Automobile Magazine 5/87
06-03-2012, 11:17 PM
#1
Automobile Magazine 5/87
I just recently got my hands on some vintage Automobile and Motor Trend magazines from the mid 80's. This one is one of the best ones, it compares the Camaro and the Firebird, and it also compares the 305 and the 350. They seemed to prefer the LB9/5spd combo in the Formula (no surprise there). The L98 was said to have "felt heavy" and the 700r4 "shifted erratically".
They were critical in other areas too, such as the styling. The graphics on the Formula were considered "gaudy", as well as the fuel injection stickers on the door handles. And, the IROC was said to look like a "melted blue lump of candy".
Has anyone else here read this issue? I would scan some pages to post here, but I'm not sure if it goes against copyright rules.
They were critical in other areas too, such as the styling. The graphics on the Formula were considered "gaudy", as well as the fuel injection stickers on the door handles. And, the IROC was said to look like a "melted blue lump of candy".
Has anyone else here read this issue? I would scan some pages to post here, but I'm not sure if it goes against copyright rules.
Last edited by 80schild; 06-03-2012 at 11:40 PM.
06-04-2012, 05:28 AM
#2
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Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.42 Auburn / 3.23 / 2.62
Re: Automobile Magazine 5/87
I have that article in 2 different books...High Performance Camaros 1982-88 and High Performance Firebirds 1982-88.
For anyone interested, go to eBay and type in Brooklands Books, and see what pops up. Its a U.K. based company that reprints old road tests for specific cars...I have every book they've ever put out for an F body. Good reads, for sure.
As for the article, I agree with them for the most part. Formulas were gaudy (now they have grown on me a great deal, however...). 700R4s can be frustrating. LB9/5 speeds really are the most fun. As a current L98/700R owner, and a former LB9/5 speed owner, I can tell you that while I absolutely love my IROC, my old Trans Am was more fun to drive...
For anyone interested, go to eBay and type in Brooklands Books, and see what pops up. Its a U.K. based company that reprints old road tests for specific cars...I have every book they've ever put out for an F body. Good reads, for sure.
As for the article, I agree with them for the most part. Formulas were gaudy (now they have grown on me a great deal, however...). 700R4s can be frustrating. LB9/5 speeds really are the most fun. As a current L98/700R owner, and a former LB9/5 speed owner, I can tell you that while I absolutely love my IROC, my old Trans Am was more fun to drive...
06-04-2012, 11:12 AM
#4
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Car: 1987 T/A WS6 T-Tops/92 RS
Engine: LB9/3.1
Transmission: 700R4/700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73/3.23
Re: Automobile Magazine 5/87
Sweet fine. Yeah I have Fuel Injections on my handles-so dumb looking, but they are going to stay. I can say my TA is fun to drive, but the LB9/700R4 combo is not the best.
06-04-2012, 02:12 PM
#5
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Car: 99 WS6 / 00 SS / 11 CTS-V / 13 300
Engine: LS1 / LS1 / LSA / 5.7 Hemi
Transmission: 4L60E / T-56 / 6L80E / W5A80
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.42 Auburn / 3.23 / 2.62
Re: Automobile Magazine 5/87
The "Fuel Injection" door handle script is indeed dumb, but its correct for the car...so I left it on my 86 TA when I restored it. The previous owner of my 88 IROC put them on the door handles of that car too...I ripped them off the first night I had it 
06-04-2012, 04:50 PM
#6
Re: Automobile Magazine 5/87
I have that article in 2 different books...High Performance Camaros 1982-88 and High Performance Firebirds 1982-88.
For anyone interested, go to eBay and type in Brooklands Books, and see what pops up. Its a U.K. based company that reprints old road tests for specific cars...I have every book they've ever put out for an F body. Good reads, for sure.
As for the article, I agree with them for the most part. Formulas were gaudy (now they have grown on me a great deal, however...). 700R4s can be frustrating. LB9/5 speeds really are the most fun. As a current L98/700R owner, and a former LB9/5 speed owner, I can tell you that while I absolutely love my IROC, my old Trans Am was more fun to drive...
For anyone interested, go to eBay and type in Brooklands Books, and see what pops up. Its a U.K. based company that reprints old road tests for specific cars...I have every book they've ever put out for an F body. Good reads, for sure.
As for the article, I agree with them for the most part. Formulas were gaudy (now they have grown on me a great deal, however...). 700R4s can be frustrating. LB9/5 speeds really are the most fun. As a current L98/700R owner, and a former LB9/5 speed owner, I can tell you that while I absolutely love my IROC, my old Trans Am was more fun to drive...
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