NeonLX

I've always been a fan of "sleepers"; you know, the kinds of cars that are very unassuming in appearance but can really kick @ss out on the streets. I've owned several of them over the years but I'll start with my most recent: This was a 1994 Dodge Spirit. I picked it up with 48K miles on it in 1998. It was powered by a the Mitsu 3.0L V6 backed up by a solid-shifting A670 3-speed auto tranny. For whatever reason, this car would flat-out HAUL. Low curb weight was one reason I'm sure (~2700 lbs.), but the V6 in this thing seemed especially hot. One of my favorite experiences with the Spirit was when I was coming home late one night. I was on a 4-lane highway with traffic signals spaced about a mile apart. I stopped at a red light and an Acura Integra pulled up next to me. The Acura dude started revving his engine like he wanted to have a go so I thought, "why not?" As I saw the cross traffic signal go yellow, I started torquing up the engine with my left foot on the brake. When the light turned green, we both rocketed away. I had some wide meats on this car so I kept traction just fine. I had the tranny selector in D but my right foot was planted. Anyhoo, I could hear the Acura's engine winding tight before the dude shifted up to the next year. He couldn't gain anything and in fact, I was slowly pulling away. I finally backed off and he soon zoomed by me. As I got to the next signal, which was red, the Acura was sitting there. I pulled up and dude again started gunning it. So we were to round 2. Once again, my boring old Spirit sedan was able to get out in front of the Acura and enlarge the lead. By the time I backed off, I was a good two lengths in front. I was able to run off several other stoplight challenges with that Spirit. It was surprisingly swift little beast and it was very comfortable to boot. Wish I still had it.

Very cool. I remember that particular Chevrolet commercial because of the Hereford beef cattle--we raised them too. I also remember seeing a lot of Chevies pulling into driveways in episodes of Bewtiched

Yeah, boy... But watch these dudes go at it:

If Nash made a Rambler wagon panel delivery for 1950, I'd definitely choose that. All I could find was pictures of the regular wagon, however... The Olds is really tempting because it would offer very quick deliveries. But when all is said and done, I think I'd take the GMC--it offered a little more power than the Chevrolet version.

We need like a two week election period in the U.S., instead of the L-O-N-G, drawn out manure-slinging fest we have now. I generally avoid most media anyway (especially teevee), but I take extra care to avoid it during the political season, which seems to be expanding with each election.

Ever-tubbier cars with ever-diminishing engine displacements. Yeah, I get the turbo bidness and all that. Sorry to be such an old crumudgeon.

Gawd, those C-body fuselarge cars were gorgeous. I had a '71 Newport for a few years. What a cruiser.

I'm so suck of Subaru Outback wagons. They are by far the most popular car in this area. Just had to get that off my chest. Thanx. I'm also sick of my phone's autocorrect gaffes.

Yay, a crackerbox! I can hear the Detroit Diesel cackle from here.

I'm a crabby old guy, but I like the Charger & Dart taillight treatments. Tres distinctive.

No question, the Riv (has to be supercharged though). Those things were marvelous cruisers. They rode like a Buick, and I mean that in a most positive sense.

3500 V6. Yeah, I'm a broken record...

Really.

1956

In the retirement home, apparently.

Cool. My grandad was from Uppsala.

Probably wouldn't mount a plow onto my spiffy '89 Wagoneer anyway...would use my JD 3020 with excellent hydraulics instead.

Looking at the cars in the background, I spy with my little eye a '56 Phord wagon and the roof of what is likely a '53 Plymouth. Looking through the passenger side window of the Jeep thingamabob, I might be able to convince myself of seeing a '56 Lincoln front fender & headlight. I ain't as good at this as I used to be.