Post New Article

The 50 Most Underappreciated Cars of All Time

Original Article

Posted By: Gobbledyg00k, 11/20/2020 1:43:01 PM

Generational shifts almost always wreak havoc on accepted pop-culture wisdom. As one cohort ages out of a particular scene — be it music, movies, fashion or design — a new group rushes into to fill the gap, bringing with them their own ideas about what’s cool, what’s not and most importantly, where you should turn your attention next.

Post Reply

Reply 1 - Posted by: DaddyO 11/20/2020 1:51:58 PM (No. 611627)
Have to disagree about the Scirocco and the Mini Cooper. Owned both, easily the worst cars for reliability I have ever owned.
4 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: jimboscott 11/20/2020 1:57:31 PM (No. 611633)
Fiat X1/9? That car should have had an accessory package that included 4 cinder blocks. I had a 1983 Rabbit GTI and a friend of mine had an X1/9. That little Rabbit ran circles around the Fiat in every category except looking like it should have been fast.
6 people like this.

Reply 3 - Posted by: Jennie C. 11/20/2020 2:03:58 PM (No. 611636)
My grandpa had a Lark Studebaker. When I was in college, he and grandma moved to FL permanently, and were only going to take her car. I BEGGED him to give me that car. I suspect my dad dissuaded him. He probably thought I was too young for a car of my own. He was probably right :)
3 people like this.

Reply 4 - Posted by: karo 11/20/2020 2:16:02 PM (No. 611648)
Agree about the Mercury Cougar - my first car was a 1967 Cougar in Sage Gold (sort of a pale gold metallic with a bit of green), parchment (off-white) vinyl top and parchment interior. It had a lot of options for the day including air conditioning and the swing-away steering wheel that would pop up diagonally out of the way when you opened the door (it tilted up and down, too). Some pesky and odd features, including vacuum-operated headlights that tended to leak, making the covers go up if the car sat for long, and sequential rear turn-signals that blinked 1-2-3 on each side. They worked via a small electric motor in the trunk that had a little camshaft to open up each connection one by one. But the powertrain was rock-solid, with a 225-horsepower 289 4-barrel V-8 and C-4 automatic transmission. I have a '66 Mustang convertible that is essentially the same car (also a 289/automatic), but a lot less refined. It's Nightmist Blue (dark blue metallic) with a white top and blue interior. The Corvair entry reads 1965 but it should be 1965-69 (the car in the photo is a '69). It was essentially unchanged for five years following its first major restyle (the first generation was '60-'64) One of the most beautiful designs of all time, IMHO. So clean and understated; they were all hard tops (except the convertible of course), even the cheapest 2-door 500 series. The engineering is quite unusual, flat-six, air-cooled, 4-wheel independent suspension, etc. I'd love to own one someday.
4 people like this.

Reply 5 - Posted by: web 11/20/2020 2:31:08 PM (No. 611658)
My best friend had a Corvair back in the 60s. It was a deathtrap, and nearly killed us when the fuel line got clogged up on a mountain road. His dad made up for it by having a Chevy Chevelle 396. I've now got a Pontiac G8 GT, with a 6 liter V-8. GM could have kept the Pontiac line and scrapped everything else, as far as I am concerned.
4 people like this.

Reply 6 - Posted by: Omen55 11/20/2020 2:40:53 PM (No. 611672)
I purchased & enjoyed driving my VW Fox for years. It was a nice simple car. Very underappreciated.
3 people like this.

Reply 7 - Posted by: hershey 11/20/2020 3:48:32 PM (No. 611743)
Er, can't say I agree with him....had a lot of cars in my 79 years and a few stand out...first car out of the Service was a 63 Corvair convertible...don't remember how many times I caused the fan belt to pop off...then followed the remade Corvair...and a 73 Dodge Challenger and a Dodge Charger...got into Jeeps back in 2000 and have had my share..current rides are a 16 Grand Cherokee and a 17 Dodge Challenger...
3 people like this.

Reply 8 - Posted by: Vesicant 11/20/2020 4:04:43 PM (No. 611758)
Underappreciated, rightfully forgotten, tomato, tomahto. Much better is the "Detroit Style: Car Design in the Motor City, 1950–2020" exhibit. dia.org/detroitstyle
2 people like this.

