I guess this really is a "Kinder, Gentler, more Politically correct society" we live in. But I suppose (since coming of age during the 60's) I always thought "ragging" on the other guys car was just part of the car culture. Even though I never did it unless someone starting raggin on mine first, I really don't think anybody ever really meant anything by it. It was just something "car guys" did when ever they gathered.
Ben, there is something you've got to understand. In 1970 (the peak of the muscle car era) Muscle Cars truly "ruled" the streets, and if you were a young guy back then pulling up to a stop light in your new 240 Z, next to any American 2dr. with a high compression V8, 4 bl. carb & dual exhaust, it was usually a lose, lose situation for you. Hence the "embarrassment". You are absolutely right, they were two completely different "types" of cars, but it didn't matter in 1970, it was all about "drag racing", acceleration, 0-60, smokey burn outs, and who had the most cubic inches. As silly as it sounds today, that's how you were "rated" on the automotive pecking order.
I honestly think that's what Firebase meant, when he said a Z car driver (back then) would have been embarrassed.
I've had lot's of Z cars, and I loved them, but the new one leaves me cold because of its styling. I suppose that's just one of many reasons I chose the Crossfire instead.
Sorry for the Ancient History lesson, but misunderstandings caused by the generation gap on this web site are inevitable from time to time, and it's simply because we all look at things a little differently.
One thing for sure, we can almost all agree that we have a very similar appreciation for the Crossfire, and if you use that as a starting point, then everything else will probably just fall into place.