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Sorry that it's not a C4. Well, I'm glad Camry's aren't beating C4's (yet), but there's been some discussion recently about what car is better that what....and typically, objective performance is the gauntlet thrown down as "proof" that one is "better".
So, in this video, that philosophy would PROVE, that a Camry is hands down better than a mid year. Is it? Not to this car-guy (me).
Had a 65 coupe 327/350 4 speed that I took to Irwindale a couple of times in the late 60s. That car ran in the low 14s all the time on bias ply whitewalls. No Camry's to race back then.
I can still scare the crap out of my passengers in my 91 and that's not even breaking the tires loose. Even still, I think there is fun to be had with small 200 hp cars- but I may wait for gas to get higher first
I enjoyed the video. There is really a lot more to enjoyment of the cars than only objective numbers. It also shows just how much improvement has been made in 50 years.
I would have liked to see the Corvette with a tire upgrade. I suspect it would have made a big difference.
I want to see this test against an early C4. I mean, of course anyone would rather have the 66 but OMG it's WAY more expensive than the Camry. Let's see a test against the Corvette that was made for the track and is actually CHEAPER than a new Camry.
I like Carlos Lago's final line. ""It's not appliances... its that." ::points to mid-year::
Totally, man. That was....the essence of the video.
Tires would have likely brought the performance of the '66 on par w/the Camry, but who cares? That really isn't the point. The point is, the '66 is an experience....like an amusement park ride, nearly all the time. Because of the sounds, the motions, the rawness, the immediacy of the machine, because of the knowledge of what you're in...and probably mostly, because it IS a machine.
The Camry represents where cars are going. Capable, safe....but no soul. They're appliances. When they complete the transition to becoming fully self driving, they will have fully become...appliances.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Where exactly is the National Camry Museum located? How high on the charts was the song "Little Red Camry" listed?
Came out to my 65 convertible back in the day at a restaurant and two girls were sitting in it and asked me for a ride. That NEVER happened with any rental Camry I have ever driven.
Totally, man. That was....the essence of the video.
Tires would have likely brought the performance of the '66 on par w/the Camry, but who cares? That really isn't the point. The point is, the '66 is an experience....like an amusement park ride, nearly all the time. Because of the sounds, the motions, the rawness, the immediacy of the machine, because of the knowledge of what you're in...and probably mostly, because it IS a machine.
The Camry represents where cars are going. Capable, safe....but no soul. They're appliances. When they complete the transition to becoming fully self driving, they will have fully become...appliances.
Exactly! And they are going that way because that is what the younger generations want. But to be fair, the gap between the appliance cars and the performance cars built today (at least on the street) is a lot less than in 1966. And also, he compared one of the faster appliance cars to one of the slower vettes. That was fun, thanks.
I also have a V6 Camry (273 hp). It does run good, and handles pretty well for a FWD "appliance" car. My wife won't accept the challenge, but my "old" '84 CFI 'vette will outperform her Camry any day of the week!
Fun factor? No comparison!
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Aug 8, 2015 at 08:28 PM.
Screw the Camry. And every other dumb boring 4 door sedan.
They're all junk.
Gimme soul anyday.
Sorry you could make a 1,000 hp Camry, and NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, who loves cars is going to say "that's a great car!"
They'll say "man it's fast"....but that 1k HP Camry, will fail to get even a moment's notice the second even a 76 Stingray with sidepipes added pulls up next to it.
I also have a V6 Camry (273 hp). It does run good, and handles pretty well for a FWD "appliance" car. My wife won't accept the challenge, but I think my "old" '84 'vette will outperform her Camry any day of the week!
Fun factor? No comparison!
- I keep trying to get my wife to race me in her 2003 Yukon Denali. Those 6L LQx engines are beastly - too bad the rig practically weighs as much as two Vettes
Simple question. If those two cars were sitting side by side, and everyone were to be asked, "which car do you want or like more"? I think we ALL know what the answer would be, don't we? Corvette and Toyota aren't even in the same category no matter how "fast" newer cars are after 50 years. If after 50 years any car wasn't more refined and powerful, then what good is it or why did it not advance itself?
Screw the Camry. And every other dumb boring 4 door sedan.
They're all junk.
They are not "all junk." So if a vehicle has no personality, then it's a heap of garbage? Maybe it's a well-engineered, quality built people mover that does exactly what it is supposed to do. My 4-cylinder pickup truck is sorely lacking personality, but it's an extremely reliable and quality-built vehicle.