Monday, October 28, 2024

1979 Chevrolet Corvette (C3) Motormax 1:24












The Chevrolet Corvette (C3) is the third generation of the Corvette sports car that was produced from 1967 until 1982 by Chevrolet for the 1968 to 1982 model years. Engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous generation, but the body and interior were new. It set new sales records with 53,807 produced for the 1979 model year. The C3 is the third generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, and marks the second time the Corvette would carry the Stingray name, though only for the 1969–76 model years. This time it was a single word as opposed to Sting Ray as used for the 1963–67 C2 generation. The name would then be retired until 2014 when it returned with the release of the C7.
The most expensive Corvette C3 to sell in history was a 1969 L88 Lightweight, one of only four lightweight L88s to be produced. It was sold by Barrett-Jackson in January 2014 for $2,860,000 (£1,728,941).
The Corvette C3 was patterned after the Mako Shark II designed by Larry Shinoda. Executed under Bill Mitchell's direction, the Mako II had been initiated in early 1964. Once the mid-engined format was abandoned, the Shinoda/Mitchell car was sent to Chevrolet Styling under David Holls, where Harry Haga's studio adapted it for production on the existing Stingray chassis. The resulting lower half of the car was much like the Mako II, except for the softer contours. The concept car's name was later changed to Manta Ray. The C3 also adopted the "sugar scoop" roof treatment with vertical back window from the mid-engined concept models designed by the Duntov group. It was intended from the beginning that the rear window and that portion of the roof above the seats to be removable.

Monday, October 21, 2024

1969 Pontiac GTO JUDGE 1:24 Motormax












The Pontiac GTO is an automobile that was built by Pontiac in generations from 1964 to 1974 model years, and by GM's subsidiary Holden in Australia from 2004 to 2006.
The first generation GTO was a muscle car of the 1960s and 1970s era. Although there were earlier muscle cars, the Pontiac GTO is considered by some to have started the trend with all four domestic automakers offering a variety of competing models.
For the 1964 and 1965 model years, the GTO was an optional package on the intermediate-sized Pontiac Tempest. The GTO became its own model from 1966 to 1972. It became an option package again for the 1973 intermediate Le Mans. For 1974, the GTO option package was offered on the compact-sized Ventura.
The GTO was selected Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1968.
The GTO model was revived from 2004 to 2006 model years as a captive import for Pontiac, a left-hand drive version of the Holden Monaro, itself a coupé variant of the Holden Commodore.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Acura Integra Motormax 1:24












