The Basic Car Trivia Test
This was written in about 2003, so excuse me if it seems rather old. Good luck.
1. There was not really a 1964 ½ Mustang. They were all titled as 1965s. Name at least 2 ways you can tell an early (or 1964 ½) Mustang from a regular 1965. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Name 4 cars that Pontiac named after racing venues during the 50s, 60s & 70s. Name the 2 models they stole the names from Ferrari for. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What famous car was named after a cartoon character?
_____________________________________________________________
4. What year, make and model was the General Lee in “The Dukes of Hazzard”?
_____________________________________________________________
5. What car had the tallest tailfins for a production car?
_____________________________________________________________
6. When the Corvette debuted in 1953 it was only available with 1 engine and transmission choice. What were they?
_____________________________________________________________
7. One of the most famous cars of the 60s was the Cobra. Who’s brand name was on the early model car. ________________________________________________
8. What year did the Chrysler Hemi motor début? _____________________
9. With the Mustang GT-350, what did the 350 stand for? How about the “H” in the GT-350H? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. With the Ford GT-40, what did the 40 stand for? ____________________________________________________________
11. With the Mustang GT-500KR, what did the KR stand for?
____________________________________________________________
12. What year was the “small block V-8 motor” released in the Chevrolet? What year did they first advertise 1 horsepower per cubic inch?
____________________________________________________________
13. How many factory advertised horsepower did the high output 409 develop in 1964? _____________________
14. What three cars are often argued to have started the “muscle car era”?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. In 1968, there were 2 American cars advertised as “two seat sports cars” what were they? _______________________________________________
16. At what American car dealer could you purchase a Pantera?
_____________________________________________________________
17. Who sold a high performance model called the “Eliminator”.
_____________________________________________________________
18. In 1969, Datsun released the 240Z in the United States and Canada, What was it called in most of the other countries it was sold in?
_____________________________________________________________
19. In the 2000s, the 240Z was considered by collectors to be one a few collectible cars of the sixties and early seventies Japanese cars. Name the other one.
_____________________________________________________________
20. After Ransom Olds was ousted from Oldsmobile in about 1905, he went on to start another car company with his name. What was it? ____________
21. One popular truck to restore today is the “COE”. What does that stand for? _________________________________________________________
22. What two models of cars made by Honda were rear wheel drive only?
_____________________________________________________________
23. Name three 60s American cars that were named after fish?
_____________________________________________________________
24. What 60s European car, available in the US, was capable of both road and water use?
_____________________________________________________________
25. What is the nickname for early Austin Healey Sprites in America?
How about in the UK? _____________________________________________________________
26. Name the famous industrial designer who designed the Avanti. What year did it debute? ______________________________________________
27. Of all the brand names sold by General Motors, which one was the original brand that started them off? ________________________________
28. Who was the famous car designer that gave us the 1963 Buick Riviera? ______________________________________________________
29. Name the short lived Buick sports car made in the ‘80s. _____________
30. Name the short lived Cadillac sports car made in the ‘80s. ___________
31. Name the short lived Chrysler sports car made in the ‘80s. ___________
32. Name the designer who brought us the electric starter. Who ordered him to develop it? __________________________________________________
33. Name the famous auto designer that brought us the “tail fin”.
_____________________________________________________________
34. In what year did Chevrolet first outsell Ford? ______________________
35. In what year did Ford again famously outsell Chevrolet for the first time in a few years? _______
36. What year Chevrolet was dubbed the “baby Cadillac”? ______________
37. In the late fifties, Chevrolet had available 2 automatic transmissions. One was the Powerglide, what was the other one called? _______________
_
38. What year did the Chevrolet 327 premiere? ______________
39. In the early ‘60s, General motors built two cars that were turbocharged. Name the make and model of both. _________________________________
40. The Corvette has been made since 1953, only one year they did not sell a model, what year was that? _____________________
41. What two different Chevrolet car lines were the El Camino based on?
_____________________________________________________________
42. What year did the Ford Model T come out? _____________
43. We’ve all heard that Henry Ford said that you could get a Model T in any color, as long as it was black. There was a very good reason for this. What was it? Was that actually true? __________________________________________________
44. All but the first 750 Model Ts had three foot pedals, what were their function?
_____________________________________________________________
45. The Model T had buggy spring suspension that consisted of one leaf spring across the front axle and one across the rear axle. What year did Ford quit using this design? ___________________
46. In 1969, Pontiac brought out the GTO “Judge” package that is now very sought after. Buick also made a similar package. What was this car called?
