Anyone want to share what it was like to buy muscle 30 years ago!

WS6ADDICT · 02-14-2021, 02:46 PM

Just reminiscing, 25 years ago was Seger's "Like A Rock" Chevy campaign. I was lucky to buy a new SS454 pickup in '90, Syclone in 91, and an Impala SS in 96. Still have 2 2002 Trans Ams from 2002.
Anyone buy a new Grand National back in the day? Or other interesting cars?

spyderbuddy · 02-14-2021, 03:24 PM

in 1979 bought a 73 Dodge Charger 440 Six pack (bought used)
Slap Stick Shifter and dana Rear end had the rear spoiler
Side pypes by patriot and keystone mags Large Turbine
Black top Midnight Blue, Black Interior
Get it out on the Hwy and let her loose
Burn rubber for all three gears

0stones0 · 02-14-2021, 06:00 PM

‘74 Nova SS with all the options. Came with the 4 speed Muncie “ rock crusher” trans. IIRC, it went out the door for $4k.... done. Those were the days. Of course, we’re talking closer to 50 years ago.

1COR.1:18 · 02-14-2021, 06:03 PM

And a Full tank of Premium gas about $6-$7

WS6ADDICT · 02-14-2021, 06:26 PM

6 pack of Coors and topped off my tank....10 bucks! 1979

I was 15. Went to church with the convenience store owners lil sister. She no check ID!!

Bigdumogre · 02-14-2021, 07:08 PM

In the early 90’s I bought a 78 firebird fir $450 in great condition and was fbo.

Vegas Bound · 02-14-2021, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1COR.1:18

And a Full tank of Premium gas about $6-$7

My family owned a Mobil gas station, gas was free.

Vegas Bound · 02-14-2021, 09:05 PM

I bought a 1967 Camaro in 1977. Sonny Bryant built my 350 4 bolt and 202 heads, Art Carr TH350 with 4500 rpm converter and 12 bolt 4.56. Had it painted a custom metallic red very similar to current CRT. Best ET of 11.32. I miss that ride.

hammdo · 02-14-2021, 09:29 PM

In 75 bought a Gen 1 Firebird - 400 ci with turbo 400 — I was 14 at the time, $150 — next door neighbor had enough with it at let me have it for impound fees...

Added trans fluid (has a seal leak I later found out) — drove it a few feet before I put it in the garage to build the 428 w dual quads!...

Ah, the memories....

-Don

NicKey · 02-14-2021, 09:31 PM

Approx 30 years ago, I purchased a new 1989 Firebird Formula 350 Convertible. It had the L98 5.7 engine with dual catalytic converters and 235hp. They could run into the 14s stock and we thought that was quick back then, for a stock car.

bigd1276 · 02-14-2021, 10:47 PM

October 1989. I was 24 years old and purchased my first new car. A Bright Blue 1989 IROC-Z. T-Tops with the 5.7 ltr.. Window sticker was just over $19,000 and it was fully loaded.

pyroguy · 02-15-2021, 08:25 AM

I have paid for more gallons of gas than dollars once in my life. I started driving 20 years ago so I'm out on being able to speak to purchasing 30 years ago other than what I was drooling over in the showrooms.

WS6ADDICT, I LOVE your style!! I've always loved the 454SS pickups, although I would have bought 91-93 for an overdrive transmission, Sycolone pickups are wicked cool, and a '96 Impala is one of my dream cars. I got to drive a '94 a few months back and they're actually still pretty quick even for modern standards, especially when you get it on the highway. Interesting fact I learned about the '94-'96 Impalas, they're actually 9C1 police package cars with all of the extra style and luxury.

BuddyLee · 02-15-2021, 08:48 AM

<------------------------bought new in 1987 and still have it. Dragster in a box. I do not recall how or why I knew enough to buy one much less find one to buy but I did. No mods first run at local track 13.5. Unheard of for a V6. At that time the GN was clocked as the fastest accelerating car in the world from 50mph and up. One of the reasons many of them saw service in the F.B.I, D.E. A. and A.T.F. I wonder how a moonshiner would have fared with one of these back in the day?

They buried any American "muscle car" at the track on a regular basis. I added a few mods. It was easy to lift the front tires on these off of the line and I knew a few guys who got into the 11s and then drove the car home later that day. I now have a torque crack in my driver roof pillar, which is common for the T Types. I don't think my frame is twisted, however.

Hello! Mr. Turbo Charger!

gtfoxy · 02-20-2021, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuddyLee

<------------------------bought new in 1987 and still have it. Dragster in a box. I do not recall how or why I knew enough to buy one much less find one to buy but I did. No mods first run at local track 13.5. Unheard of for a V6. At that time the GN was clocked as the fastest accelerating car in the world from 50mph and up. One of the reasons many of them saw service in the F.B.I, D.E. A. and A.T.F. I wonder how a moonshiner would have fared with one of these back in the day?

They buried any American "muscle car" at the track on a regular basis. I added a few mods. It was easy to lift the front tires on these off of the line and I knew a few guys who got into the 11s and then drove the car home later that day. I now have a torque crack in my driver roof pillar, which is common for the T Types. I don't think my frame is twisted, however.

Hello! Mr. Turbo Charger!

I miss my WE4.

02-14-2021, 02:46 PM	#1
WS6ADDICT Drives: 85IROC-94Z-81Z2-2018 Vert 2002 WS6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fairview OK Posts: 122	Anyone want to share what it was like to buy muscle 30 years ago! Just reminiscing, 25 years ago was Seger's "Like A Rock" Chevy campaign. I was lucky to buy a new SS454 pickup in '90, Syclone in 91, and an Impala SS in 96. Still have 2 2002 Trans Ams from 2002. Anyone buy a new Grand National back in the day? Or other interesting cars?

