Where were you in '85?

[MrsBillyBobcat]

http://photo.starblvd.net/mrsbb/2-2-1.jpg

From a 1985 "Car Review" magazine http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

I wonder what that guy's sportcoat would be worth today?

[JChlupsa]

Lets see 85, was in Spain from 83-87 anyways heres a pic of the #6 on that list which is within an arms-reach away. Tornio GT here in Hawaii.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/67646-Tornio%20GT.JPG

[427TJ]

In 1985 I sold my '67 Camaro SS 350 clone for $2500 in order to finish college. Built 350 4-bolt with solids, '70 M-22 with Hurst Super Shifter III, 12-bolt 3:55 Posi. I miss that car. Check the attached photo from 1985. The photo shows the new 350 in the car breaking in. Sold it a few months later.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Born30YrsLate]

Hey - I got those same shoes, I always wondered what type of shirt/jacket those shoes would match with.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Bandit]

Cool Holloween costume idea!

[MrsBillyBobcat]

Guys,

You're suppose to be looking at the prices, not the salesman's clothes! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif


Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[micky69396]

Was a Jr. in high School working at a gas station, but driving a 68 Biscayne 427/425 car to work. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Belair62]

I think I was getting divorced in 85.....so I was walking...

[DarrenX33]

Funny I remember that article. I was a Junior in high school and working at a grocery store. Of course my Z was parked all the way across the lot. Can't trust those guys who bring in the grocery carts. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Wonder what we will be saying in 15 years when a supercar for sale listing from 2004 is posted? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I was still in high school, couldn't even think of paying those prices for a car on that list!

[Mr70]

In the Fall season,we were watching the Chicago Bears assemble a Team that was actually going to win the Super Bowl.
And make that Corny,Campy "SuperBowl Shuffle" Video! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[TimG]

Driving a brand new '84 Corvette with Crossfire Injection that I could not wait to get rid of. Driving the snot out of a 1967 red/red 435 horse Corvette roadster that made me want to get rid of the '84 Corvette.

[DaJudge]

I was driving a blue 78 Trans Am, purchased my first Judge and started my freshman year of College. I paid $6,000 for that Judge and it was mint and all numbers matched. Would you buy a car from that guy in the pics? I also remember that article.

[Bill Pritchard]

I was about 2/3 of the way thru the restoration of my Hemi Challenger (last category on the list)....

I still have that magazine, too http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[gtomike1967]

A 1966 GTO for under $3500 including Verts and Tri-Powers?
Too bad I was only 19, driving a 74 Caddy and only probably had $10 bucks to my name.

[Casey Marks]

I was a junior in High School - - driving my 1970 Dodge Charger 500 - 383 car (I still own it !). In fact, the title was in my dad's name to save on insurance. I should probably check to see if it still is !! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif Also had a 1972 Olds Vista Cruiser station wagon as my *winter beater*. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

I also remember that article, and still have the magazine ! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]
Would you buy a car from that guy in the pics?

[/ QUOTE ]

At THOSE prices? Heck yeah! I'd buy 2 !!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(two of those "Hemi" cars http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

[hvychev]

Here was me in 1985. I was 7 or 8. (it depends when durring the year that you asked me! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif) I was in first grade and as you can see by the picture I was preparing for the years to come. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[427TJ]

A true gasoline addict. Looks like a blown SB in the window.

[Eddie M.]

1985?????????????????????? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Salvatore]

Frank, Did you always have OIL for blood? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[jg95z28]

1985? I had just purchased my 1968 RS Camaro ($3900) to replace my first car, a 1967 Chevelle Malibu which I bought for $600 from a friend in the fall of 1983.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/240000-240999/240075_4_full.jpg

Of course it was out of both desire and neccessity. In the spring of 1985 my beautiful Chevelle was rearended by an uninsured driver and totalled! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[njsteve]

In January 1985 I was driving back up from Miami after finding this 1971 440 Six Barrel, 4 speed Cuda Convertible (1 of 5 produced). I paid $2500 for the project. It had been through a series of owners in Miami including a drug dealer who sold it, and then stole it back shortly thereafter and in a police chase launched it into the ocean! It had all of its original drivetrain (in the back of the U-Haul truck that is). The car needed new quarters, fenders, trunk, doors, upper cowl but the floors were perfect! -never buy a Florida car that spent any time near the beach: they rust from the top surfaces downward. I restored the car within a year and then sold it to buy my yellow 71 Hemicuda ragtop. The comical thing is that I hear rumors that the person who owns it now (after paying $350K for the car) is claiming that the sheetmetal is all original!

