Dead but Not Forgotten
#1
04-30-2011, 11:17 AM
Dead but Not Forgotten
Dead but Not Forgotten
10 discontinued car models that we wish were still alive and kicking. Member's, post the car(s) that you miss that are no longer produced. Monte Carlo ? & _____________?
By Charles Plueddeman of MSN Autos
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
They are the lost souls of the automotive world, the abandoned brands that collectors call "orphan cars." Technically, the latest brands to bite the dust — Saturn, Pontiac and Hummer — are not true orphans because General Motors and Ford are still in business and offering parts and service support. But just as Packard and Hudson, Studebaker and DeSoto, Nash and Corvair have faded into the mists, so eventually will the Oldsmobile and Plymouth nameplates, even if their corporate parents survive.
A bad economy or a misguided business plan may have derailed most of these defunct brands, but that doesn't mean every model they built was a loser. Saturn, for example, was finally selling some fine automobiles just as GM pulled the plug on its subsidiary in 2009. On the other hand, do you really miss the AMC Gremlin? We didn't think so.
Here's our list of 10 cars by discontinued brands that deserved a better fate.
View Slideshow: Yesterday's Flops, Today's Collectibles
Hudson Hornet (1951-1954)
Click to enlarge picture
1951 Hudson Hornet
The Hornet was one of the first cars with a "unibody" chassis, which combined the frame and body in a single structure. Its floor pan was lower than the frame. This "step down" design gave the car a low center of gravity and outstanding handling, which made it almost unbeatable in the early years of dirt-track stock-car racing. Hornets won 49 of 71 NASCAR races in the 1952 and 1953 racing seasons. Its 308-cubic-inch engine was the biggest 6-cylinder produced at the time, and in Twin-H Power tune made 170 horsepower from the factory.
Bing Images: Hudson Hornet
Studebaker Golden Hawk (1956-1958)
Click to enlarge picture
1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk
This low-slung two-plus-two coupe was one of the hottest cars on the road when it was introduced. Powered by a 352-cubic-inch 275-horsepower Packard V8 engine, the 1956 Golden Hawk could outaccelerate the Corvette, Thunderbird and Chrysler 300. A lighter, 275-horsepower supercharged Studebaker 289-cubic-inch V8 was offered in 1957-'58. Designer Raymond Loewy created the body work over his previous Starliner hardtop, with a tall grille and domed hood to clear the large engine. An economic recession in 1958 killed Golden Hawk sales and began the decline of Studebaker.
Bing Images: Studebaker Golden Hawk
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (1970-1971)
Click to enlarge picture
1971 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda
Introduced as sporty variant of the Valiant model in 1964, the Barracuda got its own platform in 1970, with a gaping engine bay that could swallow the biggest engine Chrysler could offer. That monster was the 425-horsepower 426-cubic-inch HemiV8, which propelled the Hemi 'Cuda down the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds. Fewer than 1,000 of the menacing Hemi 'Cudas were built, and survivors are among the most valuable cars on the muscle-car collector market today, with ultrarare convertible models selling for more than $2 million.
View Slideshow: Top 10 Future Classics
International Travelall (1953-1975)
Click to enlarge picture
1973 International Harvester Travelall
International Harvester created a template for the modern SUV when it added a 4-wheel-drive option to its truck-based Travelall passenger wagon in 1956, four years before a 4-wheel-drive Suburban was offered by Chevy. Developed by adding side windows and seats to an R-Series panel truck in 1953, the Travelall always reflected the rugged reputation of International commercial trucks. Its long wheelbase and a stout 392-cubic-inch V8 engine made it a popular choice for towing boats and travel trailers.
Read: Road Trip! How to Pack Your Car Safely
Triumph TR6 (1969-1976)
Click to enlarge picture
1974 Triumph TR6
The TR6 represents the final evolution of the Triumph TR line, which began in 1953 with the TR2, a car that introduced Americans to the classic British sports car. With fresh body work designed by Karmann, the TR6 looked lower, wider and more aggressive than the TR250 it replaced. Its 2.5-liter 6-cylinder engine made 104 smooth horsepower, and the 2-seat cockpit was roomy and comfortable. Actor Paul Newman drove a TR6 to his first national racing championship in 1976. Driver and car had similar presence and character.
