by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009

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Help answer this question below.

So what's YOUR opinion on those "itsy bitsy", "teeny weenie" SMART CARS?

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Answers. 33 helpful answers below.

by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
I am 6'2".

First, I would not only look like a moron in one but it would hurt.

Also, if you were in one of those and I was driving my father's old 1970 GS455, we both were sitting at a stoplight, and both drivers floored the pedal...

... I would be in the next City a good half tank down as you barely made it to the next light fully gassed up.

You would be saving fuel. I would be grinning like the cat who ate the canary as I said "whoo! What a rush!" and buying gas.

There is nothing like a large block V-8, positraction, and a carburetor that sucks air so hard that it feels like it is going to suck your hands into the engine when you put them on the air intakes when your father gooses the gas as you are helping him tune the beast up.

Smart cars of for some, street rods are for others.
Comments
- Oh Yeah Arisztid. A man after my own heart...
  Nothing like that rush, However the Smart car would be stuck in the gutter from the force of that 455 blowin' it right off the road
  Ah,,,The memories..
  When the smart car comes optioned with a big block, I may consider one....until then...
  - Report
  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 2nd, 2009
- No shit sherlock! Indeed it would be.
  .
  I think a big block would crush it flat though. It probably weighs more than the smart car itself.
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  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- Here is how I learned to get something out of the glove box. Not as simple as it should be. I would lean forward to open the glove box and...
  .
  ... he nailed the gas, flatting me back against the seat. My "fatherrrrrrrr" would be met with his best "what did I do?" look.
  .
  Then I would lean forward again. Repeat procedure.
  .
  Each of my "fatherrrrrrrrr!"s would meet with that "what did I do" look. A few more times, add more "!!!"s and an even more innocence from my father.
  .
  Eventually I figured out to grab that ridge under the dash immediately so when he floored it I could get what I wanted. Or I just learned to not get things out of the glove box unless we were at a stop or he could not nail it.
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  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- Heh!
  .
  You know, there WERE people who put V-8's in the old VW Beetles. Don't ask me how.
  .
  But theyhad to have had a H*LL of a power-to-weight ratio!
  .
  I don't know how they performed otherwise, though.
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  by The Chief on November 11th, 2009
- I have worked on a VW beetle and know the engine compartment well. A big block could not be put in there without modifying the engine compartment to include part of the passenger compartment.
  .
  Or they would have had to put it in the trunk, which is in the front. I cannot even imagine the power train issues with that. And what would you do with the gas tank?
  .
  Oy, the mechanics of this boggle the mind.
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  by Arisztid on November 11th, 2009
- I do believe it was essentially turned into a mid-engine car. You would HAVE to do that to get a V-8 of any kind in there.
  .
  Which meant structural changes to the body of the car to get it to support the engine.
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  by The Chief on November 11th, 2009
- There would have to be massive structural changes... what about the tranny and rest of the power train... gunning a large block would rip a VW to bits errr ...
  .
  *brain fizzles*
  - Report
  by Arisztid on November 11th, 2009
- Perhaps you've heard of E.J. Potter, the Michigan Madman: http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/05/08/ej-potter-michigan-madman/ ?
  
