Question of the Day: What's Your Favorite GM Car?

Jonny Lieberman
by Jonny Lieberman

Tomorrow marks the 100-year anniversary of General Motors. It also marks a 6am reveal of the Chevy Volt at the RenCen (we have got to talk to the postman). Anyhow, one whole century is a whole lot of cars. Like, a whole Hell of a lot of cars. In fact, I’m starting to realize the ludicrous scope of this QOTD as I type it. With so much history (and much of it so good), even just picking my favorite decade is difficult. A few cars jump to mind. Cadillacs from the 1950s. Corvettes from the 1960s. Oh jeeze, a 1965 Pontiac GTO, right? But wait– what about a 1970 Judge? And we can’t forget the Corvair, now can we? And now my mind is filled with thoughts of the 1986 Buick GNX. Definitely the best GM car ever. Except for the new CTS-V and ZR1. And I might even like the C4 ZR1 best of all. This is a tough one. My first car was a 1985 Pontiac Parisienne Safari Sation Wagon. It was set up for towing, so instead of the standard 140 hp 305, it had a 400 from a Chevy truck with an unspecified amount of power. It also (supposedly) had truck brakes and a truck transmission. Well, the “Lieberwagon” did make it to 283k some miles before turning itself into a seven-cylinder. And before it did, I once took eleven humans and a drum set from Sonoma County to Sacramento then back. So, that’s my favorite GM car. Yours?

Jonny Lieberman
Jonny Lieberman

Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.

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  • Shaker Shaker on Sep 16, 2008

    I didn't see any mention of my fave car that I owned back in '73: 1969 Grand Prix; Dark Green Metallic. Long hood, short rear deck - hella cool "cockpit" interior. Went like stink with the 400 CID V8, handled well enough for the day, stopped well. Topped out @ 140MPH, got 20MPG on the highway (when the speed limit was 55, heh) But my beauty had the infamous nylon coated timing gear that pulled a disappearing act - right into the oil pan. That was an expensive repair. I think it was the only car that I didn't wreck back in my "crazy days". :-)

  • Monsenor Monsenor on Sep 16, 2008

    First would be 63 Vette based on initial and lasting impression. Pedaled my bike to the dealer when it was introduced and spent an hour sitting in the drivers seat intoxicated by it's newness and design. To young to drive but..... Second would be the 65 Impala SS that I bought used in 1970 and drove happily for years with nothing but a few oil and tire changes. Beautiful car!

  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Sep 17, 2008
    Lumbergh21: 1949 Chevy pickup. What a deathtrap though. That’s part of the appeal. :-) I still don’t have seat belts, and the tank is still in the cab behind the seat. I know many owners of these old trucks replace the engine with a 350 and a 350th transmission as well as move the gas tank under the bed between the frame rails and install a Mustang II front end. All good ideas, but not for me. I don’t complain about it though as it keeps these wonderfull old trucks on the road. You sir, have good taste. Dad built a hot rod '49 Chevy truck. Nice to look at but useless. Too pretty to do much with. I'd keep mine stock except that gas tank issue. Keep the cap on the side of the cab. Put the tank under the back of the bed. I drove mine daily for a while in 1999 or so. Six volt electrics are fun in the winter. Vacuum wipers are fun in traffic. There there was the worn king pins. Wish I still had that truck. I like the old cars but I prefer some basic safety too. Dual circuit brakes. My Mustang lost it's single circuit brakes twice. First car too. Seatbelts are welcomed. Some decent fuel system safety. Everything else can stay stock. If I was "going all out" I'd add a two piece steering column for collision safety and make it look original. I'd add a good vacuum wiper motor for more wiper action on hills. Lastly I'd improve the lighting a little. Just so the other cars might notice me. I see them just fine even with those dim lights.
  • Stingray Stingray on Sep 17, 2008

    Many: 1981 Caprice, 305 V8... my father had one. Excellent car. 1989 Caprice 1996 Caprice with 9C1 police package 1972 Chevelle SS-454 1970 Olds 442 1969 GTO, The Judge 1969 Camaro 1978 Trans-Am 1992 Firebird Formula 1992 Firebird Firehawk 4th Gen F-body, both brands. Corvette: C2; C3; C4; C6... don't liked the C5 too much. Of those, C4 ZR-1, C6 Z06, C3 Split Window and Fuelie, C3... 74 style on Cadillac CTS, both gens, if V-version better. 1996 Chevy Tahoe 2007 Chevy Tahoe 1988-1998 C-K Pickup. I love the style of these trucks. 2007+ Chevy Silverado 1970-1972 Camaro 1974 Firebird... ummm Super Duty 455 =) 1996 Impala SS 1987 Buick GNX, also Grand National 1987 Chevy Monte Carlo Aerocoupe, don't remember if there was an SS version 1959 Cadillac Eldorado (convertible) The original Oldsmobile Toronado The Riv Mr. Farago mentioned 1987 Chevy Chevette (as sold in Venezuela) I learned to drive in one of those. The bubbletop Impala mentioned above with the 409 1973 Chevelle Malibu 1990-1992 Isuzu Impulse (I own 2), maybe not fully GM car but under that umbrella. Puff that was too many. Sure, I qualify as a GM fan =)

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