Bing Videos: Triumph TR6
10 discontinued car models that we wish were still alive and kicking. Member's, post the car(s) that you miss that are no longer produced. Monte Carlo ? & _____________?
By Charles Plueddeman of MSN Autos
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
They are the lost souls of the automotive world, the abandoned brands that collectors call "orphan cars." Technically, the latest brands to bite the dust — Saturn, Pontiac and Hummer — are not true orphans because General Motors and Ford are still in business and offering parts and service support. But just as Packard and Hudson, Studebaker and DeSoto, Nash and Corvair have faded into the mists, so eventually will the Oldsmobile and Plymouth nameplates, even if their corporate parents survive.
A bad economy or a misguided business plan may have derailed most of these defunct brands, but that doesn't mean every model they built was a loser. Saturn, for example, was finally selling some fine automobiles just as GM pulled the plug on its subsidiary in 2009. On the other hand, do you really miss the AMC Gremlin? We didn't think so.
Here's our list of 10 cars by discontinued brands that deserved a better fate.
View Slideshow: Yesterday's Flops, Today's Collectibles
Hudson Hornet (1951-1954)
Click to enlarge picture
1951 Hudson Hornet
The Hornet was one of the first cars with a "unibody" chassis, which combined the frame and body in a single structure. Its floor pan was lower than the frame. This "step down" design gave the car a low center of gravity and outstanding handling, which made it almost unbeatable in the early years of dirt-track stock-car racing. Hornets won 49 of 71 NASCAR races in the 1952 and 1953 racing seasons. Its 308-cubic-inch engine was the biggest 6-cylinder produced at the time, and in Twin-H Power tune made 170 horsepower from the factory.
Bing Images: Hudson Hornet
Studebaker Golden Hawk (1956-1958)
Click to enlarge picture
1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk
This low-slung two-plus-two coupe was one of the hottest cars on the road when it was introduced. Powered by a 352-cubic-inch 275-horsepower Packard V8 engine, the 1956 Golden Hawk could outaccelerate the Corvette, Thunderbird and Chrysler 300. A lighter, 275-horsepower supercharged Studebaker 289-cubic-inch V8 was offered in 1957-'58. Designer Raymond Loewy created the body work over his previous Starliner hardtop, with a tall grille and domed hood to clear the large engine. An economic recession in 1958 killed Golden Hawk sales and began the decline of Studebaker.
Bing Images: Studebaker Golden Hawk
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (1970-1971)
Click to enlarge picture
1971 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda
Introduced as sporty variant of the Valiant model in 1964, the Barracuda got its own platform in 1970, with a gaping engine bay that could swallow the biggest engine Chrysler could offer. That monster was the 425-horsepower 426-cubic-inch HemiV8, which propelled the Hemi 'Cuda down the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds. Fewer than 1,000 of the menacing Hemi 'Cudas were built, and survivors are among the most valuable cars on the muscle-car collector market today, with ultrarare convertible models selling for more than $2 million.
View Slideshow: Top 10 Future Classics
International Travelall (1953-1975)
Click to enlarge picture
1973 International Harvester Travelall
International Harvester created a template for the modern SUV when it added a 4-wheel-drive option to its truck-based Travelall passenger wagon in 1956, four years before a 4-wheel-drive Suburban was offered by Chevy. Developed by adding side windows and seats to an R-Series panel truck in 1953, the Travelall always reflected the rugged reputation of International commercial trucks. Its long wheelbase and a stout 392-cubic-inch V8 engine made it a popular choice for towing boats and travel trailers.
Read: Road Trip! How to Pack Your Car Safely
Triumph TR6 (1969-1976)
Click to enlarge picture
1974 Triumph TR6
The TR6 represents the final evolution of the Triumph TR line, which began in 1953 with the TR2, a car that introduced Americans to the classic British sports car. With fresh body work designed by Karmann, the TR6 looked lower, wider and more aggressive than the TR250 it replaced. Its 2.5-liter 6-cylinder engine made 104 smooth horsepower, and the 2-seat cockpit was roomy and comfortable. Actor Paul Newman drove a TR6 to his first national racing championship in 1976. Driver and car had similar presence and character.
