaning they are sporty-ER??? iv never heard of a "mucle coupe" 3rdgen
#126
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Re: Muscle or Sport
Imo just because sport coupe is a trim level doesn't mean much, would you honestly put a base camaro in the same league as a corvette or viper, and a dodge viper isn't a snake or a ford mustang a horse...I think they used that as a trim level just because the car is sporty a coupe and they weren't feeling very creative that day, also if you wanted to think like that you could claim a mustang gt must be a gt car....and it just isn't....
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Re: Muscle or Sport
camaros are sports cars from factory,(it has computer)
but you yank the computer and emmisions crap and
your opening new doors then you have muscle,muscle means you and the machine and nothing in between.there arent any modern muscle cars there all sports cars,coupes,or supercars(computerized)
but you yank the computer and emmisions crap and
your opening new doors then you have muscle,muscle means you and the machine and nothing in between.there arent any modern muscle cars there all sports cars,coupes,or supercars(computerized)
#128
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I made a vowel to myself that I would stop arguing on this thread with people, but your basis of reasoning is very tempting...
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Re: Muscle or Sport
actually iv already stated my real and pure reason in page 2. i just added the "sport coupe" thing in because it was actually kind of humerous. but there are lost of sport cars and exotics that arnt animal named....so viper and mustang is an obvious one there. corvette has a name with no relevance to ANYTHING else just like the name camaro. so you realy had nothin to argue with
a little off topic, but i was thinkin to myself the other day and thought it was funny that the mustang has a trim package of cobra...thats two differant animals on one car haha. why didnt they call it a unicorn instead of cobra? lol
a little off topic, but i was thinkin to myself the other day and thought it was funny that the mustang has a trim package of cobra...thats two differant animals on one car haha. why didnt they call it a unicorn instead of cobra? lol
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Re: Muscle or Sport
sorry, pick on a topic i actualy was trying to push.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
Awwww.....So sad. Somebody pointed out a very well known point, in regards to the origin of the Camaro name.
I could care less about your words on the Corvette, Mustang or Cobra. TGO is about 3rd gens, so we don't care about those cars.
I could care less about your words on the Corvette, Mustang or Cobra. TGO is about 3rd gens, so we don't care about those cars.
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I don't know about that... if somebody offered me a corvette, I wouldn't turn it down.. LOL
If anybody is listening... I like C3's the best
If anybody is listening... I like C3's the best
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Re: Muscle or Sport
too bad "Project 3.4 Camaro" braught up mustangs and vipers, i just replied to it, big whoop!!quit your cryin.... you realy must not read threads from the freakin start "stephen" because its so annoying to reply to someone about something that doesnt matter or is completely OFF TOPIC.
i mean, realy lol from all the words iv said in replies to other peoples points, or my original replies to the actual TOPIC,,,your gonna sit there and pick at something to start a whole NEW topic going in a whole NEW direction????? why dont you start a thread about the origin of the word camaro? wow
i mean, realy lol from all the words iv said in replies to other peoples points, or my original replies to the actual TOPIC,,,your gonna sit there and pick at something to start a whole NEW topic going in a whole NEW direction????? why dont you start a thread about the origin of the word camaro? wow
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Re: Muscle or Sport
alright..to me, the third gen f-body can be either a muscle car OR a sports car..
its in the hands of the owner to the fullest. to me, a muscle car is a car that looks good, sounds good and can throw down good drag times...a sports car is the same BUT should also consist of good autox times as well as drag times..just my opinion, you dont have to agree and the mentality of the owner plays a big part. as an owner that does everything in his thirdgen, i call my car more of a sports car with a muslce car history and powerplant. i confuse myself sometimes
its in the hands of the owner to the fullest. to me, a muscle car is a car that looks good, sounds good and can throw down good drag times...a sports car is the same BUT should also consist of good autox times as well as drag times..just my opinion, you dont have to agree and the mentality of the owner plays a big part. as an owner that does everything in his thirdgen, i call my car more of a sports car with a muslce car history and powerplant. i confuse myself sometimes
#137
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Re: Muscle or Sport
too bad "Project 3.4 Camaro" braught up mustangs and vipers, i just replied to it, big whoop!!quit your cryin.... you realy must not read threads from the freakin start "stephen" because its so annoying to reply to someone about something that doesnt matter or is completely OFF TOPIC.
i mean, realy lol from all the words iv said in replies to other peoples points, or my original replies to the actual TOPIC,,,your gonna sit there and pick at something to start a whole NEW topic going in a whole NEW direction????? why dont you start a thread about the origin of the word camaro? wow
i mean, realy lol from all the words iv said in replies to other peoples points, or my original replies to the actual TOPIC,,,your gonna sit there and pick at something to start a whole NEW topic going in a whole NEW direction????? why dont you start a thread about the origin of the word camaro? wow
If I started a speaker company making tweeters, and named a model series something with woofer in the name, would that make it a subwoofer?
