View Full Version : Vehicles They Should Make Forever...
humor_me
08-14-2007, 08:12 AM
I had this thought that certain models of cars (add trucks, motorcycles and tractors) are so cool or so reliable that they should make it forever and get a pass on the current emission regulations (what a pipe dream).
Here's some of mine:
Cars: Volkswagen Beetle and Karman Ghia (poor man's Porsche), Citroen 2CV, early GM F body - Camaro, Firebird, Dodge Dart, Ford Mustang - Mid-60's,
Trucks: Early 60's Willys/Jeep Forward Control trucks and CJ's, 60's Chevrolet/GMC pickups and Suburbans, Steyr/Puch Haflinger (way too cool to have stopped making them), Early Toyota Land Cruiser, IH Scout, Early Ford Bronco
Tractors: John Deere should always have some version of a 2-cylinder in its lineup like a G, an L, etc, 4020. Allis Chalmers a G, IH the cub. Gravely's two-wheel tractors. Ford xN, Massey Ferguson 135
Motorcycles: Honda Super Cub, those Trail 90's and 70's...
Anyway, this is my list to start. Feel free to add yours.
humor_me
08-14-2007, 08:16 AM
Oh yeah,
Cushman scooters.:thumb:
DaveNay
08-14-2007, 08:29 AM
Anything with a straight-six engine.
bczoom
08-14-2007, 08:30 AM
Anyway, this is my list to start. Feel free to add yours.
That's quite the start...
I'll be a little more specific in my choices.
A couple cars that come to mind (all in 2-door): I just like the looks of these.
1970 Trans Am
1972 Olds Delta 88
1977 Dodge Royal Monaco
1979 Lincoln Mark V
Tractors: I'd like to add the MF165, Farmall Cub, Ferguson TO-20 (and 30).
ATV's - 1985 Honda 250R (3-wheeler), 1992 Suzuki 250 (4-wheeler).
65 & 66 Chevelle Convertibles. One of the coolest affordable cars of the 60's.
elsmitro
08-14-2007, 08:53 AM
69 Charger, YEE-HAAA!!
http://www.bcautos.com/musclecars/general69.jpg
Dargo
08-14-2007, 09:19 AM
Motorcycles: Honda Super Cub, those Trail 90's and 70's....
Don't forget the Trail 50 either. :thumb: I still have a 1 owner 1972 version of the little 50.
Although I'm completely out of room in my barn and have "too much crap" in my dad's barn, I do have several vehicles on your list. :)
Melensdad
08-14-2007, 09:25 AM
Kaiser Jeepster
Jeep CJ
Aktiv Snow Trac ST4
Suzuki Samurai
MG's MGB
Triumph TR6
Austin Healey MKII 3000
Datsun Fairlady
1967-69 Camaro Convertible
Avanti
buckle97
08-14-2007, 09:45 AM
1996-1999 Chevy/GMC full size pickups
mtntopper
08-14-2007, 11:11 AM
1. 1969 blue Chevy pickup 4X4 with 292 cubic inch inline six, 4 speed standard on the floor transmission and optional pushbutton am radio. What more did you need back then???? :thumb: One of the best trucks that I ever owned. It just kept going and going like the energizer bunny :yum: and was very economical to operate and own....:applause:
2. LMC/Spryte 1200 snow cat...:thumb: They don't get any tougher or better as 30+ years of production proved...:snow2_smi:
3. 1960's Honda 50 Sport motorcycle (not the step thru frame)
4. 1970's Kawasaki 3 cylinder 2 stroke motorcycles (350, 500 and 750), (very fast) not real stable at high speed (100+mph) on the highway....:4_11_9:
5. The old style Yamaha 480 fan cooled Phazer snowmobile that started production in 1984. Not the new Phazer from last year. I still have four from this vintage that we will keep forever or until I cannot find repair parts any longer....:thumb:
:my2cents: :myopinion: :thankyou2 Bill
daedong
08-14-2007, 05:40 PM
Holden Monaro
Ford Falcon GTHO
Gogomobile
Leyland P76:yum:
Gatorboy
08-14-2007, 05:45 PM
Why doesn't Honda make the Trail 70 any longer? Man, I loved mine.
http://www.atocha1622.com/hondatrail70com/ct70H.green..jpg
buckle97
08-14-2007, 05:47 PM
Why doesn't Honda make the Trail 70 any longer?
