Of Retros and Gullwings

[Lindy]

Saw a commercial last Monday night during the Packers vs. Bears game; for the new Mercedes SLS gullwing. Now, I know there is a closer comparison between the Ford GT and the Mercedes SLS; because the new T-Bird is a bit out of that league. It is interesting, however, to consider the concept and idea of "retro" in each of these driving machines:

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

No comparison.

[MATBird]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Saw a commercial last Monday night during the Packers vs. Bears game; for the new Mercedes SLS gullwing. Now, I know there is a closer comparison between the Ford GT and the Mercedes SLS; because the new T-Bird is a bit out of that league. It is interesting, however, to consider the concept and idea of "retro" in each of these driving machines:

Lindy: You casn get the same gull; wing doors for your TBird:
http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/pr...rce=googlebase

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Anyone spending that kind of money to screw up a T-Bird would have to be a total
idiot.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Lindy: You casn get the same gull; wing doors for your TBird:
http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/pr...rce=googlebase

Those are"LAMBO" doors not "GULLWING"

[snowbird]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

It' s o/k Lindy, I get it.

[Rondor]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Only people who have unlimited disposable income should consider a Benz. They can pay some body to do their worrying. The required maint cost is stronomical and as theese cars age they often end up in the hands of people who can't maintain them and they become a bottomless pit for future owners. As a retro I don't know many who can relate as I only saw 2 in all the 50's and 60's

[Lindy]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Whew, this thread is going no where...yes, the two machines should probably not even been mentioned in the same breath. But the Benz is drawing on the idea of what was good in the past, can be good in the present. The Mercedes Benz 300SL gull-wing was introduced in 1955, and available through 1957, at the same time that the Thunderbird came about. Though even then, the 0-60 in 7.2 seconds Mercedes was in another league.

I doubt Mercedes Benz got all the criticism that Ford did from bringing back an old idea afresh in '02-'05.

Well, how bout the Delorean DMC12 gull-wing (which, incidentally, Steven Spielberg used in his movie: "Back to the Future")? Recently, saw a spiel about it on the documentary channel, from 1981. The Delorean sportscar could do 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. Hmmm...and my '05 T-Bird is a BLVD cruiser at 0-60 in 6+ seconds?! Go figure!

Lindy

[04birdman]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

i love my bird.....but it aint no benz,not in mark,quality,performance or any other measure.....other than curb appeal

[V8 Cat]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Well, how bout the Delorean DMC12 gull-wing (which, incidentally, Steven Spielberg used in his movie: "Back to the Future")? Recently, saw a spiel about it on the documentary channel, from 1981. The Delorean sportscar could do 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. Hmmm...and my '05 T-Bird is a BLVD cruiser at 0-60 in 6+ seconds?! Go figure!
Lindy

The Delorean never appealed to me mainly because of its performance or lack thereof. As I remember it had a 6 cylinder Renault engine. I beleve you can get one today as the company was sold and the mfg was moved to the U.S. I'm not sure of what engine they put in them today.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Lindy: You casn get the same gull; wing doors for your TBird:
http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/pr...rce=googlebase

Looks like they'd make it sooooo easy to get in and out of the car for us geezers. Anyone who does this needs to add hydraulics and neon under the car to complete the project.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

The Delorean never appealed to me mainly because of its performance or lack thereof. As I remember it had a 6 cylinder Renault engine.

Powerplant and Drivetrain


The powerplant is usually referred to as a PRV6 which is the european version of the Volvo 6-cylinder sports engine. This engine was developed jointly by Peugot, Renault, and Volvo (hence its name). The basic engine is designated as a Volvo B28F and some parts houses can cross reference parts to this engine. The engine designation is probably derived from the engine being a gasoline fueled ("bensin" in Swedish) 2.8 liter engine of generation "F." There are some subtle changes to the engine from the stock configuration usually having to do with the attached systems and slight modifications for the reversed mounting. The engine is mated with the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system which generally has a good reputation.
The transmission is a Renault 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. The transmission is often referred to as the Renault Alpine and has been modified slightly to accommodate the reversed rear-engine configuration.

I beleve you can get one today as the company was sold and the mfg was moved to the U.S. I'm not sure of what engine they put in them today.

http://www.delorean.com/newbuild.asp

THE MOST POPULAR PERFORMANCE UPGRADE FOR DELOREAN CARS - ZERO MILE CRATE ENGINE WITH PERFORMANCE CAMSHAFTS, PORTED AND POLISHED HEADS, STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST SYSTEM | MODIFICATIONS CAN ALSO BE PERFORMED TO YOUR EXISTING GOOD CONDITION DELOREAN ENGINE AT ANY OF OUR FACILITIES | Performance Part


Price: $7,250.00

[AZTB]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Wouldn't those gullwing doors require MORE room to exit from a garage than less? I mean, when it's lifted, it looks like it would require a wider swing radius than just opening our door, and I don't know about your garages, but with both the Edge & Bird in the garage, we park as far from each other as possible. At least with the current door, you can only open it a little bit to get out...not so with the gullwing doors.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Wouldn't those gullwing doors require MORE room to exit from a garage than less? I mean, when it's lifted, it looks like it would require a wider swing radius than just opening our door, and I don't know about your garages, but with both the Edge & Bird in the garage, we park as far from each other as possible. At least with the current door, you can only open it a little bit to get out...not so with the gullwing doors.

Myth Busted

[fums6]

Re: Of Retros and Gullwings

Like so many automotive things, the MB 300SL or Gull Wing was an extraordinary design in 1956. It was featured in a full page photo in Life magazine with the door open and up cruising down 5th Ave in NY. Every red blooded male from 6 to 60 wanted one of those because it symbolized success, wealth, speed and big muscles!!! It was a collectible from the start but few could afford them. So, when it is shown again today in it's latest iteration, it evokes those memories from the past. But as I looked at it I remarked to my wife, much to her relief, that I would'nt want it simply because the top doesn't go down. My success has come and gone and so has my wealth, such as it was, and my dreams of becoming the next Charles Atlas faded long ago. However, I never lost my love for a top down drive on a warm summer night and my beautiful Tbird allows me to do that.