The idea of installing a powerful engine in a post WWII mid-size car was introduced in 1957. The American Motors (AMC) Rebel showcased AMC?s new 327 in³ V8 255 hp with a 4 barrel carburetor (fuel injection was to be optional), thus making it the first American factory hot-rod hardtop sedan. The Rambler Rebel came with a manual or automatic transmission, and dual exhaust. The Rebel was promoted as the fastest four-door car in America from 0-60 mph and ran the quarter mile in 17.0 seconds. It was one of the quickest production automobiles at that time.

The popularity of the muscle car grew in the 1960s. Among these was the Pontiac Tempest. For 1964 and 1965, the GTO was an option package that included Pontiac's 389 in³ (6.5 L) V8 engine, floor-shifted transmission with Hurst shift linkage, and special trim. In 1966, the Pontiac GTO was no longer an option, and became its own model. The project, spearheaded by Pontiac division president John De Lorean, was technically a violation of General Motors policy limiting its smaller cars to 330 in³ (5.4 L) displacement, but it proved far more popular than expected, and inspired a host of imitations, both at GM and its competitors.

This marked a general trend towards factory performance, which reflected the importance of the youth market. A key appeal of the muscle cars was that they offered the burgeoning American car culture an array of relatively affordable vehicles with strong street performance that could also be used for racing. The affordability aspect was quickly compromised by increases in size, optional equipment, and plushness, forcing the addition of more and more powerful engines just to keep pace with performance. A backlash against this cost and weight growth led in 1967 and 1968 to a secondary trend of "budget muscle" in the form of the Plymouth Road Runner, Dodge Super Bee, and other stripped, lower-cost variants.

Although the sales of true muscle cars were relatively modest by total Detroit standards, they had considerable value in publicity and bragging rights, serving to bring young buyers into showrooms. Automakers saw these as halo models and some, such as the AMC Rebel Machine, were factory upgraded to be turn-key drag racers. The 1970 Machine even came with flamboyant and patriotic red, white, and blue reflective body graphics for maximum street and racetrack visibility. The fierce competition led to an escalation in power that peaked in 1970, with some models offering as much as 450 hp (and others likely producing as much actual power, whatever their rating).

The Dodge Charger, known for its appearance as the villan's vehicle in the movie BullittAnother related type of car is the car-based pickup. Examples of these are the Ford Ranchero, GMC Sprint, GMC Caballero, and one of the most famous examples, the Chevrolet El Camino.

Chevrolet Trailblazer 2005: The Weekly Driver Review
James Raia
12d4 With the addition of the 5.3-liter, 325-horsepower V8 extended cab (EXT), eight Chevrolet Trailblazer models are on the road in 2005. And as the largest and most powerful Blazer available, the new EXT
has plenty to offer.

It's comfortable and provides a confident drive. It offers vast cargo space, has an attractive two-tone interior, a well-designed console and boasts of plenty of impressive option packages.

But sometimes subtle qualities or subtle deficiencies are more impressive or problematic than a vehicle's overt characteristics.

So it is with the new Blazer. While recently showing the car to several friends, one sat in the second row of seats. Surprisingly, his head easily hit the roof. My friend is 6-foot-3, and while that's tall, he's not a giant by any stretch.

I've got a Scion and there's plenty of rear seat headroom, my friend commented.

The quick analysis made a good point. As the largest and most powerful Blazer available, shouldn't a 6-foot-3 person sit comfortably in the middle of the car's three rows?

Conversely, an SUV hardly seems like a vehicle for a remarkable sound system. But the Bose premium sound system available in the Blazer's Sun, Sound and Entertainment Package is superior. The combination AM/FM stereo, six-disc changer, XM satellite radio and eight speakers are arguably the finest music package I've experienced in any test car in the past two years.

Beyond a curious space limitation and a wondrous sound system options, the Blazer offers an odd mixture. It's a well-designed SUV with plenty of space for family and cargo. It has adequate steering and handling, and it offers a quiet ride considering its status as a large SUV with 17-inch tires.

Yet, the Blazer falls short in other key areas.

The vehicle's braking system seems uneven - fine in some circumstances, soft in other scenarios with far-too-long response time. The Blazer maneuvers well in traffic and its turning radius is surprisingly tight and efficient. But again, for each of the vehicle's strengths, there's a weakness. The Blazer's fuel rating of 14 mpg (city) and 19 (hwy) is hardly impressive.

Standard features are adequate: power mirrors, heated daytime running lamps, remote keyless entry, tinted rear glass, 65/35 second and third-row folding seats and a rear window defogger, among other standard items.

Three options packages, the aforementioned Sun, Sound and Entertainment, as well as the Luxury and V8 Power Play packages, can add nearly $7,000 to the base sticker, pushing the total price to more than $41,000.

Some options are worthwhile, including the OnStar Emergency System (with one year of free service) and leather-appointed seats. Other options – cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheel audio controls – are standard for other manufacturers'
SUVs.

A Preferred Equipment Savings reduction of $3,150 lowers the top-of-the line Blazer's price, after a $685 destination charge, to $38,515.

As such, the Blazer isn't the most expensive or most economical SUV on the market. But certainly, for nearly $40,000, good brakes and sufficient second-row headroom shouldn't be issues.

2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Safety features -- Dual-stage driver and front passenger
airbags. Antilock brakes.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 14 mpg (city), 19 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power
train, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 6 years/100,000 miles; 24-hour
free roadside assistance, 3 years, 36,000 miles

Base price -- $34,270.00

About the Author

James Raia is a Sacramento, Calif., journalist who writes about sports, travel and lifestyle topics as well as the automotive column, The Weekly Driver Review.

To read more car reviews, visit: /www.byjamesraia.com/?showcat=4 target=_blank>http://www.byjamesraia.com/?showcat=4>The Weekly Driver Review

To subscribe to his free electronic newsletters, visit the web site: /www.ByJamesRaia.com target=_blank>http://www.ByJamesRaia.com>www.ByJamesRaia.com

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