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Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 28th 08, 03:59 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
Rich
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 82
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

The traditional idea of a muscle car was a stripped-down product, with
power. In later years (1970-71) the muscle car version of a line
became almost a luxury vehicle. Now, Ford only knows that kind.
Check out the sticker on a convertible GT in Toronto, Canada.

$45k, plus $3000 insurance (way more if you are younger) and $3000/yr
in gas means this car costs about the same as the mortgage to a medium-
priced condo or a cheap house.

http://www.pbase.com/andersonrm/image/100830683
Ads
  #2  
Old July 28th 08, 12:19 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
dwight[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 118
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

"Rich" > wrote in message
...
> The traditional idea of a muscle car was a stripped-down product, with
> power. In later years (1970-71) the muscle car version of a line
> became almost a luxury vehicle. Now, Ford only knows that kind.
> Check out the sticker on a convertible GT in Toronto, Canada.
>
> $45k, plus $3000 insurance (way more if you are younger) and $3000/yr
> in gas means this car costs about the same as the mortgage to a medium-
> priced condo or a cheap house.
>
> http://www.pbase.com/andersonrm/image/100830683


Is there a point here? Are you somehow mad at Ford for not putting "muscle
cars" in the hands of more young people?

I don't get it.

dwight


  #3  
Old July 28th 08, 04:14 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
Spike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 413
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:59:32 -0700 (PDT), Rich >
wrote:

>The traditional idea of a muscle car was a stripped-down product, with
>power. In later years (1970-71) the muscle car version of a line
>became almost a luxury vehicle. Now, Ford only knows that kind.
>Check out the sticker on a convertible GT in Toronto, Canada.
>
>$45k, plus $3000 insurance (way more if you are younger) and $3000/yr
>in gas means this car costs about the same as the mortgage to a medium-
>priced condo or a cheap house.
>
>http://www.pbase.com/andersonrm/image/100830683


Don't take this as a negative directed at you, but how old are you?

The following is not to say how it was so good back in the day, but as
an illustration of how similar it was. And cars of that era were
rusting out, had lower mileage, less safety features, etc.

Being over 30+ (x2 :0) When I graduated high school in 1966, you could
buy a brand new Mustang for under $3,000. At that time, incomes were a
lot lower. As a Ranch Hand in Merced, CA, I made $76.10 per week
working 5.5 days from sun up to sun down. As a Manager Trainee in a
grocery store in 1966, I made $500 per month no matter how many hours
I worked.

I gave that job up for one with better pay and better hours... the US
Air Force (that or be drafted)... where my pay started (1967) at
$96.90 per MONTH and all the hours they needed me to work. I should
mention that the military was required to provide me with either 1
hour of sleep OR a hot meal each day. After a year, and two
promotions, I was making $62.25 every two weeks. Needless to say, darn
few of us could afford a car. Those that did have them always helped
those who didn't in exchange for gas money when gas was about 29 cents
per gallon and you could usually find gas stations dropping the price
to attract customers.... mind you, that was FULL service, AND you got
savings stamps AND usually, plates, silverware, glassware, towels or
some other give away item. (Collect the Whole set!)

During that same era, my parents bought a 3 bedroom home in a very
nice neighborhood. The cost? With financing on a 30 year mortgage...
$12,500.

Insurance? With no tickets, driver training, a couple of years of
driving experience, and being over 21, I was a rider on my parents'
insurance because I couldn't afford insurance on my own. One of my
running partners bought a new Firebird, 400 4 BBL (as I recall) [the
one with the small scoops on the front of the hood, paid for with his
re-enlistment bonus. His insurance was $1200 per year. Another, with a
used 'vette but who had a violation on his record shelled out $1500
per year. He was paying for the car again about every 3.5 years.

Today, I am retired and on disability from Vietnam. My total income is
under $2,000. My 3 bedroom home was $194,000. I drive (daily when I
can afford the gas) a 1965 Mustang fastback that has cost me in the
neighborhood of $40,000 to restore and lightly modify for safety and
comfort.

