Thunderbird is a Modern Collectible

[Lindy]

Re: Thunderbird is a Modern Collectible

IMHO the intention behind the term "muscle car" is certain "Detroit iron" from or about the period of 1964-1974. Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Mustang, Road Runner etc. There's likely a better way to label the big strong cars from before 1964. Perhaps "boat" or "large anchor?"

Lindy

[jerrym3]

Re: Thunderbird is a Modern Collectible

IMHO the intention behind the term "muscle car" is certain "Detroit iron" from or about the period of 1964-1974. Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Mustang, Road Runner etc. There's likely a better way to label the big strong cars from before 1964. Perhaps "boat" or "large anchor?"

Lindy

But, the late 50's Golden Hawk was not a big boat anchor.

It wasn't a huge Chrysler 300, Dodge D500, Plymouth Fury, etc.

It was a five passenger car with a huge Packard motor; ie musclecar.

Just because the musclecar name became popular in 1964, that doen't mean musclecars didn't exist prior.

Mustangs (and Camaros, Challengers, etc) were considered "ponycars". These cars were a bit smaller/lighter than musclecars.

Ah, this reminds me of the good old days. We'd stand outside Shirley's diner on a Saturday night in West New York, NJ, and talk cars for hours, go home, get a few hours sleep, and head out to Englishtown, NJ, to drag race.

Good times.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Thunderbird is a Modern Collectible

To label pre 1964 cars as large anchors is incorrect. The term "boat anchor" is used
to describe any operational item that is no longer functional. The term boat is acceptable. I consider my T-Bird to be a boat almost two tons nice plush cushion like
ride. The only thing its got in common with a sports car is two seats. At my age I
would never consider a sports car salesman talked me into driving it that was it. The
ride was just like a fifties Caddy or Buick gotta have this car.

By the way one of those fifties boats the 1958 Chrysler 300D set a record at
Bonneville that year of 156.387 MPH. So we will call that one a "Speed Boat"

[Lindy]

Re: Thunderbird is a Modern Collectible

Obviously, I haven't yet learnt to appreciate many of the classics, from the era of 1950's, as of yet. Well, there certainly are valid arguments out there for beefy fast cars, pre 1964. After all, back in or about 1957 the car makers had to call a truce in making faster and faster cars, because of some well published teen-aged deaths due to racing. As I understand it, these standards began to be relaxed later on, into the decade of the 1960's, and very early seventies (before emissions controls). Of course the supercharged Thunderbird of 1957 was part of that speed competition amongst the leading auto manufacturers.