When I think of progress at the big three American automobile manufacturers, I am reminded that Chevrolet introduced a 288 cubic inch 90-degree V8 with overhead valves, 3.375" bore and 4" stroke in 1917. They didn't build another V8 until 1955, and it was virtually identical to their 1917 model. This engine design is still one of the most popular on the road today, almost 90 years later.

The Cutlass 442, the "Rocket V8", the Toronado (especially the Caliente versions), all very cool cars to me.

I drove an 88 for a while, and I had something they called a Starfire Firenza for about six years. They made a very few in 1978 and a few more in 1979, but that was it. It was a Starfire hatchback sort of car with a V6, wide tires, and a just incredible suspension for a production car in the midst of Detroit's darkest days. That car would corner as fast as you dared drive it. If I parked it at my parent's house my Dad would grab the keys and disappear with it.

Later, like in 1980 or '81, Olds started building something called a Firenza that wasn't anything like the original car. I was sorry they didn't get the reaction they wanted from the original and keep it going.

I'll bet you $1 that the only reason they dropped Olds and not Buick is because of the name: "Olds" sends the wrong message. Of course had they brought back the Cutlass 442 with the capabilities of the last-generation Trans-Am, "Olds" probably wouldn't have seemed "old".