The Chevrolet Corvette, a Sportscar legend and a Auto Classic for ever, has somehow survived inflated insurance rates; all types of inane and meaningless safety legislation and engine pollution add ons. The Chevrolet Corvette has been universally accepted as the measure of a high performance sports car. Cars come and go, new model of cars emerge and disappear and yet the Corvette lives on. No car has been able to cover as many aspects of the high performance sport as the Corvette. The versatility of this fantastic automobile has appealed to all age groups and has kept the ownership of a Corvette, a most prestigious thing.
The Corvette has gone through many changes in its lifetime, including every custom and hot rod trend going. It has a miracle that the Corvette has remained a true high performance sports car and did not mature into a two plus two sedan as did Ford's Thunderbird. The Corvette was in the on the beginnings of the fast car era. In the mid 50's people wanted fast cars, and by 1957 the Corvette was leading the pack. Hot rodding owes a big debt to the Corvette; it was responsible for almost all of the higher performance parts ever to come from Chevrolet. Four speed transmissions, dual quad intake manifolds and hot solid lifter camshafts.
One of the big contributions to the Corvette's success story was the variety of options that were offered. Ever since 1956, there had been the choice of a standard of high performance automatic transmission. Each car could be tailored into a semi competitive race car of a good day to day commuter by just selecting the right options. The Corvette could play either role very well.
Performance was the trend in the late 1950's and early 1960's. One of the biggest controversies of the day was which was faster ? a Corvette with dual four barrel carbs or one with fuel injection.
Corvette owners were buying the high performance versions and putting them to good use at weekend drags and the novice road events. There were metallic brake and sway bar options for the sporty set. And although the suspensions system was a conglomeration of early passenger car parts, the low center of gravity and near equal weight distribution made these cars handle well. The 50/50 weight distribution did not hurt the drag racers one bit either, and they won more than their share.
When 1963 happened, it brought with it a real change in the Corvette. The new body style called the ?Sting Ray? was unavailable in a fastback version commonly referred to as a ?coupe? and in the traditional roadster version with a removable hardtop. The Sting Ray had much cleaner lines than its predecessors and even featured retractable headlights. With the change in body style, the suspension was vastly improved with a new independent rear suspension assembly and updated steering gear. It still had the performance of the older cars, including the Rochester fuel injected 327 cubic inch engine, rated at 360 horsepower.
The Chevrolet Corvette is certainly an American Sportscar Classic.
What's a Willys?
Although Willys is a name that brings a blank look to most people's faces, it's one of the most recognizable vehicles out there: the World War II Army jeep. These sturdy and reliable performers remained one of the most popular Army vehicles for decades, serving not only Americans in Korea and Viet Nam but armies of other nations even to this day.
The original MB model was named a critical tool of World War II by General Eisenhower and an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The late 1970s saw a change in the US military's policy toward personnel and cargo transport. They decided to go with larger and more advanced vehicles, so the venerable jeeps and trucks were replaced with the Humvee.
Although no longer used by the American military, there is still a strong community of enthusiasts that keeps their Willys fighting fit. Even 30 years after retirement, there is no lack of Willys Jeep parts and supplies.
Cheap, Tough, and Versatile
With World War II looming on the horizon, the US Army had basically three specifications for its new personnel vehicle. It had to be tough enough to survive combat use. It had to be able to drive anywhere from deserts to swamps. And it had to be cheap enough to supply an army.
The very characteristics that made the Jeep such a successful army vehicle are what make it so beloved today. It's not fancy. It's not pretty except to another jeeper. But it's rugged and never gives up.
Willys Jeeps were built in the days when all you needed to fix your car was a screwdriver. When you need to replace Willys Jeep parts, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to do it. You don't need expensive tools and computerized analysis. Invest a little sweat and elbow grease and your Jeep is ready to roll again.
The Off-Road Vehicle Built for Off-Roading
Most four-wheel vehicles built today are designed to look pretty sitting in your driveway. They are status symbols rather than rugged vehicles, no matter what the slick television ads say.
Willys Jeeps are all about function over form. These are not glorified minivans. These are vehicles for people who want to come home covered in dust and mud. They are about adventure and exploration and genuine off-road experiences.
Since they aren't manufactured anymore, it can be hard to find one - and even harder to find one that's not obscenely overpriced. Patience will pay off, particularly if you are willing to buy a junker and replace a few of the Willys Jeep parts yourself.
Both Harold Z. Stofman & Christine Harrell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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