In 1986, Honda launched the Acura brand to create a separate luxury brand to appeal to upmarket buyers. Its first model, the Acura Integra, was a sporty hatchback that emphasized Acura's focus on engineering excellence and build quality. The Integra's balance of reliability and performance made it an instant hit, especially for those buyers looking for a cheaper alternative to German imports.
Through the years, the Integra developed a large following of consumers. Some were interested in a basic commuter car while others were looking for a solid base for modification with performance parts. The Integra was able to satisfy all. Using its knowledge gained from Formula 1 racing to innovate new technologies for its passenger cars, Acura introduced its VTEC variable valve timing system to the Integra in the early '90s. The Integra was the first car after the exotic NSX to receive it, and the system helped the car squeeze every drop of power out of its small 4-cylinder engine while maintaining an admirable amount of fuel efficiency.
More importantly, the Integra showed that Acura (and the Japanese manufacturers as a whole, for that matter) was able to compete with the global luxury car manufacturers in terms of design, quality and creature comforts inside the cabin. As Acura solidified its place in the near-luxury market, however, the company altered its marketing strategies. It did away with model names, opting for alphanumeric designations instead. In 2001, Acura renamed its entry model the RSX, effectively killing the Integra in America.
Most Recent Acura Integra
The third and final generation of the Acura Integra spanned from 1994 through 2001. It was one of the best front-wheel-drive cars in its class as it was exciting to drive and had a sporty silhouette that seemed designed to cut through the wind.
Acura offered two body styles, a two-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, across all trim levels, including the GS-R performance trim. At first, Acura offered two lower trims, the base RS and LS. Through the years, Acura updated the lineup by adding a GS trim in 1998 and removing the RS in 2000. Except for the GS-R, no matter which Integra you got, it came with the same 142-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard. A four-speed automatic was optional.
The performance-oriented GS-R featured a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that was equipped with VTEC. The GS-R came exclusively with a special close-ratio five-speed manual. In road tests of the '98 Acura Integra GS-R, our editors found it to be well balanced in terms of being fun to drive and easy to use on a daily basis.
In 1997, the limited-edition Acura Integra Type R debuted. Available only as a coupe and in a single color (Championship White), the Type R focused purely on performance and featured a high-revving 195-hp version of the 1.8-liter engine. Lighter parts and body panels lowered the Type R's weight by nearly 100 pounds. It came with a tuned suspension system, better brakes, a limited-slip differential and a specially designed close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. In order to further reduce the vehicle's weight, Acura even made the air-conditioning system optional.
Acura produced the Type R in 1998 and again in 2000. The final time around, the Type R wasn't nearly as exclusive and raw. Weight reduction was limited to 33 pounds and this time, Acura provided two colors, yellow and black.
In 2001, the Acura Integra Type R won an Edmunds.com Editors' Most WantedSMaward for Best Sports Coupe (FWD/AWD) Under $30,000. Today, these-third generation Integras are still highly regarded as used vehicles. Though certainly reliable, they have become quite popular with young enthusiasts wanting to modify their cars with aftermarket parts. As such, finding an unmolested car, particularly in GS-R trim, can be somewhat of a challenge.

Monday, October 7, 2024

1969 Chevy Nova SS Johnny Lightning 1:24












El Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova es un automóvil que fue producido en los Estados Unidos, desde 1962-1979 por Chevrolet (división de General Motors) y desde 1985-1988 por NUMMI, un joint venture entre General Motors y Toyota.
En su formato original, el Chevy II fue un modelo en la gama compacta superior, hasta que el nombre Chevy II ha sido cambiado para el modelo de 1969 por el de Chevrolet Nova.
Su primera generación estaba disponible en cinco estilos de carrocería: sedán de 4 y 2 puertas, cupé de 2 puertas sin parantes, familiar y descapotable, mientras que la tercera generación estuvo disponible en carrocería de Fastback, un sedán de 4 puertas y un cupé de 2 puertas.
En su formato posterior, fue un automóvil subcompacto de tracción delantera basado en el Toyota Sprinter japonés.
Después de que el Chevrolet Corvair, de motor trasero, fuera prácticamente desbancado por el Ford Falcon convencional en 1960, Chevrolet comenzó a trabajar en un coche compacto más convencional que terminaría finalmente siendo el Chevy II. El automóvil fue de construcción semi-monocasco con un chasis frontal unida a la cabina monocasco y la sección trasera del baúl, y estuvo disponible en versiones sedán de 4 y 2 puertas, cupé de 2 puertas sin parantes, así como también en versiones descapotable y familiar. El Chevy II de 1962 se produjo en tres series: la Serie 100, Serie 300 y Serie Nova 400.
Un motor de 153 plgs3 (2.51 L) de 4 cilindros, que desarrollaba 90 HP (67 kilovatios) era el estándar; y un motor de seis cilindros en línea de 194 plgs 3 (3.18 L) con 120 HP (89 kilovatios), estuvo disponible. El 6 cilindros fue la tercera generación del motor, definitivamente reemplazando el Stovebolt de segunda generación. Su rival Chrysler desarrolló antes el "Slant 6" en su modelo Plymouth Valiant, como enemigo del Chevy II, cuando los fueron introducidos al público a finales de 1959 como modelos de 1960.
Aunque el Nova no estaría disponible originalmente con una opción V8, el alojamiento de su motor estuvo proporcionado perfectamente para un motor así. No pasó mucho tiempo para que los motores V8 Chevrolet fuesen ofrecidos como opciones instaladas por un distribuidor autorizado (entre 1962 y 1963), incluso agregando la versión con inyección de combustible, disponible en el Corvette. La combinación de motores V8 y el peso ligero fácilmente disponibles, hicieron al Nova una elección popular entre los corredores de piques.
En 1962~63, el Nova estuvo disponible en versión descapotable; y entre 1962~65 en versión de dos puertas sin parantes, aunque el «hardtop» fue presentado cuando los modelos de 1964 fueron introducidos antes y traído posteriormente a la serie, más adelante. Como todos los modelos de Chevrolet de dos puertas sin parantes, este estilo de carrocería fue comercializado como Sport Cupé.
La opción Super Sport (RPO-Z03) que estuvo disponible por primera vez en el Chevy II Nova Serie 400 en 1963, ofreció emblemas especiales, paquete de instrumentos, tapacubos, molduras laterales, asientos de butaca y caja de cambios manual de cuatro velocidades con palanca al piso; y solo estuvo disponible en el cupé de la Serie 400 el deporte y convertible. Como se mencionó anteriormente, el Nova no llevó oficialmente motores V8 hasta este entonces, ya que el motor estándar del SS fue un motor de 6 cilindros, pero era muy común entre los fanáticos cambiar esos 6 cilindros por motores V8 de bloque pequeño. En 1964, fue presentado el primer Chevy II con un motor V8 opcional, el cual fue uno de 283 plgs3 (4.64 L) y 195 HP (145 kilovatios). En 1965, un V8 de 327 plgs3 (5.36 L) también estaba disponible con una potencia de 300 HP (224 kilovatios).

