27th Dec 2004, 10:19
Comparing factory logos to aftermarket die-cut ones applied by the owner is ridiculous.
16th Jun 2005, 14:06
The reason the decals are put on the cars is so the owner does not forget what kind of car they drive. They have to be that stupid to do so.
25th Jun 2005, 04:03
Some decaled cars such as the Yenko Camaro, a 60 Indy Pace Camaro SS Convertible are very unique and quite valuable today. An AAR Cuda stripes for example clearly define what it is not just another Barracuda. A person that bought one of these is actually a fairly astute individual today. I would find it a real stretch to call them stupid. My Gremlin X factory stripes indicated it was a V8 not just another 6. Another AMC friend of mine had an SC360 Hornet that had tasteful decals so it would not appear as an average grocery getter... I agree however about large non factory logos and I despise clones. When is the last time you saw a real Gremlin X V8? It would be great to have one again.
5th Dec 2008, 23:52
This Vega was my second car getting my driver's license at 15 in Louisiana. My first was a Gremlin. Do I remember correctly... there was something with aluminum in the base of the car that heats up and makes problems. It did fall to the ground after getting off the interstate. I called my Dad and he said "did you have a flat?" I said it is sitting on the ground, at a stop light! I freaked a bit but my friends and I were safe. When he got there he drove all my friends home and they towed it away. He felt bad but we were all safe. Gosh that was 30 plus years ago but one I will always remember! Other than that last experience, great car!
6th Dec 2008, 07:40
Gremlin X was a cool car to transplant the 401 with 4 speed.
I lowered mine and it was a blast on twisting back roads with the 304 prior and factory posi.
29th Aug 2010, 18:35
Thick sheet metal does NOT make a vehicle more safe. The new cars are built to dispense energy around the passenger compartment, and they have crumple zones, and airbags, and seat belts. Old cars made of that "thick sheet metal" does not make it safe. It's actually quite deceptive...
On YouTube, I saw a crash test of a 1959 Bel Air and a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. The Cobalt won. Look it up...
30th Aug 2010, 11:34
Thicker steel is better to restore and preserve a classic than thin ill fitting patch imported reproduction panels. My experience I have found.
31st Aug 2010, 07:05
I was looking at a 1954 Corvette at a recent car show. My thoughts were of 2011 safety not present such as straight through solid steering column, hood vent with the bugs to the interior, bias tires, drum brakes, no power steering.
For some reason though, I would love to have that car, in spite of it not being a air bagged collapsible steering insulated from the road 2011 model. Put its top down on a nice night, put on some nostalgic tunes, park at the local outdoor eatery and just cruise and have a piece of art. And watch that $4000 car now climb above $50000 up as time progresses.
My Gremlin X with a 304 V8 cost me $2900 new... if I kept it I am sure I would have enjoyed it and likely would see climb $10000 if kept in my garage soon.
Many AMCs are the next hottest collectible at the moment in the next 5 years in publications I have recently read.
31st Aug 2010, 11:11
Very heavy cars are much safer than lighter modern cars, despite the technology of 'crumple zones' and so forth. Quite simply, a very heavy older car such as a 70s full size, full frame American car will just fold up the newer car without much force being passed to the occupants of the classic. It's the same reason there aren't seat-belts on the bus - a very light thing striking a very heavy thing simply isn't going to have that much effect.
26th Dec 2004, 17:33
I wrote the original post. Since I owned it for a long period I treated and drove it sensibly. Lets see Trans Ams, Indy Pace cars as well as many many others have large logos on them also.