Why doesn't Honda make the CRX anymore? I knew a guy in high school who had one, talk about fuel mileage!
humor_me
08-14-2007, 08:50 PM
Why doesn't Honda make the Trail 70 any longer? Man, I loved mine.
http://www.atocha1622.com/hondatrail70com/ct70H.green..jpg
THAT'S the one. You saw one of these on about every RV. These were everywhere - they were cheap, easy to ride and lasted forever.
See? This is getting to be an awesome list of iron. No one person can remember all the good stuff...
While most here seem to merely be posting their favorites, I'll post what I think were exceptional vehicles based on longevity, design and functionality ...
1. 1973 Volvo 240 series (240 and 242) ... '73 seemed to be a banner year
2. 1997-99 Toyota Tacoma's ... the jury is still out on the newer models
3. 1995 Ford Taurus - I believe Ford screwed up big time with this year, the things will not roll over and die like all of their other products ...
:)
bczoom
08-15-2007, 06:19 AM
OK, I waited and nobody mentioned so I'm going to include these.
'69-72 Ford Grand Torino
Plymouth Road runner (preferably '68-70)
Plymouth 'Cuda (or the Dodge Challenger)
humor_me
08-15-2007, 08:07 AM
While most here seem to merely be posting their favorites, I'll post what I think were exceptional vehicles based on longevity, design and functionality ...
1. 1973 Volvo 240 series (240 and 242) ... '73 seemed to be a banner year
2. 1997-99 Toyota Tacoma's ... the jury is still out on the newer models
3. 1995 Ford Taurus - I believe Ford screwed up big time with this year, the things will not roll over and die like all of their other products ...
:)
I knew we were forgetting the venerable Volvos.
How about the Land Rovers - the old Series model with the aluminum bodys. (That is if you could ever get any :puke1: Lucas:pat: electrical bugs out)
humor_me
08-15-2007, 08:10 AM
... :puke1: Lucas:pat: electrical bugs
BTW, that goes for all those Brits the Triumphs and MGs, too.
TOMLESCOEQUIP
08-15-2007, 09:58 AM
Don't forget the Trail 50 either. :thumb:
Still got mine too !
Sorry for the horrible pic !!
Melensdad
08-15-2007, 10:21 AM
1. 1973 Volvo 240 series (240 and 242)
I had one of those! Can't remember the model year, but mine was a 240 DL. By far the most dependable car I've ever owned. Ran that thing for about 12 years and finally traded it in, in perfect condition, for a newer model. We simply got tired of driving it!!! But it was the best $12,150 that I ever spent on a vehicle. I remember it was $150 over my "budget" and I really had to struggle to justify spending that much money on a car. I've owned Volvo vehicles ever since. None has been as trouble free as that vehicle, but all have been excellent vehicles. My wife loves her 2004 XC-90, which just turned 55,000 miles and is now talking about going back to a sedan and is looking at the S-60 or S-80 models. She actually said that she wants to wait until she gets at least 125,000 to 150,000 miles on the XC-90 before she seriously considers getting rid of it. At the rate she is going, the XC-90 will be in our family for another 5 or 6 years. Which is fine, because as many do-dads and thing-a-ma-jigs as that thing has on it, they all seem to be ultra-reliable.
The one biggie I had with the XC-90 was a head gasket leak, but that was covered by warranty by the dealership even though the warranty had expired 5000 miles before it was fixed. Got to love that dealership! They know their service has a repeat loyal Volvo customer with me.
