That's the key word, "major." For a car to be considered a "new design," it has to either vary significantly from the previous year's model, or be a radical departure from the model it's based on. The Pontiac Solstice coupe is a perfect example. It shared its platform and mechanicals with the roadster, but it has a…

It doesn't have to be a ground-up redesign, but a minor cosmetic refresh doesn't count as a new design. For example, the Mustang was redesigned for the 1969 model year. For 1970, that design was carried over, but given some minor cosmetic refinements. It's the same reason nobody's put a first-gen Camaro up here yet.…

I know it was only offered in the US for one year, but is the Limited really different enough from a regular STi to be considered a different design? They only made a few minor cosmetic changes, two of which are already popular among STi owners, namely ditching the wing and re-painting the calipers. Otherwise, the…

That's neat. But what does it have to do with this article?

Seems a bit extreme, considering a) manual-equipped G8s may be rare, but they still exist and haven't all been sent to the crusher; b) you could always move to Australia and buy a VE Commodore; c) GM has already said they're planning to bring the long-wheelbase version of the updated Zeta platform to the US, which…

Not to mention that 90% of the sheet metal, interior and mechanicals are shared with the '67 and '68 Camaros. The addition of a character line on the front fenders does NOT make this a unique, one-year-only design.

There were a handful of Solstace coupes and convertables built in early 2010, but 2009 is their last official model year (making it the coupe's only model year- all production cars are sequentially VIN'ed for MY 2009). The only Pontiac model officially listed for MY 2010 was the Vibe.

I think it was a test idea for GM to see how strong the hash their buddies brought back from Amsterdam was.

So, a car that had "mostly the same" design, minus a couple scoops and extra headlights, for two years is somehow a "one year only" car design?

Weren't those just custom coach-built short-wheelbase versions of the SJ? I don't think the SSJ was ever considered a regular production model.

You must be referring to the Pontiac Solstice Coupe. There was never a Sky coupe.

The looks aren't that different. The Impreza didn't get a significant styling redesign until 2002. Though you are right about '98 being the only year of the DOHC 2.5.

Considering the only real differences between '68, '69 and '70 Chevelles are minor refinements in the interior and sheet metal, the 1970 isn't exactly a "one year-only" car design. It's undoubtedly the most popular single year of the Chevelle, but at least 90% of the styling and mechanicals are carried over from the…

The 1973 Chevelle SS station wagon, the first (and only) production Chevrolet wagon to ever wear the SS badge. When the Chevelle was redesigned for '73, Chevy offered the SS package on Malibu coupes and, for some unknown reason, station wagons. You could choose from two 350s or a 454, with a manual transmission…

Afghan Auto Glass would like to sell you new windows for your RV. "But I don't have an RV," you might be saying. Well not to worry, because Afghan RV Sales can help you with that. All our windows come pre-damaged, and if you buy today we'll throw in coupons for free RV window repair (coupons are a $30 value.)

The main reason people don't look at solar cars as a viable alternative is the Solar Car Challenge itself. When it was first announced, one of the stated goals was to explore the viability of solar power as an alternate fuel source. At first, people saw it as a proof-of-concept. "Yes, we can build cars powered only by…

I think of the 300 and Magnum as the first muscle cars of the modern era, along with the '04-'06 GTO. I don't consider either the old or new SHOs to be muscle cars either. I've driven the new one, and despite it's power and surprisingly good handling it's too much of a cruiser to be a muscle car.

I'm with you on the early second-gen Firebirds, they're gorgeous cars. The GTO-style front end combined with those diabolical-looking twin scoops make them one of the best looking cars in an era of fantastic designs.

Oh man, don't even get me started on four-door "coupes." That's been sticking in my craw even since the Mercedes CLS showed up. And crossovers just piss me off, no matter what they're called. BRING BACK THE WAGON, DAMNIT!

It's pretty normal for people to lose an inch or two in height as their skeletal system settles. It's a gradual creep, usually it starts in your late-20s/early-30s and doesn't really become noticeable until your 40s. My dad used to be 6'2", and he's settled at just a hair under 6'1". Same story with my mom, only she…