_____________________________________________________________
47. In 1987, the fastest accelerating car sold by General Motors was a Buick. What model was it? _____________________________
48. In the late fifty’s and early sixty’s, Ford had a different model name for their convertibles. What was the name? ______________________________
49. Ford also had a model name for what has become known as the “retractable” convertible. What was the model of this car? ________________________
50. In the early 70s, the “big block” Corvettes had a special hood. What was the only “small block” model to use the same hood? __________________
51. Name three body differences between a 1968 Camaro and a 1968 Camaro RS. __________________________________________________
52. What size motor was used in the 1967 thru 69 Camaro Z-28? How about 70 on?__________________________________
53. Chevrolet made ’68 and ‘69 Camaros with 3 option packages, the SS, the RS and the Z-28. The combination of the RS and the SS was somewhat common. Could you combine any other of these combinations? _________
54. What year did the Chrysler 300 arrive on the scene? ____________
55. Along with other auto conglomerates was one called “ACD”. What cars did they manufacture? ___________________________________________
56. In the early days of luxury cars, the big three were known as the “3 P’s”. What three brands were these? ____________________________________
57. What car of the late 20’s and early 30’s advertised that it could do 100 mph in second gear? ________________________
58. What was the name that Desoto used for the Chrysler “hemi” motor that was used in their models? ______________________
59. For many years, Chevrolet has used their famous “Bow tie” logo. Where did the idea for this come from?________________________________
60. What model Ford preceded the Model T? __________________
61. What model Ford followed the Model T? ___________________
62. What year did Ford release the famous “flathead V-8”? __________
63. In 1969 it became law that all cars have locking steering columns. When was this first offered on the Ford line? ______________
64. What is the main styling difference between the 1963 and the 1963 ½ Ford? __________________________________________________
65. What were the 2 model designations of the ’69 & ’70 Mustang “Boss” cars? _____________________________________________
66. What year Thunderbirds were later known as “Square Birds”?_________
___________________________________
67. What was the last year of the original run of Thunderbirds, 1955 through 1987, that you could get as a convertible? _______________________
68. Could you ever purchase a 4-door Thunderbird? ___________
69. What American car company designed the Jeep for the military just before World War II? ___________________________________
70. What two companies manufactured the vast majority of the Jeeps during World War II? ________________________________________
71. In the late 40s, Jeep made a sporty 2-wheel drive only vehicle. What was it called? ___________________________________
72. What were the lightened Pontiac Catalina’s designed for drag racing of the early 60s nick named? __________________________________
73. What year did Pontiac first use the sales slogan “wide track”? ________
74. Sunbeam made two famous sports cars in the 60s, the Tiger and the Alpine. What was the main difference? _____________________________________________________________
75. In the mid to late 60s Triumph made a car with the Rover aluminum V-8. What was this car called? ________________
76. In what country was the Delorean car manufactured? _______________
77. How many Tucker Torpedo’s were made? __________
78. Was there an actual difference between a Barracuda and a ‘Cuda? _____
OK, here are the answers
1. There was not really a 1964 ½ Mustang. They were all titled as 1965s. Name at least 2 ways you can tell an early (or 1964 ½) Mustang from a regular 1965. Generator, non adjustable pass. Seat, 260 V8 available, 13” wheels with six, Front hood lip.
2. Name the 4 cars that Pontiac named after racing venues during the 50s & 60s. Name the 2 models they stole the names from Ferrari for. Gran prix, Lemans, Bonneville, Trans Am, Can Am. GTO, 2+2.
