Tech & Auto
12 Classic American Cars That Simply Aren’t Worth Your Money
By JEFF HARPER
305 California
GM created the 1980 Corvette 305 California to meet the state’s stringent emission requirements during the strict environmental mandates of the ’70s.
The car featured an LG4 305 cubic-inch V8 engine, which produced a paltry 180 hp at 4,200 rpm and 255 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm.
Camaro Iron Duke
The early 1980s were rough for muscle cars due to the new environmental mandates, and one car that suffered from them was the 1982 Camaro Iron Duke.
This base model Camaro was equipped with the smallest, least powerful 2.5-liter, four-cylinder “Iron Duke,” producing 90 hp and reaching 60 mph in about 20 seconds.
Mustang Boss 302
While Ford has a long history of making reliable engines, the 302 ci V8 engine in the 1969 Mustang Boss 302 is one of the few exceptions.
The engine could generate 290 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque and reach 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. However, its pistons were prone to cracking or failing after only 20,000 miles.
Pontiac GTO
Another victim of the 1970s energy crisis that saw stricter emissions standards was the 1974 Pontiac GTO with its L76 350ci four-barrel engine.
The engine could produce 200 hp at 4,400 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm. Its ability to reach 60 mph in 9.4 seconds was hardly impressive.
Ford Explorer
Ford’s Explorer model became a huge hit in only a short period. By 1996, the SUV had become one of the automaker’s best-selling vehicles.
However, the ’96 model was plagued with tire separation issues, which resulted in a much higher-than-expected number of rollovers, crashes, and over 200 deaths.