Saturday, September 28, 2024

1970 Dodge HEMI Challenger R/T Johnny Lightning 1:24












The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles (two of those being pony cars) produced by American automobile manufacturer Dodge. However, the first use of the Challenger name by Dodge was in 1959 for marketing a "value version" of the full-sized Coronet Silver Challenger.
From model years 1970 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform in hardtop and convertible body styles sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda.
The second generation, from model years 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda / Sapporo, a coupe version of an economical compact car.
The third and current generation is a pony car that was introduced in early 2008 originally as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
In November 2021, Stellantis announced that 2023 model year would be the final model year for both the LD Dodge Charger and LA Dodge Challenger, as the company will focus its future plans on electric vehicles rather than fossil fuel powered vehicles, especially with tougher automotive emissions standards of being rolled out and required by the Environmental Protection Agency for the 2023 model year.
Introduced in the autumn of 1969 for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was one of two Chrysler E-body cars, the other being the slightly smaller Plymouth Barracuda. Positioned to compete against the Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird in the upper end of the pony car market segment,[8] it was "a rather late response" to the Ford Mustang, which debuted in April 1964. Even so, Chrysler intended the new Challenger as the most potent pony car ever, and like the less expensive Barracuda, it was available in a staggering number of trim and option levels, and with virtually every engine in Chrysler's inventory.
The first usage of the "challenger" name was for a trim package in 1959 called the Dodge Silver Challenger which was a two-door coupe only.
The Challenger's longer wheelbase, larger dimensions, and more luxurious interior were prompted by the launch of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, likewise, a bigger, more luxurious, and more expensive pony car aimed at affluent young American buyers. The 110 in (2,800 mm) wheelbase was 2 in (51 mm) longer than the Barracuda's, and the Dodge differed substantially in its sheet metal, much as the Cougar differed from the shorter-wheelbase Mustang. Air conditioning and a rear window defogger were optional. With 1971 being the sole exception, the front ends of both cars differed from each other in that the Challenger had four headlights and the Barracuda had only two; a trend replicated by offerings from Chrysler's rivals.
The exterior design was penned by Carl Cameron, who was also responsible for the exterior designs of the 1966 Dodge Charger. Cameron based the 1970 Challenger grille on an older sketch of a stillborn 1966 Charger prototype that was to have a turbine engine. The pony car segment was already declining by the time the Challenger arrived. Sales fell dramatically after 1970, and though sales rose for the 1973 model year with over 27,800 cars being sold, Challenger production ceased midway through the 1974 model year. A total of 165,437 first-generation Challengers were sold.