  I heard that he put a 327 Chevy engine into a motorcycle frame.
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  by Brian on November 11th, 2009
- Oh definitely. He has balls and I hope he keeps them if he is still doing that.
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  by Arisztid on November 11th, 2009
- There is a motercycle company in Tennessee that builds motorcycles that come with a Chevy ZZ4 350.. I have actually seen one of these beasts up in La Honda Ca.
  Crraaaaazzzyyyy Fast
  http://www.alumrad.com/BossHossRad.JPG
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  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 11th, 2009
- Yes, it would kill me. Yes, I would go with a huge grin on my face.
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  by Arisztid on November 11th, 2009
- Dear. God. In. Heaven.....
  .
  This guy was Tim the Toolman Taylor LONG before Tim Allen developed him!
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  by The Chief on November 12th, 2009
- "This guy was Tim the Toolman Taylor LONG before Tim Allen developed him!"
  .
  Good comparison- perhaps it's something about living in Michigan. ;)
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  by Brian on November 12th, 2009
- Tim the Toolman Taylor with a NEED FOR SPEED.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- What's the fastest anyone here has driven or rode in a land vehicle?
  I have a feeling that my record would be 4th place in this thread. ;)
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  by Brian on November 12th, 2009
- I pegged the spedo on a Suzuki Intruder and kept on going. I had to stop at around 90 (I am guessing) because the front wheel started to float dangerously.
  .
  In the old GS I found that it could go as fast as the spedo said. Well nearly so. If I remember correctly the spedo went to 145 but a bit before that it started to float so had to back off. The GS was still accelerating and not showing signs of having problems other than the floating. Many GS owners install a piece that creates a downdraft to stick them to the road to solve this problem. I think 120 or so for that one.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- "I had to stop at around 90 (I am guessing) because the front wheel started to float dangerously."
  .
  When you say "float", do you mean that it was starting to be lifted by aerodynamic force and lose contact with the ground, i.e. you were getting close to pulling a wheelie?
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  by Brian on November 12th, 2009
- Yep... exactly.
  .
  So how fast have you gone on a land based vehicle?
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- Who makes the GS?
  .
  "So how fast have you gone on a land based vehicle?"
  .
  Only 110, but it was in a POS, 75 HP, 1980 Ford Fiesta. :p
  .
  I now have a 127 HP 1997 Honda Civic EX, but the most I could do was 105. I guess it has an upper speed governor.
  .
  Have you ever been to a drag race?
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  by Brian on November 12th, 2009
- Buick. It was a 1970 GS455.
  .
  Holy crap, how did you get that to make it to 110?? You get extra Kudos for just achieving that.
  .
  My Intruder might have had an upper speed governor but it got too squirrly to find out. It is bad when a car starts getting squirrly but you know you are going to die when a bike does. When I had to back off I knew that, if it had not been squirrly, that there was a lot more to that bike because it was accelerating easily. I also do not know if it was 90 because that was just a guess. I might have gone faster.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- This is what a GS looks like:
  http://www.buickstreet.com/images/larrys-1970-gs-455-main.jpg
  .
  Unassuming, no? Looks like a Skylark other than the hood scoops and very understated lettering on the back of the front quarterpanels and on the grille but...
  http://forums.aaca.org/attachments/f163/29707d1240716315-1970-buick-gs-455-4-speed-37590.jpg
  .
  ... is what looks up at you when you pop that unassuming hood.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- "Buick. It was a 1970 GS455."
  .
  Wow, that is one big-ass block! I think in the early-mid 60's the biggest blocks were the Chevy and Ford 427's.
  .
  Did you ever race against any other muscle-mobiles from that era?
  Like a Duster, Firebird, 'vette, or Z28 Camaro?
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  by Brian on November 12th, 2009
- "Holy crap, how did you get that to make it to 110?? You get extra Kudos for just achieving that."
  .
  Hmmm, maybe we were going slightly downhill with a tailwind. :p
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  by Brian on November 12th, 2009
- I once got my Mom's 1973 Dodge Custom Coronet up to an estimated 135 mph. The speedometer went to 120...but I'm guesstimating the extra 15 mph, based on the distance the needle went beyond 120.
  .
  And it was STILL speeding up! That 318 two barrel was a STRONG engine! I chickened out at 135 mph...the front end was REALLY floating!
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  by The Chief on November 12th, 2009
- A 73 managed that?? I am impressed. 72 was the end of the era of real street rods, however, there were some good ones in 73. Yours must have been one.
  .
  Still an impressive achievement, Brian.
  .
  I know that my father did in the street rod class at Sears Point so I am certain that he got the GS up above 120. I am just too nervous once a vehicle starts feeling squirrly. I chicken out at the slightest float. I know that at the 120 or so the GS was still opening up and felt like it wanted to go, go, go!
  .
  I dream of getting a GS in adult life and, if I do, I shall be putting something on it to keep it stuck to the road.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- One of the odd things about that PARTICULAR engine, Brian, is that engines with 450 cubic inches, just a hair smaller than the 455 and another 455 that I barely remember were resoundingly tromped by that particular engine.
  .
  It just came together well and was a fluke.
  .
  It was always so entertaining to be underestimated because my father was racing with "just a Skylark" (GSs use a Skylark body). When they caught up to us they would look big eyed, my father or I would say, depending on which side we were racing, "GS455... not Skylark." Then smoke them again. Or when parked, someone coming up and snickering at the Skylark, my father crooking a finger for them to follow, popping the hood, their jaws dropping, my father calmly closing the hood with a smile.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- I only got to drive it in the late 70's so, as a driver, I missed the heyday of street drag racing. However, I lived through the absolute prime of street dragging as a passenger.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- Hey Arisztid and Brian..
  Mine was a Stage 1 which had a hotter cam, oversized valves and a larger carb. It had more horsepower and torque than the GS. What a ride..
  I got mine to about 130 and it seemed just fine and I know she had more. I had it tuned to run a little hotter and was able to bump th bhp up even more... I sure miss it..
  when things get back to normal, I want another also.
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  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 12th, 2009
- Ours was dead stock, absolutely dead stock, and I know, from experience, that at 120 she was hoping I would floor it. No, it was not floored... nowhere near.
  .
  The only thing that was not as it came out of the factory was the radiator. I think they put a Skylark radiator in her by mistake and nobody could figure out why she overheated so easily. That overheating was a HUGE problem.
  .
  Eventually they put a truck radiator in and never another problem.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- When you took the exhaust manifolds off of the block, were both the intake and exhaust ports frigging huge? I cannot remember which one was the oddest... intake or exhaust. One of them was abnormally large. I had seen motors before and, when I saw those ports, I just squinted, shook my head, looked again... and they were STILL that big.
  .
  I have never seen anything like that since, including on big blocks.
  .
  Just plain whatever they did when they made that motor worked out right.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait...
  .
  I think remember "Stage 1" on the air filter housing. I did not know that that was different. However, it definitely was a 455.
  .
  Did yours have Stage 1 on the air filter housing or am I not remembering correctly?
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- I found a better picture. This is what ours looked like:
  http://www.buickstreet.com/images/larrys-1970-gs-455-engine-bay1.jpg
  .
  The other picture was one I found hurriedly.
  .
  I did not know there was anything other than what we had. D'oh.
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  by Arisztid on November 12th, 2009
- Yeah, it was a nice car! Mom bought it used. She was in her fifties when she got it.
  .
  I remember her coming home from some trip to the bank or grocery store one day, and when she walked in the house she said:
  .
  "Don't tell Dad, but the Dodge does 90 REAL easy!"
  .
  I never told her a couple years later that it also did 135 REAL easy, too...
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  by The Chief on November 13th, 2009
- Good on your mom!
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- "Don't tell Dad, but the Dodge does 90 REAL easy!"
  .
  Is your mom Shirley Muldowney? ;)
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  by Brian on November 13th, 2009
- Hey Arisztid...It sure did, it also had bigger sway bars on the front and different gear ratio. It also had larger round exhaust ports..this addes about 50 more horses to the GS.
  There was also GSX, I am not sure what the difference in the engine was but it had a few exterior things the Stage1 did not have, stripping and a rear spoiler..
  Did yours have the stage 1 option?
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  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 13th, 2009
- It had to have been. I remember very clearly those ports. I had forgotten which ones were so startling (I forgot if they were the intake or exhaust... I was about 14 when I saw that block) but the thing about them were that they were round as well as huge as I mentioned above. I did not mention them being round but that really stands out. I have never seen anything like it before or since.
  .
  Thei picture of this engine was the one that was under the hood:
  http://www.buickstreet.com/images/larrys-1970-gs-455-engine-bay1.jpg
  .
  Did the Stage 1 have any markings defining it as a Stage 1 other than the sticker on the air filter housing? I do not remember anything that visually identified it as a Stage 1 other than that sticker. If there is, maybe the manufacturer made an error like they did with the radiator.
  .
  I have no clue if my father picked out the Stage 1 option because I was 7 when he got the car off of the showroom in 1970. Until now I did not realize there was a GS other than the one we had and the GSX.
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- Thinking about it, does a Stage 1 require a larger radiator? I always thought we had the overheating problem because they put a Skylark radiator in it.
  .
  That was a miserable month or so, constant overheating, taking it back again and again to the dealership. They never found out the problem. However, they fixed it by putting a much larger radiator in it. No more overheating problems. :)