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Re: Muscle or Sport
I agree, which is a quite a shame. I find it quite interesting to see different interpretations of one and the same car, based on peoples first opinion of the car.
I think the origin of the cars name can be relevant to peoples opinion of, and view on a vehicle.
PS: grammar & attitude. Seeing how Stephen spent well over 10 years on this forum, I assume he has at least once read some of the stickies on behaviour, and is able to see social interaction through the internet for what it is. A nice way to exchange points of view with people you do not nescessarily meet in your local pub.
I wouldn´t turn down a good offer on a C5 either, but I turned down an offer to trade my camaro against a C4. Maybe things are slightly different on this side of the pond, but we have several corvette clubs and on US car meetings I see somewhere between 15 and 35 corvettes every month. Against the handfull of F-bodies (all generations) driving my camaro somehow makes me into one of the exotics around here.
That and I like the camaro bodystyle better then the corvette body style. I would gladly take one as a 2nd car, but I just wouldn´t sell my camaro to be able to own one. I might trade my RS against a 1984 Z28 if someone made me a good offer though, but only if it came with manual transmission .
PS: grammar & attitude. Seeing how Stephen spent well over 10 years on this forum, I assume he has at least once read some of the stickies on behaviour, and is able to see social interaction through the internet for what it is. A nice way to exchange points of view with people you do not nescessarily meet in your local pub.
That and I like the camaro bodystyle better then the corvette body style. I would gladly take one as a 2nd car, but I just wouldn´t sell my camaro to be able to own one. I might trade my RS against a 1984 Z28 if someone made me a good offer though, but only if it came with manual transmission .
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Re: Muscle or Sport
too bad "Project 3.4 Camaro" braught up mustangs and vipers, i just replied to it, big whoop!!quit your cryin.... you realy must not read threads from the freakin start "stephen" because its so annoying to reply to someone about something that doesnt matter or is completely OFF TOPIC.....
.....PS: grammar & attitude. Seeing how Stephen spent well over 10 years on this forum, I assume he has at least once read some of the stickies on behaviour, and is able to see social interaction through the internet for what it is. A nice way to exchange points of view with people you do not nescessarily meet in your local pub......
You come back in 15 years & tell me you don't get frustrated by stupid posts & reading the same "How do you....." question over & over & over &.....for the billionth time because people can't SEARCH!
All I did was give the origin of the word Camaro, since it does have one & was not just some letters put together by GM for the very first time. And he got upset that I pointed out that there was an origin & he was wrong.
Last edited by Stephen; 02-09-2011 at 09:45 AM.
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Car: 84 Trans Am, 84 Fiero, 86 944
Engine: 5.0, 2.5, 2.5
Transmission: 5spd
Re: Muscle or Sport
^ I couldn't have said this better myself, Most forget it was the Testing of the Fuel injection systems used during our years that led up to the LS powered beasts you all envy today.
^ I couldn't agree more on This The Appearence and how it brings attention is a main reason it can be considered a muscle car, and yes Top Gear is one of my favorite Shows to watch I've seen almost every episode, that ep was funny lol he mapped off an area the size of his garage w/ string to see if it would fit and it wouldn't but he didn't care.
I can agree alot with you aswell, I really like the Daytona Iroc Hood, but tbh i might love the SS hood a bit more. I absolutely love the 5" Spoiler from Hawks ThirdGen but i'm cursed with having the third brake light on the spoiler on my 88 so i can't use it unless i fabricate and put the light in it somehow, or switch to a 86 or 91/92 hatch with the 3rdbrake being in that instead of the spoiler.
^ Yessir you are right and hit the point of the Topic right on the head with your post.
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Tbh I'm happy with how this thread is going, Its staying on Both topics very well and seems to be gaining interest among members. Its definitely showing that my idea/theory that their view of it being a sports or muscle is a good deal of how they view the car and how its modded accordingly.
