VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1980-1989 Russ Heim thumbs up!

Just want to give a shout out and thumbs up to VCCA's Russell Heim!
Russ is showing some love for the 80's Chevs in this month's(Mar'14) Hemmings Classic Car page 28 left column! He daily's an '86 B-Body! Nice. Well stated viewpoint,Mr Heim.

I also daily an 89 Caprice wagon and own a 26kmile '76 Impala as well as an 18k mile 96 B4U Caprice.

Take care,Jim Downum VCCA NIR Asst. Dir.

Hey Jim,
Russ has been recouping from some rather extensive surgery. I spoke with him yesterday and he is doing great! I know he was away from his computer for awhile, and I am not sure if he even knew his letter was published, I will let him know of the letter and your post.
I recently have realized myself these cars are a last gasp. I picked up an 85 Caprice wagon a few years ago here in New York that I shipped down use while in my home in Florida. 1985 seems like a new car until you are driving on I-75 where the speed limit seems like it is 90MPH! It seems a little shakey at 80 MPH, even with new tires and front-end. So I keep off the highway. Non-mechanical parts are difficult to find for anything newer then 1970. My son has a 90 Cavalier and it is hard to believe it is 24 years old, and two years older then him.

John thanks for the update on Russ.Glad he's in recovery mode.

I cruise my 89 Caprice wagon at 75mph comfortably.Agree,80mph is pushing this era car.My damn speedo only goes to 80mph!

I push that 307 Olds engine pretty hard at times

Jim

I had two Oldsmobile wagons and one Buick with 307 Olds engines. They could not make 90 MPH. Would strain to maintain 80 MPH.

Thanks for the thumbs up, Jim, and thanks John for giving an update on my condition.

My main point in that letter to the editor was that we should accept the '80s cars because those cars are probably the best way to attract younger people to our hobby.

Personally, I can take or leave the '80s cars. I like my Caprice but I don't love it. It's comfortable and reliable, but has a falling headliner and the door handles keep coming off. Neither of my 1961 Chevrolets have these issues.

'80s cars do have redeeming qualities and some of them are definitely collectible. I think the Caprice and Impala coupes, almost any Camaro, and the Monte Carlo Super Sports are worth collecting. I know some of the older members like the Caprices for tour cars. They're old enough to participate yet have all modern amenities.

Yep I agree Russ.The 80's full size are pretty good cars overall.My wagon actually is very comfortable on the road,but way under powered.I wouldn't mind a last year 2 dr '87 Caprice Landau Coupe for a future VCCA club car.
Take care,Jim

Russ, Hope your recovery is going smooth. I read your letter in HCC last Friday, and couldn't agree more, it is important to attract younger people. With a few exceptions the 90's and newer cars don't do much for me, and the 80's crs still have some character! Like Jim I've been enjoying driving an older daily driver for almost a year although it is not technically an 80's car, it is close, and nota Chevy,at least it's GM. My 79 Pontiac Grand Prix even started after sitting out all last night in the sub zero weather we have been having! ( hope I didn't jinx myself as I need to take the hour long drive back home)
I also know from last summer it had no problem hitting 90MPH

I had an '84 Olds 98, '84 Park Avenue and an '85 LaSabre Limited, all with the 307 Olds engine. All would run 80-85 mph all day (and had more to go). I put well over 100K on all 3. I liked the cars and he 307. I guess some are just better than others.

We currently have a 1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with a 307 that we use for our daily transportation. We have had the car for about 17 years. It is a great road car and it cruises down that highway with a lot of comfort. As a matter of fact, it is the most comfortable car that we have ever owned. However, the 307 in the car is absolutely and totally gutless. Oh, it will easily go 80 to 85 but it takes about a week and a half to get there and the acceleration from a dead stop is pathetic. The 307 also has a computerized carburetor which is worthless and the 307 is way under powered for the massive weight of the vehicle.

The 307s I owned had the infamous "electronic 4V carburetors" but were all good runners. Not hotrods but not slow at all. I enjoyed all of 'em.

Perhaps you have one that is geared way too high in the rearend.

The Olds has the correct gearing in the rear-end. My daughter had a 1977 Impala four-door sedan with a 307 as well. The car ran fine, just like our 1984 Olds with the 307, but it was gutless too because the 307 was under powered for the weight of the Impala. Our Olds was engineered for gas economy and not power so it does cruise very nicely down the highway and it is easy on the gasoline too.