3. What famous car was named after a cartoon character? Plymouth Road Runner.
4. What year, make and model was the General Lee in “The Dukes of Hazzard”? 1969 Dodge Charger.
5. What car had the tallest tailfins for a production car? 1959 Cadillac.
6. When the Corvette debuted in 1953 it was only available with 1 engine and transmission choice. What were they. 235 cid Blue Flame Six, Powerglide automatic.
7. One of the most famous cars of the 60s was the Cobra. Who’s brand name was on the car. AC.
8. What year did the Chrysler Hemi motor début? 1951.
9. With the Mustang GT-350, what did the 350 stand for? How about the “H” in the GT-350H? Aprox. 350 feet from where Caroll Shelby was standing to a Ford building, Hertz rental car.
10. With the Ford GT-40, what did the 40 stand for? 40” high.
11. With the Mustang GT-500KR, what did the KR stand for? King of the Road.
12. What year was the “small block V-8 motor” released in the Chevrolet? What year did they first advertise 1 horsepower per cubic inch? 1955, 1957 with the fuel injected 283.
13. How many factory advertised horsepower did the high output 409 develop in 1964? 425
14. What three cars are argued to have started of the “muscle car era”? 1964 Pontiac GTO, 1949 Olds Rocket 88, 1957 Rambler Rebel.
15. In 1968, there were 2 American cars advertised as “two seat sports cars” what were they? Corvette, AMX.
16. At what American car dealer could you purchase a Pantera? Mercury dealer.
17. Who sold a high performance model called the “Eliminator” Mercury Cougar, it could be ordered with all Shelby Mustang components.
18. In 1969, Datsun released the 240Z in the United States and Canada, What was it called in all the other countries it was sold in? Fairlady Z.
19. The 240Z is considered by collectors to be one of the only two collectible Japanese cars of the 60s and 70s. Name the other one. Toyota 2000 GT.
20. After Ransom Olds was ousted from Oldsmobile in about 1905, he went on to start another car company with his name. What was it? REO.
21. The popular truck to restore today is the “COE”. What does that stand for? Cab over engine.
22. What two models of cars made by Honda are rear wheel drive?
S-2000, Acura NSX.
23. What three American cars were the only ones named after fish? Plymouth Barracuda, Corvette Sting Ray, Rambler Marlin.
24. What European car was capable of both road and water use? Amphicar.
25. What is the nickname for early Austin Healey Sprites? Bugeye, or in England, Frogeye
26. Name the famous industrial designer who designed the Avanti. What year did it debute? Raymond Lowey, 1963.
27. Of all the brand names sold by General Motors, which one was the original brand that started them off? Buick.
28. Who was the famous car designer that gave us the 1963 Buick Riviera? Bill Mitchell.
29. Name the short lived Buick sports car made in the ‘80s. Reatta
30. Name the short lived Cadillac sports car made in the ‘80s. Allante.
31. Name the short lived Chrysler sports car made in the ‘80s. T/C
32. Name the designer who brought us the electric starter. Who ordered him to develop it? Delco's founder, Charles Kettering, Cadillacs founder, Henry Leyland.
33. Name the famous auto designer that brought us the “tail fin”. Harley Earl.
34. In what year did Chevrolet first outsell Ford? 1927.
35. In what year did Ford again outsell Chevrolet for the first time? 1957.
36. What year Chevrolet was dubbed the “baby Cadillac”? 1955 Chevrolet.
37. In the late fifties, Chevrolet had available 2 automatic transmissions. One was the Powerglide, what was the other one called? Turboglide.
38. What year did the Chevrolet 327 premiere? 1962.
39. In the early ‘60s, General motors built two cars that were turbocharged. Name the make and model of both. Olds F-85 Jetfire, Chevrolet Corvair Spider.
40. The Corvette has been made for many years, only one year they did not sell a model, what year was that? 1983.
41. What Chevrolet car models were the El Camino based on? Full size in ’59 & 60, Chevelle 1964 and later.
42. What year did the Ford Model T come out? 1908.
43. We’ve all heard that Henry Ford said that you could get a Model T in any color, as long as it was black. There was a very good reason for this. What was it? Was that true? It was just easier to have all the cars painted the same color. Only from 1914 through 1925 was that even the case.