[njsteve]

And here was the finished project in late 1985.

[427TJ]

Why was Jim Croce sitting on your car? (Bad, bad LeRoy Brown?) Just kidding!!!

Man, you took a real roach and made a diamond out of it. Wanna' do my car? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
Why was Jim Croce sitting on your car? (Bad, bad LeRoy Brown?) Just kidding!!!

Actually my wife refers to that photo as my "70's Porn Star Look." She's much too kind http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]

Actually my wife refers to that photo as my "70's Porn Star Look." She's much too kind http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Great pics and story Steve! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[njsteve]

LOL! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Great pics and story Steve! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to top your Playboy Playmate miniskirt pose somehow! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif -NJSteve

[Jeff H]

I had just purchased my first Camaro, a 69 6 cyl conv for $2000. Drove the car for a year and the original top fell apart and some previous body repairs became evident so I handed the car off to the local vo-tech school and let them restore it for $950, cost of the parts and supplies.

[Denis]

In 1985, I lived in England and owned two cars, a V12 Jaguar and a teeny Fiat.

http://www.corvettes-musclecars.com/yenko.net/1985.jpg

[DaJudge]

Yea I guess your right when you put that way!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[njsteve]

By the way, the guy on the left in the Musclecar Review photo was Mason Dixon, local Tampa, Florida radio personality and Mopar collector. The 70 Charger R/T 440 car was his. If I recall correctly, the guy on the right was Mike Mueller, former managing editor at Dobbs Publishing Group, the publishers of MCR, Mopar Muscle, Corvette Fever, Super Ford, Mustang Monthly, etc. (I took over as a tech editor and managing editor for MCR and Mopar Muscle in 1990 and worked there until 1994) It was a fun job at the time. Sure beat being a lawyer http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[SamLBInj]

Pedro Say "Cold today Hotomali" Only 150 more miles to South of the Border...LOL.. Nice job on the restore! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
Sam

[njsteve]

Very good observation on that one. Yes like every other 80's tourist, we had to stop at South of the Border! Can you blame us after driving from Miami toward Connecticut in a 24 foot Uhaul with a trailer, speed governed to 55 mph down hill....

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
Very good observation on that one. Yes like every other 80's tourist, we had to stop at South of the Border! Can you blame us after driving from Miami toward Connecticut in a 24 foot Uhaul with a trailer, speed governed to 55 mph down hill....

[/ QUOTE ]
You got the car but sitting in my backyard is that uhaul trailer http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif It definatly need a restore..
Sam

[69LM1]

Had Just graduated H.S. and sold my 1969 Camaro, 307 3 speed(console) on the floor for 3,000.00. Of course, been kicking myself ever since. Firethorn red with keystone classic rims. Ahhhhh the memories!

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
In January 1985 I was driving back up from Miami after finding this 1971 440 Six Barrel, 4 speed Cuda Convertible (1 of 5 produced). I paid $2500 for the project. It had been through a series of owners in Miami including a drug dealer who sold it, and then stole it back shortly thereafter and in a police chase launched it into the ocean! It had all of its original drivetrain (in the back of the U-Haul truck that is). The car needed new quarters, fenders, trunk, doors, upper cowl but the floors were perfect! -never buy a Florida car that spent any time near the beach: they rust from the top surfaces downward. I restored the car within a year and then sold it to buy my yellow 71 Hemicuda ragtop. The comical thing is that I hear rumors that the person who owns it now (after paying $350K for the car) is claiming that the sheetmetal is all original!