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- When we had the radiator flushed I remember they said it was a 3 core, stock, and a 7 blade fan...
  It did have the air filter stage 1 sticker and a small stage 1 emblem attached to the bottom of the GS logo on the front fenders..
  There was also an after market Stage2 package available, which had larger heads..
  Sounds like your fathers WAS a Stage1...
  They were , IMHO, the best of the 70's muscle..
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  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 13th, 2009
- One thing I just rememberd.. Did yours have chrome valve cover bolts, the stage1 had these.
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  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 13th, 2009
- I do not remember a Stage 1 emblem attached to the bottom of the GS logo but, then again, I was a kid. Or it was another manufacturer error.
  .
  My father bought a GS455 and a couple of manufacturer errors combined with unobservant mechanics could have had them put a normal 455 radiator in it and possibly the wrong logo (or I just do not remember). It sounds like a normal 455 radiator would have caused this problem. We got it at the beginning of the model year as well from a small dealership... that might have been part of the problem.
  .
  I highly doubt that my father knew enough to request a Stage 1... we just lucked out. That explains why we obliterated 450s and the other 455 out there (I do not remember what make and model the other 455 was). There were people putting radical cams and turbo chargers on their cars to beat us. All such efforts failed.
  .
  I have to join your humble opinion on that. :)
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- I cannot remember if it had chrome valve cover bolts.
  .
  Damn I wish I could find the pictures of it. I have a couple of the car itself and of the engine.
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- Would you happen to have an image of that logo? You said that the Stage 1 emblem was small but I might remember it if I saw it.
  .
  Oh the last time I saw our GS was in the early 80s (my father had passed on and given the car to the family friend). I have spoken with the guy who has her since then but that was the last time I actually saw it.
  .
  I was with the family friend after my father had passed and we were in a parking lot, leaning against the GS. Some guy came up and tried to buy it, offering more and more money. The friend and I responded by laughing harder and harder, eventually getting in and driving off.
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- Well, with your memory of those huge round exaust ports and the Stage 1 sticker on the Air filter, sounds like it to me..
  It could have been that they ordered the stage I options for your Dad, if he went in there requesting something with Power, back then the option was probably just a couple hundred dollars.
  The 455 also went in the Wildcat, some Riviera's and I think Olds used it in the 440 w-30 (not sure on that last one).
  None had the torque of the GS though and your Dads would have put them all down..
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  by designer is wearing a ....... on November 13th, 2009
- @Brian...
  .
  Pardon the spam but I did not notice your comment:
  "Did you ever race against any other muscle-mobiles from that era?
  Like a Duster, Firebird, 'vette, or Z28 Camaro?"
  .
  Oh yes. We smoked them all. I am not exaggerating when I said that no street legal rod beat us. Remember that I grew up in the heyday of street dragging and in one of the absolute national hotspots for it. One of the people we pissed off the most had a 1970 (or 72? I cannot remember) Firebird. He did more modifications to beat us... not a chance. My father and he would go to Sears Point together in his effort to beat us then do more tweaks to his car... no go.
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- Now THAT could be it, Designer. My father would definitely have done that. From my stories, you can probably tell that he had the Need for Speed.
  .
  I know that they had to order the thing... he did not buy the floor model. Like any small dealership does, he told them what he wanted and they got it for him because they did not carry all of the models on the floor. I know that he spent a long time test driving lots of cars and had decided on the GS, then did the usual dealership thing.
  .
  I think the other 455 was an Olds. I just googled it and found this: "A larger big-block was introduced for 1968 as the Rocket 455"
  .
  I had always wondered why this one 455 obliterated other identical displacement or slightly smaller displacement engines.
  .
  Well, now I know. :)
  .
  Next time I speak to the guy who has our GS I am going to ask about that logo.
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2009
- Heh! No, Mom wasn't Shirley Muldowney, but whe was quite a character in her own right!
  - Report
  by The Chief on November 13th, 2009
- Very enjoyable answer and comment string.
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  by Cowboy-Matter of Fact on November 24th, 2009
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by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on October 23rd, 2009
They would need to use the jaws of life to get me out!
Comments
- Or do you mean. . . . .IN. . . . .POLICE???? LOL Thanks! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009
- Im a BIG dude, I don;t think I would ever make it IN to one either.
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on October 23rd, 2009
- Nah. No Jaws of Life necessary for those cars.
  .
  Rescue squads have started carrying these items for those cars:
  .
  http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/88320526.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=49768722B86DC0FDD40F14399EAE7EA00393837744B6428C53997F491D81431FE30A760B0D811297
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  by The Chief on October 23rd, 2009
- Hello Chief, link is not working.
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on October 23rd, 2009
- It's a sardine can being opened with one of those sardine can keys.
  .
  :):):)
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  by The Chief on October 23rd, 2009
- Thats funny
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on October 23rd, 2009
- I thought so!
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  by The Chief on October 23rd, 2009
- Yeah! That IS funny! Have a nice day, you guys!
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 24th, 2009
- You too, Millenium!
  - Report
  by The Chief on October 24th, 2009
- Now, POLICE, you know you want this:
  http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200806/smart-police-car_460x0w.jpg
  - Report
  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- I love tiny things!~
  the only way my huge frame will fit in there is if they cut me into pieces first!
  - Report
  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
- But what would you do if you had to chase down someone in one of these (I want one as an adult too):
  http://www.buickstreet.com/images/larrys-1970-gs-455-main.jpg
  .
  My father's GS looked like that. Looks chase downable, right? Wrong;
  http://forums.aaca.org/attachments/f163/29707d1240716315-1970-buick-gs-455-4-speed-37590.jpg
  .
  ... is what greets you when you pop the hood.
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  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- wow very impressive!
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
- I loved growing up with that... that was our family car which my father drag raced at Sears Point on weekends and street dragged in San Rafael. He took me with him for street racing and we smoked all legal street rods.
  .
  Here is my answer to this question:
  http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/8164061
  - Report
  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- Uh, I mean, no, officer.
  .
  We never broke the law and I would never drive something like that again. *looks innocent*
  .
  :)
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  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- Well honestly theres nothing quite like speeding :)
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
- Now THERE is an honest policeman!
  .
  So, could your unit keep up with the big 455?
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  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- I'm new to Hemi powered engines, I'm driving around in a one, its got a kick I'm not famil with, and not being a car buff, I couldn't say which would win...I CAN say, it would be a freaking blast finding out though!
  - Report
  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
- Great answer! That was actually a serious question.
  .
  Your unit has to have lots of beef ups but it has serious limitations that we did not have in the grand days of street rods.
  .
  It would be technology vs horsepower.
  .
  I dream of getting another 455. I would love to find a policeman with a unit with a hemi under the hood who wanted to unofficially find out.
  - Report
  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- lol I'm sure they're out there.
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
- Oh my... I just found this:
  http://www.motortrend.com/photo_gallery/112_0704_police_car_comparison_gallery/photo_08.html
  .
  I am salivating and thinking that that drag race would be one of the most memorable experiences of our lives.
  .
  They are and another bagger has one. If I get the money to get one I probably shall. They are serious collector cars and insuring them cost a mint. Most rods are not worth much now but the GS is steadily climbing.
  - Report
  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- oh my!...thats something else!
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
- I cannot even identify most of what I am looking at there. It looks like something out of a science fiction story. My mechanicin' days ended with the start of the smog systems and I am no further along than basic fuel injection.
  .
  There is no way for me to guess what that could do. It obviously is a smaller engine but, since I do not know what I am looking at, I could not hazard a guess.
  - Report
  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
- lol I concur
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  by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on November 2nd, 2009
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by DukeG on October 23rd, 2009
I'm sorry but People look Ridiculous in them. I was at a red light yesterday and there was one across the street from me. The guy driving looked right at me and I burst out laughing. I could understand if they got 100 miles per gallon but They don't even get that great a gas mileage.
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by Mikelbf2000 on October 23rd, 2009
the look like Steve Urkel's car.
Comments
- Who's he???? +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009
- this is Steve Urkel's car: http://www.fresh99.com/steve-urkels-car.htm
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  by Kewl Guy - has gone 360 on October 23rd, 2009
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by cloudman on November 2nd, 2009
I would love to see them used more widely but I realize there are issues. For example, I'd not want to drive one where I was on the same road with trucks and other large vehicles - even S.U.V.s. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I'd like to see all of us using them but realize that there are some probably insurmountable problems using those vehicles safely without special or separate byways for trucks and other large vehicles. I don't know that special lanes would be the answer but maybe.

