Pick your favorite iconic car from any decade....

[Barticus]

What do you mean "better"? Yeah, the Viper looks like what Billy Thompson drew as "bitchin' sports car" in the margins of his 8th grade math notebook; but the Opel's got actual style and class to it.

And remember, it's a lot more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow.

I mean, these specs look like they'd be a lot of fun to drive, at least to me.

This is what Chat had to say
The Dodge Viper is legendary for its raw power and distinctive V10 engine. Here's a breakdown of its engine and performance specs across generations:

Performance Highlights
• 0–60 mph: As quick as 3.3 seconds in later models
• Top Speed: Up to 206 mph (VX I)
• Transmission: 6-speed manual across all generations
• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
• Weight: ~3,375 lbs (varies by model year)

---

The Viper's naturally aspirated V10 was designed with aluminum block and heads (originally cast by Lamborghini), magnesium valve covers, and dual throttle bodies. It's a brute-force machine that prioritizes visceral driving over electronic aids — no traction control until 2008!

 

[Barticus]

This Gentleman did some work on his Opel GT, an Opel Calibra 16V C20XE engine and an Opel Ω gearbox, among many other adjustments.
Quite ingenious.

Such a cool little beast he has built there.

I remember seeing these as a kid and always thought they looked like a mini Corvette Stingray.

 

[turf3]

I mean, these specs look like they'd be a lot of fun to drive, at least to me.


The Viper's naturally aspirated V10 was designed with aluminum block and heads (originally cast by Lamborghini), magnesium valve covers, and dual throttle bodies. It's a brute-force machine that prioritizes visceral driving over electronic aids — no traction control until 2008!

It's what it is, but the Opel GT and its ilk are true sports cars, light weight, modestly powered cars with good handling and small dimensions.

Everyone's different but if I've got a Saturday to drive around curvy backroads in New England on a crisp fall day, I'd far rather take an MGB, a Spridget, Miata, TR6, boattail Alfa, etc., than a heavy hulking behemoth that you can't even get out of third gear.

 

[bwildt]

My Opel Kadett Rallye with the 1.9 engine. Photo from about 1976. I think the car was a maybe a '70. I really liked the looks of the Manta, but you didn't see many of them in Kansas. The GT was out of my reach at the time.

 

[Barticus]

It's what it is, but the Opel GT and its ilk are true sports cars, light weight, modestly powered cars with good handling and small dimensions.

Everyone's different but if I've got a Saturday to drive around curvy backroads in New England on a crisp fall day, I'd far rather take an MGB, a Spridget, Miata, TR6, boattail Alfa, etc., than a heavy hulking behemoth that you can't even get out of third gear.

It's funny, I used to do the SCCA solo's (time racing) which was setup with cones in a parking lot… the Viper's could barely get out of first gear into second and would sometimes just push straight through the turns on the tight track

 

[tzohn]

And remember, it's a lot more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow.

You can't drive a slow car fast, by definition.

 

[Barticus]

You can't drive a slow car fast, by definition.

And the opposite is also true…
I'm finding it's hard to drive 520hp/530lb-ft slow, at times

 

[osv]

2005 Toyota Sienna LE. Such a great vehicle. I use mine for work and prefer it to my wifes fancier 2013.

 

[tzohn]

And the opposite is also true…
I'm finding it's hard to drive 520hp/530lb-ft slow, at times

What car do you drive?

 

[Barticus]

Very iconic

 

[tzohn]

If it's never been posted in this thread it is not iconic

 

[Barticus]

If it's never been posted in this thread it is not iconic

The mini van above?
Very iconic

 

[tzohn]

How else would we have reached 200+ pages with iconic cars

 

[Barticus]

How else would we have reached 200+ pages with iconic cars

Yeah, very cool if a mini van is your "favorite iconic car" - I've owned several when my kids were young and they served our family well… but don't know if they were my favorite and iconic but hey, to each their own.

And yes, this is a fantastic thread with many very cool and interesting vehicles from throughout the decades have been posted.

 

[Barticus]

And along those German lines, the 1964 Volkswagen Beetle.

When I was 16yrs old I was lucky enough to buy a 64' Beetle. I converted it to a buggy with one of those fiberglass Baja conversion kits. Now that I think back about it, I'd much rather have that original Beetle I purchased in original condition tuned up for the street with a bigger motor and lowered, instead of for off-road.

 

[Mike N]

And the opposite is also true…
I'm finding it's hard to drive 520hp/530lb-ft slow, at times

You should try having 700hp under your right foot .....

 

[Mike N]

2005 Toyota Sienna LE. Such a great vehicle. I use mine for work and prefer it to my wifes fancier 2013.

View attachment 7342433

Just drove my kid's 04 XLE back home today. Needs some work but with two kids, he needs the van. Been sitting for a couple years, stuck a battery in it, fired right up and made the 120 mile drive with ease.

Hardly iconic, but basically bulletproof.

 

[Barticus]

You should try having 700hp under your right foot .....

I'd love to!!
How well does it do around tight corners?

 

[Mike N]

I'd love to!!
How well does it do around tight corners?

With a spool in the rear, not too well.
Luckily the soft sidewalls on the rear tires take up some of the bind.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

When I was 16yrs old I was lucky enough to buy a 64' Beetle. I converted it to a buggy with one of those fiberglass Baja conversion kits. Now that I think back about it, I'd much rather have that original Beetle I purchased in original condition tuned up for the street with a bigger motor and lowered, instead of for off-road.

IMO the 64 beetle was the last year of Volkswagens before they became "Americanized". Truly and outstanding car. We also had the first year of Squareback (1963), although it was a called a Variant S. It had a little more pep than the 64 and up version but the ours had chronic front end suspension problems. We went through a few sets of ball joints and tiered ends. Of course driving in Pittsburgh and dealing with potholes the size of that crater on top of Mount St. Helens didn't help much.