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GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
As many folks that own European cars can tell ya, we make cars in the U.S. that do great in a straight line Especially when the CUDA was king. It's gotten a bit better these days thankfully But back in the days of the drag strip muscle car, turning a corner could get you killed The guy driving this car is a bit of a legend, and even he had trouble keeping the car off it's roof.
Instructor Posts: 13.792
Joined: 11-March 10
From: England
QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jun 30 2016, 12:29 AM)
As many folks that own European cars can tell ya, we make cars in the U.S. that do great in a straight line Especially when the CUDA was king. It's gotten a bit better these days thankfully But back in the days of the drag strip muscle car, turning a corner could get you killed The guy driving this car is a bit of a legend, and even he had trouble keeping the car off it's roof.
That's definitely true of the old muscle cars and the Hellcats and Shelbys of today still.
But thankfully Chevy really upped their game with the Corvette from the C5 onwards so that it really is a serious contender for any European twisty road these days. I'd love to have one.
The 2005 era Mustangs could be tamed a little with aftermarket suspension like Roush etc but I think they've worked on the Stangs since then so that they're even more drive-able from the factory. As you know, the latest model comes with RHD and independent rear suspension so they're looking more to the Euro market as well.
One of the best rides (ok, the best) I had was in a 65 Pontiac GTO - epic!
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Well said The new VETTE has been redone from the ground up and is a real "Sports Car" (E.G. it can take turns at speed, just like European sports cars). I hope this trend finds it's way in to the "Muscle Car" world as well. After all, turns do happen. So it's a good idea to put a very nice suspension on a car with crazy horsepower.
I'd love to own a new vette as well But sadly, having tried to get in and out of one, It will never happen as they are just to low to the ground for me and my wrecked vertibrae. I didn't even bother with the test drive. Just got back out and tried a Challenger. Sadly, the challenger had HORRIBLE driver visibility. I mean HORRIBLE, compared to my VW passat. So I ended up getting yet another VW passat This one has "Sport Mode" and a tiptronic gear box. I have owned a MR2 (sports death car) and a Super Bike crotch rocket and nearly died on each one in a wreck. Now with 2 broken vertibrae, I'm more interested in crash safety and visibility and comfort. But I can still appreciate "Fast Cars" Even though I"m done owning them.
I do hope the American car market ( quickly becoming the Chinese market as they are the largest car market on earth currently) continues to embrace European ideas and ideals on car design. Better suspension, better driver aids, more safety, etc. It would be great to see American brands being a bit more "Porsche" and a bit less "Chevy"
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jun 30 2016, 03:01 AM)
That's definitely true of the old muscle cars and the Hellcats and Shelbys of today still.
But thankfully Chevy really upped their game with the Corvette from the C5 onwards so that it really is a serious contender for any European twisty road these days. I'd love to have one.
The 2005 era Mustangs could be tamed a little with aftermarket suspension like Roush etc but I think they've worked on the Stangs since then so that they're even more drive-able from the factory. As you know, the latest model comes with RHD and independent rear suspension so they're looking more to the Euro market as well.
One of the best rides (ok, the best) I had was in a 65 Pontiac GTO - epic!