[/ QUOTE ]
You sure this was taken in 1985? Looks more like 1975, I can just about hear Skynard playing Freebird in the background... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I had just moved back from Florida a little before that, there was a guy in the Keys who had a 70 or 71 Hemicuda Ragtop and 2 or 3 hemi Superbirds...does that ring a bell? Maybe it was that drug dealer guy http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
Sam http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[njsteve]

So I'm a little "dated" looking http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Actually, it was Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band in the background. I bought the car from a collector in Miami. He saw the "before" photos and after results of 383 Cuda ragtop I restored that I pulled out of a wrecking yard in Colorado in 1982, (I traded a 4 cyl Vega someone abandoned on my property for it) I had the Cuda at the '84 Mopar Nationals (see attached) and he asked me if I would be interested in another major project. I was happy to oblige him when I saw the polaroid of the car and he recited the VIN to me. He was the one who filled me in on the cars interesting history.

[yellowjudge]

I was in high school here in the pittsburgh area. I had a 72 formula, w/TA add ons. & a 77 brown TA, w/low miles. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]

You sure this was taken in 1985? Looks more like 1975, I can just about hear Skynard playing Freebird in the background... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Sam,

You forgot to look at the bottom of his jeans (no "bell bottoms") http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Here's a pic of my husband Bill from 1985 (which was before I met him). That was when he was restoring his '69 Royal Bobcat. By the way, he only paid $700 for it in 1979 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

And here's my husband's "Playboy" shot from that time http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif


I asked him to tell me the story behind this photo (since it was before I met him) and this is what he told me:

He was at a car event, and being the president of a car club, he was approached by the event coordinator looking for convertibles to pick up "some people" and bring them to the show. Well, the "people" were "Playboy Bunnies" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif. So he went to the members and asked if anyone would be willing to use their car to pick up "some people" from the hotel. No one was interested at first, as they were all having too much fun at the show and did not want to leave. Well, when he told them that the "people" were "Playboy Bunnies" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif, they all changed their minds! He even had guys volunteering to go home and get their cars! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

The picture was taken at the end of an exhausting day of escorting "bunnies" around. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[csx289]

In 1985, I was in grade school (yes, for real!), and restoring a 1970 MGB/GT. Funny thing is, I was restoring an MG because my Dad thought it was harmless and was doing it with his blessing, BUT, I also had managed to aquire (without any parental knowledge) a really nice 68 Mustang convert that was bashed in the front that I sold for a $500 profit, turning the money into a 65 GTO 3x2 4 spd blue/white hardtop that was damn nice in original paint with the red/white/blue Sun tach hose clamped to the colummn. It cost a whopping $1500, and other than ladder bars and a few bolt ons, was in great shape. It was my older friends bad news brother's car, repoped by their Mom after the troubled kid was put in the clink for splitting a guy's head open after he made a move on his girlfriend at the time. Their Dad had worked for GM, Pontiac Div., and had passed away due to a heart attack the year before. All 3 boys in the family had Pontiacs. After driving the GTO to school (8th grade!) a few times, a guy offered me a rusty Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 and $2k for the Goat! Well, I liked Land Cruisers as well, and after cutting a hole in the roof, it worked far better delivering newspapers on my route when I had a buddy drive and I could throw the papers in the general direction of a subscribers home! Plus, the plow was going to make us money in the winter! A couple of weeks passed, and that $2k was on fire in my pocket. I heard of an old T/A for sale in our neighborhood , and went to check it out. It was a 73 SD 4 speed car, up on blocks in an older guy's garage. He had started a "resto" years before but only got far enough to take all of the trim off and rattle can prime the rust. For $1500 she was mine! We got it running , and I distinctly remember it could get rubber in all 4 gears. Might have been the dry tires! I do know that an older (licensed) freind of mine took it out on the freeway for me, and at an indicated 140 MPH the front floor mats were levitating due to the rust holes in the floors.

A quick white laquer paint job and a lot of detailing later ( I worked in a body shop after school and had use of the place after hours), it was damn nice. Nice enough that a woman stopped by the local McDonalds when we had it there one day and said it was just like her husbands old car and she'd pay $6k for it. Sucker! In hindsight, I don't know which was the better choice - saving money for HS tuition (Jesuit college prep, still makes me cringe) or if I should have kept the car...

I later bought a brown 69 GTO RAIV convert that was just trashed (it has since resurfaced), as well as a lot of other rusty but cheap muscle cars. Mopars and Pontiacs were my weakness, and still are!

