Was The 80's the Death of the American Petrol Head? (Part 2)

**The GLHS**The GLHS was the quickest with 175 horsepower and 175 lb-­ft. This wasn’t a device for the monitor, it was a weapon of mass destruction. It had a modified Garrett Turbo I engine, a protracted runner tuned consumption (2 items) manifold, and an intercooler. The engine had a compression ratio of 8.5:1, a most increase of 12 psi. Due to all this, it may do the 0­60 mph in an unimaginable 6.70 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 94 mph. It additionally pulled.88 g on the skid pad.Reasonably than persevering with to supply Shelby impressed Dodges, Carroll started to construct precise Shelbys at his new facility in Whittier, California. These had been automobiles he bought from Dodge, modified, after which bought himself via choose Dodge dealerships. These autos had been produced in restricted numbers. Every mannequin was a one ­yr­ run and all got a numbered sprint plaque.The suspension was reworked with adjustable low-pressure fuel charged Koni entrance struts and rear shocks. The usual 1­in. entrance and 5/8­in. rear swaybars had been retained, in addition to the manufacturing facility brakes and steering. Shelby Centurion 15×6 in forged aluminum wheels had been surrounded by 205/50VR­15 Goodyear Gatorbacks.With the extra energy, it now had a high velocity of 130 mph. All of this bundle of brilliance for what price? On the time, it was solely 11 grand. It wasn’t simply Shelby tuning Dodges although, as Dodge themselves obtained into the sport with merchandise of their very own. Merchandise just like the 1984 Dodge Colt Turbo. Positive, it could have been a Mitsubishi, however that did not deter this car from being quick. Positive, it solely had a 0­60mph in 8.9 Seconds and solely 103 horsepower. That wasn’t the purpose of the Colt. It was a dealing with machine meant to be extra of Lotus Elise, then Chevrolet Camaro.It was lighter than Alfa Romeo 4C gentle. It could have had solely 103 horsepower, however it solely weighed 1,896 kilos (or 860 kg). It additionally had a high velocity of 112 mph. Not a lot, however just like the Miata… It does not should be.”Now, in this corner, we have the Dodge Omni GLH Packing 110 horsepower (82 kw).In the other corner we have… Where did they go? Were they scared off?Apparently so… “The Omni GLH was an amazing scorching hatch. It was quick, enjoyable, gentle, nimble, low-cost and frivolous. It is a traditional. It isn’t as a lot of a traditional because the GNX; but nonetheless a traditional in its personal proper.This automobile is a quick little bugger inventory, it is a jammy bugger whenever you modify it. That is additionally a really gentle automobile, weighing in at lower than 2,400 kilos. Whereas we do not see many of those, they nonetheless show that Dodge could make a correct small automobile… A correct scorching hatch, however the GLH wasn’t the one “GLH” within the collection.You then had the GLH­T. It was principally a GLH with a turbocharged engine. Although it was rather more highly effective, energy was now raised to 146 horsepower (108 kw) and 170 lb-­ft. Making it one of many quicker automobiles within the trio, this automobile went from 0-60mph in 8.1 seconds and 1 / 4 mile in 16.2 seconds at 85.5. It may attain a high velocity of 119.The GLH turbo was upgraded to equal size half shafts. Despite the fact that it was simply (just about) an engine improve, that did not take away from something. It was nonetheless a tremendous scorching hatch.Then we have now the automobile that no person remembers. The Dodge Shadow ES, whereas the ’87 appears higher than the ‘ 89, they’re good automobiles both manner. These are very enjoyable automobiles to drive too. Like lots of the automobiles on this checklist, the Shadow was (and nonetheless is) a really gentle automobile. Weighing in at 2,535 kilos (or 1150 kg) it had 146 horsepower and 170 lb­-ft.

