What would cars be like?

[Doug Chahoy]

Even when gas was cheap, they did cars for tightwads. 68-69 Novas came with a 4 cylinder engine and a 375 hp 396 in the same model. All 3 started with economy cars in 60. Corvair, Falcon, Valiant then by 62 GM brought out the whole line of Nova,Cutlass,Tempest,and Buick Special. All with 4-8 cylinder engines. They were offering econ omy at the same time they made monster engines. As for cars getting bigger, I don’t believe they would have gotten bigger than the 76 Fleetwood, Lincoln Town Car, or Imperial.

 

[ck80]

Even when gas was cheap, they did cars for tightwads. 68-69 Novas came with a 4 cylinder engine and a 375 hp 396 in the same model. All 3 started with economy cars in 60. Corvair, Falcon, Valiant then by 62 GM brought out the whole line of Nova,Cutlass,Tempest,and Buick Special. All with 4-8 cylinder engines. They were offering econ omy at the same time they made monster engines. As for cars getting bigger, I don’t believe they would have gotten bigger than the 76 Fleetwood, Lincoln Town Car, or Imperial.

Interesting point on the mid 70s fleetwood, town car, and imperial.

Was it a function of having been in the pipeline before fuel economy/gas crisis was a thought?

OR

Did those cars get as big as they did to be the ultimate statement of opulence - yes, I'm well off enough I can still afford all this?

 

[DRIVEN]

Because someone will always need to be "that guy".

 

[Supercharged111]

Because someone will always need to be "that guy".View attachment 140270

You shut your mouth, that'll be my track rig when I grow up!

 

[KCP]

I'll take that in a heartbeat!

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

I read that during the early and mid 80's, many GM engineers throught the 350 didn't have a future due to the ever stricter gas mileage and emission standards. That 5.0 L would be the practical limit under such regulations. Its is why TPI is designed for 305s, anc Ford developed their Mod V8 around 4.6 displacement. This leads me to believe that in a alternate 80's where Biff is rich and powerful, 350s or larger may have been the norm instead of 305s. Computer controls would still likely have come along due to market competition, but more slowly than by government mandate.

 

[pontiacgp]

As for cars getting bigger, I don’t believe they would have gotten bigger than the 76 Fleetwood, Lincoln Town Car, or Imperial.

forget the big cars, now many have transplanted their butts to full size pickups and full size SUV's..

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Thats a large part of why full size trucks and SUV’s got so popular. People still wanted full size full frame V-8s ,

 

[pontiacgp]

Thats a large part of why full size trucks and SUV’s got so popular. People still wanted full size full frame V-8s ,

I thimk it was more marketing than anything else

 

[69hurstolds]

And think about this! Right now, the national average price of gas is about $2.069 per gallon. It was $1.12 average in 1985. Considering inflation, it would be like paying 0.86/gallon back in 1985. So gas is actually cheaper right now on the inflation scale than it was 35 years ago. In other words, the $1.12/gallon price in 85 is the same as paying $2.69 per gallon today. We're winning at the gas stations right now. Don't know how long it will last, but take it while it's cheap.