As for Ford forgetting what a muscle car is.... like any other
business, they have to go with what brings in the $$$, and meet
government regulations, too. It wasn't that long ago, that Fords
biggest selling muscle car was headed for extinction. And, if you go
back in time (return with us now to those thrilling days of
yesteryear....) the Mustang started out as a nothing little coupe for
secretaries to run errands for the boss in. Essentially, a sporty
Falcon.

So, times haven't really changed all that much. I marvel at the cars
kids are driving today while working at McDucks for minimum wages. I
marvel at the speed mods, and the mega stereos. Heck, the monthly
payments advertised on the telly are scary! I watched Mustangs and
Tbirds grow into monstereous hulks. Watched a public who wanted a
sports car that could carry mom and a passle of kids to soccer
practice yet impress the neighbors.

OK, for tomorrow, study Chapter 4, there will be a quiz, and don't
forget your reports are due on my desk Friday by end of class.


  #4  
Old July 28th 08, 07:04 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
Michael Johnson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,039
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell carsnow)

dwight wrote:
> "Rich" > wrote in message
> ...
>> The traditional idea of a muscle car was a stripped-down product, with
>> power. In later years (1970-71) the muscle car version of a line
>> became almost a luxury vehicle. Now, Ford only knows that kind.
>> Check out the sticker on a convertible GT in Toronto, Canada.
>>
>> $45k, plus $3000 insurance (way more if you are younger) and $3000/yr
>> in gas means this car costs about the same as the mortgage to a medium-
>> priced condo or a cheap house.
>>
>> http://www.pbase.com/andersonrm/image/100830683

>
> Is there a point here? Are you somehow mad at Ford for not putting
> "muscle cars" in the hands of more young people?
>
> I don't get it.


This guy resides in my kill file because he is a low grade troll. He
posts the same worthless crap in the photography newsgroups and gets
slapped around their too.
  #5  
Old July 29th 08, 12:37 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
dwight[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 118
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

"Michael Johnson" > wrote in message
. ..
> dwight wrote:
>> "Rich" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> The traditional idea of a muscle car was a stripped-down product, with
>>> power. In later years (1970-71) the muscle car version of a line
>>> became almost a luxury vehicle. Now, Ford only knows that kind.
>>> Check out the sticker on a convertible GT in Toronto, Canada.
>>>
>>> $45k, plus $3000 insurance (way more if you are younger) and $3000/yr
>>> in gas means this car costs about the same as the mortgage to a medium-
>>> priced condo or a cheap house.
>>>
>>> http://www.pbase.com/andersonrm/image/100830683

>>
>> Is there a point here? Are you somehow mad at Ford for not putting
>> "muscle cars" in the hands of more young people?
>>
>> I don't get it.

>
> This guy resides in my kill file because he is a low grade troll. He
> posts the same worthless crap in the photography newsgroups and gets
> slapped around their too.


Yes, thanks, I know. But a weakness of mine is in trying to understand what
prompts this sort of post. And what the intended reaction was supposed to
be...

)


  #6  
Old July 29th 08, 01:59 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
dwight[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 118
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

"Spike" > wrote in message
...
>
> Don't take this as a negative directed at you, but how old are you?
>
> The following is not to say how it was so good back in the day, but as
> an illustration of how similar it was. And cars of that era were
> rusting out, had lower mileage, less safety features, etc.
>
> Being over 30+ (x2 :0) When I graduated high school in 1966, you could
> buy a brand new Mustang for under $3,000. At that time, incomes were a
> lot lower. As a Ranch Hand in Merced, CA, I made $76.10 per week
> working 5.5 days from sun up to sun down. As a Manager Trainee in a
> grocery store in 1966, I made $500 per month no matter how many hours
> I worked.


>snip gold standard era history lesson<


Preach on, Spike. I remember when the new VW Beetles jumped from $1,595 to
$1,795. When we married, my wife and I bought a brand new 1978 Mustang II (a
nice little six-cylinder hatchback model), and stretched for it - an
incredible $5,000. The monthly payments were $108, and there were many
months when we couldn't manage to pay on time.