R.V. enthusiasts would surely object to legislation that disallowed their favored vehicles and of course there are other categories of concern too. I've R.V.'d before and would not want it to no longer be an available option as a life style.

Not long ago I saw a couple in a smart car on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina - a roadway with a maximum speed limit of 45 mph, winding, twisting, up and down for 469 miles from end to end. There is a lot of motorcycle traffic on that Parkway (a part of the National Parks System) because it's so much fun and so beautiful. That couple in the smart car seemed to be having such a good time and I was happy for them - even a little envious. Also, it seemed to me upon cursory examination that the vehicle was very well engineered.
Comments
- They DO look cute, cloudman; if not a bit "Flintstoneish"! LOL But cute doesn't really make up for "safe" and "economical"! Yeah! Special lanes might be a good idea! Thanks for your answer! Appreciate it! And I REALLY love those Blue Ridge Mountains. A splendid drive! Have a terrific day! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 2nd, 2009
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by Gnome of Kevonia is a Cheerwine junkie on October 23rd, 2009
Too cramped, gas mileage no better than a Toyota Corolla (believe it or not), and unsafe (did you know a Smart hitting a Smart is more dangerous for the occupants than a typical 2000s car hitting a typical 2000s car). No use other than the low price. Get a 2 year old small car instead.
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- Good advice, Gnome! I'll keep that in mind! Thanks for your answer and have a terrific day! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 24th, 2009
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by La CaBrOnA on October 23rd, 2009
yea do not like them way to small......i will pay more for my gas in my chevy to drive comfortably!!!!!!
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by qwerty on October 23rd, 2009
suicidal on American highways
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by Anonymous on October 23rd, 2009
I am surprised they have come to America finally. I saw them everywhere living in Europe, and I thought they were quite weird and not ideal for safety. I would not buy one for a fear of dying in a crash instantly.
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by kybear on October 23rd, 2009
not for me. sorry. I drive a small car now but those things are ridiculous.
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by Mountain Momma on October 23rd, 2009
I'm not a fan of them. They wouldn't be very safe if you would happen to wreck.

