[Old Blue 66]

What makes you scratch your head and think, even with the lack of technology they had 44 years ago, what were the engineers thinking??

Cosmetically, the stupid fins on the front fenders of my LeMans. They're pointless and look stupid. Im sure there are a few mechanical flaws but I cant think of one at the moment.

[george kujanski]

paul, those have nothing to do with engineering... done by some misguided designer.

Just like the slots in the rear quarters of a '67 Lemans....

George

[Keith Seymore]

It's because the designers (studio stylists) thought they were "beautiful" and "they loved them".

Trust me on this.



K

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by george kujanski

paul, those have nothing to do with engineering... done by some misguided designer.

Just like the slots in the rear quarters of a '67 Lemans....

George

But I was also looking to hear about mechanical stuff like the heater core that's "really easy" to replace.

[69taconv]

THAT LEMANS IS GORGOUS WHAT U OLD FARTS TALKIN ABOUT

[Andre]

I think the sunken back window with the deadener sandwiched between the upper and lower sheet metal, and no water drain tube was a bad idea for the 66-7 A body.

[66Post]

Easy access to the front speaker has always impressed me, ever since May 1966.

[kate`s67gto]

Originally Posted by Andre

I think the sunken back window with the deadener sandwiched between the upper and lower sheet metal, and no water drain tube was a bad idea for the 66-7 A body.

X2 on the missing drain tubes at the back window corners.
Also i would add the console should of had 4 weld nuts like the front seats have,
although smaller in size instead of drilling screws through the floor same for floor shifter

[chipster]

I am convinced that the designers came up with things to make the lower line cars look dorky, in order to hopefully sell more GTO's and V8 LeMans.

[67GTONUT]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

But I was also looking to hear about mechanical stuff like the heater core that's "really easy" to replace.

Heater core is easy compared to the Fan Blower

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by 67GTONUT

Heater core is easy compared to the Fan Blower

Thats an easy fix. By pass the heater core completely and you kill two birds with one stone. If you dont have any heat, you'll never have to replace the blower!! Who needs heat anyway!

[1967Tempest]

How about being able to do ANY mechanical repair with loads of room until you work on the exhaust?
Or where they put the brake proportioner.

[DBONES152]

1. Why didn't they put a drain plug on the M20 or M21 trans?
2. Why is the grease fitting on the Z-Bar (4-Speed Cars) on the back? It would be so much easier if it were on the top, front, or bottom. Morons!!!

[chipster]

Taillight sockets that lose contact and are poorly grounded

Transmission crossmember mounts.

Tons of places that trap water.

Poor aerodynamics, bugs always smashing into windshield, bumper, grill, and front of hood.

Headlight and taillight bezels that inevitably pit.

Downright scary brakes!

I still like my LeMans, though.

[GT182]

All done to give you fits for a couple of years, and to get you to trade it in for a new car after you'd put up with enough of the fits.

Keith might know on this one. Designers were always a few years ahead on new car designs. That being said they worked on new things to give you more of the above.

Just and endless cycle. LOL

[1967Tempest]

Originally Posted by chipster

Taillight sockets that lose contact and are poorly grounded

That is an understatement!!!!

[Rugratman]

Yep, drain plugs on the Muncies, and Auto's.
Brake valve....10 times worse with headers.
That little screw behind the vent window post that holds the front of the belt line molding in.
Turn signal switch....
Blower motor is indeed about 2 inch's off...

One could argue our 10 bolt posi rear was not a great design either.
Trans crossmember, kinda flimsy.
Z bar frame rail bracket.

[b-man]

No drain plug was provided on manual transmissions and rear ends because fluid changes were only needed if these units were disassembled according to the factory service manual.

Automatics had no drain plug in the pan because you were expected to replace the filter when changing fluid, so the pan had to come off anyway. It can make a bit of a mess of course with no drain plug if you're not careful.

One defect on the '67 GTO is the lack of drainage around the tailights, from what I've heard every '67 GTO eventually rusts there even if they're babied and kept in a garage. Replacing the tail panel on one of these cars during a restoration is not the least bit unusual.

[Rugratman]

B man's picture reminds me, that screw on the bottom of that trim, that you can only get to, by removing the bumper.

But the worst on our car's, while not the fault of Pontiac engineer's, is the freakin header bolts....no job is worse in my mind.

[Mr_GTO]

Obviously by the way we've seen bodies rot on cars that are 45 years old hind sight is 20/20. That said, I'd rather work on a '66 GTO than a 2003 Cavalier because of space adn ease of being able to actually work on things.