We all watched in… well, it wasn't exactly awe, as the city of Tulsa unearthed a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that their ancestors had stuck in the ground 50 years earlier. While it was a neat — but doomed — exercise in civics, a mint '57 Belvedere ain't all that, monetarily speaking. However, had a perfectly preserved 1957 Chevy popped out of the ground, we'd be talking real money. And had the city waited a decade and (properly) mummified Carroll Shelby's 427 Cobra Super Snake, Dwight Foster and Robert Carney (the men who "won" the water-logged Belvedere) could move into a suite on top of the Bellagio and bet tens of thousands on black. Every night. For years. That's because that Shelby fetched $5,000,000 at Barrett-Jackson last January. My question to you is, which 2008 American car do you bury for 50 years so that your grandchildren might one day be ne'er-do-wells? We'll get to other countries tomorrow.
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You said “American” car, right? Hmmm…this smells like the Kobayashi Maru test.
Narrowed it down to three options:
-Mustang GT. Iconic muscle car (and only one to survive the Pony car war).
-Chevrolet Corvette. Hey, at least it won’t rust!
-Dodge Viper. Most powerful American car on the road, and destined to be a collector’s car to begin with
Z06 or CTS-V. The last hp hurrah before we all start driving hybrid golf carts.
I think what’s most appropriate for a time capsule is something that’s not uncommon today, but won’t really exist in 50 years.
With the new CAFE standards rolling in, I think it’ll be the end of the muscle car resurgence. Things like the Mustang, Charger, Corvette and Viper will be gone.
Of those, I think Americans identify most with the Mustang (everyman’s muscle car) and the Corvette (everyman’s supercar).
I’m looking at the sales figures and I think the Mustang out-sold the corvette by around 5:1. So I think the S197 Mustang would make a great choice for a time capsule.
And if you’re looking for a rarified collectible version of it, maybe the GT500 after Shelby’s done it over with his Super Snake 725hp conversion. Surely it’ll be worth a pretty penny in 50 years.
Is the ZR1 eligible?
# keepaustinweird :
February 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am
You said “American” car, right? Hmmm…this smells like the Kobayashi Maru test.
Kobayashi? As in a test where you have to eat 60 hot dogs?
Corvette Z06
“I think what’s most appropriate for a time capsule is something that’s not uncommon today, but won’t really exist in 50 years.”
Ford Excursion.
Guy,
Would an Excursion even FIT into a time capsule?? hehehe…
“I think what’s most appropriate for a time capsule is something that’s not uncommon today, but won’t really exist in 50 years.”
“Ford Excursion.”
I take back what I said. You’re right, this decade of American motorvehicle has been dominated by the SUV love-affair. We should get one all blinged out, and stick that in the time capsule to our kids so they won’t forget what morons we were.
The Plymouth in the time capsule I think was pretty appropriate. Those “suddenly it’s 1960” Chryslers changed the landscape of car design and sent GM back to the drawing boards to do catch up with the 59’s they brought out. So, today I think something that had a heavy stylistic influence would still be appropriate. But what? If this was a few years ago I might say a CTS when that was new. However, the new CTS is just an evolution of that none too successful theme. The problem is I can’t think of an American car that has any impact this year. For one thing, I’m thinking -new-, like the Belvedere was, not a carry over like the Mustang, Corvette, etc. In fact, I don’t think any of those American pony/sport cars fit since they aren’t ground breaking in any way, shape, or form. Sure, the Corvette goes faster and handles better, but that’s been happening to it every year since the 80’s. Oh well..maybe I’ll think of a car that fits later.
“Ford Excursion.”
I take back what I said. You’re right, this decade of American motorvehicle has been dominated by the SUV love-affair. We should get one all blinged out, and stick that in the time capsule to our kids so they won’t forget what morons we were.
Funmaster flex excursion, tied with Cadillac Escalade EST with spinner rims…
How about an Excursion with a Corvette inside?
Jeep Wrangler.
It’s the best we’ve got that the masses can afford. It’s fun, iconic, and American.
Ford Excursions were discontinued after 2005.
I would pick the Malibu, since it’s a much better representation of the average car today than a Z06.
The 2008 Ford F150. It is the best-selling vehicle currently in the United States.
The Ford F-150.
Z06, ZR1 or a Cummins-powered Dodge.
Put a Charger in there…it is the last example of Automobilus Americanus….a four-door sedan with a V-8 engine. The species will soon be extinct.
Chevy Cobalt SS. If de-evolution continues apace, the Cobalt will look pretty hot to our retarded offspring of the future.