I've recently been driving a nice little Mercedes Benz C350, played with some Audis, and even some domestics. For the luxury, performance, and overall value, I've not seen anything that compares to the Volvo brand. It is not quite as nice as the M-B or Audi, but it comes in at a much lower price, and at least for me, has been proven time & time again to be an ultra-reliable brand.
PBinWA
08-15-2007, 11:39 AM
Volkswagen Vans. They keep saying they are going to bring them back but I'm still waiting.
The GM Safari mid-size van or the original Mazda MPV.
Ford Excursion - Diesel.
I just want someone to make a mid-size van with a decent engine and AWD.
I knew we were forgetting the venerable Volvos.
How about the Land Rovers - the old Series model with the aluminum bodys. (That is if you could ever get any :puke1: Lucas:pat: electrical bugs out)
The "Landy's" had more than just Lucas against them ... those aluminium bodies were bolted to steel frames. This resulted in a class action lawsuit that is still going on. Steel and aluminum, when they make contact, immediately begin corroding due to a electrolytic reaction.
Imagine buying a new 75,000 dollar Range Rover (up to the point where BMW then Ford bought LR out) and having the tail gate rust out in 8 months!!!!
Doesn't matter, I owned a 2001 Discovery LE for 3 years and loved it to death. When it came time to buy it, i turned it in.
Land Rovers, (not unlike Corvairs mentioned in the other thread) are cult vechiles ... a small but intense following, especially the Series II Rovers.
I miss the Rover some, but not its gas usage and it was grotesquely underpowered with only 225 horses. It was sweet though, the rare LE model too. Only 1 repair .. the week I turned it in, it got a new short block!
Could of had a zero engine Rover for the buyout price!!!! ... No thanks.
I came, I saw, I left.
Volkswagen Vans. They keep saying they are going to bring them back but I'm still waiting.
The GM Safari mid-size van or the original Mazda MPV.
Ford Excursion - Diesel.
I just want someone to make a mid-size van with a decent engine and AWD.
Volkswagen has been making Vans again for a about 6 years, the model is the Euro ... I believe for a while it could be had with a diesel in it also.
Then there is the Tuareg .. this comes with a turbo diesel .. my neighbor has one ... sweet machine - if you can get into that cross over look.
:puke1:
I had one of those! Can't remember the model year, but mine was a 240 DL. By far the most dependable car I've ever owned. Ran that thing for about 12 years and finally traded it in, in perfect condition, for a newer model. We simply got tired of driving it!!! But it was the best $12,150 that I ever spent on a vehicle. I remember it was $150 over my "budget" and I really had to struggle to justify spending that much money on a car. I've owned Volvo vehicles ever since. None has been as trouble free as that vehicle, but all have been excellent vehicles.
...
At one point, 6 of my friends all were running '73 Volvos ...240 DL wagons or 242 sedans with leather, over drive and sun roofs. All but one were ORANGE.
PBinWA
08-15-2007, 04:09 PM
Volkswagen has been making Vans again for a about 6 years, the model is the Euro ... I believe for a while it could be had with a diesel in it also.
They stopped selling them in the US in 2005
http://www.vw.com/preloved/search/en/us/
PB
bczoom
08-16-2007, 09:25 AM
OK, another that could be on this list
VW Rabbit Diesel. Maybe the gas GTI version version as well.
The early '80s Isuzu Pup mini-pickup is a viable candidate as well.
53 & 64 Corvette
53 Porche (not sure of the year, but the 911 predecessor. Beautiful car!!!!!
edit to add:
Speaking of the 911, the 1970 911 Carara!!!!! Oh Yeah! :thumb:
53 & 64 Corvette
53 Porche (not sure of the year, but the 911 predecessor. Beautiful car!!!!!
edit to add:
Speaking of the 911, the 1970 911 Carara!!!!! Oh Yeah! :thumb:
Doc, that porsche was the 356B ... designed especially for the U.S. market by Mr. Porsche himself. Mint ones fetch big cash at auctions these days.
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