gmm@bunker.UUCP (Gregory M. Mandas) (06/12/84)
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Lee Hasiuk, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
As I stated before, Detriot motor heads have one thing in mind, going
as fast as they can in a straight line at the expense of everything else.
In the spring of 1983 Road and Track issued a special edition on
"Exotic Cars". Some of the cars reviewed were:
Aston Martin
Bently
Bitter
BMW (my favorite)
Ferrari
Jaguar
Lotus
Maserati
Mercedes-Benz
Porsche
and others
Following are some excerpts from that edition.
Bently Mulsanne Turbo by John Lamm
.....I've driven some fairly undistinguished automobiles,
427 cu in V8 super car sedans of the early 70s, with the
Bentley's top speed (140 mph) and a better 0-60 time of
7.2 seconds. The differences are that they were well
below the Bentley's curb weight of around 5000 lbs and
underneath they were not a Rolls-Royce. (Silver Spirit)
....a well crafted rocket with Connolly leather interior.
Think of this: The Bentley gets to 60 mph quicker than the
USA street legal Ferrari 308GTSi.
....8" longer than the Lincoln Continental...3.7"
taller ...... and .6" wider.
In the article is a picture of the speedometer at 140 mph.
BMW 745i by Thos L. Bryant
What makes the 745i such a superb preformer if its 3210 cc
inline 6 engine with Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection and
a KKK turbocharger. This marvelous combination punches
out 252 bhp DIN at 5300 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 2600.
This sweet-driving, lovely-looking German sedan that weighs
some 3500 lbs will zip from 0-60 in less than 8 secs. and
cover the standing quarter mile in 15.6 secs, according
to the manufacturer and BMW is known for being conservative
in its preformance estimates.
I could gone on with more examples, but I would reprint the entire
magazine. The point is, Comfort and Handling need not be left out
of a car that will toss you back in your seat. It need not have an
over blown V8 and a light body and kick you in the kidneys every time
you hit a crack in the road.
I defense of the muscle Cars, I did sit in a 1965 Chevy II with a
1/4 mile race prepared 428. It was stripped of all excess weight,
including the window cranks. When it lit up, I almost messed in my
pants at the raw power and unbelievable acceleration.
After that I had post rev depression. Amazement turned to fear as
it was all we could do to keep it on the road.
Greg Mandas
The Silver Bullet
Flames to net.auto.