Somewhere around here, I still have a 1972 Ford price sheet for the new
Mustangs, with a Chinese menu of available options. $3,000 would have bought
a nicely-equipped model, but who could afford $3,000 in 1972?

dwight
(damn, we're old)


  #7  
Old July 29th 08, 02:26 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
Falcon Guy[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 7
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell carsnow)

Not a chance in hell of getting a condo or cheap house in Toronto at
that price. Maybe if you were trying to buy two GT40's.

Rich wrote:
> The traditional idea of a muscle car was a stripped-down product, with
> power. In later years (1970-71) the muscle car version of a line
> became almost a luxury vehicle. Now, Ford only knows that kind.
> Check out the sticker on a convertible GT in Toronto, Canada.
>
> $45k, plus $3000 insurance (way more if you are younger) and $3000/yr
> in gas means this car costs about the same as the mortgage to a medium-
> priced condo or a cheap house.
>
> http://www.pbase.com/andersonrm/image/100830683

  #8  
Old July 29th 08, 03:12 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
WindsorFox[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 234
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell carsnow)

dwight wrote:
> "Spike" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Don't take this as a negative directed at you, but how old are you?
>>
>> The following is not to say how it was so good back in the day, but as
>> an illustration of how similar it was. And cars of that era were
>> rusting out, had lower mileage, less safety features, etc.
>>
>> Being over 30+ (x2 :0) When I graduated high school in 1966, you could
>> buy a brand new Mustang for under $3,000. At that time, incomes were a
>> lot lower. As a Ranch Hand in Merced, CA, I made $76.10 per week
>> working 5.5 days from sun up to sun down. As a Manager Trainee in a
>> grocery store in 1966, I made $500 per month no matter how many hours
>> I worked.

>
>> snip gold standard era history lesson<

>
> Preach on, Spike. I remember when the new VW Beetles jumped from $1,595
> to $1,795. When we married, my wife and I bought a brand new 1978
> Mustang II (a nice little six-cylinder hatchback model), and stretched
> for it - an incredible $5,000. The monthly payments were $108, and there
> were many months when we couldn't manage to pay on time.
>
> Somewhere around here, I still have a 1972 Ford price sheet for the new
> Mustangs, with a Chinese menu of available options. $3,000 would have
> bought a nicely-equipped model, but who could afford $3,000 in 1972?
>
> dwight
> (damn, we're old)
>
>


Heh, here ya go gramps, take a look at this...

http://www.shamikaserver.com/ssforum...2033#post82033

or

http://tinyurl.com/5weq5o

--



TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on
talking when people are no longer interested?

HAROLD: A teacher
  #9  
Old July 29th 08, 12:28 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
dwight[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 118
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

"WindsorFox<SS>" > wrote in message
...
> dwight wrote:
>> "Spike" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> Don't take this as a negative directed at you, but how old are you?
>>>
>>> The following is not to say how it was so good back in the day, but as
>>> an illustration of how similar it was. And cars of that era were
>>> rusting out, had lower mileage, less safety features, etc.
>>>
>>> Being over 30+ (x2 :0) When I graduated high school in 1966, you could
>>> buy a brand new Mustang for under $3,000. At that time, incomes were a
>>> lot lower. As a Ranch Hand in Merced, CA, I made $76.10 per week
>>> working 5.5 days from sun up to sun down. As a Manager Trainee in a
>>> grocery store in 1966, I made $500 per month no matter how many hours
>>> I worked.