Reply 9 - Posted by: ByteGuru 11/20/2020 4:20:03 PM (No. 611774)
Having experience with several of the cars on the list I must say that the common denominator among them is why they are 'under-appreciated' - most were pure junk, poorly designed and poorly built. One car was an exception IMHO, the Chevy Corvair v2.0. The 'box' Corvair was all that Nader said it was. But the 'bullet' Corvair ('65-'69) was indeed a sweet ride. I had the '65 180 HP turbo coup. It was fast, handled well, got good mileage, and was not real expensive. Unfortunately it was T-boned by a drunk woman who ran a giant STOP sign at 50 mph. I survived with only a broken thumb but my passenger spent a few days in the hospital. The good news was that I paid cash for a '69 240Z with the insurance settlement.
5 people like this.

Reply 10 - Posted by: kono 11/20/2020 4:45:36 PM (No. 611793)
My favorite for looks and driving pleasure was always the '69 Olds Cutlass S, with a 400 cubic inch V8 engine and a growl that got my pulse going. Even more powerful was the Rocket 455 engine powering our '72 Olds Custom Cruiser station wagon. I still have fond memories of out-dragging a Camaro with that in '77. The switch under the gas pedal defeated all the power-draining stuff like A/C when the driver floored it.
3 people like this.

Reply 11 - Posted by: kono 11/20/2020 4:47:02 PM (No. 611795)
'scuse me - the wagon was a '73, not '72.
2 people like this.

Reply 12 - Posted by: jhpeters2 11/20/2020 6:07:09 PM (No. 611882)
I had a Datsun Fairlady. Not reliable by current standards. Silly carburetion. Fun to drive until about 30000 miles, after that a daily fixer, and it felt like driving a bucket of bolts.
2 people like this.

Reply 13 - Posted by: karo 11/20/2020 6:08:09 PM (No. 611883)
I have a soft spot for the '69-'70 Mercury Marauder X-100 as well. I grew up on a 1970 Ford Country Squire station wagon (the same car as the big Mercury underneath; the exact Ford counterpart would have been the XL, another two-door fastback like the X-100). It was Medium Ivy Green Metallic with green vinyl interior (wood grain sides of course), lots of options (A/C, power windows, power seat, AM/FM stereo, seating for eight, etc.), plus the 429 V-8 (2-barrel, premium fuel)/C-6 automatic. Tons of torque and easy power; it would pull a boat or anything else and easily buried the 120-mph speedometer (to the delight of my 16-year-old self). Friends had a similar Mercury in a 1968 Park Lane 2-door fastback; Saxon (pale yellow), white vinyl top, black interior with two power seats, AM/8-track stereo and the 428 4-barrel/C-6 automatic. Very fast also. Dad also dabbled in some foreign cars; he had a '76 Saab 99 GL WagonBack in a weird cheese-color called Topaz yellow. Great in the snow; the 4-speed was a little buzzy at higher speeds. First car I ever saw with heated seats and underseat heat. The Swedes knew about winter!
1 person likes this.

Reply 14 - Posted by: Folsomguy 11/20/2020 6:20:04 PM (No. 611895)
I had 3 different Corvairs from the time they were introduced until Dumba** got GM to stop making them. Loved each of them. All three were convertibles. The last was a white Spyder.
2 people like this.

Reply 15 - Posted by: bad-hair 11/20/2020 6:23:51 PM (No. 611901)
You know you're getting old when out of 50 cars you've owned 15 of them and can think of 10 more that should be on the list. Jag XKE (6 gawdawful cylinder) but probably the prettiest car ever made and most any Alfa Romeo before 1990.
2 people like this.

Reply 16 - Posted by: Sorosisbehindit 11/20/2020 8:54:47 PM (No. 611987)
I never had another car that gave me that feeling that came when I put it to the floor in my 1969 Camaro.
2 people like this.

Reply 17 - Posted by: Timber Queen 11/20/2020 10:04:35 PM (No. 612016)
My first car, at 16, was a red '64 Covair Spyder, four on the floor. Ralph Nader was right. The left rear tire blew doing 65mph on the 405 fwy in the middle of the San Fernando Valley. The car spun around 180 and we traveled backwards looking at the traffic that was once behind us. We skidded backwards into the guard rail over Parthenia Ave. My friend and I were OK and assisted by a truck of hunky young bricklayers. I could do a figure "8" with the gear shift. Only had her for six months, but she was fun. My favorite car is my current ride, a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. TK has promised we will do all to keep her on the road. I've owned her for 20 years now. She turned 306,000 miles the other day. I've only had two major repairs in all these years. She only needs regular oil changes and maintenance. She got me over the ridge in 18 inches of snow and through multiple horrendous rain storms. I'd be buried in my Cherokee Sue, but TK would have to sell the house to afford the cemetery plot. Americans love our cars because they are the definition of personal freedom. Happy driving, fellow Ldotters.
2 people like this.