I know it sounds incredible, but this was how I spent my youth. The streets around my parent's house always had a few old muscle cars parked a safe distance away, and to this day I don't know how they didn't catch on!

No wonder I started a resto shop right out of school and now have a collector car dealership, huh? As much as it makes me happy to see these great cars restored to perfection and selling for big money, I still miss the days of being the "weird guy" who liked all of those crappy old cars! I miss the barn finds and unknown cars. I miss having buddies stop by in 69.5 440+6 Lift Off Road Runners with air shocks, glass packs, a trunk you could see the gas tank through, and N50 tires that we'd smoke the heck out of! Parking anywhere, going to the bone yard and buying fresh air hoods, multi carb intakes, Pistol Grip and Hurst shifters, etc.,all for damn near nothing before the cars got crushed!

Maybe I was born too late, but maybe not. Had I been around for the heyday I may have overloaded. But being a kid working myself through school with just enough money to buy the worst of the best muscle cars was something I will never forget. It was a great time to play with these cars. You could still buy them cheap, and enough people were catching on that you could usually sell a car for a profit if you put a little labor into it, and parlay that into the next great find.

Where would we be without our pictures, memories, and tetanus shots?

Thanks for the space to reminisce... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

Colin

[55chevy]

In 1985 I was in the 7th grade.... for fun I would go off-roading with the family 8hp Sears lawn tractor. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif aaaahh.. the good ol days..

[77Z28]

In 1985 I was a junior in H.S. and was in the process of taking a tired, but all original, 1974 Nova Custom, 2 door, 350 auto car into the street hot rod car you see in attachment a year later. Bought the car on Christmas Eve of 85 for $1,200. Was originally pea green color with tan vinyl top.

One of the neat things I found after I bought it was the rally rims you see in picture under the full cover factory hubcaps.

After graduation from H.S. that Summer we were scheduled to move to Atlanta. Before moving,Dad said the metro area where we would be living had emissions checks on cars up to 15 years old and my car would not pass and I had to sell it. So reluctantly, I sold it and soon once in Atlanta we found out the emmissions checks were only for cars 10 years old. I still give my Dad crap occasionally about him screwing that detail up.

Todd http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Supergas990]

In November of 1985 I was a sophmore in HS and bought my 1967 Malibu (30 days before I could even get my license). My mom and I went to look at it and bought it on the spot without even driving it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

When we told my dad he was suprised, but not as suprised as when he drove it home for me. He told me that there's no way in H*LL I would've gotten the car if he'd have driven it before we bought it! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif (Guess it was all those years of AMCs and Renaults that lulled him into his slow car mode)

$2,600 looked like a ton of money back then, but that car was my life. Lucky for me I opted to keep it, even though it needs some love to get back it's former glory it's still in the stable. Hopefully, my son will want to drive it one day!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Now I can't wait to get my father to drive the L78 Chevelle I just bought. It ought to be another eye opener!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

Blair

[77Z28]

Regarding that musclecar price index I remember a guy that graduated with my sister roughly 3 years older than me buying in 1985 a 1969 GTO Convertable, triple black for $6,000. The car was all original, low miles most everyone thought he was crazy for paying that much.

Not such a bad price compared to today's prices. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Todd

[StealthBird]

Here's where I was in 1985. Original paint, tri-power, drove it on nice days to college, and to cruise nights.

[StealthBird]

This wasn't 1985, but around 1993, here's some shots of what my friends and I called "The Class of 1969". It was fun driving to cruise nights together.