44. A Model T had three foot pedals, what were their function? Brake, Reverse, High/Low.
45. The Model T had buggy suspension that consisted of one leaf spring across the front axle and one across the rear axle. What year did Ford quit using this design? After 1948.
46. In 1969, Pontiac brought out the GTO “Judge” package that is now very sought after. Buick also made a similar package. What was this car called? GSX.
47. In 1987, the fastest accelerating car sold by General Motors was a Buick. What model was it? Grand National or GNX.
48. In the fifty’s and early sixty’s, Ford had a different model name for their convertibles. What was the name? Sunliner.
49. Ford also had a model name for what has become known as the “retractable”. What was the model of this car? Skyliner.
50. In the early 70s, the “big block” Corvettes had a special hood. What was the only “small block” model to use the same hood? LT1.
51. Name three body differences between a 1968 Camaro and a 1968 Camaro RS. Location of parking lights, grill, RS had hidden headlights, taillights, location of back-up lights.
52. What size motor was used in the 1969 Camaro Z-28? 302 cid, It was designed for Trans Am racing like the Boss 302. The limit for that was 305. Starting in 1970, they used the LT1 350.
53. Chevrolet made ’68 and ‘69 Camaros with 3 option packages, the SS, the RS and the Z-28. The combination of the RS and the SS was somewhat common. Could you combine any other of these combinations? The RS/Z28 is extremely rare.
54. What year did the Chrysler 300 arrive on the scene? 1955.
55. Along with other auto conglomerates was one called “ACD”. What cars did they manufacture? Auburn, Cord, Duesenburg.
56. In the early days of luxury cars, the big three were known as the “3 P’s”. What three brands were these? Packard, Peerless, Pierce Arrow.
57. What car of the late 20’s and early 30’s advertised that it could do 100 mph in second gear? Duesenburg.
58. What was the name that Desoto used for the Chrysler “hemi” motor that was used in their models? Firedome.
59. What year did the first Ferrari enter the market? 1947.
60. What model Ford preceded the Model T? Model R.
61. What model Ford followed the Model T? Model A
62. What year did Ford release the famous “flathead V-8”? 1932.
63. In 1969 it became law that all cars have locking steering columns. When was this first offered on the Ford line? 1935.
64. What is the main styling difference between the 1963 and the 1963 ½ Ford? Sweeping roofline on the later model.
65. What were the 2 model designations of the ’69 & ’70 Mustang “Boss” cars? Boss 302, Boss 429.
66. What year Thunderbirds were later known as “Square Birds”? 1958, 59 and 60.
67. What was the last year of the original run of Thunderbirds that you could get as a convertible? 1966.
68. Could you ever purchase a 4-door Thunderbird? Yes, 1967, 68, 69.
69. What American car company designed the Jeep for the military just before World War II? American Bantam.
70. What two companies manufactured the vast majority of the Jeeps during World War II? Willys and Ford.
71. In the late 40s, Jeep made a sporty 2-wheel drive only vehicle. What was it called? Jeepster.
72. What were the lightened Pontiac Catalina’s designed for drag racing of the early 60s nick named? Swiss Cheese Catalina’s, because of all the holes drilled in the frame.
73. What year did Pontiac first use the sales slogan “wide track”? 1959.
74. Sunbeam made two famous sports cars in the 60s, the Tiger and the Alpine. What was the main difference? Alpine had a 4 cylinder, Tiger had a Ford V-8.
75. In the mid to late 60s Triumph made a car with the Rover aluminum V-8. What was this car called? Stag.
76. In what country was the Delorean car manufactured? Ireland.
77. How many Tucker Torpedo’s were made? 51.
78. Was there an actual difference between a Barracuda and a ‘Cuda? Yes, in the years ’70 and on, the ‘Cuda was the high performance model.
