An Icon remembered

[Superman]

I have a friend who has owned and operated several car lots, has sold hundreds or thousands of cars, has worked on or rebuilt thousands of cars and parts. I think I recall him saying that this car was the scariest he drove. This is my hazy recollection. The man has driven hemi cudas, souped up El Caminos, etc. The Vette 427 was the scariest. I don't know whether he ever drove one of those limited L-88 thingies. They might be scarier.

[GH85Carrera]

Back in the 1970s a buddy of mine had his big brother's car. His big brother had been drafted and was away in Vietnam. The car was a 1967 Barracuda whit a crazy high compression ratio engine rebuild. My buddy would just idle around and was afraid to press the loud pedal much. He said it was terrifying in the rain, and he bough a 59 Beetle to drive in the rain. The only time I saw him hit the go pedal was when the throttle cable was getting sticky. He pressed it enough to get moving but it opened wide open and we were smoking the tires. He just hit the key and we pulled over and he fixed in enough to idle back home.

He would never let anyone else drive that car. I wish I remembered the details of the car but I know it had a rear end that was a Dana and I suspect the 3.58 ratio.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Superman

I have a friend who has owned and operated several car lots, has sold hundreds or thousands of cars, has worked on or rebuilt thousands of cars and parts. I think I recall him saying that this car was the scariest he drove. This is my hazy recollection. The man has driven hemi cudas, souped up El Caminos, etc. The Vette 427 was the scariest. I don't know whether he ever drove one of those limited L-88 thingies. They might be scarier.

I've been frightened as a passenger in many cars but the worst was a Corvette C6 ZR-1 about 8 years ago. Just violent acceleration in every gear and seemed loud and crude for a modern car. I also have a great memory of being a passenger in a 427 'vette going through the gears in the late '60s when I was about 9 or 10.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Yep, if I had Jay Leno money one of these would be in my garage,

Me too.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by Superman

I don't know whether he ever drove one of those limited L-88 thingies. They might be scarier.

I *think* you might be referring to the 1969 ZL-1. I believe there were 69 Camaros made with that engine (not sure what else, if anything). It was an all aluminum 427. I think I remember it made about 550hp.

[pwd72s]

Bump...just for fun.

[asphaltgambler]

^^^^^no - the L-88 had aluminum heads and was available as an option.....

[Zeke]

I've owned 3 Corvettes: '57 (my first car age 17) a '61 (shown here on the Molholland thread, and a '65 small block. They were all trucks.

[pavulon]

A ride in an LS7 Z06 or modern Viper should be mandatory for all displacement non-believers.

[manbridge 74]

The 67 had a 4.25 inch bore and 11:1 compression. Not workable with today’s fuel, excepting E85 perhaps.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

I've had the opportunity to drive and tune 2 original numbers matching '67 427's. I - 425 HP the other 435.....

They were brutal in every way. I'm sure there are modern cars with faster 1/4 mile times, but those cars felt like they rotated the earth when you let it hang out. Nothing compares in that time to the beautiful lines and massive horsepower

I owned a matchin numbers 66 coupe 427/450 hp solid lifter..wt 4 spd. That thing upon launch would squat down and run like a scalded dog. And yes the Speedo would run to the right while the gas gauge would run to the left..

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Superman

I have a friend who has owned and operated several car lots, has sold hundreds or thousands of cars, has worked on or rebuilt thousands of cars and parts. I think I recall him saying that this car was the scariest he drove. This is my hazy recollection. The man has driven hemi cudas, souped up El Caminos, etc. The Vette 427 was the scariest. I don't know whether he ever drove one of those limited L-88 thingies. They might be scarier.

Not scary.

The L88 was rated at 435 hp.

The 66 427 solid lifter ..was rated at 450 hp..

[pwd72s]

With all apologies to Henry Manny, who wrote in R&T that the E type Jag was the greatest crumpet collector, I'd have to say the 427 'Vette with the stinger hood was neck & neck in that regard. I mean, just look at it!

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

With all apologies to Henry Manny, who wrote in R&T that the E type Jag was the greatest crumpet collector, I'd have to say the 427 'Vette with the stinger hood was neck & neck in that regard. I mean, just look at it!

Yes, but you aren't a crumpet, so your opinion doesn't count. Gals like Mustangs better, always have.

[nota]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

With all apologies to Henry Manny, who wrote in R&T that the E type Jag was the greatest crumpet collector, I'd have to say the 427 'Vette with the stinger hood was neck & neck in that regard. I mean, just look at it!

henry N manney the III or your humble and faithful servant

and yes he was correct about the E-jag
nothing came close not vets hemi cudas or even oddballs like my dads facel II

at the hot shops drive in the E-jag did it's thing in the 60's like NO other

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by nota

henry N manney the III or your humble and faithful servant

and yes he was correct about the E-jag
nothing came close not vets hemi cudas or even oddballs like my dads facel II

at the hot shops drive in the E-jag did it's thing in the 60's like NO other

In the late 1970s and early 1980s when the TV show Dallas aired lots of ladies lusted after Bobby Euing and the Mercedes 450SL he drove. One of my buddies bought a car much like the one Bobby Euing drove. He had chicks chat him up all the time in parking lots.