By the way, remember when I told you about my sister and said I would keep you updated on her thyroid issues? She got the test results back and they said that one of the masses seemed abnormal. She must have more testing before they can tell us anything.
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by philosopher on October 23rd, 2009
My Husband and Son are over Six feet tall. They would not fit.
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- +5 Millenium
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  by philosopher on October 23rd, 2009
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by jin jang on October 23rd, 2009
I think they are a SMART idea.Image that rush hour would be considerably shorter because you could fit 2 cars in the space of those crazy SUV's. Gas consumption is cut in half,and there would be great savings.The Japanese have been driving cars this small for 60 years,they have got it right.
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by demorgans in a COAT of Good Grace on October 23rd, 2009
They'd be a great thing if I didn't have to lug around to little kids, two teenagers and the groceries! lol No way they would all fit in that tiny car!!!
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by Squirrel Face on October 23rd, 2009
Not for me, but if other people like them, that's cool. I can see it being perfect for like the little old lady that just drives the supermarket 3 times a week or something like that.
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- Yeah! I'm think'n that's what they're good for, too! I've yet to see one on the HIGHWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Thanks, Squirrel Face! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009
- Yeah, me neither. Someone in my neighborhood has one. Perfect for my neighborhood, the parking sucks.
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  by Squirrel Face on October 23rd, 2009
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by Wind in the Willow on October 23rd, 2009
They are the coolest, I'm in love.
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- they suck, probobly not safe as well. Stupid looking cars.
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  by Mikelbf2000 on October 23rd, 2009
- Do you own one, Willow? +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009
- No, but the only thing missing is if they could fly too. Then they'd be perfect.
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  by Wind in the Willow on October 23rd, 2009
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by Dude 101.6 on November 19th, 2009
They are ugly, and they suck
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- Hey! My kind of answer! Short, sweet, and "to the point"! Thank you and hey! welcome to AB! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 19th, 2009
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by Factotum on November 11th, 2009
They look like death traps to me. I suppose they could be the car of the future if the government first seized all the cars of the past and present.
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They look like a cheap plastic utopia.
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- Hey! Well said, Factotum! Yeah! I agree! If we ALL drove one, it MIGHT be a different story! They look like some kind of a "bug" to me that got "chopped in half"! LOL Thanks for your answer and have a terrific day today! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 12th, 2009
- And you also.
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  by Factotum on November 12th, 2009
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by Takei-Shihan on November 8th, 2009
The standard body lacks good looks, try some of these "3rd Party after sales" body kits

