balthazar

Sloan's model eliminated price overlap when instituted, which cleaned up & streamlined a dangerously chaotic GM in the early '20s. Bearing in mind that that was the cornerstone of Sloan's heirarchy... as soon as multiple interdivisional pricing overlaps came into being --and this started in the late '50s BTW-- the Sloan model was no longer being followed. Sloan retired in 1956. Some think it was still in effect in the '80s and '90s.

I'm not disputing the percentages, but they are -of course- extrapolated from actual quantities. Doesn't come off dire & dreadful enough for you, I know. Might be illustrative to learn that tho the camry only fleets to about 8%, 8% of 400K is NOT only a few hundred cars, like "8%" sounds like it might be. This is the inherant mislead that using only percentages brings.

I think the primary feature than makes the Challenger so relatively fresh looking vs. the 'stang is that the Dodge has no front 'bumper'- that's pretty unique.

>>"But Camry fleet/rental sales are a fraction of Grand Prix's and G6's"<< Fleet volume, 1st half of '07: Camry :: 14762 G6 :: 25751 GP :: 32454 3 camrys fleeted to every 5 G6s, not that lopsided, really. Allegations have been forwarded that toyota underreports their fleet numbers, FWIW.

>>"I would have hated the BOnniville then to be a Silver Streak or Super Chief."<< Of course, those names co-existed.... >>"...there was internal strife regarding use of the Chevy-associated nameplate on a Pontiac vehicle..."<< Impossible- we've had numerous running commentaries right here assuring the rest of us than GM cars can be flipped and flopped between divisions with a simple stick-on badge change and 'it won't matter'. What are these GM guys talking about?

This... isn't a gag question, is it?.....

>>"I said that, too, that it makes sense from a cost-perspective. So what are you trying to say here?"<< That saving a few bucks is the only positive thing; everything else about the situation is a negative. Cadillac gets more & more in common with non-Cadillacs- where is the benefit for Cadillac there, from a perception/image standpoint? >>"This will be platform-engineering, not badge-engineering."<< Oh; I know this and you know this... but the bashers are going to gloss right over this and say things like 'its just a Caddy grille on a chevy', and no matter how absurd, some will believe it. Northstar goes, Sigma goes... you know some idiots will start saying it...

>>"The consolidation of Sigma and Zeta in the future was always an inevitable possibility. It makes sense from a cost-perspective, as well. Not to mention that there is the possibility of the ability to bolt-on some higher-end parts from the Cadillac models onto something like the NG G8 Coupe."<< What goes hand-in-hand with this sort of thing, inevitably, is the detractors case for 'they ride the same chassis- what's the point of both Cadillac and (other division 'zeta'). It's more than enough for some to wave the tried-n-true 'badge-engineered' banner high and frantically. Homogenization only accomplishes one thing automotively: saving a few dollars in the short run. Oh, and it makes restoration/parts hunting easier 30 years down the road...

[i>>"Please do tell: "<<[/i] Should've said 'was': the man is gone and the car has gone to Sweden, where it bears almost no resemblance to what it was, which was awe-striking in a very different & individualistic way. To those who met him/saw the car, tho, he is well remembered. The Merc was a daily driver- he had no other car. You could not see under the rear quarters with your head on the ground and it did not have hydraulics or air bags.

'07 Reliance: '47 DelCar:

Give me one of the Mirage deVille pickups, or a flower car first.

No trying to make you out as that old, C: he just looked too young to even have a car in the pic and there was no date on the article.

A local legend. Note sheet of plywood to aid entry to driveway:

Cool pics! The lil' tyke you, by chance, Camino? Still got that flattie sitting around ?

It's inevitably, really; once the millions & millions rolls in, the acclaim & fame, the legion of fans & groupies... what is there to be angry about anymore ???

'68 GP production: 31,711. Of that, GPs with manual trans: 306. Manual take rate was way down vs. earlier years- it's not going to be a concern. I struggle to recall ever seeing a '68- maybe 1 at a Pontiac show- they're nowhere and this evaluation is going way back. Here's a sweetie, tho, and in that classic late '60s Verdoro Greeeen: http://ww2.collectorcartrader.com/details.php?adId=90282813

>>"I'm still on my quest for a 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix!"<< Ooo, now you're in my neighborhood. Need a 428 car or is 350 HP enough for you? I like the '68s, but they sure are good at hiding- I never see them. As a possible aside, I know of a real nice '70 wagon that may be available to tide you over..... GMTG- I think I have most all of the '80s Pontiac brochures handy, let me know if you get it & need info...

They've been on the downside of their peak for many albums IMO; which does not foster great anticipation of the next one, I must say.

I told this story once before. My buddy & I took his '65 Catalina up as high as it would go: needle passed 120 and was pointing to where '140' would've been, then it suddenly dropped off to the right side & out of sight (big horizontal speedo). Car had a 389 & 2.41 gears. Suddenly there was a bellowing noise and the car felt like an anchor was thrown out. After coasting down & pulling over, opening the hood and reeling back from the heat, we found that the steel air cleaner snorkel had sucked itself shut. I wish to hell he had saved that piece.

>>"...'69 Chrysler 300... just north of Toronto... no seatbelts..."<< Not mandated by '69 in Canada ???