[68z302]

Wow,
Nice lineup Mike! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[scuncio]

I was in 3rd grade. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Remember riding my bike past this old lady's house who had a Cortez Silver '69 Camaro, 307 car with the black hockey-stick stripes. I wanted it so bad! The next few years I watched it rot into the ground...these cars were still on the road then, even through the Milwaukee winters! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]
I was in 3rd grade. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Some of you guys are really making me feel OLD! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Cool pics Mike! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Leonard]

In 1985, started restoration on a wrecked 69 X77 Z28 that i purchaced Christmas Day in 84. My first 69 Z28. NOM 327, munci 4 spd, 12 bolt 3:73s. It was wrecked in the right front. Replaced the right front fender, inner fender, core support, Bumper, Header and valance panel. Installed intake and carb. Got to drive it for the first time in June of 85. I made the mistake of not mounting the Accell Super Coil. It was laying loose on the intake between the distributor and excellerator rod linkage. Does anyone see the PROBLEM here? Well, with a 2 day old paint job, (hugger orange) Me shifting thru the gears in a Church parking lot adjacent to my parents house, the excellerator stuck wide open while i was doing a reverse burnout. I was in panic. A few seconds later, i was pulling myself up from the broken seat back, car was not running and i could still here things that sould like the were falling off a wall. I looked around and noticed that about a 3rd of my camaro was sitting inside my parents house. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gifBit of advise, Bolt those coils down! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Needless to say, i stripped the car and junked it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Born30YrsLate]

Leonard...jolly good show!!!.....
In '85 I was in kindergarten...not much happening at that time in my life...

[skierkaj]

I think I got ya beat there. . . depending on when in '85, I might not have even been born yet! Birthday of March 3, 1985 thank you very much.

[427TJ]

Hey MikeNoun, man do I miss cruise nights. Remember when everyone drove such cars as those in your photo and you could actually cruise some boulevard in some town and the cops wouldn't immediately shut it down? How about Car Craft's "Cruisin' USA" monthly series on where to find the best "Mains." In the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay) we usually went out to Pinole on Friday nights unless there was a bigger "Main" happening somehwere else. People would make flyers and post them at all of the local auto parts stores and speed shops and cars would come from all over Northern California. North Main street in Walnut Creek was legendary in the late 1970s until the lowlifes found it. Once it was 'discovered' it was all over in a few months. Vandalism, gang fights, etc., caused the local merchants to jump on the police to put a stop to the whole thing. Then on to Pinole, Petaluma, San Rafael, Napa, and the same thing happened. Coincidentally, all of the Bay Area "mains" were dead by 1985. Now if the cops see a car making more than one pass down the avenue on a weekend night they'll pull you over and ticket you. Another wonderful pastime lost. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif


I also miss the Car Craft Street Machine Nationals West at Cal Expo in Sacramento. That event also resulted in a huge cruise in downtown Sacramento on Saturday night. Not anymore. You might look at someone the wrong way and get shot. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[StealthBird]

I think the Golden Age of Cruising was really the early to mid 80's. At that time, new Musclecars were running 15's, and old Musclecars became THE hottest thing around. The old Musclecars were myths to some newbie car fans. The guys that hot-rodded their hand-me-down 305 Camaros or 301 Firebirds, or maybe put headers on their V6 Monza, just could not believe what the old Musclecars could do in stock trim. To them, their new 185 hp Camaro or Firebird seemed peppy, but seeing a factory 400 hp Musclecar was like seeing a demon from hell. Old Musclecars ruled the streets, and most of them at that time were still all original.

All that changed around 1987, when the Mustang 5.0 and GNX really came into their own. This was a turning point, when magazines began running head-to-head battles between old and new Musclecars, something that would have been laughable just a couple years earlier.

Nowadays, we have 12 second showroom cars in the Corvette and Viper, and a whole plethora (I just had to use that word today http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) of solid 13 second cars, from recent Ram Air Trans Am's to Z/28's, from Cobras to Mach 1's. Old Musclecars still have their mystique, but part of that mystique has been lost because the "fear factor" of riding in a 13 second car is gone. Now soccer moms driving an SUV, or a Lexus, can take out some of the old Musclecars at a stoplight. Strange... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[427TJ]

Sad day #1: 1985 when I sold my '67 Camaro to finish college. Happy day: 1987 when I graduated and bought a brand new '87 5.0 LX Mustang. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Traded it in in 1990 for a new black-on-black LX 5.0 hatchback with power windows, etc. I installed a Hurst shifter, SSC stainless headers, Flowmasters and a K&N. Took it to Advanced Autosport in Oakland and had them install Kenny Brown braces and subframe connectors, Eibach springs and a Central Coast caster kit. Man, what a G-machine. Sad day #2: selling it in 1997.

