knightfan26917

*nods* Yep, HarleyEarl, that was part of the switch, as ocnblu has already confirmed for you. Maybe, as you noted, GM is a genious for sticking with mainly FWD vehicles. But, as ocnblu noted, I, too, don't see any reason why RWD cars wouldn't have as good as gas mileage as their FWD counterparts. For the record, I've never _hated_ anything from Chevrolet. What I have a slight disdain for is Chevy's nack for using older names on formerly RWD vehicles...and slapping them on FWD vehicles to make sales. I understand the business side of it ... makes perfect sense. But, to me, an enthusiast, it is not exactly pleasing. AFAIK, it started with the "nova" of the 1980s, with the monte carlo nomenclature on FWD coming in 1995, followed 2 years by the malibu and then followed a few years later with the impala. *shrugs*

If you want to meet other C&Gers and do some cruising on some scenic Illinois and Iowa roadways, join us, Saturday, October 22. The tentative schedule: * 8:45a ... meet at Meijer/Menards, NE corner of Randall & Bose Rds, Elgin IL * 9a ... depart for Galena IL, via RT 20 W (scenic) * noonish ... arrive in Galena for lunch/gas stop (lunch tentatively at Culver's) ... perhaps stop at the lookout tower * 2pmish ... leave Galena, taking RT 20 W over to Dubuque IA * Follow scenic RT 52 S * Cross back over into IL at I-80 * 5pmish (or earlier) ... arrive in Moline IL for dinner * 6:30pmish ... leave Moline, taking scenic RT 84 N back to RT 20 (OR) find a local cruise, stay overnight somewhere & head north Sunday morning I'm extending this invitation to several groups. If people wish, we could arrange "carpools" to have company and save some money on gas. If you plan to attend, be sure to let me know so I can share my cell ph# with you so we can be in touch. Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ "The life I love is making music with my friends" ... Willie Nelson ... 'On The Road Again'

I admit it ... I'm not all that enthusiastic about Chevrolet's current lineup, given that Chevrolet is offering FWD versions of what they claim to be the malibu, impala and monte carlo. So, I'm not sure what exactly possessed me to visit Huntley (IL) Chevrolet ... the dealership that showcases a '49 Chevrolet in its showroom ... this past Friday night. I think it was a combination of curiosity, the employee discount's final hours, and that I was itching to get into a showroom again. I test drove a Cobalt during my short time there and was pleasantly surprised/impressed. My eyes also captured a glimpse of an '06 impala. Yes, I felt disdain/disheartened that the current rendition is still FWD. Yet, for whatever reason, I couldn't keep my eyes off the car. So, I "begrudgingly" took a closer look...and what I saw impressed me. I think Chevrolet has a winner here. I like the dashboard layout (more so than the Cobalt or malibu) and I like the looks of the woodgrain with the neutral interior better than the "chromish" look with the grey and black/ebony interiors. And, the current impala exterior, despite looking Toyota/Hondaish, is interesting...however, certainly not the sculpted lines of the RWD Impalas. Do I see a new car in my immediate future? Not necessarily. But, who knows. I want RWD. Yet, as much as I talk about purchasing a Mustang or Charger, somehow, I doubt that'll ever happen. Why? Because, for whatever reason, I haven't been able to "coax" myself into a showroom of Ford or Dodge, though I did see both the Mustang and Charger at the Chicago Auto Show last February. Despite Chevrolet turning my favorite car and a few other well-known names into FWD versions, I cannot see myself driving anything but a Chevrolet.... Heh, and some might question if my "evil twin" has returned if I'm driving anything but a RWD Monte Carlo...even in the winter. He he he. Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ "You've made a fool of everyone" ... Jet ... 'Look What You've Done'

Wow...nice article, Z28! Very impressed with your writings/thoughts...and I agree with you on most everything. Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "Are you still the same?" ... Savage Garden ... 'I Don't Know You Anymore'

Only had it a month? Sweet! Do you have any plans for it?

