More one or two year wonders......

There's always cars that slip through the cracks, that might be bargains. Here's a few. # 1. 1973-77 Olds 442. Olds just flat gave up on performance after 1971. In '72 The 442, which had been it's own model from 1965-71 and only had engines 400 or 455 cubes, reverted to option status on the Cutlass. The base engine was a 350 with a 2bbl that wheezed out 160 hp. The vaunted W30 455 rated at 300 net hp was still available, but this was the last hurrah. From '73 on the 442 was an "Appearance and Handling" package optional on any V8 Cutlass. The "station wagon" 455 was still optional but by '75 it only made 190 hp-a far cry from the under-rated 370 of the 1970 W30 and pathetic considering the 4bbl 350 made 180 hp. Anyhow-you did get wrist-thick front and rear sway bars and front disc brakes, and they were really good handlers-probably the best handling American car in the '70's with the exception of the Pontiac Trans-Am and Chevrolet Corvette. Some 1976-77 models may have the 403 V8 which is a plus factor. Any speed equipment that fits a 350 fits a 403. The first thing I would do is an axle-ration change. Most of these cars have 2.41:1 or 2.73:1 gears which makes them slugs. Switching to something in the 3.23:1 to 3.73:1 range will give you a stunning improvement in acceleration without hurting drivability or fuel economy too much. Some had an "Economy" 260 inch V8 that wheezed out 120 hp; avoid these like the plague. The 350 / 403 models are much better.  # 2. 1980-81 Pontiac Trans-Am. The 400 inch Pontiac and Olds engines were dropped after '79 which left a big void in performance. Pontiac introduced a TurboCharged 301 V8 that they claimed made 210 hp; the last 400 was rated at 220. However Hot Rod's 400 / 4-speed '79 test car ripped off a blistering 14.61 in the 1/4 mile. Other buff magazine tests ranged from a 14.78 to 15.30.  Thirteen months later, their 1980 Turbo T/A tester could only manage a 16.30!!  It's pretty obvious that the the 301 was down a lot more than 10 hp from the 400!!  Anyhow your other choices were a normally aspirated 301 that made 150 hp and a 305 Chevy that wheezed out 145. These are bargains because Pontiac Purists snub them like lepers in favor of the '79 and earlier models. Also-if you have a 301 model a 400 or 455 is a bolt-in swap. If you have a 305 model, a 350 or 383 Chevy is a bolt-in swap.   # 3. 1984-87 Monte Carlo SS. In April 1983 Chevy put the Aerodynamic front end that Nascar teams were using on racers on the Monte Carlo. They also had "SS" lettering and striping, aluminum wheels and the L69 "H.O." 305 out of the Z/ 28 backed by a TH700R4 and a 3.42:1 posi rear. They were decent performers-a Monte Carlo wasn't much heavier than a Camaro.  Very nice drivers if you can find one. I wouldn't pay exorbitant money for one-you could easily buy a "regular" 305 Monte and get the "Aero" front clip from Honest Charley or other sources and make your own, if you "gotta have" the look.  # 4. 1983-86 Mercury Capri 5.0.  For these few years Mercury sold "5.0" Mustangs with a different grille and Capri badging. Their not collectible, their just weird; kind of like early '70's GMC "Sprints"-which are a re-badged El Camino. If you find one at a decent price by all means buy it. Anything that fits a Fox Mustang fits these. # 5. 1989 20th Anniversary Trans-Am. These had the vaunted Turbocharged V6 out of the Buick Grand National. In addition to having more power than the 305 and 350 Chevys, they were lighter, which made them not only faster, but better handlers.  These bring a King's Ransom, but their worth it. Dynamite if you can find one at a reasonable price. # 6. 1994-96 Impala SS. Some engineer at GM must have got drunk one night and said "Hey-what if we took a Cop Car Caprice, beefed up the suspension and brakes, put some monster tires on it, gave it a sinister black paint job and dropped a Corvette engine in it?" "Wouldn't that be cool?"  Apparently the brass was drinking at the same barbecue, because that's exactly what they did. These have kind of a "cult" following like the Buick Grand National, which makes them pricey. Their an awesome ride if you can find one at a decent price.  Mastermind