Latest Posts Under: History
Chevrolet Impala SS, the epitome of performance from 1961 to 1969, started as a humble trim option but evolved into a symbol of Chevy’s prowess. With engines ranging from a modest 250 cu in six-cylinder to a mighty 409 cu in V8, it offered muscle enthusiasts a buffet of horsepower. The 1965 model even ditched “idiot lights” for full instrument clusters, proving it’s smarter than your average car! By 1966, Chevy added side chrome trim to combat “door dings,” because who needs battle scars, right?
For the 1969 model year, the Camaro was the belle of the SCCA Trans Am ball, equipped with Corvette-like stopping power thanks to four-piston calipers. Only 206 of these beauties sported the $500 JL8 option, making them rarer than a unicorn on a racetrack. The Z28 package was a powerhouse, boasting a 302-cubic-inch engine, and the COPO version went rogue with a 427-cubic-inch beast, courtesy of Don Yenko. And let’s not forget the ZL-1, an all-aluminum marvel, crafted with love and 16 hours of labor!
The 1964 Pontiac GTO, the muscle car that made other cars hit the gym, was GM’s rebellious child, sneaking past the company’s racing ban by appearing as a “power option package” for the Tempest. With a roaring 389-cubic-inch engine and options like the tri-power carburetors, this beast was as subtle as a neon sign in a library. Add a Bobcat power kit for a cheeky horsepower boost, and you had a car that would do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, making speed limits seem like mere suggestions.
Rory Carroll, the editor of Autoweek, shares his lifelong obsession with cars, from racing a Lahta Signet in the 24 Hrs of Lemonds to driving the Porsche 918 and La Ferrari at the Circuit of the Americas. He credits his journey in automotive journalism to a chance opportunity with the New York Times and now enjoys a dream job at Autoweek. Rory believes that car enthusiasm is thriving among the younger generation, thanks to social media and accessible resources, and he’s excited about Autoweek’s future.
Oh, Canada! Between 1966 and 1969, Pontiac Beaumonts strutted their stuff as a Chevelle look-alike but with a dash of maple leaf flair. Sporting unique tail lights and a dashboard reminiscent of a Pontiac GTO, the Beaumont came in styles from sedans to convertibles. The rarest gem? The four-door hardtop. The top dog was the SD396, boasting a 350 hp engine. With only 72,000 produced, these cars are as rare as a polite hockey player, making them a collector’s dream, eh?
The Acadian 1962-1971: When the Pontiac Tempest went AWOL in Canada, GM Canada whipped up the Acadian to fill the void. A Chevy II in disguise, it had more personalities than a soap opera character, with trim levels like Invader, Canso, and the swanky Beaumont. It shipped out from Oshawa to places as far-flung as Chile and South Africa, proving it’s not just a car, but a global ambassador. Canada kept it all under wraps until 1971, when it was replaced by the Pontiac Ventura II, ending its quirky run.
The Dodge Viper from 2002-2010 was a beast with style and power. The SRT-10 from 2002-2006 flaunted a sharper design and an 8.3L engine with 500 bhp, though it might have given chiropractors extra business with its stiffer frame. The 2008 model upped the ante with a 600 bhp 8.4L V10, adding more roar to its already thunderous presence. This snake slithered from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds—perfect for those quick grocery runs. By 2010, limited editions left enthusiasts dreaming of the next venomous upgrade.
Dodge’s engine lineup in the ’50s was like a family reunion where nobody looked alike! From the “baby Hemi” to the polyspheric heads, it was a smorgasbord of engineering. The 1953 Dodge Red Ram Hemi got things rolling, but it was the 325-cubic-inch engine in ’57 that had enthusiasts revving with excitement. With variants like the KD-500-1, featuring dual four-barrel carburetors, even the engines had more carbs than your average pasta dinner. Talk about a power-packed decade!
