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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Wellington, Ks
Posts: 10,162
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Re: 1000+ HP, anyone?
Does anyone else besides me remember years ago in late 1969 - early 1970 the uproar from both the Gubment and nation wide insurance companies about the on-going "horse power wars" during the muscle car days? They all were screaming that factory offerings of 375, 400, 425, 450 horse power cars was just too much for the average driver to safely handle and control. Thus started the de-tuning of cars which included moving to unleaded gasoline, lower compression, smog pumps, etc.
Now here we are 50 years later and factory cars with 800 - 1,000 horse power no longer seems to be a problem for Mr. & Mrs "average driver" WTH changed!! I know drivers haven't gotten better thru the years. I see that everyday in traffic, cutting in front of moving traffic across three lanes to make a turn at the next exit. Leaving no reaction time/distance between vehicles on the road. Road rage, bumper to bumper commonplace on highways at speed. Speed limits are ignored, maybe they are just a suggestion anymore. Just the other day in the local evening news a driver was stopped driving in mid-day traffic while doing 106 MPH in a 60 MPH cross town, no stop light, roadway. What am I not seeing here with this new "horse power wars" situation. ??????
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1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks Last edited by Ironhorse; Today at 05:10 PM. |
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#2 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 3,064
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Re: 1000+ HP, anyone?
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I think what may be overlooked is that during 60s and 70s muscle car era, the cars being produced and sold to Joe Blow were far more pedestrian than today's super cars, high end models of production vehicles, special built machines or those that are sold to the public from manufacturers as race cars or track ready. The main difference between today and back then is that for someone to purchase a 700 or 1000 HP machine, the cash outlay or liability is absolutely enormous. Typically Joe Blow, your regular family man or student couldn't possibly afford to get their but in the seat of one of these scary fast, over powered vehicles without knowing what's on the line (say he rents an exotic in Vegas for a day and has to read the fine print). If a guy does purchase a new ZR1 for example, his insurance rates are going to be in line with what it would cost to repair/replace that vehicle. Think very large premiums on a vehicle that MSRPs between 130k and 150k. Plus...the insurance agencies are today much different with way more expensive policies being written and the majority of those are total daily driver/beaters. I think it's just a different animal altogether. -Kevin
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67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Catskill Mountains,NY
Posts: 8,429
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Re: 1000+ HP, anyone?
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And you can get classic insurance on a new vette since I reality people don’t buy them as a primary driver . A lot if the downsizing of HP in the 70s was more because of the lack of gas and the new emissions standards . I work in a gas station during both gas shortages in the 70s . Nobody wanted a muscle car when high test was 50 cents a gallon at least for an everyday vehicle . Now you can 700 plus HP and full emissions control and get high 20 to 30 mpg
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Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary. |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 312
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Re: 1000+ HP, anyone?
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1964 GMC Fleetside SWB 1966 Mustang Coupe 2013 Tahoe LT |
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