This automobile was much less highly effective than among the automobiles on this checklist, and a bit heavier. However this wasn’t a Shelby tuned Shadow. So it wasn’t going to be as racing centered, regardless of that they had been nonetheless excellent enjoyable to drive.That is the canvas Shelby used to craft the CSX from his very palms. And it is a good little packet from the manufacturing facility. He primarily turned the Shadow into an Evo besides with out the AWD. Very like nearly the entire automobiles on this checklist, it’s turbocharged. It makes use of the identical engine within the following automobiles:Omni GLH/GLH­T/GLHSDodge Shelby ChargerShelby CSXShelby LancerDodge DaytonaThat’s numerous automobiles to have the identical engine. However as soon as 1989 got here round, the facility was elevated to 150 horsepower and 180 lb­ft. Whereas it wasn’t pretty much as good trying because the earlier yr, he did slightly shock with the refreshed mannequin.That is proper! We obtained a convertible. In 1991, Dodge launched the convertible Shadow. It was a fairly good convertible at that! You may get an ES trim degree, which means you might get a convertible with 150 horsepower and 180 lb­ft. Because it was gentle, it was fairly fast.However wait, there’s extra!!!May it’s? Sure, One other sedan! The Dodge Spirit R/T with 224 horsepower and 218 lb­-ft. This was the Charger Hellcat of its time. As a result of it has essentially the most energy of all of the autos on this checklist, it has the best high velocity. It has a high velocity of 141 mph. That is 190 E territory. It may do the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds, at 97 mph. This was tubular in its day. (Sure I needed to look that up). Its heads had been additionally designed by Lotus. On the time, it was the quickest 4 door sedan in America. It was additionally gasoline environment friendly, reaching 26 mpg on the freeway.It was very, very low-cost. Making it one of many quickest automobiles you might get for lower than 20 grand. As nice as this was, it is not as memorable as the opposite automobiles on this checklist. (Except for the Shadow and Colt)… Although, they’re nonetheless pretty fashionable inside a sure group of individuals. **Cough**TurboDodge guys **Cough**The Dodge Daytona is among the coolest autos on this checklist. It produced 146 horsepower (109 kw) and 170 lb­-ft. It’s a bit heavier than among the different autos on this checklist. It weighs 2,701 kilos (or 1225 kg). It dealt with so properly, it beat the Porsche 924.Do not consider me? Right here you go:

http://www.allpar.com/model/daytona.html#handleRead it and weep or admire. It had a Garret T3 Turbo. With 2 valves per cylinder. Lots of people love this automobile to at the present time, somebody even swapped the two.2 Liter turbo for a 5.7 Liter Hemi in theirs and transformed it to RWD. However that’s inappropriate. It additionally obtained a T-top possibility for ’86. In a while in its life, it gained pop­up headlights and a brand new variant. It was referred to as the Shelby Z. It gained extra horsepower from 146 to 174 horsepower (130 kw), and 200 lb­-ft, in addition to a heavy responsibility A555 transaxle with Getrag gears. (In order for you extra information, I will present hyperlinks on the finish of the article).The Dodge Caravan ES Turbo, the whole sleeper. Very like among the autos on this checklist, it makes 150 horsepower and 170 lb­-ft. Not the lightest car on this checklist, it weighs in at 3,086 kilos. It is lighter and quicker than among the autos to return. It has a high velocity of 110 mph, not very excessive. However for a van within the 1980’s, that is fairly brisk. Mix that with a 0­60mph in 9.Four seconds, and you’ve got the makings of a sleeper for sleepers.Ford got here alongside for the trip. They confirmed that the 80’s weren’t the top with the Foxbody Mustang. Foxbodies are very fashionable now, they’re often called a superb platform for just about something. They’re the lightest of all of the Mustangs. As soon as upgraded to a Dart block, can simply deal with 900 HP. However these transcend simply drag racing. As a result of they’re gentle and small, they make good price range monitor automobiles.You may get an entire armada of engines. Right here is the checklist:2.Three L (140 cu in) 86 hp I42.Three L (140 cu in) turbocharged I43.Three L (201 cu in) I6 85 hp2.Eight L (171 cu in) V63.Eight L (232 cu in) Essex V64.2 L (256 cu in) V8302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8Quite loads, is not it? It was additionally chosen because the tempo for the Indy 500, in addition they made a particular version celebrating this. Over 10,000 had been made. In contrast to the Daytona, you might get a convertible or simply a regular Coupe. The Fastback was the choice for those who needed a sportier Mustang. The Daytona was only a fastback/ hatch from the manufacturing facility.There was additionally a wide range of transmissions. From a Four or 5 velocity handbook or a Three or Four velocity computerized. However who may neglect the Mustang SVO? That is the Foxbody all of us bear in mind. It had 200 horsepower, 240 lb-­ft. and the brand new (for the time) “aero” headlights. The Mustang wasn’t the one automobile on the “Foxbody” platform although, we additionally had the Thunderbird. Consider it as a Chrysler 300 Coupe. It was greater than the Mustang and extra luxurious. In a bizarre manner, it jogs my memory of the Bentley Continental.The Turbo Coupe had a 2.Three Liter OHC (Over Head Cam) engine with EFI, an Air to Air Intercooler and a 5­Velocity Guide transmission with overdrive. This was a luxurious coupe with a darkish facet. At first, the engine produced 142 horsepower, however was then later elevated to 155 horsepower. As anticipated, this was heavier than the Mustang. It was additionally greater. However that is not essentially a nasty factor. Whereas the Mustang was extra of a sports activities automobile, the Thunderbird was extra of a cruiser. A GT automobile if you’ll.Sadly, this can be a a lot underrated automobile. Not getting as a lot love because the Foxbody which is ironic actually, provided that it is primarily based on the identical platform. It is only a forged away, shedding the glory it as soon as needed to the cruel mistress of time. Destined to a lifetime of distress… it is an amazing disgrace, as a result of had folks seen the potential on this automobile…
We could have seen extra cruisers from this forgotten beast.