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In 1979, the American automobile industry started a recovery from the paralysis produced brought about by the anti-pollution regulations and fuel and economic crises. Buyers' attention turned towards compacts, while even the "standard" models became lighter, less-bulky, and above all, less-thirsty. 'Carter's Law' aimed at drastically reducing oil consumption resulted from the energy crisis, and in turn gave rise to an automotive technical revolution in the United States. Manufacturers were compelled to produce 'across the board' ranges that yielded an average consumption of 27.5 miles per (American) gallon (32.81 mpg Imp/8.61 lit/100 km).
They were tough new standards, and US manufacturers also had to reckon with the fierce competition offered by imported compacts. By the end of the 1970s the US car industry had changed completely. No longer was it the envy of the world; the Japanese now held that title. The car itself became less of a status symbol than a mode of transportation. Consumers were looking for cheaper more fuel efficient cars. After the 1970s the Detroit car-makers were faced with a decade of rebuilding lines of cars, restoring their reputation for quality, and recovering a domestic market. That they had survived such a tumultuous decade was a stunning, if not satisfactory, achievement.
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Chevrolet Camaro |
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Also see: Chevrolet Road Tests and Reviews | Chevrolet Brochures |
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The big news for 1979 was when the Berlinetta made it's debut, and replaced the Type LT model. The Berlinetta featured a host of interior and exterior cosmetic treatments.With a good looks and a long list of options the Berlinetta became a very popular trim level. A higher level of options were included in the Berlinetta package. Maintaining the momentum, this year's Camaro topped all previous years' sales, with new records and more than 282,000 Camaro's sold. |
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Chevrolet Impala |
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Also see: Chevrolet Road Tests and Reviews | Chevrolet Brochures |
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New models from General Motors were chiefly concentrated in the Chevrolet Impala/ Caprice range: narrower bodywork, shorter by 10.6 in. (16.92 cm) lighter by 5.9 cwt (300 kg) (J), and with smaller engines. Final-drive ratios were stepped-up, too. Similar treatment was applied to the Buick Sabre/ Electra models. However, styling changes, and odd gadgets, were not lacking, as exemmplified by the 1977 Pontiac Firebird. |
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Chevrolet Citation, Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Omega, Pontiac Phoenix |
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Also see: Chevrolet Road Tests and Reviews | Chevrolet Brochures |
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In order to contain the threat General Motors invested the unprecedented sum of 2.7 billion dollars in their 'X-Car' project. It was rated a worthwhile investment as it was estimated the new-generation cars would ultimately represent 60 per cent of the US market. GM, characteristically, carried out an in-depth analysis of the opposition and decided upon a design which incorporated front-wheel drive, transverse engine, and a length of 14.76ft (4.5 metres). After 20 years there was hardly a world manufacturer who hasn't adopted Issigonis's outlook!
For the first time four GM marques were participating in the same programme (Chevrolet. Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac), the resulting cars offering several variations on a theme. The 'two-box' saloons like the Chevrolet Citation were remarkably European looking, and with the e-box' (or 'notchback') Buick Skylark a bewildering number of door permutations were offered, with two, three, four, or five at choice. There were also two-door coupes. Overall they varied from 14.69 ft (4.48 metres) to 9 ft (4.6 metres). Widths vared from 5.61 ft 1 metres) to 5.67 ft (1.73 metres), and GM even got weights down to European norms, ranging from 2462 Ib (1117 kg) to 2568 Ib (1165 kg) according to model.
The aerodynamic co-efficient of the best streamlined model was a reasonable 0.417. Despite of the dramatic 'down-sizing' and trimming the X-Cars conformed to American standards of interior comfort and spaciousness. The Citation was GM's first essay into large-scale production front-drive vehicles, and to gain interior space the Corporation had sensibly opted for a transverse engine mounting. The gearbox units mounted on the end of the crankshafts, not with gears in the engine a la Issigonis. The first cars (developed in the early 1970's) used a Pontiac-derived four-cylinder cast iron block or with crossflow head, developing 90 bhp (67 kW) from a cubic capacity of 2471 cc.
However, once the 1973 oil crisis receded GM devloped a new 60-degree V6, also with pushrod ohv, a capacity of 2838 cc, and a maximum output of 115 bhp (85.75 kW). The X cars had unequal length drive-shafts (no mediate shafts) and four-speed manual transmissions were standard with a geared-up top to allow quiet cruising and minimal fuel consumption. There was a three-speed Hydramatic available as an option, something most important to ensure the cars success in the American market. GM adopted a rack-and-pinion steering layout, but at 26: 1 it was very low geared. There was a powerd alternative but when it was fitted the turning circle increased to a whopping 38.38 ft (11.7 metres).
A classic suspension layout was chosen: Macherson coil struts at the front, and 'dead' at rear suspended on coil springs, positively located by trailing arms and a Pan hard rod. The brakes were power assisted with ventilated front discs, rear drums, and independent circuits. Top-end performance tended to take second place (105 mph/170 km/h for four-cylinder models, 113 mph/182 km/h for V6s), and GM were proud of their fuel consumption figures. The four-cylinder manual models were claimed to consume fuel at the rate of 24 mpg around town (9.80 lit/100 km), and at 38 mpg (US) when cruising (6.19 lit/1 00 km). The overall average was therefore 29 mpg /8.11 lit/100 km. Under similar conditions GM claimed the V6 automatic was good for 23 mpg /10.23 lit/100 km. |
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Excalibur Series Phaeton |
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Ford LTD II and Cougar |
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Also see: Ford USA Road Tests and Reviews |
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Ford replaced the Torino/Montego range of 'intermediates' with the LTD II and Cougar series. These lengthy cars almost reached the huge 'standard size'. |
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GMC Cabellero |
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GMC Jimmy |
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GMC Suburban |
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GMC Suburban |
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Plymouth Volare / Dodge Aspen |
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Also see: Plymouth Road Tests and Reviews | Plymouth Brochures |
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Chrysler seemed to weather the crisis with the successful Plymouth Volare/Dodge Aspen cars. There were many improvements for 1977, and the choice of engines and boodies was vast. The Volare Road Runner coupe, for example, had a two-piecll detaachable roof. Particularly notable was the new electronic ignition system, which perrmits a weaker mixture to be used without diminishing performance. |
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1979 Cadillac Seville CDG San-Remo Convertible. |
1979 Chev Corvette. |
1979 Ford Ranchero GT. |
1979 Ford Ranchero GT. |
1979 Plymouth Horizon. |
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