Bing Videos: Triumph TR6
#2
04-30-2011, 11:19 AM
Page 2
Checker Marathon (1961-1982)
Click to enlarge picture
1975 Checker Marathon
The last American car designed specifically for taxi duty, the Checker Marathon once prowled the streets of every major city. Checker Motor Co. started building custom taxis in 1922. Its last model, the Marathon, remained virtually unchanged throughout its production. Built on a rugged frame designed to absorb Manhattan potholes, the Marathon had a flat floor with two fold-up jump seats, so it could accommodate five passengers. Checker sales declined after cities like New York approved the use of less expensive Ford and Chevrolet sedans for taxi use.
View Slideshow: Cars of "Mad Men"
Geo Prizm (1989-1997)
Click to enlarge picture
1996 Geo Prizm
A rebadged Toyota Corolla, the Prizm was introduced in 1989 by Geo, a General Motors brand. Manufactured in Fremont, Calif., as a joint venture with Toyota, the Prizm was an economical and very reliable sedan that got high ratings for quality. The upscale LSi version could be had with a zippy 1.8-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder engine and aluminum wheels. The Prizm was basic transportation done well. When the Geo brand was discontinued in 1998, a redesigned Prizm became a Chevrolet and stayed in production until 2002.
Bing: Geo Prizm
Oldsmobile Aurora (1994-2003)
Click to enlarge picture
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
The last flagship of a proud, 107-year-old brand, the Aurora debuted in 1994 and was redesigned in 2001. Though not as exciting to look at, the later version was a better all-around car and could still be had with a sophisticated 250-horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V8 engine. The exterior was trim and understated, and the Aurora luxury sedan seemed poised to lead Olds out of its fuddy-duddy, grandpa's-car past and into the same bright future that embraces Cadillac. The GM bean counters thought otherwise.
Bing Images: Oldsmobile Aurora
Hummer H1 (1992-2006)
Click to enlarge picture
2006 Hummer H1
Inspired by the performance of the military Humvee in the Persian Gulf War, the original Hummer was produced for civilian consumption by AM General beginning in 1992, for those who had to have the biggest, baddest 4-wheeling rig that $50,000 could buy. Enormous, underpowered and impossibly primitive, the Hummer was almost unstoppable off-road. GM bought the rights to the Hummer brand in 1999, and by 2006 the H1 Alpha was more refined and had a 300-horsepower 6.6-liter turbo-diesel engine. The later, Chevy-based Hummer H2 and H3 were more practical, but the H1 was the original article.
Read: Chinese Company Lands Hummer
Pontiac G8 GXP (2008-2009)
Click to enlarge picture
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Like the classic Bonneville models of the 1960s, this powerful, full-size sedan offered a nice balance of comfort and sport, with crisp, distinctive styling. Based on the Commodore model offered by Holden, the GM subsidiary in Australia, the G8 featured a large, comfortable rear seat and nicer interior than most U.S.-built GM cars. The hot GXP version featured the 6.2-liter Corvette V8 engine detuned to 402 horsepower, plus sport suspension and 19-inch wheels — a last gasp of excitement from Pontiac.
Read: Pontiac G8 May Live on as Chevy Caprice
Veteran moto-journalist and Wisconsin-native Charles Plueddeman has been driving, riding and testing automobiles, motorcycles, boats, ATVs and snowmobiles for more than 20 years. He is a regular contributor to Boating Magazine and Outdoor Life, and his product evaluation articles have appeared in Popular Mechanics, Men's Journal, AutoWorld, Playboy, Boats.com and many other national publications and Web sites.
Checker Marathon (1961-1982)
Click to enlarge picture
1975 Checker Marathon
The last American car designed specifically for taxi duty, the Checker Marathon once prowled the streets of every major city. Checker Motor Co. started building custom taxis in 1922. Its last model, the Marathon, remained virtually unchanged throughout its production. Built on a rugged frame designed to absorb Manhattan potholes, the Marathon had a flat floor with two fold-up jump seats, so it could accommodate five passengers. Checker sales declined after cities like New York approved the use of less expensive Ford and Chevrolet sedans for taxi use.
