The Definitive GM Performance Car List Part II: 1973-1985

[poncho1982]

Originally Posted by Ming

Pontiac:

Thats 2 of my old cars on the list!!!

That pic is a twin of my ol 77 TA SE

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by mrmonte

The turbo Monte was from 1979-1981 and wasnt an SS I think it could be had in any trim level. Kind of neat but not a great performer.

The Monte Carlo Turbo was available in 1980 and 1981. IIRC (don't have my brochures in front of me ... sorry), the Turbo had it's own model/trim package. I remember seeing a couple in person ... both having "Turbo" badging outside and on the dashboard (passenger side). But, I'd have to dig out my brochures to be sure.....



COOL list, Ming .




Cort:33swm."Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html
"It almost seems like yesterday" ... Kenny Rogers ... '20 Years Ago'

[PeterPuck]

Awesome post!

Those cars look like a collection from a car lot in the town I grew up in (Mission, B.C.). It seemed like every second car was either a Monza, a Camaro, a Monte, or a Nova variant - with the driver invariably sporting a mullet, or being of East Indian descent.

GM really did have some cool cars in seventies/early eighties, including the Vega (this was a cool-looking car). Yes, GM vehicles were not the most powerful, and they made an art form out of making a fast-looking cars with very little power.

[redimpss5]

Those were the best of time, and those were the worst of times!!

[elgreen]

Great picture...how I'd like to have one. The '74 was flat-fronted, but more numerous. Thanks!!

[Ming]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

liking the list, I know on Forza there is more GM exposure, maybe the GT series is just paid off??? I know certain games DO feature certain brands more than others.
CObaltSScrazy

If so, GM should pay to play also. Of course one of the other reasons so many models, even non "performers" are included in Gran Turismo series is that the developers are in Japan. But that doesn't explain away or excuse why a JDM 1986 Corolla is in the American Microsoft-Designed Forza Motorsport. Something tells me that was not Toyota paying to play, but rather the Import-influenced and Gran Turismo brainwashed designers making sure that the list looked not-so-different from car lists in the Japanese racing games. On the other hand, I was extremely happy to see the Buick Regal GNX pop up in Forza, that was an AWESOME first step towards recognizing American cars of the "forgotten decades".

GM really did have some cool cars in seventies/early eighties, including the Vega (this was a cool-looking car). Yes, GM vehicles were not the most powerful, and they made an art form out of making a fast-looking cars with very little power.

That's for sure. There are more than a few cars in that list that I'd love to own just for their looks, but with some I would prefer a swap-out with a more modern engine (assuming that could even be done without investing my life savings in the swap) that can squeeze more power out without sacrificing decent fuel economy -- like the current crop of GM V8 car engines. I know I've seen several show cars that swap whatever original engine was in there for a recent 350 crate engine or a junkyard find from a late model F-body. Of course, if I was just cruising in the car on weekends, I'd want to keep everything basically original with the enhancements kept to a minimum.

Thats 2 of my old cars on the list!!!

That pic is a twin of my ol 77 TA SE

I love that car, and once strongly was leaning towards having a place called Texas Trans Ams build me a replica-restoration: http://www.texastransams.com/ May yet do it someday. On the other hand, I'd love to have something a little less common like an early 1970's Bonneville as well.

[soloyosh]

Ming,

Someone mentioned the L69 (5.0 HO) Z28s for 84-85. I didn't see it listed. Or is it the "Special Edition?"

Cheers
Brett

[doh]

1984 Trans AM 15th Anniversary

[Ming]

Originally Posted by soloyosh

Ming,

Someone mentioned the L69 (5.0 HO) Z28s for 84-85. I didn't see it listed. Or is it the "Special Edition?"

Cheers
Brett

I wasn't able to find a "special edition" Camaro for that year (unless perhaps it was a suspension package?) on a Google search, so I changed it to your suggestion.

doh - 1984 Trans AM 15th Anniversary

Good call.

[MelvinJ]

Ming, you should probably take the 1979 Nova SS off your list, since '76 was the last year for the Nova SS. The '77 Nova Rally is probably the best of late 70's Novas, and it's on the list already.

I'd also like to nominate the '78 El Camino SS with an LM1 350/4-speed. This is the new lighter weight El Camino, so with this powertrain (available this model year only for the downsized 'Camino) it was a respectable mover.

Also, even though the '86-'87 Grand Nationals were faster, the '84-'85 Regal T-Type/Grand Nationals were still faster than their any other intermediate coupe available at that time that I can think of. At least the '84 should be on this list.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

Ming, you should probably take the 1979 Nova SS off your list.

'78 El Camino SS with an LM1 350/4-speed.

'84-'85 Regal T-Type

Thanks Melvin - added and edited.

I also tightened up the description of the 77 Nova Rally after reading this:

http://www.novaresource.org/rpo_YF1.htm

BTW, can anyone tell if the Nova in the photo is a hatchback or coupe?

[monza164]

Why does this list only go to 85? What about the Allante, and Lotus Omega/Carlton?

Good call on the 9C1 Malibu and Cosworth Vega.

[monza164]

Originally Posted by Ming

Don't forget the original list that is from 1986-Current:

Link: The Definitive GM Performance Car List 1986-2006

Scratch that i'm dumb

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by Ming

BTW, can anyone tell if the Nova in the photo is a hatchback or coupe?

I'm going to say it's a coupe. I believe all the hatchbacks had a "Hatchback" nameplate on the lower part of the C-pillar, and this car doesn't have one.

BTW, I'm very pleased that you chose the Nova Rally as the photo car for the original post. The late-70's Nova was a great car.

[rsbaker]

I had forgotten about a lot of these. It's a shame you couldn't find Photos of them all. It's good to see that ones that you did have. 1970s and 1980s weren't so bad after all. Every car on the list is certainly super rare. I wonder if they'll ever be collectable.