The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk We all got it right - GM didn't

TONIGHT CNN says that General Motors is looking back to the 50's for inspirational designs for its new line-up of cars and trucks, check here:http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/funonwheels/12/12/chevy_cool/index.html

They say that GM's present lineout is about as exciting as a new sports jacket.

We coulda told 'em that already.

Zacca

GM doesn't know which end is up anymore.

Then again, they are not trying to sell a vehicle to me.

-W

Anybody that put the right side motor mount bolt in on a sbc chevy starting in 58 and continuing for years where you had to remove the fuel pump to remove the bolt aint too smart. The 100 point resto yoyos that put it back in the same way aint too smart either.

you only hafta pull the fuel pump once if ya turn the bolt aroud

Well, GM better start looking somewhere other than where they have been. They're not exactly gaining market share.
They have tried, with the SSR, which is a cool, sporty, not very practical version or our AD trucks. It looks great. They also now have the HHR which is like a station wagon with fat fenders. This one missed the mark though. They could have done a lot more with it.

i think that gm is in a sad state of decline right now. they cannot figure out how to compete without wild sales and promos. their vehicles have become shapeless, styleless blobs. their trucks are so prettied up that i would feel guilty working one and ruining the carpet. they have lost sight of their job, to produce dependable and affordable transportation. that means that i, joe consumer, should be able to buy a vehicle that will do what i want and keep me comfortable without mortaging my house. in short they are a disappointment and i for one wish they would hire some good designers and get with the program.

The SSR is a joke. I held my breath for years and vowed to own one but it is not a truck. If they would put a 40s/50s or earlier cab and grille on a truck I'll bet they would sell like hot cakes.

The HHR is a goofy and shameful copy of a PT Cruiser. Why they would copy that car is a baffling question.

If you ask me - this is what the SSR shoulda looked like...

http://www.classictrucksweb.com/toc/0305cl_toc/

i would like to see some of the older body styles come back. i would definetly buy a new belair if they brought it back into production and it looked good. i have herad and read that gm was making the 69 camaro agin. just like it was in 69 using the original dies. they would be priced around 70,000 its a good idea to keep them out of debt. which is what i feel they are trying to do now. they have made a big mistake since about 95 when they started pricing there vehicals extreemly high. even now with the gm pricing plus or what ever they are calling it now they are still making tons of money. i feel they will pay for it down the road in the future. but i think all car companies are going to lose except the companies who make fuel efficent vehicals which seems to be a trend of the younger age. ill stick to my old cars for fun but will continue buying cool good looking chevys.

i think the ssr would look alot better like that truck 53 burb

me too! arnswine posted my version of the ssr on this thread.

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=001996

honestly i think the majority of car manufacturers have lost their ability to design something unique.

I think if they came out with the 69 camaro again it would be a bigger hit then the new mustang. My dad owned a 69 z/28 best looking car i have ever seen. If they came out with them I would make my dad go buy one.

I think the SSR was like "Star Trek Enterprise" the last installment from those star Trek people.
The series was to take place in the time Before
Capt. Kirk. Everyone even old StoveBolters like Scotty know that when you try to appeal to the younger croud (20s and 30s) with an established Starship,or in our case an A.D. Chevy truck, you are going to run into problems. The Enterprise that was to be the for-runner of Cpt.Kirks Enterprise was better designed and had way-cooler gadgets.However The SSR which is to look like the AD Chevy Truck has so much of the GM bowtie grill stretching, gotta look like our whole fleet, but not offend EPA or the car buying public, look to it, that makes you not even want to buy it. What I am trying to say is that if Scotty built a great old Stovebolt, like the Advance Design chevy trucks... well any other designer should just leave them alone.
those are my thoughts.
Cliff59

Deluxe 52,Savoy 54,Apache 59,

Guys,
The 69 Camaro "IS" being remade, but by an aftermarket company who has gone through lengthy legal proceedings with GM to be allowed to call it a Camaro and use consecutive serial numbers. It is currently available only as a convertible and the base unit is just the bare body and doors (no hinges) with no front clip, suspension or hardware for about $12,000. A rolling driver can be had for around $30,000. Plans are to next do 67/68 Camaro coupes and the 67/68 Mustang fastbacks.The price may seem a bit high at first glance, but when you consider the rarity of a totally rust free body for resto and the fact that the manufacturer claims that the fit, geometry and bolt hole location is more consistent than the original units, it becomes more realistic. Anyone interested in more info, check the December 2005 issue of Hot Rod magazine.
Gene

i was pretty sure that they were doing that. i heard about it about 8-9 months ago but did not think much about it. seems like a good idea to make some green.

The SSR and HHR are both jokes. From what people that test drove them told me, they are both underpowered and almost bland. If GM was smart, they'd start making trucks that did what trucks were meant to: haul stuff. The best way they could boot sales would be to reintroduce some of the body styles from the 50's, 60's and 70's; make them safer than what the ones we drive are, but use the quality of materials and workmanship that these old stovebolts have, and describe the engines in c.i.d. specs instead of liters. That would just appeal to everyone.

I was badly dissapointed with the SSR went to look at one instead of a pickup it was a pickup looking sports car and at 50,000 price tag the dealer had I could only say they were nuts.

it seems they would have marked down the ssr by now.the only place i see them is at the dealership.

I think if they are going to reproduce a 50's era car or truck,it should look exactly the same, body wise,interior wise. They could put digital gauges,fuel injected motors,electric windows and seats,improve on the suspension. But leave the body lines and curves,trim packages exactly the way they used to be.Just my thoughts of coarse !!

I agree on the SSR, way overpriced sports car!!