Something small to represent a growing interest in more fuel efficient cars for at least SOME of the American drivers. Say – an Opel Astra – I mean a Saturn Astra. Hey folks – let’s just start calling them Opels – okay?
Yes it isn’t necessarily all American but it is at least an honest to goodness GM as opposed to the Aveo family of cars made by Daewoo.
We really don’t build small cars in this country do we??? We need to….
How about a made-in-Ohio Honda Accord?
N85523 :
February 20th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Jeep Wrangler.
That’s a good idea, but if we go with past experience, in 50 years the Wrangler will look the same as it does today. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, when you got a good design, why change it?
I’m with BabyM. The Accord represents the state of the art in mainstream vehicles.
Although something like the Vette would be the most iconic, no sports car should be stuffed into a box to die.
My vote goes toward any blinged-out donk just so there can be one less on the road.
Can we put OJ in it?
This may surprise you… but my vote would be for the Vette. It’s probably the most respected American vehicle in the world and it’s one of the very few models that exemplify the potential of the American auto industry.
It would also be worthwhile to have a way to maintain/replace the various fluids and hoses every few years or so. Our goal should be to let those 50 years hence be able to enjoy the type of car that was in existence back in ‘the good old days’.
Oh, and before I forget again, can we bury OJ???? Pleassee????
If we could maintain/perserve it somehow, I would put either a Corvette or a Viper in the pit. I’m betting that Ford Mustangs will be common collectibles. A Shelby GT500 would be a possibility, though. I really don’t expect to see anything like them in 50 years and I would want to own one (unlike an Excursion, Escalade, etc.). I also wouldn’t bother with storing gasoline and oil with the car (like they did with the Belvedere) because unlike popular opinion, I expect petrochemicals to still exist and be in common use in 50 years.
A Tesla Roadster press release.
I’d probably have to jump on the Corvette bandwagon, as well. Though an Escalade would be fantastic for posterity, since it is the culmination of America’s 20 year love affair with SUVs.
In terms of merely trying to make money, obviously the limited run Corvettes (Z06 or ZR1 are good calls). Otherwise, I’d probably say the Cadillac CTS-V. It’s rare enough that there won’t be loads of them down the road, but it will still be desirable for many collectors.
I’m not sure if everyone knows this, but Tulsa already has another car in a time capsule. It’s a 1998 Plymouth Prowler. However, this one is above ground so maybe it stands a chance.
If they can get a tax write-off the Debt-3 should bury half of their inventory.
Bunter
1996 Ford Taurus, as an example of what not to do.
Any full size SUV – the future needs a good laugh.
I vote that they bury the Chevy Volt. Hey, they won’t know it never worked in the first place.
I imagine if an American company put a car in the time capsule, they would release Limited Time Capsule Edition cars to go with it. Imagine the irony of burying an F150 only to find out it was made in Mexico fifty years later!
# keepaustinweird :
February 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am
You said “American” car, right? Hmmm…this smells like the Kobayashi Maru test.
I’ll take Kirk’s way out of this way…
Make sure the 84 page payment coupon book is also buried with the car so to show the future folks why the U.S. went bankrupt.
I’m not sure I understand the question…
Are you asking for our favorite vehicle that we’d like to see preserved, or are you asking for a vehicle that was so bad we’d just as soon bury it in a Jersey meadow?
Toyota Prius!! Prius is the car that changed everything.
Oh..wait does the American car have to be built in the U.S.?
Or does NAFTA buddies Mexico and Canada count?
NO to F150 because in 50 years it will still be the same!!
In 50 years we are predicted to be driving fuel efficient, alternative fuel, and smaller vehicles so I vote……..HUMMER H2 thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing says, gas guzzling, useless offroad, pretentious, overweight, than the hog like HUMMMER!!!!!!!!!!
Wait are they made in the U.S.? South Bend, IN correct?
I’m with kjc117. Despite its Toyota badge, the Prius is totally American and a symbol of the changing automotive scene. Burying a Hummer H2 would also be very appropriate.
I’d go with a 2008 Chrysler Sebring, for two reasons:
1. It would serve as a cautionary tale for generations to come.
2. It would mean one less Sebring in the fleets on the streets.
Sounds like a win-win to me….
Oh, and before I forget again, can we bury OJ???? Pleassee????
Sure. I just need a shovel and OJ…
Isn’t OJ in jail again? If you’re so keen to bury him, YOU post his bail.
Anyway, Hummer H2. That way, there might be a GM vehicle in running condition in 2058. It also serves as a symbol of GM’s thoughtful response to a changing world.
LOL @ tony-e30! “A Tesla Roadster press release.”
True dat.
That being said, the car in the time capsule should represente the mainstream of today, and the best example of it. Honda Accord.