1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS-6 VS 1986 Buick Regal Grand National Turbo

[Fleet 500]

Here is a fun comparison test from MuscleCars magazine (1986).
A 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 (LS-6) VS a 1986 Buick Grand National Turbocharged 231-cu-in V-6:

[johnnynumfiv]

Good read, thanks for posting it.

[Turbo.Jenkens]

Thanks Fleet.

My mother drove a Chevelle 396 back in the good old days. She traded it in on a Vega

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Turbo.Jenkens

Thanks Fleet.

My mother drove a Chevelle 396 back in the good old days. She traded it in on a Vega

very early awareness of the fuel price developments....commendable move.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Turbo.Jenkens

Thanks Fleet.

My mother drove a Chevelle 396 back in the good old days. She traded it in on a Vega

Oh, no. I bet she regretted that! She probably found out real quick that the 396 Chevelle was a lot more reliable.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by henk4

very early awareness of the fuel price developments....commendable move.

Pffff. Have you no taste?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

Pffff. Have you no taste?

yes I would never have bought a Vega, it is too thirsty...

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

yes I would never have bought a Vega, it is too thirsty...

Have I mentioned that my dad used to own a '75 Vega? This was back in the 1980s. I did ask him once what mpg he was getting and he said "22-24." I suppose that is pretty good back then, but certainly not these days (my '95 Lincoln averages 21 mpg).

I did drive that Vega a few times and it was pretty bad. A quite stiff ride, noisy, seating position too low and no power!

I was glad when he sold it.

[johnnynumfiv]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Have I mentioned that my dad used to own a '75 Vega? This was back in the 1980s. I did ask him once what mpg he was getting and he said "22-24." I suppose that is pretty good back then, but certainly not these days (my '95 Lincoln averages 21 mpg).

I did drive that Vega a few times and it was pretty bad. A quite stiff ride, noisy, seating position too low and no power!

I was glad when he sold it.

My uncle collects the early 70's GT's. Fun little cars to bomb around in. The engines had a lot of problems, as the cylinder walls would sink into the block.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by henk4

yes I would never have bought a Vega, it is too thirsty...

Well said old man.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by johnnynumfiv

My uncle collects the early 70's GT's. Fun little cars to bomb around in. The engines had a lot of problems, as the cylinder walls would sink into the block.

They were also prone to overheating.

I remember when I was driving my dad's '75. I made a right turn onto a street with a slight, gradual uphill. It was going about 30 mph (speed limit is 40 mph) and I thought I better go a little faster. So when I attempted to push the accelerator down more, I realized that it was already at full throttle! Pretty sad when a car is at full throttle and you don't realize it!

[johnnynumfiv]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

They were also prone to overheating.

I remember when I was driving my dad's '75. I made a right turn onto a street with a slight, gradual uphill. It was going about 30 mph (speed limit is 40 mph) and I thought I better go a little faster. So when I attempted to push the accelerator down more, I realized that it was already at full throttle! Pretty sad when a car is at full throttle and you don't realize it!

Automatic?
The 4spd GT's were pretty peppy.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by johnnynumfiv

Automatic?
The 4spd GT's were pretty peppy.

Yes, automatic. It also had A/C and when that was on, it really stressed the engine!

Except for the Cosworth Vega, I don't think I've seen any run faster than 18s in the 1/4 mile and most were more like 19-20 seconds.

[Turbo.Jenkens]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Oh, no. I bet she regretted that! She probably found out real quick that the 396 Chevelle was a lot more reliable.

Actually it wasn't that bad, It was my Dad's daily driver until 1986. He has always put my Mom's transportation needs before his.

[Turbo.Jenkens]

Originally Posted by henk4

yes I would never have bought a Vega, it is too thirsty...

In her defense, my My Grand father was a WWII vet (Pacific theater.) No one in the family was allowed to own a Japanese car until after his death in 2001. My fathers experiences with the MGB he owned at the time surely didn't help her view of small European cars.