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.

All-New Trucks for 2006
Debbie Pettitt 
1940

This may be a refresher course for some of you since the 2006 models have been out for awhile, but here are reviews of some of the newly-introduced 2006 pickup trucks, from small size to mega size as well as a couple limited additions for 2006.

For a small-size truck, Isuzu has introduced the all new i-280 and i-350. The i-280 is a two door, 2WD model with an extended cab, 2.8-liter, 4 cylinder I-4 (in-line 4-cylinder) engine with 175 HP, 185 lbs-ft of torque and a max payload of 1532 lbs. It comes with a standard 5-speed manual transmission (4-speed automatic is optional). Safety features on this model are optional and it comes with 3 optional packages. Pricing starts at $14,239.

The i-350 is a four door, 4WD model with a crew cab, 3.5-liter I-5 engine with 220 HP, max payload of 1190 lbs and a tow rating of 4000 lbs. It comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and expanded list of standard amenities and an optional limited package with upgrades including power-heated seats, 6-disc CD changer and leather seats. Pricing starts at $24,608.

In the mid-size range, we have the Mitsubishi Raider. Mitsubishi offers the Raider in a 3.7 liter V6 with 210 HP and 235 lbs-ft of torque or a 4.7-liter V8 with 230 HP (a leader in it's class) and 290 lbs-ft of torque. The Raider comes either with an extended cab with small access doors or a double cab 4-door. You can choose between 2WD or 4WD with 3 transmissions, 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic or 5-speed automatic. The Raider sports rack-and-pinion steering and tows up to 6500 lbs. One trendy option offered on the Raider is it's High Output Audio Package, with a 508-watt audio system including a 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, 9 speakers and Sirius Satellite radio. Pricing starts at $19,180.

Where do we put the Honda Ridgeline? It's in a class all it's own. This pickup is designed for comfort for everyday driving but it's also tough enough to keep up with the big boys in towing and payload demands. Ridgeline comes in 4WD only, with a 3.5-liter V6, 247 HP and 252 lbs-ft of torque. It has a total payload of 1550 with it's 8.5 cubic foot bed and 5000 lb. towing capacity. It seats 5 easily with 4 full-size doors. It's also the only 4WD pickup to achieve the highest government crash test rating (5 stars) for both frontal and side impact tests. It also has a unique dual-action tailgatge which swings down like most pickups but also swings to the side. Pricing starts at $27,700.

In the full size truck category, we have the new Dodge Ram Mega Cab. Ok, the Dodge Ram isn't new, but with the largest pickup cab ever at 143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches long, it certainly is worth mentioning. The Mega Cab has a total seating capacity of 6 and, depending on which model you're looking at, comes in a 2WD or 4WD. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 has 345 HP and comes in a 5 speed automatic, rear or 4WD, with 375 lbs-ft of torque. The 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel six-cylinder comes in a 6 speed manual, with 325 HP and 610 lbs-ft of torque.

Of course, what is distintive about this truck is not only it's mega cab, but the exceptional storage space it provides as well. The cab has been lengthened by 20 inches. With folding rear seats, you'll find 7.5 cubic feet of storage beind the rear seat. On the comfort side, the rear-seat bench also reclines. Built tough to handle almost anything, the Mega Cab also offers luxury options such as a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, power sunroof and full-screen navigation system. So there you have it - mega power, mega space, mega luxury. That's ONE MEGA TRUCK! Pricing starts at $32,760.

There are also two new limited-edition trucks for 2006:

Chevy Silverado Intimidator SS

This limited-edition truck is a collaboration between Chevrolet and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. The Intimidator comes with a race-inspired spoiler, unique silver front grille and a lowered ride height, not to mention the performance-tuned suspension, two-stage multi-leaf springs, Tenneco shock absorbers, a stiffer front stabilizer bar and stiffer front jounce bumpers.

The exterior is complete with a black monochromatic color scheme and 20-inch chrome wheels. The Vortec 6000 V8 engine has 345 HP and 380 lbs-ft of torque. Based on the 2006 Silverado SS, the Intimidator also has available features such as a 4-speed electronically controlled transmission, 3.73 final drive ratio, locking differential, cruise control, split bench seats, power seat adjuster, power windows, rear-wheel, 2-wheel rear drive as well as other amenities available on the 2006 Silverado SS.

The interior features Dale Earnhardt's signature on the white-faced gauge cluster, black leather seats, plenty of Intimidator badging and Dale Earnhardt's Legacy logo embossed into the headrests. Chevrolet only plans to have 1,333 of these beauties in production, and a portion of every sale is going to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation.

The 2006 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 SuperCab

In a continued collaboration between Ford and Harley-Davidson, this limited-edition truck features a 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton® V8 engine with a specially tuned exhaust system, 300 HP and 365 lbs-ft of torque.

The SuperCab sports a 6 1/2-ft. Styleside bed, smoked-out tail lamps, blacked-out bumper, chrome tie-down hooks, slash-cut chrome exhaust, chrome billet grille, blacked-out headlamps and badging on the fenders and tailgate. Other stand-out features are the special chin spoiler and it's mammoth 22-inch polished aluminum rims with split 5-spoke design, a first for the F-150.

The SuperCab exudes power with it's black and chrome color scheme. The exterior high-gloss piano black is accented with LOTS of chrome, giving it an aggressive, albeit stylish look that sets it apart.

Accenting the interior, you'll find once again the high-gloss piano black with splashes of chrome highlights on the instruments, handles, vent rings, floor shifter and door pulls. Black leather front captain's chairs and the Harley-Davidson logo give styling to the SuperCab in the spirit of the Harley motorcycle. Ford and Harley-Davidson plan a production of only 10,000 SuperCabs.

2c
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?All-New-Trucks-for-2006&id=109907