Unfortunately the Big 3 left those cars behind (I don't see one name on that list that is still in production today) and didn't pursue them which led them to where we are today ... giving out handouts to everyone who thought bigger was better and the gas crisis was complete history.
My thing is these are the choices American Consumers made. Why the hell should the US Gov give them money now? And why help out those who got them there? GM was a freakin money pit and we're not out of it yet.
If you buy any sports car, you buy it because you wanted it. Bad MPG and all. So what's the diff in buying something where the wifey doesn't have to put up with the kids touching each other?
Americans go hungry from loss of jobs and some from receiving an increase in their unemployment which disqualified them for their food stamps. And we are putting money towards this? I just think the US can and should do better.
Always good debating with you Jeff.
__________________
if you can only race me in a straight line then whats the point 
...91 SMF SCCA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8341770@N07/5601083432/http://www.flickr.com/photos/8341770@N07/5601083432/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/8341770@N07/, on Flickr
I see people out there spending money on the car to improve it … If you spend half that effort just working on your driving skills, making you and the car work together as a team, then you’ll go faster – period. To make the car go a second faster on the track takes a lot more energy and money than making yourself drive it one second faster.
– the late Tom Thrash SCCA Solo E Production