Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 12:39AM
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 516
I was gonna say the ol' Slant Six Engine, but to put a car to the question, I'd have to say the Valiant with said slant six.
A Bazillion of 'em built from 1960 to 1976, and then modified into the Volare' for another 4 years...the latter car doesn't really count though...16 years of production is nothing to sneeze at.
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
So far, my '00 Neon. It has 100,545 miles on it and just a new fuel pump, tires and front pads & rotors. Engine belts and rear brakes are still original ! Have been using synthetic oil in it after about 50,000 miles because I felt it deserved the good stuff. BTW, it still gets 25 mpg @ 75 mph! Windshield has beared the brunt of 11 rock attacks and still passes inspection.....
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 12:39AM
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 516
YUp...first Valiant was WAY ahead of the other cars at the time....they even had a 1-7 sweep in a Nascar race held just for compacts of the day...first Chrysler to have the modern alternator...I nominate it. Like I said, the basic platform lasted for 16 years.
Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 12:39AM
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 516
I miss my Neon....but not too much...selling it helped pay for HALF of my trip to Scotland 3+ years ago...plus I drove it for 96K+ miles when I DID sell it...I liked how the cup holder got moved in the 2000-up models..close to being "at hand"
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
My first guess is the lowly 318, those darn things were almost indestructible and they made huge numbers of them. I was in a wrecker yard where the guy had a large engine grave yard. About 80% of the engines were 318's and when asked why, the owner said 318's don't wear out like GM and Ford engines, so people just didn't need to replace them. He said GM and Ford engines were hard to keep in stock because the replacement market was always looking for them. I thought that was a pretty good testimonial for Mopar quality.
As far as whole cars, I think my favourite is the 64 Fury 2drht. I've always liked the clean lines, roof styling and general look of that model.
Joined: Sun Oct 09 2005, 09:31PM
Location: NE USA
Posts: 288
My buck is with the Fury...because it was in continuous production from 1956 through 1989. And, that platform was available in virutally endless combinations of engine, transmission & rear gear. Plus, smack on other options like air, power this and power that and presto...you have infinity.
Now, my vote for the best single item would have to be the Hemi engine. The idea, the engineering, the durability, the history and the absolute dominance in any form of racing makes it King...hands down.
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
I love the Hemi, but we have all seen the cars that say "1969 Hemicar with 1966 block, replaced after original engine let go". Or the "warranteed by dealer" replacement block. The 426 Hemis were a dealer's nightmare because nobody in their right mind was going to baby that brute - they drove 'em like they stole 'em... The early Hemis were much more reliable - most have never even had their heads off and still run great after 40 to 50 years. Mostly due to sane operation in Dad's grocery-getter. But nobody will argue with any of your other points on that beautiful piece of engineering (which on Chrysler's dynos would reportedly put out 425 horsepower like clockwork everytime)
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
But were not talking about just the engines. We're talking about the whole car. So far my money is not on any of these. But there is one close. Remember, we're talking of ALL the Mopar cars. A, B, C, E, W, Y
