Strange or ugly cars you actually like (vehicle, seats, replace)
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My husband almost bought a '92, sitting unsold at the Chrysler dealership, in '93. The dealer was eager to discount it radically. But DH opted for another Volvo - used - instead. That Volvo ended-up saving his life. The Imperial might not have done so. And our Volvos, obviously, afforded us far better social status and image. Still, I sometimes wonder how it might have been, floating around in all that pillowy, velvety, gadget-intensive luxury.
The K-car-based Imperials had some major issues. They went through transmissions faster than some people go through underwear! The 3.3L (std in 1990) and 3.8L (std. 1991-1993) V6 engines had a reputation for sludge buildup (eventually causing 'catastrophic engine failure'). Some of them also blew head gaskets on a regular basis.
The K-car platform was designed for an economy car- the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant. In their final year of production (1989), the Aries had a starting price of $7,595. The '90 Imperial started at $26,925. That's quite a stretch, literally and figuratively. It wasn't a very rigid platform and stretching it only exacerbated that. One of the inherent problems with platform sharing is that you can make it longer, but you can't make it wider. So the Imperial was exactly one inch wider than the Dodge Aries.
I've always been a car buff and I remember reading about the Imperials when they were introduced in 1990. Many dealers had nicknamed white Imperials as "Virginia Slim" (referring to the long, thin cigarettes). Not to mention that they all seemed to have that hideous burgundy interior that was the same color as a slaughterhouse floor.
Trust me when I tell you that the pillowy, velvety interior is nowhere near as comfy as it looked. Those seats had no sort of lateral or lumbar support. Meanwhile, Volvo is known for having the most comfortable seats in the industry. I would take austere Scandinavian simplicity and functionality over American pseudo-luxury gimmicks any day! You (or your other half) made the better choice, especially considering the Volvo saved his life! Prior to the early-mid 2000s, nothing was safer than a Volvo.
Scion xB....Honda Element. I like those square cars for some reason
When I was shopping for a new car in late 2005, I really wanted an Element. But I couldn't find an EX model with manual transmission anywhere in the Southeast! So I bought a 2006 Mazda3 5-door instead.
Now. As Walter White's car.. I think maybe I can get with an Aztek. If finding one not a POS. Bigger than a Subaru, not a minivan (?) and ... yeah.
Finding one that's not a POS might be the trick. I have noticed that they don't seem to rust, or at least if they do the plastic panels hide it well.
Watch for all the usual GM 3.4l troubles, intake manifold gaskets, head gaskets, heads, etc. The AC has probably gone beyond the point of "needs a recharge" and the electrical system is going to be full of little gremlins on a mid 90's VAG scale. It's telling that GM has a service bulletin on how to open the tailgate (you have to drill holes in the inside cover) and sells plugs to cover those holes. I managed to fight mine open and rewired the gate to open with the key.
But if you find a good good yu will be surprised at what it will do. It's a Swiss Army knife.
Carries lots of "sporting goods"
more fun items
Somewhere I have one of the 'Tek at the Arctic Circle, handles the Dalton Highway and the Denali Highway like a champ.
Oh, when that tailgate comes down, you will find scallops for your seating comfort and cupholders, and in a nice one the rear audio controls will work the sound system while you sit on the tailgate, have a drink and watch the world go by.
Oh, when that tailgate comes down, you will find scallops for your seating comfort and cupholders, and in a nice one the rear audio controls will work the sound system while you sit on the tailgate, have a drink and watch the world go by.
I do that in my Blazer.
WHY do the GM cars always seem to have "problems."
I love Studebakers, Packards, and Cadillacs. When they were a Cadillac not this poor excuse overpriced garbage.
Bullet nosed champ.
I'd lower it slightly, build a 327 tie it to a Muncie T10 leave it just the way it is. Headers to glasspacks exiting out the back. Nothing sounds better than a high compression solid lifter choppy cam through glasspacks...
Studebaker hawk
47 all steel Packard clipper. Econobox cars would bounce off of these things
56 Packard clipper.
67 Coupe Deville.
I'd leave it just like this only run 3 inch chrome pipes under the quarter panels exiting under the rear bumper. 472/500 cadillac V8 to glasspacks.
61 Lincoln Continental convertible. Suicide doors are sweet.
50s Nash metropolitan. About the only econobox I'd ever own, however it would be the perfect candidate for an LS swap.
I've always liked the 71 Riviera. Most people think it's an ugly boat, but I love the lines and that rear window. Of course, that window would probably be expensive to replace if it broke.
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Somewhere I have one of the 'Tek at the Arctic Circle, handles the Dalton Highway and the Denali Highway like a champ.
