re: What's in a name

[Frank Formeister <f-formeister@domain.elided>]

In todays market there doesn't appear to be much substance in the initials it
gives to cars.  Use to be able to determine quite a bit about the beast if
you knew the code.

Granted the monikers below were used well after the actual historical
nomenclature was applied but, if memory doesn't fail me, it fits the thread,
though in a limited racing application :

GTO Grand Turismo (full bodied cars) over 2.5 liters
GTU  as above, under 2.5 liters

Maybe this was only SCCA's classification.

On a side note Mercedes used to be capable of easy identification in earlier
days S = gas, D = diesel, E = injection, L= long wheelbase, T=turbo, Number
used to mean displacement (unless there was an extra number badge to the
right (like 6.3). Now they make them up as they go along.  Hence the CLK,
which I hear means Coupe, Lightweight, Compressor.

Gettin' too old to try and remember all the new CXi, EX, LX, ML320, Z8, 911,
959, 963, GT2, GTR & BS codes.

Guess I'll call it what I want as in "Hey, look at that PoS!"  Unless it's an
Alfa, of course, (mandatory content :)).

Regards,

Frank Formeister (really dating himself!)

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