2017 Indy 500-- Part 27: Looking At Chevys

Saturday, May 27

Watched the 1992 Indy 500 on the big screen by the Pagoda which had thirteen wrecks.  Al Unser, Jr. won.  It was the closest race in history up until then.  However, close races are pretty much the norm these days.

Probably my favorite thing to do on these Saturday walk-arounds is go to the Chevrolet exhibit and see all those neat cars.  Since Pontiac is gone, I am a Chevy Guy these days.Those Corvettes and Camaros, Wow, get me to salivating.  Of course, a more realistic Chevy for me is the Malibu (we have a 2003 and a 2011 Malibu and the next "family car" will probably be a Malibu).

The 2017 Indy 500 car is the 2017 Chevy Camaro and are they ever decked out for $55,000.If I decide to get rid of our 1985 Pontiac Firebird, there may be a used Camaro in the future.

However, a problem now with Chevy cars is that they no longer come with CD players.  That could be a deal killer for me as I am not a downloader and love my CDs.  And, of course, the last car we got which also had a cassette player was the 2003.I guess it would have to be a post buying product I;d have to have installed.  But Chevy would have to cover it.

--RoadDog

Indy 500-- Part 8: Walkin' and a Walkin', No Drivin'

MAY 23, 2015, SATURDAY

Now, loaded down with souvenirs (should have bought them on the way out), we walked over to the Indy 500 museum, also inside the track.  Paul and John are of the mind to pay the price to do a couple laps at fast speed around the track.  (I think they're nuts.  Really fast speed in car scares me.)

And, the museum is a good walk, even more so as we walked up and down most of the lanes around Gasoline Alley.  Once we got over by the museum, John and Paul could not find the place to get information about running the course.

But, there was a big area under tents where the vintage cars that had gone around the track earlier were parked so I got to see them up close.  I was especially interested in one that had a speedometer that went "all" the way up to 65 mph.  I also enjoyed the 60% off sale at the cut rate souvenir shop by the museum and bought a 2014 Indy Champion hat for $12.  Like I needed another hat.

We then walked through the various company areas.  As usual, I liked the Chevrolet one the best.  Those 2015 Malibus and Camaros.  Wow, I want one of each.

What was that old Fats Domino song about?  "I'm Walking."

Dog-Tired Feet.  --RoadDog

Indy 500, 2014-- Part 14: Chevy Expo and Cars

Many carmakers have expositions inside the track for Legends Day.  I always go the the Chevrolet one to look at the 2014 models and they usually are giving away something.  Today, they were giving away rawhide keyholders.

Three cars I definitely look at are the Impala, Malibu and Camaro, one of which will most likely be my next new vehicle once I don't have the four I now have: '85 Firebird, '03 Malibu, '05 Dakota and '11 Malibu.  I especially liked the striking red on the new Malibu and I didn't think styling could get better than my '11, but it certainly has.

However, I am most partial to the new Camaros even if some say I am having a late mid-life crisis.  That is one mighty fine-looking vehicle.  They have even replaced Corvettes as something I want to own at one time.  We did have a 1981 red Camaro, that was a real big lemon and really liked to stall while in motion, leading to some frightening situations.

Of course, I wish they were still making Pontiacs, especially my favorite, the Firebirds.  I also had a '67 Firebird convertible at one time.

Oh Well.  --RoadDog

Indy 500, 2014-- Part 11: Camaro Pace Car

The Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car for the Indy was driven by 3-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti.  Camaros have often been the pace cars, starting with the 1967 first-year model, then the second generation 1969 one.  Other years the Camaro received the honor were 1982 (same generation as my 1985 Firebird), 1993, 2009, 2011 and this year.

The 2014 Camaro Pace Car is a 7.0 litre V-* getting 505 hp.

Of course, i am a big fan of Camaros, now that they don't make Firebirds anymore (nor Pontiacs at all for that matter).  As a matter of fact, my next new car is likely to be a Camaro.  I'm a big fan.

