This may not be a '48 thru '60 topic, but I just saw something on the TV that disturbed me. I'm sure many of you have seen those "Fast and Furious" movies where some supertuned "riceburners" tear up the streets and otherwise reak havoc in the general neighborhood. Don't get me wrong; I love hi-tech, and it's really amazing what these little cars can do, but it's just that I've been brought up with 351 Clevelands, Chevy Big blocks and Dodge Hemi's. Anyway, on the Speed Channel tonight, on a show called NOPI, they talked about the latest "Fast and the Furious" movie coming out. I took interest because the bad guy drives a Nissan "Z" and the good guy drives what looks like a '69 Mustang. They went on to say that the Mustang was custom built and acually had a Nissan motor in it. That just killed me. I mean, there is nothing wrong with Nissan, but you'd think a Mustang would have some Ford muscle in it to do it's thing. Oh well, it's just a matter of time before Toyota or Nissan own Ford; here in LA you hardly see any families drive Ford or Chevy's anymore. Mostly it's a Toyota or Honda. It's sad, but I'm just as much to blame; we have a Mercedes M-Class which was built in Alabama, and my wife drives a BMW which is built like a tank and has free maintenance. Like anybody I want the most for my money. How will the US manufacturers compete in the future; it seems they already lost the battle. It really worries me. Comments?

 

I see that too, that the battle is almost over with Ford and GM in what looks like merger talks behind closed doors.
The Mustang in the movie is a 67 possibly a 68. One of my favorites and the ricer motor really kills me, I guess that`s the furious part of the movie.
Guess that`s progress, mine will always have an FE as long as I have it.

 

I think i still have some pictures of that car on my computer. Ill try and dig it up tomorrow.

 

One super sweet ride aside the motor.
Looking forward to the pix...

 

my lugnuts require more torque than your ricer makes reads the decal that will soon be in the back window of my 63 f250 4x4.

 

It's a matter of perception as much as anything. I get Ward's Automotive Reports, and a recent editorial notes that Mercury is ranked #2 in quality, Buick is #3, and Lincoln and Jaguar are in the top half. None of them can give cars away. Land Rover is dead last in quality, makes nothing but SUV's (and expensive ones), but saw sales increase 8%. Suzuki and Kia are 2nd and 3rd from the bottom, had sales increases of nearly 30%.

People are largely sheep. Most don't know a good car from bad, but no one wants to appear "unsophisticated" in their purchase. Buying an import, even a lousy one, is perceived as being "smart".

I wouldn't count GM/Ford out yet, they have proven to be remarkably flexible in the past. I could care less about Chrysler any more, they aren't American in my mind.
One Nissan engine in a Mustang to probably 100,000 SBC's and 5.0's in everything from Morris Minors to Jag XJ's, I wouldn't get too upset.

 

Amen to dat, brutha!!! Thanks for the persepctive (and the chuckle).

 

I know of a 57 Chevy with a 351 Windsor for power - too bad it isn't a convertible. -- Chuck

 

I too love American V8s, but we race a Miata, Celica, and Mini Cooper. My little stock engined Miata will run rings around any Mustang or Camaro on any track with more than 4 turns in it, and get 30 mpg doing it. There is likely to be a Solstice in our near future tho, at least GM is finally figuring it out.

 

Welcome Chuck to our forum and with the word of another Ford powered chev.. another one! Not too many of those around.

 

Who in the heck would put a nissan motor in a ford especially an old mustang just doesnt sound right it or look right whats the world comin to

 

+1.. along with my 55 f-100 I also have a 2000 Honda Civic SI that I autocross at SCCA events... That thing can handle like none other..

I like to think I have the best of all worlds. a 00 Si for autocrossing, a 55 F-100 for cruising, and a Triumph TT600 for country twisties and track days.

I love the Miata's and what they can do at autocross.. Some of my friends miatas are insane.

 

I take it most of you have not seen the movie? That part of the movie takes place in what looks like Roppongi and Tokyo Japan. The Nissan motor came from a scrap car and they used what was readily available for power.

 

This thread brings up a question I have had for some time now. Ok, why would someone put a chevy engine in a classic Ford truck. I see this alot surfing arond on the net and on FTE. Other than having a chey engine laying around and being on a budget I could see doing this, but I'm sure that's not always the case. I don't think I have ever seen a ford engine in a chevy. Is there some bennifit with the chevy engine over the ford?

I'm of the mind set to keep it all ford.

 

that is a touchy subject here. The only reason i can think of it would be the cost. simply put, aftermarket parts are cheaper for them than they are for ford's.. which really makes no sense because the manufactoring cost for the aftermarket companies is going to be the same both ways pretty much..