I just picked up this latest issue. Of great interest (to me at least) is a nice big article on the genesis and styling evolution of the 1977 GM fullsizers. This first round of modern GM downsizing was a spectacular success, followed in 1978 by another successful round when the A- and A-Special cars were made smaller. In 1979, the E-body cars were done, another success, imo. After that, things went downhill for GM, imo, as continued downsizing and the wholesale switch to FWD platforms reached a ridiculous fever pitch that GM has never fully recovered from until very recently. My hopes for GM's future have been high for the last few years, but are starting another downward turn, based on some of the signs so far.

Keeping fingers crossed they'll make it through the coming storms with at least some compelling automobiles.

Pick up the current issue of Collectible Automobile, with a nice looking green '70 Dodge Polara convertible on the cover, if you're interested in automotive history.

Edited January 28, 200818 yr by ocnblu

Yes, it's an excellent issue... I liked the pics of the evolution of clay design mock ups that led to the '77s. Another good current magazine is the current Hemmings Classic Car, which is an all-GM issue celebrating GM's 100th.

I've subscribed to CA for about 15 years now, it's my favorite old car mag.

I actually haven't seen that mag at all, I've seen Hemmings, but not CA.

oooo, moltar, I will have to be on the lookout for that Hemmings issue. I like Hemmings' two recently introduced big glossies, with Classic and Muscle themes.

Does the '70 Polara have the Super-Light option? Gonna have to go check this ish out.

Does the '70 Polara have the Super-Light option? Gonna have to go check this ish out.

Yes, and there is a one-page sidebar in the Dodge article with the story of the Super-Light...neat stuff. I don't think I've ever seen a '70 Polara convertible in person..beautiful big land yacht.

I just picked up this latest issue. Of great interest (to me at least) is a nice big article on the genesis and styling evolution of the 1977 GM fullsizers. This first round of modern GM downsizing was a spectacular success, followed in 1978 by another successful round when the A- and A-Special cars were made smaller.

*chuckles*

I always have thought the downsizing timing was a bit weird. After all, in 1977 (the first year of the downsized Caprice Classic/Impala), the Caprice Classic/Impala were virtually the same size (perhaps even smaller than?) as the Monte Carlo, which didn't get downsized until '78. One could _almost_ argue that for '77, Monte Carlo was the fullsize and the Caprice was the mid-size...heh.

While I'm a MC fan, I definitely like the lines of the '75 Caprice Classic convertible ... as well as the bodystyle of the '77-'79 Caprices.....

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Gonna make some dreams come true" ... Hoyt Axton ... 'Della & the Dealer'

I checked out a '69 Polara 2-dr hardtop with the Super Light in '06, but for the condition, the guy was overpriced by 100%. Guess yer F'ed if the thing gets smashed or burnt out...