.
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- OMG! Those are so-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o CUTE! I LOVE those! They look like little "Smurfs" cars ! LOL Thanks for sharing those! They're GREAT! Appreciate your "fun" answer and have a terrific day today, Takei-Shihan! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 9th, 2009
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by Anonymous on November 7th, 2009
If you live in a cramped city where parking is a problem and you always ride by yourself then I guess they serve their function. However, I see them all the time in south Florida where space is plentiful and they look ridiculous. Additionally, they get the same gas mileage as a 4 seater (plus full trunk) Honda Civic and they cost about the same so, to paraphrase Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, "I do not think Smart means what you think it means."
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- LOL Good one, Anonymous! They look like "bugs" to me that got their bodies chopped in half! I mean. . . . .they DO look weird! And my husband was telling me the same thing YOU did about their fuel consumption! How pointless it all seems! And "fuel economy" is THE most important consideration for ME when I buy a vehicle! Thanks for your answer and have a terrific day today! And hey! welcome to AB! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 8th, 2009
- if fuel is THE main concern, check out Tesla's model S
  .
  http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php
  .
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  by Takei-Shihan on November 9th, 2009
- Thank you so much, Takei-Shihan, for providing that link! I'll check it out, to be sure!
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 9th, 2009
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by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on November 2nd, 2009
I'm too tall and big to be comfortable in one.
I don't believe they are safe enough to justify the gas savings.
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- I'm beginning to think you're right! They're really cute! But being "cute" never makes up for being safe and economical, does it? Thanks, Ed! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on November 2nd, 2009
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by Galeanda on November 2nd, 2009
I think they are cute looking and practical for urban areas
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by malevolentbutticklis on November 2nd, 2009
I am always tempted to power over them in my SUV like a monster truck.
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- Gotta points you.
  .
  Ouch, that hurt.
  .
  Flooring one of those and flooring the old GS455... I would be in the next State by the time they got to the next light.
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  by Arisztid on November 2nd, 2009
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by Gabstar on October 24th, 2009
im short, and i don't think i could get in or out of one with ease :P
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- LOL Okay, gabstar! Are their seats like those of a Vet? A lot of people complain about Vetts being difficult to get in and out of, too! Thanks for your answer and have a terrific day today! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 25th, 2009
- hahaha, that could very well be true :)
  no worries, and you have a good day too!
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  by Gabstar on October 25th, 2009
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by THE ROOKIE on October 23rd, 2009
NOT Ideal for American roads, especaialty in the winter,, and the pot holes. it is bad enough for my truck now.

