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Re: [Tigers] Risky Business

To: m_dangelo@verizon.net
Subject: Re: [Tigers] Risky Business
From: Tom Hall <modtiger@comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:00:00 -0700
At 07:21 AM 4/16/2010, you wrote:
>... I'm truly surprised that all you engineers do not understand how 
>damaging this is to the reputation of this car.
>
>... What's more surprising is that no one is saying that these 
>problems are not only tied to our cool Tigers, but to all or most 
>classic cars of the era, to include Cobras and other highly sought 
>muscle cars.  But go to a Mustang or Cobra forum and you won't find 
>these dire warnings of impending doom.  Let's try to at least put 
>strong caveats above our warnings.  Right?
>
>Mauro

Let me get this straight,  You think it's advisable, to advance the 
reputation of the marque, that those of us with historic 
understanding of certain design limitations and or possible 
shortcomings, should remain silent on these subjects.  I think that 
Toyota is currently proving that this direction is not the best 
alternative.  Most of us "engineers" have recognized and discussed 
these risk situations and are advising that mitigating them requires 
some action on the part of owners that for the most part, request the 
help and advice from the list.

Relative "Risk" is a very personal interpretation.  If you ask for 
advise and I scare you with stories of component failure, and you buy 
my Chassis Reinforcement Kit to strengthen your frame, or you direct 
your restoration to replace components that have been historically 
subject to cyclic fatigue failures, have I helped you or hurt you?

Do you smoke?  Can you believe that anyone, given the state of 
knowledge of that risk, would ever even consider smoking?  How do 
they even manage to sell cigarettes?

As a Professional Engineer, I consider that advising fellow Tiger 
owners of risk factors that I have historical, direct or even 
peripheral and specific knowledge of, to be my social 
responsibility.  Same goes for "authenticity".  If my TAC activities 
keep you from buying a car that was not manufactured as a Tiger by 
Rootes, I'm also reducing your risk factor, even if it is simply 
financial.  You have to judge your own level of acceptable 
risk.  Asking other to remain silent or severely muted, is not really 
helpful in my opinion.  Anyone driving a 40 year old car has a much 
different perspective on driving safety than the general 
public.  Most of the contributors on this list are simply trying to 
share their enjoyment and help others enjoy their Tigers to the 
fullest while acknowledging certain common problems.


Tom Hall
ModTiger Engineering LLC
www.tigerengineering.net
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