The SD455 was an awesome Firebird. Do you still own it? Formula or Trans Am version? I really wanted it at the time but was more than I could afford. That engine was an expensive option.
I never liked what GM did with the Camaros after 1973. The same cannot be said about the Firebirds though. They continued to look good for several more years.
I love V8s and their naturally aspirated sound. Not crazy about turbochargers or superchargers and the heat issues associated with them. I do not like the fact that Hyundai is planning on replacing the V8 with a turbo V6. There is no replacement for displacement!
Totally get your view on the potential Hyundai transition over to the metroman chic TT V6. You are part of a growing group (growing in all age groups) of a typical silent majority who seeks choice... And buys based in not just the product, but the culture and image of the products. Genny V8 drivers are generally park of this group. Also, this majority can be fooled for a time to suppress their instincts of personal liberty. Freedom that is easily expressed in their purchases of top notch deep sounding cars... These Cars not just for the silk suit rich (or slick hair types with no family who can afford sky high lease payments), instead many affordable models that represent personal power and freedom. Raw and real. The first generation Genesis, and the second, for the most part fills this bill.. And the V8 is the representation of this model branding..
My SD is 74, that actually came with 73 heads and cam.. Early production from a customer who ordered a 73, and was first in line for a 74. When it was pulled for balancing/blue printing, I was there when we all had the shock of the slightly larger 73 valves and aggressive cam was discovered. Rumor has it Herb Adams made sure the stolen parts recovered from the plant, and other late delivered parts went into early 74s (Pistons, cranks, cams, Heads {based on ram air IV}, the cast headers, intakes, valves, reported were all taking walks out of the motor assembly line). Bought it from first owner. He treated it well, but not a hanger queen. Was driven daily. Loaded with just about every option.. 8 track, air, power everything.. TH400. On Goodyear GT Radials, 12.8 113mph best run. Typical 12.9 110. 146mph is my choice for top end.. Go deep into redline, sure would go faster.. EGR blocked, HDI tweaked.. Back then, I crafted removable hood scoop, fully functional.. If I remember reduces 1/4 by up to .7 sec in those days of limited tests. Those test are older.. These days, no way run it like this.. Parts are about non existent. It was the pinnacle for Pontiac IMO. Sway bars the size of baseball bats, amazing handling for the day, would out run almost all non modified muscle cars in straight line, none would keep up in the corners.. A sleeper... Unless someone knew what the
letters on the scoop mean. I knew a guy back when I drive it also as a daily driver.. He had a Fromula SD.. Stripped to the bone.. No air, 4 speed. He ordered from factory that way.. My other buddy with the stripper Z28 and him clicked well.. In those days I was stupid enough to not fully appreciate what he had.. And it had two scoops from the factory. The Formula air scoops, and the top of engine scoop.. I accused him of adding it on.. He did not, so he said..he never drilled out the rivots of the scoop.. Was sealed the day he offered to sell it to me.. I was a dumb ass, newly married, and did not cut off my arm to buy it.. Would be the most expensive SD ever IMO today. One night of guy fun, two other friends were with me and a beater rusty 74 firebird pulled up. Red.. Had no exhausts, only flex pipes the young kid and his friends installed.. We took off from the light with him.. We were even to insane speeds.. We all pulled over to talk.. Turns out it was a non air SD manual.. It was a hulk, but ran like crazy.. We had a flashlight, was able to see the designation on the block as SD.. For years, wondered if it blew up or ended up in the junk yard. Kid kinda knew what he had.. But did not value keeping it in good condition.. He bought it from some guy who drive it year round. Which means rust city. Had tons of door dings from the factory the owner worked in parking lot..
Why are these stories of value? Well, today, we see history repeating itself.. What is today something we take for granted, might be when the millennial look back, heady days here/now... I suggest those uber young, understand the amazing days for autos we are in now.. And pick a steed you want to grow to 50 with. One day, it might be part of your retirement program.
and believe it or not, the Hyundai R-Spec sedan (and the "Formula" version, the 2012 5.0 non R-Spec) might just end up being something rare as all can be. 35 years from now, still in the top tier of speed and class.. Same could be said about the G8 GTX, or Hellcat, 2014 GT500 convertible (650 HP), non modified V8 Ford GT, New Chevy SS manual, Camaro ZL1 Convertible (for a calendar shoot, got to drive one for a few days.. Should have cut right arm off to buy.. Very few made), and others. Some of the fastest steeds in any setting, and uber rare. Based on the insane prices for BMW 2002ti, I would expect M6 convertibles, certain V10 optioned M series, same for some V8 M versions, will also be in a elite class. Heck, look at the 351 Pantara. Good ones fetch 75-90k (Original costs way under 10k).. Look at the 69-70 Mercedes 300SEL 6.3. I saw one on a used lot while in my 20s for under 12k. I was "afraid" of the vacuum system and air ride.. What a putz. Look at insane prices today. So, some of the uber rare versions of AMG are good candidates. We can all be smaller versions of Jay Leno, if we recognize early what will be the big $$ winners few decades from now. Based on the current EPA and mileage standards, and how even the Genesis will like like a "simple system and easy to repair" years from now (comparing to we we expect will be complexity coming.. And the fact that cars from factories will be "licensed", ownership retained by them)...
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