"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
12/22/2016 at 00:15 • Filed to: 2000s
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"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
12/22/2016 at 00:15 • Filed to: 2000s | 2
| 15 |
The biggest fad that came out of the 2000s was “retro-styling,” the design throwbacks. It wouldn’t be until late in the decade when automakers learned that the only throwbacks people want are for the late 60s / early 70s. However we did get three very...interesting convertibles. I’m talking about the Plymouth Prowler, the Chevrolet SSR, and the Ford Thunderbird. Which was your preference?
* To get a better understanding of what the modern equivalent of these numbers would be, add 100 hp / 100 lb-ft, add $10,000 to the prices, and take one second off the 0-60 mph times. What you think and feel of the stats after those conversions is how everyone felt about the cars over a decade ago with their listed stats.
2005 Ford Thunderbird
3.9L V8 rated at 280 hp / 286 lb-ft mated to a 5-speed auto with manual shiftability. Weighed around 3,750 lbs and was on the same platform as the RWD Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type. That top comes off and has a dolly for you to leave it at home. Plan accordingly.
0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds and a base price of $37,320 at the time.
2006 Chevrolet SSR
This specific model year used the 6.0L LS2 V8 from the GTO and made 395 hp with the 4-speed auto. But it’s the 6-speed manual that got you the full 400 hp / 400 lb-ft. Of course a power retractable hardtop convertible truck will end up heavier than the Chrysler and Ford offerings, running at around 4,700 lbs.
0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and a base price of $43,180 at the time.
2001 Plymouth Prowler
3.5L V6 rated at 253 hp / 255 lb-ft mated to a 4-speed auto (but the top is manual). It only weighed around 2,850 lbs, was RWD and had a 50/50 weight distribution due to the transmission being located at the back of the vehicle.
0-60 mph was 5.9 seconds in its final years with a base price of $44,625.
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Remember that these were the halo cars for retro-styling. As far as the US automakers go, these cars were how we ended up with the 60s focused Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers. The next generation of these “muscle” cars will probably be throughly forward looking in design rather than focused on call backs.
Reflecting on vehicle designs that were reflecting on vehicle designs is an odd experience. The 2000s is kind of the late 70s of cars, huh? Not much you want from the US.
DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 00:22 |
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I never liked the prowler. It only made it worse when the person I hated, more than anyone else in the world, liked it. Also he though it had NOS from the factory lol.
Edit: My fav of these is the Thunderbird.
Nick Has an Exocet
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 00:25 |
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Ford: Slow and made for old people.
Chevy: Fast and made for dumb people.
Plymouth: Ugly and made for ugly people.
The Prowler is... unique. I think the SSR is probably the one I would take. It’s hilariously impractical. The Prowler is impractical but honest about it. That SSR is like “I’m a truck! Just put your stuff... uh... somewhere... actually... I’m a Corvette! Vroom!”
Noodles
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 00:30 |
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I’ve always liked that T-Bird. The older I get the more I like the SSR. “Power retractable hardtop convertible” plus, the way it slipped into the bed. Not to mention the different sized wheels.
Prowler needed an engine swap from the factory
Urambo Tauro
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 00:37 |
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While those three examples are undoubtedly retro, I’m not sure what to make of the American muscle cars yet.
I think the 2005 Mustang was originally meant to be retro, but the S550 generation is so little of a departure from the S197 (stylistically, anyway) that the 2005 model may come to be seen as a “return to form”. Perhaps Ford has settled on specific styling cues that are to be maintained from one generation to the next. (Like how the Corvette has had a fairly consistent design language since the C3.)
I’m seeing the same trend with the Camaro, too. It’s too early to say if the Challenger will follow suit, but old as the current generation is, I gotta admit that I haven’t grown tired of it.
G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 00:55 |
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I’d go for the Thunderbird. If it were wrapped Avery SW900 Gloss Grey Metallic, had the plasti-chrome “eyebrows” blacked out, put on some slightly lower suspension to visually level it, shod with some nice wheels (maybe Niche Misanos in satin black) and endowed with a slightly burbly exhaust, I could see myself driving one every day. The SSR is a bit too clunky for my tastes, and I really don’t like the interior or transmission on the Prowler.
gmctavish needs more space
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 00:57 |
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When I was a kid I loved the Prowler...I can’t say I do anymore. I never really even thought about hr SSR, I’ve seen maybe two of them, ever. Tons of HHRs, though, which are better than PT Cruisers at least. I’ve always liked the Thunderbird, although it has to be in certain colours, without the chrome wheels.
jordang1028
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 02:04 |
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While I do not care for any of them, I would take the prowler hands down. They are far less common on the road than either of the others, as well as being one of the last of the now-dead Plymouth brand. Plus, the car’s appearance can be massively helped by removing the hideous front “bumpers.”
Dusty Ventures
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 02:22 |
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The Prowler was fantastic in every way that had nothing to do with the engine
...or the bumpers
...or the gearbox
...or the interior
Nauraushaun
> Dusty Ventures
12/22/2016 at 03:26 |
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All the magic of having the gearbox in the rear, all the depression of making it an auto. How do they overcome so much to bring a car like that to market, then mess up in so many ways?
FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 03:38 |
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It’s always bugged me that despite being on the same platform as the SSR, GM never offered the TraiBlazer with a manual in any trim. I get that the SSR was a totally different vehicle/customer, but an Atlas I6-manual Trailblazer would’ve been an incredibly robust and long-lasting combo even it it wasn’t actually any fun to drive.
hike
> Dusty Ventures
12/22/2016 at 06:35 |
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It’s probably the last car which will ever have front wheels mounted like that. Which is something.
Bourbon&JellyBeans
> Urambo Tauro
12/22/2016 at 07:32 |
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I don’t believe that a new generation Challenger is planned. I think that Ford has now locked down a winning formula with the Mustang, so we won’t likely see any huge departure from what we see on the S197/S550s. The Camaro’s styling, in my opinion, is simply getting worse looking with every refresh. At this point it’s long in the tooth. I’ve also never found the design to be particularly “retro.” It doesn’t really look like any generation that came before it.
Arrivederci
> hike
12/22/2016 at 08:03 |
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For something that’s not a track toy, yes. Caterham, Donkervoort, Ariel, etc. are the keepers of the flame now :).
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Arrivederci
> Wobbles the Mind
12/22/2016 at 08:06 |
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If I had to take one as-is, it would be the SSR with the LS2 and six-speed manual. If I had unlimited funds and could modify one to my tastes, it would be the Prowler. The coolest-looking one of the bunch (IMO), but the worst stock drivetrain. I’d swap in a LT1 and manual transaxle and call it good.
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hike
> Arrivederci
12/22/2016 at 09:50 |
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True. I was thinking strictly mainstream automakers.