When does a car lose it's title as a "street car"

[86brick]

Thanks for the opinions everyone!

My conclusion is this on how people come up with their opinions:

If said person has a 11 second car....there is no such thing as a street 10 second car.

If said person has a 10 second car.....there is no such thing as a street 9 second car.

etc, etc....


Of course everyone will always defend their car


My opinion on what has been said so far:

-Street cars can have fuel cells. Are you telling me my 15 gallon cell with sending unit is not a street piece? My fuel pump requires a good sump setup. I do not like the sumps welded to the stock tanks.

-Street cars can have cages. I like going to the track. In recent years, I would not take the chance of racing a 10 second or faster car without one. Especially after seeing a few wrecks and roll overs. Safe cars can be street cars. Now a funny car cage in a car....maybe not.

-Street cars should be able to sit in traffic all day. Should also have working lights, wipers, and other basic safety equipment.

-You do not need a/c to be a street car. My daily driver doesn't have a/c lol.

-Car does not have to be a daily driver to be a street car.

-Factories made millions and millions of cars without overdrive.

-I think the argument about anyone being able to jump in a car and driving without instructions is invalid. Any car with an aftermarket ratchet shifter would be out.

I don't agree with your notion that everyone bases their opinion on what they consider a street car based on how fast their own car is because I know for certain there are plenty of cars faster than mine that I would still consider a street car. Some people will defend their cars and insist they are street cars though, and this thread has proved that to be a fact for sure!:biggrin:

As far as what you stated to obviously defend your own car, here are my thoughts. The 15 gallon cell you have I could overlook because you can definitely drive long distances with it, but it must take up a good bit of room in the trunk of the car which some might not like (gotta put the groceries somewhere). The cage debate is one that I think is more of a personal decision. In my opinion, if it gets driven on the street more than it gets raced at the track I would not want a cage in the car. If I were to put something in one of these cars, the most it would be is a rollbar with swingouts on both sides so it's easy to get in and out of. Having A/C is a MUST if you live in a warmer climate like we do down here! Nothing worse than sweating your balls off while sitting in traffic on long trips, but that is of course if the car really gets driven. You are correct, the factories made millions and millions of cars without overdrive, but GM/Buick gave us overdrive from the factory and last time I checked there are no more factory cars coming without overdrive. It's 2010 right? If some don't mind giving people instructions on how the person needs to drive their "street car" I guess I can live with that, but I know instructions are not required with mine.

 

[coach]

I guess you didn't read the first post. He asked for everyones opinions. Who are you to say who should and shouldnt post on this thread? One should always support their opinion with facts, reasons, or examples as many did in this thread. The type of fuel a person uses has nothing to do with the ease of operation of the car. I think you made a poor choice of words in your last post but it's a free country.

I am sorry. You need to go and read all my posts on this thread. It seems to me the words, cage, tubs, and any other serious mods are what people are calling out. This is more than likely because they have never owned nor driven a car with any of these items. I have 10,000 miles on a set of 33x21.5 Mickey Thompsons over 5 summers.
My point was, I cannot comment on what is was like to run up the beach on D-Day, just because I was once in the Army in the 90's. Therefore a guy who operates a real nice, clean, cruiser with a stock engine, cannot offer an opinion nor can he accurately describe why a car with certain items is or is not streetable. Like I said before, I have had countless run-ins with the guy, who knew a guy, who knew a guy...and so on.
As for the gas comment, read again. It was mentioned that to be a real street car, you would have to be able to leave it to someone else to drive in an emergency. Well as I said before. My mother, would not know to put racegas in my 64' Max Wedge car that has 13.1 compression,FROM THE FACTORY!!! Therefore, it is not a streetcar. Nor would anyone know to check an ALKY tank, before heading out to Wal-mart and flying past everyone in the passing lane. What happens when your tank runs dry...do you think they know to look at the low level light??? KA-BOOM, head gaskets, gone! That was my point. Not to make anyone mad, just being realistic. Using those facts, do you or do you not agree, a street car is a factory car with custom paint, wheels and tires and stereo???

That is my opinion, and I have played this game real serious for years. I actually argued this point out with Jeff Smith. For those of you who do not know who he is, he was the editor in chief for HOT ROD magazine for years. All through the late 80's to mid 90's Pro Street movement. We argued this during the planning of the very first Power Tour way back in 95-96. That was the basis for getting these cars proven as real drivers and was the reason they started that event. By the way, I also remember Vic Edelbrock, Boyd Coddington, and Ron Carlson were in the same conversation.