^ I couldn't agree more on This The Appearence and how it brings attention is a main reason it can be considered a muscle car, and yes Top Gear is one of my favorite Shows to watch I've seen almost every episode, that ep was funny lol he mapped off an area the size of his garage w/ string to see if it would fit and it wouldn't but he didn't care.
I can agree alot with you aswell, I really like the Daytona Iroc Hood, but tbh i might love the SS hood a bit more. I absolutely love the 5" Spoiler from Hawks ThirdGen but i'm cursed with having the third brake light on the spoiler on my 88 so i can't use it unless i fabricate and put the light in it somehow, or switch to a 86 or 91/92 hatch with the 3rdbrake being in that instead of the spoiler.
^ Yessir you are right and hit the point of the Topic right on the head with your post.
---------
Tbh I'm happy with how this thread is going, Its staying on Both topics very well and seems to be gaining interest among members. Its definitely showing that my idea/theory that their view of it being a sports or muscle is a good deal of how they view the car and how its modded accordingly.
#143
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Car: '89 RS camaro 305 TBI
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: yep, has those too (stock)
Re: Muscle or Sport
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Lisa_LHOOQ.jpg
There are some 3rd gens left in such a good original shape that keeping them original suffises to have an extraordinary vehicle.
Some people prefer to race them, whether it´s on the 1/4 mile or on the track.
And then there are those that consider the cars to be nice dailies that can go a long way with some light or more serious modification.
The fact that these cars are still so widely used and still considered competetive indicates GM must have gotten some details right, regardless of how much they messed up in the quality compartment
My guess is that within a few short years the early 3rdgens and some anniversary and special edition models will become classics.
#144
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Car: Don't
Engine: have
Transmission: it
Axle/Gears: anymore
Re: Muscle or Sport
IMO, I would say thirdgens are sports cars right off the back but have the potential to become muscle cars as well (depending on owner). I personally want to build my GTA to have a little bit of both worlds; something like a "muscle sports car" if you will .
#145
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lynden WA
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Car: 84 Trans Am, 84 Fiero, 86 944
Engine: 5.0, 2.5, 2.5
Transmission: 5spd
Re: Muscle or Sport
Well, even the mona lisa with mustache is considered art.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Lisa_LHOOQ.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Lisa_LHOOQ.jpg
#146
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Re: Muscle or Sport
Interesting thread
Over here in sunny London (is this nuclear winter ever going to end?!) you mention Camaro's and Trans Ams and it's almost always described as a muscle car. Muscle cars being unsophisticated but powerful, rearwheel drive and big (relatively). A sports car is typically defined as a small two seater (think lotus elan, elise / Austin sprite etc.) - also think delicate precision machinery (more lotus then). These days this also means fairly sophisticated (as most manufacturers try to squeeze as much power from smaller engines). That's pretty much the cliche here anyway...
The 3rd gen was marketed as being a sophisticated, frugal, efficient "sporty car". Probably because it didn't have the ***** to brag about it's power numbers. Few years down the GTA Firebird again was a marketing exercise to present the 3rd gen as an upper market american car to rival sporty exotics - that's how GM wanted us to see it.
But underneath the marketing spin it was a pretty old design. I mean a steering box, live rear axle, ohv, 2 valves per cylinder iron engines. Sure, greatly improved from the 2nd gen - but perhaps not class defining.
I think to put it a bid coldly it's neither from the factory. I'd say it's easier to make it into a muscle car then a sports car.
Me: I'm working on the suspension to make it handle better and then will try and massage a few more ponies from the L98 whilst keeping it stock looking - sleek and low - I think an old magazine article description of the GTA provides my sorta direction - a muscle car in a tuxedo>>
Over here in sunny London (is this nuclear winter ever going to end?!) you mention Camaro's and Trans Ams and it's almost always described as a muscle car. Muscle cars being unsophisticated but powerful, rearwheel drive and big (relatively). A sports car is typically defined as a small two seater (think lotus elan, elise / Austin sprite etc.) - also think delicate precision machinery (more lotus then). These days this also means fairly sophisticated (as most manufacturers try to squeeze as much power from smaller engines). That's pretty much the cliche here anyway...
The 3rd gen was marketed as being a sophisticated, frugal, efficient "sporty car". Probably because it didn't have the ***** to brag about it's power numbers. Few years down the GTA Firebird again was a marketing exercise to present the 3rd gen as an upper market american car to rival sporty exotics - that's how GM wanted us to see it.
