Is an Infinity G35 a Pony car?

[FlameRed-3.8L]

As you can tell from my user name I own a Red Mustang with a V-6. So I hope the Mustang and Camero gys don't completely bite my head off.

After the demise of the of the Camaro F-body many journalists and automotive enthusiasts started claiming that the Mustang is the "last" muscle/pony car. While I think that statement has merrit I think that the Infinity G35 coupe is acualy a pony car, even though many may right it off as just an import.

Lets face it, the infinity has a pronounced front end, long hood, a short flat deck, heavy rake on the windshield, and a sloping c pillar that joins the body abruptly. It's a 2 door coupe with 2+2 seating, is light weight, and comes with a 280hp V6. I went to the infinity web page and found that the Sport Coupe Leather 6MT (Premium package, 6spd Manual Trans) model costs just $32k. I jumped over to vortechsuperchargers.com and found that by just bolting on a centerfugial supercharger you can be running a light weight, great handling 2+2 coupe with 412hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque.

If that doesn't sound like a pony car I don't know what does.

And for those of you who think you need to have racing heritage to be a true muscle car I'll refer you to the car that spawned the G35, the Nissan Skyline.

So my question is, do you think it is a pony car?

[fajita23200]

Fast car, yes.Pony car, I don't know. As far as the Skyline is concerned,how many do you see here?? You're talking about the, I think it's rated at 1025-1035 horses. I'm not real sure on that one so don't quote me. As far as American technology goes. Don't underestimate their ability to put out an exteremely fast/insanely fast contender.

[HiFlow5 0]

When someone says "pony car" they are talking about a car that has heritage, and pertains to cars from a certain area and its progression. Mustang, Camaro, old school muscle. It was a thing of the 60's and 70's. At least that's my take on it.

[GTStang]

I'm with HiFlow on this one... there really is no true muscle cars any more. So what use to be pony cars have been referred to as muscle cars for last 15 years or so. And not having a V-8 is really hurting the G35 from being a possible muscle car. Also it's heritage is a borrowed from the Z and the Z's heritage is def not muscle nor pony car.

[Toyrolla]

Technically, the G35 can be considered a ponycar, because it's predecessor (Skyline) was a performance oriented car from the early times.

1969-72 Skyline GT-R



1998cc 160hp double over head cam 6cyl. S20 engine

Not bad for a car that came out in 1969...

[HiFlow5 0]

Skyline is not American made, therefor cannot be classified as a pony car. The term pony car goes hand in hand with good old fashioned Detroit Muscle.

[GTStang]

Pony cars don't have 4 doors!!!!!!!!

[SIKCRX]

G35's have 4 doors? i thought those were basically the same thing as the 350Z's

[Toyrolla]

The common Skyline is a 2-door.

The G35 also has a coupe, as does the new R35 Skyline...

[Toyrolla]

Originally Posted by HiFlow5 0

Skyline is not American made, therefor cannot be classified as a pony car. The term pony car goes hand in hand with good old fashioned Detroit Muscle.

Clarification:
The term pony car goes hand in hand with Ford models; Pinto, Maverick, & Mustang....

I never recall the term "pony car" ever being used with anything from Chevy or Mopar. If it has, then that's news to me.

If a car is deemed a pony car because of certain characteristics regarding design and capability, then it really doesn't matter where it originates from. In Japan, that role is covered by the Skyline and the Supra.

Have a good weekend, Guys...

The weather is getting better and better...

[duplox]

"1998cc 160hp double over head cam 6cyl. S20 engine

Not bad for a car that came out in 1969..."

How about the Ford 427 SOHC, aka the "Cammer"? I believe it came out in 1967, and put out 658hp with dual 4bbl carbs, I think around 50hp less with single. And you could buy one over the counter from a ford dealership! Now THATs muscle! My uncle put one in his 1967 Mustang Fastback drag car.
I believe a pony car is a lightweight American car, originating in the '60s, with at least an option for a v8. Hell, the original 60s mustangs had at least 6 v8s you could choose from! 289, 302, 390, 410, 427, 428, 429... and if you include all the engines from that era(say 1965-1973) you could also get the 351c, maybe even the 352FE engine. Not sure on the last one... Not to mention there were different versions of each, ie 2bbl, 4bbl, HO, Cobra jet, Boss... the list goes on and on.

[Toyrolla]

Originally Posted by duplox

"1998cc 160hp double over head cam 6cyl. S20 engine

Not bad for a car that came out in 1969..."

How about the Ford 427 SOHC, aka the "Cammer"? I believe it came out in 1967, and put out 658hp with dual 4bbl carbs, I think around 50hp less with single. And you could buy one over the counter from a ford dealership! Now THATs muscle! My uncle put one in his 1967 Mustang Fastback drag car.
I believe a pony car is a lightweight American car, originating in the '60s, with at least an option for a v8. Hell, the original 60s mustangs had at least 6 v8s you could choose from! 289, 302, 390, 410, 427, 428, 429... and if you include all the engines from that era(say 1965-1973) you could also get the 351c, maybe even the 352FE engine. Not sure on the last one... Not to mention there were different versions of each, ie 2bbl, 4bbl, HO, Cobra jet, Boss... the list goes on and on.

Good point Duplox, but wasn't "The Crammer" an engine to be purchased; as opposed to something that already came in the car? Just wondering....

[DkShadow]

Originally Posted by Toyrolla

Clarification:
The term pony car goes hand in hand with Ford models; Pinto, Maverick, & Mustang....

I never recall the term "pony car" ever being used with anything from Chevy or Mopar. If it has, then that's news to me.

If a car is deemed a pony car because of certain characteristics regarding design and capability, then it really doesn't matter where it originates from. In Japan, that role is covered by the Skyline and the Supra.

Have a good weekend, Guys...

The weather is getting better and better...

Pony cars are american.

The F-bodies were pony cars.






Why would this question be brought up anyways?

[duplox]

Yeah, the cammer was only an OTC engine, you couldnt buy it installed... but you could buy mustangs with any number of other 427s installed in them, low/medium/high port, tunnel port, different carb configurations, cams, etc.

Just for fun, a picture of my uncle's '67:

[flex339]

that's a nice ride. I've always wanted one of those.