Thank you
Coach

 

[malibuick231]

I know one of that cars previous owners. I witnessed him drive that car on the highway for an hour to Great Lakes Dragway. He mad one low ten second pass to make sure his octane was up to par and proceeded to make two 9 second runs at over 140. He wasnt a wheels up launcher. Drove it home too. He put 93 in it and drive it to work when he had the urge. That was like 50 miles each way also. He has other nice toys too so it didnt get driven everyday. At that time. 93oct was under $2.00 100oct was like $3.00oct and 110 was under $4.50 per gallon and all available out of the pump. 5 gallons of 116-118 was like $42-$45 from the local speed shops. So, you could fill up with 116 for like $150. Now its like $60 to fill up with 93. I know if he still had it, a dual nozzle kit from Razor would have been on it and still a 9sec car driven alot!

Oh, and STREET CARS can still carry the same amount of passengers it could from the factory... bye bye Nova!

Here is my car as you can see in the pass the turbo was coming apart and this was at 18 psi and pump gas. The last time I drove it was on a 250 round trip charity cruise.

milhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcEiNBhepge

This is one of my friends car and also is his dd. He drove it from Smyrna GA to Steele AL and this was just one of many 9sec passes that day

Cablebandit runs 9.39 in Trans Am - Car Videos on StreetFire

The engine is out of mine being up graded to a dart block. I will looking for a 1000whp and still be driven just like before.

 

[salvageV6]

I don't have any rear back seat in my 22 year old daily driver TR.

Took it out a few years ago to haul more tools, furniture, step ladder and to be able to hear the JBL subs. in the trunk better.

Bottom cushion is still there though.

I don't think being able to keep it a 5 seater is much of an issue.

Who cares if there's some annoying bobble heads back there, it's bad enough with the usual biatch in the pass. seat. :biggrin:

Carry on. :smile:

 

[GNBRETT]

Cablebandit runs 9.39 in Trans Am - Car Videos on StreetFire

That car was awesome. What a sleeper.

 

[malibuick231]

That car was awesome. What a sleeper.

Yep its a sweet ride has been around for years.
408 ls1
4l80e with a rossler brake
3.08 gears
still has a/c on it

 

[coach]

Alky lasts for a day or to.. Someone goin to use it in an emergency an run out a gallon in an hour ??? We beat Melissa's car up all the time an still wouldn't go threw a gallon very fast :biggrin:

My mother doesnt look at the gas gauge most of the time until it is to late. My point was, the average person would not know to even consider the things we take naturally, like checking to see if the tank is full. I have left the house a few times and saw my level light come on, and I KNOW to check it.

Coach

 

[Grumpy]

My mother doesnt look at the gas gauge most of the time until it is to late. My point was, the average person would not know to even consider the things we take naturally, like checking to see if the tank is full. I have left the house a few times and saw my level light come on, and I KNOW to check it.

Coach

hahahahaha... we top ours off every morning

 

[salvageV6]

Most people here don't let ANYONE drive their cars, that goes for us daily drivers as well.

Not an issue to TELL someone up front not to pass a whole line of cars WOT for over a minute to run out the alky.

I'd also turn down or off the incar boost controller to min. settings if I loaned it out, and I have to my 90 year old father.

I don't think any of my friends and relatives would run WOT that I would even think of considering handing my car keys to.

Maybe your friends and relatives have different driving habits.

There's no way a stocker should even be "lent out" running 25psi. boost to a newbie.

Kinda might end up with one of those pictures of the brand new sports cars in a lake type deal.

That being said it doesn't make the car any more or less of a street car for the owner.

 

[jasjamz]

most people here don't let anyone drive their cars, that goes for us daily drivers as well.

Not an issue to tell someone up front not to pass a whole line of cars wot for over a minute to run out the alky.

I'd also turn down or off the incar boost controller to min. Settings if i loaned it out, and i have to my 90 year old father.

i don't think any of my friends and relatives would run wot that i would even think of considering handing my car keys to.

Maybe your friends and relatives have different driving habits.

there's no way a stocker should even be "lent out" running 25psi. Boost to a newbie.

Kinda might end up with one of those pictures of the brand new sports cars in a lake type deal.

That being said it doesn't make the car any more or less of a street car for the owner. :d

x2

 

[coach]

Most people here don't let ANYONE drive their cars, that goes for us daily drivers as well.

Not an issue to TELL someone up front not to pass a whole line of cars WOT for over a minute to run out the alky.

I'd also turn down or off the incar boost controller to min. settings if I loaned it out, and I have to my 90 year old father.