Sure they great for Asia and Eurpoe where the roads are smaller and well maintain.

and I did see one in a wreck all right , went right under a Semi truck, it was not good for the driver of the smart car.
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by Kewl Guy - has gone 360 on October 23rd, 2009
sure wouldn't want to get into a wreck in one - thats for sure...wouldn't make it!
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by Marky Mark on October 23rd, 2009
Not for me. It would feel like I don't belong on the road. Frankly, I think they're dangerous.
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- They probably are but they sure are popular! I see them EVERYWHERE!!! Thanks, Marky Mark! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009
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by the guy behind the bushes on October 23rd, 2009
They look very un-safe cuz there so small
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- Yeah! But I'll bet they're great on gas mileage! LOL Thanks for your answer, guy! Appreciate it! +6
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  by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on October 23rd, 2009
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by jessalin on October 24th, 2009
They will never take off here. Americans like big flashy things. And parents like strong safe vehicles.
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by - alluseek - on November 2nd, 2009
get back to me when they start breaking down @ 50,000 miles and no one local can fix them. They look great NEW at the mileage they get, but if you are still making monthly payments, and the repairs are $600, $800, $1000 etc for fairly routine things, they will look MUCH less enticing.
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by need2no on November 2nd, 2009
I think they are rediculous, and not smart at all. Unsafe (even if all cars were that size), uncool, and uncomfortable, uneccessary, and impracticle.
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by dmb86 on November 8th, 2009
Great idea, but only if you live in a big city and need a small car for parking purposes. They don't get that great of gase mileage. Even a Toyota Corolla or Prius is comparable to it. Safety on them is much better than one would imagine for such a small car, but none the less, not as safe as a larger vehicle. Decently priced, but no room for anything.. maybe like 3 bags of groceries. It's cheaper to just buy something like a Corolla and car pool, if you did the math on that, it would be cheaper just to get the corolla and you would have more space for groceries, kids, or whatever.
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by Ironhead on October 24th, 2009
A rolling coffin.......Wouldn't catch me dead in one.
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Question

So what's YOUR opinion on those "itsy bitsy", "teeny weenie" SMART CARS?

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