Q. Why are large sums of money
paid
for the late actor Steve McQueen's personal items? -- E.H.
(via Internet)
A.
McQueen is regarded in car buff circles as a super-macho car
and auto racing lover. And he had the money to own some great cars.
That said, the people who have bought McQueen's possessions such as his
sunglasses (not his cars) for silly amounts have more money than
brains. Or they have serious inferiority complexes.
Q.
Will Cadillac regain the American popularity it enjoyed in the 1950s
and 1960s? -- M.S. (via Internet)
A. That's doubtful. For one thing, Caddy has too much competition. It
keeps promising a brighter future, which never comes.
Q.
Why are so many people passing up perfectly good attractive sedans of
all types to buy so-called car-based "crossover" vehicles, many of
which look like ungainly versions of sedans? I think station wagons
look better. -- P.S. (via Internet)
A. Call it a "herd mentality." Even prestigious, upscale foreign
automakers either offer or are coming out with so-called crossovers to
remain competitive. Crossovers don't offer much more utility that the
comparably sized sedans on which they're based. But automakers go where
the money is.
Q. What Chevy Camaro you've
driven
and reviewed provided the most fun? -- E.H. (via Internet)
A. It was the 1969 Camaro Z-28, a disguised race car you could buy off
the showroom floor. It really took off when the engine was revved above
3,000 r.p.m. It had heavy steering at low speeds, as did race cars of
its era. Current high-performance Camaros are much easier to drive, but
are far more complicated and have a ridiculous amount of power for road
use. Few average guys can afford a 1969 Z-28 because they
cost approximately $55,000 to $95,000. If looking for one, make sure
it's a genuine Z-28, not a modified Camaro made to look like one.
Q.
Do you think Alfa Romeo will be a success in America? -- F.K. ( via
Internet)
A. Unlikely. Most Americans know little or nothing about Alfa Romeo,
and it's expensive.
Q.
What are a few of the most overlooked, affordable sporty cars of the
1960s that I can buy, enjoy driving for a few years and then sell for a
profit? -- D.W. (via Internet)
A. The 1968-69 American Motors AMX, 1963-65 Buick Riviera and 1963-64
Studebaker Avanti with a supercharged Studebaker V-8--and 1965-69
Avanti II with a Corvette engine. The higher-quality Avanti II was
custom-built in limited numbers after the Studebaker version was
dropped because Studebaker closed operations in America. Both cars look
the same, but the Studebaker version is worth more because it was the
original.
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