I don't think any of my friends and relatives would run WOT that I would even think of considering handing my car keys to.

Maybe your friends and relatives have different driving habits.

There's no way a stocker should even be "lent out" running 25psi. boost to a newbie.

Kinda might end up with one of those pictures of the brand new sports cars in a lake type deal.

That being said it doesn't make the car any more or less of a street car for the owner.

I GIVE UP!!! You guys are only looking at the question from a turbo regal owners point of view only. There were 26 years worth of other high performance cars BEFORE the 86-87 turbo regals were in exisistance. The car that started this question was a 67 Nova, so turning the boost down is not always an option. Like with my Max wedge car, nor is it on my buddies 62 Pontiac Super Duty 421. These both had 12.5.1 or 13.1 slugs from the factory, and 4.56 gears. By the way, you can get at least 7 people in either car, and probably 4 in the trunk, and they both run real low 11's without cages and could go 10's easy. They both run 275-60-15 tires too.

I was never trying to start trouble, nor an argument.

Take care,
Coach

 

[chopped39]

Every car is a street car. Some just dont choose to drive them on the street
Look at Tim Lynch driving his 6 second car to Burger King.Thats not something I would do. But he did it.In his eyes its a street car.In my eyes he is nuts.

 

[$uckin6]

Nelson racing engines puts out some very high horsepower street able cars but again how many times are you going to enjoy squeezing in and out of a cage, stopping every little while to refuel and driving around city traffic with a helmet on so you don't get your brain scrambled in a traffic accident, practicality has to play a major part in this equation

 

[Grumpy]

I was never trying to start trouble, nor an argument. There were 26 years worth of other high performance cars BEFORE the 86-87 turbo regals were in exisistance.

Take care,
Coach

come on Coach .. don't give up .. hell as ya get older your skin gets thick.. It IS winter and guy's are getting restless hanging around . :biggrin:

sooo bottom line "street cars" have a lot of different "OPINIONS" hmmm so there are some other performance cars that were here before Buicks

 

[Heavy D]

I'll help you out Coach... If you drive it one the street, its a street car. All this: got a have ac and seat 5..no roll bars or tubs...

Sounds like an argument from people with slow cars dont it You dont need car lengths. You need a faster car!..

That should stir the pot nicely!

 

[KevinB]

Grumpy, you are right. Its winter and I'm just itching for the track to open. Feb 26 is the date when one of our tracks open I'm an oil change away from being ready. Can't wait! My friends and I usually spend every friday night at the track either running our junk or putting back a few beers. Looks like we are a month away

 

[coach]

come on Coach .. don't give up .. hell as ya get older your skin gets thick.. It IS winter and guy's are getting restless hanging around . :biggrin:

sooo bottom line "street cars" have a lot of different "OPINIONS" hmmm so there are some other performance cars that were here before Buicks

Thanks Grump, you are right, it is winter and I am really getting bored. I get my tranny back from Vince on saturday and then I can start getting ready for spring.
I need to apologize to KevinB for high jacking his thread and causing the termoil. I ask him for advice sometimes, cause I know he is fast. I am new to the Turbo Regals, but have had several other high performance cars that evidently are not street cars. Well if it makes someone feel better to say they got the snot beat out of them by a racecar on the street, that is OK by me. They probably got beat by me or HeavyD.

Thank to all,
Coach

 

[KevinB]

I'd like to add someting about the cage thing. I like how people brag about their street car that just ran 9s without a cage. Like it is so hard to do and the cage makes you faster. I just see it as stupidity and a lack of love for ypur life. Cages are there for safety, its not a speed part. In fact most cars would go faster minus a couple hundred pounds. A fast street/strip car that sees a lot of action at the track that has a cage should not be penalized from being called a street car imo.

 

[coach]

i'd like to add someting about the cage thing. I like how people brag about their street car that just ran 9s without a cage. Like it is so hard to do and the cage makes you faster. I just see it as stupidity and a lack of love for ypur life. Cages are there for safety, its not a speed part. In fact most cars would go faster minus a couple hundred pounds. A fast street/strip car that sees a lot of action at the track that has a cage should not be penalized from being called a street car imo.

Bravo Kevin.
Fact is, almost all the TR's I have seen with cages are done to keep the backseat functional. I would guess this is for the time they see on the street with passengers. If it were race only, the cage would be different. The backseat bars would not follow the roofline and go thru the backdash, they would go straight thru the backseat and connect to a crossmember where the shocks are mounted, and no swingouts. This leads me to believe that most TR owners believe that their cars ,with cages, are street cars.

Coach