But underneath the marketing spin it was a pretty old design. I mean a steering box, live rear axle, ohv, 2 valves per cylinder iron engines. Sure, greatly improved from the 2nd gen - but perhaps not class defining.
I think to put it a bid coldly it's neither from the factory. I'd say it's easier to make it into a muscle car then a sports car.
Me: I'm working on the suspension to make it handle better and then will try and massage a few more ponies from the L98 whilst keeping it stock looking - sleek and low - I think an old magazine article description of the GTA provides my sorta direction - a muscle car in a tuxedo>>
#148
Supreme Member
Re: Muscle or Sport
Interesting thread
But underneath the marketing spin it was a pretty old design. I mean a steering box, live rear axle, ohv, 2 valves per cylinder iron engines. Sure, greatly improved from the 2nd gen - but perhaps not class defining.
sorta direction - a muscle car in a tuxedo>>
But underneath the marketing spin it was a pretty old design. I mean a steering box, live rear axle, ohv, 2 valves per cylinder iron engines. Sure, greatly improved from the 2nd gen - but perhaps not class defining.
sorta direction - a muscle car in a tuxedo>>
And imo, it may be live real axle, but .92gs on a skidpad is as much as the modern day muscle puts down, mustang and challenger both pull .92, the new camaro which DOES have IRS, only pulls .93gs, .01 more. And I may be wrong, but I believe IRS is heavier than live rear axles.
#149
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Car: 84 Trans Am, 84 Fiero, 86 944
Engine: 5.0, 2.5, 2.5
Transmission: 5spd
Re: Muscle or Sport
OHV being inferior to OHC is nothing but a myth, they both have pros and cons over the other, most if not all of GMs big powerful v8s are still using pushrods, including the ls9 which is the most powerful engine they have ever made, and the LSA which powers one of, if not the fastest production sedan ever made.
And imo, it may be live real axle, but .92gs on a skidpad is as much as the modern day muscle puts down, mustang and challenger both pull .92, the new camaro which DOES have IRS, only pulls .93gs, .01 more. And I may be wrong, but I believe IRS is heavier than live rear axles.
And imo, it may be live real axle, but .92gs on a skidpad is as much as the modern day muscle puts down, mustang and challenger both pull .92, the new camaro which DOES have IRS, only pulls .93gs, .01 more. And I may be wrong, but I believe IRS is heavier than live rear axles.
#150
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Car: '91 v6 Firebird T-top
Engine: 3.1 - not for long
Re: Muscle or Sport
Sorry for posting to a semi-old thread, but I was just reading this thread after trying to decide which way to go with my '91 restoration. It has been very helpful!
To me the 3rd gens look a lot more like similar year Corvette's than they do the old school muscle cars. You can definitely have a muscle car mindset when adding mods, but the exterior styling is more like the category in which you would put the Corvette. Also the fact that many people are putting Corvette components into them is a factor.
That being said, there is a huge difference between a real sports car (Corvette, Porsche, etc.) and a sporty car (Miata, etc.) Those aren't even close to the same thing.
To me, the question was, "do I want my car to look more like a late 60's Firebird/GTO or a modern Corvette?". I've decided to go with more of a Corvette look. Meaning lower profile-tires, Corvette wheels, fender vents, slicker sounding exhaust etc., rather than the taller white-letter tires with classic muscle rims, lopey idle, etc.
Either way, these don't really fit strictly in either category. They definitely borrow some characteristics from muscle and sports cars. Which way you decide to take it from there is up to you. They're kind of like the best of both worlds.
To me the 3rd gens look a lot more like similar year Corvette's than they do the old school muscle cars. You can definitely have a muscle car mindset when adding mods, but the exterior styling is more like the category in which you would put the Corvette. Also the fact that many people are putting Corvette components into them is a factor.
That being said, there is a huge difference between a real sports car (Corvette, Porsche, etc.) and a sporty car (Miata, etc.) Those aren't even close to the same thing.
To me, the question was, "do I want my car to look more like a late 60's Firebird/GTO or a modern Corvette?". I've decided to go with more of a Corvette look. Meaning lower profile-tires, Corvette wheels, fender vents, slicker sounding exhaust etc., rather than the taller white-letter tires with classic muscle rims, lopey idle, etc.
Either way, these don't really fit strictly in either category. They definitely borrow some characteristics from muscle and sports cars. Which way you decide to take it from there is up to you. They're kind of like the best of both worlds.