Reply 18 - Posted by: LadyVet 11/20/2020 11:29:03 PM (No. 612045)
#16, I also loved my '69 Camaro. I did put it to the floor a few times. Exhilerating!
1 person likes this.

Reply 19 - Posted by: ladydawgfan 11/20/2020 11:38:41 PM (No. 612049)
My first car was a '65 Chrysler Newport (not on this list), handed down from my grandparents. Big arse boat of a car, but I loved driving it. From this list, I had a '93 Previa, which had 342k miles when I had to turn her in due to body rust. Her engine still ran like a top but her body needed about $9000 worth of work to keep her on the road. If I could have afforded to have her restored, I would have gladly paid it. She was an absolute blast to drive, and also gave me an excellent view of the road a d surrounding traffic, thanks to her massive windows. I loved my van, and even now I wish I still had her. Why Toyota stopped making Previas, I will never know!!
1 person likes this.

Reply 20 - Posted by: AbingtonJim 2/22/2021 10:28:24 AM (No. 704688)
Interesting list and have owned several of them with my favorite being the Datsun SRL311 that I bought new in 1968 it's AKA Datsun 2000. There's also the SPL311 which has a 1.6-liter engine but is nowhere near as much fun to drive. When fitted with Stromberg carbs instead of the stock SU's the SRL was blazingly quick. IMHO, missing from the list would be a Ford Cortina GT, a sweet little car.
0 people like this.