COOL!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting this, razor ... I love reading/seeing this sort of stuff! Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "Are you still the same?" ... Savage Garden ... 'I Don't Know You Anymore'

*peers at pics* *gazes* WOW! What a sweet car ... congratulations! Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "Watch over them for me" ... Daryl Worley ... 'If Something Should Happen'

This is yet another confirmation of what we seem to have already known ... that GM needs to "get the word out" more ... and in better ways. Someway, somehow. Let's hope GM starts to get this message.... Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "Get the word out" ... Collective Soul ... 'Feeling Better Now'

I _finally_ saw one today ... en route to work, so I wasn't able to look at it closely. But, I recognized it as an '06 because of the different front end ... I had to twist my head around as it went by ;). Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "My depth perception must be off again" ... Saliva ... 'Rest In Pieces'

*chuckles* Thank you ;). He he he...I think I'm going to have to use that as a trivia question next time I do a MC trivia contest.....

Hmm.... I never understood why Dodge axed that "Avenger" name in the first place ... to me, Avenger sounded more Dodge than Stratus or any of the "cloud" names.... *shrugs* Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "I'm not the only person with these things in mind" ... Linkin Park ... 'Somewhere I Belong'

Hmm...if the Monte Carlo is gone again (not that they really are making it now anyway), I wonder which Chevy will get the nod for NASCAR ... or if, perhaps, another GM nameplate will pick up the NASCAR entries..... Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "You've made a fool of everyone" ... Jet ... 'Look What You've Done'

By the dashboard, anyway, that is a 1980 Monte Carlo. The 1980 version is the only one of the 3rd generation (78-80) to have the woodgrain accent on the dashboard. And, looking again at the fenders, that car has the "huge square" orange side marker lights which also indicate it is a 1980 ... since that was the only year to have such big side-marker lights due to the front end configuration (for 1980, the turn signals were underneath the dual lamps...and did not wrap around like the turn signal lights on the '78 and '79 versions). So, my educated guess ... 1980 Monte Carlo.

I posted some recent (as of last weekend) pics in this thread: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...?showtopic=1426 Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "Something's haunting you" ... Marty Robbins ... 'Some Memories Just Won't Die'

*raises eyebrow in frustration* Be patient? Heck, I'm 32 ... I ain't gettin' any younger...he he he. But, yes, I know it'll happen someday....just, well, aye. LOL! How cool would that be? He he he

Oh, you are quite welcome! And, despite them not being pretty, I enjoyed looking at them, believe it or not. I just love looking at old cars ... regardless of the condition....

Seems to be a recurring theme, don't it? *shakes head* I agree....that interior looks awesome ... certainly does not look like a truck of any type.... Lookin' forward to seeing these in person....

Um. Chevrolet Monte Carlo (yeah, that was tough) Chevrolet El Camino So I can do something I have yet to do ... buy my favorite car brand new. Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "You've made a fool of everyone" ... Jet ... 'Look What You've Done'

*faints* Gosh darn it ... now I wish I hadn't asked for those pics...he he he. Yeah, I'd be wary of underlying rust, too, among other things. BUT...it does look like parts could be had from them, refurbished and the re-used.... Thanks for sharing the pics, blackviper! Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "I'm fading away" ... Simple Plan ... 'Untitled'

I'd like to just get some. *sighs* One of these days...hopefully. Heh...4 of my 5 MCs have bench seats, so it's not like I don't have a "proper" car..... Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "I kept my heart hidden" ... Bryan White ... 'So Much For Pretending'

*nods* Yeah, I know.....

*raises eyebrow* Wowa...the PRESS is writing this? Dangumit ... now GM has to make sure the general car-buying public sees this..... Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/ Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html "Get the word out" ... Collective Soul ... 'Feeling Better Now'

You are welcome, Sixty8 :). And, I hope that Camaro isn't too scratched up....

*nods* Yep ... sadly, I know exactly what you mean....

*nods* Thank you, mustang84! Yes, I did have a good birthday ... at least the evening hours with the family ... work wasn't so good, though...he he heh.