02-14-2021, 03:24 PM	#2
spyderbuddy Drives: 2010 RS Inferno Orange Metallic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Albany, Ga. Posts: 3,399 View My Garage	in 1979 bought a 73 Dodge Charger 440 Six pack (bought used) Slap Stick Shifter and dana Rear end had the rear spoiler Side pypes by patriot and keystone mags Large Turbine Black top Midnight Blue, Black Interior Get it out on the Hwy and let her loose Burn rubber for all three gears __________________ PCP Hideaway Headlight Covers, BBK Headers & High Flow Cats, ZL1 Add-ons Wicker Bill, TL1/ZL1 Hood Insert, Gen5 DIY Frameless Mirror, ABL Dash Lighting an My link Navigation, Blacked out Rear Bowtie, all Sylvania led Turn Signals, Ceramic Window Tint By Nicks, MBRP Exhaust tips, GEN5 DIY Virginia Legal DRL Harness, Painted Brake Calipers, Vittesse Throttle Controller, Heritage Grill, Diode Dynamics Led Lighting, Manual Shifter Boot, Paddle Shifters, CNC Throttle Body, Trifecta Tune, RX Catch Can & Breather, Trunk Black out and Side Grills, Chevorlet door Sills.

02-14-2021, 06:00 PM	#3
0stones0 It don’t come easy. Drives: 2010 2SS RS M6 Join Date: May 2014 Location: WI Posts: 2,186 View My Garage	‘74 Nova SS with all the options. Came with the 4 speed Muncie “ rock crusher” trans. IIRC, it went out the door for $4k.... done. Those were the days. Of course, we’re talking closer to 50 years ago. __________________

02-14-2021, 07:08 PM	#6
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	In the early 90’s I bought a 78 firebird fir $450 in great condition and was fbo. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

02-14-2021, 09:29 PM	#9
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,693 View My Garage	In 75 bought a Gen 1 Firebird - 400 ci with turbo 400 — I was 14 at the time, $150 — next door neighbor had enough with it at let me have it for impound fees... Added trans fluid (has a seal leak I later found out) — drove it a few feet before I put it in the garage to build the 428 w dual quads!... Ah, the memories.... -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

02-14-2021, 06:03 PM	#4
1COR.1:18 Whosoever Will Drives: 2010 1LT Victory Red Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eastpointe Posts: 950 View My Garage	And a Full tank of Premium gas about $6-$7

02-14-2021, 06:26 PM	#5
WS6ADDICT Drives: 85IROC-94Z-81Z2-2018 Vert 2002 WS6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fairview OK Posts: 122	6 pack of Coors and topped off my tank....10 bucks! 1979 I was 15. Went to church with the convenience store owners lil sister. She no check ID!!

02-14-2021, 09:05 PM	#8
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	I bought a 1967 Camaro in 1977. Sonny Bryant built my 350 4 bolt and 202 heads, Art Carr TH350 with 4500 rpm converter and 12 bolt 4.56. Had it painted a custom metallic red very similar to current CRT. Best ET of 11.32. I miss that ride.

02-14-2021, 09:31 PM	#10
NicKey Drives: Nickey Super Camaro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Loves Park, Illinois Posts: 1,668	Approx 30 years ago, I purchased a new 1989 Firebird Formula 350 Convertible. It had the L98 5.7 engine with dual catalytic converters and 235hp. They could run into the 14s stock and we thought that was quick back then, for a stock car.

02-14-2021, 10:47 PM	#11
bigd1276 2017 HyperBlue 2SS Drives: 2017 HyperBlue Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 2,137 View My Garage	October 1989. I was 24 years old and purchased my first new car. A Bright Blue 1989 IROC-Z. T-Tops with the 5.7 ltr.. Window sticker was just over $19,000 and it was fully loaded. Attached Images __________________ ] http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30755 2010 IBM 2LT RS......Traded for..... 2012 IBM 2SS RS......Traded for..... 2017 HBM 2SS

02-15-2021, 08:25 AM	#12
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,914 View My Garage	I have paid for more gallons of gas than dollars once in my life. I started driving 20 years ago so I'm out on being able to speak to purchasing 30 years ago other than what I was drooling over in the showrooms. WS6ADDICT, I LOVE your style!! I've always loved the 454SS pickups, although I would have bought 91-93 for an overdrive transmission, Sycolone pickups are wicked cool, and a '96 Impala is one of my dream cars. I got to drive a '94 a few months back and they're actually still pretty quick even for modern standards, especially when you get it on the highway. Interesting fact I learned about the '94-'96 Impalas, they're actually 9C1 police package cars with all of the extra style and luxury. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

02-15-2021, 08:48 AM	#13
BuddyLee Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 802	<------------------------bought new in 1987 and still have it. Dragster in a box. I do not recall how or why I knew enough to buy one much less find one to buy but I did. No mods first run at local track 13.5. Unheard of for a V6. At that time the GN was clocked as the fastest accelerating car in the world from 50mph and up. One of the reasons many of them saw service in the F.B.I, D.E. A. and A.T.F. I wonder how a moonshiner would have fared with one of these back in the day? They buried any American "muscle car" at the track on a regular basis. I added a few mods. It was easy to lift the front tires on these off of the line and I knew a few guys who got into the 11s and then drove the car home later that day. I now have a torque crack in my driver roof pillar, which is common for the T Types. I don't think my frame is twisted, however. Hello! Mr. Turbo Charger! Attached Images