Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396

v8 : 375 hp : 1968

The Swingin' Sixties, the Muscle Car Decade, saw a new generation of American cars rightfully cherished today as the most outrageous and fun means of transportation in automobile history: Pony Cars! A few, like MoPar's Hemi-powered monsters, achieved fame through their prowess on the nation's drag strips, others, like Ford's '65-'66 Shelby Mustang Fastback, as potent road racers. However, when it comes to the most popular Pony Car of all time, there's but one worthy contender for the throne, uniquely personifying the Heartbeat of America: a first-generation Chevrolet Camaro, featuring a big block engine and four-on-the-floor.

At a time when Hemi Cuda convertibles fetch a million dollars (and more) and Shelby Mustangs hit the magic six-digits, it's safe to predict that big block Camaros will achieve stratospheric values in due course.

However, it's of utmost importance to find the right car, and none will fit the bill better than a proverbial Southern California survivor. One that has never been exposed to inclement weather, one that never needed rust repair, one that never suffered from body damage. A car that features every desirable factory option: the biggest engine, the manual 4-speed tranny, Rally Sport Package (RS) and Super Sport Package (SS), the most striking color combination. We're talking about the proverbial needle in the haystack here.

Built at the General's Van Nuys, California assembly plant during the second week of June, 1968 (see cowl tag above) and sold new locally at Fillmore Chevrolet, this Camaro has never left the Golden State.

Looming large under the hood: an original 396 big block, engine casting # 3935440, correct for the late-1968 build date of the car.

235,147 Camaros were built in 1968. A scant 4,575 were fitted with the L78 Super Sport package that included the 375-hp Turbo Jet 396 cubic inch V-8 engine, a $500 option. We think it was the bargain of the Century! Only a percentage of those few were additionally ordered with "Rally Sport" trim (Z22). The "RS" package added the distinct grille with vacuum-operated headlight covers, among other items.

Surveying the Le Mans Blue exterior (factory code: U-U), Factory Rally wheels feature correct caps and trim rings, are shod with very nice GOODYEAR Eagle ST radials. Turning our attention to the inviting, medium blue interior, we immediately notice the woodgrain sports styled (N34) steering wheel, a rarely seen option on a '68.

Special instrumentation package (U17) includes the Tic-Toc-Tach , a combination clock and tachometer. Note the 6,000rpm redline. Four additional gauges, all of them beautifully preserved, are mounted on the center console.

Special hood scoops, a "SS" exclusive, 2? inch duals, Fitted by the factory with a stout 12-bolt posi rear containing ?-mile gearing,

(from eBay posted by Californiaclassix)

Mazda Efini RX7

The ultimate sports car matures nicely.

Rotary : 255 hp : 1992

Uncompromised, that is what the third generation is. Uncompromised by the need to be anything other than a supreme sports car.

In 1992, Mazda released the third generation of the RX-7 as a 1993 model. This model came only as a twin-sequential-turbocharged rotary engine, the 13B-REW (standing for 13B, Rotary Engine Twin Turbo. Apparently, W is often used as shorthand for 'double' in Japanese). This engine was rated at 255 bhp peak output and was redlined at 8000 RPM, creating a performance car which has very few compromises. Interior room and practicality were characteristics not very high on the third generation design team's priority list. Excellence in handling, acceleration, and driver communication were. The results are phenomenal. -- Base - Your basic RX-7, but still not to be trifled with, featuring the standard 255 bhp engine, and cloth seats -- Touring - Comes standard with the Bose? sound system, leather seats, CD player, power sunroof, driving lights, cruise control, rear cargo cover, and rear wiper. Available with automatic transmission -- PEP (Popular Equipment Package) - Available in '94 and later, comes with leather seats, sunroof, and cruise control -- R1/R2 - Racing-spec package. In '93, the R1 came standard with two oil coolers, front strut brace, suede-textured cloth seats, stiffer suspension and rear spoiler. In '94, the R2 superceded the R1, as customers were complaining the ride was too harsh in the R1. Note: The 1994 Touring Edition came with a glass moonroof instead of a metal sunroof. In addition, the 1995 lineup did not include a touring model, instead, using a more a la carte method, allowing buyers to pick and choose which options where included. All references here are to the U.S. version of the RX-7 and the U.S. market. (info from lemmings.com)

The Mighty RX7 (history)

RX7 history

BMW Nazca M12

3 were made in 2000. v12, 4998 cc 1990