[jg95z28]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey MikeNoun, man do I miss cruise nights. Remember when everyone drove such cars as those in your photo and you could actually cruise some boulevard in some town and the cops wouldn't immediately shut it down? How about Car Craft's "Cruisin' USA" monthly series on where to find the best "Mains." In the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay) we usually went out to Pinole on Friday nights unless there was a bigger "Main" happening somehwere else. People would make flyers and post them at all of the local auto parts stores and speed shops and cars would come from all over Northern California. North Main street in Walnut Creek was legendary in the late 1970s until the lowlifes found it. Once it was 'discovered' it was all over in a few months. Vandalism, gang fights, etc., caused the local merchants to jump on the police to put a stop to the whole thing. Then on to Pinole, Petaluma, San Rafael, Napa, and the same thing happened. Coincidentally, all of the Bay Area "mains" were dead by 1985. Now if the cops see a car making more than one pass down the avenue on a weekend night they'll pull you over and ticket you. Another wonderful pastime lost. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif


I also miss the Car Craft Street Machine Nationals West at Cal Expo in Sacramento. That event also resulted in a huge cruise in downtown Sacramento on Saturday night. Not anymore. You might look at someone the wrong way and get shot. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
That brought tears to my eyes. I remember in the early 80's when El Camino Real in San Mateo was a hot spot. That was until they had the same problems as Walnut Creek and other places... Ahhhh, the good old days. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[427TJ]

Yes, and Stevens Creek Blvd in San Jose was another legendary 'Main.' That one and North Main in Walnut Creek were both separate "Cruisin' USA" features in Car Craft. Man, it just doesn't seem like 25 years ago.

As a 1980 high school graduate one of my favorite "flashback" movies is "Dazed and Confused." That dude with the '70 SS Chevelle kills me! We all looked like him back in The Day. That movie got it right in many ways.

I miss my high school auto shop class too. On nice-weather Fridays we'd clean up our cars in preparation for the main that night. We'd get credit just for washing and "tuning" our cars (opening the hood and fiddling around). Whoever had tunes in his car would crank up KRQR ("The Rocker"--S.F.) or KOME (San Jose) while we worked.

Man, where did the last 25 years GO?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[427TJ]

Car Craft Street Freaks #5, 1981.

[427TJ]

I can hear the Bee Gees singing "Stayin' Alive".... (CC Street Freaks #5, 1981.)

[jg95z28]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, and Stevens Creek Blvd in San Jose was another legendary 'Main.' That one and North Main in Walnut Creek were both separate "Cruisin' USA" features in Car Craft. Man, it just doesn't seem like 25 years ago.

As a 1980 high school graduate one of my favorite "flashback" movies is "Dazed and Confused." That dude with the '70 SS Chevelle kills me! We all looked like him back in The Day. That movie got it right in many ways.

I miss my high school auto shop class too. On nice-weather Fridays we'd clean up our cars in preparation for the main that night. We'd get credit just for washing and "tuning" our cars (opening the hood and fiddling around). Whoever had tunes in his car would crank up KRQR ("The Rocker"--S.F.) or KOME (San Jose) while we worked.

Man, where did the last 25 years GO?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]Ah, yes... I'd forgotten about Stevens Creek, we only did that cruise a couple times. Gas was fairly expensive back then especially for a high school student on a limited income. ha. ha.

Yup... listend to KOME, KRQR and KSJO (which is the only one that has survived all be it a few format changes a while back.)

Where have the days gone? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Born30YrsLate]

[ QUOTE ]
As a 1980 high school graduate one of my favorite "flashback" movies is "Dazed and Confused." That dude with the '70 SS Chevelle kills me! We all looked like him back in The Day. That movie got it right in many ways.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes - Wooderson (Matthew McConaughey) and Melba Toast ('70 Chevelle) were the stars of that movie...that's the only movie I've been able to watch more than 2 times....wishing I was there....

[hvychev]

I really dig that term "Street Freak" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Street Freaks Rule!

Hey whitetop or whoever did they ever do a Crusin USA feature on the Chi-town area? If so I would have to imagine that it would have been Archer ave.