View Slideshow: Cars of "Mad Men"
Geo Prizm (1989-1997)
Click to enlarge picture
1996 Geo Prizm
A rebadged Toyota Corolla, the Prizm was introduced in 1989 by Geo, a General Motors brand. Manufactured in Fremont, Calif., as a joint venture with Toyota, the Prizm was an economical and very reliable sedan that got high ratings for quality. The upscale LSi version could be had with a zippy 1.8-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder engine and aluminum wheels. The Prizm was basic transportation done well. When the Geo brand was discontinued in 1998, a redesigned Prizm became a Chevrolet and stayed in production until 2002.
Bing: Geo Prizm
Oldsmobile Aurora (1994-2003)
Click to enlarge picture
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
The last flagship of a proud, 107-year-old brand, the Aurora debuted in 1994 and was redesigned in 2001. Though not as exciting to look at, the later version was a better all-around car and could still be had with a sophisticated 250-horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V8 engine. The exterior was trim and understated, and the Aurora luxury sedan seemed poised to lead Olds out of its fuddy-duddy, grandpa's-car past and into the same bright future that embraces Cadillac. The GM bean counters thought otherwise.
Bing Images: Oldsmobile Aurora
Hummer H1 (1992-2006)
Click to enlarge picture
2006 Hummer H1
Inspired by the performance of the military Humvee in the Persian Gulf War, the original Hummer was produced for civilian consumption by AM General beginning in 1992, for those who had to have the biggest, baddest 4-wheeling rig that $50,000 could buy. Enormous, underpowered and impossibly primitive, the Hummer was almost unstoppable off-road. GM bought the rights to the Hummer brand in 1999, and by 2006 the H1 Alpha was more refined and had a 300-horsepower 6.6-liter turbo-diesel engine. The later, Chevy-based Hummer H2 and H3 were more practical, but the H1 was the original article.
Read: Chinese Company Lands Hummer
Pontiac G8 GXP (2008-2009)
Click to enlarge picture
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Like the classic Bonneville models of the 1960s, this powerful, full-size sedan offered a nice balance of comfort and sport, with crisp, distinctive styling. Based on the Commodore model offered by Holden, the GM subsidiary in Australia, the G8 featured a large, comfortable rear seat and nicer interior than most U.S.-built GM cars. The hot GXP version featured the 6.2-liter Corvette V8 engine detuned to 402 horsepower, plus sport suspension and 19-inch wheels — a last gasp of excitement from Pontiac.
Read: Pontiac G8 May Live on as Chevy Caprice
Veteran moto-journalist and Wisconsin-native Charles Plueddeman has been driving, riding and testing automobiles, motorcycles, boats, ATVs and snowmobiles for more than 20 years. He is a regular contributor to Boating Magazine and Outdoor Life, and his product evaluation articles have appeared in Popular Mechanics, Men's Journal, AutoWorld, Playboy, Boats.com and many other national publications and Web sites.
#4
04-30-2011, 06:34 PM
What about Chevelle, Nova, Monte Carlo, just off the top of my head and I know the first 2 have been gone since the 70's. OH, OH and the Trans Am!
Last edited by jeffs93z28; 04-30-2011 at 06:35 PM. Reason: added.
#5
04-30-2011, 07:07 PM
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wauconda, IL
Posts: 13,335
Monte Carlo, Chevelle, Roadrunner, Trans Am, Cutlass/442, Grand National, Grand Sport, Bel Air, Star Chief, Bonneville, Grand Prix, GTO - the list goes on and on.......
Last edited by AwesomeSS; 04-30-2011 at 09:45 PM.
#9
05-01-2011, 01:10 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Along with those mentioned ... Caprice Classic.
Yes, I know about the Police CC, but no civilian edition, to my knowledge.
Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * CruiseNites_2011_Chi.IL *
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = Cort's Web Pages
"Wouldn't that be something?" __ Finger 11 __ '1 Thing'
Yes, I know about the Police CC, but no civilian edition, to my knowledge.
Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * CruiseNites_2011_Chi.IL *
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = Cort's Web Pages
"Wouldn't that be something?" __ Finger 11 __ '1 Thing'
#10
05-01-2011, 03:43 AM
Police Caprice classic? I havent saw a caprice since they quit making them for everyone, do they still make them for the police. All of our police went to ford and dodge years ago. Actually, after the caprice was ended.