Re: IML: size does matter

[Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm not sure I am following your somewhat creative spelling, but until the 1980s cars were typically classified in four sizes:

Subcompact (ex: VW Beetle, Dodge Colt, Honda Civic)
Compact (ex: 1963-76 Dodge Dart, Plymouth Valiant or Barracuda)
Midsize or Intermediate (ex: Dodge Coronet, Charger)
Standard or Full-size: (ex: Chrysler Newport, Imperial)

In the 1950s most cars were generally "standard" size except for the relative novelties like a Rambler or VW Beetle, or sports cars.

The Big 3 all introduced their compacts around 1960, Ford with the Falcon, Chevrolet with the Corvair, and Chrysler with the Valiant (originally its own brand, though sold through Plymouth dealers and badged a Plymouth by 1962).

When downsizing began in the mid 1970s in response to the fuel crisis, the size distinctions started to be blurred. Suddenly GM's full-size cars were a foot shorter than Chrysler's, for example, and Chrysler responded by "badge-engineering" their midsize cars to seem like the new full-size (renaming the Coronet as the Monaco, etc.). By the 1990s, the overall packaging of cars got more efficient and smaller cars became roomier. During this time the EPA classifications, which are based on interior room and trunk volume, not exterior size, became more well-known. Nowadays it's not uncommon for a relatively small car (new Hyundai Sonata, for example) to be classified by the EPA as a "large car."

Even so, most of today's largest cars are about the size of a compact car of 30 years ago. Midsize SUVs are tall, by the way, but not necessarily long, so they only seem big because their visual mass casts a large shadow.

Chris in LA


-----Original Message-----
From: ken brather <oef_1947_isf@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Oct 21, 2005 8:53 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: size does matter

mesuerd my dart the other day found it to be about 15 feet give or take parked it next to a lincolen navegator found it was thw same lenth. intersting in the ' 70's, when these things came out theye were listed as intermedeiet or mid size. now they are as long as an suv. so all u < 76 & d4 imp drivers out there this means that ur < 67 & b4's r longer [ & probly wider] than 2 days big suv's so  DRIVE UR RIDE W/ PRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  u r the king of the road [ but, when i get my first imp( & i will) { 57 - 68 only need apply} i will be the  GRAND IMPERIAL EMPORER  of the road] i'll let u know so u may give appropraye homage-  

		
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