Below, you will find ...
Most Recent Articles posted by "Gobbledyg00k"
and
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)
Most Recent Articles posted by Gobbledyg00k"
Wealthy UT Donors Threaten to Pull Support Over Removal of “The Eyes of Texas” Fight Song 15 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 3/2/2021 11:55:45 AM Post Reply
Wealthy University of Texas at Austin donors are threatening to pull their support of Longhorn athletics over the school’s ties to a song that takes its name from a quote from Confederate General Robert E. Lee which was first played at minstrel shows. Thing is, the donors aren’t calling on the school to scrap the song; they want to keep it.
Cornel West Clashes With Harvard Administration Over Tenure Request 13 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 2/22/2021 8:56:20 AM Post Reply
Cornel West is well known for his writings, his political activism and his time teaching at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Princeton. But like many others working in academia, West currently faces a dilemma: he would like to be considered for tenure, and his current employer — that would be Harvard University — denied his request.
What's So Great About Indian Creek Island, Anyway? 4 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 1/15/2021 9:47:07 AM Post Reply
Miami’s North Beach is not exactly where the action is. Compared to the luxurious party hub of South Beach, it’s a fairly drab neighborhood with stucco housing, diners and condos lining the shore. But it has an overlooked gem tucked into its western edge, and that’s a .4-square-mile, 41-lot private island called Indian Creek. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump recently bought a 1.8-acre lot for $30m on Indian Creek Island, which is considered Miami’s most ultra-exclusive address (the plot was originally purchased by Latin singer Julio Iglesias, who lives on the island, through Jills Zeder real estate).
How Non-News Sites Covered the Capitol Breach 8 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 1/7/2021 12:16:14 PM Post Reply
It was a terrible day in American history. And also a bad day to “stick to sports.” The horrifying images at the nation’s Capitol on Wednesday — during what should have been a peaceful counting of electoral votes — was well-covered by the news media, which had been expecting a raucous 24 hours (both inside and outside the government chambers). It also pulled in a lot of media that’s been carefully trying to toe the line between acknowledging the real world and reporting on non-“newsy” subjects. Which is pretty impossible when you have domestic terrorist cosplayers pushing aside security and invading the offices of elected officials without fear of arrest.
Van Morrison and Eric Clapton Recorded an Anti-Lockdown Single 6 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 11/27/2020 1:53:45 PM Post Reply
Under different circumstances, it’s not hard to see how the idea of Van Morrison and Eric Clapton teaming up for a new song might be appealing. One of them is among rock’s most acclaimed vocalists and songwriters; the other is a guitarist lauded for his skill and style for decades. That their collaboration would come on a song addressing the present moment opens up a world of possibilities: could they, perhaps, be working on a song in support of first responders or communities whose health is at risk from the pandemic?
The 50 Most Underappreciated Cars of All Time 20 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 11/20/2020 1:43:01 PM Post Reply
Generational shifts almost always wreak havoc on accepted pop-culture wisdom. As one cohort ages out of a particular scene — be it music, movies, fashion or design — a new group rushes into to fill the gap, bringing with them their own ideas about what’s cool, what’s not and most importantly, where you should turn your attention next.
Gritty, Explained by an Actual Living, Breathing Philadelphian 3 replies
Posted by Gobbledyg00k 11/16/2020 4:08:44 PM Post Reply
Election Week 2020 brought us an abundance of memes, viral videos and internet jokes, but amid all those John King fan cams and riffs on Nevada’s glacial-pace vote counting, the nation turned its attention, once again, to the city of Philadelphia. When it became apparent that Philly and its surrounding suburbs would help propel Joe Biden to the White House, the internet suddenly stopped ridiculing the City of Brotherly Love and instead began to appreciate the beauty buried somewhere within.
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)
Biden's Incoherence Just Hit Critical Mass,
This Is Scary Awful
48 replies
Posted by Dreadnought 3/8/2021 11:45:49 PM Post Reply
As we reported two days ago, Joe Biden completely made no sense when he was trying to explain the Wuhan coronavirus relief bill. It was really bad and it explains why they’re afraid to have him deliver an address to Congress or do any kind of a real solo press conference, because at this point they have to be afraid this is all going to fall apart if he does anything live and this all becomes too obvious to the American people. But there’s only so long that they can hold this off. And it’s getting worse, as video today revealed. Biden was holding an event to announce the nomination
‘Huge Development’: Democrat Sen. Joe
Manchin Starts To Crack On Filibuster,
Signals Openness To Change
41 replies
Posted by Imright 3/8/2021 12:32:41 AM Post Reply
Democrat Senator Joe Manchin (WV) appears to have started to shift his views on the filibuster with remarks that he made on two news shows on Sunday morning.The shift from Manchin comes after he has repeatedly stated that he would not vote to end the filibuster, despite pressure from the far-Left. During the interviews on Sunday, Manchin repeatedly claimed that he was not open to ending the filibuster because he did not want to strip the minority party of their power in the Senate, but signaled that he was open to changing it.Fox News host Chris Wallace asked Manchin if he would consider “reforming the filibuster” if “Republicans
Evangelicals For Biden ‘Feel Used And Betrayed’
By Biden Fulfilling His Radical Abortion Promises
37 replies
Posted by Calvinesq 3/8/2021 10:37:51 AM Post Reply
In an open letter released Sunday, Pro-Life Evangelicals for Biden urged him to “honor his commitment” and include the Hyde Amendment in Democrats’ $1.9 trillion COVID-19 spending package, writing “we feel used and betrayed.” The letter states: We are very disappointed about the COVID-19 relief package’s exclusion of the Hyde Amendment, a longstanding bipartisan policy that prevents taxpayer funding for abortion. [snip] As pro-life leaders in the evangelical community, we publicly supported President Biden’s candidacy with the understanding that there would be engagement [with] us on the issue of abortion and particularly the Hyde Amendment
Meghan Markle reveals her true
self in Oprah interview
32 replies
