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An Open Letter To Detroit
Bring Back the Bigger Muscle, Please

By David A. Morrison
TWENTYSOMETHING^™ Inc.

Sent to Car and Driver
January 14, 2002 (10:05am)

An Open Letter to Detroit:

Given the concept cars being floated at the shows lately (i.e., Ford Forty-Nine convertible), Chevrolet Bel Air), it's clear that U.S. markers are considering a foray into larger drop tops. After conducting some ad hoc research with some fellow young adults, my advice as both a prospective buyer and young adult market specialist is "Go for it!". It's a great blend of retro with contemporary technology, fashion with practicality, and so forth. Love the Boxster S, Honda S2000, AMG SLK, and Z06, but where do we put the two dogs? -- a bullmastiff [alone] is a bit larger than a pair of golf clubs. (Besides, the ASPCA is always watching out for large pups being stuffed into tight spaces...)

So, Ford, build that Forty-Nine convert and think about dropping in that neat-o supercharged engine from the Lightning (detuned if you *must*). Chevy, run with the Bel Air convertible, but revise that grille and think about adding the Z06's LS6 engine or a big block 427. GM, you can even come out with a contemporary version of the Pontiac GTO -- maybe styling cues from the first generation, but definitely offer a higher-tuned "Judge" option. Lincoln, cut to the chase and turn that suicide-door concept into an actual convertible. Lastly, DaimlerChrysler, you guys gotta' bring back the Hemi 'Cuda: you'll have the engine soon for your trucks; just drop it into the 300C concept car of yore and add a shaker hood. (Oldsmobile 442 R.I.P.)

The Japanese makers are extremely well positioned with high-revving, rally cars. (Hats off for a job so well done that it resulted in an incredibly successful Hollywood flick.) Rather than competing with such as solid market positioning, Detroit should draw upon equities from the past and bring them into the present. Revitalization of the muscle car "feel" would be a great step in the right direction. Cornering would be nice, but it isn't a deal breaker. Americans, as one British car mag once pointed out (or was it you guys?), actually love torque -- not horsepower. It's true, just ask my Typhoon. Gimme' a big convertible with lotsa' torque, a reasonable price, a real back seat, and a real trunk!

Speaking on behalf of a generation that completely missed the fabulous cars from the 1950s and 1960s, we're just biting at the bit for cars of substance, heritage, (reasonable) affordability, functionality, and fun.

Make this decade one to remember!

David Morrison
President
TWENTYSOMETHING™ Inc.

P.S.

Love the Ford GT 40 concept, but $100k? I could have two Z06s, one for the road and I could put the other on blocks for future car shows. Note to Ford: make the design sexier, drop the cost to $70k, and have 0-60mph on par with contemporary exotics such as the Lamborghini Murciélago. (Ferrari ain't necessarily the benchmark for speed anymore, boys!) You're off to a great start, just keep pushing ahead.

                                                                                    © 2002 TWENTYSOMETHING^™ INC.