Not the let the cat out of the bag early on something, but later today GM is dropping off a 2013 Camaro SS Hot Wheels edition for an upcoming road test story. Normally when I have a car coming, I tell the kids. This time I didn’t because I gave both of my sons the actual Hot Wheels toy that GM handed out when they unveiled this thing at SEMA last November. Adding to the fun, both will be at school when the car shows up. I think they heads will probably explode when they see the actual living version of their Hot Wheels toy sitting in our driveway this afternoon. I’m as excited about seeing their reaction as driving the car.
I remember a couple cool automotive surprises as a kid like a trip to the drag strip with my dad that was billed as something else and then revealed when we were on the way as a good memory. I think I also remember being shocked at seeing a new truck my dad bought that I didn’t know was coming when I was little. All of this planning got me to think about a good question of the day because I think Tom and Jack’s automotive surprise meter will be pegged off the damned charts today. I also know that there’s no freaking way to top having a full sized and fully functional Hot Wheels car in my driveway. The poor guys are peaking early!
We’re looking for your best automotive surprise. Not just when you were a kid. Hell, it could have happened last week!
BangShift Question Of The Day: What’s Been Your Best Automotive Surprise?
my 16th birthday Mom and Dad gave me the 65 Falcon that they had bought from the guy next door for 50 bucks. the rag top was all ripped up, the 6cyl smoked like crazy and it had been painted with a brush. i didn’t care! it was great, my first car! i put a lot of time and part time job money into it and loved every minute. i still have a soft spot for that body style 40 years later.
When my Belvedere arrived at my house for my fifteenth birthday way back in 2011. I had given my dad my money and said go find me a cool old car. When the Plymouth came home i was genuinely surprised.
When I bought a 55 Plymouth junker for parts sight unseen for $50 and when I got it I opened the hood and found a full tilt 440 that ran under it.
Congratulations, Brian, on getting the Camaro for a “road test”.
Imagine when the GM engineers find out it had been driven on the rev limiter for a hundred miles in low gear.
You gotta believe there’s a hidden data recorder in that car, maybe even a remote engine shut-down. It might even have a real-time satellite link to the GM test engineers, like the Formula 1 cars have to Japan.
Or maybe they’ll just give you the “valet” key…
What the heck did you think the Instar was for? It aint for unlocking your doors and giving you directions to the nearest fast food joint.
Probably a good idea to expose the youngsters to lousy “Government Motors” quality, soda-bottle grade plastics, bloated curb weights, antediluvian engines, and ergonomics by Torquemada — all of which are neatly packaged in the cartoonish “bumblebee” Camaro SS.
Then maybe they’ll appreciate — by stark contrast with the awful “Heavy Chevy” — properly-engineered cars when they eventually see ’em.
The thought of those two little maniacs going nuts when they see that car has kept a smile on my face all day! Nothing better than seeing a kid get excited about cars.
Back in the early 70’s, one time my brother took me, my niece and nephew to his friends garage. He surprised us by letting the whole gang sit in Sonny’s “Bullet” car from ‘The Godfather’! His dad was the car supplier to the Godfather film! Also sat in a Pierce-Arrow, Duesenberg, and a few old Caddy’s.
What a night!
mine is humble. might have been 1983 or 4. My dad would visit us once and awhile, he knew I liked cars. One day he said had a surprise, and showed up with a 1981 Eldorado diesel. Remember, this is 1984 or so. A carbed car with a/c was quite a chore. I had only been in one once. this diesel kicked a pump on and did not budge the idle. Most comfortable car I had ever been in. Torque line of a diesel..because it was one.
In 1993 we put my Camaro back on the street after 24 years of not being licensed. We decided to go to Hot August Nights so I borrowed some header mufflers from my nephew. In 1994 I was coming home from work on the Friday before Father’s Day. When I pulled in the driveway my Camaro was out of the garage with ballons tied to the door handles. Then I noticed 3 inch Flowmasters underneathe with turn downs. What a surprise from Chad. I still have that exhaust system today.
The guy down the street opens his garage door. Usually in his garage is a ’98 grand prix. In its place that day sat a 2004 Ford GT. . . I rubbed my eyes and looked again. . . my jaw dropped, I walked straight towards it to get a better look. Turns out he was storing it for a friend for a week. I didnt’ have any luck talking him into a ride in it.
Very cool car