I didn't buy my MG based on ET's or 0-60 times either! I didn't mean
everyone should go out & buy a minivan. I just thought it was interesting
that even with smog controls & what-not that with the engineering, lighter
materials (not much steel in a Honda!) that un-modified the van would even
compete.
The mag also had an article about the new Honda convertible & they remarked
that the engine must've been developed by the motorcycle division because
the optimum shift point was at 8000 RPM. They remarked that most drivers
wouldn't go beyond 5000!
"You can observe a lot by just watching." - Yogi Berra
Steve Conley
Marysville, WA USA
'76 MGB Roadster
GHN5UG393585G
mailto:swconley@foxinternet.net
MGB Online = http://web3.foxinternet.net/swconley
-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Erbesfield [mailto:jerbesfield@mindspring.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 1999 3:07 AM
To: Steve Conley
Subject: RE: 50's vs 90's (Non-LBC) - NOW has LBC!
Some things really irritate me. This is one. Your messin with history!
1). "Blow the doors off"? - - I don't think so. Maybe a little quicker - but
not blow the doors off. Even if your times quoted were correct, the two
Chevy's were still in fact, quicker. And - the other cars were still
respectable, even though none listed were known as "muscle" cars of their
time. The T-bird, Jag and Porsche had their strengths too - but in other
areas. The Honda Odyssey, while also not a muscle car, IS a little "odd",
being out of the norm in its class (mini-vans). I wouldn't exactly call it
an every day "Mom's Taxie." They don't call it an "Odyssey" for nothin!
Honda has had a reputation for years for putting out excellent technology
and performance. I don't believe that one lister here would rather have that
Honda Odyssey over ANY of the vehicles you listed in your comparison, even
now, 40 years later. Additionally, forty years IS a long time. However, all
that being said, you can still take any of those old cars, modify their old
engines (using modern, readily available soup-it-up technology) and REALLY
"blow the doors off" that Honda Odyssey. This Honda model is already pretty
much at it's limit, pushing so much HP from so few cubic inches. Even the
Porche, which never claimed to be an acceleration champ, was not a dog, only
.8 behind the 40 year newer Honda. mini-van - and with more than twice cubic
inches! That's NOT blowing the doors off!
2). Where's the LBC content anyhow?!! Here is - My beautiful and classic 73
"black beauty" MGB roadster is not as quick as this Honda either. Most stock
MG's are not (I don't know the times on the V-8's. Would be interested
though). However, tell me what you'd rather be driving on a beautiful spring
or fall day on a weekend afternoon, with your girl, out riding in the
country or on winding mountain roads. And, everywhere I park my B people
come up and complement me. That won't often happen in ANY stock Honda of any
model that I can think of.
I'm more of a sixties guy myself. Things would be a little different if you
compare 60's era cars to the Honda.
Well, maybe at least this'll get a good thread started on the list.
Jerry E.
73 B Black Beauty roadster
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Steve Conley
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 1999 2:05 AM
To: MG LIST
Subject: 50's vs 90's (Non-LBC)
Got a free subscription to Motor Trend magazine from a local radio station
and just received their 50th anniv. issue.
One interesting segment was comparing a '99 Honda Odyssey van to performance
cars of the 50's:
Car Engine 0-60 MPH
'99 Honda 212 cu.in/210HP 9.3 sec
'55 Corvette 265 cu.in/195HP 9.0 sec
'56 T-Bird 292 cu.in/202HP 10.0 sec
'57 Jaguar 3.4 210 cu.in/210HP 10.7 sec
'58 Porsche 96 cu.in/88HP 10.1 sec
'58 Corvette 283 cu.in/230HP 9.2 sec
Their point was how engineering had improved over the last 40 years. "In
fact, Mom's new Honda minivan can blow the doors off most of the big-name
legends of the '50's."
"You can observe a lot by just watching." - Yogi Berra
Steve Conley
Marysville, WA USA
'76 MGB Roadster
GHN5UG393585G
mailto:swconley@foxinternet.net
MGB Online = http://web3.foxinternet.net/swconley
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