>>
>>> snip gold standard era history lesson<

>>
>> Preach on, Spike. I remember when the new VW Beetles jumped from $1,595
>> to $1,795. When we married, my wife and I bought a brand new 1978 Mustang
>> II (a nice little six-cylinder hatchback model), and stretched for it -
>> an incredible $5,000. The monthly payments were $108, and there were many
>> months when we couldn't manage to pay on time.
>>
>> Somewhere around here, I still have a 1972 Ford price sheet for the new
>> Mustangs, with a Chinese menu of available options. $3,000 would have
>> bought a nicely-equipped model, but who could afford $3,000 in 1972?
>>
>> dwight
>> (damn, we're old)
>>
>>

>
> Heh, here ya go gramps, take a look at this...
>
> http://www.shamikaserver.com/ssforum...2033#post82033
>
> or
>
> http://tinyurl.com/5weq5o


Hah! Not just 25-cent milk shakes, but wonderful, real, full-of-ice-cream
milk shakes. And comic books, 3-for-a-quarter.

In other words, the numbers may have changed, but the relativity hasn't.

dwight


  #10  
Old July 29th 08, 04:48 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang
Spike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 413
Default Idea of the muscle car is dead (Or, why Ford can't sell cars now)

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:59:28 -0400, "dwight" >
wrote:

>"Spike" > wrote in message
.. .
>>
>> Don't take this as a negative directed at you, but how old are you?
>>
>> The following is not to say how it was so good back in the day, but as
>> an illustration of how similar it was. And cars of that era were
>> rusting out, had lower mileage, less safety features, etc.
>>
>> Being over 30+ (x2 :0) When I graduated high school in 1966, you could
>> buy a brand new Mustang for under $3,000. At that time, incomes were a
>> lot lower. As a Ranch Hand in Merced, CA, I made $76.10 per week
>> working 5.5 days from sun up to sun down. As a Manager Trainee in a
>> grocery store in 1966, I made $500 per month no matter how many hours
>> I worked.

>
>>snip gold standard era history lesson<

>
>Preach on, Spike. I remember when the new VW Beetles jumped from $1,595 to
>$1,795. When we married, my wife and I bought a brand new 1978 Mustang II (a
>nice little six-cylinder hatchback model), and stretched for it - an
>incredible $5,000. The monthly payments were $108, and there were many
>months when we couldn't manage to pay on time.
>
>Somewhere around here, I still have a 1972 Ford price sheet for the new
>Mustangs, with a Chinese menu of available options. $3,000 would have bought
>a nicely-equipped model, but who could afford $3,000 in 1972?
>
>dwight
>(damn, we're old)
>


Speak for yourself, Dwight! I AIN'T old. My father IS old! His first
pet was primordial ooze! At least I had a brontosaurus. Seriously, I
didn't mean to sound preachy :0) Just wanted to point out that
the more things change, the more they remain the same... or
similar.LOL Now, if you remember this.... you ARE old :0)

(Oop-oop, oop, oop-oop)
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)

There's a man in the funny papers we all know
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He lived 'way back a long time ago
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He don't eat nothin' but a bear cat stew
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Well, this cat's name is-a Alley Oop
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)

(Alley Oop) He's the toughest man there is alive
(Alley Oop) Wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
(Alley Oop) He's the king of the jungle jive
(Look at that cave man go!!) (SCREAM)

(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He got a chauffeur that's a genuwine dinosawruh
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
And he can knuckle your head before you count to fawruh
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He got a big ugly club and a head fulla hairuh
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Like great big lions and grizzly bearuhs
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)

(Alley Oop) He's the toughest man there is alive
(Alley Oop) Wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
(Alley Oop) He's the king of the jungle jive
(Look at that cave man go!!) (SCREAM)

(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He rides thru the jungle tearin' limbs offa trees
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Knockin' great big monstahs dead on their knees
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
The cats don't bug him cuz they know bettah
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Cuz he's a mean motah scootah and a bad go-gettah
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)

(Alley Oop) He's the toughest man there is alive
(Alley Oop) Wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
(Alley Oop) He's the hullie-gullie king of jive
(Look at that cave man go!!) (SCREAM)

Thair he goes
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Look at that cave man go
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Ride, Daddy, ride
(Alley Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Hi-yo dinosawruh
-The Hollywood Argyles
(later redone by The Beachboys)

 




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