Well, it’s hardly like getting passed on the right by a Bathtub Nash, but the multi-colored paint job was impossible to resist, or not notice. Ah; the fine music of a Chevy 2.0 four at full throttle(body); music to the ears indeed.
CC Outtake: Getting Passed On The Right By A Multi-Colored Cavalier
– Posted on April 1, 2013
Ahh memories, good memories of my (only) bathtub Nash encounter in the wild interstate.
Why did I suffer with that miserable 1984 Convertible Cavalier when I could have had a V8 ??? 9 years!!!
I remember one year coming back from Palm Springs, it could not climb the hills on parts of route 10 with the headwinds.
A Cavalier Harlequin!
CC effect: I saw a mint-looking first-generation Z24 yesterday being driven in a sprightly manner. But alas I was cameraless. It was so clean-looking that it actually looked restored. Does anyone love these that much?
I do! But I much prefer the 88-90 Z24s. I thought the styling was very handsome, and if I look for good examples often.
I have to say I really liked the red two-door I spotted … it was the color of this one, with the same stripes, but was a notchback. Seemingly spotless!
http://www.deviantart.com/download/320705653/cavalier_z24_by_madame_fluttershy-d5axu2d.jpg
A good friend of mine had a blue version of the notchback you mentioned. I think the super deep chin spoiler was a part of some special option package, that I can no longer recall. I remember him scraping that thing on all kinds of parking curbs and whatnot. Used to piss him off royally.
As zippy as the 2.8 V6 was, it was no match for my 5.0 Capri. Either one.
We saw a gold “jellybean” Cavalier convertible yesterday – looked in decent shape but had the top and all the windows up on a warm sunny day.
Clearly people who need to have their convertible license revoked!
I loverd the concept, but after 8 months of ownership, I hated the execution. The 2.8 V-6 was great for off the line torque, but the three speed automatic and a shift map designed for fuel economy castrated the driveline. Third gear engaged at 25 MPH unless you chose full throttle. The powerglide of the 1980s.
On the upside, I picked it up so cheap I resold it for what I had in it, and moved on.
These boxy J cars are near extinct in the Midwest. Guess rust can do some good!
There’s a reason why I call them the Cockroach of the Road©…
Just when you think you’ve killed that nasty bug… It comes back!
In attack mode, no less… 😉
Did you copyright the phrase “Cockroach Of The Road”?
Of course! Besides being the advocate for J-body love, I’m the coiner of phrases….
That is what drew my attention, wondering if the sable brown parts were from my type 10.
I see they have meth there too.
Ah; the fine music of a Chevy 2.0 four at full throttle(body); music to the ears indeed.
This picture brought me right back to the glorious symphony of valvetrain clattering, shotgun blast misfires and exhaust swiss cheese my first car, a similar four banger Cavalier generated. It sounded like the world’s saddest chainsaw.
This alleged cugaracha (long near-extinct in my part of the world) looks like an ’87, which means it has a fascinating mix of old- and new-tech stuff under the hood. Probably the only engine that was ever built with an OHV aluminum head, distributorless ignition and throttle body fuel-injection. I seem to remember that the horsepower peak on these came around 5600rpm, which was mighty high for a mid-80s pushrod four. They were probably somewhat lively with the 5-speed, but the 3-speed automatic’s tall gearing turned them into slugs. The rare and exotic Harlequin Edition example seen here must have been giving everything it had to accomplish such a risky maneuver!
So Paul, are you some kind of left-lane bandit?
Not on April 1st.