@FU2-f6f
I started timing the 0 - 60 in my '82 Chevette while carrying 3 passengers back in '83. I'm currently at 58 mph and I expect to reach 60 in early 2026.
@GeorgeMcKenna-kz9qx
Not covered in your video was the introduction of the catalytic converter in 1975. With leaded fuel still available at the pump!. This fuel cross contamination did a marvelous job of hopelessly plugging up the catalytic converter. This deserves a video all it's own.
@DavidHall-ge6nn
I had a '79 Eldorado diesel. Getting on the freeway entrance ramp, I would stomp on the accelerator and pray for the prevailing winds to carry the dark cloud of noxious fumes into traffic so cautious motorists would slow to avoid what was obviously an out of control brush fire and I could clatter into the new space in traffic. The car was gorgeous, and I looked very glamorous and successful waiting at the side of the road for the tow truck. Horrible car in every respect. Even interior panels were falling apart in the first year. I divorced GM and bought Lincolns, which were great.
@smacdiesel
I had a 1986 Porsche 944 turbo with 220 Hp that went 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. It was a true rocket in its day, this video really shows the contrast compared to other cars of the era.
@japojo1958
In 1984 I drove a Chevette from Smithers BC to Vancouver with 4 passengers. This car was so slow that we had loaded logging trucks pass us uphill on the hill outside of Burns Lake. The second slowest car I drove was a 1974 Mercury Bobcat wagon with a 4 speed and a 2.3 l4. That one was mine.I tested that one on the flats and got a 0 - 60 time of 32 seconds. Gas mileage was comparable to that of a farm tractor.
@SodiumWage
My family bought an 81' Chevette when I was a kid. The 0-60 was not 21 seconds, it was closer to 21 years. Of course, the brakes would have failed and the floorboards rusted out long before then.
@williamfawkes8379
My family had a 1981 Oldsmobile station wagon with the diesel. I actually don't remember much about riding in it. I remember most about how it looked from outside. The reason for this is probably because the engine was replaced 3 times in less than a year, all under warranty. I do have many fond memories of the mercury wagon that came after it. The 1989 mercury colony park wagon is a gem that deserves to be remembered. I drove that car in high school, and it survived many scenarios that should only occur in movie action sequences. It wasn't quick, but it did have a lot of torque from the 5 liter v8. More than enough to cause excessive tire wear.
@mrniceguy7168
So this is why when I watch old Motorweek they say 13 seconds to 60 is a good time.
@jasonrodgers9063
The parents of one of my best high school buddies bought a diesel Olds 88 back in the 1980's. Needed a CALENDAR for that 0-60!
@jeffreydeeds9225
I had a 1983 Ford Escort gas with manual transmission. Acceleration was atrocious, but fuel economy was great. The slowest car I ever had by far, was a 1985 Ford Tempo. Both of these cars had recurring engine problems. I spent more money on engine repairs and maintenance than what I paid for the cars. Thanks for the memories.
@07Sandia
Oh wow - my dad had a 1976 Chevy LUV (pronounced LOVE) that I drove in 1982 (my 2 older brothers drove it before me). Just got my license! It was baby blue with gold stripes and front air dam - totally radical - everyone loved that ruck. It was ZERO frills other than neat looks. Manual everything, no A/C, radio with one speaker LOL! But we loved it. So many stories. My little brother learned to drive in it and drove it into the ground. All "newer" cars were slow back then so nobody really cared about 0-60 that I can remember. At least not at 16. You just had something to drive!
@patrickclark1803
Most older folks called it the "love" insert a little drawl Chevy luuuv. I owned one great little truck
@beenbeatenbybishops5845
I've driven a number of the cars listed. Thankfully, none of the Diesels. The Gas engine ones were bad enough. The very least one can say for any of them is: At least they made a lot of noise. That way, when waiting for the no horsepower engines to get up to speed, you had some audio entertainment. Nothing quite as pleasant as hearing an engine strain to get up a 1% grade. I really appreciate this channel.
@midwest9040
I remember those years well, and it took much research to find a car with any acceleration. My first memory was actually a decade earlier when my dad took me to test drive the "new" 1971 Chevrolet Vega. He wanted me to get one with the 1bbl (70 hp) and 2 speed powerglide automatic. I swear, it not only didn't accelerate it felt like you had the car in reverse! Needless to say I went out and bought a v8 Mustang.
@ronsloan7662
Growing up back then, I paid more attention to the big luxury cars with the big block V8's. I knew about the GM 350 diesels that were a disaster. I learned a lot today from your video. Thanks for doing this one. Cheers!
@jasonhaimowitz6363
The 1985 Hyundai Excel did 0-60 in just over 16 sec. I dated a girl in high school who had one. If you tried to floor it, the engine would rev high but it would barely move. You had to slowly press down on the gas pedal to get the thing to go.
@johnwetmore1527
I had two of the Chevette diesel cars and absolutely loved them. Driving to work and back each week cost me about $8 and they were not expensive to buy. Speed is something that I have never craved. Currently I have a Freightliner 18 foot long step van with a top speed around 45 MPH "sporting" a Cummins 4BT engine rated at 128 HP when it was new. One time in Vermont on I-91 I was only able to get 19 MPH out of it for several miles on an uphill. This doesn't bother me at all. I just sit back, listen to the radio and enjoy the view. With the giant cargo area, I may not get to my job very fast but when I do, everything I could ever need is with me and I even have living quarters built in so I can pull over and take a nap when desired.
@jaxonjaxoff3291
The LUV and D50 had a competitor from Ford called the Courier, and it was a rebadged Mazda B-Series which is very ironic when you think about it.
@davidmckinney6577
This is definitely true most cars from the seventies especially late seventies through the eighties sure didn't have no get up power..awesome video man glad to see a new post so soon.
@bck2mono