Some one or two year wonders that might be cool....

For  whatever reason sometimes manufacturers come up with a really cool concept that doesn't take off. Maybe it's not promoted or marketed right, or maybe it's ahead of it's time. Regardless they don't sell a ton so their dropped. But you can often get a cool ride at a reasonable price. Here's a few in no particular order.  # 1. 1973-75 Pontiac Grand Am. GM's first attempt to build a BMW. Based on the LeMans platform these were touted to have the performance of a Trans-Am and the luxury of a Gran Prix. 400 cubes standard, with 455 optional. You could even get a 4-speed with the 400, while 455s were automatic only. Wrist-thick front and rear sway bars and front disc brakes made them surprisingly good handlers. 34,000 were sold in 1973 alone so their not a Moon rock. Dynamite if you can find one. #2. 1974 Pontiac GTO. Often called the best Nova ever built. In 1974 Pontiac moved the legendary GTO nameplate from the "A" body LeMans to the "X" body ( Nova ) platform. You got a 350 V8, a 4-speed or a TH350, radial tuned suspension and a Trans-Am style shaker hood scoop. 2 good things for hot rodders-a 400 or 455 is a bolt-in swap, and any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Camaro / Firebird fit these. 7,058 were built.  # 3. 1975 Plymouth Road Runner. For this one year only the Road Runner was based on the Sport Fury platform. You got a "Tuff" steering wheel, road runner emblems, and a "Beep-Beep" horn. 318 models are dogs, but the 360 and 400 versions can be made to really run. A little over 6,000 were built.  # 4. 1977-78 Skybird. These were a base-model Firebird with a light blue paint job dark blue pinstriping, blue velour interior, and blue "snowflake" wheels. Most had the anemic 301 Pontiac for power, but the ones to look for are the 350 Pontiac and 350 Chevy models. ( GM was playing musical engines because of smog laws ). It's basically just an appearance package, but because of their moderate success there were "Redbird" and "YellowBird" packages offered in 1979 and 1980. # 5. 1979 Chrysler 300. These were a tricked-up Cordoba. You got a custom grille, a trick white paint job with red pistriping, a custom red leather interior, an E58 Police Interceptor 360 V8, a Torqueflite and a 3.21:1 Sure-Grip rear end.  Their a cool driver if you can find one. # 6. 1980 Z/28 Camaro. For this one year only you could get a 350 V8 with a T10 4-speed that has a 3.44:1 1st gear, a 2.28:1 2nd, and a 3.08:1 rear end. This resulted in quicker acceleration and higher top speed than the '77-79 models 2.64:1 low gear / 3.73:1 rear combo. Automatics got a 3.42:1 ratio which really put the power to the pavement as well. 1980 also marked the return of "Cowl Induction" a vacuum operated hood scoop that opened under acceleration.  In '81 if you wanted a 4-speed you got a 305 that wheezed out 145 hp. Which is odd, because the 350 / 4-speed combo was EPA certified and available in the '81 Corvette.  Typical GM bureaucracy. Anyhow-an '80 Z/28 is a fun ride if you can find one.  # 7. 1982 Corvette. This one year only you got the C3 body that had been around since 1968, with the Cross-Fire injected 350 V8 and the new 4-speed 700R4 Automatic slated for the '84 Corvette.  'Vette collectors snub these cars in favor of the late '70's L82 models, so they can be bought relatively cheap. They were decent performers sub 7 second 0-60 times and mid 15 second 1/4 miles.  # 8. 1983 Z/28 Camaro / Firebird Trans-Am. For this one year only you got the Cross-Fire injected 305 with the 4-speed 700R4 automatic. Collectors snub these in favor of the later carburated L69 and Tuned-Port Injected LB9 models so their a steal.  Any of these would make a nice driver or a hot rod with the right parts. Mastermind