--RoadDog

Indy 500, 2014-- Part 6: Al Unser Jr.'s Camaro

Yesterday I mentioned getting Al Unser, Jr.'s autograph at Speedway's Rockin' On Main Street on the Friday after we arrived.  I had seen the car out in the festival area when we walked over to Barbecue and Bourbon.  And since I have a yearning to get one of these new Camaros, this one is really striking.

It is called the Al Unser, Jr. Limited Edition Camaro and produced by BPR, Big Power Racing.  You can see it at www.AUJcamaro.com.  Only 31 are to be built and feature a 6.2 L LS3 engine with 600 hp.

Cost is around $56,000 if I remember correctly and can go as high as $80.000 with options.    One of those is delivery and track day with Al Unser, Jr. and a racing helmet signed by him.  One mighty impressive vehicle.

I talked earlier with a salesman who said to come back at 6 PM as Al Unser, Jr. was going to be there to sign autographs.  Believe me, you don't want to get into autograph lines at the Indy 500 as they stretch forever.  But, I went back a little before 6 and was shocked that no one was in line.

Well, I'm going to start a line right then and there.  Unfortunately, when he got there, someone else started another line and I had to get into it, but a person in it had seen me standing there and gave me cuts, so i was just three persons back.  I got a nice autograph on a picture of the car.

I Want That Car.  --RoadDog

Top Ten GM Standouts-- Part 3: Firebirds and Camaros

THE 60S

Last, but not least of the Sixties GM cars is the 1967 Pontiac Firebird/Chevy Camaro. Gave GM a double-barrel competition to the Ford Mustang in the affordable sports car category.

I am a big fan of the Pontiac Firebird, and certain Camaros. Even though they were similar in design, I definitely liked the design of the Firebirds better.

I actually bought a 1967 Firebird convertible and had it for about 15 years. It was drivable, but needed a lot of work. My friend Phil rebuilt the engine and I bought a new top. Sure loved driving that car, but NOT WORKING ON IT. If I ever get another old car, it will be one that has already been restored.

I also bought an '85 Firebird, and still have it. This needs body and interior work, and I'm considering making it my "old" car.

Gotta Love Those 'Birds. --RoadDog

They're Back- Automakers Wise Up!!

For many years I've been saying that US car makers could make a killing if they brought back some of the classic 60s cars, only put the good new stuff inside them, but keep the design or mimic it.

Looks like someone heard me. Ford has done a great job with the redesigned Mustangs and sales are great. GM is coming back with a new Camaro in 2009. However, I was always more of a Firebird guy, but I can live with its sister. Now Dodge is coming out with a 2008 Challenger. Dodge already has the Charger in the showrooms.

John Fitzpatrick, marketing manager for Camaro and Impala says, "I'm not sure it's a return of muscle cars or a return to a sports car niche." He expects them to attract a wide range of buyers.

The original Muscle Car Era kicked off in 1964 when John DeLorean put a big V-8 in a Pontiac Tempest and created the GTO. I once drove a '67 Tempest (the poor man's GTO) and even that was fast.

Comparisons- 1963.5 Mustang: 170 cid, 6, base price $2,368= 2007 Mustang: 4.6 liter, 300 hp, V8, base price $19,250.

1967 Camaro: 230 cid, 140 hp, 6, base price $2,400= 2009 Camaro: 6-liter, 400 hp, V-8, base price est. $20,000.

1970 Challenger: 340 cid, 275 hp, V-8, base price $2,851= 2008 Challenger: 6.1 liter, 425 hp, V8, base price est. $20,000.

Chicago Tribune April 29- "Muscle Cars They're Baaack" by Jim Mateja- Tribune Auto reporter

Salivating Just Thinking About Them. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY- 1947- Sweden's Saab company introduced their first vehicle. The 1950 version looked a lot like a VW Beetle.