Posted by Imright 3/8/2021 9:11:10 AM Post Reply
If you had any doubts that Meghan Markle is a manipulative piece of work, her bombshell Oprah interview Sunday night dumping on the British monarchy would set you straight. Prince Harry’s American wife accused his family of hateful racism against her baby, claimed they refused to protect her and drove her to the point of suicide.She made the incendiary and implausible charge that when she was pregnant with Archie, the royal family decreed that her unborn son would be denied the title of “prince” because her mixed race meant he might have dark skin.
Biden’s German Shepherds Shipped Back
to Delaware After ‘Biting Incident’
Involving White House Security
31 replies
Posted by Imright 3/8/2021 11:38:50 PM Post Reply
Joe and Jill Biden’s German Shepherds were shipped back to Delaware after a “biting incident” involving White House security, CNN reported.Major was adopted by Joe Biden and his handler wife Jill in 2018 from an animal shelter.Major and Champ moved into the White House in January and they’re already gone. The condition of the victim was not disclosed but it was serious enough to remove both dogs from the White House.CNN reported: The two German Shepherds belonging to President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were returned to the Biden family home in Delaware last week
Pelosi’s HR1 bill a blatant power grab for Democrats 30 replies
Posted by FlyRight 3/8/2021 5:28:52 AM Post Reply
Nancy Pelosi’s top priority is to turn America into a one-party nation ruled by Democrats. Her bill HR 1 trashes the U.S. Constitution in an attempt to rig the system and make it virtually impossible to elect a Republican president or Congress again. It’s a power grab. The bill eviscerates state voting laws and forces all the states to conform to a set of rules that includes automatic voter registration. Anyone who goes to a DMV or applies for food stamps, Medicaid or other social services, or attends a public college will be automatically enrolled to vote. Noncitizens are obligated to identify themselves and opt out,
Biden seems to forget defense
secretary’s name, calls him
'the guy who runs that outfit'
29 replies
Posted by Ribicon 3/8/2021 8:37:17 PM Post Reply
President Biden on Monday seemed to forget Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s name at a White House event—calling the Pentagon chief “the guy who runs that outfit over there.” Biden was announcing the nomination of two female generals to lead US military combatant commands. “And I want to thank the sec—the, the, ah former general. I keep calling him general, but my, my—the guy who runs that outfit over there,” Biden said.(Snip) Earlier at the event, Biden mentioned the Defense Department leader by his name, “Secretary Austin,” while appearing to read from a teleprompter.
Oprah interview bombshells: Meghan claims
she was suicidal when she was five months
pregnant, Kate made HER cry and Royals
refused to make Archie a prince because
they were worried how 'dark' he would be
27 replies
Posted by Imright 3/8/2021 8:21:02 AM Post Reply
The Royal Family was left reeling this morning after Meghan Markle tearfully revealed that the stress of royal life made her suicidal when she was five months pregnant, claimed Archie was denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race and said Kate Middleton made her cry before she married Harry in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.The couple also chose to reveal that they are having a baby girl to the tens of millions of people watching the CBS show broadcast in the US before accusing the Royal Family of racism and revealing the deep rift 'Megxit' has caused with Prince Charles and Prince William.
Meghan Markle openly
accuses the Royals
of racism
26 replies
Posted by Magnante 3/8/2021 5:26:07 AM Post Reply
I’m probably second to none in my dislike for Meghan Markle. There’s something unattractive about a mature woman marrying into the British Royal family with one of the world’s most expensive weddings, hanging out with the Queen, living in insane luxury…and then whining non-stop about the horror of her life. There’s something even less appealing when that woman accuses the Royal family of race hatred. And the problem is that, when it comes to that left-wing diva, Meghan Markle, it’s hard to believe most of what she says. After weeks of hype, CBS finally televised Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah.
Watch: John Solomon Gives Stunning Update
in Durham’s ‘Russiagate’ Investigation
24 replies
Posted by Imright 3/8/2021 4:56:55 PM Post Reply
Without question, the vast majority of Americans who support former President Donald Trump were angry and frustrated throughout 2020 passed with barely a mention of then-U.S. Attorney John Durham’s criminal investigation into the FBI’s fraudulent “Russiagate” counterterrorism operation directed at his 2016 campaign.In the weeks before the November election, word got out that then-Attorney General William Barr wasn’t going to announce any indictments or even a report on Durham’s investigation because he did not want to influence the outcome.So far, in fact, the only indictment to come out of the Durham probe is that of former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who essentially got a slap on the wrist
Democrats renew calls to remove
J. Edgar Hoover's name from FBI building
24 replies
Posted by Ribicon 3/8/2021 2:56:29 PM Post Reply
Rep. Steve Cohen vowed to renew the push to remove former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover’s name from the bureau’s downtown Washington headquarters, according to an interview released Monday. Appearing on Yahoo! News’ Skullduggery podcast, the Tennessee Democrat said the effort is getting a fresh look after the release of a new movie highlighting the FBI’s secret program to discredit civil rights activists. The Washington Times in 2019 first reported Democrats’ bid to strip the longtime FBI director’s name from the bureau’s headquarters. Mr. Cohen said the impetus to revive the bid is the new movie, “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The movie details
Jill Biden, the Meghan Markle
in the WH, is egregiously
guilty of elder abuse
23 replies
Posted by Magnante 3/9/2021 4:40:38 AM Post Reply
“There must have been a moment, at the beginning, when we could have said –-no. But somehow we missed it.” Tom Stoppard The millions of Americans who were paying attention throughout the 2020 election campaign all became painfully aware of the fact that Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities were slipping and slipping fast. His wife, as the person closest to him, should have been the one to call the campaign quits in order to reduce stress on the man. Instead, apparently so anxious to become the First Lady by any means necessary, Mrs. Biden continued to push her failing husband’s campaign forward as if he were mentally qualified.
Post New Article